U.S. patent application number 15/771028 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-15 for refrigerator having a stowable shelf holder.
The applicant listed for this patent is ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI. Invention is credited to Osman GOKTEPE, Mehmet Ercan KAYMAK, Faik Emre OZYUKSEL, Hakan YORGANCIOGLU, Yaprak Deniz YURT.
Application Number | 20180328651 15/771028 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54427767 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180328651 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OZYUKSEL; Faik Emre ; et
al. |
November 15, 2018 |
REFRIGERATOR HAVING A STOWABLE SHELF HOLDER
Abstract
The present invention relates to a refrigerator which comprises
a compartment for refrigerating articles; one or more shelves which
are releasably disposed into the compartment and one or more shelf
holders each for releasably holding the respective shelf. The
refrigerator of the present invention further comprises: one or
more cavities each formed into the inner side wall of the
compartment, wherein each shelf holder comprises a supporting
member which is releasably and movably disposed into the respective
cavity and adapted to be moved to a stowage position inside the
respective cavity where it releases the respective shelf and
becomes flush with the inner side wall and to an extended position
outside the respective cavity where it supports the respective
shelf.
Inventors: |
OZYUKSEL; Faik Emre;
(Istanbul, TR) ; KAYMAK; Mehmet Ercan; (Istanbul,
TR) ; YORGANCIOGLU; Hakan; (Istanbul, TR) ;
GOKTEPE; Osman; (Istanbul, TR) ; YURT; Yaprak
Deniz; (Istanbul, TR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI |
Istanbul |
|
TR |
|
|
Family ID: |
54427767 |
Appl. No.: |
15/771028 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
November 6, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/075928 |
371 Date: |
April 25, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/068 20130101;
F25D 25/02 20130101; F25D 2325/021 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 25/02 20060101
F25D025/02 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising a compartment for refrigerating
articles; one or more shelves which are releasably disposed into
the compartment and one or more shelf holders each for releasably
holding the respective shelf, characterized in that one or more
cavities each formed into the inner side wall of the compartment,
wherein each shelf holder comprises a supporting member which is
releasably and movably disposed into the respective cavity and
adapted to be moved to a stowage position inside the respective
cavity where it releases the respective shelf and becomes flush
with the inner side wall and to an extended position outside the
respective cavity where it supports the respective shelf.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that
each shelf holder further comprises: a frame member for movably
holding the supporting member; a first mounting means for movably
mounting the supporting member to the frame member and a second
mounting means for releasably mounting the frame member into the
cavity.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that the
first mounting means is further adapted to releasably and movably
mount the supporting member to the frame member.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that the
supporting member has a tongue which is adapted to be pushed by the
shelf so as to move the supporting member from the stowage position
to the extended position.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that one
or more shelf holders each comprises a push-to-open mechanism which
is adapted to move the supporting member from the stowage position
to the extended position when the push-to-open mechanism is
manually actuated by the user.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that one
or more shelf holders each comprises a stopper mechanism for
releasably securing the supporting member at the extended position.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator. The present
invention more particularly relates to the shelf holders of the
refrigerator.
[0002] Refrigerators are commonly known in the art. A refrigerator
generally comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer
compartment for respectively refrigerating the articles to
different temperatures. In order to increase the user convenience,
the refrigerator is generally provided with a plurality of shelves
which are releasably disposed into the fresh food compartment and a
plurality of shelf holders for releasably holding the shelves at
different heights. The user can change the positions of the
releasable shelves in accordance with the sizes of the articles to
be refrigerated. Thereby, the user can use the space inside the
fresh food compartment more efficiently in accordance with his/her
actual requirements. The fresh food compartment generally comprises
an inner lining which is integrally provided with a plurality of
recesses and/or protrusions which receive the shelves respectively
and thus function as the shelf holders. The space behind the inner
lining is commonly filled with a heat insulating material such
polyurethane foam which also reinforces the recesses and the
protrusions.
[0003] WO2015000525 (A1) discloses a refrigerator which comprises a
plurality of releasable shelves.
[0004] A problem with the prior art domestic refrigerator is that
the recesses and the protrusions of the inner lining define an
unsmooth surface which cannot be easily cleaned by the user.
Moreover, the recesses and the protrusions look complicated.
[0005] Another problem with the prior art domestic refrigerator is
that the recesses and the protrusions cannot be replaced or
repaired when they are damaged. Such damages are likely to be
happen when the recesses and the protrusions have a reduced
mechanical strength for one reason or another. For instance the
recesses and the protrusions generally have a reduced mechanical
strength when the heat insulating material does not completely fill
the spaces behind the inner lining.
[0006] An objective of the present invention is to provide a
refrigerator which overcomes the aforementioned problems of the
prior art in a cost effective way and which enables the user to
easily clean the inner side walls of the compartment and which
enables the shelf holders to be easily serviced in case of
damage.
[0007] This objective has been achieved by the refrigerator as
defined in claim 1. Further achievements have been attained by the
subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.
