FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0001] The present invention relates to an auto-sliding hose holder assembly. More
particularly, the present invention relates to the auto-sliding hose holder assembly for the drain
hose of the washing machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0002] There has been a tremendous and rapid growth in the area of washing technology
in the past few decades. More specifically, the growth in this sector has been multidimensional.
The engineers have not only focused to reduce the size and weight of the machines but also have
come out with innovative technologies to make washing simple, easier, fast and more
particularly giving the best results. With time we have moved over selves from a multi tub
washing machine to fully automatic single tub washing machines, a top loading machine to front
loading washing machines. Moreover, the engineers continue to come up with more novel
concepts for both semi-automatic and fully automatic washing machine to make washing
comfortable and easier for user.
[0003] Particularly, in conventional semiautomatic washing machines the drainage of
excess water still remains a challenge. Generally, conventional semiautomatic machines or
machine that does not have sensing mechanism to detect overflow of water, the drain hose shall
be grounded. Grounding of drain hose in such machines ensures the safety of electric control
components that are generally installed over the top surface of these machines. If the drain hose
is not grounded in conventional machines than once the washing tub gets filled the water may
enter the electric control components of the washing machine leading to the damage of such
parts. However it is not possible for the user to keep in mind to ground the drain hose every time
before using the washing machine.
[0004] Thus, there exist a need of a system that ensures the drainage of excess water
from the washing machine even if the user forgets to ground the drain hose and thus avoiding the
unnecessary damage to the electric control components of the washing machine.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0005] In an aspect the present invention relates to an auto–sliding hose holder assembly
comprising a U-shaped holder including an inner member and an outer member. The autosliding
hose holder assembly further includes a hook comprising a first segment and a second
segment, wherein said hook is removably attached to the U-shaped holder.
[0006] In another aspect the first segment of the hook includes an L shaped bent in
downward direction such that the first segment engages with the outer member of the U-shaped
holder.
[0007] In yet another aspect the segment of the hook comprises a ring structure such that
the ring structure secures a drain hose.
[0008] In still another aspect the present invention relates to a hose holder unit
comprising an inner member and an outer member, placed parallel to each other, separated by a
predefined distance.
[0009] In yet another aspect the inner member and the outer member of the holder unit
are attached to each other from distal end.
[0010] In still another aspect the hose holder unit includes a plurality of brackets
extending away from an inner surface of the inner member.
[0011] In yet another aspect the plurality of brackets are placed perpendicular to the inner
surface of the inner member.
[0012] In still another aspect the hose holder unit include a plurality of fasteners attached
to an outer surface of the inner member, wherein the fasteners assist the hose holder unit to
remain attached to outer surface of a washing machine.
[0013] In yet another aspect the distance between the first member and the second
member of the hose holder unit is tapered at the proximal end and broader at the distal end.
[0014] In still another aspect the hose holder unit is made of polypropylene material.
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[0015] In yet another aspect the holder unit is attached to the washing machine at an
angle of 10 ͦ, wherein said angle allows the hook to slide down from holder unit in case of water
overload.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0016] The main object, of the present invention is to provide an auto-sliding hose holder
assembly for washing machines.
[0017] Another main object, of the present invention is to minimize the risk of damage of
control components due to overflow of water in washing machines.
[0018] Yet another object, of the present invention is to provide a hose holder that slides
automatically in case of water overflow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0019] The features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the
appended claims. The invention itself, together with further features and attended advantages,
will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present
invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanied
drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
[0020] Fig. 1A illustrates perspective view of an auto-sliding hose holder assembly along
with hose, according to various embodiments.
[0021] Fig. 1B illustrates perspective view of a drain hose with hook, according to
various embodiments.
[0022] Fig. 1C-1D illustrates perspective view of a hook, according to various
embodiments.
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[0023] Fig 2A illustrates perspective view of a hose holder unit, according to various
embodiments.
[0024] Fig 2B illustrates top view of a hose holder unit, according to various
embodiments.
[0025] Fig 3 illustrates perspective view of auto-sliding drain hose holder assembly with
washing machine, according to various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0026] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms,
specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be
described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention
as defined by the appended claims.
[0027] Before describing in detail embodiments it may be observed that the novelty and
inventive step that are in accordance with the present invention reside in the auto-sliding hose
holder assembly accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are
pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having
benefit of the description herein.
[0028] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device that comprises a list of
components does not include only those components but may include other components not
expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a
system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude
the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
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[0029] Figure 1aillustrates an auto-sliding hose holder assembly 100. In an
embodiment the term auto-sliding hose holder assembly 100 and hose holder assembly 100
may be used interchangeably. As shown in figure 1a and 1b the hose holder assembly 100
comprises a U-shaped holder 104, wherein said holder 104 includes an inner member 114
and an outer member 116. The hose holder assembly 100 further comprises a hook 106,
wherein said hook 106 includes a first segment 110 and a second segment 112 as shown in
figures 1c-1d. In an embodiment, said hook 106 may be removably attached to the Ushaped
holder 104 as shown in figure 1a. Further, as shown in figure 1c and 1d, the first
segment 110 of the hook 106 may be an L shaped bent in downward direction such that the
first segment 110 engages with the outer member 116 of the U-shaped holder 104. In
particular, said first segment 110 may include a protrusion 118 at its outer surface.
Specifically, said protrusion 118 allows the first segment 110 to engage with the outer
member 116 of the U-shaped holder 104. Further, the second segment 112 of the hook 106
may be a circular ring like structure that secures a drain hose 102 as shown in figure 1b. In
an embodiment, said second segment 112 of the hook 106 may be configured to remain
fixed across a drain hose 102 as shown in figure 1b. Specifically in an embodiment, the
second segment 112 of the hook 106 may be secured at a predefined distance from a free
end 108 of the drain hose 102 as shown in figure 1b.
[0030] Figure 2a-2b illustrates perspective and top view of holder unit 200
respectively for the auto-sliding drain hose assembly 100 as disclosed in figure1a. In an
embodiment, term U-shaped holder and holder unit may be used interchangeably. As
shown in figure 2 the holder unit 200 comprises an inner member 202 and an outer member
204, placed parallel to each other and separated by a predefined distance. The inner
member 202 and the outer member 204 may be connected to each other at distal end 206,
wherein the inner member 202 and the outer member 204 may be connected at the distal end
206 forming a U shaped bend. In an embodiment, the sealed distal end 206 restricts the
sliding movement of the drain hose 102 in one direction. Specifically in an embodiment,
the inner member 202 and the outer member 204 of the holder unit 200 may be kept open at
proximal end 208, so as to allow auto-sliding of the hook 106. In order to keep the proximal
end 208 of the inner member 202 and the outer member 204 open, a first portion 210 of the
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inner member 202 and a first portion 212 of the outer member 204 may be separated by a
fixed distance. In particular, the distance between the inner member 202 and the outer
member 204 is tapered towards the proximal end 208 and broader towards the distal end
206.
[0031] The inner member 202 of the holder unit 200 may include a plurality of
fasteners 214. Specifically, said fasteners 214 may be attached to an outer surface 218 of
the inner member 202, wherein the fasteners 214 assist the holder unit 200 to remain
attached to the outer surface of the washing machine as shown in figure 3. However, the
outer member 204 of the holder unit 200 may be configured to engage the hook 106 as
shown in figure 1. In an embodiment, the holder unit 200 includes a space between the
inner member 202 and the outer member 204. Specifically in an embodiment, the space
between the inner member 202 and the outer member 204 may be kept more towards the
distal end 206 and narrow towards the proximal end 208. Said gap between the inner
member 202 and the outer member 204 of the holder unit 200 may be kept greater towards
the distal end 206 in order to include a plurality of brackets 216 within the space. Said
brackets 216 protrude from an inner surface 220 of the inner member 202. Placement of
brackets 216 is such that they are perpendicular to the inner surface 220 of the inner
member 202. These brackets 216 are housed within the holder unit 200 in order to provide
better gripping to the hook 106. However, the distance between the inner member 202 and
the outer member 204 of the holder unit 200 is kept less, towards proximal end 208, in order
to avoid unnecessary falling of the drain hose 102.
[0032] In as aspect, the holder unit 200 is composed using a polypropylene material
to ensure dimensional stability. In particular, the hook 106 may be fastened with the holder
unit 200 when the washing machine may not be in use. Further, if the user operates the
washing machine keeping the drain hose 102 in fastened position the hose holder unit 200
may allow the drain hose 102 to fall down once the water level in the machine reaches a set
level.
[0033] More specifically, the present application allow the washing machine to be
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operated when the hook 106 is fastened to the holder unit 200. In such a situation, when the
water level in the machine reaches a desired mark the holder unit 200 may allow the hook
106 to slide automatically and thus avoiding the damage to the control circuitry. In
particular, when the water in the washing machine increases more than the desired level
than the excess water may enter the drain hose 102 from the machine which may allow the
hook 106 to unhook from the holder unit 200 and fall down from the gap of the proximal
end 208. In order to allow such auto slide, the holder unit 200 may be attached to the
washing machine at an angle of 10 ͦ , wherein, said angle allows the hook 106 to slide down
from holder unit 200 in case of water overload.
[0034] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with
reference to figures and certain preferred embodiments thereof, other versions are possible.
Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present invention should not be limited to the description of
the preferred versions contained herein.

We Claim
1. An auto-sliding hose holder assembly comprising:
a U-shaped holder including an inner member and an outer member; and
a hook comprising a first segment and a second segment, wherein said hook is
removably attached to the U-shaped holder.
2. The auto-sliding hose holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the first segment of the hook
includes an L shaped bent in downward direction such that the first segment engages with
the outer member of the U-shaped holder.
3. The auto-sliding hose holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the second segment of the
hook comprises a ring structure such that the ring structure secures a drain hose.
4. A hose holder unit comprising:
an inner member and an outer member, placed parallel to each other, separated by
a predefined distance.
5. The hose holder unit of claim 4, wherein the inner member and the outer member are
attached to each other from distal end.
6. The hose holder unit of claim 4 further comprise a plurality of brackets extending away
from an inner surface of the inner member.
7. The hose holder unit of claim 6, wherein the plurality of brackets are placed
perpendicular to the inner surface of the inner member.
8. The hose holder unit of claim 4 further includes a plurality of fasteners attached to an
outer surface of the inner member, wherein the fasteners assist the hose holder unit to
remain attached to outer surface of a washing machine.
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9. The hose holder unit of claim 4, wherein the distance between the inner member and the
outer member is tapered at the proximal end and broader at the distal end.
10. The hose holder unit of claim 4 is manufactured using a polypropylene material.
11. The hose holder unit of claim 4, wherein the holder unit is attached to the washing
machine at an angle of 10 ͦ , wherein said angle allows the hook to slide down from
holder unit in case of water overload.