GB2166790A

GB2166790A - Dishwashing machine with front loading door

Info

Publication number: GB2166790A
Application number: GB08527503A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roberto Sgobaro
Original assignee: Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA
Current assignee: Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA
Priority date: 1984-11-13
Filing date: 1985-11-07
Publication date: 1986-05-14
Also published as: DE8531220U1; ES290176U; ES290176Y; GB2166790B; FR2572921A3; FR2572921B3; IT8434070V0; GB8527503D0

Abstract

The door 4 extending over the width of the machine is hinged to the casing about a horizontal axis (7) at the level of the bottom of the washing tank, and extends below the axis in the closure position, opposite a recess (8) in the casing, and is provided with relief portions (9). The lower portion of the door fits into said recess (8) when the door (4) is in the open position. Movable protective side portions (11) cover the ends of the recess. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dishwashing machine with front loading door The present invention relates to a domestic dishwashing machine having a front loading door which is pivoted about a horizontal axis which, in accordance with design standards, extends substantially at the level of the bottom of the washing tank.

French patent application No. 2497653 discloses a dishwashing machine provided with a front loading door which is hinged in the above-indicated manner, above a recessed part provided in the base plinth portion of the machine. For aesthetic reasons, the door extends over the entire width of the machine and in the closed position extends below the pivot axis while the lower portion of the door can fit into the recessed part of the base plinth when the door is opened.

In order to prevent the lower portion of the door from colliding in the open position with the side walls of the casing of the machine, the lower portion of the door is smaller in width than the remainder of the door, giving an aesthetic result which is in conflict with the requirement that the front panels of the domestic electrical appliances should be matched to the configuration of the items which are possibly disposed at the sides thereof.

A dishwashing machine substantially of the type described is also known for example from US patent No. 2314666, wherein the front door thereof is of a more square and linear configuration, being of a constant width which is less than that of the machine. Not even that construction fully satisfies the aesthetic requirements made in respect of a dishwashing machine of the type with which this application is concerned, since frontal gaps at the sides of the door remain visible, which is undesirable.

French patent application No. 2499397 discloses a dishwashing machine in which the door is hinged at its base to the casing of the machine and which, fixed to the front thereof, carries a rigid trim panel over its entire width, projecting downwardly (with the door closed) below the axis of pivotal movement of the door. To permit the lower portion of the panel to be fitted into a suitable recess portion provided in the base plinth of the machine, when the door is opened, the side walls of the casing of the dishwashing machine are also of a configuration corresponding to the profile of the above-mentioned recess portion in the base plinth of the machine.That construction is irrelevant whenever the dishwashing machine is without the front trim panel which is used when the machine is being installed beside other kitchen units or of the type referred to as free standing, that is to say, where it is arranged to be installed on its own.

In contrast, if a dishwashing machine of that type were accessible from the side or from the bottom, there would be the danger of the user squashing a hand between the trim panel and the recess portion of the base plinth when the door is being opened.

According to the invention, there is provided a dishwashing machine comprising a washing tank and a front loading door which is hinged to the casing of the machine about a horizontal axis which extends substantially at the level of the bottom of the washing tank, the door extending below the hinge axis in the closed position, at a position corresponding to a recess in the casing of the machine, wherein the door extends substantially over the entire width of the machine and the lower portion thereof which extends below the hinge axis in the closed position of the door is shaped at opposite sides with respective relief portions which extend over the inward side of the door only over a portion of the thickness thereof, said lower portion of the door being capable of fittng into said recess in the casing when the door is in the open position.

As will become apparent from the following description, the illustrated embodiment of the invention can provide a dishwashing machine with a front loading door which affords the machine an aesthetic aspect which can be easily adapted to other standard kitchen units, irrespective of whether the free standing type or the side-by-side type of installation is employed and which minimizes any risk to the user while opening and closing the door, particularly in the case of a free standing installation.

Whenever the dishwashing machine is to be installed in a free standing mode, it is preferably provided on each side with a small protective side portion which is movable in a plane between the respective side of the machine and the washing tank, in line with the relief portion, and which extends in a position corresponding to the recess of the casing when the door is in the closure position.

The invention will be further described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front view of a dishwashing machine according to the invention, Figures 2 and 3 are diagrammatic perspective views of parts of respective versions of the dishwashing machine shown in Fig. 1.

The dishwashing machine shown in Fig. 1 comprises a front loading door 4 which extends substantially over the entire width and at its top carries a control panel 5. The door 4 is hinged to the casing of the machine, above a base plinth portion 6, about a horizontal axis 7 which extends at a level substantially corresponding to the bottom of the washing tank (not shown).

As can be seen from Fig. 2, in the closure position the door 4 extends below the hinge axis 7, at a position corresponding to a shaped recess 8 which is provided in the cas ing of the machine.

The portion of the door 4 which is extended below the axis 7 is shaped at opposite sides with respective undercut or relief portions 9 which are provided on the inward side of the door. At positions corresponding to the relief portions 9, the sides of the door 4 ex tend in a plane bstween the respective side 10 of the machine and the washing tank.

When the door 4 is moved into the open position (shown in dash-dotted lines), the por tion thereof which is below the axis 7 en gages into the recess 8 and the relief portions 9 avoid any collision with the sides 10 of the machine.

In per se known fashion, if the dishwashing machine is to be installed in side-by-side rela tionship with other kitchen units, the door 4 may carry on its front a thin decorative panel (not shown) for the purposes of aethetic matching of the front of the machine.

Particularly in the situation where the dish washing machine is to be installed in a free standing manner, being therefore visible and Sccessible also from the sides, it is possible to provide on each side of the machine a shaped protective side portion 11 which extends in a position corresponding to the re cess 8 in the casing, when the door is closed.

The side portions 11 are preferably rigidly fixed to the door 4 (by catch means or the like which are not shown) and are disposed substantially in line with the sides of the door, at positions corresponding to the relief por tions 9.

Therefore, while the door is opened, the side portions 11 are movably fixedly therewith in a plane between the washing tank and the corresponding side 10 of the machine.

Whenever there are problems of obstruction or components striking against each other, re lating to the hinge (not shown) of the door, the alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 3 may be appropriate.

In accordance with the alternative embodi ment, at least one of the side portions 11, instead of being fixed to the door 4, is spring loaded against the door and is supported on guides or the like (not shown). Thus, when the door 4 is opened, the side portion 11 is forced to move in a substantially horizontal direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, thereby overcoming the force of the spring means (also not shown).

In any case, that arrangement eliminates the danger that the user may accidentally suffer from limbs being squashed between the lower part of the door and the recess at the bottom of the casing.

Claims

1. A dishwashing machine comprising a washing tank and a front loading door which is hinged to the casing of the machine about a horizontal axis which extends substantially at the level of the bottom of the washing tank, the door extending below the hinge axis in the closed position, at a position corresponding to a recess in the casing of the machine, wherein the door extends, substantially over the entire width of the machine and the lower portion thereof which extends below the hinge axis in the closed position of the door is shaped at opposite sides with respective relief portions which extend over the inward side of the door only over a portion of the thickness thereof, said lower portion of the door being capable of fitting into said recess in the casing when the door is in the open position.

2. A dishwashing machine according to claim 1 wherein, at positions corresponding to said relief portions, the sides of the door extend in a plane which is between the respective side of the machine and the washing tank.

3. A dishwashing machine according to claim 2 and comprising on each side of the machine a protective side portion which is movable substantially in said plane and which extends in a position corresponding to the recess in the casing when the door is in the closed position.

4. A dishwashing machine according to claim 3 wherein said side portion is fixed to the loading door.

5. A dishwashing machine according to claim 3 or 4 wherein said side portion is spring-loaded against the loading door and is capable of moving in a substantially horizontal direction when the door is moved into the open position.

6. A dishwashing machine constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.