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EP 3 577 268 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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05.01.2022 Bulletin 2022/01 |
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Date of filing: 06.02.2018 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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International application number: |
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PCT/EP2018/052850 |
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International publication number: |
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WO 2018/141979 (09.08.2018 Gazette 2018/32) |
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A STACKING APPARATUS AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES PAIR USING THE SAME
EIN STAPELGERÄT UND HAUSHALTSGERÄTE, DIE DIESELBEN VERWENDEN
APPAREIL D'EMPILEMENT ET PAIRE D'APPAREILS MÉNAGERS UTILISANT CELUI-CI
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL
NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
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Priority: |
06.02.2017 TR 201701716
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Date of publication of application: |
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11.12.2019 Bulletin 2019/50 |
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Proprietor: Arçelik Anonim Sirketi |
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34445 Istanbul (TR) |
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Inventors: |
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- ERTAS, Guven
34950 Istanbul (TR)
- ACIL, Aykun
34950 Istanbul (TR)
- CAN, Remzi
34950 Istanbul (TR)
- BALABAN, Ahmet
34950 Istanbul (TR)
- GURBUZ, Mustafa
34950 Istanbul (TR)
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References cited: :
EP-A1- 2 966 214 GB-A- 2 221 970
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WO-A2-2006/123303
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention relates to a stacking apparatus enabling household appliances
placed on top of each other to be attached to one another, and the household appliances
using the same.
[0002] Household appliances, particularly those serving similar functions such as a laundry
washing machine and a laundry drying machine, are preferably used by being placed
in the same room. However, when placed next to each other, said household appliances
occupy a large ground space, causing user discontent. Therefore, stacking apparatuses
are used in the state of the art, enabling stacking household appliances on top of
each other. In general, the stacking apparatuses known in the art are shaped as edge
profiles mounted on the household appliance on the bottom, on which the household
appliance on the top is placed by being slid thereon. When such type of fixing apparatuses
are used, the top household appliance should be lifted up in a balanced manner to
be able to seat it on the stacking apparatus, and it should be placed on the bottom
household appliance so as to maintain the correct mounting position. This complicates
the mounting process and increases the demand for a service personnel. Therefore,
there is a need for a stacking apparatus with a simple structure enabling ease of
use.
[0003] State of the art European patent no.
EP0667412 discloses a stacking apparatus having a rod shaped attachment member fixed by being
adhered on the upper surface of the bottom household appliance, fitting into the channel
in the foot of the household appliance placed on top. This application causes difficulty
in mounting as it requires the household appliance to be placed on top, to be seated
on the bottom household appliance by being aligned with respect to the attachment
members. This application is also disadvantageous in that it cannot be used with household
appliances that lack a channel in their feet. A stacking apparatus with the features
of the preamble of claim 1 is known from
EP2966214 A1.
[0004] State of the art European patent application no.
EP1616991 describes a stacking apparatus enabling mounting to each other the household appliances
placed on top of each other, having a first connecting member fixed on the first household
appliance, and a second connecting member fixed on the second household appliance.
The first connecting member and the second connecting member are fixed to each other
by fitting the locking portion on the first connecting member into the locking jaw
on the second connecting member. However, in this application, mounting cannot be
easily performed and an additional guiding member is needed as the top household appliance
is required to be tilted and pushed backwards in a balanced manner in order to fit
the locking portion into the locking jaw.
[0005] The aim of the present invention is to obtain a stacking apparatus enabling easy
and practical stacking.
[0006] The stacking apparatus realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed
in the claims, comprises a first attachment member fixed on the household appliance
at the lower side, and a second attachment member fixed on the household appliance
at the upper side, mounted to each other so as to be freely rotatable at one of their
edges. The first attachment member is fixed on the household appliance to be placed
at the upper side, and the second attachment member is mounted to the first attachment
member after placement of the household appliances on top of each other. Then the
household appliances are aligned with respect to each other and mounting is completed
by fixing the second attachment member on the bottom household appliance. Thus, the
second attachment member is prevented from restricting the motions of the top household
appliance during stacking of the household appliances, and placement and alignment
operations are performed in a simple manner without being effected from the presence
of the stacking apparatus.
[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the first attachment member and the second attachment
member are mounted to each other by means of a hinge pin. At least one seat through
which the hinge pin is passed, is provided on each of the first attachment member
and the second attachment member. During mounting of the first attachment member and
the second attachment member to each other, first the seats are aligned with respect
to each other, and the hinge pin is passed through the seats. The first attachment
member and the second attachment member are thus connected to each other along one
of their edges. By this, the connection between the first attachment member and the
second attachment member is realized in a simple and robust manner.
[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, the first attachment member is shaped as
a plate extending between the bottom household appliance and the top household appliance,
and has a bore through which a foot of the top household appliance is passed. The
foot of the top household appliance is dismantled, it is passed through the bore on
the first attachment member, and is coupled again to the household appliance. By this,
the first attachment member is fixed on the top household appliance by being constrained
between the body and the foot of the top household appliance. The first attachment
member can thus be connected to the top household appliance in a practical manner
and without causing any deformation.
[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, the second attachment member is shaped as a plate
fixed on the bottom household appliance such that one of its surfaces abuts on one
side wall of the bottom household appliance extending in the vertical plane. The top
household appliance can thus be aligned more easily with respect to the bottom household
appliance thanks to the second attachment member abutting on the bottom household
appliance.
[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the second attachment member is fixed to the bottom
household appliance by being adhered. In this embodiment, the second attachment member
and the bottom household appliance are adhered to each other preferably by a double
sided adhesive tape. By this, in case separate using of the household appliances is
required later on, defects such as screw holes, or deformations likely to occur on
fixing points, are avoided from adversely effecting the visual appearance.
[0011] The household appliances of the invention are fixed to each other by means of the
above-described stacking apparatus. One stacking apparatus is mounted on each one
of the four feet of the household appliance placed on top, and the household appliances
are thus attached to each other at four corners in a robust manner.
[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, one of the household appliances placed on top
of each other is a laundry washing machine, and the other is a laundry drying machine.
[0013] By means of the invention, the stacking apparatus is prevented from causing difficulty
during superimposed placement and alignment operations. By this, stacking process
is performed rapidly and practically.
[0014] The stacking apparatus realized to achieve the aims of the present invention and
the household appliance using it are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a view of the stacking apparatus of an embodiment of the invention and
the household appliances in which it is used.
Figure 2 is a view of the stacking apparatus of an embodiment of the invention, with
the apparatus mounted to the household appliance on the top.
Figure 3 is a view of the stacking apparatus of another embodiment of the invention,
with the apparatus mounted to the household appliance on the top.
Figure 4 is an exploded view of the stacking apparatus of another embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 5 is an exploded view of the stacking apparatus of yet another embodiment of
the invention.
[0015] The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these
numbers are given hereinafter.
1. Stacking apparatus
2. First attachment member
3. Second attachment member
4. Hinge pin
5. Bore
6. Supporting portion
7. Tape
8. Seat
9. Grip
10. Abutment
11. Extension portion
100. The household appliances pair
101. Foot
102. Top household appliance
103. Bottom household appliance
[0016] The stacking apparatus (1) is used to securely attach each other two household appliances
(102, 103) placed on top of each other, and comprises a first attachment member (2)
mounted on the top household appliance (102), and a second attachment member (3) mounted
on the bottom household appliance (103). The top household appliance (102) is placed
on the bottom household appliance (103) such that its feet (101) rests on the upper
surface of the bottom household appliance (103). The stacking apparatus (1) is mounted
on the household appliances (102, 103) such that the first attachment member (2) and
the second attachment member (3) are connected to the top household appliance (102)
and the bottom household appliance (103) respectively, attaching the household appliances
(102, 103) to each other.
[0017] The stacking apparatus (1) of the invention comprises a first attachment member (2)
and a second attachment member (3) hinged to each other so as to be rotatable about
a rotational axis. During mounting, at first the first attachment member (2) is mounted
on the top household appliance (102) to be placed at the upper side, and the household
appliance (102) is placed on the other household appliance (103). After placement
of the household appliances (102, 103) on top of each other, the second attachment
member (3) is hingedly attached to the first attachment member (2), rendering the
stacking apparatus (1) integral. Then, the top household appliance (102) is aligned
with respect to the bottom household appliance (103) by being slid thereon, and assembly
operation is completed by mounting the second attachment member (3) on the bottom
household appliance (103). Thus, the second attachment member (3) is prevented from
making the assembly operation difficult by getting caught to or abutting on the bottom
household appliance (103), and the top household appliance (102) can be aligned by
simply being placed on the bottom household appliance (103) without any movement restriction
caused by the stacking apparatus (1).
[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the stacking apparatus (1) comprises at least
one hinge pin (4) forming the rotational axis about which the first attachment member
(2) and the second attachment member (3) are rotated, and at least one seat (8) provided
on each of the first attachment member (2) and the second attachment member (3), in
which the hinge pin (4) is supported. During mounting of the second attachment member
(3) to the first attachment member (2), first the seats (8) are aligned with respect
to each other so as to be on the same axis, and then the hinge pin (4) is passed through
the seats (8). The second attachment member (3) and the first attachment member (2)
can thus rotatably move independent of each other on the hinge pin (4) supported in
the seats (8). By this, the second attachment member (3) and the first attachment
member (2) are easily and rapidly hinged to each other, facilitating the use of the
stacking apparatus (1).
[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, the first attachment member (2) and the second
attachment member (3) are shaped as plates. The first attachment member (2) and the
second attachment member (3) are shaped as plates, and extend vertically to each other
so as to form an essentially "L" shape when the are fixed on the top household appliance
(102) and the bottom household appliance respectively. By this, the first attachment
member (2) is enabled to extend without being constrained between two household appliances
(102, 103) placed on each other, and the contact surface area between the second attachment
member (3) and the bottom household appliance (103) is increased.
[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, the first attachment member (2) is mounted
on the foot (101) of the top household appliance (102) having at least one foot (101)
resting on the upper surface of the bottom household appliance (103). The first attachment
member (2) is connected to one foot (101) of the top household appliance (102), and
it is thus mounted on the top household appliance (102). Mounting is facilitated by
means of connecting the first attachment member (2) on the foot (101) which is relatively
easier to access. This embodiment is also advantageous where more than one stacking
apparatus (1) is used, in that the stacking apparatuses (1) are not required to be
further aligned thanks to being mounted on the feet (101) which are already aligned.
[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, a bore (5) enabling the first attachment
member (2) to be fitted on the foot (101), is provided on the first attachment member
(2). During mounting, the foot (101) of the top household appliance (102) is dismantled,
it is passed through the bore (5) on the first attachment member (2), and is coupled
again to the household appliance (102). By this, the coupling of the stacking apparatus
(1) to the top household appliance (102) is performed in an easy and robust manner
without requiring an additional fixing member.
[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, the second attachment member (3) is mounted
to the bottom household appliance (103) by being adhered. The second attachment member
(3) is adhered to the side wall of the bottom household appliance (103), and it is
thus firmly fixed on the bottom household appliance (103). By this, the second attachment
member (3) is mounted on the bottom household appliance (103) in a simple and robust
manner without requiring any additional operation such as opening screw holes.
[0023] In another embodiment of the invention, an adhesive tape (7) is provided on the second
attachment member (3), enabling adhering the second attachment member (3) on the bottom
household appliance (103). The tape (7) is a double sided adhesive tape adhered on
the second attachment member (3), and enables the second attachment member (3) to
be adhered on the bottom household appliance (103). Production costs are reduced thanks
to the tape (7) which is cheap and easy to use, facilitating the use of the stacking
apparatus (1).
[0024] In another embodiment of the invention, the second attachment member (3) has a supporting
portion (6) enlarged to the sides so as to enable increasing the contact surface area
between the bottom household appliance (103) and the second attachment member (3).
The supporting portion (6) is shaped as a rectangular plate abutting on a wall of
the bottom household appliance (103) extending on the vertical plane. After being
hinged to the first attachment member (2), the second attachment member (3) is brought
by being rotated to the mounting position in which the supporting portion (6) abuts
on the wall of the bottom household appliance (103) extending in the vertical plane,
and is fixed on the bottom household appliance (103). By this, the attachment between
the second attachment member (3) and the bottom household appliance (103) is enhanced.
This embodiment is also advantageous where the fixing surface is not flat due to design
patterns on the side wall of the bottom household appliance (103), in that it enables
sufficient contact surface between the second attachment member (3) and the bottom
household appliance (103).
[0025] In another embodiment of the invention, at least one grip (9) shaped as a protrusion
suitable for a user to grasp it with his/her fingers, is provided on the second attachment
member (3). The grip (9) is shaped as a protrusion extending outwards from the supporting
portion (6). When the user desires to separate the household appliances (102, 103)
from each other, he/she lifts the second attachment member (3) by grasping it at the
grip (9), and can easily separate it from the bottom household appliance (103) on
which it is adhered.
[0026] In an embodiment of the invention, an extension portion (11) is provided on the first
attachment member (2), enabling the end of the first attachment member (2) mounted
on the top household appliance (102) and the end hinged on the second attachment member
(3) to be moved away from each other. The extension portion (11) extends almost vertically
to both ends of the first attachment member (2) such that the first attachment member
(2) almost has a "Z" shape. When the height of the foot (101) is short, the first
attachment member (2) is enabled to reach the foot (101) by means of the extension
portion (11), and is thus enabled to be mounted on the foot (101).
[0027] In another embodiment of the invention, an abutment (10) is provided on the second
attachment member (3), terminating the rotational motion of the second attachment
member (3) by abutting on the first attachment member (2) during rotating of the second
attachment member (3). By means of the abutment (10), the second attachment member
(3) is prevented from over-rotating, and in the mounting position in which it is fixed
on the bottom household appliance (103), it is enabled to extend always on the vertical
plane. Mounting errors are thus avoided.
[0028] The household appliance pair (100) of the invention are stacked on top of each other
by means of at least one stacking apparatus (1) described above. By this, the users
are enabled to stack the household appliances (102, 103) and simply separate them
from each other when required, without needing a service personnel.
[0029] In another embodiment of the invention, the household appliance pair (100) are attached
to each other at four corners by means of four stacking apparatuses (1). By this,
the household appliances (102, 103) are fixed to each other in a robust and secure
manner.
[0030] In another embodiment of the invention, the household appliances pair (100) is obtained
by stacking a laundry drying machine and a laundry washing machine on top of each
other.
[0031] A useful stacking apparatus is obtained by means of the present invention, which
has a simple structure, and which enables convenient stacking of household appliances.
The stacking apparatus realized with the invention also enables household appliances
placed on top of each other to be fixed to one another without using screws. By this,
complications that may arise due to screw usage such as the internal parts of a household
appliance being subject to damage, or visual defects caused by screw holes in case
the household appliances are used separately later on, are avoided.
1. A stacking apparatus (1) for securely attaching each other two household appliances
(102, 103) placed on top of each other, comprising a first attachment member (2) for being mounted on the top household appliance (102),
and a second attachment member (3) for being mounted on the bottom household appliance
(103), wherein the first attachment member (2) and the second attachment member (3)
are hinged to each other so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis; characterized by the first attachment member (2) comprising a bore (5) for mounting the first attachment
member (2) on a foot (101) of the top household appliance (102) resting on the upper
surface of the bottom household appliance (103), and the second attachment member
(3), when mounted on the bottom household appliance (103), abutting on a vertical
side wall of the bottom household appliance (103).
2. A stacking apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized by at least one hinge pin (4) forming the rotational axis about which the first attachment
member (2) and the second attachment member (3) are rotated, and by at least one seat (8) provided on each of the first attachment member (2) and the
second attachment member (3), in which the hinge pin (4) is supported.
3. A stacking apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the first attachment member (2) and the second attachment member (3) being shaped
as plates.
4. A stacking apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the first attachment member (2) and the second attachment member (3) being hinged
to each other at one of their edges.
5. A stacking apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the second attachment member (3) mounted on the bottom household appliance (103)
by being adhered.
6. A stacking apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized by an adhesive tape (7) provided on the second attachment member (3), enabling adhering
the second attachment member (3) on the bottom household appliance (103).
7. A stacking apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the second attachment member (3) having a supporting portion (6) enlarged to the
sides so as to enable increasing the contact surface area between the bottom household
appliance (103) and the second attachment member (3).
8. A stacking apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one grip (9) provided on the second attachment member (3), shaped as a protrusion
suitable for a user to grasp it with his/her fingers.
9. A stacking apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an extension portion (11) provided on the first attachment member (2), enabling the
end of the first attachment member (2) mounted on the bottom household appliance (102)
and the end hinged on the second attachment member (3) to be moved away from each
other.
10. A stacking apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an abutment (10) provided on the second attachment member (3), terminating the rotational
motion of the second attachment member (3) by abutting on the first attachment member
(2) during rotating of the second attachment member (3).
11. A household appliances pair (100), comprising two household appliances and a stacking
apparatus (1) according to any one of the proceeding claims, characterized by being stacked on top of each other by means of at least one stacking apparatus (1)
according to any one of the preceding claims.
12. A household appliances pair (100) according to claim 11, characterized by being attached to each other at four corners by means of four stacking apparatuses
(1).
13. A household appliances pair (100) according to claim 11 or 12, obtained by stacking
a laundry drying machine and a laundry washing machine on top of each other.
1. Eine Stapelvorrichtung (1) zum sicheren Aneinanderhängen zweier übereinander gestellter
Haushaltsgeräte (102, 103), umfasst ein erstes Befestigungselement (2) zum Anbringen an dem oberen Haushaltsgerät (102)
und ein zweites Befestigungselement (3) zum Anbringen an dem unteren Haushaltsgerät
(103), wobei das erste Befestigungselement (2) und das zweite Befestigungselement
(3) aneinander angelenkt sind, damit sie an einer Drehachse drehbar sein können; gekennzeichnet ist sie durch das erste Befestigungselement (2), dass eine Bohrung (5) zum Anbringen des ersten
Befestigungselements (2) an einem Fuß (101) des oberen Haushaltsgeräts (102) umfasst,
der auf der oberen Fläche des unteren Haushaltsgeräts (103) verbleibt, und das zweite
Befestigungselement (2), dass an einer vertikalen Seitenwand des unteren Haushaltsgerätes
(103) anliegt, wenn es an dem unteren Haushaltsgerät (103) montiert ist.
2. Eine Stapelvorrichtung (1), wie in Anspruch 1 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Scharnierstift (4) die Drehachse bildet, m die das erste Befestigungselement
(2) und das zweite Befestigungselement (3) gedreht werden, und durch mindestens einen
Sitz (8), der an jedem von dem ersten Befestigungselement (2) und dem zweiten Befestigungselement
(3) vorgesehen ist, in dem der Scharnierstift (4) getragen wird.
3. Eine Stapelvorrichtung (1), wie in Anspruch 1 oder 2 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das erste Befestigungselement (2) und das zweite Befestigungselement (3) als Platten
geformt sind.
4. Eine Stapelvorrichtung (1), wie in einem der vorherigen Ansprüchen aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das erste Befestigungselement (2) und das zweite Befestigungselement (3) an einer
ihrer Kanten aneinander angelenkt sind.
5. Eine Stapelvorrichtung (1), wie in einem der vorherigen Ansprüchen aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zweite Befestigungselement (3) an dem unteren Haushaltsgerät (103) durch Kleben
angebracht ist.
6. Eine Stapelvorrichtung (1), wie in Anspruch 5 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein an dem zweiten Befestigungselement (3) vorgesehenes Klebeband (7), das ein Ankleben
des zweiten Befestigungselements (3) an dem unteren Haushaltsgerät (103) ermöglicht.
7. Eine Stapelvorrichtung (1), wie in einem der vorherigen Ansprüchen aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zweite Befestigungselement (3) einen seitlich vergrößerten Stützabschnitt (6)
aufweist, um eine Vergrößerung der Kontaktfläche zwischen dem unteren Haushaltsgerät
(103) und dem zweiten Befestigungselement (3) zu ermöglichen.
8. Eine Stapelvorrichtung (1), wie in einem der vorherigen Ansprüchen aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Griff (9), der an dem zweiten Befestigungselement (3) vorgesehen ist und als
Vorsprung geformt ist, der geeignet ist, damit ein Benutzer es mit seinen Fingern
greifen kann.
9. Eine Stapelvorrichtung (1), wie in einem der vorherigen Ansprüchen aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Verlängerungsabschnitt (11), der an dem ersten Befestigungselement (2) vorgesehen
ist, und ermöglicht, dass das Ende des ersten Befestigungselements (2), das an dem
unteren Haushaltsgerät (102) montiert ist, und das Ende, das an dem zweiten Befestigungselement
(3) angelenkt ist, voneinander wegbewegt werden.
10. Eine Stapelvorrichtung (1), wie in einem der vorherigen Ansprüchen aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein an dem zweiten Befestigungselement (3) vorgesehenen Anschlag (10), der die Drehbewegung
des zweiten Befestigungselements (3) durch Anstoßen an dem ersten Befestigungselement
(2) während der Drehung des zweiten Befestigungselements (3) beendet.
11. Ein Haushaltsgerätepaar (100), bestehend aus zwei Haushaltsgeräten und einer Stapelvorrichtung
(1), wie in einem der vorher aufgeführten Ansprüchen, ist gekennzeichnet durch ein Übereinanderstapeln mithilfe von mindestens einer Stapelvorrichtung (1), der
in einem der vorherigen Ansprüchen aufgeführt wird.
12. Ein Haushaltsgerätepaar (100), wie in Anspruch 11 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es an vier Ecken mithilfe von vier Stapelvorrichtungen (1) aneinander befestigt wird.
13. Ein Haushaltsgerätepaar (100), wie in den Ansprüchen 11 oder 12 aufgeführt, ermöglicht
das Übereinanderstapeln einer Wäschetrocknermaschine und einer Wäschewaschmaschine.
1. Un dispositif d'empilage (1) pour fixer solidement l'un à l'autre deux appareils ménagers
(102, 103) placés l'un au-dessus de l'autre, comprenant un premier élément de fixation (2) destiné à être monté sur l'appareil ménager supérieur
(102), et un second élément de fixation (3) destiné à être monté sur l'appareil ménager
inférieur (103), dans lequel le premier élément de fixation (2) et le second élément
de fixation (3) sont articulés l'un à l'autre de manière à pouvoir tourner autour
d'un axe de rotation ; est caractérisé en ce que le premier élément de fixation (2) comprend un alésage (5) pour monter le premier
élément de fixation (2) sur un pied (101) de l'appareil ménager supérieur (102) reposant
sur la surface supérieure de l'appareil ménager inférieur (103), et le second élément
de fixation (3), lorsqu'il est monté sur l'appareil ménager inférieur (103), venant
en butée sur une paroi latérale verticale de l'appareil ménager inférieur (103).
2. Un dispositif d'empilage (1) selon la déclaration 1, est caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un axe de charnière (4) forme l'axe de rotation autour duquel le premier
élément de fixation (2) et le second élément de fixation (3) sont tournés, et par
au moins un siège (8) prévu sur chacun du premier élément de fixation (2) et du second
élément de fixation (3), dans lequel l'axe de charnière (4) est supporté.
3. Un dispositif d'empilage (1) selon la déclaration 1 ou 2, est caractérisé en ce que le premier élément de fixation (2) et le second élément de fixation (3) ont la forme
de plaques.
4. Un dispositif d'empilage (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations précédentes,
est caractérisé en ce que le premier élément de fixation (2) et le second élément de fixation (3) sont articulés
l'un à l'autre au niveau de l'un de leurs bords.
5. Un dispositif d'empilage (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations précédentes,
est caractérisé en ce que le deuxième élément de fixation (3) est monté sur l'appareil ménager inférieur (103)
en étant collé.
6. Un dispositif d'empilage (1) selon la déclaration 5, est caractérisé en ce qu'une bande adhésive (7) est prévue sur le second élément de fixation (3), permettant
de faire adhérer le second élément de fixation (3) sur l'appareil ménager inférieur
(103).
7. Un dispositif d'empilage (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations précédentes,
est caractérisé en ce que le second élément de fixation (3) a une partie de support (6) élargie sur les côtés
de façon à permettre d'augmenter la surface de contact entre l'appareil ménager inférieur
(103) et le second élément de fixation (3).
8. Un dispositif d'empilage (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations précédentes,
est caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une poignée (9) est prévue sur le deuxième élément de fixation (3), en forme
de saillie permettant à un(e) utilisateur(trice) de la saisir avec ses doigts.
9. Un dispositif d'empilage (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations précédentes,
est caractérisé en ce qu'une partie d'extension (11) est prévue sur le premier élément de fixation (2), permettant
à l'extrémité du premier élément de fixation (2) montée sur l'appareil ménager inférieur
(102) et à l'extrémité articulée sur le deuxième élément de fixation (3) d'être éloignées
l'une de l'autre.
10. Un dispositif d'empilage (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations précédentes,
est caractérisé en ce qu'une butée (10) est prévue sur le second élément de fixation (3), terminant le mouvement
de rotation du second élément de fixation (3) en venant en butée sur le premier élément
de fixation (2) pendant la rotation du second élément de fixation (3).
11. Une paire d'appareils électroménagers (100), comprenant deux appareils électroménagers
et un dispositif d'empilage (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations précédentes,
est caractérisée en ce qu'ils sont empilés l'un sur l'autre au moyen d'au moins un dispositif d'empilage (1)
selon l'une quelconque des déclarations précédentes.
12. Une paire d'appareils électroménagers (100) selon la déclaration 11, est caractérisée en ce qu'ils sont attachés l'un à l'autre aux quatre coins au moyen de quatre dispositifs d'empilage
(1).
13. Une paire d'appareils ménagers (100) selon la déclaration 11 ou 12, obtenue en empilant
une machine à sécher le linge et une machine à laver le linge l'une sur l'autre.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description