Patent Publication Number: US-11035163-B2

Title: Movable front panel for home appliance

Description:
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     The present technology relates to home appliances, e.g., ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, etc., with a kick plate. The present technology further relates to a movable front panel that may be used to secure the kick plate at a base of the home appliance. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Known home appliances, e.g., ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, etc., have a kick plate which is secured to a base or lower-most region of the home appliance, i.e., where it can protect the home appliance against a person&#39;s shoes or debris from settling under the appliance. Further, the kick plate covers the lower-most region of the home appliance to provide a finished and complete look to the appliance while hiding appliance parts such as wiring, adjustment mechanisms, filters, pumps, etc. 
     The attachment of the kick plate should be sufficiently secure such that it does not come loose from the appliance once the appliance is installed, e.g., during use. Conventional approaches to secure the kick plate include using fasteners such as screws and bolts to secure the kick plate. These approaches make removal and/or re-attachment of the kick plate time consuming. In addition, because the fasteners can be seen on the outer surface, the kick plates are visually unappealing. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present technology relates to a home appliance including a movable front panel that may be used to secure the kick plate at a base of the home appliance. 
     An aspect of the present technology provides a kick plate assembly including two pieces, a pivoting panel and a slide-on kick plate fascia. The front panel may include or consist of a single piece of material with side members, each forming a perpendicular leg facing the rear on each end of the front panel. Each of the side members has two slots in them, a small vertical slot, and a larger curved slot with a small vertical portion above the smaller slot. There may be hems and/or a bead running along the face of the pivoting front panel to provide strength and rigidity as necessary. Additionally, there could be one or more punch outs which would be used as attachment points for the slide on kick plate fascia. The slide on kick plate fascia could roughly be a box with tabs extending down from the rear top flange. The tabs would be aligned with the corresponding punch outs on the pivoting panel. The tabs would allow the kick plate fascia to slide down and engage with the pivoting panel, securely attaching it without the use of any additional mechanical fasteners. 
     Another aspect of the present technology includes domestic appliance including a housing including an opening for accessing an interior compartment; a door for closing the opening; a pivoting panel to enclose at least a portion of a base portion of the appliance in a vertical orientation and expose at least a portion the base portion in a horizontal orientation; side members coupled to the pivoting panel; and pins coupled to the housing on an opposite end of the base portion. Each of the side members includes a first linear slot and a second slot including a linear portion and a curved portion. The first and second slots are configured to engage the pins such that the first slots and the linear portions of the second slots have a vertical orientation when the pivoting panel is in the vertical orientation and have a horizontal orientation when the pivoting panel is in the horizontal orientation. 
     Another aspect of the present technology includes a domestic appliance comprising: a shell; a door coupled to the shell; a treatment compartment defined at least in part by the shell and the door; a panel configured to enclose at least a portion of cavity below the treatment compartment in a vertical orientation and at least partially expose the cavity in a horizontal orientation; and an articulation arrangement to allow the panel to move from a closed and locked position to an unlocked and open position. 
     Another aspect of the present technology includes a domestic appliance comprising: a shell; a door coupled to the shell; a treatment compartment defined at least in part by the shell and the door; a panel configured to enclose at least a portion of a cavity below the treatment compartment; an articulation arrangement coupled to the shell and configured to allow the panel to move from a closed and locked vertical position to an unlocked and open non-vertical position whilst being coupled to the shell; and a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the panel in the vertical position. 
     In examples, the domestic appliance can include one or more of the following features: (a) a kick plate fascia coupled to the planar surface of the panel; (b) the articulation arrangement is configured to provide a locking function when the panel is in the vertical orientation; (b) the locking mechanism is finger- or hand-operable to place the panel in a locked position or an unlocked position while the panel is in or substantially in the vertical position, and wherein once the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, the panel is moveable via the articulation arrangement to a horizontal open position allowing access to the cavity; (c) the articulation arrangement comprises a first linear slot and a second slot including a linear portion and a curved portion extending from one end of the linear portion, the first linear slot engaging a first pin coupled to the shell or panel and the second slot engaging a second pin coupled to the shell or panel, the locking mechanism including the linear portion of the second slot and the second pin; (d) the locking mechanism comprises a magnet, a push pin and/or a latch; (e) the locking mechanism is positioned on the shell and/or the panel; (f) a first pair of pins coupled to the shell on one end of the cavity and a second pair of pins coupled to the shell on an opposite end of the cavity, and the panel includes a first side member configured to engage the first pair of pins and a second side member configured to engage the second pair of pins, the engagement of the pins and the side members enabling the panel to lift in a vertical direction to unlock the panel, and rotate the unlocked panel from the vertical position to allowing access to the cavity; and/or (g) the first linear slot and the linear portions of the second slot are oriented vertically when the panel is in the vertical orientation and are oriented horizontally when the panel is in the horizontal orientation, a size and shape of the first linear slot is the same as a size and/or shape of the linear portion of the second slot, and the first slot and the linear portion of the second slot are provided along a common axis. 
     Another aspect of the present technology includes a domestic appliance comprising: a housing including a base portion and an opening for accessing a treatment compartment of the housing; a door movable for at least partially closing the opening; a panel including a planar surface configured to enclose at least a portion of the base portion in a vertical orientation and expose at least a portion the base portion in a horizontal orientation; a first side member extending from one end of the panel in a perpendicular direction to the planar surface, and a second side member extending from an opposite end of the panel in the perpendicular direction; and a first pair of pins coupled to the housing on one end of the base portion and a second pair of pins coupled to the housing on an opposite end of the base portion, wherein the first side member is configured to engage the first pair of pins and the second side member is configured to engage the second pair of pins, the engagement of the pins and the side members enabling the panel in the vertical orientation to lift in a vertical direction to unlock the panel, and rotate the unlocked panel from the vertical orientation to at least partially expose the base portion. 
     In examples, the domestic appliance can include one or more of the following features: (a) each of the first and second side members includes a first slot that is linear and a second slot including a linear portion and a curved portion, the slots of the first side member are configured to engage the first pair of pins and the slots of the second side member are configured to engage the second pair of pins, and the first slots and the linear portions of the second slots are oriented vertically when the panel is in the vertical orientation and are oriented horizontally when the panel is in the horizontal orientation; (b) a kick plate fascia coupled to the planar surface of the panel; (c) the kick plate fascia is configured to slide on the panel and includes a plurality of tabs extending from a rear top flange of the kick plate fascia configured to engage corresponding punch outs in the panel; (d) the kick plate fascia is attached to the panel without use of additional mechanical fasteners; (e) one end of the curved portion extends from one end of the linear portion, the first slot engages one of the pins in the pair of pins and the second slot engages another one of pins in the pair of pins; (f) a size and shape of the first slots is the same as a size and/or shape of the linear portion of the second slots; (g) the domestic appliance includes a stove; (h) the first slot and the linear portion of the second slot are oriented in the same direction relative to the planar surface of the panel; (i) the curved portion extends from one end of the linear portion in a direction away from the planar surface of the panel; (j) the curved portion is provided along a radius measured from a center of bottom end of the first slot in the vertical orientation; (k) when the panel is in the vertical orientation, a first pin of the first and second pair of pins is positioned on one end of the first slots and a second pin of the first and second pair of pins is positioned on an end of the linear portion of the second slot; and when the panel is in the horizontal orientation, the first pin of the first and second pair of pins is positioned on an opposite end of the first slots and the second pin of the first and second pair of pins is positioned on an end of the curved portion of the second slot; (l) the engagement between the first slots and the pins in the first slots provides a pivotal movement between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation of the panel; and/or (m) the panel and the first and second side members consists of a single piece of material. 
     Another aspect of the present technology includes a pivoting kick plate assembly comprising: a pivoting panel including a planar surface configured to enclose at least a portion of a base portion of a domestic appliance in a vertical orientation and expose at least a portion the base portion in a horizontal orientation; a kick plate fascia coupled to the planar surface of the pivoting panel; a first side member extending from one end of the pivoting panel in a perpendicular direction to the planar surface, and a second side member extending from an opposite end of the pivoting panel in the perpendicular direction; and a first pair of pins coupled to housing or a frame of the appliance on one side of an opening to the base portion and a second pair of pins coupled to the housing or frame on an opposite side of the opening to the base portion, wherein each of the first and second side members includes a first slot that is linear and a second slot including a linear portion and a curved portion, the slots of the first side member are configured to engage the first pair of pins and the slots of the second side member are configured to engage the second pair of pins, and the first slots and the linear portions of the second slots are oriented vertically when the pivoting panel is in the vertical orientation and are oriented horizontally when the pivoting panel is in the horizontal orientation. 
     In examples, the pivoting kick plate assembly can include one or more of the following features: (a) the kick plate fascia is configured to slide on the pivoting panel and includes a plurality of tabs extending from a rear top flange of the kick plate fascia configured to corresponding punch outs in the pivoting panel; (b) a size and shape of the first slots is the same as a size and/or shape of the linear portion of the second slots, and the first slot and the linear portion of the second slot of the same side member are provided along a common axis; and/or (c) the curved portion extends from one end of the linear portion in a direction away from the planar surface of the pivoting panel. 
     Another aspect of the present technology includes a domestic appliance comprising: a shell; a door coupled to the shell; a treatment compartment defined at least in part by the shell and the door; a pivoting panel configured to enclose at least a portion of cavity below the treatment compartment in a vertical orientation and at least partially expose the cavity in a horizontal orientation; a kick plate removably coupled to the pivoting panel; and a first pair of pins coupled to the shell on one end of the cavity and a second pair of pins coupled to the shell on an opposite end of the cavity; wherein the pivoting panel includes a first side member configured to engage the first pair of pins and a second side member configured to engage the second pair of pins, the engagement of the pins and the side members enabling the pivoting panel to lift in a vertical direction to unlock the pivoting panel, and rotate the unlocked pivoting panel from the vertical orientation to at least partially expose the cavity. 
     Other aspects, features, and advantages of this technology will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of this technology. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the various examples of this technology. In such drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a home appliance including a movable front panel with a kick plate fascia in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a front perspective view of a kick plate assembly in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a back perspective view of a kick plate assembly in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 3A  shows a front perspective view of a front panel and first and second side members in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a back perspective view of a front panel and first and second side members in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 4A  shows a front perspective view of a kick plate fascia in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 4B  shows a back perspective view of a kick plate fascia in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 5A  shows an example of engagement between an attachment features and tabs provided on a kick plate fascia in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 5B  shows another example of engagement between an attachment features and a kick plate fascia in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 6A  shows side view of the engagement between the side members and pins in a closed/locked position, in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 6B  shows side view of the engagement between the side members and pins in a lifted position, in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 6C  shows side view of the engagement between the side members and pins in a partially opened position, in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 6D  shows side view of the engagement between the side members and pins in an opened position, in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 7  shows side view of the engagement between the side members and pins in an opened position locked, in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 8  shows an arrangement of the kick plate assembly on an appliance in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 9A  shows a side member of a kick plate assembly in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 9B  shows a kick plate assembly shown in  FIG. 9A  in a closed/locked position on an appliance in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
         FIG. 9C  shows the kick plate assembly shown in  FIG. 9A  in an open position on an appliance in accordance with one form of the present technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
     Before the present technology is described in further detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited to the particular examples described herein, which may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing only the particular examples discussed herein, and is not intended to be limiting. 
     The following description is provided in relation to various examples which may share one or more common characteristics and/or features. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one example may be combinable with one or more features of another example or other examples. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any of the examples may constitute a further example. 
     The present technology describes a kick plate assembly that may be included in a home appliance. The home appliance may be a washer, dryer, washer/dryer combination, oven, stove, refrigerator, and/or freezer, dishwasher etc. The home appliance may include a treatment compartment for receiving items to be treated, e.g., cleaned, dried, heated, cooled, etc. In some examples, the home appliance may include one or more heating and/or cooling elements inside or outside of the treatment compartment for treating, e.g., heating and/or cooling the treatment compartment, and items placed therein. A door assembly including one or more doors may be movably engaged (e.g., hinged) with the home appliance to provide access to the treatment compartment and at least partially enclose the treatment compartment. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a home appliance  100  including a kick plate assembly  200  in accordance with one form of the present technology.  FIG. 1  shows a home appliance  100  including a stove and a cooktop, however examples of the present technology are not so limited. 
     The home appliance  100  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a cooktop  110  for heating food placed on a top surface using one or more heating elements and a treatment compartment  120 , e.g., an oven including one or more heating and/or cooling elements (not shown) inside or outside of an treatment compartment for heating the treatment compartment. The treatment compartment is defined by a shell  130  and a door assembly  140  movably engaged (e.g., hinged) with the shell  130  e.g., about a lower end of the compartment. The door assembly  140  may include a handle  142  disposed on an outside surface of the door. In some examples, the door assembly  140  may include a plurality of doors providing access to different compartments provided on a same side and/or different sides of the appliance  100 . 
     The appliance  100  may include a kick plate assembly  200  located generally below the door assembly  140 . The kick plate assembly  200  may be a pivoting kick plate assembly configured to provide selective access to a base portion  190  of the appliance  100 . The base portion  190  may be an area near a bottom of the appliance  100  e.g., below the treatment compartment  120  and the door assembly  140 . The base portion  190  may be at least partially defined by side of the appliance  100 , bottom surface of the appliance  100  and/or a surface on which the appliance  100  is placed. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the kick plate assembly  200  is shown covering a base portion  190  that is on the same side of the appliance as the treatment compartment  120  and door assembly  140 . In some examples, the kick plate assembly  200  may be provided on a different side of the appliance from the treatment compartment  120  and the door assembly  140 . In some examples, the kick plate assembly  200  may be provided on multiple sides. 
     A front surface  202  of the kick plate assembly  200  is parallel to and rearwardly offset from a front surface  132  of the appliance  100  and/or the door assembly  140  towards the back (shown in  FIG. 1 ) or towards the front of the appliance  100 . In some examples, the front surface of the kick plate assembly  200  and the front surface of the appliance and/or the door assembly  140  may be provided on a common plane. In some examples, the front surface of the kick plate assembly  200  and the front surface of the appliance  100  and/or the door assembly  140  may be provided on a common plane. 
     The kick plate assembly  200  may have a width  204  that corresponds to a width  134  of the appliance  100 . In some examples, the kick plate assembly  200  may be approximately 30″, 36″, 48″ and 60″, and/or a couple of inches tall and deep. The kick plate assembly  200  may have a shape (e.g., rectangular shape) corresponding to an opening in the base portion of the appliance  100 . The opening in the base portion of the appliance  100  may be partially or completely enclosed by the kick plate assembly  200  in the vertical orientation. The kick plate assembly  200  may extend from one side of the appliance to the other side of the appliance so that the ends of the kick plate assembly are approximately flush with the sides of the appliance  100 . 
     The kick plate assembly  200  is capable of pivoting from a vertical position, in which access to the base portion is prevented, to a flat orientation or non-vertical orientation in which access inside or below to the base portion is made available. Access to the base portion may be needed to gain access to one or more appliance components (e.g., motor, circuit breakers, and/or leveling mechanisms) for repair or adjustment. In some examples, the base portion may be used to store items such as accompanying appliance documentations, specialized tools or replacement parts for the appliance  100 , and/or optional attachments (e.g. additional racks for oven). 
     The kick plate assembly  200  according to one or more forms of the present technology combines functionality with simplistic design. The kick plate assembly  200  provides a front panel on the appliance  100  (e.g., oven ranges) which is capable of pivoting (rotating out to a flat orientation from an initial vertical position). In an example, the pivoting is enabled by solely relying on integrated cut outs provided in the kick plate assembly  200 , without including any additional mechanical hardware, such as hinges used in hinged storage doors. Hinges in hinged storage doors are complex, costly and/or need specifically positioned mounting points. Examples of the present technology overcome or more of these drawbacks. In addition, the kick plate assembly  200  according to one or more forms of the present technology allows for the kick plate assembly  200  to remain attached while allowing user access to the base portion and/or decreases the amount of parts needed to attach critical documentation to oven ranges and/or enhances the premium design of ranges by creating a secure attachment of the kick plate to the range, while making it easier to remove and service. 
     The kick plate assembly  200  according to one or more forms of the present technology provides an articulation arrangement allowing the kick plate to move from a closed and locked vertical position to an unlocked and open horizontal (or non-vertical) position. The articulation arrangement may include at least one pair of pins and slots (or two pairs of pins and slots). The articulation arrangement is configured to provide the locked and closed position, an unlocked closed position, and an unlocked open position. The locked position may be provided by a locking mechanism, e.g., one of the pairs of pins and slots, or the locking mechanism or position may be provided as part of the kick plate assembly, e.g., one or more magnets, latches or push pins, separate from the pin/slot arrangement. The locking mechanism may be finger- or hand-operable to place the panel in a locked position and an unlocked position while the panel is in or substantially in the vertical position. Examples of the articulation arrangement are shown in  FIGS. 2A-9C . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show perspective views of a kick plate assembly  200  in accordance with one form of the present technology. The kick plate assembly  200  includes a front panel  210  to which a kick plate fascia  250  (shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) is attached. The front panel  210  without the kick plate fascia  250  being attached is shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The front panel  210  includes a first side member  220  and a second side member  230  for movably coupling the kick plate assembly  200  to the appliance  100 . The engagement between stationary pins in the appliance and slots in the first side member  220  and the second side member  230  allows the kick plate assembly  200  to move from a locked position to an unlocked position and pivotally move from a vertical orientation to a non-vertical orientation (e.g., horizontal orientation). 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  show perspective views of a front panel  210  and first and second side members  220  and  230  in accordance with one form of the present technology. The front panel  210  can be referred to as a pivoting panel due to the specific engagement of the first and second side members  220  and  230  with the appliance enabling the front panel  210  to pivot about an axis. 
     The front panel  210  may be formed of a solid material (e.g., metal, polymer material or other appropriate material) and/or shaped from a flat surface. A planar surface of the front panel includes a front surface  212  and a back surface  214 , one or both of which may be flat and continuous. The front surface  212  and/or the back surface  214  may include hems and/or a bead  218  extending along the length of the front surface  212  and/or the back surface  214  to provide strength and rigidity as necessary. The hems and/or a bead  218  may be provided near and/or as part of the top and/or bottom sides of the front panel. 
     The first side member  220  and the second side member  230  are provided on the front panel  210  and provide a mechanism for the front panel  210  to pivotally move from a vertical orientation to a non-vertical orientation (e.g., horizontal orientation). In the vertical orientation the front panel  210  is configured to enclose at least a portion of the base portion of the appliance  100  and in the non-vertical orientation or horizontal orientation the font panel is configured to expose at least a portion of the base portion of the appliance  100 . 
     Each of the first side member  220  and the second side member  230  may be coupled to a back surface  214  and/or sides of the front panel  210 . The first and second side members may be permanently (e.g., welded) or removably (e.g., using fasteners) coupled to the front panel  210 . In some examples, the first and second side members and the front panel  210  may be formed from a same piece of material bent to form perpendicular legs (e.g., side members) facing the rear on either end of the front panel  210 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  show perspective views of a kick plate fascia  250  in accordance with one form of the present technology. The kick plate fascia  250  may provide a cosmetic surface (e.g., a cosmetic kick plate) that matches in color and/or texture with one or more surfaces of the appliance  100 . 
     The kick plate fascia  250  may be formed of a solid material (e.g., metal, polymer material or other appropriate material) and/or shaped from a flat surface. The front surface  252  of the kick plate fascia  250  may be flat and continuous. In some examples, the kick plate fascia  250  may be formed from a single piece of material into a rectangle having a length, height and a width. The kick plate fascia  250  may be formed from a single piece of material to provide front surface  252  and side surfaces provided perpendicular to the front surface  252  on each edge of the front surface  252  and a back surface  254 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4B , the bottom of the kick plate fascia  250  may include a U-shaped channel extending along the length of the kick plate fascia  250 . The U-shaped channel may be formed by a portion of the front surface  252 , the bottom side surface and a back surface  254  provided parallel to the front surface  252 . The back surface  254  may extend upwards partially from the bottom side surface. When the front panel  210  and the kick plate fascia  250  are assembled, the back surface  254  may rest against the front panel  210  and/or the first side member  220  and the second side member  230 . 
     The kick plate fascia  250  may include one or more tabs  260  extending down from the rear top flange  258 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , three tabs  260  are provided with one generally in the center of the kick plate fascia  250  and two tabs  260  near each end of the kick plate fascia  250 . The one or more tabs  260  are configured to engage one or more attachment features  216  provided in the front panel  210  to attach the kick plate fascia  250  to the front panel  210 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows an example of engagement between an attachment features  216  and tabs  260  provided on the kick plate fascia  250  in accordance with one form of the present technology. The attachment features  216  may include punch outs (shown as louvers) in the front panel  210  configured to engage tabs  260 . To assemble, the tabs  260  would be aligned with the corresponding punch outs on the front panel  210 . The tabs  260  allow the kick plate fascia  250  to slide down and engage with the front panel  210 , securely attaching the kick plate fascia  250  without the use of any additional mechanical fasteners, but additional mechanical fasteners like bolts, screws etc. could be used to help secure the kick plate fascia  250  to the front panel  210 . For example, a screw or bolt could be used to secure the tabs  260  to the attachment features  216 . 
     In one example, the tabs  260  could engage the corresponding punch outs on the front panel from a front surface  212  of the front panel  210 . The kick plate fascia  250  could be attached to the front panel  210  with the front panel  210  in horizontal or non-vertical orientation without needing to remove the front panel  210  from the appliance. The present technology allows for the kick plate fascia  250  to be easily replaced if the front panel is damaged or a different style is desired. 
       FIG. 2B  shows the punch out and engagement flange in the attached position, where they are held together with an interference fit. Sliding the kick plate fascia  250  up vertically would cause the kick plate fascia  250  to detach and separate. 
       FIG. 5B  shows another example of engagement between an attachment features  216  and the kick plate fascia  250  in accordance with one form of the present technology. In  FIG. 5B , the back surface  254 , which may extend from the bottom to the top of the kick plate fascia  250  is provided with one or more holes  262  configured to receive attachment features  216  of the front panel  210 . Other means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art could be used to permanently or removably secure the kick plate fascia  250  to the front panel  210 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6D  show side views of the engagement between a side member  220 ( 230 ) and pins  232  and  234  in accordance with one form of the present technology. The pins  232  and  234  are coupled to a frame or housing of the appliance  100  and are configured to engage slots provided in the first and second side members. The pins may be permanently secured to the frame or housing or removable mounted. A first pair of pins is provide near one end of the base portion and a second pair of pins is provided near an opposite end of the base portion. The pins remain stationary during the movement of the kick plate assembly  200 . The first pins  232  of the two pairs of pins may be provided along a first common axis and second pins  234  of the two pair of pins may be provided along a second common axis that is parallel to the first common axis and offset in a vertical direction. The first and second common axes may be parallel to a front surface  132  and/or door of the appliance  100 . The pins on one side may be vertically aligned, or could be offset in a horizontal direction. 
     Each of the first and second side members includes a first slot  236  engaging a first pin  232  and a second slot  240  engaging a second pin  234 . The first slot  236  is linear and is oriented vertically when the front panel  210  and/or the kick plate fascia  250  are in the vertical orientation (see  FIG. 6A ) and are oriented horizontally when the front panel  210  and/or the kick plate fascia  250  are in the horizontal orientation (see  FIG. 6D ). The second slot  240  includes a linear portion  242  and a curved portion  244 . The linear portion  242  of the second slot  240  is oriented vertically when the movable front panel  210  is in the vertical orientation and is oriented horizontally when the movable front panel is in the horizontal orientation. The curved portion  244  of the second slot  240  is generally curved by a smooth curved slot or a plurality of straight slots. The curved portion  244  is not limited to the specific shape shown in the figures. The curved portion  244  provides a shape to constrain movement of the kick plate assembly  200  along a rotational path, while providing a pivot like motion from a vertical orientation to a non-vertical orientation (e.g., horizontal orientation). 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , in the vertical orientation the kick plate assembly  200  is in the closed/locked position. In the vertical orientation, the weight of the kick plate assembly  200  causes the kick plate assembly  200  to drop down and lock in on pins  232  and  234 . With the pins  232  and  234  pressed against the top surface of the linear slot portions of the first slot  236  and the second slot  240 , rotation of the kick plate assembly  200  is prevented. 
     When the kick plate assembly  200  is in the vertical orientation (closed/locked position shown in  FIG. 6A ), the first pin  232  is positioned on one end of the first slot  236  and the second pin  234  is positioned on one end of the linear portion  242  of the second slot  240 . The kick plate assembly  200  can be held in this position via gravity, but the locking position could be secured by using a spring to bias the assembly in the position shown in  FIG. 6A . By vertically lifting the kick plate assembly  200  a short distance (i.e. distance equal to length of the first slot  236 ), the second pin  234  moves to an opposite end of the linear portion  242  and enters the start of curved portion  244  of the second slot  240  (see unlocked closed position in  FIG. 6B ). In response to lifting, the first pin  232  is also moved to an opposite end of the first slot  236  providing a pivot point for the kick plate assembly  200  to rotate around. After the kick plate assembly  200  is lifted, the second pin  234  is moved along the curved portion  244  causing the kick plate assembly  200  to rotate about the first pin  232  (see unlocked partially opened position in  FIG. 6C ) from the vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. When the kick plate assembly  200  is in the horizontal orientation (see unlocked opened position shown in  FIG. 6D ), the first pin  232  is positioned on an opposite end of the first slot  236  and the second pin  234  is positioned on an end of the generally curved portion  244  of the second slot  240 . 
     The linear portion  242  of the second slot  240  and the pin  234  can be part of the locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the front panel  210  in the vertical position. The engagement of the linear portion  242  the pin  234  as shown in  FIG. 6A  provided for a locked position and the engagement of the linear portion  242  the pin  234  as shown in  FIG. 6B  provides for an unlocked position. Once in the unlocked position, the front panel  210  can be moved (e.g., rotated) with a finger- or hand-operation to an intermediate position (see partially opened position)  FIG. 6C  and to the opened position (see  FIG. 6D ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6A-6D , the kick plate assembly  200  can be moved from the closed potion to the opened position (via a “lift- and rotate” motion) while still being connected to the appliance via the pins  232  and  234 . This allows for the quick access to a bottom portion of an appliance without needing to disassemble and reassemble the appliance. In addition, in the open or partially open position, the kick plate fascia  250  can be replaced without needing to remove the front panel  210  from the appliance. 
     The size and/or shape of the first slot  236  can be the same as the size and/or shape of the linear portion  242  of the second slot  240 . The first slot  236  and the linear portion  242  of the second slot  240  may be elongated holes with full radii on both ends. The first slot  236  and the linear portion  242  of the second slot  240  of the same side member can be provided along a same axis, which is parallel to the front surface of the front panel  210  and/or the kick plate fascia  250 . In some examples, the first slot  236  and the linear portion  242  of the second slot  240  oriented such that they are in parallel. 
     The curved portion  244  of the second slot  240  may extend from one end of the linear portion  242  in a direction away from the planar surface of the front panel  210  and/or the kick plate fascia  255 . The curved portion  244  may be provided along a radius that is a predetermined distance from the lower end of the first slot  236 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A-D , the curved portion  244  may end at a same distance from the bottom side of the side members  220  or  230 . In some examples, the curved portion  244  of the second slot  240  may terminate earlier, preventing the kick plate assembly  200  from reaching a horizontal orientation in the opened position. 
       FIG. 7  shows side view of the engagement between the side members and pins in an opened locked position, in accordance with one form of the present technology. In FIG.  7 , a locked opened position is provided by including a linear slot portions  238  and  246  in the first slot  236  and the second slot  240 , respectively. In this example, after the kick plate assembly  200  is rotated to a horizontal orientation, the kick plate assembly  200  is moved downward by gravity (possibly with the assistance of a spring, as with the closed locked position). The downward movement of the kick plate assembly  200  moves the first and second pins  232  and  234  into the additional linear portion  238  of the first slot  236  and the additional linear portion  246  of the second slot  240 . The kick plate assembly  200  is removed from the locked opened position by lifting the kick plate assembly  200  upwards so that the pins  234  engages the curved portion  244  of the second slot  240 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an arrangement of the kick plate assembly  200  on an appliance in accordance with one form of the present technology. In  FIG. 8 , a front surface of the kick plate fascia  250  is provided on approximately a same plane with a front surface  102  of the appliance  100 . The positioning of the pins  232  and  234  and the slots  236  and  240  may be positioned such that a space having a distance D 1  is provided between an edge  104  of the appliance  100  and the top of the kick plate fascia  250 . The distance D 1  may be equal to or exceed a distance D 2  between full radii on ends of the first slot  236 . The distance D 2  may equal the distance D 3  between full radii on ends of the linear portion  242  of the second slot  240 . Providing the space between the edge  104  of the appliance  100  and the top of the kick plate fascia  250  may ensure that there is sufficient space to move the second pin  234  to a portion of the second slot  240  so that the second pin  234  can engage the curved portion  244  of the second slot  240 . 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  show a kick plate assembly attached to on an appliance  100  in accordance with one form of the present technology. In the example shown in  FIG. 9A-9C , the first side member  220  and the second side member  230  include a slot  236   b  in form of a hole configured to receive first pin  232  and a curved slot  240   b  to receive the second pin  234 . The slot  236   b  provides a point about which the kick plate assembly rotates as the second pin  234  moves from one end of the curved slot  240   b  to the other end of the curved slot  240   b . As the second pin  234  is moved from one end to the other end of the curved slot  240   b , the kick plate assembly is moved from a vertical orientation in the closed position to a horizontal orientation in the open position. 
     The kick plate assembly is locked in place by a locking mechanism, which may include a first lock member  280  provided on the front panel  210  and a second lock member  282  provided on the appliance  100 . In some examples, the locking mechanism may be provided only on the front panel  210  or the shell of the appliance. The locking mechanism may include a magnetic locking mechanism, a push pin and/or a latch (e.g., a push open latch and/or a push on fitting). 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 9A-9C , the kick plate assembly does not need to be lifted upwards to unlock the kick plate assembly. In this example, the kick plate assembly can be provided closer to the front surface of the appliance and/or the door so that there is less space between the kick plate assembly and other part of the appliance above the kick plate assembly. 
     Examples of this technology are not limited to slots extending through the first and second side members. In some examples, the slots may extend only up to a blind depth. 
     Examples of this technology are not limited to the specific shapes of slots shown in the figures. Examples of this technology may be applied to side members including only two slots with other shapes enabling the kick plate fascia  250  to pivot from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. For example, the linear first slot  236  and the linear portion  242  of the second slot  240  could be replaced with another shape (e.g., zig zag slot or a curved slot). In some examples, the pins may be provided on the side member and plates including slots for engaging the pins may be coupled to the frame of the appliance. In this example, the pins could be providing on the side members along a common horizontal direction. 
     While the technology has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred examples, it is to be understood that the technology is not to be limited to the disclosed examples, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Also, the various examples described above may be implemented in conjunction with other examples, e.g., aspects of one example may be combined with aspects of another example to realize yet other examples. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional example.