POP-OUT LINT TRAP AND DOOR INTERLOCK FOR LAUNDRY APPARATUS

• US 3,579,851 A
• Filed: 05/19/1969
• Issued: 05/25/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard A. Elmy
• Original Assignee: Richard A. Elmy
• Inventors: Elmy, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US04/825,644
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• US Class Current: 34/82
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/40 Opening or locking status of doors
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/42 related to filters or pumps
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/62 Stopping or disabling machine operation
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/08 Control circuits or arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/04 Details controlling or regulating devices D06F34/00
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/22 Lint collecting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/50 Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of blowers

Abstract

A combination interlock and maintenance reminder for clothes dryer apparatus which prevents unintentional restarting of the dryer after interruption thereof, prior to the end of the cycle, and which reminds the operator to keep the lint trap clean. The invention is characterized by a lint filter located at the front of the dryer and operatively associated with the access door thereof such that when the latter is open the lint trap moves partially beyond the front wall of the dryer to thereby remind the user that it should be cleaned. Both the lint filter and the front door cooperate with circuit interrupt means such that both must be closed in order for the apparatus to operate.

Claims

1. In dryer apparatus having cabinet structure with a basket supported therein for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis;

air circulation means and heater structure for warming air circulated by the air circulation means; and

means including duct work for channeling the air circulated through the basket in a specific manner;

sTructure including a motor for effecting rotation of the basket and the air circulation means;

a front panel structure having an opening in registry with an open front of the basket and door structure carried by the front panel for closing the openings during operation of the dryer;

control means for initiating, controlling and timing the operation of the motor and heater structure, in accordance with a selected cycle of operation, the improvement comprising;

a lint filter disposed in the path of the circulated air, means cooperating with said door structure for interrupting the operation of said dryer apparatus, means for effecting withdrawal of said lint filter from the path of the circulated air in response to the opening of said door structure, means for preventing continued operation of said dryer apparatus when said door structure has been opened during a cycle of operation, said means for preventing continued operation of said dryer apparatus being operable by said lint trap when moved back into the path of the circulated air, to continue the cycle of operation.

2. Structure as specified in claim 1 wherein, said means for preventing continued operation of said dryer apparatus comprises a circuit interrupt switch connected in series with said means cooperating with said door structure for interrupting the operation of said dryer apparatus.

3. In dryer apparatus having cabinet structure with a basket supported therein for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis:

means including a circuit for controlling said dryer, an access door and associated switch means, said door when in its open position effects interruption of dryer operation through said door actuated switch means;

means forming an air circulation path, a lint trap or filter normally disposed in said path and means for moving said trap or filter, in response to opening of said dryer door to a position at least partially outside of said cabinet structure;

switch means responsive to said lint trap to complete the control circuit only when said trap is normally disposed in said path;

said means for moving said trap or filter including means normally biasing said lint filter towards said position at least partially outside said cabinet structure; and

means cooperating with said dryer door for preventing movement of said lint filter to said last-mentioned position when said dryer door is closed and said lint trap is in said circulated air path.

4. Structure as specified in claim 3 wherein, said switches are connected in series and closed when said filter is in the path of the circulated air and said door is closed.

5. Structure as specified in claim 3 wherein, said lint trap comprises a rigid frame member, and said means for preventing movement of said lint filter comprises at least one spring member movable into frictional engagement with said frame member by means of a rod engaging the lower edge of said door structure when said door structure is closed.

6. In dryer apparatus having cabinet structure with a basket supported therein for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis;

air circulation means and heater structure for warming air circulated by the air circulation means; and

means including duct work for channeling the air through the basket in a specific manner;

structure including a motor for effecting rotation of the basket and the air circulation means;

a front panel structure having an opening in registry with an open front of the basket and door structure carried by the front panel for closing the openings during operation of the dryer;

control means for initiating, controlling and timing the operation of the motor and heater structure, in accordance with a selected cycle of operation, the improvement comprising;

a lint filter disposed in the path of the circulated air, means including structure cooperating with said door structure upon opening thereof for effecting movement of said lint filter from the path of The circulated air, and circuit interrupt means operable upon such movement of said lint filter.

7. Structure as specified in claim 6, wherein said structure cooperating with said door structure serves to retain said lint filter in its original position when said door structure is closed but is ineffective when said door structure is open.

8. Control means for a laundry apparatus having a cabinet housing a rotatable drum and adjacent heater means and means for driving said drum and forcing air through said cabinet in a predetermined flow path, and filter means for filtering the air in said flow path, said cabinet including door means movable between an opened and closed position for access to said drum and further defining means for removably receiving said filter means for insertion through said cabinet into said flow path, said control means including:

a door-actuated switch means which is closed only when said door is closed;

a filter-actuated switch means which is closed only when said filter is disposed within said flow path;

means normally biasing said filter to a position other than said filtering position; and

, latch means for retaining said filtering means in said flow path against said biasing means, said latch means being effective only when said door is in a closed position and said filter means is disposed within said path, whereby said door must be closed and said filter must be positioned in said flow path to actuate said apparatus and opening said door releases said latch means allowing said biasing means to move said filter to said other position.

9. The control means according to claim 8 wherein said latch means includes a latching arm biased to an inoperative position and a follower rod having one end abutting said arm and the other end abutting said door means, wherein said rod moves said arm against said bias and into engagement with said filter means when said door is moved to said closed position.