Assembly for stacking washers and dryers

0001The present invention relates to washers and dryers, and more particularly, to an assembly for stacking washers and/or dryers.

0002Generally, a washer is an apparatus for washing laundry and includes a drum rotatably provided within a housing and a driving device for rotating the drum. The washer is classified into top loading types and front loading types according to the orientation of the drum. The front loading type washer includes a drum that is laid down, whereas the top loading type washer has an upright drum. Hence, laundry is loaded into the washer via the front of the washer. Compared to the top loading type washer, the front loading type washer has a small volume and a bigger washing capacity. And, the front loading type washer has high washing performance without tangling the laundry which is popular in use.

0003Lately, a front loading type dryer having a laid-down drum has been developed. Washed laundry is loaded at the front for drying, thereby having many advantages similar to those of the front loading type washer.

0004<figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective diagram of a washer or dryer according to a related art.

0005Referring to <figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref>, a washer or dryer includes a housing that consists of a pair of side panels 50, a back panel (not shown in the drawing) provided to the rear of the side panels 50, a front panel 10 provided to the front of the side panels 50, a top panel 20 provided over the side, back, and front panels, and a base panel (not shown in the drawing) provided beneath the side, back, and front panels. A door 10a for loading a laundry and a control panel 30 for controlling an operation are provided to the front panel 10. Several legs 60 are provided to the base panel to support the weight of the washer or dryer. In the washer, a drum and its driving device are basically installed within the housing. In the dryer, a drum, a driving device, and a heating device for generating hot air arc basically installed within the housing.

0006The washer and dryer are mostly used together in a home or a cleaner's. Specifically, in the cleaner's, a multitude of washers and dryers are used together. And, the washers and the dryers are separately grouped or combined altogether.

0007However, the washers and/or dryers need to be arranged side by side, thereby occupying a big space unnecessarily. <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE3329615A"><text>DE 3329615A</text></patcit> concerns a foot retainer for receiving the foot of a washer-dryer that is stackable above another washer-dryer.

0008Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an assembly for stacking washers and/or dryers that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

0009An object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for stacking washer and/or dryers, by which washers/dryers, washers, or dryers can be stacked.

0010Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become 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 may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

0011The present invention is defined in the accompanying independent claims. Some preferred features are recited in the dependent claims.

0012To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an assembly for stacking washers and/or dryers according to the present invention includes at least one bracket provided to a top portion of a first washer or dryer and at least one holder provided to the bracket to hold a leg of a second washer or dryer put on the first washer or dryer.

0013Preferably, the holder includes at least one flange having an angle shape cross-section. Preferably, the holder includes a pair of flanges separated from each other to leave a prescribed interval and a pair of the flanges are configured to latch the corresponding leg.

0014Preferably, the assembly further includes a stopper provided in rear of the holder to support a rear portion of the leg.

0015Preferably, the assembly further includes a supplementary bracket configured to prevent the leg from being separated forward from the holder in case of coupling the leg with the bracket. More preferably, the supplementary bracket includes a stopper provided in front of the holder to support a front portion of the leg.

0016Therefore, by the present invention, the washers or dryers occupy a minimum space to be stably stacked.

0017It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

0018The 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: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective diagram of a washer or dryer according to a related art;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is a projected perspective diagram of a washer and/or a dryer stacked on another using a stacking assembly according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B</figref> are perspective diagrams of brackets of a stacking assembly according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> is a front diagram of a leg of a washer or dryer coupled with a holder of a stacking assembly according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref> is a layout of a holder of a stacking assembly according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIG. 6</figref> is a perspective diagram of a supplementary bracket of a stacking assembly according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIG. 7</figref> is a perspective diagram of a bracket coupled with a supplementary bracket of a stacking assembly according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIG. 8</figref> and <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 9</figref> are perspective diagrams for showing a rear side of a bracket in a stacking assembly according to the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B</figref> are perspective diagrams of a modification of a supplementary bracket of a stacking assembly according to the present invention; and</li><li><figref idref="f0009">FIG. 11</figref> is a perspective diagram of a bracket coupled with a modified supplementary bracket of a stacking assembly according to the present invention.</li></ul>

0019Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

0020<figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> is a projected perspective diagram of a washer and/or a dryer pair stacked on one another using a stacking assembly according to the present invention.

0021Referring to <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref>, a first device 90 is put on a floor and a second device 80 is then stacked on a top portion, i.e., a top plate 95 of the first device 90. In this case, the first device 90 can be a washer or dryer. Likewise, the second device 80 can be a washer or dryer. Hence, the first and second devices 90 and 80 may include washers only, dryers only, washing and drying machines, or a combination of washer and dryer. And, the first and second devices 90 and 80 can correspond to various combinations available for a home or a cleaner's.

0022A bracket 100 having a rectangular plate shape is installed on the top portion, the top plate 95 of the first device 90. The bracket 100 extends along a side part of the top plate 95. It is able to stack the second device 80 on the first device 90 using one bracket 100 only. For stable stacking, the present invention preferably provides a pair of brackets 100 on two opposed side parts of the top plate 95, respectively.

0023At least one holder 110, as shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B</figref>, is provided to the bracket 100 to hold a leg 85 of the second device 80. The holder 110, as shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3A</figref>, can include one raised flange 112. Optionally, the holder 110, as shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3B</figref>, preferably includes a pair of flanges 112 to stably hold the corresponding leg 85. A tip of the flange 112 is bent at an angle to the plate. Hence, the leg 85 is latched by the corresponding flange 112. Namely, a top portion of the leg 85 is supported by the flange 112. Besides, a pair of the flanges 112 are formed symmetric to each other to support both lateral sides of the leg 85. Hence, the leg 85 is enclosed by the flanges 112 of the holder 110 to be stably received within the holder 110. Hence, the holder 110, as shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref>, supports upper and lower portions and both of the lateral sides of the leg 85 together with the bracket 100, thereby holding the leg 85 tightly. Moreover, since the flanges 112 have the angle shapes, respectively, the leg 85 slides on the bracket 100 to be fitted in the holder 110. Preferably, a pair of holders 110 are provided to front and rear parts of the bracket 100, respectively. In such a case, the holders 110 hold legs, i.e., front and rear legs, arranged along one side part of the second device 80, respectively.

0024Specifically, the flange 112 can be formed in a manner of shearing or punching a portion of the bracket 100 and bending the portion of the bracket 100. Meanwhile, a tip 114 of the sheared flange, as shown in <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> and <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 5</figref>, is enough to cause damage to the leg 85 or to hurt a user. Hence, the tip 114 of the sheared flange is preferably curled inwardly. Moreover, each of the flanges 112, and more accurately, a front portion 116 of the tip 114 is tapered in an outer direction of the flange 112. Namely, an entrance of the holder 110 is extended so that the leg 85 can be guided inside the holder by the tapered portion in being fitted in the holder 110.

0025A stopper 120, as shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B</figref>, is provided in rear of the holder 100 to prevent the leg 85 from being separated backward from the holder 110. The stopper 120 supports a rear side of the leg 85 to acts as a buffer against backward movement of the leg 85. The stopper 120 may be provided to the bracket 100. Substantially, the stopper 120, as shown in the drawing, is formed by bending a portion of the bracket 100. Alternatively, the stopper 120 can be built in one body of the holder 110. In doing so, a portion of the rear portion of the flange 112 is bent to form the stopper 120. When the front and rear holders 110 are provided to the bracket 100, the stopper 120 can each be provided to the rear of the holders 110. Yet, the stopper 120, as shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B</figref>, can perform its intended function by being only provided to the rear holder 110 supporting the rear leg 85 of the second device 80. Consequently, the holder 110 substantially supports the rear side of the leg 85, and more particularly, the rear side of the rear leg 85 of the second device 80, thereby preventing the leg 85 from being separated backward from the holder 110. As the stopper 120 is located in rear of the holder 110, the leg 85 becomes fitted in the holder 110 from a front side of the holder 110.

0026A supplementary bracket 170, as shown in <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref>, is coupled with the front portion of the bracket 100. The supplementary bracket 170, as shown in <figref idref="f0005">FIG. 6</figref> and <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 7</figref>, includes a rectangular plate and at least one stopper 172. If a pair of the brackets 100 are provided to both confronting sides of the first device 90, respectively, the supplementary bracket 170, as shown in the drawing, includes a pair of stoppers 172. The stopper 172 is provided in front of the holder 120 to support a front side of the leg 85. Specifically, the stopper 172 is placed in front of the holder 110 supporting the front leg of the second device 80. Consequently, by the stopper 170, the supplementary bracket 170 substantially supports the front side of the leg 85, and more accurately, the front side of the front leg 85 of the second device 80, whereby the leg 85 is prevented from separated forward from the holder 110. As mentioned in the foregoing description, the leg 85 needs to be fitted in the holder 110 from a front side of the holder 110 due to the stopper 120. In case that the bracket 100 is installed at the first device 90 after completion of installation of the supplementary bracket 170, the leg 85 is unable to access the front side of the holder 110 due to the stopper 172. Hence, the supplementary bracket 170 needs to be installed at the first device 90 after completion of installation of the bracket 100. Specifically, the supplementary bracket 170 is installed at the first device 90 in a manner of putting the second device 80 on the first device 90 using the bracket 100.

0027A coupling mechanism for coupling the supplementary bracket 170 with the bracket 100 securely is provided to the supplementary bracket 170 and the bracket 100. The coupling mechanism, as shown in <figref idref="f0006">FIG. 7</figref>, includes a first flange 174 provided to one side of the supplementary bracket 170 and a second flange 175 provided to one side of the bracket 100. The first flange 174 is formed by bending a portion of the supplementary bracket 170, and the second flange 175 is formed by bending a portion of the bracket 100. The first and second flanges 174 and 175 are made to confront each other in assembling the supplementary bracket 170 to the bracket 100. Moreover, coupling holes 176 are formed at the first and second flanges 14 and 175, respectively. A bolt 177 is locked in the coupling holes 176 to couple the first and second flanges 174 and 175 with each other.

0028And, a guide mechanism for guiding the supplementary bracket 170 to an accurate coupling position is provided to the supplementary bracket 170 and the bracket 100. The guide mechanism includes a projection 178 provided to the supplementary bracket 170 and a recess 179 provided to the bracket 100. The recess 179 is configured o guide and deceive the projection 178 therein in assembling the supplementary bracket 170 to the bracket 100. By the guide mechanism, the supplementary bracket 170 is accurately coupled with the bracket 100, in which the coupling holes 176 of the first and second flanges 174 and 175 are aligned to each other. Moreover, a bead 171 is provided to the supplementary bracket 170 for rigidity reinforcement and distortion prevention. The bead 171 is provided to traverse a central part of the bracket 170 and to extend to a periphery of the stopper 172.

0029A fixing mechanism, as shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8 and FIG. 8</figref>, is provided to the bracket 100 to fix the bracket 100 to the first device 90. The fixing mechanism basically includes a rear flange 150 provided to a rear portion of the bracket 100 to come into contact with a backside of the first device 90. Additionally, the fixing mechanism may further include a double-sided tape 160 (cf. <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref>) attached to a bottom of the bracket 100 to attach the bracket 100 to the top plate 95. Screw holes 152 are provided to the rear flange 150 and the backside of the first device 90, respectively. And, a screw 154 is locked in the holes 152. Optionally, a fixing bracket 260, as shown in <figref idref="f0007">FIG. 9</figref>, can be further provided for fixing the bracket 100. The fixing bracket 260 is configured to cover the backside of the first device 90 and the rear flange 150 in part and includes upper and lower coupling holes 262 corresponding to the backside of the first device 90 and the rear flange 150, respectively. Hence, the an upper part of the fixing bracket 260 is fixed to the backside of the first device 90 together with the rear flange 150 and a lower part of the fixing bracket 260 is fixed to the backside of the first device 90 in direct, using the coupling holes 262 and screws 264. The bracket 100, as shown in <figref idref="f0003">FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B</figref>, includes a side flange 122 confronting a lateral side of the top plate 95 for smooth coupling. To reinforce rigidity, a bead 124 is provided to the bracket 100. The bead 124 is preferably provided to a side part of the bracket instead of a central part of the bracket 100 to enable the leg 85 to smoothly slide on the bracket 100 for the coupling with the holder 110.

0030A process of stacking the first and second devices using the stacking assembly according to the present invention is explained as follows.

0031First of all, the bracket 100 is assembled to the top plate 95 of the first device 90 put on the floor. The side flange 122 and the rear flange 150 of the bracket 100 are contacted with the lateral and rear sides of the top plate 95, respectively. The bracket 100 is attached to the top plate 95 using the double-sided tape 160 9 (cf. <figref idref="f0002">FIG. 2</figref>) attached to the bottom of the bracket 100. The rear flange 150 of the bracket 100 and the backside of the first device 90 are then fixed to each other using the locking member.

0032Subsequently, the second device 80 is placed over the first device 90. In doing so, by putting the rear leg 85 of the second device 80 over the bracket 100 of the first device 90 and then pushing the second device 80 backward, each of the legs 85 of the second device 80 slides on the bracket 100 to be fitted in the corresponding holder 110 from the front portion of the corresponding holder 110. Supported by the stopper 120 provided in rear of the holder 110, the corresponding leg 85 is not separated backward from the holder 110.

0033After completion of fitting the leg 85 in the corresponding holder 110 each, the supplementary bracket 170 is coupled with the front portion of the bracket 100. The stopper 172 of the bracket 170 supports the leg 85 within the front holder 110 of the bracket 100, thereby preventing the leg 85 from being separated forward.

0034Hence, the legs 85 of the second device 80 can be supported by the holders 110, respectively in vertical and horizontal directions. Moreover, the rear and front legs 85 are supported by the stoppers 120 and 172, respectively. Consequently, by the stacking assembly according to the present invention, the second device 90 is stacked on the first device 80 to be securely assembled to the first device 80.

0035<figref idref="f0008">FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B</figref> are perspective diagrams of a modification of a supplementary bracket of a stacking assembly according to the present invention, and <figref idref="f0009">FIG. 11</figref> is a perspective diagram of a bracket coupled with a modified supplementary bracket of a stacking assembly according to the present invention.

0036Referring to <figref idref="f0008 f0009">FIGs. 10A to 11</figref>, a stopper 372 and a first flange 374 are provided to a supplementary bracket 370 that is a rectangular plate. The stopper 372 and the first flange 374 are identical to the foregoing explained stopper and first flange 172 and 174, respectively, whereby their explanation will be skipped. The modified features different from those of the former embodiment of the present invention are explained as follows.

0037First of all, instead of the projection 178 and the recess 179, a supplementary stopper 378 is provided as a guide mechanism to the supplementary bracket 370. The supplementary stopper 378 comes into contact with a front portion of a holder when the supplementary bracket 370 is coupled with a bracket. Hence, the supplementary stopper 378 enables the supplementary bracket 370 to be placed on an accurate coupling posture. Specifically, coupling holes 376 provided to the first and second flanges 374 and 175 for feasible coupling of the screw 377 can be aligned with each other by the supplementary stopper 378.

0038Moreover, to prevent distortion of the supplementary bracket 370 and to reinforce rigidity of the supplementary bracket 370, a bead 379 is formed in a length direction of the supplementary bracket 370. The supplementary bracket 370, as shown in <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 10A</figref> along a cutting line A-A', has a curved cross-section attributed to the bead 379 in the length direction. Moreover, the supplementary bracket 370 comes into contact with the first device 90 intermittently by the vibration of the first device 90, whereby noise may be generated. The supplementary bracket 370, as well shown in a front diagram of <figref idref="f0008">FIG. 10B</figref>, is bent upward to be separated from the first device 90. Hence, a contact area between the supplementary bracket 370 and the first device 90 is considerably reduces to substantially prevent the generation of noise.

0039Accordingly, by the assembly of the present invention, washers and/or dryers can be stacked to minimize their installation space.

0040Moreover, the assembly according to the present invention can lock the stacked washers and/or dryers to each other more securely.