-
The present invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly, to a
pedestal for a washing machine fastening of the washing machine thereto is easy.
-
In general, the washing machine washes laundry by using washing, rinsing,
and spinning cycles to remove contaminants stuck to clothes and beddings in a drum rotated
inside of a tub, together with actions of detergent and water in the tub.
-
In the washing machines, there are a top loading type washing machine which
has a laundry opening in a top part of the washing machine, and a front loading type washing
machine which has a laundry opening in a front part of the washing machine.
-
The front loading type washing machine is, in general, called as a drum type
washing machine, which, as described, has a laundry opening in a front part of the washing
machine.
-
However, since the drum type washing machine has the laundry opening
formed in a low part, to require the user to bend forward for introduction/taking laundry
into/out of the washing machine. For eliminating the inconvenience, the washing machine
pedestal has been developed and used placed under the washing machine for supporting the
washing machine to a required height. FIG. 1 illustrates a related art washing machine and the
washing machine pedestal.
-
Referring to FIG. 1, the related art washing machine is provided with a
hexahedral cabinet 11 forming an outer appearance of the washing machine, a washing tub in
the cabinet, and various electronic components (not shown). There is a pedestal 20 under the
washing machine 10 for positioning the laundry opening 13 of the washing machine to a
required height.
-
The pedestal 20 is provided with a body 21 for seating the washing machine
thereon, and a drawer 22 in a front part of the body 21 for keeping various things therein, such
as detergent and tool for maintenance of the washing machine.
-
The pedestal has a top panel 21 a in contact with a bottom of the washing
machine directly, both of which are fastened with screws (not shown) passed through from an
underside of the top panel 21 a toward the bottom of the cabinet.
-
As a fastening structure of the washing machine 10 and the pedestal 20 is such,
workers are required to lay down the washing machine on a floor, tilt the pedestal, fasten the
pedestal to the bottom of the washing machine, brings the washing machine having the
pedestal fastened thereto into a stand position, and install the washing machine on a desired
place, that requires a long time, and is liable to injure the worker's waist, arm, or the like
because the worker requires to support weight of the washing machine.
-
Moreover, the pedestal has failed in dampening vibration generated when the
washing machine is in operation, such that the washing machine and the pedestal vibrate
heavily, to generate loud noise.
-
Therefore, to cope with this, development of a washing machine pedestal is
required, which permits an easy fastening of the washing machine thereto, attenuation of the
vibration, and reduction of the noise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
-
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine pedestal
that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages
of the related art.
-
An object of the present invention is to provide a pedestal which enables
convenient, and fast fastening to a washing machine or a laundry dryer.
-
Other object of the present invention is to provide a pedestal which can
attenuate vibration generated during operation of the washing machine.
-
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pedestal which can be
used, not only for a washing machine, but also for a laundry dryer.
-
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the
description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art
upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The
objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure
particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended
drawings.
-
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the
purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the pedestal
includes a pedestal body for supporting a bottom of a washing machine or a laundry dryer to a
height, and at least one coupling means provided both to a side of the washing machine or the
laundry dryer and a side of the pedestal body for coupling the washing machine or the laundry
dryer with the pedestal body.
-
The coupling means includes a coupling member provided both to a side of
the washing machine or the laundry dryer, and a side of the pedestal body under the washing
machine or the laundry dryer, and fastening members for fastening the coupling member to
the side of the washing machine or the laundry dryer and the side of the pedestal body,
respectively.
-
The fastening member includes first fastening members for fastening an upper
part of the coupling member to the side of a lower part of the washing machine or the laundry
dryer, and second fastening members for fastening a lower part of the coupling member to the
side of an upper part of the pedestal.
-
The pedestal body further includes a receiving part for putting things therein.
-
The receiving part is a drawer for opening a front part of the pedestal body.
-
In other aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedestal including
a pedestal body for supporting a bottom of a washing machine or a laundry dryer to a height,
a comer supporting member fitted to a lower comer of the washing machine or the laundry,
and coupling means provided to a side of the comer supporting member and a side of the
pedestal body for fastening the comer supporting member to the pedestal body.
-
The coupling means includes a coupling member in contact with a side of the
comer supporting member and a side of the pedestal body, and a fastening member for
fastening the coupling member to the side of the washing machine or the laundry dryer and
the side of the pedestal body.
-
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a pedestal
including a pedestal body for supporting a bottom of a washing machine or a laundry dryer to
a height, and leg supporters on top of the pedestal body, for supporting sides of the lower legs
of the washing machine or a laundry dryer, and fastening the washing machine or the laundry
dryer to the pedestal body.
-
The leg supporter includes a first seating hole for seating a leg of the washing
machine, and a second seating hole for seating a leg of the laundry dryer.
-
The leg supporters are fixed to four points of a top of the pedestal body,
wherein the four points are four corners of the top of the pedestal body.
-
The first seating hole and the second seating hole are connected to each other
in each of the leg supporters fixed to front comers of the pedestal body respectively, and the
first seating hole and the second seating hole are separated from each other in each of the leg
supporters fixed to rear comers of the pedestal body, respectively.
-
The two leg supporters fixed to the front comers of the pedestal body are
fastened to support a bottom of a front part of the washing machine.
-
Each of the leg supporters fixed to one of the front comers of the pedestal
body further includes a supporting part projected forward of the pedestal for supporting a
bottom of a front part of the washing machine.
-
The two leg supporters fixed to rear comers of the pedestal body are fastened
to a lower part of rear side of the washing machine.
-
In further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pedestal
including a pedestal body for supporting a bottom of a washing machine or a laundry dryer to
a height, leg supporters on top of the pedestal body for supporting sides of lower legs of the
washing machine or the laundry dryer, and at least one coupling means at a side of the
washing machine or the laundry dryer, and a side of the pedestal body, for coupling the
washing machine or the laundry dryer with the pedestal body.
-
The leg supporter includes a panel having a first seating hole for seating a
washing machine leg, and a second seating hole for seating a laundry dryer leg.
-
The leg supporters are fixed to comers of the top of the pedestal body.
-
The first seating hole and the second seating hole are connected to each other
in each of the leg supporters fixed to front comers of the pedestal body respectively, and the
first seating hole and the second seating hole are separated from each other in each of the leg
supporters fixed to rear corners of the pedestal body, respectively.
-
The coupling means is designed to couple the washing machine or the laundry
dryer to the pedestal body according to a height variation of legs of the washing machine or
the laundry dryer.
-
The fastening member is screw, and the coupling member includes fastening
holes at preset intervals from a bottom to a top thereof.
-
Thus, the pedestal for a washing machine or a laundry dryer of the present
invention permits easy and fast installation of the washing machine or the laundry dryer, to
reduce vibration occurred in operation of the washing machine, and to apply not only to the
washing machine, but also to the laundry dryer.
-
It is to be understood that both the foregoing description and the following
detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended
to provide further explanation of the invention claimed.
BRIEF DESCRITPION OF THE DRAWINGS
-
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application,
illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings;
- FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a disassembled perspective view of a related art drum type
washing machine and a pedestal therefor, and a table showing vibrations on a washing
machine cabinet, respectively;
- FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a disassembled perspective view showing coupling a
drum type washing machine with a pedestal therefor in accordance with a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention, and a table showing vibrations on a washing machine
cabinet thereof, respectively;
- FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a section of coupling means including a gap adjusting
member, and a front view of coupling member provided to the coupling means, respectively;
- FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a disassembled perspective view showing coupling a
drum type washing machine with a pedestal therefor in accordance with a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention, and a table showing vibrations on a washing machine
cabinet thereof, respectively;
- FIG. 5 illustrates a disassembled perspective view showing coupling a drum type
washing machine with a pedestal therefor in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
- FIG. 6 illustrates a disassembled perspective view showing a pedestal in accordance
with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a perspective view and a section each showing a coupling
part in a pedestal in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 8 illustrates a disassembled perspective view showing a pedestal in accordance
with a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate sections showing a front coupling part and a rear coupling
part in a pedestal in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention,
respectively;
- FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of coupled state of a drum type washing
machine with a pedestal therefor in accordance with a sixth preferred embodiment of the
present invention; and
- FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a disassembled perspective view and a section showing
a pedestal in accordance with a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention, and a
coupling part therein, respectively.
-
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
-
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In
describing the embodiments, same parts will be given the same names and reference symbols,
and repetitive description of which will be omitted. FIG. 2A illustrates a disassembled
perspective view showing fastening a drum type washing machine to a pedestal therefor in
accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
-
Referring to FIG. 2A, the pedestal includes a body 210 for supporting a
bottom of a washing machine to a height, and coupling means 230 for coupling the washing
machine with the body 210.
-
At least one coupling means 230 is provided to a side of a cabinet of the
washing machine and a side of the body of the pedestal. In more detail, the coupling means
230 includes a coupling member 240 in contact both with the side of the washing machine or
the dryer, and the side of the pedestal body under the washing machine or the dryer, and
fastening members 250 for fastening the coupling member to the side of the washing machine
or the dryer and the side of the pedestal body, respectively.
-
The coupling member 240 may be an unitary coupling member with a '⊏'
section to surround three side boundaries of the hexahedral pedestal and the hexahedral
washing machine. Or, as shown in FIG. 2, the coupling member 240 may couple sides of the
hexahedral pedestal and the hexahedral washing machine at opposite two sides where the
hexahedral pedestal and the hexahedral washing machine are in contact. In addition to this,
the coupling member 240 may further include a third coupling member (not shown) for
coupling rear sides of the pedestal and the washing machine, together.
-
It is preferable that the fastening member 250 includes a first fastening
member 251 for fastening an upper part 241 of the coupling member to a lower part of a side
of the washing machine or the laundry dryer, and a second fastening member 252 for
fastening a lower part 242 of the coupling member to an upper part of a side of the pedestal.
-
At least one of the first, or second fastening member may have an adhesive
coated on both sides, for an example, double sided tape 251 a and 252a. Different from above,
at least one of the first fastening member, or the second fastening member may be fastening
means, such as a screw 252b, or 252b.
-
In the meantime, referring to FIG. 3A, the coupling means 230 may be
fabricated to enable to adjust a height of the washing machine or the laundry dryer.
-
Referring to FIG. 3A, the coupling means 230 may have a structure which can
adjust a height of the washing machine or the laundry dryer.
-
To do this, the coupling means 230 includes a coupling member 240 in contact
with sides both of the washing machine 100 or the laundry dryer, and the pedestal body 210
under the washing machine 100 or the laundry dryer, fastening members for fastening the
coupling member to the sides both of the washing machine 100 or the laundry dryer, and the
pedestal body 210, and gap adjusting members 260 for maintaining a space between a bottom
of the washing machine 100 or the laundry dryer, and a top of the pedestal body 210 at a
preset gap.
-
It is preferable that the gap adjusting members 260 include a plurality of
members having a variety of thickness for adjusting the height of the washing machine 100 or
the laundry dryer to a required height. The gap adjusting member 260 is placed between the
bottom of the washing machine or the laundry dryer and the top of the pedestal body in
adjustment of the height.
-
Moreover, for easy assembly, it is preferable that the gap adjusting member
260 is detachable from the coupling member. The gap adjusting member 260 has one end held
at an opening in the middle of the coupling member perpendicular thereto, and rest of the part
inserted between the bottom of the washing machine and the top of the pedestal.
-
FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of the pedestal in accordance with a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention, wherein both the first fastening member 251, and the
second fastening member 252 are the double sided tape pieces 251a, and 252a. FIG. 4
illustrates a diagram of the pedestal in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention, wherein the first fastening member 251 is the double sided tape 251a, and
the second fastening member 252 is a screw 252b.
-
Different from this, FIG. 5 illustrates the pedestal in accordance with a third
preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein both the first fastening member and
the second fastening member are screws 251 a and 251b.
-
In a case the first fastening member 251 is screw 251b, as shown in FIG. 3B,
the fastening member has fastening holes at regular intervals in the upper part for putting
screws therethrough according to a thickness of the gap adjusting member 260 selected from
the different thickness of the gap adjusting member 260.
-
Though not shown, the coupling member may be adhered with a bond. The
pedestal body may include a receiving part, such as a drawer 220, for putting things therein,
such as tools for repairing the washing machine, or detergent.
-
Tables 1B, 2B, and 4B show vibrations of the cabinet which forms an outer
appearance of the washing machine during operation of the washing machine. FIG. 1B
illustrates a table showing vibrations of a cabinet for a washing machine having a related art
pedestal, FIG. 2B illustrates a table showing vibrations of a cabinet for a washing machine
having a pedestal in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
coupled thereto, and FIG. 4B illustrates a table showing vibrations of a cabinet for a washing
machine having a pedestal in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention coupled thereto.
-
The vibration is measured at a center, top and bottom, and left and right sides
of the washing water cabinet 110.
-
The tables are compared, to find a more than 50% reduction of vibration of the
cabinet 110 from the related art in the first embodiment, and a more than 20% reduction of
vibration from the related art in the second embodiment. This is because the coupling member
240 to the pedestal 200 dampens vibration from the washing machine. According to the tables,
it is expected that the third embodiment also has a vibration damping effect.
-
Though the pedestal is described only in light of washing machine, the
pedestal is applicable, not only to the washing machine, but also to any product that requires
adjustment of height, such as the laundry dryer.
-
A pedestal in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present
invention will be described, with reference to FIG. 6.
-
Referring to FIG. 6, the pedestal 300 includes a pedestal body 310 for
supporting a bottom of a washing machine 100 or a laundry dryer (not shown) to a height,
comer supporting members 320 each fitted to a lower comer of the washing machine or the
laundry dryer, and coupling means 330 fastened to a side of the comer supporting member
and a side of the pedestal body for fitting the comer supporting member 320 to the pedestal
body.
-
The comer supporting member 320 is fitted to the lower comer of the washing
machine or the laundry dryer with screws (not shown) or double sided tape (not shown).
-
The corner supporting member 320 includes a triangular or rectangular
horizontal panel 321, and a vertical bent part 322 bent vertically from one end of the
horizontal panel in contact with an upper part of a side of the pedestal body.
-
The vertical bent part 322 may be formed at adjoining two vertical sides of the
horizontal panel.
-
The coupling means 330 includes a coupling member 340 in contact with a
side of the comer supporting member and a side of the pedestal body, and fastening members
350 for fastening the coupling member to the side of the washing machine or the laundry
dryer, and the side of the pedestal body.
-
The fastening member includes a first fastening member 351 for fastening an
upper part of the coupling member to a side of the comer supporting member, and a second
fastening member 352 for fastening a lower part 342 of the coupling member to an upper part
of a side of the pedestal.
-
The first fastening member, or the second fastening member is screws 351a, or
352a, and the screw is fastened to the comer supporting member through a through hole (not
shown) in the coupling member.
-
Referring to FIG. 2, though not shown, the fastening member may be double
sided tape having adhesive applied to both sides thereof, and the pedestal body further
includes a receiving part, such as a drawer 360, for putting things therein.
-
Referring to FIG. 6, reference numeral 140 denotes a leg on a bottom of the
washing machine or the laundry dryer, having a threaded upper part 141, and a lower part 142
in contact with a floor or a top of the pedestal body.
-
The lower part 142 of the leg may have a circular or square section, and a step
between the lower part and the upper part such that a section of the lower part has an area
larger than a section of the upper part in which the thread is formed.
-
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate enlarged detailed view of the foregoing pedestal.
-
Referring to FIG. 7A, the comer supporting member 320 includes a horizontal
panel 321 having a square with an arc cut away from a comer thereof, and a vertical bent part
322 bent downward from two side of the horizontal panel that form a right angle.
-
There is the leg 140 of the washing machine or the laundry dryer in contact
with the arc of the horizontal panel 321. The horizontal panel 321 has a bottom supported on
the step between the lower part and the upper part of the leg 140.
-
Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the coupling member 340 is fastened to the
vertical bent part 322 of the comer supporting part, and the side of the upper part of the
pedestal body 310 with screws.
-
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIG. 8.
-
Referring to FIG. 8, the pedestal 400 includes a pedestal body 410 for
supporting a bottom of a washing machine or a laundry dryer to a height, and leg supporters
420 on the pedestal body for supporting side surfaces of the lower legs, and coupling the
washing machine or the laundry dryer with the pedestal body.
-
The leg supporter 420 provides a structure for seating the leg of the washing
machine or the laundry dryer on the top of the pedestal.
-
For this, the leg supporter 420 includes a horizontal panel 421 having a first
seating hole 421a for seating the leg 140 of the washing machine, and a second seating hole
421b for seating the leg 150 of the laundry dryer.
-
The leg supporters 420 are fitted to the top of the pedestal body as many as a
number of legs. The legs, in general four in number, the leg supporters 420 are provided to
four points, such as four comers of the pedestal body 410, respectively.
-
Referring to FIG. 8, a horizontal panel 421 of the leg supporter at each of the
four comers of the top of the pedestal body is fastened with fastening means, such as screws.
-
It is preferable that the first seating hole and the second seating hole in each of
the two leg supporters at front comers of the pedestal body are connected to each other, and
the first seating hole and the second seating hole in each of the two leg supporters at rear
comers of the pedestal body are separated from each other, for easy seating of the washing
machine legs 140.
-
With reference to a diagonal line of a bottom of the washing machine, the first
seating hole is positioned on an outer side of the second seating hole, because in general a
cabinet of the washing machine is larger than a cabinet of the laundry dryer.
-
In the meantime, the leg supporter further includes a vertical bent 422
vertically bent from one end of the horizontal panel 421 having the seating holes formed
therein.
-
The leg supporter 420 may be fitted to a lower part of a side of the washing
machine, or to a comer of the lower part of the washing machine.
-
Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, each of the two leg supporters 420a and 420b
fastened to the front part of the pedestal body 410 further includes a supporting part 423
projected forward from an end of the vertical bent for fastening to a bottom of a front part 111
of the washing machine, for fastening with screws 424 from the bottom of the front part of the
washing machine. Of course, double sided tape may be attached between the bottom of the
front part of the washing machine and a top surface of the supporting part. To do this, as
shown in FIG. 8, a width between front and rear sides of the washing machine is greater than
a width between front and rear sides of the pedestal.
