U.S. patent application number 10/699842 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-13 for equipment washer.
Invention is credited to Rhode, Margie A., Rhode, Randall J..
Application Number | 20040089030 10/699842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33459034 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040089030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rhode, Randall J. ; et
al. |
May 13, 2004 |
Equipment washer
Abstract
An equipment washing machine includes a frame, a tub rigidly
mounted to the frame, a supply means for supplying washing fluid,
rinsing fluid and drying air cooperating with the tub. A porous
basket is rotatably mounted inside the tub. The basket is
selectively rotatable by selective rotation means. At least one
porous-sided equipment container is releasably mountable into the
basket. Each equipment container is adapted for holding flexible
articles positioned within the container, by means for securing the
articles, for flow of the washing and rinsing fluids and drying air
therethrough. The means for securing the articles hold the flexible
articles mounted to and substantially separated from each other,
and stationary relative to the container as the basket is rotated
relative to the tub in the sequential presence of the washing
fluid, the rinsing fluid, and the drying air.
Inventors: |
Rhode, Randall J.; (Kelowna,
CA) ; Rhode, Margie A.; (Kelowna, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONY C. EDWARDS
SUITE 800
1708 DOLPHIN AVENUE
KELOWNA
BC
V1Y 9S4
CA
|
Family ID: |
33459034 |
Appl. No.: |
10/699842 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10699842 |
Nov 4, 2003 |
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10098466 |
Mar 18, 2002 |
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10098466 |
Mar 18, 2002 |
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09376319 |
Aug 18, 1999 |
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6374644 |
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60096841 |
Aug 18, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
68/23R ; 68/148;
68/152 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/08 20130101;
D06F 95/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/023.00R ;
068/148; 068/152 |
International
Class: |
D06F 037/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An equipment washing machine comprising: a frame, a tub rigidly
mounted to said frame, a supply means for supplying washing fluid,
rinsing fluid and drying air cooperating with said tub, a porous
basket rotatably mounted inside said tub, said basket selectively
rotatable by selective rotation means, at least one porous-sided
equipment container releasably mountable into said basket, each
equipment container of said at least one equipment container
adapted for holding flexible articles positioned within said
container, by means for securing said articles, for flow of the
washing and rinsing fluids and drying air therethrough and for
holding the flexible articles mounted to and substantially
separated from each other, and stationary relative to said
container as said basket is rotated relative to said tub in the
sequential presence of the washing fluid, the rinsing fluid, and
the drying air.
2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said each equipment container is
a clam-shell container.
3. The machine of claim 2 wherein said container includes two
half-containers hinged contiguously along a common side edge,
common between said two half-containers.
4. The machine of claim 3 wherein said basket has a cylindrical
wall and said each equipment container is mountable into said
basket so as to dispose said common side edge along and adjacent
said cylindrical wall of said basket with said two half-containers
diverging from said common side edge so to dispose said two
half-containers adjacent said cylindrical wall.
5. The machine of claim 4 wherein each said half-container of said
two half-containers is, in cross section orthogonal to said common
side, a segment of a circle, so as to be generally quonset-shaped
when containing said articles.
6. The machine of claim 5 wherein a curved surface of said each
half-container corresponding to an arc bounded by a chord of said
segment of a circle, is substantially conformal to an inside
surface of said cylindrical wall when said container is mounted in
said basket and said container contains said articles.
7. The machine of claim 6 wherein a flat surface of said each said
half-container corresponding to said chord bounding said arc in
said segment of a circle includes a rigid perimeter frame.
8. The machine of claim 7 wherein a flexible porous material is
mounted to said frame so is as to form said flat surface, and
wherein said curved surface is made of said flexible porous
material.
9. The machine of claim 6 wherein said each said half-container is
made of rigid porous material.
10. The machine of claim 9 wherein said rigid porous material is
mounted on a rigid frame.
11. The machine of claim 10 wherein said rigid frame defines said
quonset shape.
12. The machine of claim 6 wherein said curved surface has a
releasably closable door therein for access into said container
when said container is removed from said basket.
13. The machine of claim 2 wherein said clam-shell container has a
vertice bisecting two clam-shell halves comprising said clam-shell
container, and wherein said basket is a cylinder having an axis of
symmetry, a plurality of container supports mounted in said
cylinder for holding said clam-shell container in said cylinder
with said vertice adjacent a wall of said cylinder and parallel to
said axis of symmetry.
14. The machine of claim 13 wherein said container supports include
rigid members extending parallel to said axis of symmetry.
15. The machine of claim 14 wherein said container supports
maintain said clam-shell halves adjacent said wall.
16. The machine of claim 15 wherein said clam-shell container is
mountable into said basket by sliding said clam-shell halves and
said vertice along said rigid members in a direction parallel to
said axis of symmetry.
17. The machine of claim 1 wherein said container is generally
quonset-shaped and wherein said basket is compartmentalized to
accept said container in a snug sliding fitment into a compartment
of said compartmentalized basket so as to dispose said container
adjacent an outer wall of said basket.
18. The machine of claim 17 wherein said basket is a cylinder
having an axis of symmetry and said compartment disposes a curved
surface of said container adjacent said outer wall.
19. The machine of claim 18 wherein said basket has a plurality of
said compartments for holding a corresponding plurality of said
containers.
20. The machine of claim 19 wherein said plurality of said
compartments are radially spaced about said axis of symmetry,
around said outer wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.
Continuation-in-Part patent application Ser. No. 10/098,466 filed
Mar. 18, 2002 which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/376,319 filed Aug. 18, 1999, which issued
Apr. 23, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,644 which claim priority from
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/096,841 filed Aug. 18,
1998 entitled Equipment Washer.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of devices for washing
clothing or other flexible or semi-rigid articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Anyone who has played sports, or lived with a person who
plays sports such as football or hockey or like sports requiring
the wearing of protective armour such as helmets, boots, shoulder
pads and the like, is aware that, although the manufacturer of the
equipment likely allows for the washing of such equipment, such
equipment is only infrequently washed by hand due to the bulky
nature of the pieces of equipment and hard armour which make using
a conventional residential washing machine or Laundromat washing
machine tedious, difficult and in some cases impossible. Further,
in some instances sports apparel, such as ballerina's shoes, cannot
be washed in conventional washing machines due to the nature of the
apparel, for example, due to fragility of the material, or
otherwise. Other flexible articles such as harnesses for lifting
bed-ridden invalids often become soiled and require washing. Due to
their construction washing of such harnesses has in the past been
done by hand. Reference herein to equipment is intended to
encompass sports equipment, harnesses, other forms of protective
gear or clothing. All of which share the same problem: they are
cumbersome or difficult to wash and dry, for example without
balling of the equipment which is flexible, especially that having
hook and loop fasteners, or without damage to equipment having a
hard shell and padded liners.
[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a device and in a preferred embodiment a cooperating mesh
bag, or air and liquid porous container, or the like, into which
equipment, for example most if not all of a flexible sports apparel
equipment outfit, and protective gear may be placed therein and
subsequently removably secured within the generally cylindrically
shaped washing cage or basket of a washing machine, wherein the
cage or basket is selectively closable and, once closed, agitatable
within a water tight enclosure such as a washing machine tub.
Specifically, it is an object to hold the articles of equipment to
be washed fixed in the cage or basket, and to move the entire cage
or basket relative to the enclosure to obtain the flushing of water
in and around the articles.
[0005] Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a device and in a preferred embodiment a cooperating mesh bag, or
otherwise air and liquid porous container, or the like, into which
flexible sports apparel equipment outfit, and protective gear may
be removably positioned within the generally cylindrically shaped
cage or basket of a washing machine tub where the mesh container
has rigid, generally rectangular perimeter stiffeners pivotally
hinged together along one common edge thereof. The mesh bag is
securely fastened to the stiffeners. The stiffeners are designed to
reflect the dimensions of the generally cylindrically shaped cage
or basket of a washing machine so that the container may be nested
in a generally vertical aspect within the washing machine basket
and not protrude beyond the level of the opening of the basket and
when spread apart about the hinge will be brought into contact with
the vertical inner surface of the washing machine basket so as to
engage retainers which retain the container in the basket.
[0006] The mesh bag when constructed from a flexible fabric, may in
one instance, have a perimeter frame which rigidly supports opposed
generally rectangular first sides of the mesh bag in a
predetermined angular separation and second sides of the bag in a
curve of predetermined radius so as to conformally fit within the
cylindrical basket. Alternatively, the mesh bag may be constructed
from rigid material having a suitable configuration conforming to
the diameter of the interior surface of the washing machine
basket.
[0007] The interior surface of the washing machine basket may be
provided with either longitudinal clips, channels or partitions
which serve as the retainers, positioned generally parallel to the
axis of rotation about which the washing machine cage or basket is
agitated. The retainers, again, cooperate with the stiffeners to
secure the mesh bag within the basket during the operation of the
washing machine. Alternatively the interior of the washing machine
cage or basket may be suitably partitioned so as to removably
secure one or more garment retaining mesh bags.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In summary, the washing machine of the present invention
includes a frame, a tub rigidly mounted to the frame, and a basket
rotatably mounted inside the tub. The basket is advantageously also
air and water porous. The basket and/or tub may have at least one
air and water porous equipment container is removably mountable
into the basket, a releasably closable lid. The equipment container
or containers may be rigid sided or flexible sides, such as a mesh
bag. The basket is adapted for holding the mesh bag, or other air
and liquid porous container, into which flexible articles of
apparel or other equipment or protective gear may be positioned and
releasably mounted substantially stationary relative to the basket
as the basket is rotated relative to the tub. A water supply
cooperates with the tub and basket for washing and rinsing the
articles held in the basket while being rotated or agitated within
the tub. Advantageously a heater heats an airflow into the tub and
basket for drying following rinsing by rotating the basket in the
airflow.
[0009] An equipment washing machine includes a frame, a tub rigidly
mounted to the frame and cooperating with a supplier of washing
fluid, rinsing fluid and drying air, and a porous basket rotatably
mounted inside the tub. At least one porous sided equipment
container is resiliently mountable into the basket. The equipment
container is adapted for holding flexible articles including
articles of apparel or other equipment or protective gear
positioned for movement of the washing fluid, rinsing fluid and
drying air therethrough and releasably mounted substantially
stationary relative to the container as the basket is rotated
relative to the tub with the container mounted in the basket. The
water supply cooperates with the tub for washing and rinsing the
articles held in the container while the basket is being rotated or
agitated within the tub. Advantageously a heater heats the drying
air to provide a hot airflow into the tub and basket for drying by
rotating the basket in the airflow.
[0010] In summary, the equipment washing machine according to the
present invention includes a frame, a tub rigidly mounted to the
frame, a supply means for supplying washing fluid, rinsing fluid
and drying air cooperating with the tub. A porous basket is
rotatably mounted inside the tub. The basket is selectively
rotatable by selective rotation means. At least one porous-sided
equipment container is releasably mountable into the basket. Each
equipment container is adapted for holding flexible articles
positioned within the container, by means for securing the
articles, for flow of the washing and rinsing fluids and drying air
therethrough. The means for securing the articles hold the flexible
articles mounted to and substantially separated from each other,
and stationary relative to the container as the basket is rotated
relative to the tub in the sequential presence of the washing
fluid, the rinsing fluid, and the drying air.
[0011] In one embodiment, each equipment container may be a
clam-shell container. The clam-shell container may include two
half-containers hinged contiguously along a common side edge,
common between the two half-containers.
[0012] The basket may have a cylindrical wall and each equipment
container may be mountable into the basket so as to dispose the
common side edge along and adjacent the cylindrical wall of the
basket with the two half-containers diverging from the common side
edge so to dispose the two half-containers adjacent the cylindrical
wall. Each half-container may be in cross section orthogonal to the
common side, a segment of a circle so as to be generally
quonset-shaped when containing the articles. Thus, a flexible sided
half-container may take on the quonset-shape once filled with
articles to be washed.
[0013] A curved surface of each half-container, corresponding to an
arc bounded by a chord of the segment of a circle, may be
substantially conformal to an inside surface of the cylindrical
wall when the container is mounted in the basket and the container
contains articles to be washed where the half-container is
soft-sided, a flat surface of the half-container, corresponding to
the chord bounding the arc in the segment of a circle, may include
a rigid perimeter frame to support the otherwise soft flexible
container. A flexible porous material may be mounted to the frame
so as to form the flat surface. The curved surface may also be made
of the flexible porous material.
[0014] In a further embodiment, the half-container may be made of
rigid porous material. The rigid porous material may be mounted on
a rigid frame, and the rigid frame may define the quonset
shape.
[0015] The curved surface of the container may have a releasably
closable door or flap or closure (collectively claimed as a door
herein) for selective access into the container when the container
is removed from the basket.
[0016] The clam-shell container may have a vertice bisecting two
clam-shell halves comprising the clam-shell container. Where the
basket is a cylinder having an axis of symmetry, a plurality of
container supports may be mounted in the cylinder for holding the
clam-shell container in the cylinder with the vertice adjacent a
wall of the cylinder and parallel to the axis of symmetry of the
cylinder. The container supports may include rigid members
extending parallel to the axis of symmetry. The container supports
may maintain the clam-shell halves adjacent the wall. The
clam-shell container may be mountable into the basket by, for
example, sliding the clam-shell halves and the vertice along the
rigid members in a direction parallel to the axis of symmetry.
[0017] In a further alternative embodiment, not intended to be
limiting, each container may be a single generally quonset-shaped
container in which case the basket may be compartmentalized to
accept the container in a snug sliding fitment into a mating
compartment in the basket so as to dispose the container adjacent
an outer wall of the basket. If the basket is a cylinder, the
compartment may dispose a curved surface of the container adjacent
the outer wall.
[0018] The basket may have a plurality of compartments for holding
a corresponding plurality of the containers. The compartments may
be radially spaced about the axis of symmetry, around the outer
wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is, in partially cut away plan view, the equipment
washer according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view along line 2-2 of the
equipment washer of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is an isometric view, partially cut away, of the
equipment washer of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3a is an isometric view of one embodiment of an
equipment container.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the
equipment washer according to the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway isometric view of the washer
of FIG. 4.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded isometric view of the washer
of FIG. 4 showing the equipment container removed.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
equipment washer according to the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a partially exploded partially cut away isometric
view of the equipment washer of FIG. 7.
[0028] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of one rigid-frame equipment
container of FIG. 8 with one side opened to receive articles of
equipment.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a further alternative embodiment
of the equipment washer of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of one rigid-frame equipment
container of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0031] With reference to the drawing figures, wherein similar
characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view, a
typical washing machine 10 has an exterior frame 12, a watertight
tub 14 rigidly mounted to frame 12, and a basket 16 rotatably
mounted inside tub 14. Tub 14 is closable by a lid 18. Washing
machine 10 may be agitated by a motor 20 about axis A, which may be
positioned either vertically as illustrated or horizontally as
found in my presently pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/098,466
and seen in my issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,644, both of which
incorporated herein by reference.
[0032] Basket 16, as may be seen in FIG. 3, is provided with
elongated clips such as channels 22a and 22b which are mounted
vertically to the inside surface of basket 16 and extend generally
parallel to axis A.
[0033] Mesh equipment container 30 which may in one embodiment be
in the nature of a garment bag, is provided for securely holding
the articles of sporting equipment. Advantageously the bag will
hold all of the equipment for a single player. Container 30 is
placed in basket 16. The use of container 30 may prevent sporting
equipment from becoming intermingled or lost. Container 30 may be
readily and efficiently loaded with garments or other equipment and
then placed into basket 16. An equipment container 30 for articles
of apparel or protective gear for a hockey player, for example,
will of necessity be quite large. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a washing
machine compatible for a single equipment container 30, FIG. 3a
illustrating an example of a container 30.
[0034] Equipment container 30 may, as illustrated, take the form of
a garment bag having mesh construction, mounted on a first side 32
of which to, so as to extend across, rigid, opposed facing,
generally rectangular, perimeter stiffeners 34a and 34b pivotally
mounted or hinged to one another, for example by rings 36 along
their sides 38. The second side 40 of mesh bag 30 defines a
voluminous interior cavity between it and first sides 32. Second
side 40 has a perimeter edge which extends contiguously around the
perimeter edge of first side 32 second side 40 may be conformably
curved so as to conform to the shape of equipment to be immovably
held within container 30. The voluminous interior cavity is shown
by way of example as side compartments 42 formed intermediately of
first side 32 and second side 40. The side compartments are readily
accessible through flexible hatches or flaps 44 or the like which
may be releasably closed by means of fasteners known in the art
such as zippers or strips of hook and loop fasteners or the like.
Flaps 44 close corresponding openings which are conveniently large.
Flaps 44 may be opened to access the interior cavities of side
compartments 42.
[0035] Side compartments 42 may themselves be further
compartmentalized to accommodate specific articles of equipment
such as sports equipment (not shown). When such equipment has been
inserted into compartments 42, and flaps 44 closed and fastened,
the mesh equipment container 30 may then be placed into a basket 16
where the container is designed for a particular application so
that the number of compartments matches the number of separate
items to be washed for that application, loading of a transport
using the container reduces the worry that a piece of equipment has
either been left out or may be left behind. Container 30 when
gripped medially of the long sides of stiffeners 34, for example
sides 38b, may then be elevated above tub 14. By slightly
unhinging, that is, angularly separating stiffeners 34a and 34b,
the distal ends 39 of the stiffeners may be brought into vertical
alignment with channels 22a secured to the inside surface of basket
16, and sides 38 may vertically align with channels 22b so that
container 30 may be dropped into place inside basket 16.
[0036] As may be seen in FIGS. 4 through 6, basket 16 may be
modified so as to be capable of accepting a plurality of containers
30 such as the two large mesh equipment containers 30 illustrated.
Basket 16 is supported by upper and lower radial supports 48 and an
axial spindle 50. Support channels 52 for equipment containers 30
are positioned radially of spindle 50 on the inner face of basket
16. In illustrated example, not intended to be limiting, each
equipment container 30 is secured within basket 16 in a similar
drop down manner to that illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0037] As seen in FIG. 4, plates 56 secured to each end of axial
spindle 50 have indents 58. Indents 58 are aligned radially of
spindle 50 with corresponding channels 52 on the inner face of
basket 16. In that embodiment, when only a single equipment
container 30 is utilized, baffle 60 may be inserted to equalize the
rotational loading as basket 16 is agitated through washing fluid
in tub 14.
[0038] FIGS. 7 through 9 depict a further variation wherein basket
16 is modified by internal baffles 64 placed medially within basket
16 so as to create between baffles 64 and basket 16 two outer
compartments into which equipment containers 30 can be placed. In
this aspect the containers 30 may preferably be rigid containers
where the frame 70 is a rigid perimeter frame, as illustrated in
FIG. 9, with a open mesh covering, or alternatively container 30
may have a frame with perforated mesh like areas integrally moulded
from rigid plastic or the like. Frame 70 has divergent generally
rectangular bases 72 and 72a, which between them include an angle
of generally 90 degrees. Side compartments 76, which may be further
compartmentalized, are generally arcuate and comprise in section a
circular segment whose radius permits ready insertion within a
basket 16 of washer 10. Each compartment 76 is accessible by way of
hatch 80, which is hinged to compartment 76 as at 82. Hatch 80 is
securable in a closed position by means of spring latches 84 or the
like.
[0039] As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, side compartments 76 of
equipment container 30, illustrated in FIG. 9, may alternatively be
designed as separate equipment containers 90. This design will
permit up to four of such containers 90 to be inserted into a
suitably compartmentalized washer.
[0040] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light
of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are
possible in the practice of this invention without departing from
the object of immobilizing items of equipment in, and relative to,
an equipment container, and rotating the entire equipment container
within a bath of washing fluid prior to rinsing and spin
drying.
* * * * *