SPECIFICATION
[0001] This patent refers to a domestic type of top loading clothes washing machine characterized
by the advantages it offers over the currently known machines.
[0002] The washing machines in current use, as is of general knowledge, take the form generally
of an orthogonally designed body having its depth dimension equal to that of its width
with the result that the washing machine requires a considerable amount of space in
depth, this being inconvenient in practice particularly in the case, as it occurs
frequently, of small modern appartments with restricted space and in consequence leaving
very limited room for loading and emptying the machine and for the operation of the
various machine controls.
[0003] The washing machine described herein offers the solution to this difficulty in that
it provides for the machine to be dimensioned such that it maximizes the free space
available for opeating the equipment. To this end the base in plan view is rectangular
with one of the longer sides corresponding to the face lying along the wall against
which the machine is to be placed, the other long side being the width dimension of
the front face of the machine. Thus the dimension corresponding to the depth of the
machine and the side of the rectangle defining that face and the base is less than
the width of the machine. In other words the machine is wider than it is deep, its
front panel being wider than the side panel which is perpendicular to it.
[0004] The machine described is of the top loading type, that is to say, having an opening
in the top face giving access to the interior of the rotating drum, this top having
fitted thereto a hinged lid to provide protection and decorative effect. Also the
operating controls are provided in the top face for controlling the machine cycle.
[0005] The advantages resulting from the design as described as compared to the machines
in current use, lie primarily in providing improved space for operating the machine
by the user and secondly in allowing the machine to be located in areas of limited
dimensions.
[0006] To facilitate the description drawings are attached which illustrate by way of a
non exclusive example, one embodiment of a clothes washing machine of the top loading
type as improved in accordance with the principles of the claims of this patent.
[0007] In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine in question with its hinged lid on the
top face open.
Figures 2 and 3 show an elevation and plan view in part section of a room in which
the machine is in place and from which the space saving resulting from the described
configuration can be appreciated.
[0008] The numbers on the drawings correspond to the references indicated below.
[0009] The novel washing machine consists of an orthogonally shaped body -1- in which the
length of the two sides of the base, shown as -2- and -3- is greater than the length
of the other two sides -4- and -5- which latter correspond to the depth or the dimension
of the body -1- which is perpendicular to the wall or the surface against which the
machine is installed.
[0010] The upper face in which are openings as mentioned above for loading and emptying
the machine and for the introduction of detergent and other substances is fitted with
a lid -6- actuating on a means of articulation utilizing hinges -7- or similar these
being for preference along the rear edge -8- of the upper face such that the lid preferably
hinges down towards the front as may be seen in Figure 1, the said rear edge being
that lying along the wall -9- against which the body -1- has been installed.
[0011] To one side of the upper face panel -10- in which are provided the above mentioned
openings there is fitted, advantageously, a panel -11- carrying the controls
-12- and -13- for operating the machine. Positioning of the controls in this arrangement,
due to the ready access to the said panel contributes to the easy operion of the machine.
[0012] All that does not alter, modify or otherwise change the essentiality of machine as
described is to be considered a variable for purpose of this Patent.
1.- An improved top loading washing machine characterized essentially in that it comprises
a body of orthogonal configuration of rectangular plan section in which the front
edges of the top and bottom panels of the body corresponding to the plane parallel
to the wall against which the machine is placed in its operating position are of a
length greater than the edges adjacent thereto and which are mutually parellel and
which correspond to the depth of the machine from front to back.
2.- An improved top loading washing machine as in the previous claim characterized
in that the top panel which is provided with openings for loading the machine and
introducing the washing products has fitted thereto a hinged lid for protection and
decorative effect and to one side thereof a panel carrying the controls for operating
the programming and functioning of the mechanisms inside the machine.
3.- An improved top loading washing machine as in Claim 2 above, characterized in
that the panel allowing access to within the interior of the machine and the adjacent
panel carrying the controls have their surfaces coplanar.
