WASHING MACHINE OUTLET BOX COVERS

Abstract

A washing machine outlet box cover that has an outlet box association structure such as channels or a latch and hook system, reversibly covers and uncovers a washing machine outlet box. The washing machine outlet box cover protects the washing machine outlet box and the structures contained therein, and it may be used to hide those structures from view during normal operation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of washing machine outlet boxes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Washing machine outlet boxes are structures that house portions of plumbing systems that are connected directly or indirectly to washing machines. Among the purposes of these boxes is to enable easy access to water shutoff devices. By way of example, a washing machine outlet box may be a box that sits in a wall of a room and has a forward-facing open side.

Additionally, the washing machine outlet box may have one more openings in one or more of its walls, e.g., its bottom wall as the box is oriented in the wall of a room. For transportation of water to a washing machine, conduits for hot and cold water may enter the washing machine outlet box through these openings and exit the washing machine outlet box through the forward-facing open side. Optionally, there may be a first conduit for hot water and a first conduit for cold water, each of which enters the washing machine outlet box and a second conduit for hot water and a second conduit for cold water, each of which exits the washing machine outlet box. There may also be a first conduit for wastewater that enters the washing machine outlet box through the forward-facing open side and a second conduit for wastewater that exits the washing machine outlet box through an opening in a wall of the washing machine outlet box.

Each conduit may be a rigid, flexible, or semi-rigid material and be made of plastic, metal, a metal alloy or a combination thereof. Examples of conduits, include but are not limited to pipes and flexible tubes. Additionally, at or proximate to where one or more first conduits and their corresponding second conduits meet within the washing machine outlet box, there may be a nozzle or other water shutoff device.

Recently, there have been movements toward standardization and/or prescription of the placement of washing machine outlet boxes relative to the washing machines with which they are associated. Among the goals of these movements are to render these boxes easy to locate visually and to provide easy access when one wishes to shutoff a water supply.

Designers and industry experts have spent a great deal of resources on trying to design better washing machine outlet boxes. However, often these designs focus on the shape, size, and construction of the walls of the washing machine outlet box. Among the unmet needs in this industry are sufficiently effective and efficient devices for covering the front face of a washing machine outlet box while not undesirably impeding access to structures contained within it. Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to one or both of these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to washing machine outlet box covers, systems that incorporate them, and methods for using them. Through various embodiments of the present invention, one may efficiently and effectively cover and uncover washing machine outlet boxes without affecting the integrity of the washing machine outlet box covers themselves, the washing machine outlet boxes with which they are to be associated, or the plumbing components housed therein or emanating therefrom.

According to a first embodiment, the present invention provides a washing machine outlet box cover that comprises: (a) a shield face; (b) a set of frame covering walls; (c) a plurality of shield walls, wherein the plurality of shield walls connects the set of frame covering walls to the shield face; and (d) an outlet box association structure. The set of frame covering walls may, for example, comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a first frame covering wall and a second frame covering wall; or a first frame covering wall, a second frame covering wall, and a third frame covering wall. The plurality of shield walls may, for example, comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a first shield wall and a second shield wall; or a first shield wall, a second shield wall, and a third shield wall.

According to a second embodiment, the present invention provides a washing machine outlet box cover that comprises: (a) a first channel, wherein the first channel comprises a first channel base, a first channel front wall, and a first channel rear wall, and the first channel has a first channel opening; (b) a second channel, wherein the second channel comprises a second channel base, a second channel front wall and a second channel rear wall, and the second channel has a second channel opening, and (c) a shield, wherein the first channel opening faces the second channel opening. The first channel front wall may form or be part of a first frame covering wall and the second channel front wall may form or be part of a second frame covering wall. The shield spans from the first frame covering wall to the second frame covering wall. The shield may, for example, comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a shield face and a plurality of shield walls. The first frame covering wall may be connected to the shield face through a first shield wall, and the second frame covering wall may be connected to the shield face through a second shield wall.

According to a third embodiment, the present invention provides a washing machine outlet box cover comprising: (a) a shield face; (b) a set of frame covering walls; (c) a plurality of shield walls, wherein the plurality of shield walls connects the set of frame covering walls to the shield face; and (d) an outlet box association structure, wherein the outlet box association structure is a component of a latch and hook system.

According to a fourth embodiment, the present invention provides a system comprising a washing machine outlet box cover of the present invention and a washing machine outlet box.

According to a fifth embodiment, the present invention provides a method for shielding a washing machine outlet box. The method comprises engaging a washing machine outlet box cover of the present invention with a washing machine outlet box. The washing machine outlet box cover may, for example, comprise a first channel and a second channel. Additionally, the washing machine outlet box may comprise a frame and the frame may comprise a first region and a second region that optionally are coplanar. The first region extends in a first direction and the second region extends in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions and the engaging comprises causing at least a portion of the first region of the frame to enter the first channel and at least a portion of the second region of the frame to enter the second channel. When engaged, a portion or the entire first frame covering wall of the washing machine outlet box cover may cover a portion or all of the first region of the frame, and a portion or the entire the second frame covering wall of the washing machine outlet box cover may cover a portion or all of the second region of the frame.

According to a sixth embodiment, the present invention provides another method for covering a portion or all of a washing machine outlet box. In this method, the washing machine outlet box cover comprises a lip and an outlet box association structure. The washing machine outlet box may be positioned to cover some or all of the sides of one, two, three or more sides of a frame of a washing machine outlet box, and the outlet box association structure may engage a complementary structure that is located on the frame of the washing machine outlet box. For example, the outlet box association structure may be a set of latch elements, while the washing machine outlet box may comprise a set of hook elements, and the latch and hook elements are aligned such that the latch elements engage the hook elements. Alternatively, the outlet box association structure may be a set of hook elements, while the washing machine outlet box comprises a set of latch elements, and the latch and hook elements are aligned such that the latch elements engage the hook elements.

The aforementioned two embodiments that are directed to methods are recited in terms of covering all or a portion of a washing machine outlet box. However, also within the scope of the invention are methods for uncovering washing machine outlet boxes by disassociating the washing machine outlet box covers from them in the reverse order of the steps of the methods described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a representation of a washing machine outlet box cover.

FIG. 2 is a representation of a washing machine outlet box.

FIG. 3 is a representation of a system in which a washing machine outlet box cover and a washing machine outlet box are partially engaged.

FIG. 4 is a representation of a washing machine outlet box as covered by a washing machine outlet box cover proximate to a washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a representation of a washing machine outlet box proximate to a washing machine with the washing machine outlet box cover of FIG. 4 removed.

FIG. 6 is a representation of another washing machine outlet box.

FIG. 7 is a representation of another washing machine outlet box cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, unless otherwise indicated or implicit from context, the details are intended to be examples and should not be deemed to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Additionally, features described in connection with the various or specific embodiments are not to be construed as not appropriate for use in connection with other embodiments disclosed herein unless such exclusivity is explicitly stated or implicit from context.

In some embodiments, the washing machine outlet box covers of the present invention comprise: (a) a shield face; (b) a set of frame covering walls; (c) a plurality of shield walls, wherein the plurality of shield walls connect the frame covering walls to the shield face; and (d) an outlet box association structure. The washing machine outlet box covers are designed so that they can reversibly be associated with a washing machine outlet box, i.e., associated with and disassociated from the washing machine outlet box multiple times without destroying or undesirably diminishing the integrity of either the washing machine outlet box cover or the washing machine outlet box.

FIG. 1 shows a washing machine outlet box cover 100. A shield face 134 of the washing machine outlet box cover is of a size that allows it to cover some, substantially all, or all of the plumbing components housed within the washing machine outlet box when the washing machine outlet box is in a wall of a room and viewed from within the room. The shield face may be a regular (e.g., rectangular, circular or ellipsoid) or irregular shape; smooth or not smooth on one or both sides; and symmetrical or asymmetrical. In some embodiments, the shield face or a portion of the shield face is planar.

The washing machine outlet box cover also contains one or more shield walls, e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, etc. When there is a plurality of shield walls, they all may be the same size, any two or more may be different sizes, or each may be a different size. In some embodiments, a first shield wall 133 and a second shield wall 132 extend from opposite edges of the shield face. By way of a non-limiting example as shown in FIG. 1, the shield face may be rectangular, and the first shield wall and the second shield wall extend from opposite, parallel edges of the shield face. Not shown in FIG. 1, there may, for example, be a third shield wall that extends from an edge that is not parallel to the edges from which the first shield wall and the second shield wall extend. For example, if the first and second shield walls extend from the right and left edges of the shield face, the third shield wall may extend from a third edge of the shield face, which may be an upper edge of the shield face when the washing machine outlet box cover is engaged with a washing machine outlet box. In some embodiments, at least one edge of the shield face, e.g., a fourth or lower edge of the shield face does not have a shield wall extending from it.

As shown in FIG. 1, each shield wall may be planar or substantially planar in a regular (e.g., rectangular or trapezoidal) or irregular shape, and form an obtuse angle with the shield face. The first shield wall and the second shield wall may extend away from each other so that the portion of the first shield wall and the portion of the second shield wall that abut the edges of the shield face are closer to each other than the portions of shield walls that are distal to the shield face. In some embodiments, the shield portion of the washing machine outlet box comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a first shield wall, a second shield wall and a shield face. In some embodiments, the shield portion of the washing machine outlet box cover comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a first shield wall, a second shield wall, a third shield wall, and a shield face. As persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, because within the scope of the invention are washing machine outlet box covers that have shield faces with rounded edges, any corresponding shield wall or walls may be designed to be arced where they meet the edge or edges of the shield face. In some of these embodiments, the washing machine outlet box cover may have a single shield wall that in part or in its entirety is in the shape of a truncated cone or a portion of a truncated cone e.g., each cross section is an arc of less than 360 degrees, e.g., between 180 and 270 degrees or between 210 and 240 degrees.

In some embodiments, the shield face is in a plane that is parallel or substantially parallel to the one, a plurality, or all of the frame covering walls, e.g., the first frame covering wall, the second frame covering wall, and if present, the third frame covering wall. The phrase “frame covering wall” refers to a portion of the washing machine outlet box cover that may, when the washing machine outlet box cover and the washing machine outlet box are associated with each other, cover a portion or all of one or more, or all regions of the frame of the washing machine outlet box. However, as persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, use of the phrase “frame covering wall” is for convenience and does not dictate that at a particular time the frame covering wall is covering a region of or all of a frame of a washing machine outlet box or that the washing machine outlet box cover is associated with or proximate to the washing machine outlet box.

In some embodiments, the washing machine outlet box cover comprises, one or more than one channels, e.g., two or three or more channels. Within any channel, there may be a front wall, a base, and a rear wall. The front wall of a channel is a portion or all of a frame covering wall of the washing machine outlet box cover.

Accordingly, there may be a first channel that has a first channel front wall and a second channel that has a second channel front wall. The first shield wall connects the first frame covering wall, a region of which forms the first channel front wall to the shield face, and the second shield wall connects the second frame covering wall, a region of which forms the second channel front wall to the shield face. In some embodiments, the first shield wall is neither parallel to nor coplanar with the shield face and the first shield wall is neither parallel to nor coplanar with the first framing covering wall. In some embodiments, the second shield wall is neither parallel to nor coplanar with the shield face and the second shield wall is neither parallel to nor coplanar with the second framing covering wall. When additional shield walls are present, in some embodiments, they too are neither parallel to nor coplanar with the shield face and neither parallel to nor coplanar with the corresponding frame covering wall with which they are associated.

In some embodiments, each shield wall is planar or substantially planar and forms and angle with the plane of the shield that is greater than 90 degrees, greater than 100 degrees, greater than 110 degrees, greater than 120 degrees, greater than 130 degrees, greater than 140 degrees, greater than 150 degrees, greater than 160 degrees, or greater than 170 degrees. In some embodiments, each shield wall is planar or substantially planar and forms and angle with the plane of the shield that is less than 180 degrees, less than 170 degrees, less than 160 degrees, less than 150 degrees, less than 140 degrees, less than 130 degrees, less than 120 degrees, less than 110 degrees, or less than 100 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle is between 120 degrees and 150 degrees. In other embodiments, each shield wall forms a right angle with the shield.

When there is a plurality of channels within the washing machine outlet box cover, optionally, in addition to the first channel and the second channel, there is a third channel. The first channel and the second channel, may, for example, be parallel or substantially parallel to each other, being located on opposite edges of the washing machine outlet box cover. The third channel may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first channel and the second channel. In some embodiments, each of the first channel, the second channel and the third channel may be the same length and the same depth. In other embodiments, each channel is the same depth, and while the first channel and the second channel are the same length, the third channel may be longer or shorter than the first channel and the second channel.

As noted above, when there is a third channel, there may also be a third shield wall. The third shield wall connects a third frame covering wall, of which the third channel's front wall may be a region, to a third edge of the shield face, which may be referred to as the top edge or upper edge, which, when the washing machine outlet box is oriented vertically as, for example, shown in FIG. 3 is the highest edge. The third shield wall 131 also runs from left to right from the first shield wall 133 to the second shield wall 132. Similarly, the third frame covering wall 101 runs from left to right from the first frame covering wall 103 to the second frame covering wall 102 at the upper regions of the first frame covering wall and the second frame covering wall.

By way of a non-limiting example and as shown in FIG. 3 the third shield wall is an isosceles trapezoid while each of the first shield wall and the second shield wall are scalene trapezoids. In some embodiments, in each of the shield walls that are scalene trapezoids (the first shield wall and the second shield wall), one of the edges, forms right angles with the two parallel edges of the scalene trapezoids, and the edge that does not form a right angle with the two parallel edges abuts an edge of the isosceles trapezoid (the third shield wall). In other embodiments, one, two, or three shield walls are rectangles or isosceles trapezoids or scalene trapezoids.

Also as shown in FIG. 3 the bottom edge (referred to as the lower edge) of the washing machine outlet box cover is not connected to a shield wall. Further, there is no frame covering wall or front wall that runs left to right from the first frame covering wall 103 to the second frame covering wall 102 at the lower regions of the first frame covering wall and the second frame covering wall

In some embodiments, the combination of the shield walls 131, 132, and 133 and the shield face 134 produce a protective bump out relative to the wall in which the outlet box sits and relative to the frame covering walls of the washing machine outlet box cover. The bump out allows the shield to cover some or all of the components housed in the outlet box, while accommodating for the reality that one or more of them may extend beyond the plane of the wall and into a room. As persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the size of the bump out may be defined by the combination of: (1) the distance between the edges of each shield wall that abuts the shield face and the edges of each shield wall that abut the frame covering walls with which it is associated; and (2) the angle of the shield walls. In some embodiments, the shield face resides in a plane that is between 0.5 cm and 20 cm or between 1 cm and 10 cm away from a plane in which the first frame covering wall resides.

Each washing machine outlet box cover comprises an outlet box association structure, which is a structure that allows the cover to retain association with the outlet box. As noted above, in some embodiments, the outlet box association structure comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of one or more channels, for example, one channel, two channels or three channels.

As illustrated in more detail in FIG. 1, in embodiments that comprise a first channel and a second channel, the first channel may comprise a first channel base 130, a first channel front wall that is part of the first frame covering wall 103 and a first channel rear wall 105. The first channel forms a first channel opening 155 that runs the length of the channel. Similarly, the second channel comprises a second channel base 120, a second channel front wall that is part of the second frame covering wall 102 and a second channel rear wall 104. The second channel forms a second channel opening 154 that runs the length of the channel.

The first channel opening shield faces the second channel opening, and they run parallel to each other. The first channel base is located at a first edge of the washing machine outlet box cover and the second channel base is located at a second edge of the washing machine outlet box cover. In some embodiments, these edges of the washing machine outlet box cover are parallel to each other and define a channel that runs from the upper or top end of the washing machine outlet box cover to the bottom or lower end of the washing machine outlet box cover.

The first frame covering wall, which comprises the first channel front wall connects the first channel base and the first shield wall. The second frame covering wall, which comprises the second channel front wall connects the second channel base and the second shield wall. Thus, for convenience, the front wall of a channel is defined by the region of the frame covering wall that contains it for which there is a corresponding rear wall of the channel.

In some embodiments, the first frame covering wall and the second frame covering wall are coplanar. In some embodiments, the first frame covering wall, and the second frame covering wall are coplanar, and they are in a plane that is parallel to a plane in which the shield resides. In some embodiments, the inner and outer surface of the first channel front wall and the first channel rear wall are parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the inner and outer surface of the second channel front wall and the second channel rear wall are parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the first channel front wall and the second channel front wall are coplanar, and the first channel rear wall and the second channel rear wall are coplanar. In some embodiments, one end of the length of the first channel and one end of the length of the second channel are open in order to allow sliding onto a frame while the other end is closed. If a third channel is present, the closed ends of the first and second channels may be part of the third channel base on opposite ends of the third channel. Additionally, if a third channel is present, both of the ends of its length may be closed and optionally be parts of the base of each of the first channel and the second channel.

In some embodiments, there is a plurality of channels, and the front wall of

each channel spans up to 10%, up to 20%, up to 30%, up to 40%, up to 50%, up to 60%, up to 75%, up to 80%, up to 90%, up to 95% or 100% of the frame covering wall that comprises it. In some embodiments, within a frame cover wall, the front channel wall is 5%-50% or 10% to 40% of the frame covering wall.

Certain of the above-mentioned embodiments, refer to the use of one or more channels as outlet box association structures. Alternatively, or additionally, the outlet box association structure 780 (see FIG. 7) of the washing machine outlet box cover 700 may comprise a latch element or a hook element or other association mechanism, e.g., a magnet.

As shown in FIG. 7, a latch element or a hook element 780 may be selected to mate with a reciprocal element (680 in FIG. 6) that is affixed to or associated with an outlet box as described below. Commercially, certain latch and hook systems are sold under the name VELCRO®. When the outlet box association structure comprises a magnet, the outlet box may comprise or be made from a metal. Any one, two or more outlet box association structures may be present on the outlet box cover. When there are no channels as part of the washing machine outlet box cover, the washing machine outlet box cover may be designed in a similar manner as when there are one more channels and thus comprise a shield face 734, first and second shield walls 733 and 732, as well as optionally a third side wall, a first front wall 703, a second front wall 702, and optionally third front wall, the inner side of which may partially or completely be completed covered by the latch or hook elements 780. As shown, there are no corresponding rear walls, and instead what would be referred to the bases, are referred to as lips around a first edge of the cover 730, a second edge of the cover, 720, and a third edge of the cover 740.

One advantage of using a latch and hook system is that it can be used with existing washing machine outlet boxes. Thus, to a frame of an existing washing machine outlet box, one can affix either a latch or hook component of a latch and hook system. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that latch and hook systems are commercially available in adhesive strips or rolls in which there is an adhesive on the back of the strips of each of the components, and the adhesives are protected until one wishes to affix the strips to other structure. Thus, one can retrofit washing machine outlet boxes for use in the present system.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a washing machine outlet box cover and a washing machine outlet box. The washing machine outlet box is configured to sit in a wall or a room and is both of a size to housing plumbing structures and is configured to allow conduits such as pipes and tubing to carry water to a washing machine and wastewater away from a washing machine. The outlet box may also house water shut off valves.

The washing machine outlet box may be defined by a plurality of outlet box walls and a frame. The walls may define the size of the washing machine outlet box.

For example, the washing machine outlet box may comprise a rear outlet box wall, an upper outlet box wall, a lower outlet box wall, a left outlet box wall, and a right outlet box wall. One, more than one, or all of the walls may be regular or irregular shapes, and smooth or contoured. In some embodiments, there is no front wall (the space facing into a room) for the washing machine outlet box. In some embodiments, adjacent outlet box walls meet at right angles. Additionally, the frame may be at a right angle relative to each of the upper outlet box wall, the lower outlet box wall, the left outlet box wall, and the right outlet box wall. In some embodiments, the frame is parallel or substantially parallel to the rear wall.

As shown in FIG. 2, the washing machine outlet boxes 200 of the present invention may comprise a frame 270. The frame may be any regular or irregular shape. By way of example, the frame may be a rectangular frame that has a first region 273, a second region 272, a third region 271, and a fourth region 274. When the outlet back is in use, the frame sits in a plane in front of a wall, while the portion of the outlet box that housing plumbing components sits in a wall.

The outlet box may also comprise one or more openings (not shown in FIG. 2) in the bottom wall 290, which optionally prior to being installed are covered or capped. Through the opening or openings, conduits that contain water from an outside source and conduits that transport wastewater may enter and exit the system.

FIG. 3 shows the partial engagement of a washing machine outlet box and a washing machine outlet box cover. In the washing machine outlet box cover, the shield face 134 protrudes forward. From three of the four edges of the shield face, a first side wall 133, a second side wall 132 and a third side wall 131, each extend at an obtuse angle toward the corresponding first frame covering wall 103, second frame covering wall 102, and third frame covering wall 101.

The washing machine outlet box as shown in FIG. 3 is partially covered by the washing machine outlet box cover. As shown and for illustrative purposes only, the washing machine outlet box cover has been slid only partially down the washing machine outlet box. How far the cover will slide down will depend on the size of the edges of the frame and the length of the channels. Thus, if they are approximately the same size, when the washing machine outlet box cover and the washing machine outlet box are fully engaged, the washing machine outlet box will be fully covered. If the edges of the frame are larger than the length of the first channel and the second channel, the washing machine outlet box cover will not fully cover the washing machine outlet box.

Further, in some embodiments, each frame covering wall may have approximately the same height (distance from the edge of the shield wall that it abuts to the channel base) as the corresponding region of the frame of washing machine outlet box (distance from inner edge of the frame to the outer edge of the frame). In other embodiments, each frame covering wall may have a smaller or larger height than the corresponding region the frame of the washing machine outlet box.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first frame covering wall covers only a portion of the first frame region left to right (from the edge toward the interior), and the second frame covering wall covers only a portion of the second frame region right to left (from the edge toward the interior). Thus, the distance from the inner edge of the frame to the outer edge of the frame is larger than the corresponding frame covering region. In order for the washing machine outlet box cover not to cover the fourth region of the frame 274, the height of washing machine outlet box (top to bottom) must be greater than the height of the washing machine outlet box cover (distance from the third edge or top edge of the washing machine outlet box cover to distal portions of the first frame covering wall and the second frame covering wall).

When the washing machine outlet box cover comprises channels and the washing machine outlet box cover is associated with the washing machine outlet box, a portion of the first region, a portion of the second region and a portion of the third region of the frame may reside in the first channel, the second channel, and the third channel, respectively. If the washing machine outlet box cover is designed to obscure only a portion of the washing machine outlet box when fully engaged, the portion of the first region of the frame that resides within the first channel does not run the full length of the first region, and the portion of the second region of the frame that resides within the second channel does not run the full length of the second region. By contrast, the portion of the third region of the frame that resides within the third channel does run the full length of the third region. The length of each region of the frame refers to the dimension that runs along edge of the frame that will be parallel to the base of the respective channel when the washing machine outlet box cover is engaged with the washing machine outlet box.

If the washing machine outlet box cover is designed to cover the entire washing machine outlet box, then in addition to being at least slightly wider (left to right in the figure to account for at least the thickness of the bases of the channels,) as the washing machine outlet box, the washing machine outlet box cover must be of a size that is a least slightly larger than the length of the first region of the frame.

Notably, regardless of whether when fully engaged, the washing machine outlet box cover completely or only partially covers the washing machine outlet box, because of the combination of the bump out of the shield as the absence of a shield wall on the bottom of the washing machine outlet box cover, there is a space or a gap that allows for one or more conduits to flow between the washing machine outlet box and a washing machine.

If the washing machine outlet box cover is designed to covered the entire washing machine outlet box, but the washing machine outlet box cover does not form channels and instead forms lips, then then in addition to be at least slightly wider, (left to right in the figure) as the washing machine outlet box, the washing machine outlet box cover must still be of a size that is a least slightly larger than the length of the first region of the frame.

Notably, regardless of whether when fully engaged, the washing machine outlet box cover has a larger footprint that the washing machine outlet box and completely covers the frame of the box, because of the combination of the bump out of the shield and the absence of a shield wall at the bottom of the washing machine outlet box cover, there is space or gap that allows for one or more conduits to flow between the washing machine outlet box and a washing machine.

In embodiments, in which the washing machine outlet box cover comprises either latches or hooks, the washing machine outlet box comprises the reciprocal structure. As shown in FIG. 6, the washing machine outlet box 600 may have a strip 680 on a portion of the frame 670 that is part of a latch and hook association system that is complementary to the reciprocal element in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 4, a system of the present invention may be located near a washing machine 400. The washing machine outlet box cover 100 obscures the washing machine outlet box, and due to the height of the outlet box, which here is at least partially above the height of the washing machine, regardless of whether the washing machine outlet box cover obscures all or only a portion of the washing machine outlet box, the contents of the washing machine outlet box are hidden from view.

FIG. 5 shows the washing machine 400 of FIG. 4 with the washing machine outlet box cover 100 removed. Also shown are the washing machine outlet box 200 in which there are two nozzles 520 and 530 for control of the hot and cold water, as well as a wastewater conduit 510. Through different openings in the bottom wall of the washing machine outlet box conduits transport hot water, cold water, and wastewater. Thus, in some embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a washing machine outlet box is located in a wall at a height such that one or more nozzles, e.g., hot and cold-water nozzles with shutoff valves that are within the washing machine outlet box are at a height higher than the washing machine. Consequently, upon removal of the cover, the nozzles are easily accessible.

The size of the washing machine outlet box covers will depend on the washing outlet boxes with which they are intended to be associated. Additionally, the size will be determined based on whether one wishes for the cover to obscure all or only a portion of the washing machine outlet box. For example, the covers may be larger in both height and width than the outlet box or larger only in the width dimension, but smaller in the height dimension than the outlet box. If the cover is smaller in height than the outlet box, then when fully engaged with the outlet box, up to 90%, up to 80%, up to 70%, up to 60%, up to 50%, up to 40%, up to 30% or up to 20% of the outlet box is covered. For example, 20% to 80% is covered, or 30% to 70% is covered or 40% to 60% is covered.

By way of non-limiting examples, a cover may have a width from the first channel base to the second channel base or the first lip to the second lip of 20 cm to 40 cm or 25 cm to 30 cm. They may, for example, have a height of 15 cm to 35 cm or 20 cm to 30 cm. By way of further example, each frame covering wall may span 0.5 cm to 3.0 cm or 1 cm to 2 cm (from the edge to the shield wall). Further the shield may, for example, form a shield face with a width of 18 cm to 38 cm or 23 cm to 28 cm and a height of 13 cm to 33 cm or 18 cm to 28 cm.

The different areas of the washing machine outlet box cover may have uniform or non-uniform thicknesses. By way of example, the thickness may be from 0.1 cm to 1.0 cm or 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm. In embodiments, in which there are channels, the width of the space of the channels may, for example, be from about 0.1 cm to 1.0 cm or 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm.

The areas of the washing machine outlet box may have uniform or non-uniform thickness. By way of example, the thickness may be from 0.1 cm to 1.0 cm or 0.3 cm to 0.8 cm. In embodiments, in which the washing machine outlet box is to be used with a washing machine outlet box cover that has channels, the frame should have a thickness no larger than the channel width and the frame should sit distanced away from the wall by an amount that is at least the thickness of the rear walls of the washing machine outlet box cover, e.g., 0.1 to 1.0 cm or 0.3 to 0.8 cm.

In some embodiments in which the washing machine outlet box is to be used with a washing machine outlet box cover that does not have channels, the frame has a thickness no larger than the inner surface of the lip.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for shielding a washing machine outlet box. The method may comprises engaging a washing machine outlet box cover of any of the embodiments of the present invention with a washing machine outlet box. The washing machine outlet box comprises a frame and the frame comprises a first region and a second region. The first region extends in a first direction and the second region extends in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite directions.

When the washing machine outlet box cover has channels, the method comprises causing the first channel to receive the first region of the frame and the second channel to receive the second region of the frame. Optionally, the frame further comprises a third region, and the method further comprises causing the third channel to receive the third region of the frame.

According to this method, to cover the washing machine outlet box, one may slide first (left) and second (right) channels of the washing machine outlet box cover over the left and right edges of the frame of the outlet box. Optionally, one may also slide the third channel over a portion of the third (upper) region of the frame. To uncover the washing machine outlet box, one may slide first (left) and second (right) channels off of the left and right edges of the frame of the outlet box. If the washing machine outlet box cover has a third channel in which a third region of the frame resides, then one also slides the third channel off of the third (upper) region of the frame. In case of a need to shut off water or otherwise access what is contained in the washing machine outlet box, one may remove the washing machine outlet box and for example, turn one or more nozzles.

When the washing machine outlet box cover does not contain channels, and instead contains an element of a latch and hook system, one may cause association with the washing machine outlet box by aligning the lips with the frame of the washing machine outlet box and applying force at the region of the complementary element of the latch and hook system that is part of the washing machine outlet box. These covers can be removed by applying force in the opposite direction.

The washing machine outlet box covers of the present invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of plastic, metal, a metal alloy or combination thereof. Similarly, the washing machine outlet boxes of the present invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of plastic, metal, a metal alloy or combination thereof. Methods for making these covers and boxes include, but are not limited to injection molding.

Claims

1. A washing machine outlet box cover comprising:

(a) a shield face;

(b) a set of frame covering walls;

(c) a plurality of shield walls, wherein the plurality of shield walls connects the frame covering walls to the shield face; and

(d) an outlet box association structure.

2. The washing machine outlet box cover of claim 1, wherein the outlet box association structure comprises:

(a) a first channel, wherein the first channel comprises a first channel base, a first channel front wall and a first channel rear wall, and the first channel has a first channel opening, and (b) a second channel, wherein the second channel comprises a second channel base, a second channel front wall and a second channel rear wall, and the second channel has a second channel opening, wherein the first channel opening faces the second channel opening and the set of frame covering walls comprises a first frame covering wall and a second frame covering wall, wherein the first frame covering wall comprises the first channel front wall and the second frame covering wall comprises the second channel front wall.

