A household appliance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprises a body (2) which is suitable to be placed on the floor (G) so as to define an opening (O) between the body (2) and the floor (G) and at least one foot (3) which is connected to the body (2) at one end and which extends from the body (2) to the floor (G) throughout the opening (O). The feature of the present invention is to comprise a fixing apparatus (7) suitable to be attached to the foot (3) and having a holder (9) which almost completely surrounds at least part of the foot (3), at least one base (8) whereon the foot (3) is seated and at least one fixing member (14) which is provided on the base (8) and which is configured to prevent the base (8) from sliding on the floor (G).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

[0003] The present invention relates to a fixing member which enables a household appliance to be fixed on the floor or the counter.

[0004] Household appliances are generally used by being placed on the floor / counter. Especially laundry washing / drying machines move by sliding on the floor the machines are placed on due to the vibrations the machines create during the operation thereof. This may cause the machine to slide and fall from its location over time and break. To eliminate this problem, the laundry washing / drying machine must be fixed to the floor. To solve this problem in the state of the art, stacking and fixing members are used, especially for the laundry drying machines used together with the laundry washing machines. However, these components are highly complex, costly and cannot be installed by the user. In this case, assistance of the service staff is requested, which results in loss of time and cost increase for the users.

[0005] In the state of the art Great Britain Patent Application No. GB817788A, a stacking kit is disclosed, which enables the laundry drying machine to be fixed onto the laundry washing machine.

[0006] In the state of the art Germany Patent Application No. DE3827790A1, a stacking kit is disclosed, which enables the laundry drying machine to be fixed onto the laundry washing machine.

[0007] In the state of the art European Patent No. EP1623152B1, a pad attached to the foot of a household appliance is disclosed.

[0008] In the state of the art Korean Patent Application No. KR20050038195A, a pad attached to the foot of a laundry drying machine is disclosed.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to enable a household appliance to be fixed to the floor in a safe and easy manner.

[0010] The household appliance realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body which is suitable to be placed on the ground so as to define an opening between the body and the floor; at least one foot which is connected to the body at one end and which extends from the body to the floor throughout the opening; and a fixing apparatus suitable to be attached to the foot and having a holder which almost completely surrounds at least part of the foot, at least one base whereon the foot is seated and at least one fixing member which is provided on the base and which is configured to prevent the base from sliding on the floor. Thus, the household appliance is fixed to the floor in a simple, cheap and easy manner such that the safe operation thereof is ensured by preventing the same from sliding on the floor during the operation.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing apparatus is attached to at least two feet. Thus, the household appliance is prevented from rotating as a result of the vibrations generated during the operation. Consequently, the household appliance is enabled to be fixed to the floor in a safer and more stable manner.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance comprises at least one lid which is connected to the fixing apparatus so as to at least partially cover the opening. Thus, the gap between the floor and the body is closed and the access of the user to the feet is limited.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, there are at least two extensions on the holder which extend in the same direction and at least two holes on the extensions, and there are at least two arms on the lid which extend towards the extensions and at least two abutments which are provided on the arms and which enable the lid to be attached to the extensions by passing through the holes. Thus, when the lid is attached to the body, the arms on the lid are fitted into the holes on the extensions and the abutments prevent the arms from coming out of the opening. Consequently, upon being attached on the body, the lid prevents the extensions from opening to the sides and provides the locking of the fixing member. Thus, the fixing member is enabled to be attached to the foot more securely.

[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the holder is almost in the form of a C. Thus, the holder grasps the foot in a tighter and safer manner. Moreover, the fixing apparatus is also enabled to be easily mounted. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is an adhesive tape on the side of the base facing the floor. Thus, the fixing member is attached to the floor more easily, cheaply and simply by means of the adhesive tape.

[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a suction cup on the side of the base facing the floor. Thus, the fixing member is fixed to the floor in a cheaper and more reliable manner by means of the vacuum effect.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a housing on the side of the base facing the floor and there is at least one sealing member suitable to be placed in the housing. Thus, in case of water accumulation on the floor, the water is prevented from entering the lower part of the base and the holding force of the suction cup is maintained. Consequently, the vacuuming effect of the fixing member is maintained for a long time.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing apparatus is manufactured from plastic. Thus, the fixing member becomes more flexible, easier to manufacture, cheaper and lighter.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance is a laundry washing machine or a laundry drying machine.

[0019] By means of the present invention, the household appliance is enabled to be fixed to the floor in a safe manner.

[0020] The household appliance realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0021] Figure 1 - is the sideways view of the laundry drying machine related to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the foot and the fixing apparatus related to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 - is the cross-sectional view of the foot and the fixing apparatus related to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 - is the cross-sectional view of the foot and the fixing apparatus related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the lid and the fixing apparatus related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 - is the perspective view of the lid, the foot and the fixing apparatus related to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

[0027] 1. Household appliance

[0028] 2. Body

[0029] 3. Foot

[0030] 4. Lid

[0031] 5. Arm

[0032] 6. Abutment

[0033] 7. Fixing apparatus

[0034] 8. Base

[0035] 9. Holder

[0036] 10. Extension

[0037] 11. Hole

[0038] 12. Housing

[0039] 13. Sealing member

[0040] 14. Fixing member

[0041] 15. Suction cup

[0042] 16. Adhesive tape

[0043] G: Floor

[0044] O: Opening The household appliance (1) comprises a body (2) which is suitable to be placed on the floor (G) so as to define an opening (O) between the body (2) and the floor (G) and at least one foot (3) which is connected to the body (2) at one end and which extends from the body (2) to the floor (G) throughout the opening (O).

[0045] The household appliance (1) of the present invention comprises a fixing apparatus (7) suitable to be attached to the foot (3) and having a holder (9) which almost completely surrounds at least part of the foot (3), at least one base (8) whereon the foot (3) is seated and at least one fixing member (14) which is provided on the base (8) and which is configured to prevent the base (8) from sliding on the floor (G). The base (8) covers the surface of the foot (3) facing the floor (G) so as to prevent the same from directly contacting the floor (G). The fixing member (14) provided on the base (8) enables the base (8) to be fixed to the floor (G) in a non-slip manner. Thus, the household appliance (1) is enabled to be fixed to the floor (G) in a non-slip manner.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing apparatus (7) is attached to at least two feet (3). Thus, the household appliance (1) is enabled to be fixed to the floor (G) at two points so as to prevent any possible rotational movement, enabling the household appliance (1) to be fixed to the floor (G) more securely.

[0047] In another embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance (1) comprises at least one lid (4) which is connected to the fixing apparatus (7) so as to at least partially cover the opening (O). The lid (4) is preferably manufactured from plastic and is configured to cover the opening (O) remaining between the household appliance (1) and the floor (G). The lid (4) is attached to the fixing apparatus (7) and prevents the fixing apparatus (7) from being seen from the outside. Moreover, since the lid (4) is attached to the fixing apparatus (7), it is not possible to remove the fixing apparatus (7) from the feet (3) without removing the lid (4). Thus, the fixing apparatus (7) is prevented from being seen by children, thus preventing from attempting to remove the same.

[0048] In another embodiment of the present invention, there are at least two extensions (10) on the holder (9) which extend in the same direction and at least two holes (11) on the extensions (10), and there are at least two arms (5) on the lid (4) which extend towards the extensions (10) and at least two abutments (6) which are provided on the arms (5) and which enable the lid (4) to be attached to the extensions (10) by passing through the holes (11). There are at least two extensions (10) provided on the holder (9) in the same plane and there are holes (11) on the extensions (10). When the user holds the extensions (10) by hand and pulls them away from each other, the holder (9) can be stretched and the holder (9) is enabled to be mounted to the foot (3) more easily. The arms (5) provided on the lid (4) extend towards said extensions (10) and are passed through the holes (11) to be attached to the fixing apparatus (7). The abutments (6) prevent the arms (5) from spontaneously coming out of the holes (11). To remove the lid (4) from the fixing apparatus (7), it is enough to remove the abutments (6) from the holes (11) by moving the lid (4) at an angle in the vertical direction and then pulling the same outwards in a horizontal direction.

[0049] In another embodiment of the present invention, the holder (9) is almost in the form of a C. Thus, the holder (9) almost completely surrounds the foot (3) and tightly grips the foot (3). Moreover, the holder (9) can be stretched from its ends and attached to the foot (3) in an easier manner.

[0050] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing member (14) comprises an adhesive tape (16). The adhesive tape (16) is a double-sided tape and adhered to the base (8) on one side and to the floor (G) on the other side. If the adhesive tape (16) loses its adhesion properties over time, the adhesive tape (16) can be easily replaced by the user, thus enabling the fixing apparatus (7) to be used for a long time.

[0051] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing member (14) comprises a suction cup (15). The suction cup (15) enables the base (8) to hold onto the floor (G) by means of the vacuum effect. Therefore, the fixing apparatus (7) is enabled to hold onto the floor (G) by means of the vacuum effect for a long time without causing any additional costs.

[0052] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a housing (12) on the side of the base (8) facing the floor (G) and there is at least one sealing member (13) suitable to be placed in the housing (12). Thus, in case of water accumulation on the floor (G), the water is prevented from reaching the suction cup (15) and the vacuum effect is maintained.

[0053] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing apparatus (7) is manufactured from plastic. Thus, the fixing apparatus (7) becomes cheaper and lighter. In another embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance (1) is a laundry washing machine or a laundry drying machine or a laundry washing and drying machine.

[0054] By means of the present invention, the household appliance (1) is enabled to be fixed to the floor (G) in an easy and safe manner. Thus, the household appliance (1) is prevented from moving during the operation thereof, eliminating the risk of possible accidents and ensuring safe operation.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A household appliance (1) comprising a body (2) which is suitable to be placed on the floor (G) so as to define an opening (O) between the body (2) and the floor (G) and at least one foot (3) which is connected to the body (2) at one end and which extends from the body (2) to the floor (G) throughout the opening (O), characterized by a fixing apparatus (7) suitable to be attached to the foot (3) and having a holder (9) which almost completely surrounds at least part of the foot (3), at least one base (8) whereon the foot (3) is seated and at least one fixing member (14) which is provided on the base (8) and which is configured to prevent the base (8) from sliding on the floor (G).

2. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the fixing apparatus (7) which is attached to at least two feet (3).

3. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by at least one lid (4) which is connected to the fixing apparatus (7) so as to at least partially cover the opening (O).

4. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by at least two extensions (10) on the holder (9) which extend in the same direction and at least two holes (11) on the extensions (10), and at least two arms (5) on the lid (4) which extend towards the extensions (10) and at least two abutments (6) which are provided on the arms (5) and which enable the lid (4) to be attached to the extensions (10) by passing through the holes (11).

5. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the holder which is almost in the form of a C.

6. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the fixing member (14) which comprises an adhesive tape (16).

7. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the fixing member (14) which comprises a suction cup (15).

8. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by a housing (12) on the side of the base (8) facing the floor (G) and there is at least one sealing member (13) suitable to be placed in the housing (12).

9. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the fixing apparatus (7) which is manufactured from plastic.

10. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, which is a laundry washing machine or laundry drying machine or laundry washing and drying machine.

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