Appliance console bottom attachment

Abstract

An appliance console is provided, wherein the console is quickly and easily mounted on the appliance without the use of mounting hardware or tools. The appliance console includes a pair of first and second downwardly extending feet adapted to be received in slots in the top cover of the appliance. In mounting the console to the top cover of the cabinet, the first feet are inserted into the corresponding slots in the top cover of the cabinet and the console is moved laterally such that the first feet are received into a first edge of the slots. When the console is obstructed by the first edge, force is exerted upon the console to create a slight flex. The second feet are inserted into corresponding slots in the top cover and the console released so that the second feet engage a second edge of the corresponding slots.

1 . A console for an appliance having a cabinet with a top cover, comprising: 
 a body having a first side surface and a second side surface;    a pair of first feet and a pair of second feet extending downwardly from the body for mounting the console to the top cover;    the first feet being adapted to fit through slots in the top cover of the appliance, such that the first feet fits through the slots, the body moves toward a first edge of the slots, and the body flexes when the first feet are obstructed by the first edge of the slots;    the second feet being adapted to fit through slots in the top cover of the appliance, such that the second feet fits through the slots when the body flexes and the second feet engage a second edge of the slots when the body is static.    
   
   
       2 . The console of  claim 1  further comprising a front surface between the first side surface and the second side surface, front feet extending downwardly from the front surface, the front feet adapted to fit through slots in the top cover of the appliance, such that the front feet fits through the slots, the body moves toward a first edge of the first slots, and the body flexes when the front feet are obstructed by the first edge of the slots.  
   
   
       3 . The console of  claim 2  wherein the front surface is an arc.  
   
   
       4 . The console of  claim 1  wherein the first feet have a first recess adapted to engage the first edge of the slots.  
   
   
       5 . The console of  claim 1  wherein the second feet have a second recess adapted to engage the second edge of the slots.  
   
   
       6 . The console of  claim 2  wherein the front feet have a first recess adapted to engage the first edge of the slots.  
   
   
       7 . The console of  claim 1  wherein the first feet have a sloped heel portion to pass into and out of the slots.  
   
   
       8 . The console of  claim 1  wherein the first feet have a ramped forward portion to assist in movement of the body laterally toward a first edge of the slots.  
   
   
       9 . The console of  claim 8  wherein the first feet have first recess at the top end of ramped forward portion.  
   
   
       10 . The console of  claim 1  wherein the body has a unitary construction.  
   
   
       11 . The console of  claim 1  wherein the first and second feet are adjacent opposite ends of the body.  
   
   
       12 . The console of  claim 1  wherein the first and second feet are received in the slots such that the body is substantially free from forward and rearward movement relative to the top cover.  
   
   
       13 . The console of  claim 1  wherein the first and second feet are received in the slots such that the body is substantially free from lateral movement relative to the top cover.  
   
   
       14 . A console for an appliance having a cabinet with a top cover, comprising: 
 a body having a front surface adapted for a control panel of an appliance, a left surface, and a right surface;    a pair of left feet and a pair of right feet extending downwardly from the body;    the left feet being adapted to fit through left slots in the top cover of the appliance, such that the left feet fits through the left slots, the body moves in a leftward direction toward a first edge of the left slots, and the body flexes when the left feet are obstructed by the first edge of the left slots;    the right feet being adapted to fit through right slots in the top cover of the appliance, such that the right feet fit through the right slots when the body flexes and the right feet engage a second edge of the right slots when the body is static.    
   
   
       15 . The console of  claim 14  further comprising front feet extending downwardly from the front surface, the front feet adapted to fit through front slots in the top cover of the appliance, such that the front feet fit through the front slots, the body moves in a leftward direction toward a first edge of the front slots, and the body flexes when the front feet are obstructed by the first edge of the front slots.  
   
   
       16 . The console of  claim 14  wherein the left feet have a left recess adapted to engage the first edge of the left slots.  
   
   
       17 . The console of  claim 14  wherein the right feet have a right recess adapted to engage the second edge of the right slots.  
   
   
       18 . The console of  claim 15  wherein the front feet have a left recess adapted to engage the first edge of front slots.  
   
   
       19 . A method of attaching a console to a laundry appliance with a top cover, comprising: 
 providing a body having a first side surface and a second side surface, a pair of first feet and a pair of second feet extending downwardly from the body for mounting the console to the top cover;    providing a top cover of a laundry appliance having slots with first and second opposite edges, the slots corresponding with the pair of first feet and the pair of second feet;    inserting the first feet into the corresponding slots in the top cover, moving the body laterally toward the first edge of the slots, and flexing the body when the first feet are obstructed by the first edge of the slots;    fitting the second feet into corresponding slots in the top cover when the body is flexing and releasing the body so that the second feet engage the second edge of the corresponding slots.    
   
   
       20 . The console of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 providing a front surface adapted for a control panel of the appliance between the first side surface and the second side surface, front feet extending downwardly from the front surface;    fitting the front feet through corresponding slots in the top cover, such that the front feet fit through the slots and moving the body laterally toward the first edge of the slots.