US20050005655A1

US20050005655A1 - Portable clothes washing device

Info

Publication number: US20050005655A1
Application number: US10/866,454
Authority: US
Inventors: Franklin Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-10
Filing date: 2004-06-12
Publication date: 2005-01-13

Abstract

A portable clothes washing device having a container for receiving clothes to be washed and liquid for washing, an apertured pressure agitator in the container which may be placed over clothes in the container, a rod attached to the pressure agitator, a cover having a hole through which the rod freely movably extends, and a handle on the end of the rod for manipulating the pressure agitator. Preferably, the container is tapered to its bottom and the pressure agitator is of a diameter less but about the diameter of the bottom of the container.

Description

PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/485,898, filed Jul. 10, 2003.
This invention relates to a portable clothes washing device, and is more particularly related to such a device which may be utilized for washing small loads of clothing and the like when traveling or the like when only light or convenient quick washing is required.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Persons who are traveling or need a quick change of clothing require some quick and convenient means for washing their clothes, preferably portable and easy to carry, assemble and handle. The present invention accommodates such a need with a relatively inexpensive and convenient portable device for effectively washing small loads of garments, fabrics or the like.
The prior art shows this kind of device was needed in the past, for example, see the following prior patents:

- J. D. Kessel, U.S. Pat. No. 2,134,048, Oct. 25, 1938, for WASHING MACHINE;
- C. G. Carlson, U.S. Pat. No. D-131,549, Mar. 10, 1942, for LAUNDRY WASHER;
- M. H. Boldt, U.S. Pat. No. D-182,873, May 27, 1958, for PORTABLE WASHING MACHINE.
  However, some of these machines required electric power and motors to make them operate, and others did not provide adequate forcing of water or cleaning materials, such as soap or detergent, through the fabric to be washed. While some machines have provided agitation, it is believed that agitation alone is not sufficient to get clothes clean, and that the action of bubbles and forcing the liquid to cleanse the garment is desirable and required.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the present invention, a bucket like container is provided for receiving the item(s) to be washed, and then a force component or pressure agitator is placed over the clothes. This force component or pressure agitator has a series of radial apertures spaced around its periphery, and its center has means for receiving a rod capable of lifting and pushing down on the force component. A closeable cover having a central aperture aligned with the rod is placed over the container and the rod extends from the cover. The end of the rod has means for receiving a handle and a handle may be secured to the rod. The cover may also has a fill aperture or hose permitting water or detergent to be inserted into the container. Preferably, the cover may have a series of apertures permitting air to enter the container. The container may also have near its bottom a drain spigot which when opened will allow the container to be emptied of fluid. Carrying handles may also be provided on the container, making moving it easy and efficient.
In use, the items to be washed are placed into the container and detergent or soap powder is added, then the force component is placed over the items, preferably with the rod attached to the force component. The cover is threaded over the rod and secured. Thereupon, water or other liquid is filled at least to the level of the force component, and the handle is installed on the rod. The handle and rod are lifted and pushed down to force water and bubbles through the item to be cleaned. This process may be repeated several times until the washed items are clean and ready for rinsing.
If rinsing is desired, the container may be emptied by turning the spigot and allowing the fluid to drain, whereupon the process is repeated by lifting and pushing down on the force component, thus thoroughly rinsing the items. A wringer may be associated with the device in the event that action is desired. The device is easily portable and may be moved from place to place and carrying handles may be provided on the container for that purpose.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a portable clothes washing device of the character recited.
Another object is to provide a novel force component and means for driving it associated with a container for a washing device.
Another object is to provide a novel portable clothes washing device which is expedient in use, easy and economical to fabricate from conventional materials, and effective to use and to conveniently store.
Another object is to provide a portable manual washing device in which several items may be washed at once.
Another object is to provide a portable manual hand washing device which permits cleansing of articles without a person getting wet or abusing a person's hands with harsh cleansing materials such as detergents or bleach.
These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent as this description, continues, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable washing device embodying the invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the portable washing device, with the handle removed from the rod.
FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1, with the cover, rod and handle removed.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the force component, rod and handle is disassembled condition.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The portable washing device embodying the present invention is preferably molded or otherwise formed from plastic material and preferably comprises a bucket or container 10, which has a cover 11, a spigot 12 near the bottom of the container, a rod 13 extending from the container through a central aperture 14, and a handle 15 on the rod. Preferably, the cover 11 has an aperture 16 for inserting fluid into the container 10, and the cover may also have vent holes 17 for admitting air into and exhausting air from the container. The container may be easily moved by means of a carrying bale 18 pivotally secured to the container.
A force component or pressure agitator 20 may be installed in the container 10. This force component 20 preferably has arranged through it spaced radially a plurality of apertures 21 for driving water through fabric-like materials placed within the bucket, in a manner to be described. Arranged centrally of the force component 20 is a threaded hole 22, into which the rod 13 may be securely connected. This rod 13 extends through the cover aperture 16 and out of the container 10. The upper end 23 of the rod 13 is threaded, and a handle 15 is correspondingly threaded and adapted for connection to the rod 13.
Clothes or other items to be washed are place into the container 10 with the cover open, and the force component 20 is set over the items to be washed. The rod 13 is inserted into central apertured threaded hole 22 of the force component. Soap or other cleaning compound may be place in the container 10. The cover 11 is closed over the container 10, with the rod 13 extending therefrom, whereupon the handle is secured to the upper end of the rod 13. Water or other fluid is admitted into the container 10 through the water aperture 16 to fill the container. The container 10 may also be filled with water when the container is open, before the cover 11 is installed. The rod 13 is then manipulated upwardly and downwardly compressing the items to be washed and squeezing fluid through these items to clean them. The container 10 may be tapered to its bottom and the force component 20 sized smaller than the least diameter of the container so that it is easier to move at the top of the container and the water pressure increases as the force component 20 approaches the bottom area of the container. As desired, this procedure may be repeated, after the water is drained from the container through the spigot, to rinse or wash or otherwise treat with the container load. The cover 11 may have a double wall to prevent spillage of fluid from the container during reciprocal motion of the pressure agitator or force component 20 during washing.
After washing is completed and the container is drained, the device may be easily stored for future use. The devices may be easily cleaned after use with a abrasive pad and water.
While a preferred embodiment has been disclosed in considerable detail, it should be understood that the invention should not be limited to the exact construction shown and described, as many changes and modifications can be made in the structure and use of invention without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. A portable clothes washing device comprising

a container having a bottom and closed at its sides adapted to receive fabric like material to be washed and liquid for washing,

an apertured pressure agitator adapted for movable seating in the container over said material to be washed,

a rod attached to said pressure agitator,

a cover for said container adapted to enclose said material and said pressure agitator,

said container having an aperture permitting said rod to extend from said container and to freely move said pressure agitator for pressing and agitating clothes in said container, and

means on said rod for manipulating said pressure agitator toward and away from said cover and said container bottom.

2. The portable clothes washing device recited in claim 1, wherein said container is tapered to its bottom.

3. The portable clothes washing device recited in claim 1, wherein said pressure agitator has is dimensioned less than but about the dimensions of said container bottom.

4. The portable clothes washing device recited in claim 3, wherein said pressure agitator and said container are round in their corresponding planes.

5. The portable washing device recited in claim 1, wherein a closeable and openable spigot extends from one of its said sides adjacent the bottom of said container for selectively draining fluid from said container.

6. The portable washing device recited in claim 1, wherein said cover has an aperture for filing the contained with liquid.

7. The portable washing device recited in claim 1, wherein said apertured pressure agitator has apertures arranged around said rod.

8. The portable washing device recited in claim 7, wherein said apertures are sizes to permit liquid to be forced through said material by manipulating said handle when said material and liquid are installed in said container and said cover is removably secured over said container.

9. The portable washing device recited in claim 8, said pressure agitator may be manipulated from adjacent to said cover toward said container bottom.

10. The portable washing device recited in claim 9, wherein the pressure of such force is increased as said pressure agitator is manipulated toward said container bottom.

11. The portable washing device recited in claim 1, wherein said manipulating means comprises a handle which may be grasped by hand.

12. A portable clothes washing device comprising

a pressure agitator adapted for movably seating in the container over said material to be washed and adaptable to be reciprocated in said container.,

a rod attached to said pressure agitator,

a removably secured cover for said container adapted to enclose said material and said pressure agitator,

13. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12, wherein said pressure agitator is dimensioned to permit it to be freely reciprocated in said container for forcing liquid through said material.

14. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 13, wherein said pressure agitator is apertured to permit fluid under pressure to pass through it.

15. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12, wherein said cover has vent holes for admitting air into said container.

16. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12, wherein said cover has entry means for admitting liquid into said container when said cover is secured on said container.

17. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 14, wherein said apertures are spaced around the periphery of said pressure agitator.

18. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12, wherein said rod is removably secured to said pressure agitator.

19. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12, wherein said manipulating means is removably secured to said rod.

20. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12, wherein said cover has a double wall for closing the container when filled with fluid and said pressure agitator is reciprocated in said container.