Door for washing machine and dryer and washing machine and dryer having the same

Abstract

Door for a washing machine and dryer, and a washing machine and a dryer with the door, the door including a frame ( 31 ) or ( 32 ) having a system for opening/closing an opening ( 15 ) or ( 25 ) provided for introducing laundry into a washing machine or a dryer; and a hinge assembly ( 100 ) including a bracket ( 110 ) attached to an inside surface of a housing ( 11 ) or ( 21 ) of the washing machine or the dryer, and a hinge arm ( 120 ) having a first member ( 121 ) rotatably connected to the bracket ( 110 ), and a second member ( 122 ) extended in succession to the first member ( 121 ) and rotatably connected to the frame ( 31 ) and ( 32 ) for being drawn to an outside of the washing machine and the dryer, thereby enabling to be rotated relative to the bracket and the hinge arm respectively, so as to be opened at a great angle.

1 - 50 . (canceled)  
   
   
       51 . A hinge assembly for a door in a washing machine or a dryer comprising: 
 a bracket attached to a housing of the washing machine or the dryer; and    at least one pair of hinge arms each having a first member rotatably coupled to the bracket and a second member extending from the first member and rotatably coupled to the door, wherein the second member of the hinge arms has hinge shafts respectively and the hinge shafts are separate from each other.    
   
   
       52 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein the bracket is attached to an inside surface of the housing.  
   
   
       53 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein the hinge shafts have a different center axis.  
   
   
       54 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein the hinge shafts are eccentric to each other.  
   
   
       55 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein the second member is narrower than the first member.  
   
   
       56 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 55 , wherein the second member has at least one rib for enhancing strength thereof.  
   
   
       57 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 56 , wherein the rib is connected to the first member.  
   
   
       58 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 51 , wherein the door rotates relative to each of the hinge arm and the bracket.  
   
   
       59 . A hinge assembly for a door in a washing machine or a dryer comprising: 
 a bracket attached to a housing of the washing machine or the dryer and partially bent; and    at least one hinge arm having a first member rotatably coupled to the bracket and a second member extending from the first member and rotatably coupled to the door.    
   
   
       60 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 59 , wherein the bracket is bent toward the housing.  
   
   
       61 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 59 , wherein the bracket is bent near a coupling portion of the bracket and the hinge arm.  
   
   
       62 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 59 , wherein the hinge arm is partially bent.  
   
   
       63 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 59 , wherein the hinge arm is bent toward the housing.  
   
   
       64 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 59 , wherein the first member is partially bent.  
   
   
       65 . A hinge assembly for a door in a washing machine or a dryer comprising: 
 a bracket attached to a housing of the washing machine; and    at least one hinge arm having a first member rotatably coupled to the bracket and a second member extending from the first member and rotatably coupled to the door, wherein the hinge arm is partially inserted into the door.    
   
   
       66 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 65 , wherein a coupling portion of the hinge arm and the door is disposed in the door.  
   
   
       67 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 65 , wherein the hinge arm is coupled to an inside surface of the door.  
   
   
       68 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 67 , wherein the hinge arm is spaced apart from the inside surface of the door.  
   
   
       69 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 65 , wherein a coupling portion of the hinge arm and the door comprises: 
 a hinge shaft formed at the hinge arm; and    a bracket installed in the door and accommodating the hinge shaft to be rotatable.    
   
   
       70 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 65 , wherein the door includes at least one cutout portion allowing the hinge arm to rotate relative to the door.  
   
   
       71 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 65 , wherein the second member of the hinge arm is inserted into the door.  
   
   
       72 . A hinge assembly for a door in a washing machine or a dryer comprising: 
 a bracket attached to a housing of the washing machine or the dryer;    at least one pair of hinge arms each having a first member rotatably coupled to the bracket and a second member extending from the first member and rotatably coupled to the door; and    a connection member for connecting the hinge arms to each other.    
   
   
       73 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 72 , wherein the connection member is mounted to flat portions of the hinge arms.  
   
   
       74 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 72 , wherein the connection member connects the first member of the hinge arms.  
   
   
       75 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 72 , wherein the connection member comprises a plate member.  
   
   
       76 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 75 , wherein flanges are formed at sides of the connection member.  
   
   
       77 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 72 , wherein a boss is formed at any one of the connection member and the hinge arm, and a hole matched with the boss is formed at the other of the connection member and the hinge arm.  
   
   
       78 . The hinge assembly according to  claim 72 , wherein the connection member is fastened to the hinge arms using screws.