Abstract: A thermally actuated lock for an appliance incorporates a fusible material that holds a spring-loaded bolt in retraction. Temperatures that would indicate an appliance fire allow the bolt to extend between the housing and appliance door to lock the appliance door in a closed position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a switch for use with an appliance valve, such as for gas appliances. The switch may comprise a base for coupling the switch to a valve, a rotatable hub in communication with the base and providing rotation therewith, a first protrusion projecting outwardly from the hub, and a detent disposed on the base and in communication with the first protrusion for resisting rotatable motion of the hub. Rotation of the hub in a first direction for turning an appliance valve to an on position requires the first protrusion to flexibly deflect the detent to permit the hub to rotate past the detent. As a result, danger of inadvertent rotation of the switch is reduced.

Abstract: An ignition switch assembly is configured to be operatively connected to a gas valve. The ignition switch assembly may include a first ignition contact and a second ignition contact. The first and second ignition contacts may be sized and shaped the same. A hub may be configured to be rotated within the ignition switch assembly. A rotation of the hub in a first direction causes a portion of the first ignition contact to engage the second ignition contact. Further rotation of the hub in the first direction or rotation of the hub in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction causes the portion of the first ignition contact to disengage from the second ignition contact.

Abstract: An ignition switch assembly is configured to be operatively connected to a gas valve. The ignition switch assembly may include a first ignition contact and a second ignition contact. The first and second ignition contacts may be sized and shaped the same. A hub may be configured to be rotated within the ignition switch assembly. A rotation of the hub in a first direction causes a portion of the first ignition contact to engage the second ignition contact. Further rotation of the hub in the first direction or rotation of the hub in a second direction that is opposite from the first direction causes the portion of the first ignition contact to disengage from the second ignition contact.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a switch for use with an appliance valve, such as for gas appliances. The switch may comprise a base for coupling the switch to a valve, a rotatable hub in communication with the base and providing rotation therewith, a first protrusion projecting outwardly from the hub, and a detent disposed on the base and in communication with the first protrusion for resisting rotatable motion of the hub. Rotation of the hub in a first direction for turning an appliance valve to an on position requires the first protrusion to flexibly deflect the detent to permit the hub to rotate past the detent. As a result, danger of inadvertent rotation of the switch is reduced.

Abstract: A thermally actuated lock for an appliance incorporates a fusible material that holds a spring-loaded bolt in retraction. Temperatures that would indicate an appliance fire allow the bolt to extend between the housing and appliance door to lock the appliance door in a closed position.

Abstract: An inductive lighting assembly for an appliance is provided. The appliance includes a cabinet, a liner installed in the cabinet, and at least one shelf mounted in the cabinet. The inductive lighting assembly includes a coil locator channel recessed into the cabinet, a primary coil mounted proximate to the coil locator channel, a shelf having a projection coupled thereto; the projection configured to be at least partially inserted into the coil locator channel to separate a metallic object placed on the shelf from the primary coil by a predetermined distance, and a secondary coil mounted in the projection, the primary coil transferring power to the secondary coil through inductive power transfer, the secondary coil being electrically connected to a light assembly installed in the appliance. A refrigerator including an inductive lighting system is also provided herein.

Abstract: A dual function switch assembly includes a switch housing part containing multiple switches at different elevations and a rotor having cam surfaces aligned with the switches for operating the switches. A mounting part is connected to the switch housing part and provides mounting features for attachment in a desired installation.

Abstract: A system for dampening an opening motion of a door includes a frame, an access door and at least one dampening member. The access door is rotatably secured to the frame. The access door is configured to be moved with respect to the frame between closed and completely open positions. The at least one dampening member is secured to the access door or the frame. The dampening member(s) dampens movement of the access door toward the completely open position over a range of motion.

Abstract: A dual function switch assembly includes a switch housing part containing multiple switches at different elevations and a rotor having cam surfaces aligned with the switches for operating the switches. A mounting part is connected to the switch housing part and provides mounting features for attachment in a desired installation.

Abstract: A system for dampening an opening motion of a door includes a frame, an access door and at least one dampening member. The access door is rotatably secured to the frame. The access door is configured to be moved with respect to the frame between closed and completely open positions. The at least one dampening member is secured to the access door or the frame. The dampening member(s) dampens movement of the access door toward the completely open position over a range of motion.

Abstract: A storage rack system, locking latch therefor, and combinations thereof. The latch having generally a flexible and resilient arm coupleable to a beam member and having a locking pin coupled thereto. The resilient arm biases the locking pin through a locking pin opening of the beam member so that the locking pin protrudes at least partially into a post opening aligned at least partially with the locking pin opening when the beam member is connected to the post by a headed lug. A locking flange extending generally radially from the locking pin is engageable with a portion of the beam member to inhibit withdrawal of the locking pin from the locking pin opening.

Abstract: An electrical assembly for mounting an electrical device, such as a lamp socket, in an appliance has first and second components on opposite sides of a wall of the appliance. The first component is attached to the wall and closes a hole through the wall on a first side thereof. The second component is attached to the first component and closes the hole on an opposite side of the wall. Complementary quick connect electrical terminals are provided in the first and second components whereby electrical connection is established as the first and second components are attached one to the other.

Abstract: A light assembly for a refrigerator drawer includes a light source assembly, a reflector and a lens assembly keyed one to another for positioning, and secured to each other as a preassembled unit. The preassembled light assembly is snap fit into an opening in a panel of the drawer.

Abstract: A storage rack system, locking latch therefor, and combinations thereof. The latch having generally a flexible and resilient arm coupleable to a beam member and having a locking pin coupled thereto. The resilient arm biases the locking pin through a locking pin opening of the beam member so that the locking pin protrudes at least partially into a post opening aligned at least partially with the locking pin opening when the beam member is connected to the post by a headed lug. A locking flange extending generally radially from the locking pin is engageable with a portion of the beam member to inhibit withdrawal of the locking pin from the locking pin opening.

Abstract: A storage rack system, locking latch therefor, and combinations thereof. The latch having generally a flexible and resilient arm coupleable to a beam member and having a locking pin coupled thereto. The resilient arm biases the locking pin through a locking pin opening of the beam member so that the locking pin protrudes at least partially into a post opening aligned at least partially with the locking pin opening when the beam member is connected to the post by a headed lug. A locking flange extending generally radially from the locking pin is engageable with a portion of the beam member to inhibit withdrawal of the locking pin from the locking pin opening.

Abstract: The shelf support assembly includes an integral disk and shank with an aperture through the longitudinal axis thereof. A screw passes through the aperture. Flexible arms are formed around an opening in the disk formed by the aperture. The flexible arms engage the threads of screw during a pre-assembled position. However, the flexible arms deflect in response to axial urging of the screw thereby allowing the screw to move axially during the initial insertion of the screw into the pre-assembled position. This deflection further occurs in response to subsequent axial adjustment of the screw prior to installation, in response to the dropping of the shelf support assembly in the pre-assembled position thereby allowing the flexible arms to absorb a portion of the energy of the fall, and in response to the installation of the shelf support assembly into the mounting panel.

Abstract: A furniture leveling foot and system therefor includes a threaded shaft with a lead end portion, and a foot end portion having a resilient head with a curved flange portion curving generally radially outwardly from the threaded shaft with increasing axial distance from the foot end portion thereof, whereby the head is flexible so as to absorb impact shock directed toward the threaded shaft. The threaded shaft has screw threads disposed helically thereabout, and the screw threads have a leading side configured at an angle. An opening disposed through a plate member has a partially circumferential helical edge defined by a helical surface portion having an outer surface at an angle equal to the angle of the leading side of the screw thread. The lead end portion of the threaded shaft is rotatably disposable in the opening of the plate member from the second side thereof by engaging the screw threads with the helical edge.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical subassembly and a subassembly formed by the method which includes the steps of providing a conductive member having a predetermined configuration and a housing for receiving the conductive member, connecting the conductive member to the housing, and removing a portion of the conductive member so as to separate it into a plurality of discrete contacts, each contact being connected to the housing and thereby providing a desired circuit path through the subassembly. The subassembly includes one or more electrical components mounted thereto and can be readily attached to a support and wired to a desired circuit without soldering while enabling removal and replacement of an electrical component as desired.

Abstract: A light bulb socket assembly adapts a primary light bulb socket housing to accept a light bulb of a smaller size. The assembly includes a primary housing including desired electrical contacts and a bulb insert for mounting within the primary housing wherein the insert threadingly accepts a base portion of a light bulb and enables contact between the bulb and the electrical contacts. A connecting member is also included which releasably mounts the bulb insert to the primary housing and prevents removal of the bulb insert in the event the bulb is over-tightened.