Dual Automatic Dryer and Washing Machine Protective Basin

• US 20110180153A1
• Filed: 01/23/2010
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frank L. Carter
• Original Assignee: Driptite, Inc.
• Inventors: Rahmes, Paul, Carter, Frankie Lee
• Granted Patent: US 8,393,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/312
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0097 Combination of dishwashers with other household appliances
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 29/005 the other separate apparatus being a drying appliance
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/001 Arrangements for transporting, moving, or setting washing machines; Protective arrangements for use during transport transport in general B65
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/081 Safety arrangements for preventing water damage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting

Abstract

The Dual Automatic Dryer and Washing Machine Protective Basin is a drip pan sized to fit both a washer and dryer, and to contain leakage from both appliances. The position of the washer and dryer can safely be swapped, and the pan can optionally be provided with an opening directly over a floor drain, which now need not be located under the washing machine. The front wall of the basin can be sized to clear a door or pedestal drawer; alternatively, the basin can have raised spots supporting the feet of the appliance or pedestal, so as to lift doors or drawers above the front wall.

Claims

1. A basin, formed of a bottom surface and four walls, sized to contain a washing machine or a dryer or both, capable of containing liquid.

2. The basin of claim 1, wherein said walls are sized to permit the basin to contain liquid in an amount at least equal to the capacity of said washing machine.

3. The basin of claim 1, wherein said bottom surface is provided with an opening over a drain or in some other advantageous spot, so as to permit the draining of accumulated liquid in a prescribed course.

4. The basin of claim 1, wherein one or more of said walls is sized to permit clearance by one or more pedestal drawers, doors or other movable items.

5. A system for collecting leakages from at least one dual automatic dryer and at least one washing machine, the system comprising:

a plurality of opposing side walls engages with a front wall, a rear wall and a substantially flat bottom panel to define a basin structure having a void interior;

at least one safety corner adapted to engage with a top edge of the plurality of opposing side walls, the front wall and the rear wall;

at least one detachable slide wedge engages with the front wall to provide strength to the at least one front wall; and

at least one damping means secured to the substantially flat bottom panel to dampen and attenuate wave motion characteristics associated to the at least one dual automatic dryer and the at least one washing machine;

whereby the at least one detachable slide wedge may be adapted to enhance the transition, location and installation of the at least one dual automatic dryer and at least one washing machine.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the substantially flat bottom panel may include at least one hole designed for diverting and effectively removing leakages from the basin structure.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the flat bottom panel may include a plurality of flanges to receive support legs of the at least one dual automatic dryer and at least one washing machine.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one basin structure may have adequate size and strength to hold the at least one dual automatic dryer and at least one washing machine.

9. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one safety corner may be adapted to provide safety to a user.

10. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one detachable slide wedges may be adjustable in dimensions such as length, breadth, height and the like.

11. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one damping means may be a vibration diffusion bump, a vibration diffusion pad and the like.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one vibration diffusion bump may be sealingly attached to the bottom side of the at least one basin structure.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one vibration diffusion bump may be designed to dampen and attenuate wave characteristics such as vibration, shock, noise and the like.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one vibration diffusion pad may be sealingly attached to the bottom side of the at least one basin structure.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one vibration diffusion pad may be designed to prevent the at least one dual automatic dryer and at least one washing machine from movement, vibration and the like.

16. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one system may further include at least one pedestal drawer.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the at least one pedestal drawer may be adjustable in height to accommodate the plurality of side walls, the front wall and the rear wall.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the at least one pedestal drawer may be adapted for collecting, retaining and diverting leakages from the at least one dual automatic dryer and the at least one washing machine.

19. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one dual automatic dryer may be a front-loading dryer, a top-loading dryer and the like.

20. The system of claim 5 wherein the at least one washing machine may be a front-loading washing machine, a top-loading washing machine and the like.