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US 6,719,383 B2Granted
Retractable appliance control
AssigneeMaytag Corporation
InventorsRobert A. Elick, Barry E. Tuller, Scott D. Raches, Rodney M. Welch, Neeraj Singh, Anthony L. Durfee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control panel is retractably received within a recess in an appliance housing. The panel may be moved from an extended position wherein the control panel is exposed outside the cabinet to a retracted position wherein the control panel is enclosed within the recess. A spring urges the control panel to its extended position, and a latch is provided for releasably holding the control panel in its retracted position.
Claims23
A retractable appliance control comprising in combination:
- an appliance comprising a dishwasher having a control receiving recess therein;
- an appliance system for performing a plurality of functions in said appliance;
- a control panel having a panel housing and a plurality of control members on the exterior surface of said panel housing,
- at least one electrical connector connecting said control members to said appliance system for controlling said appliance system;
- and
- a bracket assembly mounting said control panel within said control receiving recess for movement from a retracted position wherein said control members are substantially contained within said control receiving recess to an extended position wherein said control members are outside said control receiving recess.
3 more elements
A retractable appliance control comprising in combination:
- an appliance having a cabinet housing;
- an appliance system within said cabinet housing for performing a plurality of functions in said cabinet housing;
- a control panel having a plurality of control members for controlling said appliance system;
- at least one electrical connector connecting said control members to said appliance system;
- a bracket assembly mounting said control panel to said housing for movement from a first position to a second position;
- and
- a damping assembly connected to said control panel and being adapted to resist movement of said control panel both from said first position to said second position and from said second position to said first position;
- a first spring connected to the control panel and biasing the control panel to the second position;
- and
- a latch holding the control panel in the first position and being releasable to permit the control panel to move to the second position.
7 more elements
A retractable appliance control comprising in combination:
- a cabinet housing having a control receiving recess therein;
- a control panel having a panel housing and a plurality of control members on the exterior surface of said panel housing,
- an appliance system for performing a plurality of functions in said appliance;
- at least one electrical connector connecting said control members to said appliance system for controlling said appliance system;
- a bracket assembly mounting said control panel within said control receiving recess for movement from a retracted position wherein said control members are substantially contained within said control receiving recess to an extended position wherein said control members are outside said control receiving recess;
- a latch mechanism for retentively engaging and holding the control panel in the retracted position;
- and
- a spring yieldably urging the control panel from the retracted to the extended position,
- the latch mechanism being releasable to permit the control panel to move from the retracted to the extended position.
6 more elements
A retractable appliance control comprising in combination:
- a cabinet housing having a control receiving recess therein;
- a control panel having a panel housing and a plurality of control members on the exterior surface of said panel housing,
- an appliance system for performing a plurality of functions in said appliance;
- at least one electrical connector connecting said control members to said appliance system for controlling said appliance system;
- a bracket assembly mounting said control panel within said control receiving recess for movement from a retracted position wherein said control members are substantially contained within said control receiving recess to an extended position wherein said control members are outside said control receiving recess;
- and
- the bracket assembly permitting movement of the control panel along a straight line axis between the retracted and the extended position.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.