Substance communicating device for coupling to a host

• US 9,103,578 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kuehl, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P
• Assistant Examiner(s): DRIGGERS, GWENDOLYN YVONNE
• Application Number:
  US12/643,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20110147417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,059 Days
• Field of Search: 623/31, 623/32, 623/37
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

A substance communicating device for coupling to a host in at least two distinct orientations, as well as a modular system comprising a host, and a functional device in addition to the substance communicating device. The substance communicating device provides a substance from the host to the functional device. The substance communicating device may be an adapter for coupling the functional device to the host, or a functional unit of an adapter and a functional device. The substance communicating device may include a first member having a first interface connectable to the host, and a second member pivotally connected to the first member and having a second interface connectable to the functional device. The modular system may include a plurality of hosts having differently-oriented substance communication service interfaces and the substance communicating device.

Claims

1. A system for communicating a substance, comprising:

a host having a host substance communication service interface that provides a mechanical support service and communicated a substance, the host substance communication service interface having one of a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation;

a substance communicating device comprising a first member having a device substance communication service interface that removably couples with the host substance communication service interface, and when coupled, receives the mechanical service and communicates the substance to or from host substance communication service interface; and

a second member capable of supporting a functional device;

wherein the first member is pivotally connected to the second member to move between at least a first position where the device substance communication service interface is coupled to the host substance communication service interface having the vertical orientation, and a second position where the device substance communication service interface is coupled to the host substance communication service interface having the horizontal orientation; and

wherein when the first member is in the first position the first and second members are oriented along a common plane and when the first member is in the second position the first and second members are oriented along perpendicular planes;

wherein the second member will maintain the same orientation relative to the host regardless of whether the first member is in the first position or the second position;

wherein the device substance communication service interface comprises a device substance line which comprises a flexible conduit for transferring the substance which permits the movement of the first member between the first and second positions;

wherein the host substance communication service interface comprises a host substance line which comprises a conduit for transferring the substance; and

wherein the substance is at least one of a gas, a liquid, or a solid.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the second member comprises a functional device substance communication service interface that is capable of providing a mechanical support service and communicating the substance to or from the functional device.

3. The system according to claim 1, and further comprising at least one releasable lock securing the first member in at least one of the first and second positions.

4. The system according to claim 1, and further comprising a removable cover mounted to the host to cover the host substance communication service interface when the substance communicating device is not coupled with the host, and mounted to the substance communicating device when the substance communicating device is coupled with the host.

5. The system according to claim 4 wherein the removable cover is mounted to the first member when the substance communicating device is coupled with the host.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the substance communicating device provides at least one service different from the mechanical support service capable of being provided by the host.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the host substance communication service interface is integral with the host.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the host comprises a door with a peripheral edge, and the host substance communication service interface has a horizontal orientation, and is provided on the peripheral edge.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the host comprises a door with a vertical face, and the host substance communication service interface has a vertical orientation, and is provided on the vertical face.

10. The system according to claim 1 wherein the host comprises a wall.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein the host substance communication service interface has a vertical orientation, and wherein the host comprises a vertical surface and the host substance communication service interface is provided on the vertical surface.

12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the host substance communication service interface comprises a recess extending inwardly from the vertical surface.

13. The system according to claim 1 wherein the host substance communication service interface has a horizontal orientation, and wherein the host comprises a horizontal surface and the host substance communication service interface is provided on the horizontal surface.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein the host substance communication service interface comprises a recess opening upwardly from the horizontal surface.