U.S. patent application number 10/562382 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for retractable shelf for the cabinet of a refrigeration appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Multibras S.A. Electrodomesticos. Invention is credited to Claiton Emilio Do Amaral, Ricardo Kolb Filho, Rodolfo Floeter Junior, Ignacio Joao dos Santos Junior.
Application Number | 20070096610 10/562382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36643878 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070096610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Filho; Ricardo Kolb ; et
al. |
May 3, 2007 |
Retractable shelf for the cabinet of a refrigeration appliance
Abstract
A retractable shelf for the cabinet of a refrigeration
appliance, comprising a lateral edge (21) which is slidingly
mounted, by two longitudinally spaced apart seating regions (22),
on respective rail portions (30) affixed in opposite internal
lateral walls (12) of the cabinet (10), in order to be selectively
displaced between at least one lower operative position and one
transitional intermediary position, in which it is upwardly
forwardly displaced, and also between this last position and an
upper operative position, in which it is backwardly displaced,
situated above and vertically spaced from the lower operative
position.
Inventors: |
Filho; Ricardo Kolb;
(Joinville, BR) ; Floeter Junior; Rodolfo;
(Joinville, BR) ; Santos Junior; Ignacio Joao dos;
(Joinville, BR) ; Amaral; Claiton Emilio Do;
(Joinville, BR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Assignee: |
Multibras S.A.
Electrodomesticos
Avenida das Nacoes Unidas, 12,995-32 andar
Sao Paulo-SP
BR
04578-000
|
Family ID: |
36643878 |
Appl. No.: |
10/562382 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
June 24, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/BR04/00102 |
371 Date: |
October 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 25/024 20130101;
A47B 57/30 20130101; F25D 25/04 20130101; A47B 57/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/408 |
International
Class: |
F25D 25/02 20060101
F25D025/02; A47B 96/04 20060101 A47B096/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 27, 2003 |
BR |
PI 0302251-0 |
Claims
1. A retractable shelf for the cabinet of a refrigeration
appliance, characterized in that it has each lateral edge (21)
slidingly mounted, by two longitudinally spaced apart seating
regions (22), on respective rail portions (30) affixed to opposite
internal lateral walls (12) of the cabinet (10), in order to be
selectively displaced between at least one lower operative position
and one transitional intermediary position, in which it is upwardly
forwardly displaced, and also between said transitional operative
position and an upper operative position, in which it is backwardly
displaced, situated above and vertically spaced from the lower
operative position.
2. The shelf as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the
transitional intermediary position is substantially in the same
level of the upper operative position.
3. The shelf as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that lower
and upper operative positions are parallel and vertically aligned
to each other.
4. The shelf as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that each
rail portion (30) comprises: a lower rail extension (32) forwardly
upwardly inclined and which presents a closed lower end (32a)
defining the seating position for a respective seating region (22)
when the shelf (20) is in the lower operative position, and an open
upper end (32b); and an upper rail extension (33) having a rear end
(33a) defining the seating position for a respective seating region
(22) when the shelf (20) is in the upper operative position, and a
front end (33b) which is opened to the interior of the upper end
(32b) of the lower rail extension (32).
5. The shelf as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that the
upper rail extension (33) is horizontal, with its rear end (33a)
being vertically aligned in relation to the lower end (32a) of the
lower rail extension (32).
6. The shelf as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that the
junction of the lower rail extension (32) and the upper rail
extension (33), in the front end (33b) of the latter, defines the
position of the respective seating region (22) when the shelf (20)
reaches the transitional intermediary position.
7. The shelf as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that the
lower rail extension (32) and the upper rail extension (33) of each
rail portion (30) take the form of "U" shaped channels, with the
bottom wall being seated and affixed against a respective internal
lateral wall (12) of the cabinet (10).
8. The shelf as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that each
seating region (22) comprises a pin that is externally incorporated
to a respective lateral edge of the shelf (20), in order to project
outwardly to be slidingly fitted in the interior of the "U" shaped
channels defined by the lower rail extension (32) and the upper
rail extension (33).
9. The shelf as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that the
seating regions (22) are disposed in a plane inferior to that in
which the supporting upper face of the shelf (20) is found.
10. The shelf as set forth in claim 9, characterized in that the
seating regions (22) are carried by respective pending lateral
flaps (24) of the shelf (20).
11. The shelf as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that each
upper rail extension (33) has its rear end (33a) provided with a
lower recess (33c), defining a concave cradle for supporting a
respective seating region (22) when the shelf (20) is conducted to
the upper operative position.
12. The shelf as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that the
two rail portions (30) positioned on the same side of the shelf
(20) are formed in a single piece, with the rear end (33a) of the
upper rail extension (33) of one of the rail portions (30) being
incorporated to the front end (33b) of the upper rail extension
(33) of the other of said rail extensions (30), by means of an
intermediary rail extension (34).
13. The shelf as set forth in claim 12, characterized in that each
pair of rail portions (30), formed in a single piece, incorporates
a front rail extension (36), which is horizontally leveled and
associated with the adjacent upper rail extension (33), as it were
a continuation of the latter, and having a front end which is open
for allowing the seating regions (22) of the shelf (20) to be
mounted to the rail portions (30).
14. The shelf as set forth in claim 13, characterized in that each
front rail extension (36) is provided with a stop means (37)
selectively displaced between an operative position and an
operative positive, in which it respectively blocks and liberates
the passage of the seating regions (22) along said front rail
extension (36).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention refers to a retractable shelf to be
used inside the cabinets of refrigeration appliances, such as
refrigerators, for allowing the user to selectively displace the
shelf between at least one lower operative position and a retracted
upper operative position.
PRIOR ART
[0002] The shelves used inside the cabinets of refrigerators and
freezers are generally defined by horizontal panels constructed in
different materials and which are laterally seated on supports
provided on the internal lateral walls of the cabinet.
[0003] In many of the known constructive solutions, the cabinets
are laterally provided with different levels of internal supports,
so as to allow the shelves to have their vertical positioning
adjusted, as a function of the products to be refrigerated in the
interior of the cabinet.
[0004] While the known height adjusting systems give certain
flexibility to the user regarding the assembly of the shelves as a
function of each standard of use of the refrigeration appliance,
there are situations in which the known height adjustments do not
comply with the user's needs, which can last few hours or some
days.
[0005] In some cases, in which the need of having a larger free gap
available between two shelves is restricted to only a certain area,
such as the frontmost region of the shelves, there is no need for a
larger free height in the rear region. In these cases, the known
constructions, in which each shelf is defined in a single panel,
require the user to remove one of the shelves from the cabinet to
obtain the necessary free gap, even if the need for a larger height
between both shelves is only directed to a reduced surface area of
these parts that form a refrigerating cabinet.
[0006] There are known from the art the shelves with a reduced
depth, which allow the user to obtain a larger vertical free gap in
the front region of the whole shelf disposed immediately below the
narrower shelf. However, this construction unnecessarily reduces
the total support area of the shelves when there is not a momentary
or constant need for the larger partial free gap, which is obtained
by using a narrower shelf.
[0007] Furthermore, if a larger vertical free gap over the total
area of a shelf is needed, even the narrower shelf has to be
removed from the interior of the cabinet. The temporary removal of
one or more shelves is uncomfortable for the user, besides
producing an additional component which has to be adequately stored
during the time of the operational condition that caused its
removal.
[0008] Another known construction is described in Brazilian patent
BR PI0104847-3 and comprises a shelf formed by two superiorly
coplanar flat frames, one being the front frame and the other the
rear frame, the front frame being displaced between a whole shelf
position and a reduced shelf position, in which both frames in an
overlapped condition can be angularly displaced upwardly backwardly
to a vertical retracted position, in which they remain seated or
adjacent to the internal rear wall of the cabinet.
[0009] While leading to a great operational versatility, allowing
the shelf to have its depth varying from a maximum value to a
reduced value, usually about half the maximum depth, and from this
reduced value to a null value, this construction is complex and
expensive, making its application difficult and restrictive.
[0010] Documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,825 and JP 2000371013 disclose
a retractable shelf, which is maintained laterally suspended by two
pairs of arms (larger or smaller) in a parallelogramic arrangement.
The shelf can be thus displaced between at least one lower
operative position, disposed below the plane of articulation of the
arms to the cabinet, and an upper operative position, in which the
shelf is conducted to a position generally adjacent to a shelf or a
wall immediately above the cabinet.
[0011] These prior constructions require the assembly of suspending
elements hinged to the internal lateral walls of the cabinet, which
also conducts to complex and expensive constructions, limiting the
use thereof.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] It is a generic object of the present invention to provide a
retractable shelf for the cabinet of a refrigeration appliance,
presenting a simple construction with a relatively low cost and
which allows, through an easy and fast operation, the shelf to be
manually displaced between at least one lower operative position,
defining a storage free gap in relation to a shelf or a dividing
wall disposed immediately above, and an upper operative position,
in which it is conducted to be positioned in a higher level,
reducing or anullating the height of said storage free gap defined
above said retractable shelf.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] This and other objects are attained through a shelf for the
cabinet of a refrigeration appliance, such as a refrigerator or
freezer, said shelf having each lateral edge slidingly mounted, by
two longitudinally spaced apart seating regions, on respective rail
portions affixed to opposite internal lateral walls of the cabinet,
in order to be selectively displaced between at least one lower
operative position and one transitional intermediary position, in
which it is upwardly and forwardly displaced, and also between said
transitional operative position and an upper operative position, in
which it is backwardly displaced, situated above and vertically
spaced from the lower operative position.
[0014] The construction of the rail portions is made so that the
shelf is displaced from the lower operative position to the upper
operative position, when it is forwardly pulled by the user, until
reaching the transitional intermediary position, and then
backwardly pushed to the upper operative position. The displacement
of the shelf back to the lower operative position is accomplished
by movements which are inverted in relation to those described
above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention will be described below, with reference to the
enclosed drawings, given by way of example of a preferred
embodiment and in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present shelf
mounted on the respective rail portions and which is illustrated in
the lower operative position;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the assembly
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1, but
illustrating the shelf in the upper operative position;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the assembly
illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 5 is an internal lateral view of two rail portions
constructed in a single piece to be mounted on each of the opposite
internal lateral walls of the cabinet;
[0021] FIG. 6 is an exploded front perspective view, illustrating
part of the internal rear wall and part of one of the internal
lateral walls of a cabinet, as well as the two respective rail
portions, as defined in FIG. 3; and
[0022] FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, but illustrating
the two rail portions already mounted to the respective internal
lateral wall of the cabinet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] As illustrated and previously mentioned, the present shelf
is of the type used in the interior of a cabinet 10 of
refrigeration appliances, particularly refrigerators, said cabinet
10 comprising, in its internal box, a rear wall 11, and two
opposite lateral walls 12, only one being illustrated in FIGS. 6
and 7.
[0024] In the illustrated construction, each lateral wall 12 of the
internal box of the cabinet 10 is provided with holes 12a, arranged
according to the arrangement of the internal distribution of the
refrigerator shelves and in which the rail portions or other
supports for mounting the internal components of the cabinet are
secured. The internal lateral hole assembly of the lateral walls of
the cabinet 10 is object of a copending patent of the same
applicant and will not be described in greater details herein.
[0025] According to the invention, the present shelf 20 comprises a
generally flat frame, with a substantially rectangular contour and
which is constructed in a plastic material or any other adequate
simple or composite material.
[0026] The shelf 20 is constructed in such a way as to present, on
each of its lateral edges 21, two seating regions 22 longitudinally
spaced from each other and which project slightly outwardly from
the contour of the shelf 20, to be slidingly mounted on supports
provided on the lateral walls 12 of the internal box of the cabinet
10, as described ahead.
[0027] The seating regions 22 can be positioned on a plane
coinciding or not with the plane of the shelf 20. In the
illustrated construction, the seating regions 22 are defined by
pins coplanar to each other, but which are incorporated externally
to respective pending lateral flaps 24, incorporated to the shelf
20 and which define portions of the lateral edges 21 of the latter.
This construction makes the seating regions 22, in the form of
pins, to be disposed on a plane quite inferior to that of the upper
face of the shelf 20, as better illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0028] For the shelf 20 to be displaceable inside the cabinet 10,
each seating region 22 is slidingly mounted on a respective rail
portion 30 secured to a respective lateral wall 12 of the internal
box of the cabinet 10 by any adequate means, or it can even be
incorporated, in a single piece, to the structure of the internal
box in a position predetermined in the project. However, the
fixation of each rail portion 30 to the cabinet 10 is preferably
made by fitting and retaining fixation means 31, which can take the
form of external orthogonal projections of the rail portions 30 to
be fitted in respective holes 12a made in the lateral walls 12 of
the internal box of the cabinet 10.
[0029] In the illustrated construction, each rail portion 30
comprises a forwardly upwardly inclined lower rail extension 32,
with the lower end 32a being closed and defining the position in
which the respective seating region 22 of the shelf 20 is
maintained seated in the lower operative position of the shelf 20,
and an open upper end 32b. An upper rail extension 33 is further
provided, disposed generally horizontally and having a rear end 33a
disposed vertically aligned in relation to the lower end 32a of the
lower rail extension 32, and a front end 33b opened to the interior
of the upper end 32b of the lower rail extension 32.
[0030] The lower rail extension 32 and the upper rail extension 33
generally take the form of channels with a "U" shaped cross
section, with the bottom wall seated against a respective lateral
wall 12 of the internal box of the cabinet 10, said channels having
the width dimensioned to allow the guided sliding of the respective
seating region 22 of the shelf 20.
[0031] According to the illustrated construction, the two rail
portions 30 positioned on each side of the shelf 20 are formed in a
single piece, with the rear end 33a of the upper rail extension 33
of the rail portion 30, which is more forwardly disposed, being
incorporated to the front end 33b of the upper rail extension 33 of
the rail portion 30 which is disposed behind the other rail portion
by means of an intermediary rail extension 34. The lower rail
extension 32 and the upper rail extension 33 of each rail portion
30 are united to each other, in a single piece, by a closing wall
35 normally incorporated and which is coplanar to the free edge of
the lateral walls of the channels that define said rail
extensions.
[0032] With the construction described above, when the shelf 20 is
in a lower operative position, the seating regions 22 thereof in
the form of pins remain seated on the closed lower ends 32a of the
respective lower rail extensions 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2. When the shelf 20 is forwardly pulled by the user, it has its
seating regions 22 upwardly conducted, along the lower rail
extensions 32, until they reach the upper end 32b of the latter,
when the shelf 20 occupies a transitional intermediary position, in
which it is forwardly upwardly displaced in relation to the lower
position and from which the shelf 20 can be horizontally backwardly
displaced, with its seating regions 22 sliding along the upper rail
extensions 33 until reaching an upper operative position, situated
above and vertically spaced from the lower operative position, as
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the illustrated constructive
example, the lower and upper operative positions are vertically
aligned.
[0033] In the illustrated construction, the shelf 20 can occupy
only the lower and upper operative positions, since the lower rail
extensions 32 do not present intermediary regions configured to
retain the respective seating regions 22 of the shelf 20. It should
be understood that this constructive variation is possible,
provided that the inclined lower rail extensions 32 are medianly
provided with at least one housing (not illustrated), in which the
respective seating region 22 of the shelf 20 can be seated, for
allowing the shelf 20 to be maintained in other operative positions
in which it remains in the horizontal, or forwardly downwardly
inclined, or forwardly upwardly inclined, depending on the
positioning of the seating regions 22 along the respective lower
rail extensions 32.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the upper rail extensions 33
are horizontal, making the transitional intermediary position to be
substantially reached in the same level of the upper operative
position. However, it is possible to construct the upper rail
extensions 33 backwardly upwardly inclined, whereby the
transitional intermediary position of the shelf 20 would be defined
in an intermediary level between the lower and rear operative
positions. The transitional intermediary position could be further
associated with another lower operative position, provided that the
joining region of the lower rail extension 32 and the upper rail
extension 33 is configured for allowing the corresponding seating
region 22 of the shelf 20 to be operatively seated thereon.
[0035] In order to improve the stability of the shelf 20 in the
upper operative position, each upper rail extension 33 has its rear
end 33a provided with a lower recess 33c, which is configured and
dimensioned to define a concave cradle to receive a respective
seating region 22 in the form of a pin of the shelf 20.
[0036] Each pair of rail portions 30 in a single piece incorporates
a front rail extension 36, horizontally leveled and associated with
the adjacent upper rail extension 33, as if it were a continuation
of the latter, and having an open front end for allowing the
initial fitting for assembling the seating regions 22 of the shelf
20 on the rail portions 30.
[0037] In order to prevent the shelf 20 from having its front
seating regions 22 inadvertently pulled outwardly from the front
rail portions 30 upon passing along the transitional intermediary
position, the front rail extensions 36 are internally provided with
a stop means 37 in the form of a latch, which is cut from the lower
wall of the respective rail channel and which, by action of a small
slide 38, can occupy an inoperative position, liberating the
passage of the seating regions 22 of the shelf 20 along the front
rail extensions 36, or an operative position, in which it prevents
the seating regions 22 of the shelf 20 from passing along the front
rail extensions 36.
[0038] The upper operative position of the shelf 20 can be
projected to reduce only the storage free gap located above said
shelf, consequently increasing the storage free gap of the shelf
disposed immediately below. However, the present arrangement can be
designed and mounted in the cabinet 10 so that, in the upper
operative position, the shelf 20 is retracted to a position defined
close to the lower face of another shelf or dividing wall disposed
immediately above the retractable shelf.
[0039] While only one embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated, it should be understood that changes in the form and
arrangement of the components could be made, without departing from
the constructive concept defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *