U.S. patent application number 12/458909 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-08 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Young Rak Kim, Jung Geun Lee.
Application Number | 20100084956 12/458909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41137688 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100084956 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Young Rak ; et
al. |
April 8, 2010 |
Refrigerator
Abstract
Disclosed is a refrigerator having a home bar. The refrigerator
has a reinforcement unit that supports a pair of rotating shafts to
securely assemble the rotating shafts with a home bar door such
that the rotating shafts securely support the home bar door. The
refrigerator includes a home bar door, a pair of support members
provided in the home bar door symmetrically to each other, and a
connection member connecting the support members to each other. The
support members are integrally formed with the connection
member.
Inventors: |
Kim; Young Rak; (Gwangiu-si,
KR) ; Lee; Jung Geun; (Goyang-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700, 1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon
KR
|
Family ID: |
41137688 |
Appl. No.: |
12/458909 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/405.1 ;
312/237; 312/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2400/06 20130101;
F25D 23/028 20130101; F25D 2323/023 20130101; F25D 23/025 20130101;
F25D 2323/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/405.1 ;
312/237; 312/405 |
International
Class: |
A47B 83/00 20060101
A47B083/00; A47B 96/04 20060101 A47B096/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 2, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-97019 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a home bar including: a home bar
door; a pair of support members provided in the home bar door
symmetrically to each other; and a connection member to connect the
support members to each other.
2. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support
members are integrally formed with the connection member.
3. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support
members and the connection member are installed in the home bar
door.
4. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support
members have a pair of rotating shaft receptacles and a pair of
rotating shafts, inserted into the rotating shaft receptacles.
5. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 4, wherein the home bar
door is formed with a pair of perforation holes and the rotating
shafts extend by passing through the perforation holes.
6. A refrigerator comprising: a home bar including: a home bar
door; a reinforcement unit extending in one direction along the
home bar door; and a pair of rotating shafts installed in the
reinforcement unit symmetrically to each other.
7. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
reinforcement unit has a pair of rotating shaft receptacles and the
rotating shafts are inserted into the rotating shaft
receptacles.
8. A refrigerator comprising: a body; a door installed in the body;
a home bar mounting section formed in the door; and a home bar door
installed in the home bar mounting section, wherein the home bar
door includes a pair of rotating shafts rotatably installed in the
home bar mounting section and a reinforcement unit, and wherein the
rotating shafts are inserted into the reinforcement unit
symmetrically to each other.
9. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
reinforcement unit is fabricated through a die casting process.
10. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a
reinforcement bracket fixed to the door, wherein the reinforcement
bracket includes a stopper to restrict rotation of the home bar
door.
11. A refrigerator comprising: a body; a door installed in the
body: a home bar mounting section formed in the door; a home bar
door installed in the home bar mounting section, a pair of rotating
shafts rotatably supporting the home bar door in the home bar
mounting section; and a reinforcement unit installed in the home
bar door to support the rotating shafts, wherein the reinforcement
unit is integrally fabricated.
12. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
reinforcement unit has a pair of rotating shaft receptacles and the
rotating shafts are inserted into the rotating shaft receptacles.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2008-0097019 filed on Oct. 2, 2008, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a
home bar. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
refrigerator having a home bar which is securely assembled with a
refrigerator door by a reinforcement unit.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A refrigerator is an appliance that supplies cold air
generated through a refrigerating cycle to a storage compartment to
keep foods fresh for a long period of time. In general, the
refrigerator includes a body that forms a storage compartment in
which food is stored, and at least one door that is pivotably
installed to the body to open/close the storage compartment.
[0006] The door is formed with an opening communicated with the
storage compartment and a home bar is installed in the opening. A
user can take out the food or beverages from the storage
compartment or can put the food or beverages into the storage
compartment through the home bar without opening the door. For
instance, a storage space is formed inside the door that is
opened/closed by the home bar such that the user can put food and
beverages into the storage space or take out the food and
beverages. That is, the home bar is additionally installed to the
door and the user can easily put in/take out the food and beverages
by opening/closing the home bar. Thus, it is not necessary to
frequently open/close the door, so that leakage of cold air can be
prevented.
[0007] In addition, since the home bar is horizontally arranged in
the open state, the user can put the food or beverages on the home
bar. This configuration of the home bar may improve convenience of
the user, but require an additional support structure to allow the
home bar to be horizontally maintained. Such a support structure
must have sufficient strength to support the weight of the home bar
as well as the weight of the food and beverages placed on the home
bar.
SUMMARY
[0008] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to
provide a refrigerator capable of securely maintaining a home bar
door such that the home bar door is not inclined by supporting the
home bar door using a reinforcement unit installed in the home bar
door.
[0009] Additional aspects and/or advantages will be set forth in
part in the description which follows and, in part, will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
[0010] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
are achieved by providing a refrigerator including a home bar which
includes a home bar door, a pair of support members provided in the
home bar door symmetrically to each other, and a connection member
to connect the support members to each other.
[0011] The support members are integrally formed with the
connection member.
[0012] The support members and the connection member are installed
in the home bar door.
[0013] The support members have a pair of rotating shaft
receptacles and a pair of rotating shafts are inserted into the
rotating shaft receptacles.
[0014] The home bar door is formed with a pair of perforation holes
and the rotating shafts extend by passing through the perforation
holes.
[0015] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
are also achieved by providing a refrigerator including a home bar
which includes a home bar door, a reinforcement unit extending in
one direction along the home bar door, and a pair of rotating
shafts installed in the reinforcement unit symmetrically to each
other.
[0016] The reinforcement unit has a pair of rotating shaft
receptacles and the rotating shafts are inserted into the rotating
shaft receptacles.
[0017] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
are also achieved by providing a refrigerator including a body, a
door installed in the body, a home bar mounting section formed in
the door, and a home bar door installed in the home bar mounting
section, wherein the home bar door includes a pair of rotating
shafts rotatably installed in the home bar mounting section and a
reinforcement unit, and wherein the rotating shafts are inserted
into the reinforcement unit symmetrically to each other.
[0018] The reinforcement unit is fabricated through a die casting
process.
[0019] The refrigerator further includes a reinforcement bracket
fixed to the door, and the reinforcement bracket includes a stopper
for restricting rotation of the home bar door.
[0020] The foregoing and/or other aspects of the present invention
are also achieved by providing a refrigerator including a body, a
door installed in the body, a home bar mounting section formed in
the door, a home bar door installed in the home bar mounting
section, a pair of rotating shafts rotatably supporting the home
bar door in the home bar mounting section, and a reinforcement unit
installed in the home bar door to support the rotating shafts,
wherein the reinforcement unit is integrally fabricated.
[0021] The reinforcement unit has a pair of rotating shaft
receptacles and the rotating shafts are inserted into the rotating
shaft receptacles.
[0022] As described above, according to the refrigerator according
to example embodiments, the home bar door can be stably
open/closed, so that reliability of the product can be
improved.
[0023] In addition, since the reinforcement unit is integrally
formed through the die casting process, strength of the
reinforcement unit can be improved, so that the home bar door can
be securely supported by the reinforcement unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] These and/or other aspects and advantages will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator having a
home bar according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a home bar of
a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a home bar
door according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a home bar according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the
like elements. The embodiments are described below to explain the
present invention by referring to the figures.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator having a
home bar according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator according to an
embodiment of the present invention includes a body 10 having
storage compartments 11 and 12 storing food therein, and doors 13
and 14 rotatably installed to the body 10 to open/close the storage
compartments 11 and 12. The storage compartments 11 and 12 are
divided by an intermediate wall, into a refrigerating compartment
11 maintaining the food under the low temperature and a freezing
compartment 12 to freeze the food wall. The refrigerating
compartment 11 is open/closed by a refrigerating compartment door
13, and the freezing compartment 12 is open/closed by a freezing
compartment door 14. Hinge devices 15 are installed at upper and
lower ends of the body 10 to allow the doors 13 and 14 open/close
the storage compartments 11 and 12 while rotating about the hinge
devices 15.
[0032] A home bar 20 is installed to the refrigerating door 13 to
allow the user to take out food or beverages from the refrigerator
without opening the refrigerating compartment door 13. The home bar
20 includes a home bar mounting section 30 formed in the
refrigerating compartment door 13, and a home bar door 40 installed
in the home bar mounting section 30. The home bar mounting section
30 is formed with an opening 31 communicated with the storage
compartments 11 and 12. The home bar door 40 is installed in the
home bar mounting section 30 to open/close the opening 31 of the
home bar mounting section 30. The user can take out food or
beverages from the refrigerator or put the food or beverages into
the refrigerator by opening the home bar door 40 without opening
the refrigerating compartment door 13. In addition, since the home
bar door 40 is horizontally arranged in the open state, the user
can put the food or beverages on the home bar door 40, so that
convenience of the user can be improved.
[0033] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the home bar
20 of the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the home bar 20 of the
refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention
includes the home bar door 40 and the home bar mounting section 30
to install the home bar door 40.
[0035] The home bar mounting section 30 has a substantially
rectangular shape and the opening 31 is formed at the center of the
home bar mounting section 30. The home bar mounting section 30 is
formed in the refrigerating compartment door 13 and a reinforcement
bracket 50 is provided at a lower portion of the home bar mounting
section 30. The reinforcement bracket 50 is partially inserted into
the refrigerating compartment door 13 such that the reinforcement
bracket 50 can be securely fixed to the refrigerating compartment
door 13. The reinforcement bracket 50 has a substantially "T"
shape, and a coupling part 51 of the reinforcement bracket 50 is
fixedly inserted into the refrigerating compartment door 13. As
shown in FIG. 4, since the coupling part 51 is inserted into a
foaming material of the refrigerating compartment door 13, the
reinforcement bracket 50 can be securely fixed to the refrigerating
compartment door 13 as the foaming material is cured.
[0036] The home bar door 40 is rotatably installed in the home bar
mounting section 30. The home bar door 40 is provided at both sides
thereof with a pair of rotating shafts 41, and the home bar
mounting section 30 is formed at both sides thereof with a pair of
holes 33. The rotating shafts 41 are rotatably inserted into the
holes 33, so that the home bar door 40 is rotatably installed in
the home bar mounting section 30. According to the above
configuration, since the rotating shafts 41 are subject to the
weight of the home bar door 40, great load is applied to the
rotating shafts 41. In particular, if the rotating shafts 41 do not
maintain the horizontal state due to the assembling tolerance or
the like, the home bar door 40 may be tilted in one direction. In
this case, the foodstuffs or the beverages cannot be stably placed
on the home bar door 40. Thus, it is necessary to prevent the home
bar door 40 from being tilted in one direction, which will be
described below in detail.
[0037] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the home bar
door 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the home bar door 40 according to
an embodiment of the present invention includes a front cover 43
and a rear cover 44 coupled to a rear surface of the front cover
43. The front cover 43 has a flat plate shape. Decorative glass may
be attached to the front cover 43 to improve the aesthetic
appearance. The rear cover 44 includes an outer frame 45 and an
inner frame 46, which is recessed from the outer frame 45 by a
predetermined depth. Thus, a space section S is formed between the
front and rear covers 43 and 44 as the front cover 43 is coupled
with the rear cover 44. A foaming material having an insulating
property is filled in the space section S.
[0039] In addition, a reinforcement unit 60 is provided in the
space section S formed between the front and rear covers 43 and 44.
The reinforcement unit 60 extends along a lower edge of the home
bar door 40. The reinforcement unit 60 may be integrally formed by
die casting. The reinforcement unit 60 has a plurality of holes 63
and the foaming material is uniformly filled in the space section S
by passing through the holes 63. The reinforcement unit 60 is
primarily fixed to the rear cover 44 by a screw 66, and is
secondarily fixed to the rear cover 44 as the foaming material is
cured. Thus, the reinforcement unit 60 can be securely fixed to the
home bar door 40.
[0040] The reinforcement unit 60 includes a pair of support members
61 into which the rotating shafts 41 are inserted, and a connection
member 62 connecting the support members 61 to each other. As
mentioned above, the reinforcement unit 60 is integrally formed
through the die casting process. However, the connection member 62
may also be installed between the support members 61 after
fabricating the connection member 62 separately from the support
members 61. In this case, the connection member 62 can be
integrated with the support members 61 through a welding
process.
[0041] The rotating shafts 41 are installed in the reinforcement
unit 60. In detail, the rotating shafts 41 are installed in the
support members 61 of the reinforcement unit 60. In addition, the
rear cover 44 is formed at both sides thereof with perforation
holes 42 corresponding to the rotating shafts 41 such that the
rotating shafts 41 protrude outward by passing through the
perforation holes 42. Referring again to FIG. 2, the perforation
holes 42 are formed at both sides of the home bar door 40 in
correspondence with the rotating shafts 41.
[0042] Rotating shaft receptacles 64 are formed in the support
members 61 of the reinforcement unit 60. The rotating shaft
receptacles 64 are prepared in the form of holes having a
predetermined depth. Springs 65 are primarily accommodated in the
rotating shaft receptacles 64 and then the rotating shafts 51 are
inserted into the rotating shaft receptacles 64. In addition, oil
dampers are inserted into the rotating shaft receptacles 64 to
allow the home bar door 40 to be easily open/closed. A pair of
rotating shaft receptacles 64 are formed corresponding to a pair of
the support members 61.
[0043] As described above, the support members 61 assembled with
the rotating shafts 41 are integrally formed with the connection
member 62, so that the rotating shafts 41 may not be tilted in one
direction. In addition, since the reinforcement unit 60 is dually
fixed to the home bar door 40 by the screw and the foaming
material, the reinforcement unit 60 can be securely fixed to the
home bar door 50, so that strength of the reinforcement unit 60 can
be enhanced. That is, since the reinforcement unit 60 is securely
fixed to the home bar door 40, the home bar door 40 can be
prevented from being tilted in one direction caused by the
assembling tolerance, so that the performance and reliability of
the home bar door 40 can be improved.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the home bar 20 according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a latch unit 70 is installed at
an upper portion of the home bar 20. The latch unit 70 includes a
hook member 71 installed in the home bar door 40, and a locking
member 72 installed in the home bar mounting section 30. The home
bar door 40 is rested in a mounting hole 47 of the home bar door
40, and the locking member 72 protrudes downward from an upper
inner surface of the home bar mounting section 30. When the home
bar door 40 is in the closed state, the hook member 71 is locked
with the locking member 72. In contrast, the hook member 71 is
separated from the locking member 72 when the home bar door 40 is
in the open state. In particular, FIG. 4 shows the home bar door 40
that is horizontally arranged in the open state. At this time, a
lower end of the home bar door 40 is supported by a stopper 52 of
the reinforcement bracket 50. In detail, the rear cover 44 of the
home bar door 40 is supported by the stopper 52 of the
reinforcement bracket 50. The user can put the foodstuffs or
beverages on the home bar door 40 when the home bar door 40 is
horizontally arranged.
[0046] When the home bar door 40 is horizontally arranged to serve
as a shelf, a large load is applied to the rotating shafts 41 as
well as the lower end of the home bar door 40 supported by the
stopper 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotating shafts 41 are
assembled with the support members 61, and the support members 61
supporting the rotating shafts 41 are integrally formed with the
connection member 61. Thus, the rotating shafts 41 can be securely
coupled with the support members 61 even if a different load is
applied to the rotating shafts 41. Since the reinforcement unit 60
includes the support members 61, and the connection member 62
interposed between the support members 61 and the rotating shafts
41 are inserted into both sides of the reinforcement unit 60, the
home bar door 40 can be securely supported in the home bar mounting
section 30. Therefore, the home bar door 40 is prevented from being
tilted in one direction, so that the home bar door 40 can be
smoothly open/closed and can serve as the shelf when the home bar
door 40 is horizontally arranged in the open state.
[0047] Although few embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *