Abstract: A door latch and release apparatus is for moving a door into a finally closed condition with respect to a door frame and initially moving the door out of its closed condition to overcome the force of compressing or decompressing a continuous metallic gasket extending around the entire periphery between the door and the door frame. A handle on the door is linked to one end of a rocker arm which is pivotally mounted on the door. An antifriction rocker arm roller is rotatably mounted on the other end of the rocker arm in position to lie between a latch edge portion of the door frame and a latch plate finger fixedly supported with respect to the door frame latch edge portion. With the door handle in its open position, the door is closed until the roller contacts the door frame latch edge portion, and then the handle is manually moved to its closed position with the roller rolling on the finger to finally close the door with enough force to easily compress the metallic gasket between the door and the frame.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a cabinet door of a microwave range is provided with a pivotal hook member of the cabinet door, which member is engaged with a dog projection of a hook housing mounted in a door-opening frame of a main body of the microwave range. On a peripheral portion of a cooking cabinet contained in the main body is fixedly mounted a door-opening frame on which is pivotally mounted a hook-operating lever in a lower-end portion of which is slidably mounted one end of a hook-operating rod the other end of which is brought into contact with the pivotal hook member of the cabinet door, the hook-operating rod being normally biased at its retracted position by a spring means. An upper-end portion of the hook-operating lever is brought into contact with a push pin portion of a push button which is mounted in a control panel of the microwave range in a retractable manner.

Abstract: A microcontroller-based control circuit is provided for an appliance. The appliance includes an access door and an access door actuated switch operated between open and closed postures. The microcontroller monitors the operating condition of the access door actuated switch. If the access door actuated switch has not been cycled between an open and closed posture since the completion of a cycle of operations, a new cycle will not be allowed to start.

Abstract: A self-cleaning over door latching mechanism is provided with a locking arrangement responsive to the oven cavity temperature, which includes a locking pin moved by a snap action bimetal member mounted in thermal communication with an oven cavity wall. The bimetal member moves the locking pin to a locking position when the temperature sensed by the bimetal rises above the locking temperature. In its locked position the locking pin prevents the opening of the latch until the temperature in the oven cavity falls below the locking temperature. In its locked position the locking pin also actuates a lock switch electrically connected in parallel with a thermal limit switch. The thermal limit switch provides over temperature protection for the cavity when operating in the normal cooking modes. When actuated, the lock switch shunts the limit switch thereby enabling the temperature in the cavity to rise to the self-clean range.

Abstract: A latch for an appliance door has a support member adapted to be mounted within the appliance, and a latch assembly movable on the support member between latching and unlatching positions. The latch assembly includes a bracket member, a pivotal mounting between the bracket member and the support, an elongated operating handle affixed to the bracket member, a latch arm for locking a door having a slot about the pivotal mounting whereby the latch arm may have rotational and translational motion with respect to the pivotal mounting. A toggle arm is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the bracket member and at the other end thereof to the latch arm, and a spring is connected between one end of the toggle arm and the support member whereby, upon operation of the handle from an unlatched to a latched position, the latch arm is moved to a position to latch the door and the spring holds the assembly in a stable condition.

Abstract: A latch for oven doors and the like includes a support, and a latch assembly movable on the support between latching and unlatching positions having a handle, a latching arm and a projecting arm. The handle is operative to move the latch arm between latching and unlatching positions. Also included are a locking pawl having an abutment thereon engagable by the projecting arm to block its movement from latching to unlatching position, a thermal element operatively connected to the locking pawl and responsive to elevated temperatures to move the pawl from a first position wherein the abutment is removed from the path of movement of the projecting arm from latching position to unlatching posiiton and to a second position wherein the abutment is disposed in the path of movement of the projecting arm to block its movement into unlatching position.

Abstract: A latch assembly for securing a microwave oven door comprising two latch pawls engaging latch hangers, a vertically reciprocable or movable member having an elongated hole, a rack and two spaced legs, a spring-biased pinion contacting with a push-button. The force applied by the spring bias facilitates closing and opening the door. Upon pushing a button which rotates the pinion counter-clockwise, thereby reciprocating the movable member having the rack upwardly to disengage the latch pawls from the latch hangers.

Abstract: According to the invention, a fixed bolt is provided on the door of a dishwashing apparatus and cooperates with a strike plate on a cabinet, against which the door seats in a closed position, to latch the door in the closed position. The strike plate in addition to latching the door, concurrently activates a switch that is fixedly mounted on the door.

Abstract: A door locking device for an appliance such as a washing machine has a rotatable lock lever actuated to engage a latch carried by the door to hold the door in a closed position. The lock lever is actuated by a bimetallic element which is adapted to be connected in series with the drive motor when the washing machine is in the spin condition so that the electric current passing through the drive motor passes through the bimetallic element and the resulting heating and deflection of the bimetallic element actuates the lock lever. The unit also carries an interlock switch actuated by the latch mechanism to prevent operation when the door is open. A shunt switch is provided to close electrical contacts when the bimetallic element and lock lever are deflected to the locked position to shunt current past the bimetallic member to prevent further heating and to insure a substantially constant unlock time.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided for an automatic washer/dryer combination unit which positively latches the lid of the washer unit upon rotation of the washer lid to an open position. The latch mechanism operates automatically by gravitational action after rotation of the lid past the latch pin. No mechanical or magnetic forces are required for the latching action. Further, the latch mechanism is adaptable to latch differently sized lids in different mounting arrangements.

Abstract: Delayed release locking control device, particularly for doors of washing machines and the like, containing inside a case a self-regulating resistive wafer heater of a material having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistance, a snap-acting bimetallic element connected to a latch or locking member, and terminals which carry electrical current to the PTC wafer heater, wherein the bimetallic element is arranged so means transform the linear snap like movement of an end of the bimetallic element into a rotary movement of the latch mounted on the case to cause it to rotate 90.degree. from a resting position into an operating position when the bimetallic element, selectively heated by the said PTC wafer, abruptly reverses its curvature upon reaching the actuating temperature of reversal and to cause the said latch to return to the resting position when the bimetallic element cools down again to below a reset temperature of reversal and snaps back to its normal curvature.

Abstract: A door latch is provided for the access door of an appliance. The door latch apparatus includes bracketry for mounting at least one switch and actuating levers. The movable access door includes a catch which is engageable with one of the actuating levers as the access door is closed for sensing if the access door is in a lockable posture. Another actuating lever is pivotally operated by a solenoid actuator under control of a microcontroller-based controller to position one end of the lever into locking engagement with the access door catch and to actuate a switch for providing a signal to the controller that the access door is closed and locked.

Abstract: A door-bolting device for electrical appliances, in particular washing machines, comprises a longitudinally displaceable slide bolt having a locking opening for a door-locking hook, one or two bolting openings for engagement by a bolting rod, and a lock-down recess. In open position, the free end of a signal contact spring enters this lock-down recess; this spring and a fixed contactor member opposite and parallel with the former constitute a signal contact unit. During bolting operation, a signal contact is made in this unit and controls a bolt-actuating relay comprising a magnet yoke, a coil, a core and a double-armed magnet armature lever. The free end of a bolting arm of the latter constitutes a bearing for the bolting rod which is displaced, during bolting operation, by a swivel motion of the lever. The end of a main contact arm of the same lever serves as bearing for a connecting shaft which is fastened to a diaphragm subdividing a pressure chamber.

Abstract: An automatic safety latch assembly for use in combination with a striker on a door of a self-cleaning kitchen range has a bolt which is mounted for rotational movement and subsequent longitudinal movement to a latched position. An over-center biasing arrangement is provided to bias the latching mechanism into both the latched and unlatched positions of the latch bolt. A door sensing element is cooperatively engaged with the latch bolt to prevent accidental tripping of the latching mechanism until the oven door is properly positioned. The latching mechanism includes a thermally responsive blocking mechanism to lock the latch bolt in the latched position and prevent the opening of the oven door during the high temeprature self-cleaning cycle of the kitchen range.

Abstract: A door locking device for a microwave oven of the present invention has a latch disposed on the rear surface of a door and pivoted clockwise by the urging force of a spring, and an engaging portion which stops a hook at the distal end of the latch. Upon closing operation of the door, the hook engages with the engaging portion to lock the door. For opening the door, a lock release actuator is moved upward to pivot the latch upward to release the locking state of the latch with the engaging portion.

Abstract: A door locking device for a microwave oven of the present invention has an engaging member arranged inwardly of the cooking chamber of the housing. An arm is arranged at the rear surface side of a door and is biased clockwise by a spring, such that its horizontal state is kept by a stopper and the arm may be pivoted counterclockwise. A locking eccentric cam having a notched engaging portion is mounted at the distal end of the arm so as to be pivotal about a shaft. As the door is opened/closed, the notched engaging portion of the locking eccentric cam is engaged with the engaging member at the side of the housing to eccentrically pivot the locking eccentric cam, thereby locking/unlocking the door.

Abstract: A latch assembly for securing a microwave oven door with an inner liner to the front face of the microwave oven including two spaced latch pawls pivotally secured to an elongated support member in the door and projecting through the inner liner of the door and movable to latching and unlatching positions. The pawls are individually biased to the latching position and a vertical handle on the outside of the door is secured to a transverse vertical actuator member such that upon pulling the handle, the actuator member rotates and pivots the pawls in unison to the unlatching position. The actuator member has secured at each end thereof pivot rods extending longitudinally beyond the actuator member and into bushings secured to the support member at each end. There is provided means to bias the actuator member longitudinally in one direction. By this arrangement close tolerance relationships are maintained for precise latching and unlatching of the latch assembly.

Abstract: An L-shaped hooked end of a latch rod, rotatably supported by a range body, engages a door-supported cam surface as the rod is rotated on its longitudinal axis by a motor to effect oven door locking. The cam surface is fixed at and radially spaced from the center of an elongated member whose ends are fastened to the oven door. As the latch hook engages and rides the cam surface, the elongated member is placed in torsion to provide a biasing force that maintains the locked oven door in tight sealing engagement with the range body. The motor rotating the latch rod to effect oven door locking and unlocking is actuated solely by operator manipulation of the oven thermostat control apart from the oven selector and timer controls.

Abstract: A lid latch assembly (10) for a household washing machine is disclosed which incorporates safety features which prevent damage to the latch assembly regardless of when the drum access lid of the machine is closed. The assembly includes a solenoid (22) operated locking lever (60) pivotally mounted to a bracket (12). An elongated slot (68) in the bracket defines a first fulcrum (66) about which the locking lever pivots during latching movement. A switch arm (30) must be depressed downwardly by a latching hook (84) connected to the machine lid (80) before the locking lever is movable to the latched position. A blocking tab (58) on the switch arm prevents movement of the lever to the latched position prior to downward movement of the switch arm. The elongated slot allows the locking lever to pivot about a second fulcrum defined by the blocking tab.

Abstract: An interlock device for the door of an appliance, such as a washing machine, to prevent operator access to the spin dryer drum while it is driven or coasting. The device comprises a switch and a bimetal element for being connected in a series circuit including a timer operated switch and the drum drive motor. A slotted latch member projecting from the door closes the switch when the door is closed and the motor becomes energized if the timer switch is closed. The bimetal is heated by motor current and causes a latch lever to engage and maintain engagement with the latch member until expiration of a delay period which exceeds the time required for the motor to coast to a stop.

Abstract: A safety anchor latch device for a metallic latch strike including a plastic latch and a metallic spring member having positive position retaining means and positive strike gripping means which at normal operating temperatures are inoperative and supported by the elements of said plastic latch in space relation to a supporting work structure and the metallic latch strike respectively but which positively engages and retains same when said plastic latch is destroyed by abnormally elevated temperatures.

Abstract: An appliance for cleaning and treating clothes has a housing, a door, and a closure for the door. The closure comprises means for impeding access to a handle portion for the door and a catch secured to the means for releasably securing the door shut. The means is manually movable to gain access to the handle and simultaneously releases the catch.

Abstract: A wedge-shaped bolt, slidable along an edge of an oven door opening engages a roller keeper on an oven door to force the door to tightly closed position and hold a door seal under compression. The roller keeper is resiliently mounted on the oven door seal.

Abstract: An adjustable safety interlock is disclosed for microwave ovens or other high voltage electrical apparatus. The interlock is actuated by the movement of a counterbalance arm when the door is opened. The amount of movement necessary to actuate the interlock is altered by changing the position of the interlock switch relative to the counterbalance arm. The interlock switch is pivotally mounted on the side of the apparatus for this purpose. Pivotal movement of the interlock towards and away from the counterbalance arm is achieved by a finely threaded bolt. The bolt is biased in the direction of greater safety by a compression spring. The interlock is readily accessible during production and thereafter only by authorized personnel.

Abstract: An interlock device for the door of an appliance, such as a washing machine, to prevent operator access to the spin dryer drum while it is driven or coasting. The device comprises a switch and a bimetal element for being connected in a series circuit including a timer operated switch and the drum drive motor. A slotted latch member projecting from the door closes the switch when the door is closed and the motor becomes energized if the timer switch is closed. The bimetal is heated by motor current and causes a latch lever to engage and maintain engagement with the latch member until expiration of a delay period which exceeds the time required for the motor to coast to a stop.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism, mountable in an oven for engagement with an oven door, includes a base, a latch plate carried on the base by a pair of flanged guide rollers carried on the base and cooperating with a pair of guide slots in the latch plate, and a yieldable over-center urging means pivotally engaged with the latch plate and reciprocably received by a support on the base, the latch plate being carried by the base for movement between an extended position and a retracted position corresponding to open and closed positions, respectively, of the oven door. The mechanism, in one embodiment, further includes a lock for securing the latch plate in its retracted position and a thermally responsive interlock for retaining the lock in a locked position when the oven is operative.

Abstract: A pyrolytic self-cleaning oven has an oven door latch mechanism with an elongated latch arm that has a shifting pivot means and a tapered latch hook so the latch mechanism will cause the compression of the door gasket for sealing the oven cavity during the self-cleaning cycle. There is a locking means for the latch mechanism which functions when the door is locked and the oven temperature is above normal cooking temperatures. The locking means includes a bimetal actuator that senses the temperature of the oxidation unit in the oven exhaust system.

Abstract: An electrically operated door lock has a bolt movable into locking and unlocking positions; a generally cylindrical, positive temperature coefficient resistor; and a bimetal strip formed of a generally circular, open collar continuing in two spaced legs extending away from the resistor. The collar surrounds the resistor along its generally cylindrical surface. One of the two spaced legs constitutes a bolt-actuating terminus connected, directly or indirectly, with the bolt for moving the bolt upon deformation of the bimetal strip resulting from temperature changes caused by the resistor.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a locking mechanism for the door of a pyrolytic range having a high temperature self-cleaning cycle; the mechanism includes a latch arm pivotally mounted to the oven frame of the range and adapted to move between a door locking position and a door unlocked position; a pair of solenoids, each including a movable magnet bar, are coupled to the latch arm so that the bars may be simultaneously displaced for each separate energization of the solenoids; spring means are used to maintain the latch arm in each position reached by the arm.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for an appliance having a cabinet with an access opening and an access door for closing the access opening. The latch mechanism has a strike portion on the cabinet and a latch portion on the access door. The latch portion includes a handle rotatable in a horizontal plane and an actuating member for longitudinally shortening while transversely widening a catch member to concurrently latch and seal the access door to the cabinet.

Abstract: A door locking arrangement is disclosed for a domestic cooking range having a pyrolytic self-cleaning mode of operation. The locking mechanism includes a rotatable cam assembly having a cam follower and a detent portion. Closing the oven door causes the cam to rotate whereby the follower engages the door latch. A locking bar engages the detent portion preventing the cam from rotating to the open position, such locking bar being withdrawn upon activation of a solenoid.

Abstract: A lock assembly for a domestic cooking appliance for use during a pyrolytic self-cleaning operation. The assembly includes a pair of cams mounted on a common shaft which provide the dual functions of energizing and de-energizing certain switches in the operating circuit as well as mechanically engaging and locking certain door latch components. The cams are rotated into and out of the locked and unlocked positions by a single lock motor.

Abstract: A safety interlock for a door of an automatic washing machine is disclosed. The interlock securely latches the door during a spin cycle to prevent the operator of the machine from opening the door and catching his hand in the rotating motor driven drum. The interlock operates during operation of the motor and during a time delay period following de-energization of the motor to permit the drum to coast to a safe speed or to a stop. Included in the interlock is a switch member operable upon closure of the door to at least partially complete a circuit between the motor and a bimetallic element. The remainder of the circuit is completed by a timer driven switch, and when the circuit is completed the bimetallic element is heated to move a latch on the frame of the appliance into locking engagement with a latch on the door.

Abstract: An appliance door lock has a thermally actuable latch regulated by a voltage responsive heater arranged to close the appliance circuit only after the latch has been set, to delay unlatching of the door after interruption of the appliance operation, and to assure safe latch operation when overloading of the appliance may reduce the current available to regulate lock operation.

Abstract: A latch means for the access door of a household trash compactor incorporates a door position sensing switch directly in the latching mechanism thereby to insure that the compactor may be operated only when the door is fully closed and locked. The latch means includes a catch engageable with a bar to secure the door. The sensing switch is operable by the engagement of the catch with the bar to permit operation of the compactor.

Abstract: A door latch assembly for a pyrolytic self-cleaning oven which includes a locking plate and a bolt cooperating with a striker on the oven door. A slot adjacent the locking plate communicates with spaced-apart shallow and deep notches. A locking finger is shiftable in the slot and biased toward the notches, the finger having an actuator for drawing it into shiftable position in the slot clear of the notches. A first abutment is provided on the locking plate having a path of movement alined with the slot but clear of the notches so that when the actuator is de-energized and the finger occupies an idle position in the shallow notch, the locking plate and bolt are freely movable by an operating handle between free and bolting positions and so that, when the actuator is energized and the locking plate moves fully into bolting position, the first abutment moves the finger to a position opposite the deep notch.

Abstract: An apparatus having a rotatable member is provided with a locking bolt slidably mounted on an access cover pivotally mounted on a housing supporting the rotatable member. The locking bolt is axially displaceable toward a latching mechanism mounted on the housing. The latching mechanism has a latch for securing the bolt in a locked position and a limit switch engageable by a key on the bolt for energizing and de-energizing the power to the rotatable member. An air or fluid operated solenoid means is provided to release the latch but is not actuable when the rotatable member is rotating. A rotary speed sensor is provided to sense the rotary speed of the rotatable member so as to enable the air solenoid to be released when the speed of he rotatable member is zero.

Abstract: A microwave oven interlock is provided to prevent oven operation when the oven door is opened or unlatched. An oven mounted strike is unlatched by lifting a handle mounted at the bottom of the door to allow the door to open upwardly. The interlock is responsive to the initial unlatching movement of the strike to disable the oven even before the door is unlatched. A cam arrangement on the hinges of the door senses the opening of the door to prevent further oven operation.

Abstract: A sliding latch mechanism for the door of a heated cavity, such as a microwave oven that is provided with a pyrolytic self-cleaning oven cycle. This latch mechanism has a handle with only two positions; namely, a first unlatched position and a second latched position. The second latched position has two separate modes or functions; namely, an unlocked function and a locked function. The first unlatched position of the handle may be considered as providing an unlatched function. This first unlatched position of the handle is used for opening the door when needed, or when cooking within the oven with standard radiant heating means. The second latched position of the handle in its unlocked mode is used for microwave cooking alone or for combined microwave and radiant cooking.