Washer appliance with removable agitator post using latches and torque transmitting shape

{
  "publication_number": "US11585034B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Washer appliance with removable agitator post using latches and torque transmitting shape",
  "abstract": "A washer appliance includes an impeller and impeller interface. An agitator post is removably positioned upon the impeller interface. A plurality of latches are supported by the agitator post and spaced apart circumferentially. Each latch may be configured for pivoting in and out of one of a plurality of latch recesses provided by the impeller interface when the agitator post is positioned on the impeller interface. Biasing members urge the latch into the latch recesses when the agitator post is positioned on the impeller interface.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A washing appliance, comprising: a cabinet; a wash tub positioned in the cabinet and defining a wash chamber; a wash drum rotatably mounted within the wash chamber and configured for receiving articles for washing; an impeller positioned in the wash drum, the impeller being rotational about a vertical axis and configured for imparting motion to the articles during washing, the impeller comprising a centrally-located impeller interface supported upon the impeller and projecting along the vertical axis from the impeller, the impeller interface defining a plurality of latch recesses spaced apart circumferentially; an agitator post removably positioned upon the impeller interface; a plurality of latches supported by the agitator post and spaced apart circumferentially, each latch configured for pivoting in and out of one of the latch recesses when the agitator post is positioned on the impeller interface; and a plurality of biasing members, the biasing members connected to the latches and configured to urge the latches into the latch recesses when the agitator post is positioned on the impeller interface.",
    "2. The washing appliance of claim 1, wherein the biasing members each comprise a hook projecting radially inward and into the latch recesses when the agitator post is positioned on the impeller interface.",
    "3. The washing appliance of claim 2, wherein the biasing members each comprise a spring positioned between one of the biasing members and the agitator post along a radial direction perpendicular to the vertical axis.",
    "4. The washing appliance of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of pins connected with the plurality of biasing members and about which biasing members pivot.",
    "5. The washing appliance of claim 1, wherein the agitator post defines an agitator recess for complementary receipt of the impeller interface.",
    "6. The washing appliance of claim 1, wherein the impeller interface includes a rectangular-shaped exterior surface and the agitator post defines a rectangular-shaped agitator recess configured for complementary receipt of the impeller interface.",
    "7. The washing appliance of claim 1, wherein the impeller defines a connection post projecting along the vertical axis and configured for receipt of the impeller interface.",
    "8. The washing appliance of claim 1, wherein the agitator post further comprises a helical vane extending around an outer surface of the agitator post.",
    "9. The washing appliance of claim 1, wherein the impeller comprises a plurality of lobes spaced-apart along a circumferential direction of the impeller.",
    "10. A washing appliance, comprising: a cabinet; a wash tub positioned in the cabinet and defining a wash chamber; a wash drum rotatably mounted within the wash chamber and configured for receiving articles for washing; an impeller positioned in the wash drum, the impeller being rotational about a vertical axis and configured for imparting motion to the articles during washing; an impeller interface supported upon the impeller and projecting along the vertical axis, the impeller interface defining at least one latch recess; an agitator post removably positioned upon the impeller interface; at least one latch supported by the agitator post and configured for pivoting in and out of the latch recess when the agitator post is positioned on the impeller interface, wherein the latches are provided radially outward from the impeller interface; and at least one biasing member connected to the latch and configured to urge the latches into the latch recess when the agitator post is positioned on the impeller interface.",
    "11. The washing appliance of claim 10, wherein the at least one latch recess comprises a plurality of latch recesses spaced apart circumferentially around the impeller interface, the at least one latch comprises a plurality of latches supported by the agitator post and spaced apart circumferentially, each latch configured for pivoting in and out of one of the latch recesses when the agitator post is positioned on the impeller interface, and the at least one biasing member comprises a plurality of biasing members connected to the latches and configured to urge the latches into the latch recesses when the agitator post is positioned on the impeller interface.",
    "12. The washing appliance of claim 11, wherein the biasing members each comprise a hook projecting radially inward and into the latch recesses when the agitator post is positioned on the impeller interface.",
    "13. The washing appliance of claim 12, wherein the biasing members each comprise a spring positioned between one of the biasing members and the agitator post.",
    "14. The washing appliance of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of pins connected with the plurality of biasing members and about which biasing members pivot.",
    "15. The washing appliance of claim 11, wherein the agitator post defines an agitator recess for complementary receipt of the impeller interface.",
    "16. The washing appliance of claim 11, wherein the impeller interface includes a rectangular-shaped exterior surface and the agitator post defines a rectangular-shaped agitator recess configured for complementary receipt of the impeller interface.",
    "17. The washing appliance of claim 11, wherein the impeller defines a connection post projecting along the vertical axis and configured for receipt of the impeller interface.",
    "18. The washing appliance of claim 11, wherein the agitator post further comprises a helical vane extending around an outer surface of the agitator post.",
    "19. The washing appliance of claim 11, wherein the impeller comprises a plurality of lobes spaced-apart along a circumferential direction of the impeller."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to a washer appliance having a removable agitator post.\n\nWashing appliances (also referred to as “washing machines”) typically include a drum or basket for receipt of articles to be washed. Top-load or vertical axis washing machines rotate the drum about the vertical axis at various points during the cleaning cycle. Various components provide for adding fluid into the drum and for imparting motion to the fluid and articles being washed in order to clean the articles. Conventionally, the washing appliance may include a knob or other switch by which the user selects the level of fluid in the vertical axis washing machine based on e.g., the load size of articles being washed. The user visually determines the desired fluid level based on the anticipated load size. Many washing appliance users are also accustomed to seeing a conventional agitator in the form of a post extending up from the bottom of the wash basket and configured to impart motion to the fluid and articles during the cleaning cycles. Users may associate factors such as fluid level and movement of the agitator as directly related to the effective cleaning of the articles and may believe that increased fluids levels and agitator action are advantageous.\n\nCertain articles may require more wash space within the wash drum. For example, large garments, pillows, comforters and the like may require more volume for washing than typical articles of clothing.",
  "cpc": [
    "D06F 37/40",
    "D06F 13/04",
    "D06F 17/10",
    "D06F 23/04",
    "D06F 37/24",
    "F16B 19/00"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "D06F 23/04",
    "D06F 37/24",
    "D06F 37/40",
    "F16B 19/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "KERN JEFFREY ALAN"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2021-03-16",
  "publication_date": "2023-02-21",
  "grant_date": "2023-02-21",
  "priority_date": "2021-03-16",
  "application_number": "US-202117202907-A",
  "family_id": "83285236",
  "citations": [
    "BRMU9002286U2",
    "CN2571803Y",
    "US10787761B2",
    "US2004016267A1",
    "US2016032515A1",
    "US2019062978A1",
    "US2021062382A1",
    "US4077239A",
    "US5473916A",
    "US5651278A"
  ]
}