Center pivot door for a top load horizontal axis washing machine

Abstract

 A spin drum assembly for a washing machine. The spin drum assembly includes a door pivotally mounted to a spin drum. The spin drum has a generally cylindrical side wall with opposing ends. The side wall defines an access opening for loading items into the spin drum. A pair of end caps are respectively joined to the opposing ends of the side wall. The end caps each have an outwardly-extending shaft. The door has a panel with a pair of arms extending away therefrom. The panel is arcuately shaped so as to wrap around a portion of the spin drum. The arms are respectively disposed over the end caps and are pivotally mounted to the shafts so as to permit the door to pivot between a closed position, wherein the panel covers the access opening, and an open position, wherein the panel is spaced from the access opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to washers in general and, more particularly, to clothes washing machines having a spin drum with a horizontal axis of rotation.

[0002] Typically, washers, such as clothes washers, have a housing containing an outer drum and an inner or spin drum assembly. The outer drum is secured to the housing and holds wash fluid that is used during the various operating cycles of the washer. The spin drum assembly holds wash items, such as clothing, during the operating cycles of the washer. The spin drum assembly is rotatably mounted within the outer drum. Spin drum assemblies can either have a vertical or a horizontal axis of rotation.

[0003] Spin drum assemblies having a horizontal axis of rotation can either have a front opening or a radial opening. In a washer having a spin drum assembly with a horizontal axis of rotation and a radial opening, the housing and the outer drum have aligned top openings. Access to the radial opening in the spin drum assembly is provided by rotating the spin drum assembly until the radial opening is aligned with the top openings in the housing and the outer drum.

[0004] A spin drum assembly with a horizontal axis of rotation and a radial opening is typically comprised of a spin drum and a door assembly. The spin drum includes a generally cylindrical side wall that defines the radial opening. Typically, the door assembly is comprised of a pair of mousetrap doors that close the radial opening. The mousetrap doors are pivotally secured to the side wall and open outward in opposing directions. Center edges of the mousetrap doors are provided with seals to prevent liquid from leaking between the mousetrap doors during a wash cycle. The mousetrap doors are usually biased by springs so as to spring open when a latch is released at the end of the wash cycle.

[0005] As can be appreciated, spin drum assemblies with mouse trap doors are fairly expensive to manufacture because of the labor required to install the mousetrap doors. In addition, the mousetrap doors are visible to an operator when they are in an open position, which can be aesthetically undesirable.

[0006] Another type of door that closes an opening in a spin drum is shown in Japanese Patent No. JP3-7198, incorporated herein by reference. In the JP3-7198 spin drum assembly, a door is pivotally mounted inside a spin drum and closes an opening that extends through a side wall and opposing end walls of the spin drum. When the door is closed, the door fills the opening and, in essence, forms a portion of the spin drum. When the door opens, however, the door moves inside the side wall and disappears from view. The door is able to move in this manner because the door pivots about an axis that is radially offset from a center axis of the spin drum.

[0007] Although the JP3-7198 spin drum assembly may be more aesthetically pleasing than spin drum assemblies having mousetrap doors, the JP3-7198 spin drum assembly is probably also fairly expensive to manufacture because the door is mounted inside the spin drum. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a spin drum assembly having a door that is mounted external to a spin drum, and is not visible to an operator when in an open position. The present invention is directed to such a spin drum assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It therefore would be desirable, and is an advantage of the present invention, to provide a spin drum assembly having a door that is mounted external to a spin drum, and is not visible to an operator when in an open position. In accordance with the present invention, a spin drum assembly is provided for use in a washing machine. The spin drum assembly includes a spin drum that is generally cylindrical and is adapted for rotation about a center axis. The spin drum defines a radial opening for loading items into the spin drum. A door is provided for closing the radial opening. The door is pivotally mounted to the spin drum so as to pivot about the center axis of rotation of the spin drum.

[0009] Also provided in accordance with the present invention is a spin drum assembly that includes a side wall, a pair of end caps, and a door. The side wall is generally cylindrical and has opposing ends. The side wall defines an access opening for loading items into the spin drum assembly and defines a plurality of perforations for permitting fluid to pass through the spin drum assembly. The end caps are respectively joined to the opposing ends of the side wall, and each have an outwardly-extending shaft. The door has a panel with a pair of arms extending away therefrom. The panel is arcuately shaped so as to wrap around a portion of the side wall. The arms are respectively disposed over the end caps and are pivotally mounted to the shafts so as to permit tile door to pivot between a closed position, wherein the panel covers the access opening, and an open position, wherein the panel is spaced from the access opening.

[0010] Also provided in accordance with the present invention is a washing machine that includes a housing, an outer drum, a spin drum assembly, an electric motor, and a power transmission system. The housing includes a panel with an external opening fitted with an outer door. The outer drum is mounted within the housing. The spin drum assembly, in turn, is rotatably mounted within the outer drum.

[0011] The spin drum assembly includes a side wall, a pair of end caps, and a door. The side wall is generally cylindrical and has opposing ends. The side wall defines an access opening for loading items into the spin drum assembly. The end caps are joined to the opposing ends of the side wall, and each have an outwardly-extending mounting shaft. The door has a panel joined between a pair of arms. The arms are respectively disposed over the end caps and are pivotally mounted to the mounting shafts so as to permit the door to pivot between a closed position, wherein the panel covers the access opening, and an open position, wherein the panel is spaced from the access opening.

[0012] The electric motor has a motor shaft that rotates when the electric motor is provided with electric power. The power transmission system is connected between a first one of the mounting shafts and the motor shaft. The power transmission system is operable to transmit the rotation of the motor shaft to the first one of the mounting shafts so as to rotate the spin drum assembly about a horizontal axis extending through the mounting shafts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

Fig. 1 shows a cut-away interior view of a washer having a spin drum assembly;

Fig. 2 shows a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the spin drum assembly;

Fig. 3 shows a front perspective view of a spin drum;

Fig. 4 shows a front perspective view of a door of the first embodiment;

Fig. 5 shows an end view of the door;

Fig. 6 shows a front view of the door;

Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the door taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the first embodiment of the spin drum assembly rotatably mounted in an outer drum;

Fig. 9 shows a front perspective view of a first composite door of a second embodiment of the spin drum assembly;

Fig. 10 shows an end view of the first composite door;

Fig. 11 shows a front view of the first composite door;

Fig. 12 shows a sectional view of the first composite door taken along line 12-12 in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 shows a detailed view of a portion of the first composite door;

Fig. 14 shows a front perspective view of a second composite door of a third embodiment of the spin drum assembly;

Fig. 15 shows an end view of the second composite door;

Fig. 16 shows a front view of the second composite door;

Fig. 17 shows a sectional view of the second composite door taken along line 17-17 in Fig. 15; and

Fig. 18 shows a detailed view of a portion of the second composite door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] It should be noted that in the detailed description which follows, identical components have the same reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the present invention. It should also be noted that in order to clearly and concisely disclose the present invention, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

[0015] Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a cut-away interior view of a washer 2, such as a clothes washing machine, having a spin drum assembly 1 (best shown in Fig. 2) embodied in accordance with the present invention. The washer 2 generally includes the spin drum assembly 1, an outer drum 5, a cabinet or housing, an outer door 21 and an electric motor 30. The housing is substantially rectangular and includes a top panel 22, a bottom panel 23, a front panel 26, a rear panel 27, a first side panel 24, and a second side panel 25, all of which are composed of sheet metal. An exterior opening 28 is centrally disposed in the top panel 22. An angular control panel 29 is mounted to a rear portion of the top panel 22 behind the exterior opening 28. The outer door 21 is pivotally attached to the top panel 22 so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the outer door 21 covers the exterior opening 28 and is substantially flush with the top panel 22. In the open position, the outer door 21 uncovers the exterior opening 28 and angles rearward towards the control panel 29.

[0016] The outer drum 5 is cylindrical and has a side wall 6, a first end wall 7, and a second end wall 8 (shown in Fig. 8). The outer drum 5 is situated within the housing such that the first and second end walls 7, 8 are parallel with the first and second side panels 24, 25 of the housing. A rectangular opening 9 is disposed in a top portion of the side wall 6. The rectangular opening 9 is aligned with the exterior opening 28 in the top panel 22 of the housing. A conduit 10 extends between the exterior opening 28 and the rectangular opening 9 so as to provide an access passage between the top panel 22 and the outer drum 5.

[0017] The outer drum 5 is disposed within the housing and is supported by a suspension system comprising four shock absorbing legs 12 having top and bottom ends. The bottom ends of the shock absorbing legs 12 are pivotally attached to four bottom brackets 14 that are respectively secured to the bottom panel 23 at its four corners. In a similar manner, the top ends of the shock absorbing legs 12 are pivotally attached to four top brackets (not shown) that are secured to the bottom of the outer drum 5. The bottom ends are attached to the bottom brackets 14 so as to pivot about an axis parallel to the front panel 26, while the top ends are attached to the top brackets so as to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the front panel 26. In this manner, the shock absorbing legs 12 insulate the housing from any movement of the outer drum 5 that may be caused by the rotation of the spin drum assembly 1. Naturally, it is contemplated that numerous equivalent suspension systems may be used with equal functionality.

[0018] Referring now to Fig. 2 there is shown a front perspective view of the spin drum assembly 1. The spin drum assembly 1 is generally cylindrical and is adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis. The spin drum assembly l generally includes a spin drum 40 and a door 90. The door 90 is movably mounted to the spin drum 40.

[0019] Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown a front perspective view of the spin drum 40. The spin drum 40 preferably embodies a construction disclosed in assignee's co-pending application entitled "PLASTIC HORIZONTAL AXIS SPIN TUB WITH INTEGRAL VANES", Serial No.           , Docket No. 29428, which is incorporated herein by reference. The spin drum 40 has a generally cylindrical side wall 44, a first end cap 50 and a second end cap 50'. Starting from the bottom of the spin drum 40 and proceeding in a clockwise manner (as viewed from the first end cap 50), the spin drum 40 has first second, third and fourth quarter cylinder sections when dissected by horizontal and vertical planes intersecting at the horizontal axis.

[0020] The side wall 44 is preferably composed of plastic and defines an access opening 45 located in the second quarter cylinder section of the spin drum 40. The side wall 44 also has a plurality of openings or perforations (not shown) formed therein that permit wash fluid to enter and exit the spin drum 40 during the operating cycles of the washer 2. The perforations extend around substantially all of the side wall 44.

[0021] A plurality of ribs 42 and a plurality of vanes 48 are integrally formed into the side wall 44 in order to strengthen the side wall 44 so as to prevent its deformation during the operation of the washer 2. The ribs 42 extend around the circumference of the side wall 44 and are preferably disposed equidistantly along the entire axial length of the side wall 44. The ribs 42 are narrow and project radially outward so as to have ends with exterior surfaces spaced radially outward from all other exterior surfaces of the side wall 44.

[0022] In addition to strengthening the side wall 44, the vanes 48 engage and tumble clothes inside the spin drum 40. The vanes 48 extend along the entire axial length of the side wall 44 and are preferably disposed equidistantly around the circumference of the side wall 44. The vanes 48 are generally C-shaped in cross-section and project radially inward so as to have ends with interior surfaces spaced radially inward from all other interior surfaces of the side wall 44. The interior surfaces of the vanes 48 are adapted to smoothly engage clothes contained within the spin drum 40.

[0023] The side wall 44 is comprised of a first wall segment 44a and a second wall segment 44b, each of which is generally cylindrical and has inner and outer ends. The second wall segment 44b, however, is substantially longer than the first wall segment 44a in an axial direction. The first and second wall segments 44a, 44b respectively define first and second radial openings. The first radial opening is disposed adjacent to the inner end of the first wall segment 44a, while the second radial opening is disposed adjacent to the inner end of the second wall segment 44b. Together, the first and second radial openings form the access opening 45.

[0024] The first wall segment 44a includes a minority of the ribs 42 and has first vane portions that extend between the inner and outer ends of the first wall segment 44a. The second wall segment 44b includes a majority of the ribs 42 and has second vane portions that extend between the inner and outer ends of the second wall segment 44b. The first and second vane portions are aligned with each other and together form the vanes 48.

[0025] The outer end of the first wall segment 44a is integrally joined to the first end cap 50 so as to form a first cylindrical section. Similarly, the outer end of the second wall segment 44b is integrally joined to the second end cap 50' so as to form a second cylindrical section. The first and second cylindrical sections are joined together at a joint 60 to form the spin drum 40. Specifically, the inner ends of the first and second wall segments 44a, 44b of the side wall 44 are joined together by a process known as heat welding, which is well known in the prior art. In accordance with this process, a heated platen is placed between the inner ends of the first and second wall segments 44a, 44b. The inner ends are then brought into contact with the heated platen. When the inner ends become melted, the inner ends are moved apart and the heated platen retracted. The inner ends are then brought together and held in place with a slight pressure until the inner ends cool and become molecularly welded together so as to form the joint 60. It is considered apparent that the present invention is not limited to the use of the heat welding process to join the first and second cylindrical sections. Other joining processes such as vibration welding or electromagnetic welding may be employed with equal functionality and without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as embodied in the claims appended hereto.

[0026] The first and second end caps 50, 50' are each generally circular and each have a center through which the horizontal axis extends. Each of the first and second end caps 50, 50' is preferably composed of plastic and includes a radially outer annular wall 54 disposed around a radially inner hub 51. An outer surface of the hub 51 is raised above an outer surface of the annular wall 54. A cylindrical projection 55 defining a passage extends outward from the hub 51. A plurality of legs 56 extend radially outward from the cylindrical projection 55 and dissect the hub 51 into a plurality of pie-shaped portions. The annular wall 54 has a periphery that includes arcuate notches 58 that project radially inward towards the hub 51. The arcuate notches 58 are evenly spaced around the periphery of the annular wall 54 and are aligned with the vanes 48 in the side wall 44.

[0027] The first and second end caps 50, 50' respectively have a first mounting shaft 70 and a second mounting shaft 70' (shown in Fig. 8). Each of the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' is preferably composed of a metal such as steel or aluminum and has an enlarged cylindrical portion 75, a diminished cylindrical portion 76, and an oblong portion 77. The enlarged cylindrical portions 75 are secured within the passages in the cylindrical projections 55 and extend outward therefrom. A base plate 72 (shown in Fig. 8) is secured to an interior end of each of the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70'. The base plates 72 are firmly disposed within slots formed in the hubs 51 and help anchor the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' to the first and second end caps 50, 50', respectively. The first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' and the base plates 72 are insert molded into the first and second end caps 50, 50', respectively. A threaded or tapped bore 74 is formed in the oblong portion 77 of the first mounting shaft 70 and extends through an exterior end of the first mounting shaft 70.

[0028] Each of the first and second end caps 50, 50' also has a track 80. The tracks 80 are integrally molded into the annular walls 54. With regard to the first end cap 50, the track 80 is radially disposed between the first mounting shaft 70 and the outer periphery of the annular wall 54. With regard to the second end cap 50', the track 80 is radially disposed between the second mounting shaft 70' and the outer periphery of the annular wall 54. The tracks 80 each include a flange 82 and a plurality of braces 85. Each of the flanges 82 is substantially semi-circular. The flanges 82 extend axially outward from the annular walls 54 and have first and second ends 83, 84. First and second stops 86, 87 respectively extend axially outward from the first and second ends 83, 84. The braces 85 are wedge-shaped and extend radially outward from the flanges 82. The braces 85 help prevent the flanges 82 from being bent radially outward.

[0029] The tracks 80 are radially aligned with each other, i.e., the tracks 80 are located the same radial distance outward from the horizontal axis. In addition, the tracks 80 are angularly aligned with each other, i.e., the tracks 80 have the same angular position relative to the horizontal axis. In this manner, the tracks 80 are both substantially located in the second and third quarter cylinder sections of the spin drum 40. A first half of each of the tracks 80 is substantially located in the second quarter cylinder section, while a second half of each of the tracks 80 is substantially located in the third quarter cylinder section. The first and second ends 83, 84 of the flange 82, however, are respectively located in the first and fourth quarter cylinder sections of the spin drum 40.

[0030] Referring now to Figs. 4-7, there is respectively shown a front perspective view of the door 90, an end view of the door 90, a front view of the door 90, and a sectional view of the door 90 taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 5. The door 90 is preferably composed of steel and is generally bonnet-shaped. The door 90 includes a panel 92 that is integrally joined between a pair of arms 96. The panel 92 is sized to cover the access opening 45 and defines a plurality of perforations 95 for permitting wash fluid to pass through the door 90 during operating cycles of the washer 2. The panel 92 has front and rear edges 93, 94, and opposing curved end portions. The panel 92 arcuately extends between the front and rear edges 93, 94 and has substantially the same curvature as the spin drum 40. In this manner, the panel 92 wraps around a portion of the spin drum 40.

[0031] The arms 96 are generally fan-shaped and extend radially inward from the end portions of the panel 92. Each arm 96 has a radially-inner portion 97 and a radially-outer portion 98 that are joined together by front, middle and rear fingers 91a, 91b, 91c so as to form a pair of pie-shaped openings 99. The radially-outer portions 98 are joined to the end portions of the panel 92. Each of the radially-inner portions 97 is arcuate and has an interior surface 100 (best shown in Fig. 7) that defines a mounting hole 102. The interior surfaces 100 and, therefore, the mounting holes 102 are substantially circular.

