US3598370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Humidifier
Assignee: Toastmaster Inc
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Filing: 1969-07-14
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1989-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A humidifier having an outer case, and a water container and drum supporting humidifying material on the open periphery thereof within the case, spaced drive and idler pulleys engaging the inner edge of one open diametric drum wall and rotatably supporting the drum with part under the container water material progressively wetted and moved toward the idler pulley, and a radial flange on the idler pulley disposed outwardly adjacent the side edge of the drum suitable to convey excess drum water away before contacting the drive pulley; air moving means including a venturi opening and a fan centrally mounted therein for forcing air into the open diametric wall and through the humidifying material, and a fan mounting bracket having spaced rods that fit through grommets supported within openings in opposing case walls asymmetrically located on opposite sides of the venturi opening until a crossmember interconnecting the rods engages the adjacent grommets to center the fan within the venturi opening; a water level control including a one piece float structure having a hub pivoted to the case and a float supported radially from the hub by an arm, a rotatable indicator drum visible outside the case, a link connecting the drum and hub, and a switch control element supported adjacent the hub to be engaged by a chordal surface thereon when the container water level is inadequate; and a humidistat and a housing for isolating the humidistat from case air ambient the water container, the housing including a one piece resilient self-supporting element having opposite edges secured by brackets to the case and the interconnecting edges abutted and held under slight compression by sandwiching case walls, one of which is removable.
Inventors
- 👤 Kip J Hoag
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:33
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F6/00; F24F6/02; F24F6/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
441 words
In a device of the type described, the combination of a case, a water holding container in the case, humidifying material disposed to be moistened by the container water, wall means including a venturi opening and a fan for moving air through the humidifying material for discharge outside the case, said fan including a unitary mounting bracket having a pair of elongated rods and an interconnecting cross element near corresponding ends of the rods, means including opposing case walls asymmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the venturi opening and spaced apart a distance less than the rod lengths and resilient grommets confined in openings in the walls and snugly rEceiving the rods until said cross element abuts the grommets adjacent thereto for locating the fan centrally of the venturi opening, a drum having an open periphery and an open transverse diametrical wall disposed closely adjacent the wall means and over the venturi opening, drum support means including a drive pulley and idler pulley adapted to engage the inner edge of the open diametrical wall to support the drum so that the drum periphery extends both within and above the water, said humidifying material overlying the drum periphery, means to rotate the drive pulley to in turn rotate the drum in a direction to progressively wet the humidifying material and to move the drum over the idler pulley before the drive pulley, a radial flange on the idler pulley extended outwardly adjacent the side edge of the drum periphery suitable for conveying excess drum water from the periphery before reaching the drive pulley, a water level control having a one-piece float assembly including a hub pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and a float connected by an arm to the hub, a control element disposed adjacent the hub and engaged by a chordal surface thereon when said float indicates a predetermined inadequate water level in the container for terminating the operation of the humidifier, an indicator drum pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and being exposed through an opening in the case, a link interconnecting the hub and indicator drum, an on-off control for the device including a humidistat operable responsive to humidity conditions of air ambient the unit to control the operation of the humidifier, and a protective housing about the control, said housing including a unitary resilient but self-supporting element and bracket means securing opposite side edges of the element to the case, and opposing case walls abutting the interconnecting side edges of the housing and slightly compressing said housing effective for isolating in a reasonable fluidtight manner the control from the water container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
441 words
In a device of the type described, the combination of a case, a water holding container in the case, humidifying material disposed to be moistened by the container water, wall means including a venturi opening and a fan for moving air through the humidifying material for discharge outside the case, said fan including a unitary mounting bracket having a pair of elongated rods and an interconnecting cross element near corresponding ends of the rods, means including opposing case walls asymmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the venturi opening and spaced apart a distance less than the rod lengths and resilient grommets confined in openings in the walls and snugly rEceiving the rods until said cross element abuts the grommets adjacent thereto for locating the fan centrally of the venturi opening, a drum having an open periphery and an open transverse diametrical wall disposed closely adjacent the wall means and over the venturi opening, drum support means including a drive pulley and idler pulley adapted to engage the inner edge of the open diametrical wall to support the drum so that the drum periphery extends both within and above the water, said humidifying material overlying the drum periphery, means to rotate the drive pulley to in turn rotate the drum in a direction to progressively wet the humidifying material and to move the drum over the idler pulley before the drive pulley, a radial flange on the idler pulley extended outwardly adjacent the side edge of the drum periphery suitable for conveying excess drum water from the periphery before reaching the drive pulley, a water level control having a one-piece float assembly including a hub pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and a float connected by an arm to the hub, a control element disposed adjacent the hub and engaged by a chordal surface thereon when said float indicates a predetermined inadequate water level in the container for terminating the operation of the humidifier, an indicator drum pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and being exposed through an opening in the case, a link interconnecting the hub and indicator drum, an on-off control for the device including a humidistat operable responsive to humidity conditions of air ambient the unit to control the operation of the humidifier, and a protective housing about the control, said housing including a unitary resilient but self-supporting element and bracket means securing opposite side edges of the element to the case, and opposing case walls abutting the interconnecting side edges of the housing and slightly compressing said housing effective for isolating in a reasonable fluidtight manner the control from the water container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
311 words
In a device of the type described, the combination of a case, a water holding container in the case, wall means including a venturi opening and a fan, said fan including a unitary mounting bracket having a pair of elongated rods and an interconnecting cross element near corresponding ends of the rods, means including opposing case walls asymmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the venturi opening and spaced apart a distance less than the rod lengths and resilient grommets confined in openings in the walls and snugly receiving the rods until said cross element abuts the grommets adjacent thereto for locating the fan centrally of the venturi opening, a drum having an open periphery and an open transverse diametrical wall disposed closely adjacent the wall means and over the venturi opening, means to support the drum so that the drum periphery extends both within and above the water, humidifying material overlying the drum periphery, means to rotate the drum to progressively wet the humidifying material and to operate the fan to move air through the humidifying material for discharge outside the case, a water level control having a one-piece float assembly including a hub pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and a float connected by an arm to the hub, a control element disposed adjacent the hub and engaged by a chordal surface thereon when said float indicates a predetermined inadequate water level in the container for terminating the operation of the humidifier, means to control the operation of the device, and a protective housing about the control means, said housing including a unitary resilient but self-supporting element and bracket means securing opposite side edges of the element to the case, and opposing case walls abutting the interconnecting side edges of the housing effective for isolating in a reasonable fluidtight manner the control means from the water container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
311 words
In a device of the type described, the combination of a case, a water holding container in the case, wall means including a venturi opening and a fan, said fan including a unitary mounting bracket having a pair of elongated rods and an interconnecting cross element near corresponding ends of the rods, means including opposing case walls asymmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the venturi opening and spaced apart a distance less than the rod lengths and resilient grommets confined in openings in the walls and snugly receiving the rods until said cross element abuts the grommets adjacent thereto for locating the fan centrally of the venturi opening, a drum having an open periphery and an open transverse diametrical wall disposed closely adjacent the wall means and over the venturi opening, means to support the drum so that the drum periphery extends both within and above the water, humidifying material overlying the drum periphery, means to rotate the drum to progressively wet the humidifying material and to operate the fan to move air through the humidifying material for discharge outside the case, a water level control having a one-piece float assembly including a hub pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and a float connected by an arm to the hub, a control element disposed adjacent the hub and engaged by a chordal surface thereon when said float indicates a predetermined inadequate water level in the container for terminating the operation of the humidifier, means to control the operation of the device, and a protective housing about the control means, said housing including a unitary resilient but self-supporting element and bracket means securing opposite side edges of the element to the case, and opposing case walls abutting the interconnecting side edges of the housing effective for isolating in a reasonable fluidtight manner the control means from the water container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a device of the type described, the combinAtion of a case, a water holding container in the case, humidifying material disposed to be moistened by the container water, wall means including a venturi opening and a fan for moving air through the humidifying material for discharge outside the case, a water level control having a one-piece float assembly including a hub pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and a float connected by an arm to the hub, a control element disposed adjacent the hub and engaged by a chordal surface thereon when said float indicates a predetermined inadequate water level in the container for terminating the operation of the humidifier, an indicator drum pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and being exposed through an opening in the case, and a link interconnecting the hub and indicator drum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a device of the type described, the combinAtion of a case, a water holding container in the case, humidifying material disposed to be moistened by the container water, wall means including a venturi opening and a fan for moving air through the humidifying material for discharge outside the case, a water level control having a one-piece float assembly including a hub pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and a float connected by an arm to the hub, a control element disposed adjacent the hub and engaged by a chordal surface thereon when said float indicates a predetermined inadequate water level in the container for terminating the operation of the humidifier, an indicator drum pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and being exposed through an opening in the case, and a link interconnecting the hub and indicator drum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a device of the type described, the combination of a case, wall means including a venturi opening and a fan for moving air for discharge outside the case, said fan including a unitary mounting bracket having a pair of elongated rods and an interconnecting cross element near corresponding ends of the rods, means including opposing case walls asymmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the venturi opening and spaced apart a distance less than the rod lengths and resilient grommets confined in openings in the walls and snugly receiving the rods until said cross element abuts the grommets adjacent thereto for locating the fan centrally of the venturi opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a device of the type described, the combination of a case, wall means including a venturi opening and a fan for moving air for discharge outside the case, said fan including a unitary mounting bracket having a pair of elongated rods and an interconnecting cross element near corresponding ends of the rods, means including opposing case walls asymmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the venturi opening and spaced apart a distance less than the rod lengths and resilient grommets confined in openings in the walls and snugly receiving the rods until said cross element abuts the grommets adjacent thereto for locating the fan centrally of the venturi opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
A device of the type described according to claim 4, further including a drum having an open periphery and an open transverse diametrical wall disposed closely adjacent the wall means and over the venturi opening, drum support means including a drive pulley and idler pulley adapted to engage the inner edge of the open diametrical wall to support the drum, means to rotate the drive pulley to in turn rotate the drum in a direction to move the drum over the idler pulley before the drive pulley, a radial flange on the idler pulley extended outwardly adjacent the side edge of the drum periphery, and the fan being operable to move air through the drum periphery and outside the case.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a device of the type described, the combination of a case, a water holding container in the case, humidifying material disposed to be moistened by the container water, wall means including a venturi opening and a fan for moving air through the humidifying material for discharge outside the case, means including a humidistat operable responsive to humidity conditions of air ambient the device to control the operation of the device, and a protective housing about the control means, said housing including a unitary resilient but self-supporting element and bracket means securing opposite side edges of the element to the case, and opposing case walls abutting the interconnecting side edges of the housing and slightly compressing said housing effective for isolating in a reasonable fluidtight manner the control from the water container, and means securing one of the opposing case walls so that the one wall is readily removable from the remainder of the case.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a device of the type described, the combination of a case, a water holding container in the case, humidifying material disposed to be moistened by the container water, wall means including a venturi opening and a fan for moving air through the humidifying material for discharge outside the case, means including a humidistat operable responsive to humidity conditions of air ambient the device to control the operation of the device, and a protective housing about the control means, said housing including a unitary resilient but self-supporting element and bracket means securing opposite side edges of the element to the case, and opposing case walls abutting the interconnecting side edges of the housing and slightly compressing said housing effective for isolating in a reasonable fluidtight manner the control from the water container, and means securing one of the opposing case walls so that the one wall is readily removable from the remainder of the case.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a device of the type described according to claim 6, further including a water level control having a one-piece float assembly including a hub pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and a float connected by an arm to the hub, a control element disposed adjacent the hub and engaged by a chordal surface thereon when said float indicates a predetermined inadequate water level in the container for terminating the operation of the device, an indicator pivoted to the case and exposed through an opening in the case, and a link interconnecting the hub and indicator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a device of the type described, the combination of vertical wall means having an air inlet opening, a water holding container disposed adjacent the container below the opening, a generally cylindrical drum having an open periphery and an open transverse wall defined by a circular inner edgE larger than said wall opening, humidifying material over the drum periphery, a drive pulley and an idler pulley each mounted on the wall means vertically above the container on opposite sides of the opening and having outwardly diverging faces on which the drum transverse wall inner edge rides to removably hang the drum closely adjacent the wall means with the inner edge encircling the inlet opening and with the drum periphery extended both within and above the water, means to rotate the drive pulley which in turn rotates the drum in a direction to progressively wet the humidifying material and to move the drum transverse wall inner edge over the idler pulley before the drive pulley, a radial flange on the idler pulley disposed laterally adjacent the diverging faces thereon and extended outwardly to at least adjacent the circumferential side edge of the drum periphery and being closely adjacent said side edge suitable for conveying excess water from the side edge before the same reaching the drive pulley, and means operable to move air from the inlet opening through the humidifying material for discharge outside the drum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
235 words
In a device of the type described, the combination of vertical wall means having an air inlet opening, a water holding container disposed adjacent the container below the opening, a generally cylindrical drum having an open periphery and an open transverse wall defined by a circular inner edgE larger than said wall opening, humidifying material over the drum periphery, a drive pulley and an idler pulley each mounted on the wall means vertically above the container on opposite sides of the opening and having outwardly diverging faces on which the drum transverse wall inner edge rides to removably hang the drum closely adjacent the wall means with the inner edge encircling the inlet opening and with the drum periphery extended both within and above the water, means to rotate the drive pulley which in turn rotates the drum in a direction to progressively wet the humidifying material and to move the drum transverse wall inner edge over the idler pulley before the drive pulley, a radial flange on the idler pulley disposed laterally adjacent the diverging faces thereon and extended outwardly to at least adjacent the circumferential side edge of the drum periphery and being closely adjacent said side edge suitable for conveying excess water from the side edge before the same reaching the drive pulley, and means operable to move air from the inlet opening through the humidifying material for discharge outside the drum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
A device of the type described according to claim 8, further including a water level control having a one-piece float assembly including a hub pivoted about a generally horizontal axis to the case and a float connected by an arm to the hub, a control element disposed adjacent the hub and engaged by a chordal surface thereon when said float indicates a predetermined inadequate water level in the container for terminating the operation of the device, an indicator drum exposed through an opening in the case, and a link interconnecting the hub and indicator drum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
A device of the type described according to claim 8, further including means including a humidistat operable responsive to humidity conditions of air ambient the device to control the operation of the device, and a protective housing about the control means, said housing including a unitary resilient but self-supporting element and bracket means securing opposite side edges of the element to the case, and opposing case walls abutting the interconnecting side edges of the housing effective for isolating in a reasonable fluidtight manner the control means from the water container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |