Patent Publication Number: US-2023144224-A1

Title: Upper plinth or top panel cover for domestic appliance

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to domestic or household appliances and, more particularly, to an upper plinth or top panel structure for a domestic appliance. 
     The present disclosure further relates to a removable upper plinth or top panel cover for a domestic appliance such as, for example, a refrigerator appliance or other similar home appliances. The upper plinth or top panel cover is removable in that it can be detached from the top of the appliance without being completely separated from the appliance. The upper plinth or top panel cover for a domestic appliance is for hiding parts while at the same time permitting easy accessibility by a service technician to install parts or perform service on parts that are normally hidden behind the upper plinth or top panel cover. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Removable control consoles for appliances like washers and dryers and toe kick plates for appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers are known. However, these removable parts either have to be completely separated from the appliance, pivoted upward and back so as to rest at the rear of the appliance, or are located near the floor. 
     Also, it is generally the practice with appliances to either build distinct left and right Stock Keeping Units (SKU&#39;s) which are not reversible in the field, or to have distinct left and right plastic molded parts which must be swapped for left or right hand doors in appliances such as refrigerators. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure provides an upper plinth or top panel cover for a domestic appliance that is configured for hiding parts while at the same time permitting easy accessibility by a service technician to install parts or perform service on parts that are normally hidden behind the upper plinth or top panel cover. 
     The present disclosure provides an upper plinth or top panel cover for a domestic appliance that is removable in that it can be detached from the top of the appliance without being completely separated from the appliance. 
     Consistent with the present disclosure, in a French door-bottom mount style refrigerator with two upper doors, the upper plinth or top panel cover is flipped down, for example, between approximately 90 and 180 degrees to expose and allow access to an area of the appliance housing above the front frame and hangs on ties or tethers. 
     Consistent with the present disclosure, in a single door refrigerator design, the upper plinth or top panel structure is reversible for left or right hand doors by providing an upper plinth which can be turned upside down to complete the reversal. 
     The present disclosure also provides an upper plinth or top panel structure that overlaps the front frame so that a gap having difficult-to-control tolerances is not visible. The inventors were able to provide a solution to a difficult geometry issue, so that the upper plinth or top panel structure is still reversible and has the same overlap regardless of which orientation in which it is mounted. This was accomplished by moving the center line of the mounting clips (or jaws and pins) on the hinge boxes a few millimeters (mm) lower than the center line of the space which the plinth fills above the appliance. 
     According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a removable upper plinth or top panel structure for a domestic appliance, comprising: an elongated plate-shaped cover for covering an access area at a top portion of the domestic appliance; a plurality of attachment members disposed on the elongated plate-shaped cover for detachably mounting various components to the elongated plate-shaped cover and for detachably securing the elongated plate-shaped cover to the domestic appliance; and a plurality of tethers connected to the domestic appliance and also connected to the elongated plate-shaped cover, such that on condition that the elongated plate-shaped cover is detached from the domestic appliance to expose the access area, the elongated plate-shaped cover flips downward and hangs on the plurality of tethers. 
     According to another aspect, the plurality of attachment members includes at least one clip that extends from a location on a rear surface of the elongated plate-shaped cover. 
     According to another aspect, the at least one clip includes a pair of gussets at a base portion thereof. 
     According to another aspect, the plurality of attachment members includes a center clip on the back of the elongated plate-shaped cover and that attaches to a mounting part adapted to be mounted to the top portion of the domestic appliance. 
     According to another aspect, the plurality of attachment members includes a center clip and left and right side clips on the back of the elongated plate-shaped cover. 
     According to another aspect, the plurality of attachment members includes upper and lower gripping jaws on the right and left sides on a rear surface of the elongated plate-shaped cover and which slide over and grip corresponding posts that extend from right and left hinge boxes of the domestic appliance. 
     According to another aspect, the upper and lower gripping jaws on the right and left sides on the rear surface of the elongated plate-shaped cover allow for axial sliding movement on the posts in a left and right direction of the elongated plate-shaped cover to allow for proper alignment. 
     According to another aspect, a lower edge of the elongated plate-shaped cover overlaps a front frame of the domestic appliance. 
     According to another aspect, the elongated plate-shaped cover includes an opening for a power switch, an opening for an open door assistant, and a smaller opening for an ambient light sensor. Bottom mount appliances (with a single refrigerator compartment door) have the open door assistant at the center of the appliance, so that the hole for the open door assistant is aligned regardless of whether the upper plinth is assembled in the left hinge or right hinge configuration. 
