Basket assembly for a washing machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9394642-B2
Application number	US-66708608-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2008
Priority date	Jun 29, 2007
Publication date	Jul 19, 2016
Grant date	Jul 19, 2016

Abstract

A basket assembly ( 24 ) for a washing machine includes a basket and a support bracket ( 36 ) adjacent the basket. The basket has a first end ( 54 ) and a second end ( 56 ) and defines a cavity at the first end for receiving laundry. The support bracket ( 36 ) includes a base ( 40 ) having a front side ( 42 ) and at least two attachment portions ( 60 ) extending from the front side. The attachment portions are spaced from each other and are connected to the second end ( 56 ) of the basket. At least two fins ( 74 ) integrally extend from the front side of the base toward the first end of the basket. The fins ( 74 ) are integral with the attachment portions ( 60 ) of the support bracket ( 36 ) for reinforcing the attachment portions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A basket assembly for a vertical axis washing machine having a shaft, said basket assembly comprising:
a basket having an axis and a first end and a second end spaced along said axis and defining a cavity at said first end for receiving laundry, and
a ring fixed to said basket at said first end of said basket and defining an opening about said axis for receiving laundry at the first end;
a support bracket adjacent said second end of said basket and being formed of a thermoplastic, said support bracket comprising:
a base having a front side and a rear side, said rear side having a portion adapted to directly receive the shaft,
at least two attachment portions extending from said front side and spaced from each other radially relative to said axis with said attachment portions connected to said basket at said second end,
at least two fins intersecting at a hub disposed along said axis of said basket with said fins extending radially from said hub, said fins integrally extending from said front side of said base toward said first end of said basket,
wherein said fins terminate at ends spaced from said hub with said attachment portions disposed at said ends, respectively, and
fasteners extending through said second end of said basket and into said attachment portions for attaching the support bracket to the basket.

2. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment portions are adjacent said basket.

3. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fins extend from said attachment portions toward said axis.

4. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support bracket includes at least two intermediate portions extending from said front side and spaced from each other radially relative to said axis in alternating arrangement with said attachment portions.

5. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein each intermediate portion extends from one attachment portion to another attachment portion.

6. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein at least one of said attachment portions and said intermediate portions are at least partially disposed in said cavity.

7. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a flange extending from one of said intermediate portions toward said first end of said basket adjacent said basket.

8. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said flange is further defined as at least two flanges extending in alternating arrangement with said attachment portions and extending from one attachment portion to another attachment portion.

9. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said support bracket defines a channel with said basket partially disposed in said channel at said second end of said basket.

10. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 9 further comprising at least one outer wall spaced outwardly from at least one of said intermediate portions relative to said axis defining said channel between said outer wall and said intermediate portion.

11. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said outer wall is further defined as at least two outer walls extending along said intermediate portions between said attachment portions with said outer walls defining a space between said outer walls with the space extending radially relative to said axis and outwardly from at least one of said attachment portions relative to said axis.

12. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said basket extends across said space and said basket is connected to said attachment portion at said space.

13. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said fastener is at said space.

14. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment portions and said intermediate portions are at least partially disposed in said cavity.

15. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cavity extends through said second end.

16. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said support bracket covers said cavity at said second end of said basket.

17. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support bracket is formed of polyalkylene terephthalate.

18. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said polyalkylene terephthalate is reinforced with fiber.

19. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said polyalkylene terephthalate is reinforced with glass fibers and said polyalkylene terephthalate comprises 30%-50% glass content.

20. The basket assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base defines a perimeter extending about said axis with said perimeter abutting said basket.

21. A vertical axis washing machine comprising:
a shaft;
a basket having an axis and a first end and a second end spaced along said axis and defining a cavity at said first end for receiving laundry;
a ring fixed to said basket at said first end of said basket and defining an opening about said axis for receiving laundry at the first end;
a support bracket adjacent said second end of said basket and being formed of a thermoplastic, said support bracket comprising:
a base having a front side and a rear side, said shaft directly fitting into said rear side of said support bracket,
at least two attachment portions extending from said front side and spaced from each other radially relative to said axis with said attachment portions connected to said basket at said second end,
at least two fins intersecting at a hub disposed along said axis of said basket with said fins extending radially from said hub, said fins integrally extending from said front side of said base toward said first end of said basket,
wherein said fins terminate at ends spaced from said hub with said attachment portions disposed at said ends, respectively, and
fasteners extending through said second end of said basket and into said attachment portions for attaching the support bracket to the basket.

Assignees

• Mcmaster William J
• Serna Stephen P
• Jewell Gavin L
• Basf Se

Inventors

• Mcmaster William J
• Serna Stephen P
• Jewell Gavin L

Classifications

• D06F37/02 Primary

  Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums · CPC title

• D06F37/12 Primary

  adapted for rotation or oscillation about a vertical axis · CPC title