Maytag Corporation

Frank N Chudkosky

Thomas J Bender

John C Ellingwood

An appliance lamp holder assembly in accordance with the invention directly accommodates the use of various lighting units, either directly or through the use of one or more adapter bases, in a multitude of international applications. More specifically, the universal lamp holder assembly of the invention preferably includes an adapter base which can take the form of a housing, snap-connector ring or the like. A lamp holder member is then inserted into the adapter base and firmly locked in place. With this arrangement, a single lamp holder member can be employed in illuminating various zones in the appliance or different lamp holder members can be employed with universal adapter bases to cover both domestic and a multitude of international hi-volt (e.g. 220-240V, 50/60 Hz) and 115 volt applications.

Universal lamp holder assembly for an appliance

An appliance is provided with an electrical connector box including a plurality of spaced tabs between which is arranged a cabinet panel portion of the appliance in order to position the connector box in an opening defined, at least in part, by the cabinet panel. The connector box further includes a socket portion in which an electrical inlet is arranged. A power cord includes a first terminal plug connected to the electrical inlet and a second terminal plug designed to fit into an electrical outlet found in a particular geographic region which the appliance is to be used. The power cord is secured in the connector box by a clamp and guided along arcuate surfaces out of the connector box, with one of the surfaces being part of a bumper member which establishes a minimum permissible distance between the appliance and a wall against which the appliance is positioned.

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Alexis, IL, United States of America

Frank N Chudkosky