EP0799926B1

EP0799926B1 - Subjection system for washing machine counterweight

Info

Publication number: EP0799926B1
Application number: EP19970500050
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ismael Gracia Boved
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 1996-03-21
Filing date: 1997-03-19
Publication date: 2004-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2017-03-19
Also published as: DE69730070D1; EP0799926A2; EP0799926A3; DE69730070T2

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

As is expressed in the title of this specification, the following invention consists of a subjection system for washing machine counterweights, of the type of those in which the counterweight is formed by a rectangular-section block provided with a concavity in relation to the side whereby it is attached to the tub to adapt to shape thereof, so that said counterweight remains in relation to the upper part of the washing machine tub positioning.

By means of the system to secure the upper counterweight to the washing machine tub, its execution is permitted in a simple, quick manner, not only reducing the cost of the materials but also the duration of the operation, which involves a considerable financial saving.

For this, when the plastic tub body is being manufactured, projections are formed through which the concrete block will pass, through corresponding recesses of similar section thereof, so that the projections of the tub are defined by two longitudinal halves between which there is a slot to position the corresponding screwed rod which opens both halves.

Likewise, the anchoring element can be formed by a general cylindrical-shaped body, provided with a central axial threaded hole in part of its height and the rest of its height is defined by a series of branches, longitudinally separated from one another, which will be fitted in the corresponding hole of the concrete block, the anchoring occurring when a screw, which will open the independent branches, is threaded.

FIELD OF APPLICATION

As has been indicated, the securing system disclosed is applied to the anchoring of the upper counterweight of washing machine tubs, so that said counterweight is set in the upper part of the tub in its positioning in the washing machine.

The counterweight, defined by a block of pressed concrete, is thus fixed to the body of the tub, which has an upper counterweight and a front counterweight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, in plastic washing machine tubs, to anchor the counterweight, fixing elements are defined during the manufacturing process which are formed by pairs of curved facing projections which form a guide, whilst a pair of through holes in relation to the side whereby it is attached to the tub are defined in the pressed concrete block which acts as a counterweight.

In this manner, when mounting the counterweight, corresponding screws with the head in relation to the side whereby the counterweight is attached to the tub are placed in the through holes thereof.

The screws are thus placed on the guides defined in the tub body with the head fitted in the slot formed by the pair of curved facing projections, so that it is fixed using a flat washer, a spring washer and the corresponding nut.

With this structure, its cost is increased both due to the material cost of the anchoring elements (screw, flat washer, spring washer and nut), and by the duration of the anchoring operation.

Further, in GB 2 121 833 is described a subjection system for washing machines counterweights, wherein the counterweight is of the kind of those that are made up of a pressed concrete block that is placed in the upper part of the washing machine tub. While the known tub is from metal sheet, additional parts also from metal sheet, welded to the tub, are necessary for the fixing of the concrete block of counterweight. this kind of fixing is not usable with plastic tanks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this specification, a securing system for upper counterweights of washing machine tubs is disclosed, which is of the type of those formed by a block of pressed concrete positioned in the upper part of the tub in its arrangement in the washing machine, being formed by the means of anchoring the counterweight to the tub and the means to solidly fix both bodies. The claimed system is defined by claim 1.

The means of anchoring the counterweight to the plastic tub are defined by a pair of projections joined to the tub, of dovetailed-section, or equivalent shape, longitudinally divided in two halves, which correspond to their respective recesses in the counterweight of equal dovetailed-section, or equivalent shape.

To solidly fix the counterweight to the tub, the dovetailed-section projections, divided in two longitudinal halves, have a central longitudinal recess through which a rod passes which causes the divergence of both halves, pressing against the counterweight and solidly fixing it, preventing any displacement of the counterweight.

Likewise, the system of anchoring the counterweight to the tub can be defined by a pair of general tubular-shaped projections joined to the tub, in a pair of parallel axial flanges, said body being formed by a perimetrically closed section with a central axial threaded hole and with axial grooves which define independent branches on its outer section, which are fitted in respective similar sectioned holes of the counterweight, and which are closed by one of their bases.

Said closed base of the counterweight holes wherein the bodies joined to the tub are fitted, has a threaded through hole coinciding with the threaded hole of the body joined to the tub, fixing it by means of a threaded screw which, on acting on the independent branches, separates them from one another, coming up against the body of the counterweight and forming a perfect fit, preventing the displacement of the counterweight in any direction.

To complement the following description that will be made hereunder, and for the purpose of helping towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to said specifications, wherein the most characteristic details of the invention are represented in its figures with an illustrative, non-limiting character.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings show in

Fig. 1: a plan view of the counterweight in relation to the side whereby it is attached to the tub, centrally provided with a curved-concave recess to adapt itself to the shape of the tub and with a pair of dovetailed-section projections,
Fig. 2: an elevational view of the counterweight in which both the curved-concave central part of the side whereby is attached to the tub and the two dovetailed-section recesses by means of which it is anchored to the tub,
Fig. 3: a sectional view of the counterweight according to the I-I cut of the previous figure,
Fig. 4: an sectional axial view of the tub, observing the projection thereof with the counterweight fitted therein, and which, on passing the rod through the slot defined between both halves, produces their divergence and makes them press against the counterweight,
Fig. 5: a front elevational view of the dovetailed-section projection, centrally and longitudinally divided in two halves between which there is a slot to insert a rod in,
Fig. 6: a perspective view of a variant of an embodiment in which the projection joined to the tub, of general tubular shape with a pair of axial parallel flanges, fits in the corresponding recess of the counterweight, the counter-weight having one of its bases closed and provided with a threaded hole which coincides with a hole of the projection joined to the tub, and
Fig. 7: a sectional view of the manner in which the counter-weight fits in the corresponding projection of the tub, observing how the threaded holes of the closed base of the counterweight recess and the anchoring projection are aligned.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In view of the commented figures and in accordance with the adopted numbering, one can see how the securing system for upper counterweights of washing machine tubs, is formed by the counterweight 1 and anchoring element thereof joined to the tub, so that said counterweight 1 has the central part 2 of the side whereby it is attached to the tub 3 of curved-concave shape, similar to the shape of the tub, as well as a pair of dovetailed-section projections 4.

The anchoring element joined to the tub 3 is thus defined by a pair of dovetailed-section projections 5, centrally and longitudinally divided in two halves with a recess 6 between their opposite sides which define a circular slot, which on inserting a rod therein, causes them to separate, diverging against the counterweight and solidly fixing them.

In this manner, on displacing the counterweight, it is positioned so that the pair of projections 5 fits in the recesses 4 thereof, so that on inserting the corresponding rod in the slot 6, both halves diverge, pressing against the inner sides of the recesses 4 preventing any movement of the counterweight 1, said fixing being economical and simple.

Logically, from this basic execution, similar embodiments arise based on the creation of recesses in the counterweight so that its assembly is executed when it slides over the corresponding tub projections, which are of similar section and wider on its outer part to avoid the vertical liberation of the counterweight.

In this way, in a similar embodiment, the pair of projections joined to the tub 3 are defined by a general cylindrical tubular-shaped body 7, provided with a pair of parallel axial flanges 8, through which it is joined to the tub 3 and which are combined with respective similar sectioned recesses 9 of the counterweight 1.

In this embodiment, one of the bases 10 of the recesses 9 is closed and has a hole 11, whilst the body 7 has a perimetrically closed section with a central axial threaded hole 12, and an outer section that has axial grooves 13 that define independent branches 14.

In this manner, when the counterweight 1 is mounted, the closed base 10 of its recesses 9, is placed in relation to the perimetrically closed base of the body 7, and with its central axial hole 12 in relation to the hole 11 of said perimetrically closed base of the body 7.

With this constitution, when a screw is threaded in the

coincident holes

11 and 12, both bodies 1 and 7 are solidly fixed together whilst the divergence of the independent branches 14 is produced, pressing against the body of the counterweight and on its open base and preventing the counterweight's displacement in any direction.

In short, we obtain a completely reliable anchoring system which, furthermore, is economical and simple, as, by eliminating the conventional anchoring elements (screw, flat washer, spring washer and nut), a saving is made in the material thereof, as well as in the assembly process which, as it is quicker, logically needs less manpower.

Claims

Subjection system in a washing machine for securing a washing machine counterweight to a washing machine tub being the counterweight (1) of the kind of those that are made up of a pressed concrete block, that is placed in the upper part of the washing machine tub (3), characterised in that

the counterweight (1) is provided with a pair of or some decreases (4, 9);

the washing machine tub (3) is provided with a pair of projections (5, 7) jointed thereto, said projections being the element of anchorage of the counterweight (1) to the tub (3);

said projections (5, 7) of the tub (3) have a greater width in the external part and are of similar section as said decreases (4, 9);

said projections (5, 7) of the tub (3) are inserted into the corresponding decreases (4, 9), so that the vertical liberation of the counterweight (1) is avoided;

the projections (5, 7) have a central longitudinal cavity (recess 6, 12) wherein a rod or a screw is inserted in order to diverge the projections (5, 7) against the counterweight (1) and realise a joint fixing which impedes any displacement of the counterweight.
Subjection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of anchoring the counterweight (1) to the tub (3) are defined by a pair of dovetailed-section projections (5), joined to the tub body, longitudinally divided in two halves that correspond to respective recesses (4) of equal section, of the counterweight (1).
Subjection system according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the solid fixing of the counterweight (1) to the tub (3) is formed by a rod or screw passing through the recess (6), which is central to both halves of the dovetailed-section projections (5), which makes them diverge and press on the counterweight body.
Subjection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of anchoring the counterweight (1) to the tub (3) are defined by a pair of projections (7) joined to the tub, of general tubular shape, with a pair of parallel axial flanges (8), formed by a perimetrically closed section and with a central axial threaded hole (12), and an outer section with axial grooves (13) which define independent branches (14), which fit in respective similar sectioned recesses (9) of the counterweight (1), said recesses being closed by one of their bases (10).
Subjection system according to claim 4, characterized in that the closed base (10) of the recess (9) of the counterweight (1) in which the body (9) joined to the tub is fitted, has a through hole (11) coinciding with the threaded hole (12) of the body (9) properly joined to the tub.
Subjection system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the solid fixing of the counterweight (1) to the tub, is performed by means of a threaded screw in holes (11 and 12) which produces the divergence of the independent branches (14), to press on the counterweight body (1).
Subjection system according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the pair of projections (5, 7) and the corresponding recesses (4, 9) in which they fit can be embodied in different ways, but always having similar sections, which should be inevitably be fitted by lateral sliding, its front liberation being impossible.