WASHING APPLIANCE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD
First Claim
1. A washing appliance comprising:
- a tub having a bottom wall member and defining a forward access opening, the bottom wall member having a forward edge and a rearward edge;
a door member having a lower edge pivotably engaged with the forward edge of the bottom wall member, and being configured to cooperate with the tub to cover the forward access opening;
a base member configured to support the tub and extending from about the rearward edge of the bottom wall member toward the forward edge thereof, the base member having a forward end disposed opposite the forward edge of the bottom wall member from the lower edge of the door member, so as to form a toe kick recess between the lower edge and the forward end; and
a cover member configured to operably engage the forward end of the base member, and having a flange portion extending therefrom to the forward edge of the bottom wall member, the cover member being configured to cooperate with the base member and the bottom wall member so as to cover the forward end of the base member and the bottom wall member about the toe kick recess while allowing the door member to pivot to an open position so as to provide access to the tub through the forward access opening.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A washing appliance and associated method are provided. The appliance includes a tub having a bottom wall member with forward and rearward edges. A door member has a lower edge pivotably engaged with the forward edge. A base member supports the tub and extends from about the rearward edge of the bottom wall member toward the forward edge. The base member has a forward end disposed opposite the forward edge from the lower edge of the door member, to form a toe kick recess between the lower edge and the forward end. A cover member engages the forward end of the base member, and has a flange portion extending to the forward edge of the bottom wall member, for covering the forward end of the base member and the bottom wall member about the toe kick recess, while allowing the door member to pivot to provide access to the tub.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A washing appliance comprising:
-
a tub having a bottom wall member and defining a forward access opening, the bottom wall member having a forward edge and a rearward edge; a door member having a lower edge pivotably engaged with the forward edge of the bottom wall member, and being configured to cooperate with the tub to cover the forward access opening; a base member configured to support the tub and extending from about the rearward edge of the bottom wall member toward the forward edge thereof, the base member having a forward end disposed opposite the forward edge of the bottom wall member from the lower edge of the door member, so as to form a toe kick recess between the lower edge and the forward end; and a cover member configured to operably engage the forward end of the base member, and having a flange portion extending therefrom to the forward edge of the bottom wall member, the cover member being configured to cooperate with the base member and the bottom wall member so as to cover the forward end of the base member and the bottom wall member about the toe kick recess while allowing the door member to pivot to an open position so as to provide access to the tub through the forward access opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of forming a washing appliance, the washing appliance including a tub having a bottom wall member and defining a forward access opening, the bottom wall member having a forward edge and a rearward edge, a door member having a lower edge pivotably engaged with the forward edge of the bottom wall member, and being configured to cooperate with the tub to cover the forward access opening, and a base member configured to support the tub and extending from about the rearward edge of the bottom wall member toward the forward edge thereof, the base member having a forward end disposed opposite the forward edge of the bottom wall member from the lower edge of the door member, so as to form a toe kick recess between the lower edge and the forward end, the method comprising:
engaging a cover member with the forward end of the base member such that a flange portion of the cover member extends therefrom to the forward edge of the bottom wall member, the cover member being configured to cooperate with the base member and the bottom wall member so as to cover the forward end of the base member and the bottom wall member about the toe kick recess while allowing the door member to pivot to an open position so as to provide access to the tub through the forward access opening. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
Specification