A connection system for built-in household appliances

Abstract

The present invention discloses a connection system (B) for connecting at least one built-in household appliance (A) from its body (G) to at least one piece of furniture (M). Said connection system (B) comprises at least one outer part (1) with a grooved inner section (1a), which is suitable for fitting into at least one slot (Y) in the body (G) of the built-in household appliance (A); at least one inner part (2) with a grooved outer section (2a), which is suitable for fitting into the grooved inner section (1a) of said outer part (1), wherein at least one passage opening (2b) is provided in the inner part (2); at least one fastener (3) suitable for passing through the passage opening (2b) in the inner part (2) to connect to a piece of furniture (M).

Description

[0001] A CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR BUILT-IN HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a connection system for connecting a built-in household appliance to a piece of furniture. of the Invention

[0004] A household appliance such as a washing machine, dishwasher, dryer, oven or refrigerator may be a stand-alone device or placed inside a furniture-looking structure like a kitchen or bathroom cabinet or kitchen counter. Household appliances placed as such inside a furniture-looking structure are called built-in household appliances. The built-in household appliances, unlike stand-alone household appliances, do not comprise an aesthetically pleasing outer body. In built-in household appliances, an outer body made of sheet metal is generally used, which may contain ventilation openings, cable entry openings or handles thereon.

[0005] Built-in household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, dryers or ovens are usually placed in a compartment under a piece of furniture, such as a counter. Here, the built-in household appliance is fixed to said furniture, especially to prevent the appliance from moving during operation and thus to allow a user to use the appliance safely. This fixing process is carried out using fasteners such as screws.

[0006] According to the prior-art, in order to fix a built-in household appliance to a piece of furniture using a fastener, e.g. a screw, said fastener is inserted through an opening on the body of the household appliance, so that the fastener is fixed to the furniture. However, in such applications, especially in case a gap is provided between the body of the household appliance and the furniture, the connection cannot be sufficiently secured.

[0007] Brief Description of the Invention The present invention discloses a connection system suitable for connecting at least one built-in household appliance from its body to at least one piece of furniture. Said connection system comprises at least one outer part with a grooved inner section, which is suitable for fitting into at least one slot in the body of the built-in household appliance; at least one inner part with a grooved outer section, which is suitable for fitting into the grooved inner section of said outer part, wherein at least one passage opening is provided in the inner part; at least one fastener suitable for passing through the passage opening in the inner part to connect to a piece of furniture.

[0008] The connection system according to the present invention fills the gap between the appliance body and the furniture with the inner part. This ensures a more secure attachment of the appliance to the furniture. Additionally, since the inner part can be rotated within the outer part, the gap between the body and the furniture can be filled even if it varies in size. Thus, the connection system can be used in structures with gaps of varying sizes.

[0009] Object of the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a connection system for connecting a built- in household appliance to a piece of furniture.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a practical and reliable connection system.

[0012] Description of the Drawings

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the connection system according to the invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the household appliance using the developed connection system.

[0015] Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the developed connection system in use. Figure 3 is a sectional perspective view of the developed connection system in use.

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the developed connection system.

[0017] All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

[0018] Household appliance (A)

[0019] Connection system (B)

[0020] Piece of furniture (M)

[0021] Body (G)

[0022] Slot (Y)

[0023] Outer part (1)

[0024] Inner section (1a)

[0025] Support rib (1b)

[0026] Inner part (2)

[0027] Outer section (2a)

[0028] Passage opening (2b)

[0029] Recess (2c)

[0030] Fastener (3)

[0031] Cover (4)

[0032] Tab (4a) of the Invention

[0033] Built-in appliances are placed within a piece of furniture such as a countertop or cabinet. Here, it is preferred that the household appliance is connected (fixed) to said furniture in order to be used safely. Although built-in appliances and the furniture designed to house them are manufactured in specific sizes according to certain standards, a gap can remain between the appliance body and the furniture, making it difficult to securely attach the appliance. Therefore, the present invention provides a connection system that addresses this problem. The connection system (B) according to the present invention, as illustrated in figures 1-4, connects at least one built-in household appliance (A) from its body (G) to at least one piece of furniture (M). Said connection system (B) comprises at least one outer part (1) with a grooved inner section (1a) (for example, as a nut), which is suitable for fitting into at least one slot (Y) in the body (G) of the built-in household appliance (A); at least one inner part (2) with a grooved outer section (2a) (for example, as a bolt), which is suitable for fitting into the grooved inner section (1a) of said outer part (1), wherein at least one passage opening (2b) is provided in the inner part (2); at least one fastener (3) suitable for passing through the passage opening (2b) in the inner part (2) to connect to a piece of furniture (M).

