Structural block for supporting a rotating drum within a laundry appliance

US11668040B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Nicholas C. Fugal · Benton Harbor, US
• Bradley D. Morrow · Stevensville, US
• Joseph C. O'Connor · Benton Harbor, US
• Prabhath KV · Nellore, IN
• Jason S. Sabel · Northborough, US
• Christine L. Strain · Stevensville, US
• Meredith A. Wagner · Three Rivers, US
• Robert C. Williams, Jr. · Wilton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 24, 2020
• Grant date: Jun 6, 2023
• Expiry date: Aug 6, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC D): Textiles; Paper
• CPC primary: D06F37/264
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A laundry appliance includes a rotating drum that receives laundry to be treated. A motor rotates a drive shaft about a vertical axis and engages the rotating drum at a base. A coupler is disposed within an upper portion of the base and that rests upon the drive shaft to transfer rotational forces from the drive shaft to the drum. A lower portion of the base engages an outer surface of the shaft to resist moment forces that are exerted against the drive shaft in an off-axis direction relative to the vertical axis.