U.S. patent number 3,834,781 [Application Number 05/310,577] was granted by the patent office on 1974-09-10 for washing machine connection structure.
Invention is credited to Duane D. Logsdon.
United States Patent |
3,834,781 |
Logsdon |
September 10, 1974 |
WASHING MACHINE CONNECTION STRUCTURE
Abstract
A washing machine connection structure can be manufactured so as
to include a box-like cabinet having a front opening, a bottom
shaped as a funnel so as to lead to a drain opening forming a part
of the bottom, a pipe extension leading from this drain opening and
internally extending outlet openings located above the bottom. The
cabinet preferably carries means enabling it to be mounted in a
wall between support members such as studs. When so mounted pipes
may be inserted through the outlet opening and connected to the
valves or faucets located within the cabinet. Water connections to
a washing machine or the like may be made to such valves and a
drain tube or hose from such machine may be inserted directly into
the bottom so that waste water flowing through such a tube will
flow through the drain opening.
Inventors: |
Logsdon; Duane D. (Fullerton,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
23203160 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/310,577 |
Filed: |
November 29, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/229 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F
39/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
D06F
39/08 (20060101); A47b 077/06 (); A47f
009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;312/229,242,230
;4/1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gillian; Paul R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: O'Brian; Edward D.
Claims
I claim:
1. A washing machine connection structure for use in a wall between
support members, said structure comprising:
an integrally formed water impervious plastic cabinet capable of
fitting within a wall between support members, said cabinet having
a top, a back, sides, an open front and a bottom,
two hollow upstanding bosses located in said bottom of said
cabinet, said bosses being of a diameter such that a water pipe can
be inserted through them,
said bottom having a funnel-like shape terminating in a bottom
drain opening,
said bottom including a pipe-like extension which is adapted to be
connected to a drain pipe leading downwardly from said drain
opening away from said bottom,
means for mounting said cabinet within a wall between support
members attached to said cabinet, said means permitting said
cabinet to be mounted in a wall so that said front opening is
exposed to the exterior of such a wall,
means providing service openings into the interior of said cabinet
above said bottom and spaced from said front opening so that pipes
may be inserted into said cabinet and valves may be mounted on said
pipe within the interior of said cabinet,
said means providing service openings comprising knock out plugs
capable of being removed from said cabinet by a physical blow
located at the tops of said bosses and in said sides and in said
tops.
2. A washing machine connection structure as claimed in claim 1
wherein:
said pipe-like extension includes a shoulder located intermediate
its ends, said shoulder separating said pipe-like extension into
two different parts of different diameters capable of being
utilized with drain pipes of different diameters.
3. A washing machine connection structure as claimed in claim 1
wherein:
said means for mounting said cabinet are brackets formed integrally
with said cabinet so as to extend outwardly from said sides of said
cabinet, said brackets being spaced from the front of said cabinet
so as to be capable of being covered by a wall during the use of
said connection structure,
said cabinet includes means for attaching a frame surrounding said
front opening located thereon,
said connection structure including a frame adapted to be attached
to said cabinet through the use of said means for attaching, said
frame being of larger dimension than said front opening so as to be
capable of covering the area between the exterior of said cabinet
and a wall during the use of said connection structure.
4. A washing machine connection structure as claimed in claim 3
wherein:
said pipe-like extension includes a shoulder located intermediate
its ends, said shoulder separating said pipe-like extension into
two different parts of different diameters capable of being
utilized with drain pipes of different diameters.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As civilization has progressed washing machines have been utilized
in household structures with increasing frequency. At one time such
machines were commonly used in basement and similar areas where
space and appearance were not significant problems. At the present
time, however, such washing machines are commonly being utilized in
both kitchen, hallway and similar areas where space is somewhat
limited and where appearance is frequently significant.
Such machines are commonly used in these areas in connection with
hot and cold water valves extending from a wall and a large drain
pipe extending upwardly from a floor adjacent to these valves along
the exterior of a wall surface. The use of such drain pipes is
considered to be particularly disadvantageous inasmuch as such a
drain pipe occupies significant floor space and is not normally
considered to be particularly attractive. If the valves in such a
washing machine connection arrangement as indicated should leak or
if there should be leakage between the connections between them and
hoses from a washing machine there is significant danger of water
accumulation on a floor. Such an accumulation can, of course, be
somewhat messy. It can also lead to floor damage.
As a result of these considerations it is believed that there is a
need for new and improved washing machine connection structures.
More specifically, it is believed that there is a need for
connection structure which will avoid an uneconomic utilization of
floor space within a home or similar structure. Also, it is
believed that there is a specific need for washing machine
connection structures which effectively minimize the danger of
leakage accumulating on a floor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Broadly the present invention is intended to fulfill the needs
indicated in the preceding discussion. More specifically, it is
intended to provide washing machine connection structures: which
can be easily and conveniently manufactured at a comparatively
nominal cost, which can be easily installed within existing
conventional walls with a minimum of difficulty, which when so
installed avoid the problem of a drain pipe sticking out into a
room or the like, and which also when so installed serve to
accommodate any undesired leakage at water valves or faucets or at
hose connections to such faucets.
In accordance with this invention these and various related
objectives of it are achieved by providing a connection structure
which includes or comprises a generally rectilinear, water
impervious box-like cabinet having a top, a bottom, sides, a back
and an open front. The bottom of this cabinet has and includes a
pipe extension leading downwardly from the drain opening away from
the bottom. The cabinet also includes several outlet openings
located above the bottom. The structure further includes means for
mounting the cabinet within a wall so that the open front is
substantially flush with the surface of the wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The use of a structure as indicated in the preceding paragraph is
best explained with reference to the remainder of this
specification, the appended claims and the accompanying drawing in
which:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a presently preferred embodiment or
form of a washing machine connection structure of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken at line 3--3 of FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view indicating the use of the
structure illustrated in the preceding figures in a wall in
connection with a washing machine, part of this view being broken
away.
The presently preferred washing machine connection structure
illustrated in the drawing is a specific embodiment of a structure
utilizing certain essentially intangible concepts as set forth and
defined in the appended claims. These concepts can be utilized
within a wide variety of somewhat differently appearing and
somewhat differently constructed connection structures through the
use or exercise of routine skill in the plumbing industry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the drawing there is shown a washing machine connection
structure 10 in accordance with this invention which is preferably
formed as an integral unit out of a water impervious, structurally
strong polymer material such as common ABS plastic. This entire
structure 10 may be conveniently formed of such material at a
comparatively nominal cost utilizing established, conventional
injection molding techniques. This structure 10 includes a
centrally located box-like cabinet 12 having a top 14, a bottom 16,
sides 18, a back 20 and an open front 22.
The bottom 16 is shaped generally as a funnel so as to include
downwardly directed sloping walls 24 which lead to a centrally
located drain opening 26. This bottom 16 is preferably formed so as
to include an integral pipe extension 28 leading downwardly from
this drain opening 26. In the embodiment of the invention shown
this pipe extension 28 includes a stepped, sloping shoulder 30
which is spaced from the bottom 16. It will be realized that this
construction enables the structure 10 to be directly connected to
conventional drain pipes of different diameters. In the drawing the
portion of the extension 28 located beneath the shoulder 30 is
directly connected to the drain pipe 32. In connecting the
extension 28 to a drain pipe of larger diameter than the pipe 32,
it is practical to saw off the extension 28 immediately above the
shoulder 30.
The structure 10 also preferably includes in the bottom 16 several
vertically extending hollow bosses 34. These bosses 34 terminate
above the bottom 16 within the cabinet 12. Preferably their hollow
interiors correspond to the outer diameters of conventionally used
water pipes so that conventional pipes may be inserted through them
as shown into the interior of the cabint 12 after the structure 10
is installed. Preferably the uppermost extremities of the bosses 34
are initially closed off by small knock out pulgs 38 formed
integrally with the cabinet 12.
These plugs 38 are essentially disc-like structures separated from
the bosses 34 by scored lines 40 which are comparatively weak.
Preferably similar plugs 38 and lines 40 are formed integrally with
the top 14, and both of the sides 18 so that pipes 36 may be
inserted into the cabinet 12 in several different manners from
different directions. All of these plugs 38 are designed to be used
in creating service outlet openings when they are severed from the
remainder of the cabinet 12 by a hammer blow or the like.
The structure 10 also includes means for mounting this cabinet 12
in a building wall 42 between conventional building studs 44 so
that the front opening 22 lies substantially flush with the exposed
surface of the wall 42. In the structure 10 shown, such means
include extending tab-like brackets 46 which are formed integrally
with the sides 18. These brackets 46 may conveniently be formed
with nail holes 48. Preferably they are spaced back from the front
edges 50 of the sides 18 a sufficient distance so that they may be
covered by the wall 42 after they have been attached to the studs
44 by nails or similar fasteners.
If desired, the cabinet 12 may also include small fastener brackets
52 located at its corners so that a frame-like cover plate 54 may
be secured to cover the edges 50 and so as to extend around the
space between these edges 50 and the wall 42 in order to "finish
off" the installation of this structure 10 so that it has a neat,
functional appearance. When the structure 10 is not to be utilized
for a prolonged period this plate 54 may be a solid plate instead
of a frame-like plate.
When the structure 10 is used it is installed as shown generally
between the studs 44 and two of the plugs 38 are removed.
Conventional pipes 56 are then inserted into the interior of the
cabinet 12 and mounted in a conventional manner exteriorly of this
structure 10. Conventional valves or faucets 58 may then be secured
to the pipes 56 in a conventional manner. It will be noted that all
of the plugs 38 are located so that wherever the pipes 56 are
inserted that these pipes 56 will extend through openings into the
cabinet 12 which are above the bottom 16 so that any leakage
occurring from the faucets 58 will flow to the bottom 16 and
through the drain opening 26.
When the structure 10 has been installed in the manner indicated in
the preceding discussion, conventional water hoses 60 and a
conventional drain hose 62 from a washing machine 64 may be
connected to the faucets 58 and inserted within the drain opening
26, respectively. As the machine 64 is operated, the waste water
will, of course, be conveyed through the drain opening 26. Any
leakage at such faucets 58 will tend to be accommodated without
significant floor accumulation inasmuch as such leakage will
primarily flow towards the bottom 16 and this drain opening 26.
It will be realized from the aforegoing description that the
structure 10 is a very simple, effective structure which achieves
the fulfillment of needs as indicated in the preceding. This
structure 10 avoids the use of a drain pipe located externally of a
wall and, hence, provides for a neat appearance concurrently with
the achievement of a saving of floor space.
* * * * *