U.S. patent application number 14/323585 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-07 for refrigerator with a top surface having a notched profile for providing additional storage capacity.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sears Brands, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Anthony Shoemaker, Jason Silverstein.
Application Number | 20160003522 14/323585 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55016751 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160003522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Silverstein; Jason ; et
al. |
January 7, 2016 |
REFRIGERATOR WITH A TOP SURFACE HAVING A NOTCHED PROFILE FOR
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL STORAGE CAPACITY
Abstract
Various embodiments provide a refrigerator that includes a
temperature-controlled storage cavity, a front surface, a rear
surface opposite the front surface, and a top surface. The
temperature-controlled storage cavity includes a first storage area
and a second storage area. At least a portion of the front surface
provides access to the temperature-controlled cavity. The top
surface includes a front portion adjacent and generally
perpendicular to the front surface. The top surface includes a rear
portion adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface.
The rear portion is below the front portion. The top surface
includes a central portion connecting the front portion and the
rear portion. The first storage area is below the rear portion and
between the front surface and the rear surface. The second storage
area is above the rear portion, below the front portion, and
between the front surface and the central portion.
Inventors: |
Silverstein; Jason; (Hoffman
Estates, IL) ; Shoemaker; Anthony; (Bartlett,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sears Brands, L.L.C. |
Hoffman Estates |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55016751 |
Appl. No.: |
14/323585 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/236 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/10 20060101
F25D023/10; F25D 23/12 20060101 F25D023/12; F25D 11/00 20060101
F25D011/00 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a temperature-controlled storage
cavity comprising a first storage area and a second storage area, a
front surface, wherein at least a portion of the front surface
provides access to the temperature-controlled storage cavity; a
rear surface opposite the front surface; and a top surface
comprising: a front portion adjacent and generally perpendicular to
the front surface, a rear portion adjacent and generally
perpendicular to the rear surface, the rear portion being below the
front portion, and a central portion connecting the front portion
and the rear portion, wherein the first storage area is below the
rear portion and between the front surface and the rear surface,
wherein the second storage area is above the rear portion, below
the front portion, and between the front surface and the central
portion.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first storage
area and the second storage area are contiguous.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, comprising a bottom
surface generally perpendicular to the front surface and the rear
surface.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein a height from the
bottom surface to the front portion of the top surface is
approximately eighty-four (84) inches.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein a height from the
bottom surface to the rear portion of the top surface is
approximately sixty-nine (69) inches.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein a height of the
central portion from the rear portion to the front portion is
approximately fifteen (15) inches.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an angle between
the front portion and the central portion is approximately ninety
(90) degrees.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an angle between
the central portion and the rear portion is approximately ninety
(90) degrees.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the front surface
is taller than the rear surface.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 3, comprising generally
parallel side surfaces extending between the front surface and the
rear surface and between the top surface and the bottom surface,
the side surfaces comprising a notched profile that corresponds
with the top surface.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a depth of the
rear portion from the central portion to the rear surface is
between thirteen (13) and twenty-five (25) inches.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a depth of the
front portion from the front surface to the central portion is
between eight (8) and twenty (20) inches.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the second
storage area is one of: an ice maker, a beverage storage
compartment, a refrigerated wine storage, a medicine locker, or a
dairy storage.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the front
surface and the temperature-controlled storage cavity are
configured as one of: a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, a
French door refrigerator top with bottom freezer drawer, a top
freezer and bottom refrigerator, a top refrigerator with two door
bottom freezer, all freezer, or all refrigerator.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Certain embodiments of the invention relate to
refrigerators. More specifically, certain embodiments of the
present invention relate to a refrigerator having a top surface
with a notched profile for accommodating upper cabinets such that
additional capacity of a temperature-controlled storage cavity is
provided.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a typical
refrigerator as is known in the art. Referring to FIG. 1 by way of
example, existing refrigerators 10 may include a
temperature-controlled storage cavity 17 defined within a top
surface 11, bottom surface 12, front surface 13, rear surface 14,
and side surfaces (not shown). The temperature-controlled storage
cavity 17 can include one or more of a refrigeration portion for
maintaining a temperature above freezing and a freezer portion for
maintaining a temperature below freezing. The front surface 13 can
include one or more doors and/or drawers for accessing the
temperature-controlled storage cavity 17. The refrigerator 10 may
include one or more hinges 18 for rotatably coupling the doors to
the refrigerator 10.
