Systems and methods for the adjustment of toe kick plates
AssigneeHaier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
InventorsScott Edward Roales, Eric Dean Lively
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A toe kick plate system includes a fixed plate configured to affix to an appliance, and the fixed plate includes a plurality of threaded inserts. A plurality of plate brackets are each threaded to a respective one of the plurality of threaded inserts of the fixed plate. The plurality of plate brackets are attached such that a gap formed between the fixed plate and the plurality of plate brackets are selectively adjustable by rotating the respective one of the plurality of plate brackets. A toe kick plate may be removably connected to the ends of the plurality of plate brackets.
Claims16
A toe kick plate system, comprising:
- a fixed plate configured to affix to an appliance, the fixed plate comprises a plurality of threaded inserts;
- a plurality of plate brackets each threaded to a respective one of the plurality of threaded inserts of the fixed plate, the plurality of plate brackets configured such that a gap between a distal end of a respective one of the plurality of plate brackets and the fixed plate is selectively adjustable by rotating each of the plurality of plate brackets relative to the fixed plate;
- and
- a toe kick plate removably connected to the distal ends of the plurality of plate brackets,
- wherein the plate brackets comprise an inset portion for a head of a threaded post to sit either below or flush with a surface on a first side of the plate brackets, and
- wherein the threaded post comprises a retaining ring force fit to the threaded post on a second side of the plate brackets opposite the first side of the plate brackets.
A method for adjusting a toe kick plate, the toe kick plate comprising a plurality of plate brackets, the plate brackets comprising an inset portion for a head of a threaded post to sit either below or flush with a surface on a first side of the plate brackets, and wherein the threaded post comprises a retaining ring force fit to the threaded post on a second side of the plate brackets opposite the first side of the plate brackets, the method comprising:
- rotating each of a plurality of plate brackets, each threaded to a respective one of a plurality of threaded inserts on a fixed plate, the plurality of plate brackets configured such that a gap between a distal end of a respective one of the plurality of plate brackets and the fixed plate is selectively adjustable;
- and
- fastening a toe kick plate to the distal ends of the plurality of plate brackets.
An appliance, comprising:
- a cabinet;
- and
- a toe kick plate system positioned at a bottom portion of the cabinet, the toe kick plate system comprising,
- a fixed plate affixed to the cabinet appliance, the fixed plate comprising a plurality of threaded inserts,
- a plurality of plate brackets each threaded to a respective one of the plurality of threaded inserts of the fixed plate, the plurality of plate brackets configured such that a gap between a distal end of a respective one of the plurality of plate brackets and the fixed plate is selectively adjustable by rotating each of the plurality of plate brackets relative to the fixed plate, and
- a toe kick plate removably connected to the distal ends of the plurality of plate brackets,
- wherein the plate brackets comprise an inset portion for a head of a threaded post to sit either below or flush with a surface on a first side of the plate brackets, and
- wherein the threaded post comprises a retaining ring force fit to the threaded post on a second side of the plate brackets opposite the first side of the plate brackets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.