US3884493A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Caster wheels for a portable appliance
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-23
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1993-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A portable appliance such as a washing maching or the like is supported on a frame which is mounted on two pairs of casters. A first pair of casters is located at adjacent corners of the frame and each of this pair has its pintle mounted substantially vertically with respect to the frame. The other pair of casters is mounted at the other corners of the frame and their pintles are supported at a substantial angle to the vertical, whereby the first pair of casters is free to swivel about their respective pintles but the second pair of casters is substantially restrained from swiveling by the weight of the appliance, but the wheels are free to move linearly.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Weir
- 👤 Edward R Fester
- 👤 Gerrald K Farrington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:11
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/12; D06F39/125; B; B60; B60B; B60B33/00; B60B33/0002; B62; B62B; B62B3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A portable appliance for dynamic operation comprising a four-sided frame, a first pair of casters located at adjacent corners of said frame, a second pair of casters located at the other corners of said frame, means supporting said first pair of casters on the frame with their pintles substantially vertically disposed, and means supporting said second pair of casters on the frame with their pintles at a substantial angle to both the vertical and horizontal directions whereby said first pair of casters is free to swivel about their respective pintles but said second pair of casters is substantially restrained from swiveling movement by the weight of said appliance and limits movement of the appliance during the dynamic operation thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A portable appliance for dynamic operation comprising a four-sided frame, a first pair of casters located at adjacent corners of said frame, a second pair of casters located at the other corners of said frame, means supporting said first pair of casters on the frame with their pintles substantially vertically disposed, and means supporting said second pair of casters on the frame with their pintles at a substantial angle to both the vertical and horizontal directions whereby said first pair of casters is free to swivel about their respective pintles but said second pair of casters is substantially restrained from swiveling movement by the weight of said appliance and limits movement of the appliance during the dynamic operation thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An appliance according to claim 1 in which said two pairs of casters are substantially identical in configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An appliance according to claim 1, in which said appliance has a plurality of assembled parts supported by a spring suspension system acting against said frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a portable appliance including a frame, at least one part rotatably supported on said frame, a motor supported by said frame, and casters carried by said frame to support said appliance on a floor surface, said motor being adapted to place said one part in rotation to create a tendency of the appliance to move on the floor surface, the improvement which comprises: a first pair of spaced brackets adjoining two corners of the frame for positioning two of said casters with their pintles in substantially vertical disposition, and a second pair of brackets at the other two corners of the frame arranged to support the other two casters with their pintles at a substantial angle to both the vertical and horizontal to thereby inhibit swiveling motion of said other two casters and resist the tendency of the appliance to move on the floor surface during rotational movement of said one part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a portable appliance including a frame, at least one part rotatably supported on said frame, a motor supported by said frame, and casters carried by said frame to support said appliance on a floor surface, said motor being adapted to place said one part in rotation to create a tendency of the appliance to move on the floor surface, the improvement which comprises: a first pair of spaced brackets adjoining two corners of the frame for positioning two of said casters with their pintles in substantially vertical disposition, and a second pair of brackets at the other two corners of the frame arranged to support the other two casters with their pintles at a substantial angle to both the vertical and horizontal to thereby inhibit swiveling motion of said other two casters and resist the tendency of the appliance to move on the floor surface during rotational movement of said one part.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A portable appliance according to claim 4, in which said motor and part are supported by said frame through a plurality of springs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable appliance according to claim 4 in which all of said casters are substantially identical in configuration.
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) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |