GB2116622A

GB2116622A - A clamp for fixing domestic appliances

Info

Publication number: GB2116622A
Application number: GB08303719A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anna Osvaldo Dell
Original assignee: Industrie Zanussi SpA
Current assignee: Industrie Zanussi SpA
Priority date: 1982-03-18
Filing date: 1983-02-10
Publication date: 1983-09-28
Also published as: GB8303719D0; GB2116622B; DK102583A; IT8234007V0; SE8301369D0; SE8301369L; DK102583D0

Abstract

A device for fixing domestic appliances in superposed relation, in particular for fixing a laundry dryer 3 on a clothes washing machine 4 comprises at least one grooved guide member 7 which is applied under the bottom of the upper appliance 3, the grooved member 7 being provided with a downwardly bent peripheral edge forming support surface 9 capable of bearing on three sides against the corresponding surfaces of the lower appliance, the fourth surface 18 of the edge being movable for permitting it to be adapted to the respective surfaces of the lower appliance by means of a slide member 17 which is slidably introduced into the longitudinal groove of said guide member 7 and which is provided with a female screw co-operating with a corresponding elongate screw 14 secured to said peripheral edge and provided with an external head actuable by means of a suitable tool. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Laundry washing machine with dryer The invention relates to a fixing device for fixing one domestic appliance in superposed relation to the other particularly but not exclusively where the lower appliance is a laundry washing machine and the upper one is a dryer which is connected thereto by means of the fixing device.

At the present time, domestic laundry dryers are produced with given overall dimensions corresponding to those of domestic clothes washing machines, so that those appliances can be fitted into units which can be set up in side-by-side positions.

Sometimes, for reasons of space, it is expedient to provide the possibility of mounting the laundry dryer directly upon the washing machine, in which case the appliances are provided with suitable fixing devices formed for example by shaped guide members which are screwed between the appliances and which are movable one within the other, in such a way that, when the screws are loosened, it is possible for the laundry dryer to be moved horizon- tally with respect to the washing machine in order to make breakdown repairs, carry out maintenance operations, etc.

However, in a situation where the appliances which are to be disposed one above the other are of different dimensions from each other, the fixing devices do not permit efficient and stable connections to be made between the appliances.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for fixing domestic appliances in superposed relation, said device comprising at least one grooved guide member which is in use applied under the bottom of the upper appliance, the grooved member being provided with a depending peripheral edge forming support surfaces arranged to bear on three sides against the corresponding surfaces of the lower appliance, a fourth surface of the edge being provided with movement means for moving it relative to the opposite surface of the edge for permitting it to be adapted to the respective surface of the lower appliance.

As will become apparent from the following description, the invention can provide fixing devices of a similar type, which are convenient to use and which are capable of making effective and stable connections between domestic appliances which are disposed one upon the other, in particular a laundry dryer on a laundry washing machine, and which are of different dimensions from each other.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent from the following description given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, partly sectional longitudinal view of the mounting of two domestic appliances one upon the other, with the interposition of a fixing device embodying the present invention; and Figure 2 is a side view of a detail of the fixing device, partly in section along line A-A in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, to permit a laundry dryer 3 to be connected in a superposed position to a washing machine 4 which is smaller in depth than the dryer, a shaped element 7 formed of suitable rigid material is fixed to the bottom 5 of the dryer 3 by means of screws 6 or similar means.

The shaped element 7 is suitably shaped over the entire length thereof, being for example of a C-shape, so as to define a downwardly open internal groove or channel 8, and is also provided with a fixed peripheral edge portion which is bent downwardly over a limited length so as to form front, rear and side support surfaces 9, 10 and 11 respectively (the remaining side surface on the other hand is not shown), said support surfaces being spaced apart so as to permit insertion of the washing machine 4 therebetween.

In particular, the front support surface 9 is provided with a layer 12 of antifriction material, which is known per sa and which is applied to that surface, the front surface 13 of the washing machine 4 being disposed against the layer 12.

An elongate screw 14 is introduced into the longitudinal groove 8 of the element 7. The screw 14 is fixed to the rear support surface 10 of the element 7 and is provided with an outwardly projecting recessed head 15.

The screw 14 engages into a corresponding female screw 16 of a shaped slide member 17 which is slidably inserted into the channel 8 and which is so shaped as also to form an elongate projection 18 which is directed downwardly in a position parallel to that of the front support surface 9.

In that manner, actuating the screw 14 in one direction of rotation or the other, which is effected by engaging a screwdriver 19 or other suitable tool into the recess in the head 15 of the screw 14, produces movement of the slide member 17 and thus also the projection 18 thereon, in one longitudinal direction or the other.

The projection 18 therefore acts as a movable rear support surface and is provided with a layer 20 of conventional antifridion material which is applied thereto, for adapting it to the rear surface 21 of the washing machine 4.

It is thus possible for the projection 18 to be moved longitudinally from a position 22 (shown in outline In Figure 1) in which it is at the maximum distance from the front support surface 9, to further intermediate positions, in order effectively to permit a laundry dryer to be releasably and stably connected on top of a laundry washing machine, irrespective of the overall dimensions of the latter, or to permit domestic appliances of another kind to be connected in a superposed position, that all being achieved by the above-indicated fixing devices which are of simple kind and convenient to use.

1. Adeviceforfixing domestic appliances in The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Laundry washing machine with dryer The invention relates to a fixing device for fixing one domestic appliance in superposed relation to the other particularly but not exclusively where the lower appliance is a laundry washing machine and the upper one is a dryer which is connected thereto by means of the fixing device. At the present time, domestic laundry dryers are produced with given overall dimensions corresponding to those of domestic clothes washing machines, so that those appliances can be fitted into units which can be set up in side-by-side positions. Sometimes, for reasons of space, it is expedient to provide the possibility of mounting the laundry dryer directly upon the washing machine, in which case the appliances are provided with suitable fixing devices formed for example by shaped guide members which are screwed between the appliances and which are movable one within the other, in such a way that, when the screws are loosened, it is possible for the laundry dryer to be moved horizon- tally with respect to the washing machine in order to make breakdown repairs, carry out maintenance operations, etc. However, in a situation where the appliances which are to be disposed one above the other are of different dimensions from each other, the fixing devices do not permit efficient and stable connections to be made between the appliances. According to the present invention, there is provided a device for fixing domestic appliances in superposed relation, said device comprising at least one grooved guide member which is in use applied under the bottom of the upper appliance, the grooved member being provided with a depending peripheral edge forming support surfaces arranged to bear on three sides against the corresponding surfaces of the lower appliance, a fourth surface of the edge being provided with movement means for moving it relative to the opposite surface of the edge for permitting it to be adapted to the respective surface of the lower appliance. As will become apparent from the following description, the invention can provide fixing devices of a similar type, which are convenient to use and which are capable of making effective and stable connections between domestic appliances which are disposed one upon the other, in particular a laundry dryer on a laundry washing machine, and which are of different dimensions from each other. The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent from the following description given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, partly sectional longitudinal view of the mounting of two domestic appliances one upon the other, with the interposition of a fixing device embodying the present invention; and Figure 2 is a side view of a detail of the fixing device, partly in section along line A-A in Figure 1. Referring to the drawings, to permit a laundry dryer 3 to be connected in a superposed position to a washing machine 4 which is smaller in depth than the dryer, a shaped element 7 formed of suitable rigid material is fixed to the bottom 5 of the dryer 3 by means of screws 6 or similar means. The shaped element 7 is suitably shaped over the entire length thereof, being for example of a C-shape, so as to define a downwardly open internal groove or channel 8, and is also provided with a fixed peripheral edge portion which is bent downwardly over a limited length so as to form front, rear and side support surfaces 9, 10 and 11 respectively (the remaining side surface on the other hand is not shown), said support surfaces being spaced apart so as to permit insertion of the washing machine 4 therebetween. In particular, the front support surface 9 is provided with a layer 12 of antifriction material, which is known per sa and which is applied to that surface, the front surface 13 of the washing machine 4 being disposed against the layer 12. An elongate screw 14 is introduced into the longitudinal groove 8 of the element 7. The screw 14 is fixed to the rear support surface 10 of the element 7 and is provided with an outwardly projecting recessed head 15. The screw 14 engages into a corresponding female screw 16 of a shaped slide member 17 which is slidably inserted into the channel 8 and which is so shaped as also to form an elongate projection 18 which is directed downwardly in a position parallel to that of the front support surface 9. In that manner, actuating the screw 14 in one direction of rotation or the other, which is effected by engaging a screwdriver 19 or other suitable tool into the recess in the head 15 of the screw 14, produces movement of the slide member 17 and thus also the projection 18 thereon, in one longitudinal direction or the other. The projection 18 therefore acts as a movable rear support surface and is provided with a layer 20 of conventional antifridion material which is applied thereto, for adapting it to the rear surface 21 of the washing machine 4. It is thus possible for the projection 18 to be moved longitudinally from a position 22 (shown in outline In Figure 1) in which it is at the maximum distance from the front support surface 9, to further intermediate positions, in order effectively to permit a laundry dryer to be releasably and stably connected on top of a laundry washing machine, irrespective of the overall dimensions of the latter, or to permit domestic appliances of another kind to be connected in a superposed position, that all being achieved by the above-indicated fixing devices which are of simple kind and convenient to use. CLAIMS

superposed relation, said device comprising at least one gloved guide member which is in use applied under the bottom of the upper appliance, the grooved member being provided with a depending peripheral edge forming support surfaces arranged to be on three sides against the corresponding surfaces of the lower appliance, a fourth surface of the edge being provided with movement means for moving it relative to the opposite surface of the edge for permitting it to be adapted to the respective surface of the lower appliance.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the movement means comprises a slide member which is slidably ir.tw#duced into the longitudinal groove of said guide member and which is threadedly engaged with a çorresponding elongate screw element secured to said peripheral edge and provided with an external head ectuable by means of a suitable tool.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said movable surface and the surface of said peripheral edge disposed opposite thereto are provided with per se known anti4riction material for bearing against the corresponding surfaces of said lower appliance.

4. A fixing device constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying dra##ing.