Patent Publication Number: US-2018038033-A1

Title: Washing Machine Divider

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Background of the Invention 
     Washing machines are widely used to clean clothes without the user needing to do hand washing. Some varieties of clothing are too delicate to be washed in a washing machine, as they can be stretched, torn, or abraded by contact with the agitator and washing machine walls. These delicate clothing items should be washed by hand to prevent damage. 
     In addition to the potential damage it causes to delicate clothing, the agitator in a washing machine mixes clothes within the barrel of the washer such that they must be sorted upon removal from the washer. A means is needed to keep clothes contained and sorted during washing. 
     While the agitator may damage and disorder clothes placed within the washing barrel, it serves the important function of stirring clothing within the barrel of the washer to dislodge dirt and ensure even exposure to cleaning solutions. Ideally, delicate clothing could be exposed to the agitator&#39;s movements for the purposes of dislodging dirt, while being protected from twisting, abrasion, and stretching from contact with the agitator and other clothing. 
     Field of Endeavour 
     This application is drawn towards the field of washing machine attachments for washing of delicate clothing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a washing machine divider in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a washing machine divider in a folded position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a washing machine divider basket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a washing machine divider basket in place in a washing machine in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The current innovation provides a protective divider adaptable to many varieties of washing machines. The divider has a durable frame which is placed on top of the agitator and is divided into a plurality of sections. 
     In one embodiment, the durable frame is composed of two rings. Connecting rods radiate out from the inner ring to connect to the outer rings like the spokes of a wheel. The inner ring rests on top of the agitator, while the outer ring rests against the walls of the washing machine barrel or on top of the opening to the barrel. In another embodiment, the durable frame is collapsible along hinges, pivots, clamps, or other similar means. 
     Baskets are inserted into the open sections of the frame. In one embodiment, these baskets are detachable from the ring. The baskets may be inset into the partitioned sections such that they fit snugly within the sections and are retained by gravity, or may be held in place on the durable frame by clasps, clamps, hooks, or other similar means. The durable frame may be placed in the washing machine with only a portion of the sections having placed baskets so that delicate and regular articles of clothing may be washed at the same time. 
     The baskets may be composed of netting, permeable cloth, or another flexible material permeable to water. In the preferred embodiment, the baskets are composed of a netting capable of preventing delicate materials from catching on the agitator or other clothing in the washing machine. The basket is flexible such that the clothing within the basket may be agitated as normal while protected from tearing or stretching by the agitator. 
     The baskets extend down into the washing machine such that they fill the section of the barrel below the durable frame section to which they are attached. In one embodiment, the baskets have a durable rim which is attached to the flexible material. The durable rim allows the basket to be firmly fixed in place on the durable frame and holds the top of the basket open for easy removal and to prevent twisting and tangling of the basket material during agitation. The durable rim may have connectors which fix it in place on the durable frame, or may be held in place by its own weight. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a washing machine divider in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. A durable frame ( 1000 ) composed of an outer ring ( 1100 ) and an inner ring ( 1200 ) rests at the top of the washing machine barrel. In one embodiment, the outer ring ( 1100 ) rests on the outer edge of the barrel while the inner ring ( 1200 ) rests on the agitator of the washing machine. 
     The outer ring ( 1100 ) and inner ring ( 1200 ) are attached to one another by a series of connecting rods ( 1310 ), dividing the durable frame ( 1000 ) into a series of partitions. A plurality of basket attachment points ( 1320 ) may be placed on the inner ring ( 1200 ), outer ring ( 1100 ) and connecting rods ( 1310 ). 
     A plurality of handles or handholds ( 1400 ) may be set into the durable frame ( 1000 ) for easy placement and movement of the mashing machine divider. 
     The partitions may each contain a basket ( 1300 ) which attaches to the durable frame ( 1000 ) at a plurality of basket attachment points ( 1320 ). The basket may have a durable rim which holds the basket open at the top and holds a basket mesh ( 1350 ) attached to the rim of the basket at a number of mesh attachment points ( 1330 ). 
       FIG. 2  shows the durable frame in folded position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The durable frame ( 1000 ) may be folded or collapsed at an outer ring folding point ( 1110 ) and inner ring folding point ( 1210 ). 
       FIG. 3  shows a basket ( 1300 ) detached from the durable frame in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The basket may have a durable rim which holds the basket open at the top and holds the basket mesh ( 1350 ) attached to the rim of the basket at a number of mesh attachment points ( 1330 ). 
       FIG. 4  shows the placement of the durable frame ( 1000 ) and basket ( 1300 ) within the barrel ( 2100 ) of a washing machine ( 2000 ) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The basket ( 1300 ) extends downwards into the barrel ( 2100 ). The outer ring ( 1100 ) of the durable frame ( 1000 ) rests on the outer edge of the barrel opening and the inner ring ( 1200 ) rests on the agitator ( 2200 ). 
     One skilled in the arts would appreciate that although a single basket ( 1300 ) has been used in the above illustration of the principal of the innovation, there are openings for a plurality of baskets, and a plurality of baskets may be used simultaneously with the innovation. It should also be obvious that the quantity of baskets can be increased or reduced allowing for larger or smaller baskets. Further, the folding points ( 1110  &amp;  1210 ) may be positioned or increased to allow further folding of the frame. 
     The diagrams in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided as examples and should not be construed to limit other embodiments within the scope of the invention. For instance, heights, widths, and thicknesses may not be to scale and should not be construed to limit the invention to the particular proportions illustrated. Additionally, some elements illustrated in the singularity may actually be implemented in a plurality. Further, some element illustrated in the plurality could actually vary in count. Further, some elements illustrated in one form could actually vary in detail. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exemplary embodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit the invention. 
     The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.