US3742162A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-contained door safety switch with manually disabled latch
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1971-10-27
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-10-27
Abstract
Abstract The invention discloses a self-contained safety switch for use in conjunction with an electric motor driven appliance, such as laundry apparatus, enclosed by a cabinet having an access door in which proper use of the switch first requires that the door is closed to bias the contacts of the switch in a direction to close them while a blocking member, internal to the switch housing, prevents the contacts from closing until removed through manually pressing a pin extending through the housing. The door, while in a closed position, thereafter maintains the contacts closed; however, whenever the door is open, the contacts return to their initial position requiring a repeat process of closing the door and subsequently depressing the extending pin to again actuate the appliance.
Inventors
- 👤 W Wasemann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/20; H01H9/22; H01H9/226; D; D06; D06F; D06F37/00; D06F37/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A safety switch for an appliance having a cabinet including an access door supported thereon, said safety switch comprising: a switch housing for mounting on said appliance generally adjacent said door; first and second contacts mounted in spaced opposing relationship on arms enclosed in said housing and having leads extending exteriorly of the housing, at least one of said arms being movable to a position closing said contacts; plunger means mounted in said housing and movable from a first position to a second position in response to closure of said door for resiliently urging said movable arm toward the other arm, said plunger means including a pin movably mounted in said housing and a spring member interposed between said pin and said movable arm; blocking means preventing movement of said movable arm and including a portion extending into the path of said movable arm; manual means for moving said blocking means to a non-blocking position, said means including a second pin received within said housing and having one end extending therefrom for manual access; and, spring means for restoring said blocking means to said blocking position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A safety switch for an appliance having a cabinet including an access door supported thereon, said safety switch comprising: a switch housing for mounting on said appliance generally adjacent said door; first and second contacts mounted in spaced opposing relationship on arms enclosed in said housing and having leads extending exteriorly of the housing, at least one of said arms being movable to a position closing said contacts; plunger means mounted in said housing and movable from a first position to a second position in response to closure of said door for resiliently urging said movable arm toward the other arm, said plunger means including a pin movably mounted in said housing and a spring member interposed between said pin and said movable arm; blocking means preventing movement of said movable arm and including a portion extending into the path of said movable arm; manual means for moving said blocking means to a non-blocking position, said means including a second pin received within said housing and having one end extending therefrom for manual access; and, spring means for restoring said blocking means to said blocking position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
119 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said portion of said blocking means extending into the path of said movable arm defines an abrupt shoulder adjacent said movable arm when said arms are in opposed spaced relationship and a camming surface adjacent said movable arm when said arms are in a position when said contacts are closed; and, said movable arm is resilient and assumes said position spaced from said opposing arm when in an unbiased conditiOn; whereby movement of said plunger means from said second to said first position in response to opening said door restores said arms to said spaced position with said blocking projection cammed from an interferring position by said movable arm contacting said camming surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
Structure according to claim 2 wherein said pin of said plunger means is recessed within said housing and said door includes a projection in alignment with said recessed pin when said door is in a closed position to move said pin to said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
Structure according to claim 2 wherein said plunger means comprises a generally hollow first pin extending from said housing into the path of said door and said spring member includes an internally extending second pin telescopically received within said first pin and having an end abutting said movable arm and a spring received within said hollow end and abutting said second pin.
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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) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |