Abstract: A portable, hand-held blower/vacuum unit has a housing structure defined by an upper engine shroud removably connected to the top wall of a lower impeller housing. Disposed within the shroud is a small internal combustion engine having a vertical crankshaft which extends downwardly through a depending well section formed on the top wall of the impeller housing, the lower shaft end being drivingly connected to a centrifugal fan impeller positioned within the impeller housing and operative to force a flow of ambient air therethrough. The engine is resiliently and floatingly mounted within the shroud by a resilient support system which prevents rigid contact between the engine and the shroud or the impeller housing to thereby substantially reduce engine vibration transmitted to the housing structure, and permit deflection of the engine relative to the housing structure to lessen the possibility of engine damage caused by impeller impact from ingested objects.

Abstract: An appliance cabinet such as a refrigerator cabinet is formed of sheet steel which is textured by coining along one surface and provides a substantially smooth surface on the opposite side. The coining operation results in shallow, projecting irregularities on the substantially smooth side of the sheet steel. Non-textured cabinets are formed by bending and joining the sheet steel to form a cabinet shell having the textured side of the sheet steel on the inside and a substantially smooth surface of the sheet steel on the outside. When a finished paint coating is applied to the substantially smooth side, a leather-like surface appearance results. When the sheet steel is bent and formed into a shell for a cabinet with the textured side on the outside, a textured cabinet results. By forming both types of cabinets from the same sheet steel, manufacturing savings result because only one type of sheet steel must be procured and inventoried.

Abstract: An evaporator coil mounting pin which is operable to retain the evaporator coil adjacent the rear interior cabinet wall of the refrigerator cabinet to prevent the evaporator coil from accidentally slipping off the mounting pin during assembly of the refrigerator. The mounting pin provides both vertical and horizontal support for the evaporator coil, and includes a refrigerator cabinet engaging portion which extends into the refrigerator cabinet and positively locks the mounting pin in place. The mounting pin further includes a stop, a disc-shaped baseplate and an upstanding shoulder, the upstanding shoulder extending between the stop and the baseplate along a portion of the length of the mounting pin. The evaporator coil is supported by the upstanding shoulder and is positioned between the stop and the refrigerator cabinet, and is thus prevented from being unintentionally displaced from the mounting pin.

Abstract: A room air conditioner for mounting in a window opening having a vertically sliding lower sash. The enclosure for the unit has front and rear portions separated by the vertical plane of the window opening, the compressor and condenser heat exchanger being mounted in the rear portion, and the evaporator heat exchanger being mounted in the front portion. A motor that is connected to an axial flow fan at one end and a coaxial centrifugal blower wheel at the other end is also located in the rear portion. The axial flow fan is operatively associated with the condenser heat exchanger and the centrifugal blower wheel is operatively associated with the evaporator heat exchanger. The forward enclosure portion and the evaporator heat exchanger extend above the bottom of the bottom rail of the lower sash, and the rear housing portion and the condenser heat exchanger extend above the bottom rail of the lower sash and substantially below the level of the window sill.

Abstract: The cutting edge on a lawn mower blade is formed by coining the edge of the blade. The blade is squeezed between a punch and die to produce the beveled edge and an extruded excess. The excess is sheared from the blade, leaving the beveled portion as the cutting edge.

Abstract: A top gas burner control employs touch keypads to provide operator input signals to a microcomputer. The microcomputer controls reversible gear motor to operate gas burner valves, and the positions of the shafts of the valves are fed back to the microcomputer via decoders. The initial operation of a burner requires the operator to touch and ON keypad, in response to which the microcomputer rotates the shaft of the valve to a maximum open position and energizes an igniter at this position. The operator must the touch a further keypad within a predetermined time in order to prevent the microprocessor from closing the valve.

Abstract: A shelf front retainer end cap has a spring clip to permit easy assembly and removal of a retainer assembly. The end cap fits into a rectangular aperture in a refrigerator door panel. A front flange abuts the front surface of the panel around the aperture. The spring is a slightly inclined ramp with a hook at the end and has a fixed end attached near the front of the cap. It extends through the aperture and the hook engages the rear surface of the panel. The retainer assembly is removed by depressing the clip and pulling the cap from the aperture.

Abstract: A bearing and seal assembly for rotatably supporting the open front end of the drum of a clothes dryer includes a ring-like felt seal positioned between the circular open front end of the drum and a circular support flange of smaller diameter coaxially nested within the end of the drum. The felt seal is fixed to the flange and substantially fills the annular space between the drum and the flange to preclude air leakage therebetween. A plurality of thin pad-like glides of wear-resistant plastic material are fastened to an upper arcuate portion of the ring-like felt seal, the glides engaging and bearing the weight of the end of the drum. The felt seal positioned between the glides and the support flange acts as a sound dampener and shock absorber between the rotating drum and the fixed flange to preclude undesirable noise caused by rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A carousel-type storage and access system provides storage units having first and second storage zones accessible through first and second opposed access faces. Each storage unit is mounted for pivotal movement in an access position to one of two operated positions. In one operated position, one access face is conveniently positioned for access by the machine operator. In the other operated position, 180.degree. of rotation from the first operated position, the second access side is positioned for easy access by the operator. A turner unit located at the access position is coupled with the adjacent storage unit and operates to rotate the storage unit to the various operated positions required. Sensors generate signals which can be fed to a computer controller for fully automated operation.

Abstract: A hermetic refrigeration compressor of the single reciprocating piston type as a valve plate extending over the open end of the cylinder and a first cylinder head secured to the valve plate and enclosing a discharge planum. The first cylinder head includes a recessed portion adjacent a suction port and has a bridge portion extending across the recess above the valve plate. The suction side includes an integral suction muffler and second cylinder head which fits within the recess to include a planum overlying the suction port and a U-shaped spring clip engages the bridge with one leg between the bridge and the second cylinder head to hold it in place while the clip includes a second leg which extends over the top of the bridge and hooks on the side to hold the second cylinder head and the spring clip in place.

Abstract: A household type refrigerator has a refrigeration system including a subcooling flow control valve placed between the outlet of the condenser and the inlet to the capillary tube. The subcooling flow control valve utilizes a sealed capsule of refrigerant which operates to open and close a valve to modulate the flow from the condenser to the capillary tube to insure only that a subcooled liquid enters the capillary. The valve is mounted vertically next to the compressor and has the inlet line to the valve secured in heat conducting contact to the return line to the compressor for faster opening and closing response while the discharge side of the valve has a chamber filled with a plug to minimize the volume of refrigerant remaining between the closed valve and the entrance to the capillary when the compressor is on the off cycle.

Abstract: A combined refrigerator/freezer unit provides a step motor driven damper for adjusting the relationship between the amount of chilled air delivered to the freezer compartment and the amount of chilled air delivered to the refrigeration department. The step motor, and in turn, the damper, is controlled by a integrated circuit which receives signals from temperature sensors in each compartment. The control produces pulses which cause the step motor to readjust the position of the damper to correct temperature imbalances which exist within the two compartments. The step motor functions to move the damper to predetermined adjusted positions without requiring any feedback to establish the actual position of the damper before and after each adjustment. The control also functions during defrost to cause the evaporator temperature to be raised prior to the operation of the defrost heaters.

Abstract: A control module is disclosed for mounting in an electrical appliance that provides a supporting base for assembly of electrical components to include control elements forming part of a control panel. The module includes a relatively flat base formed of relatively stiff, molded material with a transverse linear zone extending thereacross to divide the base into a rearward section and a forward control panel section. The linear zone is of sufficiently reduced thickness that it provides a hinge means so that the front and rear sections may be pivoted relative to one another between a relatively flat assembly condition and a final mounting condition. After assembly and flexing of the sections, the module may be mounted in an appliance with the front section serving as a portion of a manually operable control panel for the appliance.

Abstract: A PTC resistive strip is mounted on a wall of a washer tub. Water in the tub carries away heat from the energized strip thereby reducing its resistance. The water level in the tub is measured by measuring the voltage drop across the strip. The resistance of the strip can be compared to the resistance across a variable resistance or resistor to indicate that the water has reached a desired level. A comparator output can be used to control the water level and washer motor operation via a control circuit which operates the water supply valves and motor switch. A second PTC resistive element is also provided for sensing overfill.

Abstract: A food storage compartment for refrigerators includes a housing, a food support tray, and a cover pivoted on the housing. The tray is movable from a storage position to an access position. The cover and housing cooperate to enclose the tray and any food stored thereon when the tray is in the storage position. Cam means are provided to automatically open the cover when the tray is moved to an access position. Return of the tray to the storage position or return of the cover to its closed position automatically returns the tray and cover to the storage condition.

Abstract: A mullion mounted door hinge assembly for pivotally guiding upper and lower doors of a refrigerator. The hinge assembly includes a bracket which slidably accepts a generally cylindrical hinge pin. The hinge pin has a larger diameter center section and a pair of relatively smaller diameter end sections. Each of the end sections of the hinge pin extend into an accommodating opening in the upper or lower doors. The upper door is supported on an upwardly directed surface of the center section. A downwardly directed surface of the center section is supported by the lower door. A substantial portion of the weight of the upper door is transferred to the lower door and supported by the lower hinge means. A second preferred embodiment provides a stop means which engages a stop surface at a desired angular opening of the upper door of a refrigerator.

Abstract: A top drive horizontal carousel for a full height carrier including generally horizontal and coextensive upper and lower guides and associated upper and lower support assemblies. The upper and lower support assemblies include a series of guidance points or carrier pins which define a first vertical plane for each of the carriers. The support assemblies are attached to the back of a corresponding carrier via horizontally directed extensions which cross the first vertical plane. The back of the carrier forms a second vertical plane, outwardly disposed from the first vertical plane, allowing the carrier to extend above the upper guide and below the lower guide to provide for a carrier whose height is not limited by the space between the upper and lower guides.

Abstract: A pump-out control valve for use in connection with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner that includes a collection tank, a top cover and a vacuum blower with an air inlet and air outlet. The control valve is mounted over a pair of openings formed through the cover. The valve includes a manifold plate located over the pair of openings and spaced above the cover, and a valve rotor located between the manifold plate and the cover. The plate is provided with an air inlet fitting and an air outlet fitting that are connected through flexible hoses to the centrifugal blower. The fittings are in general alignment with the openings in the cover. The rotor has one through passage for connecting the manifold plate inlet with one of the openings through the cover and one lateral passage which is adapted to divert flow laterally and at the same time, block the other opening in the cover. The rotor is turned approximately 180.degree.

Abstract: An ice maker for use in freezing compartments of refrigerators and freezers provides a thermal cut-out or fuse to prevent damage in the event of overtemperature conditions. The thermal fuse is located in a closed compartment where it cannot be accidentally damaged or moved. A leaf spring provides an end engaging the thermal fuse to reliably hold the thermal fuse in good heat exchange relationship with the mold in which the ice cubes are formed. The ice maker also provides an improved mounting structure permitting support fasteners to be partially threaded into the wall of the freezer compartment before the ice maker is moved to its mounted position.