Abstract: A heater assembly for a dryer is stably assembled and reduces noise. The heater assembly for a dryer includes hot wires electrically heated an insulator provided with a groove at the center, having lower and upper portions into which the hot wires are fixed, and a partition plate including an insertion hole into which the insulator is inserted and at least one clamp portion provided at the rim of the insertion hole and fixed into the groove.

Abstract: A patterned foil sheet heating element has a first discrete region patterned with a first plurality of holes forming multiple conductive ribbons and having a first sheet resistivity. It also has a second discrete region patterned with a second plurality of holes forming multiple conductive ribbons and having a second sheet resistivity. At least some of the multiple conductive ribbons in the first discrete region are in electrical continuity with at least some of the multiple conductive ribbons in the second discrete region, and the first discrete region and the second discrete region both adjoin a first junction strip of the foil heating element. An electrothermal heating assembly may be formed using such a patterned foil sheet sandwiched between two layers of material which may be thermally conductive and electrical insulative.

Abstract: An open coil resistance heater assembly is made for universal mounting between left and right hand installations in an appliance or other equipment. The heater assembly has its coils arranged symmetrically about a bisecting plane of the heater assembly and/or a center line of its terminal assembly aligned with the bisecting plane. The symmetrical coil arrangement and/or bisected terminal assembly allow the heater to be used in right hand or left hand installations.

Abstract: A heater module is described that includes a heat distribution plate including a bottom portion having first and second sides and a plurality of projections extending away from one of the sides. A heat source is provided for heating the heat distribution plate, and, optionally, a heating tray can be used to receive the heat source and heat distribution plate. The heater module is adapted to engage a sample purification tray having a plurality of purification and/or discharge columns which can extend through openings in the heater module and direct a sample into a sample receiving tray. Methods of heating samples using the heater module are also described.

Abstract: A mica board open coil resistance heater assembly includes a mica board subassembly of at least one pair of mica boards, a resistance wire wound around the boards, an electrical connection clip secured to each mica board, wherein each end of the resistance wire is connected to a respective clip. A terminal plate subassembly includes a thermostat, a ceramic two-hole terminal block, and bus wires, the bus wires adapted to be attached to a portion of the electrical connection clip to connect the resistance wire to power. The ceramic two-hole terminal is able to receive push on terminals from power conductors.

Abstract: A heater having a frame rail and clips, attached to the rail, for securing insulators for supporting a heater coil. Each clip has a main body having a structural member for securing to the rail, and having a pair of flanges symmetrical about a central axis. Each flange has a cut-out for supporting an insulator, the cut-out having an open end, a back abutment edge and a pair of side abutment edges. A bendable tab is located at either side of the open end, each having a first and a second position. In the first position an insulator is insertable into the cut-out, and the insulator is secured by bending the tabs to their second position. Optionally the main body has a cross-section that accommodates the cross section of the rail and the rail is welded to the channel. Alternatively, a plurality of clinching flaps extend from the main body, the flaps shaped and dimensioned for bending around and clinching the rail.

Abstract: A heater having a frame rail and clips, attached to the rail, for securing insulators for supporting a heater coil. Each clip has a main body having a structural member for securing to the rail, and having a pair of flanges symmetrical about a central axis. Each flange has a cut-out for supporting an insulator, the cut-out having an open end, a back abutment edge and a pair of side abutment edges. A bendable tab is located at either side of the open end, each having a first and a second position. In the first position an insulator is insertable into the cut-out, and the insulator is secured by bending the tabs to their second position. Optionally the main body has a cross-section that accommodates the cross section of the rail and the rail is welded to the channel. Alternatively, a plurality of clinching flaps extend from the main body, the flaps shaped and dimensioned for bending around and clinching the rail.

Abstract: A heater assembly includes a mounting assembly, a conducting structure, a thermostat structure, a first terminal structure and a second terminal structure, and an insulator support structure including a terminal receiving opening formed therethrough. The conducting structure and the insulator support structure are releasably and fixedly secured to the mounting assembly. The terminal receiving opening of the insulator support structure cooperates with the first terminal structure to secure the first terminal structure to the mounting assembly. The second terminal structure is releasably and fixedly secured to the mounting assembly. The thermostat structure is connected to the first terminal structure and to the second terminal structure. The first terminal structure is then connected to a power delivering structure to receive power to be used by the heater assembly, and to deliver power, through the thermostat structure, to the conducting structure.

Abstract: A heater having a frame rail and clips, attached to the rail, for securing insulators for supporting a heater coil. Each clip has a main body having a structural member for securing to the rail, and having a pair of flanges symmetrical about a central axis. Each flange has a cut-out for supporting an insulator, the cut-out having an open end, a back abutment edge and a pair of side abutment edges. A bendable tab is located at either side of the open end, each having a first and a second position. In the first position an insulator is insertable into the cut-out, and the insulator is secured by bending the tabs to their second position. Optionally the main body has a cross-section that accommodates the cross section of the rail and the rail is welded to the channel. Alternatively, a plurality of clinching flaps extend from the main body, the flaps shaped and dimensioned for bending around and clinching the rail.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heating coil assembly having metal bracket, a support rail, a heating coil, and a plurality of insulating supports. The metal bracket is attached to a terminal block and the support rail. The heating coil is electrically connected to the terminal block. Each insulating support has a hole to receive the support rail. Each insulating support further has a rigid body and a plurality of slots. Each slot is capable of receiving a portion of a coil turn of the heating coil. Each slot has a generally flat bottom and two inwardly projecting sidewalls. Each inwardly projecting sidewall is defined by a hook edge and ramp edge. The present invention further includes a method of assembling such heating coil assembly.

Abstract: A heater having an insulating terminal mounting block, a thermostat and a terminal bushing mounted to a frame. The insulating terminal mounting block supports a plurality of removable terminal members. Each terminal member has a crimping structure at one end and a connection structure at its other end. A temperature sensitive fuse is crimped within the crimping structure of a first and a second of the terminal connection members. A unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the second and a third of the terminal members. A fourth terminal member is supported by the terminal bushing. A second unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the fourth terminal member and a terminal of the thermostat. One terminal of a resistive heating wire is crimped within the crimping structure of one of the terminal connection members supported by the terminal mounting block.

Abstract: A heater having a frame supporting a heater element resistance wire and an in-line thermostat. The in-line thermostat has substantially flat connection terminals or terminals, each having a though hole. A substantially flat blade connects to each thermostat terminal by a single screw. The end of each blade distal from the screw is crimped to an end of the resistive wire or another conducting element. An insulating support mounts each blade to the frame. The blade may have bendable tabs for securing it to the insulating support.

Abstract: A heater having a frame rail and clips, attached to the rail, for securing insulators for supporting a heater coil. Each clip has a main body having a structural member for securing to the rail, and having a pair of flanges symmetrical about a central axis. Each flange has a cut-out for supporting an insulator, the cut-out having an open end, a back abutment edge and a pair of side abutment edges. A bendable tab is located at either side of the open end, each having a first and a second position. In the first position an insulator is insertable into the cut-out, and the insulator is secured by bending the tabs to their second position. Optionally the main body has a cross-section that accommodates the cross section of the rail and the rail is welded to the channel. Alternatively, a plurality of clinching flaps extend from the main body, the flaps shaped and dimensioned for bending around and clinching the rail.

Abstract: A device and method for the storage and retrieval of a variety of cooking utensils is disclosed. The invention may include a sleeve, can or tracking system that is capable of receiving and storing and dispensing a stand alone appliance, or a kitchen utensil that is to be used on another kitchen appliance such as a stovetop/hob. The device may also include a latching system for securing the appliance/appliance carrier or utensil in its stored position. The device may be used with existing appliances and utensils as an appliance/utensil carrier or incorporate its own proprietary appliance(s) or utensil(s). This new and novel product or system for the storage and retrieval of food preparation appliances, allows the workplace to remain uncluttered, and at the same time allows the user ready access to the appliances, devices or utensils when desired. Additionally, the appliances are stored in a more efficient manner than is currently available.

Abstract: An insulating support structure for a helical wire heating coil for an electric resistance heating element includes a plurality of insulating standoff members supported by a metallic support frame. The insulating standoffs each include a pair of wedge portions that are used to separate the individual convolutions of the helical wire heating coil. Located inwardly from each of the wedge portions are a pair of V-shaped coil grooves sized to receive a portion of an individual convolution of the helical wire heating coil. A retainer tab extends into and forms one surface of the coil groove such that the wire heating coil contacts the retainer tab and a pair of contact surfaces that define the coil groove. The insulating standoffs are each supported by an arm contained on the support frame. Each of the arms includes a pair of tines which combine to form an open slot within the arm. The insulating standoff is captured between the tines by a pair of locking projections on the outer end of the tines.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrically resistance insulator for use in supporting a helical heater coil at seven locations on the coil. The insulator is supported from a support structure and has a pair of arms that extend from the base for supporting the heater coil. The arms have an intermediate slot and two inwardly extending notches at the bottom of the arms. The notches and the intermediate slot support three consecutive convolutions of the coil relative to the insulator at one axial side of the coil. The arms of the insulator further have shoulders which provide a widened slot area and defined lug portions at the upper parts of the arms. The width of the lug portions taper outwardly to permit for two adjacent convolutions of the heater coil to be supported on opposing sides of each of the lug portions. Since two lug portions are provided, one for each arm, the heater coil is supported at four locations consecutive coil convolutions by the lug portions of the insulator.

