U.S. patent application number 11/943710 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for appliance installation system and method.
Invention is credited to DRAGOS MUGUREL BLAGA, STEVEN MAUNSELL.
Application Number | 20080127456 11/943710 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39326643 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080127456 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MAUNSELL; STEVEN ; et
al. |
June 5, 2008 |
APPLIANCE INSTALLATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
An appliance includes a friction member mounted to the outer
surface and extending above the outer surface. The height of the
friction member is adjustable so that the friction member can
engage an underside of cabinetry in which the appliance is located.
The height adjustment may be in the friction member, or in the
appliance--for example in the appliance feet, or between the
appliance and the friction member.
Inventors: |
MAUNSELL; STEVEN; (DUNEDIN,
NZ) ; BLAGA; DRAGOS MUGUREL; (DUNEDIN, NZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TREXLER, BUSHNELL, GIANGIORGI,;BLACKSTONE & MARR, LTD.
105 WEST ADAMS STREET, SUITE 3600
CHICAGO
IL
60603
US
|
Family ID: |
39326643 |
Appl. No.: |
11/943710 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/400 ; 206/223;
312/351.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 16/82 20150115;
A47B 77/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
16/400 ;
312/351.1; 206/223 |
International
Class: |
A47B 95/00 20060101
A47B095/00; A47B 97/00 20060101 A47B097/00; B65D 69/00 20060101
B65D069/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 22, 2006 |
NZ |
551533 |
Claims
1. An appliance comprising an outer surface; a friction member
mounted to the outer surface and extending above the outer surface;
and a height adjustable spacer for adjusting the distance between a
top surface of the friction member and a floor on which the
appliance is positioned; such that in use, the friction member
contacts a surface above the appliance.
2. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the friction member
is mounted to an upper portion of said outer surface of the
appliance;
3. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the height adjustable
spacer is mounted to a bottom surface of the appliance.
4. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the height adjustable
spacer is integral with the friction member.
5. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the height adjustable
spacer is mounted on to the friction member.
6. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the friction member
is a friction pad formed from a resilient material, formed from a
deformable material, or an inflatable member.
7. An appliance as claimed in claim 5 wherein the appliance
includes a plurality of friction pads, with at least one friction
pad located adjacent the rear of the appliance.
8. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the height adjustable
spacer comprises a foot or feet attached to the base of the
appliance.
9. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the height adjustable
spacer is adjustable from the front of the appliance.
10. An appliance as claimed in claim 4 wherein said height
adjustable spacer comprises a pair of stepped members arranged face
to face so that relative rotation of the stepped members
progressively increases their combined thickness.
11. An appliance as claimed in claim 5 wherein said height
adjustable spacer comprises a pair of stepped members arranged face
to face so that relative rotation of the stepped members
progressively increases their combined thickness.
12. A method of installing an appliance under a bench or cabinetry,
wherein the appliance includes a friction member mounted to an
outer surface of the appliance, comprising the step of raising a
top surface of the friction member so that it abuts an underside of
the bench or cabinetry.
13. The method of claim 12 further including the step of mounting a
block to the underside of the bench or cabinetry in a position
corresponding to the friction member.
14. The method of claim 13 further including the step of adjusting
the height of the block prior to the step of raising the top
surface of the friction member.
15. A method of installing an appliance under a bench or cabinetry
comprising the steps of: attaching a friction member to an outer
surface of the appliance; and raising a top surface of the friction
member so that it abuts an underside of the bench or cabinetry.
16. The method of claim 15 further including the step of mounting a
block to the underside of the bench or cabinetry in a position
corresponding to the friction member.
17. The method of claim 16 further including the step of adjusting
the height of the block prior to the step of raising the top
surface of the friction member.
18. A kit for installing an appliance under a bench or cabinetry,
comprising: a friction pad; and a block, wherein, in use, the
friction pad is fixed to the appliance and the block is fixed to an
underside of the bench or cabinetry at a position corresponding to
the position of the friction pad.
19. The kit of claim 18 wherein the kit includes a plurality of
friction pads.
20. The kit of claim 18 or 19 wherein the dimensions of the block
are adjustable.
21. An appliance comprising: an outer surface, comprising upper and
side walls; a friction member mounted to the outer surface; and an
adjustable spacer for adjusting the distance between an outer
surface of the friction member and a surface adjacent to the
appliance, in use, the friction member contacting a surface
adjacent to appliance.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of domestic
appliances, such as dishwashers.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Domestic appliances, such as dishwashers and ovens are often
installed in cavities within surrounding cabinetry. Dishwashers,
for example, are typically installed beneath kitchen worktops,
adjacent to kitchen cabinets. Increasingly, refrigerators are also
being installed in these locations.
[0003] If an appliance is not fixed to the floor or cabinetry in
some way or counterbalanced, when it is opened, particularly if it
is a drawer style appliance or it has a horizontally hinged door,
it tends to tilt about its front bottom edge. This problem is
particularly severe when a heavy load, such as a drawer full of
crockery, is pulled out of the appliance.
[0004] One known solution to this problem is to provide a
counterbalance in the appliance. A block of concrete is used to
weigh the appliance down and prevent tilting.
[0005] Another solution to this problem is to fix the appliance in
position. In the past, that has been done by fastening the
appliance to the floor, worktop or to the surrounding cabinetry.
However, each of these solutions has drawbacks. Screwing cleats
into the floor into which the appliance slides damages the floor
and requires accurate drilling of holes into various types of floor
surface. Screwing the appliance into the cabinetry or worktop
requires access to the interior of the appliance and usually
requires partial disassembly of the appliance.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a simpler way of securing an appliance within a cavity or
at least to provide the public with a useful choice.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In a first aspect the invention consists in an appliance
comprising
[0008] an outer surface;
[0009] a friction member mounted to the outer surface and extending
above the outer surface; and
[0010] adjustment means for adjusting the distance between a top
surface of the friction member and a floor on which the appliance
is positioned; such that
[0011] in use, the friction member contacts a surface above the
appliance.
[0012] In a second aspect the invention consists in a method of
installing an appliance under a bench or cabinetry, wherein the
appliance includes a friction member mounted to an outer surface of
the appliance, comprising the step of raising a top surface of the
friction member so that it abuts an underside of the bench or
cabinetry.
[0013] In a third aspect the invention consists in a method of
installing an appliance under a bench or cabinetry comprising the
steps of:
[0014] attaching a friction member to an outer surface of the
appliance; and
[0015] raising a top surface of the friction member so that it
abuts an underside of the bench or cabinetry.
[0016] In a fourth aspect the invention consists of a kit for
installing an appliance under a bench or cabinetry, comprising:
[0017] a friction pad; and
[0018] a block,
[0019] wherein, in use, the friction pad is fixed to the appliance
and the block is fixed to an underside of the bench or cabinetry at
a position corresponding to the position of the friction pad.
[0020] In a fifth aspect the invention consists in an appliance
comprising:
[0021] an outer surface, comprising upper and side walls;
[0022] a friction member mounted to the outer surface; and
[0023] adjustment means for adjusting the distance between an outer
surface of the friction member and a surface adjacent to the
appliance, in use, the friction member contacting a surface
adjacent to appliance.
[0024] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates,
many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and
applications of the invention will suggest themselves without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are
purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense
limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Examples of the present invention will now be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates system for securing an appliance in
accordance with the prior art.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 4a to 4e illustrates the operation of the friction pads
of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for installing a dishwasher 10
into a cavity 13 in accordance with the prior art. Arrow 14
indicates where the dishwasher is to be finally positioned. The
dishwasher 10 includes screw holes 11, 12 in its outer chassis.
Screws pass through these holes from the interior of the dishwasher
and into the surrounding cabinetry. In the example shown in FIG. 1,
the dishwasher 10 is a drawer type dishwasher. In order to access
the screw holes 11, 12 from interior the dishwasher, at least one
of the drawers must be removed.
[0034] The present invention offers a simpler way to secure an
appliance within a cavity.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the present
invention. The appliance 20 shown in FIG. 2 is drawer type
dishwasher. The appliance is positioned underneath a kitchen
worktop 21, which is shown partially cut away. A pair of friction
pads 22, 23 is mounted on the top surface of the appliance
chassis.
[0036] The friction pads 22, 23 are positioned at the rear corners
of the top surface of the appliance as this gives the installed
appliance the greatest stability. However, it should be clear that
any number of friction pads could be used positioned anywhere on
the top surface of the appliance. Furthermore, as explained in
greater detail with reference to FIG. 7, friction pads could
alternatively be placed on the side surfaces of the appliance
instead of, or as well as, on the top surface.
[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the friction pads 22, 23
abut the underside of the kitchen worktop 21. The appliance is
braced between the worktop 21 and the floor on which the appliance
sits. The appliance includes feet 26 which are positioned between
the appliance chassis and the floor. When the drawers 24, 25 are
pulled out of the chassis, the appliance will tend to tilt towards
the front, using the front of the feet as pivot points. The
friction pads counteract this tendency by abutting the underside of
the worktop.
[0038] A wide variety of materials could be used for the friction
pads. The clamping of the dishwasher between the floor and the
worktop prevents tilting of the appliance and will provide some
horizontal frictional force between the friction pads and the
worktop whatever the material and shape of the friction pads.
However, preferably, the fiction pads are formed of a material
having a high coefficient of friction, such as a rubber, and in use
have a significant surface area in contact with the underside of
the worktop.
[0039] The method of installing the appliance shown in FIG. 2 will
now be described. Firstly, the friction pads 22, 23 are mounted to
the top surface of the appliance. In this example, the friction
pads are formed from an elastomeric rubber compound and are glued
to the top back edge of the appliance chassis. The friction pads
may be glued onto the chassis during manufacture of the appliance
or subsequent to manufacture, by a user or installation engineer.
The appliance is then positioned in the cavity under the worktop
21. The feet 26 of the appliance are adjustable to level and to
adjust the height of the appliance 20 off the floor. The feet are
adjusted to urge the friction pads 22, 23 into contact with the
underside of the worktop 21. The appliance may include a mechanism
that allows each of the feet to be altered from the front of the
chassis. Mechanisms of this sort are known in the art and are
described in, for example, German patent publication DE3336375.
[0040] Alternatively height adjustment of the friction surface may
be provided by a height adjustment between the friction pad and the
machine chassis, or within the friction pad itself. For example the
friction pad may be supported on a threaded rod engaged in a socket
of the chassis. Or appliance "feet" may be provided on the upper
side of the appliance.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present
invention. The appliance 30 and feet 34 are of the same type as the
appliance shown in FIG. 2. The appliance 30 is positioned under a
worktop 31, which is shown partially cut away. The friction pads
32, 33 are attached the appliance at the back corners of the top
surface of the chassis. The embodiment of FIG. 3 further includes
two pairs of blocks 35, 36. The blocks 35, 36 are mounted to the
underside of the worktop 31 in positions corresponding to the
position of the friction pads. The blocks 35 and 36 are adjustable
in height, a preferred embodiment of the block is described in more
detail with reference to FIGS. 4a-4e. The blocks 35, 36 may be
screwed, glued, or fixed in any other suitable way to the underside
of the worktop 31.
[0042] FIG. 4a shows a disc 37. A pair of discs 37, 38 as shown in
FIG. 4b corresponds to the block 35 shown in FIG. 3. Each disc 37,
38 may be identical, the discs may be formed of a rigid plastics
material. Each disc is flat on one side. The thickness of each disc
37 varies as function of angular position in a stepped fashion so
that the other side of the disc resembles a spiral staircase. The
stepped surfaces of the two discs 37, 38 are placed against one
another to form a block 35. The height of the block can be varied
by rotating one disc 37 relative to the other disc 38. FIGS. 4b-4e
show various configurations of the block 35. The height of blocks
35, 36 can be adjusted as desired prior to positioning the
appliance in the cavity.
[0043] The appliance may be locked in place by then adjusting the
feet of the appliance, with the blocks providing coarse adjustment
to suit the height of the installation cavity. Alternatively height
adjustment may be incorporated in the friction pads or between the
friction pads and the appliance cabinet or chassis.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
The arrangement of appliance 20, worktop 51 and friction pads 52,
53 is the same as that in the first embodiment described with
reference to FIG. 2. The third embodiment includes a beam 54 that
is attached to the underside of the worktop 51. Similar to the
blocks 35, 36 of the second embodiment, the beam is positioned to
contact the friction pads 52, 53 and is adjustable in height prior
to positioning the appliance in the cavity.
[0045] The height of the beam can be adjusted by various methods.
For example, the beam may be made from an easily carved material.
The beam may be asymmetric such that the height of the beam is
dependent on its orientation. Alternatively, the beam may be formed
from multiple stacked layers, so that the height of the beam can be
adjusted by adding or removing layers.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The arrangement of the appliance 60 and feet 61 in FIG. 6 is the
same as that shown in FIG. 2. The friction pad 62 is mounted over
the top surface of the appliance, but is fixed to the back of the
appliance using a bracket that allows the height of the top surface
of the friction pad 62 to be adjusted relative to the body of the
appliance 60. The height of the top surface of the friction pad may
be adjusted from the front of the appliance using any suitable
mechanism 63, such as a rack and pinion, following the positioning
of the appliance in the cavity. In this way, the appliance can be
easily positioned and the friction pad braced against the underside
of the worktop subsequently.
[0047] FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
The arrangement of appliance 70 and worktop 71 shown in FIG. 7 is
the same as shown in and described with reference to FIG. 2. The
friction pads 72, 73 are attached to a side surface of the
appliance and contact adjacent cabinetry. The friction pads provide
resistance to any tilting of the appliance. The friction pads 72,
73 may be adjustable in height. Preferably, corresponding friction
pads are positioned on the opposite side surface and also abut
adjacent cabinetry 74. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 might be used
if there is no worktop.
* * * * *