3. The washing machine outlet box cover of claim 2, wherein the first channel base is located at a first edge of the washing machine outlet box cover and the second channel base is located at a second edge of the washing machine outlet box cover and the first edge of the washing machine outlet box cover and the second edge of the washing machine outlet box cover are opposite edges of the washing machine outlet box cover.

4. The washing machine outlet box cover of claim 3, wherein the first channel front wall and the second channel front wall are coplanar.

5. The washing machine outlet box cover of claim 4, wherein the plurality of shield walls comprises a first shield wall and a second shield wall, and the shield face is in a plane that is parallel to the first channel front wall, and wherein the first shield wall connects the first frame covering wall to the shield face, and the second shield wall connects the second frame covering wall to the shield face.

6. The washing machine outlet box cover of claim 5, wherein the first shield wall is not parallel to the shield face and the first shield wall is not coplanar with the shield face.

7. The washing machine outlet box cover of claim 6 further comprising a third channel, wherein the third channel comprises a third channel base, a third channel front wall and a third channel rear wall and the third channel has a third channel opening.

8. The washing machine outlet box cover of claim 7, wherein the third channel opening is oriented perpendicular to the first channel opening.

9. The washing machine outlet box cover of claim 8, wherein the third channel base is located at a third edge of the washing machine outlet box cover.

10. The washing machine outlet box cover of claim 9, wherein the shield face resides in a plane that is between 1 cm and 10 cm away from a plane in which the first channel front wall and the second channel front wall reside.

11. The washing machine outlet box cover of claim 1, wherein the outlet box association structure comprises a latch element or a hook element and the washing machine outlet box cover further comprises a lip.

12. A system for shielding plumbing components, said system comprising:

(a) the washing machine outlet box cover of claim 1, and

(b) a washing machine outlet box, wherein the washing machine outlet box comprises a frame.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the frame comprises a first region and a second region, wherein the first region and the second region run parallel to each other and are coplanar.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the frame further comprises a third region, wherein the third region connects a first end of the first region to a first end of the second region.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the frame further comprises a fourth region, wherein the fourth region connects a second end of the first region to a second end of the second region.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein washing machine outlet box comprises a plurality of outlet box walls and a least one of the outlet box walls comprises a wall opening.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of outlet box walls comprises a rear outlet box wall, an upper outlet box wall, a lower outlet box wall, a left outlet box wall, and a right outlet box wall.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein adjacent outlet box walls are at right angles.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the frame is at a right angle relative to each of the upper outlet box wall, the lower outlet box wall, the left outlet box wall, and the right outlet box wall.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is housed in the system.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the nozzle is connected to a first conduit, wherein the first conduit extends through the wall opening.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the nozzle is first nozzle and the system comprises a second nozzle, wherein the first nozzle is connected to a cold water supply and the second nozzle is connected to a hot water supply.

23. A system for shielding plumbing components, said system comprising:

(a) the washing machine outlet box cover of claim 2, and

(b) a washing machine outlet box, wherein the washing machine outlet box comprises a frame,

wherein the first channel is configured to receive the first region of the frame and the second channel is configured to receive the second region of the frame.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the first region is located in the first channel, the second region is located in the second channel.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the width of first channel is between 1 mm and 10 mm.

26. A system for shielding plumbing components, said system comprising:

(a) the washing machine outlet box cover of claim 11, and

(b) a washing machine outlet box, wherein the washing machine outlet box comprises a frame and either a latch element or a hook element, wherein when the washing machine outlet box cover comprises a hook element, the washing machine outlet box comprises a latch element, and when the washing machine outlet box cover comprises a latch element, the washing machine outlet box comprises a hook element.

27. A method for shielding a washing machine outlet box, said method comprising engaging a washing machine outlet box cover of claim 2 with a washing machine outlet box, wherein the washing machine outlet box comprises a frame and the frame comprises a first region and a second region and said engaging comprises causing the first channel to receive the first region of the frame and the second channel to receive the second region of the frame.

28. A method for shielding a washing machine outlet box, said method comprising causing the lip of the washing machine outlet box cover of claim 11 to come into contact with a washing machine outlet box, and wherein when the outlet box association structure is a latch element, the washing machine outlet box comprises a hook element and the latch element engages the book element, and when the outlet box association structure is a book element, the washing machine outlet box comprises a latch element and the latch element engages the book element.