초록 ▼

A shell for a water cooler has two side sections and a front section. The side sections slide-connect with the front section and lock in place at corner joints, thereby forming an essentially one-piece shell. The shell may be economically fabricated with only two molds (one for the side sections and

A shell for a water cooler has two side sections and a front section. The side sections slide-connect with the front section and lock in place at corner joints, thereby forming an essentially one-piece shell. The shell may be economically fabricated with only two molds (one for the side sections and one for the front section) and with only the slide-connect step.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A shell for a domestic water cooler, which comprises:(a) an elongate vertical front panel having left and right side edge portions that are substantially parallel to each other,(b) elongate left and right vertical side panels,each of said side panels having front and rear

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A shell for a domestic water cooler, which comprises:(a) an elongate vertical front panel having left and right side edge portions that are substantially parallel to each other,(b) elongate left and right vertical side panels,each of said side panels having front and rear edge portions that are substantially parallel to each other, and(c) first and second corner joints to connect said front edge portions of said left and right side panels respectively to said left and right side edge portions of said front panel to cause said front panel and said side panels to be related to each other in U-shaped relationship as viewed in a horizontal plane,characterized in that said first corner joint is a slide joint that requires said front edge portion of said left side panel to slide longitudinally relative to said left edge portion of said front panel for at least the great majority of the length of said front panel in order to form said first corner joint, andfurther characterized in that said second corner joint is a slide joint that requires said front edge portion of said right side panel to slide longitudinally relative to said right edge portion of said front panel for at least the great majority of the length of said front panel in order to form said second corner joint.