Front loading washers are becoming very popular in the United States. Front-loaders have an unique requirement over the top-loaders, that is, the front door must remain sealed during operation. Ark-Les has designed several patent-pending mechanisms to provide the door closure force and travel necessary to keep water sealed inside the machine. The prime mover of the lock is either a motor or solenoid. Interlocks can be added to ensure safety during high-speed spin or in the case of power outages.