RETAINER FOR USE IN THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY OF A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a retainer for use in a household appliance which comprises: a main body; a striker which is engaged to the main body; and a door which has a latch for engaging/disengaging the striker upon closing/opening of the door. In the household appliance of the present invention the main body has one or more snap-in holes, and the striker has one or more snap-in hooks for releasably engaging with the respective snap-in hole. Furthermore, the retainer is provided with one or more blocking members each for blocking sideways movement of the respective snap-in hook relative to the respective snap-in hole and an attachment means for detachably attaching each blocking member to the main body.

Description

The present invention relates to a household appliance, in particular to a laundry dryer, a laundry washer or a dishwasher. The present invention more particularly relates to the door latch assembly of the household appliance.

Household appliances such as laundry dryers, laundry washers and dishwashers are commonly known in the art. These household appliances each comprise a door latch assembly which includes a latch and a striker. The striker is generally fixed to the main body or alternatively to the door whereas the latch is accordingly disposed onto the door or alternatively to the main body. The latch engages/disengages the striker as the door is closed/opened by the user. A common problem with these prior art household appliances is that the striker may become loosened from its place due to excessive mechanical stress, for instance, as a result of frequent opening and closing of the door. In such incidents, the door cannot be properly closed, and thus the users report the failure to the customer service. Consequently, the user satisfaction decreases. Therefore, it is generally important that the striker is securely retained in place.

US 2014/0265378 A1 discloses a prior art household appliance which has a latch (cf. locking protrusion) and a striker (cf. locker). In this household appliance the striker is fixed to the door by means of screws.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a retainer for use in the door latch assembly of a household appliance which solves the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables an improved production and assemblage.

This objective has been achieved by the retainer as defined in claim 1, and the household appliance as defined in claim 9. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

In the household appliance of the present invention, the main body has one or more snap-in holes, and the striker has one or more snap-in hooks for releasably engaging with the respective snap-in hole.

The retainer of the present invention comprises: one or more blocking members each for blocking sideways movement of the respective snap-in hook relative to the respective snap-in hole; and an attachment means for detachably attaching each blocking member to the main body.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of snap-in holes and the snap-in hooks, the striker can be easily engaged to the main body. Thereby, the production and assemblage of the striker has been improved, and the overall cost has been comparatively reduced both in labor and material. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of the blocking members, the striker can be securely retained in place. Thereby, the risk that the striker becomes loosened from the main body has been eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Thereby, the user satisfaction can be improved.

In an embodiment, the striker has two snap-in hooks. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the striker can be rendered symmetrical, and thus the assemblage can be expedited. In a version of this embodiment, the sloping surfaces of the snap-in hooks are arranged to be turned away from each other. And the snap-in hooks flex towards each other when being snapped into the respective snap-in holes. In this version of the embodiment, the retainer has two blocking members which are located between the two snap-in hooks, and block sideways movement of the two snap-in hooks towards each other. During the assembly of the household appliance, after the striker is snapped in place, the retainer is attached to the main body. Thereby, the sideway movements of the snap-in hooks are blocked. In an alternative version of this embodiment, the sloping surfaces of the snap-in hooks are arranged to face each other. And the snap-in hooks flex away from each other when being snapped into the respective snap-in holes. In this version of the embodiment, the retainer has two blocking members which are respectively located to the left and to the right of the two snap-in hooks and block sideways movements of the two snap-in hooks away from each other.

In another embodiment, the snap-in hooks are supported by the retainer from below through respective lower abutments. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as a firm connection can be established between the retainer and the striker, and thus any clearance can be removed.

In alternative embodiments, the retainer may be attached to the main body through various different type of connections. For instance, the retainer may be attached to the main body by a snap connection, an interlocking connection, a clamping connection, a screw connection. Other type of connections known to those skilled in the art can be alternately used. In another alternative embodiment, the attachment means comprises two snap-in claws which releasably engage with the respective snap-in apertures on the main body. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the retainer can be quickly assembled with the main body.

In general, a household appliance in particular a dishwasher may be provided as a free standing type appliance or a built-in type appliance. Therefore, in another embodiment, the retainer is further adapted for use with a free-standing type household appliance, in particular a free standing dishwasher which has a cover plate for covering at least part of the upper surface of the appliance. In this embodiment, the retainer has an upper abutment which abuts against the cover plate from below. In a version of this embodiment, the retainer abuts against the front section of the cover plate from below. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the cover pate can be prevented from bending downwards, and thus a reduction in the quality of the household appliance can be prevented. In another embodiment, the retainer is further adapted for use with a built-in type household appliance, in particular a built-in type dishwasher, wherein the cover plate is omitted. In this embodiment, the upper abutment of the retainer is also omitted.

In another embodiment, the retainer is single piece which is preferably made from a resilient plastic material. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the number of parts can be further reduced. The retainer may be manufactured through a moulding process.

In another embodiment, the striker has a stop which abuts onto the periphery of a mounting passage in the main body. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the stop prevents the retainer from receiving mechanical stress.

In another embodiment, the striker and the retainer are both attached to a cross beam of the main body. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the cross beam is easily accessible when the cover plate is removed.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the retainer and the household appliance according to the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1—is a schematic perspective view of a retainer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2—is a schematic partial perspective view of a built-in type dishwasher which has the retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3—is a schematic partial sectional view of the dishwasher of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4—is a schematic partial top view of the dishwasher of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5—is a schematic perspective view of a retainer according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6—is another schematic perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7—is another schematic perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8—is another schematic side view of the retainer of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9—is another schematic side view of the retainer of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10—is a schematic partial sectional view of a free-standing dishwasher which has the retainer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11—is a schematic partial top view of the dishwasher of FIG. 10, wherein the cover plate has been omitted.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

• • 1. Retainer
  • 2. Dishwasher
  • 3. Main body
  • 4. Snap-in hole
  • 5. Striker
  • 6. Snap-in hook
  • 7. Blocking member
  • 8. Attachment means
  • 9. Abutment
  • 10. Snap-in aperture
  • 11. Snap-in claw
  • 12. Cover plate
  • 13. Abutment
  • 14. Base
  • 15. Latching hole
  • 16. Mounting passage
  • 17. Stop
  • 18. Cross member
  • 19. Tub

The retainer (1) is suitable for use in a household appliance (2) in particular a dishwasher (2). The household appliance (2) comprises a main body (3), a striker (5) which is engaged to the main body (5) and a door (not shown) which has a latch (not shown) for engaging/disengaging the striker (5) upon closing/opening of the door.

In the household appliance (2) of the present invention the main body (3) has one or more snap-in holes (4), and the striker (5) has one or more snap-in hooks (6) for releasably engaging with the respective snap-in hole (4).

The retainer (1) of the present invention comprises: one or more blocking members (7) each for blocking sideways movement of the respective snap-in hook (6) relative to the respective snap-in hole (4); and an attachment means (8) for detachably attaching each blocking member (7) to the main body (3).

In an embodiment, the striker (5) has two snap-in hooks (6) which are adapted to temporarily flex towards each other when being snapped into the respective snap-in holes (4). In this embodiment, the retainer (1) comprises two blocking members (7) which are located, in the attached state, between the two snap-in hooks (6) and adapted to block sideways movement of the two snap-in hooks (6) towards each other.

In another embodiment, the retainer (1) comprises two lower abutments (9) each for abutting against the respective snap-in hook (6) from below.

In another embodiment, the main body (3) has two snap-in apertures (10). In this embodiment, the attachment means (8) comprises two snap-in claws (11) each for releasably engaging with the snap-in apertures (10).

In another embodiment, the household appliance (2) has a cover plate (12) for covering at least part of the upper surface of the appliance (2). In this embodiment, the retainer (1) comprises an upper abutment (13) for abutting against the cover plate (12) from below (FIGS. 5 to 11).

In another embodiment, the upper abutment (13) is further adapted to abut against the front section of the cover plate (12) from below.

In another embodiment, the retainer (1) comprises a base (14) which supports the blocking members (7) and the attachment means (8) and also the lower abutments (9). In this embodiment, the upper abutment (13) extends upwards from the base (14).

In another embodiment, the retainer (1) is moulded from a resilient plastic material as a single piece.

In another embodiment, the striker (5) has a latching hole (15) for releasably engaging with the latch.

In another embodiment, the main body (3) has a mounting passage (16) for receiving the striker (5). In this embodiment, the striker (5) has a stop (17) which abuts onto the periphery of the mounting passage (16) so as to prevent inward movement of the striker (5).

In another embodiment, the main body (3) has a cross member (18). In this embodiment, the snap-in holes (4) and the snap-in apertures (10) and also the mounting passage (16) are formed into the cross beam (18).

In another embodiment, the household appliance (1) is provided as a dishwasher (2). The dishwasher (2) comprises a tub (19). The door is pivotably disposed onto the main body (3) so as to open/close the tub (19).

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of snap-in holes (4) and the snap-in hooks (6), the striker (5) can be easily engaged to the main body (3). Thereby, the production and assemblage of the striker (5) has been improved, and the overall cost has been comparatively reduced both in labor and material. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of the blocking members (7), the striker (5) can be reliably retained in place. Thereby, the risk that the striker (5) becomes loosened from the main body (3) has been eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Thereby, the user satisfaction can be improved. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the aforementioned embodiments.

Claims

1. A retainer for use in a household appliance, in particular a dishwasher comprising: a main body which has one or more snap-in holes; a striker which has one or more snap-in hooks each for releasably engaging with the respective snap-in hole; and a door which has a latch for engaging/disengaging the striker upon closing/opening of the door, the retainer being characterized in that one or more blocking members each for blocking sideways movement of the respective snap-in hook relative to the respective snap-in hole and an attachment means for detachably attaching each blocking member to the main body.

2. The retainer according to claim 1, wherein the striker has two snap-in hooks which are adapted to temporarily flex towards each other when being snapped into the respective snap-in holes, and the retainer being characterized in that two blocking members which are located, in the attached state, between the two snap-in hooks and adapted to block sideways movement of the two snap-in hooks towards each other.

3. The retainer according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more lower abutments each for abutting against the respective snap-in hook from below.

4. The retainer according to claim 1, wherein the main body has one or more snap-in apertures, the retainer being characterized in that the attachment means comprises one or more snap-in claws each for releasably engaging with respective the snap-in apertures.

5. The retainer according to claim 1, wherein the household appliance has a cover plate for covering at least part of the upper surface of the appliance, the retainer being characterized in that one or more upper abutments each for abutting against the cover plate from below.

6. The retainer according to claim 5, characterized in that one or more upper abutments are each further adapted to abut against the front section of the cover plate from below.

7. The retainer according to claim 6, characterized in that a base which supports the blocking members and the attachment means, wherein the upper abutments extends upwards from the base.

8. The retainer according to claim 1, characterized in that the retainer is moulded from a resilient plastic material as a single piece.

9. A household appliance, in particular a dishwasher comprising a main body, a striker which is engaged to the main body and a door which has a latch for engaging/disengaging the striker upon closing/opening of the door, the household appliance being characterized in that the retainer as defined in claim 1, wherein the main body has one or more snap-in holes, and wherein the striker has one or more snap-in hooks for releasably engaging with the respective snap-in hole.

10. The household appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the striker has a latching hole for releasably engaging with the latch.

11. The household appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the main body has a mounting passage for receiving the striker, wherein the striker has a stop which abuts onto the periphery of the mounting passage so as to prevent inward movement of the striker.

12. The household appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that the main body has a cross member, wherein the snap-in holes and the snap-in apertures and the mounting passage are formed into the cross beam.

13. The household appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the household appliance is provided as a dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher comprises a tub, and wherein the door is disposed onto the main body so as to open/close the tub.