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US4700832A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Packing brace with interlocking members

Assignee: BAYBANK
•
Filing: 1986-09-29
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Granted: 1987-10-20
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Expires: 2006-09-29
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Abstract

Abstract A collapsible washing machine packing brace having three or four support arms. The support arms extend radially from a centrally disposed collar. One of the arms is formed by the interlocking engagement of two elongate members, one which carries a male latching portion and another which carries a female latching portion. The other support arms are of a unitary construction and are integral with the outer wall of the central collar.

Inventors

  • 👤 David M. Champ

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 11:53
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/001

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 92 words
A collapsible packing brace for securing the agitator basin and agitator arm of a washing machine, comprising a generally circular non-continuous central collar; at least two generally rectangular integral support arms, each having a unitary construction and being integral with an outer wall of said collar; a generally rectangular latching arm extending radially from said collar, said latching arm being formed by the interlocking engagement of male and female elongate members; and a plurality of integral, semi-circular hinge means disposed on the outer wall of said brace between each of said arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 92 words
A collapsible packing brace for securing the agitator basin and agitator arm of a washing machine, comprising a generally circular non-continuous central collar; at least two generally rectangular integral support arms, each having a unitary construction and being integral with an outer wall of said collar; a generally rectangular latching arm extending radially from said collar, said latching arm being formed by the interlocking engagement of male and female elongate members; and a plurality of integral, semi-circular hinge means disposed on the outer wall of said brace between each of said arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 36 words
The packing brace of claim 1 wherein said support arms of unitary construction include a central, v-shaped slot extending therethrough from said collar to a vertex spaced inwardly from an outer wall of said support arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 10 words
The packing brace of claim 2 having two support arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 9 words
The packing brace of claim 3 having three hinges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 10 words
The packing brace of claim 2 having three support arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 9 words
The packing brace of claim 5 having four hinges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
The packing brace of claim 2 wherein the outer edges of said support arms and said latching arm define a generally flat surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
The packing brace of claim 2 wherein the outer edges of said support arms and said latching arm define a surface tapered inwardly from top to bottom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 16 words
The packing brace of claim 2 wherein said brace is constructed of a polymer foam material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 89 words
In a washing machine brace having a centrally disposed collar and a plurality of radial support arms extending therefrom, the improvement comprising: at least two of said support arms having a unitary construction and being integral with said collar, a latching arm formed by the interlocking positive engagement of a male portion and a female portion of cooperating elongate members wherein each of said support arms has a central, v-shaped slit extending therethrough from said collar to a vertex spaced slightly inward of an outer wall of said arms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 89 words
In a washing machine brace having a centrally disposed collar and a plurality of radial support arms extending therefrom, the improvement comprising: at least two of said support arms having a unitary construction and being integral with said collar, a latching arm formed by the interlocking positive engagement of a male portion and a female portion of cooperating elongate members wherein each of said support arms has a central, v-shaped slit extending therethrough from said collar to a vertex spaced slightly inward of an outer wall of said arms.

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) 1990-10-19 1991-04-20 1991-10-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-10-19 1995-04-20 1995-10-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-10-19 1999-04-20 1999-10-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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