Abstract: A heating element for heating a water-bed comprising a metal support plate having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, a heat source attached to the metal support plate and having an electrically resistive conductor which emits heat when electricity passes through it, and an electrical insulator for insulating the heat source from the metal plate.

Abstract: An electric clothes dryer has an irregular polygonal shaped rear wall where the apexes in the polygon align readily with the center of the heater housing to define positions where the electrical insulators are mounted to the heater housing rear wall. Raised land pads are formed from the rear wall of the heater housing at these locations and on which the insulators are mounted. The raised land pads further have radial slots that permit airflow from beneath the pad into the heater housing and across the insulator and the heating element. The apexes further provide an increased air gap for increased airflow radially across the electrical insulators. The heater housing has an air gap with the rear end head of the dryer drum which air gap is smaller adjacent the upper portions of the heater housing so as to reduce the chimney effect associated with the air heated in the heater housing.

Abstract: A retainer bracket for an electric heating assembly is provided with a pair of parallel and opposing side beams having longitudinal axes and at least one planar transverse support formed integral with the pair of side beams and extending between the pair of side beams. The transverse support preferably has a plurality of openings with longitudinal axes and the transverse support is disposed so that the axes of the openings are parallel to the longitudinal axes of the side beams. The plurality of openings are thereby each adapted to receive and retain an insulator without a separate fastener. A method of making the heating coil retainer bracket from a single web of material is also contemplated.

Abstract: A meshed plate-like heater is disposed between multi-layer cylindrical filters without contacting with the filters to constitute a DPF. The heater has a form in which strip-like electric conduction paths are arranged and developed side by side horizontally, and then made cylindrical such that the different electric resistances are set for the inlet portion, the outlet portion and the center portion so as to constitute a DPF for regenerating particulates. The regenerative heater realizes a uniform temperature distribution all over the regenerative heater within a range of from about 600.degree. C. which is the self-burning temperature of the particulates to 1,000.degree. C. which is the heat-resistance temperature of the filters, in 10 minutes after the start of regeneration.

Abstract: This invention relates to heat treating furnaces which employ electric resistance heating elements and, in particular, to improved processes for repairing such furnaces and heating elements particularly useful in such repair. A typical vacuum furnace employing this invention provides a hot zone that is made for heavy duty heat treating applications. The furnace has a series of banks of axial-spaced electrical resistance heating elements suspended from an inner wall of its hot zone chamber by a series of support rods. Repeated furnace use can result in heating element fractures, which necessitate replacement of the heating elements. The replacement in accordance with this invention is with an element having a thicker and narrower cross section than previously existed in the furnace. The specially designed width-to-thickness aspect ratio heating elements according to this invention enables the elements to have a longer life between replacements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high temperature vacuum furnace including a hot zone, which is made for heavy-duty heat treating applications. In a preferred embodiment, the hot zone chamber has an outer and an inner wall. The inner wall includes a heat shield secured to it for containing radiant energy. The hot zone chamber further includes a plurality of banks of electric resistance heating elements spaced axially within the chamber. Heating elements in furnaces according to this invention have a specially designed width-to-thickness aspect ratio, which enables heating elements to have a longer life between replacements. These heating elements can be designed in polygon banks or arrays, which virtually completely surround the workpiece and provide maximum temperature uniformity during heating.

Abstract: There is disclosed an arrangement for mounting a heating coil relative to a supporting wall of a clothes dryer heater housing. An insulator has a main body portion adapted to secure the heating coil relative thereto and a base portion adapted to be seated in fixed relation to the supporting wall. The base portion has first and second flanges which curve downwardly and outwardly from the insulator. The support wall has two raised tab members which are adapted to define between these tab members and the supporting wall a recessed channel for receiving the first flange of the insulator. The supporting wall further has two spaced apart guide members for engagement with opposite sides of the second flange of the base member to prevent relative lateral movement of the insulator. The supporting wall has a pivotably movable locking flange which is pivotable about a crease located between the two guide members.

Abstract: A ceramic heater coil support bracket, suitable for use in a clothes dryer, supports a helically wound heating coil in spaced apart relation from a support surface or wall. The bracket includes a base adapted for securement to the support surface and a pair of spaced apart arms upstanding from the base defining an open slot extending across the bracket in a transverse direction above the base. Each of the arms includes a coil support post having an arrowhead shape extending inwardly toward of the slot. Each of the posts includes inner and outer coil receiving grooves adapted to receive consecutive turns of the coil. The posts are laterally offset from each other in the transverse direction of the slot so that the posts support different consecutive turns of the coil. The posts have a relatively flat upper surface having an arrowhead shape projecting into the slot with sloping inside and outside surfaces of the arrowhead tapering outwardly and downwardly from the top surface.

Abstract: An electric multi-stage heater assembly that provides multi-level heating using a plurality of separately controllable heating elements within a housing that is readily interchangeable with standard single-stage heater housings that can be controlled by conventional power switching circuits. The multi-stage heater assembly of this invention has each electric heater element straddling a support member with a portion of the heater element extending from one side to the other to maintain the electrical continuity of the element. The support member has a plurality of cut-outs that provide space for routing the cross over portion of the heater element and sufficient clearance to accommodate the inevitable droop associated with heat cycling electric resistive heater elements. The support member is equipped with a plurality of insulators which support and electrically insulate the heater element. The insulators are arranged to cooperatively rotate within the support member to minimize sagging of the heater elements.

Abstract: An electric heater support and mounting assembly is described for reducing or substantially eliminating noise resulting from the vibration in the heating element. The support and mounting assembly comprises a housing having a plurality of unique openings for receiving a plurality of arms extending from a support plate. The openings firmly engage the arms so as to prevent rattling while enabling the arms to move within the opening to accommodate thermal expansion of the support plate.

Abstract: An electrical heating device employing positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors as heating elements, which provides direct contact between the thermistor heating elements and the radiation units on both sides with no intervening members and which also provides the electrical current to the heating elements via the radiation units.

Abstract: An electric heating device includes a plurality of heating elements which are assembled to form a block. Such a heating element is formed from two metal plates, with the interposition of PTC elements. In order to increase the heat transfer, the metal plates are provided with corrugation ribs. Each heating element includes a pair of metal plates which are angled off essentially in the form of an L such that the angled-off sections are connected in a frictionally locking manner to each other. The angled-off sections are arranged at opposite ends of the heating elements and angled in opposite directions, the length of the angled-off sections of the metal plates being dimensioned such that angled-off sections of one pair of metal plates are in mutual abutment with angled-off sections of respectively adjacent pairs of metal plates.

Abstract: A heating chamber for maintaining processed foods warm for extended periods while not sacrificing food quality or causing a secular change in the chamber's insulating member.

Abstract: An open coil electric heater comprising a rigid support frame composed of a pair of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced members, with cross members between and secured to the longitudinal members. The cross members carry ceramic insulator members which are detachably connected to the cross members. Each insulator member has an end formed with a slot at an acute angle to the side walls of the insulator member to pass a portion of a convolution of an electrical wire coil. Hook-like projections form a transverse indentation at the base of the slot to detachably hold the portion of the wire om the insulator member. The portion of the wire is secured to the insulator members in an expeditious manner and without the use of tools by twisting the wire portion so that the wire portion is aligned sufficiently with the slot to enable the coil to freely pass into said slot.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace has a heating chamber heated by metal strip electric heater elements. The elements have insulated mechanical support between their ends to hold them in position in the furnace. Support is provided by a ceramic post having an internal thread in an outer end threaded onto a rod secured to a portion of the furnace. A transverse member at an inner end of the post includes a straight surface normal to the length of the post for engaging the heater element. The heater element is compliantly connected to the straight surface. One embodiment of heater element support is in the form of a T-shaped ceramic post having an internal thread in the leg of the T and a ceramic crossbar having a straight surface normal to the length of the post for receiving the heater element. Another embodiment has a ceramic post having an internal thread in the outer end of the post and a metallic crossbar having a straight surface normal to the length of the post for receiving a heater element.

Abstract: A heating disc is arranged for positioning within an air duct portion of a vehicular heating conduit, wherein a cylindrical side wall mounts an electrical resistance heating coil therewithin arranged for operative communication with the electrical system in an associated vehicle. The apparatus is arranged to optionally employ a mesh grid structure in a replaceable manner, wherein the mesh grid includes a surrounding fragrance dispensing tube structure about the leg portions of the grid structure.

Abstract: A PTC semiconductor heating device includes: two half shells combinable for forming a housing of the semiconductor heating device, a plurality of linear arrays of PTC semiconductor heating elements parallelly mounted in the housing with each linear array containing a plurality of PTC semiconductor heating elements longitudinally disposed in a side-by-side linear arrangement in said housing and each linear array of PTC heating elements being sandwiched in between every two neighboring thermally and electrically conducting units respectively connected to two poles of a power source and longitudinally juxtapositionally mounted in the housing each thermally and electrically conducting unit including a corrugated fin plate formed with a plurality of continuous square waves and clamped by a pair of conducting plates, and a plurality of resilient embedding plates each embedding plate resiliently inserted in between every two neighboring thermally and electrically conducting units for firmly tensioning, packing and r

Abstract: A modular type heating unit or assembly having particular utility for use in a high temperature electric furnace, preferably in a group arrangement, comprises an insulating fibrous refractory block, a pair of spaced apart support rods, inner and outer support tubes and a heating element. Both the heating element and the support rods are formed of alloys to enable operation at relatively high temperatures. By utilizing this concept of modular element/insulation units, furnaces can be operated at relatively higher temperatures than is currently possible for exposed electrical element type furnaces.

Abstract: An electric heater includes an electric heating coil that extends above the sidewalls of an air flow channel. The coil is formed in sections that extend transversely to the channel and are spaced by the width of a coil section to allow two heaters to be arranged face to face for shipping. This arrangement is very efficient because one of the heaters provides protection to the coil of the other of the heaters to reduce packaging costs.

Abstract: An heater includes an electric heating coil that extends above the sidewalls of an air flow channel. The coil is formed in sections that extend transversely to the channel and are spaced by the width of a coil section to allow two heaters to be arranged face to face for shipping. This arrangement is very efficient because one of the heaters provides protection to the coil of the other of the heaters to reduce packaging costs.

Abstract: A support assembly for an open coil heating element including a planar mounting plate having longitudinally spaced and offset cutouts therethrough with a separate insulator positioned within each cutout by sequentially introducing the insulator through the cutout and longitudinally shifting the insulator within the cutout to overlie the upper and lower surfaces of the mounting plate. The two insulators are locked within their mounted positions within the cutouts by a locking frame affixed to the mounting plate and abutting against the insulators to preclude movement of the insulators from their mounted positions.

Abstract: A snow mat series is positioned in surrounding relationship relative to an associated automotive vehicle to effect melting of snow surrounding the vehicle to accommodate access thereto. The apparatus is positioned along a portion of the vehicle as required. The mats may be formed of a rigid housing construction or of a cellular construction that permits the melting snow to be directed through the cellular matrix of each mat.

Abstract: A detachable metallic safety guard for use with a portable electric immersion heater is formed as an endless metallic band defining an open central area for receiving the heating element of the heater with the inner periphery of the band in spaced surrounding relationship to the heating element. The vertical height of the band is greater than the height of the heating element and the band is provided with openings allowing fluid to circulate therethrough. The guard is adapted to be directly attached to the heating element by a pair of clips carried by a diametric crossbar secured at its ends to the band. The band includes at least two tabs extending radially inwardly for providing peripheral support for the heating element. The heater may be a portable floating heater.

Abstract: The resistive elements are made up of strips of carbon/carbon composite material that are interconnected by connection pieces that are likewise made of carbon/carbon composite material and that serve both for making electrical connections and for making mechanical connections between the strips. The strips and the connection pieces are assembled together at least in part by means of their shapes. The resistive elements may be coated in a layer of pyrocarbon.

Abstract: A heat processing apparatus comprises a reactor tube in which matters to be processed are housed, a wire-shaped heating unit enclosing the reactor tube, a support device for supporting the heating unit at plural positions, and reinforcing members for reinforcing the support device. The support device includes plurality of holders stacked one upon the others, each of the holders has recesses on those two faces thereof which are contacted with faces of its adjacent ones, and when the holders are stacked one upon the others in a pole, the recesses of the two adjacent holders stacked form a hole through which the heating unit is passed. The support device has support members each supporting a pole of the holders stacked and each of the holders is engaged with its corresponding support member.

