Dual automatic dryer and washing machine protective basin

• US 8,393,351 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2010
• Issued: 03/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frank L. Carter
• Original Assignee: Driptite, Inc.
• Inventors: Carter, Frankie Lee, Rahmes, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US12/692,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20110180153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,144 Days
• Field of Search: 137/312, 220/571, 222/108
• 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 system for collecting leakages from at least one washing machine and at least one dryer, the system comprising:

a plurality of opposing side walls engaging with a front wall, a rear wall and a substantially flat bottom panel to define a basin structure having a void interior, said basin structure being sized to contain at least one washing machine and at least one dryer and being capable of containing liquid;

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

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

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said basin structure is sized to contain liquid in an amount at least equal to the capacity of said at least one washing machine.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the basin structure includes at least one hole designed for diverting and effectively removing from the basin structure.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the substantially flat bottom panel includes a plurality of flanges to receive support legs of the at least one washing machine and at least one dryer.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said flanges are formed to permit a drawer, of a pedestal drawer structure placed below said at least one washing machine and/or said at least one dryer, to clear said front wall.

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

a plurality of opposing side walls engaging with a front wall, a rear wall and a substantially flat bottom panel to define a basin structure having a void interior, said basin structure being sized to contain at least one washing machine and at least one dryer and being capable of containing liquid;

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

whereby the at least one safety edge and/or safety corner provides thicker material and is formed to not be sharp-edged, both to provide greater strength to the wall top edges and to pose less danger to users.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said basin structure is sized to contain liquid in an amount at least equal to the capacity of said at least one washing machine.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the basin structure includes at least one hole designed for diverting and effectively removing from the basin structure.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the substantially flat bottom panel includes a plurality of flanges to receive support legs of the at least one washing machine and at least one dryer.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said flanges are formed to permit a drawer, of a pedestal drawer structure placed below said at least one washing machine and/or said at least one dryer, to clear said front wall.

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

a plurality of opposing side walls engaging with a front wall, a rear wall and a substantially flat bottom panel to define a basin structure having a void interior, said basin structure being sized to contain at least one washing machine and at least one dryer and being capable of containing liquid;

and at least one damping means secured to the substantially flat bottom panel to damp and attenuate wave motion characteristics associated to the at least one dryer and/or the at least one washing machine.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said basin structure is sized to contain liquid in an amount at least equal to the capacity of said at least one washing machine.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the basin structure includes at least one hole designed for diverting and effectively removing from the basin structure.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the substantially flat bottom panel includes a plurality of flanges to receive support legs of the at least one washing machine and at least one dryer.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said flanges are formed to permit a pedestal drawer placed below said at least one washing machine and/or said at least one dryer to clear said front wall.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least one damping means is a vibration diffusion pad designed to damp and attenuate vibration, shock, noise and movement.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein there are a plurality of vibration diffusion pads, said pads being positioned to engage the support legs of said at least one washing machine and/or said at least one dryer, and formed to permit a drawer, of a pedestal drawer structure placed below said at least one washing machine and/or said at least one dryer, to clear said front wall.