Fill cup sleeve for a recoverable domestic icemaker

• US 5,261,248 A
• Filed: 09/15/1992
• Issued: 11/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Willis, James L., Diab, Tariq A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/945,303
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 62/137, 62/351, 62/353
• US Class Current: 62/137
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 1/04 by using stationary moulds
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 2305/024 Rotating rake
• CPC Class Codes: F25C 5/08 by heating bodies in contact with the ice

Abstract

An ice making apparatus includes a mold in which water is frozen to form an ice body. Also included are an electric motor and an ejector blade for ejecting the ice body from the mold. An ice body collecting bin located subjacent the ice making apparatus collects ice ejected from the mold. A sensing or bail arm extends downwardly into the collecting bin to sense the level of the ice bodies in the bin. The sensing arm is pivotally mounted to the ice maker, and includes a free end which is supported by a spacer mounted to the ice maker. The spacer positions the free end away from the path between the mold and the bin, thereby preventing blockage of ice bodies by the free end. The ice maker includes structure for suspending operation of the ice maker in the event that the sensing arm is obstructed.

Claims

1. An ice making apparatus comprising:

a mold in which water is frozen to form an ice body;

means for ejecting said ice body from said mold;

an electric motor;

a drive system driven by said motor and operatively driving said ejecting means;

storage means for storing ice bodies ejected from said mold;

said mold and said storage means defining a free path for passage of said ejected ice bodies therebetween;

a sensor arm having a free end, said sensor arm being mounted on said ice making apparatus for sensing a quantity of ice bodies previously ejected by the ice making apparatus and stored in said storage means;

support means for supporting said free end of said sensor arm, said support means including means for preventing extension of said free end of said sensor arm into said path for ejected ice bodies;

said support means for supporting said free end of said sensor arm comprising a fill cup; and

said fill cup having a projection extending therefrom, said projection including a spacer projecting therefrom including an opening for supporting said sensor arm.

2. The ice making apparatus of claim 1, said opening extending through said projection and said spacer.

3. The ice making apparatus of claim 1, said spacer extending between 5.6 mm and 8.93 mm from fill cup.