| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 5579790 |
Filter screen with backflush |
December 3, 1996 |
| A filter screen assembly is provided which includes a housing, a filter screen, and two valve or check balls. The housing has two interior walls, each having openings therein which divide an interior space of the housing into top, center, and bottom chambers. A first inlet and a first ou |
| 5577158 |
Capacitive leakage current cancellation for heating panel |
November 19, 1996 |
| A heating panel has a metal substrate, ceramic inner and outer insulating layers on the substrate. A film of resistive material forms a heating layer on one of the insulating layers. The heating layer has electrodes on opposite edges connected to different phases of a multiphase power so |
| 5566696 |
Dishwasher with balancing vanes on pump impeller |
October 22, 1996 |
| A dishwasher sump is divided into a collection chamber and a pump chamber by a filter. Food particles collect in the collection chamber while filtered wash liquid collects in the pump chamber. A pump has an impeller located in the pump chamber. The filtered wash liquid is recycled and |
| 5564160 |
Vacuum cleaner having forwardly curved handle |
October 15, 1996 |
| An upright vacuum cleaner having a handle pivotally connected to a rear portion of a surface cleaning brush housing. A lower portion of the handle is relatively straight and an upper portion of the handle curves forwardly therefrom so that the cleaner may be operated with greater ease an |
| 5562485 |
Wiring connection |
October 8, 1996 |
| An electrical connector including a female receptacle and a male spade which cooperate to provide an assembler with sensory indication that electrical connection has been established. The male spade has a body portion which provides a pair of opposed notched recesses. The female rece |
| 5560381 |
Stainless steel cover for plastic spray arm |
October 1, 1996 |
| The present invention provides a wash arm assembly for a dishwasher which includes a molded plastic wash arm and a stainless steel cover. The plastic wash arm has a top surface, lateral surfaces, and a bottom surface and the stainless steel cover wraps over the top surface of the plastic |
| 5556268 |
Reciprocating pump with cooperating piston shearing portions |
September 17, 1996 |
| A reciprocating piston with an integral valve moves in a first direction within a cylinder to pressurize viscous material contained therein, such as ice cream or the like, thereby pushing it out of a dispensing nozzle located at one end of the cylinder while simultaneously extracting vis |
| 5555647 |
Motor mounted to blower housing |
September 17, 1996 |
| An electric fan motor of a domestic clothes dryer is directly secured to an associated plastic blower housing by a locking member which is snap-fit to the blower housing. The blower housing includes an arcuate support member which supports a hub of the motor. The locking member includes |
| 5555645 |
Reversing clothes dryer and method therefor |
September 17, 1996 |
| A domestic clothes dryer is operated in both a forward and a reverse direction. The dryer blower has a reduced air flow rate in the reverse direction. The reduced air flow in the reverse direction and the reverse tumbling increases the heat transferred to the articles being dried, th |
| 5553756 |
Dispenser with pressure operated, spring biased, reciprocating piston valve |
September 10, 1996 |
| A reciprocating piston with an integral valve moves in a first direction within a cylinder to pressurize viscous material contained therein, such as ice cream or the like, thereby pushing it out of a dispensing nozzle located at one end of the cylinder while simultaneously extracting vis |
| 5549760 |
Mounting device for dishwasher insulation |
August 27, 1996 |
| A dishwasher tub is provided with insulation mounting bosses on opposite sides. Insulation is hooked over front mounting tabs and draped over the tub. Mounting clips are inserted through the insulation into the bosses. The clip has fingers that engage in apertures of the bosses and a |
| 5549129 |
Retractable enclosure for vehicle awning |
August 27, 1996 |
| An awning is provided with a portable enclosure. Enclosure walls are rollable on a pair of vertical enclosure rollers mounted on a wall at ends of the awning. The enclosure walls are supported by spring loaded tailpieces disposed between leading and trailing edges of the awning. The |
| 5548908 |
Bulkhead and expanded drum without rollers |
August 27, 1996 |
| An improved clothes dryer construction including a metal dryer drum, front and rear bulkheads, front and rear wear rings, and a plurality of wear pins. The dryer drum is generally cylindrical and provides front and rear annular lips over which the wear rings are mounted and which coaxial |
| 5548511 |
Method for controlling self-running cleaning apparatus |
August 20, 1996 |
| In a learning phase, a cleaning robot is started into an area to be cleaned. The robot measures and records the distances to left and right boundaries as it travels to determine the plan of the area. Using the measurements, it steers down the center of the area until it encounters a |
| 5544996 |
Automated storage and retrieval system |
August 13, 1996 |
| An automated storage and retrieval system includes two confrontingly opposed, columnar arrays which define a plurality of vertically spaced tray-receiving recesses. A platform is vertically displaceable along and between the arrays and carries an extraction device operable for withdr |
| 5526854 |
Through the door water and ice dispenser |
June 18, 1996 |
| A through-the-door ice and cold water dispenser for domestic refrigeration units provides a housing positioned within a recess formed in the door insulation. The dispenser provides an actuation cradle formed with a smoothly curved concave surface in combination with a switch operating |
| 5518126 |
Plasticware retainer for use in an automatic dishwasher |
May 21, 1996 |
| A plasticware retainer is provided for holding lightweight articles in a dishwasher rack to prevent them from dislodging during a washing cycle. The retainer includes a net member, a roller assembly, and connectors. A first end of the net member is attached to the roller assembly which |
| 5501021 |
Common idler strap for use in a clothes dryer |
March 26, 1996 |
| An idler device is provided for maintaining tension on a belt driven by a rotating drive pulley of a motor. The idler device includes an idler strap assembly having a strap with first and second end portions, a circular boss on the first end portion, and an idler pulley rotatingly mounte |
| 5500967 |
Liquid fabric softener dispenser for automatic washing machines |
March 26, 1996 |
| A liquid fabric softener or treating liquid dispenser for a washing machine having a parabolic or egg-shaped body portion from which radially extends an annular rim portion. The rim portion rests upon a top surface of an agitator and is held in place thereon by a removable, resiliently |
| 5499640 |
Dishwasher with venturi drain |
March 19, 1996 |
| A dishwasher sump is divided into a collection chamber and a pump chamber by a filter. Food particles collect in the collection chamber while filtered wash liquid collects in the pump chamber. The filtered wash liquid is recycled and sprayed on objects in the dishwasher. A venturi jet |
| 5499494 |
Lawn mower discharge chute |
March 19, 1996 |
| A lawn mower discharge chute door is vertically hinged. A forward and rear camming surface cam the door shut when an obstacle is encountered in either a forward or rearward direction. The door is contoured on its inner surface to match the aerodynamic interior surface of the deck when it |
| 5497890 |
Plasticware retainer for use in an automatic dishwasher |
March 12, 1996 |
| A plasticware retainer is provided for holding lightweight articles in a dishwasher rack to prevent them from dislodging during a washing cycle. The retainer includes a plurality of perforate, generally rigid panel members and blocks for pivotally interconnecting the panel members. The |
| 5494347 |
Hand operated actuator for rotary storage cabinet |
February 27, 1996 |
| A rotary cabinet with a self-latching and positioning rotor is provided with an improved latch mechanism. The latch is operated by a sliding hand actuator connected by links and levers to a latch member. To operate, the actuator is lifted to release the rotor. An air cylinder retards the |
| 5494194 |
Viscous material dispenser |
February 27, 1996 |
| A reciprocating piston with an integral valve moves in a first direction within a cylinder to pressurize viscous material contained therein, such as ice cream or the like, thereby pushing it out of a dispensing nozzle located at one end of the cylinder while simultaneously extracting vis |
| 5494062 |
Electromechanical controller for dishwasher with alternating flow |
February 27, 1996 |
| A dishwasher is provided with a valve for alternating flow to upper and lower spray arms during washing. The valve is controlled by periodic interruption of the pump for certain lengths of time. An electromechanical timer has a main cam wheel and an auxiliary cam wheel. The main cam whee |
