Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification – Fluid treatment – Manipulation of liquid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-29
2001-07-10
Stinson, Frankie L. (Department: 1746)
Bleaching and dyeing; fluid treatment and chemical modification
Fluid treatment
Manipulation of liquid
C068S024000, C068S058000, C068S139000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256823
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to clothes washing machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bellows used to seal the stationary drum of the washer to the washing machine panel. Specifically, the present invention relates to a bellows having barbed attachment ribs used to secure the bellows to the stationary drum and the panel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a front loading washing machine, clothes are tumbled in and out of a shallow pool of water. To accomplish this tumbling, a stationary drum houses a rotating drum that rotates about a horizontal axis. These drums are mounted within an enclosure. An access hole is formed within a front panel of this enclosure. This hole allows the user to load clothing into and unload clothing from the rotating drum. During operation, a lower portion of both the stationary drum and the rotating drum are filled with water. The rotation of the rotating drum draws the clothes through the water. To prevent water within the rotating drum from escaping between the drum and the enclosure, a sealing gasket or bellows extends from the stationary drum to the front panel. In some instances, this bellows is provided with convolutions and/or drainage holes to direct any water that escapes to an appropriate location.
Known devices attach the bellows in a variety of ways. Clamping mechanisms such as a clamping ring that tightens around the edge of the gasket sandwiching it against the frame and stationary drum members may be used. These devices may be used in combination with adhesives to further secure the bellows. It is also known to use hooks, tabs, or buttons. In a hook arrangement, the edge of the bellows is rolled over or folded over a hook holding the gasket in place. The motion of the washing machine may work the bellows loose from these hooks without additional adhesive or clamping component. In some instances, the machine motion may tear the bellows near the hooks. In the case of tabs, or buttons, a portion of the gasket extends through retaining holes or slots formed within the panel or stationary drum to hold the bellows in place. The intermittent spacing of the retaining holes allows the bellows to pucker or deform after installation, which may result in leakage. As in the case of hooks, the washing machine motion may work these loose tabs and buttons from their retaining holes. To prevent this loosening, additional means are necessary to hold the tabs or buttons within the holes or an adhesive can be used.
From time to time it is necessary to remove the bellows to service the washing machine. Removing bellows attached by known means may damage or destroy the bellows well before its normal life expectancy.
Therefore, there is a need for a bellows that attaches in such a manner that it can be removed and replaced with a reduced chance of destroying the bellows. There is a further need for an improved bellows that is less likely to tear or deform during operation. There is still further need for a washing machine having a bellows that does not require additional means, such as clamps or adhesives to resist disengagement caused by the washing machine motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved bellows for front loading washing machines that can be removed and replaced with a reduced chance of damaging the bellows attachment mechanism.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved bellows having a reusable attachment mechanism.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bellows that employs a barbed attachment mechanism.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bellows having an attachment rib with flexible protrusions extending therefrom that create an interference fit with grooves formed within the front panel and stationary drum of the washing machine.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bellows having a barbed attachment that resists forces created by the operation of a washing machine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved bellows having a fastening means with flexible protrusions that fold over when the bellows are secured and must be unfolded to remove the bellows.
These and other objects of the invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing and prior art forms, which will be apparent in view of the following detailed specification, are accomplished by means hereinafter described and claimed.
In general, a bellows for a front loading washing machine embodying the concepts of the present invention is employed with a front loading washing machine having a front panel providing a first channel having opposed sidewalls, an opening and a door carried thereby, and further carrying a stationary drum, and providing a second channel, having opposed sidewalls, The bellows comprising an annular body portion terminating in first and second fastening means; the first fastening means provided an axially extending rib having opposed first and second surfaces and engagable with one of the sidewalls of the first channel; and the second fastening means provided an axially extending rib having opposed first and second surfaces and engagable with one of the sidewalls of the second channel and a radially extending lip engagable with the door; whereby the stationary drum is sealed to the front panel of the washing machine.
The present invention also provides a bellows for sealing a stationary drum to a front panel of a front loading washer, the bellows comprising an annular body portion having first and second annular beads at opposed ends; each bead carrying an axially directed rib and each rib carrying at least one radially extending fin, each rib and fin adapted to engage channels carried by the stationary drum and the front panel, respectively; whereby the stationary drum is sealed to the front panel of the washing machine.
The present invention also provides a method for sealing a stationary drum to the front panel of a front loading washing machine the front panel providing a first channel having opposed sidewalls the stationary drum, providing a second channel, having opposed sidewalls, the washing machine further providing an opening and a door carried thereby. The method comprises providing a bellows having an annular body portion terminating in first and second fastening means; the first fastening means provided an axially extending rib having opposed first and second surfaces and engagable with one of the sidewalls of the first channel; and the second fastening means provided an axially extending rib having opposed first and second surfaces and engagable with one of the sidewalls of the second channel and a radially extending lip engagable with the door; inserting the first fastening means into the first channel, thereby deforming the fin in the direction of insertion; and inserting the second fastening means into the second channel, thereby deforming the fin in the direction of insertion.
To acquaint persons skilled in the arts most closely related to the present invention, one preferred embodiment of a washing machine that illustrates a best mode now contemplated for putting the bellows of the present invention into practice is described herein by, and with reference to, the annexed drawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary bellows is described in detail without attempting to show all of the various forms and modification in which the invention might be embodied. As such, the embodiment shown and described herein is illustrative, and as will become apparent to those skilled in these arts can be modified in numerous ways within the spirit and scope of the invention; the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2296257 (1942-09-01), Brechenridge
patent: 2314666 (1943-03-01), Stoddard
patent: 2352363 (1944-06-01), Bassett, Jr.
patent: 2613837 (1952-10-01), Morton
patent: 2625031 (1953-01-01), Kreitchman
patent: 265645
Kronbetter Clarence W.
Sudar, Jr. John J.
Renner Kenner Greive Bobak Taylor & Weber
Stinson Frankie L.
The Chardon Rubber Company
LandOfFree
Bellows for front loading washing machines does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Bellows for front loading washing machines, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bellows for front loading washing machines will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2532639