Supporting assembly for a washing machine drum

Abstract

 An improved supporting assembly for supporting a linen washing machine drum, characterized in that said supporting assembly comprises a multiple-lobe construction made of a fiberglass reinforced plastics material, constituted by a plurality of radially extending arms integrally formed with a central body.
The multiple-lobe construction is made by molding a fiberglass reinforced plastics material including a plurality of glass fibers embedded in thermoplastic polyamide material.
The fiberglass reinforced plastics material preferably comprises glass fibers in a rate up to about 65% and a plastics material rate corresponding to the remaining part.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved supporting assembly for supporting a linen washing machine drum.

[0002] As it is known, a linen washing machine conventionally comprises a rotary drum, rotating in a basin, which may be accessed through a front door.

[0003] The drum, which is driven by a drum driving motor, is usually supported cantilever-wise by two supporting bearings arranged on the rear of the machine casing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved supporting assembly for coupling the drum to the washing machine casing or structure.

[0005] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a drum supporting assembly which is lighter and much more strong than conventional drum supporting assemblies.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a supporting assembly which may be made of a plastic material by a plastic material molding process and other methods used for such a forming process.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a supporting assembly which, owing to its specifically structural features, is very reliable and safe in operation.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a supporting assembly which may be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an improved supporting assembly for supporting a linen washing machine drum, characterized in that said supporting assembly comprises a multiple-lobe construction made of a fiberglass reinforced plastics material and including a plurality of radial arm elements integrally formed with a central body.

[0010] The above construction is made by molding a thermoplastic material therein glass fibers are embedded.

[0011] The above material preferably comprises a fiberglass rate up to about 65% the remaining part being constituted by said thermoplastics material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the improved supporting assembly according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the inventive supporting assembly; and

Figure 3 is a further perspective view schematically showing an application of the improved supporting assembly according to the present invention to a linen washing machine drum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the improved supporting assembly according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a multiple-lobe construction constituted by a plurality of radially extending arm elements 2, made as a single piece or integrally with a central body 3.

[0014] According to the present invention, the above construction is made by molding a composite plastics material constituted by glass fibers embedded in a thermoplastic material (such as, for example, polyamide).

[0015] Preferably, the fiber glass rate is of about 65% and the plastics material rate corresponds to the remaining part.

[0016] The arm elements 2 are each provided with a pair of lightening longitudinal slots 4, in each of which a plurality of stiffening ribs 5 are provided.

[0017] Said central body 3 comprises a double or twin annular slot 6 therein radially extending ribs 7 are arranged.

[0018] A shaft element 8, preferably made of a metal material, is co-molded in the central body 3.

[0019] The free end portion of each said arm element 2 comprises a seat 9 for clamping or fixing means, such as a clamping screw or bolt.

[0020] Each said arm element 2 comprises a lightening front slot 10, extending between the longitudinal slots 4 on front side of the structure, on a portion of the latter opposite to said longitudinal slots.

[0021] The arm elements 2 comprise perimetrical edge portions 12 including stiffening triangular ribs 13.

[0022] The supporting assembly 1 may be applied to a conventional drum 11, schematically shown in figure 3 by a dashed lines.

[0023] In the shown example, said arm elements are provided in a number of three.

[0024] It should be apparent that the arm element number would vary depending on the mechanical stress the supporting assembly would be subjected to.

[0025] It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

[0026] In fact, the invention has provided a supporting assembly made of a thermoplastic material to which glass fiber has been added, which supporting assembly, with respect to prior drum supporting assemblies, has the advantage that it has a light weight and is much more resistant against oxidation and wear phenomena affecting conventional metal supporting assembly.

[0027] As disclosed, the improved supporting assembly according to the present invention may be made by a molding process, much less costly than that of a conventional metal supporting assembly, while providing a great strength against mechanical stress, owing to its specifically designed structure including a plurality of reinforcement ribs.

[0028] In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.

Claims

1. An improved supporting assembly for supporting a linen washing machine drum, characterized in that said supporting assembly comprises a multiple-lobe construction made of a fiberglass reinforced plastics material, constituted by a plurality of radially extending arms integrally formed with a central body.

2. An improved supporting assembly, according to claim 1, characterized in that said multiple-lobe construction is made by molding a fiberglass reinforced plastics material constituted by glass fibers embedded in a thermoplastic material such as polyamide.

3. An improved supporting assembly, according to claim 1, characterized in that said fiberglass reinforced plastics material comprises glass fibers in a rate up to 65% and a plastic material rate corresponding to the remaining part.

4. An improved supporting assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said radial arm elements are each provided with a pair of lightening longitudinal slots, in each of which a plurality of stiffening ribs are arranged.

5. An improved supporting assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said central body comprises an annular slot including radial ribs therein.

6. An improved supporting assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting assembly comprises a metal shaft co-molded in said central body.

7. An improved supporting assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said radial arm element has a free end portion including a seat for receiving a clamping means, such as a clamping screw or bolt therein.

8. An improved supporting assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said radial arm element comprises a lightening front slot extending between the longitudinal slots on a front side of the structure, on a portion of the latter opposite to said longitudinal slots.

9. An improved supporting assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said radial arm elements comprise perimetrical edge portions including stiffening triangular ribs.

10. An improved supporting assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plastics material used for making said supporting assembly preferably comprises polyamide or any other thermoplastic material.

Drawing