Abstract: A bellows (44) for a front loading washing machine (10) having a front panel (13) providing a first channel (46) having opposed sidewalls (50), an opening (19) and a door (20) carried thereby, and further carrying a stationary drum (25), providing a second channel (48), having opposed sidewalls (52) and a rotatable drum (30), the bellows comprising an annular body portion (45) terminating in first and second fastening means (54, 56); the first fastening means (54) provided an axially extending rib (65) having opposed first and second surfaces (66, 68) and engagable with one of the sidewalls of the first channel; and the second fastening means (56) provided an axially extending rib (70) having opposed first and second surfaces (74, 75) and engagable with one of the sidewalls of the second channel and a radially extending lip (80) engagable with the door; whereby the stationary drum is sealed to the front panel of the washing machine.

Abstract: An improved seal for a sliding window pane in a vehicular backlite. The improved seal has a mounting base secured within a receiving recess presented from a fixed member in a window frame. A hinge is supported from the mounting block, and the mounting base, in turn, supports a pair of sealing lips that are preferably formed integrally with the mounting base. The sealing lips are adapted to engage the exterior surface of a sliding window pane. Opening the sliding window pane permits the hinge to pivot the sealing lips to an open position wherein the first lip is disposed out of engagement with the exterior surface of the window pane, and the second sealing lip is moved into the displacement axis of the sliding window pane. Upon closure, the sliding window pane engages the second sealing lip to pivot the hinge and drive the first sealing lip into engagement with the exterior surface of the sliding window pane.

Abstract: A window frame assembly for vehicular backlites having one or more sliding panes. The assembly has a frame portion with an inner and an outer periphery including channels which open through each periphery. The channel formed in the outer periphery houses the body portion of an elastomeric supporting strip which provides a flexible centering and protective support for the frame assembly when it is being installed in an opening in a vehicle body panel. A first and a second channel opens continuously through the inner periphery of the frame, and those channels, respectively, support sliding windows and fixed windows. The sliding windows are adapted to close the central portion of the frame and are slidable relative to the adjacent fixed windows. Lip seals are received in that channel which supports the fixed windows to provide a sealing interface with the sliding windows, at least when they are in the closed position.

Abstract: A window frame assembly for use in a vehicle body panel. The assembly has a frame portion with an inner and an outer periphery. Two channels are provided in the inner periphery of the frame to support one or more sliding window panes and at least one fixed window pane. A channel is also provided in the outer periphery of the frame. The sliding window pane is adapted to close the central portion of the frame and is slidable to a position substantially adjacent one of the fixed window panes. A sealing member is received in the channel supporting the fixed window panes to provide a sealing interface with the sliding window pane, at least when it is closed. An elastomeric cover is supported from the channel in the outer periphery as well as that channel in the inner periphery of the frame in which the fixed window panes and the sealing member are received.

Abstract: An anti-siphon drain conduit. First and second cylindrical tubular portions with a U-shaped tubular portion interposed therebetween, and communicating with, the first and second cylindrical tubular portions. A drain passage extends through the conjoined tubular portions. A siphon break passage communicates with the drain passage at approximately the intersection of one of the cylindrical tubular portion and the U-shaped portion. A flap valve is formed integrally with at least one of the tubular portions for closing the siphon break passage upon the presence of liquid flowing through the drain passage. A bleeder cap is fitted to the siphon break passage. The bleeder cap has a dome portion penetrated by an aperture and an accordion portion. The bleeder cap serves freely to admit atmospheric pressure therethrough while tending to restrict any liquid that inadvertently enters the siphon break from exiting the siphon passage into atmosphere.

Abstract: A universal adaptor (10) to facilitate the connection, and retention, of a drain hose (12) with the standpipe of a household sanitary system. One end portion (11) of the drain hose (12) has an inlet cuff (15) adapted to be secured to the discharge tube (16) of a household appliance (18). The universal adaptor (10) is presented from the other end portion (11) of the drain hose (12). The universal adaptor (10) has a generally cylindrical body portion (20) which terminates in oppositely disposed proximal and distal ends (23 and 28, respectively). A passageway (21) extends axially through the body portion (20) and opens through the oppositely located proximal and distal ends (23 and 28). The proximal end (23) is adapted to be secured to the drain hose (12). The body portion (20) also has outer surfaces (25 and 26). A plurality of flexible, frustro-conical fins (30) project conically outwardly from the outer surfaces (25 and 26). The fins (30) have progressively stepped outer diameters (D.sub.A through D.sub.

Abstract: A latching mechanism (10) for automatically locking, and selectively unlocking, opposed first and second sliding members (11A and 11B). The latching mechanism (10) has first and second latch subassemblies (45 and 50). The first latch subassembly (45) is adapted to be secured to one sliding member (11A), and the second latch subassembly (50) is adapted to be secured to a second sliding member (11B). A catch block (75) is presented from the first latch subassembly (45). The catch block (70) has a cam portion (76) and a locking portion (80). The first latch subassembly (45) has a pivotally mounted first release lever (65), and the second latch subassembly (50) has a pivotally mounted second release lever (95). A latch arm (106) is presented from the second release lever (95) to engage a cam portion (76) when the sliding members (11A and 11B) are closing and to engage the locking portion ( 80) to lock with sliding members (11A and 11B) in their closed position.

Abstract: An improved connecting arrangement (10) by which to secure one end of a drain conduit (12) to the stub conduit (13) of a drain port (14). A unique coupler (11) is interposed between one end of the drain conduit (12) and the port (14). The coupler (11) has an annular sleeve portion (20) and an annular fitting portion (21) that are joined by a generally annular transitional portion (24) which is interposed between the sleeve and fitting portions (20 and 21, respectively). The hollow interior (22) of the sleeve portion is provided with threads (25), and an annular sealing recess (26), which opens toward the interior of the sleeve portion (20), is presented from the interior of the transitional portion (24). A novel drain conduit (12) interconnects with the coupler (11). The drain conduit (12) is provided in substantially continuous lengths and has a body portion (15) with a plurality of threaded portions (16 ) provided at longitudinally spaced locations along the body portion (15).