Patent · US Expired

Lid switch assembly for a coin operated appliance

US5726402A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
13References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 7, 1996
Grant dateMar 10, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 7, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H9/226
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A lid switch assembly including a lid switch configured to be substantially located within a coin box of a coin operated appliance is described. In one embodiment, the lid switch assembly is configured for use in connection with a coin operated washing machine including a lid rotatably mounted to a washer cover and a coin box mounted to the washer cover adjacent the lid. The lid switch assembly includes a hinge rod secured to the lid and rotatable with the lid. The hinge rod includes an actuating arm configured to be substantially located within the coin box. The lid switch assembly also includes a switch configured to be mounted within the coin box. The switch is electrically connected in series with a power source and the washing machine motor. As the washing machine lid is opened, the hinge rod actuating arm rotates so that the switch actuator moves. Once the washing machine lid has been opened a predetermined distance, the hinge rod actuating arm sufficiently rotates so that the switch is in the non-conducting state. Regardless of whether proper coins have been deposited and whether the operator start button is depressed, when the switch is in the non-conducting state, the swit…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.