Patent Publication Number: US-2020292227-A1

Title: Device and method for mounting door trim

Description:
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)( 1 ) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/819,191, filed on Mar. 15, 2019, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     This patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates in general to the field of door trims, and in particular to devices and methods for mounting trim on refrigerator doors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various components and methods for attaching trim to refrigerator doors are known in the art. One challenge with certain implementations is ensuring a tight fit between the visible components of the trim assembly in order to provide an aesthetically appealing door. Certain trim designs include end caps that are mounted on the ends of an underlying metal bracket that is mounted on the side of a refrigerator door. A plastic trim is forced unto the metal bracket to provide the finished product. A drawback of the manufacturing process for such trim assemblies is the inability to eliminate gaps between the plastic trim and the end caps that are both supported by the bracket. If the plastic trim is too long, the end caps cannot be properly mounted on the bracket. End caps forced against such trims may eventually pop off of the bracket, or cause the trim to bulge up and away from the bracket. As a result, the plastic trims are often manufactured slightly shorter than the anticipated space between the two end caps. This results in a gap between the trim and at least one of the end caps, which degrades the appearance of the refrigerator and lessens its appeal to many consumers. 
     Another drawback of such trim designs is apparent during the assembly process. The plastic trim must be forced onto the metal bracket. The rigidity of the plastic material, however, presents a challenge for assemblers. The exterior surface of the plastic trim needs to be hard enough to protect against any damage caused from the daily use of customers in the typical kitchen environment. Clips or tabs are typically located on the interior surface of the trim for securing the trim to the metal bracket. The clips on the trim are necessarily made of the same hard material as the exterior surface of the plastic trim, which is manufactured via an extrusion process. Due to the rigid nature of such plastic trims and metal brackets, it is difficult to assembly these components. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, including without limitation a device and a method for mounting trim on refrigerator doors. Embodiment of the present disclosure may enable, among other things, the mounting of a trim member and an end cap on a holder member that provides a flush fit between the trim member and the end cap, resulting in an attractive door trim. Some embodiments of the present disclosure may include a holder member made of a flexible material that enables the trim member and the end cap to be slidably mounted on, and/or snapped onto, the holder member without the need for any excessive force. 
     In certain embodiments, a preexisting support member may already be mounted on the door, whether by screws, nails, adhesives or any other mounting means. When engaged with the holder member, the trim member and the end cap may snap into a tight-fit position to achieve a flush mounting without any gaps along the edge shared by the trim member and the end cap. The resulting friction-fit may keep the trim member and the end cap in the desired relative position with respect to the holder member, and therefore to the door. This friction may be facilitated by: snap-fit hooks that latch on, or lock into, recesses or openings; tabs or projections received and held within catches, such as c-clips; toothed-members that engage toothed-receivers that may enable members to slide towards each other at various distances, that may enable members to be advanced towards and/or away from each other, and/or that provide for incremental adjustments based on the width of the teeth on the toothed-members; or, any other restraining means adapted to receive slidable members. 
     In some embodiments, the trim may be side-trim that may be mounted on a side of a house appliance or a cabinet that contains a house appliance. In accordance with certain embodiments, the side-trim may be mounted on a side of a door or a door frame. The door may be a door mounted on a house appliance or a cabinet. The house appliance may be a refrigerator, freezer, oven, stove, dish washer, microwave, dryer, or washing machine. 
     Certain embodiments may include a support member that may be mounted on a side of the door. The support member may be U-shaped. A holder member may be mounted within, or upon, the support member. A trim member may be mounted on the holder member. In certain embodiments, the trim member may be slidably mounted upon the holder member. The trim member may cover at least a portion of the support member. The trim member may cover an aperture of the support member, in accordance with embodiments where the support member is U-shaped and has an aperture traversing an elongated side of the support member. An end cap may be mounted on the holder member. In certain embodiments, the end cap may be slidably mounted upon the holder member. The end cap may cover an end of the support member. The end cap may be disposed in engagement with the trim member to form co-planar surfaces for flush mounting. 
