Appliance

Abstract

An appliance with a simple mechanism for mounting a decorative panel to an exterior surface. The mechanism simplifies the installation process associated with mounting the panel by removing the need for precise tolerances. The mechanism includes a plurality of adjustable mounting brackets and corresponding channel portions which permit an installer to adjust the panel with three degrees of freedom to align it relative to the surroundings, and subsequently secure the panel in place. The mechanism allows translation in substantially horizontal and vertical directions as well as rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the appliance. In a preferred embodiment the mechanism also is also capable of supporting the panel while the adjustments are being performed.

1 . An appliance comprising:
 a partition defining an exterior surface of the appliance,   a decorative panel for mounting to the exterior surface,   at least three adjustable mounting brackets each connected to either the exterior surface or the panel,   three or more channel portions each adapted to interact with one of the adjustable mounting brackets, each channel portion being fixed to the other of the exterior surface and the panel than the respective mounting bracket is fixed to,   each adjustable mounting bracket including an abutting member having adjustable extension in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the respective channel portion,   the adjustable abutting members adapted to engage in the respective channel portions to collectively secure the panel in a plane substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the appliance and permit horizontal, vertical and rotational adjustment of the panel in said plane.   
   
   
       2 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 each adjustable mounting bracket includes a threaded aperture adapted to engage with a complimentarily threaded exterior section on a corresponding abutment to form a threaded interface,   each threaded interface permitting the adjustable extension of the respective abutment,   the threaded interfaces collectively providing a substantially rigid connection when the abutments are fully engaged with the respective channel portions.   
   
   
       3 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least three channel portions are aligned substantially horizontally. 
   
   
       4 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least two adjustable mounting brackets
 engage the appliance on an upper section of the partition and at least one adjustable mounting bracket engages the appliance on a lower section of the partition.   
   
   
       5 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the respective two or more upper channel
 portions are portions of a single channel located adjacent the top edge of the exterior surface.   
   
   
       6 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein adjustment of the panel is possible while
 the panel is supported by one or more adjustable mounting brackets and the respective one or more channel portions.   
   
   
       7 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein equal adjustment of the one or more adjustable mounting brackets supporting the panel results in translation of the panel in a first direction. 
   
   
       8 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the panel can slideably translate in a second direction. 
   
   
       9 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein independent adjustment of the one or more adjustable mounting brackets supporting the panel results in rotation of the panel in said plane. 
   
   
       10 . An appliance comprising:
 a partition defining an exterior surface of the appliance,   three or more adjustable mounting brackets adapted to connect to a decorative panel,   three or more channel portions located on the exterior surface of the partition and each adapted to interact with one of the adjustable mounting brackets to collectively secure a decorative panel to the exterior surface,   each adjustable mounting bracket including an abutting member having adjustable extension in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the respective channel portion,   the adjustable abutting members adapted to engage in the respective channel portions to collectively secure the panel in a plane substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the appliance and permit horizontal, vertical and rotational adjustment of the panel in said plane.   
   
   
       11 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein
 each adjustable mounting bracket includes a threaded aperture adapted to engage with a complimentarily threaded exterior section on a corresponding abutment to form a threaded interface,   each threaded interface permitting the adjustable extension of the respective abutment,   the threaded interfaces collectively providing a substantially rigid connection when the abutments are fully engaged with the respective channel portions.   
   
   
       12 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the channel portions are aligned substantially horizontally. 
   
   
       13 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein at least two mounting brackets prevent
 significant bowing of the panel when a force is applied to the panel to open the partition.   
   
   
       14 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein at least two adjustable mounting brackets
 engage the appliance on an upper section of the partition and at least one adjustable mounting bracket engages the appliance on a lower section of the partition.   
   
   
       15 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the two or more respective upper channel portions are portions of a single channel located adjacent the top edge of the exterior surface. 
   
   
       16 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein adjustment of the panel is possible while
 the panel is supported by one or more adjustable mounting brackets and the respective one or more channel portions.   
   
   
       17 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein equal adjustment of the one or more adjustable mounting brackets supporting the panel results in translation of the panel in a first direction. 
   
   
       18 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the panel can slideably translate in a second direction. 
   
   
       19 . An appliance in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein independent adjustment of the one or more adjustable mounting brackets supporting the panel results in rotation of the panel in said plane. 
   
   
       20 . A kit of parts for mounting a decorative panel to an appliance comprising:
 a decorative panel for mounting to an exterior surface of the appliance,   at least three adjustable mounting brackets adapted to connect to either the exterior surface or the panel,   three or more channel portions each adapted to interact with one of the adjustable mounting brackets, each channel portion to be fixed to the other of the exterior surface and the panel than the respective mounting bracket is fixed to,   each adjustable mounting bracket including in an abutting member having adjustable extension in a direction substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the respective channel portion in use,   the adjustable abutting members adapted to engage in the respective channel portions to collectively secure the panel in a plain substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the appliance and permit horizontal, vertical and rotational adjustment of the panel in the plain.