Laundry machine door assembly and method
US7013682B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD06F2103/40
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method and apparatus are herein described which provide a door assembly for the drum door and lid of a top loading horizontal axis laundry machine. The drum door is provided with an automatic latch system that can be automatically latched and unlatched on command. In a presently preferred embodiment, the automatic drum latch employs a floating latch bar which engages or disengages a latch strike attached to the drum door, depending on its orientation at the time the drum door is depressed and released. An actuator is utilized to perform the task of depressing and releasing the drum door at the proper times. When the lid of the machine is closed, the drum is rotated to a selected rotational position that determines whether the automatic drum latch will latch or unlatch after an actuator is extended to depress the drum door and then is released. This system allows both the outer laundry machine lid and the inner drum door of a top loading, horizontal axis machine to be either opened or closed with a single action on the part of the user.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.