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the built-in household appliance (A) is a dishwasher. In this embodiment, the household appliance (A) is placed in a compartment in the furniture (M). Then, in order to connect the household appliance (A) to the furniture (M), the outer part (1) is placed in a slot (Y) in the body (G) of the household appliance (A). When the inner part (2) positioned inside the outer part (1) rotates relative to the outer part (1), it can move linearly inside the outer part (1). This movement is provided by the inner section (1a) of the outer part (1) and the outer section (2a) of the inner part (2), both having a grooved structure (i.e., there is a nut / bolt relationship between the outer part (1) and the inner part (2)). In this way, the inner part (2) is moved inside the outer part (1), so that the inner part (2) is brought into contact with the furniture (M). Afterwards, the screwtype fastener (3) is passed through the passage opening (2b) inside the inner part (2) and attached to the furniture (M), so that the household appliance (A) is connected to the furniture (M). Here, first of all, since the inner part (2) is moved to contact the furniture (M), the gap between the household appliance (A) and the furniture (M) is filled before the connection of the fastener (3). Due to adjustable nature of this gap within the household appliance (A) itself, it can be adjusted before or after the placement of the household appliance (A) in the furniture (M). Therefore, a more secure connection of the household appliance (A) to the furniture (M) is provided. In addition, as the inner part (2) is movable relative to the outer part (1), the gap between the household appliance (A) and the furniture (M) can be filled even if it varies in size. Therefore, said connection system (B) can be used even in furniture (M) with openings of varying sizes. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said outer part (1) comprises at least one support rib (1b). Here, when the outer part (1) is fitted into the slot (Y) in the body (G), said support rib (1b) bears on the body (G). Thus, a more reliable connection of the outer part

[0035] (1) to the body (G) is ensured.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said inner part (2) comprises at least one recess (2c) provided at an upper part thereof. Said recess (2c) may be in a flat form or in a cross form. In this embodiment, since a screwdriver (e.g. a flat screwdriver or a Phillips screwdriver) is inserted into the recess (2c), the inner part (2) can be rotated by means of the screwdriver.

[0037] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection system (B) comprises at least one cover (4) suitable for placement on the inner section (1a) of the outer part (1). The outer surface of said cover (4) also preferably comprises a groove, thus enabling the cover (4) to be connected to the outer part (1) by rotation. Alternatively, the cover (4) preferably comprises a tab (4a), thus enabling it to be connected to the outer part (1) using a tab (4a) connection. In this embodiment, said cover (4) is connected to the outer part (1) after completion of the connection of the fastener (3). Thus, the cover (4) protects the fastener (3) and the inner part (2) provided in the outer part (1) from external factors. In addition, the inner part (2) and the fastener (3) are prevented from being visible from the outside, thus ensuring a household appliance (A) with an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0038] Yet in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer part (1) and / or inner part

[0039] (2) comprise a plastic material (made of a plastic material). Thus, said components can be produced in a practical and reliable way. Similarly, said cover (3) preferably also comprises a plastic material (made of a plastic material).

[0040] The present invention further discloses a built-in household appliance (A) comprising said connection system. Said household appliance (A) comprises at least one body (G); and at least one slot (Y) in the body (G), which is suitable for receiving said outer part (1). Said household appliance (A) is preferably a dishwasher. In this embodiment, said slot (Y) may be provided on a frame located in a front section of the body (G). The connection system (B) according to the present invention fills the gap between the appliance (A) body (G) and the furniture (M) with the inner part (2). This ensures a more secure attachment of the appliance (A) to the furniture (M). Additionally, since the inner part (2) can be rotated within the outer part (1), the gap between the body (G) and the furniture (M) can be filled even if it varies in size. Thus, the connection system (B) can be used in structures with gaps of varying sizes.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A connection system (B) suitable for connecting at least one built-in household appliance (A) from its body (G) to at least one piece of furniture (M), characterized by comprising: at least one outer part (1) with a grooved inner section (1a), which is suitable for fitting into at least one slot (Y) in the body (G) of the built-in household appliance (A); at least one inner part (2) with a grooved outer section (2a), which is suitable for fitting into the grooved inner section (1a) of said outer part (1), wherein at least one passage opening (2b) is provided in the inner part (2); at least one fastener (3) suitable for passing through the passage opening (2b) in the inner part (2) to connect to a piece of furniture (M).

2. A connection system (B) according to claim 1, characterized in that said fastener (3) is a screw.

3. A connection system (B) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said outer part (1) comprises at least one support rib (1b).

4. A connection system (B) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inner part (2) comprises at least one recess (2c) provided at an upper part thereof.

5. A connection system (B) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one cover (4) suitable for placement on the inner section (1a) of the outer part (1).

6. A connection system (B) according to claim 5, characterized in that outer surface of the cover (4) comprises a groove.

7. A connection system (B) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (4) comprises a tab (4a).

8. A connection system (B) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer part (1) and / or inner part (2) comprise a plastic material.

9. A connection system (B) according to any of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the cover (4) comprises a plastic material.

10. A built-in household appliance (A) comprising a connection system (B) according to any of the preceding claims.

11. A built-in household appliance (A) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one body (G); and at least one slot (Y) in the body (G), which is suitable for receiving said outer part (1).

12. A built-in household appliance (A) according to claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the built-in household appliance (A) is a dishwasher.

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