US3643349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dryer with drum grounding mechanism
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-09
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Granted: 1972-02-22
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Expires: 1990-10-09
Abstract
Abstract An electrical grounding device for use in connection with laundry appliances having an open-ended rotating drum. The grounding device consists of a metal member affixed to an electrical contact with the metal appliance body or cabinet adjacent the door opening and having an arm spring-biased toward the drum with a contact point on the end thereof adapted to contact a metal portion of the drum for grounding through the arm from the drum to the housing. An offset portion of the arm is provided with an abutment member which will be contacted by the door of the appliance, when closed, to lift the arm off of contact with the drum. When the door is open, the abutment member will be released and the spring bias of the arm will create mechanical and electrical contact with the drum.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred J Zenz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:34
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F58/00; D06F58/02; D06F58/04; H; H05; H05F; H05F3/00; H05F3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
In a laundry appliance having a cabinet with a revolving drum insulatingly supported therein in electrical isolation and an access door through the cabinet to the drum, the improvement of a door actuated electrical grounding member including means effective to ground the drum to the cabinet in response to opening of the door.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a laundry appliance having a cabinet with a revolving drum insulatingly supported therein in electrical isolation and an access door through the cabinet to the drum, the improvement of a door actuated electrical grounding member including means effective to ground the drum to the cabinet in response to opening of the door.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a laundry appliance as defined in claim 1 wherein the grounding member comprises a spring member attached to an interior portion of the cabinet and having a portion thereof spring-biased against a wall portion of the drum and means effective to prevent contact between a portion of the drum when the door is closed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a laundry appliance as defined in claim 2 wherein the said last mentioned means comprises a portion of the member adapted to be contacted by a portion of the door when it is closed to prevent contact of the biased portion with the drum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A laundry appliance comprising a cabinet adapted to be electrically grounded, a revolving drum suspended in electrical insulation in said cabinet, an access opening through the cabinet to the interior of the drum, a door attached to said cabinet for selectively opening and closing said opening, an electrical grounding member interior of said cabinet, and actuating means between said door and said grounding member operable to place said grounding member in grounding contact with said drum wherever said door is opened.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
A laundry appliance comprising a cabinet adapted to be electrically grounded, a revolving drum suspended in electrical insulation in said cabinet, an access opening through the cabinet to the interior of the drum, a door attached to said cabinet for selectively opening and closing said opening, an electrical grounding member interior of said cabinet, and actuating means between said door and said grounding member operable to place said grounding member in grounding contact with said drum wherever said door is opened.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A laundry appliance as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said grounding member having an arm portion spring-biased into contact with the drum and a second arm member spring-biased away from the said drum, the said first member and the said second member attached to one another through a pivot whereby movement of the said second member toward the said drum moves the said first member away from the said drum and said actuating means comprising means on said second member adapted to be contacted by the said door when closed to urge the said second member toward the said drum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A laundry appliance as defined in claim 5 and further characterized by said ground member comprising a single piece of bent spring metal and said actuating means comprises an abutment member on the said second arm projecting through an opening in the said cabinet to a point where it will be contacted by the closing door.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3161479A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |