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:
Nov. 15, 2011
Filed:
May. 24, 2004
Rick A. Schneider, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Steven R. Fricke, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Michael S. Short, St. Joseph, MI (US);
James R. Sawyer, Monticello, IN (US);
Phillip E. Lindeman, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Michael R. Carey, Coloma, MI (US);
Rick A. Schneider, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Steven R. Fricke, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Michael S. Short, St. Joseph, MI (US);
James R. Sawyer, Monticello, IN (US);
Phillip E. Lindeman, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Michael R. Carey, Coloma, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A side panel for a fabric care appliance is described. The side panel includes an embossed pattern for increasing a first natural frequency (or first harmonic) of the side panel. Preferably, the first natural frequency is substantially higher than any ordinary operating frequency or driving frequency of the appliance. For example, in a washing machine, the first natural frequency of the side panel is preferably at least 1.6 times greater than the maximum rotational frequency of a drum or tumbler of the machine.