APPLIANCE CONTROL PANEL ASSEMBLY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A control panel assembly for an appliance, comprising:
- a control panel frame having a frame flange around an edge thereof;
a backing plate adjacent the control panel frame, the backing plate defining a plurality of securing tabs extending from an edge thereof, each securing tab defining an aperture along its length, the backing plate further defining a spacer flange, the spacer flange extending toward the control panel frame;
a control assembly including a control element positioned within a control housing; and
an overlay positioned between the control panel frame and the backing plate,wherein each securing tab of the backing plate has an uninstalled position and an installed position, wherein an end of each securing tab farthest from the backing plate is at a greater distance from the backing plate in the installed position than in the uninstalled position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control panel assembly for an appliance with features for securing a backing plate to a control panel frame to maintain a high quality fit, feel, and finish of the control panel assembly is provided. In particular, the backing plate includes a plurality of securing tabs for securing the backing plate against the control panel frame. The backing plate also may include a plurality of spring tabs for securing the backing plate against the control panel frame.
32 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A control panel assembly for an appliance, comprising:
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a control panel frame having a frame flange around an edge thereof; a backing plate adjacent the control panel frame, the backing plate defining a plurality of securing tabs extending from an edge thereof, each securing tab defining an aperture along its length, the backing plate further defining a spacer flange, the spacer flange extending toward the control panel frame; a control assembly including a control element positioned within a control housing; and an overlay positioned between the control panel frame and the backing plate, wherein each securing tab of the backing plate has an uninstalled position and an installed position, wherein an end of each securing tab farthest from the backing plate is at a greater distance from the backing plate in the installed position than in the uninstalled position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A control panel assembly for an appliance, comprising:
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a control panel frame having a frame flange around an edge thereof; and a backing plate adjacent the control panel frame, the backing plate defining a plurality of securing tabs extending from a first edge thereof, each securing tab defining an aperture along its length, the backing plate further defining a plurality of spring tabs extending from a second edge thereof, wherein each securing tab of the backing plate has an uninstalled position and an installed position, and each spring tab has an uninstalled position and an installed position, and wherein at least a portion of the plurality of securing tabs contacts the control panel frame in the installed position of the securing tabs and at least a portion of the plurality of spring tabs contacts the control panel frame in the installed position of the spring tabs. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A control panel assembly for an appliance, comprising:
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a control panel frame having a frame flange around an edge thereof; a backing plate adjacent the control panel frame, the backing plate defining a plurality of spring tabs extending from an edge thereof, the backing plate further defining a spacer flange, the spacer flange extending toward the control panel frame; a control assembly including a control element positioned within a control housing; and an overlay positioned between the control panel frame and the backing plate, wherein each spring tab may be deformed from an uninstalled position to an installed position, and wherein each spring tab contacts the control panel frame in the installed position.
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Specification