The present disclosure generally relates to a commercial laundry appliance, and more specifically, to a token collection assembly for a commercial laundry appliance.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance includes a vault that defines a cavity and has openings that are defined by a first surface of the vault. A token box is positioned within the cavity and is partially open relative to the openings in the vault. A cover feature has a rotating shell that is operably coupled to a slidable base that defines locking apertures. The cover feature is operably coupled to the vault via fasteners.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vault defines an interior cavity and openings are defined by a wall of the vault and provides selective access into the cavity. A base is slidably coupled to the vault between a first position and a second position. The base defines locking apertures that are offset relative to the openings of the vault in the second position of the base. A shell is operable relative to the base only in the second position.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vault defines a cavity wherein openings define the vault and are open into the cavity. A token box is disposed within the cavity of the vault. A cover feature has a shell and a base. The base is slidably coupled to the vault to transition between a first position and a second position. The shell is hingedly coupled to the base to hinge between a covering position and a servicing position when the base is in the second position.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.
The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components related to a token collection assembly. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in
The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Referring to
Referring again to
As illustrated, the lid 74 is positioned above a user interface 122, a token exchange portion 126, and the token box 34. Additionally, the lid 74 may define a lock 130 which a key 134 may engage to release the lid 74 from the body 70 of the appliance 10. As depicted in
The user interface 122 may contain buttons 170 configured to communicate with a controller to control the appliance 10. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface 122 may display touch indicia 174 that provides a touch surface 178 for the user to interface with, while the touch indicia 174 may be merely a sensor in communication with the controller. The user interface 122 allows a user to make selections regarding, for example, a wash cycle. In order for the user interface 122 to become functioning via the controller, the user engages the token exchange portion 126 by inserting one or more tokens 118 through token slots 180. The token exchange portion 126 may also include token return buttons 182 that may return the tokens 118 to the user via token return slots 186. The tokens 118 deposited for use with the appliance 10 are ultimately received in the token box 34. The token box 34 may include a locking member 190 disposed on a first end 194 of the token box 34, while a second end 198 may be positioned within the vault 18. It is also contemplated that the locking member 190 may be disposed on the second end 198 and the first end 194 may be positioned within the vault 18. The token box 34 is secured within the vault 18 and further secured by the cover feature 38. The cover feature 38 and the vault 18 are contemplated to be positioned within the body 70 of the appliance 10, such that the lid 74 covers the cover feature 38 and the vault 18 in the lowered position 146. Alternatively, the cover feature 38 and the vault 18 may be disposed outside of the appliance 10.
A token discriminating mechanism 200 may be positioned rearward of the forward portion 110 of the body of the appliance 10. Referring again to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In order to transition the cover feature 38 between the first and second positions 210, 226, the shell 42 may further include a tag 250 that allows a user to pull the cover feature 38 to transition the base 46 from the first position 210 to the second position 226, so the shell 42 may hingedly rotate. The cover feature 38 may also define a utility gap 254 and may provide passage for wires and other electrical equipment through the utility gap 254 to couple with other machinery in the machine compartment 102. Such electrical equipment provides a power source for the token discriminating mechanism 200, which collects the tokens 118 dispensed into the token box 34.
