Steering or lifting mechanism

• US 20050098968A1
• Filed: 02/21/2001
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Original Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited (Beeswax Holdings UK Limited)
• Inventors: Sandom, Paul Richard, Dyson, James
• Granted Patent: US 6,955,364 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/43.17
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 91/002 Mechanical means to move furniture easily, e.g. air cushioning means

Abstract

The invention provides a mechanism suitable for lifting an appliance, particularly a domestic appliance. The mechanism (2) comprises a generally cylindrical body (8) having a wall (50) and a longitudinal axis (16) which extends in an upward direction. At least one rolling support member (20) is rotatably mounted on an axle (100) beneath the body (8). A housing (6) having a generally cylindrical socket portion (200) with an inner surface (208) receives the body (8). The wall (50) and the inner surface (208) incorporate opposing camming surfaces (62) (210) such that when the body (8) is rotated about the axis (16) with respect to the socket portion (200), the camming surfaces (62) (210) co-operate. The housing (6) is moved axially with respect to the body (8) and away from the at least one rolling support member (20). The mechanism (2) lifts the appliance (400) from a resting position and into an elevated position ready for manoeuvring. The invention further provides a mechanism (2) suitable for steering an appliance (400). The mechanism (2) comprises a housing (6) and a body (8). The body (8) is connected to the housing (6) so as to allow relative rotation therebetween about a vertical axis (16). At least one rolling support member (20) is mounted on a horizontal axle (100), the axle (100) being mounted on the body (8) and located so as to intersect the vertical axis (16). A handle portion (10) is connected to the body (8) and extends radially outwardly from the vertical axis (16). This arrangement allows the consumer to steer the appliance (400) in an elevated position, in a range of directions, including but not limited to forwards and backwards.

Claims

1. A steering mechanism for an appliance, comprising:

a housing located on a bottom portion of said appliance;

a body;

at least one rolling support member rotatably mounted on a horizontal axle and rotating in cooperation with the body, the body being connected to and below the housing so as to allow relative rotation between the body and the housing about a vertical axis, the axle being located so as to intersect the vertical axis; and

a handle portion connected to the body and extending radially outwardly from the vertical axis.

2. A steering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axle lies perpendicular to the radial direction in which the handle portion extends.

3. A steering mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the handle portion extends in a horizontal direction.

4. A steering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle portion has a gripping portion located at a distal end thereof and spaced from the body in the radial direction in which the handle portion extends.

5. A steering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has a socket portion formed therein, the socket portion and the body comprising opposing camming surfaces configured such that, when the body is rotated about the vertical axis with respect to the socket portion, the camming surfaces co-operate so as to move the housing axially with respect to the body and away from the at least one rolling support member.

11. A steering mechanism for an appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is snap-fitted to the body.

12. A steering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is releasably connected to the housing.

13. A steering mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein a single rolling support member is mounted on the axle.

15. An appliance comprising a steering mechanism as claimed in claim 1.

16. An appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein the appliance is a domestic appliance.

17. An appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein the appliance is a washing machine.

18. An appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein the housing of the steering mechanism is formed integrally with the appliance.

19. An appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein the appliance has a generally planar front surface and the steering mechanism is located substantially centrally on the front surface of the appliance.

6. A lifting mechanism for an appliance, comprising:

a generally cylindrical body located on a bottom portion of said appliance having a wall and a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis extending in an upward direction;

at least one rolling support member rotatably mounted on an axle beneath the body so that said rolling support member rotates in cooperation with the body; and

a housing having a generally cylindrical socket portion with an inner surface configured for receiving the body,

wherein the wall and the inner surface comprise opposing camming surfaces configured such that, when the body is rotated about the longitudinal axis with respect to the socket portion, the camming surfaces engage so as to move the housing along the longitudinal axis with respect to the body and away from the at least one rolling support member and the axle is located so as to intersect the longitudinal axis.

7. A lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a peg located on the housing that projects into the interior of the socket portion along the axis.

8. A lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein the body has an aperture located at an upper end thereof for receiving the peg.

9. A lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a handle portion extending radially outwardly from the body.

10. A lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the opposing camming surfaces each follow a generally helical path.

20. A lifting mechanism for an appliance as claimed in claim 6, wherein the housing is snap-fitted to the body.

21. A lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the body is releasably connected to the housing.

22. A lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein a single rolling support member is mounted on the axle.

23. An appliance comprising a lifting mechanism as claimed in claim 6.

24. An appliance as claimed in claim 23, wherein the appliance is a domestic appliance.

25. An appliance as claimed in claim 23, wherein the appliance is a washing machine.

26. An appliance as claimed in claim 23, wherein the housing of the lifting mechanism is formed integrally with the appliance.

27. An appliance as claimed in claim 23, wherein the appliance has a generally planar front surface and the lifting mechanism is located substantially centrally on the front of the appliance.

14. (canceled)