TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention relates to a support for stacking household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and the like.
BACKGROUND ART
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It is known that, for space reasons, certain appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and the like, can be stacked on top of each other to exploit vertical space. For example, the dryer is often placed on top of the washing machine, so that both appliances can be combined while taking up little floor space.
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To ensure the stable and safe stacking of one appliance on top of another, specific types of supports are available on the market, which allow the two components to be connected without damaging them, so that the risk of accidental falls is eliminated.
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Some versions of these supports usually include a main element shaped substantially like a frame, usually made of plastic, suitably shaped and sized, which is placed on top of the appliance positioned below.
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The aforementioned frame element is also shaped in such a way as to accommodate the base of the upper appliance above it.
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Some models of these supports also include, on the upper part of the frame element, special seats for inserting the feet of the upper appliance, thus obtaining a stable constraint when stacking all the parts.
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Furthermore, in certain more complete versions, the support can also include an extractable element, corresponding to the front area of the frame element, which acts as a support surface for objects of any type, whose use is connected to that of the household appliances.
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The extractable element is usually a highly requested accessory, as it actually provides a certain convenience of use.
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The known types of supports, especially those equipped with an extractable element, are not, however, without drawbacks.
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In fact, these supports are quite expensive, as they usually require the insertion of special guides, either metal or even plastic, for the sliding of the element itself.
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The inclusion of special guides also entails design and construction complications, which also affect the cost of the product.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
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The aim of the present invention is to improve the state of the art in the field of supports for stacking household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and the like.
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Within such aim, it is an object of the present invention to develop a support for stacking household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and the like, which allows the previously mentioned drawbacks to be overcome.
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Another object of the present invention is to create a support for stacking household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and the like, which is constructionally simple and unexpensive.
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A further object of the present invention is to devise a support for stacking household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and the like, which is quick and easy to install.
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This aim and these objects are achieved by the support for stacking household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and the like, according to the attached claim 1.
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The support comprises a main element, configured to be positioned on the upper surface, or top, of the lower appliance, and on which the lower surface, or base, of the upper appliance is intended to rest, and an extractable element, movable, with respect to the main element, between a closed position and an extended position, in which it can act as a support surface for objects.
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According to the invention, the support comprises guides for the sliding of the extractable element with respect to the main element, which comprise a first groove and a second groove, made in the main element, and a first side relief and a second side relief made along the sides of the extractable element, configured to engage, in a sliding manner, respectively, in the first groove and in the second groove.
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This solution, thanks to its simple construction, is completely free of metal guides (or possibly even other materials), and is therefore characterized by significantly lower production costs than other products on the market.
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The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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The characteristics of the invention will be better understood by any person skilled in the art from the following description and the attached drawings, given as a non-limiting example, in which:
- Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a support according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is an axonometric view of a support according to the invention, in another embodiment thereof;
- Figure 3 is an axonometric view of an installation phase of the support for stacking two appliances;
- Figure 4 is an axonometric view of an installation phase of the support for stacking appliances of different sizes than those illustrated in Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is a top view of the support;
- Figure 6 is an exploded axonometric view of the support;
- Figure 7 is a cross section of the support, according to the invention, executed according to plane VII-VII of Figure 5;
- Figure 8 is a detail of Figure 6;
- Figure 9 is an exploded axonometric view of the support, in another embodiment;
- Figure 10 is a top view of the support according to the embodiment of Figure 9;
- Figure 11 is an exploded axonometric view of the support, in a further embodiment;
- Figure 12 is a top view of the support according to the embodiment of Figure 11.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
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With reference to the attached Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 generally indicates a support for stacking household appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and the like, according to the present invention.
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In particular, in the following description, for illustrative but not limiting purposes, the support 1 according to the invention is used to achieve the stacking of an upper household appliance A (for example, but not exclusively, a dryer, or a washing machine) positioned above a lower household appliance B (for example, but not exclusively, a washing machine, or a dryer).
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The support 1 comprises a main element 2.
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The main element 2 is configured to be positioned on the upper surface C, or top, of the lower appliance B.
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In turn, to achieve the desired stacking, the lower surface D, or base, of the upper appliance A is intended to meet and rest on the main element 2.
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More specifically, according to one aspect of the invention, the main element 2 comprises, in turn, a first element 3 and a second element 4.
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In other words, the main element 2 is made up of a first and a second element 3, 4 which are separate and independent from each other.
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The first element 3 and the second element 4 are configured to be positioned along the lateral sides E, F of the lower appliance B, that is, in particular, along the first lateral side E and along the second lateral side F of the lower appliance B (defined in a completely conventional way).
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According to another aspect of the invention, the first element 3 and the second element 4 are identical to each other.
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In fact, each of them can be positioned, indifferently, along the first lateral side E or along the second lateral side F of the lower appliance B.
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This feature is obviously advantageous from the point of view of production and warehouse costs, etc.
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As a consequence, the detailed description that follows concerns both the first element 3 and the second element 4 equally.
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The first, second element 3, 4 comprises an elongated body 5, designed to fit optimally with each of the lateral sides E, F of the appliances A, B.
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The elongated body 5 comprises, in turn, a side wall 6, which extends on opposite sides with respect to the aforementioned elongated body 5 (i.e., in use, upwards and downwards).
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Each side wall 6 allows for the creation of a match for the elongated body 5 on the lateral sides E, F of both the lower appliance B and the upper appliance A.
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The side wall 6 can have its free edge 7 curved or rounded, to avoid unwanted sharp edges.
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The support 1 also includes an extractable element 8.
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The extractable element 8 is movable, with respect to the main element 2 (and therefore, with respect to the first element 3 and the second element 4), between a closed position and an extended position, in which it can act, for example, as a support surface for objects, of any type, for use connected to that of the household appliances A, B.
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The extractable element 8 comprises a main portion 9, substantially shaped like a plate.
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The main portion 9 is substantially square, or rectangular.
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The extractable element 8 also comprises a handle portion 10.
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The handle portion 10 extends from the main portion 9 at its - in use - front area of the support 1.
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The handle portion 10 has a wider width than the main portion 9; this allows the handle portion 10, when the extractable element 8 is in the closed position, to rest on the front ends - in use - of the first element 3 and the second element 4.
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The extractable element 8 is connected, in a sliding manner, to the main element 2: consequently, the extractable element 8 is connected, in a sliding manner, to the first element 3 and to the second element 4, and it is interposed between the latter.
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For this purpose, the support 1 comprises guides 11 for the sliding of the extractable element 8 with respect to the main element 2 (i.e. with respect to the first element 3 and the second element 4, see, in particular, Figure 7).
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The guides 11 comprise a first groove 12 and a second groove 13, made in the main element 2.
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In more detail, the guides 11 comprise a first groove 12 made in the first element 3, and a second groove 13 made in the second element 4.
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The guides 11 also include a first side relief 14 and a second side relief 15 of the extractable element 8.
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The first side relief 14 and the second side relief 15 are made along the sides of the extractable element 8.
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The first side relief 14 and the second side relief 15 are configured to slideably engage, respectively, the first groove 12 (of the first element 3) and the second groove 13 (of the second element 4).
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In particular, the first side relief 14 and the second side relief 15 have a cross-section shaped substantially like a "T".
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Correspondingly, the cross-section of the first groove 12 and the second groove 13 is also substantially "T" shaped, so that the latter can slide and house the first side relief 14 and the second side relief 15 respectively.
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According to a further aspect of the invention, the main element 2 of the support 1 comprises a first semi-element 16 and a second semi-element 17, which are coupled along a joining surface 18.
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In more detail, with reference, again, to Figure 7, each elongated body 5 of the first and second element 3, 4 comprises a first semi-element 16 and a second semi-element 17, which are coupled to each other along a joining surface 18.
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In more detail, the first semi-element 16 comprises a plurality of seats 19 (for example, having cylindrical shape).
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Correspondingly, the second semi-element 17 comprises a plurality of projections 20, or pins (for example, having cylindrical shape) configured to engage inside the seats 19 of the first semi-element 16, so as to make the first semi-element 16 and the second semi-element 17 match up at the aforementioned joining surface 18.
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The first groove 12 and the second groove 13 (respectively, of the first element 3 and of the second element 4) are therefore made, specularly, for one half in the first semi-element 16, and for the other half, in the second semi-element 17.
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According to yet another aspect of the invention, the support 1 comprises anti-slippage means 21 to prevent the extractable element 8 from slipping away from the main element 2 (and therefore from the first element 3 and the second element 4, see in particular the detail in Figure 8).
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In other words, the anti-slippage means 21 prevent the extractable element 8 from accidentally disengaging from the main element 2 (i.e. from the first element 3 and from the second element 4) when it is in the outwardly extended position.
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The anti-slippage means 21 comprise, in more detail, a first tooth 22, which protrudes from the first side relief 14 of the extractable element 8, and a second tooth 23, which protrudes, specularly, from the second side relief 15 of the extractable element 8.
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The first tooth 22 and the second tooth 23 protrude, in particular, from the area, in use, behind the first side relief 14 and the second side relief 15 (i.e., the area opposite to that in which the handle portion 10 of the extractable element 8 is located).
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Furthermore, the anti-slippage means 21 comprise a first side extension 24 of the first groove 12, configured for the sliding of the first tooth 22 of the extractable element 8 and, specularly, a second side extension 25 of the second groove 13, configured for the sliding of the second tooth 23 of the extractable element 8.
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As can be observed, in particular, in the aforementioned detail of Figure 8, the first side extension 24 and the second side extension 25 are interrupted at the frontal area of the main element 2 (i.e., respectively, of the first element 3 and the second element 4), so as to create a contact constraint for the first tooth 22 and the second tooth 23.
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In this terminal area, therefore, the first groove 12 and the second groove 13 have a simple "T" shape (therefore, respectively, without the first side extension 24 and the second side extension 25).
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As can be seen, for example, in Figures 1 and 2, the main portion 9 of the extractable element 8 has a height (or thickness) lower than that of the first element 3 and the second element 4: this allows the extractable element 8 to freely slide along the guides 11, without interfering with the appliances A, B.
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Figures 3 and 4 show two installation phases of the support 1 according to the invention, for stacking household appliances A, B of different widths.
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In particular, the first element 3 and the second element 4 are positioned on the upper surface C of the lower appliance B, along, respectively, the first lateral side E and the second lateral side F.
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Subsequently, and after having also mounted the extractable element 8 using guides 11, the upper appliance A is positioned so that its lower surface D, or base, rests on the first element 3 and on the second element 4.
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During the installation, a safety strap is also used which wraps laterally around the entire stack of appliances A, B, together with support 1.
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By way of example only, appliances A, B illustrated in the version of Figure 3 are 600 mm wide, while appliances A, B illustrated in the version of Figure 4 are wider, for example 700 mm.
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The embodiments of the support 1 of Figures 1 and 2 are suitable to adapt to appliances A, B of different sizes, thus obtaining a certain installation versatility.
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In particular, it is sufficient to arrange extractable elements 8 of different widths to obtain, from time to time, the optimal adaptation to appliances A, B of different sizes (in particular, of different widths).
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For example, the embodiment of the support 1 of Figure 1 is suitable for stacking appliances A, B with a width of 600 mm, while the embodiment of the support 1 of Figure 2 is suitable for stacking appliances A, B with a width of 700 mm.
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To switch from one size (and therefore from one version) to another, as mentioned, it is sufficient to replace the extractable element 8: the first element 3 and the second element 4 remain the same.
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As it is understood, this feature constitutes a notable advantage from the point of view of costs related to production, warehousing, and the like.
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The method of use of the support 1 according to the invention is, in light of what has been described, completely intuitive.
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We have thus seen how the invention achieves the proposed objects.
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The support 1 according to the invention is particularly advantageous from a production point of view, since, thanks to the proposed construction solution, optimal sliding of the extractable element 8 is obtained even without having to provide expensive metal guides (or in any case also made of another material) specifically designed and assembled.
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The installation of support 1 with stacking of appliances A, B is extremely simple and immediate.
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Furthermore, a dimensional versatility of the support 1 is obtained in relation to the appliances A, B to be stacked, thanks to the fact that the first element 3 and the second element 4 are completely independent from each other, and therefore they can be positioned at the desired distance from each other, without constraints.
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Another embodiment of the support 1 according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 9, 10.
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This embodiment differs from the previous one, represented in Figures 1-8, in that the main element 2 is, in this case, substantially "C" shaped, open at the front side in use; it is therefore no longer made up of two separate and independent parts as in the previous embodiment.
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Also in this case, and as in the previous embodiment, the main element 2 is made up of a first semi-element 16 and a second semi-element 17, coupled to each other along a joining surface 18, and which thus define, between them, the first groove 12 and the second groove 13 for sliding the extractable element 8.
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This embodiment, compared to that of Figures 1-8, has greater structural rigidity, and requires simpler installation, as the main element 2 is made of a single piece; evidently, compared to the previous version, this embodiment is also dimensionally rigid, i.e. it cannot be installed on appliances A and B of different sizes.
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Another embodiment of the support 1 according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 11, 12.
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This embodiment differs from that of Figures 1-8 in that the main element 2 is, in this case, substantially shaped like a closed quadrangular frame.
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In this embodiment, the front side 26 (with reference to the position of use) of the main element 2 comprises a window 27 for insertion and passage of the extractable element 8.
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In more detail, the window 27 is defined between an upper crosspiece 28 and a lower crosspiece 29, which constitute the aforementioned front side 26.
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Also in this embodiment, the main element 2 is made up of a first semi-element 16 and a second semi-element 17, coupled to each other along a joining surface 18, and which thus define, between them, the first groove 12 and the second groove 13 for sliding the extractable element 8.
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This embodiment has the advantage, when compared with that of Figures 10, 11, of being further structurally more rigid, and provides a superior support surface for the upper appliance A.
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The present invention has been described according to preferred embodiments, but equivalent variants can be conceived without departing from the scope of protection offered by the following claims.