Patent US3954241A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3954241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leveling assembly
Assignee: WESCON PRODUCTS COMPANY A CORP OF
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Filing: 1975-03-31
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Granted: 1976-05-04
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Expires: 1995-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A self-adjusting assembly is adapted especially for facilitating the leveling of an appliance, such as a washing machine or the like, on an uneven floor in order that the appliance is firmly positioned thereon. A pair of mounting brackets are each provided with a vertically shiftable, floor-engaging leg member with the leg members being interconnected by a cable such that the leg members are free to shift vertically relative to their corresponding brackets and in a reciprocal relationship when not supporting a normal proportional share of the weight of the appliance. Structure is provided on each bracket to frictionally engage the cable and lock the same to prevent shifting movement of the leg members relative to their brackets when the leg members and a pair of cooperating adjustable legs on opposite corners of the appliance are all in normal contact with the floor in support of the appliance.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Carlson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:15
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B91/00; A47B91/16; D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/12; D06F39/125; F; F16; F16M; F16M7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A leveling assembly for appliances or the like, said assembly comprising: a pair of brackets adapted to be secured to the appliance, each bracket having a leg member freely shiftable vertically relative thereto and engageable with a floor surface beneath the appliance; connecting means extending from one bracket to the other and interconnecting said leg members with each other for mutual movement thereof, each leg member being free to shift vertically relative to its corresponding bracket and in a reciprocal relationship with its associated member when substantially none of the weight of the appliance is supported thereby; and structure incorporated with each bracket and disposed to be in frictional engagement with said connecting means to lock the same and prevent shifting movement of said leg members relative their brackets when both leg members are in contact with the floor in support of at least a portion of the weight of the appliance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A leveling assembly for appliances or the like, said assembly comprising: a pair of brackets adapted to be secured to the appliance, each bracket having a leg member freely shiftable vertically relative thereto and engageable with a floor surface beneath the appliance; connecting means extending from one bracket to the other and interconnecting said leg members with each other for mutual movement thereof, each leg member being free to shift vertically relative to its corresponding bracket and in a reciprocal relationship with its associated member when substantially none of the weight of the appliance is supported thereby; and structure incorporated with each bracket and disposed to be in frictional engagement with said connecting means to lock the same and prevent shifting movement of said leg members relative their brackets when both leg members are in contact with the floor in support of at least a portion of the weight of the appliance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
As assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting means is an elongate, flexible tension element stretched between said two leg members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said structure includes a longitudinally arcuate, element-receiving groove disposed to grip said element when the latter is under tension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
191 words
A leveling assembly for appliances or the like, said assembly comprising: a pair of brackets adapted to be secured to the appliance, each bracket having a leg member freely shiftable vertically relative thereto and engageable with a floor surface beneath the appliance; connecting means extending from one bracket to the other and interconnecting said leg members with each other for mutual movement thereof, each leg member being free to shift vertically relative to its corresponding bracket and in a reciprocal relationship with its associated member when substantially none of the weight of the appliance is supported thereby; and structure incorporated with each bracket and disposed to be in frictional engagement with said connecting means to lock the same and prevent shifting movement of said leg members relative their brackets when both leg members are in contact with the floor in support of at least a portion of the weight of the appliance, said connecting means being an elongate, flexible tension element stretched between said two leg members, said structure including a longitudinally arcuate element-receiving groove disposed to grip said element when the latter is under tension, said element being a cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
191 words
A leveling assembly for appliances or the like, said assembly comprising: a pair of brackets adapted to be secured to the appliance, each bracket having a leg member freely shiftable vertically relative thereto and engageable with a floor surface beneath the appliance; connecting means extending from one bracket to the other and interconnecting said leg members with each other for mutual movement thereof, each leg member being free to shift vertically relative to its corresponding bracket and in a reciprocal relationship with its associated member when substantially none of the weight of the appliance is supported thereby; and structure incorporated with each bracket and disposed to be in frictional engagement with said connecting means to lock the same and prevent shifting movement of said leg members relative their brackets when both leg members are in contact with the floor in support of at least a portion of the weight of the appliance, said connecting means being an elongate, flexible tension element stretched between said two leg members, said structure including a longitudinally arcuate element-receiving groove disposed to grip said element when the latter is under tension, said element being a cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
209 words
A leveling assembly for appliances or the like, said assembly comprising: a pair of brackets adapted to be secured to the appliance, each bracket having a leg member freely shiftable vertically relative thereto and engageable with a floor surface beneath the appliance; connecting means extending from one bracket to the other and interconnecting said leg members with each other for mutual movement thereof, each leg member being free to shift vertically relative to its corresponding bracket and in a reciprocal relationship with its associated member when substantially none of the weight of the appliance is supported thereby; and structure incorporated with each bracket and disposed to be in frictional engagement with said connecting means to lock the same and prevent shifting movement of said leg members relative their brackets when both leg members are in contact with the floor in support of at least a portion of the weight of the appliance, said connecting means being an elongate, flexible tension element stretched between said two leg members, said element including a fitting at each end thereof adapted for releasable connection with a corresponding leg member, said structure defining an abutment on each bracket located relative its associated fitting to limit the normal downward movement of its corresponding leg member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
209 words
A leveling assembly for appliances or the like, said assembly comprising: a pair of brackets adapted to be secured to the appliance, each bracket having a leg member freely shiftable vertically relative thereto and engageable with a floor surface beneath the appliance; connecting means extending from one bracket to the other and interconnecting said leg members with each other for mutual movement thereof, each leg member being free to shift vertically relative to its corresponding bracket and in a reciprocal relationship with its associated member when substantially none of the weight of the appliance is supported thereby; and structure incorporated with each bracket and disposed to be in frictional engagement with said connecting means to lock the same and prevent shifting movement of said leg members relative their brackets when both leg members are in contact with the floor in support of at least a portion of the weight of the appliance, said connecting means being an elongate, flexible tension element stretched between said two leg members, said element including a fitting at each end thereof adapted for releasable connection with a corresponding leg member, said structure defining an abutment on each bracket located relative its associated fitting to limit the normal downward movement of its corresponding leg member.
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) | 1979-05-04 | 1979-11-03 | 1980-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-04 | 1983-11-03 | 1984-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-04 | 1987-11-03 | 1988-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |