Whirlpool Corporation

Maytag Corporation

Edward E Crompton

John Phillip Myers

Mark J Reimer

A fluid line insertion guide for a refrigerator includes a collet adapted for engagement with a fluid line. The collet includes a biased end and an insertion end. The fluid line is inserted through a fluid line aperture defined within the biased end. The insertion end is configured to be inserted into a fluid valve to a final insertion depth to place the fluid line and fluid valve in communication with each other. A fluid line guide includes a retaining channel and a biasing surface. The retaining channel engages a valve housing to define a guide position. When the fluid line guide is in the guide position, the biasing surface is disposed a predetermined distance from a valve aperture of the fluid valve and further defines a position of the biased end of the collet and the final insertion depth of the insertion end into the fluid valve.

Water line guide assembly for inserting a fluid line into a fluid line valve of an appliance

A glass panel assembly for kitchen appliances includes a glass panel and a plurality of spacers. The spacers are mounted to an outer surface of the appliance and an inner surface of the glass panel. Preferably, the spacers are adhesively secured to the glass panel and are not visible when viewing the kitchen appliance from the front. Trim pieces fit between the glass panel and the appliance door to cover and further hide the spacers from view. The glass panel can be mounted to any outer surface of the appliance such as an appliance door, side walls or even a top wall. The particular construction of the spacers, in combination with the trim pieces creates an illusion that glass panel appears to float relative to the appliance.

Kitchen appliance having a floating glass panel

A universal trim piece system for a refrigerator door having a decorative panel can be employed with either a front mounted door handle or a side mounted door handle. When employing the front mounted handle, the door is provided with a top trim piece, a bottom trim piece and first and second side trim pieces. When employing the side mounted handle, the door is provided with the top trim piece, the bottom trim piece and only the first side trim piece, with the side mounted handle replacing the second side trim piece. Interchanging the handles/decorative panels just requires loosening the top and bottom trim pieces, exchanging the handles and possibly the decorative panels, providing a second side trim piece or handle, and re-secure the top and bottom trim pieces.

Growing community of inventors

Iowa City, IA, United States of America

Edward E Crompton