U.S. patent application number 11/037247 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-01 for door assembly for washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Cho, Han Ki, Jang, Ho Sung, Kang, Dong Hoon, Kang, Jung Hoon, Kim, Jong Min, No, Yang Hwan.
Application Number | 20050262887 11/037247 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35423698 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050262887 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Jong Min ; et
al. |
December 1, 2005 |
Door assembly for washing machine
Abstract
A door assembly for a washing machine is provided. The door
assembly is rotatably attached to a case of the washing machine so
as to cover/uncover an opening for loading/unloading the laundry. A
frame of the door assembly includes an outer frame and an inner
frame connected to the outer frame. A window is provided at a
center of the frame. The handle is engaged and secured with at
least one of the outer frame and the inner frame without using a
fixing member such as a screw or a bolt.
Inventors: |
Kim, Jong Min; (Changwon-si,
KR) ; No, Yang Hwan; (Changwon-si, KR) ; Cho,
Han Ki; (Changwon-si, KR) ; Jang, Ho Sung;
(Gyeongsangnam-do, KR) ; Kang, Dong Hoon; (Busan,
KR) ; Kang, Jung Hoon; (Changwon-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
35423698 |
Appl. No.: |
11/037247 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/196 ;
68/3R |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 37/28 20130101;
D06F 39/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/196 ;
068/003.00R |
International
Class: |
D06F 037/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 1, 2004 |
KR |
P2004-39568 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A door assembly for a washing machine, comprising: an outer
frame; an inner frame connected to the outer frame; and a handle
provided between the outer frame and the inner frame and engaged
and secured with the outer frame and the inner frame.
2. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is configured
to be fitted between the outer frame and the inner frame without a
screw or a bolt.
3. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising a window
provided in the outer frame and the inner frame.
4. The door assembly of claim 3, wherein the window comprises a rim
inserted and fixed between the outer frame and the inner frame and
pressing and fixing the handle.
5. The door assembly of claim 3, wherein the handle is provided so
that a user is able to grip the handle by approaching the handle at
an inner periphery side of the outer frame.
6. The door assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a
recess into which a user's hand is inserted.
7. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cut away
portion provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner
frame so as to receive the handle.
8. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one
hole provided in the handle; and at least one boss protruded from
at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and fixing the
handle by being inserted and fixed into the hole.
9. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a ledge
protruded from an outer surface of the handle; and a slot provided
in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and
receiving the ledge.
10. The door assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one
hole provided in the handle; at least one boss protruded from at
least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and inserted and
fixed into the hole; a ledge protruded from an outer surface of the
handle; and a supporter provided in at least one of the outer frame
and the inner frame to then support the ledge and prevent movement
of the handle.
11. A door assembly for a washing machine, comprising: a frame
including an outer frame and an inner frame connected to the outer
frame; a window provided in the frame; and a handle provided
between the outer frame and the inner frame and engaged and secured
with at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame.
12. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein the handle is secured by
the outer frame and the inner frame without a screw.
13. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein the handle is inserted
into an inner periphery of the frame provided with the window.
14. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein the handle includes a
recess into which a user's hand is inserted.
15. The door assembly of claim 11, further comprising: at least one
hole provided in the handle; and at least one boss protruded from
at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and inserted
into the hole.
16. The door assembly of claim 15, wherein the handle comprises a
flange extended from one side of the handle and having a hole
formed therein
17. The door assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a ledge
extended from an outer surface of the handle; and a slot provided
in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and
receiving the ledge.
18. The door assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a ledge
extended from an outer surface of the handle; and a supporter
provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame to
then support the ledge and prevent movement of the handle.
19. The door assembly of claim 18, wherein the supporter is an
inner rim extended from an inner periphery of the outer frame or
the inner frame to thereby form an inner periphery of the frame
20. The door assembly of claim 11, further comprising a cut away
portion provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner
frame so as to receive the handle.
21. The door assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a ledge
extended from an outer surface of the handle; an inner rim extended
from an inner periphery of the outer frame or the inner frame to
thereby form an inner periphery of the frame and supporting the
ledge; and a cut away portion provided in the inner rim so as to
receive the handle.
22. The door assembly of claim 11, wherein the window comprises a
rim inserted and fixed between the outer frame and the inner frame
and pressing and fixing-the handle.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean
Application No. P2004-39568 filed on Jun. 01, 2004, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more
particularly, to a door assembly used for covering/uncovering an
opening so as to load/unload the laundry in a washing machine.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] A washing machine is a typical home appliance which washes
the laundry by using a detergent and water. The washing machine is
classified into a top loading-type washing machine and a front
loading-type washing machine according to loading positions of the
laundry.
[0006] In general, the top loading-type washing machine is
constructed to include a vertical tub for receiving the laundry, a
pulsater for washing the laundry during its rotation in the tub,
and a lid provided at an upper surface of the washing machine so as
to cover/uncover the tub.
[0007] Also, the front loading-type washing machine is constructed
to include a horizontal drum for receiving the laundry, a plurality
of lifters provided at an inner surface of the drum so as to
repeatedly lift and then drop the laundry during the rotation of
the drum, and a door provided at a front surface of the washing
machine so as to cover/uncover the drum.
[0008] Generally, in the front loading-type washing machine, the
door is equipped with a handle, and the handle is fixed to the door
with a fixing member such as a screw or a bolt. However, such a
handle-fixing structure undesirably requires a lot of time so as to
fix the handle to the door.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a door
assembly for a washing machine that substantially obviates one or
more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related
art.
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved
door assembly capable of making it possible to rapidly and easily
fix a handle to a door in a washing machine.
[0011] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0012] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a door assembly for a washing machine
includes: an outer frame; an inner frame connected to the outer
frame; and a handle provided between the outer frame and the inner
frame and engaged and secured with the outer frame and the inner
frame.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, a door assembly
for a washing machine includes: a frame including an outer frame
and an inner frame connected to the outer frame; a window provided
in the frame; and a handle provided between the outer frame and the
inner frame and engaged and secured with at least one of the outer
frame and the inner frame.
[0014] The handle may be configured to be fitted between the outer
frame and the inner frame without a bolt. Also, the handle may be
provided so that a user is able to grip the handle by approaching
the handle at an inner periphery side of the outer frame. Here, the
handle may include a recess into which a user's hand is
inserted.
[0015] The window may include a rim inserted and fixed between the
outer frame and the inner frame and pressing and fixing the handle.
The door assembly may further include a cut away portion provided
in at least one of the outer frame and the inner frame so as to
receive the handle.
[0016] The door assembly may further includes: at least one hole
provided in the handle; and at least one boss protruded from at
least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and fixing the
handle by being inserted and secured into the hole.
[0017] The door assembly may further include: a ledge protruded
from an outer surface of the handle; and a slot provided in at
least one of the outer frame and the inner frame and receiving the
ledge. In the meantime, the door assembly may further include: a
supporter provided in at least one of the outer frame and the inner
frame to then support the ledge and prevent movement of the
handle.
[0018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according
to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a door assembly
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
structure in which a handle is engaged with an outer frame in the
door assembly shown in FIG. 2; and
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a
handle is completely engaged with an outer frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according
to the present invention.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a case 10 of a washing machine includes
a base plate (not shown), a side wall 11, a top cover 12 and a
front cover 13. The base plate forms a bottom surface of the case
10, and the side wall 11 is vertically erected at the both sides
and rear side of the base plate. The top cover 12 covers an upper
opening of the side wall 11, and the front cover 13 covers a front
opening of the side wall 11. A control panel 20 enabling a user to
handling the washing machine is installed between an upper part of
the front cover 13 and the top cover 12.
[0027] A horizontal tub (not shown; hereinafter simply referred to
as "tub") is installed in the case 10, and a rotatable horizontal
drum (hereinafter simply referred to as "drum") is installed in the
tub. The drum is rotated in the tub by a motor attached at a rear
surface of the tub. The drum includes a first opening for
loading/unloading the laundry, and the front cover 13 has a second
opening formed therein and corresponding to the first opening.
Also, a door assembly 100 for covering/uncovering the first and
second openings is hinged to the front cover 13. FIGS. 2 through 4
illustrate a detailed structure of the door assembly 100.
Hereinafter, a construction and operation of the door assembly 100
will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 through
4.
[0028] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the door assembly
100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, the door assembly 100 includes an outer
frame 110 and an inner frame 120. The outer frame 110 forms an
exposed front surface of the door assembly 100, and the inner frame
120 forms a rear surface of the door assembly 100, which faces
inside the drum.
[0030] A window 105 enabling a user to view an inside of the drum
is installed at a center of the frame 101 as shown in FIG. 1. As
shown in FIG. 2, the window 105 includes openings 115 and 125
formed respectively in the outer frame 110 and the inner frame 120,
and a window glass 130 provided in the openings 115 and 125. For
example, the window glass 130 is configured in such a way that its
center part is protruded into the drum. Also, the window glass 130
includes a rim 131 fixed between the outer and inner frames 110 and
120.
[0031] A handle 200 which a user can grip is installed at the door
assembly 100. As stated above, in the conventional washing machine,
a handle is indirectly fixed to a door with a fixing member such as
a screw or a bolt. On the contrary, in the washing machine
according to the present invention, the handle 200 is engaged with
the outer and inner frames 110 and 120 to thereby be directly
secured with frame 101. In other words, the handle 200 is directly
engaged and fitted to the frame 101 without using a fixing member
such as a screw or a bolt. Hereinafter, such a fixing structure for
fixing the handle 200 to the frame 101 will be described in detail
with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a structure in which the handle 200 is
engaged with the outer frame 101 in the door assembly 100 shown in
FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 illustrates a state where the handle 200 is
completely engaged with the outer frame 101.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, the handle 200 includes a recess 225
into which a user's hand is inserted. The handle 200 is inserted
into and installed on an inner periphery of the frame 101 having
the window 105. Accordingly, the handle 200 is not exposed outside
when viewed at a front side of the washing machine, and the user
can grip the handle 200 by inserting his hand into an inner
periphery of the outer frame 110.
[0034] Outer rims 116 and 121 forming an outer periphery of the
frame 101 are provided respectively on outer peripheries of the
outer and inner frames 110 and 120, and inner rims 112 and 122
forming an inner periphery of the frame 101 are provided
respectively on inner peripheries of the outer and inner frames 110
and 120. Also, a space 117 is formed between the outer rims 116 and
121 and the inner rims 112 and 122, and the handle 200 is installed
in the space 117.
[0035] Since the handle 200 is inserted into the inner periphery of
the frame 101 as stated above, a cut away portion 114 for receiving
the handle 200 is provided in at least one of the inner rims 112
and 122. For reference, FIG. 3 illustrates an example where the cut
away portion 114 is provided in the inner rim 112 of the outer
frame 110.
[0036] As above, the handle 200 provided between the outer frame
110 and the inner frame 120 is fixed by being pressed by the outer
frame 110 and the inner frame 120 when the outer frame 110 and the
inner frame 120 is combined with each other. In addition, a rim 131
of the window glass 130 presses the handle 200 against the outer
frame 110, whereby the handle 200 is securely fixed.
[0037] In order to securely fix the handle 200, at least one boss
111 is provided in the outer frame 110, and at least one hole 211
for receiving the boss 111 is provided in the handle 200 as shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4. In more detail, a pair of bosses 111 are
protruded from the outer frame 110 toward the inner frame 120.
Also, a flange 210 is provided at one end of the handle 200, and a
pair of holes into which a pair of the bosses 111 are inserted are
provided at the flange 210. In this structure, the handle 200 can
be securely fixed into the space 117.
[0038] Further, a ledge 221 is extended from an outer surface of
the handle 200 as shown in FIG. 3, and a slot 113 into which the
ledge 221 is inserted or a supporter for supporting the ledge 221
is provided at the outer frame 110. Here, the slot 113 is provided
at the inner rim 116. For reference, FIG. 3 illustrates an example
where the width of the slot 113 is larger than the thickness of the
ledge 221. However, the present invention is not limited to such a
structure. That is, the width of the slot 113 may be substantially
identical to the thickness of the ledge 221 so that the slot 113
can tightly receive the ledge 221.
[0039] In case where the width of the slot 113 is larger than the
thickness of the ledge 221 as shown in FIG. 3, the inner rim 116
can serve as a supporter for supporting the ledge 221. In more
detail, one end of the handle 200 is secured by the boss 11 and the
hole 211, and the other end 222 (that is, an inlet end) of the
handle 200 is secured by the tight contact of the ledge 221 with
the inner rim 116. Also, the other end 222 of the handle 200 is
fitly inserted into the cut away portion 114 of the inner rim 116
as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the handle 200 is fixedly secured
between the outer and inner frames 110 and 120.
[0040] The above-constructed door assembly 100 is assembled in such
a way that the handle 200 is engaged with the outer frame 110 as
shown in FIG. 4 and then the window glass 130 and the inner frame
120 are sequentially connected to the outer frame 110 as shown in
FIG. 2. At this time, the rim 131 of the window glass 130 presses
the handle 200 toward the outer frame 110, whereby the handle 200
is securely fixed.
[0041] According to the present invention, a fixing member such as
a screw or a bolt for fixing the handle to the door frame is not
required, as stated above. Accordingly, the door assembly can be
easily and conveniently assembled, and the assembling time can be
reduced.
[0042] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the
modifications and variations of this invention provided they come
within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *