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Door lock

  • US 7,210,711 B2
  • Filed: 11/06/2001
  • Issued: 05/01/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An appliance door latch for retaining a striker member, the latch comprising:

  • a latch frame affixable to a portion of the appliance;

    a carrier member held by the latch frame to move between first and second positions;

    a spring biasing the carrier member toward the second position;

    a gripping member supported on the carrier member to move with the carrier member and rotate independently with respect to the carrier member about a rotational axis, the gripping member rotating to capture a portion of the striker member in a capture position when the striker member enters an opening formed in the gripping member and rotating to release the striker member in a release position when the striker member exits the opening;

    a stop device cooperating with the gripping member to hold the carrier member in the first position with the spring in a high state of inner tension when the gripping member is in the release position and to release the canier member to the second position with the spring in a lower state of inner tension when the gripping member rotates to the capture position, the stop device providing a contact portion for rolling contact with the gripping member;

    wherein the stop device includes one or more wiling contact, bearings to support the contact portion for rotation with respect to the latch frame; and

    ,wherein the stop device includes a pin forming the contact portion at its outer circumferential surface and rotatably supported at its ends by rolling contact bearings.

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