Patent Abstract:
Disclosed is the washing/drying machine having a pedestal, including: a washing/drying machine main body performing a washing or drying operation of laundry; and a pedestal for mounting the main body thereon, wherein a base having legs is coupled at a lower end of the main body, and a supporter having coupling ribs for fixing the base to the pedestal is mounted at an upper surface of the pedestal, thereby preventing a damage to the surface of the pedestal or the washing/drying machine and facilitating mounting/dismounting the supporter or the pedestal.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0089181, filed on Sep. 3, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a washing/drying machine, and more particularly, to mounting a washing/drying machine on a pedestal or other washing/drying machine by using a supporter. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    In general, a washing/drying machine is an apparatus to remove stain (dirt) from clothes, bedclothes, and the like. Such the washing/drying machine may include a washing machine for washing laundry, a drying machine for drying the laundry, a washing/drying machine for performing both the washing and drying operations, and the like. In addition, a refresher has been introduced to remove wrinkles of the laundry or to supply fragrance. 
         [0006]    With a recent trend of the washing/drying machine equipped with a pedestal for storing items therein or a supporter, the washing/drying machine, such as the washing machine, the drying machine, the washing/drying machine, etc., is configured to be fixed to an upper surface of the pedestal. 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional washing/drying machine having a pedestal. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the pedestal  20  may include a housing  21  having a certain space therein, and a drawer  22  detachably inserted into the housing  21  for receiving a variety of items therein. 
         [0008]    Here, a main body  10  of a washing/drying machine  1  and the pedestal  20  are coupled to each other by a separate coupling member  23  (e.g., a bracket, etc.). An upper end  23   a  of the coupling member  23  is fixed onto one side surface of the washing/drying machine main body  10  by a double-sided tape  24 , and a lower end  23   b  of the coupling member  23  is fixed onto one side surface of the housing  21  of the pedestal  20  by screws  25 . 
         [0009]    Here, a pair of coupling members  23  is installed at each side surface of the main body  10  of the washing/drying machine  1  and the housing  21  of the pedestal  20 . That is, the upper end  23   a  of the coupling member  23  is attached to the double-sided tape  24 , and both sides of the lower end  23   b  thereof are coupled by the screws  25 , thereby being installed between the side surface of a lower end of the main body  10  forming an outer aspect of the washing/drying machine  1  and the side surface of the housing  21  of the pedestal  20 . 
         [0010]    However, such conventional pedestal  20  cannot be commonly used in the washing machine, the drying machine or the like, and the separate coupling member  23  should be used for coupling the washing/drying machine  1  and the pedestal  20 , thereby having a complicated coupling process, reducing productivity, and increasing a manufacturing cost. 
         [0011]    In addition, when the washing/drying machine  1  is to be moved or when the coupling member  23  is to be removed so as to install other washing/drying machine to the pedestal, a spot due to the double-sided tape would remain on the surface of either the washing/drying machine  1  or the pedestal  20 , or screw holes are generated, thereby deteriorating the external appearance of the product. 
         [0012]    In addition, in the process of removing the screws  25  in order to remove the coupling member  23 , the surface of the washing/drying machine  1  or the pedestal  20  may be damaged (e.g., dented) or the coupling member  23  may be curved. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pedestal capable of preventing a damage to a surface of the washing/drying machine and the pedestal due to a coupling unit by coupling base ribs formed at a base for supporting a lower portion of the washing/drying machine and coupling ribs of a supporter, facilitating mounting/dismounting the supporter or the pedestal, and not requiring a separate coupling member, and a washing/drying machine having the same. 
         [0014]    To achieve this and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a washing/drying machine, including: a washing/drying machine main body; and a pedestal for mounting the main body thereon, wherein a base having legs is coupled to a lower end of the main body, and a supporter having coupling ribs for fixing the base to the pedestal is formed at an upper surface of the pedestal. 
         [0015]    Here, the supporter includes a main body having leg holes for mounting legs of an object to support thereon, and a plurality of coupling ribs disposed at one side of the main body so as to couple the object to support disposed above or below the main body and the main body to each other. 
         [0016]    With such configuration, the object to support and the supporter can be coupled by the coupling ribs. Accordingly, the supporter or the pedestal may be fixed to the object to support without a separate coupling means such as a conventional coupling member, thus to increase productivity. 
         [0017]    In addition, at least two coupling ribs are formed at the supporter so as to correspond to an edge of the upper surface of the housing, and coupling holes of a coupling means may be formed at the coupling ribs. Thusly, the coupling ribs are configured to correspond to the edges of the upper surface of the pedestal housing, thereby preventing the supporter from protruding outside of the pedestal housing. Since the coupling holes are formed at the coupling ribs, there is no need to form a separate screw coupling hole on the surface of the pedestal, and damage to the outer aspect of the housing, etc. may be prevented. 
         [0018]    In addition, an outer aspect can be maintained in a good condition by preventing the supporter from protruding from the surface of the object to support or the pedestal. 
         [0019]    Meanwhile, at least two leg holes for mounting the support legs of the object are formed at the supporter, and the leg holes are communicated with each other or separated from each other. That is, the at least two leg holes are applied in both the washing machine and the drying machine, thus to be commonly used. 
         [0020]    Here, the leg holes are formed to have a different depth or size, and the leg holes are disposed on the upper surface of the housing in a diagonal direction. If an object to be coupled to the supporter is the washing machine and the drying machine, legs of the drying machine are positioned inside legs of the washing machine in the diagonal direction. Thusly, the leg holes are disposed on the upper surface of the housing in the diagonal direction, thereby achieving the general use of the components. In addition, considering that the legs of the washing machine and the drying machine have different diameter or thickness, the size or the depth of the leg holes should be formed. 
         [0021]    There is provided a washing/drying machine, including: a washing/drying machine main body performing a washing or drying operation of laundry; a base coupled to a lower end of the main body so as to support the main body and having legs; and a pedestal disposed below the main body and for supporting the main body, wherein a supporter having coupling ribs for fixing the main body to the pedestal is mounted at an upper surface of the pedestal. 
         [0022]    Here, base ribs coupled to the coupling ribs are formed at the base. 
         [0023]    Coupling holes communicated with each other are formed at the coupling ribs and the base ribs. After aligning the centers of the coupling holes with each other, the base and the supporter are coupled by using a screw, etc., thereby preventing the damage to the surface of the washing/drying machine and the pedestal. 
         [0024]    Meanwhile, the washing/drying machine main body is one of a washing machine, a drying machine or a washing/drying machine. Washing machine leg holes for receiving legs mounted at the washing machine base and drying machine leg holes for receiving legs mounted at the drying machine base are formed at the supporter. 
         [0025]    In addition, the washing machine leg holes and the drying machine leg holes may be communicated with each other or separated from each other. The supporter includes front supporters having leg holes communicated with each other and disposed at both sides on the front end of the upper surface of the pedestal, and rear supporters having leg holes separated from each other and disposed at both sides on the rear end of the upper surface of the pedestal. 
         [0026]    Here, at least one of the washing machine leg holes or the drying machine leg holes may be formed to be open. That is, some of the leg holes may be covered so as to prevent the leg from being seen outside, and others may remain in an opened state for facilitating mounting the leg. 
         [0027]    The present invention provides a pedestal disposed below the washing machine or the drying machine, and equipped with a supporter having coupling ribs coupled to the base that is mounted at the lower end of the washing machine or the drying machine, thus to be commonly used in the washing machine and the drying machine. 
         [0028]    If another washing/drying machine, in addition to the washing/drying machine, is to be placed, the two washing/drying machines may be fixed by using the supporter according to the present invention. That is, the present invention provides a washing/drying machine, including: a first washing/drying machine main body; and a second washing/drying machine main body placed on the first main body, wherein a base having legs is coupled at a lower end of the second main body, and a supporter having coupling ribs for fixing the base to the first main body is mounted at an upper surface of the first main body. Here, the first main body may be the drying machine and the second main body may be the washing machine, and vice versa. 
         [0029]    The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0031]    In the drawings: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional washing/drying machine having a pedestal; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing a washing/drying machine having a pedestal according to the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a state that a supporter is mounted at the pedestal in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing one exemplary supporter in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing a base mounted at the washing/drying machine in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a state that the base in  FIG. 5  is coupled to the supporter; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing another exemplary base in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    Description will now be given in detail of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing a washing/drying machine having a pedestal according to the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a state that a supporter is mounted at the pedestal in  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing one exemplary supporter in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 through 4 , the washing/drying machine  100  according to the present invention may include a washing/drying machine main body  110  for performing cleaning operations of clothes, a pedestal  200  or a pedestal disposed at one surface of the washing/drying machine main body  110  and for receiving a variety of items required for cleaning the clothes, and a supporter  230  disposed between the pedestal  200  and the washing/drying machine main body  110  so as to connect the pedestal  200  and the main body  110 . 
         [0042]    The washing/drying machine main body  110  may be one of the washing machine, the drying machine, and washing/drying machine. The pedestal  200  may be disposed at any one of left/right surfaces and upper/lower surfaces of the main body  110 , and most preferably, at the lower surface of the main body  110 . 
         [0043]    Hereinafter, the present invention would describe that the pedestal  200  is disposed below the washing/drying machine main body  110 , and the main body  110  is either the washing machine or the drying machine. That is, the pedestal  200  is mounted at a position where the washing/drying machine  100  is to be installed, and then the washing/drying machine (i.e., the washing machine or the drying machine) main body  110  is placed and fixed onto an upper surface of the pedestal  200 . 
         [0044]    Here, the washing machine as an example of the washing/drying machine  100  may include the main body  110  forming an external appearance, a tub (not shown) disposed inside the main body  110  in a horizontal direction so as to be dampered (attenuated) and for receiving water therein, a drum  113  rotatably mounted inside the tub for receiving clothes therein, and having a plurality of through-holes  113   a  at an outer surface thereof so as to pass water or foam therethrough, a plurality of lifters  113   b  mounted at an inner surface of the drum  113  and lifting laundry such that the laundry is dropped at a certain height by gravity, and a motor (not shown) mounted rear the tub for rotating the drum  113 . 
         [0045]    A main body cover (not shown) is disposed at the front surface of the main body  110 , and a base  120  is mounted at a lower surface of the main body  110 . A top plate  111  is mounted at the upper surface of the main body  110 . 
         [0046]    An entrance opening, through which the laundry is introduced into or removed from the drum  113 , is formed in the main body cover, and a door  112  for opening/closing the entrance opening is rotatably mounted at one side of the entrance opening. A gasket  114  for attenuating an impact by a rotation of the drum  113  as well as serving as a packing to prevent water from overflowing is installed between the tub and the door  112 . 
         [0047]    A height adjustable leg  121  for supporting a load of the washing/drying machine (i.e., the washing machine) main body  110  is mounted at each of four corners of the base  120  so as to be ascendable or descendable. 
         [0048]    The legs  121  are coupled to the base  120  by a coupling means such as screws, or the like. If the legs  121  are rotated in one direction, the legs  121  are configured to protrude from the base  120 , thereby increasing an installation height of the washing/drying machine  100 . If the legs  121  are rotated in another direction, the legs  121  are configured to be inserted into the base  120 , thereby reducing the installation height of the washing/drying machine  100 . 
         [0049]    The pedestal  200  may include the box-shaped housing  210  formed to have an area enough to place the washing/drying machine  100  thereon, and a drawer  222  openably disposed at a front surface of the housing  210  so as to receive a variety of items inside the housing  210 . 
         [0050]    The housing  210  and the drawer  222  may be formed of an injection molded plastic. 
         [0051]    The supporter  230  for fixing the legs  121  of the washing/drying machine  100  may be installed at each of the four corners of the upper surface of the housing  210 , and a leg (not shown) for supporting the load of the washing/drying machine  100  and the pedestal  200  as well as for adjusting the height of the pedestal  200  may be installed at each of the four corners of the lower surface of the housing  210 . 
         [0052]    The drawer  222  may include a front surface portion  221  disposed at the front surface of the housing  210  and having a handle  223 , and a receiving portion  220  formed at a rear surface of the front surface portion  221  for receiving a variety of items therein and openably disposed inside the housing  210 . 
         [0053]    Accordingly, the pedestal  200  serves as a supporter of the washing/drying machine  100  as well as a container for receiving a variety of items required when using the washing/drying machine  100 , such as a detergent, a fabric conditioner, a bleach, maintenance tool, cleaning tool, and the like. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the supporters  230  are mounted at the upper surface of the housing  210  of the pedestal  200 , and preferably, at each of the four corners of the upper surface thereof. 
         [0055]    The supporter  230  may include a main body  240  having leg holes  231 ,  232  for mounting the legs  121  of the washing/drying machine  100  as an object to support thereon, and a plurality of coupling ribs  233  disposed at one side of the main body  240  and for coupling the washing/drying machine  100  and the main body  240  to each other. 
         [0056]    Here, if the washing/drying machine  100  is the washing machine, first leg holes  231  for mounting the legs  122  of the washing machine may be provided. If the washing/drying machine  100  is the drying machine, second leg holes  232  for mounting the legs  123  of the drying machine may be provided. If the washing/drying machine  100  is a refresher, etc., other than the washing machine or the drying machine, leg holes for receiving the legs of the refresher may also be provided. That is, the first and second leg holes  231 ,  232  are not meant to be applied only to the washing machine and the drying machine. Therefore, preferably, at least two or more leg holes  231 ,  232  are provided for a general use of the supporters  230 . 
         [0057]    The plurality of supporters  230  may be divided into front supporters  230 ′ mounted at the front of the upper surface of the housing  210 , and rear supporters  230 ″ mounted at the rear of the upper surface thereof. Here, the front supporters  230 ′ include the leg holes  231 ,  232  communicated with each other, and are respectively mounted at both sides of the front end of the upper surface of the housing  210 . The rear supporters  230 ″ include the leg holes  231 ,  232  separated from each other, and are respectively mounted at both sides of the rear end of the upper surface of the housing  210 . 
         [0058]    Here, the reason why the leg holes  231 ,  232  of the front supporters  230 ′ and the rear supporters  230 ″ have a different configuration is that positions of each leg are different in the washing/drying machine  100  having the main body  110  of the same size. 
         [0059]    For instance, if the washing/drying machine  100  is the washing machine and the drying machine, the front legs of the washing machine and the front legs of the drying machine are overlapped to each other. However, the rear legs of the washing machine and the rear legs of the drying machine are not overlapped to each other. Accordingly, the leg holes  231 ,  232  of the front supporters  230 ′ should be communicated to each other, and the leg holes  231 ,  232  of the rear supporters  230 ″ should be separated from each other, thereby being able to be used in both the washing machine and the drying machine. 
         [0060]    Here, such described configurations of the leg holes are not meant to be limiting, and the shape of the leg holes  231 ,  232  may be changed according to the shape of the legs of the washing/drying machine  100  to be used. 
         [0061]    In addition, the leg holes  231 ,  232  may be formed to have different depths or sizes. This is to receive a variety of leg shapes as much as possible even though a thickness, a diameter or a size of the legs  121  are all different according to the type of the washing/drying machine  100 , thus to enable the components to be widely (generally) used. 
         [0062]    Meanwhile, if the leg holes  231 ,  232  are formed to have the same depth, a separate member (e.g., a sheet-shaped washer) may be mounted at the legs  121 , so that the depth of the leg holes  231 ,  232  and the height of the legs  121  can be adjusted. 
         [0063]    In addition, at least one of the leg holes  231 ,  232  may be formed to be open. That is, some of the leg holes  231 ,  232  may have a covered upper portion, and others may remain in an opened state. This may prevent the legs  121  of the washing/drying machine  100  from being seen outside. Further, the washing/drying machine  100  may be firmly mounted at the pedestal  200  by stopping (locking) the legs  121  of the washing/drying machine  100  by the covered portion of the leg holes  231 ,  232 . 
         [0064]    Meanwhile, the leg holes  231 ,  232  may be formed at the upper surface of the housing  210  in a diagonal direction. Such arrangement of the leg holes  231 ,  232  may be determined by an arrangement of the legs  121  of the washing/drying machine  100  to be used. 
         [0065]    Description of the supporters  230  will be given in detail. 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the supporter  230  may include the main body  240  having an approximately rectangular or fan shape, and the leg holes  231 ,  232  formed at a central portion of the main body  240 . Here, the leg holes  231 ,  232  may be formed to be communicated or separated, as described above. 
         [0067]    When the supporters  230  are mounted at the upper surface of the housing  210  of the pedestal  200 , the coupling ribs  233  are formed at a first side surface  230   a  and a second side surface  230   b  each corresponding to the corners of the housing  210 . That is, it is effective that the coupling rib  233  is formed at an edge of the supporter  230  so as to correspond to an edge of the upper surface of the housing  210 . 
         [0068]    Preferably, the coupling rib  233  is formed at each of the first side surface  230   a  and the second side surface  230   b.  However, two or more coupling ribs  233  may be formed at each of the side surfaces  230   a,    230   b  in consideration of a size of the pedestal  200 , or a size and a load of the washing/drying machine  100  to be mounted on the pedestal  200 , and the like. 
         [0069]    Preferably, the coupling ribs  233  are disposed inside the side surfaces  230   a,    230   b  with a stepped portion from the first and second side surfaces  230   a,    230   b.  This is to prevent a screw head or a bolt head from being more protruded than the side surfaces  230   a,    230   b  when a coupling means such as a screw, a bolt, etc. is mounted at the coupling holes  234  formed at the coupling ribs  233  for coupling to the washing/drying machine  100 . 
         [0070]    In addition, coupling holes  235  of the coupling means to mount the supporter  230  to the pedestal  200  are formed at the main body  240  at almost the right angle to the coupling ribs  233 . It is effective that, in consideration of a thickness of a head of the coupling means, a portion where the coupling holes  235  are formed is positioned inside the surface of the supporter main body  240 . 
         [0071]    At least one reinforcing rib  236  is disposed at the rear of the leg holes  231 ,  232 . This reinforcing rib  236  is to prevent a reduction of rigidity of the leg holes  231 ,  232  in the rear direction as well as to reduce an amount of the injection-molded plastic used to manufacture the supporter  230 . That is, the amount of injection-molded plastic of the supporter  230  may be reduced by having a relatively thinner thickness of the portion except the reinforcing rib  236 . 
         [0072]    Here, the coupling ribs  233  are respectively disposed at the first and second side surfaces  230   a,    230   b  in parallel, however, the coupling ribs  233  may also be disposed perpendicular to the first and second side surfaces  230   a,    230   b.  This is because a shape of the coupling rib  233  is determined by a shape of the rib of the washing/drying machine  100  coupled to the coupling rib  233 . 
         [0073]    Hereinafter, description of a base of the washing/drying machine  100  coupled to the coupling ribs  233  will be given in detail. 
         [0074]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view showing a base mounted at the washing/drying machine in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a state that the base in  FIG. 5  is coupled to the supporter, and  FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing another exemplary base in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , height-adjustable legs  121  are respectively mounted at four corners of a base  120 , and base ribs  122  are respectively formed at both sides of the leg  121 . The base ribs  122  include coupling holes  123  to be communicated with the coupling holes  234  at the coupling ribs  233  of the supporter  230 . 
         [0076]    In order for the washing/drying machine  100  to be mounted at the pedestal  200 , the supporter  230  is disposed between the washing/drying machine  100  and the pedestal  200 , and then a coupling means (e.g., a screw, etc.) is mounted at the coupling holes  123 ,  234  in a state that the coupling ribs  233  of the supporter  230  and the base ribs  122  are aligned with each other. 
         [0077]      FIG. 6  illustrates that the washing/drying machine  100 , the supporter  230  and the pedestal  200  are coupled together by using the coupling ribs  122 ,  233 . 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the coupling ribs  233  of the supporter  230  are positioned outside the base ribs  122 , and the coupling means (e.g., a screw, etc.) is mounted at the coupling holes  123 ,  234 , thereby coupling the coupling ribs  233  and the base ribs  122  to each other. With this configuration, the coupling ribs  122 ,  233  cannot protrude more than the surface of the washing/drying machine  100  or the pedestal  200 , thus to provide a good outer aspect. Besides, there is no need to use a separate component such as a bracket, etc. for mounting the washing/drying machine  100  or the pedestal  200  to the supporter  230 . 
         [0079]    To be certain, the base ribs  122  may be positioned outside the coupling ribs  233  of the supporter  230 . 
         [0080]    The base  120 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , is formed to have a honeycomb or grid shape, and a base  120 ′, as shown in  FIG. 7 , may be formed to have a plate shape having base ribs  122 ′. Such described shape of the base  120 ,  120 ′ may be changed according to the washing/drying machine  100 . 
         [0081]    As described above, by using the coupling ribs  122  of the base  120 , the pedestal  200  may be commonly used in a variety of the washing/drying machine  100  including the washing machine and the drying machine, without a separate coupling member (e.g., a bracket, etc.). 
         [0082]    Meanwhile, the present applicant has described the washing machine and the drying machine as an example of the washing/drying machine, however, without being limited thereto, the washing/drying machine may also include other types of washing/drying machine, such as an integrated washing system, a refresher equipped with a wrinkle reduction function, and the like. 
         [0083]    In addition, the configuration that the washing/drying machine is installed on the pedestal having the supporter therebetween has been described, however, without being limited thereto, the washing/drying machine may be disposed in a vertical direction having the supporter therebetween. For instance, the drying machine is disposed above the washing machine, and the drying machine to be placed on the washing machine may be fixed by using the supporter according to the present invention. Alternatively, the washing machine is disposed above the drying machine, and the washing machine to be placed on the drying machine may be fixed by using the supporter according to the present invention. In addition, a front loading type washing/drying machine has been described, however, a top loading type washing/drying machine is also included in the scope of the present invention. 
         [0084]    The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. 
         [0085]    As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3