Method of assembling universal trim piece system for a refrigerator
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B21D-039/03
B21K-021/16
B21K-021/00
출원번호
UP-0521492
(2006-09-15)
등록번호
US-7516531
(2009-07-01)
발명자
/ 주소
Crompton, Edward
Reimer, Mark Jeffery
출원인 / 주소
Whirlpool Corporation
대리인 / 주소
Goodwin, Kirk
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
3인용 특허 :
8
초록▼
A universal trim piece system for a refrigerator door having a decorative panel can be employed with either a front mounted door handle or a side mounted door handle. When employing the front mounted handle, the door is provided with a top trim piece, a bottom trim piece and first and second side tr
A universal trim piece system for a refrigerator door having a decorative panel can be employed with either a front mounted door handle or a side mounted door handle. When employing the front mounted handle, the door is provided with a top trim piece, a bottom trim piece and first and second side trim pieces. When employing the side mounted handle, the door is provided with the top trim piece, the bottom trim piece and only the first side trim piece, with the side mounted handle replacing the second side trim piece. Interchanging the handles/decorative panels just requires loosening the top and bottom trim pieces, exchanging the handles and possibly the decorative panels, providing a second side trim piece or handle, and re-secure the top and bottom trim pieces.
대표청구항▼
We claim: 1. A method of assembling a refrigerator door including a door panel having top, bottom and opposing side edges that collectively define an inner surface and an outer surface comprising: positioning a decorative panel on the outer surface of the door panel; and selectively fastening one o
We claim: 1. A method of assembling a refrigerator door including a door panel having top, bottom and opposing side edges that collectively define an inner surface and an outer surface comprising: positioning a decorative panel on the outer surface of the door panel; and selectively fastening one of a front mounted handle to the decorative panel and a side mounted handle to one of the opposing side edges of the door panel wherein: when employing the front mounted handle: attaching the front mounted handle to the decorative panel; and attaching to the door panel a top trim piece, a bottom trim piece and first and second side trim pieces; and when employing the side mounted handle: attaching to the door panel the top trim piece, the bottom trim piece and the first side trim piece; and attaching the side mounted handle along one of the opposing side edges in place of the second side trim piece. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after employing the front mounted handle, replacing the front mounted handle with the side mounted handle while at least one of the top and bottom trim pieces remains supported by the door. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after employing the side mounted handle, replacing the side mounted handle with the front mounted handle while at least one of the top and bottom trim pieces remains supported by the door. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: when employing the side mounted handle, attaching a trim cover to the side mounted handle; and when employing the front mounted handle, attaching the trim cover to one of the opposing side trim pieces. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: when employing the side mounted handle, snap-fittingly attaching the trim cover to the side mounted handle; and when employing the front mounted handle, snap-fittingly attaching the trim cover to the one of the opposing side trim pieces. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the top trim piece includes a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion, said method further comprising extending each of said first and second end portions directly over respective ones of the first side trim piece and either the second side trim piece or the side mounted handle. 7. A method of replacing a door handle on a refrigerator having a door panel including top, bottom and opposing side edges that collectively define an inner surface and an outer surface, an inner liner secured to the inner surface and a decorative panel positioned on the outer surface of the door panel, said method comprising: when switching from a front mounted handle to a side mounted handle: loosening a top trim piece and a bottom trim piece that extend along the top and bottom edges respectively; removing a side trim piece from one of the opposing side edges; replacing the decorative panel having the front mounted handle with a decorative panel without a handle attached thereto; attaching the side mounted handle to the one of the opposing side edges in place of the side trim piece; and re-securing the top and bottom trim pieces; and when switching from a side mounted handle to a front mounted handle: loosening the top trim piece and the bottom trim piece; removing the side mounted handle from one of the opposing side edges of the door panel; replacing the decorative panel with a decorative panel having the front mounted handle, mounting a side trim piece to the one of the opposing side edges of the door panel; and re-securing the top and bottom trim pieces to the top and bottom edges respectively. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: when employing the side mounted handle, attaching a trim cover to the side mounted handle; and when employing the front mounted handle, attaching the trim cover to one of the opposing side trim pieces. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: when employing the side mounted handle, snap-fittingly attaching the trim cover to the side mounted handle; and when employing the front mounted handle, snap-fittingly attaching the trim cover to the one of the opposing side trim pieces. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the top trim piece includes a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion, said method further comprising extending the second end portion of the top trim piece directly over either the side trim piece or the side mounted handle. 11. A method of assembling a refrigerator door including a door panel having top, bottom and opposing side edges that collectively define an inner surface and an outer surface, and an inner liner secured to the inner surface, and replacing a handle on the door, said method comprising: positioning a decorative panel on the outer surface of the door panel; and selectively fastening one of a front mounted handle to the decorative panel and a side mounted handle to one of the opposing side edges of the door panel wherein: when employing the front mounted handle: attaching the front mounted handle to the decorative panel; and attaching to the door panel a top trim piece, a bottom trim piece and first and second side trim pieces; and when employing the side mounted handle: attaching to the door panel the top trim piece, the bottom trim piece and the first side trim piece; and attaching the side mounted handle along one of the opposing side edges in place of the second side trim piece; and when switching from the front mounted handle to the side mounted handle: loosening the top trim piece and the bottom trim piece that extend along the top and bottom edges respectively; removing the second side trim piece from one of the opposing side edges; replacing the decorative panel having the front mounted handle with a decorative panel without a handle attached thereto; attaching the side mounted handle to the one of the opposing side edges in place of the second side trim piece; and re-securing the top and bottom trim pieces; and when switching from a side mounted handle end to a front mounted handle: loosening the top trim piece and the bottom trim piece; removing the side mounted handle from one of the opposing side edges of the door panel; replacing the decorative panel with a decorative panel having the front mounted handle; mounting the second side trim piece to the one of the opposing side edges of the door panel; and re-securing the top and bottom trim pieces to the top and bottom edges respectively.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (8)
Schell Paul F. (Newton IA), Appliance door decorator panel construction.
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