HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH A TOE-KICK COVER PART

Abstract

A household appliance contains a housing; a storage compartment defined by the housing; a bottom compartment attached to the housing; at least one toe-kick cover part for covering at least a side of the bottom compartment; at least one fastening member having a flexing arm for securing the toe-kick cover part to the bottom compartment; and at least one fixation portion for engaging with the fastening member. The flexing arm is configured to allow the fastening member to disengage with the fixation portion only when an external force is applied to the flexing arm. The household appliance further contains at least one shielding member for covering at least a part of the flexing arm, and at least one access cut-out configured on the shielding member for providing an access to the flexing arm from outside.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Turkish Patent Application TR 2023/005440, filed May 15, 2023; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a household appliance containing a housing, a storage compartment defined by the housing, a bottom compartment attached to the housing, at least one toe-kick cover part for covering at least a side of the bottom compartment, at least one fastening member having a flexing arm for securing the toe-kick cover part to the bottom compartment, and at least one fixation portion for engaging with the fastening member. The flexing arm is configured to allow the fastening member to disengage with the fixation portion only when an external force is applied to the flexing arm.

In the related art, household appliances, such as refrigerators, include a bottom compartment that is used to house some mechanical and/or electrical components and connection cables. Since the components and cables may cause some safety issues if a user comes into contact with them. In some configurations, a toe-kick cover covering a side of the bottom compartment is used to protect the user from contact with the components and cables. In some other configurations, a component housing covering at least a part of the bottom compartment is used not only for housing a component such as a disposable filter but also protect the user from contact with the components and cables. However, when maintenance or repair is needed on the household appliance, it is often necessary to access the bottom compartment and associated components and cables, in which case the toe-kick cover part and/or component housing are required to be removed.

In the related art, for safety purposes, the toe-kick cover part or component housing is often screwed to the bottom compartment so that the toe-kick cover part or component housing is not accidentally or easily removed by a user. However, this attachment method adds costs and complexity in both manufacturing of the household appliance and in the removal of the toe-kick cover part or component housing during maintenance or repair.

Prior art document, U.S. patent publication No. 2013/113353 A1, discloses a household appliance including a frame defining a cavity at a bottom of the household appliance and a toe-kick panel structured to cover electrical components of the household appliance housed in the cavity. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the toe-kick panel includes at least one snap-on connector to secure the toe-kick panel to the frame. The invention also includes a method for attaching the toe-kick panel to the household appliance.

The present invention introduces a household appliance with a snap-on toe-kick panel. The snap-on toe kick panel design allows for both secure fastening of the toe-kick panel to avoid accidental removal for safety purposes, as well as removes the need for a multitude of tools to remove the snap-on toe kick panel during maintenance or repair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a household appliance with a toe-kick cover part. The toe-kick cover part not only allows for secure fastening of the toe-kick cover part to a bottom compartment and but also prevents for removing the toe-kick cover part without a tool for safety purposes. The toe-kick cover part cannot be removed by a barehand or a finger of a user. However, the toe-kick cover part can be easily removed by a tool during maintenance or repair.

The present invention proposes a household appliance containing a housing; a storage compartment defined by the housing; a bottom compartment attached to the housing; at least one toe-kick cover part for covering the bottom compartment; at least one fastening member having a flexing arm for securing the toe-kick cover part to the bottom compartment; at least one fixation portion for engaging with the fastening member wherein the flexing arm is configured to allow the fastening member to disengage with the fixation portion only when an external force is applied to the flexing arm. Accordingly, the household appliance further contains at least one shielding member for covering at least a part of the flexing arm in order to prevent a finger of a user reaching to the flexing arm, and at least one access cut-out configured on the shielding member for providing an access to the flexing arm from outside. In all embodiments, the access cut-out has a size such that an external force cannot be applied to the flexing arm via a finger of a user. Thus, the toe-kick cover part can only be removed by service personal with a tool that helps to apply an external force to the flexing arm through the access cut-out. The fastening member may be a snap-fit connector, in particular a U or an L type snap-fit connector.

In a possible embodiment, the access cut-out is configured to be positioned in a substantially middle region of the shielding member. With this embodiment, an external force is applied to a middle region of the flexing arm with a tool which prolongs the service life of the flexing arm.

In a possible embodiment, the access cut-out preferably has a size diameter or sides of which are below 9 mm, more preferably 7 mm in order to prevent a finger of a user to approach inside the access cut-out.

In a possible embodiment, the access cut-out is provided between two shielding members. In this embodiment, the two shielding members form like a double nail. Production of this form is easier and cheaper with mold or cast manufacturing.

In a possible embodiment, the flexing arm contains at least one notch having a form fitting into at least a part of the access cut-out. The notch provides a snug fitting during at least an engaged position which enhances securing the fastening member to the fixation portion. Moreover, when the notch is placed into the access cut-out, the flexing arm is locked into the access cut-out which restricts the motion/flexation of the flexing arm in a direction other than the access cut-out. Consequently, the service life of the flexing arm is prolonged.

In a possible embodiment, a fitting surface is configured on the flexing arm for engaging with a grabbing surface of the fixation portion. Engagement of the fitting surface with the grabbing surface provides a snug fitting during an engaged position and prevents disengaging by pulling the motion of the fastening member. Thereby, securing the fastening member to the fixation portion is enhanced. The grabbing surface may be an edge of the fixation portion which is contacting with the flexing arm in an engaged position of the fastening member with the fixation portion.

In a possible embodiment, the fitting surface is being a surface of a recess or a protrusion. The fitting surface in the form of the surface of the recess or the protrusion provides a secure engagement between the fastening member and the fixation portion in a form fitting manner.

In a possible embodiment, the fixation portion is in a form of a frame. Each inner and outer edges of the frame formed fixation portion provides an engaging surface such as a grabbing surface for the flexing arm. Thus, the flexing arm is able to engage with the fixation portion from different angles such as face up, down, right, or left.

In a possible embodiment, the shielding member is configured to be positioned on the fixation portion. The shielding member may be an integral part of the fixation portion. The fixation portion is usually made from a non-flexible, rigid material. Thus, manufacturing a rigid shielding member together with the fixation portion is easy.

In a possible embodiment, the shielding member is configured to be positioned on a body of the toe-kick cover part. This embodiment provides a space advantage for possible designs of the fastening member. The embodiment enables to use the fastening member and/or fixation portion in applications with limited space.

In a possible embodiment, the fastening member is configured to be disposed on the toe kick-cover part, and wherein the fixation portion is configured to be disposed on the bottom compartment.

In a possible embodiment, at least a part of the toe-kick cover part is in a form of a component housing part, particularly a water filter housing part which houses a water filter element. A user should access to the component housing part, particularly the water filter housing part in order to replace reusable or disposable components such as water filter element. However, it should be ensured that the user cannot be able to remove the component housing part and access inside to the bottom compartment. This embodiment guarantees that the component housing part is removable only with a tool.

In a possible embodiment, the component housing part is covered by an openable toe-kick cover part, particularly a slidably removable, a slidably insertable or a hingable toe-kick cover part. In this possible embodiment, the component housing part, particularly the water filter housing part is covered by another toe-kick cover part forming a lid for the component housing part. For accessing to the component housing part, the other toe-kick cover part should be removed. “Slidably insertable” or “slidably removable” refers to the ability of the toe-kick cover part which is not permanently fixed to another structure to be easily installed or removed from a retained, supported, or attached position on the structure by means of a relative translation of the toe-kick cover part and the structure in a sliding motion.

In a possible embodiment, the shielding member is configured to be positioned on a body of the component housing part. This embodiment provides a space advantage for possible designs of the component housing part.

In a possible embodiment, at least one guiding aid for assisting to align the fastening member with the fixation portion. Thus, the user easily aligns and engage/disengage the fastening member with the fixation portion.

In a possible embodiment, the household appliance is a cooling appliance, in particular a refrigerator. The bottom compartment part may be an aggregate part of the household appliance.

