MULTI-DENSITY SKID ASSEMBLY

• US 20180134445A1
• Filed: 11/14/2016
• Published: 05/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Inventors: Chezem, Michael Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 10,414,543 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/40 Elements for spacing platforms from supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/44 Elements or devices for locating articles on platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00019 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00054 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00064 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00293 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00323 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00562 chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00815 on the pallet
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6817 refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/682 cookers or dryers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6855 washing machine
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/054 Protectors contacting two generally perpendicular surfaces of the packaged article, e.g. edge protectors B65D81/055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 13/02 in one piece with protrusions or ridges on the shaft

Abstract

A multi-density skid assembly for an appliance or other object. The assembly includes an inner layer of at least one low density material and an outer layer of at least one high density material. At least one fastener extends into an inner opening defined in the inner layer and through an aperture defined by appliance. The fastener provides an anchoring force such that the fastener secures the skid assembly to the appliance yet allows for the skid assembly to be displaced from the appliance without the use of tools or necessarily laying the appliance on one side.

Claims

1. A skid assembly for an appliance, the appliance having at least one aperture for anchoring the skid assembly to the appliance, the skid assembly comprising:

an inner layer comprised of a low density material and having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side configured to contact the appliance and shaped to accommodate a portion of the appliance, the inner layer defining an inner opening extending through the inner layer and aligned with the aperture of the appliance;

an outer layer comprised of a high density material and having a first side and a second side opposite the first side of the outer layer, the outer layer in mating communication with the second side of the inner layer;

a fastener comprising;

a head;

a shank extending from the head;

at least one anchor element extending outwardly from the shank;

wherein the fastener is configured to be inserted in the inner opening of the inner layer and through the aperture of the appliance so as to secure the skid assembly to the appliance.

2. The skid assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer layer defines an outer opening aligned with the inner opening in the inner layer, and wherein the inner layer has a boss projecting into the outer opening.

3. The skid assembly of claim 2, wherein the head of the fastener is positioned in contact with the boss to compress the boss when the fastener is securing the skid assembly to the appliance.

4. The skid assembly of claim 1, wherein the low density material of the inner layer is an expanded polystyrene material and the high density material of the outer layer is an oriented strand board material.

5. The skid assembly of claim 1, wherein the high density material of the outer layer is a high density expanded polystyrene material.

6. The skid assembly of claim 1, wherein the skid assembly has a length and a width, the outer layer having an extension portion that extends further than the inner layer along at least one of the length and the width of the skid assembly.

7. The skid assembly of claim 6, wherein the extension portion of the skid assembly extends along both the length and width of the skid assembly.

8. The skid assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one anchor element comprises a plurality of anchor elements.

9. The skid assembly of claim 1, wherein the shank includes a tip portion opposite the head, and wherein:

the anchor element comprises a locator branch extending outwardly from the shank and an anchor branch extending outwardly from the shank and positioned between the head and the locator branch; and

wherein the anchor branch extends outwardly from the shank a greater distance than the locator branch.

10. The skid assembly of claim 1, wherein the aperture of the appliance has a radius and wherein the anchor branch extends outwardly from the shank a distance greater than the radius of the aperture.

11. The skid assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are formed integrally with one another.

12. An appliance including a skid assembly, comprising:

an appliance housing defining a volume;

the appliance defining an aperture for anchoring the skid assembly to the appliance; and

the skid assembly, comprising;

an inner layer comprised of a low density material and having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side configured to contact the appliance and shaped to accommodate a portion of the appliance, the inner layer defining an inner opening extending through the inner layer and aligned with the aperture of the appliance;

an outer layer comprised of a high density material and having a first side and a second side opposite the first side of the outer layer, the outer layer defining an outer opening extending through the outer layer and aligned with the inner opening, the outer layer adhered to the second side of the inner layer;

a fastener comprising;

a head;

a shank extending from the head; and

at least one anchor element extending outwardly from the shank;

wherein the fastener is configured to be inserted in the outer opening of the outer layer and the inner opening of the inner layer and through the aperture of the appliance so as to secure the skid assembly to the appliance.

13. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the appliance further comprises a bracket having an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side, the bracket defining the aperture of the appliance;

and

wherein, when the fastener is inserted through the aperture, the at least one anchor element anchors on the inner side of the bracket so as to secure the skid assembly to the appliance.

14. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the at least one anchor element is a plurality of anchor elements.

15. The appliance of claim 14, wherein the shank of the fastener defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction arranged mutually perpendicular to one another, the shank further comprising:

lateral faces extending along the vertical direction and the lateral direction of the shank and arranged substantially parallel to one another;

transverse faces extending along the vertical direction and the transverse direction of the shank and arranged substantially parallel to one another, the transverse faces connected with and positioned substantially orthogonal to the lateral faces; and

wherein the plurality of anchor elements extend from each of the lateral and transverse faces.

16. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the plurality of anchor elements each have a leading edge, the leading edge angled toward the head as the anchor element extends outward from the shank.

17. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the plurality of anchor elements each have a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge of each anchor element angled toward the head as the anchor element extends outward from the shank, and the trailing edge of each anchor element extending substantially orthogonal to the shank as the anchor element extends outward from the shank.

18. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the inner layer has a boss projecting substantially into the outer opening.