Ballast weight for washing machines

Abstract

A washing machine includes parts that are mounted in a manner that permits them to oscillate, particularly washing machine tubs, on which ballast bodies are fixed. The ballast body is approximately shaped like a ring or ring segment with a selectable cross-sectional thickness and comprises, on at least one circular are, a number of recesses and/or openings whose surfaces on points of contact are complementary to corresponding outer contours of fixing elements on the part. The ballast body is preferably made of plastic and ferrous material, which is shaped by injection molding a thermoplastic material, which contains significant proportions of filling material consisting of hematite and./or magnetite, in order to form a ballast body having a density >2.4 g/cm 3 .

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a washing tub supported with freedom to oscillate, the tub having a front loading opening surrounded by an end surface;    a plurality of fastening elements upstanding from said end surface, said fastening elements having external contours; and    a ballast weight comprising a circular ring section received against said end surface, said section having openings with internal contours which are complementary to the external contours of the fastening elements.    
   
   
       13 . A washing machine as in  claim 12  wherein the fastening elements and the internal contours of the ballast weight consist essentially of a thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       14 . A washing machine as in  claim 12  wherein the fastening elements have, in a plane parallel to the end surface, one of a honeycomb structure and a closed external surface with internal stiffening ribs stiffening webs.  
   
   
       15 . A washing machine as in  claim 12  wherein the openings are one of oval and kidney shaped.  
   
   
       16 . A washing machine as in  claim 12  wherein at least some of the fastening elements have posts which are not in contact with said external contour, said posts having respective threaded bores.  
   
   
       17 . A washing machine as in  claim 12  wherein the ballast body rests simultaneously against the external contours of a plurality of fastening elements.  
   
   
       18 . A washing machine as in  claim 12  wherein said ballast body has a density of >2.4 g/cm 3 , said ballast body being injection molded of a thermoplastic material containing a ferrous filler comprising at least one of hematite and magnetite.  
   
   
       19 . A washing machine as in  claim 18  wherein said ballast body has a density of 2.5 to 3.9 g/cm 3 .  
   
   
       20 . A washing machine as in  claim 19  wherein said ballast body has a density of 2.9 to 3.5 g/cm 3 .  
   
   
       21 . A washing machine as in  claim 18  wherein said ballast body comprises at least one of polyethylene and polypropylene.  
   
   
       22 . A washing machine as in  claim 18  wherein said ferrous material constitutes 35-70% by volume of said ferrous material, said ferrous material further comprising rolling scale.  
   
   
       23 . A washing machine as in  claim 17  wherein said thermoplastic material forms the entire surface of said ballast body.  
   
   
       24 . A ballast body for a washing machine, said ballast body having a density of >2.4 g/cm 3 , said ballast body being injection molded of a thermoplastic material containing a ferrous filler comprising at least one of hematite and magnetite.  
   
   
       25 . A ballast body as in  claim 24  wherein said ballast body has a density of 2.5 to 3.9 g/cm 3 .  
   
   
       26 . A ballast body as in  claim 25  wherein said ballast body has a density of 2.9 to 3.5 g/cm 3 .  
   
   
       27 . A ballast body as in  claim 24  wherein said ballast body comprises at least one of polyethylene and polypropylene.  
   
   
       28 . A ballast body as in  claim 24  wherein said ferrous material constitutes 35-70% by volume of said ferrous material, said ferrous material further comprising rolling scale.  
   
   
       29 . A ballast body as in  claim 24  wherein said thermoplastic material forms the entire surface of said ballast body.