Dishwasher overfill protection device
First Claim
1. In a dishwasher having a tub with a bottom wall, means for introducing water into said tub and switch means for controlling said means for introducing water into said tub, an improved apparatus for protecting said tub from being overfilled by water, said improvement comprising:
- a passage extending through said tub bottom wall, said passage including an open top and bottom end,a float positioned in said passage including a float body for responding to water level within said tub and a retainer means adjacent a stem secured to said float body, said stem having a retainer means adjacent a bottom end terminating below said tub bottom wall, said stem being operatively engageable with said switch means,restraining means located beneath said tub bottom wall for restraining upward movement of said float,means associated with said restraining means and said float retainer means for causing automatic captured engagement of said retainer means with said restraining means upon a sufficient downward insertion movement of said stem relative to said restraining means and thereafter preventing disengagement of said stem from said restraining means by said retainer means upon a predetermined amount of relative upward movement of said stem during normal operation of said float in relationship to said switch means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dishwasher is provided with an improved apparatus for protecting the tub from being overfilled in the form of a float having a float stem that is automatically captured upon insertion through a passage in the tub bottom wall such that the float will be restrained against disengagement from the tub bottom wall. The float is vertically movable to operate a control switch for regulating the level of water within the tub. Preferably a retaining ring is carried on a stem of the float which is automatically biased through a varying diameter keyway and is subsequently moved to a captured position below the member having the keyway.
31 Citations
17 Claims
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1. In a dishwasher having a tub with a bottom wall, means for introducing water into said tub and switch means for controlling said means for introducing water into said tub, an improved apparatus for protecting said tub from being overfilled by water, said improvement comprising:
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a passage extending through said tub bottom wall, said passage including an open top and bottom end, a float positioned in said passage including a float body for responding to water level within said tub and a retainer means adjacent a stem secured to said float body, said stem having a retainer means adjacent a bottom end terminating below said tub bottom wall, said stem being operatively engageable with said switch means, restraining means located beneath said tub bottom wall for restraining upward movement of said float, means associated with said restraining means and said float retainer means for causing automatic captured engagement of said retainer means with said restraining means upon a sufficient downward insertion movement of said stem relative to said restraining means and thereafter preventing disengagement of said stem from said restraining means by said retainer means upon a predetermined amount of relative upward movement of said stem during normal operation of said float in relationship to said switch means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a dishwasher having a tub means for introducing water into said tub and switch means for controlling said means for introducing water into said tub, an improved apparatus for protecting said tub from being overfilled by water, said improvement comprising:
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a standpipe extending into said tub from a lower wall thereof, said standpipe having a wall defining a passageway having open ends, one end being secured to said lower tub wall, a float, said float including a float body for responding to water height within said tub, and a float stem extending from said float body through said standpipe, said float stem having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end being secured to said float body and said lower end terminating at a point beyond said tub wall and said standpipe, said float stem lower end including a radially extending retainer, securing means located beneath said lower tub wall for securing said float stem to said dishwasher, said securing means including a keyway through which said float stem extends, said keyway including a widened portion permitting passage of said retainer therethrough and a narrowed portion restricting passage of said retainer therethrough, said narrowed portion of said keyway being aligned coaxially with said standpipe, a wall surface about said narrowed portion of said keyway angled toward said widened portion of said keyway for deflecting said float stem and directing said retainer through said widened portion when said float stem is inserted into said standpipe, whereby upward movement of said float stem is limited by said retainer engaging said securing means during normal operation of said float in relationship to said switch means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. In a dishwasher having a tub with a bottom wall, means for introducing water into said tub and switch means for controlling said means for introducing water into said tub, an improved apparatus for protecting said tub from being overfilled by water, said improvement comprising:
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a passage extending through said tub bottom wall, said passage including an open top and bottom end, a float positioned in said passage including a float body for responding to water level within said tub and a stem secured to said float body, said stem having a bottom end terminating below said tub bottom wall operatively engageable with said switch means, a first detent fixedly positioned below said tub bottom wall, a second detent carried on said float stem, means associated with said detents for causing automatic captured interengagement between said detents after insertion of said float stem through said open bottom end of said passage and during normal operation of said float in relationship to said switch means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification