APPLIANCES

Technical Field Disclosed herein is a system and a method for fastening a removable kickrail in a niche for an appliance.

Background

Kickrails may be referred to as kickboards, kick plates, kick panels, base panels, plinths, toe kicks, toe plates or kickers .

Kickrails are installed with cabinetry in rooms (including kitchens and bathrooms), below cabinets (between the room's floor and the cabinet's door, and in front of the cabinets legs). Kickrails are typically fastened to cabinetry with screws or clips, e.g., by screws through the cabinet's floors, or by clips onto the cabinet's legs, or kickrails may be manufactured into a ladder frame which is levelled before the cabinets are installed.

Kickrails, or at least kickrail portions, are also installed in front of appliances (between the room's floor and the appliance's door, and in front of the appliance's legs), including dishwashers.

Kickrails are often made of wood or fibreboard, allowing them to match the rest of the cabinetry. It is generally difficult to fasten cabinetry kickrails in front of the appliances using standard fastening techniques because the appliances do not have the same available floors and legs as standard cabinets. Instead, cabinetry kickrails may be installed in front of appliances by extending across a niche containing the appliance to both the right and left of the niche, and being fastened to cabinets on the right and left of the appliance.

However, it is increasingly desirable for the cabinetry kickrail in front of an appliance to be removable to allow installation, servicing and replacement of the appliance itself, particularly in rooms with highly integrated cabinetry, e.g., when a fully integrated dishwasher has a cabinetry front face made of matching cabinetry, which are increasingly popular. It is desired that embodiments of the invention will ameliorate some problems identified in the prior art or provide a useful alternative.

Summary

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system for fastening a removable kickrail in a niche for an appliance, the system including: a) a first component for fastening to the removable kickrail; b) a second component for fastening to cabinetry adjacent the niche; and c) a third component for engaging the first component with the second component to hold the removable kickrail in alignment with an adjacent kickrail of the cabinetry adjacent the niche.

The present invention also provides a method for fastening a removable kickrail in a niche for an appliance, the method including: a) fastening a first component to the removable kickrail; b) fastening a second component to cabinetry adjacent the niche; and engaging the first component with the second component to hold the removable kickrail in alignment with an adjacent kickrail of the cabinetry adjacent the niche using a third component.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary dimensions are marked in millimetres (mm), and:

Figure 1A is a front view diagram of cabinetry including a niche that houses an appliance, and the cabinetry includes a removable kickrail in front of the appliance;

Figure IB is a rear view diagram of the removable kickrail with two first fastening components (each in the form of a straight sleeve) fastened to the removable kickrail at or towards opposite ends of the removable kickrail;

Figure 1C is a rear view diagram of the cabinetry from inside the niche, the cabinetry including a free kickrail on one side of the niche, and a perpendicular wall on an opposite side of the niche, the perpendicular wall being perpendicular to the free kickrail, including: a second fastening component (in the form of a straight sleeve) fastened to the free kickrail, and another second fastening component (in the form of a comer sleeve) fastened to the perpendicular wall;

Figure ID is a rear view diagram of two third fastening components (referred to as "keys") for holding the removable kickrail in alignment with its adjacent kickrails;

Figure IE is a rear view diagram of the removable kickrail with the keys partially inserted into respective first fastening components (straight sleeves);

Figure IF is a rear view diagram of the cabinetry from inside the niche with the removable kickrail in alignment with the free kickrail and a supported kickrail adjacent the perpendicular wall, including: the second fastening component (in the form of a straight sleeve) fastened to the free kickrail, and the second fastening component (in the form of a comer sleeve) fastened to the perpendicular wall, and with the keys partially inserted into respective first fastening components (straight sleeves);

Figure 1G is a rear view diagram of the cabinetry from inside the niche with the removable kickrail held in alignment with the free kickrail and the supported kickrail by the keys engaging the first fastening components (two straight sleeves) with their respective second fastening components (one straight sleeve and one comer sleeve), the keys being fully inserted into the first fastening components to extend into the respective second fastening components;

Figure 1H is a rear view diagram of the cabinetry from inside the niche with two free kickrails;

Figure II is a rear view diagram of the cabinetry from inside the niche with two supported kickrails;

Figure 1 J is a diagram of an alternative version of the key engaging the first fastening component (a straight sleeve) with the second fastening component (a straight sleeve) to form a system;

Figure 2A is a rear view diagram of one version of the straight sleeve; Figure 2B is a left-side view diagram of the version of the straight sleeve in Figure 2A (the right-side view is the same);

Figure 2C is a top view diagram of the version of the straight sleeve in Figures 2A and 2B (to bottom view is the same);

Figure 3A is a top view diagram of one version of the comer sleeve (the bottom view is the same);

Figure 3B is a front view diagram of one version of the comer sleeve;

Figure 3C is a left-side view diagram of one version of the comer sleeve (the right- side view is similar in a two-dimensional representation);

Figure 4A is a side view diagram of one version of the key from a handle end;

Figure 4B is a top view diagram of the version of the key in Figure 4A (the bottom view diagram is the same);

Figures 5 A to 5 C are perspective views of one version of the key;

Figures 6A and 6B are perspective views of one version of the straight sleeve;

Figure 6C is a perspective view of one version of the first fastening component (in the form of the version of the straight sleeve in Figures 6A and 6B), fastened to the removable kickrail, with the version of the key in Figures 5A to 5C in the straight sleeve;

Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views of the version of the first fastening component in Figure 6C (in the form of the straight sleeve), fastened to the removable kickrail, and the second fastening component (in the form of one version of the comer sleeve) with the key fully inserted into the first fastening components to extend into and engage the second fastening components;

Figure 7C is a perspective view of the version of the first fastening component in Figure 6C (in the form of the straight sleeve), fastened to the removable kickrail, the second fastening component (in the form of the version of the comer sleeve in Figures 7A and 7B) fastened to the perpendicular wall, and the version of the key in Figures 5A to 5C fully inserted into the first fastening components to extend into the second fastening component, thus forming one version of the kickrail;

Figure 7D is a top view of the second fastening component in the form of the version of the comer sleeve in Figures 7A and 7B;

Figures 7E and 7F are perspective views of the second fastening component in the form of the version of the comer sleeve in Figures 7A, 7B and 7D;

Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of another version of the straight sleeve with an arrow marking;

Figures 9A and 9B are front and rear perspective views of another version of the comer sleeve with a line marking and gussets;

Figure 9C is a top view of the version of the comer sleeve in Figures 9A and 9B;

Figure 10A is a perspective view of another version of the kickrail formed by the version of the straight sleeve in Figure 8 (acting as the first fastening component) and the comer sleeve in Figures 9A to 9C (acting as the second fastening component) assembled with another version of the key completely engaged with the first and second components to form a system; and

Figure 10B shows the version of the kickrail in Figure 10A with the key partially engaged with the first and second components.

Detailed Description

As shown in Figure 1, cabinetry 12 is configured to house an appliance 2 in a niche 14 in the cabinetry 12. The cabinetry 12 extended to a floor of a room in which it is installed.

The niche 14 may be referred to as a "cavity" or "enclosure". The niche 14 may be sized to fit the appliance exactly or be larger in size to provide a space 15 adjacent to the appliance 2 on the left side or on the right side of the appliance 2. The space 15 may be used to house connections (not shown), including plumbing and electrical connections, that may lead to and/or away from the appliance 2. (The width B of the space adjacent to the appliance 2 may be, for example, about 150 mm, shown in Figure 1A.) However, even if the volume of the niche 14 is larger than that of the appliance 2, a front opening of the niche 14 is generally the same width as the appliance 2, or at least the same width as a front door of the appliance so that the front of the appliance 2 sits flush with the adjacent panels 18 of the cabinetry 12, as is generally desirable for a fully integrated appliance. Having the cabinetry 12 arranged close to and flush with the front of the appliance 2 can result in substantially no empty space being visible from the front of the niche 14 when the appliance 2 is in place, thus provides a desirable aesthetic appeal to the cabinetry 12 and appliance 2. The cabinetry 12 may be made of any material known in the art, such as laminated timber products. The cabinetry 12 may include cupboards, drawers, shelves and bench tops adjacent to and/or above the niche 14. The cabinetry 12 may house or hold only the appliance 2. The niche 14 as illustrated has a rectangular front, but may be any shape suitable for housing the appliance 2.

