Illinois Tool Works Inc.

John G Drelicharz

Richard R Herzog

Robert Dam

James S Zielinski

Chong Bin Wong

Karl S Morgan

Kurt A Kuehn

Michael W Davis

A thermally actuated lock for an appliance incorporates a fusible material that holds a spring-loaded bolt in retraction. Temperatures that would indicate an appliance fire allow the bolt to extend between the housing and appliance door to lock the appliance door in a closed position.

Thermally actuated dryer door lock

An improved grounding clip connector for positively grounding an insulated conductor to an appliance panel comprises a base section, a first pair of laterally spaced blade members projecting upwardly from one edge portion of the base section, and a second pair of laterally spaced blade members projecting upwardly from a second opposite edge portion of the base section, the laterally spaced blade members defining vertical passageways between the pairs thereof for retaining the insulated conductor upon the connector. A spring clip member is integrally formed with the base section of the connector and is substantially C-shaped in configuration so as to cooperate with the base section of the connector in grasping the appliance panel therebetween. In accordance with the improvement of the present invention, the spring clip member is provided with a pair of axially spaced barbs or prong members for engaging the undersurface of the appliance panel, while the base section is provided with a third barb or prong member for engaging the upper surface of the appliance panel. The three barbs cooperate in concert so as to effectively define a pivot mechanism about which the connector can pivot upon the appliance panel. In this manner, should a force be inadvertently applied to the insulated conductor and thereby transmitted to the connector, the pivotal action or movement of the connector will cause the three barbs or prong members thereof to dig into the respective surfaces of the appliance panel with increased biting effects whereby the retention power or pull-off resistance of the connector with respect to the appliance panel is significantly enhanced.

Grounding clip

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Davis, IL, United States of America

John G Drelicharz