Device and method for mounting door trim

Abstract

The disclosure may enable the mounting of a trim member and an end cap on a holder member to provide a flush fit and attractive door trim. Embodiments may enable the trim member and the end cap to be snapped onto the holder member without the need for any excessive force. The disclosed device and method may comprise mounting trim on refrigerator doors. Embodiments may include a support member that may be mounted on a side of the door, a holder member that may be mounted within the support member, a trim member that may be mounted on the holder member to cover at least a portion of the support member, and an end cap that may be mounted on the holder member to cover an end of the support member. The end cap may be disposed in engagement with the trim member to form co-planar surfaces for flush mounting.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for mounting side-trim on a door of a home appliance, comprising:
 attaching a support member to a side of the door, wherein the support member defines slots adapted for screws to engage the side of the door;   attaching a holder member within the support member, wherein the holder member comprises a plurality of snap-fit hooks adapted to snap onto the support member;   attaching a trim member to the holder member, wherein the trim member is configured to cover at least a portion of the support member, and wherein the trim member comprises a tab adapted to snap into a catch of the holder member; and,   attaching an end cap to the holder member, wherein the end cap is configured to cover an end of the support member, wherein the end cap comprises toothed-members adapted to snap into a receiver of the holder member, and whereby the end cap is disposed in engagement with the trim member to form co-planar surfaces for flush mounting.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the toothed-members comprise snap-fit hooks comprising a plurality of teeth adapted to engage a corresponding plurality of teeth located within the receiver of the holder member. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 adjusting a position of the end cap on the holder member relative to the trim member, wherein the toothed-members of the end cap are advanced or withdrawn within the receiver of the holder member.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the holder member is manufactured via an injection molding process, and wherein the trim member is manufactured via an extrusion process. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the holder member, the trim member and the end cap are made of a plastic material, and wherein the support member is made of a metal material. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the steps of attaching the holder member, the trim member and the end cap are performed by apply a force directly from a finger of an assembler. 
     
     
         26 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method for mounting trim on a home appliance, comprising:
 mounting a support member on a home appliance;   mounting two holder members on the support member;   mounting a trim member on the two holder members, wherein the trim member is configured to slidably move on the two holder members, wherein the slidable movement of the trim member is parallel to an elongated edge of the support member; and,   mounting a first end cap and a second end cap on the holder members, wherein each of the holder members supports one of the two end caps, wherein the end caps are configured to slidably move on the holder members, wherein the slidable movement of the end caps is parallel to the elongated edge of the support member, wherein each of the end caps comprises a toothed-member having teeth, wherein each of the holder members comprises a toothed-receiver having corresponding teeth, wherein the teeth engage the corresponding teeth, whereby the end caps are disposed in engagement with the trim member to form co-planar surfaces for flush mounting.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein mounting the support member on the home appliance comprises mounting the support member on a door of the home appliance, wherein the door is mounted on the home appliance. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 adjusting the trim member, whereby the trim member covers the support member.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 adjusting the first end cap, wherein the first end cap is moved towards a first end of the trim member, whereby an inner edge of the first end cap is disposed in engagement with the first end of the trim member.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 adjusting the second end cap, wherein the second end cap is moved towards a second end of the trim member, whereby an inner edge of the second end cap is disposed in engagement with the second end of the trim member.