Laundry pedestal

Abstract

 A laundry assembly is provided. The laundry assembly includes a pedestal (2), a washer (4) on the pedestal, and a dryer (6) on the pedestal, in which the washer is adjacent to the dryer in a horizontal plane, and a longitudinal extent of the pedestal is parallel to the horizontal plane of the washer and the dryer.

Description

Field of Disclosure

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry assembly, and more particularly, to a laundry assembly having a single pedestal for a washer and a dryer.

Background

[0002] Conventional front load washers and dryers have a front door that typically improves the ease of loading and unloading of clothes from the washer or dryer. In order to further improve the ease of loading and unloading of clothes from the washer or dryer, a conventional laundry assembly typically includes a washer, which is mounted on a first pedestal, and a dryer, which is mounted on a second, separate pedestal. By mounting the washer and dryer on separate pedestals, the conventional systems may raise the height of the washer or dryer, which correspondingly raises the height of the front load door of the washer or dryer, and may further improve the ease of loading and unloading of clothes from the washer or dryer.

[0003] Conventionally, the washer and pedestal assembly, and the dryer and pedestal assembly, may typically be located adjacent to each other (i.e., pushed against each other). In most conventional laundry assemblies, the length and width of the pedestal typically is substantially the same as the length and width of the washer or dryer being supported thereon, in order to minimize an amount of occupied space. That is, the footprint of the pedestal typically is substantially the same as the footprint of the respective washer or dryer being supported thereon.

[0004] Another object of the conventional pedestals may be to provide storage beneath the washer or dryer by providing a single drawer in the front of the pedestal.

[0005] In another conventional laundry assembly, a dryer may be mounted on top of, or stacked on, a washer to conserve space. That is, the conventional "stacked" washer and dryer assembly may be arranged in a vertical plane along a common vertical axis. In this conventional laundry assembly, the washer also may be mounted on a pedestal to raise a height of the front door of the washer, and correspondingly, to raise a height of the front door of the dryer, to further improve the ease of loading and unloading of clothes from the respective washer or dryer.

SUMMARY

[0006] Conventional washers and dryers have a rotatable drum that applies a moment on the housing of the washer or dryer during operation thereof, such as a high speed spinning of the rotatable drum, which may cause a walking motion of the washer or dryer. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the "walking motion" may include rotational and/or translational motion. For example, the walking motion may include one or more of a rotational movement of the washer, which may occur when unequal forces are transmitted to the feet of the washer (e.g., from the left feet to the right feet, or from the front feet to the back feet), a tipping movement of the washer, which may occur when two of the feet of the washer break contact with the supporting surface, or a hopping motion of the washer, which may occur when all four of the feet of the washer break contact with the supporting surface, etc.

[0007] As described above, conventionally, a single pedestal may be added to raise the height of a washer or dryer, respectively. In most conventional pedestal assemblies, the length and width of the pedestal typically is substantially the same as the length and width of the washer or dryer being supported thereon, since an object of the conventional designs has been to conserve an amount of space being occupied. However, the present invention recognizes that, in the conventional pedestal assemblies, the addition of a pedestal typically may increase an amplitude of vibration of the washer or dryer during operation, and more particularly, a swaying motion and a walking motion of the washer or dryer during operation.

[0008] For example, the conventional pedestal may raise the center of mass (or center of gravity) of the pedestal assembly, which may increase the magnitude of the moment at the top of the washer or dryer. Also, the conventional pedestal typically may behave like a spring in a mass-spring system. One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that during operation, for example, of a washer, a horizontal shear force may be applied to the pedestal and washer assembly, which may result in a vibration or lateral swaying motion of the pedestal and washer assembly. A magnitude of vibration, and more particularly, a magnitude of the lateral swaying motion, typically may be greater at the top of the washer or dryer. Accordingly, if the conventional pedestal and washer assembly is positioned adjacent to a conventional pedestal and dryer assembly, the lateral swaying motion may cause the washer and dryer, and particularly the top ends thereof, to contact each other during operation. Such contact between the washer and dryer may increase an amount of noise associated with the operation of the washer or dryer. Such an exaggerated vibration magnitude also may cause an unpleasant feeling for the consumer. Furthermore, the walking motion also may cause the washer to rotate and/or translate towards the dryer during operation. Such an exaggerated vibration motion also may cause an unpleasant feeling for the consumer.

[0009] The exemplary embodiments of the invention have recognized that the conventional pedestal assembly may leave room for improvement in reducing, for example, an amplitude of vibration of the pedestal assembly during operation of a washer or dryer, and more particularly, in reducing a magnitude of a swaying motion and a walking motion of the pedestal assembly during operation of the washer or dryer.

[0010] Accordingly, in contrast to the conventional pedestals, the exemplary aspects of the invention provide a single pedestal for both the washer and dryer that may greatly reduce an amplitude of vibration of the washer or dryer, and more particularly, that may reduce a magnitude of a swaying motion and a walking motion of the pedestal assembly during operation of the washer or dryer.

[0011] For example, the single pedestal having both the washer and dryer thereon, according to the embodiments of the invention, may provide mass-damping to reduce an amplitude of vibration of the pedestal assembly during operation of the washer or dryer. In an exemplary embodiment, the single pedestal for both the washer and dryer also may provide a longer moment arm along the horizontal extent of the single pedestal for each of the washer and dryer. Accordingly, the moment generated by the rotatable cylinder in, for example, the washer may be offset or reduced by the mass of the dryer and the longer moment arm provided by the single pedestal.

[0012] Moreover, during operation of both the washer and dryer, the moment generated by rotation of the rotatable cylinder in the washer may be further offset or reduced by the moment generated by the counter-rotation of the rotatable cylinder in the dryer, and vice versa.

[0013] The present invention also has recognized that, with conventional pedestal assemblies, a consumer may need to purchase a separate pedestal for each of the washer and dryer. In comparison, according to the exemplary aspects of the invention, the consumer only may need to purchase a single pedestal for both the washer and dryer. Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce the costs to the consumer.

[0014] Moreover, the present invention also has recognized that the manufacturing costs, such as material costs and assembly costs, associated with manufacturing a single pedestal for both the washer and dryer, according to the embodiments of the invention, may be less than the manufacturing costs associated with manufacturing two separate pedestals for the washer and dryer. Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may further reduce the costs to the consumer.

[0015] The present invention also has recognized that, with conventional washers and dryers, each of the legs of the washer or dryer may need to be leveled, which may increase a set-up time when installing the washer or dryer. Moreover, in the case of a washer and dryer each being mounted on a separate conventional pedestal, two pedestals may need to be leveled. For example, a first pedestal may need to be leveled for the washer, and then a second, separate pedestal may need to be leveled for the dryer. Next, the washer and the dryer each may need to be leveled on each of the separate pedestals.

[0016] In comparison, according to the exemplary aspects of the invention, only a single pedestal may need to be leveled. After the single pedestal is leveled, the washer and dryer may each be positioned on the level pedestal, according to the exemplary aspects of the invention. Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may reduce a set-up time or an amount of time needed to level the system when installing the washer or dryer.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention has recognized that some conventional washers and dryers may include, for example, leveling bubbles mounted on the washer or dryer to facilitate leveling the washer or dryer. However, in the conventional systems, both the washer and dryer may need to be separately leveled after they are installed on each of the separate conventional pedestals.

[0018] In comparison, the exemplary aspects of the invention may provide a leveling system, such as leveling bubbles, on the single pedestal for both the washer and dryer, instead of on the washer or dryer itself. According to the exemplary aspects of the invention, both the washer and dryer may be simultaneously leveled by performing a single step of leveling the single pedestal.

[0019] The ordinarily skilled artisan also will recognize that the loads applied to the pedestal, washer, and dryer during operation throughout their life time may cause changes in the alignment of the structures (e.g., warping, tilting, compression, etc.) of the pedestal, washer, and/or dryer, which may affect the leveling of the laundry assembly. As set forth above, the conventional systems may require separately monitoring and leveling both the washer and dryer throughout their life time.

[0020] In comparison, the exemplary aspects of the invention may provide a leveling system on the single pedestal for both the washer and dryer. Accordingly, the exemplary aspects of the invention may facilitate leveling of both the washer and dryer throughout their life time by monitoring and leveling only the single pedestal, thereby maintaining or improving proper function of the washer and dryer.

[0021] In view of the above aspects of the invention, an exemplary embodiment is directed to a laundry assembly including a pedestal, a washer on the pedestal, and a dryer on the pedestal, wherein the washer is adjacent to the dryer in a horizontal plane, and wherein a longitudinal extent of the pedestal is parallel to the horizontal plane of the washer and the dryer.

[0022] Another exemplary embodiment is directed to an apparatus including a pedestal, a first machine on the pedestal, and a second machine on the pedestal, in which the first machine is adjacent to the second machine in a horizontal plane, and a longitudinal extent of the pedestal is parallel to the horizontal plane of the first machine and the second machine.

[0023] Another exemplary embodiment is directed to a pedestal for an assembly having a first machine and a second machine, in which the pedestal includes a support structure that spaces a top surface from a bottom surface of the pedestal. The pedestal has a central axis that is parallel to the top surface of the pedestal and perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the top surface of the pedestal. The pedestal has a center of mass which is located a first distance from the central axis of the pedestal. The pedestal is adapted to receive the first machine and the second machine to thereby shift the center of mass of the pedestal a second distance from the central axis of the pedestal.

[0024] The features of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in the description of embodiments of the invention and are provided solely for illustration of the embodiments and not limitation thereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a conventional washer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a conventional laundry assembly.

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a conventional laundry assembly.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a laundry assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a laundry assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a pedestal of a laundry assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a laundry assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom view of a pedestal of a laundry assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic bottom view of a pedestal of a laundry assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic bottom view of a pedestal of a laundry assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

[0027] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term "embodiments of the invention" does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, some conventional washer and pedestal assemblies will now be described. A washer 4 is shown for illustrative purposes. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that FIGS. 1-3 also may apply to a dryer 6. The conventional washer 4 typically has four adjustable feet 8 for leveling the washer 4.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional washer 4 having a rotatable drum may apply a moment M₀ on the housing of the washer 4 during operation, which may cause the washer 4 to vibrate or sway in a horizontal direction. For illustrative purposes, the vibration or swaying motion of the washer 4 is shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1. An amplitude of vibration at the top of the washer 4 is depicted as d₀.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, conventionally, a single pedestal 20 may be added to raise the height of the washer 4 to improve the ease with which laundry is loaded and unloaded from the washer. The pedestal 20 typically has four feet 22 for supporting the pedestal 20. However, the present invention has recognized that the conventional pedestal 20 also may raise the center of gravity of the pedestal and washer assembly. Also, the conventional pedestal may behave like a spring in a mass-spring system. Accordingly, during operation of the washer 4, a moment M₁₀ and a shear force F₁₀ may be applied to the pedestal and washer assembly. As shown in FIG. 2, the addition of the pedestal 20 may increase the amplitude of vibration at the top of the washer 4. For example, the amplitude of vibration may be depicted as d₁+d₂, wherein d₁ is the amplitude of vibration of the pedestal 20 and d₂ is the amplitude of vibration of the washer 4.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a conventional laundry assembly having a washer 4 on a pedestal 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the additional of the pedestal 20 may result in a shear force F₃ and moment M₃ acting on the laundry assembly, which may cause the washer 4 to rotate, for example, about one or more pivot points P, and/or to translate, thereby resulting in a walking motion. In this example, the amplitude of the walking motion of the washer 4 may be depicted as d₃.

[0032] With reference to FIGS. 4-10, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in comparison to the conventional washer and pedestal assemblies shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0033] In contrast to the conventional pedestal 20, the exemplary aspects of the invention may provide a single pedestal 2 for both the washer 4 and dryer 6 that may greatly reduce an amplitude of vibration of the washer 4 or dryer 6, and more particularly, that may reduce a magnitude of a swaying motion and a walking motion of the pedestal assembly during operation of the washer 4 or dryer 6.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, a laundry assembly according to an embodiment of the invention may include a single pedestal 2, a washer 4 on (e.g., mounted on) the pedestal 2, and a dryer 6 on (e.g., mounted on) the pedestal 2. The washer 4 may be adjacent to the dryer 6 in a horizontal plane. The longitudinal extent of the pedestal 2 may be parallel to the horizontal plane of the washer 4 and the dryer 6.

[0035] One of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that, during operation, a shear force F₁₂ may be applied to the laundry assembly. Also, during operation of the washer 4, a moment M₁ may be applied to the laundry assembly. Similarly, during operation of the dryer 6, a moment M₂ may be applied to the laundry assembly. For illustrative purposes, the vibration or swaying motion of the laundry assembly is shown by dashed lines in FIG. 4. An amplitude of vibration at the top of the washer 4 may be depicted as d₄, wherein:

[0036] Compared to the conventional individual pedestal designs, in which the washer 4 may be mounted on a separate pedestal 20, the exemplary aspects of the invention may greatly reduce an amplitude d₄ of vibration at the top of the washer 4 and dryer 6.

[0037] For example, the single pedestal 2 having both the washer 4 and dryer 6 thereon, according to the embodiments of the invention, may provide mass-damping to reduce an amplitude d₄ of vibration of the pedestal assembly during operation of the washer 4 or dryer 6. That is, the combined mass of the pedestal 2, washer 4, and dryer 6 may provide mass-damping for the pedestal assembly.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the single pedestal 2 for both the washer 4 and dryer 6 also may provide a longer moment arm along the horizontal extent of the single pedestal for each of the washer 4 and dryer 6. Accordingly, the moment M₁ generated by the rotatable cylinder in, for example, the washer 4 may be offset or reduced by the mass of the dryer 6 and the longer moment arm provided by the single pedestal 2.

[0039] Moreover, during operation of both the washer 4 and dryer 6, the moment M₁ generated by rotation of the rotatable cylinder in the washer 4 may be further offset or reduced by the moment M₂ generated by the counter-rotation of the rotatable cylinder in the dryer 6.

[0040] In contrast to the conventional laundry assemblies shown in FIGS. 1-3, the exemplary aspects of the invention may provide a larger structure, which may include the single pedestal 2, washer 4, and dryer 6, that may absorb the energy (e.g., moment M₁ or M₂) applied to the laundry assembly during operation of the washer 4 or dryer 6, thereby reducing the amplitude d₄ of vibration on the laundry assembly.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the exemplary embodiments of the invention also may reduce or prevent the walking motion of the laundry assembly, as compared to the walking motion of the conventional laundry assembly shown in FIG. 3. For example, FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a laundry assembly having a pedestal 2, washer 4, and dryer 6. As shown in FIG. 5, a shear force F₄ and moment M₄ may act on the laundry assembly. However, the mass-damping features described above, among others, may reduce or prevent the laundry assembly from rotating, for example, about one or more pivot points P, and/or translating, thereby reducing or preventing a walking motion. The amplitude of the walking motion of the laundry assembly according to the invention may be depicted as d₅, wherein:

[0042] Accordingly, the aspects of the invention may reduce vibrations and lateral swaying of the assembly during operation of the washer or dryer, and also may reduce or prevent the walking motion of the laundry assembly.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the washer 4 and the dryer 6 may include adjustable legs 8. In an embodiment, the pedestal 2 may have, for example, adjustable feet 10 and 12 for supporting the pedestal 2 and providing leveling of the pedestal 2. According to the exemplary aspects, since the washer 4 and the dryer 6 may be on the same pedestal 2, the loads imposed on each of the feet 10 and 12 of the pedestal 2 may be increased. Therefore, the walking motion of the pedestal 2 may be further reduced or prevented by, for example, the frictional forces acting on the feet 10 and 12. Exemplary arrangements of the adjustable feet 10 and 12 and embodiments thereof will be described in more detail below.

[0044] Also as shown in FIG. 4, an embodiment of the pedestal 2 may include one or more drawers 14 in the front of the pedestal 2, which may provide storage, for example, of laundry supplies, within the pedestal 2.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the pedestal 2 of the laundry assembly. As shown in FIG. 6, the pedestal 2 may have a leveling device 16 (e.g., a leveling bubble) that may be used to assist with leveling of the pedestal 2. For example, the leveling device 16 may be embedded in a surface of the pedestal 2 to setup the leveling prior to the machine installation.

[0046] In an embodiment, the leveling device 16 may be on the top surface 18 of the pedestal 2, and, for example, near a center point of the front edge of the pedestal 2. Accordingly, in this exemplary embodiment, the leveling device 16 may be positioned in an opening between the washer 4 and dryer 6 on (e.g., mounted on) the pedestal 2, and thus, may be easily viewed during setting up of the laundry assembly or throughout the life time of the laundry assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0047] The ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that one or more leveling devices 16 may be positioned at other locations on the pedestal 2, within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0048] The ordinarily skilled artisan also will recognize that the loads applied to the pedestal, washer, and dryer during operation throughout their life time may cause changes in the alignment of the structures (e.g., warping, tilting, compression, etc.) of the pedestal, washer, and/or dryer, which may affect the leveling of the laundry assembly. Accordingly, the leveling device 16 according to the embodiments also may permit monitoring of the leveling of the laundry assembly during the life time of the laundry assembly to maintain proper function of the washer 4 and dryer 6.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 8-10, the pedestal 2 may have, for example, at least four (4) adjustable feet 10 for supporting the pedestal 2 and providing leveling of the pedestal 2. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the pedestal 2 having four (4) adjustable outer feet 10 and two (2) adjustable inner feet 12. FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the pedestal 2 having four (4) adjustable outer feet 10 and one (1) adjustable inner foot 12. The ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that the positioning or number of feet 10 and 12 is not limited to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. Also, the shape, size, or footprint of the feet 10 and 12 may be any size and shape for supporting the loads applied thereon. For example, FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the pedestal 2 having four (4) adjustable outer feet 10 and two (2) adjustable inner feet 12, in which the feet 10 and 12 have a circular cross-section.

[0050] According to the aspects of the invention, the feet 10 and 12 may be disposed in the front and back of the pedestal 2 to provide stability of the pedestal 2 upon receipt of the loads from the washer 4 and the dryer 6. Moreover, the inner feet 12 may prevent the structure of the pedestal 2 from caving toward the center.

[0051] In another embodiment, the inner feet 12 of the pedestal 2 may be configured to be retracted or folded away from the floor. The ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that the feet 12 also may be rotatable, collapsible, removable, etc., so long as the feet 12 may be prevented from contacting the floor. Accordingly, this embodiment may prevent the inner feet 12 from behaving like a fulcrum during the leveling of the pedestal 2 using the outer feet 10.

[0052] In an embodiment of the invention, the feet 10 and 12 may have rubber caps (e.g., conical shaped rubber caps), which can be pressed against the floor to generate a suction force, thereby further reducing the "walking" motion of the assembly.

[0053] The embodiments of the invention also may reduce an amount of set-up time and/or installation time for the laundry assembly. For example, aspects of installing a laundry assembly according to an embodiment of the invention will now be described.

[0054] During installation, the pedestal 2 of the laundry assembly may be positioned in the desired location prior to mounting of the washer 4 and dryer 6 on the pedestal 2. Once positioned, the pedestal 2 can be leveled using the adjustable outer feet 10 of the pedestal 2, prior to mounting of the washer and dryer on the pedestal.

[0055] In another embodiment, the inner feet 12 of the pedestal 2 may be configured to be retracted or folded away from the floor. Accordingly, the embodiment may prevent the inner feet 12 from behaving like a fulcrum during the leveling of the outer feet 10.

[0056] Next, the pedestal 2 may be tilted, for example, on its side. The washer 4 similarly may be tilted on its back and mounted on the pedestal 2. The combination of the washer 4 and pedestal 2 may then be tilted upright and positioned in the desired location. Next, the dryer 6 may be mounted on the pedestal 2 adjacent to the washer 4.

[0057] Accordingly, an exemplary aspect of the invention may reduce or eliminate the need to level the feet 8 of the washer 4 or dryer 6. That is, the exemplary aspects may by-pass the need to level the feet 8 of the washer 4 or the dryer 6, thereby reducing a set-up time and an amount of time needed to level the washer 4 or dryer 6.

[0058] While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative embodiments of the invention with reference to a laundry assembly, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown. For example, another embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus including two oscillating machines on a pedestal.

[0059] It should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and a range of equivalents thereof. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A laundry assembly comprising:

a pedestal;

a washer on the pedestal; and

a dryer on the pedestal,

wherein the washer is adjacent to the dryer in a horizontal plane, and
wherein a longitudinal extent of the pedestal is parallel to the horizontal plane of the washer and the dryer.

2. The laundry assembly according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal extent of the pedestal increases a moment arm of the laundry assembly to resist rotational or translational movement of the laundry assembly.

3. The laundry assembly according to claim 1, wherein a combination of the pedestal, washer, and dryer forms a mass-damping system for the laundry assembly.

4. The laundry assembly according to claim 1, wherein a combination of the pedestal, washer, and dryer suppresses vibration in the laundry assembly.

5. The laundry assembly according to claim 1, wherein a combination of the pedestal, washer, and dryer is configured such that, during operation of the washer and dryer, a first moment applied to the laundry assembly by one of the washer or dryer is offset or reduced by a second moment applied to the laundry assembly by another of the washer or dryer.

6. The laundry assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pedestal includes four feet disposed at corners of the pedestal.

7. The laundry assembly according to claim 6, wherein the pedestal further includes a foot disposed substantially at a center of the horizontal extent of the pedestal.

8. The laundry assembly according to claim 6, wherein the pedestal further includes two feet disposed substantially at a center of the horizontal extent of the pedestal.

9. The laundry assembly according to claim 7, wherein the foot is configured to be manipulable.

10. The laundry assembly according to claim 9, wherein the foot is rotatable, collapsible, retractable, or removable.

11. The laundry assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pedestal includes a leveling device.

12. The laundry assembly according to claim 11, wherein the leveling device is on an upper surface of the pedestal.

13. The laundry assembly according to claim 12, wherein the leveling device is disposed along a front edge of the upper surface of the pedestal and substantially at a mid-point of the longitudinal extent of the pedestal.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a pedestal;

a first machine on the pedestal; and

a second machine on the pedestal,

wherein the first machine is adjacent to the second machine in a horizontal plane,
wherein a longitudinal extent of the pedestal is parallel to the horizontal plane of the first machine and the second machine, and
wherein the first machine or the second machine has a rotatable drum.

15. A pedestal for an assembly having a first machine and a second machine, the pedestal comprising:

a support structure that spaces a top surface from a bottom surface of the pedestal,

wherein the pedestal has a central axis that is parallel to the top surface of the pedestal and perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the top surface of the pedestal,
wherein the pedestal has a center of mass which is located a first distance from the central axis of the pedestal, and
wherein the pedestal is adapted to receive the first machine and the second machine to thereby shift the center of mass of the pedestal a second distance from the central axis of the pedestal.

16. The pedestal according to claim 15, wherein the top surface has a surface area substantially equal to or greater than a sum of a plan area of the first machine and the second machine, and
wherein the longitudinal extent of the top surface is substantially equal to a sum of a longitudinal extent of the first machine and a longitudinal extent of the second machine.

17. The pedestal according to claim 16, further comprising:

a first adjustable foot disposed at each corner of the bottom surface of the pedestal; and

a second foot disposed substantially at a center of a longitudinal extent of the bottom surface of the pedestal.

18. The pedestal according to claim 17, wherein the second foot is configured to be manipulable.

19. The pedestal according to claim 15, further comprising:

a leveling device.

20. The pedestal according to claim 19, wherein the leveling device is disposed along a front edge of the top surface of the pedestal and substantially at a mid-point of the longitudinal extent of the top surface of the pedestal.

Drawing