Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Ark-les Corporation

Joel C Bragg

Randy S McDonald

Jeffrey J Krieger

Kenyon A Hapke

Michael Osvatic

Michael K Hintz

Jarod Michael Sulik

Jonathan H Olson

Adrian J Tengler

Mark D Rodaer

Mark R Heckenkamp

James D Spors

Randy S Mcdonald

An appliance latch receives a strike when the appliance lid is closed and provides an electrically activated lock holding the lid closed during portions of the wash cycle that might present a hazard. The strike presents two different surfaces to the latch, the first to activate a lock mechanism and the second to activate an anti-tamper switch before the appliance may be actuated thereby reducing the risk of tampering.

Tamper resistant appliance latch

A latch for a washing machine or other appliance provides two interengaging elements on a lid and housing each having a magnet oriented for mutual repulsion. Proper repulsion of the magnets is necessary to signal that the lid is properly closed such as may be used to determine if the appliance may be locked and safely operated, for example, in a clothes spinning mode.

Lid lock with magnetic anti-tamper feature

A damper suitable for use in a refrigerator provides for linear motion of a damper plate toward and away from a damper seat. The damper plate may be driven by an axial lead screw attached to a small DC motor and may employ a non-foam gasket to reduce water absorption and possible formation of obstructing ice.

Linear travel air damper

A transportation-robust bi-stable latch mechanism preserves low actuation forces by means of an auxiliary mechanism blocking the effects of shock forces during transportation.

Low power consumption lock for appliance latch

An electrical linear actuator employs a reversible motor driving a helical wire spring. The coils of the spring engage a follower that moves along the axis of the spring with rotation of the motor to provide linear motion. This actuator may be used as a linear drive in an appliance lock.

Appliance lock using a motor driven linear actuator with helical spring drive

A mechanized vent for a dishwasher employs a vent plate moving about a hinge axis as driven by a cam mechanism at a surface of the vent plate removed from the hinge axis.

Dishwasher vent assembly

A vent for a dishwasher provides a valve with dual actuation, either to be electrically actuated according to a cycle of the dishwasher so as to close during periods of high noise generation, typically the wash cycle, and opened during the dry cycle, or to be actuated independently of the cycle under pressure differences such as may be caused by interruption of the dishwasher cycle and opening and closing of the dishwasher door such as may cause a pressure surge as the introduced cool air is rapidly heated in the interior of the dishwasher.

Growing community of inventors

Waterford, WI, United States of America

Joel C Bragg