     According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a removable upper plinth or top panel structure for a domestic appliance, comprising: an elongated plate-shaped cover for covering an access area at a top portion of the domestic appliance; a plurality of attachment members disposed on the elongated plate-shaped cover for detachably mounting various components to the elongated plate-shaped cover and for detachably securing the elongated plate-shaped cover to the domestic appliance; and a single tether to keep the elongated plate-shaped cover from swinging down uncontrollably on one side on condition that the elongated plate-shaped cover is detached from the domestic appliance. 
     According to another aspect, the single tether can be twisted 180 degrees to allow the elongated plate-shaped cover to be turned upside down and assembled in an alternate orientation. 
     According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a domestic appliance, comprising: an outer casing forming a housing; a front frame disposed on a front portion of the housing; at least one door mounted to the front portion of the housing; and a removable upper plinth or top panel structure disposed above the front frame on the domestic appliance, the removable upper plinth or top panel structure comprising: an elongated plate-shaped cover for covering an access area above the front frame of the domestic appliance; a plurality of attachment members disposed on the elongated plate-shaped cover to detachably mount various components to the elongated plate-shaped cover and for detachably securing the elongated plate-shaped cover to the domestic appliance; and at least one tether connected to the domestic appliance and also connected to the elongated plate-shaped cover, such that on condition that the elongated plate-shaped cover is detached from the domestic appliance to expose the access area, the elongated plate-shaped cover is tethered to the domestic appliance by the at least one tether. 
     According to another aspect, the domestic appliance comprises a French door bottom mount configuration having an upper fresh food compartment with the at least one door comprising two doors and a bottom freezer compartment. 
     According to another aspect, the domestic appliance comprises a single door bottom mount configuration having an upper fresh food compartment with the at least one door comprising a single door and a bottom freezer compartment. 
     According to another aspect, the at least one tether comprises a single tether to keep the elongated plate-shaped cover from swinging down uncontrollably on one side on condition that the elongated plate-shaped cover is detached from the domestic appliance. 
     According to another aspect, the at least one tether comprises a plurality of tethers connected to the domestic appliance and also connected to the elongated plate-shaped cover, such that on condition that the elongated plate-shaped cover is detached from the domestic appliance to expose the access area, the elongated plate-shaped cover flips downward and hangs on the plurality of tethers. 
     According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a removable upper plinth for a domestic appliance, comprising: an elongated plate-shaped cover for covering an access area at a top portion of the domestic appliance; a plurality of attachment members disposed on the elongated plate-shaped cover for detachably securing the elongated plate-shaped cover to the domestic appliance; and at least one tether connected to the domestic appliance and also connected to the elongated plate-shaped cover, such that on condition that the elongated plate-shaped cover is detached from the domestic appliance to expose the access area, the elongated plate-shaped cover is tethered to the domestic appliance by the at least one tether. 
     According to another aspect, the at least one tether comprises a single tether to keep the elongated plate-shaped cover from swinging down uncontrollably on one side condition that the elongated plate-shaped cover is detached from the domestic appliance. 
     According to another aspect, the at least one tether comprises a plurality of tethers connected to the domestic appliance and also connected to the elongated plate-shaped cover, such that on condition that the elongated plate-shaped cover is detached from the domestic appliance to expose the access area, the elongated plate-shaped cover flips downward and hangs on the plurality of tethers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG.  1    is a partial front view showing the upper portion of a French door-bottom mount style refrigerator having two doors and an upper plinth or top panel cover according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2 A  is a partial front view showing the upper portion of a French door-bottom mount style refrigerator similar to  FIG.  1   , but showing the upper plinth or top panel cover flipped down 180 degrees to expose and allow access to an area of the appliance housing above the front frame according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  2 B and  2 C  are perspective views from the top front and top rear, respectively, of the French door-bottom mount style refrigerator, with  FIG.  2 B  showing the upper plinth or top panel cover flipped down about 90 degrees to expose and allow access to an area of the appliance housing above the front frame and  FIG.  2 C  showing the upper plinth or top panel cover from the rear in its upright and normal position according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    are isolated perspective views of the front and rear of the upper plinth or top panel cover according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged front view showing the upper plinth or top panel cover on a French door-bottom mount style refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are side view and perspective view, respectively, of one of the clips used for attaching the upper plinth or top panel cover to the housing of the appliance or attaching various components according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are views showing a connection configuration for attaching the upper plinth or top panel cover to the housing of the appliance according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C  are various views of the upper plinth or top panel cover, with  FIGS.  7 A and  7 C  showing a back of the upper plinth or top panel cover and  FIG.  7 B  showing one of, for example, two wire ties or tethers that clip on the back surface of the upper plinth or top panel cover according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is an enlarged view of the power switch and power switch bracket which mounts to the appliance according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS.  9 A and  9 B  are views showing a center clip on the back of the upper plinth or top panel cover that attaches to a mounting part mounted to the cabinet or housing of the appliance, and a lower edge of the upper plinth or top panel cover overlapping the front frame of the appliance, respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    is a top, rear perspective view of the right hinge box RHB having an access window that is covered by a plastic cover, according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  show partial front views of another embodiment of the upper plinth or top panel cover which is configured to rotate 180 degrees about a center position for door reversibility with single door bottom mount appliances according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The exemplary embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the invention and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims. 
     Moreover, it should be understood that terms such as top, bottom, front, rear, middle, upper, lower, right side, left side, vertical, horizontal, downward, upward, and the like used herein are for orientation purposes with respect to the drawings when describing the exemplary embodiments and should not limit the present invention unless explicitly indicated otherwise in the claims. Also, terms such as substantially, approximately, and about are intended to allow for variances to account for manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances, or variations from ideal values that would be accepted by those skilled in the art. 
       FIG.  1    shows the upper portion of a French door-bottom mount (FDBM) style refrigerator appliance  100  (also sometimes referred to as refrigerator  100  or simply appliance  100 ) includes an insulated body comprising as a foamed housing having two doors  101  and  102  for closing a fresh food compartment  103  (also referred to as a refrigerator compartment  103 ) and an upper plinth or top panel cover  10  according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. As best shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  2 A,  2 B, and  2 C , the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  comprises an elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A which is removable in that it can be detached from the top of the appliance  100  without being completely separated from the appliance  100 . The upper plinth  10  can also include left and right stationary pieces  10 B that cover or can be part of left and right hinge boxes LHB and RHB for an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the consumer when the doors  101 ,  102  are opened. The upper plinth or top panel cover  10  is an access cover for the main electronics E and some other components which are housed in a compartment C at the top wall TW of the appliance  100  (see  FIGS.  2 B and  2 C ). The upper plinth or top panel cover  10  can be removed and an electronics tray TR with the main electronics E can slide forward for service (see  FIG.  2 B ). Thus, the top wall TW of the metal housing of the appliance  100  is near the bottom of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10 , so that the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  covers a space or area above the metal housing of the appliance  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , each of the two doors  101  and  102  has a handle  101 H and  102 H, respectively. Of course, the doors  101  and  102  can also have a handle-less configuration. Although not shown in the figures, the FDBM style refrigerator  100  normally has a bottom freezer compartment which is accessed using a pull out drawer type of configuration. One or more middle or flexible type drawers that have an independently adjustable temperature can also be included between the top fresh food compartment  103  and the bottom freezer compartment (not shown). With reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2 A , the fresh food compartment  103  includes, for example, a number of shelves S, a lower left side drawer LD, a lower right side drawer RD, and door bins DB such as in the doors  101  and  102 . The shelves S are supported by shelf support railings or shelf support brackets B that include hooks (not shown) at the rear for connection to and adjustment along vertical tracks V formed by separate metal strips having openings such as slots or holes O therein and arranged along a wall (e.g., a rear wall  104  of the refrigerator compartment  103 ). The fresh food or refrigerator compartment  103  is typically set in a range of 1° C. to 6° C., and the freezer compartment is typically set at −18° C. or colder. 
       FIG.  3    shows the front and rear of the removable, elongated plate-shaped cover upper  10 A per se of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  isolated from the refrigerator appliance  100 . The upper part of  FIG.  3    shows the front  10 F of the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A. As shown in the upper part of  FIG.  3   , a larger opening  12  is provided for a power switch (described later) and a smaller opening  14  is provided for an ambient light sensor (described later). Also shown is a connector  16  to connect the electrical wiring to a power line (not shown). The lower part of  FIG.  3    shows the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  flipped over to expose the back side or rear  10 R thereof. As shown in the lower part of  FIG.  3   , a pair of ties or tethers T can be used to hang the removable, elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  on the foamed housing or cabinet of the refrigerator appliance  100  according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. For example, but not limited thereto, the tethers T can be connected to the metal rails MR for the electronics tray TR (see  FIG.  2 B ) or to a clip (not shown) at the center of the top of the appliance  100 . However, the tethers T can be connected to the top of the appliance  100  at any location, as long as they can serve to keep the upper plinth or top cover  10  from falling off or straining the attached wiring while service work is performed. Although a pair of ties or tethers T is shown, the number of ties or tethers T can be more or less.  FIGS.  2 A- 2 C,  3 , and  5 B  show that the rear or back surface of the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  can have a honeycomb shaped reinforcing structure HC formed thereon to give added strength to the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10 . A pair of magnetic reed sensors MRS and an ambient light sensor ALS are also shown in  FIG.  3   . 
       FIG.  4    is an enlarged front view showing the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  in position on the top of the French door-bottom mount style refrigerator  100  as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2 A- 2 C  according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  4   , a power switch PS is exposed through the larger opening  12  in the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  and an ambient light sensor ALS is exposed through the smaller opening  14  in the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10 . Also in view in  FIG.  4    are the left hinge box LHB and the right hinge box RHB, with the removable, elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  being disposed in between the two hinge boxes which can include the left and right stationary pieces  10 B. Referring to the left hinge box LHB, a cable chain anchor  18  for routing wires safely around the hinge generally denoted as a left hinge mechanism LHM and a soft close damper  20  are shown. Also shown in  FIG.  4    is the right hinge mechanism RHM and the front frame FF of the refrigerator  100 . The upper plinth or top panel cover  10  is disposed above and slightly overlaps the top of the front frame FF as will be discussed in more detail below. 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are side view and perspective view, respectively, of one of a plurality of attachment members in the form of a clip  22  used for either 1) attaching the removable, elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  to the housing of the refrigerator appliance  100  according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure, or 2) attaching various components, electronics, and/or sensors to the back side of the upper plinth (for example, an ambient light sensor ALS, a magnetic reed sensor MRS for door open position, or the like). The elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  will hereinafter be referred to simply as “the upper plinth  10 ” for ease of explanation unless otherwise indicated. As best shown in  FIG.  5 A , each of the clips  22  is formed of plastic and extends from a location, for example, near the lower rear surface of the upper plinth  10  at the left and right side portions thereof. Each plastic clip  22  is formed with an under-cut  23  at the bottom thereof to eliminate sink marks on the front of the upper plinth  10  which is visible to the user when the door(s)  101 ,  102  is/are open. Each clip  22  has a projection or pawl  24  on the end thereof to engage with the housing of the refrigerator appliance  100  or the attached component (for example, an ambient light sensor ALS, a magnetic reed sensor MRS for door open position) and affix the two together. As shown in  FIG.  5 B , the clip  22  includes a pair of gussets or buttresses  25  at a base portion thereof to prevent the plastic clip  22  from breaking.  FIG.  5 B  shows one of the clips  22  just beside a large space that is provided for an ambient light sensor ALS. Preferably, but not necessarily, there are two plastic clips  22  for every component which will be attached, one at the side with no hinge on bottom mount appliances, and one at the bottom middle of the upper plinth  10 . The center or middle clip is discussed in more detail below. 
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  are views showing a preferred connection configuration for attaching the upper plinth  10  to the housing of the appliance according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. In particular,  FIG.  6 A  shows a pair of vertically spaced apart circular posts P 1  and P 2  which extend from the side wall of the right hinge box RHB. In the case of  FIG.  6 A , the right hinge box RHB is shown from the rear. A rear of the right side of the upper plinth  10  is shown in  FIG.  6 A  with upper and lower gripping jaws UJ and LJ which slide over and grip the posts P 1  and P 2  with an interference fit, respectively. As shown in  FIG.  6 B , which shows a top of the right side of the upper plinth  10  from a rear point of view, the circular posts P 1  and P 2  (only the top post P 1  being in view) permit the upper plinth  10  to undergo some axial sliding movement by the gripping jaws UJ and LJ along the posts P 1  and P 2  as indicated by the arrow. The posts P 1  and P 2  will allow for 0.6 mm of axial sliding movement of the gripping jaws UJ and LJ of the upper plinth  10  left and right for a total of 1.2 mm. This in turn allows for easier alignment of the open door assistant ODA and the power switch PS with the openings  70  and  12  in the upper plinth  10 . Although not shown, the same configuration is used on the other side of the appliance with a pair of vertically spaced apart circular posts P 1  and P 2  extending from the side wall of the left hinge box LHB, and upper and lower gripping jaws UJ and LJ slid over and grip the posts P 1  and P 2 , respectively. The circular posts P 1  and P 2  and gripping jaws UJ and LJ are one possible affixing method. They are preferred because they allow some side-to-side motion so that the plinth can be aligned with fixed features on the appliance (like open door assistant). Other fixation methods (such as standard clips  22 ) are also possible. 
       FIGS.  7 A and  7 C  showing a back of the upper plinth  10  and  FIG.  7 B  shows one of, for example, two wire ties or tethers T that clip on the back surface of the upper plinth  10  according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. In particular, tabs  30  (one of which is shown in  FIG.  7 A ) formed on the back of the upper plinth  10  serve as secure mounting points for an edge clip  32  for each wire tie or tether T. As noted above, the other ends of the tethers T can be connected to the metal rails for the electronics tray TR (see  FIG.  2 B ) or to another part of the housing of the appliance  100 . When the upper plinth  10  is unclipped or detached from the appliance  100  by detaching the upper and lower gripping jaws UJ and LJ or clips  22 , the two wire ties or tethers T which can be formed of nylon wire, keep the upper plinth  10  attached or tethered to the appliance. Thus, the two wire ties or tethers T hold the upper plinth  10  so that a service technician does not have to hold the upper plinth  10  while working on the parts or in the area normally hidden by the upper plinth  10 . The two wire ties or tethers T also serve as a strain relief to prevent damage to the wiring for various components at the back of the upper plinth  10  (ambient light sensor ALS, magnetic reed sensors MRS, etc.). 
       FIG.  8    is an enlarged view of the power switch PS and a power switch bracket  40  which mounts to the appliance according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. The power switch bracket  40  provides a fixed mounting point for the power switch PS. In this way, the customer quality perception is improved because the power switch PS will not flex as it is pressed. Also, since the power switch PS is mounted to the power switch bracket  40 , this facilitates servicing by a service technician, because the power switch PS does not stay attached to the rear of the upper plinth  10  when the upper plinth  10  is open for service. A pair of power switch anchors  42  (only one of which is shown in  FIG.  8   ) are disposed on the left and right sides of the bottom mount or BM (refrigeration compartment has only one door) style refrigerator appliance  200  (see  FIGS.  11 A and  11 B ) for mounting the switch bracket  40  on either side. Thus, for door reversal with a single door configuration, the power switch PS and power switch bracket  40  can be moved from one side to the other and fixed to the appliance by the corresponding power switch anchor  42  (the door reversal with a single door configuration will be discussed in more detail below). 
       FIG.  9 A  shows a center or middle clip  22 C on the back of the upper plinth  10  at the bottom middle thereof that attaches tightly to a mounting part  50  mounted to the cabinet or housing of the appliance  100  by a fastener (not visible) such as a screw or bolt or rivet through a hole  50 H. The mounting part  50  can be formed of plastic or aluminum, can be, for example, extruded, injection molded, or machined and presses the center portion of the upper plinth  10  down to match any curvature occurring in the housing of the appliance  100 .  FIG.  9 B  shows a lower edge of the upper plinth  10  (the portions  10 A and  10 B) overlapping the front frame FF of the appliance  100  by, for example but not limited to, 5 mm. Because of this overlap, even if the housing of the appliance  100  is not perfectly flat, no uneven and unsightly gap between the front frame FF and the bottom of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  is visible to the consumer. 
       FIG.  10    is a top, rear perspective view of the right hinge box RHB having an access window  60  that is covered by a plastic cover  62 . An access window  60  that is covered by a plastic cover  62  is also formed in the left hinge box (not shown in  FIG.  10   ) according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. The access windows  60  in the top of the left and right hinge boxes LHB and RHB are used for fastening screws into kitchen cabinet attachment brackets of the appliance  100 . The small plastic covers  62  are then used to cover or close the access windows  60  when the installation is complete. 
       FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  show partial front views of another embodiment of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10 ′ which is configured to rotate 180 degrees about a center position for door reversibility with single door appliances according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. Like elements are denoted by like reference numerals except that they include a prime sign. French door bottom mount appliances (with two fresh food compartment doors) have no need of door reversal, as they are symmetrical left to right. Bottom mount appliances with a single fridge door can be left or right hinged. It is known to make both left and right hinged variants and the customer must buy left or right appliances directly from the factory. This increases the production cost and complicates the supply chain. This also leaves customers in a bad situation if they order an appliance and then decide that it would be more convenient if it was hinged the other way once they see it in their space. For these reasons, it is beneficial to provide a single variant which can be changed to a left or a right hinge at the customer&#39;s home. 
     In particular,  FIG.  11 B  shows a single door fresh food compartment-bottom mount freezer style refrigerator appliance  200  having a single door  202  with a handle  202 H and for closing a fresh food compartment  203  and an upper plinth or top panel cover  10 ′. Since there is only a single right hand door  202  with a right hinge mechanism RHM′ and a right hinge box RHB′, the left hinge box is removed. The fresh food compartment  203  includes, for example, a shelve S′ and a door bin DB′ in the door  202 . The shelve S′ is supported by shelf support railings or shelf support brackets B′ that include hooks (not shown) at the rear for connection to and adjustment along vertical tracks V′ formed by separate metal strips having openings such as slots or holes O′ therein and arranged along a wall (e.g., a rear wall  204  of the refrigerator compartment  203 ). Although not shown in the  FIG.  11 B , the single door fresh food compartment-bottom mount freezer style refrigerator appliance  200  can have a bottom freezer compartment which is accessed using a pull out drawer type of configuration. 
     As shown in  FIG.  11 B , a circular open door assistant through-hole  70  for an open door assistant ODA is formed in the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A′ of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10 ′ for allowing an electrically operated plunger of the ODA to press the door open. The ODA is positioned at the center of the top of the BM appliance. The location of the circular open door assistant through-hole  70  of the upper plinth  10 ′ is set so that door reversal can be accomplished without moving fixed components.  FIG.  11 B  also shows a power switch locator PSL for a left hinge configuration and a portion of the power switch locator PSL for a right hinge configuration. Accordingly, on condition that the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A′ is unclipped/detached from the domestic appliance, the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A′ is rotated to expose the access area and permit a service technician access to the parts hidden by the upper plinth or top panel cover  10 ′. A single tether or tie T′ can be used to keep the upper plinth or top panel cover  10 ′ from swinging down uncontrollably on one side on condition that the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A′ is detached from the domestic appliance  200 . Because the upper plinth  10 ′ must be flipped upside down during hinge reversal, only one tether T′ is used. The single tether T′ can be twisted 180 degrees to allow the upper plinth  10 ′ to be assembled in its alternate orientation. The upper plinth  10 ′ in this embodiment hangs in a less controlled manner from a single tether T′ compared to the two tether design of the French door bottom mount appliance  100  described above, but the present configuration still allows easy reversibility without the need to remove and reattach tethers. 
     As shown in  FIG.  11 A , if a left hand door with a left hinge mechanism LHM is desired, the right door  202  is removed and the right hinge box RHB is removed. Then the elongated plate-shaped cover  10 A′ of the upper plinth or top panel cover  10 ′ is turned upside down. The circular open door assistant through-hole  70  remains aligned with the open door assistant ODA plunger and the upper plinth or top panel cover  10 ′ now covers the area that the right hinge box RHB previously occupied. 
     The present invention has substantial opportunity for variation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, while  FIGS.  1    and  2 A- 2 C show a traditional FDBM style refrigerator appliance  100 , the present invention can be utilized in single door fresh food compartment-bottom mount BM freezer style refrigerator appliance  200  as shown in  FIGS.  11 A and  11 B , or in FDBM configurations with one or more intermediate compartments (such as, but not limited to, pullout drawers) that can be operated as either fresh food compartments or freezer compartments and which are located between the main fresh food compartment and the main freezer compartment, or in a side-by-side refrigerator where the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are disposed side-by-side in a vertical orientation, as well as in other well-known refrigerator configurations, such as but not limited to, top freezer configurations, bottom freezer configurations, configurations where the entire refrigerator unit is a fresh food compartment from top to bottom without a freezer compartment, or panel front type refrigeration and freezer configurations, and the like. 
     Moreover, while  FIGS.  1 ,  2 A- 2 C, and  4    show the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  in position on the top of a French door-bottom mount style refrigerator appliance  100  and  FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  show the upper plinth or top panel cover  10 ′ in position on the top of a single door fresh food compartment-bottom mount BM freezer style refrigerator  200 , the present disclosure also contemplates other configurations such as, but not limited to, integrating the upper plinth or top panel cover  10  into other domestic appliances such as, but not limited to, freezers, ice makers, wine coolers, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, ovens, and the like. 
     Also, the various features described in connection with a particular embodiment can be used (mixed and matched) with the other embodiments wherever appropriate. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.