| 5477586 |
Vacuum cleaner with accessory shutoff |
December 26, 1995 |
| A socket is provided on the upright portion of a vacuum cleaner for the insertion of the wand on the distal end of the accessory hose. The wand, which is normally inserted into the socket when the accessories are not being used, engages a linkage mechanism within the socket. The linkage |
| 5475893 |
Adjustable edge brush for vacuum cleaner |
December 19, 1995 |
| A vertically sliding brush is provided along each edge of a vacuum cleaner nozzle. The edge brush is spring biased downwardly. A sliding lever operates the brush between engaged, self-adjusting, and disengaged positions. The edge brush acts to agitate or disturb dirt and debris in co |
| 5474213 |
Through the door water and ice dispenser |
December 12, 1995 |
| A through-the-door ice and cold water dispenser for domestic refrigeration units provides a housing positioned within a recess formed in the door insulation. The dispenser provides an actuation cradle formed with a smoothly curved concave surface in combination with a switch operating |
| 5473911 |
Through the door water and ice dispenser |
December 12, 1995 |
| A through-the-door ice and cold water dispenser for domestic refrigeration units provides a housing positioned within a recess formed in the door insulation. The dispenser provides an actuation cradle formed with a smoothly curved concave surface in combination with a switch operating |
| 5473873 |
Combination mower blade |
December 12, 1995 |
| A mower blade suitable for bagging, side discharge and mulching is provided. A laterally upswept outboard cutting portion cuts the grass and sucks the clippings upwardly. The clippings are forced by the combined effects of the upswept outboard cutting portion and an upswept inboard c |
| 5473807 |
Method of attaching a faceplate assembly to an appliance |
December 12, 1995 |
| A control panel assembly for a domestic appliance providing an improved assembly which insures uniform and proper alignment of control instruments mounted therein. The control panel assembly includes a control panel faceplate, a control instrument mounting bracket, and a bracket retainer |
| 5467501 |
Vacuum cleaner with illuminated belt view |
November 21, 1995 |
| An illuminated belt view for a vacuum cleaner wherein light is transmitted, via a light pipe, from a remote light source to an area directly underneath a transparent belt view window. The transparent belt view window is formed in the vacuum cleaner hood to allow the operator to obser |
| 5461751 |
Cedar air freshener for vacuum cleaner bags |
October 31, 1995 |
| Cedar chips are used as an air freshener and pesticide in a vacuum cleaner bag. The chips can be loose or contained in a porous "tea bag." Cedar oil may be used to augment the effect of the chips. The chips are placed in the receptacle or vacuumed from the floor. |
| 5451021 |
Snap-in bracket |
September 19, 1995 |
| A switch package mounting bracket is provided which securely mounts a switch package to a control console of a domestic appliance. The mounting bracket provides a tripod support which laterally stabilizes the switch package, in addition to preventing inward or outward movement thereof |
| 5450868 |
Dishwasher pump and filtration system |
September 19, 1995 |
| A reversibly operated dual impeller pump which simultaneously pumps and filters wash liquid. The pump includes upper and lower assemblies. The upper assembly defines a recirculation impeller chamber and a filter chamber which are separated by a cylindrical wall. A recirculation impel |
| 5444996 |
Washer and dryer communication |
August 29, 1995 |
| A communications channel is provided between a washer and a dryer. When the dryer is drying, a signal is sent to the washer to extend the final spin operation in order to continue to mechanically remove water While the dryer operation continues. Fabric type information and fabric quantit |
| 5444924 |
Electronic control of clothes dryer |
August 29, 1995 |
| A control system for a clothes dryer is disclosed. A microprocessor monitors the heated inlet air temperature and the exhaust temperature. If the inlet temperature exceeds a high limit value a given number of times, an air blockage indicator is activated. Degrees of dryness are measured |
| 5442933 |
Refrigerator through the door ice dispenser |
August 22, 1995 |
