Double hatch for top-loading washing-machine drum - having one door wider and one narrower than hatch width

摘要

The horizontal drum of a top-loading washing machine has a loading hatch in the wall which is closed by a double door, of which one part is smaller than the width of the hatch, and can swing right through it, the other part being wider than the hatch so that is cannot swing into the interior of the drum. Both parts are sping-loaded so that they spring outward when the catch holding them closed is released. The free edge of the wider door overlaps the edge of the narrower door, and has an aperture in which the hook of a spring-loaded latch attached to the free edge of the narrower door engages when the wider door is closed over the narrower one. This is a simple, reliable fastening which has a minimum of additional components to unbalance the drum.