US3913736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Packing brace for a washing machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-03-29
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1993-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A packing brace for a washing machine is made selectively adaptable for use in washing machines having either thick or thin center post agitators. A recess is provided inwardly of a wall adapted to engage an adjoining center post agitator so that the wall may be yieldably displaced into the recess. One or more frangible sections are also located between the recess and the adjoining outside portions of the brace so that the adjoining outside portions of the brace may be selectively broken away to foreshorten the brace.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis P Brennan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:04
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A packing brace selectively adapted for use in a washing machine having a casing, a tub within said casing and either a thick or thin center post within said tub, comprising: a plurality of cooperating generally rectangular blocks, each having top, bottom, side and end walls, a through-recess extending from the top wall to the bottom wall of each block inwardly of one end thereof an forming a relief area generally conforming the adjacent end wall to the form of the center post when the end wall is displaced therein as the packing brace is disposed between the casing, tub and center post of the washing machine, and slot means extending between the inside and the outside of the block in the vicinity of the through-passage and forming a frangible area for facilitating the selective breaking away of the portions of said block outwardly of said relief area to selectively foreshorten the effective length of the block and maintain the foreshortened end wall to conform to the circumferential portion of the center post engaged thereby.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A packing brace selectively adapted for use in a washing machine having a casing, a tub within said casing and either a thick or thin center post within said tub, comprising: a plurality of cooperating generally rectangular blocks, each having top, bottom, side and end walls, a through-recess extending from the top wall to the bottom wall of each block inwardly of one end thereof an forming a relief area generally conforming the adjacent end wall to the form of the center post when the end wall is displaced therein as the packing brace is disposed between the casing, tub and center post of the washing machine, and slot means extending between the inside and the outside of the block in the vicinity of the through-passage and forming a frangible area for facilitating the selective breaking away of the portions of said block outwardly of said relief area to selectively foreshorten the effective length of the block and maintain the foreshortened end wall to conform to the circumferential portion of the center post engaged thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
A packing brace as defined in claim 1 wherein said slot means more particularly comprise slots disposed transversely and vertically and extending radially from the inside of said through-recess outwardly toward the respective side walls, to accommodate the broken-away portions to be removed and to provide a back surface of the relief area convex in form to conform to the adjoining circumferential portion of the center post engaged thereby when interposed between the center post and the casing and tub of the washing machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A packing brace as defined in claim 1 wherein said slot means comprise slots disposed transversely and vertically and extending from the outside of said side walls inwardly toward the inside of said throughrecess, to accommodate the end of said center post adjacent said throughrecess to be removed and form the back surface of said relief area to form a convex abutment surface for engaging an adjoining center post.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
A packing brace as defined in claim 1 wherein said slot means more particularly comprise a slot means disposed vertically in the block between said end wall and said through-recess to accommodate the brokenaway portions to be hingedly displaced generally outwardly and form the back surface of the relief area into an abutment surface conforming to an adjoining center post to engage and retain said center post from movement relative to said casing and tub.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a washing machine packing brace of the type comprising a generally rectangular block, the improvement of a recess inwardly of a wall adapted to engage an adjoining center post of a washing machine, whereby the wall may be yield by displaced into the recess, and means forming at least one frangible section between said recess and the adjoining outside portions of said brace, whereby the adjoining outside portions of the brace may be selectively broken away to foreshorten the brace for adaptation to center posts of greater thickness and conform the foreshortened end of the brace to a center post of large diameter than the wall of the brace adapted to engage an adjoining center post of a washing machine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a washing machine packing brace of the type comprising a generally rectangular block, the improvement of a recess inwardly of a wall adapted to engage an adjoining center post of a washing machine, whereby the wall may be yield by displaced into the recess, and means forming at least one frangible section between said recess and the adjoining outside portions of said brace, whereby the adjoining outside portions of the brace may be selectively broken away to foreshorten the brace for adaptation to center posts of greater thickness and conform the foreshortened end of the brace to a center post of large diameter than the wall of the brace adapted to engage an adjoining center post of a washing machine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a washing machine packing brace of the type comprising a generally rectangular block, the improvement of a cylindrical recess inwardly of a wall adapted to engage an adjoining center post whereby the wall may be yieldably displaced into the recess, said wall being slotted by a vertical slot intersecting said recess but terminating short of the top and bottom walls of the block to form top and bottom frangible sections between said recess And the adjoining outside portions of said brace whereby the adjoining portions of the brace may be selectively separated and form a recess for reception of a center post of greater thickness and conforming thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a washing machine packing brace of the type comprising a generally rectangular block, the improvement of a cylindrical recess inwardly of a wall adapted to engage an adjoining center post whereby the wall may be yieldably displaced into the recess, said wall being slotted by a vertical slot intersecting said recess but terminating short of the top and bottom walls of the block to form top and bottom frangible sections between said recess And the adjoining outside portions of said brace whereby the adjoining portions of the brace may be selectively separated and form a recess for reception of a center post of greater thickness and conforming thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |