Flexible mounting assembly for a laundry appliance and method of use

Abstract

A flexible mounting assembly is provided for a laundry assembly using a suspension rod to join a laundry assembly to a frame. The flexible mounting element is a single resilient component that provides dampening and restoring force. The method of using the flexible mounting assembly includes providing a flexible mounting element within the socket of a support frame of the laundry assembly and dampening vibrations from the laundry assembly by resisting pivoting of the suspension rod engaging the flexible mounting element.

1 . A mounting element for a laundry appliance utilizing a suspension rod to join a laundry assembly to an upper frame, the upper frame having a socket, the mounting element comprising: 
 a body having a passageway therethrough so that the suspension rod can extend through the body;    a seating surface integrally formed with the body adapted for mating with the socket;    an attachment integrally formed with the body to connect the body to the upper frame.    
   
   
       2 . The mounting element of  claim 1  wherein the body is formed of a flexible material.  
   
   
       3 . The mounting element of  claim 2  wherein the flexible material is an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       4 . The mounting element of  claim 1  wherein the attachment is selected from the group consisting of snap-fit, twist-lock, helix, adhesive, tongue and groove, and over-molding into the socket.  
   
   
       5 . The mounting element of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means permits the body to resist relative pivoting motion with the upper frame.  
   
   
       6 . The mounting element of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means permits the body to provide a dampening force to the laundry assembly.  
   
   
       7 . The mounting element of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means provides a restoring force to center the laundry assembly within the laundry appliance.  
   
   
       8 . The mounting element of  claim 1  further comprising a hollow shaft integrally formed with the body and extending the passageway below the body.  
   
   
       9 . A flexible mounting assembly for a laundry appliance utilizing a suspension rod to join a laundry assembly to a frame, the flexible mounting assembly comprising: 
 a socket on the frame with an opening therethrough to receive the suspension rod and a flexible mounting element;    the flexible mounting element having a body with a passageway therethrough so that the suspension rod can extend through the body and a seating surface for mating with the socket;    wherein the flexible mounting element allows the suspension rod to pivot.    
   
   
       10 . The flexible mounting assembly of  claim 9  wherein the seating surface does not allow swivel relative to the socket.  
   
   
       11 . The flexible mounting assembly of  claim 10  wherein the flexible mounting element is made of an elastomeric material that grips the socket.  
   
   
       12 . The flexible mounting assembly of  claim 9  wherein the flexible mounting element provides a dampening force during a low displacement situation for the laundry assembly by the body in response to the pivoting motion of the suspension rod within the flexible mounting element.  
   
   
       13 . The flexible mounting assembly of  claim 9  wherein the flexible mounting element provides a non-linear restoring force during a large displacement situation of the laundry assembly in response to the pivoting motion of the suspension rod.  
   
   
       14 . The flexible mounting assembly of  claim 9  wherein the flexible mounting element has a hollow shaft extending the passageway from the body below the socket.  
   
   
       15 . The flexible mounting assembly of  claim 13  wherein the flexible mounting element provides a dampening force during a low displacement situation for the laundry assembly by the shaft in response to the pivoting motion of the suspension rod.  
   
   
       16 . The flexible mounting assembly of  claim 9  wherein the socket has a flange defining a lower opening, a lower horizontal surface at a bottom end of the flange.  
   
   
       17 . The flexible mounting assembly of  claim 16  wherein the flexible mounting element has an outer rim extending below the flange, an annular lip upon the outer rim adapted to engage the lower horizontal surface of the flange.  
   
   
       18 . The flexible mounting assembly of  claim 9  wherein the flexible mounting element has a conical platform elevating a crimped end of the suspension rod above the upper frame.  
   
   
       19 . A method of using a flexible mounting assembly for a laundry assembly utilizing a suspension rod to join a laundry assembly to a frame, comprising: 
 providing a flexible mounting assembly including a socket on the frame with an opening therethrough to receive the suspension rod and a flexible mounting element engaging the suspension rod;    dampening vibration from the laundry assembly by resisting pivoting motion of the suspension rod engaging the flexible mounting element.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising retrofitting a laundry assembly utilizing a rigid mounting assembly.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising structurally attaching the flexible mounting assembly to the socket.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step dampening vibration includes providing a force during a low displacement situation.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step dampening vibration includes providing a non-linear restoring force during a large displacement situation.