A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH WORKTOP EXTENSION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a household appliance that comprises a work top.

[0002] In household appliances such as the washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer etc. a work top is disposed on the cabinet such that the top of the cabinet is covered. The rear side of the work top is used to close the gap between the household appliance and the walls of the space wherein the household appliance will be installed, moreover the work top can be frequently utilized for placing the detergent boxes, bathroom supplies, items such as shampoos, towels etc. by the user.

[0003] In the state of the art Great Britain Patent Application no GB2164552, a detachable extension piece is explained which is used to close the gap left between the household appliance and the walls of the space wherein the household appliance will be installed.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to design a household appliance comprising a work top whereof the usage area is increased and which does not occupy too much space during transportation.

[0005] The household appliance designed to fulfill the object of the present invention, described in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a supplemental panel which is detachably mounted on the work top in two different positions; a first position wherein the narrow holding surface is mounted to be flat and at the same level with the work top and a second position wherein the wide holding surface is mounted to be flat and at the same level with the work top.

[0006] Accordingly by using a single supplemental panel, the holding surface area of the work top can be increased in two different dimensions.

[0007] When the supplemental panel is in the first position, the transportation dimensions of the household appliance are minimized and an additional holding surface area as much as the width of the narrow holding surface of the supplemental panel is added to the holding surface area of the work top. When the supplemental panel is in the second position, an additional holding surface area wider than the narrow holding surface is created in addition to the surface area of the work top.

[0008] The household appliance comprises one or more locking elements extending outward on the rear wall of the work top and two locking housings on the supplemental panel, whereby when the locking element is seated in one, the other remains idle.

[0009] In the first position, when the supplemental panel is mounted on the work top, the locking element is seated in the locking housing and the other locking housing remains idle. In the second position, when the supplemental panel is mounted on the work top, the locking element is seated in the locking housing and the other locking housing remains idle.

[0010] The household appliance furthermore comprises a resilient protrusion on the locking element in the form of a detent, support walls surrounding protrusion and an opening on the locking housing wherein the protrusion is seated by stretching when the supplemental panel is mounted on the work top.

[0011] While the protrusion and the opening wherein it is seated prevent the movement of the supplemental panel in the horizontal direction, the support walls prevent the movement of the supplemental panel in the vertical direction.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the supplemental panel is formed of two pieces. In this case, one of the pieces may not be used or while one, the narrow holding surface, is mounted to form flat surface at the same level with the work top, the other, the wide holding surface, can be mounted to form flat surface at the same level with the work top.

[0013] By means of the present invention, the household appliance is enabled to be transported by occupying the least amount of space during transportation. Moreover, the gap between the household appliance and the walls of the space wherein the household appliance is installed can be covered in two different dimensions by using a single supplemental panel, and at the same time, the holding surface area of the work top can be changed by increasing in two different dimensions, using a single supplemental panel.

[0014] A household appliance designed to fulfill the object of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0015] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a household appliance when the supplemental panel is mounted in the first position (I).

[0016] Figure 2 - is the top perspective view of the household appliance before the supplemental panel is mounted.

[0017] Figure 3 - is the bottom perspective view of the household appliance before the supplemental panel is mounted.

[0018] Figure 4 - is the cross sectional view of the household appliance before the supplemental panel is mounted.

[0019] Figure 5 - is the cross sectional view of the household appliance when the supplemental panel is mounted in the first position (I).

[0020] Figure 6 - is the perspective view of the household appliance when the supplemental panel is mounted in the second position (II).

[0021] Figure 7 - is the top perspective view of the household appliance before the supplemental panel is mounted.

[0022] Figure 8 - is the bottom perspective view of the household appliance before the supplemental panel is mounted.

[0023] Figure 9 - is the cross sectional view of the household appliance before the supplemental panel is mounted.

[0024] Figure 10 - is the cross-sectional view of the household appliance when the supplemental panel is mounted in the second position (II).

[0025] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Household appliance

2. Cabinet

3. Work top

4. Supplemental panel

5. Locking element

6. , 16. Locking housing

7. Support wall

8. Protrusion

9. , 19. Opening

10. , 20. Holding surface

[0026] The household appliance (1) of the present invention comprises a cabinet (2), a work top (3) mounted on the cabinet (2) and

• a supplemental panel (4) having two holding surfaces (10, 20) perpendicular to each other and with different widths,
• mounted detachably on the work top (3) along the rear wall of the work top (3), in two different positions,
• a first position (I) wherein the narrow holding surface (20) is mounted to form a flat surface at the same level with the work top (3), and a second position (II) wherein the wide holding surface (10) is mounted to form a flat surface at the same level with the work top (3) (Figure 1 and Figure 6).

[0027] Accordingly, the household appliance (1) is enabled to be transported by occupying the least amount of space during the transportation process and also the gap between the household appliance (1) and the walls of the space wherein the household appliance (1) will be installed can be covered in two different dimensions by using a single supplemental panel (4). On the other hand, the holding surface area of the work top (3) can be changed by increasing in two different dimensions by using a single supplemental panel (4).

[0028] The household appliance (1) comprises one or more locking elements (5) extending outwards on the rear wall of the work top (3) and at least two locking housings (6, 16) disposed on the supplemental panel (4) wherein one of the locking elements (5) is seated into one of them when the supplemental panel (4) is mounted to the work top (3) in the first position (I) and into the other when the supplemental panel (4) is mounted to the work top (3) in the second position (II). The locking element (5) is arranged at certain intervals along the work top (3) and is preferably provided in two pieces. On the other hand, there are two locking housings (6, 16) matching the number of the locking elements (5). When the insertion path of one locking housing (6) is parallel to the narrow holding surface (20), the insertion path of other locking housing (16) is parallel to the wide holding surface (10).

[0029] Accordingly, the supplemental panel (4) is mounted to the work top (3) hence to the household appliance (1) from at least two points. The length (K1) of the locking element (5) is as much as the width (K2) of the narrow holding surface (20) of the supplemental panel (4) at the maximum.

[0030] In the first position (I), when the supplemental panel (4) is mounted to the work top (3), the locking element (5) enters into the insertion path of the locking housing (6) parallel to the narrow holding surface (20) of the supplemental panel (5). In this position, the narrow holding surface (20) of the supplemental panel (4) is at the same level as the work top (3). In the first position (I), the other locking housing (16) remains idle. The supplemental panel (4) is mounted on the household appliance (1) by the producer in this first position (I) such that the least amount of space is occupied during transportation. The customer can use the supplemental panel (4) in the form the household appliance (1) is received, i.e., in the first position (I) (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5).

[0031] In the second position (II), when the supplemental panel (4) is mounted to the work top (3), the locking element (5) enters into the insertion path of the locking housing (16) parallel to the wide holding surface (10) of the supplemental panel (4). In the second position (II), the supplemental panel (4) is mounted to the work top (3) while the wide holding surface (10) of the supplemental panel (4) serves to hold. In this position, the wide holding surface (10) of the supplemental panel (4) is at the same level as the work top (3) and forms an additional surface area for the work top (3) since this holding surface (10) has a wider surface area than the narrow holding surface (20). In the second position (II), the other locking housing (6) is idle. The customer can use the supplemental panel (4) in the form the household appliance (1) is received, i.e., in the first position (I) or if desired, can also use the supplemental panel (4) in the second position (II), depending on the dimensions of the space wherein the household appliance (1) will be installed (Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10).

[0032] The household appliance (1) furthermore comprises a resilient protrusion (8) on the locking element (5) in the form of a detent, support walls (7) surrounding protrusion (8) and at least an opening (9,19) each situated on the locking housing (6,16) wherein the protrusion (8) is seated by stretching when the supplemental panel (4) is mounted on the work top (3). One opening is (19) is parallel to the wide holding surface (10) while the other opening (9) is parallel to the narrow holding surface (20).

[0033] When the supplemental panel (4) is desired to be mounted to the work top (3), the locking elements (5) on the work top (3) are inserted into the locking housings (6, 16). The protrusion (8) on the locking element (5) moves in the locking housing (6, 16) by stretching and is seated into the opening (9, 19) when it coincides with the opening (9, 19) by returning to its previous position. In this position, the support walls (7) bear against the periphery of the locking housing (6, 16). While the protrusion (8) and the opening (9, 19) wherein it is seated prevent the movement of the supplemental panel (4) in the horizontal direction, the support walls (7) prevent the movement of the supplemental panel (4) in the vertical direction.

[0034] When the supplemental panel (4) is desired to be detached from the work top (3), force is exerted on the protrusion (8) thereby enabling the protrusion (8) to be freed from the opening (9, 19) and is pulled in the horizontal direction thus dislodging the locking element (5) from the locking housing (6, 16) thereby separating the supplemental panel (4) from the work top (3).

[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance (1) comprises a supplemental panel (4) that is formed of two pieces.

[0036] By means of the present invention, the gap between the household appliance (1) and the walls of the space wherein the household appliance (1) will be installed can be covered in two different dimensions by using a single supplemental panel (4), at the same time the holding surface area of the work top (3) can be changed by increasing in two different dimensions, using a single supplemental panel (4). Consequently, convenience is provided both in transportation and also in customer satisfaction.

[0037] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and an expert in the technique can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A household appliance (1) that comprises a cabinet (2) and a work top (3) mounted on the cabinet (2) and characterized by

- a supplemental panel (4) having two holding surfaces (10, 20) perpendicular to each other and with different widths,

- mounted detachably on the work top (3) along the rear wall of the work top (3), in two different positions,

- a first position (I) wherein the narrow holding surface (20) is mounted to form a flat surface at the same level with the work top (3), and a second position (II) wherein the wide holding surface (10) is mounted to form a flat surface at the same level with the work top (3).

2. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by one or more locking elements (5) extending outwards on the rear wall of the work top (3) and at least two locking housings (6, 16) disposed on the supplemental panel (4) whereby one of the locking elements (5) is seated into one of them when the supplemental panel (4) is mounted to the work top (3) in the first position (I) and into the other when the supplemental panel (4) is mounted to the work top (3) in the second position (II).

3. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by an insertion path of the locking housing (16) that is parallel to the wide holding surface (10) and a insertion path of the locking housing (6) that is parallel to the narrow holding surface (20).

4. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a locking element (5) whereof the length (K1) is as much as the width (K2) of the narrow holding surface (20) of the supplemental panel (4) at the maximum.

5. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a resilient protrusion (8) in the form of a detent on the locking element (5) and support walls (7) that surround the protrusion (8).

6. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by at least one opening (9, 19) disposed in each locking housing (6, 16) wherein the protrusion (8) is seated by stretching when the supplemental panel (4) is mounted on the work top (3).

7. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by an opening (19) that is parallel to the wide holding surface (10).

8. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 6 or 7, characterized by an opening (9) that is parallel to the narrow holding surface (20).

Ansprüche

1. Haushaltsgebrät (1), das einen Schrank (2) und eine Arbeitsoberfläche (3) umfasst, die an dem Schrank (2) montiert ist, und gekennzeichnet durch

■ ein Ergänzungsfeld (4) mit zwei Halteflächen (10, 20) senkrecht zueinander und von unterschiedlicher Breite,

■ das in zwei verschiedenen Positionen lösbar an der Arbeitsoberfläche (3) entlang der Rückwand der Arbeitsoberfläche (3) montiert ist,

■ in einer ersten Position (I), in der die schmale Haltefläche (20) derart montiert ist, dass sie eine flache Fläche auf derselben Höhe wie die Arbeitsoberfläche (3) bildet, und in einer zweiten Position (II), wobei die breite Haltefläche (10) derart montiert ist, dass sie eine flache Fläche auf derselben Höhe wie die Arbeitsoberfläche (3) bildet.

2. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch ein oder mehrere Verriegelungselemente (5), die sich an der Rückwand der Arbeitsoberfläche (3) nach außen erstrecken, und wenigstens zwei Verriegelungsgehäuse (6, 16), die an dem Ergänzungsfeld (4) angeordnet sind, wodurch eines der Verriegelungselemente (5) in einem derselben sitzt, wenn das Ergänzungsfeld (4) in der ersten Position (I) an der Arbeitsoberfläche (3) montiert ist, und in dem anderen, wenn das Ergänzungsfeld (4) in der zweiten Position (II) an der Arbeitsoberfläche (3) montiert ist.

3. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 2, gekennzeichnet durch einen Einführweg des Verriegelungsgehäuses (16), der parallel zur breiten Haltefläche (10) ist, und einen Einführweg des Verriegelungsgehäuses (6), der parallel zur schmalen Haltefläche (20) ist.

4. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch ein Verriegelungselement (5), dessen Länge (K1) höchstens der Breite (K2) der schmalen Haltefläche (20) des Ergänzungsfelds (4) entspricht.

5. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch einen elastischen Vorsprung (8) in Form einer Raste am Verriegelungselement (5), und Stützwände (7), die den Vorsprung (8) umgeben.

6. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 5, gekennzeichnet durch wenigstens eine Öffnung (9, 19), die in den einzelnen Verriegelungsgehäusen (6, 16) angeordnet ist, und in der der Vorsprung (8) sitzt, indem er gedehnt wird, wenn das Ergänzungsfeld (4) an der Arbeitsoberfläche (3) montiert wird.

7. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 6, gekennzeichnet durch eine Öffnung (19), die parallel zu der breiten Haltefläche (10) ist.

8. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, gekennzeichnet durch eine Öffnung (9), die parallel zu der schmalen Haltefläche (20) ist.

Revendications

1. Un électroménager (1) qui comprend une armoire (2) et un plan de travail (3) monté sur l'armoire (2) et caractérisé par

■ un panneau supplémentaire (4) ayant deux surfaces de retenue (10, 20) qui sont perpendiculaire l'une à l'autre et qui ont des largeurs différentes.

■ monté sur le plan de travail (3) de manière détachable le long de la paroi arrière du plan de travail (3), dans deux positions différentes,

■ une première position (I) où la surface de retenue étroite (20) est montée pour former une surface plane au même niveau que le plan de travail (3), et une deuxième position (II) où la surface de retenue grande (10) est montée pour former une surface plane au même niveau que le plan de travail (3).

2. Un électroménager (1) selon la Revendication 1, caractérisé par un ou plusieurs éléments de verrouillage (5) qui s'étendent vers l'extérieur sur la paroi arrière du plan de travail (3) et au moins deux logements de verrouillage (6, 16) qui sont disposés sur le panneau supplémentaire (4) de telle sorte que l'un de l'élément de verrouillage (5) est placé dans l'un d'eux lorsque le panneau supplémentaire (4) est monté au plan de travail (3) dans la première position (I) et dans l'autre lorsque le panneau supplémentaire (4) est monté au plan de travail (3) dans la deuxième position (II).

3. Un électroménager (1) selon la Revendication 2, caractérisé par une voie d'insertion du logement de verrouillage (16) qui est parallèle à la surface de retenue grande (10) et une voie d'insertion du logement de verrouillage (6) qui est parallèle à la surface de retenue étroite (20).

4. Un électroménager (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par un élément de verrouillage (5) dont la longueur (K1) est autant que la largeur (K2) de la surface de retenue étroite (20) du panneau supplémentaire (4) au maximum.

5. Un électroménager (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par une protubérance (8) élastique en forme de détente sur l'élément de verrouillage (5) et des parois de support (7) qui entourent la protubérance (8).

6. Un électroménager (1) selon la Revendication 5, caractérisé par au moins une ouverture (9, 19) disposée dans chaque logement de verrouillage (6, 16) dans laquelle la protubérance (8) est placée par l'étirement lorsque le panneau supplémentaire (4) est monté sur le plan de travail (3).

7. Un électroménager (1) selon la Revendication 6, caractérisé par une ouverture (19) qui est parallèle à la surface de retenue grande (10).

8. Un électroménager (1) selon la Revendication 6 ou 7, caractérisé par une ouverture (9) qui est parallèle à la surface de retenue étroite (20).

Drawing