[0032] The door 90 is mounted to the spin drum 40 by first rotating the spin drum 40 so as to have the second and third quarter cylinder sections of the spin drum 40 in an upward position as best shown in Fig. 3. The door 90 is then positioned above the spin drum 40 with the arms 96 spread outward, and with a first one of the arms 96 located toward the first end cap 50 and a second one of the arms 96 located toward the second end cap 50'. The radially-inner portion 97 of the first one of the arms 96 is then pivoted downward and positioned over the exterior end of the first mounting shaft 70 such that the exterior end enters the mounting hole 102 in the first one of the arms 96. The door 90 is then moved axially inward until substantially all of the first mounting shaft 70 extends through the mounting hole 102 in the first one of the arms 96. The radially-inner portion 97 of the second one of the arms 96 is then pivoted downward and positioned over an exterior end of the second mounting shaft 70' such that the exterior end enters the mounting hole 102 in the second one of the arms 96. The arms 96 are then released so as to permit the second one of the arms 96 to resiliently move inward over the second mounting shaft 70'. When the arms 96 snap back into position, substantially all of the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' extend through the mounting holes 102 in the arms 96, thereby securing the door 90 to the spin drum 40.

[0033] Referring back to Fig. 2, the door 90 is shown mounted to the spin drum 40. The panel 92 is disposed over the side wall 44 and the arms 96 are respectively disposed over the first and second end caps 50, 50'. The tracks 80 are disposed adjacent to inner surfaces of the arms 96 and function as axial guides to prevent the door 90 from moving axially. The interior surfaces 100 within the radially-inner portions 97 of the arms 96 adjoin the enlarged cylindrical portions 75 of the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' and are movable in sliding relationship thereto. As a result, the door 90 is pivotable between a first or closed position (shown in Fig. 2), wherein the panel 92 covers the access opening 45, and a second or open position, wherein the panel 92 is spaced from, and uncovers, the access opening 45.

[0034] In the closed position, the door 90 is substantially located in the second quarter cylinder section of the spin drum 40 and is disposed over the first halves of the tracks 80. In the open position, the door 90 is substantially located in the third quarter cylinder section of the spin drum 40 and is disposed over the second halves of the tracks 80. In this manner, the door 90 pivots from the closed position to the open position in a clockwise direction (as viewed from the first end cap 50).

[0035] When the door 90 is in the open position, the second stops 87 abut the rear fingers 91c of the arms 96, thereby preventing the door 90 from being pivoted any further clockwise. When the door 90 is in the closed position, the first stops 86 abut the front fingers 91a of the arms 96, thereby preventing the door 90 from being pivoted any further counter-clockwise. Thus, the first and second stops 86, 87 prevent the door 90 from pivoting by operation of gravity to the bottom of the spin drum 40.

[0036] Referring now to Fig. 8, there is shown a sectional view of the spin drum assembly 1 rotatably mounted within the outer drum 5. The spin drum assembly 1 is concentric and coaxial with the outer drum 5. The first end wall 7 of the outer drum 5 has a passage 11 extending therethrough that is fitted with bearings 17. The second end wall 8 of the outer drum 5 has an enclosure 4 with a hollow interior 13 that opens into the interior of the outer drum 5 through an aperture in the second end wall 8. Disposed around the periphery of the hollow interior 13 are a plurality of bearings 19. The first mounting shaft 70 is journaled through the passage 11 and extends outward from an exterior surface of the first end wall 7. The second mounting shaft 70' extends through the aperture in the second end wall 8 and is rotatably received inside the hollow interior 13 of the enclosure 4. In this manner, the first and second end walls 7, 8 of the outer drum 5 rotatably support the spin drum assembly 1 within the interior of the outer drum 5.

[0037] Referring back to Fig. 1, a drive system is provided for rotating the spin drum assembly 1 around the horizontal axis during operating cycles of the washer 2. The drive system includes the electric motor 30 and a power transmission system. The electric motor 30 is secured to the bottom panel 23 of the washer 2 below the outer drum 5. The electric motor 30 is of a conventional type and is operable to rotate a motor shaft 31 projecting outward therefrom. The rotation of the motor shaft 31 is transmitted to the spin drum assembly 1 by the power transmission system, which includes an upper pulley 35, a lower pulley 36 and a drive belt 37. The lower pulley 36 is secured to the motor shaft 31 so as to rotate with the motor shaft 31. The upper pulley 35 is secured to the first mounting shaft 70 by a bolt that passes through the upper pulley 35 and is threadably received by the bore 74. The drive belt 37 is tightly wound around the upper pulley 35 and the lower pulley 36. When the motor shaft 31 rotates, the lower pulley 36 generates a rotational force that is transmitted to the upper pulley 35 by the drive belt 37. Since the upper pulley 35 is substantially larger than the lower pulley 36, the upper pulley 35 translates the rotational force into a large torque that is applied to the spin drum assembly 1 through the first mounting shaft 70. As a result of the application of the large torque, the spin drum assembly 1 rotates about the horizontal axis passing through the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' of the first and second end caps 50, 50'.

[0038] It is considered apparent that the present invention is not limited to the foregoing drive system. Rather, other drive systems may be employed with equal functionality and without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as embodied in the claims appended hereto.

[0039] At the beginning or end of the operating cycles of the washer 2, the interior of the spin drum 40 is accessed by angularly positioning the spin drum assembly 1 so that the access opening 45 in the spin drum 40 is aligned with the access passage extending through the top panel 22 and the outer drum 5. This angular positioning of the spin drum assembly 1 can be performed manually by an operator with or without the drive system, or can be performed automatically by the drive system operating in conjunction with alignment control means. If the angular positioning is performed manually, the outer door 21 must be opened first so as to enable the operator to manipulate and/or view the spin drum assembly 1. If the angular positioning is performed automatically, the outer door 21 can be opened before or after the angular positioning.

[0040] Once the spin drum assembly 1 is angularly positioned and the outer door 21 opened, the door 90 is moved to the open position as shown in Fig. 1. In the open position, the door 90 is spaced from the access passage and is disposed over the third quarter cylinder section of the spin drum 40, which is covered by the housing. Thus, the door 90 is not visible to the operator when the door 90 is in the open position.

[0041] A second embodiment of the present invention is provided having a spin drum assembly with substantially the same construction as the spin assembly 1 except the door 90 is replaced by a first composite door 110. Referring now to Figs. 9-13 there is respectively shown a front perspective view of the first composite door 110, an end view of the first composite door 110, a front view of the first composite door 110, a sectional view of the first composite door 110 taken along line 12-12 in Fig. 10, and a detailed view of a portion of the first composite door 110. The first composite door 110 is preferably composed of steel and is similar in appearance to the door 90. Unlike the door 90, however, the first composite door 110 is not a unitary structure. The first composite door 110 includes a panel 112 that is secured between a pair of arms 126. The panel 112 is sized to cover the access opening 45 and defines a plurality of perforations 115 for permitting wash fluid to pass through the first composite door 110 during operating cycles of the washer 2. The panel 112 has front and rear edges 113, 114, and opposing curved end portions 116. The end portions 116 curve radially inward. The panel 112 arcuately extends between the front and rear edges 113, 114 and has substantially the same curvature as the spin drum 40. In this manner, the panel 112 wraps around a portion of the spin drum 40.

[0042] The arms 126 are generally fan-shaped and extend radially inward from the end portions 116 of the panel 112. Each arm 126 has a radially-inner portion 127 and a radially-outer portion 128 that are joined together by front, middle and rear fingers 121a, 121b, 121c so as to form a pair of pie-shaped openings 129. The radially-outer portions 128 are secured to the end portions 116 of the panel 112 by rivets 140 (shown best in Fig. 13), which axially extend through the end portions 116 and the radially-outer portions 128. Each of the radially-inner portions 127 is arcuate and has an interior surface 130 (best shown in Fig. 12) that defines a mounting hole 135. The interior surfaces 130 and, therefore, the mounting holes 135 are substantially circular.

[0043] The first composite door 110 is mounted to the spin drum 40 by respectively fitting the arms 126 over the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' such that substantially all of the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' extend through the mounting holes 135 and their enlarged cylindrical portions 75 adjoin the interior surfaces 130 within the radially-inner portions 127 of the arms 126. The panel 112 is then placed over the spin drum 40 such that the end portions 116 are respectively disposed axially inward of the radially-outer portions 128 of the arms 126. The end portions 116 are then respectively secured to the radially-outer portions 128 by the rivets 140. It should be appreciated, however, that the arms 126 can be secured to the panel 112 by other means such as welding or metal clinching, or using other fastening means such as screws.

[0044] A third embodiment of the present invention is provided having a spin drum assembly with substantially the same construction as the spin assembly 1 except the door 90 is replaced by a second composite door 150. Referring now to Figs. 14-18 there is respectively shown a front perspective view of the second composite door 150, an end view of the second composite door 150, a front view of the second composite door 150, a sectional view of the second composite door 150 taken along line 17-17 in Fig. 15, and a detailed view of a portion of the second composite door 150. The second composite door 150 is preferably composed of steel and is similar in appearance to the door 90. Unlike the door 90, however, the second composite door 150 is not a unitary structure. The second composite door 150 includes a panel 162 that is secured between a pair of arms 176. The panel 162 is sized to cover the access opening 45 and defines a plurality of perforations 165 for permitting wash fluid to pass through the second composite door 150 during operating cycles of the washer 2. The panel 162 has front and rear edges 163, 164, and opposing end portions 166 (shown best in Fig. 18). The panel 162 arcuately extends between the front and rear edges 163, 164 and has substantially the same curvature as the spin drum 40. In this manner, the panel 162 wraps around a portion of the spin drum 40.

[0045] The arms 176 are generally fan-shaped and extend radially inward from the end portions 166 of the panel 162. Each arm 176 has a radially-inner portion 177 and a radially-outer portion 178 that are joined together by front, middle and rear fingers 171a, 171b, 171c so as to form a pair of pie-shaped openings 179. The radially-outer portions 178 each have an enlarged end 180 with a lip 182 (shown best in Figs. 17, 18) extending axially inward therefrom. The lips 182 are secured to the end portions 166 of the panel 162 by rivets 190 (shown best in Fig. 18), which radially extend through the lips 182 and the end portions 166. Each of the radially-inner portions 177 is arcuate and has an interior surface 185 (shown best in Fig. 17) that defines a mounting hole 187. The interior surfaces 185 and, therefore, the mounting holes 187 are substantially circular.

[0046] The second composite door 150 is mounted to the spin drum 40 by respectively fitting the arms 176 over the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' such that substantially all of the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' extend through the mounting holes 187 and their enlarged cylindrical portions 75 adjoin the interior surfaces 185 within the radially-inner portions 177 of the arms 176. The panel 162 is then placed over the spin drum 40 and disposed radially-inward of the lips 182 such that the end portions 166 are adjacent to radially-inner surfaces of the lips 182. The end portions 166 are then respectively secured to the lips 182 by the rivets 190. It should be appreciated, however, that the arms 176 can be secured to the panel 162 by other means such as welding or metal clinching, or using other fastening means such as screws.

[0047] It should be appreciated that the first and second composite doors 110, 150 operate in substantially the same manner as the door 90. Each of the first and second composite doors 110, 150 pivot between open and closed positions to respectively uncover and cover the access opening 45. In addition, the first and second composite doors 110, 150 are prevented from pivoting into the first and fourth quarter cylinder sections by the first and second stops 86, 87.

[0048] Although the preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. For example, with regard to the spin drum assembly 1, slots can be formed in the radially-inner portions 97 of the arms 96 in lieu of the mounting holes 102. The slots would extend radially inward and open exterior to the radially-inner portions 97 so as to provide the radially-inner portions 97 with generally C-shaped configurations. In this manner, the door 90 is mounted to the spin drum 40 by simply moving the door 90 over the spin drug 40 such that the first and second mounting shafts 70, 70' radially enter the slots.

[0049] Other modifications and rearrangements that can be made include changing the angular position of the tracks 80 such that the tracks 80 are substantially located in the first and second quarter cylinder sections of the spin drum 40. In this manner, the door 90, the first composite door 110 and the second composite door 150 would pivot from a closed position to an open position in a counter-clockwise direction (as viewed from the first end cap 50).

Claims

1. A spin drum assembly for use in a washing machine, said spin drum assembly comprising:

a generally cylindrical spin drum adapted for rotation about a center axis and defining a radial opening for loading items into the spin drum; and

a door for closing the radial opening, said door being pivotally mounted to the spin drum so as to pivot about the center axis of rotation of the spin drum.

2. The spin drum assembly of claim 2 wherein the center axis is horizontal.

3. The spin drum assembly of claim 1 wherein the spin drum comprises:

a generally cylindrical side wall defining the radial opening and defining a plurality of perforations for permitting fluid to pass through the spin drum; and

a pair of end walls having outwardly-extending shafts through which the center axis extends.

4. The spin drum assembly of claim 3 wherein the door comprises:

a panel having opposing end portions; and

a pair of arms respectively joined to the end portions of the panel, said arms being respectively disposed over the end walls of the spin drum and being pivotally mounted to the shafts.

5. The spin drum assembly of claim 4 wherein the arms of the door each have a radially-inward portion defining a mounting hole; and
   wherein the arms are disposed over the end walls such that the shafts are journaled through the mounting holes, thereby pivotally mounting the door to the spin drum.

6. The spin drum of claim 4 wherein the panel of the door is sized to cover the radial opening and is arcuately shaped to wrap around a portion of the spin drum.

7. The spin drum of claim 4 wherein the panel of the door and the spin drum each define a plurality of perforations for permitting fluid to pass through the spin drum.

8. The spin drum of claim 5 wherein the arms are each generally fan-shaped and define a pair of pie-shaped openings; and
   wherein the radially-inward portions of the arms are arcuate.

9. The spin drum of claim 4 wherein the panel and the arms are integrally joined together.

10. The spin drum of claim 4 wherein the arms are secured to the panel by rivets.

11. The spin drum of claim 10 wherein the end portions of the panel curve radially inward, and wherein the rivets axially extend through the end portions and the arms.

12. The spin drum of claim 10 wherein the arms each further comprise a radially-outward portion with a lip extending axially inward therefrom, said lips each having a radially-inward surface adjoining one of the end portions of the panel; and
   wherein the rivets radially extend through the lips and the end portions of the arms.

13. A spin drum assembly for use in a washing machine, said spin drum assembly comprising:

a generally cylindrical side wall having opposing ends, said side wall defining an access opening for loading items into the spin drum assembly and defining a plurality of perforations for permitting fluid to pass through the spin drum assembly;

a pair of end caps respectively joined to the opposing ends of the side wall, said end caps each having an outwardly-extending shaft; and

a door having a panel with a pair of arms extending away therefrom, said panel being arcuately shaped so as to wrap around a portion of the side wall, said arms being respectively disposed over the end caps and being pivotally mounted to the shafts so as to permit the door to pivot between a closed position, wherein the panel covers the access opening, and an open position, wherein the panel is spaced from the access opening.

14. The spin drum assembly of claim 13 wherein the spin drum assembly is adapted for rotation about a horizontal axis extending through the shafts.

15. The spin drum assembly of claim 13 wherein the shafts each have a cylindrical portion.

16. The spin drum assembly of claim 15 wherein the arms of the door each have a radially-inward portion with an arcuate interior surface; and
   wherein the arms are disposed over the end caps such that the interior surfaces adjoin the cylindrical portions of the shafts and are movable in sliding relation thereto, thereby pivotally mounting the door to the shafts.

17. The spin drum assembly of claim 16 wherein each of the interior surfaces is substantially circular and defines a hole through which the cylindrical portion of one of the shafts extends.

18. The spin drum assembly of claim 16 wherein the radially-inward portions of the arms are arcuate.

19. A washing machine comprising:

a housing having a panel with an external opening fitted with an outer door;

an outer drum mounted within the housing;

a spin drum assembly rotatably mounted within the outer drum, said spin drum assembly comprising:

a generally cylindrical side wall having opposing ends, said side wall defining an access opening for loading items into the spin drum assembly;

a pair of end caps joined to the opposing ends of the side wall, said end caps each having an outwardly-extending mounting shaft; and

a door having a panel joined between a pair of arms, said arms being respectively disposed over the end caps and being pivotally mounted to the mounting shafts so as to permit the door to pivot between a closed position, wherein the panel covers the access opening, and an open position, wherein the panel is spaced from the access opening;

an electric motor having a motor shaft that rotates when the electric motor is provided with electric power; and

a power transmission system connected between a first one of the mounting shafts and the motor shaft, said power transmission system being operable to transmit the rotation of the motor shaft to the first one of the mounting shafts so as to rotate the spin drum assembly about a horizontal axis extending through the mounting shafts.

20. The washing machine of claim 19 wherein the outer drum comprises a generally cylindrical side wall and first and second end walls, said first end wall defining a passage through which the first one of the mounting shafts is journaled, and said second end wall being adapted to rotatably support a second one of the mounting shafts.

21. The washing machine of claim 20 wherein the side wall of the outer drum has an opening aligned with the external opening in the panel of the housing.

22. The washing machine of claim 21 wherein the panel of the door is not visible through the opening in the outer drum when the door is in the open position.

23. The washing machine of claim 19 wherein the door is bonnet shaped.

24. The washing machine of claim 19 wherein the arms of the door each have a radially-inward portion defining a mounting hole; and
   wherein the arms are disposed over the end caps such that the shafts are journaled through the mounting holes, thereby pivotally mounting the door to the spin drum.

Drawing