# US 2016/0258508 A1 · Counterweight assembly

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- Number: US 2016/0258508 A1
- Document ID: US20160258508A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/029,009
- Filed: 2014-10-16
- Published: 2016-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2013-10-18
- Assignees: SSW Holding Company, Inc.
- Applicants: Ssw Holding Company, Inc.
- Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Ambrose
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160258508A1

## CPC

- F16F 15/28: Counterweights, {i.e. additional weights counterbalancing inertia forces induced by the reciprocating movement of masses in the system, e.g. of pistons attached to an engine crankshaft (rotating balancer shafts F16F15/264; correcting-weights for balancing rotating bodies F16F15/32)}; Attaching or mounting same
- D06F 37/265: {Counterweights mounted to the tub; Mountings therefor}
- F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
- D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES

## Abstract

A counterweight assembly includes a counterweight and at least one retention member. The counterweight is formed of concrete or other heavy aggregate material. The at least one retention member is coupled to the counterweight and extends outwardly away from the counterweight. The at least one retention member is further adapted to be at least partly disposed through an aperture in a counterweight receiving component such as an appliance component to retain the counterweight in operable connection with the counterweight receiving component.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A counterweight assembly, comprising:
a counterweight formed of concrete or other heavy aggregate material;
at least one retention member coupled to the counterweight and extending outwardly away from the counterweight, the at least one retention member adapted to be at least partly disposed through an aperture in a counterweight receiving component to retain the counterweight in operable connection with the counterweight receiving component.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one retention member is at least partly formed of a plastic material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing partly defining the at least one retention member and substantially surrounding the counterweight.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one retention member includes a plastic component that is friction fit onto a corresponding protrusion of the counterweight.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one retention member comprises a plurality of retention members.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one retention member comprises a tapered wedge shape, a ramp shape, a barb shape, or a hook shape.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one retention member includes an angled locking surface adapted to frictionally engage a locking edge of a corresponding counterweight receiving component.

### Claim 8

A counterweight assembly, the assembly comprising:
a counterweight assembly at least partly formed of concrete or other heavy aggregate material;
a counterweight receiving component defining at least one aperture; and
at least one retention member coupled to the counterweight and extending outwardly away from the counterweight, the at least one retention member disposed at least partly through the at least one aperture and in frictional engagement with the counterweight receiving component, thereby attaching the counterweight to the counterweight receiving component without additional hardware.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one retention member is at least partly formed of a plastic material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The assembly of claim 8, further comprising a housing partly defining the at least one retention member and substantially surrounding the counterweight.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one retention member includes a plastic component that is friction fit onto a corresponding protrusion of the counterweight.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one retention member comprises a plurality of retention members.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one retention member comprises a tapered wedge shape, a ramp shape, a barb shape, or a hook shape.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The assembly of claim 8, wherein the counterweight receiving component is a metal plate.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The assembly of claim 8, wherein no additional fasteners are required to couple the counterweight to the counterweight receiving component.

### Claim 16 (depends on 8)

The assembly of claim 8, wherein frictional engagement is the sole means coupling the counterweight to the counterweight receiving component.

### Claim 17 (depends on 8)

The assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one retention member includes and angled locking surface functionally engaging a locking edge on the counterweight receiving component to secure the counterweight in position.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

An appliance, a piece of furniture, or another consumer product comprising an assembly of claim 1.