Ergonomically designed household appliances for individuals with limited mobility

Abstract

The present invention relates to modified household appliances for individuals with limited mobility or have a physical disability. The appliances can be any type of conventional appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers and others found in households. The appliance has switches for triggering a movable functionality which allows for easy access into the interior of the appliance. In one embodiment, a washing machine features a motorized plate in a drum for providing lifting or pushing/tilting outward to retrieve laundry. In another embodiment, a refrigerator is equipped with a basket and freezer with moveable arms to automatically extend the drawers, shelves or baskets allowing easy access to the items in the housing of the refrigerator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ergonomic appliance comprising:
 a housing;   a door;   at least one repositionable element; and   at least one control for actuating the at least one repositionable element, wherein when activated the at least one repositionable element repositions a content of the housing to a more readily accessible position relative to a user of the appliance.   
     
     
         2 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises at least one of a drum, a shelf or a basket. 
     
     
         3 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one repositionable element is a plate or an arm. 
     
     
         4 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the arm is one of a hydraulic arm, a mechanical arm or a spring loaded arm. 
     
     
         5 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the plate is provided within a drum and the drum is positioned within the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the plate moves along a guide from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         7 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first position is at a rear of the drum and the second position is at a front of the drum and adjacent to the door. 
     
     
         8 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the plate is sized and configured to extend through an opening in the door. 
     
     
         9 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one control is comprised of a first control, a second control and a third control. 
     
     
         10 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the plate is movable in one of a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction. 
     
     
         11 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the plate comprises a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         12 . The ergonomic appliance as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the plate comprised an auger or a fin. 
     
     
         13 . A washing machine comprising:
 a housing;   a drum;   a door positioned adjacent to the drum and providing access to an interior of the drum;   a plate that is repositionable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is at a back of the interior of the drum and the second position is adjacent the door.   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine as recited in  claim 13  further comprising a control for actuating the plate. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the second position of the plate is tilted through the door. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the plate comprises a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the plate is rotatable in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction. 
     
     
         18 . The washing machine as recited in  claim 13  further comprising a guide at least partially positioned within the drum, wherein the plate moves along the guide. 
     
     
         19 . An appliance for use by an individual with limited mobility, the appliance comprising:
 a housing;   at least one of a drum, a shelf or a basket;   a repositionable member within the housing for making a content of the at last one drum, shelf or basket more accessible to the individual, wherein the repositionable member is repositionable between a first position and a second position and is tiltable and rotatable; and   at least one control for actuating the repositionable member.   
     
     
         20 . The appliance as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the repositionable element is one of a plate or an arm.