Drum type washing machine

• US 20050178163A1
• Filed: 08/18/2004
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kang, Yu Beom, Hur, Chi Wan, Kim, Jae Kyum, Je, Sang Man, Kim, Geon
• Granted Patent: US 7,363,779 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/3.R
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/12 Casings; Tubs

Abstract

A drum-type washing machine, by which an enhanced assembly of a top plate can be provided, is disclosed. The top plate for a washing machine includes a board covering a top of the washing machine, a front frame provided to a front side edge of the board to enhance a structural strength of the board, a rear frame provided to a rear side edge of the board to enhance the structural strength of the board, at least one connecting member provided to adjoining portions of the front and rear frames to secure the adjoining portions together, and at least one fixing guide spaced apart from the at least one connecting member, the at least one fixing guide providing a slip-fit connection between the front and rear frames.

Claims

1. A top plate for a washing machine, comprising:

a board covering a top of the washing machine;

a front frame provided to a front side edge of the board to enhance a structural strength of the board;

a rear frame provided to a rear side edge of the board to enhance the structural strength of the board;

at least one connecting member provided to adjoining portions of the front and rear frames to secure the adjoining portions together; and

at least one fixing guide spaced apart from the at least one connecting member, the at least one fixing guide providing a slip-fit connection between the front and rear frames.

2. The top plate of claim 1, wherein the fixing guide comprises:

a first guide extending from one of the front and rear frames and having a coupling part protruding from a tip of the first guide;

a recess provided to the other one of the front and rear frames to have the first guide inserted therein; and

a second guide provided to a side of the recess to guide an insertion of the first guide, the second guide having a protruding part which securely engages with the coupling part of the first guide.

3. The top plate of claim 2, wherein a tilted portion is provided to a surface of the coupling part confronting the second guide, the tilted portion being tilted in a direction of the insertion of the first guide.

4. The top plate of claim 3, wherein a tilted guide surface is provided to the protruding part of the second guide to have the tilted portion of the coupling part slid thereon.

5. The top plate of claim 2, wherein the first guide is formed of an elastic member.

6. The top plate of claim 2, wherein the first guide and the one of the front and rear frames are formed as a first single body, and the second guide and the other one of the front and rear frames are formed as a second single body.

7. The top plate of claim 2, wherein a width of the first guide decreases toward the tip of the first guide.

8. The top plate of claim 1, wherein an insertion part is provided to an inside edge of each of the front and rear frames to have the board inserted therein.

9. The top plate of claim 1, wherein the connecting member and the fixing guide are provided to both side edges of the adjoining portions of the front and rear frames, respectively.

10. The top plate of claim 1, wherein the connecting member comprises a staple.

11. A drum-type washing machine, comprising:

a cabinet forming an exterior of the drum-type washing machine;

a tub provided within the cabinet;

a drum rotatably provided within the tub; and

a top plate covering a top of the cabinet, wherein the top plate comprises;

a board;

a front frame provided to a front side edge of the board to enhance a structural strength of the board;

a rear frame provided to a rear side edge of the board to enhance the structural strength of the board;

at least one connecting member provided to adjoining portions of the front and rear frames to secure the adjoining portions together; and

at least one fixing guide spaced apart from the at least one connecting member, the at least one fixing guide providing a slip-fit connection between the front and rear frames.

12. The drum-type washing machine of claim 11, the fixing guide comprising:

a first guide extending from one of the front and rear frames and having a coupling part protruding from a tip of the first guide;

a recess provided to the other one of the front and rear frames to have the first guide inserted therein; and

a second guide provided to a side of the recess to guide an insertion of the first guide, the second guide having a protruding part which securely engages with the coupling part of the first guide.

13. The drum-type washing machine of claim 12, wherein a tilted portion is provided to a surface of the coupling part confronting the second guide, the tilted portion being tilted in a direction of the insertion of the first guide.

14. The drum-type washing machine of claim 13, wherein a tilted guide surface is provided to the protruding part of the second guide to have the tilted portion of the coupling part slid thereon.

15. The drum-type washing machine of claim 12, wherein the first guide is formed of an elastic member.

16. The drum-type washing machine of claim 12, wherein the first guide and the one of the front and rear frames are formed as a first single body, and the second guide and the other one of the front and rear frames are formed as a second single body.

17. The drum-type washing machine of claim 12, wherein a width of the first guide decreases toward the tip of the first guide.

18. The drum-type washing machine of claim 11, wherein an insertion part is provided to an inside edge of each of the front and rear frames to have the board inserted therein.

19. The drum-type washing machine of claim 11, wherein the connecting member and the fixing guide are provided to both side edges of the adjoining portions of the front and rear frames, respectively.

20. The drum-type washing machine of claim 11, wherein the connecting member comprises a staple.