Patent · US Expired

Electromechanical lid latch assembly

US4342476A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
4References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 24, 1980
Grant dateAug 3, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 24, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T292/1082
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A lid latch assembly (10) for a household washing machine is disclosed which incorporates safety features which prevent damage to the latch assembly regardless of when the drum access lid of the machine is closed. The assembly includes a solenoid (22) operated locking lever (60) pivotally mounted to a bracket (12). An elongated slot (68) in the bracket defines a first fulcrum (66) about which the locking lever pivots during latching movement. A switch arm (30) must be depressed downwardly by a latching hook (84) connected to the machine lid (80) before the locking lever is movable to the latched position. A blocking tab (58) on the switch arm prevents movement of the lever to the latched position prior to downward movement of the switch arm. The elongated slot allows the locking lever to pivot about a second fulcrum defined by the blocking tab.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.