In a possible embodiment, an apparatus for applying a force to the flexing arm of the household appliance to disengage the fastening member from the fixation portion containing a handle and a tip having a form suitable for moving throughout the access cut-out and transferring a pushing force of the handle to the flexing arm.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a household appliance with a toe-kick cover part, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front schematic view of a household appliance which is a refrigerator in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of the household appliance with a toe-kick cover part in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the household appliance with the toe-kick cover part and component housing part in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view being a reverse view shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of a component housing part which is a water filter housing part in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective rear view of the component housing part shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of a fastening member in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective rear view of the fastening member in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective, detailed view of the component housing part which is a water filter housing part with a fastening member wherein two shielding members are configured to be positioned on a body of the component housing part;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the component housing part and an inner wall of a bottom compartment in a disengaged position in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the component housing part with the fastening member and fixation portion in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the component housing part and an inner wall of a bottom compartment in an engaged position in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective front view of the fixation portion with a shielding member in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective rear view of the fixation portion with the shielding member in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fastening member and the fixation portion with the shielding member in a disengaged position and an arrow displaying an engaging direction arrow in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the fastening member and the fixation portion with the shielding member in an engaged position in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective front view of the component housing part having the fastening member with the shielding member and the bottom compartment in an engaged position in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the fixation portion configured to be disposed on an inner wall the bottom compartment engaged with a fastening member in one exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 19 is perspective, front cross-sectional view of the component housing part having the fastening member with the shielding member and the bottom compartment in an engaged position in one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a household appliance (100), especially a cooling appliance, in particular a refrigerator. The household appliance (100) contains a housing (101); a storage compartment (102) defined by the housing (101); a bottom compartment (110) attached to the housing (101); at least one toe-kick cover part (120) for covering at least a side of the bottom compartment (110); at least one fastening member (200) having a flexing arm (210) for securing the toe-kick cover part (120) to a side of the bottom compartment (110); and at least one fixation portion (220) for engaging with the fastening member (200). The flexing arm (210) is configured to allow the fastening member (200) to disengage with the fixation portion (220) only when an external force is applied to the flexing arm (210). The household appliance (100) further contains at least one shielding member (230) for covering at least a part of the flexing arm (210), and at least one access cut-out (231) configured on the shielding member (230) for providing an access to the flexing arm (210) from outside compartment engaged with a fastening member in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

According to the invention, FIG. 1 depicts the household appliance (100) in the form of a refrigerator. The household appliance (100) contains the housing (101) and the storage compartment (102) defined by the housing (101). The storage compartment (102) may be assigned for storing foodstuffs.

Referring to FIG. 2, the household appliance (100) has two toe-kick cover parts (120) for covering a side of the bottom compartment (110) one of which (for example the toe-kick cover part (120) at the left-hand side according to the FIG. 2) may be openable toe-kick cover part (120). The openable toe-kick cover part (120) may be slidably removable such that the openable toe-kick cover part (120) is able to open via sliding and removing it and slidably insertable such that the openable toe-kick cover part (120) is able to close via sliding and inserting it to a side of the bottom compartment (110). The openable toe-kick cover part (120) may also be a hingeable toe-kick cover part (120) such that the openable toe-kick cover part (120) is able to open via a hinged edge of the openable toe-kick cover part (120). Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the openable toe-kick cover part (120) is opened and reveals a component housing part (120h) covering a side of the bottom compartment (110).

Referring to FIG. 5, the fastening member (200) with the flexing arm (210) is configured to be disposed on the component housing part (120h), specifically on the water filter housing part. The shielding members (230) is configured to be disposed on a body of the component housing part (120h) wherein the access cut-out (231) is configured to be provided between two shielding members (230). The flexing arm (210) is covered by the two shielding members (230). A notch (211) is configured to be positioned inside the access cut-out (231). In the center of the body of the component housing part (120h) an inlet is configured to be positioned for water filters.

Referring to FIG. 6, the component housing part (120h), specifically the water filter housing part contains the shielding members (230) configured to be disposed on a body of the component housing part (120h). The access cut-out (231) is configured to be provided between two shielding members (230).

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the fastening member comprises a U-shaped flexing arm (210) and two guiding aids (240) in a form of a slide for a sleeve. The U-shaped flexing arm (210) contains a notch (211) and a fitting surface (212).

Referring to FIG. 9, the component housing part (120h), specifically the water filter housing part is secured to a side of the bottom compartment (110). The fastening member (200) of the component housing part (120h) is in a position engaged with the fixation portion (220) configured to be positioned on the bottom compartment (110), specifically an inner wall of the bottom compartment (110). Referring to FIG. 12, an openable toe-kick cover part (120) is in a closed position wherein the openable toe-kick cover part (120) covers the component housing part (120h).

Referring to FIG. 10, the component housing part (120h), specifically the water filter housing part is in a position before securing to a side of the bottom compartment (110). The fastening member (200) of the component housing part (120h) is in a position disengaged with the fixation portion (220) configured to be positioned on the bottom compartment (110), specifically an inner wall of the bottom compartment (110). Referring to FIG. 11, a simplified version of FIG. 10 is shown for providing a better understanding of the invention. In this embodiment, the fixation portion (220) in a form of a frame comprises two guiding aids (240) in a form of a sleeve for a slide.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the fixation portion (220) in a form of a frame contains a shielding member (230) and two guiding aids (240) in a form of a sleeve for a slide. The shielding member (230) is configured to be on an edge of the frame formed fixation portion (220) and the shielding member (230) is in a L shape form. An access cut-out (231) is configured to be positioned on a substantially center of an elbow of the L shaped shielding member (230). Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, guiding aids (240) of the fastening member (200) in the form of the slide and the guiding aids (240) of the fixation portion (220) in the form of the sleeve assist to align the fastening member (200) with the fixation portion (220) in an engaging direction (arrow direction).

Referring to FIG. 17-19, the component housing part (120h), specifically the water filter housing part is secured to the bottom compartment (110). The fastening member (200) of the component housing part (120h) is in a position engaged with the fixation portion (220) having the shielding member (230) configured to be positioned on the bottom compartment (110), specifically an inner wall of the bottom compartment (110).

The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention.

REFERENCE LIST

100. Household appliance

101. Housing

102. Storage compartment

110. Bottom compartment

120. Toe-kick cover part

120 h. Component housing part

200. Fastening member

210. Flexing arm

211. Notch

212. Fitting surface

220. Fixation portion

221. Grabbing surface

230. Shielding member

231. Access cut-out

240. Guiding aid

Claims

1. A household appliance, comprising: a housing;a storage compartment defined by said housing;a bottom compartment attached to said housing;at least one toe-kick cover part covering at least a side of said bottom compartment;at least one fastening member having a flexing arm securing said at least one toe-kick cover part to said bottom compartment;at least one fixation portion for engaging with said at least one fastening member, wherein said flexing arm is configured to allow said at least one fastening member to disengage with said at least one fixation portion only when an external force is applied to said flexing arm; andat least one shielding member for covering at least a part of said flexing arm, said at least one shielding member having at least one access cut-out formed therein and providing an access to said flexing arm from outside.

2. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said at least one access cut-out is configured to be positioned in a substantially middle region of said at least one shielding member.

3. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein: said at least one shielding member is one of at least two shielding members; andsaid at least one access cut-out is provided between two of said shielding members.

4. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said flexing arm has at least one notch with a form fitting into at least a part of said at least one access cut-out.

5. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein: said at least one fixation portion has a grabbing surface; andsaid flexing arm has a fitting surface configured thereon for engaging with said grabbing surface of said at least one fixation portion.

6. The household appliance according to claim 5, wherein said fitting surface is a surface defining a recess or a surface of a protrusion.

7. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fixation portion is in a form of a frame.

8. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said at least one shielding member is configured to be positioned on said at least one fixation portion.

9. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said at least one shielding member is configured to be positioned on a body of said at least one toe-kick cover part.

10. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fastening member is configured to be disposed on said at least one toe kick-cover part, and wherein said at least one fixation portion is configured to be disposed on a side of said bottom compartment.

11. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of said at least one toe-kick cover part is in a form of a component housing part.

12. The household appliance according to claim 11, further comprising an openable toe-kick cover part, wherein said component housing part is covered by said openable toe-kick cover part.

13. The household appliance according to claim 11, wherein said at least one shielding member is configured to be positioned on a body of said component housing part.

14. The household appliance according to claim 1, further comprising at least one guiding aid for assisting to align said at least one fastening member with said at least one fixation portion.

15. The household appliance according to claim 1, wherein the household appliance is a cooling appliance.

16. The household appliance according to claim 11, wherein said component housing part is a water filter housing part which houses a water filter element.

17. The household appliance according to claim 12, wherein said openable toe-kick cover part is a slidably removable, a slidably insertable or a hingeable toe-kick cover part.

18. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein the household appliance is a refrigerator.