Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates broadly to home appliances that are supported on height adjustable legs and, more particularly, to a home appliance that includes a support leg cover that automatically compensates for the height adjustment of the appliance. 
         [0002]    Home appliances, such as ranges used for cooking, are often built into a cabinet structure or situated next to another appliance. In either event, it is helpful that the range be height adjustable so that the top surface of the range can be positioned properly next to a cabinet or additional appliance. Not only is appearance affected by the relative height of neighboring structures, but the act of moving utensils, cooking items or other associated structures from one surface to the next is safer and more visually appealing when both surfaces are substantially equal in height. 
         [0003]    In order to provide such height adjustability, many ranges are equipped with height adjustable legs. Such adjustable legs may consist of threaded cylinders that are movably mounted to the range frame at the corners of the range. Often resilient feet are applied to the threaded support members intermediate the support member and the support surface to cushion the range against external vibration as well as spreading the weight of the range over a larger contact surface thereby reducing the tendency of the bolts to pierce the support surface which is usually a kitchen floor. 
         [0004]    In most kitchens, a clean and finished appearance is desired and with exposed threaded support members under the range, such a finished look is not achieved. It is therefore desirable to provide some form of fascia or leg support leg cover in order to conceal the unfinished appearance of the threaded support member. 
         [0005]    Since the height of the range is adjustable, and with a threaded support member the adjustability is practically infinite over a narrow range, it is difficult to provide an effective support leg cover that does not expose the support leg at some range height. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is accordingly an intent of the present invention to provide a support leg cover that accommodates height adjustability of a home appliance, such as a range. 
         [0007]    It is another intent of the present invention to provide such a support leg cover that can be attached without lifting or tilting the range and can be installed from the front of the range. 
         [0008]    It is further an intent of the present invention to provide a support leg cover that can be moved out of the way when leveling the range and is self-adjusting. 
         [0009]    It is another intent of the present invention to provide such a support leg cover that snaps into place without complex fasteners. 
         [0010]    To those ends, the present invention is directed to a home appliance supported for floor-standing operation including an appliance body, a support member mounted to the appliance body for supporting the appliance on a support surface and a plurality of projections attached to the appliance body adjacent the support member. A first wall member is attached to the plurality of projections and extends downwardly from the appliance body. A second wall member is attached to the first wall member, with the second wall member being movable relative to first wall member, and with the wall members covering a side portion of the support member. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the plurality of projections are mounted to a platform that is mounted to the appliance body adjacent the support member and extends in different directions away from the support member. 
         [0012]    The home appliance preferably further includes two projection supports extending downwardly from the platform with each of the projection supports having a projection mounted thereto for removable engagement with the first wall member. 
         [0013]    It is preferred that the platform is a generally planar member mounted to the support member and having two side walls projecting downwardly from lateral edges thereof with the two side walls carrying the plurality of projections. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the first wall member has a plurality of holes configured for engagement with the plurality of projections, with one projection removably engaged with one hole in the first wall member. It is further preferred that the second wall member is telescopically attached to the first wall member for movement of the second wall member relative to the first wall member. 
         [0015]    It is preferred that the first wall member includes a generally vertical front wall and two side walls projecting away from the front wall defining a structure having an open back. Further, the second wall member preferably includes a generally vertical front wall and two side walls projecting away from the front wall defining a structure having an open back. 
         [0016]    It is further preferred that the second wall member includes a generally vertical front wall and two side walls projecting away from the front wall defining a structure having an open back and the second wall member is received telescopically within the first wall member for sliding movement of the second wall member relative to the first wall member. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the support member is vertically adjustable to provide height adjustment for the appliance and the second wall member is vertically movable to cover the support member over a plurality of appliance heights. 
         [0018]    The present invention is also directed to a range for cooking. There, a range supported for floor-standing operation includes a range body, a support member mounted to the range body for supporting the range on a support surface and a plurality of projections attached to the range body adjacent the support member. A first wall member is attached to the plurality of projections and extends downwardly from the range body and a second wall member is attached to the first wall member with the second wall member being movable relative to first wall member, and with the wall members covering a side portion of the support member. 
         [0019]    It is preferred that the plurality of projections are mounted to a platform that is mounted to the range body adjacent the support member and extends in different directions away from the support member. The present invention further preferably includes two projection supports extending downwardly from the platform with each of the projection supports having a projection mounted thereto for removable engagement with the first wall member. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the platform is a generally planar member mounted to the support member and having two side walls projecting downwardly from lateral edges thereof with the two side walls carrying the plurality of projections. 
         [0021]    It is preferential that the first wall member has a plurality of holes configured for engagement with the plurality of projections, with one projection removably engaged with one hole in the first wall member. Further, the second wall member is preferably telescopically attached to the first wall member for movement of the second wall member relative to the first wall member. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the first wall member includes a generally vertical front wall and two side walls projecting away from the front wall defining a structure having an open back. It is further preferred that the second wall member includes a generally vertical front wall and two side walls projecting away from the front wall defining a structure having an open back. 
         [0023]    It is further preferred that the second wall member includes a generally vertical front wall and two side walls projecting away from the front wall defining a structure having an open back and the second wall member is received telescopically within the first wall member for sliding movement of the second wall member relative to the first wall member. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the support member is vertically adjustable to provide height adjustment for the range and the second wall member is vertically movable to cover the support member over a plurality of range heights. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a home appliance having exposed support legs according to the prior art; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a home appliance according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a support leg cover according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a rear exploded view of the support leg cover illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the support leg cover illustrated in  FIG. 4  showing the interrelationship between the first wall member and the second wall member; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the support leg cover illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective underside view of a corner of a home appliance equipped with a support leg cover of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the support leg cover being mounted to a home appliance; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the support leg cover of  FIG. 8  in a further stage of installation; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the support leg cover mounted to a home appliance. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0035]    Turning now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a home appliance in the form as a range is illustrated generally at  10  and includes a prior art support structure  22 . The range  10  includes a floor-standing box-like range body  12  having a cooktop  14  mounted on an upper portion of the range body  12 . The range body  12  defines dual cavities (not shown) for cooking which may include a steamer compartment and an oven. Both cavities are covered by doors  16 ,  18 . A control panel  20  extends the width of the range body  12  intermediate the cooktop  14  and the doors  16 ,  18 . The entire structure is supported on a support surface, such as a floor using support members  22 . Typically, the support members  22  include threaded cylinders such as bolts that are threadedly engaged with the range frame and project downwardly toward the floor with feet attached to spread the weight of the range and to protect the floor. The height of the range may be adjusted by rotating the support legs inwardly or outwardly, with respect to the range frame. Even though the height adjustment arrangement is effective, the range remains with an unfinished appearance with the threaded support members  22  exposed to view. 
         [0036]    The present invention according to the preferred embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 2  fitted to a range  10  as generally depicted in  FIG. 1 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , leg support covers  24  in the form of a first wall member  26  having a second wall member  42  fitted telescopically therein not only provide a finished look to the range  10  but do so in a manner that makes installation a straightforward matter and conforms to any and all height adjustments possible with the range  10 . 
         [0037]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the support leg cover is illustrated generally at  24  and includes a planar platform  56 , a first wall member  26  and a second wall member  42 . The planar platform  56  is formed with a number of openings  58 . Some of these openings are configured to pass the threaded cylindrical support leg therethrough for mounting the platform  56  to the range  10 . Side walls  60  project down and away from the generally rectangular platform  56  and two projections  62  are on each of the side walls  60 . 
         [0038]    The first wall member  26  is formed as a generally three-sided structure having a front wall  34  and two side walls  30 ,  32  projecting generally perpendicularly away from the front wall  34 . Two short rear walls  36 ,  38  extend inwardly toward one another from each of the side walls  30 ,  32  in a generally perpendicularly manner so that a sharp structure is not readily engaged by installation or maintenance personnel. The short rear walls  36 ,  38  leave an open back  40 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , each of the corners at the wall junctions are somewhat rounded for a smoother appearance and enhanced pliancy when the side walls  30 ,  32  are spread slightly for installation. Openings  28  are provided in the side walls at positions configured to engage the projections  62 . 
         [0039]    The second wall member  42  is formed similarly to the first wall member  26  with a front wall  48  and two side walls  44 ,  46  projecting generally perpendicularly away from the front wall  48 . Two short back walls  50 ,  52  project generally perpendicularly away from the side walls  44 ,  46  respectively and, in the manner of the first wall member  26 , form an open back  54 . The second wall member  42  is slightly smaller than the first wall member  26  so that it will fit telescopically inside the first wall member  26  as seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0040]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , the first wall member  26  is attached to the platform  56  using the projections  62  fitted within the holes  28  in the first wall member  26 . 
         [0041]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second wall member  44  is telescopically received within the first wall member  30  so that the second wall member  42  may move vertically relative to the first wall member  26  to thereby provide height adjustability. This assembly creates an overlapping region  64  where the second wall member  42  contacts the first wall member  26 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the leg support cover from the back showing the open back structure that allows the present support leg cover to be mounted to the range without lifting the range or tilting the range.  FIG. 6  illustrates the leg support cover from the front and highlights the finished nature of the leg support cover providing a neat appearance for the range  10 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  illustrates the relationship between the first wall member  26 , the platform  56 , the range body  12  and the threaded support member  68  which, includes a molded plastic foot  70  to protect the support surface, typically a kitchen floor, and to provide enhanced support for the range  10 . There, the platform  56  is mounted to the range frame  66  using the threaded support member  68  through one of the holes  58  in the platform  56  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Returning to  FIG. 7 , the first wall member  26  is snapped in place by spreading the side walls  30 ,  32  slightly and engaging the projections  62  with the holes  28  in the first wall member  26 . 
         [0043]    In operation, and with reference to  FIG. 8 , during assembly, the platform  56  is mounted to the range frame  66  with the threaded support member  68  projecting away from the platform  56  and the projections  62  projecting laterally away from the support walls  60  of the platform  56 . 
         [0044]    As seen in  FIG. 9 , the first wall member  26  is snapped onto the platform  56  with the projections  62 . The second wall member  42  may be moved upwardly and telescoped into the first wall member  26  to provide the finished structure seen in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0045]    In operation and with reference to  FIG. 10 , the wall members  26 ,  42  are assembled in a telescoping manner with the dual-wall assembly snapped onto the platform  56  after the range  10  is in place. Therefore, during installation of the range, the threaded support member  68  may be screwed inwardly or outwardly with respect to the frame  66  to achieve the desired range height prior to installation of the support leg cover  24  of the present invention. The assembly consisting of the first wall  26  with the second wall member  42  telescoped inside may then be snapped in place on the platform  56  mating the holes  28  in the first wall member  26  with the projections  62 . The second wall member  42  may then be moved downwardly relative to the first wall member  26  to fully cover the support leg  68  and the support foot  70 . This final action achieves the finished look seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0046]    By the above, the present invention provides a home appliance in the form of a range that includes a support leg cover that can be attached without lifting or tilting the range and can be installed from the front. So long as the platform is installed, the open backs of the first wall member and the second wall member allow the wall members to be snapped into place on the platform from the front without lifting or tilting the range. Further, the second wall slips upwardly into the first wall and is out of the way when leveling the range. Alternately, the range can be leveled without any walls attached to the platform at all with the walls being attached after height adjustment is accomplished. The sliding nature of the second wall into the first wall provides a self-adjusting leg cover height. Further, the first wall member snaps into place without external fasteners using the projections on the platform walls and the holes in the first wall member. The present invention provides a home appliance with a support leg cover that is easy to install, conforms to different range heights and hides the leveling leg for a neat and finished appearance. 
         [0047]    It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of a broad utility and application. While the present invention is described in all currently foreseeable embodiments, there may be other, unforeseeable embodiments and adaptations of the present invention, as well as variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, that do not depart from the substance or scope of the present invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

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