초록 ▼

An appliance cabinet may be made having at least a first metallic tub, and a mounting bracket by which a component of the appliance may be mounted to the cabinet. The bracket and the first metallic tub may be juxtaposed. The bracket may be attached to the first metallic tub by moving one of a portio

An appliance cabinet may be made having at least a first metallic tub, and a mounting bracket by which a component of the appliance may be mounted to the cabinet. The bracket and the first metallic tub may be juxtaposed. The bracket may be attached to the first metallic tub by moving one of a portion of the first metallic tub or the bracket at a speed great enough to induce plastic flow of the portion of the first metallic tub about a portion of the bracket.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of making an appliance cabinet, the method comprising: providing a metallic tub with a recess;disposing a mounting bracket in the recess and in contact with the metallic tub; andoverwrapping a portion of the bracket with a portion of the metallic tub by moving relative to each other one

1. A method of making an appliance cabinet, the method comprising: providing a metallic tub with a recess;disposing a mounting bracket in the recess and in contact with the metallic tub; andoverwrapping a portion of the bracket with a portion of the metallic tub by moving relative to each other one of the mounting bracket or a portion of the metallic tub adjacent to the bracket at a speed great enough to induce plastic flow of the portion of the metallic tub about a portion of the mounting bracket fixedly attach the mounting bracket to the metallic tub. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving step includes applying at least one of a pressure wave or an electromagnetic field to the one of a portion of the metallic tub or the mounting bracket. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the portion of the mounting bracket is one of a side edge, a bottom, a beveled surface, or a projection from the mounting bracket. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the projection extends from at least one of a side or bottom of the bracket. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the projection comprises a beveled surface along the side of the bracket. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the side is a side edge. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket comprises a hinge plate, and further comprising attaching the hinge plate near a corner of the cabinet. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the corner is one of an inner or outer corner of the cabinet. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket comprises at least one of a hinge plate, a rail assembly, a light fixture support, a door closure magnet, freezer compartment and refrigeration compartment evaporator assemblies, a condenser assembly, a shelving side rail, a glide side adaptor, a water filter housing, a leveler/roller bracket, a compressor mounting plate bracket, a glider rail assembly, a front rail attachment, an inverter module assembly, a high-voltage box assembly, an isolation valve assembly, a control board housing assembly, a needle valve assembly, 2, 3, and 4-way valve assemblies, a suction line attachment, a cantilever shelving hook and ladder bracket, and a water line conduit monoport attachment. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the attaching comprises flush mounting an upper surface of the mounting bracket with an upper surface of the metallic tub. 11. A method of making a refrigerator cabinet having an inner tub and an outer tub, with at least one of the inner and outer tubs being a metallic tub, and a mounting bracket for mounting a component to the at least one of the inner and outer tubs, the method comprising: providing the at least one of the inner and outer tubs with a recess;disposing the mounting bracket in the recess and in contact with the at least one of the inner and outer tubs; andoverwrapping a portion of the bracket with a portion of the at least one of the inner and outer tubs by moving relative to each other one of the mounting bracket or a portion of the at least one of the inner and outer tubs adjacent to the bracket at a speed great enough to induce plastic flow of the portion of the at least one of the inner and outer tubs about a portion of the mounting bracket to fixedly attach the mounting bracket to the at least one of the inner and outer tubs. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein moving one of a portion of the at least one of the inner and outer tubs or the mounting bracket comprises applying at least one of a pressure wave or an electromagnetic field to the one of a portion of the at least one of the inner and outer tubs or the mounting bracket. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one of the inner and outer tubs defines at least a portion of a mullion and the attaching the mounting bracket to the at least one of the inner and outer tubs comprises attaching the mounting bracket to the mullion. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the mounting bracket comprises a hinge plate. 15. The method of claim 11 further comprising attaching the mounting bracket to a corner of the at least one of the inner and outer tubs. 16. The method of claim 11 wherein both the inner and outer tub are metallic tubs, with the outer tub defining an upper corner and the inner tub defining at least a portion of a mullion, the bracket comprises first and second hinge plates, and the attaching comprises attaching the first hinge plate to the upper corner and the second hinge plate to the mullion. 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising aligning the plates relative to each other prior to the attaching. 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising aligning the hinge plates relative to the cabinet prior to the attaching. 19. The method of claim 11 wherein the attaching comprises flush mounting an upper surface of the mounting bracket with an upper surface of the at least one of the inner and outer tubs. 20. The method of claim 11 wherein the attaching further comprises moving the mounting bracket against the at least one of the inner and outer tubs.