Supports – Hose and/or nozzle type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-11-06
King, Anita (Department: 3632)
Supports
Hose and/or nozzle type
C248S068100, C248S074100, C068S208000, C138S107000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311936
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
All washing machines include a drain hose, which drains water from the tub. In residential machines, the drain hose typically discharges into a standpipe behind the washing machine. The end of the hose is formed into a U-shape or gooseneck, with the inside crest of the gooseneck resting in the end of the standpipe. The goose neck shape can be preformed into the hose or maintained by a retainer.
Prior art hose retainers have been made from wire or plastic. The prior art retainers are bent or formed into curves to form the hose into the goose neck shape. Multiple piece retainers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,786,483, 4,151,864 and 4,318,519. A one-piece wire hose retainer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,457.
The shapes and construction of the prior art retainers increases the manufacturing costs, as well as the assembly time in forming the hose into the goose neck shape. For example, in each of the above-cited prior art patents, the hose must be threaded through the rings at each end of the retainer.
Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved retainer for the hose of a washing machine.
Another objective of the present invention is a provision of a hose retainer that is stamped or molded from plastic.
A further objective of the present invention is a provision of a hose retainer that has a one-piece construction.
Another objective of the present invention is a provision of a hose retainer which can be quickly and easily installed on the hose to form the hose into a goose neck shape.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a hose retainer that is economical to manufacture and durable in use.
These and other objectives become apparent from the following description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The hose retainer of the present invention is a flat plastic member having a pair of rings or openings for retentively engaging two portions of a hose so as to form the hose into a gooseneck between the two retained portions. The rings are spaced apart by a web extending therebetween. In one embodiment, the web includes an opening such that the hose retainer can slide over the curved gooseneck, thereby eliminating the step of separately threading the end of the hose through each retainer. In another embodiment, the rings are in the form of clips with open sides for receiving the respective hose portions. A tab is provided on the retainer and is adapted to be received within a slot on the back wall of the washing machine so as to support the hose adjacent the back wall for shipping and storage. The hose retainer of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with the drainage of a washing machine, but can also be used on other hoses so as to form a gooseneck adjacent the end of the hose.
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Herr Joel L.
Jackovin Gary B.
Johnson Troy A.
King Anita
Maytag Corporation
Szumny Jon
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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