U.S. patent application number 11/729879 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for refrigerator with height adjustable shelf.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Sang-Sin Kawk, Seon-Kyu Kim, Hang-Bok Lee.
Application Number | 20070176528 11/729879 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36315620 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070176528 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Hang-Bok ; et
al. |
August 2, 2007 |
Refrigerator with height adjustable shelf
Abstract
A height adjustable shelf for a refrigerator is provided. The
refrigerator includes a shelf with a pair of guide protrusions
formed on opposite side surfaces thereof, and a plurality of guide
grooves formed in opposite side surfaces of a refrigerator storage
space, at a same interval as the guide protrusions such that the
guide protrusions move along the guide grooves. Each of the guide
grooves includes an upper end portion, a lower end portion, and a
connection portion that connects the upper and lower end portions.
Movement of the guide protrusions between the upper end portions
and the lower end portions allows a height of the shelf to be
adjusted.
Inventors: |
Lee; Hang-Bok; (Seoul City,
KR) ; Kawk; Sang-Sin; (Seoul City, KR) ; Kim;
Seon-Kyu; (Seoul City, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
36315620 |
Appl. No.: |
11/729879 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11265274 |
Nov 3, 2005 |
|
|
|
11729879 |
Mar 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 25/02 20130101;
F25D 25/04 20130101; A47B 2210/17 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/408 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/04 20060101
A47B096/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 5, 2004 |
KR |
2004-0089724 |
Nov 5, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0089726 |
Claims
1. An adjustable shelf assembly for a refrigerator, comprising: a
storage surface provided in a storage space of a refrigerator, the
storage surface comprising a front shelf portion and a rear shelf
portion positioned adjacent to each other; a plurality of guide
protrusions formed on two opposite ends of each of the front shelf
portion and the rear shelf portion; and a plurality of guide
grooves formed in two opposite interior surfaces of the storage
space and configured to receive the plurality of guide protrusions
therein, wherein each of the plurality of guide grooves comprises:
an upper end portion configured to receive and to support a
corresponding guide protrusion; a lower end portion configured to
receive and to support the corresponding guide protrusion; and a
connecting portion extending between the upper end portion and the
lower end portion, wherein the plurality of guide protrusions are
configured to move along the plurality of guide grooves so as to
adjust a position of the storage surface.
2. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the front shelf portion
and the rear shelf portion form a substantially horizontal, planar
surface when each of the plurality of guide protrusions is
positioned in the upper end portion of its respective guide groove,
or when each of the plurality of guide protrusions is positioned in
the lower end portion of its respective guide groove.
3. The shelf assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of guide
protrusions comprises two pairs of front guide protrusions provided
on outer edges of the front shelf portion of the storage surface,
and two pairs of rear guide protrusions provided on outer edges of
the rear shelf portion of the storage surface.
4. The shelf assembly of claim 3, wherein the plurality of guide
grooves comprises two pairs of front guide grooves formed provided
on the two opposite interior surfaces of the storage space in
positions corresponding to the two pairs of front guide
protrusions, and two pairs of rear guide grooves formed provided on
the two opposite interior surfaces of the storage space in
positions corresponding to the two pairs of rear guide
protrusions.
5. The shelf assembly of claim 4, further comprising at least one
link which extends between the front and rear guide protrusions so
as to couple the front and rear shelf portions such that movement
of one of the front or rear shelf portions causes a corresponding
movement in the other of the front or rear shelf portion.
6. The shelf assembly of claim 4, wherein the two pairs of front
guide grooves each comprise: a first front guide groove; and a
second front guide groove positioned lower than and to the rear of
the first front guide groove, wherein the first and second front
guide grooves each comprise: a lower end portion configured to
receive and support a corresponding guide protrusion; an upper end
portion provided above and to the rear of the lower end portion and
configured to receive and support a corresponding guide protrusion;
and a connecting portion extending therebetween.
7. The shelf assembly of claim 6, wherein the two pairs of rear
guide grooves each comprise: a first rear guide groove; and a
second rear guide groove positioned above and to the rear of the
first rear guide groove, wherein the first and second rear guide
grooves each comprise: an upper end portion configured to receive
and support a corresponding guide protrusion; a lower end portion
provided below and to the rear of the upper end portion and
configured to receive and support a corresponding guide protrusion;
and a connecting portion extending therebetween.
8. The shelf assembly of claim 7, wherein the front and rear shelf
portions are positioned adjacent to one another so as to form a
substantially horizontal coplanar surface when each of the front
guide protrusions are positioned in the upper end portions of their
respective front guide grooves, and each of the rear guide
protrusions are positioned in the lower end portions of their
respective rear guide grooves.
9. The shelf assembly of claim 8, wherein, when each of the front
guide protrusions are positioned in the lower end portions of their
respective front guide grooves, and each of the rear guide
protrusions are positioned in the upper end portions of their
respective rear guide grooves, the front and rear shelf portions
form two non-coploanar surfaces.
10. A refrigerator comprising the shelf assembly of claim 1.
11. A refrigerator with an adjustable shelf, comprising: a plate
positioned in a storage space of the refrigerator; a plurality of
protrusions extending from opposite side edges of the plate; a
plurality of guide grooves formed in opposite interior side
surfaces of the storage space, wherein the plurality of guide
grooves are configured to receive the plurality of protrusions
therein so as to guide the protrusions along the guide grooves and
adjust a position of the plate within the storage space.
12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of
guide grooves comprises: an upper end portion; a lower end portion
positioned beneath the upper end portion; a horizontal portion
extending from a front end of the lower end portion; a first
connecting portion extending at a downward incline from the upper
end portion to a rear end of the horizontal portion; and a second
connecting portion extending at a downward incline from the upper
end portion to a front end of the horizontal portion.
13. The refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the lower end portion and
the upper end portion of each of the plurality of guide grooves
falls within the same vertical plane.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more
particularly, to a refrigerator capable of efficiently using a food
storage space or facilitating putting and taking foods in and out
of the refrigerator by providing a height adjustable shelf.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In general, a refrigerator is an electric home appliance
capable of keeping foods in a frozen or refrigerated state by
supplying a storage space in the refrigerator with cold air
generated through phase change of refrigerant. Recently, the
refrigerator tends to be enlarged according to a variety of life
patterns and a consumers' trend.
[0005] Further, in order to effectively use a storage space for
storing foods, a plurality of shelves are installed in a
refrigerator at regular intervals. For example, the shelves are
supported on supports which are installed at the same heights on
both side surfaces of the storage space in the refrigerator. A
plurality of the supports are installed at predetermined intervals.
In practice, the supports for supporting the shelves are installed
at positions previously determined when the refrigerator is
designed. By supporting the shelves using desired supports out of a
plurality of the supports for supporting the shelves, it is
possible to change the installation positions of the shelves
according to users' preference, but there is limitation of the
position change.
[0006] Furthermore, it is very useful to appropriately set the
installation positions of the shelves in order to more effectively
use the storage space of the refrigerator. FIG. 1 shows a
conventional supporting structure of a height adjustable shelf.
[0007] As shown in the figure, a plurality of catching portions 10
are formed on inner surfaces of both side walls of a refrigerator
main body. The catching portions 10 are engaged with support
members 20 mounted on both side surfaces of a shelf 1 on which food
or container is seated, so that the shelf 1 can be fixed at a
predetermined position.
[0008] Each of the catching portions 10 is formed substantially in
a saw tooth shape in such a manner that inclined surfaces 12
upwardly inclined toward the inside of the refrigerator main body
and horizontal surfaces 14 flatly formed from inside ends of the
inclined surfaces 12 to the outside of the refrigerator main body
are alternately formed.
[0009] Further, the support members 20 engaged with the catching
portions 10 are formed corresponding to the catching portions 10 of
the saw tooth shape. That is, each of the support members 20
comprises a horizontal surface 22 which can be seated and supported
on each horizontal surface 14, and an inclined surface 24 upwardly
inclined from an outside end of the horizontal surface 22 so as to
upwardly move in contact with the inclined surfaces 12.
[0010] Springs 30 are interposed between the shelf 1 and the
support members 20, which are installed on both side surfaces of
the shelf 1, so that the support members 20 are always elastically
supported outward.
[0011] When the shelf 1 is lifted upward in order to adjust a
height of the shelf 1, the inclined surfaces 12 of the catching
portions 10 and the inclined surfaces 24 of the support members 20
are in contact with and slide on each other. At this time, the
springs 30 are compressed, and the support members 20 are lifted
upward along the inclined surfaces 12 of the catching portions
10.
[0012] When the support members 20 go over the inclined surfaces 12
of the catching portions 10, the support members 20 move outward
again by the elasticity of the springs 30, and then, the horizontal
surfaces 22 of the support members 20 are caught to the horizontal
surfaces 14 of the catching portions 10, so that the shelf 1 can be
maintained in a horizontal state. In addition, since the catching
portions 10 are constructed in such a manner that the horizontal
surfaces 14 and the inclined surfaces 12 are alternately formed, a
user can move the shelf to a desired position.
[0013] However, although the above prior art so configured makes it
possible to adjust the height of the shelf, there are the following
problems.
[0014] In the above prior art, it is possible to lift the shelf
without separating the shelf from the refrigerator, but it is
impossible to lower the shelf. That is, since the shelf must be
mounted again after it is completely separated from the
refrigerator in order to lower the shelf, it is very
cumbersome.
[0015] Further, even in the above prior art, in a case where a
plenty of foods are stored on the whole of the shelf, like a fixed
shelf, it is not easy to take out the foods stored in the rear of
the shelf.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Accordingly, the present invention is conceived to solve the
aforementioned problems in the prior art. An object of the present
invention is to provide a shelf height adjuster capable of
adjusting a height of a shelf smoothly even in a state where foods
are put on the shelf by configuring the shelf to be smoothly moved
upward and downward.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to make it easy
to take out foods stored in the rear of a shelf by dividing the
shelf itself into front and rear halves and making it possible to
adjust their heights.
[0018] According to an aspect of the present invention for
achieving the objects, there is provided a refrigerator with a
height adjustable shelf, comprising: the shelf with a plurality of
guide protrusions formed on each of both side surfaces of the
shelf; and a plurality of guide grooves formed in each of both side
surfaces of a refrigerator storage space at the same interval as
the guide protrusions, wherein the guide protrusions are guided
along the guide grooves, respectively. Each of the guide grooves
includes an upper end portion in which the guide protrusion is
seated and supported, a lower end portion in which the guide
protrusion is seated and supported, and a connecting portion formed
to connect the upper end portion and the lower end portion.
Further, the lower end portion is in a lower position than the
upper end portion.
[0019] Preferably, the guide groove further includes a horizontal
portion horizontally formed in front of the lower end portion, and
the connecting portion is formed to be downwardly inclined forward
from the upper end portion and meets the horizontal portion at a
front portion of the connecting portion.
[0020] More preferably, the connecting portion includes a first
connecting portion formed to be downwardly inclined rearward from
the upper end portion and meet a front end of the horizontal
portion, and a second connecting portion formed to be downwardly
inclined rearward from the upper end portion and meet an
intermediate portion of the horizontal portion.
[0021] A pair of the guide grooves may be formed in each of both
the side surfaces of the refrigerator storage space and a pair of
the guide protrusions may be formed on each of both the side
surfaces of the shelf.
[0022] Further, a handle gripped by a user when pulling out the
shelf may be formed on a front end of the height adjustable shelf.
The handle is preferably formed to be inclined downward.
[0023] Preferably, the upper end portion of the guide groove is
formed to extend slightly downward more than a front portion of the
upper end portion, or is formed partially horizontal together with
a front portion of the upper end portion.
[0024] More preferably, the guide protrusion is elastically
supported outward by a spring on each of both the side surfaces of
the height adjustable shelf, so that it is possible to separate the
shelf from the guide grooves A roller may be installed on an
outside surface of the guide protrusion to be brought into rolling
contact with the guide groove.
[0025] The guide protrusions may be formed on each of both the side
surfaces of the shelf at slightly front positions of middle and
rear end portions of the shelf.
[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a refrigerator comprising: a front shelf with a
plurality of guide protrusions formed on each of both side surfaces
of the front shelf at a certain interval; a rear shelf with a
plurality of guide protrusions formed on each of both side surfaces
of the rear shelf at a certain interval, the rear shelf being
positioned in the rear of the front shelf; a connecting means for
the rear shelf to cooperate with the front shelf when the front
shelf is pulled out; and a plurality of guide grooves formed in
each of both side surfaces of a refrigerator storage space at the
same interval as the guide protrusions, wherein the guide
protrusions of the front shelf and the rear shelf are guided along
the guide grooves, respectively. Each of the guide grooves includes
a plurality of front guide grooves and a plurality of rear guide
grooves, each of the front guide grooves comprising an upper end
portion in which the guide protrusion of the front shelf is seated
and supported, a lower end portion in which the guide protrusion of
the front shelf is seated and supported, the lower end portion
being in front of the upper end portion, and a connecting portion
formed to connect the upper end portion and the lower end portion,
and each of the rear guide grooves comprising an upper end portion
in which the guide protrusion of the rear shelf is seated and
supported, a lower end portion in which the guide protrusion of the
rear shelf is seated and supported, the lower end portion being in
rear of the upper end portion, and a connecting portion formed to
connect the upper end portion and the lower end portion.
[0027] Preferably, a pair of the guide protrusions are formed on
each of both the side surfaces of each of the front and rear
shelves, and a pair of the front guide grooves and a pair of the
rear guide grooves are formed in each of both the side surfaces of
the refrigerator storage space.
[0028] More preferably, the connecting means includes a plate
shaped link for pivotably connecting the guide protrusion formed on
a rearmost portion of the front shelf and the guide protrusion
formed on a foremost portion of the front shelf to each other.
[0029] The upper end portion of the front guide groove and the
lower end portion of the rear guide groove may be formed at the
same height.
[0030] The link may have a length corresponding to an interval
between the lower end portion of the front guide groove formed at a
rearmost position among the front guide grooves and the upper end
portion of the rear guide groove formed at a foremost position
among the rear guide grooves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a height adjustable shelf
according to a prior art;
[0033] FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view showing that a door
in which a preferred embodiment of a height adjusting structure of
a refrigerator shelf according to the present invention is employed
is opened;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic partial perspective view of the
preferred embodiment of the height adjusting structure of the
refrigerator shelf according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing guide grooves as a major
portion of the height adjusting structure of the refrigerator shelf
according to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing guide protrusions, the guide
grooves and the height adjustable shelf as a major portion of the
height adjusting structure of the refrigerator shelf according to
the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of an interior of a
refrigerator showing a shelf according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 7 is an exemplary plan view of the shelf according to
the other embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 8 is an exemplary side view of the shelf according to
the other embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an inner side surface of a
refrigerator according to the other embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the relationship between
guide grooves and the shelf according to the other embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0042] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the shelf, the
height of which is adjusted, according to the other embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0043] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in
detail with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying
drawings.
[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing that a door of a
refrigerator in which a preferred embodiment of a height adjustable
shelf for a refrigerator according to the present invention is
employed is opened. In the illustrated embodiment, a side-by-side
refrigerator is used as an example. As shown in the figure, a
refrigerator main body 100 comprises a refrigerating chamber 110
and a freezing chamber 120. The refrigerating chamber 110 and the
freezing chamber 120 are opened and closed by doors 112 and 122,
respectively.
[0045] In addition, a plurality of shelves 130 on which foods are
put and a plurality of trays 140 in which foods are accommodated
and stored are installed in the freezing chamber 120 and the
refrigerating chamber 110. Door baskets 114 and 124, which are
spaced apart by predetermined intervals from each other, are
installed on inside surfaces of the doors 112 and 122 for opening
and closing the refrigerating chamber 110 and the freezing chamber
120, respectively.
[0046] According to the present invention, a height adjustable
shelf 200, the height of which can be adjusted, is installed in the
refrigerating chamber 110 or the freezing chamber 120. The height
adjustable shelf 200 according to the present invention is
installed so that its height can be adjusted in a state where it is
mounted in the refrigerating chamber 110 or the freezing chamber
120.
[0047] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the height adjustable
shelf 200 according to the present invention and its peripheral
portion. As shown in the figure, in order to support the height
adjustable shelf 200 of the present invention and at the same time
adjust its height, guide grooves 240 are formed on both side walls
of the interior of the refrigerating chamber 110. Further, supports
132 for supporting both lower side ends of each general shelf 130
installed thereon in a stationary state in addition to the height
adjustable shelf 200 according to the present invention, are
installed on both the side walls of the refrigerating chamber 110
to be spaced apart by predetermined intervals from each other.
[0048] The supports 132, which is installed to support both the
side ends of each general shelf 130, are formed to inwardly
protrude on both the side walls of the refrigerating chamber 110 or
the freezing chamber 120. The shelves 130, both the lower side ends
of each of which are supported on the supports 132, can be pulled
forward.
[0049] Since the supports 132 are installed, as necessary, on both
the side walls of the refrigerating chamber 110, a user can adjust
the positions of the general shelves 130 by selecting the supports
132 of appropriate positions. When the positions of the shelves are
determined using the supports 132, the shelves 130 must be mounted
again after they are taken out of and separated from both the side
walls of the refrigerating chamber 110.
[0050] The guide grooves 240 for guiding the vertical movement of
the height adjustable shelf 200 are formed on both the side walls
of the interior of the refrigerating chamber 110. The guide grooves
240 may be concavely formed directly on both the side walls of the
refrigerating chamber 110. Alternatively, separate members on which
the guide grooves 240 are formed may be installed on both the side
walls of the interior of the refrigerating chamber 110.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the engagement relationship
between the height adjustable shelf 200 and the guide grooves 240
will be described. The guide grooves 240 are concavely formed at a
predetermined depth. In addition, the height adjustable shelf 200
includes a plurality of guide protrusions 210 which protrude on
both side surfaces of the height adjustable shelf 200. The guide
protrusions 210 are inserted into the guide grooves 240 and slide
along the interiors of the guide grooves 240, so that a height of
the height adjustable shelf 200 is adjusted according to a height
of the guide grooves 240. Therefore, it is noted that the guide
grooves 240 are sized such that the guide protrusions 210 are
inserted thereinto and move along the interiors thereof.
[0052] In order to stably support the shelf 200, a plurality of the
guide protrusions 210 should be installed on each of both the side
surfaces of the shelf 200. For example, a pair of the guide
protrusions 210 are preferably installed on each of both the side
surfaces of the shelf 200. It is also preferred that the guide
protrusions 210 be installed at front and rear positions on each of
both the side surfaces of the height adjustable shelf 200,
respectively, in order to stably support the shelf 200.
[0053] The guide protrusions 210 move substantially in the guide
grooves 240 while being in contact with at least inside surfaces of
the guide grooves 240. Thus, it may be considered that rollers are
mounted on outside surfaces of the guide protrusions 210 so that
the rolling contact occurs between the guide protrusions 210 and
the guide grooves 240. When the rollers are rotatably mounted on
the outside surfaces of the guide protrusions 210, such rollers are
in rolling contact with inner bottom surfaces of the guide grooves
240.
[0054] In addition, the guide grooves 240 are formed so that the
number thereof corresponds to that of the guide protrusions 210. As
described above, when there are provided a pair of the guide
protrusions 210, a pair of the guide grooves 240 should be formed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, it is noted that a pair of the guide
grooves 240 with the same shape are arranged repeatedly in the fore
and aft direction on each of both the side walls of the
refrigerating chamber.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, each of the guide grooves 240 comprises
a lower end portion 244, which is at a relatively lower position
and can support the shelf 200 at the lower position, and an upper
end portion 242, which is at a relatively upper position than the
lower end portion 244 and can support the shelf 200 at the upper
position. That is, the shelf 200 is supported at the relatively
lower position when the guide protrusions 210 installed on both the
side surfaces of the shelf 200 are positioned in the lower end
portions 244 of the guide grooves 240, while the shelf 200 is
supported at the relatively upper position when the guide
protrusions 210 are positioned in the upper end portions 242. In
addition, the upper end portions 242 and the lower end portions 244
are positioned at the most rear end portions of the guide grooves
240. Thus, when the shelf 200 is fully pushed rearward, the guide
protrusions 210 are positioned at the upper end portions 242 or the
lower end portions 244 and thus can support the shelf.
[0056] Further, if the lower end portions 244 and the upper end
portions 242 are connected to each other, it is possible to adjust
the position of the shelf between the upper and lower positions
without separating the shelf 200 from the refrigerating chamber.
Each of the lower end portions 244 is connected to a horizontal
portion 246 which horizontally extend forward. A front end portion
of the horizontal portion 246 is connected to the upper end portion
242 through a connecting portion 248. The shelf 200 can be stably
supported if a front portion of the upper end portion 242 is at
least partially maintained in horizontal state or is positioned
slightly lower than a rear end portion of the connecting portion
248.
[0057] The connecting portions 248 are formed so that the movement
of the guide protrusions 210 can be guided. Thus, it is preferred
that the connecting portion 248 be formed in an inclined or curved
shape.
[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion 248
comprises a first connecting portion 248a and a second connecting
portion 248b. The first connecting portion 248a is formed in
relatively front, while the second connecting portion 248b is
formed in the rear. However, rear ends of the first and second
connecting portions 248a and 248b are joined together, and thus the
first and second connecting portions 248a and 248b are formed to
meet each other at the upper end portion 242. The second connecting
portion 248b is formed to branch off at an intermediate portion of
the horizontal portion 246 and to be inclined upward, and then the
rear end of the second connecting portion 248b meets the upper end
portion 242.
[0059] The guide protrusions 210 installed on both the side
surfaces of the shelf 200 may move upward or downward along any
ones of the first connecting portions 248a and the second
connecting portions 248b. For example, the guide protrusions 210
pass through the second connecting portions 248b when moving from
the lower end portions 244 to the upper end portions 242, while the
guide protrusions 210 may move along the first connecting portions
248a when moving from the upper end portions 242 to the lower end
portions 244.
[0060] Although it is configured in the present embodiment that
each connecting portion 248 includes the first and second
connecting portions 248a and 248b, the connecting portion 248 may
include only the first connecting portion 248a.
[0061] In addition, it is preferred that the upper and lower end
portions 242 and 244 of the guide groove 240 be positioned on the
same vertical line. That is, since the shelf 200 should be
installed in the same manner as the other shelves when the shelf
200 is fully mounted in the rear, the upper and lower end portions
242 and 244 should be positioned on the substantially same vertical
line.
[0062] When the guide protrusions 210 are seated in any ones of the
upper end portions 242 and the lower end portions 244, the shelf
200 should be stably supported as described above. Thus, forwardly
extending portions of the upper and lower end portions 242 and 244
should be formed to be maintained in horizontal state within at
least certain sections, on which the guide protrusions are stably
supported without sliding, and to support the guide protrusions
210. Alternatively, the forwardly extending portions of the upper
and lower end portions 242 and 244 should be formed along the
position slightly higher than the upper end portions 242 or the
lower end portions 244
[0063] Further, as described above, a pair of the guide protrusions
210 spaced apart by a certain interval from each other are
installed on each of both the side surfaces of the shelf 200. The
guide protrusions 210 support the shelf 200 in a sate where the
guide protrusions 210 are substantially inserted into the guide
grooves 240. Therefore, only when all the guide protrusions 210 are
kept at the same height, the shelf 200 is kept in a horizontal
state. To this end, when a pair of the guide protrusions 210 are
formed on each of both the side surfaces of the shelf 200 to be
spaced apart by a certain interval in the fore and aft direction
from each other, a pair of the guide grooves 240 should also be
formed on each of both the inner side walls to be spaced apart by
the same fore and aft interval as the guide protrusions from each
other and have the same route and height as the guide
protrusions.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 5, a preferred embodiment of the guide
protrusions 210 will be described. As described above, the guide
protrusions 210 move while being inserted in the guide grooves 240,
and thus, adjust the height of the shelf 200 and support the shelf
200. Since the guide grooves 240 are formed with a concave groove,
in order to separate the shelf 200, on both the side surfaces of
which the guide protrusions 210 are provided, from the guide
grooves 240, it is preferred that the guide protrusions 210 be
configured so as to come in and out of the shelf 200.
[0065] As in the illustrated embodiment, by installing springs 212
in guide protrusion mounting grooves of the shelf 200, the guide
protrusions 210 may be configured to be inserted into the shelf. At
this time, the guide protrusions 210 should not escape out of the
shelf inadvertently. For example, additional stoppers may be
installed in neck portions of the respective guide protrusion
mounting grooves of the shelf. Alternatively, after forming each
guide protrusion 210 to have different diameter portions, the guide
protrusion may be installed in a casing 214 having a neck portion.
Here, the spring 212 is installed in the casing 214 to elastically
support the guide protrusion 210 outward, and the casing 214 is
buried in and installed to each of both the side surfaces of the
shelf.
[0066] It is preferred that the aforementioned height adjustable
shelf 200 have the same dimensions as the other shelves 130
installed in the refrigerating chamber 110. In addition, in order
for a user to grip the height adjustable shelf 200, a handle 230 is
preferably installed on a front end of the height adjustable shelf
200 when the height of the height adjustable shelf 200 is adjusted
as described above. It is preferred that such a handle 230 be
formed over the entire front end of the height adjustable shelf
200. In addition, the handle 230 is preferably formed to be
inclined downward so that the user operates the shelf more easily
when the user grips the handle 230 to adjust the height of the
shelf.
[0067] Hereinafter, the operation of the height adjusting structure
of the refrigerator shelf according to the present invention so
configured will be described.
[0068] When a tall food or container containing foods is
accommodated below the height adjustable shelf 200, it is preferred
that the space below the height adjustable shelf 200 be secured by
moving the height adjustable shelf 200 upward.
[0069] When the shelf 200 is in the relatively lower position, the
guide protrusions 210 are positioned in the lower end portions 244
of the guide grooves 240. In such a state, in order to move the
height adjustable shelf 200 upward, the user first grips and pulls
forward the handle 230 formed on the front end of the height
adjustable shelf 200.
[0070] If the handle 230 is pulled forward, the guide protrusions
210 move forward along the horizontal portions 246 of the guide
grooves 240. As the guide protrusions 210 move, the height
adjustable shelf 200 comes out forward. When the guide protrusions
210 of the shelf 200 that moves forward reach the second connecting
portions 248b or the first connecting portions 248a, the shelf 200
is caused to be pushed upward and rearward so that the guide
protrusions 210 ascend along the second connecting portions 248b or
the first connecting portions 248a.
[0071] If the shelf 200 is pushed upward and rearward using the
handle 230, the guide protrusions 210 enter the second connecting
portions 248b or the first connecting portions 248a. Then, the
shelf 200 is caused to be continuously pushed, the guide
protrusions 210 reach the upper end portions 242 of the guide
grooves 240 along the second connecting portions 248b or the first
connecting portions 248a. In such a state, the shelf 200 is
substantially raised by a height difference between the lower end
portions 244 and the upper end portions 242 and completely pushed
rearward to be in the seated and supported state.
[0072] If necessary, in order to downward move the height
adjustable shelf 200 when it is in the relatively upper position,
the operation should be performed in the reverse direction as
described above. That is, by pulling the shelf 200 forward, the
guide protrusions 210 positioned in the upper end portions 242 also
move forward. At this time, the guide protrusions 210 move forward
and downward through the route defined by any ones of the first
connecting portions 248a and the second connecting portions 248b.
Then, when the guide protrusions 210 pass through the first
connecting portion or the second connecting portion and reach the
horizontal portions 246, the guide protrusions 210 are caused to
move rearward along the horizontal portions 246 by pushing the
shelf rearward. In addition, when the guide protrusions 210 reach
the lower end portions 244 of the guide grooves 240, substantially,
the shelf 200 is completely installed in the relatively lower
position.
[0073] As described above, the guide protrusions 210 move along the
route defined by any ones of the first connecting portions 248a and
the second connecting portions 248b when the shelf 200 moves upward
and downward, and the route is selected by the user. Alternatively,
the connecting portions 248 may be formed to define a single route
in the present invention. In such a state, the guide protrusions
pass through only the single route defined by the connecting
portions such as the connecting portions 248, so that the guide
protrusions move from the upper end portions 242 to the lower end
portions 244 or from the lower end portions 244 to the upper end
portions 242.
[0074] In addition, if the shelf 200 is pulled only forward when
the shelf 200 is in the lower position, the guide protrusions 210
moves only forward along the horizontal portions 246. If the shelf
200 moves forward as above, it is possible to easily take out the
foods stored in the rear portion of the shelf 200 in a state where
the foods stored in the front portion of the shelf 200 is left as
it is.
[0075] According to the present invention, by pulling the shelf
forward or pushing it rearward along only the horizontal portions
246 out of the guide grooves 240, there is an advantage in that it
is more easy to take out the foods stored in the rear of shelf 200
or to put foods on the rear of shelf 200 to store the foods
therein.
[0076] Further, since the guide protrusions 210 are elastically
supported by the springs 212, it is also possible to easily
separate the shelf supported in the guide grooves 240
therefrom.
[0077] Next, referring to FIGS. 6 to 11, a second embodiment of the
present invention will be described. The present embodiment
promotes the convenience in use by providing a shelf including a
front shelf and a rear shelf and enabling the heights of the
respective front and rear shelves to be adjusted.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 6, a shelf 300 according to the present
embodiment includes a front shelf 300A and a rear shelf 300B. The
shelf 300 of the present embodiment are installed to be spaced
apart by a predetermined interval from the other general shelf 130
that is supported on the supports 132 installed on both the side
walls of the refrigerating chamber. The shelf 300 according to the
present invention is supported in guide grooves 400 formed in both
the side walls of the refrigerating chamber, while the front shelf
300A and the rear shelf 300B are configured such that their heights
can be adjusted by the guide grooves 400, respectively.
[0079] The shelf 300 of the present embodiment also has the
substantially same dimensions as the general shelves 130. The front
shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B define a front half portion and
a rear half portion of the shelf 300, respectively.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 7, a handle 310 is formed on a front end of
the front shelf 300A. The handle 310 is formed to extend
transversely so that a user grips it for pulling or operating the
front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B. It is preferred that the
handle 310 be formed to be downwardly inclined so that the user
conveniently grips and operates the front shelf 300A.
[0081] In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, ribs 350 are formed on
front and rear ends of the rear shelf 300B in lateral direction,
respectively. The ribs 350, which support foods put on the rear
shelf 300B in order not to be fallen therefrom when the rear shelf
300B moves in the fore and aft direction, protrude upward with a
predetermined height on the whole of the front and rear ends of the
rear shelf 300B.
[0082] A pair of guide protrusions 320 and 320' and a pair of guide
protrusions 340 and 340' are installed on each of both side
surfaces of the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B to
protrude outward, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the
guide protrusions consist of the front guide protrusions 320 and
320' installed on the middle and the rear end portions of the front
shelf 300A and the rear guide protrusions 340 and 340' installed on
the middle and the rear end portions of the rear shelf 300B. The
front guide protrusions 320 and 320' and the rear guide protrusions
340 and 340' are inserted into front guide grooves 400A and 400A'
and rear guide grooves 400B and 400B', which will be described
below, so that the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B are
caused to move along the front guide grooves 400A and 400A' and the
rear guide grooves 400B and 400B', respectively. The configuration
of the front guide protrusions 320 and 320' and the rear guide
protrusions 340 and 340' is the same as that of the aforementioned
first embodiment, and thus, the duplicated descriptions will be
omitted.
[0083] The front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B are connected
to each other through connecting links 500. Each of the connecting
links 500 is formed in a plate shape. Through holes 510 and 520,
which have the same cross section (i.e., a circular cross section)
as the front guide protrusions 320 and 320' and the rear guide
protrusions 340 and 340', are formed in both side ends of each
connecting link 500. The front guide protrusion 320' positioned at
the rear portion of the front shelf 300A is inserted into the
through hole 510 formed in front of the link 500, while the rear
guide protrusion 340 positioned at the relatively front position of
the rear shelf 300B is inserted into the through hole 520 formed in
the rear of the link 500.
[0084] Since the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B are
connected to each other through the connecting links 500, when the
front shelf 300A is pulled forward or pushed rearward, the rear
shelf 300B cooperates with and thus moves together with the front
shelf 300A.
[0085] FIG. 9 shows the front guide grooves 400A and 400A' and the
rear guide grooves 400B and 400B' formed in both side walls of the
interior of the refrigerating chamber. The front guide grooves 400A
and 400A' and the rear guide grooves 400B and 400B' are the
portions into which the guide protrusions 320 and 320' of the front
shelf 300A and the guide protrusions 340 and 340' of the rear shelf
300B are inserted, respectively. Therefore, the guide protrusions
320 and 320' and the guide protrusions 340 and 340' are inserted
into the front guide grooves 400A and 400A' and the rear guide
grooves 400B and 400B' and move therealong, so that the heights of
the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B can be adjusted upward
or downward, respectively,
[0086] Since a pair of the guide protrusions 320 and 320' are
installed on each of both the side surfaces of the front shelf
300A, a pair of the front guide grooves 400A and 400A' are formed
in the same shape as each other and spaced at the interval
corresponding to that between the guide protrusions 320 and 320'.
In addition, a pair of the rear guide grooves 400B and 400B' are
also formed in the same shape as each other and be spaced at the
interval corresponding to that between the guide protrusions 340
and 340' installed in pair on each of both the side surfaces of the
rear shelf 300B.
[0087] The front guide grooves 400A and 400A' are formed in a front
half portion of each of both the side walls of the refrigerating or
freezing chamber, i.e., in the left side as viewed in FIG. 9. The
front guide grooves 400A and 400A', which accommodate the front
guide protrusions 320 and 320' formed on both the side surfaces of
the front shelf 300A, guide the movement of the front shelf
300A.
[0088] The front guide grooves 400A and 400A' comprise upper end
portions 430 and 430' and lower end portions 410 and 410' for
keeping the guide protrusions 320 and 320' to be seated, and
connecting portions 420 and 420' for connecting the upper end
portions and the lower end portions, respectively. The connecting
portions 420 and 420', which connect the upper end portions 430 and
430' and the lower end portions 410 and 410', respectively, are
formed to be upwardly inclined from the front to the rear of the
refrigerating chamber. Referring to FIG. 9, the connecting portions
420 and 420' are formed to be upwardly inclined toward the right
side from the left side. In addition, since the lower end portions
410 and 410' are positioned at the lowermost end portion, the guide
protrusions 320 and 320' can be kept in the state when they are
seated therein. At least a front portion of the upper end portions
430 and 430' should be formed to be horizontal or slightly downward
inclined, such that the guide protrusions 320 and 320' can be kept
seated in the upper end portions 430 and 430'. Therefore, the guide
protrusions 320 and 320' of the front shelf 300A move along the
front guide grooves 400A and 400A' and then seated and supported in
any ones of the upper end portions 430 and 430' and the lower end
portions 410 and 410', so that the installation height of the front
shelf 300A can be substantially changed by the height difference
between the upper end portions 430 and 430' and the lower end
portions 410 and 410'.
[0089] In addition, the rear guide grooves 400B and 400B' are
formed in a rear half portion of each of both the side walls of the
refrigerating or freezing chamber, i.e., in the right side as
viewed in FIG. 9. The rear guide grooves 400B and 400B', which
accommodate the rear guide protrusions 340 and 340' formed on both
the side surfaces of the rear shelf 300B, guide the movement of the
rear shelf 300B.
[0090] The rear guide grooves 400B and 400B' comprise upper end
portions 440 and 440' and lower end portions 460 and 460' for
keeping the guide protrusions 340 and 340' to be seated, and
connecting portions 450 and 450' for connecting the upper end
portions and the lower end portions, respectively. The connecting
portions 450 and 450', which connect the upper end portions 440 and
440' and the lower end portions 460 and 460', respectively, are
formed to be downwardly inclined from the front to the rear of the
refrigerating chamber. Referring to FIG. 9, the connecting portions
450 and 450' are formed to be downwardly inclined toward the right
side from the left side. In addition, since the lower end portions
460 and 460' are positioned at the lowermost end portion, the guide
protrusions 340 and 340' can be kept in the state when they are
seated therein. At least a front portion of the upper end portions
440 and 440' should be formed to be horizontal or slightly downward
inclined, such that the guide protrusions 340 and 340' can be kept
seated in the upper end portions 440 and 440'. Therefore, the guide
protrusions 340 and 340' of the rear shelf 300B move along the rear
guide grooves 400B and 40013' and then seated and supported in any
ones of the upper end portions 440 and 440' and the lower end
portions 460 and 460', so that the installation height of the rear
shelf 300B can be substantially changed by the height difference
between the upper end portions 440 and 440' and the lower end
portions 460 and 460'.
[0091] Here, as described above, the front shelf 300A and the rear
shelf 300B are connected to each other through the connecting links
500. Thus, when the front shelf 300A is pulled forward, the rear
shelf 300B also comes out forward. At the same time, the front
shelf 300A moves along the front guide grooves 400A and 400A',
while the rear shelf 300B moves along the rear guide grooves 400B
and 400B'. In addition, when the front shelf 300A and the rear
shelf 300B are coplanar, the rear surface of the front shelf 300A
and the front surface of the rear shelf 300B approach each other
and are nearly in contact with each other.
[0092] In order for the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B to
be coplanar, the upper end portions 430 and 430' of the front guide
grooves 400A and 400A' and the lower end portions 460 and 460' of
the rear guide grooves 400B and 400B' should be formed at the same
height. In addition, since the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf
300B are connected to each other through the connecting links 500,
an interval between the front guide grooves 400A and the rear guide
grooves 400B relates to the connecting links 500. That is, the
upper end portion 430' of the front guide groove 400A' formed in
the rear out of a pair of the front guide grooves and the lower end
portion 460' of the rear guide grooves 400B' formed in the front
out of a pair of the rear guide grooves, should be formed so that a
length therebetween corresponding to that of the connecting links
500.
[0093] In addition, although the front guide grooves 400A and 400A'
are in the lower position than the rear guide grooves 400B and
400B', it is noted that the front guide grooves are formed in the
shape symmetry to the rear guide grooves 400B and 400B'.
[0094] Next, referring to FIG. 10, the operation of the shelf 300
of the present embodiment will be described.
[0095] In a state where the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf
300B are coplanar and fully mounted, the front guide protrusions
320 and 320' provided on each of both side surfaces of the front
shelf 300A are supported in the upper end portions 430 and 430'
formed at the respective rear ends of the front guide grooves 400A,
while the rear guide protrusions 340 and 340' provided on each of
both side surfaces of the rear shelf 300B are supported in the
lower end portions 460 and 460' formed at the respective rear ends
of the rear guide grooves 400B and 400B'.
[0096] In such a state, the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf
300B are positioned collinear, and the rear end of the front shelf
300A and the front end of the rear shelf 300B are nearly in contact
with each other. Further, the connecting links 500 for connecting
the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B are also maintained in
a horizontal state.
[0097] In addition, if it is necessary for example, to take out the
foods on the rear shelf 300B, in order to provide the height
difference between the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B,
the front shelf 300A should first be pulled forward. When the front
shelf 300A is pulled forward, the rear shelf 300B connected thereto
through the connecting links 500 also moves forward.
[0098] When the handle 310 of the front shelf 300A is pulled, the
front guide protrusions 320 and 320' formed on both the side
surfaces of the front shelf 300A move along the connecting portions
420 and 420' of the front guide grooves 400A and 400A', and finally
reach the lower end portions 410 and 410' of the front guide
grooves 400A and 400A' and are supported therein. At this time, the
front shelf 300A moves along the inclined direction of the
connecting portions 420 and 420' of the front shelf 300A and will
be in the lower position than before it is pulled out. The state
after the front shelf 300A moves in such a manner is shown in
dashed dot lines of FIG. 10.
[0099] In addition, the rear shelf 300B connected to the front
shelf 300A through the connecting links 500 is also pulled out
together with the front shelf. The rear shelf 300B moves forward as
the rear guide protrusions 340 and 340' move along the rear guide
grooves 400B and 400B'. At this time, the rear guide protrusions
340 and 340' move along the connecting portions 450 and 450'
upwardly inclined forward, and finally, reach the upper end
portions 440 and 440' of the rear guide grooves 400B and 400B' and
are supported therein. Thereafter, the rear shelf 300B will be in
the upper position than before it moves. The state after the rear
shelf 300B moves in such a manner is shown in dashed dot lines of
FIG. 10.
[0100] Accordingly, when the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf
300B are completely pulled out, the front shelf 300A is in a state
where it has been downward moved and the rear shelf 300B is in a
state where it has been upward moved. Such a state of the front
shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B is shown in FIG. 11 as a
perspective view. In such a state, since there is a certain height
difference between the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B, it
is possible for a user to put the foods to be stored on a desired
position, and particularly, to conveniently take out the foods deep
stored.
[0101] In addition, if the pulled shelf 300 is pushed rearward
again, the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B cooperate with
each other and move in the opposite direction to the direction when
they are pulled out. At this time, as the front shelf 300A moves
rearward, it moves upward along the front guide grooves 400A and
400A' which are upwardly inclined, and as the rear shelf 300B moves
rearward, it moves downward along the rear guide grooves 400B and
400B' which are downwardly inclined.
[0102] When the guide protrusions provided at the rear ends of the
front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B reach the upper end
portions 430' of the front guide grooves 400A' and the lower end
portions 460 of the rear guide grooves 400B and are seated therein,
the front shelf 300A and the rear shelf 300B are substantially
coplanar, which is a state shown in solid lines of FIG. 10.
[0103] According to the shelf of the present invention as described
above, it is noted that the shelf 200 can be configured for its
height to be adjustable without fully separating the shelf 200 from
the interior of the refrigerating chamber. Therefore, since it is
possible for a user to conveniently adjust the height of the shelf
without separating the shelf, the advantage that the storage space
of the refrigerator can be effectively adjusted and used can be
expected.
[0104] Further, it is noted that the shelf 300 according to the
present invention consists of the front shelf and the rear shelf
and is configured so as to adjust the relative height of the front
and rear shelves by operating them. Therefore, it is possible to
appropriately store foods at a desired portion of the shelf, and at
the same time, it is easy to take out foods, particularly foods put
on the rear portion of the shelf.
[0105] According to the present invention, it is possible to adjust
the height of the shelf as described above. Thus, there are
advantages in that it is possible to effectively use the storage
space of the refrigerator and convenient to store or take out
foods.
[0106] In addition, as described above, the shelf according to the
present invention is configured so as to adjust its height in a
state where the shelf is not separated, as well as stably supported
by a plurality of guide protrusions installed on both the side
surfaces of the shelf.
[0107] It will be apparent that those skilled in the art can make
various modifications thereto within the technical scope of the
invention described above. Therefore, the true scope of the present
invention should be defined on the basis of the appended
claims.
* * * * *