Filtering Device

Abstract

A liquid filtering device that is manually attachable to and removable from the distal end of the liquid discharge hose of a powered automatic washing machine, is provided. The filter device in combination embodies a coupling member, a filter housing having a removable filter screen therein and an outer liquid deflector about the filter housing.

Description

The invention involves a combination filter device for liquid discharged from an automatic powered washing machine discharge hose embodying a coupling that is removably attachable to the hose distal end, a filter housing within which a removable filter screen is disposed, and an outer liquid deflector mounted upon or secured to the coupling and spaced apart from the filter housing to deflect the liquid discharged through the filter screen and the housing in a substantially axial direction. Various modifications of the combination are disclosed.

For some time, particularly since domestic automatic washing machines have been manufactured and in use, a problem has arisen in trapping the lint and relatively solid particles contained in liquid discharged by the washing machine hose to prevent clogging drain outlets or laundry tubs normally used to receive such discharged liquid. Although efforts have been made to prevent the discharge of such lint and relatively solid particles by the fabrication and use of lint collectors in the machine, such devices have not proven entirely satisfactory. Further, many washing machines of the automatic type are not provided with lint collectors, and in either case it has been found that the drains designed to carry liquid away tend to clog and fill with lint and other deleterious matter discharged from the washing machine, so that drainage of the discharged liquid is severely impaired or cannot be effected. The filter device of this invention embodies features permitting a woman, the usual washing machine operator, to removably attach the device to the liquid discharge hose with ease, whereby lint and other drain-clogging matter are trapped and collected before the liquid flows into the drain.

It is an object of the invention to provide a filter device for an automatic powered washing machine that is manually removably attachable to the distal end of a liquid discharge hose for filtering the liquid discharged from the machine. Another object is to provide the combination of a hose coupling, filter housing, removable filter screen, and liquid deflector. A further object is to provide substantially facile means for trapping and collecting lint carried in the liquid discharged from the washing machine, and its disposition by removal of a filter screen from the filter device. Still another object is to provide a filter device that is manually attachable and detachable with ease by the usual automatic washing machine operator, that can be readily and easily cleared of lint, that is operatively efficient, and that embodies, in some of its forms and modifications, means for automatically releasing liquid from the filter device when the filter screen is substantially clogged and covered with lint and other deleterious particulate matter substantially limiting discharge of the liquid through the filter screen.

Various further and more specific objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the description given below, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example preferred forms of the invention. Reference is here made to the drawings annexed hereto and forming an integral part of this specification, in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a powered automatic washing machine with an adjacent tub adapted to receive liquid discharged from the washing machine through a hose having a filter device embodying a preferred form of the invention removably attached to its distal end.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the filter device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a somewhat enlarged vertical sectional view taken axially of the coupling of the filter device illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, substantially on the line 4--4 of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are top and bottom plan views respectively taken substantially on the lines 5--5 and 6--6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a diamond-shaped bead or lug on the bore of the coupling illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

FIGS. 8 and 8a are horizontal and vertical sectional views taken substantially on the lines 8--8 and 8a--8a respectively of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 7 of a slightly modified form of the diamond-shaped bead or lug.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 10--10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view similar to the views illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9 of another modified form of the diamond-shaped bead or lug.

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 12--12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 3 showing a modified form of the filter device combination.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a modification of the closure at the bottom of the filter housing illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 13 showing another modified form of the filter device combination.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a slight modification of the filter device illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the lower cap end portion of the filter housing illustrated in FIG. 15. =

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view similar to that illustrated in FIG. 3 showing a slight modification of the filter device combination.

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional view similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 3, 13, 15 and 18, showing yet another modified form of the filter device.

FIG. 20 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 20--20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is an elevational view partially in vertical section illustrating another form of a cap closing the bottom end of the filter housing.

FIG. 22 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 22--22 of FIG. 21.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are vertical sectional views showing further modified forms of the filter device.

FIG. 25 is an elevational view of the coupling of the filter devices illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 26 is a vertical sectional view of a filter device coupling showing an alternate structure.

FIG. 27 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 27--27 of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a view similar to FIG. 26 showing the washing machine liquid discharge hose secured within the coupling of FIG. 26.

As illustrated in the several views of the drawings, and particularly in FIGS. 1-8a inclusive, the powered automatic washing machine 6 is generally positioned adjacent a tub 8 having a drain opening 10 therein and is provided with a liquid discharge hose 12, the distal end 14 of which is removably attached to the liquid filter device 16 comprising in combination a hose coupling 18, a filter housing 20, a filter screen 22, and an outer liquid deflecting shell 24.

The liquid discharge hose 12 normally used as a conduit connected to the liquid outlet of a conventional powered automatic washing machine 6 is generally made of a resilient flexible rubber or equivalent material. The hose 12 is manually attached to the filter device 16 by inserting its distal end portion 14 into or over the coupling 18 of the filter device.

As illustrated particularly in FIGS. 3-8a, the coupling 18 comprises the hub section 30 terminating in the distal flange 32 provided with opposed radially inwardly directed support flanges 34,34 spaced axially below and from the counterbore seat 36, from which the radially inwardly directed flange segments 38,38 project. The flanges 34,34 are each provided with stop portions 40,40 directed upwardly toward the counterbore seat 36 to serve as stops for rotative engagement of the filter housing 20. The flange 32 is further provided with slotted distal openings 42,42 intermediate the support flanges 34,34 to admit complementary engaging flange segments of the filter housing 20.

The hub section 30 of the coupling 18 is provided internally with a bore 44, on the surface of which are disposed a plurality of radially inwardly directed projecting diamond-shaped beads or lugs 46 formed integrally therewith. The hose entrance 48 to the hub section and the bore 44 are such that the liquid discharge hose distal end portion 14 will pass thereinto with relative ease. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 3, the hose distal end portion 14 when inserted fully into the coupling hub section 30 until it abuts the interior flange segments 38,38 is partially impressed and penetrated by the diamond-shaped beads or lugs 46 to frictionally retain the distal hose portion within the coupling 18. The diamond-shaped beads 46 also tend to hold at least portions of the hose distal end 14 from the surface of the bore 44 so as to provide a space or gap 50 therebetween.

The diamond-shaped beads or lugs 46 are more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 8a, wherein the quadrants 52 are defined by the vertical and horizontal lines 54 and 56 respectively. Preferably, the quadrants 52 blend at their outer edges into the body of the bore surface 44, although a sharp line of demarcation may alternatively be provided. Alternate and substantially equivalent forms of the diamond-shaped beads or lugs 46 are illustrated in FIGS. 9-12 inclusive. The diamond-shaped bead or lug 60 (FIGS. 9-10) comprises the upper quadrants 62,62 of slightly larger dimensions than the lower quadrants 64,64, defined by the upper vertical line 66 and the lower vertical line 68 respectively, and by the horizontal line 70 in the plane of the undercut ledge 72 which projects forwardly of the lower quadrants 64,64. The projection defined by the undercut ledge 72 and the horizontal line edge 70 of the upper quadrants 62,62 provides improved penetration of the bead 60 into the outer surface of the hose portion 14 for somewhat improved retention of the hose upon the coupling 18 in the event that additional securement is required under conditions where substantial pressure of the liquid discharged by the hose 12 develops within the filter housing 20 when the screening portion 22 becomes substantially covered with lint.

Still another form of the diamond-shaped bead or lug (FIGS. 11-12) embodies curved surfaces. The bead 80 is provided with upper convexly curved quadrants 82,82 defined by a vertical medial line 84 and lower concavely curved quadrants 86,86 defined by the vertical medial line 88, the outer edges of the quadrants preferably but not necessarily blending smoothly into the bore surface 44 of the coupling hub section 30. The horizontal line 90 defines the horizontal edge between the upper and lower convexly and concavely curved quadrants 82 and 86 respectively. The penetration function of the bead or lug 80 into the hose distal end portion 14 is believed to be substantially the equivalent of that indicated for the diamond-shaped bead 60, the convexly curved upper quadrants 82,82 permitting substantially similar facile insertion of the hose distal end 14 into the coupling bore 44 to the limiting flanges 38,38.

The spacing 50 effected by the diamond-shaped beads or lugs when engaged upon the outer wall surface of the hose distal end portion 14 provides a relief passageway for liquid that cannot escape through the filter screen 22 should the latter become excessively clogged with lint. Such relief passage for the liquid discharged forcefully from the washing machine 10, once the filter becomes excessively clogged, is an unexpected result of the design and function of the diamond-shaped beads embodied in the coupling 18 of this invention. The tips of the beads or lugs 46, 60 or 80 partially penetrate into the hose distal end portion 14 and thus space at least portions of the outer surface of the hose from the hub section bore surface 44.

However, in the event that the gap or spacing 50 between the hose outer wall surface should perchance be inadequate to pass the overflow with relative ease and without undue pressure, depending upon the degree to which the filter medium or screen 22 is clogged with lint or particulate matter, one or more relief passageways can be provided between the coupling and the filter housing to by-pass liquid from the filter housing into the spacing between the housing and the outer shell. One such by-pass is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 for the filtering device 16, and similar by-pass passageways are illustrated in FIGS. 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 23, 24 and 26 for the components of and the filter device combinations illustrated therein and described hereinbelow.

In the filter device combination 16 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 6), the by-pass passageway comprises a notch or notches 302 in the flange section 32 that extends from the bore 44 above the proximal end 98 of the filter housing 20 and above the filter medium or screen 22 into the counterbore 42 and exits therefrom into the concentric passage between the slotted outer surface of the filter housing 30 and the inner wall surface of the shell 24. One or more such notches can be provided in the coupling flange section 32, as judgment dictates.

Although the diamond-shaped beads are described and illustrated as having quadrants sharply defined by substantially medial vertical and horizontal lines or edges, such lines and edges may be slightly or somewhat blended into the quadrants, since the coupling is preferably formed as a molded unitary plastic part or in complementary half-sections secured together by heat and fusion, by suitable adhesives, or other suitable means.

The filter housing 20 comprises a body portion 92 provided with a plurality of substantially elongated slots or openings 94 extending longitudinally of the body, or optionally transversely, for discharge of washing machine liquid therethrough. The bottom of the filter housing 20 is closed with an end or bottom panel 96 and the top or upper end portion 98 is open to receive liquid discharged from the hose distal end portion 14. The upper open end 98 is provided with radially outwardly directed flange segments 100,100 adapted to pass into the openings 42,42 of the coupling and there to rotate into securement upon the flange segments 34,34 until the filter housing flanges abut the stops 40,40. The direction of rotation in the FIG. 6 illustration for the flanges 100,100 would be clockwise.

The filter screen 22 can be made of woven plastic screening, or relatively porous non-woven material, or any other suitable material adapted to trap and retain lint and particulate solid matter that may be discharged from the washing machine hose 12 while allowing an optimum flow of liquid therethrough. The porosity or screen size of the filter screening 22 is of course optionally selectively determined by the user or the manufacturer. Presently available fly and insect screening of a vinyl screen cloth has been found quite satisfactory for trapping and retaining lint material discharged through the hose 12, but of course other equivalent or even superior materials can be utilized for filtering purposes. The filter screen is preferably formed into a cylinder with overlapping portions to substantially closely engage the inner wall surface of the filter housing body 92 so as to overlie the slotted openings 94. The filter screen extends substantially from the closed end 96 to the open end 98 of the housing body.

The outer liquid deflecting shell 24 comprises a cylindrical body portion 102 open at its distal end 104 and provided at its other end with a radially inwardly directed annular collar or flange 106 adapted to overlie and rest upon the shoulder of the coupling flange 32, the bore 108 of the collar being of a diameter or size permitting facile travel of the outer shell over the coupling hub section 30, i.e., a good slip fit.

The foregoing description of the combination filter device 16 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8a with the modifications of the diamond-shaped beads or lugs described above and illustrated in FIGS. 9-12 is a disclosure of a preferred form of the invention. Modifications of the filter device illustrated in FIGS. 13-24 inclusive and modifications of the coupling device illustrated in FIGS. 25-28 inclusive are described hereinbelow.

The hose coupling and filter housing can be molded of plastic material as a unitary device or formed in complementary half-sections and combined into a unitary component by heat and fusion, by suitable adhesives, or other suitable means. One such combination is illustrated in FIG. 13. The combination filter device 120 comprises the coupling portion 122 having the diamond-shaped beads or lugs 124 which removably engage the hose distal end portion 14 of hose 12 insertable within the bore 126 to abut the inner flange 128 extending radially inwardly of the coupling portion 122 and formed integrally therewith, the filter housing 130 provided with liquid discharge slots 132 therethrough, the filter screen 134 overlying the slotted openings 132 on the interior of the housing 130 to trap and collect lint and other deleterious particulate matter that may be discharged with the liquid through the hose 12, and the outer liquid deflecting shell 24 adapted to rest on the shoulder 135 of the coupling portion 122.

The bottom end 136 of the filter housing 130 is open to provide access for insertion and removal of the filter screen 134. The open bottom end is capped or closed with the internally threaded cap 138 provided either with an outer knurled annular surface or with a turn key 140 molded into and forming a part of the cap body. An alternate form of cap is illustrated in FIG. 14, wherein the cap body 142 is provided with an undercut annular groove 144 behind the distal end flange 146 adapted to be engaged by the radially outwardly directed annular flange 148 integrally formed in the end portion 136 of the filter housing 130. The cap 142 thus is a "snap-on" form of cap, and is preferably made of a relatively resilient plastic material permitting distention of the distal flange edge portion 146 for sliding movement over and relative to the engaging housing flange 148.

In the modification illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17, the combination filter device 160 comprises the unitary coupling 162, having the diamond-shaped beads or lugs 164 on the surface of its bore 166 for removable engagement with the hose distal end 14, and the outer shell 168 formed integrally therewith and conjoined thereto by the hub section 170 which, in the FIG. 15 illustration, is conjoined by heat and fusion to the upper open end portion 172 of the filter housing 174 substantially in the region of the annular conjunction 176. Here again, the filter screen 178 overlies the slotted openings 180 of the filter housing which is capped and closed at its bottom open end with the screw-on cap 182 of a type more clearly illustrated in FIG. 17. The cap 182 is provided with radially inwardly directed pin or lug portions 184,184 that slide upwardly and rotate in the external housing grooves 186 to engage the cap 182 upon the housing 174. An alternate form of securement (FIG. 16) for the filter housing 174 to the hub section 170 of the filter device combination 160 is made by the application of a thin layer of adhesive 188 annularly within the hub section 170 and about the filter housing 174 at its upper end portion 172.

The modification illustrated in FIG. 18 combines the coupling portion 18a and the liquid deflecting outer shell 24a of the filter device 16a, the coupling portion and outer shell being formed as a unit and conjoined at the flange portion 32a of the coupling. The flange portion 32a provides the same slotted openings 42,42 and engaging flanges 34,34 for removable securement of the filter housing 20 as in the device 16.

The modifications of the combination filter device illustrated in FIGS. 19-22 embody more particularly spaced apart threads for engagement of the filter housing and the coupling (FIGS. 19-20), and of the filter housing and a bottom closure cap therefor (FIGS. 21-22). The filter device illustrated particularly in FIG. 19 is substantially that of the combination illustrated in FIG. 3 except that the coupling outer flange portion 32 is now provided in its counterbore with thread segments 200 adapted to threadedly engage with the thread segments 202 extending radially outwardly of the filter housing 20a at its upper open end portion 98. The thread segments 202 are insertable through the open spaces 204 for engagement with the coupling threads 200 upon rotation of the filter housing 20a relative to the coupling 18b, in a direction substantially clockwise as illustrated in FIG. 20.

Similarly for a modified form of the combination filter device such as is illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, wherein the filter housing is provided with an open bottom end portion capped by a removable cap, segmented threads can also be provided for threaded engagement of the bottom end cap to the filter housing. As illustrated particularly in FIGS. 21 and 22, the bottom end cap closure 210 is provided with radially inwardly directed thread segments 212 threadedly engageable with radially outwardly directed thread segments 214 on the exterior bottom end portion 216 of the filter housing 218. The thread segments 214 are spaced apart circumferentially of the housing for insertion therebetween of the thread segments 212 of the cap 210.

Further modifications of the combination filter device are illustrated in FIGS. 23-25 inclusive, wherein the coupling 230 is now provided with radially outwardly projecting diamond-shaped beads or lugs 232 (comparable to the beads or lugs 46, 60 or 80) now disposed upon the exterior cylindrical surface of the hub section 234 for engagement of the hose distal end portion 14 in its bore 235, and further provided with a radially outwardly directed flange section 236 at the distal end of the hub 234, the flange portion 236 having opposed flange elements 238,238 intermediate slotted openings comparable to the openings 42,42 of the coupling 18 for reception of the filter housing flange segments 100,100 of the filter housing 20 whereby the housing is engaged within the slotted areas 240,240 above the inwardly projecting flange segments 238,238.

The hose distal end portion 14 is now adapted to be slidingly mounted upon the exterior surface of the hub section 234 and removably engaged therewith, the diamond-shaped beads or lugs 232 impressing themselves firmly into the body of the hose 12. The outer liquid deflecting shell 24 is adapted to rest upon the radially outwardly projecting flange section 236 of the coupling 230.

The modification illustrated in FIG. 24 embodies a modified form of the coupling 230, here identified by the reference numeral 230a, having the hub section 234 and the radially outwardly directed diamond-shaped beads or lugs 232, and further having a radially outwardly directed flange section 250 and a projecting hub 252 extending axially from the flange section 250 and provided with annular internal threads 254 in the counterbore 252 of the hub section. The filter housing 20b adjacent its upper open end 98b is provided on its external surface with annular threads 256 threadedly engageable in the complementary internal threads 254 of the coupling hub 252. The filter screen 22 is disposed within the housing 20b and in all other respects the housing is substantially identical with the housing 20. The outer liquid deflecting shell 24 rests upon the coupling shoulder or flange 250 about or adjacent the distal edge of the hose portion 14. To secure the filter housing to the coupling, the threads 256 are screwed into the complementary hub section threads 254 until the housing seats in the counterbore of the hub section. To remove and replace the filter screen 222, the filter housing 20b is threadedly removed from the hub 252.

Another alternate form of coupling for the filter device of this invention is that illustrated in FIGS. 26-28. The wedge lock coupling 270 comprises a body 272 having a hub section 274, an outer annular flange section 276 provided with a shoulder 278 adapted to receive the outer liquid deflecting shell 24 thereon, a bore 280, radially spaced apart slots 282 through the body of the hub section 274, and a like number of wedge lock members 284 slidably disposed in the slots 282 for substantially axial travel from the bottom seat 286 of the slots toward its upper end 288. The wedge lock members 284 are each provided with a body portion 290 having a radially inwardly directed distal face with a plurality of substantially parallel vertically spaced apart sawtooth ribs 292 arranged transversely of the member and its direction of travel. The lateral sides of the wedge lock members slide closely within the side walls and upon the inner face of the slots 282 in a substantially axial direction. The wedge lock members 284 are further provided with a manually graspable tab section 294 extending outwardly of the body 290 a distance sufficient to allow for manual grasping of the tab section and for its insertion into and removal from the slots 282. The body 290 of the wedge lock members is slightly tapering from a broader base toward a narrower top edge, the sawtooth ribs 292 extending slightly into the bore 280 of the coupling hub section 274 when the wedge lock member 284 is seated in the slot 282. The wedge lock members 284 are preferably manually inserted within the slots 282 from the bore 280 until the base of the wedge lock member is seated upon the bottom or seat 286 of the slot.

The coupling flange section 276 is provided with axially and radially spaced apart opposing housing-engaging flange sections 296,296, comparable to the flange sections 238,238 of the coupling 230 (FIG. 23) and flange segments 34,34 of the coupling 18 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 6). The coupling 270 is further provided with the inner flange segments 298,298 comparable to the flange segments 38,38 of the coupling 18 to function as limiting stops for insertion of the hose distal end portion 14 within the bore 280 of the coupling 270.

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 28, when the hose distal end section 14 is inserted within the bore 280 of the hub section 274, the outer surface of the hose passes axially upon and against the sawtooth ribs 292 of the wedge lock members 284 and is impressed by the ribs to the extent that they project radially inwardly a distance less than the outside diameter of the hose. The wedge lock members 284 can then be raised manually by the tabs 294 to force the ribs 292 further inwardly of the hose wall, or optionally the hose distal end portion 14 can be retracted upwardly, drawing the wedge lock members 284 upwardly in their seats 282 to wedge the hose wall therebetween.

The body of the hose 12 is partially impressed or penetrated by the traverse sawtooth ridges 292 to frictionally retain the distal hose portion 14 within the hub section 274. The sawtooth ribs also tend to hold at least portions of the hose body away from the surface of the bore so as to provide a spacing 300 therebetween. Although four wedge lock members are illustrated for the coupling device 270, it will be understood that a lesser number such as two or three of such wedge lock members can be utilized to perform the function required of removably securing the hose distal end portion 14 within the couping 270.

As in the case of the filter device 16 described above and particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1-8a of the drawings, the modified forms of the filtering combination can also be provided with liquid by-pass passageways should the filter screen 22 become excessively clogged with lint or particulate matter. In the filter device 120 (FIG. 13), one or more by-pass passageways 304 are provided in the flange section 306 intermediate the coupling 122 and the filter housing 130 formed integrally therewith. In the filter device 160 (FIG. 15), one or more by-pass passageways 308 are provided in the flange and hub section 170 intermediate the filter housing 174, the coupling 162 and the outer shell 168. Similarly, the by-pass passageway 310 is provided in the FIG. 16 modification of the filter device 160. The filter device 16a (FIG. 18) is also provided with the by-pass passageway 302 in couping 18a. In the filter device illustrated in FIG. 19, the notched by-pass passageways 312 are provided in the coupling 18b counterbore intermediate the thread segments 200 on the inner wall of the counterbore in flange section 32. Similar by-pass passageways 314 and 316 are provided in the couplings 230 and 230a respectively (FIGS. 23 and 24). The wedge lock coupling 270 can also be provided with one or more by-pass passageways 318, to the same purpose and effect.

To remove the hose 12 from the bore of any of the couplings or coupling portions 18, 122, 162, 18a or 18b hereindisclosed, the hose 12 is simply manually grasped and pulled from the coupling which is held in the other hand, drawing the hose distal portion 14 from off the diamond-shaped beads or lugs. In the case of the wedge lock coupling 270, the wedge lock tab sections 294 are seated at the base of the slots 282 and retained thereon while the hose 12 is drawn from the hub section bore 280 past the sawtooth ribs 292.

As will be clearly recognized, each of the combination filter devices hereindisclosed embody three significant portions in the same relationship, a coupling manually removably attachable to the distal end portion of an automatic powered washing machine liquid discharge hose, a filter housing affixed to the coupling and containing a replaceable filter screen or layer of filtering material to trap and collect lint and particulate matter discharged by the washing machine through the hose and into the filter housing, and an outer liquid deflecting shell which directs the filtered liquid substantially axially of the filter device, the outer shell being disposed in spaced relationship substantially concentric with the filter housing and thereabout. Various forms of coupling and means for securing the coupling to the liquid discharge hose are disclosed, as are various forms of attaching the filter housing to the coupling.

Components of the filter device combination hereindisclosed including the coupling, filter housing and outer shell, are preferably molded of substantially rigid plastic materials having good memory characteristics including but not limited to relatively high density polyethylene, high density polypropylene, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), polystyrene, and other similar or equivalent materials, in a single injection operation or in complementary half-sections that are secured together by heat and fusion, by suitable adhesives, or by other suitable means.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein for purposes of explanation, further modifications or variations thereof, after study of this specification, will or may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Reference should be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. In an improved filtering device adapted to be removably attached to the distal end of a relatively resilient flexible liquid discharge hose of a washing machine for filtering lint and other particulate matter from liquid discharged by said washing machine, the improved device comprising in combination

a coupling having

a substantially tubular hub section manually removably attachable to said hose distal end, said hub section having a bore and radially inwardly directed flanges adjacent the proximal end of said bore to limit telescoping insertion of said hose distal end thereinto,

said hub section having a plurality of spaced apart substantially diamond-shaped beads or lugs extending radially inwardly from the surface of said bore and disposed axially of said hose limiting flanges toward the distal end of said bore to engage and impress said hose distal end inserted within said bore and forced thereover,

said hub section bore surface being spaced sufficiently from the outer surface of said hose distal end when said beads or lugs are impressed therein to provide a relief passageway for overflow of liquid from said device, and a distal outer annular flange section,

a filter housing having

a tubular body open at its proximal end and closed at its distal end, conjoined to and extending from said coupling flange section, and communicating with said coupling hub section to receive said liquid therefrom, said tubular body having lateral liquid discharge openings therethrough,

a removable layer of a filter medium in said housing overlying said openings to pass filtered liquid therethrough, and an outer tubular shell open at its distal end, conjoined to said coupling at said outer flange section, and extending substantially about said filter housing and spaced apart therefrom, to deflect filtered liquid discharged from said housing

2. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1,

said distal outer annular flange section having

a counterbore communicating with said hub section bore, and radially inwardly directed spaced apart support flanges, spaced axially apart from the counterbore seat of said flange section to provide an opening therebetween for removably connecting said filter housing to said coupling,

and means at the proximal end of said filter housing body for removable engagement of said body with said coupling outer annular flange section.

3. The improved filtering device defined in claim 2, wherein

said filter housing body proximal end is provided with spaced apart radially outwardly directed flange segments complementary to and rotatably engageable with said coupling flange section support flanges, insertable into and rotatable within said counterbore opening between said seat and

4. The improved filtering device defined in claim 3, wherein

said coupling flange section is provided with stop lugs in said counterbore at said support flanges to limit their rotative engagement with and

5. The improved filtering device defined in claim 2, wherein

said coupling outer annular flange section is further provided with

at least one overflow by-pass notch in the wall surface defining said counterbore, communicating with said hub section bore and the passage defined by the outer wall surface of said filter housing tubular body and

6. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

each of said diamond-shaped beads or lugs is defined by crossing vertical and horizontal medial lines forming quadrants extending at obtuse angles from the surface of said bore substantially to a point, all said quadrants meeting substantially at the crosspoint of said vertical and horizontal

7. The improved filtering device defined in claim 6, wherein

said quadrants are planar and relatively clearly defined by said vertical

8. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

each of said diamond-shaped beads or lugs is defined by vertical and horizontal medial lines forming upper and lower pairs of quadrants extending at obtuse angles from the surface of said bore,

the upper pair of said quadrants being disposed next adjacent each other about one vertical line, and the lower pair of said quadrants being disposed next adjacent each other about another vertical line, said vertical lines lying substantially in a plane,

said lower pair of said quadrants being recessed toward said bore surface and inwardly from the horizontal line defining the distal edge of said upper pair of quadrants, whereby an undercut ledge is provided under said upper pair of quadrants at said horizontal lines and said ledge forms a

9. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

each of said diamond-shaped beads or lugs is defined by crossing vertical and horizontal medial lines forming upper and lower arcuate pairs of quadrants extending from the surface of said bore substantially to a point,

the upper pair of said quadrants having convexly curved surfaces,

the lower pair of said quadrants having concavely curved surfaces,

all said quadrants meeting substantially at the crosspoint of said vertical

10. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

said outer tubular shell is provided with

an open distal end,

a radially inwardly directed annular flange at its proximal end with a bore therethrough to pass said flange over said coupling hub section,

whereby said outer shell rests freely upon said hub section outer flange

11. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

said layer of filter medium comprises a liquid permeable woven screen

12. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

said layer of filter medium comprises a sheet of non-woven liquid permeable

13. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

said filter housing body extends axially from said coupling flange section.

14. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

said filter housing body lateral openings are arranged in annular axially spaced apart rows of elongated slots to provide a substantially large area

15. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

said filter housing body is provided with a manually removable cap at its

16. The improved filtering device defined in claim 15, wherein

17. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

said filter housing body proximal end is threadedly secured to said

18. The improved filtering device defined in claim 1, wherein

said filter housing body proximal end is threadedly secured to said coupling distal flange section by annularly spaced apart screw thread

19. In an improved filtering device adapted to be removably attached to the distal end of a relatively resilient flexible liquid discharge hose of a washing machine for filtering lint and other particulate matter from liquid discharged by said washing machine, the improved device comprising in combination

a coupling having

a substantially tubular hub section manually removably attachable to said hose distal end,

said hub section having a bore and radially inwardly directed flanges adjacent the proximal end of said bore to limit telescoping insertion of said hose distal end thereinto,

said hub section having a plurality of radially spaced apart slots comprising in part longitudinally extending openings transversely through the body portion of said hub section and in part axially of and partially in said body portion adjacent said bore and axially above said slot openings toward the distal end of said hub section, and a complementary plurality of wedge lock members slidably disposed in said slots adjacent and in said bore to engage and impress said hose distal end telescopically inserted within said bore and forced thereover, said hub section bore surface being spaced sufficiently from the outer surface of said hose distal end when said wedge lock members are impressed therein to provide a relief passageway for overflow of liquid from said device, and a distal outer annular flange section,

a filter housing having

a tubular body open at its proximal end and closed at its distal end, conjoined to and extending from said coupling flange section, and communicating with said coupling hub section to receive said liquid therefrom, said tubular body having lateral liquid discharge openings therethrough,

a removable layer of a filter medium in said housing overlying said openings to pass filtered liquid therethrough, and an outer tubular shell open at its distal end, conjoined to said coupling at said outer flange section, and extending substantially about said filter housing and spaced apart therefrom, to deflect filtered liquid discharged from said housing

20. The improved filtering device defined in claim 19, wherein

said hub section slots are disposed through and in said body portion axially above said annular flange section, the inner face of each said slots facing radially inwardly from said body portion at a slight acute angle to the axis of said bore,

each said wedge lock members having a tapered body provided at its base with a manually graspable outwardly projecting tab and having radially inwardly facing sawtooth ribs adapted to engage and impress said hose distal end, said wedge lock member body being axially slidably disposed in said hub section slots radially inwardly of said slot inner faces,

whereby to increase retentive pressure upon said hose distal end as said wedge members move axially of said hub section in the direction of hose

21. The improved filtering device defined in claim 19,

said coupling outer flange section intermediate said hub section and said filter housing having

a counterbore communicating with said hub section bore,

and at least one overflow by-pass notch or passageway in the wall section defining said counterbore and through said coupling flange section, communicating with said hub section bore and the passage defined by the outer wall surface of said filter housing tubular body and the inner wall

22. In an improved filtering device adapted to be removably attached to the distal end of a relatively resilient flexible liquid discharge hose of a washing machine for filtering lint and other particulate matter from liquid discharged by said washing machine, the improved device comprising in combination

a coupling having

a substantially tubular hub section manually removably attachable to said hose distal end, said hub section having a bore and radially inwardly directed flanges adjacent the proximal end of said bore to limit telescoping insertion of said hose distal end thereinto,

said hub section having a plurality of spaced apart substantially diamond-shaped beads or lugs extending radially outward from the outer surface of said hub section to engage and impress said hose distal end forced thereover,

said hub section outer surface being spaced sufficiently from the inner surface of said hose distal end when said beads or lugs are impressed therein to provide a relief passageway for overflow of liquid from said device, and a distal outer annular flange section,

a filter housing having

a tubular body open at its proximal end and closed at its distal end, conjoined to and extending from said coupling flange section, and communicating with said coupling hub section to receive said liquid therefrom, said tubular body having lateral liquid discharge openings therethrough,

a removable layer of a filter medium in said housing overlying said openings to pass filtered liquid therethrough, and an outer tubular shell open at its distal end, conjoined to said coupling at said outer flange section, and extending substantially about said filter housing and spaced apart therefrom, to deflect filtered liquid discharged from said housing

23. The improved filtering device defined in claim 22,

said coupling outer flange section intermediate said hub section and said outer shell having

a counterbore communicating with said hub section bore,

and at least one backflow by-pass notch or passageway in the wall section defining coupling outer flange section and therethrough, communicating with said hub section bore and the passage defined by the outer wall surface of said filter housing tubular body and the inner wall surface of said outer tubular shell.