Appliance hazard warning device

• US 6,700,500 B1
• Filed: 05/06/2002
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Burnett S. Mark
• Original Assignee: Burnett S. Mark
• Inventors: Burnett, S. Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): La, Anh V
• Application Number:
  US10/140,030
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686.6, 340/686.1, 340/689, 340/545.1, 340/545.5, 340/545.6, 340/546, 340/429, 340/908.1, 340/982, 340/983, 200/621.45 R, 200/621.52, 134/113
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4257 Details of the loading door
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels

Abstract

A pre-injury contact warning device for a front door of an automatic dishwasher or oven, the front door being openable to a generally horizontal very low position above the floor. In one embodiment, the device includes a housing attachable to a surface of the front door. A warning signal emitter sensorially perceptible by a person receives electric power from a miniature storage battery mounted within the housing. An angle-sensitive switch mounted in the housing is operably interconnected between the warning signal emitter and the storage battery. The switch is open and the warning signal emitter off when the front door is closed, while the switch is closed and the warning emitter on when the front door is open. The warning signal emitter, when on, is sufficiently sensorially perceivable to warn or alert the person nearby the dishwasher that the front door is open and to be avoided. Other embodiments are provided which are operatively dependent upon other forms of sensory perception, e.g. sound and touch or feel. This invention may be incorporated at the time of appliance manufacture or as an aftermarket attachment.

Claims

1. A pre-contact warning device attachable to a front door of an automatic dishwasher, the front door being openable to a generally horizontal position above a support surface of the dishwasher when loading and unloading dishes, said device comprising:

a housing attachable to a surface of the front door;

said housing including a pre-contact warning signal emitter and a miniature storage battery mounted within said housing;

an angle-sensitive switch mounted in said housing and operably interconnected between said warning signal emitter and said storage battery, said switch being open and said warning signal emitter off when the front door is closed, said switch being closed and said warning signal emitter on when the front door is open;

said warning signal emitter, when on, being sufficiently sensorially perceivable to warn or alert a person nearby the dishwasher that the front door is open and is to be avoided.

2. A pre-contact warning device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said signal emitter emits visible light;

said housing is structured for attachment to an outside surface of the front door whereby light is reflected upward from the support surface when the front door is open.

3. A pre-contact warning device as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said signal emitter also emits an audible sound when the front door is open.

4. A pre-contact warning device as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

said signal emitter emits a pulsed and variable signal for enhanced warning discernment by the person.

5. A pre-contact warning device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said signal emitter produces sound.

6. An appliance warning device for a front door of an appliance, the front door being openable to a generally horizontal position above a support surface of the appliance, said device comprising:

a housing attached or attachable to a surface of or in close proximity to the front door;

said housing including a pre-contact warning signal emitter;

an angle-sensitive switch mounted in said housing whereby said switch is open and said warning signal emitter off when the front door is closed, said switch being closed and said warning signal emitter on when the front door is open;

said warning signal emitter, when on, being sufficiently sensorially perceivable to warn or alert a person nearby the appliance that the front door is open and is to be avoided.

7. The warning device as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said signal emitter emits visible light;

said housing is structured for attachment to an outside surface of the front door whereby light is reflected upward from the support surface when the front door is open.

8. The warning device as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said signal emitter emits visual light;

said housing includes a mounting plate pivotally and biasingly connected to said housing, said mounting plate adhesively attachable to a top counter surface in close proximity to a top margin of the front door;

said housing positioned for contact and pivotal movement from the open position to the closed position of said switch as the front door is opened whereby said signal emitter emits light each time the front door is opened.

9. The warning device as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said signal emitter produces sound.