Modular laundry system with shelf module

• US 7,587,917 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Gilboe, Kevin James, Achterberg, Lorraine L., Kendall, James William, Viswanathan, Ameresh Babu
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, RITA RAMESH
• Application Number:
  US11/323,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20070151307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,355 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 68/240
• 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 39/12 Casings; Tubs

Abstract

A modular laundry system comprises at least one laundry appliance and a module adjacent to the at least one laundry appliance. The module comprises a vertically oriented housing and a shelf assembly comprising a shelf and movably mounted to the housing. The shelf can move between a first position, where the shelf is vertically oriented and at least partially received within the housing, and a second position, where the shelf is horizontally oriented and located exteriorly of the housing.

Claims

1. A modular laundry system comprising:

at least one front-loading laundry appliance having a front opening and a door for selectively closing the front opening; and

a module immediately adjacent to the at least one laundry appliance and comprising;

a vertically oriented housing having a height less than or equal to a height of the laundry appliance;

a shelf assembly comprising a shelf with a support surface that is moveable from a stored position, where the support surface is vertical and at least partially received within the housing, an intermediate position, where the support surface is vertical and located exteriorly of the housing, and a use position, where the support surface is horizontal and located exteriorly of the housing and below the door;

a slide that couples the shelf to the housing to slidably move the support surface between the stored and intermediate positions; and

a pivot that couples the shelf to the slide to pivotally move the support surface between the intermediate and use positions.

2. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the shelf is located in front of the at least one laundry appliance in the use position.

3. The modular laundry system according to claim 1 wherein the module comprises two of the shelf assemblies, each movable between the stored, intermediate, and use positions.

4. The modular laundry system according to claim 3, wherein the modular laundry system comprises two of the laundry appliances horizontally arranged with the module positioned between the two laundry appliances, and the shelf of one of the shelf assemblies is located in front of one of the two laundry appliances when in the use position, and the shelf of the other of the shelf assemblies is located in front of the other of the two laundry appliances when in the use position.

5. The modular laundry system according to claim 4, wherein the two laundry appliances are each front-loading laundry appliances with a front opening, and the shelves are located below the front opening of the respective laundry appliance when in the use position.

6. The modular laundry system according to claim 4, wherein the shelves form a generally continuous horizontal surface in front of both of the laundry appliances when in the use position.

7. The modular laundry system according to claim 6, wherein the shelves are pivotable in opposite directions to move between the intermediate and use positions.

8. The modular laundry system according to claim 4, wherein the shelves are located in front of and between the laundry appliances when in the intermediate position.

9. The modular laundry system according to claim 3, wherein the shelf assemblies are movable independently of each other.

10. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the module has a width less than a width of the at least one laundry appliance.

11. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the module further comprises a functional element configured to provide an associated function.

12. The modular laundry system according to claim 11, wherein the functional element comprises a hanging area.

13. The modular laundry system according to claim 12, wherein the hanging area extends upwardly from the housing.

14. The modular laundry system according to claim 13, wherein the hanging area comprises a hanging rod that is vertically adjustable relative to the housing.

15. The modular laundry system according to claim 12, wherein the hanging area comprises a hanging rod that extends forwardly from the housing.

16. The modular laundry system according to claim 14, wherein the hanging rod is slidably mounted to the housing.

17. The modular laundry system according to claim 11, wherein the functional element comprises a staging area.

18. The modular laundry system according to claim 17, wherein the staging area comprises an open-top recess formed in an upper surface of the housing.

19. The modular laundry system according to claim 18, wherein the staging area further comprises a cover for selectively closing the open top of the recess.

20. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the slide comprises a wheeled base that slides relative to the housing, and the support surface is pivotably coupled to the wheeled base for movement between the intermediate and use positions.

21. A modular laundry system comprising:

a first front-loading laundry appliance having a front opening and a door for selectively closing the front opening;

a second front-loading laundry appliance having a front opening and a door for selectively closing the front opening; and

a module positioned between the two laundry appliances and comprising;

a vertically oriented housing having a height less than or equal to a height of the first and second laundry appliances; and

a pair of shelf assemblies, each comprising a shelf with a support surface, and movably mounted to the housing for movement between a first position, where the support surfaces are vertical and at least partially received within the housing, and a second position, where the support surfaces form a generally continuous horizontal surface below the doors in front of both of the laundry appliances.

22. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the shelf assemblies are moveable to a third position, where the support surfaces are vertically oriented in a confronting relationship and are located exteriorly of the housing.

23. The modular laundry system according to claim 22, wherein the shelves are pivotable in opposite directions to move between the third and second positions.

24. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the shelf assemblies are movable independently of each other.

25. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the module has a width less than a width of the at least one laundry appliance.

26. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the module further comprises a functional element configured to provide an associated function.

27. The modular laundry system according to claim 21, wherein the module further comprises a slide that couples the shelf to the housing to slidably move the support surface between the first and second positions.

28. The modular laundry system according to claim 27, wherein the module further comprises a pivot that couples the shelf to the slide to pivotally move the support surface between the first and second positions.

29. A modular laundry system comprising:

a first front-loading laundry appliance having a front opening and a door for selectively closing the front opening;

a second front-loading laundry appliance having a front opening and a door for selectively closing the front opening; and

a module positioned between the two laundry appliances and comprising;

a vertically oriented housing having a height less than or equal to a height of the first and second laundry appliances; and

a pair of shelf assemblies, each comprising a shelf with a support surface, and movably mounted to the housing for sequential movement between a stored position, where the support surfaces are in a confronting and vertical relationship and at least partially received within the housing, an intermediate position, where the support surfaces are in a confronting and vertical relationship and exterior of the housing, and a use position, where the support surfaces form a generally continuous horizontal surface below the doors of both of the laundry appliances;

wherein the pair of shelf assemblies are slid from the stored position to the intermediate position and pivoted from the intermediate position to the use position.