Timothy A Fulton

US Patent:

8075074, Dec 13, 2011

Filed:

Mar 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/388557

Inventors:

Timothy A. Fulton - Evansville IN, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

A47B 96/00

US Classification:

3124051, 62338

Abstract:

The present invention provides a refrigerator having a cabinet with a refrigeration compartment defined by surrounding walls and an open side. There is at least one cabinet door arranged to move relative to the cabinet to selectively open and close the open side. At least one component is located in the cabinet door requiring information to be transmitted between the cabinet and the door. A first mating hub is located on one of the surrounding walls of the refrigeration compartment. A second mating hub is carried on the cabinet door, such that when the cabinet door is moved into a closed position relative to the cabinet, the first and second mating hubs will be arranged in alignment. The hubs have terminal connections for transmitting information from one hub to the other when aligned.

US Patent:

8109112, Feb 7, 2012

Filed:

Feb 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/036347

Inventors:

Lindsey A. Smith - Saint Joseph MI, US
Timothy A. Fulton - Evansville IN, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

F25C 5/18

US Classification:

62344

Abstract:

A variable ice storage assembly for a refrigerator includes a storage cavity adapted to receive ice from an ice maker. The storage assembly is positioned between a light emitter and a receiver of an ice level sensor. The storage assembly can be utilized in a non-reflecting configuration wherein the ice level sensor functions in a standard manner, or a reflecting configuration wherein the sensing level is effectively lowered within the storage assembly. In the reflecting configuration, first and second mirrored inserts, supported by respective insert portions on the storage assembly, cooperate with first and second reflecting plates on the storage assembly to redirect light from the emitter in a circuitous path. A user may position the mirrored inserts at various angles, depending on the level of ice desired within the storage assembly. The storage assembly may be utilized alone, or as in insert within an ice bucket.

US Patent:

8312735, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Mar 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/402535

Inventors:

Timothy A. Fulton - Evansville IN, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

F25C 5/00
F25C 5/18

US Classification:

62344, 62135, 62137, 62377

Abstract:

A door assembly for an appliance includes a door having an interior side and an exterior side. The door is operable between an open position and a closed position. An ice maker is adjacent to the interior side of the door when the door is in the closed position. A frame defines an aperture extending from the interior side to the exterior side. An ice bucket is disposed in the aperture and is operable between a lowered position, wherein a reservoir portion of the bucket is accessible when the door is closed, and a raised position, wherein the reservoir portion of the bucket is inaccessible when the door is closed. An ice dispenser is disposed below the ice bucket.

US Patent:

20070102447, May 10, 2007

Filed:

Nov 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/271401

Inventors:

Timothy Fulton - Evansville IN, US
Gary Wilson - Sellersburg IN, US

International Classification:

B67D 1/08
B67D 5/06

US Classification:

222144500, 222148000

Abstract:

A ready to attach actuation device module is provided for use with a dispenser, such as an ice or water dispenser in a refrigerator. The module includes an electrical actuation device, a wiring lead extending from the actuation device and an electrical connector attached at an end of the wiring lead. A housing encloses the actuation device and at least a portion of the wiring lead. The module incorporates an attachment mechanism which is engageable with the dispenser. The housing includes all stylings for the actuation device module.

US Patent:

20110132021, Jun 9, 2011

Filed:

Dec 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/631887

Inventors:

TIMOTHY A. FULTON - EVANSVILLE IN, US
DARYL L. HARMON - EVANSVILLE IN, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI

International Classification:

F25D 23/12
F25C 5/16
B67D 7/80
B65D 47/20

US Classification:

62389, 62344, 141362, 2221466, 222506

Abstract:

A refrigerator includes refrigerator cabinet, a door attached to the refrigerator cabinet, an ice and water dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing ice and water through the door, the ice and water dispenser including a multifunction dispensing actuation pad having a plurality of actuation points and wherein ice or water is dispensed upon selectively applying a pressure to one of the plurality of actuation points on the dispensing actuation pad. A method of operating a refrigerator includes the steps of providing a refrigerator and selectively applying pressure to at least one of a plurality of actuation points on a dispensing actuation pad of the refrigerator to select an ice and water dispenser function.

US Patent:

20110234074, Sep 29, 2011

Filed:

Mar 26, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/732710

Inventors:

Stevan R. DOLINSEK - Coralville IA, US
Timothy A. FULTON - Evansville IN, US
Daryl L. HARMON - Evansville IN, US
Chad J. ROTTER - Amana IA, US
David A. STAUFFER - Belle Plaine IA, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

F16L 5/00
F25D 23/00
E05D 5/02
E05D 5/10
F25C 1/22
H02G 3/18

US Classification:

312404, 16 21, 16382, 62340, 174662

Abstract:

Disclosed in this application is a u-shaped grommet for use in a refrigerator. The grommet is fixed so as to allow wires to be routed towards an opening in the liner of the refrigerator, pass through the opening in the liner, and exit the grommet in the opposite direction as the wires entered. The grommet is preferably molded to the wires so that the combined product is inseparable from the wiring which it protects. The grommet is also described as a single piece grommet, although multiple piece grommets are anticipated.Further disclosed in this application is an improved pass-through hinge for routing utilities, including water and electricity, from the door to the body of the refrigerator. The improved hinge features a hollow hinge pin through which utilities may be routed, thereby overcoming the deficiencies of the current state of the art.

US Patent:

20170299252, Oct 19, 2017

Filed:

Jun 28, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/635513

Inventors:

- BENTON HARBOR MI, US
TIMOTHY A. FULTON - EVANSVILLE IN, US
DARYL L. HARMON - EVANSVILLE IN, US
CHAD J. ROTTER - SAUGATUCK MI, US
DAVID A. STAUFFER - BELLE PLAINE IA, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI

International Classification:

F25D 23/02
H02G 3/22
E05D 3/02
E05D 11/00
H02G 3/04

Abstract:

Disclosed in this application is a u-shaped grommet for use in a refrigerator. The grommet is fixed so as to allow wires to be routed towards an opening in the liner of the refrigerator, pass through the opening in the liner, and exit the grommet in the opposite direction as the wires entered. The grommet is preferably molded to the wires so that the combined product is inseparable from the wiring which it protects. The grommet is also described as a single piece grommet, although multiple piece grommets are anticipated.Further disclosed in this application is an improved pass-through hinge for routing utilities, including water and electricity, from the door to the body of the refrigerator. The improved hinge features a hollow hinge pin through which utilities may be routed, thereby overcoming the deficiencies of the current state of the art.

US Patent:

20140167591, Jun 19, 2014

Filed:

Feb 25, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/188727

Inventors:

- Benton Harbor MI, US
TIMOTHY A. FULTON - Evansville IN, US
DARYL L. HARMON - Evansville IN, US
CHAD J. ROTTER - Amana IA, US
DAVID A. STAUFFER - Belle Plaine IA, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

F25D 23/02
H02G 3/22

US Classification:

312405, 174668

Abstract:

Disclosed in this application is a u-shaped grommet for use in a refrigerator. The grommet is fixed so as to allow wires to be routed towards an opening in the liner of the refrigerator, pass through the opening in the liner, and exit the grommet in the opposite direction as the wires entered. The grommet is preferably molded to the wires so that the combined product is inseparable from the wiring which it protects. The grommet is also described as a single piece grommet, although multiple piece grommets are anticipated.Further disclosed in this application is an improved pass-through hinge for routing utilities, including water and electricity, from the door to the body of the refrigerator. The improved hinge features a hollow hinge pin through which utilities may be routed, thereby overcoming the deficiencies of the current state of the art.