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:
Mar. 01, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 30, 2009
Trevor L. Hawkins, Belle Plaine, IA (US);
Derek T. Lehman, Coralville, IA (US);
Trevor L. Hawkins, Belle Plaine, IA (US);
Derek T. Lehman, Coralville, IA (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment, a door providing access to the refrigerator, and an ice making compartment. The ice making compartment includes an assembly including a fan, bracket, grommet, and motor. The bracket is configured to receive the grommet, fan, and motor without separate securing means. A method of manufacturing a refrigerator includes providing a refrigerator with an ice making compartment and an assembly consisting of a fan, bracket, grommet, and motor. The fan, grommet, and motor are attached to the bracket through the use of latches, which hold the components in place. The assembly is then installed into the ice making compartment, such that the fan assists in cooling the ice making compartment.