Water inlet flume

Claim 2

A water inlet flume for a washing machine or the like comprising: a first member having a generally tubular section at one end and a water inlet spout at the opposite end, said inlet spout being positioned above the axis of said tubular section; and a second member adapted to be mounted in substantially coaxial alignment with said first member at said one end thereof, said second member including a water discharge trough adapted to be positioned in axial alignment with, but spaced from, said water inlet spout to form an air break therebetween, said second member further including a depending transverse flange to partially block the entrance to said tubular section.

Claim 3

The water inlet flume as defined in claim 1 wherein said first member further includes an overflow trough positioned beneath said inlet spout.

Claim 4

The water inlet flume as defined in claim 2 wherein said first member further includes an outer circumferential flange positioned coaxially about said tubular section, said outer circumferential flange being adapted to engage a mating flange on the body of said washing machine to mount said first member thereon.

Claim 5

The water inlet flume as defined in claim 3 wherein said second member further includes attachment means for permanently securing said second member to said washing machine body.

Claim 6

The water inlet flume as defined in claim 3 wherein the forward end of said second member adjacent said first member includes an annular portion having an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of said first member tubular section, whereby said annular portion is adapted to be received in said tubular section.

Claim 7

The water inlet flume as defined in claim 5 wherein said first member includes a cutout extending from said opposite end toward said one end along each side thereof, and said second member includes a pair of flexible tangs extending forwardly from said annular portion of said second member, said tangs being adapted to engage and lock behind said cutouts when said annular portion is received in said tubular section.

Claim 8

In a washing machine of the type having a clothes-receiving basket and a surrounding stationary tub, the tub having an aperture in the side thereof to permit the passage of water for filling the tub, the improvement therein comprising: a flume assembly to guide the fill water through said aperture and into said tub, said flume assembly comprising first and second members disposed in horizontal mating relationship; said first member including an inner end forming a tubular section and an outer end having a water inlet nozzle and a overflow trough positioned thereon, said nozzle being positioned above the axis of said tubular section and said overflow trough being positioned immediately below said nozzle, said first member further including means to mount said first member through said aperture on said tub; and said second member having an upper trough portion and a depending transverse flange, said second member being mounted at the inner end of said first member on the inside of said tub with said trough portion in spaced axial alignment with said inlet nozzle and said transverse flange blocking the upper portion of the entrance to said tubular section, whereby water entering through said nozzle under pressure will flow across the space between said nozzle and upper trough portion, and whereby the transverse flange acts to block the passage of suds through said tubular section should the washer overflow.

Claim 9

In a washing machine of the type having a clothes-receiving basket and a surrounding stationary tub, the tub having an aperture in the side thereof to permit the passage of water for filling the tub, the improvement therein comprising: a flume assembly to guide the fill water through said aperture and into said tub, said flume assembly comprising first and second members disposed in horizontal mating relationship; said first member including an inner end forming a tubular section and an outer end having a water inlet nozzle and a overflow trough positioned thereon, said nozzle being positioned above the axis of said tubular section and said overflow trough being positioned immediately below said nozzle, said first member further including means to mount said first member through said aperture on said tub; and said second member having an upper trough portion and a depending transverse flange, said second member being mounted at the inner end of said first member on the inside of said tub with said trough portion in spaced axial alignment with said inlet nozzle and said transverse flange blocking the upper portion of the entrance to said tubular section, whereby water entering through said nozzle under pressure will flow across the space between said nozzle and upper trough portion, and whereby the transverse flange acts to block the passage of suds through said tubular section should the washer overflow.

Claim 10

The flume assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for mounting said first member on said tub includes an outer circumferential flange positioned intermediate the ends of said first member.

Claim 11

The flume assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said upper trough portion of said second member comprises a relatively flat surface and a pair of sidewalls, and said depending flange is positioned at substantially right angles to said surface.

Claim 12

The flume assembly as deFined in claim 9 wherein said second member further includes attachment means positioned on said sidewalls for permanently securing said second member to the body of said washing machine.

Claim 13

The flume assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the end of said second member adjacent said first member includes an annular portion having an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of said first member tubular section and with said annular portion being received in said tubular section.

Claim 14

The flume assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said first member includes a cutout extending from said outer end toward said inner end along each side thereof, and said second member includes a pair of flexible tangs engaging and locked behind said cutouts to maintain the assembly of the two members.

Claim 15

The flume assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein an annular flange is positioned about the aperture on said tub, and said outer circumferential flange is adapted to matingly engage said annular flange.

Claim 16

The flume assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said outer circumferential flange is spin welded about said tub aperture to sealingly close said aperture to the passage of water.