[0003] Existing refrigerators 10 are generally rectangular-shaped
such that the refrigerator 10 fits in a free standing refrigerator
"cutout" in a kitchen. Typical existing "cutouts" may be, for
example, from thirty (30) to thirty-six (36) inches wide and from
sixty (60) to seventy (70) inches tall. The size of a kitchen
refrigerator "cutout" can be defined by one or more of a floor,
walls, and/or cabinets. Referring to FIG. 1, a height of the
typical rectangular-shaped refrigerator 10 is limited to the
distance between the floor 12 and the upper cabinet 20 when the
refrigerator is placed in the cutout adjacent wall 32. If a user
desires a taller refrigerator to provide additional
temperature-controlled storage capacity, the user may remove or
modify upper cabinet 20 to provide room for the taller
refrigerator.
[0004] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the
art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the
present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present
application with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Various embodiments provide a refrigerator having a top
surface with a notched profile that provides additional capacity of
a temperature-controlled storage cavity, substantially as shown in
and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as
set forth more completely in the claims.
[0006] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of
the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated
embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the
following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a typical
refrigerator as is known in the art.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an
exemplary refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile,
in accordance with a representative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary
refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile, in
accordance with a representative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary
refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile, in
accordance with a representative embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Aspects of the present invention are related to free
standing refrigerators. More specifically, certain embodiments of
the present invention relate to a refrigerator having a top surface
with a notched profile for accommodating upper cabinets such that
additional capacity of a temperature-controlled storage cavity is
provided.
[0012] A representative embodiment of the present invention
provides users of refrigerators with additional
temperature-controlled storage capacity without having to remove
existing upper cabinets by providing a refrigerator with a top
surface having a notched profile. The top surface of the
refrigerator may include a rear portion sitting, for example, below
the existing upper cabinets and a front portion, substantially
parallel with the rear portion, that is above the rear portion and
coupled to the rear portion by a vertical portion such that the top
surface extends, for example, generally around a bottom and front
surface of the upper cabinets to define the notched profile.
[0013] Various embodiments provide a refrigerator 100 that includes
a temperature-controlled storage cavity 117, a front surface 113, a
rear surface 114 opposite the front surface 113, and a top surface
111. The temperature-controlled storage cavity 117 includes a first
storage area 117a and a second storage area 117b. At least a
portion of the front surface 113 provides access to the
temperature-controlled cavity 117. The top surface 111 includes a
front portion 111a adjacent and generally perpendicular to the
front surface 113. The top surface 111 includes a rear portion 111c
adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface 114. The
rear portion 111c is below the front portion 111a. The top surface
111 includes a central portion 111b connecting the front portion
111a and the rear portion 111c. The first storage area 117a is
below the rear portion 111c and between the front surface 113 and
the rear surface 114. The second storage area 117b is above the
rear portion 111c, below the front portion 111a, and between the
front surface 113 and the central portion 111b.
[0014] As utilized herein, the terms "exemplary" or "example" means
serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As
utilized herein, the term "e.g." introduces a list of one or more
non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an
exemplary refrigerator 100 having a top surface 111 with a notched
profile, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of an
exemplary refrigerator 100 having a top surface 111 with a notched
profile, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevation view of an
exemplary refrigerator 100 having a top surface 111 with a notched
profile, in accordance with a representative embodiment of the
present invention. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a refrigerator 100
comprises a top surface 111, a bottom surface 112, a front surface
113, a rear surface 114, side surfaces 115, 116, and a
temperature-controlled storage cavity 117. The
temperature-controlled storage cavity 117 includes an additional
storage area 117b that supplements a typical storage area 117a as
discussed in further detail below. The temperature-controlled
storage cavity 117 is formed between the top 111, bottom 112, front
113, rear 114, and side 115, 116 surfaces of the refrigerator 100
and can include one or more of a refrigeration portion for
maintaining a temperature above freezing and a freezer portion for
maintaining a temperature below freezing. The refrigeration and/or
freezer portions may be in either or both of the typical storage
area 117a and the additional storage area 117b. In various
embodiments, the additional storage area 117b may be configured as
an ice maker, beverage storage compartment, refrigerated wine
storage, a medicine locker, dairy storage, and/or long term
storage, among other things.
