Double-pivot, constrained kinematic hinge for a front-loading laundry machine
US7617570B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE05Y2900/312
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A laundry machine having a front panel defining a front face with an opening therein. A pivotally attached door is arranged to selectively close the opening. The front panel has a relatively flat surface surrounding and defining the opening and has a generally annular shape. A wall projects substantially at a right angle to the flat annular surface. A hinge includes a front panel bracket secured to the wall of the front panel, a door bracket secured to the door of the laundry machine, a primary arm pivotally attached to the front panel bracket to rotate relative thereto about a first axis and pivotally attached to the door bracket to rotate relative thereto about a second axis, and a control arm pivotally attached to the front panel bracket to rotate relative thereto about a third axis and pivotally attached to the door bracket to rotate relative thereto about a fourth axis. The hinge components may extend into an interior of the door through an opening in a side of the door, leaving a rear face of the door unbroken.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.