Whirlpool Corporation

Robert H Kraemer

Ralph Tate

William J Linstromberg

Paul B Chesnut

Mark C Loessel

James P Laughlin, Jr

An automatic ice maker structure having a water valve and rotary switch for controlling operation of the water valve. A manually adjustable switch contact structure is associated with the rotary switch for varying the time of operation of the water valve and thereby adjusting the size of ice bodies produced in the ice maker. The switch contact structure includes a support supporting the contact for reciprocal rectilinear positioning. The support has a thread engagement portion and a screw is provided having a shank threadedly engaging the portion of the support. A control knob is rotatively mounted on a wall of the housing of the control. The control knob is connected to a noncircular end portion of the screw for rotatively fixed, axially movable association therewith. The control knob is snap-fitted to the housing wall to engage the screw end. The control knob is rotatable over approximately 350.degree. to effect a corresponding range of rectilinear reciprocation of the contact.

Adjustable ice maker control

In an ice maker having a mold defining at least one upwardly opening ice body forming cavity and a peripheral wall defining a top, structure for providing at least approximately 3 mm. clearance between components mounted to the mold and the mold wall top for preventing water which may be deposited on the mold wall top from being drawing by capillarity downwardly between the wall and mounted component. The structure further defines a drain for draining any liquid which may be deposited in the clearance space. The invention comprehends the provision of such a clearance spacing illustratively between the housing of a control mounted to the ice maker mold, the ice stripper mounted to the ice maker mold, and the water supply trough mounted to the ice maker mold.

Ice maker with anti-capillarity means

A retention system for supporting a device on a first stationary member to have biased abutment with a cooperating second stationary member removably secured to the first stationary member. The system includes at least one resilient clip carried by the first stationary member and having a portion resiliently frictionally engaging the device so as to effectively retain the device in association with the first stationary member prior to the mounting of the second stationary member thereto. The spring clip further includes an end portion biasing the device outwardly from the first stationary member to be engaged by the second stationary member when the second stationary member is mounted to the first stationary member. The clip is removably retained in a slotted portion of the first stationary member for facilitated installation.

Thermostat mounting

A housing enclosing a control for use in an electrical apparatus having structure defining a control space arranged to preclude access to the control in the housing when the housing is in the control space. The apparatus may include a connecting device for connecting the apparatus to an alternating current power supply for normal electrical operation of the apparatus. The control may comprise an alarm device which causes operation of the alarm upon a malfunctioning of the apparatus, and includes a battery for operating the alarm in the event of a failure of the power supply. The battery is removably connected to a circuit board portion of the control and a structural portion of the electrical apparatus prevents replacement of the battery and exposure of the control circuit when the housed control is in the control space and connected to the alternating current power source. The control housing is arranged to expose a portion of the battery for observation by the user when the housed control is in the control space.

Growing community of inventors

Evansville, IN, United States of America

Robert H Kraemer