     In some embodiments, the holder member may include one or more snap-fit hooks that may engage the support member. A snap-fit hook may engage an opening in the support member. The opening may be located adjacent to an elongated edge of the support member. A second snap-fit hook may engage a second opening in the support member. The second opening may be located adjacent to an opposite elongated edge of the support member. Accordingly, the holder member may be securely mounted to the support member. 
     In certain embodiments, the holder member may include one or more snap-fit hooks that may engage the trim member. A snap-fit hook may engage a recess in the trim member. The recess may be located adjacent to an elongated edge of the trim member. A second snap-fit hook may engage a second recess in the trim member. The second recess may be located adjacent to an opposite elongated edge of the trim member. Therefore, both elongated edges of the trim member may be securely mounted to the holder member. Consequently, the trim member may be aligned to the side of the door. In certain embodiments, the first recess and the second recess are located at different depths within the trim member. 
     The trim member may include a tab that may engage the holder member. The tab may slidably engage a catch in the holder member. This tab-catch engagement may comprise a friction-fit. Accordingly, the trim member may be securely mounted to the holder member, and therefore to the side of the door. 
     The end cap may include toothed-members that may engage the holder member. The toothed-members may engage a toothed-receiver within the holder member. As a result, the end cap may be securely mounted to the holder member. In some embodiments, the holder member may include the toothed-member and the end cap may include the toothed-receiver. 
     In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for mounting side-trim on a refrigerator door may include the step of attaching a support member to a side of the refrigerator door. The support member may be U-shaped. The support member may define slots for screws to engage the side of the door. The method may further include the step of attaching a holder member within the support member. The holder member may include snap-fit hooks that may slide, and/or snap, onto the support member. 
     In addition, the method may include the step of attaching a trim member to the holder member. The trim member may cover at least a portion of the support member. The trim member may cover an aperture of the support member, in accordance with embodiments where the support member is U-shaped and has an aperture traversing an elongated side of the support member. The trim member may include a tab that may slide, and/or snap, into a catch of the holder member. Further, the method may include the step of attaching an end cap to the holder member. The end cap may cover an end of the U-shaped support member. The end cap may include toothed-members that may slide, and/or snap, into a receiver of the holder member. The end cap may be disposed in engagement with the trim member to form co-planar surfaces for flush mounting. In certain embodiments, the steps for attaching the trim member and the end cap to the holder member may comprise slidably mounting them upon the holder member. 
     In some embodiments, the toothed-members may include snap-fit hooks having a plurality of teeth adapted to engage corresponding teeth located within the receiver of the holder member. In accordance with certain embodiments, the method may include the step of adjusting a position of the end cap on the holder member relative to the trim member. The toothed-members of the end cap may be advanced or withdrawn within the receiver of the holder member. 
     The holder member may be manufactured via an injection molding process, in accordance with any of the embodiments. The trim member may be manufactured via an extrusion process. The holder member, the trim member and the end cap may be made of a plastic material. In certain embodiment, the trim member may be made of a metal material. The support member may be made of a metal material. The steps of attaching the holder member, the trim member and the end cap may be performed without the aid of any tools, by apply a force directly from a finger of an assembler. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages for embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a refrigerator with a door, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a refrigerator door with side trim, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an image illustrating a perspective front view of a support member with a holder member, a trim member, and an end cap, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an image illustrating a perspective rear view of a support member with a holder member, a trim member, and an end cap, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is an image illustrating a perspective front view of an end cap disposed in engagement with an end of the trim member, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is an image illustrating a perspective front view of a holder member, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is an image illustrating a perspective side view of a holder member, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is an image illustrating a perspective side view of a support member with a holder member, and a trim member, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is an image illustrating a front view of a support member with a holder member, a trim member, and an end cap, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a door with two side trims mounted on side surfaces of the door, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may enable an end cap to be disposed in engagement with the trim member to form co-planar surfaces for flush mounting. A benefit of the present disclosure may include a refrigerator having doors with trim that is aesthetically appealing to consumers. Another benefit may include the quick, easy and inexpensive assembly of door trim that may be snapped together. 
     Due the variations in the extrusion process, the potential difference in the length of the trim pieces may vary by 0.125 inches. Accordingly, a further benefit of the present disclosure may include providing for a flush contact between the trim member and the end cap, despite the potential variations that are expected during the manufacturing of the trim member. 
     In some embodiment, the trim member may include portions having various depths. The depth of a trim member may include a step change. An advantage of the present disclosure may include that the snap-fit hooks of the holder member may engage recesses located at various depths within the trim member. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a refrigerator  1  with a door  2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , trim  3  may be mounted to the side mounting-surface that is perpendicular to the inner surface  4  of the refrigerator door  2 .  FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a device  5  that includes a support member or support  6  that supports: a holder member or holder  7 , a trim member or trim  8 , and an end cap or cap  9 . As shown, the support member  6  may U-shaped and the support member may define an U-shaped chamber  10 . The rear of the support member  6  is displayed in  FIG. 4 . As shown, the support member  6  may include predrilled holes or slots  11  for screws (not shown) that secure the support member  6  to the refrigerator door  2 . In some embodiments, the support member  6  may be mounted on the refrigerator door  2  using an adhesive. In certain embodiments, a preexisting support member  6  may already be mounted. The holder member  7  would be snapped into the support member  6 , and the trim member  8  and the end cap  9  would snapped onto the holder member  7 . Such an assembled device  5  would provide a good fit, as shown in  FIG. 5 , where the end cap  9  is disposed in engagement with the trim member  8  to form co-planar surfaces for a flush mounting  12 . This novel trim design provides a gap-free fit for trim  3  mounted on any home appliance, including without limitation a refrigerator  1 , or on any cabinet or housing for such appliances  1 . 
     In some embodiments, the support member  6  may be mounted on a mounting-surface of a door  2  of any home appliance  1 . The home appliance  1  may be a refrigerator  1 . In other embodiments, the structure disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with other appliances  1  such as an oven, a dish washer. In other embodiments, the structure disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with other structures or devices that include doors or movable barriers or structures, such as cabinets. For the sake of brevity, the structure is specifically disclosed with respect to a refrigerator door  2 , but one of ordinary skill after a thorough review of this specification will readily understand how disclosed structure may be used with other appliances  1  or other structures or devices without undue experimentation. The home appliance  1  may have a compartment (not shown). For example, the compartment of a refrigerator  1  is used to store food. The compartment may define an opening. The door  2  may open and close the opening. The mounting-surface of the door  2  may be perpendicular to an inner surface  4  of the door  2 . The inner surface  4  may face the opening of the compartment of the home appliance  1 . The support member  6  may be U-shaped, and the support member  6  may define an U-shaped chamber  10 . 
     A holder member  7  may attach to such a support member  6 .  FIGS. 6-7  illustrate a holder member  7 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The holder member  7  may include snap-fit hooks  13 . The support member  6  may define openings  14 , and the snap-fit hooks  13  may lock into the openings  14 . This engagement is shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . The holder member  7  may be securely attached within the U-shaped chamber  10  of the support member  6 . 
     In some embodiments, the holder member  7  is attached adjacent to an end of the support member  6 , and a second holder member  7  may be attached adjacent to the opposite end of the support member  6 . In accordance with certain embodiments, the first holder member  7  may be slidably mounted on the support member  6  adjacent to the top end of the door  2 , and the second holder member  7  may be slidably mounted on the support member  6  adjacent to the bottom end of the door  2 . Accordingly, both ends of the trim member  8  may be securely attached to the support member  6  via two holder members  7 , and therefore to the door  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a trim member  8  may engage such a holder member  7 , and the trim member  8  may have one or more tabs  15  and one or more recesses  16 . The holder member  7  may have one or more catches  17  that may receive any of the tabs  15  of the trim member  8 . The holder member  7  may further have one or more snap-fit hooks  13  to lock into any of the recesses  16  of the trim member  8 . The trim member  8  may be securely attached to the holder member  7 . The trim member  8  may close an aperture of the U-shaped chamber  10  of the support member  6 . 
     In certain embodiments, a tab  15  and its respective catch  17  may include various geometries. The shape for a portion of the cross-section of a tab  15  and/or a catch  17  may include, without limitation, the shape shown for tab  15  in  FIG. 8  or any of the following shapes: arcuate, arrowhead, Christmas tree, lobate, auriculate, panduriform, lacerate, sagittate, hastate, rhombus, trapezoidal, kite, diamond, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, or octagon. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates how an end cap  9  may be mounted on such a holder member  7 . The end cap  9  may have two or more toothed-members  18 . The holder member  7  may have two or more corresponding toothed-receivers or receivers  19  that may engage the toothed-members  18 . The end cap  9  may be securely attached to the holder member  7 . The end cap  9  may close one end of the U-shaped chamber  10  of the support member  6 . An inner edge  20  of the end cap  9  may be disposed in engagement with an end  21  of the trim member  8 . 
     In some embodiments, a second end cap  9  may be attached to a second holder member  7  that is attached to the opposite end of the U-shaped chamber  10  of the support member  6 . An inner edge  20  of the second end cap  9  may be disposed in engagement with the opposite end  21  of the trim member  8 . Accordingly, each of the two end caps  9  may be flush mounted with a respective end of the trim member  8 . 
     Each of the toothed-members  18  may comprise a snap-fit hook  13  having teeth  22 . Such toothed-members  18  may face away from each other. Each of the toothed-receivers  19  may define two sides of a toothed-chamber  23 . The inner surfaces of the two sides of the toothed-chamber  23  may have corresponding teeth  22  that may engage the teeth  22  of the toothed-members  18 . The end cap  9  may be incrementally adjustable towards and away from the trim member  8 . The toothed-members  18  of the end cap  9  may be advanced towards the corresponding toothed-receivers  19  of the holder member  7 . The advancement may be incremental based on the further engagement of the teeth  22  of the toothed-members  18  with the corresponding teeth  22  of the toothed-receivers  19 . The distance of each incremental advancement is a function of the width of the teeth  22  on the toothed-members  18  and the teeth  22  on the toothed-receivers  19 , and specifically the spacing therebetween, which invite receipt of teeth from the opposite engaging component. 
     The end cap  9  may be moved towards and away from the trim member  8 . The toothed-members  18  of the end cap  9  may be compressed and then withdrawn away from the corresponding toothed-receivers  19  of the holder member  7 . The toothed-members  18  of the end cap  9  may be compressed when the U-shaped chamber  10  of the support member  6  is open so that the toothed-members  18  are accessible. 
     Certain embodiments may include a device for mounting trim on a home appliance  1 . A support member  6  may be mounted on a home appliance  1 , or on a door  2  that is mounted or adapted to be mounted on a home appliance  1 . The support member  6  may be mounted on a side of the door  2 , or directly to a side of the home appliance  1 . Two holder members  7  may be mounted within, or on, the support member  6 . A trim member  8  may be slidably mounted upon the two holder members  7 . One end of the trim member  8  may be mounted on the first holder member  7 , and the opposite end of the trim member  8  may be mounted on the second holder member  7 . Two end caps  9  may be slidably mounted upon the two holder members  7 . Each holder member  7  may be adapted to support one of the two end caps  9 . 
     The trim member  8 , which may be mounted to the two holder members  7 , may be selected from a set of trim members  8 . The set of trim members  8  may have a length range (not shown). In some embodiments, the length range may comprise the difference between the longest trim member  8  and the shortest trim member  8  in the set of trim members  8 . The set of trim members  8  may include trim members  8  that may be mounted on a door  2  for a particular home appliance. The length range may be based on variations in the extrusion process for the set of trim members  8 . 
     The end caps  9  may be adapted to have an adjustment range (not shown). The adjustment range may represent the various distances that an end cap  9  may be slidably moved on a holder member  7 . This slidable movement of the end caps  9  may be parallel to an elongated edge of the support member  6 . In some embodiments, the adjustment range may comprise the difference between the position of an end cap  9  when it initially engages the holder member  7  and the position of the end cap  9  when it is fully disposed on the holder member  7 . In certain embodiments, an end cap  9  is fully disposed on a holder member  7  when an inner edge of the end cap  9  is disposed in engagement with a portion of the support member  6  so that the end cap  9  cannot further advance towards the holder member  7 . 
     Each of the end caps  9  may comprise a toothed-member  18  having teeth  22 . Each of the holder members  7  may comprise a toothed-receiver  19  having corresponding teeth  22 . The teeth  22  may be adapted to engage the corresponding teeth  22 . In some embodiments, the adjustment range may be based the engagement of the two sets of teeth  22 : the teeth  22  of the toothed-members  18  of the end caps  9 , and the corresponding teeth  22  of the toothed-receivers  19  of the holder members  7 . A toothed-member  18  may be inserted into a toothed-receiver  19  at various depths. In certain embodiments, the adjustment range of an end cap  9  may comprise the difference between the position of the end cap  9  when a toothed-member  18  initially engages the toothed-receiver  19  and the position of the end cap  9  when it is fully disposed on the holder member  7 . 
     In certain embodiments, the length range of the trim member  8  may be less than the adjustment range of the end caps  9 . The end caps  9  may be incrementally adjusted towards, or away from, each other in order to compensate for the amount of variation in the length of the trim member  8 . Based on variations for certain extrusion processes, the potential difference in the length for some trim members  8  may vary up to 0.125 inches. One or both of the end caps  9  may be adjusted to accommodate longer and shorter trim members  8 . Each end cap  9  may be disposed in engagement with an end of the trim member  8  to form co-planar surfaces for flush mounting. 
     Some embodiments may include a method for mounting trim on a home appliance  1 . In certain embodiments, the method may include the step of mounting a support member  6  on a home appliance  1 . The method may include the step of mounting two holder members  7  on the support member  6 . Further, the method may include the step of mounting a trim member  8  on the two holder members  7 . The trim member  8  may be configured to slidably move on the two holder members  7 . This slidable movement of the trim member  8  may be parallel to an elongated edge of the support member  6 . 
     In addition, the method may include the step of mounting a first end cap  9  and a second end cap  9  on the holder members  7 . Each of the holder members  7  may support one of the two end caps  9 . The end caps  9  may be configured to slidably move on the holder members  7 . This slidable movement of the end caps  9  may be parallel to the elongated edge of the support member  6 . Each of the end caps  9  may comprise a toothed-member  18  having teeth  22 . Each of the holder members  7  may comprise a toothed-receiver  19  having corresponding teeth  22 . The teeth  22  may engage the corresponding teeth  22 . The end caps  9  may have an adjustment range. The adjustment range may be partially based on the engagement the teeth  22  with the corresponding teeth  22 . The adjustment range may represent the various depths that a toothed-member  18  may be inserted into a toothed-receiver  19 . Accordingly, the end caps  9  may be disposed in engagement with the trim member  8  to form co-planar surfaces for flush mounting. 
     In certain embodiments, the step of mounting the support member  6  on the home appliance  1  may comprise mounting the support member  6  on a door  2  of the home appliance  1 . The door  2  may be mounted on the home appliance  1 . Certain embodiments include the step of adjusting the trim member  8 . Accordingly, the trim member  8  may cover the support member  6 . 
     In some embodiments, the method may include the step of adjusting the first end cap  9 . The first end cap  9  may be moved towards a first end of the trim member  8 . As a result, an inner edge of the first end cap  9  may be disposed in engagement with the first end of the trim member  8 . In certain embodiments, the method may include the step of adjusting the second end cap  9 . The second end cap  9  may be moved towards a second end of the trim member  8 . Accordingly, an inner edge of the second end cap  9  may be disposed in engagement with the second end of the trim member  8 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates how two trims  3  may be mounted on two side surfaces  24  of a door  2 . In accordance with the above disclosures, an embodiment may include a first trim  3  that may be mounted on a first side surface  24  of a door  2 . Similarly, a second trim  3  may be mounted on a second side surface  24  of the door  2 . The first and the second side surfaces  24  may be on opposite sides of the door  2 . In certain embodiments, the first and the second side surfaces  24  may be perpendicular to the outer surface  25  of the door  2 . In some embodiments, a trim  3  may be mounted on a top surface  26  and/or a bottom surface  27  of a door  2 . The door  2  may cover an opening of a compartment of a home appliance  1 . 
     While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Although some of the drawings illustrate a number of operations in a particular order, operations that are not order-dependent may be reordered and other operations may be combined or broken out. While some reordering or other groupings are specifically mentioned, others will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and so do not present an exhaustive list of alternatives.