Modular laundry system with work surface

• US 9,187,855 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2009
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Gilboe, Kevin James, Achterberg, Lorraine L., Kendall, James William
• Primary Examiner(s): KO, JASON Y
• Application Number:
  US12/497,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20090293552A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,329 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2210/17 Drawers used in connection with household appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 46/005 by displacement in a vertical plane; by rotating about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/40 Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/42 Vertically-oriented drawers, i.e. drawers where the height exceeds the width
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/919 Accessories or additional elements for drawers, e.g. drawer lighting drawers having organising or sorting means A47B88/969
• 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 29/005 the other separate apparatus being a drying appliance
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 29/02 with liquid-extracting apparatus with roller wringer D06F45/12
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/28 Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 37/04 adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/02 Devices for adding soap or other washing agents
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/12 Casings; Tubs
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/125 Supporting arrangements for the casing, e.g. rollers or legs
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 81/06 attachable to independent supports, e.g. walls

Abstract

A modular laundry system comprises at least two horizontally arranged laundry appliances. Each of the at least two laundry appliances have a top, and a worksurface extends over the tops of the at least two laundry appliances. The worksurface can form a continuous surface above the at least two 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 having a width and depth; and

a worksurface comprising a single-piece rigid body having a width and depth commensurate with the width and depth of the discontinuous upper surface and mountable to the first and second laundry appliances to rest on the closed tops and span the gap to form a continuous surface above the discontinuous upper surface;

wherein the first and second laundry appliances each have a backsplash, and the worksurface has an opening that receives the backsplashes.

2. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a functional insert having a first surface configured for performing a first function and a second surface configured for performing a second function different from the first function.

3. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a removable insert and a recess formed in the body that is sized to receive the insert.

4. The modular laundry system according to claim 3, wherein the 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.

5. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a storage area located beyond the width of the discontinuous upper surface.

6. The modular laundry system according to claim 3, wherein the insert comprises a hygienic material.

7. The modular laundry system according to claim 3, wherein the insert is configured to be washed in a dishwasher.

8. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a stowable shelf.

9. The modular laundry system according to claim 8, wherein the stowable shelf comprises an ironing board.

10. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a hanging area.

11. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface further comprises movement preventers defining a space that is comparable to one of a width and a depth of the discontinuous upper surface.

12. The modular laundry system according to claim 11, wherein the movement preventers comprise flanges formed at opposite sides of the body.

13. The modular laundry system according to claim 12, wherein the movement preventers depend from opposite lateral sides of the body.

14. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface is movably mounted to the first and second laundry appliances between a first use position, in which the worksurface overlies the first and second laundry appliances, and a second use position different than the first use position.

15. The modular laundry system according to claim 14, wherein the body is positioned in front of the first and second laundry appliances in the second use position.

16. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a backsplash extending upwardly from a rear portion of the body.

17. The modular laundry system according to claim 16, wherein the worksurface further comprises a staging area formed in the backsplash.

18. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a wrinkle removing appliance.

19. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises lighting illuminating the body.

20. The modular laundry system according to claim 19, wherein the worksurface further comprises a backsplash extending upwardly from a rear portion of the body, and the lighting is provided in the backsplash.

21. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the worksurface comprises a vibration dampener mounted between at least one of the closed tops and the body to prevent transference of vibration between the first and second laundry appliances and the worksurface.

22. The modular laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second laundry appliances are front-loading laundry appliances.

23. A modular laundry system comprising:

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

a second laundry appliance having a housing with a closed top defining a second side, and horizontally arranged with the first laundry appliance such that the first and second sides abut to define a collective upper surface having a width, a depth and a discontinuity at the abutting first and second sides; and

a worksurface comprising a single-piece rigid body having a width and depth commensurate with the width and depth of the collective upper surface and mountable to the first and second laundry appliances to rest on the closed tops and overlies the discontinuity to form a continuous surface above the collective upper surface;

wherein the first and second laundry appliances each have a backsplash, and the worksurface has an opening that receives the backsplashes.