Washing machine having a sink

• US 5,253,493 A
• Filed: 02/18/1992
• Issued: 10/19/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ohashi, Shigeo
• Original Assignee: Ohashi, Shigeo
• Inventors: Ohashi, Shigeo
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US07/836,232
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 68/3 R, 68/13 R, 68/196, 68/4, 134/115 R, 134/115 G, 220/329, 220/331, 4/619, 4/627, 4/630, 4/638, 4/644, 312/228, 312/323
• US Class Current: 68/4
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 29/00 Combinations of a washing machine with other separate apparatus in a common frame or the like, e.g. with rinsing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/14 Doors or covers; Securing means therefor

Abstract

A combination of a washing machine and a sink has a basin-shaped lid member connected to the opening portion formed above the rotary basket, by means of a link mechanism. The link mechanism is composed of, for example, an arm, a first shaft connecting one end of the arm to the lid member, and a second shaft connecting the other end of the arm to a groove provided at the opening portion and being slidable in the groove. Therefore, the lid member can be turned over without coming into contact with the rotary basket or the clothes therein, in order to use the lid member as a sink.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising:

a casing member defining exterior dimensions of said washing machine and including an upper opening, front, rear, and opposing side portions;

a cylindrical rotary basket fit within said casing;

a lid member removably provided at the upper opening portion of said casing, said lid including a concave surface on one side thereof and a convex surface on an opposing side thereof in order to function as a sink and as a lid, respectively;

a shaft provided at an end of each of two opposing peripheral sides of said lid member; and

a groove provided at each of the two opposing peripheral sides of the opening portion of said casing, said two opposing peripheral sides of the opening portion facing said two opposing peripheral sides of the lid member, and wherein said lid member can be turned over by sliding each shaft in a corresponding groove.

2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising:

a recess formed within each of the grooves; and

a projection provided on each of said two opposing peripheral sides of the lid member, said projections being provided at positions of said recesses, and wherein said projections are inserted through said recesses into said grooves and function as stoppers in the grooves thereby controlling a position of said lid.

3. A washing machine comprising:

a cylindrical rotary basket provided within a casing of said washing machine;

a lid member having a concave face defining a sink on one major surface thereof and a corresponding convex face on an opposing major surface thereof, said lid member being removably fitted to an opening portion of said casing above the rotary basket;

a drain formed within said lid member; and

a turnover mechanism connected to both said lid member and said casing for turning said lid member over for alignment of either of the concave face or the convex face with said cylindrical rotary basket.

4. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein said turnover mechanism includes an arm connecting opposing sides of said lid member and corresponding opposing sides of said casing, a first shaft rotatably connecting one end portion of each arm to the lid member, and a second shaft rotatably connecting the other end portion of each arm to an inside surface of said casing.

5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein said casing is provided with a stopper for stopping said arms at a horizontal position so that the arms do not retract below a horizontal plane and wherein a stopper includes a projection removably fit within a corresponding recess.

6. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein said turnover mechanism includes pivot members provided at portions off center on opposing sides of said lid member for mating with guiding grooves mounted on said casing and opposing the pivot members of said lid member, whereby said lid member is invertible by sliding said pivot members along said guiding grooves.

7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein said pivot members are shafts slidable along said guiding grooves.