US3894555A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Float switch assembly
Assignee: White Consolidated Industries Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-14
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Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1993-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A float switch assembly for a dishwasher or the like includes a float positioned in the bottom of the dishwasher tub and having an elongated float stem extending through a hollow sleeve sealingly secured around an opening in the bottom of the tub. The free end of the float stem engages a switch actuator beneath the tub. The weight of the float normally holds the switch closed. A predetermined level of water in the tub raises the float to a position wherein the switch opens to close a water inlet valve. The float is molded in one piece from plastic material having a specific gravity less than unity so that trapped air alone is not relied upon to make the float buoyant. The float has a very low profile and a low center of gravity so it does not interfere with the dishwasher spray arm and does not easily tilt.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E Payne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:23
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/08; D06F39/087; A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7358; Y10T137/7368; Y10T137/7423
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
A float switch assembly for a tub having a bottom wall, comprising; an opening through said bottom wall, an elongated substantially cylindrical sleeve member having an axial hole therethrough and an outwardly extending bottom flange, said flange being sealingly secured to said bottom wall with said sleeve member positioned substantially vertically above said bottom wall and with said axial hole aligned with said opening, a float member formed from a material having a specific gravity less than unity, said float member including a hollow generally bell-shaped central portion having a closed top, an inner peripheral surface, a downwardly facing open bottom and a bottom peripheral end, said float member including an elongated central stem extending through said central portion from said closed top thereof and terminating at a free stem end spaced a substantial distance downwardly from said bottom peripheral end of said central portion, said stem having an outer peripheral surface spaced inwardly from said inner peripheral surface of said central portion to define an annular space extending from said bottom peripheral end to said closed top and having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area throughout its length, a relatively shallow float flange extending outwardly from said central portion adjacent said bottom peripheral end thereof, said float flange including a downwardly extending terminal float flange portion having a peripheral float flange end spaced downwardly from said bottom peripheral end of said central portion, said sleeve member being freely received in said annular space and said stem extending through said axial hole and said opening in said tub bottom wall, switch means for controlling flow of water to said tub, and switch actuator means engaged with said free stem end for operating said switch means as said float member rises and falls with variations in water level in said tub.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
299 words
A float switch assembly for a tub having a bottom wall, comprising; an opening through said bottom wall, an elongated substantially cylindrical sleeve member having an axial hole therethrough and an outwardly extending bottom flange, said flange being sealingly secured to said bottom wall with said sleeve member positioned substantially vertically above said bottom wall and with said axial hole aligned with said opening, a float member formed from a material having a specific gravity less than unity, said float member including a hollow generally bell-shaped central portion having a closed top, an inner peripheral surface, a downwardly facing open bottom and a bottom peripheral end, said float member including an elongated central stem extending through said central portion from said closed top thereof and terminating at a free stem end spaced a substantial distance downwardly from said bottom peripheral end of said central portion, said stem having an outer peripheral surface spaced inwardly from said inner peripheral surface of said central portion to define an annular space extending from said bottom peripheral end to said closed top and having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area throughout its length, a relatively shallow float flange extending outwardly from said central portion adjacent said bottom peripheral end thereof, said float flange including a downwardly extending terminal float flange portion having a peripheral float flange end spaced downwardly from said bottom peripheral end of said central portion, said sleeve member being freely received in said annular space and said stem extending through said axial hole and said opening in said tub bottom wall, switch means for controlling flow of water to said tub, and switch actuator means engaged with said free stem end for operating said switch means as said float member rises and falls with variations in water level in said tub.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said sleeve member includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced ribs extending upwardly from said flange thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly of claim 2 and including a plurality of circumferentially-spaced screw receiving holes in said tub bottom wall around said tub opening, said ribs including screw receiving bores aligned with said screw receiving holes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The assembly of claim 1 and including normally closed solenoid-operated valve means for admitting water to said tub, timer contact means for controlling operation of said valve means, said switch means being connected in series between said timer contact means and said valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said bottom wall has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape and includes corner portions, said bottom wall opening being in one of said corners.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a normally open switch and is normally closed by the weight of said float member on said actuator, said float member being floatable upward upon a predetermined level of water in said tub to release said actuator for opening said switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The assembly of claim 1 and further including abutment means on said stem intermediate said stem end and said bottom wall opening for abutting said bottom wall adjacent said opening to prevent vertical displacement of said stem end through said opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3464437A
Cited
US3610271A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |