Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a stack-type laundry treating apparatus, and more specifically, relates to a stack-type laundry treating apparatus in which a plurality of treating apparatuses are stacked vertically to increase space utilization, and an upper treating apparatus and a lower treating apparatus are easily manipulated.

A laundry treating apparatus may be classified into a front-loading type laundry treating apparatus and a top-loading type laundry treating apparatus according to a manner in which laundry is input. Depending on a manner in which the laundry is treated, the laundry treating apparatus may be classified into a washing apparatus for washing the laundry and a drying apparatus for drying the laundry.

In recent years, the front loading type washing apparatus may have a reduced overall height and increased washing capacity, compared to the top loading type washing apparatus in which an inner tub as a washing tub rotates while standing upright. In the front loading type washing apparatus, twisting of the laundry hardly occur. Thus, demand of the front loading type washing apparatus is increasing.

The front-loading type washing apparatus includes a tub disposed inside a cabinet defining an appearance thereof, a drum rotatable inside the tub, and a driver that rotates the drum. The rotation of the drum may cause friction between the drum, a washing-water, and a washing target (laundry), thereby removing contaminations from the laundry.

Further, in recent years, a drying apparatus having an appearance similar to that of the front loading type washing apparatus is being manufactured. The drying apparatus includes a drying drum rotatable inside a cabinet, a driver that rotates the drying drum, and a hot air supply that supplies hot and dry air into the drum, thereby drying the laundry in a wet state after washing thereof is completed.

When the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus according to the prior art as described above are installed at the same time, the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus are installed side by side in a horizontal direction on an installation face.

However, when an installation space is narrow, the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus are separately installed in separate spaces, and the laundry that has been washed in the washing apparatus is moved/injected to the drying apparatus to dry the laundry.

Recently, a washing apparatus having a mount face or a mounting part for installing a drying apparatus thereon so that the drying apparatus may be stacked on a top of the washing apparatus has been commercially available.

However, as described above, when the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus that may be stacked vertically according to the prior art, and when the washing apparatus has the mount face for mounting the drying apparatus thereon, it is very difficult to fix the drying apparatus at a correct position on the mount face. Thus, when a separate fixing device is not used, the drying apparatus may be separated from the correct installation position when the drying apparatus operates.

Further, when the washing apparatus has a separate mounting part for stacking the drying apparatus on the washing apparatus, the separate installation part is fixed to the washing apparatus, and then the drying apparatus is disposed on the washing apparatus, and then the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus must be fixed to each other via the mounting part. This process is cumbersome.

Therefore, a stacking structure of the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus should be improved such that the drying apparatus may be stacked on and fixed to the washing apparatus more conveniently. <CIT> relates to a clothes treating apparatus with a stacking structure capable of stably stacking a plurality of clothes treating apparatuses on each other. <CIT> relates to a washing machine including a plurality of washers. <CIT> relates to a domestic appliance such as a washing machine or a drying machine having a stackable structure for stable vertical stacking.

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problem. Thus, a purpose of the present invention is to provide a stack-type laundry treating apparatus in which an upper treating apparatus may be stacked on a top of a lower treating apparatus.

Further, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problem. Thus, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a stack-type laundry treating apparatus including means which is disposed between the lower treating apparatus and the upper treating apparatus, and limits a position of the upper treating apparatus.

Further, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problem. A purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a stack-type laundry treating apparatus in which a position of the upper treating apparatus may be corrected when the upper treating apparatus is stacked on the lower treating apparatus.

Further, the present invention has been devised to solve the same problem. Thus, a purpose thereof is to provide a stack-type laundry treating apparatus in which an aligning leg is disposed on a bottom of the upper treating apparatus and disposed on a top of the lower treating apparatus.

Further, the present invention has been devised to solve the same problem. Thus, a purpose thereof is to provide a stack-type laundry treating apparatus in which the lower treating apparatus and the upper treating apparatus are stacked vertically, and a cabinet structure of the upper treating apparatus is improved to secure an insulated state between the upper and lower treating apparatuses.

Purposes of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned purpose. Other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure as not mentioned above may be understood from following descriptions and more clearly understood from embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, it will be readily appreciated that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by features and combinations thereof as disclosed in the claims.

In one implementation, the aligning legs are coupled to the upper base panel inwardly of the upper base panel.

In one implementation, the aligning legs are seated on a top face of the lower side panel to support the upper treating apparatus with respect to the lower treating apparatus.

In one implementation, the lower side panel has opposite inner side faces, wherein each of the inner side faces of the lower side panel limits a left-right directional movement of the aligning legs.

In one implementation, the aligning legs are coupled to each of both sides of the upper base panel such that the aligning legs are pressed inwardly of the upper base panel.

In one implementation, each of the aligning legs includes: a body for supporting a bottom of the upper base panel; a upper end supporting portion protruding from a top of the body; and a lower end supporting portion protruding from a bottom of the body, wherein the lower end supporting portion is aligned by the lower cabinet.

In one implementation, the upper base panel has a through-hole defined therein into which the upper end supporting portion is inserted, wherein the upper end supporting portion has a panel support groove defined therein into which a portion defining an inner face of the through-hole is inserted.

In one implementation, the body has a mounting protrusion protruding upwardly from the body, wherein the upper base panel has a receiving hole defined therein into which the mounting protrusion is fixedly received.

In one implementation, the mounting protrusion has an inclined face that is inclined downwards toward the upper base panel.

In one implementation, a slit is defined around the mounting protrusion such that one end of the mounting protrusion is elastically supported.

In one implementation, the lower end supporting portion has at least one leg protruding from a bottom of the body, wherein the at least one leg slides and then contacts the lower cabinet.

In one implementation, the leg has a support face in contact with each of opposing inner side faces of the lower side panel, and the leg has an inclined face inclined from the support face inwardly of the upper base panel.

In one implementation, a rail frame is disposed on a top of the lower side panel, and the inclined face slides along the rail frame while being in contact with the rail frame.

In one implementation, the rail frame has a horizontal frame in contact with a top face of the lower side panel, and a vertical frame in contact with an inner side face of the lower side panel, wherein an edge between the horizontal frame and the vertical frame has a curved face along which the inclined face slides.

In one implementation, the curved face aligns the aligning leg in a left and right direction when the upper treating apparatus is seated on the lower treating apparatus.

In one implementation, the horizontal frame supports a bottom face of the body and allows the upper treating apparatus to move forwards or backwards with respect to the lower treating apparatus.

In one implementation, a stopper for limiting a rearward moving distance of the lower end supporting portion inwardly extends from a rear end of the horizontal frame.

In one implementation, the lower end supporting portion has a center leg, and side legs respectively disposed on both sides of the center leg and spaced apart from the center leg by a predetermined spacing, wherein the center leg and the side legs are supported and aligned on the lower cabinet.

