Abstract:
A connection assembly is disclosed for an ice maker that includes a base having a rail and a cabinet assembly having a glide. The glide slides onto the rail to removably connect the base and the cabinet assembly while aligning the cabinet assembly vertically and horizontally relative to the base. Preferably, the rail and glide have complementary geometries wherein the base and rail fit together such that the complementary geometries limit the relative vertical and horizontal movement of the rail and the glide to each other. In alternative configurations, the base may have a glide and the cabinet may have a rail. The connection assembly may also include a stop limiting the relative linear movement between the rail and the glide, further assuring proper alignment of the cabinet and the base. The connection assembly may also include a locking mechanism limiting relative linear movement of the base and the cabinet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/670,327, filed on Jul. 11, 2012, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to a connection assembly for assembling a base and a cabinet assembly of an ice maker. The present disclosure further relates to a connection assembly for assembling an ice maker and bin assembly with easily removable components that allows direct access to serviceable components. The present disclosure also provides for modular assembly of a cabinet assembly which improves manufacturing flexibility. The present disclosure additionally relates to a connection assembly for assembling a base and a cabinet assembly of an ice maker that provides for proper vertical and horizontal alignment of the base and cabinet. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Ice makers typically have a refrigeration system and a water distribution system that distributes water onto an ice forming surface that is connected to the refrigeration system forming ice. The refrigeration system performs a vapor compression cycle as is known in the art for cooling during an ice forming cycle and heating during an ice harvesting cycle to release ice from the ice forming surface and for storing the ice in an ice bin. The refrigeration system, ice bin and water distribution system are in a housing that is typically insulated. 
     The housings of ice makers presently do not have removable components that allow for easy accessibility for service and maintenance of the refrigeration system, ice bin, and the water distribution system. Even further, the removable components of the housings may become misaligned when reassembled after completion of service and maintenance. The components of conventional ice makers are also of a fixed configuration that does not permit flexibility in manufacturing. 
     Therefore, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a need for a connection assembly for assembling a base and a cabinet assembly of an ice maker that allows direct access to serviceable components, provides for proper alignment of the base and cabinet assembly, and provides for modular assembly of the cabinet assembly and base that improves manufacturing flexibility. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a connection assembly for an ice maker that includes a base having a rail and a cabinet assembly having a glide. The glide slides onto the rail to allow for connection and removal of the base and the cabinet assembly, aligning the cabinet assembly vertically and horizontally relative to the base. 
     The present disclosure provides a connection assembly for an ice maker that includes, in one embodiment, a rail for a base, the rail having a geometry and a glide for a cabinet, the glide having a geometry, wherein the geometry of the rail is complementary to the geometry of the glide such that the geometry of the rail fits together with the geometry of the glide to provide for vertical and horizontal stability and alignment of the base and the cabinet. 
     In one embodiment, the geometry of the rail is a solid geometric configuration and the geometry of the glide is an open geometric configuration such that the solid configuration of the rail is accepted in the open geometric configuration of the glide. The solid geometric configuration of the rail and the open geometric configuration of the glide are provided such that the solid geometric configuration of the rail and the open geometric configuration of the glide are sufficiently complementary so that the relative vertical and horizontal movement of the rail to the glide is limited, thereby providing for vertical and horizontal stability and alignment of the base and the cabinet. 
     Exemplary solid geometries of the rail include L-shape, “ball and post” shape, square shape, rectangle shape, triangle shape, “X” shape, “T” shape, among others that will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description. Exemplary open geometries of the glide include complementary geometries to those of the solid geometry of the rail described above. 
     Alternatively, the geometry of the rail may be open and the geometry of the glide may be solid, in geometries as described above or as will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure. In this latter case as well, the geometries of the rail and glide are preferably sufficiently complementary so that the relative vertical and horizontal movement of the rail to the glide is limited, thereby providing for vertical and horizontal stability and alignment of the base and the cabinet. 
     Preferably, the rail and the glide are provided with a “stop”, such that the linear movement of the rail relative to the glide, and/or vice versa, is limited such that the linear movement of the cabinet relative to the base is limited, thus ensuring that the linear alignment of the cabinet and the base is also correct and preventing linear misalignment of one to the other. 
     Also preferably, the cabinet and/or base are provided with a locking mechanism such that, once in place, the cabinet and base are prevented from substantially moving relative to each other in a linear direction. This ensures proper alignment of the cabinet and base and also prevents accidental misalignment of the cabinet and base during use or when the ice maker may be moved, such as for cleaning around and or under the ice maker, or for purposes of shifting its location, if so desired, within the environment in which it is being used. 
     The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an ice maker having an embodiment of a connection assembly for assembling a base and a cabinet assembly of the ice maker with the base connected to the cabinet assembly in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the base connected to a support structure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a glide of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial front cross-sectional view of the base connected to the cabinet assembly of  FIG. 1  with insulation of the cabinet assembly removed. 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the ice maker of  FIG. 1  with a front grill removed and the base connected to the cabinet assembly so that the cabinet assembly is movable relative to the base. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial front perspective view of the glide of  FIG. 4  connected to the base of  FIG. 1  so that the glide is movable on the base. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial front perspective view of the cabinet assembly connected to the base of  FIG. 1  with the base connected to the cabinet assembly in the closed position and insulation of the cabinet assembly removed. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial front perspective view of the ice maker of  FIG. 1  with the front grill removed and the base being connected to the cabinet assembly in the closed position with a locking mechanism in place. 
         FIG. 9  shows alternative embodiments of the rail and glide opening according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , an ice maker  10  that makes ice and has an exemplary embodiment of a connection assembly according to the present disclosure is shown in use and is generally referred to by reference numeral  12 . Connection assembly  12  connects a base  14  to a cabinet assembly  16  in a closed position. Connection assembly  12  has two glides  100  connected to opposite sides of cabinet assembly  16  and two rails  200  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) formed on opposite sides of base  14 . Base  14  and cabinet assembly  16  house an ice bin, a refrigeration system, and a water distribution system of ice maker  10 . The water distribution system distributes water onto an ice forming surface that is connected to the refrigeration system forming ice that is harvested into the ice bin. The refrigeration system performs a vapor compression cycle as is known in the art for cooling during an ice forming cycle and heating during an ice harvesting cycle. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , cabinet assembly  16  has a top wall  18 , a first side wall  20  that is a mirror image of a second side wall  22 , a front wall  24  and a door wall  28 . Top wall  18 , first side wall  20 , second side wall  22  and front wall  24  each are metal having foam insulation on an interior side. Door wall  28  has a door opening  30  covered by a door  32 . Door  32  is connected to door wall  28  so that door  32  can pivot from a closed position shown in  FIG. 1  to an open position uncovering door opening  30  providing access to an interior of ice maker  10 . Door wall  28  is connected to a user interface  34  allowing a user to communicate input to a controller (not shown) of ice maker  10 . 
     Base  14  is connected to a front grill  36  and legs  38  that support base  14 . Front grill  36  has openings  40  so that the interior of ice maker  10  can communicate with the ambient environment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , base  14  has side walls  42 ,  43  connected to a bottom wall  44 . Side walls  42 ,  43  are connected to an evaporator support structure  46 . Each of side walls  42 ,  43  forms rail  200  on a top portion of side walls  42 ,  43 . Base  14  supports a compressor  48  and a condenser  50  of the refrigeration system of ice maker  10 . Evaporator support structure  46  supports an evaporator  52  of the refrigeration system of ice maker  10  that connects to the ice forming surface (not shown). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , glide  100  has an inner vertical member  102  connected to an upper horizontal member  104  and a lower horizontal member  106 . Upper horizontal member  104  is connected to an outer vertical member  108 . Lower horizontal member  106  and inner vertical member  102  have a length  110  that is shorter than a length  112  of upper horizontal member  104  and outer vertical member  108 . Upper horizontal member  104  has aperture(s)  116  so that a fastener may pass through upper horizontal member  104  and a portion of one of side walls  20 ,  22  to connect glide  100  to cabinet assembly  16 . Lower horizontal member  106  has gaps  118 . Gaps  118  allow access to rail  200  through lower horizontal member  106  when base  14  is connected to cabinet assembly  16 . Inner vertical member  102 , upper horizontal member  104 , lower horizontal member  106  and outer vertical member  108  form a cavity (or “open geometry”)  120  having an inverted L-shape. Cavity  120  has a horizontal portion  122  and a vertical portion  124 . 
     Glides  100  may be plastic, metal, for example, aluminum, and/or metal with a polymer coating. It has been found by the inventors of the present disclosure that glides  100  that are plastic and side walls  42 ,  43  that are metal reduce friction as compared to glides  100  that are metal and side walls  42 ,  43  that are metal. It has also been found by the inventors of the present disclosure that glides  100  that are plastic and side walls  42 ,  43  that are metal do not require lubrication at an interface therebetween to achieve desirable relative slidable movement. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , side wall  20  of cabinet assembly  16  may be connected to glide  100  by a screw  302  that passes through side wall  20  and aperture  116  of upper horizontal member  104 , and an extruded hole  304  that captures screw  302  to secure the connection between glide  100  and cabinet assembly  16 . Glide  100  may have a depression or countersink so that a head on screw  302 , that is on an opposite end as an end of screw  302  extending through sidewall  20 , does not extend beyond glide  100 . 
     Rail  200  is formed in an inverted L-shape complementary to cavity  120  of glide  100 . Rail  200  has a horizontal portion  202  and a vertical portion  204 . Rail  200  fits in cavity  120  of glide  100  to connect cabinet assembly  16  and base  14 . Horizontal portion  202  of rail  200  fits in horizontal portion  122  of cavity  120  in glide  100  and vertical portion  204  of rail  200  fits in vertical portion  124  of cavity  120  in glide  100 . Upper horizontal wall  104  and lower horizontal wall  106  are positioned above and below horizontal portion  202  of rail  200  to maintain alignment in the vertical direction, as shown by arrow A, of cabinet assembly  16  on base  14 . Inner vertical portion  102  and outer vertical portion  108  are positioned on opposite sides of vertical portion  204  and horizontal portion  202  of rail  200  to maintain alignment in the horizontal direction, as shown by arrow B, of cabinet assembly  16  on base  14 . 
     Second side wall  22  of cabinet assembly  16  is connected to another glide  100  in the same configuration as first side wall  20  is connected to glide  100  and the other glide  100  connected to second side wall  22  is a mirror image of glide  100  connected to first side wall  20 . Rail  200  of side wall  42  of base  14  is a mirror image of rail  200  of side wall  43 . The connection of rail  200  of side wall  42  and the other glide  100  connected to second side wall  22  is a mirror image of the connection of rail  200  of side wall  42  and glide  100  of first side wall  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , cabinet assembly  16  can move in a forward direction as shown by arrow  400  and rearward direction as shown by arrow  402  on base  14  when each of rails  200  are in one of glides  100  so that each of glides  100  slides along each of rails  200 , respectively. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , each of side walls  42 ,  43  of base  14  has a stop  56 . Stop  56  extends from each of side walls  42 ,  43  so that inner vertical member  102  and lower horizontal member  106  abut against stop  56  so that movement in the rearward direction, as shown by arrow  402  in  FIG. 5 , is prevented. Referring again to  FIG. 6 , stop  56  is includes a stop member  58  that extends vertically downward from horizontal portion  202  of rail  200 . Stop member  58  is on a rear portion of side wall  43  and extends a length  60  that is less than a length  62  of side wall  43 . Stop  56  on side wall  42  is a mirror image of stop  56  on side wall  43 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , cabinet assembly  16  can slide on base  14  in the rearward direction as shown by arrow  402  in  FIG. 5  until lower horizontal member  106  and inner vertical member  102  abut stop  56 . Upper horizontal member  104  and outer vertical member  108  extend the entire length  62  of side wall  43  when lower horizontal member  106  and inner vertical member  102  abut stop  56 . Lower horizontal member  106  and inner vertical member  102  have length  110  (see,  FIG. 3 ) and stop  58  has length  60  so that cabinet assembly  16  is laterally aligned in the closed position on base  14  when lower horizontal member  106  and inner vertical member  102  abut stop  56 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , cabinet assembly  16  is maintained, or locked, in the closed position on base  14  by a flange  64 . Flange  64  is connected to a front wall  66  that is connected to side wall  43  of base  14  by a fastener  68 . Flange  64  is rotatable around fastener  68  so that flange  64  covers glide  100  in a secured position, as shown in  FIG. 8 , and rotates from the secured position in a direction  70  to an open position to uncover glide  100  allowing cabinet assembly  16  to move on base  14 . Another flange may be connected to a front wall connected to side wall  42  of base  14  by a fastener in a configuration that is a mirror image to flange  68 . This means of restraint could be executed via a washer and fastener, or other similar structures. 
     Fully insulated and assembled cabinet assembly  16  can be removed from base  14  and evaporator support structure  46  by rotating fasteners  68  to uncover glides  100  and sliding cabinet assembly  16  forward on glides  100 . Glides  100  provide less friction than a design which has metal-on-metal contact for sliding cabinet assembly  16  off base  14 . Alignment features on glide  100  engage rails  200  on base  14  ensuring alignment between cabinet assembly  16  and sidewalls  42 ,  43  of base  14 . Additional features on glides  100  act as a positive stop when sliding cabinet assembly  16  onto base  14  which ensures proper alignment between cabinet assembly  16  and evaporator support structure  46 . With the cabinet assembly  16  removed, all serviceable components are easily accessible whether the product is in a free-standing installation or built into an enclosure. 
     The modular construction of connection assembly  100  creates the ability to easily utilize semi knock down or component knock down manufacturing methods to maximize local content at the point of sale. Component knock down/semi knock down are terms used to describe the ability to transport a component/unit in a partially assembled manner, minimizing the footprint (removing empty spaces) to reduce shipping costs based on square footage or to allow for components to be nested together in an effort to reduce the footprint. This facilitates entry to markets with trade barriers related to local content by tailoring the assembly content to meet the market needs. This is accomplished by this design via the modular nature of the evaporator support structure  46 , base  14  and cabinet assembly  16 , which minimizes the amount of disassembly and re-assembly required to reach and or install key components. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , various alternative solid geometries of rail  200  are shown as a “ball and post” shape,  FIG. 9A , square shape,  FIG. 9B , rectangle shape,  FIG. 9C , triangle shape,  FIG. 9D , “X” shape,  FIG. 9E , and “T” shape,  FIG. 9F . These shapes among others that will become apparent to those of skill in the art may be used as rails  200 . Exemplary open geometries of glide opening  120  include complementary geometries to those of the solid geometry of rail  200  shown in  FIGS. 9A-9F . As can be seen in  FIGS. 9A-9F , all of the rail  200  and glide opening  120  provide horizontal (i.e., side to side or lateral) and vertical stability between rail  200  and glide opening  120 , thereby limiting relative movement between rail  200  and glide opening  120  and thus relative movement between base  13  and cabinet assembly  16 . 
     It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the present disclosure.