US 12,421,776 B2
Thimble system for use with common axis door-in-door assemblies
Louis A. Wantland, Louisville, KY (US)
Assigned to Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Oct. 6, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/482,550.
Prior Publication US 2025/0116140 A1, Apr. 10, 2025
Int. Cl. E05D 3/04 (2006.01); E05D 7/081 (2006.01); F25D 23/02 (2006.01)
CPC E05D 3/04 (2013.01) [F25D 23/028 (2013.01); E05D 7/081 (2013.01); E05Y 2600/51 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/31 (2013.01); F25D 2323/023 (2013.01); F25D 2323/024 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hinge assembly for a door-in-door assembly, the hinge assembly comprising:
a door plate defining a thickness and a first aperture through the thickness;
a cabinet plate defining a thickness; and
a thimble received for rotation within the first aperture, the thimble defining a thimble axis and comprising a wall having an inner bearing surface and an outer bearing surface, the inner bearing surface defining a first passage, the thimble comprising:
a first collar disposed on the outer bearing surface proximate an axial end of the outer bearing surface, and
a second collar disposed on the outer bearing surface, the second collar axially spaced from the first collar, the first collar and the second collar forming a circumferential groove around a perimeter of the outer bearing surface,
wherein the thimble is received in the first aperture such that the thickness of the door plate is received in the circumferential groove,
wherein the door plate is supported for rotation at the outer bearing surface and the cabinet plate is supported for rotation at the inner bearing surface.