The Keystone Washer/Dryer Patent

[jetcone]

In searching for that 1900 Whirlpool washer patent today, I came across the Keystone patent for the Bendix Washer / Dryer . I have researched this machine for many years and have many patents on it but not this one that the popped up today !

This is an amazing patent,  it is a keystone because look at the references on it!

 

Patented in 1948; every manufacturer that ever made a washer/dryer has cited this patent from 1950  to 2008 !! Thats amazing! Take a look at that reference list!! It includes Tappan's washer/dryer !!!

 

 

LG snuck in there in 2002 using a "top Load" washer dryer that was never sold here. But because they got the patent for their "system" they were able to sneak it onto their front loader washer dryer. Basically "re-patenting" the Bendix washer/dryer !!!

 

When I first opened up a FL LG I was struck by how exact a copy their drying system was of the original Bendix system. They only moved it to the right side of the machine and changed the condenser slightly. 

http://https//www.google.com/patent...gwSq54KIAQ&ved=0CCQQ6AEwAQ#backward-citations

 

[jetcone]

Introducing the

Tappan washer/dryer everybody !!

 

http://https//www.google.com/patents/US2911810

 

[jetcone]

Introducing the

GM Supersonic washer everybody:

 

 

http://https//www.google.com/patents/US2932962

 

[gansky1]

A combo! From Tappan!

Washer-Wonders never cease around here. Thanks Jon!

 

[turquoisedude]

Wow!  I am stunned that Tappan made a run at the washer-dryer!  Did that ever get as far a prototype??

 

[tomturbomatic]

I believe I remember reading that the patent was the reason why every manufacturer who sold a combo had to pay the patent holder a royalty on every machine they made. This was another crippling factor that every manufacturer other than Bendix (AVCO) had to factor into their manufacturing costs. It is sort of like a franchise business where a fee has to be paid to the owner of the franchise on every piece of product that is sold, whether it is food or signs or whatever the franchise sells.

Bendix (AVCO) tied up just about every patent possible for the design of the machine, especially the patent of the suspended mechanism, but the patented IDEA of a machine that washed and dried laundry is why every manufacturer of a combo had to pay Bendix (AVCO) the royalty on each machine.

AVCO was Aviation Corporation which bought the Bendix Corporation because of Bendix Radio because greatly improved radios with regards to distance and clarity were needed in airplanes. They were the ones who financed the R&D for the Duomatic during and right after WWII.