Icemaker

• US 5,718,121 A
• Filed: 09/24/1996
• Issued: 02/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
• Original Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
• Inventors: Edwards, James D., Whited, David R., Staples, Paul R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US08/727,829
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 62/137, 62/344, 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 2600/04 Control means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 43/10 with timing of actuation of contacts due to a part rotating at substantially constant speed

Abstract

An improved icemaker having a number of features, including: a dual-activated feeler bar switch which combines the motion of two cams to operate a single switch; an adjustable-duration water fill switch which is closed by rotating a connector between two contacts; switches mounted to make wiping contact so as to clean the contact area; a combination deflector which not only deflects ice removed by the ejector from the ice mold, but also supports and lifts a feeler bar to determine whether the ice storage bin is full; a clutch mounted between the motor and ejector bar to permit slip therebetween so as to avoid stalling the motor as the ejector bar presses upon ice in the mold; a manual start button for starting the motor, simplifying installation; and an anti-back mechanism in the icemaker drive train to prevent an installer from damaging the icemaker by rotating it backwards.

Claims

1. An icemaker comprising:

a mold;

an ejector having one or more fingers which mesh into said mold;

a motor driving said ejector through said mold body to eject ice from said mold;

a deflector attached to said mold such that, when said deflector is in a rest position, ice removed from said mold by said ejector fingers is engaged by said deflector and deflected away from said mold and toward a storage area;

a feeler bar extending from said deflector toward said storage area;

a lifter operatively attached to said deflector for temporarily lifting said deflector away from said rest position and thereby lifting said feeler bar away from said storage area; and

a detector for detecting whether said deflector returns to said rest position after said lifter ceases lifting said deflector away from said rest position, and thereby determining whether said storage area is full.

2. The icemaker of claim 1 wherein

at least one said ejector finger is configured to engage said deflector and lift said deflector as said ejector is driven through said mold body.