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:
Jun. 05, 2018
Filed:
Jan. 05, 2016
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Paul B. Allard, Stevensville, MI (US);
Robert Ryan Bradley, Granger, IN (US);
James W. Kendall, Mt. Prospect, IL (US);
Steven J. Kuehl, Stevensville, MI (US);
Douglas D. Leclear, Benton Harbor, NC (US);
Alan S. Lucas, Evansville, IN (US);
Andrew M. Tenbarge, St. Joseph, MI (US);
John J. VonderHaar, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Guolian Wu, St. Joseph, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A connection system includes a feature module that supplies various functionalities, a portable countertop stand having an upright section that selectively receives the feature module and an umbilical connecting the portable stand to an external appliance to deliver utilities to the portable countertop stand. A utility port selectively delivers at least one utility to the feature module when engaged with the upright section. A utility receiver removably engages the utility port by hand without the use of tools and selectively receives a predetermined set of utilities when the feature module engages the upright surface. A connection interface detects when the feature module is engaged with the upright section and the predetermined utility set required by the engaged feature module. After the feature module is engaged, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set to the feature module.