CONSOLE BACKER FOR FRONT CONSOLE SYSTEM

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a console backer assembly for an appliance and, more specifically, to a backer assembly that supports a user interface. A user interface on an appliance can deflect or move depending upon the load applied to the user interface. This movement of the user interface can increase over time. The movement can be in the up, down, right, left, front, and/or back directions. Thus, providing a mechanism to support the user interface would be advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One aspect of the present disclosure is a console backer assembly for an appliance with a user interface. The console backer assembly has a housing with an upper surface, a lower surface, at least two legs extending from the lower surface, a user interface opening, and a plurality of tabs. The console backer assembly has a pair of end caps. The housing has edge surfaces with openings that couple to the pair of end caps. A console is coupled to the housing. A user interface mounting bracket with a user interface opening is coupled to the housing. The user interface mounting bracket has a plurality of tab openings that receive the plurality of tabs on the housing. A user interface is coupled to the user interface mounting bracket. The legs of the housing are coupled to the chassis of the appliance.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is an appliance with a user interface and a console backer assembly. The appliance has a chassis. The console backer assembly has a housing with an upper surface, a lower surface, at least two legs extending from the lower surface, a user interface opening, and a plurality of tabs. The console backer assembly has a pair of end caps. The housing has edge surfaces with openings that couple to the pair of end caps. A console is coupled to the housing. A user interface mounting bracket with a user interface opening is coupled to the housing. The user interface mounting bracket has a plurality of tab openings that receive the plurality of tabs on the housing. A user interface is coupled to the user interface mounting bracket. The legs of the housing are coupled to the chassis of the appliance.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a console backer assembly for a user interface. The console backer assembly has a housing with an upper surface, a lower surface, at least two legs extending from the lower surface, a user interface opening, and a plurality of tabs. The console backer assembly has a pair of end caps. The housing has edge surfaces with openings that couple to the pair of end caps. A console is coupled to the housing. A user interface mounting bracket with a user interface opening is coupled to the housing. The user interface mounting bracket has a plurality of tab openings that receive the plurality of tabs on the housing. A user interface is coupled to the user interface mounting bracket. The housing includes a plurality of extension tabs that are received in extension tab openings in the user interface mounting bracket.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an appliance with a console backer assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded top perspective view of the appliance shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the console backer assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the console backer assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the housing of the console backer assembly;

FIG. 6 is a partial top perspective view of the console backer assembly on an appliance; and

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the console backer assembly.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a console backer assembly for an appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 2 refers to an appliance. The appliance 2 has a chassis 60. In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the appliance 2 is a range with a front console. However, the appliance 2 could be any appliance with a user interface 50 and/or the user interface 50 could be located on other portions of the appliance 2.

A console backer assembly 4 is coupled to the appliance 2. The console backer assembly 4 includes a housing 6, a user interface mounting bracket 40, a console 30, and a user interface 50. The housing 6 has an upper surface 8 and a lower surface 10. The housing 6 also has a pair of legs 12 on lateral edges of the housing 6. These legs 12 extend from the lower surface 10 of the housing 6. While the illustrated embodiment shows a pair of legs 12 at the lateral edges of housing 6, the legs 12 could be segmented, could be offset from one or both lateral edges, and/or other legs could be used on other edges of the housing 6.

The legs 12 have a plurality of openings 21 to couple to the end caps 20. The coupling is done to prevent any fasteners from showing on the outside surface 27 of the end caps 20. The coupling can be accomplished by inserting fasteners 90 into openings 21 that are received in the inside surface 33 of the end caps 20.

The housing 6 also has a user interface opening 11 and a plurality of tabs 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs 15 are positioned adjacent to the user interface opening 11. The tabs 15 can be located on opposite sides of the user interface opening 11 and can have different shapes or spacing to ensure the correct orientation (poka-yoke) of the housing 6 with respect to the user interface mounting bracket 40.

The housing 6 also has a number of grooves 17 that extend along the upper surface 8 and partly down the legs 12 of the housing 6. The grooves 17 can reduce and/or eliminate oil canning of the console backer assembly 4. The grooves 17 can be in the upper surface 8 as shown in the illustrated embodiment and/or can be in the lower surface 10.

A number of extensions 19 are shown near the user interface opening 11. In the illustrated embodiment there are two extensions 19 on each lateral side of the user interface opening 11. There can be more extensions 19 and they can be spaced differently. The extensions 19 have fastener openings 23. Openings 110 can be formed in a wall 112 of the housing 6 to help couple the console backer assembly 4 to the appliance 2.

The legs 12 of the housing 6 can have differently shaped sides to ensure the correct alignment of the housing 6 with the console 30 and/or the end caps 20. For example, one side of the leg 12 could have a square shape 64 and the other side have a curved shape 62. These differently shaped sides of the leg 12 ensure that the console 30 is properly aligned on the housing 6.

The console 30 can include a number of switches or handles 82 to control the appliance 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the handles 82 control heating elements on the cooktop 80 of the appliance 2.

The user interface mounting bracket 40 has fastener openings 48 that align with the fastener openings 23 in the extensions 19 on the housing 6. Fasteners 94 can be used to couple the mounting bracket 40 to the housing 6, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The mounting bracket 40 also has tab openings 46 that receive the tabs 15 of the housing 6. A user interface opening 42 is located in the mounting bracket 40 and aligns with the user interface opening 11 in the housing 6. A flange 49 extends from the mounting bracket 40. The flange 49 is positioned adjacent to the user interface opening 42 and will extend away from the housing 6 when the mounting bracket 40 and housing 6 are coupled together, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The user interface 50 is coupled to the user interface mounting bracket 40. The user interface 50 is supported by the user interface mounting bracket 40 and the housing 6 to reduce or prevent deflection of the user interface 50 on an appliance 2. Moreover, the tabs 15 in the housing 6 prevent the user interface mounting bracket 40 and the user interface 50 from moving to the left, right, front, or back with respect to the appliance 2 when the console backer assembly 4 is coupled to the chassis 60. The user interface 50 can include a tab extension 120 which will be opposite the flange 49 on the user interface mounting bracket 40 to ensure proper alignment of the user interface 50 on the mounting bracket 40.

The legs 12 of the housing 6 have feet 96 with openings 97 to help secure the console backer assembly 4 to the chassis 60 of appliance 2. For example, a fastener or location stud 61 can be received in opening 97 to help secure and/or locate the console backer assembly 4 on the appliance 2. In addition, openings 110 on the housing 6 can be used to help couple the console backer assembly 4 to the chassis 60.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 6 has a height of 6.1 mm. However, the dimensions and design of the housing 6 can be adjusted so long as it provides vertical and horizontal support to the user interface 50.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure is a console backer assembly for an appliance having a user interface. The console backer assembly has a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, at least two legs extending from said lower surface, a user interface opening, and a plurality of tabs. The console backer assembly has a pair of end caps. The console backer assembly housing has edge surfaces with openings that couple to said pair of end caps. A console is coupled to said housing. A user interface mounting bracket with a user interface opening is coupled to said housing, said user interface mounting bracket having a plurality of tab openings that receive said plurality of tabs on said housing. A user interface is coupled to said user interface mounting bracket. At least two legs couple to the chassis of the appliance.

According to another aspect, the console backer assembly housing includes a plurality of extension tabs that are received in extension tab openings in said user interface mounting bracket.

According to another aspect, the console backer assembly housing includes a plurality of grooves to prevent oil canning.

According to another aspect, wherein said plurality of grooves are located on a top surface of said housing between said user interface opening and said at least two legs.

According to another aspect, wherein said plurality of grooves extend to and down said at least two legs.

According to another aspect, a plurality of extensions on the bottom of said lower surface of said housing, said plurality of extensions having a fastener opening.

According to another aspect, wherein said user interface mounting bracket includes a plurality of fastener openings that align with said fastener openings in said plurality of extensions.

According to another aspect, wherein said user interface mounting bracket has a flange adjacent to said user interface opening that extends away from said housing when said user interface mounting bracket is coupled to said housing.

According to another aspect, wherein said at least two legs include an upper angled section preventing misalignment of the console on the housing.

According to yet another aspect, an appliance having a user interface with a console backer assembly and an appliance chassis. The console backer assembly has a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, at least two legs extending from said lower surface, a user interface opening, and a plurality of tabs. The console backer assembly has a pair of end caps. The housing has edge surfaces with openings that couple to said pair of end caps. A console is coupled to said housing. A user interface mounting bracket with a user interface opening is coupled to said housing, said user interface mounting bracket having a plurality of tab openings that receive said plurality of tabs on said housing. A user interface is coupled to said user interface mounting bracket. At least two legs couple to the chassis of the appliance.

According to another aspect, said housing includes a plurality of extension tabs that are received in extension tab openings in said user interface mounting bracket.

According to another aspect, a plurality of extensions on the bottom of said lower surface of said housing, said plurality of extensions having a fastener opening.

According to another aspect, said user interface mounting bracket includes a plurality of fastener openings that align with said fastener openings in said plurality of extensions.

According to another aspect, said at least two legs include an upper angled section preventing misalignment of the console on the housing.

According to yet another aspect, a console backer assembly for a user interface. The console backer assembly has a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, at least two legs extending from said lower surface, a user interface opening, and a plurality of tabs. the console backer assembly has s pair of end caps. The housing has edge surfaces with openings that couple to said pair of end caps. A console is coupled to said housing. A user interface mounting bracket with a user interface opening is coupled to said housing, said user interface mounting bracket having a plurality of tab openings that receive said plurality of tabs on said housing. A user interface is coupled to said user interface mounting bracket. The housing includes a plurality of extension tabs that are received in extension tab openings in said user interface mounting bracket.

According to another aspect, said housing includes a plurality of grooves to prevent oil canning.

According to another aspect, a plurality of extensions on the bottom of said lower surface of said housing, said plurality of extensions having a fastener opening.

According to another aspect, said user interface mounting bracket includes a plurality of fastener openings that align with said fastener openings in said plurality of extensions.

According to another aspect, said user interface mounting bracket has a flange adjacent to said user interface opening that extends away from said housing when said user interface mounting bracket is coupled to said housing.

According to another aspect, said at least two legs include an upper angled section preventing misalignment of the console on the housing.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.