WASHING MACHINE TUB LOCK

Abstract

A washing machine tub lock device (10) is provided that prevents the wash tub (12) from impacting the washing machine cabinet (16) during shipping and handling. The tub lock device (10) is formed by cutting and folding a corrugated blank into an inverted truncated hexagonal cone that can be wedged inside the top portion of the washing machine tub (12).

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This patent relates to appliance packaging. More particularly, this patent relates to a device that fits inside a washing machine tub to lock the tub in place during shipping.

2. Description of the Related Art

Top-loading washing machines generally comprise a spin or wash tub disposed within a washing machine cabinet or housing. Some washing machines have a central pivoting agitator extending upwardly from the bottom of the wash tub and operably connected to a motor located below the tub. Other washing machines lack this central agitator and instead have ridges located on the inside of the wash tub to assist with the agitating function. In washing machines without the central agitator the wash tub itself may oscillate up and down and/or rotate back and forth to agitate the clothes. In either type of washing machine the clearance between the wash tub and the appliance cabinet is often no more than about an inch (2.54 cm), and so the cabinet is susceptible to damage from impacts from the wash tub when the appliance is moved during shipping.

Thus there is a need for a device that locks the tub in place or otherwise prevents the tub from impacting the appliance cabinet when the washing machine is moved. Prior to the present invention, this was typically accomplished using blocks of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,620,365; 3,812,959; 3,901,385; 3,912,076; 3,913,736 and 4,700.832; or corrugated fiberboard as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,190. However, EPS braces can break apart, reducing protection.

Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved protective device made from corrugated fiberboard that prevents a washing machine wash tub from impacting and damaging the cabinet during shipping and handling.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a tub lock device for a washing machine that locks the wash tub into place to prevent the tub from impacting the cabinet during shipping and handling. The tub lock device preferably comprises six side panels arranged to form a six sided truncated cone having a bottom major (maximum) diameter less than the top diameter of the wash tub and a top major (maximum) diameter exceeding the top diameter of the wash tub. Alternatively, the side panels can be arranged to form a cylinder, the cylinder configured to form a friction fit with the wash tub top opening and the cabinet top opening.

Preferably the tub lock device is formed from a cut and folded blank made from corrugated board. Upon delivery, the brace can be removed from the appliance in a single piece and recycled.

THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cutaway side view of a tub lock according to the present invention shown installed in a washing machine.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a washing machine shown without a tub lock.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a washing machine shown with a tub lock.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the tub lock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a blank from which a tub lock according to the present invention can be made.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one or more embodiments with the understanding that this disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments.

Turning to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 one embodiment of the present invention, a tub lock 10 for a top loading washing machine 16 that prevents the wash tub 12 from impacting (hitting) the washing machine cabinet 14 during shipping and handling.

The washing machine itself, shown generally at 16, may be the type that does not have a central agitator. Instead, the wash tub 12 may have ridges 20 located on the wash tub wall interior surface and the tub 12 may move reciprocally up and down and/or rotate back and forth to agitate the clothes. In the washing machine 16 shown in FIGS. 1-3 the cabinet top opening and the wash tub top opening are both about 16 inches (41 cm) in diameter, with the wash tub top opening slightly smaller than the cabinet top opening. The wash tub 12 is supported from below the tub 12 and can swing from its center position and impact the walls of the cabinet 12 from the inside if not restrained. These impacts can produce a cosmetic defect to the outside of the cabinet 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, this problem is solved by placing inside the washing machine 16 a tub lock 10 made according to the present invention. Preferably the tub lock 10 has an inverted, truncated conical shape in which the major (maximum) diameter of the bottom of the inverted cone is less than the top diameter of the wash tub top opening so that the tub lock 10 fits down into the wash tub 12, and the major (maximum) diameter of the top of the inverted cone exceeds the top diameter of the wash tub top opening to prevent the tub lock 10 from falling completely into the wash tub 12.

More preferably, the major top diameter of the wash tub lock 10 exceeds the diameter of the cabinet top opening. In this way, the bottom of the wash tub lock 10 is located below the wash tub top opening while the top of the wash tub lock 10 is located above the cabinet top opening (but low enough to allow the washing machine lid to close). Preferably the sides of the wash tub lock 10 are wedged against the rim of the washing machine cabinet top opening and the rim of the wash tub top opening as shown in FIG. 1. This positioning of the wash tub lock 10 limits or even eliminates any movement of the wash tub 12 relative to the washing machine cabinet 14, thereby reducing or eliminating the possibility of the wash tub swinging against or otherwise hitting the interior wall of the washing machine cabinet 14.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of the tub lock. The six sided (hexagonal) shape of the tub lock 10 is considered optimal because this shape is best suited for securing the tub lock 10 in place. However, other tub lock shapes are contemplated, including four, five and seven sided truncated cones.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the tub lock 10 is formed from a unitary (one piece) blank, preferably made of corrugated board, that is cut and folded into a three-dimensional shape that fits into the tub top section. The blank comprises six substantially rectangular flat side panels 22, 24, 26, 28, 32 and 34 and six attachment panels 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 and 33 interposed between the side panels, the side and attachment panels arranged in roughly a circular pattern. The blank can be cut along cut lines 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56, folded at fold lines 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 and 72, and then glued to form a truncated hexagonal cone shaped tub lock. The side panels 22, 24, 26, 28, 32 and 34 need not be uniform in shape or dimensions but rather can be configured to best fit the top section of the wash tub 12. The side panels may be contiguous as shown in the figures. The tub lock 10 may be assembled using glue or other adhesive, although any suitable mean of attaching the panels may be used.

The tub lock 10 preferably comprises a bottom panel 36 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 to help the tub lock 10 retain its shape during use. If the washing machine has a central agitator, the tub lock 10 must be shallow enough to fit above the agitator or not have a bottom panel 36.

If necessary, notches 38 may be formed in the top rim 42 of the tub lock 10 to accommodate the washing machine lid hinge or other lid components. Likewise, the top rim 42 may include contoured sections 44 to accommodate the washing machine lid handle or other lid components.

The invention works in the following manner. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the tub lock 10 is inserted into the top section of the wash tub 12 so that it is wedged against the washing machine opening and/or wash tub opening. If a six sided tub lock 10 is used it may contact the washing machine cabinet 14 and/or wash tub 12 in as many as six places. The tub lock 10 is removed once the washing machine 16 reaches its final destination.

Thus there has been described a tub lock for a washing machine that protects the washing machine cabinet from being dented from the inside by the washing machine tub. Preferably the tub lock is made from a folded and glued corrugated blank to provide strength and recyclability. The tub lock can be used with a special washing machine base as described in a co-owned and co-pending patent application to further protect and cushion the washing machine during assembly and shipping.

The present invention can also be used with dryers having a dryer tub mounted within a cabinet in a fashion similar to that of the washing machines described herein.

It is understood that the embodiments of the invention described above are only particular examples which serve to illustrate the principles of the invention. Modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention are contemplated which do not depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the foregoing teachings and appended claims. It is intended that the claims cover all such modifications and alternative embodiments that fall within their scope.

Claims

1. A tub lock device for a washing machine of the type having a wash tub disposed within a cabinet, the wash tub having a top opening with a first diameter, the cabinet having a top opening with a second diameter, the tub lock device comprising:

flat side panels arranged to form an inverted truncated cone, the inverted truncated cone having a major bottom diameter less than the diameter of the wash tub top opening and a major top diameter greater than the diameter of the wash tub top opening.

2. The tub lock device of claim 1 wherein the inverted truncated cone has a major top diameter greater than the diameter of the cabinet top opening.

3. The tub lock device of claim 1 wherein the tub lock device is formed from a unitary cut and folded blank.

4. The tub lock device of claim 3 wherein the blank is formed from corrugated board.

5. The tub lock device of claim 3 further comprising a bottom panel foldably attached to at least one of the side panels.

6. The tub lock device of claim 5 wherein the bottom panel is foldably attached to every side panel.

7. The tub lock device of claim 1 wherein the number of flat side panels is six.

8. The tub lock device of claim 1 wherein the flat side panels are contiguous.

9. A tub lock device for a washing machine of the type having a wash tub disposed within a cabinet, the wash tub having a top opening with a first diameter, the cabinet having a top opening with a second diameter, the tub lock device comprising:

flat side panels arranged to form a cylinder, the cylinder configured to form a friction fit with the wash tub top opening and the cabinet top opening.