Interlocking and sealing arrangement for modular domestic appliances

摘要

A domestic or household appliance is provided which includes a plurality of side panels and a base panel, each of the panels having cooperating integral interlocking means in the edges thereof so that the panels may be manufactured at one location and shipped in knockdown form to another location. The side panels may then be readily assembled on the base panel by unskilled personnel without the use of tools or separate fastening means by simple engagement of the interlocking means in the panel edges. This interlocking means includes a plurality of elongated slots in the base panel which extend inwardly and downwardly at an angle to the vertical and projecting tongues in the bottom edges of the side panels which extend at a similar angle to the vertical and are adapted to be inserted into the slots by movement of the side panel along the angle to the vertical. Cooperating interlocking shoulders on the base panel and the side panels are engaged as the tongues are inserted into the slots. Adjacent vertical edges of the side panels are also provided with cooperating tongue and groove means which extend inwardly and downwardly at the angle to the vertical and facilitate insertion of the tongues of the end panels into the slots in the front and rear panels. The adjacent vertical edges of the side panels also have cooperating interlocking shoulders which are engaged as the end panels are assembled on the front and rear panels.