Microwave treating mechanism

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With particular reference to the drawings, and first to FIGS.
1-7, one particular application of the present microwave treating mechanism is illustrated.
One such application comprises the association of microwave power means for heating and drying articles being tumbled in a rotating drum, such as in association with clothes dryer mechanism using a tumbler as in present day use.
The mechanism comprises a housing 10 or other support means having a hollow drum or tumbler 12 supported therein on substantially a horizontal axis.
As best seen in FIG.
2, such drum is supported for rotation on a rear bearing assembly 14 supported in the housing.
The drum is driven by a belt and pulley assembly 16 associated with a drive motor 18.
A feature of the invention is a spring suspension support for the bearing means 14, such as by one or more equally spaced tension or compression springs 20, secured to support brackets 22 on the housing, as well as a pivot support 24 at one end of the motor and a tension spring support 26 at the other end.
Motor 18 has a switch housing 28 secured thereto having a spring held contact assembly 30 connected at its other end to the housing 10.
The spring suspension of the bearing 14 and the motor 18, as well as the spring contact assembly 30, is arranged such that if an abnormal load should be present in the drum 12, such as an overload of articles or if a child should crawl into the drum, switch 28 will open the circuit to power means to be described.
The front of the drum has suitable rotatable support in the housing such as by a plurality of bearing mounted rollers 31.
The rear of the drum 12 has an opening 32 through which air used to ventilate articles within the drum can flow out and be discharged through a rear outlet 34.
Rear opening 32 is covered by a screen 36 to prevent or reduce leakage of microwave power from the drum to the door housing.
Housing 10 has a loading door 40 supported by hinges 41.
Such door has a substantial thickness between its front panel 42 and its rear panel 44 so as to enclose microwave power means 46, such as a magnetron, supported on a base plate 48 disposed above the bottom of the door and contained within an enclosure 50 forming an enclosed area for the magnetron in combination with the front and rear panels of the door as well as with one side of the door