Cabinet for washing machine

• US 6,460,949 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jung, Dong-San
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GERALD A
• Application Number:
  US09/725,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20020008448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 312/228, 312/228.1, 248/638, 428/221, 68/237, 68/231
• US Class Current: 312/228
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/12 Casings; Tubs

Abstract

A cabinet for a washing machine including a vibration-proof plate attached to the front panel to reduce vibrations. A recess is provided to the vibration-proof plate'"'"'s lower part, and a recess is formed on the front panel'"'"'s lower part corresponding to the recess of the plate. A plurality of screw holes are each provided to upper and lower ends of the respective vibration-proof plate and front panel, and the vibration-proof plate is screw attached to the front panel. The vibration-proof plate has a plurality of hooks that are provided on both sides of its inner surface, and the front panel has a plurality of mating hook holes that are provided on both sides thereof so that the vibration-proof plate is more firmly attached to the front panel. The overall vibration-proof plate is convex to the outside, and at least one vibration-absorbing member is attached to the inner surface of the vibration-proof plate, thus contacting the front panel.

Claims

1. A cabinet for a washing machine comprising:

an integrally formed front panel, side panels and a rear panel,

an opened top and an opened bottom,

an opening portion formed in the rear panel for electric connection and for maintaining and repairing the washing machine,

a cover plate for shutting the opening portion,

a vibration-proof plate attached to the front panel to reduce vibrations, and

at least one vibration-absorbing member paced between an inner surface of the vibration-proof plate, the at least one vibration-absorbing member contacting the front panel.

2. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 1:

wherein a recess is provided in a lower part of the vibration-proof plate, and

wherein a recess is formed in a lower part of the front panel corresponding to the recess of said plate, thus allowing a user to come closer to an inside of the washing machine.

3. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 1:

wherein a plurality of mating screw holes are each provided to upper and lower ends of the respective vibration-proof plate and front panel, such that the vibration-proof plate is screw attached to the front panel.

4. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 3:

wherein the vibration-proof plate includes a plurality of hooks that are provided on both sides of the inner surface thereof, and

wherein the front panel includes a plurality of hook holes that are provided on both sides thereof, such that the hooks each mate with respective hook holes so that the vibration-proof plate is more firmly attached to the front panel.

5. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 1:

wherein the vibration-proof plate is convex to the outside, and there is a gap provided between the vibration-proof plate and the front panel.

6. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the vibration-absorbing member is made of a sponge material.

7. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vibration-absorbing member is made of a rubber material.

8. A cabinet for a washing machine comprising:

an integrally formed front panel, side panels and a rear panel,

an opened top and an opened bottom,

an opening portion formed in the rear panel for electric connection and for maintaining and repairing the washing machine,

a cover plate for shutting the opening portion,

a vibration-proof plate attached to the front panel to reduce vibrations,

wherein a recess is provided in a lower part of the vibration-proof plate, and

wherein a recess is formed in a lower part of the front panel corresponding to the recess of said plate, thus allowing a user to come closer to an inside of the washing machine.

9. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 8:

wherein a plurality of mating screw holes are each provided to upper and lower ends of the respective vibration-proof plate and front panel, such that the vibration-proof plate is screw attached to the front panel.

10. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 9:

wherein the vibration-proof plate includes a plurality of hooks that are provided on both sides of an inner surface thereof, and

wherein the front panel includes a plurality of hook holes that are provided on both sides thereof, such that the hooks each mate with respective hook holes so that the vibration-proof plate is more firmly attached to the front panel.

11. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 10:

wherein the vibration-proof plate is convex to the outside, and there is a gap provided between the vibration-proof plate and the front panel.

12. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 11:

wherein at least one vibration-absorbing member is attached to the inner surface of the vibration-proof plate and contacts the front panel.

13. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the vibration-absorbing member is made of a sponge material.

14. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the vibration-absorbing member is made of a rubber material.

15. A cabinet for a washing machine comprising:

an integrally formed front panel, side panels and a rear panel,

an opened top and an opened bottom,

an opening portion formed in the rear panel for electric connection and for maintaining and repairing the washing machine,

a cover plate for shutting the opening portion,

a vibration-proof plate attached to the front panel to reduce vibrations, and

wherein a plurality of mating screw holes are each provided to upper and lower ends of the respective vibration-proof plate and front panel, such that the vibration-proof plate is screw attached to the front panel.

16. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 15:

wherein the vibration-proof plate includes a plurality of hooks that are provided on both sides of an inner surface thereof, and

wherein the front panel includes a plurality of hook holes that are provided on both sides thereof, such that the hooks each mate with respective hook holes so that the vibration-proof plate is more firmly attached to the front panel.

17. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 15:

wherein the vibration-proof plate is convex to the outside, and there is a gap provided between the vibration-proof plate and the front panel.

18. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 17:

wherein at least one vibration-absorbing member is attached to the inner surface of the vibration-proof plate and contacts the front panel.

19. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the vibration-absorbing member is made of a sponge material.

20. A cabinet for a washing machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein the vibration-absorbing member is made of a rubber material.