Abstract: A latch mechanism for use with an oven having a door, the latch mechanism including a base plate which pivotably supports a latch member about a pivot point. The latch member is rotatable between a latched and unlatched position and includes a drive surface offset from the pivot point. An actuator pin is supported by the base plate for rectilinear movement wherein the actuator pin has an outer end extending beyond the base plate for engaging the oven door upon closure and an inner end drivingly engaging the drive surface for rotating the latch member into a latched position against a spring bias. The base plate is a molded plastic member having a boss including snap connection means for rotatably supporting the latch member and a sleeve for slidingly supporting the actuator pin for rectilinear movement. A solenoid is mounted to the base plate and has a locking pin selectably movable between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A fabric support device is provided for use in a wash basket of an automatic washer. The fabric support device includes an elongated bag having a generally rectangular shape, the bag being formed from a mesh material which allows fluid to pass therethrough. The bag has an open side edge such that clothes can be inserted into the bag. At least one spring member may extend longitudinally along the bag wherein the bag may be rolled into a generally cylindrical shape against the bias of the spring and inserted into the wash basket. Upon release, the bag is biased outwardly against the inner wall of the wash basket such that clothes are supported within the wash basket for washing but are not subject to stretching, twisting and excessive movement.

Abstract: A detergent dispensing method and apparatus for an automatic vertical axis washer. The washer includes a tub ring having a louvered area creating a drop zone through which wash additives are directly dispensed into the wash tub. In addition, the washer further includes a tub ring splash shield and D-ring splash shield. The tub ring and D-ring splash shields, along with the tub ring with the louvered area, act to direct wash additives into the wash tub and to further prevent wash fluid from escaping from the wash cycle.

Abstract: With the system the movement a solenoid valve valving member is damped both during opening and during closure by delaying pulses applied during the movement of the valve mobile member, to reduce end-of-travel impact both during opening and during closure, and to reduce vibration and noise.

Abstract: A motor controller for a single phase induction motor (SPIM), wherein the SPIM is driven by two windings, a line winding connected to the ac line and a control winding driven by the controller. The SPIM torque and hence the speed and direction is controlled by the voltage output of the controller for all speeds below the synchronous speed (set by ac line frequency). The controller adjusts the amplitude, the phase angle relative to the line winding, and the frequency of the voltage for the desired SPIM responses. The controller can also selectively switch power to the line winding for a different operating mode with both windings at below synchronous speed. Or, the controller can open the connection to the line winding after starting, and operate the SPIM via the control winding at any speed by adjusting the amplitude and frequency of the controller voltage.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet which defines a freezer compartment having an access opening and a closure member for closing the access opening. An ice maker is disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces. An ice storage bin is mounted to the closure member below the ice maker for receiving ice from the ice maker. An ice level sensing finger extends from the ice maker into the ice storage bin for sensing the level of ice within the storage bin. A lever is pivotably connected to the ice maker and biased toward the closure member for lifting the ice level sensing finger out of the ice storage bin when the closure member is opened. The lever further operates to prevent the dispensing of ice pieces when the closure member is open.

Abstract: A hybrid control for a clothes dryer which combines an electromechanical timer and a microprocessor. The electromechanical timer has a plurality of switches connected to a plurality of input ports of the microprocessor. The timer switches are driven by a plurality of cams such that the plurality of switches open and close in response to the cams at predetermined angular positions of the timer. In this manner, the switches provide control input to the electronic circuit for initiating the dry cycle and further provide control input to the electronic circuit during the dry cycle such that the electromechanical timer and the electronic circuit operate together to control the dryer operation. In addition, a sensor supplies a signal to the microprocessor corresponding to the moisture level of the clothes within the drum.

Abstract: A trim assembly for a dishwasher tub having a U-shaped front flange disposed about a front opening. The front flange has radiused upper corners to minimize material stretching during tub forming. The trim assembly connects to the front flange of the tub and includes a pair of corner trim member, a plurality of straight trim members and a pair of tub trim spacers wherein the trim assembly forms a continuous frame of trim disposed about the peripheral edge of the front flange. The straight trim members frictionally engage the straight edge portions of the tub front flange. The pair of corner trim members snap connect to the tub flange upper corners such that the tub front flange is provided with square upper corners. The pair of bottom trim spacers are disposed at the bottom edges of the side trim members and complete the trim assembly. The bottom trim spacers function to deflect wash liquid running off from the dishwasher door back into the tub and serves as structural spacers in the tub support assembly.

Abstract: A cooking appliance or an electronic control for a cooking appliance and method of controlling the same including a remote control unit which has a built-in temperature sensor, positional switch and low-battery detection circuit is in two-way intermittent wireless communication with the appliance control unit of the present invention. The appliance control unit includes a switch means for controlling the heating elements of the cooking appliance wherein the switch means for each heating element includes two power switches connected in series and coupled with a redundancy detection circuit for the detection of a failure of one of the two power switches. Two-way communication between the two control units of the present invention is constantly monitored to ensure proper operation of the cooking appliance and to provide a mechanism to report errors to the user or to shut down the cooking appliance, as appropriate, soon after an error is detected.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for an oven or range that allows a door to be attached to the cooking chamber, locked in place and removed as desired. The hinge assembly includes a hanger mounted to the door and a locking arm mounted to the hanger. The oven or range chamber has at least one pin for receiving a channel on the hanger. When the locking arm is pivoted to an unlocked position with the hanger channel open, the hanger can receive or disengage the pin. When the locking arm is pivoted to an unlocked position with the hanger channel closed, the pin is trapped and the door is secured to the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid control for a clothes dryer which combines an electromechanical timer and a microprocessor. The electromechanical timer has a plurality of switches connected to a plurality of input ports of the microprocessor. The timer switches are driven by a plurality of cams such that the plurality of switches open and close in response to the cams at predetermined angular positions which define control positions of the timer. In this manner, the switches provide control input to the electronic circuit for initiating the dry cycle and further provide control input to the electronic circuit during the dry cycle such that the electromechanical timer and the electronic circuit operate together to control the dryer operation. The timer is arranged such that a change from one control position to an adjacent control position results in only one switch being either opened or closed.

Abstract: A surface cooking appliance having a unique rotatable burner. The surface cooking appliance includes a top surface having a first opening and wherein a gas supply tube is provided having a terminal end adjacent the first opening. An igniter is mounted to the top surface adjacent the first opening. A burner is supported on the top surface above the first opening. The burner includes an inlet port, off-set from the center point of the burner, for receiving gas from the gas supply tube. The burner further includes at least two igniter openings for receiving the igniter such that the burner may be rotated about the terminal end of the gas supply tube and positioned in a plurality of positions wherein the igniter is disposed in one of the at least two openings.

Abstract: An oven having a tray forming a heating element enclosure beneath an oven liner. The heating element compartment has a rear access opening. A heating element is removably supported by the tray beneath a bottom wall of the oven liner. An access panel is provided for closing the rear access opening of the heating element enclosure. The access panel is secured to the oven liner and the rear edge of the tray is fastened to the access panel. An inner chassis is disposed about the oven liner. The inner chassis includes a rear chassis panel and a chassis bottom panel having a rear edge removably attached to the rear chassis panel. A cabinet enclosure surrounds the inner chassis and includes a removable back wall. Access to the access panel is accomplished by removing the back wall and disconnecting the chassis bottom panel from the rear chassis panel such that the chassis bottom panel may be flexed to expose the access panel.

Abstract: A container sensing system for controlling the heating in a microwave oven of a container carrying control information which may be read by an optical reading device. The optical reading device includes a light transmitter and a light receiver for sensing a reflectance of a sensor. The sensor includes a first and second region. The first region is provided for establishing a start and non-start condition while the second region is provided for reading temperature information. To avoid the surface reflected portion of incident light to gain an accurate reading, the axes of transmission and reception are offset in the same angular direction to a perpendicular of a sensor surface wherein the transmitter directs an inclined reading light beam onto a region of the sensor and the receiver receives the scattered light therefrom depending on the reflection properties of the sensor region.

Abstract: A low noise hood is provided having a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet. A first modular device in the form of an intake muffler with a first air duct passage extending therethrough is mounted within the housing near the air inlet. A second modular device in the form of a discharge muffler with a second air duct passage extending therethrough is mounted within the housing near the air outlet. The second air duct passage is shaped to prevent a straight unobstructed passage for air flow through the second passage. A third device comprising an air moving device is secured by a mounting arrangement within the housing. A first vibration isolator such as a plastic saddle is provided in the mounting arrangement for the air moving device for absorbing vibrations and a second vibration isolator in the form of a flexible connector is positioned between the air moving device and the second air duct passage. A third vibration isolator in a mounting arrangement for the discharge muffler may also be used.

Abstract: A base for a built-in oven wherein the oven is configured to be received into a cabinet cavity and the combined height of the base and oven equals the height of the cabinet cavity. The base comprises a first elongated support runner and a second elongated support runner. The support runners are positioned in a substantially parallel orientation with respect to each. A cross brace member extends between the support runners and has a first end connected to the first support runner and has a second end connected to the second support runner. A face plate assembly is attached to the front ends of the support runners. The face plate assembly includes a rigid panel connected to the front end of the first and second support runners, a frame disposed about the periphery of the rigid panel, and a thin panel secured by the frame adjacent the rigid panel.