Liquid leak control appliance pedestal

Appliance pedestal that contains liquid leaks due to condensation, overflow, or system failure originating from the supported liquid filled or handling appliance, provides for multiple methods of discharge of collected liquids, and reduces installation and maintenance requirements and their associated hazards and provides an improved ergonomic operating position for the appliance operator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of appliance elevating and storage pedestals and the containment and proper discharge of liquids due to plumbing failure, seal failure, or mechanical failure within a liquid filled appliance such as but not limited to clothes washing machines, condensing clothes dryers, water heaters, dishwashers, refrigerators, icemakers, and similar devices.

Background of the Invention

Damage to building structures and property can result from liquid leakage due to failures within a liquid filled, liquid handling, or liquid generating appliances. The damage can be quite significant especially in multi-family and multi-level structures. This risk of significant damage has also spurred the creation of building codes that require the installation of some system of control to prevent such damage in the event of liquid control failure within a piece of equipment.

The currently accepted method to catch and control leaks is the use of a shallow drip or catch pan that is placed between the appliance and the supporting surface immediately under the appliance. Installations have either no drain or they are plumbed to a drain and flow is accomplished by gravity. This method of control typically has five inherent primary shortcomings.Machines must be lifted in or out of pan for installation and service.The shallow pans have limited retention capacity.When a pan of this configuration is deepened to increase water retention capacity, the machine sits in the reservoir and can be damaged do to corrosion and electrically energized components are exposed to liquids creating potentially dangerous conditions.The limited reservoir does not support a method for pumping liquids to an elevated drain or standpipe.It does not address raising the appliance for improved ergonomic benefits.

This style of pan typically requires the installer or service personnel to lift the appliance vertically in or out of the pan during installation or service of the equipment frequently resulting in damage to the pan or strain and injury to the service personnel or both. Many times it requires two installers or repair personnel to lift the machine in or out of such a pan resulting in higher installation and repair costs. Equipment installations in confined closet type installations are extremely difficult because personal must lift the appliance from multiple sides were there is limited or no access. Installers or repair personnel must lift the entire weight of the appliance plus content mass if the appliance cannot be unloaded or drained.

The shallow cross section of the present ail provides only a minimum liquid retention volume. Increasing height of the perimeter wall can increase the liquid retention volume but exacerbate the aforementioned installation and maintenance issues. Allowing these increased liquid levels can also increase direct damage to the appliance itself and create safety hazards such as liquid levels coming into contact with energized parts or submerging fuel gas supply systems.

Collection pan systems disclosed in the present art do not accommodate a necessary sump or volume area for the incorporation of a pump system to positively discharge liquids collected by the invention to existing plumbing systems regardless of distance or elevation.

With the growing trend of front load washing equipment, a new market has developed for pedestals that raise the level of the machine to a more ergonomically acceptable height. Some of these pedestal designs incorporate additional storage area, usually in the form of a drawer. Raising the height of the machine reduces the stooping and bending necessary to load and unload the machine by the operator. Adjusting the height of such equipment is also a need to meet height requirements set forth by the ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act. The current art in elevating pedestals, such as those used to elevate laundry appliances, provide no means of leak control. The current art in leak control, the drip or catch pan, does not add any measurable height to the appliance installed within it.

The purpose of the present invention is to effectively contain liquid leaks originating from appliances and support devices supported by the invention, provide multiple methods of retention and disposal of the captured liquids, provide for improved ease of installation and maintenance of said equipment, while providing an ergonomic improvement by raising the height of such installations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention incorporates the functions of liquid leak control collection and disposal into an appliance elevating pedestal into a single device. It provides liquid control in both passive and active manners. For passive control, the invention directs leaking liquids to the incorporated retention sump out of contact with the appliance. The collected liquid may be retained or discharged by means of an incorporated gravity drain. The invention provides active control by supplying space for the incorporation of a pump for discharging collected liquids to an elevated or distant plumbing system such as a standpipe. The invention eliminates the need for lifting the full weight of the appliance. The invention does not need to be mounted to the appliance eliminating much of the handling requirements for the installation of a pedestal. It facilitates installation and maintenance of the supported appliance from the front of the invention by one person. It provides for mounting to the supporting surface to prevent “creeping” of the appliance by inertia generated by earthquake or “out of balance” conditions during an appliance operating cycle. The invention elevates the supported appliance for improved ergonomic use of the appliance by an operator and compliance with ADA.

