Robert Bradley

US Patent:

7204538, Apr 17, 2007

Filed:

Nov 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/288025

Inventors:

Robert R. Bradley - Granger IN, US
Gary L. Duncan - Middlebury IN, US

Assignee:

Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company, LLC - Middlebury IN

International Classification:

B60R 5/02

US Classification:

296 371, 224488, 224510, 224518, 224554

Abstract:

The invention provides a moveable storage compartment designed for camper trailers that provides for top access even when the camper is in use and is folded out and over the top of the compartment. The storage compartment's unique design and placement on a sliding track allow the user to move the compartment to either side of the trailer in a direction substantially perpendicular to a line running along the length of the trailer. Furthermore, the compartment has one or more lids that allow either side to be accessed depending upon on which side of the trailer access is desired. At least one lid of the compartment may easily convert for use as a table if desired.

US Patent:

8299656, Oct 30, 2012

Filed:

Aug 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/539651

Inventors:

Paul B. Allard - Stevensville MI, US
Robert Ryan Bradley - Granger IN, US
James W. Kendall - Mount Prospect IL, US
Steven J. Kuehl - Stevensville MI, US
Douglas D. LeClear - Benton Harbor MI, US
Alan S. Lucas - Evansville IN, US
Andrew M. Tenbarge - Saint Joseph MI, US
John J. Vonderhaar - Saint Joseph MI, US
Guolian Wu - Saint Joseph MI, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

H02B 1/20
B67D 9/00

US Classification:

307154, 307 38, 307 40, 307139

Abstract:

A refrigerator module connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source. The feature module connection system includes a utility source that has a connection capable of removably engaging the feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device, such as a reed switch, a DIP switch, or a comparator circuit, that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the utility source. One or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source.

US Patent:

8456040, Jun 4, 2013

Filed:

Oct 3, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/644258

Inventors:

Robert Ryan Bradley - Granger IN, US
James W. Kendall - Mt. Prospect IL, US
Steven J. Kuehl - Stevensville MI, US
Douglas D. Leclear - Benton Harbor MI, 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

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

H02B 1/20
B67D 9/00

US Classification:

307154, 307 38, 307 39, 307139

Abstract:

A connection system for connecting an encoded domestic appliance feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the encoded feature module and the utility source. The connection system includes a utility source that has a coupler capable of removably engaging an encoded domestic appliance feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one encoded domestic appliance feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the encoded feature module is connected to the utility source, where one or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source, and where the detection and recognition device may be a reed switch, a DIP switch, and a comparator circuit.

US Patent:

20090293511, Dec 3, 2009

Filed:

Aug 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/539676

Inventors:

PAUL B. ALLARD - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
ROBERT RYAN BRADLEY - GRANGER IN, US
JAMES W. KENDALL - MOUNT PROSPECT IL, US
STEVEN J. KUEHL - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
ALAN S. LUCAS - EVANSVILLE IN, US
ANDREW M. TENBARGE - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
JOHN J. VONDERHAAR - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
GUOLIAN WU - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI

International Classification:

F25B 45/00
F25D 23/02
F25D 13/00

US Classification:

62 77, 62449, 62430, 62292

Abstract:

A modular utility supply unit that includes a utility supply module housing having removable engageability to a surface of an appliance. Also included is at least one refillable reservoir capable of storing a plurality of utilities and receiving at least one utility from the appliance when the utility supply unit is operably engaged to the appliance. Further included is an interface capable of engaging a plurality of feature modules, where the interface includes a recognition device that prompts the utility supply unit to provide the engaged feature module with at least one of the storage utilities within the utility supply from at least one of the refillable reservoirs.

US Patent:

20130264439, Oct 10, 2013

Filed:

Jun 4, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/909247

Inventors:

ROBERT RYAN BRADLEY - Granger IN, US
JAMES W. KENDALL - Mt. Prospect IL, US
STEVEN J. KUEHL - Stevensville MI, US
DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR - Benton Harbor MI, 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

International Classification:

H02B 1/20

US Classification:

248127, 307154

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.

US Patent:

20160134087, May 12, 2016

Filed:

Jan 5, 2016

Appl. No.:

14/988433

Inventors:

- BENTON HARBOR 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 MI, 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

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI

International Classification:

H02B 1/20
F16M 13/02
F25D 29/00
A47J 47/16

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.