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Seal arrangement between inner and outer tubs of a horizontal axis washing machine
| Details |
Inventors: Bestell, Gary D.; Johnson, Troy A.; Smothers, Louis R.; Van Drimmelen, Theodore R.; Vande Haar, Evan R.; White, William R.;
Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Newton, IA)
Primary Examiner: Coe; Philip R.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Diederiks, Jr.; Everett G.
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. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is particularly concerned with preventing foreign objects, which could clog or otherwise disrupt the normal operation of a horizontal washing machine pump, from flowing through a gap provided between inner and outer tubs of the machine and reaching the pump.
In accordance with the invention, a sealing device is arranged to bridge the gap, with the sealing device functioning to prevent string, large pieces of lint, hair and the like from flowing into the outer tub from the inner tub or spinner.
The sealing device includes a first seal portion which is fixed relative to one of the outer tub and the outer tub and a second seal portion which is placed in sliding contact with the other of the spinner and the outer tub.
In a preferred form of the invention, the first seal portion is fixed relative to the outer tub and the second seal portion extends toward and most preferably is placed in sliding contact with a balance ring secured to an open frontal rim portion of the spinner.
Preferably, a tub cover is secured about an open frontal portion of the outer tub and the first seal portion is fixed to the tub cover.
In any event, the second seal portion bridges the gap between the inner and outer tubs to prevent the undesirable ingress of foreign matter into the region of the pump.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, 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 thin plastic film.
In either case, the sealing device preferably extends approximately 180 degrees about the lowermost portion of the spinner, as only this section of the spinner is below a fluid level established during operation of the machine.
Additional objects, features and advantages of the sealing arrangement of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views
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Generators or Motors 
