US4207686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air heater arrangement for a clothes dryer
Assignee: Fedders Corp
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Filing: 1977-12-19
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Granted: 1980-06-17
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Expires: 1997-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A heater for a clothes dryer has a centrally mounted fan operable to drive air radially outwardly, and a radially mounted heater disposed circumferentially about the fan and downstream thereof. The heater is supported on a series of insulated retainer devices which include a radiation baffle operable to prevent lint from building up in the vicinity of the heating element and spacer portions operable to serve as a positioning stop for the rear seal of the heater.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Daily
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:33
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F58/00; D06F58/20; D06F58/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In an air heater arrangement for a clothes dryer, said arrangement including a fan for driving air radially outwardly, a heater element for heating said air, and a drum, the improvement comprising: a. a pan housing at the rear of said drum, said pan housing being mounted vertically and circumferentially enclosing said fan within said pan housing; b. said fan mounted within said pan housing between said housing and said drum; and, c. said heater element being mounted radially outwardly and substantially circumferentially surrounding said fan and within said pan housing; whereby air directed radially outwardly by said fan is directed over said heater element and into the rear of said drum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an air heater arrangement for a clothes dryer, said arrangement including a fan for driving air radially outwardly, a heater element for heating said air, and a drum, the improvement comprising: a. a pan housing at the rear of said drum, said pan housing being mounted vertically and circumferentially enclosing said fan within said pan housing; b. said fan mounted within said pan housing between said housing and said drum; and, c. said heater element being mounted radially outwardly and substantially circumferentially surrounding said fan and within said pan housing; whereby air directed radially outwardly by said fan is directed over said heater element and into the rear of said drum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The air heater arrangement of claim 1, further including: a plurality of heater element retaining devices, said heater element retaining devices being operable to support and retain said heater element in said pan housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The arrangement of claim 2 wherein said pan housing further includes a fabric seal disposed about its edges, said heater element retaining devices being operable to act as a positioning stop for said seal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The arrangement of claim 3 wherein said heater element retaining devices include means to restrain the accumulation of lint in the vicinity of said heater element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
In an air heater arrangement for a clothes dryer, said arrangement including a fan, a heater element, and a drum, the improvement comprising: a. a pan housing at the rear of said drum, said pan housing being mounted vertically, and including a fabric seal disposed about the edge of said pan housing; b. said fan mounted within said pan housing between said housing and said drum; and, c. said heater element being mounted radially outwardly of said fan and within said pan housing, and heater element retaining devices operable to act as a positioning stop for said seal; whereby air directed radially outwardly by said fan is directed over said heater element and into the rear of said drum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
In an air heater arrangement for a clothes dryer, said arrangement including a fan, a heater element, and a drum, the improvement comprising: a. a pan housing at the rear of said drum, said pan housing being mounted vertically, and including a fabric seal disposed about the edge of said pan housing; b. said fan mounted within said pan housing between said housing and said drum; and, c. said heater element being mounted radially outwardly of said fan and within said pan housing, and heater element retaining devices operable to act as a positioning stop for said seal; whereby air directed radially outwardly by said fan is directed over said heater element and into the rear of said drum.
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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) | 1983-06-17 | 1983-12-17 | 1984-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-17 | 1987-12-17 | 1988-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-17 | 1991-12-17 | 1992-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |