U.S. patent application number 11/855636 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for refrigerator shelving system with item retainer.
This patent application is currently assigned to THETFORD CORPORATION. Invention is credited to James C. Butler.
Application Number | 20080067910 11/855636 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39187848 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080067910 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Butler; James C. |
March 20, 2008 |
REFRIGERATOR SHELVING SYSTEM WITH ITEM RETAINER
Abstract
A retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator includes a
retainer member and at least one connector member. The retainer
member may extend between the first and second lateral sides of the
shelf and may include a central portion positionable above the
shelf. The at least one connector member may connect the retainer
member to the shelf. The at least one connector member may include
a locking mechanism for securing the retainer member at various
points along a length of at least one of the lateral sides of the
shelf.
Inventors: |
Butler; James C.; (Sidney,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Assignee: |
THETFORD CORPORATION
Ann Arbor
MI
|
Family ID: |
39187848 |
Appl. No.: |
11/855636 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60825791 |
Sep 15, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 25/02 20130101;
F25D 2325/022 20130101; F25D 2325/021 20130101; F25D 2331/809
20130101; A47B 96/02 20130101; F25D 2325/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/408 |
International
Class: |
F25D 25/02 20060101
F25D025/02; A47B 96/02 20060101 A47B096/02 |
Claims
1. A retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator, the shelf
generally defining a horizontal plane and include first and second
lateral sides, the retention system comprising: a retainer member
for extending between the first and second lateral sides of the
shelf, the retainer member including a central portion positionable
above the shelf; and at least one connector member for connecting
the retainer member to the shelf, the at least one connector member
including a locking mechanism for securing the retainer member at
various points along a length of at least one of the lateral sides
of the shelf.
2. The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of claim 1,
wherein the at least one connector member includes a first
connector member for connecting the retainer member to the first
lateral side and a second connector member for connecting the
retainer member to the second lateral side.
3. The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of claim 2,
wherein the at least one connector member is operable in a first
mode to permit sliding movement of the at least one connector
member relative to the shelf and operative in a second mode to
prevent sliding movement of the at least one connector member
relative to the shelf.
4. The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of claim 1,
wherein the at least one connector member defines a channel for
slidably receiving one of the first and second lateral sides of the
shelf.
5. The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of claim 1,
wherein the at least one connector member includes a stop member
moveable between a first position and a second position such that
relative movement between the retainer member and the shelf is
permitted in the first position and relative movement between the
retainer member and the shelf is prevented in the second
position.
5. The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of claim 5,
wherein the retainer member is moveable from a first position to
second position to move the stop member from the first position to
the second position.
6. The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of claim 5,
wherein the stop member frictionally engages the shelf to prevent
relative movement between the retainer member and the shelf.
7. The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of claim 5,
wherein the stop member is elastically moveable from the first
position to the second position.
8. The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of claim 1,
wherein the retainer member is rotatable about a laterally
extending axis.
9. The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of claim 1,
in combination with the shelf.
10. The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of claim 1,
in combination with the shelf and the refrigerator.
11. A shelving arrangement for a refrigerator, the shelving
arrangement comprising: a shelf generally defining a horizontal
plane; a retainer member for extending between the first and second
lateral sides of the shelf, the retainer member including a central
portion positionable above the shelf; and a first connector member
coupling the retainer member to the first lateral side of the
shelf; and a second connector member coupling the retainer member
to the second lateral side of the shelf.
12. The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of claim 11,
wherein the at least one of the first and second connector members
are operable in a first mode to permit sliding movement of the at
least one connector member relative to the shelf and operative in a
second mode to prevent sliding movement of the at least one
connector member relative to the shelf.
13. The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of claim 11,
wherein at least one of the first and second connector members
defines a channel for slidably receiving a corresponding one of the
first and second lateral sides of the shelf.
14. The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of claim 11,
wherein at least one of the first and second one connector members
includes a stop member moveable between a first position and a
second position such that relative movement between the retainer
member and the shelf is permitted in the first position and
relative movement between the retainer member and the shelf is
prevented in the second position.
15. The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of claim 14,
wherein the retainer member is moveable from a first position to
second position to move the stop member from the first position to
the second position.
16. The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of claim 14,
wherein the stop member frictionally engages the shelf to prevent
relative movement between the retainer member and the shelf.
17. The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of claim 14,
wherein the stop member is elastically moveable from the first
position to the second position.
18. The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of claim 11,
wherein the shelf is a solid shelf.
20. A shelving arrangement for a refrigerator, the shelving
arrangement comprising: a solid shelf generally defining a
horizontal plane; a retainer member for extending between the first
and second lateral sides of the shelf, the retainer member
including a central portion positionable above the shelf; and first
and second connector members respectively coupling the retainer
member to the first and second lateral sides of the shelf, each
connector member including a first side for slidably receiving the
respective lateral side of the shelf and a second side for
receiving one of the ends of the retainer member, each connector
member further including a stop member for limiting upward
translation of the retainer member, the stop members of the first
and second connector members cooperating to define a pivot axis
about which the retainer member may rotate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/825,791 filed 15 Sep. 2006, which application is
herein expressly incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present teaching relate generally to refrigerators. More
particularly, the present teaching to a shelving system for a
refrigerator having an item retainer.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] Refrigerators are commonly used for both stationary and
mobile applications. Some known shelving systems for mobile
applications incorporate item retention features. While such
conventional refrigerator shelving arrangements have proven to be
satisfactory for their intended uses, they are all associated with
limitations. For example, known shelving arrangements do not
adequately secure items within the refrigerator for vehicle
movement. Furthermore, many known item retention features are
limited for use with wire shelves.
[0005] Accordingly, it remains a need in the pertinent art to
provide a shelving system for a vehicle refrigerator that overcomes
the limitations associated with prior known arrangements, including
but not limited to those disadvantages discussed above.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to one aspect, the present teachings provide a
retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator. The shelf generally
defines a horizontal plane and includes first and second lateral
sides. The retention system may include a retainer member and at
least one connector member. The retainer member may extend between
the first and second lateral sides of the shelf and may include a
central portion positionable above the shelf. The at least one
connector member may connect the retainer member to the shelf. The
at least one connector member may include a locking mechanism for
securing the retainer member at various points along a length of at
least one of the lateral sides of the shelf.
[0007] According to another aspect, the present teachings provide a
shelving arrangement for a refrigerator. The shelving arrangement
includes a shelf generally defining a horizontal plane. The
shelving arrangement may additionally include a retainer member
extending between the first and second lateral sides of the shelf.
The retainer member may include a central portion positionable
above the shelf. The shelving arrangement may further include a
first connector member coupling the retainer member to the first
lateral side of the shelf and a second connector member coupling
the retainer member to the second lateral side of the shelf.
[0008] Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelving arrangement for a
refrigerator in accordance with the present teachings, a retaining
member of the shelving arrangement shown in a deployed position
(solid lines) and an intermediate position (hidden lines).
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shelving arrangement for a
refrigerator in accordance with the present teachings similar to
FIG. 1, the retaining member of the shelving arrangement shown in a
stowed position.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a shelving
arrangement for a refrigerator in accordance with the present
teachings.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a first side of a
connector member in accordance with the present teachings.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a second side of a
connector member in accordance with the present teachings.
[0015] FIG. 6 is top view of a connector member in accordance with
the present teachings.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a first side of a connector member
in accordance with the present teachings.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of
FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS
[0018] The following description the present teachings is merely
exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0019] With general reference to the drawings, a shelving system
constructed in accordance with the present teachings is illustrated
and generally identified at reference character 10. In one
application, the shelving system 10 is for a refrigerator. It will
become apparent, however, that the present teachings may be used
for other applications.
[0020] The shelving arrangement 10 of the present teachings may
generally include a shelf 12 and a retention system or arrangement
14. As will be appreciated below, the retention system 14 may be
operative to retain items on the shelf 12. In one particular
application, the retention system 14 may serve to retain food and
other items on a shelf 12 of a vehicle refrigerator in response to
movement of the vehicle. The retention system 14 retains the items
on the shelf 12 by establishing a barrier which prevents the items
from forwardly moving off the shelf. Lateral movement of the items
from the shelf 12 may be prevented by the refrigerator sidewalls,
for example.
[0021] The shelf may be a solid shelf 12 constructed of glass,
acrylic, plastic or other suitable materials. In alternative
applications, the shelf may be a wire shelf. The shelf 12 may
further include a first trim piece 19 and a second trim piece 21.
The first and second trim pieces 19 and 21 may be constructed of
plastic. The first and second trim pieces may define channels for
receiving edges of the shelf 12.
[0022] The shelf 12 may be supported by a support arrangement 18.
The support arrangement 18 may include a pair of arms 20 that
selectively engage uprights 22 and a pair of transverse members 24
extending between the arms 20. The transverse members 24 may be
received within channels defined by the trim pieces 19 and 21.
[0023] The retention system 14 may generally include a retainer
member 26 and at least one connector member 28 for coupling the
retainer member to the shelf 12. As shown in the drawings, the at
least one connector member may include first and second connector
members 28. The first and second connector members 28 may be
substantially identical to one another. The connector members 28
may be formed of plastic or other suitable material.
[0024] The retainer member 26 may include a central portion 29 that
substantially extends between first and second lateral sides 30 and
32 of the shelf 12. The central portion 29 may extend across the
shelf 12 in a substantially linear manner. The retainer member 26
may additionally include first and second end portions 34 and 36.
The first and second end portions 34 and 36 may be substantially
identical and may include upper portions that depend from the
central portion 29. These upper portions may extend rearwardly from
the central portion 29 when the retainer member 26 is in a deployed
position (as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, for example).
Intermediate portions of the first and second end portions 34 and
36 downwardly extend to hooked-shaped lower portions. The retainer
member 26 may be unitarily formed of metal rod stock.
Alternatively, the retainer member 26 may be formed of plastic.
[0025] The connector members 28 couple the retainer member 26 to
the shelf 12. Prior to addressing the construction and function of
the connector members 28, an understanding of the resulting
movement allowed by the connector members 28 between the shelf 12
and the retainer member 26 is warranted. The retainer member 26 may
be rotatably moved between a deployed position (shown in FIG. 1 is
solid lines) and a stowed position (shown in FIG. 2). The retainer
member 26 may also be upwardly translated from the deployed
position to an intermediate position (shown in FIG. 1 in dashed
lines). The retainer member 26 may be secured relative to the shelf
12 at various positions along the length of the first and second
lateral sides 30 and 32.
[0026] Each of the connector members 28 include a first side (shown
in the perspective view of FIG. 4) that faces the shelf and an
opposite second side (shown in the perspective view of FIG. 5). The
connector members 28 may additionally include a top portion and a
bottom portion. At the top portion, the first side of the connector
member 28 may define a channel 40. In this regard, the top portion
may include a pair of spaced flanges to define the channel 40. The
channel 40 may slidably receive a side of the shelf 12.
[0027] The lower portion of the connector member 28 may include a
wall 42 with a bottom portion that is curved such that the wall
defines a generally U-shaped channel 44. As will be discussed
below, the U-shaped channel 44 receives the lower portion of one of
the ends 34 and 36 of the retainer member 26. The lower portion may
further include a stop member 46. The stop member 46 may be
connected to the wall 42 through a horizontally extending web
48.
[0028] At the second side, the top of the connector member 28
defines an opening 48. The opening 48 leads to the channel 44. A
pin 50 may be integrally formed with the upper portion and may
extend into the opening 48.
[0029] The lower hook portions of the first and second ends 34 and
36 of the retainer member 26 pass through the openings 48 of the
respective connector members 28. After the connector members 28 are
selectively positioned along the lateral sides 30 and 32 of the
shelf 12 to in desired positions, the retainer member 26 is
downwardly translated to the deployed position (shown in solid
lines in FIG. 1). In this position, the hook portions of the first
and second ends 34 and 36 are seated in the channels 44 of the
respective connector members 28. Rotation of the retainer member 26
is precluded through contact between the lower hook portions and
the wall 42.
[0030] When the lower hook portions are seated in their respective
connector member channels 44, the stop portions 46 are urged by the
lower hook portions against an inherent spring bias and into
contact with the shelf 12. Through friction, this contact may
prevent sliding movement between the connector member 28 and the
shelf 12 and thereby fix the position of the retainer member 26
relative to the shelf 12. In certain applications, it may be
desirable to provide the stop portions 46 with cooperating
structure to further preclude movement relative to the shelf 12.
For example, cooperating teeth may be carried by the stop portion
46 and the shelf 12.
[0031] When the retainer member 26 is translated upwardly (in the
direction indicated by Arrow X in FIG. 1), the lower hook portion
of each end 34 and 36 is displaced from the U-shaped channel 44.
This upward translation is limited by engagement of the respective
pins 50 with the lower hook portions. The retainer member 26 may
now be rotated about an Axis Y (see FIG. 1) that passes generally
through the pins 50 to the stowed position (see FIG. 2). The
retainer member 26 may also be translated in the direction of Arrow
Z (see FIG. 1) along the shelf 12 as the stop portions 46 are no
longer pressed against the shelf 12 by the lower hook portions.
Through this translation in the direction of Arrow Z, the position
of the retainer member 26 may be adjusted depending on the amount
of items present on the shelf 12. In this manner, the items on the
shelf may be effectively captures between the retainer member 26
and the refrigerator sidewalls.
[0032] It will now be appreciated that a refrigerator shelving
system 10 is provided that provides a retainer member 26 which can
be employed at various points along a shelf 12. Additionally, the
present teachings provide a retainer system 14 that may be utilized
with a solid shelf 12.
[0033] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *