Patent US3828445A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3828445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clothes dryer seal
Assignee: Schlegel Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1973-03-26
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1993-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A seal between the housing and rotating drum of a clothes dryer is formed of a spring wire laid in a zig zag pattern with a wear material secured to the zig zag wire by rows of stitching that also hold the wire loops together. The seal includes an air barrier and is mounted in the dryer in a generally conical shape to engage a sealing edge at an oblique angle, and the spring wire is selected for pressing the wear surface against the sealing edge with a predetermined force.
Inventors
- 👤 E Smoot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:43
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F58/00; D06F58/02; D06F58/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A seal between the housing and rotating drum of a cLothes dryer, said seal comprising: a. a spring wire laid in a zig zag pattern; b. a strip of wear material laid over said zig zag wire and having a wear surface opposite from the surface laid over said zig zag wire; c. a plurality of rows of stitching securing said wear strip to said zig zag wire and securing the loops of said zig zag wire together; d. means on said seal for providing an air barrier substantially preventing air from passing through said seal; e. means for mounting said seal in place in said dryer so said wear surface engages a sealing edge; f. said seal being formed in a generally conical shape engaging said sealing edge at an oblique angle; and g. said spring wire of said seal being selected for pressing said wear surface against said sealing edge with a predetermined force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A seal between the housing and rotating drum of a cLothes dryer, said seal comprising: a. a spring wire laid in a zig zag pattern; b. a strip of wear material laid over said zig zag wire and having a wear surface opposite from the surface laid over said zig zag wire; c. a plurality of rows of stitching securing said wear strip to said zig zag wire and securing the loops of said zig zag wire together; d. means on said seal for providing an air barrier substantially preventing air from passing through said seal; e. means for mounting said seal in place in said dryer so said wear surface engages a sealing edge; f. said seal being formed in a generally conical shape engaging said sealing edge at an oblique angle; and g. said spring wire of said seal being selected for pressing said wear surface against said sealing edge with a predetermined force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The seal of claim 1 wherein said wear material is felt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The seal of claim 2 wherein said felt is needlepunched felt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The seal of claim 1 wherein said wear material is a pile material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The seal of claim 1 wherein said air barrier means is a coated fabric material secured to said zig zag wire with said stitching.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The seal of claim 1 wherein said air barrier means is a coating on said wear material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The seal of claim 1 wherein said air barrier means is a sheet plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The seal of claim 1 wherein said mounting means is a flange overlapping one edge of said zig zag wire pattern and extending outward from said overlapped edge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The seal of claim 8 wherein at least one of said rows of said stitching secures said flange to said zig zag wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The seal of claim 8 wherein said flange is a plastic strip.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The seal of claim 8 wherein said wear material is felt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The seal of claim 11 wherein said air barrier means is a coated fabric material secured to said zig zag wire with said stitching.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The seal of claim 12 wherein said flange is a plastic strip secured to said zig zag wire with at least one of said rows of said stitching.
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) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |