The present invention relates to a drying basket comprising at least one connection member enabling the same to be fixed to the front bearing of a laundry dryer.

Drying baskets are used in rotary drum laundry dryers in order to dry delicate garments or footwear items that should not be subjected to the rotational movement of the drum. For this purpose, a drying basket is generally suspended onto a connection slot formed on a front bearing of the laundry dryer. Thus, it becomes possible to dry delicate garments or footwear on the drying basket without damage. Drying baskets are fixed into the connection slot by means of connection members having a connection end extending outwardly from the drying basket. Connection members having a pointed connection end create a problem for users who wish to store the drying basket when not in use. Moreover, when the drying basket is not used in the laundry dryer, the connection members having a pointed connection end may cause injury to users. In order to overcome these disadvantages, there is a need for a drying basket having a connection member that does not protrude outwardly from the body plane when the drying basket is not in use.

In the state of the art Patent Document No. EP1699969B1, a drying basket is disclosed, comprising a connection member enabling the same to be attached to the front bearing of a laundry dryer.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a drying basket that can be stored easily and safely by the user when not used in the laundry dryer.

The drying basket realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, is structured to be suitable for use in a laundry dryer. The laundry dryer has a drum; a loading opening allowing access into the drum; a front bearing supporting the drum in a rotatable manner; a filter provided on the front bearing; and a connection slot arranged on the front bearing. The drying basket comprises a body suitable for placing items to be dried thereon and at least one connection member having a usage position wherein the connection member extends outwardly from the body plane. When in the usage position, the connection member has a front edge located on a surface of the body facing the front bearing. When in the usage position, the connection member extends from the front edge toward the connection slot and forms a protrusion outwardly from the body plane. When in the usage position, the connection member is seated into the connection slot on the front bearing, thereby enabling the drying basket to be fixed in the drum without being affected by the rotation of the drum. When the connection member is seated in the connection slot, the body of the drying basket extends parallel to a depth axis of the drum. The connection member further has a closed position wherein the connection member remains substantially entirely in the body plane. In other words, when in the closed position, the connection member is positioned behind the front edge thereof. The connection member is manually movable between the closed position and the usage position. Thus, when the drying basket is not in use, the connection member can be brought into the closed position by the user, thereby preventing the connection member from protruding outwardly from the body plane. Thus, storage of the drying basket is facilitated. Moreover, when the connection member is in the closed position, the volume occupied by the drying basket is reduced.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the connection member comprises at least one support surface arranged on the front edge. The support surface bears against the front bearing when the connection member is seated into the connection slot, thereby ensuring that the body remains in a level position in the drum.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the connection member has a U-shaped form. The two ends of the U-shaped connection member are pointed connection ends. Thus, the connection ends are enabled to move together. Accordingly, the connection member can be easily moved between the usage position and the closed position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the body is in the form of a flat plate. Thus, it becomes possible to place small-sized laundry items on the drying basket.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the connection member is movable linearly along the lengthwise direction of the body. Thus, the movement of the connection member is facilitated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a first stop wall is provided on the body. The first stop wall is the wall against which the connection member bears when brought into the usage position. Thus, the movement of the connection member in one direction is limited so as to prevent the connection ends from moving further away from the front edge.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a second stop wall is provided on the body. The second stop wall is the wall against which the connection member bears when brought into the closed position. The second stop wall is positioned in the vicinity of a rear edge located on the opposite side of the front edge. Thus, when the connection member is brought into the closed position, it is ensured that the connection member remains almost completely on the body plane.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket comprises at least one guide channel provided on the body and configured to guide the movement of the connection member in the lengthwise direction. Thus, the connection member is enabled to be moved safely between the closed position and the usage position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the connection member comprises a handle. Thus, the connection member is enabled to be easily moved by the user.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket comprises an access opening provided on the body. The access opening allows the user to access the handle located on a lower portion of the body from an upper portion of the body. Thus, the user is enabled to have access to the handle from the upper portion of the body.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer comprises a drying basket. By means of the drying basket, delicate items that may be damaged by drum rotation are dried in a fixed manner without contacting the drum.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer comprises a filter provided on the front bearing and the connection slot arranged on the filter. By means of the filter, fibers and lint separated from the laundry during the drying process are retained. By means of the connection slot arranged on the filter, the drying basket is enabled to be connected to the front bearing so as to extend in a straight manner in the drum.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer comprises a sensor plate provided on the front bearing and the connection slot arranged on the sensor plate. Thus, the drying basket is enabled to be easily connected to the front bearing.

By means of the present invention, a drying basket is realized, which can be easily fixed in the laundry dryer and which occupies less volume in the laundry dryer when not used.

The drying basket and the laundry dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

• Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the laundry dryer related to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the front bearing of the laundry dryer related to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 3 - is the sideways view of the drying basket related to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 4 - is the top view of the drying basket related to another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 5 - is the schematic view of the drying basket and the filter of the laundry dryer related to another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 6 - is the schematic view of the drying basket related to another embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

• 1. Drying basket
• 2. Body
  21. Front edge
• 3. Connection member
• 4. Support surface
• 5. First stop wall
• 6. Second stop wall
• 7. Guide channel
• 8. Handle
• 9. Access opening
• 10. Laundry dryer
• 20. Drum
• 30. Loading opening
• 40. Front bearing
  41. Connection slot
• 50. Filter
• 60. Sensor plate
• X. Lengthwise direction

The drying basket (1) is suitable for use with a laundry dryer (10) having a drum (20), a loading opening (30) allowing access into the drum (20), a front bearing (40) supporting the drum (20) and comprising a filter (50) positioned thereon so as to face the loading opening (30), and at least one connection slot (41) arranged on the front bearing (40). The drying basket (1) comprises a body (2) positioned in the drum (20) and suitable for placing laundry items to be dried thereon, and at least one connection member (3) suitable for being seated into the connection slot (41) so as to enable the body (2) to be fixed to the front bearing (40) from a front edge (21) thereof facing the front bearing (40).

The drying basket (1) of the present invention comprises at least one connection member (3) that has a closed position wherein the connection member (3) remains almost completely behind the front edge (21) of the body (2) and a usage position wherein the connection member (3) extends outwardly from the front edge (21) of the body (2) so as to be seated into the connection slot (41), and that is connected to the body (2) so as to be movable between the closed position and the usage position. In Figures 3 to 6, the connection member (3) is in the usage position. The body (2) extends along a lengthwise direction (X). The front edge (21) is the edge of the body (2) facing the front bearing (40) when the connection member (3) is seated into the connection slot (41). As shown in Figures 3 to 6, when in the usage position, the connection member (3) extends outwardly from the front edge (21) in the lengthwise direction (X) in the form of a protrusion. When in the usage position, the connection member (3) comprises two connection ends extending from both sides of the front edge (21). As shown in Figure 5, said two connection ends are seated into the connection slots (41) arranged on the front bearing (40), thereby enabling the body (2) to be fixed in the drum (20). The connection member (3) further has a closed position wherein the connection member (3) remains behind the front edge (21), thereby not forming a protrusion outwardly from the body (2). When in the closed position, the connection member (3) remains entirely on the body (2) in the lengthwise direction (X). Thus, when the connection member (3) is in the closed position, it is ensured that the two connection ends of the connection member (3) do not protrude outwardly from the body (2). Thus, when the drying basket (1) is not in use and is being stored by the user, the pointed connection ends are prevented from causing damage to the user or to the items where the drying basket (1) is stored.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket (1) comprises at least one support surface (4) that is provided on the front edge (21) and that bears against the front bearing (40) when the connection member (3) is seated into the connection slot (41), thereby enabling the body (2) to be supported. The support surface (4) has the same inclination as the surface against which the support surface (4) bears on the front bearing (40) when the connection member (3) is seated into the connection slot (41). The support surface (4) is preferably positioned on both sides of the front edge (21), one on each side. Thus, the body (2) is enabled to be fixed in a level manner in the drum (20). The support surface (4) further comprises a plurality of ribs extending downwardly from the plane of the body (2) when the connection member (3) is seated into the connection slot (41). Thus, when in the closed position, the connection member (3) remains between the ribs of the support surface (4) so as to be prevented from forming a protrusion outwardly from the plane of the body (2).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket (1) comprises the connection member (3) having an almost U-shaped form such that both connection ends extend outwardly from the front edge (21) in the usage position. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the connection member (3) has a U-shaped form. Thus, when a force is applied to the connection member (3) from a single point, both connection ends are enabled to move together. Moreover, the U-shaped connection member (3) is positioned under the body (2) so as to support the body (2) from below when the connection ends of the connection member (3) are seated into the connection slots (41). By means of the U-shaped connection member (3), the body (2) is supported in a balanced manner by the connection member (3).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket (1) comprises the body (2) that is almost in the form of a flat plate. Thus, the placement of delicate laundry items onto the body (2) is facilitated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket (1) comprises the connection member (3) positioned on the body (2) so as to be linearly moved along a lengthwise direction (X). The lengthwise direction (X) is a direction extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body (2). When in the closed position, the connection member (3) is brought into the usage position by applying a force onto the connection member (3) in an outward direction from the front edge (21). When in the usage position, the connection member (3) is brought into the closed position by applying a force onto the connection member (3) in the opposite direction.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket (1) comprises a first stop wall (5) that is provided on the body (2) and against which the connection member (3) bears when the connection member (3) is brought into the usage position. The first stop wall (5) is provided on the lower portion of the body (2). The first stop wall (5) preferably extends in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction (X) of the body (2). The first stop wall (5) limits movement of the connection member (3) in one direction along the lengthwise direction (X).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket (1) comprises a second stop wall (6) that is provided on the body (2) and against which the connection member (3) bears when the connection member (3) is brought into the closed position. The second stop wall (6) is provided on the lower portion of the body (2). The second stop wall (6) preferably extends in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction (X) of the body (2). The second stop wall (6) limits movement of the connection member (3) in one direction along the lengthwise direction (X). Thus, the linear movement of the connection member (3) along the lengthwise direction (X) is performed between the first stop wall (5) and the second stop wall (6).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket (1) comprises at least one guide channel (7) that is provided on the body (2), wherein the connection member (3) extends at least partially along the lengthwise direction (X), and that ensures that the linear movement of the connection member (3) between the closed position and the usage position is guided. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the guide channel (7) is positioned in the vicinity of two opposing side edges extending along the lengthwise direction (X) of the body (2). Thus, the connection member (3) is enabled to be moved more smoothly.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket (1) comprises a handle (8) that is provided on the connection member (3) and that enables the user to move the connection member (3). The handle (8) has a gripping surface allowing the user to apply force to the connection member (3). Thus, the application of force to the connection member (3) by the user is facilitated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying basket (1) comprises an access opening (9) that is provided on the body (2) and that provides access to the handle (8) from the upper portion of the body (2). The connection member (3) is positioned on the lower portion of the body (2). Accordingly, the handle (8) is also positioned on the lower portion of the body (2). An access opening (9) that provides access to the handle (8) from the upper portion of the body (2) is formed on the body (2). The user applies force to the handle (8) by inserting a hand through the access opening (9). Thus, the movement of the connection member (3) between the usage position and the closed position is facilitated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (10) comprises a drying basket (1) as described above. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the laundry dryer (10) has a drum (20), a loading opening (30) allowing access into the drum (20), a front bearing (40) supporting the drum (20) and comprising a filter (50) positioned thereon so as to face the loading opening (30), and at least one connection slot (41) arranged on the front bearing (40). The drying basket (1) is connected to the connection slot (41).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (10) comprises at least one connection slot (41) provided on the filter (50). As shown in Figure 5, the connection slot (41) is provided on the filter (50). Thus, the fixing of the drying basket (1) onto the front bearing (40) is facilitated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the laundry dryer (10) comprises a sensor plate (60) provided on the front bearing (40) and at least one connection slot (41) arranged on the sensor plate (60). The sensor plate (60) is preferably a plate facing the drum (20) and suitable for placement of dryness sensors thereon. Thus, the fixing of the drying basket (1) onto the front bearing (40) is facilitated.

By means of the present invention, a drying basket (1) is realized, which, by means of a connection member (3) movable between a usage position and a closed position, is enabled to be easily stored by bringing the connection member (3) into the closed position when not used within the drum (20).