US3691645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spin driers
Assignee: British Domestic Appliances Ltd
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Filing: 1971-03-18
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1991-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A spin drier having a mechanical interlock for locking the lid in a closed condition and enabling drive means to rotate the drum. When the interlock is released, the drum is brought to a halt, while the lid is unlocked after a delay sufficient for the drum to come to rest, the delay being determined by hydraulic or pneumatic damping means mechanically coupled to the interlock. The interlock is released by releasing a latch, allowing the lid to open by a small amount, not sufficient to permit access to the drum.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry Herbert Nethersell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:18
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F49/00; D06F49/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A spin drier comprising a rotatable drum housed within a cabinet having a lid which when closed, or opened by at most a limited amount, prevents access to the drum, wherein there is provided means for driving the drum, only when the lid is closed, locking means biased into an inoperative condition in which it permits the lid to be opened, and movable into an operative condition in which it prevents the lid from being opened by more than said limited amount, operating means having a first condition in which it mechanically urges the locking means into the operative condition and also enables the driving means to effect the rotation of the drum, said operating means also having a second condition in which it releases the locking means and inhibits rotation of the drum, and fluid damping means mechanically coupled to the locking means for delaying the return of the latter to its inoperative condition, following its release by the operating means, for a time sufficient to allow the speed of the drum to drop below a predetermined value for which access to the drum is safe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A spin drier comprising a rotatable drum housed within a cabinet having a lid which when closed, or opened by at most a limited amount, prevents access to the drum, wherein there is provided means for driving the drum, only when the lid is closed, locking means biased into an inoperative condition in which it permits the lid to be opened, and movable into an operative condition in which it prevents the lid from being opened by more than said limited amount, operating means having a first condition in which it mechanically urges the locking means into the operative condition and also enables the driving means to effect the rotation of the drum, said operating means also having a second condition in which it releases the locking means and inhibits rotation of the drum, and fluid damping means mechanically coupled to the locking means for delaying the return of the latter to its inoperative condition, following its release by the operating means, for a time sufficient to allow the speed of the drum to drop below a predetermined value for which access to the drum is safe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A spin drier according to claim 1 wherein said damping means comprises a piston- and-cylinder unit incorporating a restricted opening through which a fluid is forced by movement of the piston on return of the locking means to its inoperative condition under the action of the bias, the opening limiting the passage of the fluid and hence delaying the return of the locking means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A spin drier according to claim 1 wherein there Is provided latching means for holding the lid fully closed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A spin drier according to claim 3 wherein there is provided resilient means urging the lid out of its fully closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A spin drier according to claim 1 wherein the operating means when in its second position inhibits rotation of the drum by operation of a switch controlling supply of electric current to the driving means and by applying a brake to the drum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
216 words
A spin drier comprising a rotatable drum housed within a cabinet having a lid which when closed, or opened by at most a limited amount, prevents access to the drum, wherein there is provided means for driving the drum, locking means biased into an inoperative condition in which it permits the lid to be opened, and movable into an operative condition in which it prevents the lid from being opened by more than said limited amount, operating means having a first condition into which it is mechanically urged by the lid when fully closed and in which condition the operating means mechanically urges the locking means into the operative condition and also enables the driving means to effect the rotation of the drum, said operating means also having a second condition into which it is urged when the lid is opened by said limited amount, and in which second condition the operating means releases the locking means and inhibits rotation of the drum, and fluid damping means mechanically coupled to the locking means for delaying the return of the latter to its inoperative condition, following its release by the operating means, for a time sufficient to allow the speed of the drum to drop below a predetermined value for which access to the drum is safe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
216 words
A spin drier comprising a rotatable drum housed within a cabinet having a lid which when closed, or opened by at most a limited amount, prevents access to the drum, wherein there is provided means for driving the drum, locking means biased into an inoperative condition in which it permits the lid to be opened, and movable into an operative condition in which it prevents the lid from being opened by more than said limited amount, operating means having a first condition into which it is mechanically urged by the lid when fully closed and in which condition the operating means mechanically urges the locking means into the operative condition and also enables the driving means to effect the rotation of the drum, said operating means also having a second condition into which it is urged when the lid is opened by said limited amount, and in which second condition the operating means releases the locking means and inhibits rotation of the drum, and fluid damping means mechanically coupled to the locking means for delaying the return of the latter to its inoperative condition, following its release by the operating means, for a time sufficient to allow the speed of the drum to drop below a predetermined value for which access to the drum is safe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A spin drier according to claim 6 wherein said damping means comprises a piston- and-cylinder unit incorporating a restricted opening through which a fluid is forced by movement of the piston on return of the locking means to its inoperative condition under the action of the bias, the opening limiting the passage of the fluid and hence delaying the return of the locking means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A spin drier according to claim 6 wherein there is provided latching means for holding the lid fully closed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A spin drier according to claim 8 wherein there is provided resilient means urging the lid out of its fully closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A spin drier according to claim 6 wherein the operating means when in its said position inhibits rotation of the drum by operation of a switch controlling supply of electric current to the driving means, and by applying a brake to the drum.
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) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |