US20050172678A1

US20050172678A1 - Pedestal assembly of washing machine

Info

Publication number: US20050172678A1
Application number: US10/926,029
Authority: US
Inventors: Jae Kim; Geon Kim; Chi Hur; Yu Kang; Sang Je
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2004-02-06
Filing date: 2004-08-26
Publication date: 2005-08-11
Also published as: KR20050079774A; KR101010689B1

Abstract

A pedestal assembly of a washing machine, by which a user is facilitated to use a door of the washing machine supported by a pedestal to be positioned in a convenient place is disclosed. The pedestal assembly of a washing machine includes at least one leg coupled to a bottom surface of the washing machine, a pedestal provided under the washing machine to support the at least one leg, and at least one bracket rigidly fixed to at least one side of the pedestal, each bracket comprising a slot for fitting a corresponding leg therein.

Description

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. P2004-007888, filed on Feb. 13, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a pedestal assembly provided under the washing machine to support at least one leg thereof.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a washing machine is a representative home appliance for removing filth or dirt attached to a laundry using a reaction between water and detergent. A drum is vertically or horizontally arranged within the washing machine in general. In case of the washing machine having the vertically arranged drum, a pulsator or agitator is provided within the drum so that a laundry can be washed by a water current and friction generated by the pulsator or agitator. The washing machine having the vertically arranged drum is advantageous in washing performance but has a disadvantage of entangling or wearing out the laundry (or clothes).
In case of the washing machine having the horizontally arranged drum, a plurality of tumbling ribs are provided on an inner circumference of the drum so that the laundry held in the drum is lifted upward by the tumbling ribs to fall. Hence, the laundry can be washed using the impact power and friction generated from the falling. The washing machine having the horizontally arranged drum enables to avoid entangling or wearing out the clothes. Moreover, the washing machine having the horizontally arranged drum is recently equipped with a drying function to enable one-stop washing to drying, whereby user demand for the corresponding washing machine rises.
However, in the washing machine having the horizontally arranged drum, a door opening/closing the drum is provided to a front side of a washing machine case. Hence, a user has to bend over to put/pull the laundry in/from the drum, which is very uncomfortable despite the advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a pedestal assembly of a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention, which has been devised to solve the foregoing problem, lies in providing a pedestal assembly of a washing machine, by which a user is facilitated to use a door of the washing machine supported by a pedestal to be positioned in a convenient place.
Another object of the present invention, which has been devised to solve the foregoing problem, lies in providing a pedestal assembly of a washing machine, by which the washing machine is conveniently fixed to a pedestal.
Another object of the present invention, which has been devised to solve the foregoing problem, lies in providing a pedestal assembly of a washing machine, by which vibration occurring on the washing machine put on a pedestal is effectively attenuated.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from a practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the subject matter particularly pointed out in the specification and claims hereof as well as in the appended drawings.
To achieve these objects and other advantages in accordance with the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a pedestal assembly of a washing machine includes at least one leg coupled to a bottom surface of the washing machine, a pedestal provided under the washing machine to support the at least one leg, and at least one bracket rigidly fixed to at least one side of the pedestal, each bracket comprising a slot for fitting a corresponding leg therein.
The pedestal may include at least one drawer. Each leg may include a thread portion coupled to the bottom surface of the washing machine, and a head portion provided to a lower end of the thread portion to be supported by the pedestal.
The head portion includes a head extending from the lower end of the thread portion, and a housing accommodating the head. Herein, a gap exists between an end portion of the housing accommodating a topside of the head and an outer circumference of the thread portion.
Each bracket may include a protrusion extending downward in the vicinity of the slot to be fitted in the gap. The head portion may include a pad provided between the head and the housing. Herein, the slot has a U-shape.
Each bracket may include a protrusion extending downward in the vicinity of the slot to stably support a corresponding leg. Herein, each bracket is fixed to a lateral side of the pedestal by a locking member. And, the pedestal includes at least one concave recess, and wherein each bracket further comprises at least one protrusion to be fitted in the at least one concave recess.
Each bracket includes a first portion including the slot, and a second portion extending downward from the first portion to be fixed to the pedestal. Herein, the second portion vertically extends downward from an end portion of the first portion in the vicinity of a closed end portion of the slot.
In another aspect of the present invention, a pedestal assembly of a washing machine includes at least one leg coupled to a bottom surface of a case of the washing machine, a pedestal provided under the case to support the at least one leg, and at least one bracket rigidly fixed to at least one side of the pedestal, each bracket comprising a first portion having an open end to form a slot for fitting a corresponding leg therein, and a second portion extending downward from the first portion to be fixed to the pedestal.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes a case, a drum rotatably provided within the case, a water supply system supplying water to the drum, a drain system draining the water, at least one leg coupled to a bottom surface of the case, a pedestal provided under the case to support the at least one leg, and at least one bracket rigidly fixed to at least one side of the pedestal, each bracket comprising a first portion having an open end and the other closed end to form a slot for fitting a corresponding leg therein, and a second portion extending downward from the first portion to be fixed to an outer wall of the pedestal by a screw.
The pedestal may include at least one drawer. Each leg includes a thread portion coupled to the bottom surface of the washing machine, a head extending from the lower end of the thread portion, and a housing accommodating the head to be supported by a topside of the pedestal.
Herein, a gap exists between an end portion of the housing accommodating a topside of the head and an outer circumference of the thread portion. The first portion may include a protrusion extending downward in the vicinity of the slot to be fitted in the gap. The head may include a pad provided between the head and the housing. The pedestal may include at least one concave recess, and wherein the second portion further comprises at least one protrusion to be fitted in the at least one concave recess.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing explanation and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and illustrative and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a washing machine provided with a pedestal assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of the washing machine in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram of a pedestal, bracket, and leg of the pedestal assembly in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram taken along line I-I of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, like elements are indicated using the same or similar reference designations where possible.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a washing machine provided with a pedestal assembly 200 according to the present invention. A configuration of the washing machine according to the present invention is explained in detail by referring to the appended drawings as follows.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a case 100 of a washing machine includes a base plate 110, a wall 120, a front cover 130, and a top plate 140. The wall 120 is provided on the base plate 110 to form rear and both lateral sides of the case 100. The front cover 130 is provided in front of the wall 120 to form a front side of the case 100. And, the top plate 140 is provided over the wall 120 to form a topside of the case 100.
Referring to FIG. 2, a tub 310 is suspended within a case 100. For this, an upper part of the tub 310 is connected to a spring 301 fixed to the case 100 and a lower part (or bottom surface) of the tub 310 is connected to a damper 302 connected to a bottom surface of the case 100 via a hinge. The above-provided spring 301 and damper 302 play a role in attenuating vibration occurring on the tub 310 in the course of operating a washing machine as well as elastically suspending the tub 310 within the case 100.
A drum 320 is rotatably provided within the tub 310. For this, a motor 330 is provided within the case 100, and more particularly, in rear of the tub 310. And, the drum 320 is connected to the motor 330 via a shaft 331. A multitude of perforated holes 321 perforate a circumference of the drum 320, and a plurality of tumbling ribs 325 are provided on an inner circumference of the drum 320. Hence, water supplied to the tub 310 enables to communicate between the drum 320 and the tub 310 via the perforated holes 321. A laundry held in the drum 320 is lifted upward to fall by the tumbling ribs 325 while the drum 320 is rotated. Hence, friction and impact energy sufficient for washing can be provided when the laundry falls by the tumbling ribs 325.
An opening 131 is provided to a front side of the case 100, i.e., the front cover 130, so that a user can put/pull the laundry in/from the drum 320, and a door is provided to open/close the opening 131. A gasket 137 is provided between the opening 131 of the case 100 and the tub 310 to prevent water/laundry held in the drum 320 and/or tub 310 from leaking/escaping. And, a control panel 150, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is provided to one side of the case 100, e.g., an upper side of the case 100, to enable a user to operate the washing machine.
Meanwhile, a water supply system 340 and drain system 350 are provided within the case 100. The water supply system 340 includes an inlet valve 341, an inlet hose 342, a detergent box 343, and an inlet bellows 344. The inlet valve 341 opens or closes a passage of water supplied from outside, and the inlet hose 342 connects the inlet valve 341 and the detergent box 343. And, the inlet bellows 344 connects the detergent box 343 and the tub 310. Once the inlet valve 341 is turned on, water is passed through the inlet hose 342, detergent box 343, and inlet bellows 344 in turn to be supplied to the tub 310. In this case, a detergent stored in the detergent box 343 is supplied to the water if necessary.
The drain system 350 includes a drain bellows 351, a drain pump 352, and a drain hose 353. The drain bellows 351 connects the tub 310 and the drain pump 352. One end of the drain hose 353 is connected to the drain pump 352 and the other end of the drain hose 353 communicates with outside of the case 100. Hence, once the drain pump 352 is driven, water held in the tub 310 is passed through the drain bellows 351, the drain pump 352, and the drain hose 353 in turn to be discharged outside.
Meanwhile, a pedestal assembly 200 according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is provided under the case 100 of the washing machine. The pedestal assembly 200 includes a plurality of legs 220 connected to the case 100, a pedestal 210 provided under the case 100 to support the legs 220, and at least one bracket 230 preventing relative motion between the pedestal 210 and each of the legs 200. A configuration of the pedestal assembly is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, which is explained in detail by referring to the drawings in the following.
First of all, the leg 220 is coupled to a lower part (or bottom surface) of the case 100 of the washing machine. For this, a thread portion 221 is provided to the leg 220. And, the leg 220, as shown in FIG. 2, is screw-coupled to the lower part of the case 100, and more particularly, to a corner of the base plate 110. And, a head portion 225 is provided to a lower end of the thread portion 221. The head portion 225, as shown in FIG. 2, is supported by a topside of the pedestal 210. It is preferable that the head portion 225 has a configuration enabling to absorb shock or vibration transferred from the washing machine. Hence, the head portion 225 is explained in detail as follows.
Referring to FIG. 4, a head 226 extending from a lower end of the thread portion 221 and a housing 227 accommodating the head 226 are provided to the head portion 225. The head 226 is formed of a hard material as well as the thread portion 221. And, the head 226 is built in one body of the thread portion 221. The housing 227 is formed of a material enabling to absorb vibration or shock such as a rubber based material. And, the housing 227 accommodates a bottom side, lateral side, and topside of the head 226. The housing, as shown in FIG. 4, accommodates an edge area of the topside of the head 226 rather than accommodating the entire topside thereof. Hence, a gap 228 is formed, as shown in FIG. 4, between an outer circumference of the thread portion 221 and an end portion of the housing 227 accommodating the topside of the head 226.
A pad 229 is further provided to the head portion 225 to enhance vibration-absorbing capability of the head portion 225. The pad 229, as shown in FIG. 4, is provided between a bottom side of the head 226 and the housing 227 to absorb the top-to-bottom vibration transferred from the washing machine. Meanwhile, the pedestal 210 has a predetermined height. Preferably, the predetermined height corresponds to a height facilitating a user to open/close the door 135 of the washing machine. For this, the pedestal 210 can be manufactured into various products differing in height, whereby a user conveniently selects to use the pedestal 210 having an appropriate height by considering an installation environment of the washing machine, user's height, and the like.
Furthermore, a drawer 215 is provided to the pedestal 210. And, the drawer 215 can be drawn in a front direction of the washing machine. A user can keep a detergent and the like in the drawer 215 to enhance user's convenience. The bracket 230 is fixed to the pedestal 210 and includes a slot 233 for fitting the corresponding leg 220 therein. The bracket 230 holds the leg 220 to prevent the washing machine on the pedestal 210 from being shaken by the vibration of the washing machine or sliding on the pedestal 210. In order to effectively attenuate the horizontal vibration of the washing machine, the bracket 230 is formed of a spring carbon tool steel based material having an excellent elastic restoring capability. A configuration of the bracket 230 is explained in detail as follows.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the bracket 230 includes a first portion 231 holding the leg 220 and a second portion 235 fixed to the pedestal 210. The second portion 235 extends from the first portion 231 downward. For instance, the first and second portions 231 and 235, as shown in FIG. 1, can be provided to have an angle shape bent at a right angle to each other. A slot 233 is provided to the first portion 231 to hold the leg 220, which is explained in detail in the following.
One of both ends of the slot 233, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, is open so that the thread portion 221 of the leg 220 can be inserted in the slot 233 is a horizontal direction. And, the other end of the slot 233 is closed to hold the thread portion 221 of the leg 220 inserted in the slot 233 via the open one end. For instance, the slot 233 having the open one end and the closed other end, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, can have a U-shape. A width of the slot 233 is greater than a diameter of the thread portion 221 of the leg 220 and is smaller than a diameter of the head portion 225.
A protrusion 234, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, may extend from the first portion 231 downward along a circumference of the slot 233. When the thread portion 221 of the leg 220 is fitted in the slot 233, the protrusion 234 adheres closely to the leg 220 to effectively prevent the leg 220 from moving. Specifically, the protrusion 234, as shown in FIG. 4, is fitted in a gap 228 provided to the head portion 225 of the leg 220 to make the head portion 25 adhere closely to the pedestal 210. Hence, the bracket 230 enables to hold the leg 220 stably.
The second portion 235 of the bracket 230 vertically extends downward from one end of the first portion 231 in the vicinity of the closed end of the slot. For instance, the second portion 235 is fixed to an outer wall of the pedestal 210 (e.g., a lateral side) by a locking member 240, such as a screw and the like. For this, at least one first hole 237 is provided to the second portion 23 of the bracket 230 and a second hole 211 confronting the first hole 237 is provided to the lateral side of the pedestal 210.
At least one concave recess 213 is provided to the pedestal 210 and at least one protrusion 239 confronting the recess 213 is provided to the bracket 230. For instance, a pair of the recesses 213, shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, is provided to the lateral side of the pedestal in parallel. The protrusion 239 is projected from the bracket 230 to be fitted in the corresponding recess 213. And, the protrusion 239 can be formed by using a pressing method.
Once the recess 213 and protrusion 239 are provided, the bracket 230 is prevented from being shaken by the vibration occurring on the washing machine or the coupled portion coupled to the pedestal by the locking member 240 is prevented from being loosened by the vibration occurring on the washing machine. Besides, the recess 213 and protrusion 239 determines a loading position of the bracket 230, whereby the bracket 230 is facilitated to be quickly loaded on the correct position of the pedestal.
An assembling process of the pedestal assembly 200 is explained as follows. The leg 20 is coupled to the corner of the lower part of the case 100, and more particularly, to the corner of the base plate 110 via a screw. The washing machine is then put on the pedestal 210. In doing so, the head portion 225 of the leg 220 is placed on a topside corner of the pedestal 210. Once the washing machine is put on the pedestal 210, the bracket 230 is fixed to the pedestal 210. Thus, the protrusion 239 of the second portion 235 is fitted in the corresponding recess 213. And, the protrusion 234 of the first portion 234 is fitted in the gap 228 of the head portion 225 of the leg 220 to be fixed thereto. Moreover, the locking member 240 is locked in both of the first hole 237 of the bracket 230 and the second hole 211 of the pedestal 211.
As the bracket 230 is installed on the pedestal 210, the protrusion 234 of the first portion 231 pushes the head 226 toward the pedestal 210 so that the bottom side of the head portion 225 can adhere closely to the topside of the pedestal 210. Thus, the washing machine can be stably fixed to the pedestal 210.
A washing machine provided with the above-configured pedestal assembly 200 according to the present invention is operated as described below. First, a laundry is put in the drum 320 and the door 135 is closed. In doing so, a user can easily put the laundry in the drum via the door 135 without bending his or her body since the pedestal 210 is provided below the case 100 of the washing machine. The control panel 150 is then operated. Once the washing machine is activated after setting washing, rinsing, dewatering, and drying cycles, the water supply system 340 supplies a predetermined amount of water and detergent to the drum 320. As the drum 320 rotates, the laundry is lifted by the tumbling rib 325 to fall. In doing so, the laundry is washed by the generated impact power and the chemical reaction of detergent.
After completion of the washing cycle, the drain system 350 discharges the used water of the drum 320 and tub 310. After completion of drain, the water supply system 340 supplies water to the drum 320. The drum 320 is then rotated to rinse the laundry. After completion of the rinsing cycle, the drain system 350 discharges the water of the drum 310. In this case, at least one washing cycle is carried out.
After completion of the rinsing cycle, the drum 320 is rotated at a high speed so that water is separated from the laundry by a centrifugal force. After the completion of the dewatering cycle, a user pulls the washed and dewatered laundry out of the washing machine via the door 135. If a drying function is further provided to the washing machine, hot air is supplied to the drum 320 to completely dry the laundry after completion of the dewatering cycle. The user is then provided with completely dried laundry.
Meanwhile, the vibrations generated from the washing machine during the above-explained operation are transferred to the leg 220 attached to the lower part of the case 100. The vertical vibration among the vibrations transferred to the leg 220 is absorbed in the pad 239 and the housing 227, whereas the horizontal vibration is effectively attenuated by the bracket 239 having elasticity. The washing machine 210 is prevented from slipping on the pedestal 210 as the bracket 230 stably holds the corresponding leg 220.
Accordingly, the present invention has the following advantages or effects.
First of all, the pedestal assembly raises the levels of the washing machine including the door, thereby facilitating a user to put/pull a laundry in/from the drum without bending his body. Secondly, in order to fix the washing machine to the pedestal, the leg of the washing machine is fitted in the slot of the bracket and the bracket is then fixed to the pedestal using the locking member. Hence, installation can be done conveniently and easily. Moreover, in re-installing the washing machine after moving, the entire elements of the pedestal assembly can be reused.
Thirdly, the pad and housing enabling to absorb the vibration are provided to the leg, thereby enabling effective absorption of the vibrations occurring in the washing machine. Fourthly, the bracket makes the head portion of the leg adhere closely to the pedestal and a plurality of the brackets prevent the washing machine from slipping in a horizontal direction. Therefore, the washing machine is stably fixed to the pedestal without slipping thereon. Finally, the concave recess and protrusion, which are correspondingly provided to the pedestal and the bracket, respectively, prevent the bracket from being shaken or the coupling portion from being loosened. Furthermore, the concave recess and protrusion determine the loading position of the bracket, thereby enabling a quick load of the bracket thereon.
The present invention is applicable to a washing machine having a door provided to its topside as well as a washing machine having a door provided to its front side. Furthermore, the present invention is applicable to such a home appliance as a dryer and the like as well as a washing machine.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A pedestal assembly of a washing machine, comprising:

at least one leg coupled to a bottom surface of the washing machine;

a pedestal provided under the washing machine to support the at least one leg; and

at least one bracket rigidly fixed to at least one side of the pedestal, each bracket comprising a slot for fitting a corresponding leg therein.

2. The pedestal assembly of claim 1, wherein the pedestal comprises at least one drawer.

3. The pedestal assembly of claim 1, each leg comprising:

a thread portion coupled to the bottom surface of the washing machine; and

a head portion provided to a lower end of the thread portion to be supported by the pedestal.

4. The pedestal assembly of claim 3, the head portion comprising:

a head extending from the lower end of the thread portion; and

a housing accommodating the head.

5. The pedestal assembly of claim 4, wherein a gap exists between an end portion of the housing accommodating a topside of the head and an outer circumference of the thread portion.

6. The pedestal assembly of claim 5, each bracket further comprising a protrusion extending downward in the vicinity of the slot to be fitted in the gap.

7. The pedestal assembly of claim 4, the head portion further comprising a pad provided between the head and the housing.

8. The pedestal assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot has a U-shape.

9. The pedestal assembly of claim 1, each bracket further comprising a protrusion extending downward in the vicinity of the slot to stably support a corresponding leg.

10. The pedestal assembly of claim 1, wherein each bracket is fixed to a lateral side of the pedestal by a locking member.

11. The pedestal assembly of claim 1, wherein the pedestal comprises at least one concave recess, and wherein each bracket further comprises at least one protrusion to be fitted in the at least one concave recess.

12. The pedestal assembly of claim 1, each bracket comprising:

a first portion including the slot; and

a second portion extending downward from the first portion to be fixed to the pedestal.

13. The pedestal assembly of claim 12, wherein the second portion vertically extends downward from an end portion of the first portion in the vicinity of a closed end portion of the slot.

14. A pedestal assembly of a washing machine, comprising:

at least one leg coupled to a bottom surface of a case of the washing machine;

a pedestal provided under the case to support the at least one leg; and

at least one bracket rigidly fixed to at least one side of the pedestal, each bracket comprising a first portion having an open end to form a slot for fitting a corresponding leg therein, and a second portion extending downward from the first portion to be fixed to the pedestal.

15. The pedestal assembly of claim 14, each leg comprising:

a thread portion coupled to the bottom surface of the washing machine; and

16. The pedestal assembly of claim 15, the head portion comprising:

a head extending from the lower end of the thread portion; and

a housing accommodating the head.

17. The pedestal assembly of claim 16, wherein a gap exists between an end portion of the housing accommodating a topside of the head and an outer circumference of the thread portion.

18. The pedestal assembly of claim 17, the first portion further comprising a protrusion extending downward in the vicinity of the slot to be fitted in the gap.

19. The pedestal assembly of claim 16, the head portion further comprising a pad provided between the head and the housing.

20. The pedestal assembly of claim 14, wherein the pedestal comprises at least one concave recess, and wherein the second portion further comprises at least one protrusion to be fitted in the at least one concave recess.

21. A washing machine, comprising:

a case;

a drum rotatably provided within the case;

a water supply system supplying water to the drum;

a drain system draining the water;

at least one leg coupled to a bottom surface of the case;

a pedestal provided under the case to support the at least one leg; and

at least one bracket rigidly fixed to at least one side of the pedestal, each bracket comprising a first portion having an open end and the other closed end to form a slot for fitting a corresponding leg therein, and a second portion extending downward from the first portion to be fixed to an outer wall of the pedestal by a screw.

22. The washing machine of claim 21, wherein the pedestal comprises at least one drawer.

23. The washing machine of claim 21, each leg comprising:

a thread portion coupled to the bottom surface of the washing machine;

a head extending from the lower end of the thread portion; and

a housing accommodating the head to be supported by a topside of the pedestal.

24. The washing machine of claim 23, wherein a gap exists between an end portion of the housing accommodating a topside of the head and an outer circumference of the thread portion.

25. The washing machine of claim 24, the first portion further comprising a protrusion extending downward in the vicinity of the slot to be fitted in the gap.

26. The washing machine of claim 23, the head further comprising a pad provided between the head and the housing.

27. The washing machine of claim 21, wherein the pedestal comprises at least one concave recess, and wherein the second portion further comprises at least one protrusion to be fitted in the at least one concave recess.