U.S. Controls Corporation

David M Howie

Kenyon A Hapke

Spencer C Schantz

David Koth

Michael Osvatic

David G Hackbarth

Michael Hintz

Spencer C Schantz, Deceased

A self-adjusting lid switch for a laundry apparatus provides a switch assembly attached to the housing of the machine and an actuator arm attached to the lid. The actuator arm includes an actuating surface pressing an operator of the switch assembly when the lid is sufficiently closed to allow operation of the machine. Problems of manufacturing tolerance and wear that might displace the actuator arm and switch assembly are accommodated by providing each of the actuator arm and switch assembly with alignment surfaces that upon closing of the lid, align the respective components prior to actuation of the switch. The alignment surfaces may be pins extending from the actuator arm received by a corresponding funnel-shaped channel between fingers flanking the operator of the switch that receive the pins.

Self-aligning lid switch for laundry machines

A clog resistant pump for washwater employs two water flow circuits. The first powered by a conventional motor-driven pump uses filtered washwater and drives a jet-pump discharging unfiltered washwater from the washing machine. The intake or discharged water from the jet-pump is used to operate a self-cleaning filter providing water for the first circuit of the motor-driven pump. The position of the filter in the stream of wastewater and adjustment of the filter apertures in size and area reduce clogging yet allow sufficiently filtered water to permit a conventional high efficiency motor-driven pump to be used in the first stage.

Jet pump with filter for washing machines

A switch for a washing lid or the like has a collapsing operator. Over travel in the adjustment of the switch with the first lid closure is prevented by the incorporation of a deformable dampening element fitting within the collapsible portion of the operator.

Self-adjusting lid switch with dampening element

A combination lid switch and out-of-balance switch for a residential washing machine or the like employs a pendulum actuated lever to open contacts under a predetermined acceleration after those contacts have been closed by a switch operator communicating with the lid.

Lid-switch with out-of-balance detection

A rotary switch adapted to be integrated into a push-to-start electrical control for a clothes dryer or the like employs a rotatable and axially translatable operator having an outwardly extending arm supporting a downward finger which travels across a pivotally mounted and downwardly arcuate lever to open and close contacts mounted on one end of the lever with rotation of the operator. Stops on rotation ensure that the finger is positioned on the lever so as to provide positive biasing of the operator to its end positions. The armature of a relay is actuated by a second arm from the operator contacting the armature within a triangle formed by the electromagnet coil and pivot supports preventing de-stabilization of the armature by the operator. Assembly of the relay to a base of the switch is provided by integrally molded hooks receiving tabs which cover holes necessary for the hook's manufacture. The operator is supported in a socket having a thin bottom wall that breaks free upon axial impact against the operator such as otherwise would be expected to damage the integrity of the switch housing.

Rotary switch with low play

A self-adjusting lid switch for a type washing machine connects the switch to the lid by means of a slip joint composed of intermeshing toothed plates spring biased together. The first time the washing lid is closed the plates slip with respect to each other so that the switch is just actuated when the lid is closed. In this way a limited and predictable lifting of the lid de-actuates the switch so as to stop the washing machine before access to the washing machine tub is obtained.

Self adjusting lid switch

A switch for a washing machine lid or the like detects welded load contact through an auxiliary set of contacts which shunt the load when the first set of contacts should be open and thus provide a high-current path when those contacts are welded. A series fusible link mechanically activates a set of disconnect contacts which disconnects the washing machine motor. The resulting switch has a single operator that may be collapsible to be self-adjusting permitting the switch to snap in place without the need for a separate adjustment step in the manufacturing process.

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Waukesha, WI, United States of America

David M Howie