Abstract:
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.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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.       
 
         [0011]    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. 
         [0012]    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. 
         [0013]    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. 
         [0014]    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. 
         [0015]    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 
       [0016]    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.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view illustrating the present invention positioned to support an appliance; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of appliance pedestal of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a cutaway, perspective view of the appliance pedestal of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side view, cut away, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side view, cut away, illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a side view, cut away, illustrating a still further exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a side view, cut away, illustrating a still further exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the appliance pedestal having a drawer provided therein; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a side view, cut away, illustrating the embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a front view, cut away, illustrating the installation of an appliance on the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10A  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a front view, cut away, illustrating the affixation of the appliance pedestal of the present invention to a supporting structure, such as a floor; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are enlarged views of portion of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an integral air cushion transport system used with the present appliance pedestal; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the air cushion transport system of  FIG. 12 ; and 
           [0033]      FIGS. 14A-14D  are schematic views illustrating the method of loading an appliance on to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Turning first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exploded view illustrating the appliance pedestal  10  of the present inventions in position to support an appliance  12 . The appliance  12  is 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 pedestal  10  comprises a housing  14  that is of a three dimensional rectilinear shape and in the illustrated embodiment, the housing  14  is cubical in shape. 
         [0035]    The upper surface of the housing  14  is comprised of perimeter rails  16  that support the feet  18  of the appliance  12  supported atop of the housing  14 . The perimeter rails  16  have a lip  20  to direct liquids leaking from the supported appliance  12  to the interior and to prevent the appliance from slipping off the perimeter rails  16 . The perimeter rails  16  and lip  20  channel liquids to a liquid-tight sump  22  located in the interior of the housing  14 . The liquid-tight sump  22  is sized and so positioned so that all liquid leaking from the appliance  12  is directed from the perimeter  16  rails and lip  20  to be collected at this single location, however, because the appliance  12  is supported by the upper surface of the perimeter rails  16 , the liquid that accumulates within the liquid-tight sump  22  remains beneath the appliance  12  and does not create a problem with that liquid contacting the electrical or other functions of the appliance  12 . A depression  24  may be provided to allow relief for liquid discharge hoses and external power cords to be later described. 
         [0036]    The shape of the housing  14  is 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. 
         [0037]    Turning next to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of the housing  14  of the present invention and, as can be seen, the liquid-tight sump  22  contains a quantity of a liquid  26  and the liquid-tight sump  22  holds that liquid therein. 
         [0038]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , there can be seen a cut away perspective view illustrating the level of the liquid  26  contained within the liquid-tight sump  22  and, as can be seen, the level of the liquid  26  stays beneath upper surface of the housing  14  where the applidnce  12  is supported. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 4 , there is a side view, cut away, illustrating a discharge system that can be provided to remove liquid from the liquid-tight sump  22 . In this embodiment, there is a submersible pump  28  located beneath the level of the liquid  26  in the liquid-tight sump  22  to discharge that liquid from the liquid-tight sump  22 . As can be seen, the electrical cable  30  and liquid discharge hose  32  can pass through the depression  24  and out of the liquid-tight sump  22  to engage an elevated drain or stand pipe. 
         [0040]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , the is a side view, cut away, illustrating a discharge system that is passive, that is, there is a standard ground level drain hose  34  as is customary with current drip and catch pans. The liquid-tight sump  22  can have a tap  36  such that the drain hose  34  will dispose collected liquids  26  to a floor or condensate drain by gravity. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 6 , there is a side view, cut away, illustrating a discharge system wherein a non-submersible pump  37  can be used to discharge the liquid  26  collected in the liquid-tight sump  22  to a drain or drain standpipe. 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 7 , there is a side view, cut away, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein a liquid monitor sensor  40  is located in the liquid-tight sump  22  for a more reliable response to a liquid leak. This liquid monitor sensor  40  would be part of an electric/electronic alarm or liquid shut off system used in conjunction with the invention. 
         [0043]    Turning to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , there are shown perspective views of the housing  14  formed in the shape of a drawer  42  or, in the absence of a drawer, an open compartment  44  that can be closed by a drawer  42 . 
         [0044]    Turning to  FIGS. 10 and 10A , there is a front view, cut away, and an enlarged portion view, respectively illustrating the lip  20  that controls the “creep” of the supported appliance  12  to prevent the appliance from coming off of the housing  14  existentially. 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 support perimeter rails  16  have an opposing negative camber of, generally, but not specifically, 3 degrees. This assists the appliance  12  in maintaining a centered position of the appliance  12  eliminating the need to mount the appliance  12  to the housing  14 . 
         [0045]    Next, taking  FIGS. 11 ,  11 A and  11 B, there is a front view, cut away and enlarged views illustrating the mounting or anchoring of the housing  14  to a supporting structure  46  such as a floor. Strengthened screw bosses  48  are located in the bottom of the liquid-tight sump  22 . Predrilled holes  50  do not extend all the way through the bosses  48  in order to maintain a liquid-tight condition in the event that they are not used. Thread cutting screws  52  pierce through the bottom of the holes  50  and into the support surface  46 . When fully installed, the head of the screw  52  seals itself at the top of the boss  48  and at the upper portion of the hole  50 , maintaining a liquid-tight condition after mounting. The invention can accept optional leveling legs  54  of the appliance  12  for extremely unleveled or rough support surfaces. 
         [0046]    Turning next to  FIGS. 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 appliance  12  during installation and maintenance. With this system the appliance pedestal  10  is capable of floating itself and the supported appliance  12  on a cushion of compressed air or gas. A flexible perforated membrane  56  is sealed to the bottom perimeter edges of the housing  14 , sealing the internal cavities, external to and below the liquid-tight sump  22 . A pattern of vent holes  58  in the membrane  56  make up the only exit from the sealed cavities within the membrane  56 . A blower  60  or other source of pressurized gas connected through an external port  62  pressurizes the internal cavities. The pressurized air or gas vents through the vent holes  58  of the membrane  56  lifting the housing  14  as well as the appliance  12  sufficiently to break the friction between the housing  14  and the support surface  46  making the housing  14  and the appliance  12  combination easily moved. The blower  60  could also be integral to the housing  14 . 
         [0047]    While shown as a full membrane  56 , there may also be a skirt located at the perimeter of housing that would serve the same purpose of elevating the housing  14  and appliance  12  when desired. 
         [0048]    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. 
         [0049]    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. 
         [0050]    Turning finally to  FIGS. 14A-14D , there are shown schematic views illustrating a method of installing and/or removing an appliance  12  to and from an appliance pedestal  10 . As will be used to describe the method, the appliance has a rearward side  66  that will be the side toward which the appliance  12  moves in installing it onto the housing  14  and a forward side  68  that is opposite thereto. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 14A , in installing the appliance  12  onto the housing  14 , the appliance  12  is initially tipped forwardly so as to elevate the rearward side  66  to rest it atop of the housing  14 . The forward side  68  is then elevated to just above the height of the housing  14  as shown in  FIG. 14B , that is, by a rearward tipping motion, and slid on its rearward side  66  into the position shown in  FIG. 14C . At the position of  FIG. 14C , the forward side  68  is then lowered to a generally horizontal orientation to rest on the housing  14  such that the appliance  12  can be readily installed atop of the housing  14  easily and with a minimum of manipulations in close quarters. 
         [0051]    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.