Patent Publication Number: US-10782031-B2

Title: System and method for mounting undercabinet ventilation hood

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/868,213, filed on Jan. 11, 2018 and titled “System and Method for Mounting Undercabinet Ventilation Hood” which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/904,258, filed on May 29, 2013 and titled “System and Method for Mounting Undercabinet Ventilation Hood”, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,897,330. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to the art of cooking and, more particularly, to a system and method for mounting a ventilation hood under cabinetry positioned above a cooking appliance. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     In the art of cooking, numerous types of cooking appliances are known, including both slide-in and drop-in ranges. Basically, both types of ranges are designed to be situated in a space or cut-out provided along a length of a kitchen countertop. In either case, the range includes at least one oven cavity supported below a cooktop. Of course, it is also known to separately mount cooktops, without lower oven cavities, in countertops. In any case, when the cooktop is utilized for cooking operations, a certain degree of smoke, grease or the like can be created. To counter the airborne nature of these byproducts, it is known to mount a ventilation unit above the range. Basically, such known ventilation units include an exhaust fan which functions to draw the smoke and other byproducts away from the cooktop. The byproducts are typically either directed to a vent external of the cooking area or filtered such that the cleansed air is simply expelled back into the cooking area. Such known ventilation units can take the form of a ventilation hood or can be incorporated into an overhead microwave oven mounted above the range. In many situations, the ventilation unit will also incorporate a light to aid in illuminating the cooktop. 
     In mounting a ventilation unit incorporated into a microwave oven to the bottom of a cabinet which is centered above and spans the appliance, it is commonplace to bolt the ventilation unit to a bottom cabinet panel. More specifically, a housing of the microwave oven is provided with spaced front and rear mounting holes and a template can be provided which enables an installer to mark drilling locations in the bottom panel of the cabinet, with the intent that the drilled holes will be aligned with pre-formed mounting holes in the unit. Assuming the proper alignment exists, the microwave oven can be held in a position beneath the upper cabinet and bolts inserted through each of the aligned hole sets to secure the microwave oven in place. In the case of a ventilation hood, the housing of the hood is typically used as a template for determining appropriate fastener locations and then filler strips are measured, cut and installed beneath the cabinet to complete lower framing needed to mount the ventilation hood. 
     Certain problems are considered to exist in each of these overall mounting arrangements. First of all, at least in the case ventilation units incorporated in microwave ovens, it is common for the template to take the form of a folded paper template which must be unfolded, cut to fit the underside of the upper cabinet and taped or otherwise retained in position to establish the drilling locations. Given that creases and improper cuts can contribute to misalignment issues, it is not uncommon for product manufacturers to recommend that significantly larger holes be drilled than needed to receive the bolts, and washers are provided to accommodate the enlarged holes. In this manner, a degree of tolerance is established to better assure potential alignment of each bolt with a designated hole in the ventilation unit. In the case of ventilation hoods, the measuring, cutting and mounting of filler strips can be quite tedious and time consuming, particularly if a professional installer is not employed. In both types of mounting arrangements, a second significant problem is that, after the holes are drilled and it is time to actually secure the ventilation unit, two people are required, one for holding the ventilation unit in place and the other for inserting and tightening at least a couple of the bolts. Certainly, given the confined space and the need to hold the unit around eyelevel for some time, this operation is less than desirable. 
     Although two people may be necessary for mounting a microwave, it is desired in accordance with the present invention to provide a method which enables a single user to readily install a ventilation hood over a cooking appliance through the use of a simplified and efficient installation system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a system and method for mounting a ventilation hood above a cooking appliance and under a cabinet, such as in a kitchen. The cabinet incorporates standard structure, including a lower support frame having a downwardly extending rectangular flange extending beyond a bottom panel or floor of the cabinet and terminating at lateral peripheral edges. In accordance with a first aspect, the system includes left and right support brackets mounted to an upstanding wall, against which the cabinet is mounted, at spaced lateral positions aligned with the lateral peripheral edges. Each support bracket includes an upstanding projection or tab which is received in a slot provided in the back of the ventilation hood such that a rear portion of the range hood can be easily supported by a single person while the ventilation hood is being connected to the cabinet. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, several ways are proposed for separately securing a front portion of the ventilation hood to the cabinet, while accommodating a filler space between the bottom panel of the cabinet and the bottom of the downwardly extending flange. In a first embodiment, flexible tabs are punched out of the top of a housing of the ventilation hood, partially creating enlarged openings in the top of the hood. The flexible tabs are aligned with the downwardly extending flanges of the cabinet and screws are placed upwardly at an angle of approximately 45° through the enlarged openings in the range hood and pre-formed holes in the flexible tabs to fasten the flexible tabs to the flanges. In a second embodiment, feet members are positioned between the bottom panel of the cabinet and the ventilation hood. During installation the feet may be temporarily installed in mounting holes in the ventilation hood and then the hood placed onto the brackets and moved into position under the cabinet. The feet can be selectively extended or retracted relative to the range hood based on the height of the cabinet flange, i.e., the dimension of the filler space between the bottom panel of the cabinet and the lowermost edge of the cabinet support frame. A drill is then used to drill holes through the cabinet floor using the feet as locator or pilot guides. The ventilation hood is temporarily removed from the cabinet and the feet are removed from the hood. Next, one after another, the feet are placed against the bottom panel of the cabinet and screws are installed through the bottom panel and threaded into the feet. Once again, the ventilation hood is placed on the brackets and tilted into a final position under the cabinet, allowing the feet to enter the mounting holes. Either a tool or an installer&#39;s fingers can be used to then rotate the feet until the hood is tight against the cabinet. 
     In another embodiment, specifically configured mounting blocks are provided for mounting to the lower support frame of the cabinet at frontal corner portions. The mounting blocks are dimensioned such that, once mounted against the lower support frame in the filler space, connectors extend downwardly from the mounting blocks. When the ventilation hood is supported on the rear brackets and tilted upwardly, mounting holes in the ventilation hood become aligned with the connectors. In accordance with one arrangement, the connectors snap-connect with the ventilation hood for a secure fit. 
     Various other embodiments are disclosed which employ the support brackets but which are based on drilling holes in the bottom panel of the cabinet. In one embodiment, first and second fastener elements extend from a common plate which is preconfigured to establish requisite hole locations needed in the floor of the cabinet. After forming the holes, such as through a drilling operation, each of the first and second mechanical fasteners is extended through both the bottom panel and the ventilation hood, while the plate is positioned against the bottom panel. In the case of threaded fastener elements, nuts are secured to fix the ventilation hood in place. Instead of interconnected threaded fasteners, multiple zip strips can be used to mount the ventilation hood. In accordance with this embodiment, during installation an elongated body portion of each zip strip is fed into a respective hole formed in the bottom panel and then retained in place by a retainer element. The ventilation hood is then lifted in place while the zip strips hang down through respective holes in the hood and respective zip washers or fasteners are attached to the zip strips. The ventilation hood is raised in abutment with the underside of the cabinet and the zip fasteners are ratcheted until the hood is tightly mounted to the bottom of the cabinet. The remaining part of the zip strips are then cut off In still further embodiments, the holes formed in the bottom panel of the cabinet receive bolts having transverse holes for receiving pins, or toggle bolts are employed. In each case, the need for a template is avoided and the rear brackets function to support the ventilation hood so that a single person can hold the ventilation hood as needed during the attachment of the frontal portion of the hood to the cabinet. 
     Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a ventilation hood mounted in accordance with the invention to cabinetry positioned above a range in a kitchen environment; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial exploded view of a first stage in the mounting of the ventilation hood of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first mounting embodiment; 
         FIG. 4A  is an exploded view illustrating an initial stage associated with a second mounting embodiment; 
         FIG. 4B  shows a subsequent stage of the mounting embodiment of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  illustrates another stage for the second mounting embodiment; 
         FIG. 4D  depicts a still further stage of this embodiment; 
         FIG. 4E  illustrates s a final stage of this embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  presents an exploded view for a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  sets forth a partial exploded view of a fourth mounting embodiment; 
         FIG. 7A  sets forth a partial exploded view of a fifth mounting embodiment; 
         FIG. 7B  is an enlarged view of a connector arrangement for the embodiment of  FIG. 7A ; 
         FIG. 8  sets forth a partial exploded view of a sixth mounting embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  sets forth a partial exploded view of a seventh mounting embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , a cooking appliance  2  is shown positioned in a cut-out or opening  5  provided in a countertop  8  and between adjacent lower cabinetry  12  and  13 . Countertop  8  has an upper surface  17  extending to a rear upstanding wall  20 . Above countertop  8  are shown wall cabinets  22  and  23  mounted on either side of cooking appliance  2 , as well as a central cabinet  25  arranged above a portion of cooking appliance  2  and extending between upstanding rear and side walls  21  and  22  respectively. 
     Within the scope of the invention, cooking appliance  2  can take on various forms, including all fuel type ranges and built-in cooktops. However, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, cooking appliance  2  is illustrated as a range including a cabinet or shell  30  which supports an oven cavity  33  located behind a door  35  having a handle  38  and a window  40 . In a manner known in the art, door  35  can be pivoted to access oven cavity  33 . Also, as shown, cooking appliance  2  includes a lower drawer  44  for use in storing pans and the like. In addition, cooking appliance  2  includes an upper control panel  51  having a central oven control section  54 . Furthermore, control panel  51  is shown provided with a plurality of control knobs, one of which is indicated at  57 , for regulating operation of upper cooktop heating elements or burners, such as that indicated at  61 . 
     Particularly with the inclusion of the heating elements or burners  61 , operation of cooking appliance  2  can produce smoke, grease or other airborne byproducts. To counter the potential detrimental effects of these cooking byproducts, it is desired to mount a ventilation hood  70  above cooking appliance  2 , specifically to the underside of central cabinet  25  and between side wall cabinets  22  and  23 , to draw in and either exhaust or filter and re-direct the associated flow of air. Certainly, ventilation hoods employed for this purpose is known in the art, but the present invention is particularly directed to a system and method for mounting ventilation hood  70 , specifically various mounting arrangements which enable a single installer to readily and efficiently secure ventilation hood  70  to central cabinet  25 . 
     In general, the operation of ventilation hood  70  is also known in the art. Therefore, apart from particular details set forth hereinafter, it should be recognized that the actual construction of ventilation hood  70  can vary from that depicted. Therefore, although ventilation hood  70  is shown to include a housing  72  and control knobs  74  and  75  for a fan and light (not shown) respectively, the invention is equally applicable to a wide range of other configurations. In connection with the mounting of ventilation hood  70 , it should also be recognized that central cabinet  25  is also of known construction. That is, although the exact materials and construction can vary, central cabinet  25 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , will almost invariably include a bottom panel or floor  79  and a lower support frame  82 , shown to include a rear flange piece  85  and a side flange piece  86  which defines an outermost side edge portion  89  of central cabinet  25 . Of course, corresponding structure exists on the opposing side (not shown in this figure) of cabinet  25 . 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, support brackets are initially mounted at spaced locations beneath central cabinet  25 . More particularly, for the left side of cabinet  25  as shown in  FIG. 2 , a support bracket  94  is shown to include a C-shaped base  95  having an upper portion  96 , a lower portion  97  and a connecting portion  98 . In the embodiment shown, support bracket  94  is made of sheet metal which is stamped to create a thin projection or tab  100 . Base  95  is shown provided with an upper hole  102  and a lower hole  104 . In connection with this invention, it is recognized that the outer lateral dimension of lower support frame  82  is standard based on the distance between wall cabinets  22  and  23 . That is, the thicknesses of flange pieces  85  and  86  are recognized to vary, but the outermost dimension for lower support frame  82  can be readily determined based on the known spacing in which ventilation hood  70  is to be mounted. 
     With this information in hand, the first step in connection with the mounting method for ventilation hood  70  is to mount the support brackets  94  at predetermined positions based only on the construction of lower support frame  82 . More specifically, in the embodiment shown, a first mechanical fastener  107  is positioned at upper hole  102  to mount support bracket  94  to rear wall  20  upon aligning a side edge  110  of bracket  94  with outermost edge portion  89  of side flange piece  86  and with upper edge  111  of bracket  94  extending directly along rear flange piece  85 . Again, a similar mounting is done on the other lower side of cabinet  25 . 
     As shown in this figure, ventilation hood  70  has a rear portion  120  established by a rear panel  122  which is formed with a slot  124  and a hole  125 . Actually, although hole  125  is shown spaced below and generally aligned with slot  124 , slot  124  could also be further elongated (shown in dotted) for a corresponding purpose as will become fully evident below. As illustrated, rear panel  122  is attached to a side panel  127  of the housing  72  of ventilation hood  70 . Of particular note is the fact that rear panel  122  actually has corresponding structure at an opposing end portion (not shown in this figure) of rear panel  122  and the lateral spacing between the slots  124  is preset based on the known mounting positions for support brackets  94 . More specifically, each slot  124  is positioned such that rear portion  120  can be readily supported by the mounted brackets  94  with each projection  100  extending through a respective slot  124 . Therefore, at this early mounting stage, after the two spaced support brackets  94  are secured, ventilation hood  70  can be basically hung on support brackets  94  and easily supported by a single installer. The next step then concerns the manner in which a front portion of ventilation hood  70  is mounted. However, before detailing various embodiments to carry out this aspect of the invention with reference to the remaining figures, it should be realized that  FIG. 2  illustrates the inclusion of a second mechanical fastener  130  for each support bracket  94 . Overall, second mechanical fastener  130  is designed to be received in lower hole  104  to further secure a respective support bracket  94 . However, at this time, it should be recognized that second mechanical fastener  130  can be selectively received directly in lower hole  104  or first through opening  125  (or a further elongated slot  124 ) in rear panel  122 . In the former scenario, second mechanical fastener  130  is secured prior to supporting ventilation hood  70  on brackets  94  and, in the latter case, second mechanical fastener  130  is preferably secured after mounting the front portion of ventilation hood  70  as will now be described in detail. 
       FIG. 3  presents a first embodiment wherein the representative ventilation hood  70  is shown to include a top panel  153  which leads to a sloping section  155  and a front panel  157  to which control knobs  74  and  75  are mounted. In this exemplary arrangement, top panel  153 , sloping section  155  and front panel  157  are created by bending and shaping a piece of sheet metal. In any case, out of top panel  153  is created flexible tabs  162  and  163 . More specifically, top panel  153  is formed with enlarged openings  166  and  167  which are partially created by the formation of tabs  162  and  163  that have been bent so as to stand upright relative to top panel  153 . Each tab  162 ,  163  is provided with a through hole  170  which is adapted to receive a mechanical fastener  173 . In particular, each tab  162 ,  163  is bent so as to be positioned against a portion of lower support frame  82  of cabinet  25 , such as side flange piece  86  as shown in this figure, and then mechanical fastener  173 , such as a wood screw, can be arranged at an angle, such as 45°, so as to extend through hole  170  and fastened into side flange piece  86 . That is, with the rear portion of ventilation hood  70  supported by brackets  94 , the front portion of ventilation hood  70  can be tilted upward by the installer such that top panel  153  abuts the underside of cabinet  25 , at which point each mechanical fastener  173  can be positioned through a respective enlarged opening  166 ,  167  to fixedly mount a corresponding tab  162 ,  163 . To complete the mounting process, second mechanical fastener  130  ( FIG. 2 ) can be mounted through aligned holes  125  and  104  (see  FIG. 2 ). On the other hand, additional rear flexible tabs, such as that indicated at  175 , could also be employed. 
       FIGS. 4A-4E  illustrate another mounting arrangement for the front portion of ventilation hood  70 . In accordance with this embodiment, a frontal portion of top panel  153  of ventilation hood  70  is pre-formed with lateral spaced through holes  177 . As best shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , each hole  177  is defined by a large opening  179  leading to an extension opening  180  about which top panel  153  includes a raised section  182  adjacent a lowered section  183 . This construction readily enables a threaded body portion  187  of a foot member  189  to be threadably attached to top panel  153 . In the embodiment shown, each foot member  189  also includes a head  191  and a lower portion  193 . 
     Extending through each of lower portion  193 , threaded body portion  187  and head  191  is a bore  196  (particularly see  FIGS. 4C-4E ). With this arrangement, feet members  189  can be initially, partially threaded onto top panel  153  at the large openings  179 . Then, upon mounting the rear portion of ventilation hood  70  on support brackets  94  and tilting of the front portion until ventilation hood  70  is positioned against the underside of cabinet  25 , a drill  201  (see  FIG. 4C ) having a bit  204  can be used to form holes  208  and  209  in bottom panel  79  of cabinet  25 . That is, with ventilation hood  70  in a desired mounting position, bit  204  is directed through bore  196 , which acts as a guide for the drilling operation, in order to establish holes  208  and  209 . 
     At this point, two main assembly avenues can be followed. In accordance with one avenue, ventilation hood  70  can be taken off of support brackets  94  to enable the installer to secure each foot member  189  to bottom panel  79  with a mechanical fastener  215 . As perhaps best represented in  FIG. 4D , mechanical fastener  215 , shown to include a head  217 , a washer  218  and a shank  219 , is positioned in hole  208  and threaded into foot member  189 . This operation is performed for each foot member  189 . In each case, both head  217  of mechanical fastener  215  and head  191  of foot member  189  are shaped to receive tools, such as a wrench, to enable feet members  189  to be drawn up to the underside of bottom panel  79  while enabling fastener  215  and a respective foot member  189  to still freely rotate in unison relative to cabinet  25 . Thereafter, ventilation hood  70  is again supported on brackets  94  and tilted such that lower portions  193  of feet members  189  will register at openings  179 . At this point, as best represented in  FIG. 4E , a polygonal shaped tool  222  can be inserted into bore  196  to thread body portion  187  of each foot member  187  into a respective opening  179 , thereby drawing top panel  153  firmly against cabinet  25 . 
     In the alternative, feet members  189  can be initially threaded to top panel  153  to an extent which enables top panel  153  of ventilation hood  70  to abut the underside of cabinet  25  and then, after supporting ventilation hood  70  on brackets  94  and tilting the front end against cabinet  25 , mechanical fastener  215  can be threaded into bore  196  while tool  222 , or an installer&#39;s fingers, is used to prevent each foot member  189  from rotating. In either scenario, it should be recognized that the bores  196  not only establish a convenience and accurate guide for drilling of holes  208  and  209 , but also enable mechanical fasteners  215  to be easily threaded therein. Most preferably, feet members  189  are formed of molded plastic. In addition, feet members  189  advantageously occupy the filler space between bottom panel  79  and top panel  153  to establish a very solid mounting arrangement which can still be readily performed by a single installer without the use of any paper template and filler strip measuring or cutting. At this point, it should be noted that tool  222  can take various forms in correspondence with the shape of bore  196 . For instance, conventional hex keys could be utilized. Also, an outer surface of lower portion  193  could actually be configured to receive a tool instead of shaping bore  196 . 
     As indicated above, the disclosed mounting system takes advantage of the fact that the lateral distance spanning the outermost edge portions  89  of the lower support frame  82  is standard for a given width cabinet  25  such that, with a corresponding ventilation hood  70 , slots  124  can be pre-formed in rear panel  122  for accurate alignment with projections  100 . In a related fashion,  FIG. 5  sets forth an embodiment wherein the front portion of ventilation hood  70  is also supported based on securing mounting blocks  230  and  231  at predetermined frontal corner locations without the need for measurements or templates. More specifically, in the embodiment shown, each mounting block  230 ,  231  is designed to be mounted in abutment with both a respective side flange piece  86  and a front flange piece  233  of lower support frame  82  as will be described more fully below. 
     As depicted, each mounting block  230 ,  231  includes an upper plate  234 , a back plate  237  and side plates  240  and  241 . In one embodiment, mounting blocks  230  and  231  are formed of metal, but could also be formed of other materials, including plastic. In back plate  237 , holes  244  and  245  are formed. In addition, projecting downward from and fixedly secured, such through a threaded connection, a welded connection or the like, to upper plate  234  is a connector  247  which is shown to include a shaft  249  and a conical tip  250 . Each mounting block  230 ,  231  is configured to be mounted along a respective side flange piece  86 , through mechanical fasteners one of which is shown at  255 , while abutting front flange piece  233 . The configuration of mounting block  230 ,  231  is predetermined such that shaft  249  will align with a respective through hole  260 ,  261  which is pre-formed in top panel  153  of ventilation hood  70 . In accordance with this embodiment, once both support brackets  94  and mounting blocks  230  and  231  are secured in place, the rear portion of ventilation hood  70  can be easily supported on brackets  94  and then the front portion can be tilted upward toward the lower support frame  82  such that conical tips  250 , which are preferably formed from an elastomeric material, extend into holes  260  and  261  such that connectors  247  are snap-connected to ventilation hood  70 . Therefore, at least in situations where the interior lateral dimensions of lower support frame  82  are known, the positioning of holes  260  and  261  and the construction of mounting blocks  230  and  231  can be predetermined to enable mounting of ventilation hood  70  in a quick and easy fashion by a single installer. 
     Related to the embodiment of  FIGS. 4A-4E ,  FIGS. 6-9  set forth other ways in which ventilation hood  70  can be secured directly from bottom panel  79  of cabinet  25 . In each of these embodiments, it should be recognized that top panel  153  of ventilation hood  70  is pre-formed at spaced frontal locations with holes  260  and  261  in a manner corresponding to that referenced above in relation to the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . In any case, in connection with each of these additional embodiments, holes  265  and  266  must be established in bottom panel  79  of cabinet  25  in alignment with through holes  260  and  261  and then some fastener structure must extend through the aligned holes to complete assembly. 
     In the embodiment represented in  FIG. 6 , first and second mechanical fasteners  270  and  271  are provided, taking the form of threaded bolts which are interconnected by a plate  274 . At this point, it should be realized that, given the existence of holes  260  and  261 , ventilation hood  70  can be initially supported on brackets  94  and against the underside of cabinet  25  to enable holes  260  and  261  to act as guides for the formation (e.g., drilling) of holes  265  and  266  in bottom panel  79 . However, plate  274  can also be specifically configured based on the known locations of holes  260  and  261  such that, upon placement either within or beneath cabinet  25  and providing mechanical fasteners  270  and  271  with pointed tips (not separately labeled), the pointed tips of mechanical fasteners  270  and  271  can be used to accurately mark locations for drilling holes  265  and  266 . In any case, after holes  265  and  266  are formed, mechanical fasteners  270  and  271  can be inserted into holes  265  and  266  respectively, with plate  274  being positioned against bottom panel  79  within cabinet  25 . Thereafter, ventilation hood  70  is supported upon brackets  94  and tilted so that mechanical fasteners  270  and  271  also extend through holes  260  and  261 , whereupon nuts  276  and  277  are threaded to fasteners  270  and  271  to complete the mounting. 
     A modified embodiment which is not depicted in the drawings basically represents a configuration based on the embodiments of both  FIGS. 4A-4E  and  FIG. 6  by employing mechanical fasteners which extend through holes  265  and  266  and then are threaded into holes, analogous to holes  179 , provided in top panel  153  of ventilation hood  70 . That is, instead of extending freely through holes  260  and  261  as in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the mechanical fasteners are threaded to the ventilation hood  70 , much like as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 4A-4E . In addition, much like the  FIG. 6  embodiment, nuts can be employed, with the nuts assuring a secure and long-lasting attachment. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  set forth an embodiment wherein, instead of using mechanical fasteners  270  and  271  in the form of threaded bolts, zip strips  280  are utilized to secure the front portion of ventilation hood  70  to cabinet  25 . As shown in these figures, each zip strip  280  includes a head portion  283  and an elongated body portion  286 . This overall assembly is also depicted to include an optional retainer element  291 , provided with an aperture  292 , and a fastener element  294 . In accordance with this embodiment, each zip strip  280  is arranged such that elongated body portion  286  is initially inserted through a respective hole  265 ,  266  and then snugly into aperture  292  of retainer element  291 . While pulling on elongated body portion  286  to retain head portion  283  against bottom panel  79 , optional retainer element  291  can be pushed up so as to abut bottom panel  79  beneath cabinet  25 . In this fashion, each zip strip  280  will be retained in a desired position with the elongated body portion  286  of each zip strip  280  dangling below cabinet  25 . At this point, it should be noted that the optional retainer element  291  can take various forms, such as a plastic element which ratchets along body portion  286 , a foam or other material forming block which could have a thickness which spans the filler space established by lower support frame  82 , a clip, a clasp or another similar type of retainer element. In any case, once zip strips  280  are mounted, ventilation hood  70  can be supported on brackets  94  and tilted to enable elongated body portions  286  to project through holes  260  and  261 . Thereafter, fastener elements  294  are placed on each elongated body portion  286  and, while placing the elongated body portion  286  in tension by pulling thereon, ratcheted upward until abutting top panel  153  while top panel  153  engages cabinet  25 . Finally, to complete the assembly, the excess of each elongated body portion  286  can be snipped or otherwise removed as indicated in  FIG. 7B  at  297 . 
     Again, as indicated above, once aligned holes  260  and  265 , as well as aligned holes  261  and  266 , are established, various different types of fastener assemblies can be utilized in connection with securing the front portion of ventilation hood  70 . Two additional potential arrangements of this type are represented in the embodiments of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , bolts  306  having heads  307  and shafts  308  with a plurality of axial spaced and transverse holes  310  are employed. Here, each bolt  306  extends through a respective set of holes  265  and  260  or  266  and  261  in bottom panel  79  and top panel  153 , and then a pin  314  is inserted thorough a selected transverse hole  310  to secure the ventilation hood  70  against cabinet  25 . In the alternative arrangement of  FIG. 9 , a toggle bolt  313 , having a head  334 , a threaded shaft  336  and a nut with pivoting wings  339 , is employed for a corresponding purpose. 
     Although described with respect to preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be readily apparent that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, although the discussed embodiments refer to separate first and second support brackets, as well as first and second fastener assemblies, it should be noted that the invention can be carried out with the first and second support brackets interconnected into an integral member, as well as actually employing one or more fastener assemblies. In addition, based on the above, it should be readily apparent that the invention can employ various different fastener assemblies in connection with an overall system and method for mounting a ventilation hood to an underside of a cabinet, including a bottom panel and a lower support frame, positioned above a cooking appliance. Each embodiment employs the initial mounting of brackets, either separately or an integral member, below the cabinet, against the wall and aligned with outermost edge portions of the lower support frame, with each bracket including some type of projection for engaging and supporting a rear portion of the ventilation hood. In connection with this aspect of the invention, it should be realized that each bracket could be provided with an additional flange to permit an attachment directly to the cabinet support frame, while the bracket is still positioned against the wall. This mounting arrangement could be particularly advantageous when the alternative is mounting the bracket only to drywall mounting between adjacent wall studs. Furthermore, each embodiment employs one or more fastener assemblies attaching a front portion of the ventilation hood to the cabinet. Each of the embodiments is designed to assure that the ventilation hood can be mounted in an easy and efficient manner by a single person, without the need for measuring, cutting and installing filler strips as common in the art.