The vault 18 defines the openings 26, which may include a first opening 26a and a second opening 26b, through which the tokens 118 may pass to enter the token box 34. Typically, the token box 34 may have an open upper portion such that the tokens may drop directly into the token box 34 without obstruction from the token box 34. Alternatively, it is also contemplated that the token box 34 may have receiving slots that may correspond with the openings 26 in the vault 18. In assembling the token collection assembly 14, a container 290 of the token box 34 is inserted into the vault 18 with the second end 198 inserted generally rearward in the vault 18 so the first end 194 with the locking member 190 is outwardly facing proximate to the forward portion 110 and accessible relative to the exterior 86 of the appliance 10, as illustrated in
Referring now to
With further reference to
Typically, the tab 314 may be constructed to match the first opening 26a in the vault 18. Accordingly, the tab 314 may secure the first opening 26a while the base 46 is in the second position 226. As the base 46 is transitioned through the intermediate position 214, the tab 314 may be removed from the guide slot 310 and may at least partially cover the first opening 26a in the intermediate position 214 of the cover feature 38. Once the base 46 enters the second position 226, it is generally contemplated that the first opening 26a may be fully covered by the tab 314 and other portions of the base 46. As illustrated in
A hinge assembly 318 may couple the base 46 to the shell 42 to further define the cover feature 38. The base 46 may further define fastening slots 320 having a first portion 322 and a second portion 324, which may further couple the base 46 to the vault 18 via the fasteners 54 extending through the fastening slots 320 defined by the base 46 and the holes 302 (
In addition, the base 46 defines the locking apertures 50, which may be configured to align with the openings 26 in the vault 18 when the base 46 is in the first position 210. Although the base 46 is typically coupled to the vault 18, the base 46 may slide relative to the vault 18. For example, the first position 210 of the base 46 may be further defined by the alignment of the locking apertures 50 and the openings 26, such that the tokens 118 may be deposited through the vault 18 and into the token box 34 in the first position 210 of the base 46. Comparatively, the second position 226 of the base 46 may be further defined by the sliding of the base 46 relative to the vault 18 such that the tab 314 may be removed from the guide slot 310 and the locking apertures 50 are offset from the openings 26. The alignment of the locking apertures 50 and the openings 26 in the first position 210 of the base 46 provides selective access into the token box 34. For example, if there is a need for maintenance of the token discriminating mechanism 200, the base 46 will be positioned in the first position 210, thereby blocking access to the tokens 118 and the token box 34.
Referring still to
Moreover, when the base 46 is in the first position 210 and the shell 42 is in the intermediate position 214, the shell 42 may not rotate because of the position of the cover feature 38 relative to the vault 18. In order to rotate, the shell 42 rotates about the hinge assembly 318 and is repositioned proximate to a sidewall 352 of the vault 18. It is generally contemplated that, when the base 46 is in the first position 210, the shell 42 may be prevented from rotating about the hinge assembly 318. Thus, so long as the base 46 is in the first position 210, the shell 42 may be described as being in a locking position 354. Accordingly, the shell 42 may only be operable relative to the base 46 in the second position 226. While in the intermediate position 214, between the first and second positions 210, 226 of the base 46, the shell 42 may be further prevented from rotating into the servicing position 228 by the interference member 114 of the crossbar 106.
By way of example, and not limitation, the shell 42 defines a brim 358 that extends along a side 362 of the shell 42 that contacts the fixed wall 220. The brim 358 may extend under the interference member 114 of the crossbar 106 to hinder the movement of the shell 42 in the closed and intermediate positions 230, 214. In addition, the brim 358 and the shell 42 may also define a notch 360 that is under the interference member 114 in the first position 210 of the base 46. When the base 46 is moved to the second position 226, the brim 358 is positioned so that the notch 360 allows the brim 358 to bypass the interference member 114. This configuration allows the brim 358 and the interference member 114 to cooperatively cover the token collection assembly 14 in the first position 210 of the base 46, while allowing selective access to the token collection assembly 14 in the second position 226 of the base 46.
Additionally, the tokens 118 within the vault 18 may still be inaccessible when the cover feature 38 is in the intermediate position 214, such that the intermediate position 214 of the cover feature 38 may further define the locking position 354 of the cover feature 38. As the base 46 transitions into the second position 226, the fasteners 54 may also transition from the first portion 322 to the second portion 324 of the fastening slots 320. During this transition, the tab 314 may be removed from the guide slot 310 and may cover the first opening 26a, while a central portion 366 of the base 46 covers the second opening 26b. The positioning of the tab 314 and the central portion 366 over the first and second openings 26a, 26b also further defines the locking position 354 of the cover feature 38.
When the base 46 is in the second position 226, the shell 42 may transition from the open position 222 into the servicing position 228. The servicing position 228 of the shell 42 provides access to the token discriminating mechanism 200 for routine maintenance, while the tab 314 and the central portion 366 of the base 46 secure the first and second openings 26a, 26b in the vault 18. Thus, while maintenance may be performed on the token discriminating mechanism 200, the tokens 118 cannot be removed via the openings 26. The shell 42 may rotate between the open position 222 and into the servicing position 228 via the hinge assembly 318, such that the shell 42 rotates about hinge assembly 318.
To transition the base 46 from the first position 210 into the second position 226, the base 46 may be directed by the guide structures 298. As discussed above, where the fasteners 54 are uncoupled from the base 46 and the vault 18, the base 46 may otherwise shift during the transition between the first and second positions 210, 226 of the base 46. The guide structures 298 may help prevent the sliding of the base 46. When the base 46 is in the second position 226, the dispensing end 206 of the token discriminating mechanism 200 is positioned above the tab 314 and the central portion 366 of the base 46. Accordingly, any tokens 118 deposited while the base 46 is in the second position 226 would result in the token 118 resting on either the tab 314 or the central portion 366. However, it is generally contemplated that when the base 46 is in the second position 226, the token discriminating mechanism 200 that would otherwise receive the tokens 118, would be undergoing repairs or routine maintenance. Accordingly, while the cover feature 38 is in the second and servicing positions 226, 228, a user would likely not be inserting tokens 118 except for testing purposes during maintenance. In addition, the guide structures 298 may work in combination with the fasteners 54 to prevent at least partial uplifting of the base 46 while the shell 42 is in the servicing position 228.
As a result of the incorporation of the cover feature 38 in the token collection assembly 14, the vault 18 and the token box 34 are further secured. In particular, the adaptation of the slidable base 46 and the rotating shell 42 minimize potential removal of the tokens 118 during routine maintenance and servicing.
The invention disclosed herein is further summarized in the following paragraphs and is further characterized by combinations of any and all of the various aspects described therein.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance includes a vault that defines a cavity and has openings that are defined by a first surface of the vault. A token box is positioned within the cavity and is partially open relative to the openings in the vault. A cover feature has a rotating shell that is operably coupled to a slidable base that defines locking apertures. The cover feature is operably coupled to the vault via fasteners.
A hinge is positioned along a first side of a base and rotationally couples a shell to the base.
A first position of a base defines apertures that are aligned with openings of a vault to provide access to the vault via locking apertures of the base.
A second position of a base defines apertures that are offset relative to openings of a vault. The base covers the openings.
A vault includes a guide structure that defines lateral motion of a base between a first position and a second position.
A base is further defined by fastening slots. Fasteners transition within the fastening slots as the base transitions between a first position into a second position.
A shell is hingedly rotatable relative to a vault between a covering position and a servicing position.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vault defines an interior cavity and openings are defined by a wall of the vault and provides selective access into the cavity. A base is slidably coupled to the vault between a first position and a second position. The base defines locking apertures that are offset relative to the openings of the vault in the second position of the base. A shell is operable relative to the base only in the second position.
A token box has a body that defines a first end and a second end. The second end of the box is disposed within a cavity of a vault. A locking member is coupled to the first end of the token box.
Tokens are received by a token box when a base is in a first position.
Locking apertures of a base are aligned with openings of a vault in a first position and define selective access into a cavity.
A servicing position defines a hinged rotation of a shell in a second position that provides access to a token discriminating mechanism.
A token box is inaccessible via openings in a vault when a base and a shell are in at least one of a second position and a servicing position.
Apertures of a base align with openings of a vault in a first position. A shell is rotationally fixed in a covering position relative to the base in the first position.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vault defines a cavity wherein openings define the vault and are open into the cavity. A token box is disposed within the cavity of the vault. A cover feature has a shell and a base. The base is slidably coupled to the vault to transition between a first position and a second position. The shell is hingedly coupled to the base to hinge between a covering position and a servicing position when the base is in the second position.
A crossbar has an interference member that is positioned above a shell when a base is in a first position and defines a locking position.
An open position of a cover feature is defined by a base in a second position.
A closed position of a cover feature is defined by a first position of a base.
A fixed wall defines a receiving space. A tab outwardly extends from a base. The tab is translationally disposed within the receiving space of the fixed wall.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/573,114, filed on Sep. 17, 2019, and entitled “TOKEN COLLECTION ASSEMBLY,” now U.S. Pat. No. 11,170,598, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20220028204 A1 | Jan 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16573114 | Sep 2019 | US |
Child | 17495869 | US |