Patent ID: 6527315
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: A47L,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A latch assembly for a dishwasher including a door having a front surface and a back surface and a tub, the latch assembly comprising:a bolt secured in a fixed position to the door, the bolt including a catch including a ramp surface facing toward the tub; an actuator slidably connected to the bolt, the actuator having a top contact surface and a drive shoulder; a switch secured to the bolt, the switch having a outwardly biased button and being mounted to the bolt such that movement of the actuator may selectively depress the outwardly biased button; a handle moveably mounted to the bolt in a position for access from the front surface of the door, the handle having a drive surface; a strike plate having a forward latching portion including a forward edge extending outwardly from the tub toward the rear surface of the door, the strike plate being able to flex vertically and wherein upon the door moving toward a closed position the forward edge encounters the ramp surface and is deflected upwardly and upon the door reaching a closed position the latching portion of the strike plate clears the latch and deflects downwardly thereby contacting the actuator and forcing the actuator downwardly such that the outwardly biased button is depressed, wherein the strike plate may be released from the latch by upwardly moving the handle such that the drive surface of the handle engages the drive shoulder of the actuator moving the actuator upwardly such that the top contact surface forces the latching portion of the strike plate upwardly until the strike plate clears the catch of the bolt wherein the door may be pivoted to an open position.