GB2118580A

GB2118580A - Window for washing machines

Info

Publication number: GB2118580A
Application number: GB08309969A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Luigi Venturelli
Original assignee: Faini SpA
Current assignee: Faini SpA
Priority date: 1982-04-16
Filing date: 1983-04-13
Publication date: 1983-11-02
Also published as: IT8206977V0; FR2525250A3; GB2118580B; GB8309969D0; FR2525250B3; DE8304273U1; ES270989U; ES270989Y

Abstract

A window for a washing machine comprises a glass member (1) having a circumferential edge (2) which projects outwardly and an annular support (3) of plastics material for the said window. The support (3) comprises two complementary rings (4, 5) which nest together and have two flanges or opposing end portions (9 to 12) towards the centre between which the circumferential edge (2) of the glass member (1) is secured after the two rings have been joined together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Window for washing machines The present invention relates to a window for washing machines which includes a circumferential annular support of plastics material comprising two complementary rings which nest into one another and have two opposing portions between which the edge of the glass of the window is secured.

In windows of the known type for washing machines, the glass is generally associated with and secured to a circumferential annular support by means of nesting sections or the like or by means of screws.

In accordance with known embodiments, the annular support may consist of a single unit or two relatively thin units which are tongued together.

However in every case it is very difficult to secure the glass to the annular support by means of sections because the edge of the glass is very often irregular and cannot therefore be fitted correctly to the support.

In an attempt to avoid the use of securing sections, proposals have also been made for windows in which the glass is fixed to the annular support by direct pressing or in any event by matching the latter to the edge of the glass, with the result of complicating the process of window manufacture.

This invention on the other hand is concerned with a window for washing machines in which the annular support consists of two complementary rings which nest together so as to secure the edge of the glass of the window between them without the need for further operations or additional means of fixing The principal object of this invention is therefore to provide a window which can be manufactured more simply and assembled more rapidly, reliably and rationally, and therefore at a lower cost, than heretofore.

According to the present invention there is provided a window for a washing machine comprising a glass member having a circumferential edge which projects outwardly and an annular support of plastics material for the said window, in which the said annular support comprises two complementary rings which nest together and have two flanges or opposing portions towards the centre between which the circumferential edge of the glass is secured after the two rings have been joined together.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrated the finished window installed in a washing machine; Figure 2 illustrates a portion of the window in radial section, and Figure 3 shows a section corresponding to that in Fig. 2, but with the components of the window separated.

In the said drawing (1) indicates the glass of the window with a circumferential edge (2) which projects outwardly while (3) indicates generally the annular support of plastics material for the said window.

According to the invention, the said annular support (3) consists of a first ring (4) which is intended to be placed in front or in view and a second ring (5) which is intended to be placed behind. More specifically, the first ring (4) has two concentric annular portions (6,7) which are interconnected by a front wall (8) having a desired concave shape, each of which portions is provided with beads or projections (6') and (7') respectively which face each other. An annular flange (9) which faces the centre of the ring is provided as an integral part of the innermost annular portion (7).

In turn, the second ring (5), which may be reinforced with radial ribs (5') comprises a circumferential step (10) which is intended to nest with bead or projections (6') of annular portion (6) of the first ring (4), in the intermediate part a rib (11) with a groove (11') which is intended to nest with bead or projection (7') of annular portion (7) of the first ring (4), and towards the centre an annular flange (12) facing annular flange (9) of the said first ring (4).

By virtue of the above,the two rings (4,5) can be nested together as shown in Fig. 2 and once assembled, secure between them, more specifically between the corresponding opposing flanges (9 to 12), the edge (2) of the glass (1) without the need for any additional means.

It should be noted that the two units may also be nested together in other ways while remaining within the scope of the invention provided that the edge of the glass is secured between two opposing flanges obtained as a result of the connection of the two rings.

Finally circular ribs or projections (9' to 12') which are intended to engage the edge (2) of the glass (1) in order to provide a seal may be provided on opposing flanges (9 to 12).

1. A window for a washing machine comprising a glass member having a circumferential edge which projects outwardly and an annular support of plastics material for the said window, in which the said annular support comprises two complementary rings which nest together and have two flanges or opposing portions towards the centre between which the circumferential edge of the glass is secured after the two rings have been joined together.

2. A window as claimed in claim 1, in which a first ring which is intended to be placed in front and has two concentric annular

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Window for washing machines The present invention relates to a window for washing machines which includes a circumferential annular support of plastics material comprising two complementary rings which nest into one another and have two opposing portions between which the edge of the glass of the window is secured. In windows of the known type for washing machines, the glass is generally associated with and secured to a circumferential annular support by means of nesting sections or the like or by means of screws. In accordance with known embodiments, the annular support may consist of a single unit or two relatively thin units which are tongued together. However in every case it is very difficult to secure the glass to the annular support by means of sections because the edge of the glass is very often irregular and cannot therefore be fitted correctly to the support. In an attempt to avoid the use of securing sections, proposals have also been made for windows in which the glass is fixed to the annular support by direct pressing or in any event by matching the latter to the edge of the glass, with the result of complicating the process of window manufacture. This invention on the other hand is concerned with a window for washing machines in which the annular support consists of two complementary rings which nest together so as to secure the edge of the glass of the window between them without the need for further operations or additional means of fixing The principal object of this invention is therefore to provide a window which can be manufactured more simply and assembled more rapidly, reliably and rationally, and therefore at a lower cost, than heretofore. According to the present invention there is provided a window for a washing machine comprising a glass member having a circumferential edge which projects outwardly and an annular support of plastics material for the said window, in which the said annular support comprises two complementary rings which nest together and have two flanges or opposing portions towards the centre between which the circumferential edge of the glass is secured after the two rings have been joined together. The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrated the finished window installed in a washing machine; Figure 2 illustrates a portion of the window in radial section, and Figure 3 shows a section corresponding to that in Fig. 2, but with the components of the window separated. In the said drawing (1) indicates the glass of the window with a circumferential edge (2) which projects outwardly while (3) indicates generally the annular support of plastics material for the said window. According to the invention, the said annular support (3) consists of a first ring (4) which is intended to be placed in front or in view and a second ring (5) which is intended to be placed behind. More specifically, the first ring (4) has two concentric annular portions (6,7) which are interconnected by a front wall (8) having a desired concave shape, each of which portions is provided with beads or projections (6') and (7') respectively which face each other. An annular flange (9) which faces the centre of the ring is provided as an integral part of the innermost annular portion (7). In turn, the second ring (5), which may be reinforced with radial ribs (5') comprises a circumferential step (10) which is intended to nest with bead or projections (6') of annular portion (6) of the first ring (4), in the intermediate part a rib (11) with a groove (11') which is intended to nest with bead or projection (7') of annular portion (7) of the first ring (4), and towards the centre an annular flange (12) facing annular flange (9) of the said first ring (4). By virtue of the above,the two rings (4,5) can be nested together as shown in Fig. 2 and once assembled, secure between them, more specifically between the corresponding opposing flanges (9 to 12), the edge (2) of the glass (1) without the need for any additional means. It should be noted that the two units may also be nested together in other ways while remaining within the scope of the invention provided that the edge of the glass is secured between two opposing flanges obtained as a result of the connection of the two rings. Finally circular ribs or projections (9' to 12') which are intended to engage the edge (2) of the glass (1) in order to provide a seal may be provided on opposing flanges (9 to 12). CLAIMS

2. A window as claimed in claim 1, in which a first ring which is intended to be placed in front and has two concentric annular portions each of which is provided with means for gripping and a second ring which is intended to be placed behind and is provided at its circumference and in its intermediate portion with coupling means which are complementary to the gripping means of the annular portions of the first ring in order to nest together, the said two rings having two opposing flanges towards the centre which are intended to secure the circumferential edge of the glass between them.

3. A window as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the said two opposing flanges are provided with circular ribs or projections which engage and seal the circumferential edge of the glass.

4. A window for washing machines, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.