US3844518A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leveling support structure for dishwasher
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-04-18
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A leveling support structure for an appliance is shown which permits relatively easy vertical adjustment without the use of tools. The support structure includes a generally well known leveling screw having an enlarged flat head for engagement with the floor and a threaded shank which is received within a vertical sleeve like contour formed within a vertical wall of a support leg. The effective opening into the sleeve is larger than the O.D. of the threaded shank so that the leveling screw is free to slide vertically within the sleeve. The inner face of the sleeve includes an arcuate portion which has thread engaging projections whereas the opposing arcuate face is smooth. A Ushaped leaf spring member is interposed between the smooth wall of the sleeve and the leveling screw with the free ends of the spring extending exteriorally of the sleeve for manual access. The normal bias of the spring urges the leveling screw into threaded engagement with the projections on the sleeve so that axially turning the leveling screw screws it into or out of the leg. For rapid adjustment the spring member can be manually compressed to release the threaded engagement thereby permitting free axial movement of the bolt within the sleeve member. Once the proper extension of the bolt from the leg has been attained, the normal bias of the spring member on the leveling screw is sufficient to maintain it in the set position.
Inventors
- 👤 O Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:56
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; A47L15/4251; A47L15/4253; A47B; A47B91/00; A47B91/02; A47B91/022; A47B91/024; F; F16; F16M; F16M7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
Leveling support structure for a dishwasher or the like comprising: a leveling screw having a threaded shank portion and an enlarged head portion; means for threadably engaging said shank portion in a relatively freely rotatable manner permitting screwing said leveling screw within said means; said engaging means defining an aperture having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of said shank portion, said aperture having a first arcuate portion providing thread engaging means; spring means interposed between the shank portion of said screw and a second arcuate portion of said aperture diametrically opposed to said thread engaging means to normally urge said threaded shank portion and said thread engaging means into weight supporting engagement, said spring means comprising a Ushaped leaf spring having a generally arcuate apex disposed between said shank portion and said second arcuate portIon of said aperture, said apex having a greater diameter than said second arcuate portion whereby said spring means assumes a first position forcing said shank portion into threaded engagement with said first arcuate area and defining a space between said apex and said second arcuate area; and, means for manually releasing said shank portion from said spring means permitting relatively free longitudinal axial movement of said leveling screw within said aperture to obtain the desired extension, said releasing means comprising the freely extending ends of said leaf spring for manual movement towards one another to effectively reduce the diameter of said apex to permit said apex to move within said space a distance sufficient to release said threaded engagement of said shank portion whereupon reengagement of said spring means and said shank portion re-establishes said weight supporting engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
Leveling support structure for a dishwasher or the like comprising: a leveling screw having a threaded shank portion and an enlarged head portion; means for threadably engaging said shank portion in a relatively freely rotatable manner permitting screwing said leveling screw within said means; said engaging means defining an aperture having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of said shank portion, said aperture having a first arcuate portion providing thread engaging means; spring means interposed between the shank portion of said screw and a second arcuate portion of said aperture diametrically opposed to said thread engaging means to normally urge said threaded shank portion and said thread engaging means into weight supporting engagement, said spring means comprising a Ushaped leaf spring having a generally arcuate apex disposed between said shank portion and said second arcuate portIon of said aperture, said apex having a greater diameter than said second arcuate portion whereby said spring means assumes a first position forcing said shank portion into threaded engagement with said first arcuate area and defining a space between said apex and said second arcuate area; and, means for manually releasing said shank portion from said spring means permitting relatively free longitudinal axial movement of said leveling screw within said aperture to obtain the desired extension, said releasing means comprising the freely extending ends of said leaf spring for manual movement towards one another to effectively reduce the diameter of said apex to permit said apex to move within said space a distance sufficient to release said threaded engagement of said shank portion whereupon reengagement of said spring means and said shank portion re-establishes said weight supporting engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
Leveling support structure according to claim 1 wherein said aperture for receiving said threaded shank portion is defined by opposing arcuate portions formed in a substantially vertical wall of said support structure including first and second outwardly formed arcuate areas each having a longitudinal axial extent and separated by an oppositely formed arcuate area also having a longitudinal axial extent, and wherein said spring means is disposed within said oppositely formed arcuate area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
Leveling support structure according to claim 2 wherein each of said outwardly formed arcuate areas terminates in a bottom arcuate edge substantially perpendicular to the axis of said threaded shank, said edge providing an inwardly projecting thread engaging portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Structure according to claim 3 wherein the lower edge of said spring means, at least through the extent of its arcuate apex, defines a thread engaging projection whereby said threaded shank portion is threadably engaged on diametrically oppossing surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
Structure according to claim 4 wherein said space between the apex of said spring and said arcuate area is sufficient to permit disengagement of all of said thread engaging projections of said arcuate edges and said spring from said shank portion when said ends of said spring are manually moved towards one another to decrease the arcuate apex of said spring to a diameter of at least no greater than the diameter of said oppositely formed arcuate area whereby said spring and said arcuate area can be placed in face to face contact, releasing said leveling leg for free longitudinal axial movement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
Structure according to claim 5 wherein the width of said spring is substantially equal to the longitudinal extent of said oppositely formed arcuate area whereby said spring abuts the arcuate edge of said first outwardly formed arcuate area when said projection of said spring engages said threaded shank portion whereby said spring shares in supporting the weight of said appliance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
Structure according to claim 6 wherein all said thread engaging projections extend radially inwardly downwardly providing a camming surface permitting longitudinal axial movement of said leveling leg to extend it in a ratching manner without the prior manual release of said spring means.
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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) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |