US3604029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for sealing and lubricating a washing machine transmission
Assignee: NEIL A BAIN
•
Filing: 1969-08-20
•
Granted: 1971-09-14
•
Expires: 1989-08-20
Abstract
Abstract The normally frequent tendency of certain automatic washers to soil clothes by oil leaking from the transmission is dramatically reduced by placing a snug seal around the transmission drive tube and venting the gear case oil bath to the atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 Neil A Bain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:41
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F37/00; D06F37/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
incorporating an air vent near the upper portion of said case, said vent being connected to an expansion tube which extends above the top of said case and which is open to the atmosphere, and
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
11 words
incorporating an air vent near the upper portion of said case,
Claim 3
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of modifying a washing machine to minimize any tendency to soil clothes by grease spotting during the washing cycle, said washing machine being of the type comprising a set of transmission gears enclosed in an oil-containing case, the upper portion of said case being surrounded by the central portion of a generally cup-shaped tub, an assembly comprising an agitator shaft surrounded by a drive tube extending upward from said gears through sealing means adjacent the top of said case, a generally cup-shaped perforate basket positioned inside said tub and rigidly fastened to said drive tube, and open conduits leading from the top of the transmission case to the drive tube and agitator shaft, said method comprising the steps of
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
180 words
providing, at the site where the assembly passes through the top of the case, a bearing seal assembly which is so constructed as to prevent passage of oil into the wash or rinse water and vice versa, said bearing seal assembly comprising a. a rigid tube having the peripheral portion adjacent one end cut away to provide a right-angled external shoulder, said tube also having a continuous circumferential channel in the interior of said tube. b. an elastomeric ring mounted snugly on said shoulder, said ring having a substantially rectangular cross section of dimensions such as to extend beyond both the end of said tube, the upper, lower and inner faces of said ring each having a plurality of continuous grooves to permit firm sealing on each of said four faces, and c. an O-ring seated in said channel to grip the drive tube snugly, whereby the normal tendency of said sealing means, upon becoming worn, to permit passage of oil along said drive assembly into said clothes basket and thus soil clothes during the washing process, is greatly reduced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
connecting to said vent an expansion tube which extends above the top of said cover and which is open to the atmosphere, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 including the additional step of using a clinging oil in the transmission case, said case being only about one-third filled with said oil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
providing, at the site where the assembly passes through the top of the case, a bearing seal assembly which is so constructed as to prevent passage of oil into the wash or rinse tube, and vice versa, said bearing seal assembly comprising a. a rigid tube having the peripheral portion adjacent one end cut away to provide a right-angled external shoulder, said tube also having a continuous circumferential channel in the interior of said tube. b. an elastomeric ring mounted snugly on said shoulder, said ring having a substantially rectangular cross section of dimensions such as to extend beyond both the end of said ring each having a plurality of continuous grooves to permit firm sealing on each of said four faces, and c. an O-ring seated in said channel to grip the drive tube snugly.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |