Abstract:
The invention is an improved washing machine and hose for a washing machine, which helps prevent water damage to homes or businesses. The fitting can comprise of a modified male coupling of the type used with PEX tubing and fittings in combination with a modified threaded female garden hose end. A washer could optionally be placed inside the fitting for improved watertight seal. The modified coupling is installed inside the end of a PEX tubing, and in combination with an adjustable PEX ring, forms a very strong sealed joint between the coupling and the tubing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to washing machines, and more specifically, to the hoses and fittings linking the washing machine to its water supply.  
           [0003]    2. Problems in the Art  
           [0004]    Water damage from leaking or burst washing machine water hoses is a significant cause of home damage. Unless turned off after every use of the washing machine, pressurized water is present all the way to the internal valving of the washing machine. Most persons do not choose to turn off the water supply to the machine when not in use, or when they are gone from the home. Additionally, people will often start a load of laundry before leaving for work or possibly leaving for a weekend. This puts substantial stress and strain on the hoses.  
           [0005]    Frequently, and especially over time, conventional water hoses for washing machines burst, separate from their fittings, or leak, and water escapes. At a minimum, such events require substantial clean-up effort, but many times cause damage to the home or items in the home. By the time the person notices the problem or returns home after being absent, the house or a part of it has been flooded creating a major disaster.  
           [0006]    Some estimate that broken washing machine hoses alone destroy $150 million in property each year. This is a significant concern for homeowners and insurance companies. Similar problems exist wherever conventional consumer washing machines are installed, including in non-residential settings.  
           [0007]    Reasons for hose breakage can include a weak, weakened, or failed hose, or a connection or part thereof between a hose and the fitting. Traditional washing machine hoses for conventional consumer washing machines are garden hoses or similar thereto, including a metal or plastic male and female threaded connection to which an end of a rubber or synthetic hose is clamped or otherwise secured. If this joint is not durable or is inherently weak or defective, it can separate, especially since the hose between the water source and washing machine is under pressure.  
           [0008]    The hoses and fittings (like conventional consumer garden hose fittings) are made of relatively inexpensive materials and are relatively low cost. It is believed that to minimize cost and provide a widely available source of such hoses, these types of hoses are used for washing machine water connections, leaving the risk and burden on the washing machine/homeowner relative to whether the hose fails or does not fail in some way. Some washing machine manufactures and consumer publications actually warn consumers of such washing machines to automatically periodically replace the hoses to reduce the chance of a problem, or at least frequently check them. Some even suggest turning off the water supply to the washing machine hoses every time one leaves the house. It is believed few people follow these suggestions routinely.  
           [0009]    The conduits used in residential and commercial buildings to carry water from the water main or other water source to fixtures within the building are traditionally copper or plastic pipe. Given its function; to hold and carry pressurized water for a reasonable period of time (at least on the order of several decades), such conduits must have a degree of strength and durability. Such plumbing must also be safe to carry potable water. Any fittings or junctions must be very secure and durable. However, such conduits are usually fixed in place and are concealed or at least somewhat shielded, and thus are not likely to experience substantial forces other than the water pressure therethrough. They are not periodically adjusted or moved.  
           [0010]    Copper pipe has traditionally functioned well for this. It is not as strong as some other metals, but resists corrosion in the presence of water. Its wall thickness can be quite thin to perform adequately. If copper pipe were exposed to bending or pulling or blunt forces such as with washing machine hoses (including when a washing machine is moved or adjusted in position after installation and/or the hoses are disconnected or reconnected), it may not work adequately or may fail.  
           [0011]    Copper piping is relatively expensive. Over the past several decades, a variety plastic or synthetic materials have been developed as an alternative. One such alternative is cross-linked polyethylene tubing, sometimes referred to as PEX tubing, available from a variety of manufacturers. One example is AQUAPEX® from Wirsbo Company of Apple Valley, Minn. It has some flexibility compared to copper and is non-toxic and will not corrode, pit, or scale. Many plumbing codes have approved it for hot and cold potable water service and distribution.  
           [0012]    At least some types of PEX tubing (e.g. AQUAPEX® type tubing) has shape memory in the sense that if expanded, one the expansion force is released, it will contract back to substantially original shape. As is known, this type of material allows for appropriate sized fittings to be to be seated into an expanded end of the tubing and then held in place by the contracting forces once the shape-memory effect contracts the tubing back to original shape. There are some types of PEX or similar materials that may not have such substantial shape memory or contracting forces.  
           [0013]    As stated above, not only is a relatively durable tubing needed for plumbing of this nature, but the connections and fittings must be very reliable. In fact, for the reasons stated above, the fittings must be generally more robust than the conduit. With copper conduit, connection can be made by soldering the joints, including connections to faucets or valves. Done properly, this usually provides a good seal. However, joints for PEX tubing can not be sealed in this manner. Fittings or joints for some PEX materials can be sealed and secured with shape memory effect and contracting forces. For other PEX type materials, clamps, crimping, and other methods can be used. Therefore, a number of types of fittings and methods of connection have been developed for PEX tubing to attain approval. The required durability and reliability means that most of the these fittings are relatively expensive, when compared to the types of fittings used with conventional garden hose applications.  
           [0014]    Also, special training is needed to learn how to handle PEX tubing and related hardware, and in particular, to make good joints, connections, and fitting installations. There are sometimes special tools involved, especially for shape memory. For example, expansion tools cost at least several hundred dollars.  
           [0015]    Still further, while PEX tubing is somewhat flexible, it is not totally flexible like rubber hoses. It can kink if bent to a certain degree.  
           [0016]    There are fittings available to connect pieces of PEX tubing. Some are brass. Also, fittings exist to connect PEX tubing to copper tubing. This may include a reduction or expansion to a male or female threaded end, including swivel connectors (e.g. Aquapex® ProPex® brass swivel faucet adapter).  
           [0017]    Thus, these types of plumbing conduits and fittings have not been viewed as practical or applicable outside of that environment. It is not believed that fittings are even normally created to interface these conduits to garden hose type spigots.  
           [0018]    It is therefore a primary objective of the present invention to improve over the state of the art.  
           [0019]    Further objects, features or advantages of the present invention are to provide a washing machine hose where:  
           [0020]    water damage to homes and businesses are significantly reduced or eliminated;  
           [0021]    the hose fitting and junction to a hose is significantly stronger, more durable, and less likely to leak, crack, break, burst, or separate;  
           [0022]    the fitting and the hose are connected in a way to prevent leakage or bursting where the hose and fitting interconnect;  
           [0023]    the hose and fittings are durable, relatively economical, and easy to install and use.  
           [0024]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the accompanying specification.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0025]    The invention is an improved washing machine and conduit between a water source and a conventional household type washing machine, which helps prevent water damage to homes or businesses. The conduit comprises of a modified Wirsbo™ type, or equivalent or similar type, male coupling combined with a standard garden hose threaded female coupling or equivalent or similar type, which is adaptable to standard water source and washing machine water connections. A sealing washer can be placed inside the female coupling. An extension of the modified male coupling is inserted inside the end of a PEX tubing or equivalent or similar tubing. An adjustable PEX ring, or equivalent or similar ring or sleeve, can also be located outside the opening of the tubing. The tubing or the tubing and sleeve, having shape memory characteristics, pinch or compress down on the male coupling thus providing for a very strong seal between the coupling and the tubing. The tubing preferably is a high strength cross-linked polyethylene or PEX tubing, such as AQUAPEX® (Engel method PEX) manufactured by Wirsbo™. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the hose and fittings according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a fitting assembly at one end of the hose shown in exploded form.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of FIG. l.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hose and fittings of FIG. 1 connected between hot and cold water inlets to a conventional consumer washing machine and hot and cold water supply sources, with one hose shown detached and one hose attached.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of male coupling  32  of FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]    To assist in a better understanding of the invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail. It is to be understood that this is but one form the invention can take and is for purposes of illustration and not limitation.  
         [0031]    To assist in this description, reference will be taken to the appended drawings, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Reference numerals are used in this description to indicate certain parts and locations in the drawings. The same reference numerals will be used to indicate the same parts and locations throughout the drawings unless otherwise indicated.  
         [0032]    Structure  
         [0033]    FIGS.  1 - 3  illustrate improved washing machine hoses, indicated generally at reference numeral  10 . Each hose  10  includes a connection or fitting at each end, indicated generally at reference numeral  12 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 illustrates connection of two hoses  10  between a pressurized water source, shown diagrammatically at reference numeral  30 . The pressurized water source can be from a water main supplied by a municipality or any other water source capable of delivery of water to a washing machine. It is to be understood that the water source can include heated or hot water, normally via a conventional residential hot water heater (not shown), as well as unheated or cold water, normally bypassing a water heater.  
         [0035]    Hot and cold water are normally presented at the location of a washing machine by hot and cold water spigots  26  and  28  including male threaded ends and manually operable on/off valves. Conventional consumer washing machines normally have hot and cold male threaded inlets  22  and  24 . The configuration and size of male threaded members  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and  28 , at least in the United States, usually threadably mate with female threaded receivers identical to conventional garden hoses and spigots. This is believed to be called ¾ inch hose threads.  
         [0036]    Thus, as illustrated at FIG. 3, hoses  10 , having female threaded ¾ inch swivel hose thread receivers  14  at each end, can be manually threadable secured between a respective male threaded ¾ inch thread water source spigot and a male threaded ¾ inch thread washing machine inlet. This connects hot and cold water to washing machine  20 .  
         [0037]    [0037]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate in detail the structure of each fitting  12 . All fittings  10  shown are identical in structure, so only one will be described herein for brevity.  
         [0038]    Tubing  18  is a AQUAPEX® cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) ½ inch hose  22  (available from Wirsbo Company). A modified Wirsbo™ male coupling  32  has an elongated section  34  (approx. {fraction (9/16)} inch outside diameter) and a larger head  36  (approx. ⅞ inch outside diameter). An approx. {fraction (7/16)} inch diameter internal bore extends through coupling  32 . External ridges extend laterally from section  34  (see particularly FIG. 2).  
         [0039]    Coupling  32  was made by buying an off-the-shelve Wirsbo™ plug (e.g. ProPEX brass PEX plug from Wirsbo Company), identical to coupling  32  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that internal bore  38  is blocked at head  36 . The distal part of head  36  of such a plug was cut off to expose bore  38  or, if the plug is solid, bore  38  is drilled longitudinally through the plug. Thus, a passageway entirely through member  32  was created.  
         [0040]    A standard brass female ¾ inch thread garden hose end (approx. 1⅛ inch outside diameter) was cut off a standard garden hose to create threaded female receiver  14 . Opening  42  in receiver  14  is approx. ⅝ inch diameter.  
         [0041]    A ½″ cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) ring or sleeve  46  having opposite open ends  48  and  50  and a passageway  52  therebetween is slid over the end of tubing section  18 . End  34  of coupling  32 , being slightly smaller in outside diameter than opening  42  in receiver  14 , is inserted through the interior of receiver  14  and through opening  42 , until seated into receiver  14 . Opening  42  is smaller than head  36 , which presents a stop relative to how far coupling  32  can be seated into receiver  14  (see FIG. 2).  
         [0042]    End  52  of sleeve  46  is approximately aligned with end  44  of tubing  18 , and then, as is known relative to use of PEX tubing, a special expansion tool (not shown) is inserted into end  44  of tubing  18 . The tool radially expands end  44  and sleeve  46 . The nature of PEX material is that it will expand for a short time in response to the tool. Quickly, one inserts end  32  of the assembled coupling/receiver combination 32/14 into expanded end  44  of tubing  18 . In a matter of a few seconds later, the memory characteristic of the PEX material will return tubing  18  to its original, normal size. The co-action of both end  44  and sleeve  46  around it, will thus essentially contract or compress around and over end  32  to create a secure coupling of receiver  14  to tubing  18 . Raised ridges  40  will essentially bite into the inside of tubing  18  and assist in securing the joint, and resist longitudinal separation of coupling  32  and tubing  18 .  
         [0043]    As is well known, this connection, such as available with the Wirsbo Company AQUAPEX tubing and Wirsbo Company PROPEX fittings and tool, create a permanent, leak proof, and reliable connection that meets such standards as ASTM Standard F877 and are CAN/CSA (B137.5) approved for use in potable water distribution systems.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 2 shows the final assembly. A 1-inch outside diameter, {fraction (9/16)} inch inside diameter washer can be inserted into receiver  14  and positioned against head  36  of coupling  32 . As shown, the modified coupling presents a standard ¾ inch garden hose thread female receiver with a secure connection to tubing  18  and is available for threading onto either a water source spigot  26  or  28 , or a washing machine inlet  22  or  24 . Receiver  14  can rotate about its longitudinal axis, to make it easier to thread onto member  26 ,  28 ,  22 , or  24 , but is held against longitudinal movement relative to tubing  18  by coupling  32  and the properties of tubing  18  and sleeve  46 .  
         [0045]    Operation  
         [0046]    With reference to FIG. 2, one end of an improved washing machine hose and fitting  10  is shown fully assembled. The same assembly could be accomplished at the opposite end of tubing  18 .  
         [0047]    Tubing  18 , with fittings  12  at both ends could be connected between washing machine  20  and water source  30  just like conventional washing machine hoses. But instead of the risk and frailties of conventional garden hoses and fittings, the much stronger and durable PEX tubing is in place (e.g. AQUAPEX is chemically resistant, and able to withstand relatively extreme temperatures and pressures).  
         [0048]    The joint or connection between fittings  12  and tubing  18 , if correctly assembled, have been proven very strong, durable and reliable.  
         [0049]    In FIG. 3 an improved washing machine hose and fitting  10  is shown connecting a washing machine  26  to a water supply (via a standard faucet  28 ). The improved washing machine hose and fitting  10  will help prevent home and business water damage. Water hoses bursting will be reduced because improved washing machine hose and fitting  10  uses PEX tubing  18 . PEX tubing  18  is a very strong tubing rated at 73.4° F. at 160 psi, 180° F. at 100 psi and 200° F. at 80 psi. PEX tubing  18  is typically guaranteed to last over 25 years. Further, PEX tubing  18  is flexible, corrosion resistant and freeze resistant. In the preferred embodiment PEX tube  22  is ½ in diameter, however, PEX tubing can be ⅜″, ⅝″, ¾″, 1″, 1¼″ and 1½″. Other sizes, manufacturers and configurations are available and possible.  
         [0050]    Additionally, any leaking or bursting that typically occurs where the fitting joins with the tubing will be reduced by improved washing machine hose and fitting  10 . By utilizing ½″ PEX ring  46  and PEX tubing  18  and the shape memory pinching action against elongated section  32 , the possibilities of leaking or bursting at the fitting are greatly reduced. The shape memory of AQUAPEX® creates a simple, inexpensive and incredibly strong connection and has been tested to be stronger than the tube itself. Due to the compression of the PEX ring  46  and PEX tube  18 , the fitting connection is now substantially permanent, leak proof, and reliable.  
         [0051]    Options and Alternatives  
         [0052]    The description above is but one form the invention can take, and is given by way of illustration and example only, and not be way of limitation. Variations obvious to those skilled in the art are included within the scope of the invention.  
         [0053]    For example, the precise sizes of certain of the components can vary according to need and desire. The size of tubing and openings should be sufficient for the functions of the washing machine.  
         [0054]    Coupling  32  and receiver  42  ideally would be mass produced instead of being hand fabricated.  
         [0055]    Other elements can be added to the couplings. For example, a brass or other type of material washer or spacer could be added inside female receiver  14  to take up any play.  
         [0056]    AQUAPEX, and it is believed other PEX materials, has thermal memory. Therefore, if the tubing is kinked in any way, the tubing can be heated at that location and the kink can be removed.  
         [0057]    A specific alternative embodiment for coupling  32  is shown in FIG. 4, referenced generally as coupling  32 B. This coupling can be originally manufactured, preferably from brass (for example, by a computer-controlled metal machining tool). As can be seen, coupling  32 B has a head  36 B, an internal bore  38 B and a section  34 B. A raised ridge  40 B assists in biting into the Wirsbo or PEX hose  22  to assist in retaining coupling  32 B in place. FIG. 4 shows the precise dimensions according to one embodiment for coupling  32 B for use with ½″ tubing (e.g. AQUAPEX®). Appropriate modified dimensions would be made for use with other sized tubing, such as would be within the skill of those skilled in the art. It would be assembled with the other components shown in FIG. 1 as a substitute for coupling  32  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0058]    As used herein, the term “PEX” refers generally to cross-linked polyethylene, either shape memory or not. The invention is believed applicable to similar analogous materials having similar properties.