US3857002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety mechanism for laundry appliances with door latch for actuating main switch
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-08-10
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A normally open main switch is shown positioned so as to be closed by the movement of door lock structure to the locked position. The door lock structure includes a solenoid for energizing a locking pin which can assume a proper locking position, and therefore close the main switch, only when the door is closed. Failure of the lock to assume the locking position for any reason will prevent operation of the appliance. The door lock solenoid is connected in the control circuit through two parallel lines, each having a switch. The switch of one line is closed whenever the machine is ''''on'''' and the switch of the remaining line is closed whenever the machine is in a spin condition. Thus, turning the machine to an ''''off'''' position will deenergize the solenoid to release the door lock structure except when the machine is in the spin condition. Then the further step of advancing the cam controlled switch to beyond the spin portion of the cycle is also required thereby preventing the door from being immediately opened and permitting the spinning tub to coast to a somewhat slower rpm before it is accessible.
Inventors
- 👤 R Lay
- 👤 C Haller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:59
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F37/00; D06F37/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A safety mechanism for an automatic laundry appliance having a cabinet defining an access opening, door means hingedly supported on said cabinet for movement between open and closed positions and electrical circuit means for energizing said appliance in accordance with a predetermined program including energization of a main drive motor to a high speed drive operation and including a manually controlled main line switch, said mechanism comprising: means for locking said door means in said closed position, said locking means including: a locking pin movable between a first position preventing opening of said door means and a second position permitting opening of said door means; spring means normally biasing said pin toward said second position; electrically actuated means for moving said pin from said second position to said first position, said means electrically connected in said control circuit through first switch means; and, second switch means connected in said circuit for energizing said main motor when closed, said second switch means being mounted generally adjacent and in the path of movement of said locking pin so as to be moved to a closed position in response to said pin moving from said second position to said first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A safety mechanism for an automatic laundry appliance having a cabinet defining an access opening, door means hingedly supported on said cabinet for movement between open and closed positions and electrical circuit means for energizing said appliance in accordance with a predetermined program including energization of a main drive motor to a high speed drive operation and including a manually controlled main line switch, said mechanism comprising: means for locking said door means in said closed position, said locking means including: a locking pin movable between a first position preventing opening of said door means and a second position permitting opening of said door means; spring means normally biasing said pin toward said second position; electrically actuated means for moving said pin from said second position to said first position, said means electrically connected in said control circuit through first switch means; and, second switch means connected in said circuit for energizing said main motor when closed, said second switch means being mounted generally adjacent and in the path of movement of said locking pin so as to be moved to a closed position in response to said pin moving from said second position to said first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A safety mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said door means includes means preventing movement of said locking pin from said second position to said first position when said door is in any position other than said closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A safety mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said door means including said means preventing movement of said locking means comprises: a movable hinge member in facing relationship with a portion of said cabinet, said hinge member defining an aperture generally concentric with an aperture in said portion of said cabinet when said door means is in a closed position; and wherein, said locking pin is mounted for movement into both said apertures and generally transverse with respect to the movement of said door means to prevent relative movement between said door means and said cabinet when said locking pin is in said first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
Structure according to claim 3, wherein said second switch means comprise a normally open switch mounted adjacent said portion of said cabinet and on the side opposite said locking pin when said locking pin is in said second position and disposed in axial alignment with said locking pin whereby said second switch is closed by said locking pin moving to said first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
Structure according to claim 4, wherein said first switch means includes two normally open switches electrically connected in parallel, one of said normally open switches comprising time-controlled contacts and the other of said normally open switches including manually controlled contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Structure according to claim 5, wherein said time-controlled contacts are closed during said energization of said drive motor to a high speed drive operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
Structure according to claim 6, wherein said manually controlled contacts and said manually operated main line switch are mechanically coupled for generally simultaneous operation whereby manual closure of said main switch also closes said manually operated contacts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Structure according to claim 7, wherein said manually controlled main line switch and said second switch means are series connected with said main motor in said circuit.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |