Fabric treatment machine hinge spacer
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsJames Jeffery, Nicholas Schooley, David Walter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fabric treatment machine has a cabinet housing. A lid enables access inside the cabinet. Fabric treatment components such as a drum are positioned inside the cabinet housing. A panel on the cabinet housing includes an opening to receive the lid. At least one hinge spacer couples with the panel to receive a shaft of a slow close hinge on the lid. The at least one hinge spacer includes a socket portion and a flange portion. The socket portion inserts into an aperture in the panel. The socket portion includes a bore with at least one flat side to receive a mating shaft from the slow closing hinge. The hinge shaft has at least one flat surface. The flange portion covers the panel around the socket.
Claims16
A fabric treatment machine comprising:
- a cabinet housing;
- a lid enabling access inside the cabinet;
- a drum positioned inside the cabinet housing;
- a panel on the cabinet housing including an opening for receiving the lid;
- at least one hinge spacer coupled with the panel for receiving a shaft of a slow closing a hinge for the lid;
- and
- the at least one hinge spacer including a socket portion and a flange portion, the socket portion is retained in an aperture in the panel via an interference fit, the socket portion including a bore having at least one flat side for receiving a mating shaft from the slow closing hinge, the hinge shaft having at least one flat surface, and the flange portion covering the aperture in the panel.
A hinge spacer assembly for a fabric treatment machine comprising:
- at least one hinge spacer including a socket portion and a flange portion, the socket portion configured to be inserted into an aperture in a panel, the socket portion including a bore with at least one flat side for receiving a mating shaft from a slow closing hinge, the slow closing hinge including a shaft having at least one flat surface, and the flange portion configured to abut the panel,
- wherein the at least one hinge spacer includes a positioning ledge that extends from a front of the hinge spacer at a position adjacent to the bore to provide a seat for the hinge shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.