U.S. patent application number 10/866454 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-13 for portable clothes washing device.
Invention is credited to Taylor, Franklin.
Application Number | 20050005655 10/866454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33567855 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050005655 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taylor, Franklin |
January 13, 2005 |
Portable clothes washing device
Abstract
A portable clothes washing device having a container for
receiving clothes to be washed and liquid for washing, an apertured
pressure agitator in the container which may be placed over clothes
in the container, a rod attached to the pressure agitator, a cover
having a hole through which the rod freely movably extends, and a
handle on the end of the rod for manipulating the pressure
agitator. Preferably, the container is tapered to its bottom and
the pressure agitator is of a diameter less but about the diameter
of the bottom of the container.
Inventors: |
Taylor, Franklin; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Martin Faier, Faier & Faier P.C.
566 W. Adams St. #600
Chicago
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
33567855 |
Appl. No.: |
10/866454 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60485898 |
Jul 10, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
68/215 ; 68/213;
68/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/215 ;
068/213; 068/219 |
International
Class: |
D06F 005/02 |
Claims
1. A portable clothes washing device comprising a container having
a bottom and closed at its sides adapted to receive fabric like
material to be washed and liquid for washing, an apertured pressure
agitator adapted for movable seating in the container over said
material to be washed, a rod attached to said pressure agitator, a
cover for said container adapted to enclose said material and said
pressure agitator, said container having an aperture permitting
said rod to extend from said container and to freely move said
pressure agitator for pressing and agitating clothes in said
container, and means on said rod for manipulating said pressure
agitator toward and away from said cover and said container
bottom.
2. The portable clothes washing device recited in claim 1, wherein
said container is tapered to its bottom.
3. The portable clothes washing device recited in claim 1, wherein
said pressure agitator has is dimensioned less than but about the
dimensions of said container bottom.
4. The portable clothes washing device recited in claim 3, wherein
said pressure agitator and said container are round in their
corresponding planes.
5. The portable washing device recited in claim 1, wherein a
closeable and openable spigot extends from one of its said sides
adjacent the bottom of said container for selectively draining
fluid from said container.
6. The portable washing device recited in claim 1, wherein said
cover has an aperture for filing the contained with liquid.
7. The portable washing device recited in claim 1, wherein said
apertured pressure agitator has apertures arranged around said
rod.
8. The portable washing device recited in claim 7, wherein said
apertures are sizes to permit liquid to be forced through said
material by manipulating said handle when said material and liquid
are installed in said container and said cover is removably secured
over said container.
9. The portable washing device recited in claim 8, said pressure
agitator may be manipulated from adjacent to said cover toward said
container bottom.
10. The portable washing device recited in claim 9, wherein the
pressure of such force is increased as said pressure agitator is
manipulated toward said container bottom.
11. The portable washing device recited in claim 1, wherein said
manipulating means comprises a handle which may be grasped by
hand.
12. A portable clothes washing device comprising a container having
a bottom and closed at its sides adapted to receive fabric like
material to be washed and liquid for washing, a pressure agitator
adapted for movably seating in the container over said material to
be washed and adaptable to be reciprocated in said container., a
rod attached to said pressure agitator, a removably secured cover
for said container adapted to enclose said material and said
pressure agitator, said container having an aperture permitting
said rod to extend from said container and to freely move said
pressure agitator for pressing and agitating clothes in said
container, and means on said rod for manipulating said pressure
agitator toward and away from said cover and said container
bottom.
13. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12,
wherein said pressure agitator is dimensioned to permit it to be
freely reciprocated in said container for forcing liquid through
said material.
14. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 13,
wherein said pressure agitator is apertured to permit fluid under
pressure to pass through it.
15. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12,
wherein said cover has vent holes for admitting air into said
container.
16. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12,
wherein said cover has entry means for admitting liquid into said
container when said cover is secured on said container.
17. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 14,
wherein said apertures are spaced around the periphery of said
pressure agitator.
18. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12,
wherein said rod is removably secured to said pressure
agitator.
19. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12,
wherein said manipulating means is removably secured to said
rod.
20. In the portable clothes washing device recited in claim 12,
wherein said cover has a double wall for closing the container when
filled with fluid and said pressure agitator is reciprocated in
said container.
Description
PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/485,898, filed Jul. 10,
2003.
[0002] This invention relates to a portable clothes washing device,
and is more particularly related to such a device which may be
utilized for washing small loads of clothing and the like when
traveling or the like when only light or convenient quick washing
is required.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Persons who are traveling or need a quick change of clothing
require some quick and convenient means for washing their clothes,
preferably portable and easy to carry, assemble and handle. The
present invention accommodates such a need with a relatively
inexpensive and convenient portable device for effectively washing
small loads of garments, fabrics or the like.
[0004] The prior art shows this kind of device was needed in the
past, for example, see the following prior patents:
[0005] J. D. Kessel, U.S. Pat. No. 2,134,048, Oct. 25, 1938, for
WASHING MACHINE;
[0006] C. G. Carlson, U.S. Pat. No. D-131,549, Mar. 10, 1942, for
LAUNDRY WASHER;
[0007] M. H. Boldt, U.S. Pat. No. D-182,873, May 27, 1958, for
PORTABLE WASHING MACHINE.
[0008] However, some of these machines required electric power and
motors to make them operate, and others did not provide adequate
forcing of water or cleaning materials, such as soap or detergent,
through the fabric to be washed. While some machines have provided
agitation, it is believed that agitation alone is not sufficient to
get clothes clean, and that the action of bubbles and forcing the
liquid to cleanse the garment is desirable and required.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0009] In the present invention, a bucket like container is
provided for receiving the item(s) to be washed, and then a force
component or pressure agitator is placed over the clothes. This
force component or pressure agitator has a series of radial
apertures spaced around its periphery, and its center has means for
receiving a rod capable of lifting and pushing down on the force
component. A closeable cover having a central aperture aligned with
the rod is placed over the container and the rod extends from the
cover. The end of the rod has means for receiving a handle and a
handle may be secured to the rod. The cover may also has a fill
aperture or hose permitting water or detergent to be inserted into
the container. Preferably, the cover may have a series of apertures
permitting air to enter the container. The container may also have
near its bottom a drain spigot which when opened will allow the
container to be emptied of fluid. Carrying handles may also be
provided on the container, making moving it easy and efficient.
[0010] In use, the items to be washed are placed into the container
and detergent or soap powder is added, then the force component is
placed over the items, preferably with the rod attached to the
force component. The cover is threaded over the rod and secured.
Thereupon, water or other liquid is filled at least to the level of
the force component, and the handle is installed on the rod. The
handle and rod are lifted and pushed down to force water and
bubbles through the item to be cleaned. This process may be
repeated several times until the washed items are clean and ready
for rinsing.
[0011] If rinsing is desired, the container may be emptied by
turning the spigot and allowing the fluid to drain, whereupon the
process is repeated by lifting and pushing down on the force
component, thus thoroughly rinsing the items. A wringer may be
associated with the device in the event that action is desired. The
device is easily portable and may be moved from place to place and
carrying handles may be provided on the container for that
purpose.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is the object of the invention to provide a portable
clothes washing device of the character recited.
[0013] Another object is to provide a novel force component and
means for driving it associated with a container for a washing
device.
[0014] Another object is to provide a novel portable clothes
washing device which is expedient in use, easy and economical to
fabricate from conventional materials, and effective to use and to
conveniently store.
[0015] Another object is to provide a portable manual washing
device in which several items may be washed at once.
[0016] Another object is to provide a portable manual hand washing
device which permits cleansing of articles without a person getting
wet or abusing a person's hands with harsh cleansing materials such
as detergents or bleach.
[0017] These and other objects and advantages will become more
apparent as this description, continues, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable washing device
embodying the invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the portable washing
device, with the handle removed from the rod.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the device shown in FIG.
1, with the cover, rod and handle removed.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the force component, rod
and handle is disassembled condition.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The portable washing device embodying the present invention
is preferably molded or otherwise formed from plastic material and
preferably comprises a bucket or container 10, which has a cover
11, a spigot 12 near the bottom of the container, a rod 13
extending from the container through a central aperture 14, and a
handle 15 on the rod. Preferably, the cover 11 has an aperture 16
for inserting fluid into the container 10, and the cover may also
have vent holes 17 for admitting air into and exhausting air from
the container. The container may be easily moved by means of a
carrying bale 18 pivotally secured to the container.
[0024] A force component or pressure agitator 20 may be installed
in the container 10. This force component 20 preferably has
arranged through it spaced radially a plurality of apertures 21 for
driving water through fabric-like materials placed within the
bucket, in a manner to be described. Arranged centrally of the
force component 20 is a threaded hole 22, into which the rod 13 may
be securely connected. This rod 13 extends through the cover
aperture 16 and out of the container 10. The upper end 23 of the
rod 13 is threaded, and a handle 15 is correspondingly threaded and
adapted for connection to the rod 13.
[0025] Clothes or other items to be washed are place into the
container 10 with the cover open, and the force component 20 is set
over the items to be washed. The rod 13 is inserted into central
apertured threaded hole 22 of the force component. Soap or other
cleaning compound may be place in the container 10. The cover 11 is
closed over the container 10, with the rod 13 extending therefrom,
whereupon the handle is secured to the upper end of the rod 13.
Water or other fluid is admitted into the container 10 through the
water aperture 16 to fill the container. The container 10 may also
be filled with water when the container is open, before the cover
11 is installed. The rod 13 is then manipulated upwardly and
downwardly compressing the items to be washed and squeezing fluid
through these items to clean them. The container 10 may be tapered
to its bottom and the force component 20 sized smaller than the
least diameter of the container so that it is easier to move at the
top of the container and the water pressure increases as the force
component 20 approaches the bottom area of the container. As
desired, this procedure may be repeated, after the water is drained
from the container through the spigot, to rinse or wash or
otherwise treat with the container load. The cover 11 may have a
double wall to prevent spillage of fluid from the container during
reciprocal motion of the pressure agitator or force component 20
during washing.
[0026] After washing is completed and the container is drained, the
device may be easily stored for future use. The devices may be
easily cleaned after use with a abrasive pad and water.
[0027] While a preferred embodiment has been disclosed in
considerable detail, it should be understood that the invention
should not be limited to the exact construction shown and
described, as many changes and modifications can be made in the
structure and use of invention without departing from its spirit or
scope.
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