US3892048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clothes dryer
Assignee: White Westinghouse Corp
•
Filing: 1974-05-29
•
Granted: 1975-07-01
•
Expires: 1994-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A generally small capacity automatic clothes dryer is shown utilizing a draw-through air circulation system and having a unitarily molded air duct defining an inlet chamber, fan scroll portion, and air outlet or exhaust chamber for mounting on the front panel of the dryer housing in air flow communication between the access opening leading to the interior of the tub and through which the moist air exits the tub in a confined path leading to the duct, and a forwardly facing discharge opening in the front panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Jerome G Jacobsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:46
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F58/00; D06F58/02; D06F58/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
An improved air circulation system for a clothes dryer having a cabinet structure housing a rotatable clothes basket with a forwardly facing opening, drive means for rotating said basket, said cabinet including a front panel having a first opening comprising an access opening generally concentric with said basket opening, a second opening generally subadjacent said access opening and a third opening spaced from said second opening, a door hingedly mounted on said panel for covering both said first and second openings when said door is in a closed position and means including said door and said front panel defining a confined air flow passage between said first and second openings on the forward face of said front panel when said door is closed and wherein the improvement comprises: a molded one-piece air duct and fan scroll defining in cooperation with the inner face of said panel an air inlet chamber in effective sealing engagement with said panel surrounding said second opening; an air exhaust duct in effective sealing engagement with said panel surrounding said third opening, and; a fan scroll means for housing a rotatable fan, said means having a wall common to both said inlet chamber and said exhaust duct including an inlet opening between said inlet chamber and said fan housing and an outlet between said housing and said exhaust duct.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
An improved air circulation system for a clothes dryer having a cabinet structure housing a rotatable clothes basket with a forwardly facing opening, drive means for rotating said basket, said cabinet including a front panel having a first opening comprising an access opening generally concentric with said basket opening, a second opening generally subadjacent said access opening and a third opening spaced from said second opening, a door hingedly mounted on said panel for covering both said first and second openings when said door is in a closed position and means including said door and said front panel defining a confined air flow passage between said first and second openings on the forward face of said front panel when said door is closed and wherein the improvement comprises: a molded one-piece air duct and fan scroll defining in cooperation with the inner face of said panel an air inlet chamber in effective sealing engagement with said panel surrounding said second opening; an air exhaust duct in effective sealing engagement with said panel surrounding said third opening, and; a fan scroll means for housing a rotatable fan, said means having a wall common to both said inlet chamber and said exhaust duct including an inlet opening between said inlet chamber and said fan housing and an outlet between said housing and said exhaust duct.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said air inlet chamber of said one-piece molded duct defines a forwardly open box-like structure and said exhaust duct defines another forwardly open box-like structure, said box-like structures having a common forwardly projecting dividing wall for sealingly engaging said front panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
Structure according to claim 2 wherein said fan scroll means comprises a rearwardly projecting wall extending from said wall of said scroll means common to both said inlet chamber and said exhaust duct, and a separate plate member attached to said projecting wall and in opposed spaced relation to said last named common wall to define the fan housing therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Structure according to claim 3 wherein said plate includes a first aperture having a removable cover, said aperture providing an auxiliary outlet means for rearwardly exhausting from said scroll means when said cover is removed and said forwardly exhausting air exhaust duct is blocked.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure according to claim 2 wherein said air exhaust duct further includeS air deflector means for directing the flow of discharging air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said effective sealing engagement between said housing and said air inlet chamber and between said housing and said air outlet chamber is effectuated by a forwardly extending perimetric wall terminating in an edge in facing engagement with said front panel so as to enclose said second opening and said third opening respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Structure according to claim 6 wherein a filtering means is disposed within said second opening and wherein said outlet chamber includes means for imparting an upwardly directed flow to the discharge air.
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) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |