Air conditioner front panel with two-layer structure

Abstract

An air conditioner front panel with two-layer structure for increased structural strength and cosmetic durability includes a support frame and a protective cover. The support frame has a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket has a front surface and a rear surface. The protective cover is made of a transparent material. The protective cover has a front surface and a rear surface. The rear surface of the protective cover is painted. The protective cover covers the front surface of the mounting bracket, and the rear surface of the protective cover faces the front surface of the mounting bracket. The color on the rear surface of the protective cover does not fade and is protected against scratches and abrasions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air conditioner front panel with two-layer structure, comprising:
 a support frame having a mounting bracket, and the mounting bracket having a front surface and a rear surface; and   a protective cover made of a transparent material, and the protective cover having a front surface and a rear surface;   wherein the rear surface of the protective cover is painted with a color; and   wherein the protective cover covers the front surface of the mounting bracket, and the rear surface of the protective cover faces the front surface of the mounting bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the mounting bracket has:
 an outer flange extending around a periphery of the front surface of the mounting bracket; and 
 a recess defined in the outer flange; and 
   wherein a hot melt adhesive is applied in the recess, and the support frame and the protective cover are bonded by the hot melt adhesive.   
     
     
         3 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting bracket has a plurality of openings and a plurality of inner flanges, each inner flange extends around one of the openings, and the recess is defined between the outer flange and the inner flanges. 
     
     
         4 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 2 , wherein a thickness of the outer flange of the mounting bracket is 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 3 , wherein a thickness of the outer flange of the mounting bracket is 1.5 mm and a thickness of the inner flange is also 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the mounting bracket has a rectangular shape in front view and a curved shape in side view; and   wherein the protective cover has a front wall and a peripheral wall extending rearward from the front wall, and the front wall corresponds to the mounting bracket and has a rectangular shape in front view and a curved shape in side view.   
     
     
         7 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the mounting bracket has a rectangular shape in front view and a curved shape in side view; and   wherein the protective cover has a front wall and a peripheral wall extending rearward from the front wall, and the front wall corresponds to the mounting bracket and has a rectangular shape in front view and a curved shape in side view.   
     
     
         8 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 3 ,
 wherein the mounting bracket has a rectangular shape in front view and a curved shape in side view; and   wherein the protective cover has a front wall and a peripheral wall extending rearward from the front wall, and the front wall corresponds to the mounting bracket and has a rectangular shape in front view and a curved shape in side view.   
     
     
         9 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 1 , wherein the support frame further has two pivot members disposed at upper ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 2 , wherein the support frame further has two pivot members disposed at upper ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 3 , wherein the support frame further has two pivot members disposed at upper ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 6 , wherein the support frame further has two pivot members disposed at upper ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         13 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 7 , wherein the support frame further has two pivot members disposed at upper ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         14 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 8 , wherein the support frame further has two pivot members disposed at upper ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         15 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 1 , wherein the support frame further has two hook members disposed at lower ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         16 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 2 , wherein the support frame further has two hook members disposed at lower ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         17 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 3 , wherein the support frame further has two hook members disposed at lower ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         18 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 6 , wherein the support frame further has two hook members disposed at lower ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         19 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 7 , wherein the support frame further has two hook members disposed at lower ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         20 . The air conditioner front panel of  claim 8 , wherein the support frame further has two hook members disposed at lower ends of two sides of the rear surface of the mounting bracket.