This invention incorporates functions of liquid leak control into an elevating pedestal. It supports control in both a passive control and active control manner. For passive control, the invention channels leaking liquids directly to a high capacity sump. The sump provides an improved location for a water sensing device, used by an alarm or liquid shut off system, instead of the typical floor location under the washing machine. This assures that leaking water will be directed towards the sensor regardless of the location of the leak within the machine. This is important due to the fact that slope and location can affect the ability of a sensor used in passive systems to come in contact with the leaking water. For an active water control system, the invention channels water to an incorporated sump. This provides containment of the water leaked and provides an appropriate location for an active pump system that will discharge the water to a nearby drain or standpipe.

Other features of the present appliance pedestal and system will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning first toFIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view illustrating the appliance pedestal10of the present inventions in position to support an appliance12. The appliance12is of the type that uses and thus contains a quantity of liquid, typically water, in carrying out its function and may be a clothes washer. As can be seen, the appliance pedestal10comprises a housing14that is of a three dimensional rectilinear shape and in the illustrated embodiment, the housing14is cubical in shape.

The upper surface of the housing14is comprised of perimeter rails16that support the feet18of the appliance12supported atop of the housing14. The uppermost planar surface16has a lip20to direct liquids leaking from the supported appliance12to the interior and to prevent the appliance from slipping off the uppermost planar surface16. The uppermost planar surface16and lip20channel liquids to a liquid-tight sump22located in the interior of the housing14. The liquid-tight sump22is sized and so positioned so that all liquid leaking from the appliance12is directed from the uppermost planar surface16and lip20to be collected at this single location, however, because the appliance12is supported by the upper surface of the uppermost planar surface16, the liquid that accumulates within the liquid-tight sump22remains beneath the appliance12and does not create a problem with that liquid contacting the electrical or other functions of the appliance12. A depression24may be provided to allow relief for liquid discharge hoses and external power cords to be later described.

The shape of the housing14is not limited to a principally rectilinear form. A different form than that described in the figures, such as a cylindrical form with principally similar sectional features, would function in a similar fashion.

Turning next toFIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the housing14of the present invention and, as can be seen, the liquid-tight sump22contains a quantity of a liquid26and the liquid-tight sump22holds that liquid therein. Again, there can be seen, the uppermost planar surface16of housing14.

Turning toFIG. 3, there can be seen a cut away perspective view illustrating the level of the liquid26contained within the liquid-tight sump22and, as can be seen, the level of the liquid26stays beneath the uppermost planar surface16of the housing14where the appliance12is supported.

InFIG. 4, there is a side view, cut away, illustrating a discharge system that can be provided to remove liquid from the liquid-tight sump22. As can be seen, the appliance12is resting atop of the uppermost planar surface16of the appliance pedestal10. In this embodiment, there is a submersible pump28located beneath the level of the liquid26in the liquid-tight sump22to discharge that liquid from the liquid-tight sump22. As can be seen, the electrical cable30and liquid discharge hose32can pass through the depression24and out of the liquid-tight sump22to engage an elevated drain or stand pipe.

Turning toFIG. 5, there is a side view, cut away, illustrating a discharge system that is passive, that is, there is a standard ground level drain hose34as is customary with current drip and catch pans. The liquid-tight sump22can have a tap36such that the drain hose34will dispose collected liquids26to a floor or condensate drain by gravity. Again, as can be seen, the appliance12is resting atop of the uppermost planar surface16of the appliance pedestal10.

InFIG. 6, there is a side view, cut away, illustrating a discharge system wherein a non-submersible pump37can be used to discharge the liquid26collected in the liquid-tight sump22to a drain or drain standpipe. Again, as can be seen, the appliance12is resting atop of the uppermost planar surface16of the appliance pedestal10.

InFIG. 7, there is a side view, cut away, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein a liquid monitor sensor40is located in the liquid-tight sump22for a more reliable response to a liquid leak. This liquid monitor sensor40would be part of an electric/electronic alarm or liquid shut off system used in conjunction with the invention. Again, as can be seen, the appliance12resting atop of the uppermost planar surface16of the appliance pedestal10.

Turning toFIGS. 8 and 9, there are shown perspective views of the housing14formed in the shape of a drawer42or, in the absence of a drawer, an open compartment44that can be closed by a drawer42.

Turning toFIGS. 10 and 10A, there is a front view, cut away, and an enlarged portion view, respectively illustrating the lip20that controls the “creep” of the supported appliance12to prevent the appliance from coming off of the housing14existentially. The creep or shift usually takes place during rapid ground tremors and during “out of balance” conditions that may be present during some appliance operating cycles. The uppermost planar surface16has an opposing negative camber of, generally, but not specifically, 3 degrees. This assists the appliance12in maintaining a centered position of the appliance12on the uppermost planar surface16eliminating the need to mount the appliance12to the housing14.

Next, takingFIGS. 11, 11A and 11B, there is a front view, cut away and enlarged views illustrating the mounting or anchoring of the housing14to a supporting structure46such as a floor. Strengthened screw bosses48are located in the bottom of the liquid-tight sump22. Predrilled holes50do not extend all the way through the bosses48in order to maintain a liquid-tight condition in the event that they are not used. Thread cutting screws52pierce through the bottom of the holes50and into the support surface46. When fully installed, the head of the screw52seals itself at the top of the boss48and at the upper portion of the hole50, maintaining a liquid-tight condition after mounting. The invention can accept optional leveling legs54of the appliance12for extremely unleveled or rough support surfaces.

Turning next toFIGS. 12 and 13, there is a side view and a bottom view, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein there is an integral air cushion transport system used to facilitate movement of the appliance12during installation and maintenance. With this system the appliance pedestal10is capable of floating itself and the supported appliance12on a cushion of compressed air or gas. A flexible perforated membrane56is sealed to the bottom perimeter edges of the housing14, sealing the internal cavities, external to and below the liquid-tight sump22. A pattern of vent holes58in the membrane56make up the only exit from the sealed cavities within the membrane56. A blower60or other source of pressurized gas connected through an external port62pressurizes the internal cavities. The pressurized air or gas vents through the vent holes58of the membrane56lifting the housing14as well as the appliance12sufficiently to break the friction between the housing14and the support surface46making the housing14and the appliance12combination easily moved. The blower60could also be integral to the housing14.

While shown as a full membrane56, there may also be a skirt located at the perimeter of housing that would serve the same purpose of elevating the housing14and appliance12when desired.

The invention can be fabricated, molded, cast, pressure formed, or machined of structural materials depending on desired material properties or manufacturing processes available. This invention incorporates functions of liquid leak control into an elevating pedestal.

The present invention supports liquid leak control in both a passive and active manners. For passive control, the present invention provides three methods of improved control. The first is a much higher volume of liquid retention that that of present art. The invention will retain the collected liquids without causing additional degradation of the appliance or the electrical hazards caused by liquid immersion. The second passive control improvement is by directing leaking liquids directly to a liquid sensing device.

By providing an improved location for a water sensing device instead of the typical floor location under or in close proximity to the equipment being monitored, assures that leaking liquids will be directed towards the sensor regardless of the location of the leak within the appliance. This is important due to the fact that slope and location can affect the ability of a liquid sensor to come in contact with the leaking liquid. The third method for passive control is supporting gravity discharge of collected liquids to a floor level drain. The invention also provides active control by forcefully discharging leaking liquids by means of an automatic pump to an elevated drain, standpipe, or remote location.

Turning finally toFIGS. 14A-14D, there are shown schematic views illustrating a method of installing and/or removing an appliance12to and from an appliance pedestal10. As will be used to describe the method, the appliance has a rearward side66that will be the side toward which the appliance12moves in installing it onto the housing14and a forward side68that is opposite thereto. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 14A, in installing the appliance12onto the housing14, the appliance12is initially tipped forwardly so as to elevate the rearward side66to rest it atop of the housing14. The forward side68is then elevated to just above the height of the housing14as shown inFIG. 14B, that is, by a rearward tipping motion, and slid on its rearward side66into the position shown inFIG. 14C. At the position ofFIG. 14C, the forward side68is then lowered to a generally horizontal orientation to rest on the housing14such that the appliance12can be readily installed atop of the housing14easily and with a minimum of manipulations in close quarters.

While the present invention has been set forth in terms of a specific embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood that the appliance pedestal herein disclosed may be modified or altered by those skilled in the art to other configurations. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed and limited only by the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.