Patent Abstract:
A washing machine scrubbing enhancement device for improving the cleaning efficiency of washing machines. The washing machine scrubbing enhancement device includes a scrubber attachment comprising a channel member with side walls connected by a base wall forming a channel for gripping the sides of the agitator fins, and an adhesive applied to the side walls.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to washing machine agitators and more particularly pertains to a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device for improving the cleaning efficiency of washing machines. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of washing machine agitators is known in the prior art. More specifically, washing machine agitators heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,518,107; U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,581; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 379,298; U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,802; U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,278; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,320. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device. The inventive device includes a scrubber attachment comprising a channel member with side walls connected by a base wall forming a channel for gripping the sides of the agitator fins, and an adhesive applied to the side walls. 
     In these respects, the washing machine scrubbing enhancement device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of improving the cleaning efficiency of washing machines. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of washing machine agitators now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device construction wherein the same can be utilized for improving the cleaning efficiency of washing machines. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the washing machine agitators mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art washing machine agitators, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a scrubber attachment comprising a channel member with side walls connected by a base wall forming a channel for gripping the sides of the agitator fins, and an adhesive applied to the side walls. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the washing machine agitators mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art washing machine agitators, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such washing machine scrubbing enhancement device economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device for improving the cleaning efficiency of washing machine agitators. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device which includes a scrubber attachment comprising a channel member with side walls connected by a base wall forming a channel for gripping the sides of the agitator fins, and an adhesive applied to the side walls. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device that minimizes the quantity of detergent required to clean a specified size and type of load. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device that may reduce the total duration of a wash cycle. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device according to the present invention installed on the agitator of a washing machine. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the present invention shown exploded away from an agitator. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an optional embodiment of the present invention illustrating a plurality of grooves and ridges. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new washing machine scrubbing enhancement device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the washing machine scrubbing enhancement device  10  generally comprises a clothes washing machine  20  and a scrubber attachment  30 . 
     The clothes washing machine  20  suitable for use with the scrubber attachment may comprise a housing  22 , a tub  24 , and an agitator  26 . 
     The housing  22  has an upper opening with a lid pivotally mounted to selectively close the upper opening. 
     The tub  24  is mounted in the housing  22  for rotation. The tub  24  has an opening located adjacent to the upper opening of the housing  22  for permitting items to be inserted and removed from the tub  24  through the upper opening of the housing  22 . 
     The agitator  26  has a central portion with an upper end and a lower end. The agitator  26  also has at least two fins  28  extending generally radially outward from the central portion between the upper and lower ends. Each fin  28  has an outer edge. In an embodiment, the outer edge of each fin  28  has a substantially triangular perimeter shape. However, other fin profiled, either relatively straight or even undulating, may be used with the invention. 
     The scrubber attachment  30  is mountable on one of the fins  28  of the agitator  26 . The scrubber attachment  30  comprises a channel member  32  and an adhesive member  38 . 
     The channel member  32  includes a pair of side walls  34  connected together by a base wall  36  to form a channel shape with an inner groove. The inner groove receives the outer edge of one of the fins  28  of the agitator  26 . The side walls  34  are biased towards each other such that the side walls  34  grip a portion of the fin  28  inserted into the interior groove of the channel member  32 . The channel member  32  has an inner surface lining the interior groove and an outer surface opposite the interior groove. 
     The adhesive member  38  may be applied to the side walls  34  for adhering the channel member  32  to the fin  28  of the agitator  26 . Suitably, the adhesive is water and detergent resistant. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the outer surface has a plurality of raised bumps that contrast with the otherwise smooth surface of the agitator. 
     In a further embodiment, the outer surface has a plurality of raised ridges  40  with grooves in between. The ridges may be generally serpentine such that the grooves are curvy. 
     In use, each fin of the agitator has a scrubber attachment mounted to it. The scrubber attachments are secured by the adhesive member of the scrubber attachment and by the gripping action from the bias of the side walls. The machine is then used in the ordinary manner associated with clothes washing machines. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3