Adjustable shelf for a washer/dryer

• US 6,036,150 A
• Filed: 01/07/1998
• Issued: 03/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Lehrman
• Original Assignee: David Lehrman
• Inventors: Lehrman, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Berger, Derek J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WOOD, KIMBERLY T
• Application Number:
  US09/004,323
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 248/235, 248/241, 248/244, 248/243, 108/158, 108/43, 108/49, 108/143, 211/186, 211/86.01, 68/235 R, 68/3 R
• US Class Current: 248/241
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/12 Casings; Tubs

Abstract

A shelf for being positioned on a generally parallelpiped shaped appliance is provided. The appliance has a top surface and first and second side surfaces extending therefrom. The shelf includes a platform on which articles may be placed and a first leg having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first leg is connected to the platform. The second end of the first leg includes one or more interlocking members configured to securely engage one of the surfaces of the appliance. The shelf includes a second leg having a first end and a second end. The first end of the second leg is connected to the platform. The second end of the second leg includes one or more interlocking members configured to securely engage one of the surfaces of the appliance whereby the first and second legs support the platform above the top surface of the appliance.

Claims

1. A combination appliance and shelf comprising:

(a) an appliance having a top surface, first and second side surfaces extending therefrom and a door having a terminal end, the door being hingedly connected to the top surface of the appliance and pivotable between a first portion, wherein the door is generally planar with the top surface, and a second portion, wherein the door is generally perpendicular with respect to the top surface;

(b) a shelf releasably attached to the appliance comprising;

(i) a platform of fixed surface area having an underside and a support surface positioned above the top surface of the appliance on which articles may be place the terminal end of the door being located between the top surface of the appliance and the platform when the door is in the second position;

(ii) a first leg having end and a second end, the first end of the first being adjustably connected along the underside of the platform, the second end of the first leg being releasably interlocked with one of the surfaces of the appliance; and

(iii) a second leg having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second leg being adjustably connected along the underside of the platform, the second end of the first and second legs being located in the first plane, the first plane extending generally parallel to the platform, the second end of the first and second legs being releasably interlocked with one of the surfaces of the appliance in the first plane.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the shelf is constructed of any combination of metal, plastic or other rigid, self supporting materials.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the shelf is adjustable to accommodate different size appliances.

4. A combination appliance and shelf comprising:

(a) an appliance having a top surface and first and second side surfaces extending therefrom;

(b) a shelf releasably attached to the appliance comprising;

(i) a platform of fixed surface area having an underside and a support surface positioned above the top surface of the appliance on which articles may be placed, the platform including first and second channels alone the underside of the platform;

(ii) a first leg having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first leg having a portion which is slidably disposed within the first channel along the underside of the platform, the second end of the first leg being releasably interlocked with one of the surfaces of the appliance; and

(iii) a second leg having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second leg having a portion which is slidably disposed within the second channel along the underside of the platform, the second end of the first and second legs being located in a first plane, the first plane extending generally parallel to the platform, the second end of the first and second legs being releasably interlocked with one of the surfaces of the appliance in the first plane, the first and second legs being spaced apart at a distance, the distance being adjustable to accommodate different sized appliances, each channel threadably receiving a set screw to secure the portion of the first and second legs within respective channels.

5. A combination appliance and shelf comprising:

(a) an appliance having a top surface and first and second side surfaces extending therefrom;

(b) a shelf attached to the appliance comprising;

(i) a platform of fixed surface area having an underside and a support surface positioned above the top surface of the appliance on which articles may be placed, the platform including first and second channels along the underside of the platform;

(ii) a first leg having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first leg having a portion which is slidably disposed within the first channel, the second end of the first leg being secured to the appliance; and

(iii) a second leg having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second leg having a portion which is slidably disposed within the second channel, the second end of the first and second legs being located in a first plane, the first plane extending generally parallel to the platform, the second end of the first and second legs being secured to the appliance in the first plane, each channel threadably receiving a set screw to secure the portion of the first and second legs within respective channels.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the appliance further includes a door having a terminal end, the door being hingedly connected to the top surface of the appliance and pivotable between a first position, wherein the door is generally planar with the top surface, and a second position, wherein the door is generally perpendicular with respect to the top surface, whereby the terminal end of the door is located between the top surface of the appliance and the platform when the door is in the second position.

7. The combination of claim 5 wherein the shelf is constructed of any combination of metal, plastic or other rigid, self supporting materials.

8. The combination of claim 5 wherein the shelf is adjustable to accommodate different size appliances.

9. The combination of claim 5 wherein the second ends of the first and second legs are integral with the appliance.