The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 18, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 28, 1998
Mark H Nelson, Berrien Springs, MI (US);
Jim J Pastryk, New Troy, MI (US);
Verne H Myers, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Daryl L Harmon, Newburgh, IN (US);
Andrew M Oltman, Evansville, IN (US);
Gregory G Hortin, Evansville, IN (US);
James R Peterson, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Victor W Cuthbert, Sodus, MI (US);
Steven E Tolliver, Newburgh, IN (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A refrigerator having a cabinet which defines a freezer compartment having an access opening and a closure member for closing the access opening. An ice maker is disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces. An ice storage bin is mounted to the closure member below the ice maker for receiving ice from the ice maker. An ice level sensing finger extends from the ice maker into the ice storage bin for sensing the level of ice within the storage bin. A lever is pivotably connected to the ice maker and biased toward the closure member for lifting the ice level sensing finger out of the ice storage bin when the closure member is opened. The lever further operates to prevent the dispensing of ice pieces when the closure member is open.