Abstract: A heater assembly (10) is for installation in a clothes dryer (D). The assembly includes at least one open coil heating element (12), and a plurality of insulators (16) to each of which a convolution of the coil is attachable. The insulators are mounted on a support (22) in a spaced relation from each other. The support is attachable to a multi-sided pan structure (30). The pan has sidewalls (32A, 32B) to which the support is attachable for installing the coil in the pan. The pan has a lip (54) which extends beneath one end (54) of a heating unit (U) section (S2). The pan is directly attachable to the unit and the unit directly installable in the dryer. The heater assembly is also formed to help install the unit in the appliance during its manufacture.

Abstract: The improved heating coil support and insulation mechanism of the present invention is intended for use in regard to electrical heating assemblies which include heating coils supported and electrically insulated by means of coil support insulators, and each of which includes an insulator body and coil engagement means attached to the insulator body for engaging the convolutions of the heating coil. In the improvement of the present invention support rods have a locking projection disposed from a longitudinal surface thereof. The insulator body has a pair of support rod apertures extending therethrough, which have a rod support locking projection accommodation slots therein for initially receiving passage therethrough of the locking projection of the support rod.

Abstract: An insulating support for a helical wire heating coil for an electric resistance heating element includes a coil supporting notch into which a single helical coil turn is inserted and locked into position without twisting the coil and without unduly stretching the coil in an axial direction. The supporting notch includes lead-in ramp surfaces to spread the two halves of the coil turn until the coil is centrally positioned in the notch, whereupon the coil turn snaps into locking engagement with four separate abutments to prevent dislodgement. A central portion in the notch includes a separate coil supporting surface that limits further movement of the coil into the notch and the notch also includes interior lateral abutment surfaces to engage the outside of the coil turn and prevent lateral movement in the notch. The faces of the support body adjacent the notch are engaged by opposite half portions of the coil turn to preclude axial movement of the coil once it is locked in position.

Abstract: A device that includes a heating sample carrier which has a carrying surface, an electrical heating system and a frame support for receiving a frame. The electrical heating system is formed of a disk of a refractory insulating material.

Abstract: An open coil electric heater (1) is disclosed having an open frame (3) and an exposed, open heating coil (11) of suitable resistance heating wire. The coil is supported on the frame by so-called "point suspension" electrical insulators (12). The insulators have a pair of apertures or holes (41) therethrough for receiving a pair of spaced arms (45a, 45b) of a wire mounting clip (9). The wire clip arms are crimped or are otherwise deformed adjacent the insulator so as to hold the insulator axially in place on the clip. The clip is welded to the frame.

Abstract: An electrical resistance device includes a conductive metal pattern carried on an insulating surface. A portion of the conductive metal pattern includes a two-dimensional array of areas devoid of conductive material ("voids") within a mesh of conductive material. Typically, the voids are hexagonal and are arranged such that the adjacent edges of adjacent hexagons are parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance not more than about 0.10 in. The hexagonal voids typically are arranged so that the centers of sets of three adjacent voids lie on the corners of equilateral triangles.

Abstract: A support bracket and a method for mounting a heating coil in a dryer or the like by means of such bracket is disclosed. The support bracket is a plate of unitary construction having one or more openings for receiving and supporting an insulating bushing and a pair of support legs adapted for engagement with slots in a support wall. At least one portion of the plate is folded upon itself to form a retaining rim for the bushing and reinforcing the support legs.

Abstract: Heating devices, in which a semi-conductor pattern is carried on an insulating surface and a pair of spaced apart electrodes are electrically connected to the semi-conductor pattern, are characterized in that the semi-conductor pattern in at least one heating area of the device defines a two-dimensional array of areas that are devoid of semi-conductor material ("voids") within a continuous "mesh" of semi-conductive material. Preferably, the voids are hexagons arranged with the sides of adjacent hexagons parallel to each other, the centers of adjacent hexagons are at the corners of equilateral triangles, and the overall direction of current flow in the device is not parallel to any of the sides of the triangles.

Abstract: A longitudinally flexible electrical heating element for a dryer is provided which permits the heating element to be inserted into and removed from a vertical air inlet conduit located behind the dryer drum from the front of the dryer. A front panel of the dryer is removed and the heating element is inserted or removed through an inlet aperture in the air inlet conduit which opens into the interior of the cabinet.