Clamping unit and drain filter for washing machine drain lines

Claim 1

A drain filter clamping unit for washing machine drain lines discharging into a laundry tray, said drain filter clamping unit comprising: a three-walled frame having a backwall and a pair of substantially parallel sidewalls extending from one face of said backwall; a bracket defined by a frame portion extending from the other face of said backwall in a direction opposite from said sidewalls detachably mounting said frame to said laundry tray with said sidewalls extending within the interior of said laundry tray; a filter basket including a screen element for trapping lint slidably insertable between said frame sidewalls; guide means on said sidewalls for engaging said filter basket during slidable insertion thereof, including support means for supporting said filter basket on said sidewalls; adjustable clamping means for securing said washing machine drain line to said frame above said filter basket, said adjustable clamping means including, a concave support mounted to said frame and having a backface and a concave front face forming a seat for said drain line, said concave front face including a narrow width clamping portion at the top thereof and a relatively wider width seat portion at the bottom thereof, and an adjustable ring clamp extending around the backface at the narrow width clamping portion of said concave support for surrounding and securing said drain line seated on said concave support to enable the discharge from said drain line to pass through said filter basket before entering into said laundry tray.