Abstract: A combination appliance is provided having a washing machine and a separately operable dryer disposed above the washing machine. The washing machine and dryer are separately supported in a generally mating relationship providing the characteristics of a unitary appliance. There is a horizontally disposed top cover associated with the washing machine which defines an access opening to within the washing machine. The top cover also includes guideways at the sides of the access opening with an access door being cooperable with the guideways for sliding movement to close the access opening in a first forward posture and to uncover the access opening in a second rearward posture. The top cover further includes structure for effectively retaining the access door in the guideways in the first forward posture and providing a housing for the access door in the second rearward posture.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled fabric drying apparatus is provided including structure having a rotatable fabric tumbler, a drive motor for driving the tumbler, and a heater for drying fabrics in the tumbler. A first circuit energizes the drive motor and includes a first relay switch and a centrifugal switch. The first circuit is operable for initiating energization of the drive motor in a first posture of the centrifugal switch and for maintaining rotation of the drive motor in a second posture thereof. A second circuit energizes the heater and includes a second relay switch. An interfacing circuit electrically interfaces the microprocessor with the drive motor and the heater through a single relay coil for operating the relay switches under control of the microprocessor. The first circuit includes a portion for maintaining energization of the drive motor during periods of deenergization of the heater and the microprocessor controls the heater without interrupting operation of the drive motor.

Abstract: A free-standing combination rotisserie and shish kebab accessory is provided which includes a three-walled box having a pair of wire frame members such that the two end walls fold flat for storage when the side wall is removed. A motor driven spit can be adpated for use as either a rotisserie or a shish kebab dependent on the use of meat supporting holders or skewer supporting wire wheels.

Abstract: A control is provided for a fabric drying machine and includes selection apparatus operable for initiating a fabric drying cycle having a dryness sensing operation. The control includes a microcontroller for controlling the fabric drying cycle as initiated by the selection apparatus. A power supply is provided for energizing the control and sensors are associated with the fabric drying machine for completing an electrical current path through wet fabrics or other conductive materials during the dryness sensing operation. Electrical circuitry interconnects the sensors and the microcontroller. The circuitry is operable for providing a series of input signals to the microcontroller upon completion of an electrical current path across the sensors and indicative of a dryness condition of the fabrics of less than a predetermined dryness and is further operable for differentiating between contact by wet fabrics and metallic objects.

Abstract: A fabric dryer is mounted in an elevated posture above a support surface and a washing machine on a support stand. The support stand includes adjustable members by which the support stand and attached fabric dryer can be leveled and adjusted for proper height with respect to the support surface. Each base member of the support stand is formed from a C-shaped channel and the rear of the washing machine cabinet includes a pair of glide plates which are engageable with the lower flanges of the support stand base members to automatically level the washing machine and locate the top of the washing machine below the fabric dryer.

Abstract: A combined appliance is provided which includes unifying support structure. First and second appliances each have cabinets for enclosing the respective appliances. The first appliance is supported in an elevated posture on support structure including a pair of L-shaped support members. The second appliance is engageable with the floor and has side panels with lower recesses for receiving floor engaging portions of the support members. The lower recesses are in closely spaced juxtaposition to the surface engaging support members for stabilizing the first appliance and the support members. The side panels of the first and second appliances are substantially aligned with the sides of the L-shaped support members to provide the combination with the characteristics and stability of a unitary appliance.

Abstract: A resistance heating element is formed in a spiral pattern to a spherical radius to provide conductive heating for a wok. The resistance heating element is supported by a support which accommodates the spherical surface of the heating element. The heating element can be for either plug-in or permanent installation.

Abstract: The electronic components in the cavity of a modular induction cooktop cartridge are cooled as a result of ventilation provided by a proximity ventilation system. The cooktop cartridge is raised relative to the surface of the range and ports are provided on opposite sides of the cartridge in the raised portion whereby the proximity ventilation system educts air from the cavity and thereby causes an air circulation path through the cavity.

Abstract: The blower is made separate from the rest of a self-ventilated range and is installed prior to the installation of the range. The blower can be selectively mounted for through-the-wall or through-the-floor discharge and is located so that the hole in the wall or floor misses the studs or joists, respectively. After the blower is installed, the self-ventilated range is set in place over the blower and the blower is connected to the plenum by means of a flexible pipe. In this way the plenum can be made thinner providing more room for the oven cavity.

Abstract: An article washing apparatus is provided which has a washing chamber and a heating element spaced upwardly from the bottom wall thereof. Apparatus is also provided for distributing washing liquid within the washing chamber including a pump associated with the bottom wall of the washing chamber and a rotatable horizontally elongated thermoplastic wash arm in communication with the pump to effect washing of the articles by spraying liquid thereon. The thermoplastic wash arm is protected from heat radiated by the heating element by at least one generally U-shaped heat reflecting member supported on the rotatable thermoplastic wash arm. The heat reflecting member is positioned between the thermoplastic wash arm and the heating element with a wall portion of the heat reflecting member spaced from the thermoplastic wash arm and providing an air gap therebetween. The wall portion of the heat reflecting member effectively dissipates and reflects radiant heat from the heating element.

Abstract: A modular induction cooktop cartridge contains a fan which is interlocked with the panel switches so that whenever an induction unit is operative, air is drawn into the cartridge to cool the solid state electronic components. Air is exhausted in a high velocity discharge to minimize recirculation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a proximity ventilated cooking range adapted for countertop installation in a conventional stack-on kitchen cabinet. The surface heating units and ventilating air intake rest over a cut-out portion of the cabinet countertop with a ventilating air plenum and motor driven fan depending from the top surface of the range and disposed in the underlying cabinet. A housing enclosing an electronic air filtering unit is mounted closely adjacent the ventilating air plenum with a duct connecting the discharge of the fan and the interior of the filter unit housing. After moving through the filter unit, the air exits from the housing through a discharge opening at the front of the cabinet into the kitchen environs.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is provided for converting a rotary input to an oscillatory output. The mechanism includes a housing having axially aligned first and second support members. Input and output shafts are journaled within the first and second support members and are substantially axially aligned one with the other. A drive pinion is mounted on the input shaft within the housing and is rotatable thereby. A bevel gear is mounted within the housing and in driving engagement with the pinion. A coupling is provided which has a first end in journaled association with the bevel gear in a position angularly displaced from the rotational axis thereof. The second end of the coupling is pivotally and drivingly connected to the output member at the intersection of the center lines of the bevel gear and the output member.

Abstract: A power-up circuit is provided for a microprocessor based appliance control which includes a power source providing power between first and second conductors. A first circuit is connected across the conductors and a second circuit is electrically disconnected from one of the conductors and from the power source by a normally open switch. The second circuit includes a microprocessor control and the first circuit includes a relay coil for controlling the normally open switch. An optically coupled solid state relay couples the first and second circuits through a pair of light actuated silicon controlled rectifiers in the first circuit for energizing the relay coil and a pair of light emitting diodes in the second circuit for illuminating the light actuated silicon controlled rectifiers.

Abstract: A one-piece unitary track member is provided which movably supports a rack within the washing chamber of a dishwashing apparatus. The track is formed from a single piece of sheet metal and includes a pair of substantially vertically aligned oppositely opening guideways for receiving rollers associated with the rack and with the sidewall of the washing chamber. The guideways include upper and lower flanges for retaining the rollers within the guideways with one of the flanges of each guideway formed of a double thickness of sheet metal folded back on itself.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled appliance is provided which has a smooth unbroken control surface. A control panel assembly includes a support panel and a decorative panel overlying the support panel. The assembly further includes a continuous flexible membrane layer. The support and decorative panels each include a generally aligned opening providing rear communication with the flexible membrane layer. A power source provides power between a pair of electrical conductors for energizing the appliance. A manually-set electrically-reset switch is associated with one of the conductors and is mounted to the support panel below the flexible membrane layer. The switch is manually operable to a closed position by depressing the membrane layer through the opening to complete a circuit across the pair of conductors for powering-up the microprocessor controlled appliance. Mechanism is provided for holding the switch in the closed position including a portion engageable with the switch.

Abstract: A rotation sensing control is provided for an appliance having a rotatable member. A rotation sensing mechanism is coupled to the rotatable member and includes a fluid shear coupling. This coupling is operable for rotating through a predetermined arcuate distance during movement of the rotatable member. The coupling movement is transferred to a movement control mechanism through appropriate linkage to maintain a movable member in a predetermined posture whenever the rotatable member is operated.

Abstract: A bidirectional pump is provided which includes a pair of impellers each operable for pumping liquid in one direction of operation. One of the impellers has modified vane structure for reducing turbulent liquid flow conditions when rotated in a reverse direction in a volute pump cavity. The modified vane structure reduces noise emission characteristics of the impeller when operated in a pump cavity substantially depleted of liquid.

Abstract: A coin slide actuated timer mechanism is provided for a commercial apparatus such as an automatic fabric drying machine. The timer mechanism includes an indexing mechanism by which preselected angles of timer drive shaft rotation corresponding to desired periods of machine operating time can be manually preset. A movable peg member can be placed in various angularly spaced locations on an index wheel which correspond to the desired periods of operating time and when the timer drive motor is energized the index wheel will be rotated with the timer drive shaft to move the movable peg member into engagement with a switch actuator for initiating the termination of the time period. The index wheel is rotatably biased upon the timer drive shaft for resetting to a start posture upon actuation of a coin slide actuator.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a fabric drying machine which includes both an automatic dry control and a timer mechanism. The timer mechanism includes operator movable actuators for positioning various timer switches. Machine cycles are controlled either entirely by the automatic dry control or partially by the automatic dry control and partially by the timer mechanism. In a particular cycle the control system functions to provide first a drying cycle controlled by the automatic dry control and then a secondary no-heat tumbling cycle controlled by the timer mechanism.