Dual-actuated switch-operating mechanism

Claim 2

A switch-operating mechanism requiring two independent operation motions, said switch-operating mechanism comprising; a switch, an operation member mounted adjacent said switch for both axial and rotary movement, said operation member having both first and second axial positions and first and second rotary positions, cam means on said operation member in both axial and annular alignment with said switch when said operation member is in said second axial position and said second rotary position, axial biasing means axially biasing said operation member to said first axial position, rotary positioning means retaining said operation member in said first rotary position when said operation member is in said first axial position means rotating said operation member from said first rotary position to said second rotary position when said operation member is in said second axial position, and a separate means from said rotating means for axially moving said operation member from said first to said second axial position, whereby operation of said operating mechanism requires a first force to move said operation member against said biasing means from said first axial position to said second axial position and then a second independent force to move said operation member from said first rotary position to said second rotary position to position said cam means in said annular alignment with said switch so as to close said switch.

Claim 3

The switch operation mechanism of claim 1 wherein said rotary positioning means cooperates with said axial biasing means to move said operation member from said second rotary position to said first rotary position when said operation member moves from said second axial position to said first axial position.

Claim 4

A door-switch-operating mechanism for a clothes dryer having a cabinet including a cabinet opening through which clothes are inserted and removed, a door mounted with respect to said cabinet and movable between a closed position and an open position so as to selectively cover said cabinet opening when in said closed position and uncover said cabinet opening when in said open position, said door-switch-operating mechanism comprising a switch, a switch operation member, manual reset means, and door engagement means, said switch operation member activating said switch when said door engagement means is operated by movement of said door to said closed position and said manual reset means is operated so as to further operate said switch-operating mechanism, said switch being deactivated when said door is moved to said open position, the improvement comprising; said operation member being mounted for both axial and rotary movement adjacent said switch, switch actuatioN means on said operation member, biasing means axially biasing said operation member to a first axial position wherein said switch actuation means is out of axial alignment with said switch and whereby movement of said door to said closed position moves said door engagement means and thus axially moves said operation member against said biasing means to a second axial position so that said switch actuation means is in axial alignment with respect to said switch and operation of said manual reset means when said operation member is in said second axial alignment position rotatably moving said switch operation member from a first rotary position to a second rotary position bringing said switch actuation means into rotary alignment with said switch thereby actuating said switch.

Claim 5

A door-switch-operating mechanism for a clothes dryer having a cabinet including a cabinet opening through which clothes are inserted and removed, a door mounted with respect to said cabinet and movable between a closed position and an open position so as to selectively cover said cabinet opening when in said closed position and uncover said cabinet opening when in said open position, said door-switch-operating mechanism comprising a switch, a switch operation member, manual reset means, and door engagement means, said switch operation member activating said switch when said door engagement means is operated by movement of said door to said closed position and said manual reset means is operated so as to further operate said switch-operating mechanism, said switch being deactivated when said door is moved to said open position, the improvement comprising; said operation member being mounted for both axial and rotary movement adjacent said switch, switch actuatioN means on said operation member, biasing means axially biasing said operation member to a first axial position wherein said switch actuation means is out of axial alignment with said switch and whereby movement of said door to said closed position moves said door engagement means and thus axially moves said operation member against said biasing means to a second axial position so that said switch actuation means is in axial alignment with respect to said switch and operation of said manual reset means when said operation member is in said second axial alignment position rotatably moving said switch operation member from a first rotary position to a second rotary position bringing said switch actuation means into rotary alignment with said switch thereby actuating said switch.

Claim 6

The door-switch-operating mechanism of claim 3 wherein said switch actuation means includes cam means, and said operation member, said cam means, and said door engagement means are integrally molded.

Claim 7

The door-switch-operating mechanism of claim 4 including rotary positioning means for maintaining said operation member in said first rotary position when said operation member is in said first axial position and permitting rotary movement of said operation member from said first rotary position to said second rotary position when said operation member is in said second axial position, said rotary positioning means comprising barrel cam means on said operation member.