Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.

Christopher D Esterle

Mark Weaver

A damped closure assembly for a microwave oven includes a catch element mounted to a cabinet of the microwave oven. A striker defined on a door of the microwave oven engages the catch element which is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. A spring mechanism and a damping element are operably coupled to the catch element to slowly urge the catch element and the door toward the closed position to prevent slamming, loud noises, and potential wear on one or more components of the microwave oven when the door is closed.

Damped closure assembly for a microwave oven

A damped closure assembly for a door of a dishwasher appliance includes a striker mounted to the door and a latch assembly mounted to a tub of the dishwasher appliance. The latch assembly includes a latch body that defines a guide slot and a slide member including guide pins that are received within the guide slot to slidably and rotatably position the slide member within the latch body. A spring element is attached to the slide member for urging the slide member toward a retracted position and a damping element is operably coupled to the slide member for damping the movement of the slide member toward the retracted position. The slide member is latched in an extended position when the door is open, but when the door is closed, the striker unlatches the slide member and allows the spring/damper combination to slowly move the door to the closed position.

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Louisville, KY, United States of America

Christopher D Esterle