US 12,460,858 B2
Snap fit attachment feature for a mullion assembly of a refrigerator appliance
James Gibson, Louisville, KY (US); Gopi Krishna Vulava, Louisville, KY (US); and Matthew Davis, Louisville, KY (US)
Assigned to Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Jul. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/349,876.
Prior Publication US 2025/0020391 A1, Jan. 16, 2025
Int. Cl. F25D 23/06 (2006.01)
CPC F25D 23/065 (2013.01) [F25D 23/063 (2013.01); F25D 2400/04 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the refrigerator appliance comprising:
a case body, the case body comprising a first front lip and a second front lip, the first front lip and the second front lip spaced apart approximately along the lateral direction; and
a mullion assembly attached to the case body, the mullion assembly extending from a first end to a second end approximately along the lateral direction, the mullion assembly comprising:
a cosmetic mullion;
a stiffener attached to the cosmetic mullion;
a first mullion clip attached to the stiffener at the first end of the mullion assembly;
a second mullion clip attached to the stiffener at the second end of the mullion assembly;
a first flange assembly positioned at the first end, wherein the first flange assembly is attached to the first front lip by a snap fit; and
a second flange assembly positioned at the second end of the mullion assembly, wherein the second flange assembly is attached to the second front lip by a snap fit.