Washing machine

Abstract

A washing machine, in which a coupling between a top cover and a control panel is enhanced, is disclosed. The washing machine includes a top cover having an opening, through which a laundry is inserted into the washing machine via the opening, a control panel provided at a rear end portion of the top cover, a fixing part provided at a portion of the top cover in a rear of the opening, and a hook provided to a lower front end of the control panel, the hook securely engaging with the fixing part for eliminating a gap between the top cover and the control panel.

1 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a top cover having an opening, wherein a laundry is inserted into the washing machine via the opening;    a control panel provided at a rear end portion of the top cover;    a fixing part provided at a portion of the top cover in a rear of the opening; and    a hook provided to a lower front end of the control panel, the hook securely engaging with the fixing part for eliminating a gap between the top cover and the control panel.    
   
   
       2 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the fixing part comprises: 
 a fitting portion having an end extended backward that securely fits with the hook; and    a support portion provided in a rear of the fitting portion to support a rear side of the hook.    
   
   
       3 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein an elongated groove is formed along the hook to have the end of the fitting portion inserted therein.  
   
   
       4 . The washing machine of  claim 3 , wherein a sealing member is provided to an inner side of the elongated groove to prevent water inflow.  
   
   
       5 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the fitting portion and the support portion are provided to upper ends of extension members extending upward, respectively.  
   
   
       6 . The washing machine of  claim 2 , wherein the fitting portion has a slip-fit connection with the fixing part.  
   
   
       7 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the fixing part comprises: 
 a fitting portion having an end extended forward that securely fits with the hook; and    a support portion provided in a rear of the fitting portion to support a front side of the hook.    
   
   
       8 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein an elongated groove is formed along the hook to have the end of the fitting portion inserted therein.  
   
   
       9 . The washing machine of  claim 8 , wherein a sealing member is provided to an inner side of the elongated groove to prevent water inflow.  
   
   
       10 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the fitting portion and the support portion are provided to upper ends of extension members extending upward, respectively.  
   
   
       11 . The washing machine of  claim 7 , wherein the fitting portion has a slip-fit connection with the fixing part.  
   
   
       12 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the fixing part is formed in a lateral direction of the control panel, and wherein the hook is formed to correspond to the fixing part.  
   
   
       13 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the fixing parts is provided in a lateral direction of the control panel and is equally spaced apart, and wherein a plurality of the hooks is provided to correspond to the plurality of fixing parts.  
   
   
       14 . The washing machine of  claim 1 , wherein the opening has a substantially circular shape, and wherein the fixing part forms an arc along a rim of the opening.  
   
   
       15 . A washing machine comprising: 
 a top cover having an opening, wherein a laundry is inserted into the washing machine via the opening;    a control panel provided to a rear end portion of the top cover;    an extension member extending upward from a portion of the top cover in a rear of the opening to have a predetermined height;    a fixing part provided to an upper end of the extension member; and    a hook provided to a lower front end of the control panel, the hook securely engaging with the fixing part for eliminating a gap between the top cover and the control panel.    
   
   
       16 . The washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the fixing part comprises: 
 a fitting portion having an end extending forward that securely fits with the hook; and    a support portion provided in a rear of the fitting portion to support a front side of the hook.    
   
   
       17 . The washing machine of  claim 16 , wherein an elongated groove is formed along the hook to have the end of the fitting portion inserted therein, and wherein a sealing member is provided to an inner side of the elongated groove to prevent water inflow.  
   
   
       18 . The washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the extension member has a length substantially equal to a lateral length of the control panel.  
   
   
       19 . The washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the opening has a substantially circular shape, and wherein the extension member forms an arc along a rim of the opening.  
   
   
       20 . The washing machine of  claim 15 , wherein the fixing part is formed of an elastic material.