Cosmetic door panel suspension and adjustment system for a built-in appliance
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsTrevor L. Hawkins, Scott A. Kositzky, Chad Rotter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cosmetic panel suspension system for an appliance includes an outer door panel having a perimetrical flange. A plurality of side adjusters is attached to the perimetrical flange. At least one adjustment bracket has a plurality of positioning apertures in slidable engagement with a portion of the perimetrical flange. The plurality of side adjusters extends through respective positioning apertures defined within the at least one adjustment bracket, and adjustment of at least one side adjuster of the plurality of side adjusters slides the at least one adjustment bracket relative to the perimetrical flange. A cosmetic panel is attached to the at least one adjustment bracket.
Claims20
A cosmetic panel suspension system for an appliance, the cosmetic panel suspension system comprising:
- an outer door panel having a perimetrical flange;
- a plurality of side adjusters attached to the perimetrical flange;
- at least one adjustment bracket having a plurality of positioning apertures in slidable engagement with a portion of the perimetrical flange, wherein the plurality of side adjusters extends through respective positioning apertures defined within the at least one adjustment bracket, and wherein adjustment of at least one side adjuster of the plurality of side adjusters slides the at least one adjustment bracket relative to the perimetrical flange;
- and
- a cosmetic panel attached to the at least one adjustment bracket.
A cosmetic panel suspension system for an appliance, the cosmetic panel suspension system comprising:
- an outer door panel having a right side flange and a left side flange;
- right side adjusters attached to the right side flange;
- left side adjusters attached to the left side flange;
- a right adjustment bracket having a plurality of right side apertures defined therein, the right adjustment bracket in slidable engagement with the right side flange, wherein the right side adjusters extend through respective right side apertures, and wherein adjustment of at least one of the right side adjusters slides the right adjustment bracket relative to the right side flange;
- a left adjustment bracket having a plurality of left side apertures defined therein, the left adjustment bracket in slidable engagement with the left side flange, wherein the left side adjusters extend through respective left side apertures, and wherein adjustment of at least one of the left side adjusters slides the left adjustment bracket relative to the left side flange;
- and
- a cosmetic panel attached to the right and left adjustment brackets.
A method of suspending a cosmetic panel on an appliance door, the method comprising steps of:
- attaching a plurality of side adjusters to a perimetrical flange of an outer door panel;
- disposing at least one adjustment bracket over the plurality of side adjusters, wherein the at least one adjustment bracket includes a plurality of positioning apertures that engage a respective side adjuster of the plurality of side adjusters, wherein the at least one adjustment bracket is slidably engaged with the perimetrical flange;
- disposing a cosmetic panel in engagement with the at least one adjustment bracket, wherein the cosmetic panel is substantially fixed with respect to the at least one adjustment bracket;
- operating at least one side adjuster of the plurality of side adjusters to position the at least one adjustment bracket and the cosmetic panel with respect to the outer door panel and at least one adjacent cabinet;
- and
- securing the at least one adjustment bracket to the outer door panel to set the position of the cosmetic panel relative to the outer door panel and the at least one adjacent cabinet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.