Timer to dispenser tolerance take-up for dishwasher
First Claim
1. In a dishwashing apparatus having a tub defining a wash chamber and having a timer mechanism for controlling operation of the dishwashing apparatus through an operating cycle, a reservoir for containing a supply of washing additive, and dispensing means for selectively closing said reservoir as a result of the dispensing means being disposed in a first position and opening the reservoir to release additive therefrom into the wash chamber as a result of the dispensing means being disposed in a second position, improved structure for connecting between the timer mechanism and dispensing means comprising:
- a cam follower associated with the timer mechanism and movable in a prescribed path in response to operation of the timer mechanism as the dishwashing apparatus is cycled and residing in a first position at a predetermined stage in an operating cycle;
an actuating member for connection with the cam follower and movable to change the dispensing means from the first position to the second position;
means for blocking movement of the actuating member with the actuating member in an intended position of the actuating member at said predetermined stage of an operating cycle; and
cooperating means on the cam follower and actuating member for adjustably fixing the relative positions of the cam follower and actuating member as the actuating member and cam follower are moved relative to each other,whereby the actuating member can be blocked by the means for blocking movement in the intended position of the actuating member at the predetermined stage of an operating cycle and the timer mechanism can be cycled to move the cam follower to the first position thereof to establish consistent interconnection of the cam follower and actuating member in operative position.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to the invention, structure is provided for interconnecting a timer mechanism and dispensing structure associated with a dishwashing apparatus. The timer mechanism has a cam with an associated follower with a free end that is engageable with a portion of an actuating member. In the operating cycle, motion is transmitted from the follower through the actuating member. In a given cycle, the actuating member and follower move in a prescribed path in one direction and retrace the path in a direction opposite to the one direction. Structure is provided to block the actuating member at its extreme position of travel in the one direction and to progressively adjustably interconnect the follower and actuating member as they are moved relative to each other. By so doing, the cam follower can be moved through its path by a manual control knob and engaged with the actuating member, that is blocked at its extreme position of travel in the one direction.
38 Citations
13 Claims
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1. In a dishwashing apparatus having a tub defining a wash chamber and having a timer mechanism for controlling operation of the dishwashing apparatus through an operating cycle, a reservoir for containing a supply of washing additive, and dispensing means for selectively closing said reservoir as a result of the dispensing means being disposed in a first position and opening the reservoir to release additive therefrom into the wash chamber as a result of the dispensing means being disposed in a second position, improved structure for connecting between the timer mechanism and dispensing means comprising:
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a cam follower associated with the timer mechanism and movable in a prescribed path in response to operation of the timer mechanism as the dishwashing apparatus is cycled and residing in a first position at a predetermined stage in an operating cycle; an actuating member for connection with the cam follower and movable to change the dispensing means from the first position to the second position; means for blocking movement of the actuating member with the actuating member in an intended position of the actuating member at said predetermined stage of an operating cycle; and cooperating means on the cam follower and actuating member for adjustably fixing the relative positions of the cam follower and actuating member as the actuating member and cam follower are moved relative to each other, whereby the actuating member can be blocked by the means for blocking movement in the intended position of the actuating member at the predetermined stage of an operating cycle and the timer mechanism can be cycled to move the cam follower to the first position thereof to establish consistent interconnection of the cam follower and actuating member in operative position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for adjustably setting the relative positions of a cam follower and an actuating member on a dishwashing apparatus, said dishwashing apparatus having a dispensing means controlled by a timer mechanism through the cam follower and actuating member, said actuating member being associated with the dispensing means and movable in a prescribed path during an operating cycle for the dishwashing apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:
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blocking said actuating member in a first position in which said actuating member is intended to be in at a predetermined stage in an operating cycle; moving said timer mechanism to cause said cam follower to move relative to the actuating member to a second position that the cam follower is intended to be in with the dishwashing apparatus at the predetermined stage in an operating cycle; and fixing the cam follower and actuating member relative to each other in operative relationship with the actuating member in the first position and the cam follower in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification