Grille interchanging method and apparatus

Abstract

According to some embodiments of the invention, an appliance having a removable grille includes: a lip located on the appliance having a hook shape; and a hook shaped end on the grille, the lip and hook shaped end dimensioned to allow the grille to substantially pivot with respect to the appliance when the hook shaped end on the grille and the hook shaped lip are engaged with each other. Other embodiments of the invention include a method of mounting a grille on an appliance including: engaging a hook shaped end of the grille with a lip located on the appliance; moving the grille in a substantially pivoting movement with respect to the appliance; and securing the grille to the appliance.

1 . An appliance having a removable grille comprising:
 a lip located on the appliance having a hook shape; and   a hook shaped end on the grille, the lip and hook shaped end dimensioned to allow the grille to substantially pivot with respect to the appliance when the hook shaped end on the grille and the hook shaped lip are engaged with each other.   
   
   
       2 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a snap fastener system located on the grille and appliance for removablely securing the grille in place on the appliance. 
   
   
       3 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the lip and the hook shaped end are dimensioned and oriented so that when the appliance is installed and the grille is pivoted away from a secured position the grille will hang from the lip and be supported by the lip. 
   
   
       4 . The appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener for fastening the grille to the appliance. 
   
   
       5 . The appliance of  claim 5 , wherein the fastener has a head made of at least one of the following: stainless steel and chrome. 
   
   
       6 . The appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the fastener has structure mounted on the head to permit the fastener to be loosened and tightened by hand. 
   
   
       7 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the grille is made of at least one of the following: plastic, sheet metal and aluminum. 
   
   
       8 . The appliance of  claim 1 , the lip and the hook shaped end are dimensioned so that the lip and hook shaped end can be disengaged and the grille removed from the appliance. 
   
   
       9 . The appliance of  claim 8 , further comprising a second grille different in appearance from the grille and having a hooked end dimensioned and oriented to permit the second grille engage the lip to pivot, and to be installed on the appliance in a removable manner as the grille. 
   
   
       10 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the lip runs substantially the length of appliance. 
   
   
       11 . The appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the grille is dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the housing and fasteners. 
   
   
       12 . A method of mounting a grille on an appliance comprising:
 engaging a hook shaped end of the grille with a lip located on the appliance;   moving the grille in a substantially pivoting movement with respect to the appliance; and   securing the grille to the appliance.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including engaging the hook shaped end of the grille to a hook shaped portion of the lip. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein securing the grille to the appliance includes snapping the grille in place via a snapping system. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein securing the grille to the appliance includes using a mechanical faster to attach the grille to a housing portion of the appliance. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising
 releasing the grille from a secured position; and   swinging the grille to a predetermined position.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising letting go of the grille and having the grille hang from the appliance by the hook shaped end of the grille and the lip. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising removing the grille from the appliance and replacing it with a second grille. 
   
   
       19 . An appliance having a removable grille comprising:
 a first hooking means for engaging a grille located on a housing of the appliance; and   a second hooking means engaging the first hooking means for allowing the grille substantially pivot with respect to the appliance;   fasting means to secure the grille to the appliance in a removable manner.   
   
   
       20 . The appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second hooking means are dimensioned and oriented to permit the grille to hang pendant below the appliance when the appliance in installed and the grille can be removed from the appliance by lifting grille while in a pendant position to disengage the first and second hooking means. 
   
   
       21 . The appliance of  claim 19 , wherein the fastening means includes one or more of the following: a screw, a bolt, a snap fastener.