IP Library Granted Patent US 12668913
Granted Patent B2
US 12668913 · App. 18/446,120 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Cabinet assembly for a combination laundry appliance

Inventors: David Scott Dunn (Louisville, KY); Jivko Ognianov Djerekarov (Louisville, KY); Wayne E. Lawson (La Grange, KY); Sarah Heiniger (Louisville, KY); David G. Beers (New Albany, IN)
Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
D06F39/12D06F25/00D06F29/005D06F34/34D06F37/02D06F58/206
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12668913
App. No.
18/446,120
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A laundry appliance includes an apron extending between a bottom end and a top end along the vertical direction, wherein the apron defines a plurality of mounting studs extending along the vertical direction from the top end of the apron, an apron extension positioned on the top end of the apron and defining a mechanical compartment, the apron extension defining a plurality of keyhole slots configured to engage the plurality of mounting studs to secure the apron extension to the apron, and a conditioning system positioned within the mechanical compartment and configured to heat and remove moisture from air flowing therethrough, the conditioning system comprising a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser.

Claims (14)

1 . A laundry appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the laundry appliance comprising:

an apron extending between a bottom end and a top end along the vertical direction, wherein the apron defines a plurality of mounting studs extending along the vertical direction from the top end of the apron;

a tub positioned within the apron;

a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the wash basket defining a chamber for receipt of articles for washing and drying;

an apron extension positioned on the top end of the apron and defining a mechanical compartment, the apron extension defining a plurality of keyhole slots configured to engage the plurality of mounting studs to secure the apron extension to the apron, wherein the plurality of mounting studs secure the apron extension to the apron when the apron extension slides rearward along the transverse direction, thereby preventing further sliding of apron extension rearward along the transverse direction;

a conditioning system positioned within the mechanical compartment and configured to heat and remove moisture from air flowing therethrough, the conditioning system comprising a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser; and

a cross brace extending along the lateral direction between a first side and a second side of the apron and securing a front end of the apron extension by preventing the apron extension from sliding forward along the transverse direction, wherein the cross brace is U-shaped and is installed after the apron extension to lock the apron extension in position along the transverse direction.

2 . The laundry appliance of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of mounting studs comprises four mounting studs and the plurality of keyhole slots comprises four keyhole slots.

3 . The laundry appliance of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of keyhole slots comprises an entry hole and a locking slot and each of the plurality of mounting studs defines a flared distal end, wherein the flared distal end may pass through the entry hole but is prevented from passing through the locking slot.

4 . The laundry appliance of claim 1 , wherein the cross brace is attached to the apron extension using a plurality of mechanical fasteners.

5 . The laundry appliance of claim 4 , wherein the cross brace defines a plurality of through holes and a front end of the apron extension defines a plurality of bosses or a plurality of holes for receiving the plurality of mechanical fasteners.

6 . The laundry appliance of claim 1 , further comprising:

a control panel mounted to the cross brace and the top end of the apron.

7 . The laundry appliance of claim 6 , wherein the cross brace defines one or more shoulder bolts and the control panel defines one or more keyhole slots for engaging the one or more shoulder bolts on the cross brace when the control panel is in the installed position.