Counterbalance weight for laundry washing machine tub

• US 5,974,610 A
• Filed: 05/25/1999
• Issued: 11/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Harmelink, Greg K., Johnson, Troy A., Ostdiek, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US09/318,297
• Time in Patent Office: 161 Days
• Field of Search: 68/3 R, 68/23.3, 210/363, 210/364, 210/365, 206/320, 248/632, 248/638, 8/159
• US Class Current: 8/159
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/001 Arrangements for transporting, moving, or setting washing machines; Protective arrangements for use during transport transport in general B65

Abstract

A counterbalance weight is provided for a laundry washing machine tub. The weight includes a weighted body securable to the tub with a foam impact-absorbing member mounted on the body in a position below the tub so as to absorb impact forces on the tub. The body of the counterbalance weight includes a pair of open slots adapted to receive bolts extending from the tub so as to slidably mount the counterbalance weight onto the tub. In an alternative embodiment, impact-absorbing members are provided on the bottom of a hung strut tub to absorb impact to the tub and to maintain the vibration-absorbing function of the strut springs.

Claims

1. An improved laundry washing machine for washing laundry, the improvement comprising:

a vertically oriented tub with an open top, a closed bottom, and a side wall; and

an impact-absorbing member secured and maintained in the machine during normal use to absorb impact to the tub and to limit the downward movement of the tub.

2. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the impact absorbing member is foam.

3. The washing machine of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of struts for supporting the tub, and springs on the struts for absorbing vibrations during operation of the machine, the impact-absorbing member being sufficiently large to maintain the vibration absorbing function of the springs during normal operation.

4. The washing machine of claim 3 wherein the springs are compression springs, and the impact-absorbing members preclude complete compression of the springs during normal operation of the machine.

5. The washing machine of claim 1 wherein the impact-absorbing member is mounted to the bottom of the tub.

6. A method of operating a washing machine having a cabinet and a vertically oriented tub with an open top and a closed bottom, the method comprising:

suspending the tub with a plurality of spring loaded hung struts within the cabinet;

positioning at least one impact-absorbing member between the bottom of the tub and the cabinet; and

limiting the downward movement of the tub with the impact-absorbing member during normal use of the machine.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising maintaining vibration absorption by the springs during normal use of the machine.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising precluding complete compression of the springs.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising mounting the impact-absorbing member to the bottom of the tub.