| A through-the-door ice and cold water dispenser for domestic refrigeration units provides a housing positioned within a recess formed in the door insulation. The dispenser provides an actuation cradle formed with a smoothly curved concave surface in combination with a switch operating |
| 5390392 |
Vacuum cleaner bag cover with enlarged access opening |
February 21, 1995 |
| The present invention is directed towards a vacuum cleaner bag cover which provides an enlarged access opening into the interior thereof. The vacuum cleaner bag, which is designed to enclose a removable dirt filtering and collecting bag, includes a main section and a front panel section. |
| 5383252 |
Vacuum cleaner with improved assembly |
January 24, 1995 |
| The present invention relates to an upright vacuum cleaner having an improved assembly to optimize the assembly and operational characteristics of the vacuum cleaner. The floor engaging unit of the vacuum cleaner has a two-piece body including a base and a hood which are snap-fit togethe |
| 5377707 |
Dishwasher pump and filtration system |
January 3, 1995 |
| A reversibly operated dual impeller pump which simultaneously pumps and filters wash liquid. The pump includes upper and lower assemblies. The upper assembly defines a recirculation impeller chamber and a filter chamber which are separated by a cylindrical wall. A recirculation impel |
| 5375921 |
Control panel brackets |
December 27, 1994 |
| A control panel assembly for a domestic appliance providing an improved assembly which insures uniform and proper alignment of control instruments mounted therein. The control panel assembly includes a control panel faceplate, a control instrument mounting bracket, and a bracket retainer |
| 5375439 |
Elastic membrane doors for industrial washer-extractor cylinders |
December 27, 1994 |
| An improved door for a horizontal axis fabric treatment machine. The door is designed to removably cover an access opening in a perforated inner drum and includes a series of interwoven elongated fabric strips which are attached at each end to the drum by a series of buckles. The buckles |
| 5367741 |
Vacuum cleaner with improved assembly |
November 29, 1994 |
| The present invention relates to an upright vacuum cleaner having an improved assembly to optimize the assembly and operational characteristics of the vacuum cleaner. The floor engaging unit of the vacuum cleaner has a two-piece body including a base and a hood which are snap-fit togethe |
| 5365969 |
Float with skirt to prevent leakage due to oversudsing |
November 22, 1994 |
| An improved float to prevent over-filling of a dishwashing machine including a cylindrical main float body, a skirt attached to the main float body and extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom, and a float stem. The main float body includes a lower portion which extends downwardl |
| 5363569 |
Bearing and seal assembly for clothes dryer drum |
November 15, 1994 |
| A bearing and seal assembly for rotatably supporting an open front end of a clothes dryer drum includes a ring of felt-like material positioned between the circular open front end of the drum and a circular support flange of smaller diameter coaxially nested within the end of the drum. |
| 5359795 |
Refrigerator door construction |
November 1, 1994 |
| An insulated door for use in a refrigerator having an ice and water through the door dispenser is made by attaching a liner for housing the dispenser on the rear face of the door in line with a front opening. The liner is secured to the door as are the hinge bearings and a tube extends b |
| 5358323 |
Console with snap fit end caps |
October 25, 1994 |
| The present invention relates to a snap fit end cap for a control console positioned within a domestic appliance, particularly a washing or drying machine. Each of the end caps include mounting pins which extend through and support the control console. A stop surface is provided adjacent |
| 5350140 |
Universal control console |
September 27, 1994 |
| The present invention pertains to a universal control console for use on domestic washing machines or dryers. The control console of the present invention extends between a pair of mounting end caps, and provides a plurality of mounting means to facilitate the mounting and attachment of |
| 5346373 |
Refrigeration compressor having a spherical discharge valve |
September 13, 1994 |
| A small single cylinder hermetic refrigeration compressor has a flat valve plate extending across the end of the cylinder. A discharge port is formed in the valve plate with a spherical valve seat and a spherical poppet member is moveable to and from the valve seat. A flat leaf spring an |
