The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 24, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 30, 1998
Dennis Allen Kopp, Pittsfield, MA (US);
Lynn Winston, Sturbridge, MA (US);
Chad Daniel Lehman, Elkhart, IN (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
A countertop assembly kit is designed for ease of assembly with a resulting superior appearance at minimal cost while meeting all functional requirements. It comprises some combination of the following items. A rigid substrate having pre-formed grooves in its upper and front surfaces. An upright member includes an underlying rib for fitting engagement with the upper surface groove for firm mounting on the substrate and an upper longitudinally extending groove in its upper surface. A finishing T-cap member of plastic material has a planar head and an integral downwardly projecting ledge for fitting engagement with the upper groove so as to be engaged with and coextensively overlie the upper surface of the upright member. A plastic backsplash member coextensively overlies the front surface of the upright member. A plastic countertop coextensively overlies the upper surface of the substrate while allowing for mounting of the upright member. Finally, an edge profile includes an upright bight engaged with the front surface of the substrate, an upper flange engaged with the open sided channel of the countertop, an intermediate flange engaged with the front longitudinally extending groove of the substrate, and a lower flange engaged with the lower surface of the substrate. The plastic members are laminated; co-extruded or tri-extruded of materials chosen for optimal surfacing characteristics yet at minimal expense and mutually abut for sealing continuity.