Pipe connector for washing machine drainage
US5201553A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Apr 13, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16L25/14
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A washing machine drain hose connector for coupling the discharge hose pipe to a sewer drain pipe is made of pliable, elastomeric material. The connector shape is a staggered, coaxial series of cylindrical sleeve sections connected end to end by integrally molded annular shoulders. The cylindrical sleeve radii increase progressively along the sequence of joined sleeve section. A largest sleeve section is folded back over the next-to-largest sleeve section to frictionally grip the drain pipe on both its inside and outside surfaces. The smaller sleeve sections grip various standard sizes of washing machine discharge hose pipes inserted into the drain pipe. All sleeve sections are sized to interfere, so that they are stretched around the pipes and exert friction forces to hold the pipes in coupled relation. To increase the frictional holding force, the sleeve sections (except the largest) are all at least as long as the sleeve radius, the sleeve walls are smooth (i.e., without ribs or other protrusions), and the sleeve walls are thin enough that they can roll over and become wedged in the space between the pipes when water back pressure tends to blow the hose pipe out of the drain pip…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.