US3032149A - Clothes dryer support - Google Patents

Description

May 1, 1962 F. v. MANGHISE CLOTHES DRYER SUPPORT Filed April 29, 1960 llfl n n wmu u umuflu IN V EN TOR. FRANK V. MANGHISE BY W ATTORNEY hired States PatentO 3,032,149 CLOTHES DRYER SUPPORT Frank V. Manghise, 126 John St., Levittown, N.Y. Filed Apr. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 25,699 Claims. (Cl. 189-29) This invention relates to a clothes dryer support, and more particularly relates to a base for a clothes dryer having a vertical central post.

The invention has among its objects the provision of a novel base or support for a clothes dryer having a vertical central post.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a support of the type described which is characterized by the ease with which it is installed, and the ease with which it may be moved, if necessary,

A further object of the invention is the provision of a clothes dryer base or support which remains securely in position in the ground despite its subjection to very substantial canting forces, and which securely positions the central post of the clothes dryer in vertical position therein.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of a base or support for a clothes dryer which is economical to make, rugged in construction, and easy to maintain.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a clothes dryer mounted in a base or support in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical axial section through the base of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in plan of an upper, bracing and anchoring element employed with the base of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a view in bottom plan of the bracing and anchoring element.

Turning now to the drawing, a clothes dryer, generally designated 10, is fragmentarily shown in FIG. 1. Such dryer has a central vertical hollow post 11 to which radial arms supporting a clothes line are pivotally attached to allow collapse of the dryer when desired. The lower end of post 11 is removably received in a support or base 14 which is sunk into ground 12.

The base 14 has an outer vertical tubular casing 15 to the bottom end of which is secured a driving point 16 having a conical lower end 17 thereon and a short cylindrical portion 19 having a diameter approximating the outer diameter of tube 15. Above portion 19 the point 16 has a first cylindrical central stem portion 20 which snugly fits within tube 15. The lower end of tube 15 engages an annular shoulder 21 which forms the juncture between parts 19 and 20. The point 16 may be held on tube 15 in a number of ways, including welding or by screws, one of which is shown at 22. Above the first stem 21 the point has a further or second short central cylindrical stem 24 which has a diameter such that it accurately fits within the lower end of post 11. The upper end of the second stem thus functions as a pilot pin, and securely and accurately holds the lower end of post 11 in its central position. To facilitate entry of stem 24 into the lower end of post 11, the upper end of the stem is smoothly rounded, as shown at 25. The

3,932,149 Patented May 1, 1962 junction between stems 20 and 24 is in the form of an annular shoulder 28 upon which the lower end of post 11 rests.

The base is provided with a broad, disc-like bracing and anchoring element, generally designated 26. Such element has a horizontal upper plate portion 27 and an annular downwardly extending edge flange 29 of appreciable depth. The lower edge 30 of flange 29 is inwardly bevelled to provide a sod-cutting edge, whereby the flange may be readily forced into the ground. The element 26 has a central hole therethrough and an axially downwardly extending central guide sleeve or tube 31 secured to the horizontal portion 27 of'element 26 coaxial of the central hole in portion 27 and edge-aligned therewith. Sleeve 31 may be integral with portion 27 or may be made as a separate part and secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by welding. The sleeve 31 is preferably of a length somewhat exceeding the depth of flange 29, so that the lower end 32 of the sleeve lies below the lower edge 30 of flange 29. Sleeve 31 has an inner diameter such that it fairly accurately receives post 11 within it.

The base'or support of the invention is installed by first driving the tube 15 with point 16 secured thereto into the ground. To avoid damage to the upper end of tube 15 during such operation, a block of wood may be placed on top of the upper end of tube 15 to receive the blows of the driving hammer. Alternatively, a driving cap (not shown) may be employed, such cap having an enlarged upper end portion overlying the upper end of tube 15 and a central stern portion which is guidingly received within the upper end of the tube. The bracing and anchoring element 26 is now installed. The lower end of sleeve 31 is inserted in the upper end of tube 15, following which the element 26 is pressed downwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which plate portion 29 lies flush with the surface of the ground. The pressing of the element 26 into the ground may ordinarily be elfected merely by stepping on the element 26 on opposite sides thereof, and then progressively shifting ones weight around the element so that edge 30 cuts into the sod and the flange 29 sinks.

The described base or support for a clothes dryer is of advantage because it may be readily installed and removed, if necessary, to change its location on a plot of land. Conventional cement encased supports, on the other hand, are diflicult and time-consuming to install, and cannot readily be moved. The element 26 provides a broad area of side support and bracing for the base, so that the base will withstand severe side thrusts without tipping. The vertical clothes dryer post 11 is accurately centrally held by stem 24 and sleeve 31, which are located at appreciable distances from each other. Thus the post is also held in accurate vertical position despite severe thrusts imposed thereon without the imposition of any undue localized strains upon the post or the base or support for the post.

Although only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing specification, it is to be especially understood that various changes, such as in the relative dimensions of the parts, materials used, and the like, as well as the suggested manner of use of the apparatus of the invention, may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A base for a post-supported clothes dryer comprising a tubular post-receiving casing adapted to be imbedded in vertical position in the ground, and a broad bracing member connected to the upper end of the casing and having anchoring engagement with the ground at points markedly removed from the casing, the bracing and anchoring element having a generally central vertically disposed sleeve secured thereto, the sleeve and bracing and anchoring element having a vertical postreceiving passage therethrough, the sleeve being adapted to be accurately received within the upper end of the casing.

2. A base for a post-supported clothes dryer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracing and anchoring element has downwardly extending anchoring portions markedly spaced from its casing engaging zone, said portions being adapted to be driven into the ground, the sleeve being somewhat longer than such anchoring portions.

3. A base for a post-supported clothes dryer, comprising a tubular post-receiving casing adapted to be imbedded in vertical position in the ground, and a broad bracing member connected to the upper end of the easing and having anchoring engagement with the ground at points markedly removed from the casing, the bracing and anchoring element having a generally central vertically disposed sleeve secured thereto, the sleeve and bracing and anchoring element having a vertical post-receiving passage therethrough, the sleeve and the upper end of the casing being adapted to be assembled one over the other in accurately fitting telescopic relationship.

4. A base for a post-suported clothes dryer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bracing and anchoring element has downwardly extending anchoring portions markedly spaced from its casing-engaging zone, said portions being adapted to be driven into the ground, the sleeve being somewhat longer than such anchoring portions.

5. In the combination of a clothes dryer having a vertical supporting post and a base for the clothes dryer, the improved base which comprises a tubular post-receiving casing adapted to be imbedded in vertical position in the ground, and a broad bracing member connected to the upper end of the casing and having anchoring engagement with the ground at points markedly removed from the casing, the bracing and anchoring element having a generally central vertically disposed sleeve secured thereto, the sleeve and bracing and anchoring element having a vertical post-receiving passage therethrough, the sleeve being adapted to be accurately received within the upper end of the casing, the passage in the sleeve substantially accurately receiving and positioning a zone of the post of the clothes dryer adjacent the lower end of such post.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 187,337 Wing et a1. Feb. 13, 1877 217,004 Elmer July 1, 1879 415,384 Hall Nov. 19, 1889 1,234,893 Fridley July 31, 1917 1,402,561 Banks Jan. 3, 1922 1,836,173 Jones Dec. 15, 1931

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