Patent US3638457A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3638457A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electromechanical interlock
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1968-06-06
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1988-06-06
Abstract
Abstract Interlock for the access door of a clothes washing machine which prevents opening of the door during certain portions of the operating cycle, for example, the spin portion thereof. A catch member carried by the door cooperates with a solenoid-actuated latch bar to lock the door during the spin portion of the cycle. The catch also serves to actuate, in the lid-closed position, a microswitch which enables the washer motor to function. A tab member provided as part of the latch bar prevents inadvertent actuation of the microswitch while the door is open and a cam provided on the catch member enables closure of the door, during normal use even though the latch bar has been actuated.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmund H Filipak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:39
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06F; D06F37/00; D06F37/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In a clothes washing machine comprising cabinet structure including a door structure in combination, a tub in said cabinet structure for supporting clothes to be washed, means including a motor for sequentially imparting agitating and spinning motion to said tub, means for actuating said motor when the door to the machine is closed, comprising a lever actuated switch, blocking means for preventing actuation of said means for actuating said motor, said actuation preventing means comprising a bar member having an offset tab thereof which is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to said lever and said tab is adapted to underlie said lever to thereby prevent movement thereof, and being effective when the door is in an opened position, means for preventing opening of said door structure during spinning of said tub, and means effective upon closure of said door structure for overriding said actuation preventing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a clothes washing machine comprising cabinet structure including a door structure in combination, a tub in said cabinet structure for supporting clothes to be washed, means including a motor for sequentially imparting agitating and spinning motion to said tub, means for actuating said motor when the door to the machine is closed, comprising a lever actuated switch, blocking means for preventing actuation of said means for actuating said motor, said actuation preventing means comprising a bar member having an offset tab thereof which is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to said lever and said tab is adapted to underlie said lever to thereby prevent movement thereof, and being effective when the door is in an opened position, means for preventing opening of said door structure during spinning of said tub, and means effective upon closure of said door structure for overriding said actuation preventing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Structure as specified in claim 1 wherein, said overriding means comprises a cam surface on a catch member carried by the underside of said door structure, said cam surface servIng to temporarily displace said latch bar to permit actuation of said switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Structure as specified in claim 2 wherein, said latch bar is solenoid actuated, and including, means including a timer-actuated cam for establishing an electrical circuit to said solenoid substantially simultaneously with the initiation of spinning of said tub.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Structure as specified in claim 3, including control means for selectively effecting energization of said solenoid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3272935A
Cited
US3408834A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |