US3675448A - Gravity overflow tube for automatic clothes washer - Google Patents

Gravity overflow tube for automatic clothes washer Download PDF

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US3675448A
US3675448A US83864A US3675448DA US3675448A US 3675448 A US3675448 A US 3675448A US 83864 A US83864 A US 83864A US 3675448D A US3675448D A US 3675448DA US 3675448 A US3675448 A US 3675448A
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tube
outer tub
hose
gravity
tub
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US83864A
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John H Smith
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
    • D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements

Definitions

  • a clothes washer having an outer tub positioned around an inner tub has a drain connected to an electric pump.
  • a hose is connected to the outlet end of the pump providing for liquid drainage.
  • a gravity overflow tube has a top end mounted to the top portion of the outer tub at a level above the hose. Excess water in the outer tub flows through file overflow tube by the force of gravity.
  • the present invention solves the above described problem by providing an inexpensive overflow tube which is attached to the top portion of the outer tub to receive the excess liquid within the outer tub.
  • the excess liquid flows through the tube by the force of gravity.
  • the tube may be installed on new or used clothes washers.
  • This invention is a gravity overflow tube for receiving excess liquid in the outer tub of an automatic clothes washer.
  • An inner tub is positioned within the outer tub. Upon completion of the cycle, liquid within the inner tub is transferred to the outer tub and drained through a drain in the outer tub.
  • An electric pump connected to the drain of the outer tub forces the liquid through an outlet hose.
  • the overflow tube is sealingly mounted to the top of the outer tub at a level higher than the outlet end of the hose.
  • a check flap valve may be installed in the overflow tube to allow gravity liquid flow in the tube only from the top of the outer tub to the bottom end of the tube.
  • a coupling is provided to connect the overflow tube to the outlet hose.
  • an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive gravity overflow tube which may be quickly and easily installed on new or used automatic clothes washers.
  • FIGURE is a fragmentary perspective view of an automatic clothes washer incorporating the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a fragmentary perspective view of an automatic clothes washer 10 having a front wall 9 with controls (not shown) located thereon.
  • the top wall 12 of washer 10 has a door 11 hingedly mounted thereon for closing hole 13 which receives the clothes placed within the washer.
  • Washer 10 has adjustable feet 14 located on its bottom corners for leveling and supporting the washer.
  • An inner tub 16 is suspendedly mounted within an outer tub 15 also suspendedly mounted within washer 10. The washing action is accomplished in inner tub 16 and the liquid therein is then emptied into outer tub 15 upon completion of the cycle.
  • An electric pump 17 is mounted at the bottom of washer l0 and is connected to drain hole 22 of outer tub 15. Connected to the outlet of pump 17 is outlet hose 19 which has an upper curved end 25 received by hollow drain pipe 18. Pump 17 is operable to empty the liquid and suds within tub 15 through drain 22 and hose 19 emptying into pipe 18.
  • a gravity overflow tube 20 has a top end sealingly mounted to and through the top portion of outer tub 15 by a conventional clamp 24.
  • Clamp 24 is sealingly mounted to tub l6 and sealingly receives overflow tube 20.
  • the top end 26 of tube 20 is positioned at a level higher than top end 25 of hose 19. Thus, when the liquid within tubs 15 and 16 rises sufficiently. the liquid will enter top end 26 and flow through tube 20 by the force of gravity.
  • the bottom end of tube 20 may be connected to a suitable drain such as drain pipe 18. It is also possible as shown in FIG. 1 to connect the bottom end of overflow tube 20 to hose 19 by coupling 21.
  • a conventional hollow T-shaped coupling 21 may be connected to hose l9 and to tube 20.
  • Tube 20 may be produced from a suitable material such as plastic or rubber.
  • a conventional check flap valve 23 may be mounted within tube 20 to prevent liquid flow from coupling 21 to top end 26. This valve would allow liquid flow in tube 20 only from top end 26 to coupling 21. Thus, liquid force applied by pump 17 would force all of the liquid out through hose 19. It is understood that valve 23 is not necessary for the operation of the present invention and is provided only as an added feature.
  • Overflow tube 20 provides a very dependable device since the liquid flows through the tube only by the force of gravity. It will be obvious from the above description that the present invention provides an overflow tube which empties excess water in the outer tub of an automatic clothes washer by the force of gravity. It will be further obvious from the above description that the present invention provides a gravity overflow tube which would prevent spillage of excess water in an automatic clothes washer. In addition, it will be obvious that the tube is inexpensive and easy to install on new or used automatic clothes washers.
  • a top loading automatic clothes washer having an outer tub and an inner tub, said outer tub having an opened top end and a bottom end and being positioned under and around said inner tub to receive liquid therefrom;
  • an electric pump connected to said bottom end of said outer tub and operable to force said liquid from said outer tub;
  • a gravity overflow tube having a first end connected to said hose and a second end mounted to and sealingly through said outer tub immediately adjacent said top end of said outer tub at a level higher than the level of said outlet end of said hose, said liquid flows through said overflow tube only by the force of gravity 2.
  • a check flap valve mounted in said tube allowing liquid flow in said tube only from said second end of said tube to said coupling and said hose;
  • said second end of said gravity overflow tube is at a level higher than said inner tub which has an opened top end for said water to overflow into said outer tub and into said gravity overflow tube.

Abstract

A tube for routing excess liquid in an automatic clothes washer to a suitable drain. A clothes washer having an outer tub positioned around an inner tub has a drain connected to an electric pump. A hose is connected to the outlet end of the pump providing for liquid drainage. A gravity overflow tube has a top end mounted to the top portion of the outer tub at a level above the hose. Excess water in the outer tub flows through the overflow tube by the force of gravity.

Description

United States Patent Smith [451 July 11, 1972 54] GRAVITY OVERFIDW TUBE FOR FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHER 363,318 9/l962 Switzerland ..68/208 [72] Inventor: John H. Smith, Rural Route 2, Washing- 260,848 3/ I968 Austria ..68/208 ton, lnd. 47501 Primary Examiner-Wllliam l. Price [221 FIMI Anomeywoodard, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton 21 A N s3, 1 PP 0 864 51 ABS'I'RACT 52] 0.8. CL ..68/208 A mud"! quid aummaic [58) fieldoiSeu-eh ..68/208, I84; 134/184 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,723,550 ll/l955 Belaieff ..68/l84 Schwing ..68/208 x washer to a suitable drain. A clothes washer having an outer tub positioned around an inner tub has a drain connected to an electric pump. A hose is connected to the outlet end of the pump providing for liquid drainage. A gravity overflow tube has a top end mounted to the top portion of the outer tub at a level above the hose. Excess water in the outer tub flows through file overflow tube by the force of gravity.
JCIaImIDnwlngFlgure PMENTEDJUL 11 m2 3. 675 .448
INVENTOR John H 501/197 9 Manual, 4am,
flffarneys GRAVITY OVERFIJOW TUBE FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of automatic clothes washers having overflow devices attached thereto.
2. Description of the Prior Art Many automatic clothes washers have an outer tub positioned around an inner tub. The inner tub is utilized to hold the clothes washer and soap with an agitator centrally positioned therein for providing the washing action. Upon completion of the washing cycle or rinse cycle, the liquid within the inner tub is emptied into the outer tub at a very fast rate and high volume. An electric pump is then used to empty the liquid within the outer tub through a drain positioned in the bottom of the outer tub. Occasionally, the electric pump is unable to empty the liquid within the outer tub at a sufficient rate to prevent the outer tub from overflowing. Of course, the excess liquid within the outer tub then spills out of the tub onto the floor. The spillage of liquid on the floor may also result from a number of other factors. For example, many automatic washers have control solenoids and timers for controlling the inflow of water. The solenoid/timer may fail resulting in accumulation of excess liquid within the washer. Several devices have been provided to empty the excess liquid within a washer. US. Pat. No. 3,l06,08l issued to Mitchell discloses a hollow agitator for transferring excess liquid within the inner tub to a drain. US. Pat. No. 3,397,? 16 issued to Anderson discloses an overflow device which activates the discharge pump before the liquid reaches the overflow level.
The present invention solves the above described problem by providing an inexpensive overflow tube which is attached to the top portion of the outer tub to receive the excess liquid within the outer tub. The excess liquid flows through the tube by the force of gravity. The tube may be installed on new or used clothes washers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is a gravity overflow tube for receiving excess liquid in the outer tub of an automatic clothes washer. An inner tub is positioned within the outer tub. Upon completion of the cycle, liquid within the inner tub is transferred to the outer tub and drained through a drain in the outer tub. An electric pump connected to the drain of the outer tub forces the liquid through an outlet hose. The overflow tube is sealingly mounted to the top of the outer tub at a level higher than the outlet end of the hose. A check flap valve may be installed in the overflow tube to allow gravity liquid flow in the tube only from the top of the outer tub to the bottom end of the tube. A coupling is provided to connect the overflow tube to the outlet hose.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an overflow tube which empties excess water in the outer tub of an automatic clothes washer by the force of gravity.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a gravity overflow tube which will prevent spillage of excess water in an automatic clothes washer.
In conjunction with the above objects, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive gravity overflow tube which may be quickly and easily installed on new or used automatic clothes washers.
Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The FIGURE is a fragmentary perspective view of an automatic clothes washer incorporating the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Referring to the FIGURE, there is shown a fragmentary perspective view of an automatic clothes washer 10 having a front wall 9 with controls (not shown) located thereon. The top wall 12 of washer 10 has a door 11 hingedly mounted thereon for closing hole 13 which receives the clothes placed within the washer. Washer 10 has adjustable feet 14 located on its bottom corners for leveling and supporting the washer. An inner tub 16 is suspendedly mounted within an outer tub 15 also suspendedly mounted within washer 10. The washing action is accomplished in inner tub 16 and the liquid therein is then emptied into outer tub 15 upon completion of the cycle. An electric pump 17 is mounted at the bottom of washer l0 and is connected to drain hole 22 of outer tub 15. Connected to the outlet of pump 17 is outlet hose 19 which has an upper curved end 25 received by hollow drain pipe 18. Pump 17 is operable to empty the liquid and suds within tub 15 through drain 22 and hose 19 emptying into pipe 18.
A gravity overflow tube 20 has a top end sealingly mounted to and through the top portion of outer tub 15 by a conventional clamp 24. Clamp 24 is sealingly mounted to tub l6 and sealingly receives overflow tube 20. The top end 26 of tube 20 is positioned at a level higher than top end 25 of hose 19. Thus, when the liquid within tubs 15 and 16 rises sufficiently. the liquid will enter top end 26 and flow through tube 20 by the force of gravity. The bottom end of tube 20 may be connected to a suitable drain such as drain pipe 18. It is also possible as shown in FIG. 1 to connect the bottom end of overflow tube 20 to hose 19 by coupling 21. For example, a conventional hollow T-shaped coupling 21 may be connected to hose l9 and to tube 20. Thus, the excess liquid will flow through tube 20 entering coupling 21 and hose 19. Tube 20 may be produced from a suitable material such as plastic or rubber. A conventional check flap valve 23 may be mounted within tube 20 to prevent liquid flow from coupling 21 to top end 26. This valve would allow liquid flow in tube 20 only from top end 26 to coupling 21. Thus, liquid force applied by pump 17 would force all of the liquid out through hose 19. It is understood that valve 23 is not necessary for the operation of the present invention and is provided only as an added feature.
Overflow tube 20 provides a very dependable device since the liquid flows through the tube only by the force of gravity. It will be obvious from the above description that the present invention provides an overflow tube which empties excess water in the outer tub of an automatic clothes washer by the force of gravity. It will be further obvious from the above description that the present invention provides a gravity overflow tube which would prevent spillage of excess water in an automatic clothes washer. In addition, it will be obvious that the tube is inexpensive and easy to install on new or used automatic clothes washers.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifica tions that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
The invention claimed is:
1. The combination of:
a top loading automatic clothes washer having an outer tub and an inner tub, said outer tub having an opened top end and a bottom end and being positioned under and around said inner tub to receive liquid therefrom;
an electric pump connected to said bottom end of said outer tub and operable to force said liquid from said outer tub;
a hose connected to said pump and having an outlet end;
and
a gravity overflow tube having a first end connected to said hose and a second end mounted to and sealingly through said outer tub immediately adjacent said top end of said outer tub at a level higher than the level of said outlet end of said hose, said liquid flows through said overflow tube only by the force of gravity 2. The combination of claim 1 and further comprising:
a coupling connected to said tube and to said hose;
a check flap valve mounted in said tube allowing liquid flow in said tube only from said second end of said tube to said coupling and said hose; and,
a clamp sealingly embracing said second end of said tube being fixedly and sealingly mounted to said top end of said outer tub.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein:
said second end of said gravity overflow tube is at a level higher than said inner tub which has an opened top end for said water to overflow into said outer tub and into said gravity overflow tube.
i i 1 t

Claims (3)

1. The combination of: a top loading automatic clothes washer having an outer tub and an inner tub, said outer tub having an opened top end and a bottom end and being positioned under and around said inner tub to receive liquid therefrom; an electric pump connected to said bottom end of said outer tub and operable to force said liquid from said outer tub; a hose connected to said pump and having an outlet end; and a gravity overflow tube having a first end connected to said hose and a second end mounted to and sealingly through said outer tub immediately adjacent said top end of said outer tub at a level higher than the level of said outlet end of said hose, said liquid flows through said overflow tube only by the force of gravity.
2. The combination of claim 1 and further comprising: a coupling connected to said tube and to said hose; a check flap valve mounted in said tube allowing liquid flow in said tube only from said second end of said tube to said coupling and said hose; and, a clamp sealingly embracing said second end of said tube being fixedly and sealingly mounted to said top end of said outer tub.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein: said second end of said gravity overflow tube is at a level higher than said inner tub which has an opened top end for said water to overflow into said outer tub and into said gravity overflow tube.
US83864A 1970-10-26 1970-10-26 Gravity overflow tube for automatic clothes washer Expired - Lifetime US3675448A (en)

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4173875A (en) * 1978-06-30 1979-11-13 Otmax Suprapto Washing machine
US4870988A (en) * 1987-10-07 1989-10-03 Whirlpool Corporation One-piece drain hose OFR an automatic washer
US5311753A (en) * 1991-06-19 1994-05-17 Shiro Kanao Drain hose for washing machine and which includes a corrugated intermediate portion
US6443091B1 (en) * 1999-11-18 2002-09-03 Marco F. Matte Drain alert device
US6634194B1 (en) 1999-12-30 2003-10-21 General Electric Company Washing machine overflow system
US20040011090A1 (en) * 2002-07-22 2004-01-22 Robert Crowell Backflow preventor
US20060118142A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2006-06-08 Lee Jhe H Self-drainage preventing structure of dish washer

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2723550A (en) * 1952-11-07 1955-11-15 Gallay Sa Washing machines
CH363318A (en) * 1957-09-04 1962-07-31 Homap Etablissement Process for washing textile articles of daily use in a washing machine and washing machine for carrying out the process
US3266274A (en) * 1964-06-16 1966-08-16 Philco Corp Laundry apparatus
AT260848B (en) * 1965-10-27 1968-03-25 Bosch Gmbh Robert Washing machine

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2723550A (en) * 1952-11-07 1955-11-15 Gallay Sa Washing machines
CH363318A (en) * 1957-09-04 1962-07-31 Homap Etablissement Process for washing textile articles of daily use in a washing machine and washing machine for carrying out the process
US3266274A (en) * 1964-06-16 1966-08-16 Philco Corp Laundry apparatus
AT260848B (en) * 1965-10-27 1968-03-25 Bosch Gmbh Robert Washing machine

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4173875A (en) * 1978-06-30 1979-11-13 Otmax Suprapto Washing machine
US4870988A (en) * 1987-10-07 1989-10-03 Whirlpool Corporation One-piece drain hose OFR an automatic washer
US5311753A (en) * 1991-06-19 1994-05-17 Shiro Kanao Drain hose for washing machine and which includes a corrugated intermediate portion
US6443091B1 (en) * 1999-11-18 2002-09-03 Marco F. Matte Drain alert device
US6634194B1 (en) 1999-12-30 2003-10-21 General Electric Company Washing machine overflow system
US20040011090A1 (en) * 2002-07-22 2004-01-22 Robert Crowell Backflow preventor
US20060118142A1 (en) * 2004-12-07 2006-06-08 Lee Jhe H Self-drainage preventing structure of dish washer
US7556050B2 (en) * 2004-12-07 2009-07-07 Lg Electronics Inc. Self-drainage preventing structure of dish washer

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