US4958867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking device for washers and dryers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-01-31
•
Granted: 1990-09-25
•
Expires: 2010-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A washer/dryer lock device (10) to be used in both front loading (101) and top loading (102) machines, wherein the device comprises a sleeve member (14) dimensioned to receive a toothed shaft member (18) and an over-center spring biased lock unit (13) attached to the sleeve member (14) and adapted to releasably engage the shaft member (18) such that a flange element (15) on the sleeve member (14) and a friction pad element (21) on the shaft member (18) can engage opposed surfaces on a machine (101) (102) so as to prevent the machine door (100) from being opened.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip A. Champagne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:43
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/12; D06F39/14; D06F37/00; D06F37/42; E; E05; E05C; E05C19/00; E05C19/003; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/69; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/20; Y10T292/228; Y10T292/23; Y10T292/42; Y10T292/438
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A washer and dryer lock device for use with both front and top loading washers and dryers having a hinged door wherein the lock device comprises: a sleeve unit including an elongated hollow sleeve member having a downwardly depending flange element formed on one end and a catch element formed on top of the sleeve member at a location proximate to but spaced from the other end of the sleeve member; a shaft unit including an elongated toothed shaft member having one end dimensioned to be received in the hollow sleeve member and further provided with a downwardly depending friction pad element secured to the other end of the shaft member; and a lock unit operatively attached to the sleeve unit and provided with a pivoted latch member having a pair of spring elements operatively engaged on one end to the latch member and attached on their other end to a latch rod wherein the latch rod is dimensioned to be releasably received by the toothed shaft member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A washer and dryer lock device for use with both front and top loading washers and dryers having a hinged door wherein the lock device comprises: a sleeve unit including an elongated hollow sleeve member having a downwardly depending flange element formed on one end and a catch element formed on top of the sleeve member at a location proximate to but spaced from the other end of the sleeve member; a shaft unit including an elongated toothed shaft member having one end dimensioned to be received in the hollow sleeve member and further provided with a downwardly depending friction pad element secured to the other end of the shaft member; and a lock unit operatively attached to the sleeve unit and provided with a pivoted latch member having a pair of spring elements operatively engaged on one end to the latch member and attached on their other end to a latch rod wherein the latch rod is dimensioned to be releasably received by the toothed shaft member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The lock device as in claim 1 wherein the latch member is adapted to operatively engage the said catch element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lock device as in claim 2 further comprising: lock means for captively securing said pivoted latch member to said catch element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lock device as in claim 3 wherein said latch member comprises: a base operatively secured to said sleeve member; and a latch arm pivotally secured to said base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The lock device as in claim 4 wherein said latch arm is provided with an elongated aperture on a free end which is dimensioned to receive said catch element; the catch element is provided with a discrete aperture and the lock means comprises a padlock which is dimensioned to be received in said discrete aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lock device as in claim 3 wherein said lock means comprises a sliding bolt lock.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lock device as in claim 6 wherein said lock means and said catch element are combined in the same structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lock device as in claim 4 wherein said spring elements are operatively secured to the latch arm of said latch member in an over-center relationship.
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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) | 1993-09-24 | 1994-03-26 | 1994-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-24 | 1998-03-26 | 1998-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-24 | 2002-03-26 | 2002-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |