Patent Application
20120293052
The present invention is directed to a household appliance or a work top for a household appliance having laundry hanging functionality, and more particularly, to a household appliance or a work top including an attachment device for a deployable or adjustable laundry hanger device.
A domestic household appliance, such as a laundry washer or dryer, generally includes a housing having a door that covers an opening for accessing the interior of the appliance. The household appliance commonly includes a washing unit or drying unit in the interior of the appliance housing. The washing unit of a washer includes a tub having a cylindrical washing drum rotatably mounted inside the tub and a driver device for driving the rotating drum. The drying unit of a dryer similarly includes a rotatable cylindrical drum and a driver device for driving the rotating drum.
Front-load clothes washers and dryers, which have a door positioned on the front of the appliance, have become increasingly popular in recent years for household use. Such front-load washers and dryers commonly include glass or see-through portions in the door to allow an operator to monitor the laundry while it is in the rotating drum. In operation, the door of the appliance is opened and clothes or laundry are inserted into the household appliance through the opening and placed in the rotating drum and the door is then closed. In the case of a washer, the household appliance wets the laundry to be washed with washing liquid and mechanically moves the laundry to release contaminants from the laundry, for example, during a low speed tumbling cycle in which the drive system rotates the drum at a low speed. In the case of a dryer, the household appliance tumbles and mechanically moves the laundry within the drum, for example, while heating the air within the drum and/or extracting moisture from the air within the drum to dry the laundry.
After the wash cycle of the washer is complete, a user commonly removes the washed laundry from the washer and, depending on the particular care instructions for each piece of laundry, either places the pieces of laundry or clothing into the dryer for drying, or hangs or places the pieces of laundry or clothing on another object to air dry. For the laundry to air dry, the laundry commonly must be hung, draped, or spread out on a surface or structure, which may require a large amount of available area, depending on the quantity of laundry that requires air drying. If the user washes and dries multiple loads of laundry in a short time period, the amount of available space needed for air drying laundry can be further increased. As a result, the user commonly may hang laundry in various locations throughout the house, such as on door frames, door knobs, wall fixtures or hooks, furniture, portable drying racks, or any other available hanging areas.
Some conventional laundry appliances, such as front-load washers and dryers, may include a separate or integral work surface on the top of the appliance that may be used to spread out laundry for drying or folding. Some other conventional laundry appliances may include a translatably-deployable drawer or work surface on the top of the appliance or stacked between (i.e., sandwiched between) laundry machines in a vertically stacked configuration, such as a stacked washer and dryer. The conventional translatably-deployable drawer or work surface may include a pull-out drawer or drying rack (i.e., translatable drawer). The conventional pull-out drawer or work surface commonly uses conventional side rails and mounting hardware to enable the drawer or work surface to be translatably deployable from a housing.
Some other conventional laundry appliances may include a fold-out work surface or drying rack that folds or pivots out from a surface of the appliance. Other conventional laundry appliances may include permanently mounted frames or hanger rods mounted to the work surface or the laundry appliance.
The exemplary embodiments of the present invention recognize that the conventional pull-out drawer or work surfaces, fold out drying racks, and permanently mounted frames or hanger rods may be cumbersome and may interfere with an available area for a user to access the household appliance or limit the area around the household appliance, particularly when the devices are not in use. Additionally, the conventional devices may provide limited flexibility to the user and also distract from the aesthetic appearance of the laundry appliance. Furthermore, the conventional devices may require multiple parts, such as side rails, hinges, and complex mounting hardware, that may result in an increase in material and labor costs. The complex conventional devices also may be difficult for a user to use and may provide limited adjustability for the user.
These problems and others are addressed by the present invention, a first exemplary embodiment of which comprises a domestic household laundry appliance comprising a housing having a door for accessing an interior of the housing, and an attachment device on the housing, the attachment device for securing and supporting a laundry hanger device.
Another exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a domestic household laundry appliance comprising a housing having a door for accessing an interior of the housing, and attachment means on the housing and/or a worktop on the housing, the attachment means for securing and supporting laundry hanger means.
Another exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a worktop for a domestic household laundry appliance, the worktop comprising a housing, and attachment means on the housing, the attachment means for securing and supporting laundry hanger means.
Yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a domestic household laundry system comprising a first household laundry appliance including a first housing having a door for accessing an interior of the first housing, a second household laundry appliance including a second housing having a door for accessing an interior of the second housing, a first attachment device on the first housing and/or a first worktop on the first housing, and a first laundry hanger device secured and supported by the first attachment device.
The domestic household laundry system also can include a second attachment device on the second housing and/or a second worktop. In one embodiment, a second laundry hanger device can be secured and supported by the second attachment device. In another embodiment, a first end of the first laundry hanger device can be secured and supported by the first attachment device and a second end of the first laundry hanger device can be secured and supported by the second attachment device.
The first household laundry appliance can be configured in a side-by-side arrangement with the second household laundry appliance. In this case, the first and second attachment devices each can be on a side panel of the first and second housings, respectively, or alternatively, on the side panels of the first and second worktops, respectively. In another embodiment, the first and second attachment devices each can be on a front panel of the first and second housings, respectively, or alternatively, on the front panels of the first and second worktops, respectively. In yet another embodiment, the first and second attachment devices each can be on a top panel of the first and second housings, respectively, or alternatively, on the top panels of the first and second worktops, respectively. In still another embodiment, the first and second attachment devices can include a cutout formed in an edge of the first and second housings, respectively, or alternatively, a cutout formed in an edge of the first and second worktops, respectively.
In this manner, the exemplary embodiments provide integrated or removable laundry hanging devices, and particularly, deployable or adjustable laundry hanger rods, that are less cumbersome, reduce or eliminate interference with an available area for a user to access the household appliance, and increase or maximize the usable area around the household appliance, even in cases when the laundry hanging devices are not in use. Additionally, the exemplary embodiments provide selectability and flexibility to the user and may remain hidden when not in use to maintain the aesthetic appearance of the laundry appliance. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments provide simple and efficient laundry hanging functions that are easy to use, adjust, and manipulate. Additionally, the simple and efficient laundry hanging devices may reduce material and labor costs compared to conventional complex and cumbersome laundry hanging devices.
The exemplary domestic household laundry system having a first household laundry appliance configured in a side-by-side arrangement with a second household laundry appliance enables a second laundry hanger device to be secured and supported by or between the first and second laundry appliances, thereby distributing the load or forces on the laundry hander device and the appliances.
For purposes of this disclosure, an attachment device is defined as a structure forming a port or socket for receiving deployable or adjustable laundry hanger rods and/or rack systems. The attachment device can be integrally formed in the housing of the laundry appliance or in a surface of a worktop of the laundry appliance. In other embodiments, the attachment device can include, for example, a base having a port or socket for receiving deployable or adjustable laundry hanger rods and rack systems. The base can be coupled to the housing of the laundry appliance or a surface of a worktop of the laundry appliance. In another embodiment, the attachment device can include a flap or cover (e.g., a pivotable or translatable flap or cover) that covers the opening of the attachment device to hide the attachment device, or to provide an appearance of a clean and uninterrupted surface of the housing of the laundry appliance, or a surface of the worktop of the laundry appliance, during a state of non-use.
The exemplary embodiments provide attachment devices and laundry hanging devices that can be integrally formed with the laundry appliance, such as a washer or dryer, or with a work top for such a laundry appliance. The laundry hanging devices can include means for hanging laundry or clothing, such as extendible or telescopic laundry hanging bars, rods, and laundry rack systems.
The laundry hanging devices may be selectively and adjustably inserted into one or more attachment devices integrally formed with or on the appliance housing or worktop. In other embodiments, the laundry hanging devices may be selectively and adjustably extendible and/or collapsible into the attachment devices on the housing of the laundry appliance or worktop, or onto a surface of the housing of the laundry appliance or worktop. The attachment devices may be integrally formed with the appliance housing or worktop housing to be hidden or concealed when not in use, or to be flush with the surface of the housing of the laundry appliance or worktop when not in use, or otherwise unobtrusive to the user. The laundry hanging devices may be selectively and adjustably movable from a stored position to a deployed position.
