US3918644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Invertible dual action spray arm for dishwasher
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1974-11-05
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An invertible spray arm for a dishwasher comprises two separate sets of spray nozzles, each in communication with a separate chamber in the spray arm and each providing a different spray pattern within a dishwasher. The spray arm includes a central member which may be of sheet material, which divides the spray arm into the two chambers and which, together with a supporting column, fluidically seals one chamber from the other. The spray arm includes a central aperture for receiving a manifold end of an upstanding hollow fluid carrying column and may be mounted on the manifold with either side of the spray arm up to effect fluid communication between the manifold and a desired chamber for obtaining a desired spray pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Clark I Platt
- 👤 James I Czech
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:30
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; A47L15/4278; A47L15/4282; B; B05; B05B; B05B3/00; B05B3/001; B05B3/02; B05B3/04; B05B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
In a dishwasher having a washing chamber for containing items to be washed, an apertured conduit within the washing chamber, and pump means for supplying washing liquid under pressure through said conduit; a spray device for mounting within the washing chamber comprising: means forming fludically-separate substantially-symmetrical first and second chambers; first nozzle means a fluid communication with the first chamber for directing spray to the items to be washed; second nozzle means in fluid communication with the second chamber for directing spray to the items to be washed; and means for rotatably mounting the spray device in a primary position on the conduit with the first chamber of said spray device covering the apertures in said conduit for fluid communication therebetween, and an inverted position on said conduit with the second chamber of said spray device covering said apertures in said conduit for fluid communication therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
In a dishwasher having a washing chamber for containing items to be washed, an apertured conduit within the washing chamber, and pump means for supplying washing liquid under pressure through said conduit; a spray device for mounting within the washing chamber comprising: means forming fludically-separate substantially-symmetrical first and second chambers; first nozzle means a fluid communication with the first chamber for directing spray to the items to be washed; second nozzle means in fluid communication with the second chamber for directing spray to the items to be washed; and means for rotatably mounting the spray device in a primary position on the conduit with the first chamber of said spray device covering the apertures in said conduit for fluid communication therebetween, and an inverted position on said conduit with the second chamber of said spray device covering said apertures in said conduit for fluid communication therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said first nozzle means includes means for developing a first spray pattern and said second nozzle means includes means for developing a second spray pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
In a dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said spray device comprises first, second and third generally coextensive and spaced sheet members sealed together along the respective edges to form said first and second chambers, said first nozzle carried by said first sheet member, said second nozzle means carried by said second sheet member, and first, second and third apertures in respective ones of said sheet members aligned with each other to receive the apertured conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the apertured conduit comprises sealing means for engaging one of said sheet members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
A spray device for mounting on an apertured end of a fluid conduit having a stop spaced from the end thereof, comprising: first, second and third generally coextensive and spaced sheet members sealed together along their edges to define substantially symmetrical first and second chambers; first nozzle means carried by said first sheet member in fluid communication with said first chamber; second nozzle means carried by said second sheet member in fluid communication with said second chamber; and first, second and third apertures in respective ones of the sheet members aligned to receive the fluid conduit with a selected one of said first and second sheet members contacting the stop so that only one of said chambers is in fluid communication with the apertured end of the conduit, said third sheet member fluidically separating said chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
136 words
A spray device for mounting on an apertured end of a fluid conduit having a stop spaced from the end thereof, comprising: first, second and third generally coextensive and spaced sheet members sealed together along their edges to define substantially symmetrical first and second chambers; first nozzle means carried by said first sheet member in fluid communication with said first chamber; second nozzle means carried by said second sheet member in fluid communication with said second chamber; and first, second and third apertures in respective ones of the sheet members aligned to receive the fluid conduit with a selected one of said first and second sheet members contacting the stop so that only one of said chambers is in fluid communication with the apertured end of the conduit, said third sheet member fluidically separating said chambers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a dishwasher of the type wherein a spray device is rotatably mounted on and receives liquid under pressure from a conduit mounted within a washing chamber, the improvement therein for providing either a normal vigorous spray action or a gentle spray action comprising: means dividing the spray device into first and second fluidically-separate chambers, said first chamber having first nozzle means having a small number of relatively large holes in communication therewith for effecting a first normal vigorous spray pattern and said second chamber having second nozzle means having a large number of relatively small holes in communication therewith for effecting a second gentle spray pattern, and means for selectively mounting said spray device on the conduit with a selected one of said chambers in fluiD communication with the conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a dishwasher of the type wherein a spray device is rotatably mounted on and receives liquid under pressure from a conduit mounted within a washing chamber, the improvement therein for providing either a normal vigorous spray action or a gentle spray action comprising: means dividing the spray device into first and second fluidically-separate chambers, said first chamber having first nozzle means having a small number of relatively large holes in communication therewith for effecting a first normal vigorous spray pattern and said second chamber having second nozzle means having a large number of relatively small holes in communication therewith for effecting a second gentle spray pattern, and means for selectively mounting said spray device on the conduit with a selected one of said chambers in fluiD communication with the conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
A dishwasher comprising: a washing chamber; an apertured conduit within the washing chamber; pump means for supplying washing liquid under pressure through the conduit; a spray arm having fluidically-separate first and second chambers; first nozzle means carried by the spray arm and in fluid communication with the first chamber for directing a first spray pattern within the washing chamber; second nozzle means carried by the spray arm and in fluid communication with the second chamber for directing a second spray pattern within the washing chamber; and means for rotatably mounting the spray arm in a first position on the conduit with the first chamber of said spray arm covering the apertures in said conduit for fluid communication therebetween, and a second position on said conduit with the second chamber of said spray arm covering said apertures in said conduit for fluid communication therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
143 words
A dishwasher comprising: a washing chamber; an apertured conduit within the washing chamber; pump means for supplying washing liquid under pressure through the conduit; a spray arm having fluidically-separate first and second chambers; first nozzle means carried by the spray arm and in fluid communication with the first chamber for directing a first spray pattern within the washing chamber; second nozzle means carried by the spray arm and in fluid communication with the second chamber for directing a second spray pattern within the washing chamber; and means for rotatably mounting the spray arm in a first position on the conduit with the first chamber of said spray arm covering the apertures in said conduit for fluid communication therebetween, and a second position on said conduit with the second chamber of said spray arm covering said apertures in said conduit for fluid communication therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
A dishwasher comprising: a washing chamber; a conduit in said washing chamber including a hollow tube having an end, a manifold mounted on the end of said tube, said manifold comprising a hollow portion in communication with said hollow tube and fluid discharge apertures in communication with said hollow portion; pump means for supplying liquid under pressure through said conduit; a spray arm including first and second chambers, first and second nozzle means carried by said spray arm in communication with respective ones of said chambers for directing respective spray patterns within said washing chamber; and means on said manifold for selectively mounting said spray arm with one of said first and second chambers in communication with said fluid discharge apertures to obtain a desired spray pattern.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
A dishwasher comprising: a washing chamber; a conduit in said washing chamber including a hollow tube having an end, a manifold mounted on the end of said tube, said manifold comprising a hollow portion in communication with said hollow tube and fluid discharge apertures in communication with said hollow portion; pump means for supplying liquid under pressure through said conduit; a spray arm including first and second chambers, first and second nozzle means carried by said spray arm in communication with respective ones of said chambers for directing respective spray patterns within said washing chamber; and means on said manifold for selectively mounting said spray arm with one of said first and second chambers in communication with said fluid discharge apertures to obtain a desired spray pattern.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A dishwasher according to claim 8, wherein said spray arm comprises means defining an aperture for receiving said manifold, and said manifold comprises sealing means for sealingly engaging the aperture defining means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A dishwasher according to claim 8, wherein said spray arm includes an aperture therethrough for receiving said manifold therethrough, and said means for selectively mounting said spray arm includes stop means on said manifold to contact and define operating positions of said spray arm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A dishwasher according to claim 10, wherein said first and second nozzle means are carried on opposite sides of said spray arm, said first and second chambers are on opposite sides of said spray arm and said spray arm is invertible whereby either side thereof may contact said stop means.
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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) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |