U.S. patent application number 12/612464 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-05 for domestic appliance access panel.
This patent application is currently assigned to VINYLEX CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Bill Gamble, Barry McGill, Michael Mitchell, Carlos Narvaez, Evan Quinley.
Application Number | 20110101836 12/612464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43924642 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110101836 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gamble; Bill ; et
al. |
May 5, 2011 |
DOMESTIC APPLIANCE ACCESS PANEL
Abstract
An access panel is disclosed for extending across a lower
frontal section of a domestic appliance positioned on a surface.
The access panel includes, a substantially rigid middle portion
having a top edge and a bottom edge, a flexible top portion
attached along at least a portion of the top edge of the
substantially rigid middle portion for positioning adjacent the
lower frontal section of the domestic appliance, and a flexible
bottom portion attached along at least a portion of the bottom edge
of the substantially rigid middle portion for positioning adjacent
the surface. A leveling bracket is disposed adjacent the lower
frontal section of the domestic appliance. The leveling bracket has
a slot for receiving at least one tab element of the access panel
for retaining the access panel across the lower frontal section of
the domestic appliance, the tab element being moveable within the
slot between a first position and a second position for adjusting
the height of the flexible bottom portion in relation to the
surface.
Inventors: |
Gamble; Bill; (Knoxville,
TN) ; McGill; Barry; (Knoxville, TN) ;
Mitchell; Michael; (Knoxville, TN) ; Narvaez;
Carlos; (Knoxville, TN) ; Quinley; Evan;
(Knoxville, TN) |
Assignee: |
VINYLEX CORPORATION
Knoxville
TN
|
Family ID: |
43924642 |
Appl. No.: |
12/612464 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/293.3 ;
248/223.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2095/004 20130101;
A47B 95/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/293.3 ;
248/223.41 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06; A47B 96/00 20060101 A47B096/00 |
Claims
1. An access panel for extending across a lower frontal section of
a domestic appliance positioned on a surface, the access panel
comprising: a substantially rigid middle portion having a top edge
and a bottom edge; a flexible top portion attached along at least a
portion of the top edge of the substantially rigid middle portion
for positioning adjacent the lower frontal section of the domestic
appliance; and a flexible bottom portion attached along at least a
portion of the bottom edge of the substantially rigid middle
portion for positioning adjacent the surface.
2. The access panel of claim 1 wherein the substantially rigid
middle portion and flexible top and bottom portions are
thermoplastic.
3. The access panel of claim 2 wherein the thermoplastic comprises
extruded polyvinyl chloride.
4. The access panel of claim 3 wherein the substantially rigid
middle portion and the flexible top and bottom portions is a
co-extruded integral combination of rigid and flexible polyvinyl
chloride.
5. The access panel of claim 1 further comprising a mount formed on
the access panel for mounting the access panel across the lower
frontal section.
6. The access panel of claim 1 further comprising: at least one tab
element attachable to the substantially rigid middle portion; and a
leveling bracket disposed adjacent the lower frontal section of the
domestic appliance having a slot for receiving the at least one tab
element and for retaining the access panel across the lower frontal
section of the domestic appliance, the tab element being moveable
within the slot between a first position and a second position for
adjusting the height of the flexible bottom portion in relation to
the surface.
7. An access panel for extending across a lower frontal section of
a domestic appliance positioned on a surface, the access panel
comprising: a substantially rigid portion having a top edge and a
bottom edge, the top edge for positioning adjacent the lower
frontal section of the domestic appliance and the bottom edge for
positioning adjacent the surface; and a flexible portion attached
along at least a portion of at least one of the top edge and bottom
edge of the substantially rigid portion, the flexible portion to be
disposed between at least one of the top edge of the substantially
rigid portion and the lower frontal section of the domestic
appliance and between the flexible bottom portion and the
surface.
8. The access panel of claim 7 wherein the substantially rigid
portion and the flexible portion are thermoplastic.
9. The access panel of claim 8 wherein the thermoplastic comprises
extruded polyvinyl chloride.
10. The access panel of claim 9 wherein the substantially rigid
portion and the flexible portion is a co-extruded integral
combination of rigid and flexible polyvinyl chloride.
11. The access panel of claim 7 further comprising: at least one
tab element attachable to the substantially rigid middle portion;
and a leveling bracket disposed adjacent the lower frontal section
of the domestic appliance having a slot for receiving the at least
one tab element and for retaining the access panel across the lower
frontal section of the domestic appliance, the tab element being
moveable within the slot between a first position and a second
position for adjusting the height of the flexible bottom portion in
relation to the surface.
12. An access panel for extending across a lower frontal section of
a domestic appliance positioned on a surface, the access panel
comprising: a substantially rigid portion including at least one
tab element, the substantially rigid portion having a top edge and
a bottom edge, the top edge for positioning adjacent the lower
frontal section of the domestic appliance and the bottom edge for
positioning adjacent the surface; and a leveling bracket disposed
adjacent the lower frontal section of the domestic appliance having
a slot for receiving the tab element and retaining the
substantially rigid portion across the lower frontal section of the
domestic appliance, the tab element being moveable within the slot
between a first position and a second position for adjusting the
height of the bottom edge of the substantially rigid portion in
relation to the surface.
13. The access panel of claim 12 wherein the tab element is
moveable within the slot to a third position for preventing the
bottom edge of the substantially rigid portion from contacting the
surface during shipping and installing of the dishwasher.
14. The access panel of claim 13 wherein the slot includes a first
slot portion for allowing for insertion of the tab element within
the slot, a second slot portion for the preventing of the bottom
edge of the substantially rigid portion from contacting the surface
during shipping and installing of the dishwasher, and a third slot
portion for the adjusting of the height of the bottom edge of the
substantially rigid portion in relation to the surface after the
dishwasher is installed, and wherein the tab element is moveable
within the slot between the first slot portion, the second slot
portion, and the third slot portion.
15. The access panel of claim 12 further comprising a flexible
portion attached along at least a portion of the top edge of the
substantially rigid portion for positioning between the lower
frontal section of the domestic appliance and the top edge of the
substantially rigid portion.
16. The access panel of claim 15 wherein the substantially rigid
portion and the flexible portion are thermoplastic.
17. The access panel of claim 16 wherein the thermoplastic is a
co-extruded integral combination of rigid and flexible polyvinyl
chloride.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to an access panel for
domestic appliances. More specifically, this invention relates to a
thermoplastic access panel having a rigid middle portion, one or
more flexible edge portions, and a self-leveling bracket for
providing an access panel that is economical to manufacture and
install.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In dishwashers and other related domestic appliances, the
appliance is often supported above the floor such that a recess or
toespace is provided in the lower frontal section of the appliance.
The toespace is generally a few centimeters above the floor and
extending rearward another couple of centimeters. The appliance
also often has various electrical components stored just beyond the
toespace. The lower frontal sections of the appliances and its
associated electrical components are often protected by an access
panel (also known as a kick plate). The access panel performs
various functions such as protecting the appliance from debris and
damage to the electrical components, dampening the noise produced
by the electrical components, and providing a more pleasing
aesthetic appearance.
[0003] Access panels in the past have been made of metal. However,
these metal access panels are disadvantageous because they are
difficult to install due to the various dimensions and imprecise
nature of the toespaces during installation. Adding to the
difficulty in installation, fixing the access panel to the
appliance requires screwing threaded fasteners through the upper
and lower portions of the access panel into the outer frame of the
appliance. This type of attachment is difficult due to the
locations of the fastening positions being hard to reach without
specially formed tools, and installation could only be done on site
after the dishwasher had already been installed at its desired
location. Furthermore, to dampen the noise produced by the
electrical components, the metal access panels must include
insulating layers between the access panel and the appliance.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an access panel that
easier to install and/or can be installed before shipping of the
dishwasher. Also, it is desirable to provide an access panel that
is more economical to manufacture.
SUMMARY
[0005] Embodiments of the invention described herein pertain to an
access panel for extending across a lower frontal section of a
domestic appliance positioned on a surface. In one embodiment, the
access panel includes, a substantially rigid middle portion having
a top edge and a bottom edge, a flexible top portion attached along
at least a portion of the top edge of the substantially rigid
middle portion for positioning adjacent the lower frontal section
of the domestic appliance, and a flexible bottom portion attached
along at least a portion of the bottom edge of the substantially
rigid middle portion for positioning adjacent the surface. The
access panel may also include a mount formed on the access panel
for mounting the access panel across the lower frontal section. In
preferred embodiments, the mount includes at least one tab element
attachable to the substantially rigid middle portion and a leveling
bracket having a slot for receiving the at least one tab element
and for retaining the access panel across the lower frontal section
of the domestic appliance, the tab element being moveable within
the slot between a first position and a second position for
adjusting the height of the flexible bottom portion in relation to
the surface.
[0006] In preferred embodiments, the substantially rigid middle
portion and the flexible top and bottom portions are thermoplastic.
Preferably the thermoplastic is a co-extruded integral combination
of rigid and flexible polyvinyl chloride.
[0007] In other embodiments, the access panel includes a
substantially rigid portion having a top edge and a bottom edge,
the top edge for positioning adjacent the lower frontal section of
the domestic appliance and the bottom edge for positioning adjacent
the surface. A flexible portion is attached along at least a
portion of at least one of the top edge and bottom edge of the
substantially rigid portion, and the flexible portion is to be
disposed between at least one of the top edge of the substantially
rigid portion and the lower frontal section of the domestic
appliance and between the flexible bottom portion and the
surface.
[0008] In another embodiment of the invention, the access panel
includes a substantially rigid portion including at least one tab
element, the substantially rigid portion having a top edge and a
bottom edge. The top edge is for positioning adjacent the lower
frontal section of the domestic appliance and the bottom edge is
for positioning adjacent the surface. A leveling bracket is
disposed adjacent the lower frontal section of the domestic
appliance and has a slot for receiving the tab element and
retaining the substantially rigid portion across the lower frontal
section of the domestic appliance. The tab element is moveable
within the slot between a first position and a second position for
adjusting the height of the bottom edge of the substantially rigid
portion in relation to the surface.
[0009] In preferred embodiments, the slot includes a first slot
portion for allowing for insertion of the tab element within the
slot, a second slot portion for the preventing of the bottom edge
of the substantially rigid portion from contacting the surface
during shipping and installing of the dishwasher, and a third slot
portion for the adjusting of the height of the bottom edge of the
substantially rigid portion in relation to the surface after the
dishwasher is installed. The tab element is moveable within the
slot between the first slot portion, the second slot portion, and
the third slot portion. A flexible portion may also be attached
along at least a portion of the top edge of the substantially rigid
portion for positioning between the lower frontal section of the
domestic appliance and the top edge of the substantially rigid
portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OP THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further advantages of the invention are apparent by
reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the
figures.
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a dishwasher and
associated access panel;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an access panel according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective front view of an access panel
including a leveling bracket according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective rear view of the access panel
of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a rear view of the access panel of FIGS. 3
and 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of a leveling bracket
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 depicts a leveling bracket slot and possible tab
element positions according to an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0018] FIGS. 8A-8D depicts alternate embodiments of a tab element
according to various embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a dishwasher 10 is shown having a
washing chamber 12 or tub supported by a frame including a top wall
14, bottom wall 16, rear wall 18, and two opposing side walls 20
and 22. A front access door 24 is hinged along the bottom wall 16
and provides entry into the washing chamber 12 of the dishwasher 10
for loading and unloading dishes.
[0020] The bottom wall 16 of the dishwasher 10 is spaced above a
floor or other mounting surface to provide a recess or toespace 26
at a lower frontal section 28 of the dishwasher 10. Behind the
toespace 26 and below the bottom wall 16 of the dishwasher includes
an electrical panel 30 for storing various electrical and
mechanical components of the dishwasher such as the motor, pump,
and water valves. An access panel 32 is provided to extend across
the lower frontal section 28 of the dishwasher 10 and toespace 26
to prevent damage to the various components, limit debris and dust
from entering the dishwasher 10, dampen the sound emitting from the
motor, and to provide a more pleasant and finished aesthetic
appearance. The access panel 32 is attached to the dishwasher 10 so
that a top edge 34 of the access panel 32 is disposed adjacent the
lower frontal section 28 and a bottom edge is disposed adjacent the
floor or mounting surface.
[0021] As depicted in FIG. 2, an access panel 32 according to one
embodiment of the present invention includes a substantially rigid
middle portion 38 having a top edge 34 and a bottom edge 36. The
middle portion 38 may be one vertical panel, but, as shown in FIG.
2, is preferably two vertical panels 40 and 42 connected by an
angled panel 44. The angled panel 44 is preferably angled between
30.degree. and 60.degree. so that the bottom edge 36 projects
outwardly from the top edge 34. In preferred embodiments, the total
height of the middle portion is about 128 mm. However, the height
can vary according to the size of the toespace 26 in which the
access panel 32 needs to cover.
[0022] Attached to the top and bottom edges 34 and 36 of the
substantially rigid middle portion 38 are respective top and bottom
flexible portions 46 and 48. The flexible top portion 46 is
attached along at least a portion of the top edge 34 of the
substantially rigid middle portion 38 for positioning against the
lower frontal section 28 of the dishwasher 10 when the access panel
32 is installed. The flexible bottom portion 48 is attached along
at least a portion of the bottom edge 36 of the substantially rigid
middle portion 38 for positioning against the mounting surface
after the access panel 32 is installed on the dishwasher 10. The
top and bottom portions 46 and 48 are flexible in order to more
easily and accurately conform to the lower frontal sections 28 of
dishwashers and mounting surfaces even where there are variations
in the heights of the toespaces 26 of different installed
dishwashers.
[0023] In preferred embodiments, the access panel 32 is an extruded
thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) and PVC alloys, or any other suitable thermoplastic. The
access panel 32 is preferably co-extruded PVC with the rigid PVC of
the middle portion 38 abutting the flexible PVC of the top and
bottom portions 46 and 48. When the PVC cools after the extrusion
process, the rigid middle portion 38 having flexible top and bottom
portions 46 and 48 attached along its top and bottom edge 34 and 36
is provided as one integrally structured access panel 32.
[0024] Thermoplastic is an ideal solution for the access panel 32
because it is not damaged by moisture, it is durable, resistant to
flame spread (as characterized by its UL ratings, e.g. 94-VO),
ecologically friendly, easy to install, does not scratch other
parts, and is economical to manufacture. Furthermore, studies have
shown that a thermoplastic access panel 32 works as well or better
to reduce noise from the electrical components of the dishwasher as
compared to metal access panels with sound dampening foam.
[0025] While the access panel 32 is described above as having top
and bottom flexible portions 46 and 48, the access panel could also
have only one flexible portion attached to either the top or bottom
edge 34 or 36 of the substantially rigid middle portion 38.
Furthermore, the height of the flexible top and bottom portions 46
and 48 can vary. In preferred embodiments, the flexible top portion
46 is about 25 mm and the flexible bottom portion 48 is about 38
mm. In other embodiments of the present invention, as described
below, the access panel 32 may include the rigid middle portion 38
without either of the flexible top and bottom portions 46 and 48,
with one of the flexible portions, or with both flexible portions
46 and 48.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, according to another embodiment of
the invention, the access panel 32 includes leveling brackets 50
for attaching the access panel 32 adjacent the lower frontal
section 28 of the dishwasher 10 and for adjusting the height of the
access panel 32 with respect to the mounting surface. In this
embodiment, the substantially rigid middle portion 38 of the access
panel 32 includes tab elements 52 attached to the rear surface 54
of the middle portion 38 preferably adjacent its side edges 56. The
access panel 32 may then be mounted to the dishwasher 10 or to a
cabinet in which the dishwasher 10 rests by mating the tab elements
52 with the leveling brackets 50 that are mounted or welded to the
dishwasher 10 or cabinet near the appliance's toespace 26.
[0027] In preferred embodiments as depicted in the exploded views
of FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the leveling brackets 50 includes slots
58 for receiving the tab elements 52 of the access panel 32. The
slots 58 in the leveling brackets 50 are preferably an upside down
"J" shape. At a first slot portion 60, the top part of the slot 58
having a greater width, the tab element 52 may be inserted into the
slot 58 at an assembly position for attaching the access panel 32
to the dishwasher 10. The slot 58 further includes a second slot
portion 62 in which the tab element 52 may be moved from the
assembly position to a shipping position. The second slot portion
62 is the shorter length side of the upside down "J," which
prevents the access panel 32 from dragging or contacting the floor
or mounting surface during transport or installation of the
dishwasher 10. The third slot portion 64 includes the longer length
side of the upside down "J." In the third slot portion, the tab
element 52 may be moved to an installed position. In the installed
position, the tab element 52 is able to move freely within the
third slot portion 64 to adjust the height of the access panel 32
with respect to the mounting surface.
[0028] The tab element 52 and leveling brackets 50 may also include
means for locking the tab element 52 in position in the desired
portion of the slot 58. For example the tab element 52 may be
inserted into the slot 58, moved to the correct slot portion such
as the installed position, and then tightened by screwing the tab
element 52 further into the access panel 32. Thus, the tab element
52 is pressed against the leveling bracket 50 to prevent any
further movement of the access panel 32 until the tab element 52 is
unscrewed or loosened.
[0029] In an alternate embodiment, the tab element 52 may be
attached to the access panel 32 after the leveling brackets are
aligned with the access panel. In this embodiment, the access panel
32 includes an aperture for receiving the tab element 52. After the
access panel 32 is aligned with the slots 58 of the leveling
bracket 50, the tab elements 52 are inserted through the slots 58
into the aperture for securing the access panel to the lower
frontal section 28 of the dishwasher 10.
[0030] FIGS. 8A-8D depict alternate embodiments of various tab
elements 52 that may be used to mount the access panel 32 to the
dishwasher 10 by mating the tab element 52 to a bracket attached to
the appliance or associated cabinet.
[0031] While the various embodiments of the access panel 32 have
been described above with respect to a dishwasher 10, the features
of the access panel 32 may be utilized with any other domestic
appliances such as a refrigerator, oven, washer and dryer, etc.
[0032] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the
best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its
practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill
in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *