Liquid leak control appliance pedestal

Abstract

Appliance pedestal that contains liquid leaks due to condensation, overflow, or system failure originating from the supported liquid filled or handling appliance, provides for multiple methods of discharge of collected liquids, and reduces installation and maintenance requirements and their associated hazards and provides an improved ergonomic operating position for the appliance operator.

Claims

1. An elevating appliance pedestal for receiving liquid leaking from an appliance, the appliance pedestal comprising: a housing forming a liquid-tight sump, said housing having an uppermost planar surface adapted to support an appliance containing a liquid, the uppermost planar surface substantially surrounding an appliance resting atop of the upper most planar surface, wherein the upper most planar surface includes an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge comprising a lip extending vertically upwardly along the outer edge of the uppermost planar surface substantially surrounding the upper most planar surface and substantially surrounding an appliance supported on the uppermost planar surface thereon to retain an appliance on the uppermost planar surface, wherein the uppermost planar surface and the lip diverts liquid leaking from the appliance to the liquid-tight sump, the liquid-tight sump located underneath the uppermost planar surface to receive liquid leaking from an appliance, a discharge system for removing liquid from the liquid-tight sump, wherein the uppermost planar surface has a depression and the pump has a discharge hose that passes through the depression.

2. An elevating appliance pedestal for receiving liquid leaking from an appliance, the appliance pedestal comprising: a housing forming a liquid-tight sump, said housing having an uppermost planar surface adapted to support an appliance containing a liquid, the uppermost planar surface substantially surrounding an appliance resting atop of the upper most planar surface, wherein the upper most planar surface includes an outer edge and an inner edge, the outer edge comprising a lip extending vertically upwardly along the outer edge of the uppermost planar surface substantially surrounding the upper most planar surface and substantially surrounding an appliance supported on the uppermost planar surface thereon to retain an appliance on the uppermost planar surface, wherein the uppermost planar surface and the lip diverts liquid leaking from the appliance to the liquid-tight sump, the liquid-tight sump located underneath the uppermost planar surface to receive liquid leaking from an appliance, a discharge system for removing liquid from the liquid-tight sump, wherein the housing includes screw bosses having holes with water-tight, sealing surfaces within the bore of the holes therein adapted to receive thread cutting screws to pierce the water tight, sealing surfaces during installation within the holes to firmly affix the housing to a supporting structure, wherein an underside of the screw heads provide a water tight seal against an upper perimeter of the pierced holes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating the present invention positioned to support an appliance;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of appliance pedestal of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is a cutaway, perspective view of the appliance pedestal of FIG. 2;

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view, cut away, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view, cut away, illustrating a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 6 is a side view, cut away, illustrating a still further exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 7 is a side view, cut away, illustrating a still further exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the appliance pedestal having a drawer provided therein;

(9) FIG. 9 is a side view, cut away, illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 8;

(10) FIG. 10 is a front view, cut away, illustrating the installation of an appliance on the present invention;

(11) FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 10;

(12) FIG. 11 is a front view, cut away, illustrating the affixation of the appliance pedestal of the present invention to a supporting structure, such as a floor;

(13) FIGS. 11A and 11B are enlarged views of portion of FIG. 11;

(14) FIG. 12 is a side view of an integral air cushion transport system used with the present appliance pedestal;

(15) FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the air cushion transport system of FIG. 12; and

(16) FIGS. 14A-14D are schematic views illustrating the method of loading an appliance on to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(17) Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view illustrating the appliance pedestal 10 of the present inventions in position to support an appliance 12. The appliance 12 is of the type that uses and thus contains a quantity of liquid, typically water, in carrying out its function and may be a clothes washer. As can be seen, the appliance pedestal 10 comprises a housing 14 that is of a three dimensional rectilinear shape and in the illustrated embodiment, the housing 14 is cubical in shape.

(18) The upper surface of the housing 14 is comprised of perimeter rails 16 that support the feet 18 of the appliance 12 supported atop of the housing 14. The uppermost planar surface 16 has a lip 20 to direct liquids leaking from the supported appliance 12 to the interior and to prevent the appliance from slipping off the uppermost planar surface 16. The uppermost planar surface 16 and lip 20 channel liquids to a liquid-tight sump 22 located in the interior of the housing 14. The liquid-tight sump 22 is sized and so positioned so that all liquid leaking from the appliance 12 is directed from the uppermost planar surface 16 and lip 20 to be collected at this single location, however, because the appliance 12 is supported by the upper surface of the uppermost planar surface 16, the liquid that accumulates within the liquid-tight sump 22 remains beneath the appliance 12 and does not create a problem with that liquid contacting the electrical or other functions of the appliance 12. A depression 24 may be provided to allow relief for liquid discharge hoses and external power cords to be later described.

(19) The shape of the housing 14 is not limited to a principally rectilinear form. A different form than that described in the figures, such as a cylindrical form with principally similar sectional features, would function in a similar fashion.

(20) Turning next to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the housing 14 of the present invention and, as can be seen, the liquid-tight sump 22 contains a quantity of a liquid 26 and the liquid-tight sump 22 holds that liquid therein. Again, there can be seen, the uppermost planar surface 16 of housing 14.

(21) Turning to FIG. 3, there can be seen a cut away perspective view illustrating the level of the liquid 26 contained within the liquid-tight sump 22 and, as can be seen, the level of the liquid 26 stays beneath the uppermost planar surface 16 of the housing 14 where the appliance 12 is supported.

(22) In FIG. 4, there is a side view, cut away, illustrating a discharge system that can be provided to remove liquid from the liquid-tight sump 22. As can be seen, the appliance 12 is resting atop of the uppermost planar surface 16 of the appliance pedestal 10. In this embodiment, there is a submersible pump 28 located beneath the level of the liquid 26 in the liquid-tight sump 22 to discharge that liquid from the liquid-tight sump 22. As can be seen, the electrical cable 30 and liquid discharge hose 32 can pass through the depression 24 and out of the liquid-tight sump 22 to engage an elevated drain or stand pipe.

(23) Turning to FIG. 5, there is a side view, cut away, illustrating a discharge system that is passive, that is, there is a standard ground level drain hose 34 as is customary with current drip and catch pans. The liquid-tight sump 22 can have a tap 36 such that the drain hose 34 will dispose collected liquids 26 to a floor or condensate drain by gravity. Again, as can be seen, the appliance 12 is resting atop of the uppermost planar surface 16 of the appliance pedestal 10.

(24) In FIG. 6, there is a side view, cut away, illustrating a discharge system wherein a non-submersible pump 37 can be used to discharge the liquid 26 collected in the liquid-tight sump 22 to a drain or drain standpipe. Again, as can be seen, the appliance 12 is resting atop of the uppermost planar surface 16 of the appliance pedestal 10.

(25) In FIG. 7, there is a side view, cut away, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein a liquid monitor sensor 40 is located in the liquid-tight sump 22 for a more reliable response to a liquid leak. This liquid monitor sensor 40 would be part of an electric/electronic alarm or liquid shut off system used in conjunction with the invention. Again, as can be seen, the appliance 12 resting atop of the uppermost planar surface 16 of the appliance pedestal 10.

(26) Turning to FIGS. 8 and 9, there are shown perspective views of the housing 14 formed in the shape of a drawer 42 or, in the absence of a drawer, an open compartment 44 that can be closed by a drawer 42.

(27) Turning to FIGS. 10 and 10A, there is a front view, cut away, and an enlarged portion view, respectively illustrating the lip 20 that controls the creep of the supported appliance 12 to prevent the appliance from coming off of the housing 14 existentially. The creep or shift usually takes place during rapid ground tremors and during out of balance conditions that may be present during some appliance operating cycles. The uppermost planar surface 16 has an opposing negative camber of, generally, but not specifically, 3 degrees. This assists the appliance 12 in maintaining a centered position of the appliance 12 on the uppermost planar surface 16 eliminating the need to mount the appliance 12 to the housing 14.

(28) Next, taking FIGS. 11, 11A and 11B, there is a front view, cut away and enlarged views illustrating the mounting or anchoring of the housing 14 to a supporting structure 46 such as a floor. Strengthened screw bosses 48 are located in the bottom of the liquid-tight sump 22. Predrilled holes 50 do not extend all the way through the bosses 48 in order to maintain a liquid-tight condition in the event that they are not used. Thread cutting screws 52 pierce through the bottom of the holes 50 and into the support surface 46. When fully installed, the head of the screw 52 seals itself at the top of the boss 48 and at the upper portion of the hole 50, maintaining a liquid-tight condition after mounting. The invention can accept optional leveling legs 54 of the appliance 12 for extremely unleveled or rough support surfaces.

(29) Turning next to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is a side view and a bottom view, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein there is an integral air cushion transport system used to facilitate movement of the appliance 12 during installation and maintenance. With this system the appliance pedestal 10 is capable of floating itself and the supported appliance 12 on a cushion of compressed air or gas. A flexible perforated membrane 56 is sealed to the bottom perimeter edges of the housing 14, sealing the internal cavities, external to and below the liquid-tight sump 22. A pattern of vent holes 58 in the membrane 56 make up the only exit from the sealed cavities within the membrane 56. A blower 60 or other source of pressurized gas connected through an external port 62 pressurizes the internal cavities. The pressurized air or gas vents through the vent holes 58 of the membrane 56 lifting the housing 14 as well as the appliance 12 sufficiently to break the friction between the housing 14 and the support surface 46 making the housing 14 and the appliance 12 combination easily moved. The blower 60 could also be integral to the housing 14.

(30) While shown as a full membrane 56, there may also be a skirt located at the perimeter of housing that would serve the same purpose of elevating the housing 14 and appliance 12 when desired.

(31) The invention can be fabricated, molded, cast, pressure formed, or machined of structural materials depending on desired material properties or manufacturing processes available. This invention incorporates functions of liquid leak control into an elevating pedestal.

(32) The present invention supports liquid leak control in both a passive and active manners. For passive control, the present invention provides three methods of improved control. The first is a much higher volume of liquid retention that that of present art. The invention will retain the collected liquids without causing additional degradation of the appliance or the electrical hazards caused by liquid immersion. The second passive control improvement is by directing leaking liquids directly to a liquid sensing device.

(33) By providing an improved location for a water sensing device instead of the typical floor location under or in close proximity to the equipment being monitored, assures that leaking liquids will be directed towards the sensor regardless of the location of the leak within the appliance. This is important due to the fact that slope and location can affect the ability of a liquid sensor to come in contact with the leaking liquid. The third method for passive control is supporting gravity discharge of collected liquids to a floor level drain. The invention also provides active control by forcefully discharging leaking liquids by means of an automatic pump to an elevated drain, standpipe, or remote location.

(34) Turning finally to FIGS. 14A-14D, there are shown schematic views illustrating a method of installing and/or removing an appliance 12 to and from an appliance pedestal 10. As will be used to describe the method, the appliance has a rearward side 66 that will be the side toward which the appliance 12 moves in installing it onto the housing 14 and a forward side 68 that is opposite thereto. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 14A, in installing the appliance 12 onto the housing 14, the appliance 12 is initially tipped forwardly so as to elevate the rearward side 66 to rest it atop of the housing 14. The forward side 68 is then elevated to just above the height of the housing 14 as shown in FIG. 14B, that is, by a rearward tipping motion, and slid on its rearward side 66 into the position shown in FIG. 14C. At the position of FIG. 14C, the forward side 68 is then lowered to a generally horizontal orientation to rest on the housing 14 such that the appliance 12 can be readily installed atop of the housing 14 easily and with a minimum of manipulations in close quarters.

(35) While the present invention has been set forth in terms of a specific embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood that the appliance pedestal herein disclosed may be modified or altered by those skilled in the art to other configurations. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed and limited only by the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.