Appliance console assembly

Abstract

A console assembly for an appliance that includes a cabinet is provided. The console assembly has a console which attaches with a top surface of the appliance cabinet and a rear peg. The console includes a passageway disposed in a surface thereof. The rear peg, which is a structure independent of the console, projects upward from a surface associated with the appliance cabinet and through the console passageway. The console may include one or more flanges disposed at a front edge of the console, a pair of front pegs and a pair of posts proximate to the front pegs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to home appliances, and more particularly, to consoles associated with appliances such as washing machine and/or dryers.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Today, a vast majority of people use washers and dryers, either in their home or in a commercial facility, to clean clothes. Typically, these washing machines and dryers include a cabinet and a console, where the console is mounted on the top surface of the cabinet. The console allows a user to control the operation of the washing machines and dryers. The consoles mount to the body through the use of hardware, such as screws and other fasteners. The fasteners are located throughout the console, including the front of the console visible to the user. Understandably, a user may find the presence of fasteners on the front of the console to be unsightly. Also, insertion of the fasteners throughout the console increase both the labor and parts associated with manufacturing the appliance, thereby increasing overall costs for the consumer.

Attempts to address these problems include the related art console 10 shown with reference to FIG. 1. The console 10 includes a pair of feet 12 and a pair of feet 14 disposed at a console bottom 10a. the pairs of feet 12 and 14 are structures which attach the console to the cabinet. The pairs of feet 12 and 14 extend downwardly from the console 10. The pairs of feet 12 and 14 are integrally formed with the console 10 such that the console 10 and the pairs of feet 12 and 14 from a single unit.

The pairs of feet 12 and 14 include recesses 12a and 14a which engage slots 16a and 16b of a top portion 16 when the console 10 is inserted therein. During installation of the console 10, the pair of feet 12 are first inserted into the slot 16a. The console 10 is then rearwardly rotated as indicated by directional arrow Z such that the pair of feet 14 engage and fit downwardly through the slot 16b.

There are problems associated with the related art, for example should one of the feet break, the entire console must be replaced, thereby increasing the overall cost associated with purchasing and maintaining the appliance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an appliance (e.g. a washing machine and/or dryer) as well as an appliance console that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide an appliance as well as an appliance console where the console does not require replacement if a coupling structure breaks.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an appliance and an appliance console where the console may be easily attached to a cabinet of an appliance.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned and other advantages are achieved by a console assembly for an appliance that includes a cabinet. The console assembly comprises a console having a surface that includes a console passageway. The console assembly also includes a rear peg that projects upward from a surface associated with the appliance cabinet and through the console passageway.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned and other advantages are achieved by an appliance comprising a cabinet having a surface; a console having a surface that includes a console passageway; and a rear peg that projects upward from the cabinet surface and through the console passageway.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an appliance console in accordance with the related art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an appliance;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a console in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a rear peg used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a flange used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a console attached to the top surface of the appliance cabinet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the console in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of a console in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an appliance 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The appliance 100 may be any type of appliance including, but not limited to, a washing machine, a dryer or the like. The appliance 100 includes a cabinet 102 and a console 104. The console 104 includes a user interface 105 as shown in FIG. 7 through which the user controls functionality of the appliance 100. The console 104 attaches to the top surface 106 of the appliance cabinet 102, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a console 104 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The console 104 attaches to the top surface 106 with at least one front flange 108, a pair of front pegs 110 and a pair of posts 112. The front pegs 110 and the posts 112 are an integral part of the console 104. The front pegs 110 and the posts 112 are located adjacent to and/or near the front edge of the console 104 and they have a substantially circular cross-section in accordance with this embodiment. However, the front pegs 110 and the posts 112 may, alternatively, employ any suitable cross-sectional shape. The console 104 also attaches to the top surface 106 of the appliance cabinet 102 using rear pegs 114.

FIG. 4 is a side view of one of the rear pegs 114 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown, rear peg 114 is affixed to the top surface 106 through the use of flanges 116 and a stem 118 where the stem 118 extends through an opening in the top surface 106 and flanges 116 secure the rear peg 114 by engaging the under side 106d of the top surface 106.

During assembly, the rear peg 114 is inserted through the opening in the top surface 106. the flanges 116 flex inward to permit the rear peg 114 to pass through the opening. When the flanges 116 clear the under side 106d of the top surface 106, the flanges 116 flex outward and engage the under side 106d of the top surface 106 as stated.

The rear peg 114, as shown in FIG. 4, also includes an upper body portion 120 and a flange 122. The flange 122 engages the upper side 106e of top surface 106 to further secure rear peg 114 to the top surface 106.

When the console 104 is installed, the upper body portion 120 of rear peg 114 projects upward through a passageway 104a defined by the console flange 104b. In addition, the console flange 104b rests on the rear peg flange 122 as shown in FIG. 4 such that rear peg flange 122 is sandwiched between the console 104 and the top surface 106 if the appliance cabinet 102.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, the upper body portion 120 of the rear pegs 114 has a circular cross-section. The stem 118 has a square cross-section. However, the upper body portion 120 and the stem 118 of the rear pegs 114 may employ any suitable, alternative cross-sectional shape.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rear pegs 114 are independent components. They are separate from the console 104. Advantageously, any of the rear pegs 114 may be replaced if broken, without having to replace the console 104. It should be noted that the rear pegs 114 are, unlike the front pegs 110 and the posts 112, located towards the back edge of the console 104. Moreover, the rear pegs 114 may be constructed from any suitable material that provides the previously described functionality, such as plastic or the like.

The console 104 also attaches to the top surface 106 of the appliance cabinet 102 with one or more flanges 108. As shown in FIG. 5, the flange 108 includes an inclined portion 108a which facilitates the insertion of flange 108 through a corresponding opening in the top surface 106. The flange 108 also includes a stem 108b that engages the top surface 106 when the console 104 is installed. Still further, the flange 108 includes a number of rear projections 108c (although only one rear projection is shown in the side view of FIG. 5). The rear projections 108c engage the edge of the opening opposite the inclined portion 108a. Thus, the rear projections 108c secure the flange in the opening. Moreover, the rear projections 108c preferably have a shape that facilitates the insertion of the flange into the opening.

FIG. 6 shows the console 104 attached to the top surface 106 of the appliance cabinet 102 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. In order to attach the console 104, the rear pegs 114 are affixed to the top cover surface 106 as previously discussed. The flanges 108 are inserted through a corresponding opening in the top surface 106 and a downward force is applied as indicated by directional arrow X such that the front pegs 110 project through and engage the top surface 106 and the posts 112 rest on the upper side 106e of the top surface 106. In addition, as the downward force is applied, the upper body portion 120 of the rear pegs 114 project upward through and engage the console passageway 104a.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the console 104. As shown, the front pegs 110 extend below the flanges 108. Thus, the bottom surface 10a of the front pegs 110 extends below the bottom surface 108b of the flanges 108. This reduces the likelihood of damage to the flanges 108 during installation and removal of the console 104.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the console 104 does not include front pegs 110. Instead, the console 104 includes a console passageway 104d (although only one passageway 104d is shown in the side view of FIG. 8) defined by flanges 104e. In addition, this alternative embodiment employs front pegs 115, as shown, where front pegs 115 are independent structures that are the same or substantially similar to rear pegs 114. Like rear pegs 114, front pegs 115 are affixed to the top surface 106 of the appliance cabinet 102, and the upper body portion of front pegs 115 project upward through and engage the corresponding console passageway 104e when the console 104 is installed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A console assembly for an appliance that includes a cabinet, the console assembly comprising:

a console having a surface that includes a console passageway disposed therein; and

a rear peg that projects upward from a surface associated with the appliance cabinet and through the console passageway.

2. The console assembly as recited in claim 1, the console further comprising:

a flange disposed at a first end of the console where the flange projects downward through an opening in the surface of the appliance cabinet.

3. The console assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the console passageway is disposed at a second end of the console opposite the first end of the console.

4. The console assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the console further comprises:

a front peg disposed at the first end of the console.

5. The console assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the front peg projects downward from the console through a second opening in the surface of the appliance cabinet wherein the front peg has a length which is greater than a length of the console flange.

6. The console assembly as recited in claim 1, the console further comprising:

a post disposed proximate to the console front peg.

7. The console assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the post projects downward from the console and engages the surface of the appliance cabinet.

8. The console assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the rear peg is affixed to the surface of the appliance cabinet.

9. The console assembly as recited in claim 8, the rear peg comprising:

an upper body portion that projects upward through the console passageway.

10. The console assembly as recited in claim 8, the rear peg comprising:

a first flange that engages with an upper surface of the appliance cabinet.

11. The console assembly as recited in claim 8, the rear peg comprising:

a stem projecting downward through a corresponding opening in the surface of the appliance cabinet.

12. The console assembly as recited in claim 8, the console comprising:

a pair of flanges that engage an under side of the surface of the appliance cabinet.

13. The console assembly as recited in claim 1, the console further comprising:

a second console passageway disposed therein

14. The console assembly as recited in claim 13 further comprising:

a front peg that projects upward from the surface associated with the appliance cabinet and through the second console passageway.

15. A console assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the appliance is a washing machine.

16. A console assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the appliance is a dryer.

17. An appliance comprising:

a cabinet having a surface;

a console having a surface that includes a console passageway disposed therein;

a rear peg that projects upward from the cabinet surface and through the console passageway.