-
Each of the two leg supporters 420c and 420d fastened to rear part the pedestal
body has the vertical bent 422 fastened to a lower part of rear part of the washing machine
with screws 425.
-
In this embodiment too, the pedestal body has a receiving part, such as a
drawer 430.
-
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference
to FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B.
-
The pedestal 500 includes a pedestal body 510 for supporting a bottom of a
washing machine or a laundry dryer to a height, leg supporters 520 on a top of the pedestal
body for supporting side surfaces of lower legs of the washing machine or the laundry dryer,
and at least one coupling means 530 at sides of the washing machine or the laundry dryer and
the pedestal body for coupling the washing machine of the laundry dryer to the pedestal body.
-
The leg supporter 520 has a first seating hole 521 for seating the washing
machine leg 140, and a second seating hole 522 for seating a laundry dryer leg 150, and is
fastened to the top of the pedestal body with fastening means, such as screws.
-
The leg supporters 520 are fastened to upper comers of the pedestal body,
wherein the first seating hole 521a and the second seating hole 522a in each of the two leg
supporters at the front comers of the pedestal body are connected to each other, and the first
seating hole 521b and the second seating hole 522b in each of the two leg supporters at the
rear comers of the pedestal body are separated from each other, for, as described in the fifth
embodiment, easy seating of the washing water legs.
-
With reference to a diagonal line on a bottom of the washing machine, the first
seating hole 521 is positioned on an outer side of the second seating hole 522, because a
cabinet of the washing machine is in general greater than a cabinet of the laundry dryer.
-
The coupling means 530 includes a coupling means 540 provided both to side
of the washing machine or the laundry dryer, and a side of the pedestal body, and fastening
members 550 for fastening the coupling means to the side of the washing machine or the
laundry dryer and the side of the pedestal body.
-
The coupling member 540 may be one coupling member (not shown) with a
'⊏' section to surround three side boundaries of the hexahedral pedestal and the hexahedral
washing machine. Or, as shown in FIG. 10, the coupling member 240 may be two or more
than two coupling members for coupling the sides of the hexahedral pedestal and the
hexahedral washing machine at opposite sides thereof. In addition to this, the coupling
member may further include a third coupling member (not shown) for coupling rear sides of
the pedestal and the washing machine, together.
-
The coupling member may be designed to cope with height variation of the
legs of the washing machine 140 or the laundry dryer.
-
The fastening member 550 includes first fastening members 551 for fastening
an upper part of the coupling member to a lower part of a side of the washing machine or the
laundry dryer, and second fastening members 552 for fastening a lower part of the coupling
member to an upper part of a side of the pedestal.
-
At least one of the first fastening member 551 and the second fastening
member 552 may be one having an adhesive material coated on both sides, for an example,
double sided tape.
-
Different from above, at least one of the first fastening member 551 and the
second fastening member 552 may be a fastening means, such as a screw. When the fastening
member is screw, it is preferable that the upper part of the coupling member has fastening
hole formed at regular intervals.
-
In FIGS. 11 A and 11B, the first fastening members 551 are double sided tapes
551a, and the second fastening members are screws 552a.
-
Though not shown, the coupling member may be bonded with a bond.
-
It is preferable that the pedestal body includes a receiving part, such as a
drawer 560 for putting things therein.
-
Alike the first to third embodiments, in the fourth or fifth embodiment too,
vibration occurred when the washing machine is operated can be dampened by the leg
supporter in the fourth embodiment, or the coupling member in the fifth embodiment.
-
The present invention has the following advantages.
First, installation of the washing machine, or the laundry dryer becomes easy
and fast.
-
Vibration and noise occurred during operation of the washing machine or the
laundry dryer can be reduced.
-
Third, a pedestal can be provided, which can be applicable not only to the
washing machine, but also to the laundry dryer.
-
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of
the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and
variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
-
Summarized, the invention, according to one aspect, provides a pedestal
including a pedestal body for supporting a bottom of a washing machine or a laundry dryer to
a height, and at least one coupling means provided both to a side of the washing machine or
the laundry dryer and a side of the pedestal body for coupling the washing machine or the
laundry dryer with the pedestal body, wherein the coupling means includes a coupling
member provided both to a side of the washing machine or the laundry dryer, and a side of the
pedestal body under the washing machine or the laundry dryer, and fastening members for
fastening the coupling member to the side of the washing machine or the laundry dryer and
the side of the pedestal body, respectively.