TRIM ATTACHMENT SYSTEM FOR APPLIANCE
A trim system for a door or drawer of an electrical appliance, such as a refrigerator or freezer. The trim system has an engagement structure formed by a retainer having a first engagement surface with a plurality of ratchet teeth. The system also includes a trim member having a first, outward facing, surface and a second, inward facing, surface. The second surface of the trim member includes a protrusion configured to engage with the first engagement surface of the retaining clip, such that the trim member is secured to the engagement structure. The protrusion has a first tooth configured to engage the plurality of ratchet teeth of the first engagement surface. Optionally, the retainer can be formed as a clip, with a second engagement surface opposite the first engagement surface, having a tooth or teeth for engagement with a second tooth of the protrusion.
The present disclosure generally relates to a trim suitable for fitting to electrical (i.e., commercial and/or domestic) appliances (e.g., “home appliances”). Particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a trim attachment mechanism for the doors or drawers of refrigeration appliances.
BACKGROUNDIt is known that commercial and domestic appliances (such as laundry washing and/or drying machines, cookers, refrigeration appliances and dishwashing machines) are often installed into alcoves or spaces defined by a surrounding structure and/or other appliances and cabinetry. These “integrated” (or “built in”) appliances can be installed in several stages, with a main frame or body being installed first followed by the doors and any external, outwardly-facing paneling. This paneling is often attached to a door of the appliance in such a way that its position and/or orientation is adjustable to ensure that the outwardly-facing paneling is correctly positioned and aligned with its surrounding cabinetry panels.
Adjustments of this nature can typically lead to gaps between the paneling and the underlying structure onto which it is mounted. Such gaps are both cosmetically displeasing and furthermore, expose the underlying structure of the door and/or frame, allowing for the ingress of dirt, dust and detritus.
An object of the present invention is to mitigate at least some of the issues mentioned above.
SUMMARYIn accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a trim system for a door of an electrical appliance, the trim system comprising: an engagement structure comprising a retainer having a first engagement surface, the first engagement surface comprising a plurality of ratchet teeth; and a trim member having a first outward facing surface and a second inward facing surface; wherein the second surface of the trim member comprises a protrusion configured to engage with the first engagement surface of the retainer, such that the trim member is secured to the engagement structure; and wherein the protrusion comprises a first tooth configured to engage the plurality of ratchet teeth of the first engagement surface.
The arrangement of the plurality of ratchet teeth on the first engagement surface and the first tooth of the protrusion enables the protrusion to be selectively advanced within the retainer, i.e. inserted and secured to the retainer to varying degrees, such that the trim member can be repositioned laterally (i.e., in a front-to-back direction) relative to the engagement structure whilst still being held securely.
Optionally, the retainer comprises a retaining clip, the retaining clip formed by the first engagement surface and a second engagement surface opposing the first engagement surface, the second engagement surface having one or more ratchet tooth/teeth, and wherein the protrusion also has a second tooth configured to engage the one or more ratchet tooth/teeth of the second engagement surface.
The addition of a tooth on a second engagement surface helps to prevent the protrusion from being entirely disengaged from the retaining clip, whilst still allowing the protrusion to be advanceable and repositionable along the plurality of ratchet teeth on the first engagement surface.
Optionally, the first engagement surface comprises at least two spaced apart ratchet teeth arranged such that the protrusion may be secured within the retaining clip to at least a first and a second extent.
Optionally, the first engagement surface is provided on a first tab.
Optionally, the second engagement surface is provided on a second tab.
Optionally, the tabs each have a free end and an opposite fixed end attached to a main body of the engagement structure.
Optionally, the fixed end of the tab bearing the first engagement surface is arranged to receive the protrusion of the trim member. This arrangement allows the first engagement surface to deflect when acted on by the protrusion. When the protrusion is partially inserted or withdrawn from the retaining clip, the tab and its ratchet teeth I are able to be deflected away from the protrusion so as to enable the protrusion's first tooth to move back along the plurality of ratchet teeth, towards an opening or entrance of the clip.
Optionally, the free end of the tab bearing the second engagement surface is arranged to receive the protrusion of the trim member. This arrangement allows the second engagement surface to deflect when acted on by the protrusion. The greater flexibility of this arrangement allows the second engagement surface to deflect when acted on by the advancing protrusion such that the protrusion may pass by the tooth/teeth of the second engagement surface and be engaged within the retaining clip.
