Outer Enclosure for a Water Heating Appliance Having Separable Junction Box for Maintenance Access

This application claims priority to U.S. 63/568,486, filed on Mar. 22, 2024, entitled “AIR FUNNEL FOR A HEAT PUMP SYSTEM OF A WATER HEATER,” the disclosure to which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure generally relates to a water heating appliance, and more specifically, to a water heating appliance that includes an outer enclosure with panels that are separable from an externally-accessible junction box, and where internal components of the water heating appliance are accessible without moving or disconnecting the junction box.

Water heating appliances are utilized within various structures for providing heated water for various uses. These water heating appliances include heating elements for heating water within a reservoir or within a conduit of water. These heating elements can include electrically resistive heating elements, gas heating elements, and heat pump systems. For maintaining water heating appliances, access panels are provided within an outer housing. These access panels open to provide maintenance access to certain portions of the water heating appliance.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a water heating appliance includes a heating system that operates to heat a fluid that is received via a fluid inlet to define a heated fluid that is delivered to an external fixture. The heating system is attached to a base panel. A plurality of wall panels includes a front wall panel and a rear wall panel that cooperates to selectively define a perimeter wall that extends around at least the heating system and the base panel in a surrounding position. An electrical system is in communication with the heating system. The electrical system includes a junction box that is externally visible with the plurality of wall panels in the surrounding position. An attachment interface of the plurality of wall panels includes a sliding retainer of the front wall panel and a sliding receiver of the rear wall panel. The sliding retainer and the sliding receiver define an interlocking attachment in the surrounding position. The surrounding position is characterized by the rear wall panel being attached to the base panel and the front wall panel being attached to the base panel and the rear wall panel. The front wall panel includes a junction box slot that extends around the junction box in the surrounding position. Selective vertical motion of the front wall panel separates the sliding receiver from the sliding retainer to remove the front wall panel from the rear wall panel and to separate the junction box slot from the junction box. Removal of the front wall panel from the rear wall panel and the junction box define an open area for accessing at least the heating system.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a water heating appliance includes a heating system that is attached to a base panel. A front wall panel and a rear wall panel cooperate to selectively define a surrounding position that forms a cylindrical perimeter wall that extends around at least the heating system and the base panel. An electrical junction box is in communication with the heating system. The electrical junction box is externally visible with the cylindrical perimeter wall in the surrounding position. A top panel is attached to a top edge of the cylindrical perimeter wall in an enclosed position. The electrical junction box is attached to the base panel. An attachment interface includes a sliding retainer of the front wall panel and a sliding receiver of the rear wall panel. The sliding retainer and the sliding receiver define an interlocking attachment in the surrounding position, wherein the surrounding position is characterized by the rear wall panel being attached to the base panel and the front wall panel being attached to the base panel and the rear wall panel, the front wall panel includes a junction box slot within a bottom edge of the front wall panel that extends around the electrical junction box in the surrounding position, selective vertical motion of the front wall panel separates the sliding receiver from the sliding retainer to separate the junction box slot from the electrical junction box, and removal of the front wall panel from the rear wall panel and the electrical junction box defines an open area for accessing at least the heating system.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a water heating appliance includes a base panel. A front wall panel and a rear wall panel cooperate to selectively and partially form a cylindrical perimeter wall that defines an upper housing therein. An electrical junction box is configured to be in communication with an electrical system, wherein the electrical junction box is attached to the base panel and forms a portion of the cylindrical perimeter wall. A top panel is attached to a top edge of the cylindrical perimeter wall in an enclosed position. An attachment interface includes a sliding retainer of the front wall panel and a sliding receiver of the rear wall panel. The sliding retainer and the sliding receiver define an interlocking attachment of the cylindrical perimeter wall, wherein the rear wall panel of the cylindrical perimeter wall is attached to the base panel, and the front wall panel of the cylindrical perimeter wall is attached to the base panel, the rear wall panel, and the electrical junction box. The front wall panel includes a junction box slot within a bottom edge of the front wall panel that extends around the electrical junction box to define the cylindrical perimeter wall. Selective vertical motion of the front wall panel separates the sliding receiver from the sliding retainer to separate the junction box slot from the electrical junction box. Removal of the front wall panel from the rear wall panel and the electrical junction box defines an open area for accessing the upper housing.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a perimeter wall of a water heating appliance that includes a plurality of wall panels that are separable from one another and from the remainder of the water heating appliance without disturbing a junction box of the water heating appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items, can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

As used herein, the term “about” means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term “about” is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites “about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modified by “about.” It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point.

The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Referring to, reference numeralgenerally designates a perimeter wall having a plurality of wall panelsthat surround and protect internal components of a water heating appliance. The water heating applianceincludes a heating systemthat operates to heat a fluid, typically water, that is received via a fluid inletto define a heated fluidthat is delivered to an external fixture via a fluid outlet. The heating systemis attached to a base panel. A plurality of wall panels, including a front wall paneland a rear wall panel, cooperate to selectively define the perimeter wallthat extends around at least the heating systemand the base panel. The plurality of wall panelscooperate to define a surrounding positionthat at least partially encloses the heating systemand the base panel. An electrical systemis in communication with the heating system. The electrical systemincludes a junction boxthat is externally visible with the plurality of wall panelsin the surrounding position. An attachment interfaceof the plurality of wall panelsincludes a sliding retainerof the front wall paneland a sliding receiverof the rear wall panel. The sliding retainerand the sliding receiverdefine an interlocking engagementin the surrounding position. The surrounding positionis characterized by the rear wall panelbeing attached to the base paneland the front wall panelbeing attached to the base panel, as well as the rear wall panel. The front wall panelincludes a junction box slotthat extends around the junction boxin the surrounding position. Selective vertical motionof the front wall panelrelative to the rear wall panelseparates the sliding receiverfrom the sliding retainer. This vertical motionof the front wall paneloperates to remove the front wall panelfrom the rear wall paneland also to separate the junction box slotfrom the junction box. It is contemplated that removal of the front wall panelfrom the rear wall paneland the junction boxdefines an open areafor accessing at least the heating systemof the water heating appliance.

Through this configuration, the front wall panelcan be removed from the water heating applianceto provide a large open areathrough which the heating systemcan be accessed. This heating system, typically in the form of a heat pump system, an electrically resistive heating system, a gas heating system, and other similar heating systems, may require maintenance. Removal of the front wall panelprovides the open areathat allows a technician to easily access the heating systemfor repair and replacement of certain component parts of the water heating appliance. Additionally, because the front wall panelhaving the junction box slotis separable from the junction box, the electrical components of the water heating appliancedo not need to be moved or otherwise disturbed in order to expose and maintain inner components of the water heating appliance. Accordingly, removal of the wall panelsof the water heating appliance, under the configuration disclosed herein, is an unobtrusive process that requires removal of minimal parts and does not require accessing or substantial manipulation of electrical components of the water heating appliance.

Referring again to, the water heating appliance, such as a water heater, includes an outer enclosurethat surrounds portions of the water heating applianceand components contained therein. The outer enclosurecan include multiple components for surrounding and protecting different aspects of the water heating appliance.

As exemplified in, the outer enclosurecan include a lower housingand an upper housing, which includes the front wall paneland the rear wall panel. The lower housingis configured to surround a reservoirand certain heating components that may surround the reservoir. It is contemplated that these heating components can include resistive heating elements, gas-powered heating elements, and certain heat exchangers for providing heat to the water within the reservoir. The upper housingcan include the heat pump systemand a blowerthat is in thermal communication with an evaporator, or other heat exchanger, of the heat pump system. The heat pump systemcan operate as the primary heat source for the water heating appliance. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the heat pump systemcan act as a secondary or supplemental heat source for heating water to be delivered from the water heating appliance.

Referring again to, the outer enclosurecan include a plurality of panels that can be separable from the remainder of the outer enclosurefor providing access to certain locations of the water heating appliance. As described herein, the upper housingincludes the perimeter wallthat is made up of a plurality of wall panels. The upper housingalso includes the first top paneland the second top panelthat can be attached to the plurality of wall panelsof the upper housing.

Referring again to, during operation of the heat pump systemfor the water heating appliance, an air inletis disposed within the second top panel, where the blowerdraws ambient air into the upper housingthrough the air inlet. This ambient air passes through a heat exchanger, typically in the form of an evaporator. Within the evaporator, heat is extracted from the ambient air and is directed into a thermal exchange mediaor directly into the water to be heated. After leaving the evaporator, the now cooled air is directed through the blower, and the cooled air is expelled through an air outletthat is defined within the first top panel. The air inletand the air outletcan each include a grillor other feature that provides support and structural integrity to each of the air inletand the air outlet, respectively. The air outletcan also include an air filterthat can be used for capturing particulate within the cooled process air leaving the evaporator. This air filtercan be separated from a filter slotof the grillfor the air outletfor periodic cleaning and/or replacement.

Referring again to, the evaporatorfor the heat pump systemextracts heat from the ambient air and delivers this heat to the reservoirof the water heating applianceor to another area where water is heated. The water to be heated is delivered into the water heating appliancethrough the fluid inlet. The heated water is then delivered from the water heating applianceto an external location via the fluid outlet. The fluid inletand the fluid outleteach pass through the top coverof the upper housing. As described herein, the top coverof the upper housingincludes the first top paneland the second top panelthat combine to provide the top enclosure for the upper housing. The fluid inletand the fluid outletare typically in the form of a flexible conduit. This flexible conduitcan be a flexible plastic conduit, a flexible metal conduit, or a flexible conduitthat includes pasting and metallic components. It is contemplated that more rigid conduits can be used for the fluid inletand the fluid outlet.

As exemplified in, the upper housingcan include a control panelfor operating the various components of the water heating appliance. The junction boxcan also be included within an area of the upper housing. According to the various aspects of the device, the junction boxis separate from the wall panelsof the upper housingsuch that removal of the various wall panelsof the upper housingdoes not affect the operation, location, or placement of the junction boxor the wiring that extends into or out from the junction box.

Referring again to, the outer enclosureof the water heating appliancealso includes a relief valvethat allows certain amounts of water from a reservoirto be released for decreasing the pressure within the water heating appliance. The water heating appliancecan also include a drainthat is positioned within a bottom portion of the outer enclosureto drain certain amounts of water from the reservoir.

Referring to, the blowerand the heat pump systemcan be mounted onto the base plate. This base plate operates to separate the upper housingfrom the lower housingand to provide structural support for the blowerand the heat pump system. The components of the heat pump systemlocated within the upper housingcan include the evaporator, the compressor, at least one expansion device, and the blower. Various other components can also be included within the upper housing. The condensing portionof the heat pump systemis typically positioned adjacent to or in thermal communication with the reservoiror conduit where the water is heated for the water heating appliance.

During operation of the heat pump system, a thermal exchange media, such as a refrigerant, water, or other similar thermal exchange media, can be delivered from the compressorand through a refrigerant loop. The heat exchange media leaving the compressoris pressurized and heated, typically in the form of a gas. This form of a heat exchange media is then directed to a condensing portionof the heat pump systemwhere heat is rejected into a separate media. In the case of the water heating appliance, this separate media is the water to be heated. The condensing portionof the heat exchange system expels the heat from the thermal exchange mediaand directs this heat into the water to be heated. As discussed herein, this water to be heated can be within the reservoiror within a conduit of water that is heated as it moves through the condensing portionof the heat pump system. After leaving the condensing portionof the heat pump system, the heat exchange media is delivered to the expansion device. Within the expansion device, the heat exchange media, which is now cooled, is expanded into a liquid form. This cooled liquid form of the heat exchange media is then delivered to the evaporatorof the heat pump system. Within the evaporator, the heat exchange media absorbs heat from the ambient air moving through the evaporatordue to operation of the blower. The heat exchange media leaving the evaporatoris in the form of a heated gas that is then returned to the compressorto begin this cycle of the refrigerant loopagain.

According to the various aspects of the device, as exemplified in, and as described herein, various outer panels of the outer enclosureare separable from the outer enclosurefor maintaining components of the heat pump system, the blower, and other components of the water heating appliance.

Referring again to, the water heating applianceincludes the heating systemthat is attached to the base panel. The front wall paneland the rear wall panelcooperate to selectively define a surrounding positionthat forms a cylindrical perimeter wallthat extends around at least the heating systemand the base panel. The electrical junction boxis in communication with the heating system. The electrical junction boxis externally visible with the cylindrical perimeter wallin the surrounding position. A top panel is attached to a top edgeof the cylindrical perimeter wallin an enclosed position. The electrical junction boxis attached to the base panel. The attachment interfaceof the plurality of wall panelsincludes the sliding retainerof the front wall paneland the sliding receiverof the rear wall panel. The sliding retainerand the sliding receiverdefine an interlocking attachment in the surrounding position. The surrounding positionis characterized by the rear wall panelbeing attached to the base panel, and the front wall panelbeing attached to the base paneland the rear wall panel. The front wall panelincludes the junction box slotwithin a bottom edgeof the front wall panel. This junction box slotextends around a substantial portion of the electrical junction boxin the surrounding position. Selective vertical motionof the front wall panelseparates the receiver from the sliding retainerand also separates the junction box slotfrom the electrical junction box. Removal of the front wall panelfrom the rear wall paneland the junction boxdefines an open areafor accessing at least the heating system.

Referring again to, the sliding receiverof the front wall panelincludes at least one flange, and typically a pair of opposing flanges, that are defined within the front wall panel. These opposing flangesare stamped within the front wall paneland are bent to form the shape of the opposing flangesthat interact with the sliding receiverof the rear wall panel. The opposing flanges, cooperate with a wall portionof the front wall panelto form a receiving spacewithin which a portion of the rear wall panelsurrounding the sliding receivercan be received and selectively retained. It is contemplated, in certain aspects of the device, that the pair of opposing flangescan be attached to the inner surfaceof the front wall panel. Typically, the opposing flangeswill be integral with the structure of the front wall panel. When the sliding retainerof the front wall paneland the sliding receiverof the rear wall panelare engaged, the front wall paneland the rear wall paneldefine a cylindrical configuration of the perimeter wall. It is contemplated that other shapes of the perimeter wallare contemplated. Typically, a cylindrical shape is formed. It is also contemplated that various polynomial shapes can also be used to define the perimeter of the wall.

Referring again to, the water heating appliancecan include the control panelthat is in communication with at least the junction boxand the heating system. The control panelis disposed within a control receptaclethat is defined within the front wall panel. Typically, the control receptacleis an aperture that is cut, stamped, or otherwise defined within the front wall panel. The control panelis attached to the electrical systemvia the wire harness. It is contemplated that the wire harnesscan extend from the junction boxto the control panel.

When the front wall panelis to be removed from the water heating appliance, it may be convenient to remove the control panelfrom the front wall panel. This can be accomplished by removing various latches, fasteners, or interference mechanisms that secure the control panelwithin the control receptacleof the front wall panel. The control panel, when desired, can be removed from the electrical systemby unplugging a wire harnessfrom the control panel. In certain aspects of the device, the control panelcan be removed along with the front wall panel.

Referring again to, the sliding receiverof the rear wall panelcan include a top openingand a lower guide portion. The top openingcan be sized to allow the opposing flangesof the sliding retainerto pass therethrough. The lower guide portioncan then be used to guide the downward movement of the front wall paneland the opposing flangesinto a retaining slotof the sliding retainer. Once the opposing flangesof the sliding retainerare positioned within the retaining slot, the front wall paneland the rear wall panelare in the surrounding position.

Referring again to, the top coverof the water heating applianceengages the perimeter wallto define an enclosed position of the top cover. It is contemplated that the front wall panelcan be selectively separable from the rear wall panelafter at least a portion of the top panel is removed from a top edgeof the perimeter wall.

As exemplified in, the top panel can include a first cover panel and a second cover panel. Where the second cover panel is removed from the top edgeof the perimeter wall, the front wall panelcan be separated from the rear wall panelto define the open areafor accessing the heating systemof the water heating appliance. In this manner, the front wall panelcan be removed from the rear wall panelwithout first removing the first cover panel of the top cover.

Referring again to, the base panelincludes a plurality of tabsthat receive slotsof the front wall paneland the rear wall panel. The slotsof the front wall paneland the rear wall panelalign and engage with the tabsof the base panelto properly align the front wall paneland the rear wall panelin the surrounding positionwith respect to the heat pump systemand other internal components of the water heating appliance. The junction boxis typically attached to the base panel. The junction box slotis defined within a bottom edgeof the front wall paneland slidably engages the junction box. In addition to the sliding retainerbeing guided by the sliding receiver, the junction box slotis guided into the surrounding positionby the outer surface of the junction box. The engagement of these surfaces also serves to guide the front wall paneland the rear wall panelinto the surrounding positionand into engagement of the various tabsof the base panel.

Referring now to, the junction boxincludes the box memberand a plurality of box coversthat enclose a box interiorof the junction box. Wiring extending into and out from the junction boxis organized to extend through a grommetthat is attached to a back wall of the box member. A base flangeof the junction boxis attached to the base panel. This base flangesecures the box memberand the remainder of the junction boxto the base panelvia fasteners, adhesives, welding, or other methods. The junction boxalso includes a perimeter flange. The perimeter flangeextends outward from the box member. As will be described more fully herein, the front wall panelincludes a contoured lower edge that extends around the box memberand is secured behind the perimeter flange. In this manner, when the front wall panelis in place, the box coversof the junction boxare visible and accessible through the perimeter wall.

Referring again to, the positioning of the junction boxto be flush or substantially flush with the perimeter wallprevents a gap in the insulation that is disposed in the inside surface of the outer enclosure. This positioning also creates greater serviceability through the junction box. Accordingly, where the junction boxneeds to be accessed, only the box coversneed to be removed. Additionally, when internal components of the water heating applianceneed to be accessed, the front wall panelcan be removed without disturbing the junction boxor the wiring associated with the junction box.

Referring again to, the junction boxcan include one or more box coversthat can selectively enclose the junction box. These box panels can be separated from the structure of the junction boxto provide access into the junction box. The junction boxof the electrical systemcan be used to house various electrical wiring, and other electrical components that are used to operate the water heating appliance. The junction boxcan also include various components that are frequently replaced or maintained for effective operation of the water heating appliance. It is typical that the junction boxwill receive various electrical wires from various components of the water heating appliance. These wires that extend into the junction boxvia the grommetmay be inconvenient to move or relocate during maintenance of the water heating appliance. By attaching the junction boxto the base paneland allowing for removal of the front wall panelwithout disturbing the junction box, maintenance of the water heating appliancecan be achieved without manipulating or disturbing these wires or the junction box.

Referring again to, removal of the front wall panelprovides access to the heating system. As discussed herein, it is typical that the heating systemis in the form of a heat pump system. Removal of the front wall panelprovides access to the heat pump systemfor maintaining components thereof. Removal of the rear wall panelprovides access to a blowerof the water heating appliance, as well as certain aspects of an evaporatoror other heat-absorbing heat exchanger.

Referring now to, the front wall paneland the rear wall panelcan include two sets of the attachment interface. A first sliding retainerand a second sliding retainercan be positioned to align with a first sliding receiverand a second sliding receiver, respectively. It is contemplated that the first sliding retainerand the first sliding receivercan be positioned at a different vertical orientation than the second sliding retainerand the second sliding receiver. This ensures that the front wall paneland the rear wall panelare properly aligned when installed with one another. By varying the locations of the respective attachment interfaces, installation of the front wall panelin an inverted position can be prevented.

As exemplified in, a bottom edgeof the perimeter wallincludes a plurality of slotsthat engage the tabsof the base panel. These slotscan be in the form of cutouts, or bent portions of the perimeter wallthat define aligning apertures of the bottom edgeof the perimeter wall. The tabsof the base panelcan be integral tabsor can be attached features, such as fasteners, or other similar interference mechanism that can be received within the slotsof the perimeter wall. The front wall paneland the rear wall panelutilize these slotsthat align with the various tabsof the base panel. The slotsof the perimeter walland the tabsof the base panelcan be positioned uniformly around the base panel. Alternatively, the slotsand tabscan be spaced in a particular pattern or configuration that promotes a single orientation of the front wall paneland the rear wall panelwith respect to the base panel. Misalignment of the front wall panelor the rear wall panelwith respect to the base panelcan be discouraged through misalignment of the slotsof the perimeter wallwith the tabsof the base panel.

As exemplified in, the top edgeof the front wall paneland the rear wall panelinclude a lipthat receives portions of the top cover. This lipcan be used to align the first cover panel and the second cover panel on to the perimeter wall. In this manner, the top edgeof the perimeter wallcan include a notch, a plurality of notches, or other similar cutouts that receive and align at least the first cover panel, as well as the second cover panel of the top coverwith the perimeter walland the components of the water heating appliance. Typically, the notcheswill be used to align the first cover panel of the top cover. The second cover panel of the top covercan then be disposed onto the top edgeof the perimeter walland into engagement with the seat of the first cover panel of the top cover.

As exemplified in, the front wall paneland/or the rear wall panelcan include various relief formations that provide structural integrity to the front wall paneland the rear wall panel. These relief formations prevent inward deflection. Such inward deflection may cause damage to the internal components of the water heating applianceif not prevented.

Referring again to, the bottom edgeof the perimeter wallcan include the slotsthat engage the tabsof the base panel. It is also contemplated that fastening aperturescan also be defined within or near the lower edge of the perimeter wallto secure fasteners that extend through the perimeter walland into the base panel.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.