The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 09, 1999
Filed:
May. 15, 1998
Gary D Bestell, Newton, IA (US);
Troy A Johnson, Newton, IA (US);
Louis R Smothers, Newton, IA (US);
Theodore R Van Drimmelen, Newton, IA (US);
Evan R Vande Haar, Pella, IA (US);
William R White, Newton, IA (US);
Maytag Corporation, Newton, IA (US);
Abstract
A sealing device is provided to bridge a gap defined between open frontal portions of inner and outer tubs of a horizontal axis washing machine in order to prevent foreign objects from getting into the outer tub from the inner tub through the gap and potentially clogging a pumping system of the machine. In the preferred form of the invention, the sealing device includes a first seal portion fixedly secured to a lower, inner wall portion of a cover attached to the outer tub and a flexible, second seal portion which extends toward and preferably slidably contacts a balance ring provided about the open frontal portion of the inner tub. In accordance with one embodiment, the sealing device is constituted by a brush member, with the second seal portion being defined by bristles of the brush member. In another embodiment, the sealing device is constituted by a plastic film having one longitudinal side secured to the outer tub cover and another longitudinal side in sliding contact with the balance ring.