[0016] The front surface 113 can include one or more doors and/or
drawers for accessing the temperature-controlled storage cavity
117. For example, the front surface 113 and temperature-controlled
storage cavity 117 can be configured as a side-by-side refrigerator
and freezer, a French door refrigerator top with bottom freezer
drawer, a top freezer and bottom refrigerator, a top refrigerator
with two door bottom freezer, all freezer, all refrigerator, or any
suitable configuration. In an example embodiment, a height from the
bottom surface 112 to a top of the front surface 113 is greater
than a height from the bottom surface 112 to a top of the rear
surface 114. For example, a top of the front surface 113 may be
approximately eighty-four (84) inches from the bottom surface 112
and a top of the rear surface 114 may be approximately sixty-nine
(69) inches from the bottom surface 112. The rear surface 114 is
opposite the front surface 113 such that the rear surface 114 is,
for example, adjacent wall 32 when the refrigerator is positioned
in a kitchen "cutout."
[0017] The bottom surface 112 may be a base for the refrigerator
100. The bottom surface 112 may, for example, sit on a floor 30.
The bottom surface may comprise legs, rollers, pads, or the like
for supporting the refrigerator 100 in relation to the floor 30.
The legs, rollers, pads, or the like can be adjustable to, for
example, level the refrigerator. The legs, roller, pads, or the
like may protect the floor from damage, such as scratching, and/or
assist in allowing the refrigerator to be slid or rolled on floor
30. The side surfaces 115, 116 are the sides of the refrigerator
100. The side surfaces 115, 116 are generally parallel to each
other and generally perpendicular to the top 111, bottom, 112,
front 113, and rear 114 surfaces. The side surfaces 115, 116 may
have a notched or stepped upper profile that corresponds with the
top surface 111, as described below, such that refrigerator 100 may
fit around upper cabinet 20, among other things.
[0018] The top surface 111 comprises a front portion 111a, a
central/vertical portion 111b, and a rear portion 111c. In an
example embodiment, the front 111a and rear 111c portions are
generally parallel with each other and the bottom surface 112, and
the central portion 111b is generally perpendicular with and
connects the front 111a and rear 111c portions to provide a top
surface 111 with a notched or stepped profile. For example, an
angle between the front portion 111a and the central portion 111b
is approximately ninety (90) degrees. The angle between the rear
portion 111c and the central portion 111b may also be approximately
ninety (90) degrees. The front portion 111a is adjacent and
generally perpendicular to the front surface 113. The rear portion
111c is adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface
114.
[0019] In an embodiment, the front portion 111a is above the rear
portion 111c. As an example, a height of the front portion 111a
from the bottom surface 112 is greater than a height of the rear
portion 111c from the bottom surface 112. In various embodiments,
the height of the front portion 111a from the bottom surface 112
may be approximately eighty-four (84) inches, the height of the
rear portion 111b from the bottom surface 112 may be approximately
sixty-nine (69) inches, and the height of the central portion 111b
from the rear portion 111c to the front portion 111a may be
approximately fifteen (15) inches, for example.
[0020] In certain embodiments, a depth of the rear portion 111c
from the central portion 111b to the rear surface 114 may each be
between thirteen (13) and twenty-five (25) inches to accommodate
upper cabinet 20 depths of twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) inches,
for example. A depth of the front portion 111a between the front
surface 113 and the central portion 111b may be, for example, eight
(8) to twenty (20) inches. In an example embodiment, a depth of the
front portion 111a is sixteen (16) inches and the depth of the rear
portion 111c is fifteen (15) inches.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the notched or stepped profile of
the top surface 111 provides an additional temperature-controlled
storage area 117b of cavity 117 above the rear portion 111c of the
top surface 111, below the front portion 111a of the top surface
111, and between the front surface 113 and the central/vertical
portion 111c of the top surface 111. The additional storage area
117b may be contiguous with or separated from storage area 117a.
The additional storage area 117b may be configured as an ice maker,
beverage storage compartment, refrigerated wine storage, a medicine
locker, dairy storage, and/or long term storage, among other
things. The additional storage area 117b can be a refrigeration
area, freezer area, or provide refrigeration and freezer areas or
compartments, for example.
[0022] Although devices, methods, and systems according to the
present invention may have been described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it is not intended to be limited to the
specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended
to cover such alternative, modifications, and equivalents, as can
be reasonably included within the scope of the invention as defined
by this disclosure and appended diagrams.
[0023] While the present invention has been described with
reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents
may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present
invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the present
invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is
intended that the present invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention
will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *