VIBRATING WASHING DEVICE

Abstract

A vibrating washing device having a battery, a transducer, and/or a motor disposed within a housing. Current from the battery causes the transducer and/or motor to vibrate producing high frequency sound waves. When the vibrating device engages saturated garments. cleaning performance and efficiency are improved.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a vibrating washing device and more particularly to a vibrating device that is placed in the dram of a washing machine to enhance cleaning performance.

The use of washing machines to clean clothes is well known and old in the art. Through the years, much effort has been made to improve cleaning performance. One example, as disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 10/119,726 was for a kneading ball for washing clothes by vibration. While helpful, the kneading ball was limited to mildly hand washing clothes dipped in water and not conventional washing of clothes in a washing machine. Thus a need exists in the art for a device that is used for washing clothes in a washing machine that improves washing performance and energy efficiency.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to provide a vibrating washing device that utilizes high frequency sound waves.

Another objective is to provide a vibrating washing device that improves washing performance and is convenient to use.

These and other objectives will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based upon the following written description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A vibrating washing device has a housing with an outer surface. Disposed within the housing is a transducer and/or a motor. A battery, preferably rechargeable, is also disposed within the housing and is connected to the transducer and/or motor.

When activated, the battery provides current to the transducer and/or motor which produce high frequency sound waves causing the housing to vibrate. When the vibrating device engages saturated garments, cleaning performance and efficiency are improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The FIGURE is a side sectional view of a vibrating washing device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the FIGURE a vibrating washing device 12 includes a housing 14. The housing 14 is of any size and shape and preferably is in the shape of a ball, orb, or sphere. The housing has an outer surface 16. Disposed within the housing 14 is a transducer 17 and/or a motor 18 that is connected to a rechargeable battery 20. Preferably, the transducer 17 is a piezo crystal transducer. The rechargeable battery 20 has a charging pin 22 that extends through the housing 14 and is mattingly connected to a recharging station 4.

The recharging station 24 has extra storage for laundry items such as detergent, fabric softeners, scent boosters, and the like.

A light 26 on the surface of housing 14 is connected to the battery 20 and is activated when the battery 20 reaches a predetermined level of power to indicate to a user that the battery 20 needs recharged. Also a switch 28 on the outer surface is connected to the battery 20 to permit or restrict current from flowing to the transducer 17 and or motor 18.

In operation, the switch 28 is manually flipped to an on position such that current flows to the transducer 17 and/or the motor 18 from the battery 20. Once current is provided, the transducer 17 and/or motor 18 produce high frequency sound waves that are emitted from the outer surface 16 of the housing 14. The sound waves cause the housing 14 to vibrate. Preferably the sound waves provide 18,000 to 24,000 vibrations per minute.

Once vibrating, one or more devices 12 are placed in the washing drum of a front load washing machine. The vibrating devices 12 randomly engage saturated garments which results in an enhanced cleaning performance and improved energy efficiency,

In an alternative embodiment, the vibrating washing device 12 increases agitation in the wash and rinse cycle of a high efficiency washing machine by utilizing lower frequencies. As a result, the kinetic energy will translate more effectively throughout the wash load and generate better cleaning performance results.

In particular, the outer surface 16 of the housing 14, which preferably is spherical in shape, has a plurality of outwardly extending nubbins 26. The nubbins 26 gently massage saturated garments while assisting in translating kinetic energy throughout the entire load, Preferably, to provide the needed vibrations, the device 12 utilizes a motor 18 that is connected to a fly wheel 28 having an imbalance 30.

Accordingly, a vibrating washing device has been disclosed that, at the very least, meets all the stated objectives.

Claims

1. A vibrating washing device. comprising: a housing having an outer surface;a transducer disposed within the housing;a battery disposed within the housing and connected to the transducer; andwherein a current is provided to the transducer from the battery the transducer emits high frequency sound waves from the outer surface of the housing.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing has a shape of one selected from a group consisting of a ball, an orb, and a sphere.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a motor disposed within the housing and connected to the battery.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the transducer is a piezo crystal transducer.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the battery has a pin that extends through the housing and is mattingly connected to a recharging station.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a light on the outer surface of the housing connected to the battery.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a switch on the outer surface of the housing that permits and restricts the flow of current from the battery.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the sound waves provide between 18,000 and 24,000 vibrations per minute.

9. A vibrating washing device, comprising: a housing having, an outer surface;a motor disposed within the housing;a battery disposed within the housing and connected to the motor; andwherein a current is provided to the motor from the battery the transducer emits high frequency sound waves from the outer surface of the housing.

10. A vibrating washing device, comprising: a housing having an outer surface;a plurality of nubbins extending outwardly from the outer surface;a motor disposed within the housing and is connected to a fly wheel with an imbalance; andwherein a low frequency current is provided to the motor to cause the housing to vibrate.