Modular laundry system with segmented work surface

• US 8,286,452 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2009
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kendall, James W., Viswanathan, Ameresh Babu
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L
• Application Number:
  US12/499,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20090293553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 68/3.R, 104/26, 312/228.1, 108/64, 108/65, 108/185
• US Class Current: 68/3.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/12 Casings; Tubs
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 43/00 Dry-cleaning apparatus or methods using volatile solvents D06F9/00 - D06F41/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 43/02 having one rotary cleaning receptacle only
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 43/08 Associated apparatus for handling and recovering the solvents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 43/081 Reclaiming or recovering the solvent from a mixture of solvent and contaminants, e.g. by distilling
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 43/088 Condensing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 81/00 Ironing boards coverings or pads therefor D06F83/00; kitchen cabinets with ironing boards movable outwards to a position of use A47B77/10
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 95/00 Laundry systems or arrangements of apparatus or machines; Mobile laundries D06F31/00 takes precedence

Abstract

A modular laundry system comprises at least two horizontally arranged laundry appliances, and a worksurface formed by multiple interconnected pieces laterally connected to each other, wherein the worksurface is mountable to the laundry appliances to span a gap between the laundry appliances and form a continuation surface above the discontinuous upper surface collectively defined by the laundry appliances.

Claims

1. A modular laundry system comprising:

a first laundry appliance having a housing with a closed top;

a second laundry appliance having a housing with a closed top, and horizontally arranged in an adjacent relationship with the first laundry appliance to form a gap between the closed tops such that the closed tops collectively define a discontinuous upper surface; and

a worksurface extending over and supported on the closed tops of the first and second laundry appliances and formed by multiple interconnected pieces laterally connected to each other to define a continuous worksurface having a width;

wherein the worksurface is mountable to the first and second laundry appliances by placing the worksurface on the closed tops from above so as to rest on the closed tops and span the gap to form a continuous surface above the discontinuous upper surface; and

wherein the worksurface is removable from the first and second laundry appliances without the use of tools.

2. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the interconnected pieces comprise at least two end pieces corresponding to the first and second laundry appliances.

3. The modular laundry system according to claim 2, wherein each of the at least two end pieces have a width about equal to a width of one of the first and second laundry appliances.

4. The modular laundry system according to claim 2, wherein the interconnected pieces further comprise an intermediate piece disposed between the at least two end pieces.

5. The modular laundry system according to claim 4 and further comprising a module arranged between the first and second laundry appliances.

6. The modular laundry system according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate piece has a width about equal to a width of the module.

7. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the interconnected pieces each comprise a portion of a backsplash that together form a unitary backsplash for the worksurface.

8. The modular laundry system according to claim 7, wherein the interconnected pieces each comprise a staging recess formed in the respective portion of the backsplash.

9. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a functional insert provided on the worksurface.

10. The modular laundry system according to claim 9, wherein each of the interconnected pieces comprises an individual functional insert and the individual functional inserts collectively form the worksurface functional insert.

11. The modular laundry system according to claim 9, wherein the functional insert comprises a first surface configured for performing a first function and a second surface configured for performing a second function different from the first function.

12. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second laundry appliances each have a backsplash, and the worksurface has an opening that receives the backsplashes.

13. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a functional element configured to provide an associated functionality to the worksurface.

14. The modular laundry system according to claim 13, wherein the functional element comprises a storage area.

15. The modular laundry system according to claim 13, wherein the functional element comprises a stowable shelf.

16. The modular laundry system according to claim 13, wherein the functional element comprises a hanging area.

17. The modular laundry system according to claim 13, wherein the functional element comprises lighting.

18. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a vibration dampener configured to prevent transference of vibration between the first and second laundry appliances and the worksurface.

19. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the interconnected pieces are connected to each other without the use of tools.

20. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the pieces have lateral movement preventers defining a space therebetween,

wherein the continuous worksurface is mountable to the first and second laundry appliances with the lateral movement preventers abutting the housings.