The Maytag Company

Maytag Corporation

John C Mellinger

William J McNally

Gregory K Harmelink

G Jerry Davis

A control system is provided for a fabric washing machine including first and second lid actuated switches and washing fluid level detecting apparatus. A lockout device is in circuit with a conductive path of the second switch so that, if upon operation of the lid, the first switch is failed, a circuit is completed through the lockout device and level detecting apparatus to prevent reenergization of the fabric washing machine. Switch mounting apparatus is provided which is adjustably movable for providing concurrent adjustment of at least the first and second switches with respect to a lid actuated switch actuator mechanism.

Control system

A door latch is provided for the access door of an appliance. The door latch apparatus includes bracketry for mounting at least one switch and actuating levers. The movable access door includes a catch which is engageable with one of the actuating levers as the access door is closed for sensing if the access door is in a lockable posture. Another actuating lever is pivotally operated by a solenoid actuator under control of a microcontroller-based controller to position one end of the lever into locking engagement with the access door catch and to actuate a switch for providing a signal to the controller that the access door is closed and locked.

Door latch for appliance

A combination appliance is provided having a washing machine and a separately operable dryer disposed above the washing machine. The washing machine and dryer are separately supported in a generally mating relationship providing the characteristics of a unitary appliance. There is a horizontally disposed top cover associated with the washing machine which defines an access opening to within the washing machine. The top cover also includes guideways at the sides of the access opening with an access door being cooperable with the guideways for sliding movement to close the access opening in a first forward posture and to uncover the access opening in a second rearward posture. The top cover further includes structure for effectively retaining the access door in the guideways in the first forward posture and providing a housing for the access door in the second rearward posture.

Sliding access door for washing machine

A coin slide apparatus which includes a housing for mounting the apparatus to a machine, a coin slide assembly, and a guideway in the housing for the coin slide assembly to operate within. The coin slide assembly is reciprocally operable in the guideway from an extended coin receiving position through coin measuring and coin ejection positions to a position for initiating operation of the machine. The movable slide assembly comprises two main members: an upper slide plate and a center slide plate. The upper slide plate is formed to include the operating handle at one end and has coin receiving slots of a predetermined size tandemly aligned one behind the other. The center slide plate has downwardly projecting fingerlike members defining between them coin pockets also tandemly aligned for supporting coins on edge and further defining coin pushers. The center slide plate also serves as a storage area for blanking members which are used to convert the apparatus from one combination of coins to another. Proper coins are vertically supported and are advanced one behind another from the coin receiving position, through the coin measuring position to the coin ejecting position. The first coin measured is not ejected until the second coin has been verified.

Tandem-coin slide apparatus

A coin slide apparatus which includes a housing for mounting the apparatus to a machine, a coin slide assembly, and a guideway in the housing for the coin slide assembly to operate within. The coin slide assembly is reciprocally operable in the guideway from an extended coin receiving position through coin measuring and coin ejection positions to a position for initiating operation of the machine. The movable slide assembly comprises two main members: an upper slide plate and a center slide plate. The upper slide plate is formed to include the operating handle at one end and has coin receiving slots of a predetermined size. The center slide plate has downwardly projecting fingerlike members defining between them coin pockets subjacent the slots in the upper slide plate for supporting coins on edge and further defining coin pushers. The center slide plate also serves as a storage area for blanking members which are used to convert the apparatus from one combination of coins to another. Coin sensing levers are pivotally mounted alongside gaging blocks and extend upward to engage with tracks in the center slide plate. The coin sensing levers are biased toward the coin measuring area. Proper coins are vertically supported on the gaging blocks with the upper edge of the coin face engaging a shoulder portion of the coin pockets in the center slide plate. Improper coins are not supported between the gaging blocks and the shoulders but are pivoted sideways by the coin sensing levers which then cooperate with stops in the tracks of the center slide plate to prevent operation of the coin slide assembly.

Coin slide apparatus

A coin slide apparatus which includes a housing for mounting the apparatus to a machine, a coin slide assembly, and a guideway in the housing for the coin slide assembly to operate within. The coin slide assembly is reciprocally operable in the guideway from an extended coin receiving position through coin authenticating and coin ejection positions to a position for operation of the machine. The coin side assembly provides a first coin authenticating means through the size and shape of the coin slots. Further authentication or measuring means are provided through provisions for washer or magnetic coin rejection means. The coins are secondarily measured for proper diameter within the apparatus by a cam and abutment arrangement which cooperates with a plurality of latch arms to prevent full insertion of the slide assembly if a coin is not of proper diameter. Also, a change in coin elevation from a first higher elevation to a second lower elevation is provided to prevent improper actuation by wedging an object in a slot or slots. Coin ejection means is provided after authentication to insure that coins are deposited in the coin receptacle.

Growing community of inventors

Newton, IA, United States of America

John C Mellinger