A plurality of attachment devices for the insertable, telescopic, extendible, or collapsible laundry hanging devices can be provided at a variety of locations on the appliance housing or worktop. The exemplary embodiments can provide customizable orientations and expandable drying areas, thereby providing greater flexibility to the user and the ability to selectively accommodate the user's particular drying needs or preferences for hanging or drying laundry, for example, depending on the amount of laundry or types of laundry to be hung or dried in the household. The insertable, telescopic, extendible, or collapsible laundry hanging devices can be movable or pivotable to provide further flexibility to the user. The laundry hanging devices can be configurable to selectively increase or reduce the number of laundry hanging bars, rods, and/or laundry rack systems, thereby providing further flexibility to the user.
In an embodiment, a plurality of laundry hanging devices can be deployable to selectively extend out of, and collapse into, the housing of the laundry appliance or worktop. In another embodiment, the housing of the laundry appliance or worktop can include one or more attachment devices, ports, and/or bases configured to receive one or more types of laundry hanging devices. The attachment devices can include pivotable or translatable attachment devices. The exemplary laundry hanging devices can include devices having a plurality of types, sizes, and orientations that are connectible with each other and manipulatable to provide increased selectability and flexibility to the user.
The exemplary embodiments can include extension components, such as telescopic extensions, that can be added to other laundry hanging devices to achieve a greater length of extension.
In this manner, the exemplary embodiments can provide a plurality of laundry hanging devices for a laundry appliance, such as a washer or dryer, that enable the user to easily and efficiently hang laundry, for example, to be dried directly on the laundry appliances when the laundry is removed from the washer after completion of a wash cycle, thereby avoiding or reducing the user's need to hang laundry in various locations throughout the house.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description and drawings.
These and other aspects and features of embodiments of the present invention will be better understood after a reading of the following detailed description, together with the attached drawings, wherein:
The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Referring now to the drawings,
As illustrated in
With reference to
As illustrated in
The attachment devices 20 can be disposed at one or more locations on the housing 14 of the laundry appliance 10, 12. For example, as shown in
As shown in
The attachment devices 20 additionally or alternatively can be formed at other locations on the side panels or upper surface of the laundry appliance 10, 12. For example, as shown in
In another embodiment, for example as shown in
An attachment device 20 can include, for example, a structure forming a port or socket for receiving deployable or adjustable laundry hanger rods and/or rack systems. The attachment device 20 can be integrally formed in the housing 14 of the laundry appliance 10, 12. In other embodiments, the attachment device 20 can include, for example, a base having a port or socket for receiving deployable or adjustable laundry hanger rods and rack systems. The base can be coupled to the housing 14 of the laundry appliance 10, 12.
The attachment device 20 can include a flap or cover (e.g., a pivotable or translatable flap or cover) that covers the opening of the attachment device 20 to hide the attachment device 20, or to provide an appearance of a clean and uninterrupted surface of the housing of the laundry appliance 10, 12, during a state of non-use.
With reference to the exemplary embodiment of
For example, as shown in
As shown in
With reference to the exemplary embodiment of
The laundry hanging rod 24 can be configured to be securely engaged with the attachment device 20 such that the rod 24 cannot be removed from the attachment device 20 without tools. Alternatively, the laundry hanging rod 24 can be configured to be easily released from within the attachment device 20 such that the rod 24 can be easily and efficiently removed from one attachment device 20 and relocated to another attachment device 20, for example, without tools.
With reference to the exemplary embodiment of
As shown in
Alternatively, an end of the laundry hanging rod 24 can include a pivot and/or swivel joint 42 that engages a fixed attachment device 20 on the laundry appliance, as shown in
With reference to
The laundry hanging rack 30 can have a fixed orientation, or can be configured to be collapsible onto the upper surface of the laundry appliance. The attachment devices 20 can be configured to enable the feet 32 to move a sufficient amount such that the rack 30 can be collapsed or extended without having to release or remove the feet 32 from the attachment devices 20. Alternatively, the attachment devices 20 can be configured to pivot and/or swivel to enable the rack 30 to be collapsed or extended without being released or removed from the attachment devices 20. The housing 14 of the laundry appliance can include, for example, one or more recesses, grooves, or the like for receiving the portions of the collapsed rack 30 and concealing the rack 30, for example, under one or more cover portions (not shown) when the rack 30 is in an unused state.
As shown for example in
For example, the laundry hanging rod 24 can be a fixed-length rod, as shown for example in
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the laundry hanging rods 24 illustrated in the exemplary embodiments of
With reference again to
The laundry hanging rod 24 can have a solid surface or a perforated surface, for example, for reducing weight of the rod 24. The rod 24 can include smooth or textured surfaces. As shown in
As shown in
As illustrated in
The attachment devices 20 can be integrally formed with the housing 14 of the laundry appliances 10, 12 and disposed at one or more locations on the housing 14 of each laundry appliance 10, 12. For example, as shown in
As shown in
In another embodiment, for example as shown in
The attachment devices 20 can be integrally formed with the work tops 22 and disposed at one or more locations on the work tops 22. For example, as shown in
As shown in
With reference to
With reference to
In another embodiment, a laundry system can include a laundry hanging rod 24 coupled between a pair of side-by-side household laundry appliances 10, 12. In this embodiment, each projection or extension 44 of the rod 24 can be configured to engage an attachment device 20, for example, formed on an upper surface (i.e., work surface), a front panel, or a side panel of each of the pair of side-by-side household laundry appliances 10, 12. The laundry hanging rod 24 can be arranged, for example, to extend from the front panel of the washer 10 to the front panel of the dryer 12 (e.g., wherein each projection or extension 44 lies in a horizontal plane and engages an attachment device 20 formed in a front panel, as shown in
An exemplary embodiment is directed to a domestic household laundry appliance (e.g., 10, 12) including a housing 14 having a door 16 for accessing a drum 18 in an interior of the housing 14, attachment means (e.g., 20) on the housing 14, the attachment means (e.g., 20) for securing and supporting laundry hanger means (e.g., 24, 30). The laundry hanger means (e.g., 24, 30) can be releasably secured in the attachment means (e.g., 20).
Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a worktop (e.g., 22) for a domestic household laundry appliance (e.g., 10, 12), the worktop (e.g., 22) having a housing including attachment means (e.g., 20) on the housing, the attachment means (e.g., 20) for securing and supporting laundry hanger means (e.g., 24, 30). The laundry hanger means (e.g., 24, 30) can be releasably secured in the attachment means (e.g., 20).
Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a laundry system including a pair of side-by-side laundry appliances, and/or a pair of worktops (e.g., 22) for a pair of side-by-side household laundry appliances (e.g., 10, 12), the laundry system including attachment means (e.g., 20) for securing and supporting laundry hanger means (e.g., 24, 30) between the pair of side-by-side laundry appliances, and/or the worktops (e.g., 22) of the pair of domestic household laundry appliances (e.g., 10, 12). The laundry hanger means (e.g., 24, 30) can be releasably secured in the attachment means (e.g., 20).
In this manner, the laundry hanging devices may be selectively and adjustably inserted into attachment devices integrally formed with or on the appliance housing or worktop. The laundry hanging devices may be selectively and adjustably extendible and/or collapsible into the attachment devices on the housing of the laundry appliance or worktop, or onto a surface of the housing of the laundry appliance or worktop. The attachment devices may be integrally formed with the appliance housing or worktop housing to be hidden or concealed when not in use, or to be flush with the surface of the housing of the laundry appliance or worktop when not in use, or otherwise unobtrusive to the user. The laundry hanging devices may be selectively and adjustably movable from a stored position to a deployed position.
The present invention has been described herein in terms of several preferred embodiments. However, modifications and additions to these embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity.
