Magnifying door for a washing machine appliance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lid or a door for a washing machine and, more particularly, to a door that provides magnification of the interior of the washing machine. The door provides a magnified view of the washing chamber of the appliance to improve consumer perception of the capacity of the washing chamber while also allowing the consumer to view the washing chamber when the machine is operating.

1 . A washing machine, comprising:
 a cabinet defining an opening;   a wash chamber for containing articles to be washed, said wash chamber accessed by the opening through which articles are placed into said wash chamber;   an agitation device present in said wash chamber for moving the articles to be washed within said wash chamber; and,   a door that is attached to said cabinet, said door being selectively movable between an open position and a closed position whereby said door closes the opening defined by said cabinet, said door comprising a window through which said wash chamber is visible when said door in the closed position, said window configured to magnify the appearance of said wash chamber through said window.   
     
     
         2 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said window is constructed as a magnifying glass having a convex shape. 
     
     
         3 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said window is constructed from tempered glass. 
     
     
         4 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said window is constructed from poly(methyl methacrylate). 
     
     
         5 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said window is constructed from a polycarbonate. 
     
     
         6 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said door further comprises a frame into which said window is received. 
     
     
         7 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said window is larger than the opening in said cabinet. 
     
     
         8 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein the washing machine is a vertical axis washing machine defining the opening on top of the cabinet. 
     
     
         9 . A washing machine as in  claim 1 , wherein said washing machine is a horizontal axis washing machine defining the opening on a side of the cabinet. 
     
     
         10 . A door for a washing machine, the washing machine having a wash chamber accessible through an opening defined by the cabinet of the washing machine, the door comprising:
 a window configured for selective placement over the opening of the washing machine whereby a user may open or close access to the wash chamber through the opening, said window providing a magnification of the wash chamber when said window is placed in a closed position over the opening of the washing machine.   
     
     
         11 . A door for a washing machine as in  claim 10 , further comprising a frame configured for a hinged connection to the washing machine, wherein said window is received into said frame. 
     
     
         12 . A door for a washing machine as in  claim 10 , wherein said window is constructed as a magnifying glass having a convex shape. 
     
     
         13 . A door for a washing machine as in  claim 10 , wherein said window is constructed from tempered glass. 
     
     
         14 . A door for washing machine as in  claim 10 , wherein said window is constructed from poly(methyl methacrylate). 
     
     
         15 . A door for a washing machine as in  claim 10 , wherein said window is constructed from a polycarbonate. 
     
     
         16 . A door for a washing machine as in  claim 10 , wherein said window is larger than the opening in the cabinet of the washing machine. 
     
     
         17 . A door for washing machine as in  claim 10 , wherein said window further comprises at least one hinge for attachment to the washing machine. 
     
     
         18 . A door for washing machine as in  claim 10 , wherein said window is illuminated.