Centre trim for domestic appliances

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12504221-B2
Application number	US-202318227556-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 28, 2023
Priority date	Jul 29, 2022
Publication date	Dec 23, 2025
Grant date	Dec 23, 2025

Abstract

A centre trim for fitting between two domestic appliances such as refrigeration appliances. The centre trim is configured to attach between two domestic appliance cabinets and has a longitudinal front surface extending predominantly in one dimension, a first fixing feature at or near a first end of the longitudinal member, and a second fixing feature at or near a second end of the longitudinal member. An unsupported portion is provided between the first fixing feature and the second fixing feature. The first and second centre trim fixing features may attach in different directions, such as respectively perpendicular and parallel to the front surface.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A trim configured to attach substantially vertically between two domestic appliances, the trim comprising:
a longitudinal member extending predominantly in one dimension, a fin configured to protrude behind a longitudinal front surface of the longitudinal member, the fin being either continuous or in spaced-apart sections, and including fixing features configured to fixedly position the trim to at least one of the domestic appliances, the fixing features including:
a first said fixing feature at or near an upper end of the longitudinal member, wherein the first fixing feature is part of, on, or connected to, the fin, and
a second said fixing feature at or near a lower end of the longitudinal member, wherein the second fixing feature is part of, on or connected to the fin,
wherein the trim is unsupported between the first fixing feature and the second fixing feature by any additional said fixing features configured to fixedly position the trim in relation to at least one of the domestic appliances, and wherein the first fixing feature is configured to fix in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member, and the second fixing feature is configured to fix in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member.

2 . The trim as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fixing features is/are configured to extend into a gap between the two domestic appliances.

3 . The trim as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fixing features is/are configured to extend behind the longitudinal front surface of the longitudinal member.

4 . The trim as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional fins configured to protrude behind the longitudinal front surface of the longitudinal member.

5 . The trim as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fin extends substantially the length of the trim.

6 . The trim as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fin extends between the first and second fixing features.

7 . The trim as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal front surface and the fin are unitary.

8 . The trim as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fixing features comprises an opening configured to secure to a protrusion attached to at least one of the domestic appliances.

9 . The trim as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second fixing features comprises an insert, the insert configured to attach to the trim and comprising a fixing surface.

10 . The trim as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising one or more contact features, the contact features configured to slidably contact at least one of the domestic appliances.

11 . The trim as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the contact feature is, or contact features are, magnetic.

12 . The trim as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the trim is formed as an extrusion.

13 . An attachment system for attaching a trim between two domestic appliances, the attachment system comprising:
a trim as claimed in claim 1 ; and a first connecting feature configured to attach to at least one of the domestic appliances, wherein the first connecting feature is configured to mate with the first fixing feature of the trim.

14 . The attachment system as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising a second connecting feature configured to attach to at least one of the domestic appliances,
wherein the second connecting feature is configured to mate with the second fixing feature of the trim.

15 . The attachment system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first and second fixing features comprises an opening configured to secure to a protrusion attached to at least one of the domestic appliances.

16 . The attachment system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first and second fixing features comprises an insert, the insert configured to attach to the trim and comprising a fixing surface.

17 . A domestic appliance installation comprising:
two domestic appliances separated by a gap; a first connecting feature attached to one of the domestic appliances; a second connecting feature attached to one of the domestic appliances; and a trim for covering the gap, the trim having a longitudinal member extending predominantly in one dimension, a fin configured to protrude behind a longitudinal front surface of the longitudinal member, the fin being either continuous or in spaced-apart sections a first fixing feature at or near an upper end of the longitudinal member, and a second fixing feature at or near a lower end of the longitudinal member, the first and second fixing features being part of, on, or connected to, the fin, wherein the first connecting feature mates with the first fixing feature of the trim and the second connecting feature mates with the second fixing feature of the trim such that the first and second fixing features single-handedly fixedly position the trim to at least one of the domestic appliances, the trim being unsupported between the first fixing feature and the second fixing feature by any additional fixing features that fixedly position the trim in relation to at least one of the domestic appliances, and wherein the first fixing feature is configured to fix in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member and the second fixing feature is configured to fix in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member.

18 . The domestic appliance installation as claimed in claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first and second fixing features comprises an opening configured to secure to a protrusion attached to at least one of the domestic appliances.

19 . The domestic appliance installation as claimed in claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first and second fixing features comprises an insert, the insert configured to attach to the trim and comprising a fixing surface.

20 . The domestic appliance installation as claimed in claim 17 , further comprising one or more magnetic contact features, the magnetic contact features configured to slidably contact at least one of the domestic appliances.

Assignees

• Fisher & Paykel Appliances Ltd

Inventors

• Oh Do Young
• Liddicoat Anaru Eli Hendrik

Classifications

• A47B95/002

  Plinths, e.g. between furniture and ceiling or wall · CPC title

• F25D23/00

  General constructional features (F25D21/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F25D2400/06

  Refrigerators with a vertical mullion · CPC title

• F25D23/10 Primary

  Arrangements for mounting in particular locations, e.g. for built-in type, for corner type · CPC title

• F25D19/04 Primary

  with more than one refrigeration unit · CPC title