Optionally, the protrusion is formed of a resiliently flexible material while the clip is formed from relatively inflexible material. This enables the protrusion, rather than the engagement surface(s), to deform and/or deflect as necessary when being inserted into or withdrawn from the retaining clip.
Optionally, faces of the plurality of ratchet teeth of the first engagement surface and/or the tooth or teeth of the second engagement surface, and corresponding faces of the first and/or second tooth of the protrusion, are inclined such that removal of the protrusion from the retaining clip is impeded relative to its insertion. This reduces the chance of the trim member coming loose of its own accord, or otherwise being accidentally disengaged from the retaining clip of the engagement structure.
Optionally, the one or more ratchet teeth of the first and/or second engagement surfaces comprise front and rear faces meeting at an edge, wherein the angles of inclination of the front and rear faces are not the same, with the rear faces being less steep than the forward faces. Accordingly the protrusion may be repositioned in a forward direction along the plurality of teeth of the first engagement surface with relative ease, whereas the withdrawal of the protrusion from the plurality of teeth is more difficult.
Optionally, the trim member and/or engagement structure is substantially elongate, extending predominantly in a longitudinal direction.
Optionally, the plurality of ratchet teeth of the first engagement surface are displaced across a lateral width of the engagement structure, substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension direction of the engagement structure.
Optionally, the engagement structure further comprises one or more abutments configured to prevent relative movement of the trim member in the longitudinal direction of its elongation.
Optionally, the engagement structure is provided on an exposed top or bottom surface of a door or drawer.
Optionally, the trim member has a substantially curved cross-sectional profile.
Optionally, the protrusion comprises a right angle, having a first portion extending in a direction substantially normal to the second surface of the trim member, and a second portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to the second surface of the trim member.
Optionally, the first tooth of the protrusion is located on a first surface of the second portion parallel to the second surface of the trim member.
Optionally, the second tooth of the protrusion is located on a second surface of the second portion opposite the first surface.
Optionally, when the protrusion is located in and engaged by the retaining clip, the first and second engagement surface of the retaining clip are parallel to the second surface of the trim member.
Optionally, the trim member is made of metal and/or the engagement structure is made via injection moulding a plastics material.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an electrical appliance comprising: a cabinet having an opening closable by a door or drawer fitted thereto, and a trim system for the door or drawer, the trim system comprising: an engagement structure having a retainer having a first engagement surface, the first engagement surface having a plurality of ratchet teeth; and a trim member having a first, outward facing, surface and a second, inward facing, surface; wherein the second surface of the trim member includes a protrusion configured to engage with the first engagement surface of the retainer, such that the trim member is secured to the engagement structure; and wherein the protrusion has a first tooth configured to engage the plurality of ratchet teeth of the first engagement surface.
Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the appended claim set.
Features from one or more embodiments or configurations may be combined with features of one or more other embodiments or configurations. Additionally, more than one embodiment or configuration may be used together in an electrical appliance, for example a refrigeration appliance, such as a refrigerator or freezer.
As used herein the term “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun.
As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or where the context allows both.
The term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting each statement in this specification that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner.
It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.
This disclosure may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features.
Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this disclosure relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
The disclosure consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
For engaging and retaining the trim member 20, the upper surface 14 of the engagement structure 10 has a series of retainers or retaining clips 16. As shown in
Whilst the retaining clip 16 and protrusion 22 are depicted in the drawing figures as having seven teeth and two teeth, respectively, any suitable number may be employed.
Though depicted as having a substantially flat cross-sectional profile, the main body of the trim member 20 may have any suitably-shaped profile required by a particular application or selected for its eye-appeal. For example, the trim member 20 may have a substantially curved profile and may be substantially concave of convex.
Similarly, whilst the protrusion 22 and retaining clip 16 are shown as having generally flat profiles, they may be curved or alternatively shaped providing they are able to engage in the manner described above.
In use, the trim member 20 is positioned above the upper surface 14 of the engagement structure 10 and the protrusion 22 is guided into a leading edge or mouth of the or each retaining clip 16 between the “U”-shaped member 16A and the base or floor of the longitudinal channel in/on the upper surface 14 of the engagement structure. The barbed tip 23 of the protrusion 22 is pushed into engagement with teeth 24 and 25 by sliding the trim member 20 towards the front face of the door 40 (i.e., to the right in
The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred forms thereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A trim system for a door or drawer of an electrical appliance, the trim system comprising:
- an engagement structure having a retainer having a first engagement surface, the first engagement surface having a plurality of ratchet teeth; and
- a trim member having a first, outward facing, surface and a second, inward facing, surface;
- wherein the second surface of the trim member includes a protrusion configured to engage with the first engagement surface of the retainer, such that the trim member is secured to the engagement structure; and
- wherein the protrusion has a first tooth configured to engage the plurality of ratchet teeth of the first engagement surface.
2. The trim system of claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a retaining clip, the retaining clip formed by the first engagement surface and a second engagement surface opposing the first engagement surface, the second engagement surface having one or more ratchet tooth/teeth, and wherein the protrusion also has a second tooth configured to engage the one or more ratchet tooth/teeth of the second engagement surface.
3. The trim system of claim 1, wherein the first engagement surface has at least two ratchet teeth, each of which is engageable with the first tooth, the at least two ratchet teeth arranged spaced apart such that the protrusion may be secured within the retainer to at least a first and second extent.
4. The trim system of claim 1, wherein the first engagement surface is provided on a first tab.
5. The trim system of claim 2, wherein the second engagement surface is provided on a second tab.
6. The trim system of claim 4, wherein the first tab has a free end and an opposite, fixed end, attached to a main body of the engagement structure.
7. The trim system of claim 6, wherein the fixed end of the first tab on which the first engagement surface is provided is arranged to receive the protrusion of the trim member.
8. The trim system of claim 5, wherein the second tab has a free end and an opposite, fixed end, attached to a main body of the engagement structure, wherein the free end of the second tab on which the second engagement surface is provided is arranged to receive the protrusion of the trim member.
9. The trim system of claim 1, wherein the engagement structure is formed by injection moulding a plastics material and the trim member is formed from metal.
10. The trim system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ratchet teeth of the first engagement surface, or the first tooth, or both, have an insertion face and a removal face, wherein the removal face is inclined more steeply than the insertion face such that removal of the protrusion from the retainer is impeded relative to its insertion.
11. The trim system of claim 2, wherein each of the one or more ratchet tooth/teeth of the second engagement surface, or the second tooth, or both, have an insertion face and a removal face, wherein the removal face is inclined more steeply than the insertion face such that removal of the protrusion from the retaining clip is impeded relative to its insertion.
12. The trim system of claim 1, wherein the trim member and/or engagement structure is/are substantially elongate, extending predominantly in a longitudinal direction.
13. The trim system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of ratchet teeth of the first engagement surface are displaced across a lateral width of the engagement structure, substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal extension direction of the engagement structure.
14. The trim system of claim 1, wherein the engagement structure further comprises one or more abutments configured to prevent relative movement of the trim member in the longitudinal direction of its extension.
15. The trim system of claim 1, wherein the engagement structure is provided on an exposed top or bottom surface of a door or drawer.
16. The trim system of claim 1, wherein the protrusion comprises a right angle, having a first portion extending in a direction substantially normal to the second surface of the trim member, and a second portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to the second surface of the trim member.
17. The trim system of claim 16, wherein the first tooth of the protrusion is located on a first surface of the second portion, parallel to the second surface of the trim member.
18. The trim system of claim 2, wherein the protrusion comprises a right angle, having a first portion extending in a direction substantially normal to the second surface of the trim member, and a second portion extending in a direction substantially parallel to the second surface of the trim member, wherein the first tooth of the protrusion is located on a first surface of the second portion, parallel to the second surface of the trim member, and wherein the second tooth of the protrusion is located on a second surface of the second portion, opposite the first surface.
19. The trim system of claim 2, wherein, when the protrusion is located in and engaged by the retaining clip, the first and second engagement surfaces of the retaining clip are parallel to the second surface of the trim member.
20. An electrical appliance comprising:
- a cabinet having an opening closable by a door or drawer fitted thereto, and
- a trim system for the door or drawer, the trim system comprising: an engagement structure having a retainer having a first engagement surface, the first engagement surface having a plurality of ratchet teeth; and a trim member having a first outward facing surface and a second inward facing surface; wherein the second surface of the trim member includes a protrusion configured to engage with the first engagement surface of the retainer, such that the trim member is secured to the engagement structure; and wherein the protrusion has a first tooth configured to engage the plurality of ratchet teeth of the first engagement surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 28, 2023
Publication Date: Feb 1, 2024
Inventor: Simon Yeldos (Auckland)
Application Number: 18/227,539