Importance

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Abstract

A drum hatch engaging mechanism is for inclusion in a laundry appliance having a cabinet and a drum rotatable within the cabinet. The mechanism includes a drum hatch engaging member connected with the cabinet with the connection providing for movement of the member between non-engagement and engagement positions. An actuator is provided to selectively move the drum hatch engaging member between the positions. A catch member is connected with a sliding hatch of the drum. The connection between the catch member and the sliding hatch provides for movement of the catch member between a position adjacent the skin of the drum and an outwardly displaced position. The drum hatch engaging member includes a ramped abutment to engage and lift the catch member to the outer position through movement of the catch member toward the abutment during an opening rotation of the drum. The hatch engaging member includes a closing abutment facing the ramped abutment. The closing abutment butts against the catch member during a closing rotation of the drum. There is a catch member support surface on the drum which tracks the circumference of the drum skin at a level to cooperate with the drum hatch engaging member. The support surface and the drum hatch engaging member cooperate to entrap the catch member in the outward position during opening and closing rotations of the drum. With a single actuator the mechanism can reliably open and close the drum without stopping the drum to engage and/or disengage from the drum hatch.

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First Claim