Damping device for the suspension of a washing machine and washing machines equipped with such devices

Claim 3

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cross-piece is cylindrical, said device further comprising means for retaining the cross-piece comprising two elastic parts of an elastic material each having a semi-cylindrical channel, said channels being arranged one at either side of said cross-piece in frictional contact therewith, and securing means for holding said elastic parts in said frictional contact position and for securing said elastic parts to a frame of a washing machine.

Claim 4

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cross-piece is cylindrical, said device further comprising means for retaining the cross-piece comprising two elastic parts of an elastic material each having a semi-cylindrical channel, said channels being arranged one at either side of said cross piece, and a securing means for holding said elastic parts in position and for securing said elastic parts to a frame of a washing machine, such that said cross-piece can turn freely in said channels.

Claim 5

A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring has a portion at each free end directed toward the inside of the U-shaped member, said portions being in line with each other.

Claim 6

A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the friction pads comprise a hemispherical part, an intermediate part and a friction plate, the hemispherical part having a plane surface with a recess in the center of said surface for receiving one of the free ends of the spring member, the intermediate part having a face with a hemispherical recess for receiving said hemispherical part, and at a side opposite said face a recess for accommodating the friction plate.

Claim 7

A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said hemispherical part is made of a polyformaldehyde monopolymer and said intermediate part is made of a 6-6 polyamide.

Claim 8

A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the intermediate part is circularly symmetrical about the axis of the bore, the hemispherical part has bosses having tops, said bosses projecting from the cylindrical wall of the recess, the tops of the bosses defining a seat whose dimensions are smaller than those of the free end of the spring member.

Claim 9

A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the friction pads comprise a cylindrical elastomer sleeve, a plastic intermediate part and a friction plate, the intermediate part having a face with a cylindrical bore in which the cylindrical sleeve is fitted, and an opposite face having a recess for accommodating the friction plate.

Claim 10

A washing machine of the type having a horizontal drum shaft, a tub, a plate fixed to the tub and two friction pads attached to the free ends of a spring member, said pads rubbing against either side of the plate, comprising a plurality of damping devices, at least one damping device being located on either side of a vertical plane which contains the axis of the drum of the machine, each damping device comprising a U-shaped spring member having a cross-piece and two legs each having a free end, said spring being twisted such that the cross-piece and the free ends of the legs to which the pads are attached are located in planes which are perpendicular to each other, the cross-piece extending parallel to a plane defined by the plate.

Claim 11

A washing machine of the type having a horizontal drum shaft, a tub, a plate fixed to the tub and two friction pads attached to the free ends of a spring member, said pads rubbing against either side of the plate, comprising a plurality of damping devices, at least one damping device being located on either side of a vertical plane which contains the axis of the drum of the machine, each damping device comprising a U-shaped spring member having a cross-piece and two legs each having a free end, said spring being twisted such that the cross-piece and the free ends of the legs to which the pads are attached are located in planes which are perpendicular to each other, the cross-piece extending parallel to a plane defined by the plate.

Claim 12

A machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one plate fixed to the tub extends in a plane which is parallel to the drum axis.

Claim 13

A machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one plate fixed to the tub extends in a plane which is perpendicular to the drum axis.