Patent US2273204A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3674952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lockswitch
Assignee: Ellenberger and Poensgen GmbH
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Filing: 1970-10-26
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A lock switch for washing machine doors and the like having a locking plunger which is moved by a lever which is acted on by a bimetal strip. The strip may be caused to bend by a heating coil, and the bending movement is transmitted to the plunger by the lever.
Inventors
- 👤 Jakob Ellenberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:52
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F37/00; D06F37/42; E; E05; E05B; E05B47/00; E05B47/0001; E05B47/0009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A lock switch for locking washing machine doors or the like comprising: a housing; a locking plunger mounted on said housing for movement between a retracted position and a locking position; a lever mounted on said housing by a pivot and operably connected adjacent its outer end to said plunger; and a bimetal actuator secured at one end to said housing and fixed at the other end to said lever adjacent said pivot and remote from said outer end of the lever, said actuator being operable by application of heat thereto to rock said lever about said pivot and thereby slide said plunger to move the latter between said retracted position and said locking position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A lock switch for locking washing machine doors or the like comprising: a housing; a locking plunger mounted on said housing for movement between a retracted position and a locking position; a lever mounted on said housing by a pivot and operably connected adjacent its outer end to said plunger; and a bimetal actuator secured at one end to said housing and fixed at the other end to said lever adjacent said pivot and remote from said outer end of the lever, said actuator being operable by application of heat thereto to rock said lever about said pivot and thereby slide said plunger to move the latter between said retracted position and said locking position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A lock switch as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a locking spring attached to said lever and said housing for restraining said lever in positions wherein said plunger is in its locking position and its retracted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A lock switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bimetal strip is substantially parallel to said lever.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A lock switch as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a pair of contacts supported by said housing, each of these contacts being electrically connected with a separate lug, one of said contacts being actuated by said lever upon its pivoting to engage the other contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
A lock switch as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a heating coil associated with said bimetal strip and connected to the line voltage for rapid heating thereof, an electrical resistance also associated with said bimetal strip and a pair of electrical contacts, an arm attached to said bimetal strip and supporting one of said contacts, means supported by said housing separate from said bimetal strip supporting said other contact, said contacts being closed when said bimetal strip is cold so as to short circuit said resistance, and said contacts being open when said bimetal strip is bent so as to connect said resistance in series with said heating coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A lock switch as claimed in claim 5 wherein said resistance comprises a second heating coil to said bimetal strip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A lock switch as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a U-shaped member attached to said lever and surrounding said pivot, means defining an aperture in said U-shaped member, said bimetal strip being connected at its other end to said U-shaped member, and a projection from said housing through said aperture carrying the other of said contacts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
A lock switch comprising: a housing; a locking plunger mounted on said housing for movement between a retracted position and a locking position; a lever mounted on said housing by a pivot and operably connected to said plunger; a bimetal actuator secured to at one end said housing; and a U-shaped member attached to said lever and surrounding said pivot, said bimetal Strip being connected at its outer end to said U-shaped member and operable by application of heat thereto to actuate said lever and said plunger to move the latter between said retracted position and said locking position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
A lock switch comprising: a housing; a locking plunger mounted on said housing for movement between a retracted position and a locking position; a lever mounted on said housing by a pivot and operably connected to said plunger; a bimetal actuator secured to at one end said housing; and a U-shaped member attached to said lever and surrounding said pivot, said bimetal Strip being connected at its outer end to said U-shaped member and operable by application of heat thereto to actuate said lever and said plunger to move the latter between said retracted position and said locking position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A lock switch as claimed in claim 8 wherein said lever comprises two insulating plates held apart by said U-shaped member.
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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) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |