US4052227A — Parts washer

Claim 1

Independent Claim 150 words

In a parts washer having a tub, a drain in the tub and a cover hinged to the tub so as to seal the tub when the cover is down, and means for retraining the cover in an open position and for releasing the cover to the sealing position, the improvement in the retaining means comprising: an overcenter toggle linkage having one end mounted within the tub and another end mounted on the cover, said overcenter linkage having one toggle position bracing the cover in a raised position but slightly tilted forward over the tub and another toggle position permitting closing of the cover over the tub; said overcenter linkage having at least one fusible link which melts at a relatively low temperature such as that caused by a fire within the tub so that the cover will quickly seal the tub in the event of fire in the tub.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 150 words

In a parts washer having a tub, a drain in the tub and a cover hinged to the tub so as to seal the tub when the cover is down, and means for retraining the cover in an open position and for releasing the cover to the sealing position, the improvement in the retaining means comprising: an overcenter toggle linkage having one end mounted within the tub and another end mounted on the cover, said overcenter linkage having one toggle position bracing the cover in a raised position but slightly tilted forward over the tub and another toggle position permitting closing of the cover over the tub; said overcenter linkage having at least one fusible link which melts at a relatively low temperature such as that caused by a fire within the tub so that the cover will quickly seal the tub in the event of fire in the tub.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 21 words

A parts washer according to claim 1 wherein the fusible link is a thermoplastic material which melts at about 140° F.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 60 words

A parts washer according to claim 1 wherein the overcenter linkage has a first linkage pivotably mounted on one end to a back wall of the tub and a second linkage pivotably secured at a lower end to an upper end of the first pivotable linkage, and said second linkage at the other end being pivotably mounted to the cover.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 39 words

A parts washer according to claim 3 wherein both the first and second linkages have a relatively low melting point such that the first and second linkages will melt quickly in the event of a fire in the tub.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 83 words

A parts washer according to claim 4 and further comprising a solvent receptacle beneath the tub; means pivotably mounting the solvent receptacle at one end position thereof to the tub; and means for releasably securing the solvent receptacle in a substantially horizontal position beneath the tub; a drain plug at the bottom of the solvent receptacle at an end opposite said one end whereby said solvent receptacle can be quickly and easily drained by removing the drain plug and the releasable retaining means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 86 words

A parts washer according to claim 5 and further comprising a cylindrical drain tube depending from a bottom wall of the tub, the drain tube having an open top and at least one opening in the bottom thereof, a compressible open-cell foam material removably filling at least cross-sectional areas of the drain tube so that the solvent passes therethrough, said tube extending down into the solvent receptacle so that liquid which drains from the tub filters through the open-cell foam material and into the solvent receptacle.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 48 words

A parts washer according to claim 6 and further comprising a compressible closed-cell foam material removably positioned in the drain tube above the open-cell filter material, said closed-cell foam material being in compressed condition so as to block the flow of fluid through the drain tube as desired.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 47 words

A parts washer according to claim 4 and further comprising a splash plate extending above a back wall of the tub and covering the joint between the back wall and the cover to keep splashed solvent from leaking down through the joint and behind the back wall.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 125 words

In a parts washer having a tub, a drain in the tub and a cover hinged to the tub so as to seal the tub when the cover is down; and means for retaining the cover in an open position and for releasing the cover to the sealing position, the improvement which comprises: a solvent receptacle beneath the tub; means pivotably mounting the solvent receptacle at one end portion thereof to said tub; means releasably securing the solvent receptacle in a substantially horizontal position beneath said tub; a drain plug at a bottom portion of said solvent receptacle at an end opposite said one end whereby said solvent receptacle can be quickly and easily drained by removing the releasable retaining means and said drain plug.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 125 words

In a parts washer having a tub, a drain in the tub and a cover hinged to the tub so as to seal the tub when the cover is down; and means for retaining the cover in an open position and for releasing the cover to the sealing position, the improvement which comprises: a solvent receptacle beneath the tub; means pivotably mounting the solvent receptacle at one end portion thereof to said tub; means releasably securing the solvent receptacle in a substantially horizontal position beneath said tub; a drain plug at a bottom portion of said solvent receptacle at an end opposite said one end whereby said solvent receptacle can be quickly and easily drained by removing the releasable retaining means and said drain plug.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 107 words

A parts washer according to claim 9 wherein said pivotable mounting means comprises a bar positioned at each side of the rear of the solvent receptacle, said bar extending rearwardly of the solvent receptacle and having a hook; said tub having a depending rear flange at a back portion thereof, openings in said rear flange, and said hooks extending through said holes; and said releasable securing means includes latch bars slidably mounted at the upper front sides of the solvent container; a depending flange at the front of said tub having holes therethrough aligned with said latch bars such that said latch bars selectively engage said holes.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 96 words

A parts washer according to claim 9 and further comprising a cylindrical drain tube depending from a bottom wall of said tub, said drain tube having an open top and at least one opening in the bottom portion thereof, a compressible open-cell foam filter material removably filling at least the cross-sectional areas of said drain tube so that the solvent material is filtered as it passes therethrough, said cylindrical drain tube extending down into said solvent receptacle so that liquid which drains from said tub filters through said open-cell foam material and into said solvent receptacle.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 56 words

A parts washer according to claim 11 and further comprising a compressible closed-cell foam material removably positioned in said drain tube above the open-cell filter material, said compressible closed-cell foam material being compressed and filling a cross-sectional area of said drain tube so as to block the flow of fluid through the drain tube as desired.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 139 words

A parts washer having a tub, a drain in said tub and a cover hinged to the tub so as to seal the tub when the cover is down; means for retaining the cover in an open position and for releasing the cover to the sealing position; the improvement which comprises: a cylindrical drain tube depending from a bottom wall of the tub, said drain tube having an open top and at least one opening in the bottom thereof, a compressible open-cell foam material removably filling at least cross-sectional areas of the drain tube so that solvent is filtered by the open-cell filter material as it passes through the drain tube, said drain tube extending down into said solvent receptacle so that liquid which drains from said tube filters through said open-cell foam material and into said solvent receptacle.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 139 words

A parts washer having a tub, a drain in said tub and a cover hinged to the tub so as to seal the tub when the cover is down; means for retaining the cover in an open position and for releasing the cover to the sealing position; the improvement which comprises: a cylindrical drain tube depending from a bottom wall of the tub, said drain tube having an open top and at least one opening in the bottom thereof, a compressible open-cell foam material removably filling at least cross-sectional areas of the drain tube so that solvent is filtered by the open-cell filter material as it passes through the drain tube, said drain tube extending down into said solvent receptacle so that liquid which drains from said tube filters through said open-cell foam material and into said solvent receptacle.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 42 words

A parts washer according to claim 13 and further comprising a compressible closed-cell foam material removably positioned in the drain tube above the open-cell material in compressed condition so as to block the flow of fluid through the drain tube as desired.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1980-10-03	1981-04-04	1981-10-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1984-10-03	1985-04-04	1985-10-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1988-10-03	1989-04-04	1989-10-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Parts washer

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