U.S. patent application number 10/755351 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-13 for cover panel unit for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to YOSHIOKA ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Yoshioka, Masato.
Application Number | 20050006997 10/755351 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33562707 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050006997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshioka, Masato |
January 13, 2005 |
Cover panel unit for refrigerator
Abstract
A cover panel unit for a refrigerator is provided in which a
replacement of a door panel covering the front of the refrigerator
is easily conducted. A cover panel unit 1 has an outer side panel
2a and an inner side panel 3a for covering lateral sides of the
right door 23, and an outer side panel 2b and an inner side panel
3b for covering lateral sides of the left door 24, and a front
panel 6a for covering the front side of the right door 23 being
engaged with the outer side panel 2a and the inner side panel 3a,
and a front panel 6b for covering the front side of the left door
24 being engaged with the outer side panel 2b and the inner side
panel 3b. Grips 37, 37 are fixed to the inner side panels 3a, 3b
respectively.
Inventors: |
Yoshioka, Masato;
(Chikusa-ku, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARENT FOX KINTNER PLOTKIN & KAHN, PLLC
Suite 600
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington
DC
20036-5339
US
|
Assignee: |
YOSHIOKA ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION CO.,
LTD
|
Family ID: |
33562707 |
Appl. No.: |
10/755351 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/405 ;
312/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2400/06 20130101;
F25D 23/02 20130101; F25D 2400/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/405 ;
312/204 |
International
Class: |
A47B 097/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 9, 2003 |
JP |
2003-272460 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cover panel unit for a refrigerator provided for covering the
front of the refrigerator comprising: a pair of lateral side panels
for covering the left and right sides of a door, and a front panel
for covering the front of the door being engaged with the lateral
side panels, wherein a grip of the door is fixed integrally with
one of the lateral side panels.
2. A cover panel unit for a refrigerator according to claim 1,
wherein each of the lateral side panels has guide grooves facing to
each other at the front thereof, and the front panel is provided
for covering the front of the door being engaged with the guide
grooves.
3. A cover panel unit for a refrigerator according to claim 1,
wherein each of the lateral side panels has portions abutting on
the front, the lateral sides and the back of the door, so that a
cross sectional view thereof is open box shaped.
4. A cover panel unit for a refrigerator according to claim 1,
wherein the front panel is provided at the front of the door with a
foam resin sheet inserted therebetween.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Application
Number 2003-272460 filed Jul. 09, 2003 the entirety of which is
incorporated by reference.
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a cover panel unit provided
such that it covers the front of a refrigerator.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A cover panel unit is often provided at the front of a
refrigerator for a purpose of improving an appearance thereof or
obtaining a new design. A conventional cover panel unit has a door
panel which is formed integrally. In order to provide the door
panel with a refrigerator, these steps used to be required; (1) a
grip has to be previously detached from a door of the refrigerator,
(2) the door panel is attached to the door, (3) the grip is
attached with a screw again. (for example, Japanese Unexamined
Patent (Kokai) Publication No. 6(1994)-238048)
[0006] However, in the conventional cover unit, a grip has to be
once detached before a replacement and should be attached
thereafter in case a replacement of a door panel is required due to
a stain or a scar. However, it takes time and labor to detach the
door panel and then attach the same, which can be a problem.
[0007] An object of the present invention is to overcome the above
problem and to provide a cover panel unit for a refrigerator in
which replacement of a door panel covering the front of the
refrigerator is easily conducted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The configuration according to a first aspect among
configurations of the present invention, is a cover panel unit for
a refrigerator provided for covering the front of the refrigerator
comprising a pair of lateral side panels for covering the left and
right sides of a door, and a front panel for covering the front of
the door being engaged with the lateral side panels, wherein a grip
of the door is fixed integrally with one of the lateral side
panels.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a cover panel unit for a refrigerator according to the
first aspect, wherein each of the lateral side panels has guide
grooves facing to each other at the front thereof, and the front
panel is provided for covering the front of the door being engaged
with the guide grooves.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a cover panel unit for a refrigerator according to the
first aspect, wherein each of the lateral side panels has portions
abutting on the front, the lateral sides and the back of the door,
so that a cross sectional view thereof is open box shaped.
[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a cover panel unit for a refrigerator according to the
first aspect, wherein the front panel is provided at the front of
the door with a foam resin sheet inserted there between.
[0012] In a cover panel unit for a refrigerator according to the
first aspect, replacement of the front panel is easily conducted
without attaching or detaching the grip when the front panel has a
stain or a scar.
[0013] In a cover panel unit for a refrigerator according to the
second aspect, replacement of the front panel is easily conducted
by sliding the same along the guide groove.
[0014] In a cover panel unit for a refrigerator according to the
third aspect, it is possible to mount fixedly the lateral side
panels on the door of the refrigerator even when they are used for
a long time. As a result, the lateral side panels do not be
displaced or detached.
[0015] In a cover panel unit for a refrigerator according to the
fourth aspect, the front panel can be stable in the guide
groove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a refrigerator before
attaching a cover panel unit.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a refrigerator after
attaching a cover panel unit.
[0018] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a condition that a
right door cover unit is detached from the right door.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an inner side
panel.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a condition (seen from
the top) that an outer side panel and an inner side panel are
attached to the right door.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a condition (seen from
the top) that a front panel is attached to the right door.
[0022] FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing an upper edge of the
right side of the right door with an upper side panel attached.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] An embodiment of a cover panel unit for a refrigerator
according to the present invention will be described in detail
below with reference to the figures.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator before attaching a cover panel
unit. A refrigerator 21 has a main body 22 with a right door and a
left door which are mounted at the front of the main body. The
right door and the left door are pivotally fixed around an outer
edge by hinges 25, 25 so that it is capable of opening and closing
in one direction. (It should be noted that FIG. 1 shows a right
door 23 and a left door 24 without a grip.) In addition, at a
slight inner portion of the periphery of the right door 23 and the
left door 24 (which faces to the main body 22), an adhesive
maintenance member (not shown) is mounted for maintaining a
desirable adherence to the main body 22. There is a small clearance
between the main body 22, and the periphery of the right door 23
and the left door 24.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a refrigerator with a cover panel unit
attached. A cover panel 1 is constituted of a right door cover unit
U1 for covering a right door 23 and a left door cover unit U2 for
covering a left door 24. The right door cover unit U1 comprises an
outer side panel 2a which serves as a side panel for covering an
outer side of the right door 23, an inner side panel 3a which
serves as a side panel for covering an inner side of the right door
23, an upper side panel 4a for covering the upper side of the right
door 23, a bottom side panel 5a for covering the bottom side of the
right door 23 and a front panel 6a for covering the front side of
the right door 23. The left door cover unit U2 comprises an outer
side panel 2b for covering an outer side of the left door 24, an
inner side panel 3b for covering an inner side of the left door 24,
an upper side panel 4b for covering the upper side of the left door
24, a bottom side panel 5b for covering the bottom side of the left
door 24 and a front panel 6b for covering the front side of the
left door 24. It should be noted that the outer side panel 2b, the
inner side panel 3b, the upper side panel 4b and the bottom side
panel 5b of the left door cover unit U2 are corresponding to the
outer side panel 2a, the inner side panel 3a, the upper side panel
4a and the bottom side panel 5a of the right cover unit
respectively. That is, they are symmetrical and have the same basic
configuration. Therefore, only the right door cover unit U1 will be
explained.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a condition of attaching the right door cover
unit U1 to the right door 23. The outer side panel 2a is integrated
in a shape of a plate made of metal (aluminum) with a height
slightly higher than the right door 23. A front abutment portion 8
and a back abutment portion 9 are provided such that they are
perpendicular to an outer abutment plate 7 at the front and back
edge of the outer abutment plate 7 which abuts the outer side of
the right door 23. A plurality of screw holes 11, 11 . . . are worn
at the front abutment portion 8 along the longitudinal direction. A
guide portion 10 is provided at the front of the front abutment
portion 8 along the longitudinal direction thereof perpendicularly.
The guide portion 10 and the front abutment portion 8 constitute a
guide groove 38. A screw hole 32 is provided for threadably
attaching the upper side panel 4a at the base of the upper end of
the front abutment portion 8. This outer side panel 2a is attached
to cover the outer side of the right door 23 by inserting the outer
edge of the right door 23 between the front abutment portion 8 and
the back abutment portion 9 and then threadably attaching the
wearing portion of the screw holes 11, 11 . . . to the front of the
right door 23. When the outer side panel 2a is thus attached, the
inner portion of the front abutment portion 8 abuts the front of
the right door 23 and the inner portion of the back abutment
portion 9 abuts the back of the right door 23.
[0027] Similar to the outer side panel 2a, the inner side panel 3a
is integrated in a shape of a plate made of metal (aluminum) with a
height slightly higher than the right door 23. A front abutment
portion 13 and a back abutment portion 14 are provided such that
they are perpendicular to an inner abutment plate 12 at the front
and back edge of the inner abutment plate 12 which abuts the inner
side of the right door 23. FIG. 4 shows the left side of the inner
side panel 3a. Two screw holes 15, 15 . . . are worn respectively
at slightly lower portion than the upper end, around the center and
slightly upper portion than the bottom end of the inner abutment
portion 12 aligning horizontally. At the front of the front
abutment portion 13, a grip holding portion 36 which is in a flat
shape is provided being parallel to the front abutment portion 13.
A grip 37 is integrally provided to the grip holding portion 36. It
should be noted that the height of the grip 37 is slightly higher
than the right door 23. A guide portion 20 is provided at the inner
side of the grip holding portion 36 along the longitudinal
direction of the front abutment portion 13 perpendicularly. The
guide portion 20 and the grip holding portion 36 constitute a guide
groove 39. This inner side panel 3a is attached to cover the inner
side of the right door 23 by inserting the inner edge of the right
door 23 between the front abutment portion 13 and the back abutment
portion 14 and then threadably attaching the wearing portion of the
screw holes 15, 15 . . . to the inner side of the right door 23.
When the inner side panel 3a is thus attached, the inner portion of
the front abutment portion 13 abuts the front of the right door 23
and the inner portion of the back abutment portion 14 abuts the
back of the right door 23. FIG. 5 shows the condition of attaching
the outer side panel 2a and the inner side panel 3a to the right
door 23.
[0028] The bottom side panel 5a is integrated by metal (aluminum)
into a flat panel. A front abutment portion 17 and side abutment
portions 18, 18 are provided perpendicularly to a bottom abutment
plate 16 at the front and both lateral edges of the bottom abutment
plate 16 which abuts the bottom of the right door 23. Screw holes
19, 19 . . . are worn respectively at the bottom abutment portion
16 aligning in the direction of lateral side. This bottom side
panel 5a is attached to cover the bottom of the right door 23 by
threadably attaching the wearing portion of the screwholes 19, 19 .
. . which are worn through the bottom abutment plate 16, to the
bottom of the right door 23.
[0029] The front panel 6a is integrated by metal (stainless steel)
into a rectangular plate with a height slightly higher than the
right door 23. The front panel 6a is attached to the front of the
right door 23 with the left and right edges engaged with a guide
groove 39 of the inner side panel 3a and a guide groove 38 of the
outer side panel 2a respectively. FIG. 6 shows a condition of
attaching the front panel 6a. When the front panel 6a is attached
to the front of the right door 23, urethane foam mats 31, 31 are
adhered to the front of the right door 23 to be inserted between
the front panel 6a and the right door 23.
[0030] The upper side panel 4a is made of synthetic resin formed
into a box in which the center of the substrate 33 is caved in
downward. At a front edge of the outer side of the substrate 33, a
protrude portion 34 is formed having a screw hole 35 at slightly
inner portion than the top thereof. This upper side panel 4a is
attached to cover the upper portion of the right door 23 with the
cave-in portion of the substrate 33 abutted on the upper portion of
the right door 23, by threadably attaching the wearing portion of
the screw hole 35 of the protrude portion 34 to the wearing portion
of the screw hole 32 of the outer side panel 2a. When the upper
side panel 4a is thus attached, the cave-in portion of the
substrate 33 abuts the upper portion of the right door 23. FIG. 7
shows a top portion of the right side of the right door 23 with the
upper side panel 4a attached. When the upper side panel 4a is
attached to the right door 23, the bottom surface of the right edge
of the protrude portion 34 abuts the upper surface of the outer
side panel 2a and the bottom surface of the left edge of the
substrate 33 abuts the upper surface of the inner side panel 3a.
The upper edge of the front panel 6a is positioned more inwardly
than the front edge of the substrate 33.
[0031] The components of the right door cover unit U1, that is, the
outer side panel 2a, the inner side panel 3a, the upper side panel
4a, the bottom side panel 5a and the front panel 6a, are attached
to the right door 23 in the above-described manner. On this
account, it is unnecessary to detach the right door 23 from the
main body 22 when attaching the right door cover unit U1. When the
outer side panel 2a, the inner side panel 3a, the upper side panel
4a, the bottom side panel 5a and the front panel 6a are attached to
the right door 23, the front side of the guide portion 10 of the
outer side panel 2a, the front side of the grip holding portion of
the inner side panel 3a, the front side of the substrate 33 of the
upper side panel 4a, the front side of the front abutment portion
17 of the bottom side panel 5a are flush with each other. Further,
the outer side panel 2a, the inner side panel 3a and the front
panel 6a are formed to be slightly higher than the right door 23.
Whereby, hinges 25, 25 . . . , which are located over the right
door 23, do not appear from a front side view.
[0032] Similarly, when attaching the components of the left door
cover unit U2, that is, the outer side panel 2b, the inner side
panel 3b, the upper side panel 4b, the bottom side panel 5b and the
front panel 6b, it is unnecessary to detach the left door 24 from
the main body 22. When the outer side panel 2b, the inner side
panel 3b, the upper side panel 4b, the bottom side panel 5b and the
front panel 6b are attached to the left door 24, the front side of
the guide portion 10 of the outer side panel 2b, the front side of
the grip holding portion 36 of the inner side panel 3b, the front
side of the substrate 33 of the upper side panel 4b, the front side
of the front abutment portion 17 of the bottom side panel 5b are
flush with each other. Further, the outer side panel 2b, the inner
side panel 3b and the front panel 6b are formed to be slightly
higher than the left door 24. Whereby, hinges 25, 25 . . . , which
are located over the left door 24, do not appear from a front side
view.
[0033] According to the above, the cover panel unit 1 is attached
in order to cover the front, the outer and inner sides, the upper
and bottom sides composing the right door 23 and the left door 24
of the refrigerator 21. Owing to this, it is possible to improve an
appearance of the refrigerator or obtain a new design. In addition,
the outer side panel 2a, the inner side panel 3a and the front
panel 6a are formed to be slightly higher than the right door 23,
and likewise, the outer side panel 2b, the inner side panel 3b and
the front panel 6b are formed to be slightly higher than the left
door 24. This enables the refrigerator to look much larger.
[0034] The cover panel unit 1 includes the outer side panel 2a and
the inner side panel 3a which cover the right and left sides of the
right door 23, the outer side panel 2b and the inner side panel 3b
which cover the right and left sides of the left door 24, the front
panel 6a which covers the front of the right door 23 being engaged
with the outer side panel 2a and the inner side panel 3a, and the
front panel 6b which covers the front of the left door 24 being
engaged with the outer side panel 2b and the inner side panel 3b.
The grips 37, 37 are fixed to the inner side panel 3a and 3b
respectively. Because of this, when the front panel 6a and 6b has a
stain or a scar, they can be easily detached without detaching and
attaching the grips 37, 37. In addition, as each of the components
has a small weight, it is easy to attach the cover panel unit to
the refrigerator by only one person in a short time.
[0035] In the cover panel unit 1, guide grooves 38 and 39 are
provided facing to each other at the front of the outer side panel
2a and the inner side panel 3a while guide grooves 38 and 39 are
provided facing to each other at the front of the outer side panel
2b and the inner side panel 3b, and the front panels 6a and 6b are
provided for covering the front of the right door 23 and the left
door 24 being engaged with the guide grooves 38 and 39.
Accordingly, a replacement of the front panels 6a, 6b is easily
conducted by sliding the same along the guide grooves 38, 39 after
detaching two upper side panels 4a, 4b. In addition, since a
process,such as a roll processing on the edge of the front panels
6a, 6b, is unnecessary in manufacturing, a warp or a bend of the
front panels 6a, 6b can be prevented.
[0036] In the cover panel unit 1, each of the outer side panels 2a,
2b and the inner side panels 3a, 3b have portions abutting to the
front, the lateral sides and the back of the right door 23 and the
left door 24 respectively, so that a cross sectional view thereof
is open box shaped. Accordingly, it is possible to mount fixedly
the outer side panels 2a, 2b and the inner side panels 3a, 3b on
the right door 23 and the left door 24. As a result, even when the
cover unit is used for a long time, the outer side panels 2a, 2b
and the inner side panels 3a, 3b can not be displaced or detached
from the right door 23 and the left door 24.
[0037] In the cover panel unit 1, the front panels 6a, 6b are
provided at the front of the right door 23 and the left door 24
with a urethane foam mat 31 inserted therebetween. Accordingly, the
front panels 6a, 6b can be stable in the guide grooves 38, 39. In
addition, when the right door 23 and the left door 24 are opened or
closed roughly, an impact is absorbed by the urethane foam mats 31,
31 effectively. Therefore, a noise can be kept down.
[0038] The upper side panels 4a, 4b are formed into a box in which
the center of the substrate 33 is caved in downward. These upper
side panels 4a, 4b are attached to cover the upper portion of the
front panels 6a, 6b by the substrate 33 with the bottom of the
cave-in portion abutted on the upper portion of the right door 23
and the left door 24. This makes it possible to hold the front
panels 6a, 6b fixedly even when the right door 23 and the left door
24 are opened or closed roughly. In addition, as the front panels
4a, 4b are lightweight, even if the refrigerator is used for a long
time the right door 23 and the left door 24 can be opened or closed
smoothly.
[0039] It should be noted that the configuration of the cover panel
unit according to the present invention is not limited to the above
embodiment. That is, the configuration of the outer side panel, the
inner side panel, the upper side panel, the bottom side panel and
the front panel can be diversely modified according to the need
without departing the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the
shape of the refrigerator to which the cover panel unit of the
present invention is attached is not limited at all to the above
embodiment.
[0040] For example, a door of the refrigerator with the cover panel
unit attached is not limited to be divided into the right and left
sides, and it may be formed integrally or divided into the upper
and lower parts. In addition, the materials of the panels which
constitute the cover panel unit can be modified diversely according
to the need. Moreover, a various kinds of panels such as colored,
polished, frosted or processed on the surface, shining, for
example, may be used as the cover panels.
[0041] This invention is preferably used as a cover panel unit
provided such that it covers the front of a refrigerator.
* * * * *