GB2550919A

GB2550919A - A moving device

Info

Publication number: GB2550919A
Application number: GB1609495.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Day Paul
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-05-27
Filing date: 2016-05-27
Publication date: 2017-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-27
Also published as: GB2550919B; GB201609495D0

Abstract

A device for moving a drum laundry machine 7, such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer, comprises a drum support means 2 which engages with the inside of the drum 8 of the laundry machine 7. The device takes the form of a truck or trolley, with rolling members, such as wheels1, and a handle 5. The drum support 2, which extends from a back 3 of the device, bends or deviates upwards at its distal end. The handle 5 may be resiliently deformable. A foot pad 6 may be provided at an oblique angle to the axis of the device back 3. The drum support member 2 may be padded, and may be adjustable. The device may be used when moving a laundry device 7 from or into a tightly fitted position.

Description

A MOVING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a moving device, in particular a device for moving an item such as an appliance; more particularly but not exclusively a device for manually moving a washing machine or tumble dryer from or into a fitted or tight position.

Background

Increasingly considered to be the most labour-saving invention ever, washing machines have become ubiquitous in many societies.

Installation of a washing machine can be viewed as a necessity in developed societies, and in many more households updating or repairing appliances can also be a norm. As a result many washing machines, or tumble dryers are often required to be moved from fixed positions within fitted kitchens.

Inside a washing machine in particular, which consists of many parts, including a metal drum and a motor, there is a slab of concrete typically or other weighting device.

Putting a heavy washing machine into, or taking one out of, a tight gap under a kitchen unit can be very difficult, particularly given the weight, and can often cause damage to the appliance’s environs.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Granted Denmark patent DK 178 115 (NIELSEN) discloses a sack truck for loading, moving and unloading a load, characterized in that the sack truck comprises a frame supported at a first end by main wheels that are mounted rotatably about a common axis of rotation and a platform provided at the first end of the frame and in front of the frame for carrying the load, the platform including: - a pair of parallel lower forks extending from the front side of the frame at the first end of the frame, the lower forks extending substantially at right angles relative to the frame and being shaped and dimensioned so as to engage a pair of cutouts in a base part of a pallet, the lower forks including rollers for supporting the lower forks; and - an array of at least two parallel, preferably rod-shaped, upper forks extending from the frame substantially in parallel with and above the lower forks and being shaped and dimensioned so as to engage at least two gaps at a top part of the pallet, the upper forks rigidly secured to a bracket which is suspended on the frame such that the upper forks can be displaced up and down along the frame.

Chinese patent application CN 104 032 544 (JIA et al) discloses an invention that belongs to the field of household appliances, and particularly relates to a lifting device used for a washing machine. The lifting device used for the washing machine comprises a support plate and a base, wherein a lifting device is arranged between the support plate and the base and is capable of lifting and inclining the washing machine when the washing machine drains water, so that water in the washing machine can be drained conveniently. Furthermore, the lifting device is simple to operate, and can lift the washing machine to drain the water and prevent accumulated water from damaging the washing machine only by rotating a control rod with a hand.

Granted United States patent US 6 386 560 (CALENDER) discloses a dolly for a large appliance, comprising:a single, unitary, monolithic, solid, unbroken steel plate panel having a first end, a second end opposite said first end, and a central floor area therebetween for carriage of a large appliance thereon, each said end being higher than said central floor area; and a first pair of supporting caster wheels disposed beneath said first end and a second pair of caster wheels disposed beneath said second end, each of said caster wheels having an axle, said central floor area being lower than said axle of each of said caster wheels when said caster wheels are resting upon a level supporting surface.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a moving device suitable for moving a drum laundry machine, comprising a back, one or more rolling members, at least one handle and a drum support means.

The back may comprise an upright plate or at least one elongate bars, arranged to join all parts and having opposing front and rear sides, with all parts extending therefrom to opposing sides, for example such that an active front side of the back comprises the support means and a user rear side of the back comprises the handle or handles.

The support means may extend substantially perpendicular to the back.

In some embodiments the roller member may comprise a pair of wheels. Said member or wheels may be situate on the lowermost part of the back. Said wheels or members may be arranged at the bottom of the back, and may be arranged with an axle or axles to the rear side of the back. In this way the back may be tipped backwards towards the user on the wheel or member.

In some embodiments the device mat comprise a pivot or fulcrum, wherein said fulcrum is used to tip the device on. In this way the fulcrum may extend beyond or below the member or wheels temporarily or permanently in embodiments. In some embodiments the fulcrum may extend below the wheels when the back is tipped beyond vertical towards the user.

In some embodiments the support means may extend from the back at an appropriate height. In some embodiments said height may be adjustable vertically on the back.

In some embodiments the back may also include an extending arm for support of the machine at a lower point than the drum, for example wherein the arm is arranged to slide under the machine.

In some embodiments therefore the arm may comprise a planar or slim arm or arms, so as to slide under the machine easily.

The arm may be envisaged in some embodiments to extend forward on the front side of the back, and/or be arranged to depend for sliding under the machine, for example being located lower than the axle of the wheels or member. The arm may depend lower when the back is tipped from vertical away from the user.

The support means may be arranged to enter the drum cavity and may be arranged to provide more than one support for the inside top face of the cavity, namely accommodating the curvature of the inner face.

In this way it may be envisaged that the support means is arranged in some embodiments to replicate the curvature or comprises more than one support section. For example in some embodiments the support means comprises two support sections, which are spread apart horizontally so as to engage with different circumferential points.

In some embodiments the support means may be arranged to approximate or be pulled apart, so as to accommodate different height and/or circumference drums.

In some embodiments the support means may be arranged to accommodate the machine opening to the drum, wherein it may be envisaged that a majority of machines comprise an opening lip precedent the drum, which lip is arranged to provide a closure frame for a door, but not bear structural weight. For this reason the support means may be arranged to reach around this lip to support the inner face of the drum without making contact with the lip.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a user using an embodiment of the device on a washing machine;

Figure 2 shows a detail view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

And

Figure 3 shows a detail view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in use.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device comprising a linear back extending from a pair of perimetric wheels 1.

The wheels are provided free-spinning on an axle so as to better enable turning manoeuvres. In some embodiments the wheels may be secured to the axle so as to turn in concert.

The back subsequently comprises a joint 9, from which a handle extends.

In the pictured embodiment the handle extends above the height of a typical user 44.

In some embodiments the joint enables a substantially rigid handle to be inclined backwards at the joint. The joint in such embodiments comprises a resiliently deformable joint. In this way the user is enable to utilise significant leverage using the handle, so as to advantageously better lift heavy appliances.

In some embodiments the handle comprises a resiliently deformable member, wherein the handle may deform along its length. In this way the user is enable to utilise significant leverage using the handle, so as to advantageously better lift heavy appliances.

The handle comprises two parallel elongated members,

In some embodiments the handles may be telescopic, so as to elongate in use for greater leverage.

The back 3 comprises a substantially rigid member extending upwards from the wheels and comprising two spaced apart parallel cylindrical tubes of metal or alloy.

The axle comprises a first cross-member and it may be envisaged that there are at least one further cross-member, comprising for example the joint or handle departure point (not shown).

The device further comprises a foot pad 6, arranged on the back to extend rearwards, wherein the foot pad is inclined at an oblique angle to the back axis, intermediate the joint and floor and substantially adjacent the axle.

The user is thereby enabled to push against the pad to aid in leverage of the appliance.

The device further includes a catch 4, which catch is arranged to catch under the front lip of an appliance, so as to aid in levering it up.

More particularly the catch comprises a curved or arcuate forward projecting profile, curving upwards to sit under the lip and effectively pull backwards where necessary.

The support means comprises a rigid member extending orthogonal to the back, and comprising a stepped deviation, which produces a first base member 12, a diagonal brace 13 back to the back below the base member, a subsequent step 11 arrangeable to fit at the rim of the drum of drum appliance like a washing machine, in particular, and an end portion 10, which portion is arranged to sit against the drum or otherwise contact with the drum where the drum is angled.

The support is arranged to move up and down the back as appropriate to need, wherein the back comprises a plurality of holes 14 for the support’s engagement.

In use therefore to take the appliance out, the user assess required height for the support and adjusts to correct, places the catch under the lip, rests one foot on the pad and grasping both handles pulls down.

The appliance lifts from the floor, wherein being level the appliance will move across the subordinate flooring without damage.

The end portion is inserted inside the drum and may accordingly be curved in manufacture or use to follow the drum shape. In some embodiments the end portion may curve in use, for example formed of a plurality of segments.

The end portion and support in general may be covered in padding to limit damage, and accommodate variant appliances.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A moving device suitable for moving a drum laundry machine, comprising a back, one or more rolling members, at least one handle and a drum support means.

2. A moving device according to claim 1 where the back comprises an upright plate or at least one elongate bars.

3. A moving device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the handle comprises an extension from the back joined at a joint thereto.

4. A moving device according to claim 2 wherein the joint is resiliently deformable at least in part.

5. A moving device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the handle resiliently deformable at least in part.

6. A moving device according to any preceding claim wherein the back comprises a foot pad intermediate the handle.

7. A moving device according to claim 6 wherein the foot pad is inclined with reference to the back’s axis.

8. A moving device according to any preceding claim wherein the support means extends substantially orthogonal to the back’s axis.

9. A moving device according to claim 8 wherein the support means deviates upwards towards its distal end.

10. A moving device according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the distal end of the support means comprises transverse curvature in use.

11. A moving device according to any preceding claim wherein the support means comprises padding.

12. A moving device according to any preceding claim wherein the support means is displaceable with reference to back.

13. A moving device according to any preceding claim wherein the rolling member comprises two wheels perimetric the back.

14. A moving device for a washing machine substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.