The appliance 2 may be a dishwasher, oven, dryer, washing machine or other domestic appliance. The appliance 2 may also be a fully integrated appliance, such as a fully integrated dishwasher.

As shown in Figure 1, the cabinetry 12 may include a benchtop 16, the side panels 18, a removable kickrail 4, and adjacent kickrails 6, 8 that are adjacent to and in alignment with the removable kickrail 4. The side panels 18 may be doors of adjacent cupboards or fronts of adjacent drawers in the cabinetry 12 (i.e., these cupboards or drawers are adjacent to the appliance 2). The removable kickrail 4 may have a width C (shown in Figure 1A) of 600 mm (thus a width A of the niche 14, and thus also of the kickrail 4 plus the adjacent space 15, can be 750 mm).

The niche 14 may abut a vertical structure, for example, a wall of the room or of the cabinetry 12. In this circumstance, for the purposes of the present disclosure, it is expressly considered that such a wall forms part of the cabinetry 12.

The adjacent kickrails 6, 8 and the removable kickrail 4 are arranged or provided on the floor of the room under cupboards and drawers of the cabinetry 12, extending about shoe or boot height from the floor. The kickrails 4, 6 and 8 are illustrated as having rectangular front faces but may have any shape to give effect to the integration of the appliance 2 within the cabinetry 12. In the illustrated example, the adjacent kickrails 6, 8 are located below the side panels 18 of the cabinetry 12. The side panels 18 may include their respective kickrails 6, 8. As shown in Figure 1A, a gap 32 is provided above the kickrail 4 front of the niche 14 between a top of the kickrail 4 (when it is installed) and the appliance 2 (when it is installed). The gap 32 may be required to allow opening of a front door of the appliance 2, e.g., a downward opening dishwasher drawer. The gap 32 may be provided when the appliance 2 is in a specific condition, e.g., the gap 32 may be provided when the dishwasher door is open. The gap 32 has a gap width 33 that is sufficient for a person's fingers to reach behind the kickrail 4. The gap width 33 may be 20 mm when the height of the adjacent kickrails 6,8 is 100 mm and the height of the removable kickrail is 80 mm, and the dishwasher door is closed, and the gap width 33 may be longer, up to 100 mm, when the dishwasher door is open. The gap width 33 may therefore be between 20 mm and 100 mm, or between 1 inch and 4 inches.

As shown in Figure 1C, the adjacent kickrail 6 may be unsupported by a cabinet wall at its adjacent end 61 (i.e., its end close to the niche 14), i.e., in contrast to the other adjacent kickrail 81 (i.e., its end close to the niche 14) that has its adjacent end 81 supported by a perpendicular wall 17. An adjacent kickrail without support is referred to herein as a free kickrail 6. An adjacent kickrail with support is referred to herein as a supported kickrail 8.

The cabinetry 12 around the niche 14 may include two free kickrails 6 as shown in Figure 1H, or two supported kickrails 8 as shown in Figure II, or one free kickrail 6 and one supported kickrail 8 as shown in Figures 1C, IF and 1G.

Disclosed herein is a system 24 for fastening the removable kickrail 4 in the niche 14 for the appliance 2.

In some versions of the system 24, the kickrail 4 is engaged with the cabinetry 12 so that slight movement of the kickrail 4 is possible but the kickrail 4 is not manually removable from the cabinetry 12 without unfastening the system 24. In this context "removed" means that the kickrail 4 is moved sufficiently out of alignment that the appliance 2 may be extracted or partially moved out of the niche 14. The kickrail 4 is engaged or fitted or fastened in its place such that it appears integrated with the cabinetry 12.

The removable kickrail 4 is held be situated between the adjacent kickrails 6, 8. The removable kickrail 4 is designed such that its span or width C, as shown in Figure 1A, is substantially the same or greater than the width of the appliance 2 so that appliance can be slid out from the niche 14 (and back into the niche 14), e.g., by a plumber or electrician, when the kickrail 4 is removed. For example, the span of the kickrail 4 may be about 100 mm greater than the width of the appliance 2. As a result, if the kickrail 4 is removed, the appliance 2 will be able to be removed from the niche 14 without having to remove any other components of the cabinetry 12 or the appliance 2.

The system 24 includes a first component 26 (also referred to as a "first fastening component"), a second component 28 (also referred to as a "second fastening component"), and a third component 30 (also referred to as a "third fastening component").

The first component 26 is fastened to the kickrail 4 at or towards an end 41, 43 of the kickrail 4. The first component 26 may be fastened or installed at an end side, i.e., flush with the very end, or set inward from the end side: for example, the first component may be set inward between about 10 and 50 mm or about 50 and 100 mm from the end side.

Metal Version

The first component 26 forms or provides a slot when fastened or installed on the kickrail 4. In one version, the first component 26 is a sleeve (referred to as a "straight sleeve") with a slot 36 as shown in Figures 2A to 2C, 6A and 6B. Alternatively, the slot may be formed between the first component 26 and the kickrail 4. In yet another version, the slot may be formed integrally with the kickrail 4. The slot as described herein is defined by its ability to removably receive the third component 30. Preferably, the first component 26 has a maximum dimension of about two inches or 50 mm. Preferably, the slot 36 has width of about 1 to 4 mm. In the illustrated example, the first component 26 is a sleeve forming a rectangular prism with the slot 36 being formed from one face through to the opposed face of the first component.

The first component 26 may be fastened to the kickrail 4 by screws 62 as shown in Figures 6C and 7B. The screws 62 pass through the holes 38 shown in Figures 2A and 2B, which are located at the ends of the first component 26, and engage with the kickrail 4. The holes 38 are located to resist movement of the first component 26 relative to the kickrail 4 when the screws 62 are in place. Other fastening methods known in the art may also be used, such as adhesive between the kickrail 4 and the first component 26, and/or nails through the holes 38.

In some versions, the holes 38 may be elongated (forming slots longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first component 26) rather than circular to allow some movement of the first component 26 relative to the screws 62 (or nails or equivalent) if the screws 62 are loosened but still attached to the first component 26 and projecting through the holes 38: having elongated holes 38 can assist with placement of the first component 26 on the kickrail 4 during installation of the first component 26, for example an installer can hold the kickrail 4 in its place in front of the appliance 2 and reach behind the kickrail 4 while the screws 62 (or equivalent) in the holes 38 are in loosely in place, and the installer can move the first component 26 relative to the screws 62 (or nails or equivalent) to a preferred location where the third component 30 can engage with the second component 28 already in place.

Preferably, the first component 26 is fastened or installed behind a front / outer surface 34 of the kickrail 4. More preferably, the first component 26 is fastened to a surface of the kickrail 4 facing the appliance 2.

The second component 28 may be fastened to or in the cabinetry 12 or other surface adjacent to the niche 14. In some versions, the second component 28 is fastened or installed adjacent to the niche 14, so that the second component 28 may be engaged by the third component 30 simultaneously with the first component 26. The second component 28 forms or provides a slot when fastened to the cabinetry 12. In one version, the second component 28 is a sleeve with a slot as shown in Figures 2A to 2C, 6A and 6B. In this version, the second component 28 may be substantially identical to the first component 26. Alternatively, a slot may be formed between the second component 28 and the kickrail 4. In yet another version, a slot may be formed integrally within the cabinetry 12. For example, a slot may be cut out of the cabinetry 12. Preferably, the second component 28 has a maximum dimension of about two inches or 25 mm.

In one version, the second component may be fastened to the kickrails 6, 8. In a version using the free kickrail 6 as previously described, the second component 28 may be formed substantially the same as first component 26 as shown in Figure 1H.

Referring now to Figures 3A to 3C and 7D to 7F, a version of the second component 28 includes a perpendicular fastening portion: e.g., the second component 28 may be in the form of a comer sleeve. This second component 28 includes a receiving portion 44 for receiving the third component 30 and an attachment portion 46 for fastening the second component 28 to (or installation on) the cabinetry 12 or other surface. The attachment portion 46 is at a right angle to (i.e., perpendicular to) the receiving portion 44, thus forming an L-shaped bracket that can be fastened to the perpendicular wall 17 (i.e., cabinetry legs or a wall) that is at a right angle to the removable kickrail 4. This version of the third component 30 may therefore be referred to as an "L-shaped fastening component". In this version, the slot 40 is formed in the receiving portion 44. Preferably, the slot 40 has a width of about 1 to 4 mm. This comer sleeve version is required when one or both ends 41, 43 of the removable kickrail 4 are adjacent a wall 17, e.g., as shown in Figure II for both ends. As shown in Figure 3C, the second component 28 may have a plurality of mounting stmctures in the form of multiple drilling holes 42 for fastening to or installation on the cabinetry 12 or other surfaces adjacent the niche 14. Preferably, the multiple mounting stmctures are on the attachment portion 46. Holes 48 may also be provided on the receiving portion 44. The second component 28 may be fastened to the side panel 18, kickrail 6, 8, wall 17 or other suitable adjacent surface. The second component 28 may be fastened or installed by use of screws. Other fastening methods known in the art may also be used, such as adhesive between the kickrail 4 and the second component 28, and/or nails through the holes 48. The version of the second component 28 forming an L-bracket is suitably adapted to being mounted in a variety of wall arrangements. For example, the second component 28 may be used in circumstances where the kickrail 6 has a free face with no supporting wall 17 by fastening the receiving portion 44 of the second component 28 to the adjacent kickrail 6 using the holes 48: in this installation, the attachment portion 46 need not be fastened to anything. The second component 28 may also be used in circumstances where the kickrail 8 is supported by the supporting wall 17. In this case, the second component 28 may be used by fastening the attachment portion 46 of the second component 28 to the wall 17, as shown in Figures 1C, IF and 1G on one side, Figure II on both sides, and Figure 7C.

Referring now to Figures ID, 4A and 4B, the third component 30 is for engaging the first component 26 with the second component 28 to hold the removable kickrail 4 in alignment with the adjacent kickrails 6, 8 of the cabinetry 12 adjacent the niche 14.

The third component 30 is configured to reversibly engage with the slots 36 and 40 of the first component 26 and second component 28, respectively. The third component 30 includes an engaging portion 50 that slides into the slots 36 and 40, wherein the engaging portion 50 is tapered for guiding the engaging portion 50 centrally into the slots 36 and 40 as shown in Figures ID and 1J. The third component 30 may be referred to as a "tongue component" because the attachment portion 50 can be shaped like a tongue, or as a "key" because it reversibly locks the first component 26 to the second component 28.

The third component 30 has a friction fit with the first component 26, so the engaging portion 50 can be slid into the first component by hand (using a person's fingers) to be partially inserted into the first component as shown in Figures IE, IF and 6C, and held there by the first component while moving the kickrail 4 into place by hand, including turning it over without falling out, but to still be easily pushed/pulled by hand (using the fingers) to be fully inserted into the first fastening component to engage with the second component 28 (once the kickrail 4 in place) as shown in Figures 1G to II and 7A to 7C (for the comer sleeve version). The third component 30 is reversibly engaged with the first component 26 and the second component 28 so it can be removed (i.e., disengaged) from the second component 28 and the first component 26 by hand (using fingers). The third component 30 may include an engaging portion 50 (that engages the first component 26 with the second component 28) and a grip portion 52 that is configured to be pushed and/or pulled by hand (specifically by the fingers) to engage and to disengage the first component 26 and the second component 28. The grip portion 52 may be at a right angle to the engaging portion 50. The third component 30 is configured to be engaged by hand to engage and to disengage the first component 26 and second component 28. The grip portion 52 is sized so that it is easily identified by finger touch, when not visible and also so that sufficient force may be exerted on the third component 30 to engage the first component 26 and the second component 28 by hand. Preferably, the force required will be easy to be provide with a person's fingers — accordingly, the grip 52 may be referred to as a "finger handle". Preferably, the grip portion 52 also has a dimension D shown in Figure 4A of at least 10 mm. The third component 30 may be formed by upturning one edge of a flat sheet of metal (e.g., steel), plastic or other suitable material to form the grip portion 52 and the engaging portion 50.

In another version, the third component 30 is prevented from falling out of the first component 26 by a mechanical connection between the third component 30 and the first component 26 that still allows relative movement of the third component 30 through the first component 26 (to engage and disengage with the second component 28). The mechanical connection may include a hinge.

Preferably, the third component 30 is at least in one dimension smaller than at least one of the slots 36, 40 of the first component 26 or second component 28. For example, the width of the engaging portion 50 may be less than the height of the slots 36, 40. Although sizing the third component 30 to be smaller than the slots 36, 40 will allow slight movement of the kickrail 4, this sizing allows for the first component 26 and second component 28 to be positioned with lower accuracy than would otherwise be required.

The kickrail 4 is held in alignment with the cabinetry 12 when the third component 30 is engaged with the first component 26 and the second component 28. When the kickrail 4 is held in alignment with the kickrails 6, 8, an outer surface 34 of removable kickrail 4 is substantially flush with an outer surface 35 of kickrail 6, 8. The second component 28 being fastened or installed to the cabinetry 12 instead of the appliance 2, means that the removable kickrail 4 remains in position irrespective of whether the appliance 2 is moved. Preferably, the components are made from metal (e.g., steel), plastic and/or other suitable material known in the art. Thus the first component, the second component and/or the third component can include or be formed of metal and/or plastic, and/or other materials.

Preferably the system 24 includes two of each component for respective ends (right and left) of the kickrail 4, i.e., two of the first component 26, two of the second component 28, and two of the third component 30, which may be provided as a kit for fastening the removable kickrail 4 in the niche 14.

A combination of the system 24 and the appliance itself may be described as an arrangement or kit, e.g., prior to installation or once installed in the niche 14.

The kickrail 4 may be fastened to the cabinetry 12 in the niche 14 for the appliance 2 by: a. fastening the first component 26 to the kickrail 4as shown in Figure IB; b. fastening the second component 28 to the cabinetry 12adjacentthe niche 14 as shown in Figure 1C; c . engaging the third component 30 with the first component 26 to hold the third component 30 to the kickrail 4 while the kickrail 4 is moved and positioned (by hand) as shown in Figure IE; d. positioning the kickrail 4 with the first and third components 26, 30 attached thereto in its place in front of the niche 14 as shown in Figure IF; and e . engaging the first component 26 with the second component 28 with the third component 30 — preferably by sliding the third component 30 into or past the first component 26 to slide into engagement with the second component 28 — to hold the removable kickrail 4 in alignment with the adjacent kickrail 6, 8 adjacent the niche 14, as shown in Figures lGto IF In order to align the second component 28 correctly for installation, the first component 26 is fastened to the kickrail 4, the first component 26 and the second component 28 are then enganged and the removable kickrail 4 is aligned with the adjacent kickrails 6, 8. Aligning the second component 28 as such will result in the kickrail 4 being substantially flush with the cabinetry 12 or other desired surface.

Once the first component 26 and second component 28 are fastened or installed, the removable kickrail 4 may be easily removed and refastened to the cabinetry 12 by finger force allowing for the removal and replacement of the appliance 2 by a person's fingers reaching through the gap 32 above the removable kickrail 4.

To remove the fastened kickrail 4, a person may reach with their fingers through the gap 32 between the appliance 2 and the removable kickrail 4 and find the third component 30. Once all the third components 30 have been identified, they may be disengaged by hand from the second components 28. This releases the kickrail 4 and allows it to be removed. To refasten the kickrail 4, the reverse is performed. The kickrail 4 is aligned with adjacent kickrails 6, 8 and then the third components 30 are engaged with the first components 26 and the second components 28.

Polymer Version

A version of the system 24 for fastening the removable kickrail 4 in the niche 14 for the appliance 2 can be formed of any suitable plastic, i.e., polymer material known in the art. Preferably, the polymer material will be an engineering plastic. More preferably, the plastic will have a flexural modulus of at least 1.7 GPa and/or tensile strength of at least 36 MPa. Even more preferably the plastic will have a flexural modulus between 1.7 GPa and 2.9 GPa and/or tensile strength between 36 MPa and 85 MPa.

Suitable polymer materials may include polypropylene, ABS, POM (acetal), PA (nylon), polycarbonate and polycarbonate-ABS. For example, HG385MO polypropylene produced by Borealis may be a suitable polymer material for the system 24. The mechanical properties of the polymer material may be improved by the addition of other compounds, such as mineral fdlers and glass, to form a composite material.

The system 24 includes the first component 26, the second component 28 and/or the third component 30 formed of polymer material instead of metal; however, the operation of these components 26, 28 and 30 is the same as described hereinbefore.

The polymer version of the system 24 includes: a polymer straight sleeve 110 as the straight sleeve; a polymer comer sleeve 120 as the comer sleeve; and a polymer key 140 as the key that will engage the polymer straight sleeve 110 and polymer comer sleeve 120. As shown in Figure 8, the polymer straight sleeve 110 has approximately equivalent dimensions, including holes, to the metal straight sleeve described hereinbefore, e.g., it is a sleeve forming a rectangular prism with the slot 126 being formed from one face through to the opposed face. In some versions the polymer version of the system 24 may have greater wall thicknesses than the metal version and a wider slot 126. For example, the wall thickness and width of the slot 36 may be approximately 3 mm. The polymer key 140 may have a thickness of 2.8 mm. The polymer key 140 may provide a slight interference fit or friction fit when engaging with the slot 36. As shown in Figure 9A, the polymer comer sleeve 120 may include: the receiving portion 44 in the form of a receiving portion 128; and the attachment portion 46 in the form of a fastening portion 130 set at right angles, i.e., similar to other versions of the comer sleeve.

As shown in Figure 9A, the polymer comer sleeve 120 includes gussets 124 between an inner face 136 of the receiving portion 128 and an inner face 138 of the fastening portion 130, wherein the gussets 124 form a web between the two faces 136, 138. The gussets 124 may prevent the polymer comer sleeve 120 from deforming, thus maintaining the angle between the faces 136, 138 at 90 degrees. Deformation of the polymer comer sleeve 120 may occur as a result of external forces imparted upon the polymer comer sleeve 120, for example, during the assembly of the kickrail 4 or from inadvertent contact by a person operating the appliance 2. The gussets 124 may extend partially or the entire length of either of the inner faces 136, 138. The gussets may also be tapered such that they reduce in height along the width of the inner faces 136, 138 away from the comer formed between the receiving and fastening portions 128, 130 and toward the extremities of the polymer comer sleeve 120. There may be one or more gussets 124, a plurality of parallel gussets 124, or four parallel gussets 124 arranged symmetrically along each of the inner faces 136, 138 as shown in Figure 9A.

As shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the polymer comer sleeve 120 includes the slot 36 in the form of an open slot 126 (formed in the receiving portion 128) that is a through slot, such that it extends the entire length of the receiving portion 128. Thus, the slot 126 is only enclosed by the material of the receiving portion 128 on three sides and is open at the remaining three sides. This enables the third component 30 to be received by the second component 120 from multiple directions. Specifically, the third component 30 is able to enter the slot 126 from any of the three open sides. Other versions of the comer sleeve may also include the slot 36 in the form of an open slot 126, i.e., even non-polymer versions.

As shown in Figure 8, the polymer straight sleeve 110 can include one or more alignment markings to indicate preferred alignment of the polymer straight sleeve 110 in relation to another component 26,28 or the cabinetry 12. The polymer comer sleeve 120 may also have one or more alignment markings to indicate the alignment of the polymer comer sleeve 120 in relation to another component 26 or the cabinetry 12. The alignment marking(s) may be molded, engraved, painted or otherwise indicated on any of the components 110, 120, 140. The marking(s) may, for example, be a spot, line, triangle or arrow. As shown in Figures 8 and 9A, first component 110 may be marked with an arrow 112 and second component 120 may be marked with a line 122. Other versions of the straight sleeve and the comer sleeve may also include the alignment markings, i.e., even non-polymer versions.

As shown in Figure 9B, the polymer comer sleeve 120 may include a recessed region 132 at or adjacent the comer formed between the receiving portion 128 and fastening portion 130. The receiving and fastening portions 128, 130 may also have holes 142, 144 for supporting a fastening means. The holes 142, 144 may be circular or oval in shape. The recessed region 132 may exclude the area immediately adjacent the perimeter of the holes 142 to reduce the likelihood of the fastening means pulling through the second component 120.

Interpretation

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The recitation of a particular numerical value or value range herein is understood to include or be a recitation of an approximate numerical value or value range, for instance, within +/- 20%, +/- 15%, +/- 10%, +/- 5%, +/- 2.5%, +/- 2%, +/- 1%, +/- 0.5%, or +/- 0%.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.