In one implementation, a center leg groove is defined in the upper end supporting portion at a position corresponding to a position of the center leg, wherein a side leg groove is defined in the body at a position corresponding to a position of each of the side legs, wherein the center leg groove and the side leg grooves respectively receive a center leg and side legs of another aligning leg on a top of the aligning leg.

In one implementation, the aligning legs include a first aligning leg coupled to one side of the upper base panel; a second aligning leg spaced by a predetermined distance from the first aligning leg; and a connector connecting the first aligning leg and the second aligning leg to each other.

In one implementation, the connector has a positioning protrusion eccentric from a center of the connector, and the upper base panel has a positioning groove defined therein at a position corresponding to a position of the positioning protrusion.

In one implementation, the lower cabinet includes a lower side panel defining both sides faces of the lower cabinet, wherein the lower side panel and the upper side panel constitute the same vertical plane.

In one implementation, the aligning leg supports the upper treating apparatus with respect to the lower treating apparatus so that the upper side panel and the lower side panel are spaced apart from each other.

In one implementation, the upper side panel includes: a horizontal bent surface spaced from a top face of the lower side panel by a predetermined spacing; a vertical bent surface extending upwardly from an inner end of the horizontal bent surface up to the upper base panel; and a base support surface horizontally extending from an upper end of the vertical bent surface, wherein the base support surface is seated on the upper base panel.

According to the stack-type laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention, an effect of improving a support state in which the lower treating apparatus supports the upper treating apparatus thereon may be realized by improving a fastening structure between the lower treating apparatus and the upper treating apparatus.

Further, according to the stack-type laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention, when the upper treating apparatus is stacked on a top of the lower treating apparatus, a stacking position of the upper treating apparatus may be corrected.

Further, according to the stack-type laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention, the aligning leg may be disposed on a bottom of the upper treating apparatus and a top of the lower treating apparatus, thereby improving a stacked state between the upper treating apparatus and the lower treating apparatus.

Further, according to the stack-type laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention, a cabinet structure of the upper treating apparatus may be improved, such that an insulated state between the upper treating apparatus and the lower treating apparatus may be secured when vertically stacking the lower treating apparatus and the upper treating apparatus.

In addition to the effects as described above, specific effects of the present invention will be described together with the detailed description for carrying out the invention.

Hereinafter, a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numbers in different figures denote the same or similar elements, and as such perform similar functionality. Moreover, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicity of the description. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

In addition, it will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present "on" a second element or layer, the first element may be disposed directly on the second element or may be disposed indirectly on the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "connected to", or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "between" two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.

It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", and "including" when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof.

Expression such as "at least one of" when preceding a list of elements may modify the entire list of elements and may not modify the individual elements of the list.

First, each of components of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. <FIG> is a simplified diagram showing an internal structure of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, a laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention includes a washing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as 'lower treating apparatus <NUM>') that performs washing and rinsing of a washing target (laundry), and a drying apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as 'upper treating apparatus <NUM>') that is mounted on a top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> and performs drying of a drying target (laundry) that has been washed or needs to be separately dried.

The drying apparatus corresponding to the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may use a gas burner, an electric heater, a heat pump, etc. as a heat source. Hereinafter, in the present disclosure, an example in which the upper treating apparatus <NUM> corresponding to the drying apparatus uses the electric heater as the heat source will be described.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The drying apparatus corresponding to the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may use the gas burner, the heat pump, etc. as a heat source. That is, as long as when the drying apparatus includes main components of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>, the drying apparatus should be regarded as the upper treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure regardless of a type of the heat source of the drying apparatus.

The upper treating apparatus <NUM> includes an upper cabinet <NUM> defining an upper appearance thereof and including an upper front panel <NUM>, an upper top panel <NUM>, an upper side panel <NUM>, an upper rear panel <NUM> and an upper base panel <NUM>, a drying drum <NUM> rotatably disposed inside the upper cabinet <NUM> and receiving and drying a drying target using heated air supplied thereto, an air flow path <NUM> for supplying the heated air to the drying drum <NUM> and for discharging air used for drying the drying target out of the drying drum <NUM>, and a driver <NUM> that rotates the drying drum <NUM> at a predefined rotational speed.

An upper inlet <NUM> through which the drying target is inserted into the drying drum <NUM> may be defined in the upper front panel <NUM>. An upper door <NUM> to open and close the upper inlet <NUM> may be disposed at the upper front panel <NUM>. A control panel <NUM> for controlling the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> may be disposed at a lower level of the upper front panel <NUM>.

In this connection, the control panel <NUM> may include a manipulator (not shown) for simultaneous or selective control of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, and a display (not shown) for simultaneous or selective display of operating statuses of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

A decoration panel <NUM> that defines a top front face of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may be disposed at a top level of the upper front panel <NUM>. The upper top panel <NUM> that defines a top face of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is disposed in rear of the decoration panel <NUM>.

In this connection, the decoration panel <NUM> may be fixed in a fitting manner to a top face of upper front panel <NUM>. The upper top panel <NUM> may be seated on a top face of the upper side panel <NUM> and a top face of the upper rear panel <NUM> and then fixed thereto using a separate fastener (not shown).

The upper side panel <NUM> and the upper rear panel <NUM> may have separate plate forms or may be formed in an integral manner to each other by bending one panel. The upper side panel <NUM> and the upper rear panel <NUM> may be integrally formed to improve a strength of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>.

The upper rear panel <NUM> may have a service panel (not shown) which defines a rear portion of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>, and opens and closes the upper rear panel <NUM> for maintenance of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>. Further, an air discharge duct <NUM> of the air flow path <NUM> to be described later may pass through the upper rear panel <NUM>.

The upper base panel <NUM> has a mount face <NUM> on which each of the components (for example, the drying drum <NUM>, the air flow path <NUM>, the driver <NUM>, etc.) of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is installed. The upper base panel <NUM> may be made of a material selected depending on a temperature of a heater <NUM> in the air flow path <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>.

For example, when the heater <NUM> includes an electric heater (or a gas burner) generating a relatively high temperature as in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper base panel <NUM> may be made of a metal material. When the heater <NUM> includes a heat pump that generates a relatively low temperature, the upper base panel <NUM> may be made of a synthetic resin material.

In the present disclosure, an example in which the lower base panel 219a includes a metal plate will be described. In other words, when the lower base panel 219a includes the metal plate, thermal deformation thereof due to the heater <NUM> generating the high-temperature may be prevented. Further, the heat generated from the heater <NUM> may be prevented from being transferred to the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

Further, the upper base panel <NUM> has a plurality of aligning legs <NUM> guided to and seated on the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> which will be described later when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on a top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>. After descriptions of structures of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, the aligning leg <NUM> will be described.

The drying drum <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape having open front and rear faces. A front plate <NUM> and a rear plate <NUM> that rotatably support the drying drum <NUM> may be disposed in front and rear of the drying drum <NUM>, respectively.

The front plate <NUM> has an opening <NUM> defined therein that communicates with the upper inlet <NUM> defined in the upper front panel <NUM>. The front plate <NUM> has a front support <NUM> disposed around an outer circumferential face of the opening <NUM> and in front of the drying drum <NUM> and supporting a front inner circumferential face of the drying drum <NUM>.

A front roller <NUM> is disposed below the front support <NUM> to rotatably support a front lower portion of the drying drum <NUM>. A plurality of air intake holes <NUM> through which air from the drying drum <NUM> is sucked into the air flow path <NUM> are formed in a lower portion of the front plate <NUM>. The air intake duct <NUM> of the air flow path <NUM> is connected to the air intake holes <NUM>.

The rear plate <NUM> has a plurality of air supply holes <NUM> defined therein to which the air supply duct <NUM> of the air flow path <NUM> to be described later is connected and through which air is supplied into the drying drum <NUM>. A rear support <NUM> that supports a rear inner circumferential face of the drying drum <NUM> is disposed outside the air supply hole <NUM> and in rear of the drying drum <NUM>. A rear roller <NUM> that rotatably supports a bottom of the drying drum <NUM> is disposed below the rear support <NUM>.

The air flow path <NUM> includes the air intake duct <NUM> communicating with the air intake holes <NUM> to intake air in the drying drum <NUM>, a fan <NUM> disposed in the air intake duct <NUM>, an air discharge duct <NUM> for discharging air moved by the fan <NUM> outside the upper treating apparatus <NUM>, an air supply duct <NUM> connected to the air supply holes <NUM> and intaking air outside the drying drum <NUM> and supplying the air to the drying drum <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> that is disposed inside the air supply duct <NUM> to heat the inhaled air.

In this connection, air in the drying drum <NUM> is sucked into the air flow path <NUM>, through the air intake duct <NUM> according to the operation of the fan <NUM>, thereby reducing a pressure of the drying drum <NUM>. As the pressure of the drying drum <NUM> decreases, air outside the drying drum <NUM> is supplied to the inside of the drying drum <NUM> through the air supply duct <NUM>. In this connection, air moving through the air supply duct <NUM> is heated by the heater <NUM> disposed in the air supply duct <NUM> and supplied to the inside of the drying drum <NUM>.

The driver <NUM> is configured to rotate the drying drum <NUM> at a predefined rotational speed. The driver <NUM> may have a motor <NUM> that generates power, a pulley <NUM> disposed on a rotation shaft of the motor <NUM>, and a belt <NUM> connecting the pulley <NUM> and an outer circumferential face of the drying drum <NUM>.

In this connection, the pulley <NUM> may be disposed on one end of the rotation shaft of the motor <NUM>, and the fan <NUM> of the air flow path <NUM> may be disposed at the other end of the rotation shaft. That is, one motor <NUM> may be used to simultaneously operate the fan <NUM> of the air flow path <NUM> and the drying drum <NUM>. In this case, the drying drum <NUM> and the fan <NUM> may be driven by the single motor <NUM>, so that the drying drum <NUM> and the fan <NUM> may rotate at a constant rotation speed ratio and at a constant rotation speed.

In another example, although not shown, separate motors (not shown) may be disposed on the drying drum <NUM> and the fan <NUM>, respectively. When the separate motors are disposed on the drying drum <NUM> and fan <NUM>, respectively, the rotation speeds of the drying drum <NUM> and the fan <NUM> may be individually controlled.

In the above-described upper treating apparatus <NUM>, as the drying target is injected into the drying drum <NUM> through the upper inlet <NUM>, the drying drum <NUM> is rotated by the driver <NUM>, and thus the drying target inside the drying drum <NUM> moves.

Further, as the fan <NUM> is rotated by the driver <NUM>, the air inside the drying drum <NUM> is exhausted to the outside of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> through the air intake duct <NUM> and the air discharge duct <NUM>, and at the same time, air outside the drying drum <NUM> is supplied to the drying drum <NUM> through the air supply duct <NUM>.

In this connection, the air flowing into the drying drum <NUM> through the air supply duct <NUM> is heated by the heater <NUM> disposed in the air supply duct <NUM> and is converted into high-temperature air, which is in turn supplied to the inside of the drying drum <NUM>, thereby to dry the drying target that moves under the rotation of the drying drum <NUM>.

The lower treating apparatus <NUM> includes a lower cabinet <NUM> defining a lower appearance thereof, and including a lower front panel <NUM>, a lower side panel <NUM>, a lower rear panel <NUM> and a lower base panel 219a, a tub <NUM> disposed inside the lower cabinet <NUM> to store washing-water therein, a washing drum <NUM> that is rotatably disposed inside the tub <NUM> to wash the input washing target, a driver <NUM> which is disposed in rear of the tub <NUM> to rotate the washing drum <NUM>, a water supply <NUM> that supplies washing-water to the tub <NUM>, a detergent supply <NUM> that mixes detergent and the washing-water supplied from the water supply with each other to supply the mixture to the washing drum, and a water discharger <NUM> that drains the washing-water inside the tub <NUM>.

The lower front panel <NUM> has an lower inlet <NUM> defined therein through which the washing target is input into the washing drum <NUM>. A lower door <NUM> for opening and closing the lower inlet <NUM> is disposed on the lower front panel <NUM>.

The lower side panel <NUM> and the lower rear panel <NUM> may be provided in separate plate forms, or may be formed integrally to each other by bending one panel. The lower side panel <NUM> and the lower rear panel <NUM> may be integrally formed to improve strength of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

The lower front panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> as above-described and the upper front panel <NUM> and the upper side panel <NUM> may constitute the same vertically extending layers, respectively. That is, the lower front panel <NUM>, the upper front panel <NUM> and the control panel <NUM> located at a lower portion of the upper front panel <NUM> may constitute the same vertically extending layer.

Further, the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> may define left and right sides of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, respectively, and may constitute the same vertically extending layers.

The above-described lower side panel <NUM> has rail frames <NUM> which increases strength of a top of the lower side panel <NUM>, and at the same time, on which the aligning leg <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> slides and is seated. The above-described lower side panel <NUM> may have a reinforcing frame 215a that extends in a perpendicular to the rail frames <NUM> and connects thereto. The rail frames <NUM> and the reinforcing frame 215a will be described in details after the description of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

The lower rear panel <NUM> may have a service panel (not shown) which defines a rear portion of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, and which opens and closes the lower rear panel <NUM> for maintenance of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>. Further, a water supply pipe <NUM> of the water supply <NUM> and a water discharge pipe <NUM> of the water discharger <NUM> to be described later may pass through the lower rear panel <NUM>.

In one example, the lower treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure may support the upper treating apparatus <NUM> thereon. The aligning leg <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is inserted and supported between the lower side panels <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

Therefore, the lower treating apparatus <NUM> has an open top face. The rail frames <NUM> and the reinforcing frames 215a disposed on a top face of each of the lower side panel <NUM> and the lower rear panel <NUM> and a top face of the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> are exposed.

That is, the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is disposed on the top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The top face of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> is covered with the upper treating apparatus <NUM>. Therefore, the lower treating apparatus <NUM> may be free of a separate top panel and a top face of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> may be covered with the upper treating apparatus <NUM>.

The tub <NUM> is disposed inside the lower cabinet <NUM> and is formed in a cylindrical shape and moves via a suspension <NUM> such as a spring and a damper. A tub opening <NUM> that communicates with the lower inlet <NUM> formed in the lower front panel <NUM> is formed in a front face of the tub <NUM>. The lower inlet <NUM> of the lower front panel <NUM> and the tub opening <NUM> may further have a bellows type gasket <NUM> to maintain watertightness when the tub <NUM> moves.

The driver <NUM> is disposed on a rear face of the tub <NUM> to rotate the washing drum <NUM>, and has an outer rotor type motor <NUM> disposed on the rear face of the tub <NUM> and a rotation shaft <NUM> that passes through the rear face of the tub <NUM> and transmits the rotational force of the motor <NUM>.

The washing drum <NUM> is disposed in inside the tub <NUM> and is formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the rotation shaft <NUM> so that the drum <NUM> rotates. The washing drum <NUM> has a drum opening <NUM> defined in a front face thereof communicating with the tub opening <NUM> formed in the tub <NUM>. The washing target is injected through the drum opening <NUM> to the drum <NUM>. Further, a plurality of water communication holes <NUM> for flowing the washing-water may be defined in an inner circumferential face of the washing drum <NUM>. A plurality of lifters <NUM> for moving the washing target may be disposed in the washing drum <NUM>.

The water supply <NUM> receives washing-water from an external water supply source (not shown) to the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>. The water supply <NUM> includes a water supply pipe <NUM> to which the external water supply source is connected, and a detergent supply <NUM> connected to the water supply pipe <NUM> and mixing the water and detergent and supplying the mixture to the tub <NUM>, and a water supply hose <NUM> connecting the detergent supply <NUM> and the tub <NUM> to each other.

The water discharger <NUM> is disposed under the tub <NUM> to drain the washing-water that has been used in the tub <NUM>. The water discharger <NUM> includes a water discharge hose <NUM> connected to a bottom face of the tub <NUM>, the water discharge pump <NUM> disposed at the water discharge hose <NUM> to pump the washing-water, and a water discharge pipe <NUM> to discharge the washing-water pumped by the water discharge pump <NUM> to the outside.

In the lower treating apparatus <NUM> as described above, as the washing target is introduced into the washing drum <NUM> through the lower inlet <NUM>, the detergent and washing-water are supplied to the tub <NUM> from the water supply <NUM>. As the washing drum <NUM> rotates by the driver <NUM>, the washing target inside the washing drum <NUM> moves and the washing process proceeds.

Further, as the washing process is completed, the washing-water inside the tub <NUM> is discharged to the outside of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> by the water discharge pump <NUM> of the water discharger <NUM>, thereby completing the washing process.

In one example, the lower treating apparatus <NUM> is installed on an installation place, and then the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, thereby completing the installation of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a structure for stacking the lower treating apparatus <NUM> and the upper treating apparatus with each other will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a fastening structure of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing an aligning leg and an upper base to be coupled to each other according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, a plurality of aligning legs <NUM> are inserted into and coupled to the upper base panel <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>. When the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, the aligning legs <NUM> coupled to the upper base panel <NUM> are interposed between inner side faces of the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, so that a mounted position of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may be aligned by the aligning legs <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a pair of aligning legs <NUM> are respectively coupled to each of both sides of the upper base panel <NUM>, that is, to each of both front and rear sides of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>. Further, the rail frames <NUM> are respectively coupled to both opposing sides of the top of the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

In this connection, the pair of aligning legs <NUM> located on each of both sides of the upper base panel <NUM> are inserted inwardly of the upper base panel <NUM> and are supported on an outer face of the upper base panel <NUM>. That is, two aligning legs <NUM> are arranged on each of both sides of the upper base panel <NUM> in the left-right direction of the upper base panel <NUM>.

Further, the rail frames <NUM> are respectively coupled to opposite inner side faces of the lower side panel <NUM> and on the top of the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>. In this connection, each of the rail frame <NUM> has a horizontal frame portion <NUM> that is seated on the top face of the lower side panel <NUM> and a vertical frame portion <NUM> that extends along the inner side face of the lower side panel <NUM>.

In this connection, a curve face <NUM> (<FIG>) is formed along and on an outer edge formed by the horizontal frame <NUM> and the vertical frame <NUM>. When the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, the aligning leg <NUM> slides on the curved face <NUM> and moves inwardly of the rail frame <NUM>.

In one example, the curved face <NUM> is preferably formed to extend along an entire edge formed by the horizontal frame <NUM> and the vertical frame <NUM>. That is, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, a position in a front and rear length at which the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> may vary.

Therefore, considering that the position where the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> may vary, the curved face <NUM> may be formed along the entire edge formed by the horizontal frame <NUM> and the vertical frame <NUM> and thus contact the aligning leg <NUM>.

Further, a stopper 216a protruding inwardly from the rail frame <NUM> may be further formed at a rear end of the horizontal frame <NUM> of each rail frame <NUM>. The stopper 516a limits a distance by which the aligning leg <NUM> seated on the rail frame <NUM> moves in a rear direction along the rail frame <NUM>.

That is, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, alignment in the left and right directions of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may be made by the aligning legs <NUM>. After the upper treating apparatus <NUM> has been seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may be moved in the forward and backward directions of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> along the rail frame <NUM>.

In this connection, the stopper 216a formed on the rail frame <NUM> protrudes inwardly of the rail frame <NUM>. When the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is moved in a rear direction along the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, the aligning legs <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may be mounted on the upper treating apparatus <NUM> to limit a distance by which the upper treating apparatus <NUM> moves.

In one example, each of the aligning legs <NUM> that are coupled to each of both front and rear sides of the upper base panel <NUM> is inserted inwardly of the upper base panel <NUM> and is coupled to and supported on the upper base panel <NUM>. As the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is mounted on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, each of the aligning legs <NUM> coupled to each of both sides of the upper base panel <NUM> is seated and supported on an inner faced of each rail frame <NUM> of the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

Therefore, each of the aligning legs <NUM> of coupled to the upper base panel <NUM> is supported on the rail frame <NUM> of the lower side panel <NUM> such that the rail frame <NUM> presses the legs inwardly of the upper base panel <NUM>. Thus, the aligning leg <NUM> is pressed toward the upper base panel <NUM>, and at the same time, a mounted position of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> with respect to the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may be aligned by the aligning legs <NUM>.

In one example, at least one aligning leg <NUM> coupled to the upper base panel <NUM> may be disposed on each of both sides of the upper base panel <NUM>, that is, on both front and rear sides of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>. The aligning legs <NUM> coupled to the upper base panel <NUM> may be coupled thereto using the same fastening structure. In following descriptions, the fastening structure of one aligning leg <NUM> will be described by way of example.

As shown in <FIG>, at least one leg receiving portion <NUM> is formed on each of both sides of the upper base panel <NUM>. The aligning leg <NUM> is inserted inwardly of the upper base panel <NUM>, that is, the left and right directions onto each of both sides of the upper base panel <NUM> and supported thereon.

In one example, the aligning leg <NUM> may include a body <NUM> supporting a bottom of the upper base panel <NUM>, a upper end supporting portion <NUM> protruding upward from the body <NUM> and supporting a top face of the upper base panel <NUM>, and a lower end supporting portion <NUM> that protrudes downwardly from the body <NUM> and is supported on the lower side panel <NUM>.

This aligning leg <NUM> is made of synthetic resin and may be manufactured using injection molding. Preferably, the leg <NUM> may be made of an insulating material that may electrically insulate the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> from each other. The insulating material may be selected from a variety of materials according to need, such as a plastic material, a rubber material, or a mixed material of plastic and rubber.

In this connection, a panel support groove <NUM> into which an end of the upper base panel <NUM> is inserted is formed between the body <NUM> and the upper end supporting portion <NUM>. At least one coupling protrusion <NUM> inserted into and mounted on the upper base panel <NUM> is formed at a front end of the body <NUM>, and protrudes upwardly.

In this connection, the leg receiving portion <NUM> formed on the upper base panel <NUM> has a through-hole <NUM> in which the upper end supporting portion <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> is inserted and mounted, and a receiving hole <NUM> in which the mounting protrusion <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> is inserted and fixed.

In one example, the through-hole <NUM> is formed in a shape corresponding to an outer shape of the upper end supporting portion <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM>. A protruding groove <NUM> that is recessed from the through-hole <NUM> is formed inside the upper base panel <NUM>. The protruding groove <NUM> is inserted into the panel support groove <NUM> formed in the aligning leg <NUM> as the aligning leg <NUM> moves inwardly of the upper base panel <NUM> when the aligning leg <NUM> is mounted thereon.

Further, a pair of receiving holes <NUM> of the leg receiving portion <NUM> are arranged in a symmetrical manner with respect to the through-hole <NUM> and are formed inwardly of the through-hole <NUM>. As the aligning leg <NUM> is inserted into the leg receiving portion <NUM> and moved inwardly of the upper base panel <NUM>, the mounting protrusion <NUM> is inserted in the receiving hole <NUM> to prevent the alignment leg <NUM> from being separated from the leg receiving portion <NUM>.

Hereinafter, referring to the attached <FIG>, the aligning leg will be described in more detail.

<FIG> is a side view showing an aligning leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a front view showing an aligning leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a plan view showing an aligning leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, the body <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> is formed in a plate shape with a predetermined thickness. A pair of coupling protrusions <NUM> mounted in the receiving holes <NUM> of the leg receiving portion <NUM> protrude from a top face of the body <NUM> facing toward the upper base panel <NUM>.

The mounting protrusion <NUM> has an inclined face 321a that is inclined downwards toward the upper base panel <NUM>. The inclined face 321a allows the mounting protrusion <NUM> to slide along a bottom of the upper base panel <NUM> when the aligning leg <NUM> is moved toward the upper base panel <NUM> to be mounted on the upper base panel <NUM>.

In one example, a slit <NUM> may be further formed at a downward side of the inclined face and both sides of the mounting protrusion <NUM>. The slit <NUM> elastically supports an upward side of the inclined face of the mounting protrusion <NUM> so that when the mounting protrusion <NUM> slides along the bottom of the upper base panel <NUM>, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may elastically deform on the bottom of the upper base panel <NUM>.

The mounting protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the receiving hole <NUM>. Thus, when the aligning leg <NUM> is mounted on the upper base panel <NUM>, the aligning leg <NUM> may be prevented from being separated outwardly of the upper base panel <NUM>.

The upper end supporting portion <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> protrudes from the top face of the body <NUM> to a predetermined height. The panel support groove <NUM> having a width equal to or greater than a thickness of the upper base panel <NUM> with respect to a top face of the body <NUM> is formed in a bottom of the upper end supporting portion <NUM>.

When the aligning leg <NUM> is mounted on the upper base panel <NUM>, one side of the through-hole <NUM> is inserted into the panel support groove <NUM> such that the body <NUM> supports the bottom face of the upper base panel <NUM> and at the same time the panel support groove <NUM> supports the top face of the upper base panel <NUM>.

As one side of the through-hole <NUM> is inserted into this panel support groove <NUM>, the body <NUM> presses the bottom face of the upper base panel <NUM>, and the panel support groove <NUM> supports the top face of the upper base panel <NUM> to prevent the aligning leg <NUM> from deviating in a vertical direction.

The lower support <NUM> may have a plurality of legs <NUM> and <NUM> formed on the bottom face of the body <NUM> and arranged in a direction parallel to the rail frame <NUM> of the lower side panel <NUM>. The lower end supporting portion <NUM> may have a center leg <NUM> extending downward from a center of the body <NUM> and both side legs <NUM> spaced apart from the center leg <NUM> by a predetermined distance.

In this connection, the side legs <NUM> may be arranged on both sides of the center leg <NUM>. Further, the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM> may be arranged side by side and may have the same shape.

In one example, the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM> may respectively have a center inclined face <NUM> and side inclined faces <NUM> that may slide on the curved face <NUM> of the rail frame <NUM>.

That is, the center inclined face <NUM> and the side inclined faces <NUM> formed on the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM>, respectively may function as follows. When the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, the center inclined face <NUM> and the side inclined faces <NUM> are in contact with the curved face <NUM> of the rail frame <NUM> so that the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM> may be moved inwardly of the rail frame <NUM>.

Further, the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM> may respectively have a center support face <NUM> and side support faces <NUM> supported on the vertical frame <NUM> of the rail frame <NUM>.

That is, the center support face <NUM> and the side support faces <NUM> formed on the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM> respectively may be pressed by the vertical frame <NUM> of the rail frame <NUM> after the upper treating apparatus <NUM> has been seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

In one example, the upper end supporting portion <NUM> has a center leg groove <NUM> formed in a position thereof corresponding to a position of a bottom of the center leg <NUM>. Side leg grooves <NUM> are formed in the top face of the body <NUM> in positions corresponding to bottoms of the side legs <NUM>, respectively.

In this connection, the center leg groove <NUM> and the side leg grooves <NUM> receive a center leg <NUM> and side legs <NUM> of another aligning leg <NUM> on the corresponding aligning leg <NUM>, respectively, thereby to prevent movement of another aligning leg <NUM>.

Further, a screw receiving hole <NUM> may be further formed in a front end of the upper end supporting portion <NUM>, that is, a side face thereof facing toward an inner face of the upper base panel <NUM>. A fastener (for example, a screw, etc.) may pass through the upper base panel <NUM> and may be inserted into the screw receiving hole <NUM>. In this connection, a screw receiving hole <NUM> through which a fastener passes may be defined in the leg receiving portion <NUM> of the upper base panel <NUM> at a position corresponding to the screw receiving hole <NUM>.

Hereinafter, referring to the attached <FIG>, the aligning leg <NUM> and the upper base panel <NUM> to be coupled to each other will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a simplified diagram showing an installation process of the aligning leg <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this connection, (a) in <FIG> shows a state before the aligning leg <NUM> is inserted into the upper base panel <NUM>. (b) in <FIG> shows a state where the aligning leg <NUM> has been inserted into the upper base panel <NUM>. (c) <FIG> shows a state where the aligning leg <NUM> is coupled and fixed to the upper base panel <NUM>.

As shown in (a) in <FIG>, in order to fasten the aligning leg <NUM> to the upper base panel <NUM>, the aligning leg <NUM> may be placed under the leg receiving portion <NUM> of the upper base panel <NUM>, and the upper end supporting portion <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> may be inserted into the through-hole <NUM> of the leg receiving portion <NUM> so that the top face of the body <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> is in close contact with a bottom face of the upper base panel <NUM>.

In this connection, the aligning leg <NUM> is in contact with the bottom face of the upper base panel <NUM> and is not fixed to the leg receiving portion <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in (b) in <FIG>, while the aligning leg <NUM> is in contact with the bottom face of the upper base panel <NUM>, the aligning leg <NUM> is pressed inwardly of the upper base panel <NUM>, such that the mounting protrusion <NUM> formed on the body <NUM> is pressed into the inner end of the through-hole <NUM>. Thus, as the mounting protrusion <NUM> slides along the bottom face of the leg receiving portion <NUM>, the mounting protrusion <NUM> is moved along the bottom of the upper base panel <NUM>.

In this connection, an inner end of the through-hole <NUM> is inserted into the panel support groove <NUM> formed between the body <NUM> and the upper end supporting portion <NUM>, and is pressed against and fixed to the top face of the body <NUM> and the panel support groove <NUM>.

In one example, the mounting protrusion <NUM> formed on the body <NUM> is elastically deformed downward by the slit <NUM> formed in the outer circumferential face of the mounting protrusion <NUM> and thus is moved along the bottom face of the leg receiving portion <NUM> and thus is inserted into the receive hole <NUM> of the leg receiving portion <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in (c) in <FIG>, the panel support groove <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> installed in the leg receiving portion <NUM> of the upper base panel <NUM> is supported on an inner face of the through-hole <NUM> facing toward an inner face of the upper base panel <NUM>, so that the movement of the upper base panel <NUM> in the inward direction is prevented.

Further, as the mounting protrusion <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> is inserted into the receiving hole <NUM> of the leg receiving portion <NUM> by a predefined elastic force, such that the aligning leg <NUM> may be prevented from being separated outwardly from the upper base panel <NUM>.

The aligning legs <NUM> may be disposed on each of the rear and front sides of the upper base panel <NUM>. When the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, the aligning legs <NUM> may be interposed between the lower side panels <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, such that a position in a lateral direction at which the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is mounted may be aligned.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an operation of the aligning leg <NUM> when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a simplified diagram showing a portion of the installation process in which the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM> using the aligning leg <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this connection, (a) in <FIG> shows a misalignment state when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>. (b) in <FIG> shows a correct alignment state that after the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

In one example, the aligning legs <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be arranged in a symmetrical manner on both front and rear sides of the lower base panel 219a. The rail frames <NUM> contacting the aligning legs <NUM> may be arranged symmetrically on both sides of the top face of the lower side panel <NUM>.

Further, when one of the aligning legs <NUM> arranged symmetrically on the upper base panel <NUM> is misaligned, the other of the aligning legs <NUM> is positioned so as not to contact the rail frame <NUM>.

Therefore, in following descriptions, an example in which when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, one aligning leg <NUM> among the aligning legs <NUM> disposed on the upper base panel <NUM> is in a misaligned state with respect to the rail frame <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> will be described.

In one example, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is disposed on top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, and when lateral misalignment of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> respect to the lower treating apparatus <NUM> occurs, the lower end supporting portion <NUM> of one aligning leg <NUM> may be located on a top of the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

Specifically, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, and when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is misaligned respect to the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM> of the lower end supporting portion <NUM> of one side aligning leg <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> are not located on the inner face of one rail frame <NUM> disposed on the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> but are located on a top of one rail frame <NUM>.

In this connection, a position of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is adjusted to align the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> with each other. Thus, as shown in (a) in <FIG>, the center inclined face <NUM> and the side inclined faces <NUM> respectively formed on the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> contact the curved face <NUM> of the rail frame <NUM>.

In one example, when a position of the aligning leg <NUM> is moved to a position where the center inclined face <NUM> and the side inclined faces <NUM> respectively formed on the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> contact the curved face <NUM> of the rail frame <NUM>, the aligning leg <NUM> is pressed downward under a load of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>, such that the center inclined face <NUM> and the side inclined faces <NUM> respectively formed on the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> slides downwards along the curved face <NUM> of the rail frame <NUM>.

Therefore, the body <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is disposed on the top of the horizontal frame <NUM> of the rail frame <NUM> as shown in (b) <FIG>. The center support face <NUM> and the side support faces <NUM> of the center leg <NUM> and the side legs <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> may face-contact the vertical frame <NUM> of the rail frame <NUM>.

In this connection, the lower end supporting portion <NUM> of each of the aligning legs <NUM> located on each of both sides of the upper base panel <NUM> is located inwardly of the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, and is pressed inwardly of the upper base panel <NUM> by each rail frame <NUM> of the lower side panel <NUM> while being supported on each rail frame <NUM> of the lower side panel <NUM>.

Therefore, each aligning leg <NUM> installed on the upper base panel <NUM> is prevented from being separated from the upper base panel <NUM> due to the pressure acting inwardly of the upper base panel <NUM> by the lower side panel <NUM>.

Further, each aligning leg <NUM> installed on the upper base panel <NUM> may maintain a firm coupled state to the upper base panel <NUM> by the pressure applied by the lower side panel <NUM> as the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

In one example, the aligning leg <NUM> as described above is configured to achieve alignment of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> with the lower treating apparatus <NUM> when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is stacked on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>. In another example, when manufacturing the upper treating apparatus <NUM>, the aligning leg <NUM> may be used for stacked storage of the upper base panel <NUM>.

That is, the upper base panel <NUM> is formed as a plate having a predefined area. A plurality of upper base panels <NUM> may be stacked and stored in a state in which the aligning legs <NUM> are inserted into both sides of the upper base panels <NUM>.

<FIG> is a simplified diagram showing a stacked state of the upper base panels <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this connection, <FIG> shows a cross section of the leg receiving portions <NUM> of the upper base panel <NUM> and the aligning legs <NUM> in a state when the upper base panels <NUM> are stacked and stored.

As shown in <FIG>, in order to stack a plurality of upper base panels <NUM>, the aligning legs <NUM> must be installed on both sides of the upper base panels <NUM>. The structure and the installation state of the aligning legs <NUM> may be understood based on the descriptions of the above-described embodiment.

In this connection, the aligning legs <NUM> installed on the stacked upper base panels <NUM> may be stacked in an overlapping manner. The upper base panels <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other by predefined spacing via the lower end supporting portion <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM>.

In one example, the aligning leg <NUM> may be supported and seated on a top of another aligning leg <NUM> having the center leg <NUM> and the side leg <NUM> of the lower end supporting portion <NUM> as located below the aligning leg <NUM>.

At this time, the center leg <NUM> of the corresponding aligning leg <NUM> is inserted into the center leg groove <NUM> formed in the upper end supporting portion <NUM> of another aligning leg <NUM> located below the corresponding aligning leg <NUM>. Each side leg <NUM> of the corresponding aligning leg <NUM> is inserted into the side leg groove <NUM> of another aligning leg <NUM>.

Therefore, the aligning leg <NUM> of a first upper base panel <NUM> on a top of a second upper base panel <NUM> is seated on a top of the aligning leg <NUM> of the second upper base panel <NUM>. In this way, the aligning legs <NUM> may be stacked while maintaining a spacing between the plurality of overlapping upper base panels <NUM>.

Hereinafter, another embodiment of an aligning leg <NUM> according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing an aligning member <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing the aligning member <NUM> and the upper base panel <NUM> to be coupled to each other according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to simplify the installation of the aligning legs <NUM> installed on the upper base panel <NUM>, at least two aligning legs <NUM> that are disposed on one side or the other side of the upper base panel <NUM> among a plurality of aligning leg <NUM> installed on both sides of the upper base panel <NUM> are integrated with each other to form the aligning member <NUM>.

When using the aligning member <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the installation of the aligning legs <NUM> installed on the upper base panel <NUM> may be simplified compared to a process of individually mounting the plurality of aligning leg <NUM> on the upper base panel <NUM>. That is, when installing the aligning member <NUM>, the plurality of aligning leg <NUM> may be installed.

As shown in <FIG>, the aligning member <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure has a first aligning leg <NUM> and a second aligning leg <NUM> spaced apart by a predetermined spacing, and a connection bar <NUM> connecting the first aligning leg <NUM> and the second aligning leg <NUM> to each other. In one example, the first aligning leg <NUM>, the second aligning leg <NUM>, and the connection bar <NUM> may be integrally formed and may be made of the same material, and may be manufactured via injection molding.

In this connection, each of the first aligning leg <NUM> and the second aligning leg <NUM> have the same configuration as the aligning leg <NUM> of the above-described embodiment, and thus, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the description of the first aligning leg <NUM> and the second aligning leg <NUM> may refer to the description of the above-described embodiment.

In one example, a first leg receiving portion 122a and a second leg receiving portion 122b may be formed on one side of the upper base panel <NUM> and may be spaced from each other by a spacing corresponding to a spacing between the first aligning leg <NUM> and the second aligning leg <NUM>. Further, a positioning groove <NUM> may be formed between the first leg receiving portion 122a and the second leg receiving portion 122b and at a position corresponding to a position of a positioning protrusion <NUM> disposed on the connection bar <NUM>.

In this connection, each of the first leg receiving portion 122a and the second leg receiving portion 122b have the same configuration as that of the leg receiving portion <NUM> of the above-described embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Further, the description of the first leg receiving portion 122a and the second leg receiving portion 122b may refer to the description of the above-described embodiment.

Further, the first leg receiving portion 122a, the connection bar <NUM>, and the second leg receiving portion 122b constituting the aligning member <NUM> may be integrally fabricated via injection molding and may be made of a synthetic resin material.

Preferably, the first leg receiving portion 122a, the connection bar <NUM>, and the second leg receiving portion 122b constituting the aligning member <NUM> may be made of an insulating material that may electrically insulate the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> from each other. The insulating material may be selected from a variety of materials, according to need, such as a plastic material, a rubber material, or a mixed material of plastic and rubber.

In one example, the connection bar <NUM> of the aligning member <NUM> is constructed to connect the body <NUM> of the first aligning leg <NUM> and the body <NUM> of the second aligning leg <NUM> to each other. The first aligning leg <NUM> and the second aligning leg <NUM> which are connected to each other via the connection bar <NUM> may be spaced from each other by a predefined spacing and may be installed simultaneously on the upper base panel <NUM>.

In this connection, the connection bar <NUM> may be formed to have a predefined elastic force while connecting the first aligning leg <NUM> and the second aligning leg <NUM> to each other while the first aligning leg <NUM> and the second aligning leg <NUM> are spaced from each other by a predetermined spacing. The elastic force of the connection bar <NUM> allows the connection bar <NUM> to be elastically deformed when the first aligning leg <NUM> and the second aligning leg <NUM> are sequentially coupled to the upper base panel <NUM>, so that the first aligning leg <NUM> and the second aligning leg <NUM> may be coupled thereto.

In one example, the connection bar <NUM> may be formed to be thinner than the body <NUM> of each of the first aligning leg <NUM> and the second aligning leg <NUM>. Further, the connection bar <NUM> has a plurality of reinforcing ribs <NUM> for reinforcing a strength of the connection bar <NUM>. The plurality of reinforcing ribs <NUM> may extend in a length direction and a width direction of the connection bar <NUM>.

Further, the positioning protrusion <NUM> that is eccentric from a center of the connection bar <NUM> and protrudes upward may be further formed on a top of the connection bar <NUM>. The positioning protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the positioning groove <NUM> formed in the upper base panel <NUM> to be described later. This positioning protrusion <NUM> may allow an assembly worker to accurately grasp an installation direction of the aligning member <NUM> when the aligning member <NUM> is installed.

In one example, the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> may be spaced from each other by predefined spacing due to a thickness of the body <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM> as described above.

That is, the upper side panel <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> may be made of the same metal material, and may be formed by press-molding a conductive metal plate made of steel or stainless steel.

The upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> are made of a conductive material. Thus, when a short circuit occurs while the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> are in contact with each other, normal operations of the upper and lower treating apparatus <NUM> may not be secured.

Therefore, the spacing between the upper side panel <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> needs to be achieved. To this end, it is preferable that the aligning leg <NUM> supporting the upper treating apparatus <NUM> with respect to the lower treating apparatus <NUM> is made of an insulating synthetic resin material.

Further, when a gap formed between the upper side panel <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> due to the aligning leg <NUM> is excessively large, the aesthetics of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may be poor, and foreign substances may inflow through the gap between the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM>.

That is, the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> need to be electrically insulated from each other in order that upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> operate effectively. A minimum clearance or gap is required between the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> to maintain aesthetics and prevent foreign matter from inflowing.

Hereinafter, a structure for forming the gap between the upper side panel <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a side cross-sectional view showing the upper treating apparatus and the lower treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

As shown, the lower treating apparatus <NUM> and the upper treating apparatus <NUM> seated on the top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> are supported by the aligning leg <NUM>. The lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> and the upper side panel <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> constitute the same vertical plane.

In this connection, a horizontal bent surface 117a that is bent inwardly of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> extends from a bottom of the upper side panel <NUM>. A vertical bent surface 117b that is bent upwardly of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> extends from an end of the horizontal bent surface 117a. A base support surface 117c that is bent inwardly of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and is supported on the upper base panel <NUM> extends from an end of the vertical bent surface 117b.

In this connection, the horizontal bent surface 117a of the upper side panel <NUM> may extend to a position at which the horizontal bent surface 117a may be adjacent to the rail frame <NUM> disposed on the lower side panel <NUM>, and may be spaced from the rail frame <NUM> by a predefined spacing D1 (about <NUM> or greater). Further, the horizontal bent surface 117a of the upper side panel <NUM> may extend such that the horizontal bent surface 117a may be spaced from the top face of the lower side panel <NUM> by a predefined spacing D2 (about <NUM>).

That is, the spacing between the horizontal bent surface 117a of the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> may act as a gap for insulation between the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

Further, the aligning leg <NUM> or the aligning member <NUM> is mounted on the top of the rail frame <NUM> located on the top of the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> as shown. The upper base panel <NUM> is mounted on the top of the aligning leg <NUM> or the aligning member <NUM>. In this connection, the upper side panel <NUM> is supported on the upper base panel <NUM>.

In this connection, the aligning leg <NUM> or the aligning member <NUM> may be made of an insulating material that may electrically insulate the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> from each other. In this way, the aligning leg <NUM> or the aligning member <NUM> may electrically insulate the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> from each other.

In one example, the horizontal bent surface 117a may extend toward the upper base panel <NUM> by a horizontal dimension shorter than a distance from the outer face of the upper side panel <NUM> to the outer circumferential face of the upper base panel <NUM>.

That is, the vertical bent surface 117b extending upwards from the end of the horizontal bent surface 117a may extend upward by a vertical dimension shorter than a sum of a thickness of the upper base panel <NUM> and a thickness of or the body of the aligning leg <NUM> or the aligning member <NUM>.

Alternatively, ta bottom face of the upper side panel <NUM> may extend up to a level higher than a level of the bottom face of the body <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM>. That is, a bottom face of the horizontal bent surface 117a defining the bottom face of the upper side panel <NUM> may be formed at a level higher than that of the bottom face of the body <NUM> of the aligning leg <NUM>.

Further, a predefined spacing of about <NUM> may be formed between the horizontal bent surface 117a of the upper side panel <NUM> and the top face of the lower side panel <NUM>. The rail frame <NUM> disposed on the lower side panel <NUM> may have a thickness smaller than the spacing between the horizontal bent surface 117a of the upper side panel <NUM> and the top face of the lower side panel <NUM>.

That is, the horizontal frame <NUM> of the rail frame <NUM> may be disposed in the spacing between the horizontal bent surface 117a of the upper side panel <NUM> and the top face of the lower side panel <NUM>. A portion of the gap between the horizontal bent surface 117a of the upper side panel <NUM> and the top face of the lower side panel <NUM> may be shielded by the horizontal frame <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A stack-type laundry treating apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
an upper treating apparatus (<NUM>) including:
an upper cabinet (<NUM>) including an upper side panel (<NUM>) defining an upper side appearance thereof, and an upper base panel (<NUM>) defining a bottom thereof;
a drying drum (<NUM>) rotatably disposed in the upper cabinet (<NUM>), wherein a drying target is inserted into the drying drum (<NUM>);
an upper driver (<NUM>) for rotating the drying drum (<NUM>); and
an air flow path (<NUM>) for supplying and discharging air to and from the drying drum (<NUM>),
a lower treating apparatus (<NUM>) including:
a lower cabinet (<NUM>) including a lower side panel (<NUM>) defining a lower side appearance thereof, wherein a top of the lower cabinet (<NUM>) is covered with the upper base panel (<NUM>);
a tub (<NUM>) disposed in the lower cabinet (<NUM>), wherein washing-water is stored in the tub (<NUM>);
a washing drum (<NUM>) disposed inside the tub (<NUM>), wherein a washing target is inserted into the washing drum (<NUM>); and
a lower driver (<NUM>) for rotating the washing drum (<NUM>); and
aligning legs (<NUM>) located inwardly of the upper side panel (<NUM>) and the lower side panel (<NUM>) and coupled to the upper base panel (<NUM>), wherein when the upper treating apparatus (<NUM>) is mounted on the lower treating apparatus (<NUM>), aligning legs (<NUM>) align a mounted position of the upper treating apparatus (<NUM>) along the lower side panel (<NUM>),
wherein the aligning legs (<NUM>) are coupled to the upper base panel (<NUM>) inwardly of the upper base panel (<NUM>),
wherein the aligning legs (<NUM>) include at least one pair of aligning legs disposed on each of both sides of the upper base panel (<NUM>),
wherein the aligning legs (<NUM>) are seated so as to slide forwards or rearwards along the lower side panel (<NUM>); and characterized in that
a rail frame (<NUM>) is disposed on a top of the lower side panel (<NUM>), wherein at least one of the aligning legs (<NUM>) is in contact with the rail frame (<NUM>) and is configured to slide along the rail frame (<NUM>) in a front and rear direction.