[0008] The refrigerator of the present invention comprises one or
more cavities each formed into the inner side wall of the
compartment, wherein each shelf holder comprises a supporting
member which is releasably and movably disposed into the respective
cavity and adapted to be moved to a stowage position inside the
respective cavity where it releases the respective shelf and
becomes flush with the inner side wall and to an extended position
outside the respective cavity where it supports the respective
shelf.
[0009] A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that
the user can release the shelves and move the supporting members of
the shelf holders to the stowage positions when cleaning the inner
side walls of the compartment. Thereby, the even surface of the
compartment can be easily and quickly cleaned and thus the dirt can
be more effectively removed. Another major advantageous effect of
the present invention is that the service person can release and
replace the supporting members in case of damage. Another major
advantageous effect of the present invention is that the user can
move the unused supporting members of the shelf holders to the
stowage positions and thus improve the visual appearance of the
inner side walls. With the present invention the user satisfaction
can be increased.
[0010] In an embodiment, the shelf holder has a frame member which
movably holds the supporting member through a first mounting means.
In alternative versions of this embodiment, the supporting member
is held through the first mounting means such that it can rotate
about a horizontal axis or a vertical axis. In other alternative
versions of this embodiment, the first mounting means comprises a
first form-fitting connection and/or a first force-fitting
connection which movably mounts the supporting member to the frame
member. These first form/force-fitting connections may include
horizontal or vertical trunnion like pins which are mounted into
the counterpart pivots through a screw fitting, a lock fitting or a
bayonet fitting. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as
the shelf holder can be configured in various different ways and
can be easily stowed away when it is not in use or when the user
intends to clean the inner side walls.
[0011] In another embodiment, the frame member is releasably
mounted into the cavity through a second mounting means. In
alternative versions of this embodiment, the second mounting means
comprises a second form-fitting connection and/or a second
force-fitting connection which releasably mounts the frame member
into the cavity. These second form/force-fitting connections may,
for example, include one or more projections which are received in
corresponding recesses through a lock fitting, a bayonet fitting,
or a press fitting. These embodiments are particularly advantageous
as the shelf holder can be releasably mounted into the cavity in
various different ways and can be easily serviced in case of
replacement.
[0012] In another embodiment, the first mounting means releasably
mounts the supporting member to the frame member. This embodiment
is particularly advantageous as the component parts of the shelf
holder, namely the frame member and the supporting member can be
separately released from the cavity.
[0013] In another embodiment, the supporting member has a tongue.
When the user engages the shelf with the shelf holder, the
respective lateral side of the shelf pushes the tongue and causes
the support member to move from the stowage position to the
extended position. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as
the shelf holder can be more easily engaged with the shelf.
[0014] In another embodiment, the shelf holder includes a
push-to-open mechanism which can be manually actuated by the user
to move the supporting member from the stowage position to the
extended position. The push-to-open mechanism is coupled to the
supporting member and can be manually actuated by pushing the
supporting member inwards. In a version of this embodiment, the
push-to-open mechanism comprises a spring-loaded gear mechanism,
optionally, in combination with one or more spring elements which
generate a thrust during the opening of the shelf holder. Of
course, other type of push-to-open mechanisms which are known those
skilled in the art can be alternatively used. These embodiments are
particularly advantageous as the supporting member can be easily
extended for holding the respective shelf and can be easily stowed
away when it is not in use or when the user intends to clean the
inner side walls.
[0015] In another embodiment, the supporting member is releasably
secured at the extended position through a stopper mechanism. In
alternative versions of this embodiment, the stopper mechanism
comprises one or more catches which are disposed onto the frame
member or the inner side wall. In other alternative versions of
this embodiment, the stopper mechanism comprises two mutually
engaging abutment surfaces which are disposed onto the supporting
member and the frame member or the inner side wall. These
embodiments are particularly advantageous as the supporting member
can be prevented from dislocating as it bears the shelf.
[0016] Additional features and additional advantageous effects of
the refrigerator and the shelf holder of the present invention will
become more apparent with the detailed description of the
embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0017] FIG. 1--is a schematic perspective view of a refrigerator
which has a plurality of shelf holders according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2--is a schematic perspective enlarged view of the
detail A of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3--is a schematic front view of the shelf holder of
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 4--is a schematic side view of the shelf holder of FIG.
3, wherein the supporting member has been moved to the stowage
position;
[0021] FIG. 5--is another schematic side view of the shelf holder
of FIG. 3, wherein the supporting member has been moved the
extended position;
[0022] FIG. 6--is a schematic sectional view of the shelf holder of
FIG. 5, taken along the line B-B as shown in FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 7--is another schematic sectional view of the shelf
holder of FIG. 5, taken along the line C-C as shown in FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 8--is a schematic sectional partial view of the
refrigerator, taken along the line B-B as shown in FIG. 3, wherein
the supporting member has been moved to the stowage position and
the shelf has been released;
[0025] FIG. 9--is another schematic sectional partial view of the
refrigerator, taken along the line C-C as shown in FIG. 3, wherein
the supporting member has been moved the extended position and the
shelf is supported by the shelf holder;
[0026] FIG. 10--is a schematic enlarged partial view of the detail
D of FIG. 6;
[0027] FIG. 11--is a schematic perspective exploded enlarged
partial view of the detail D of FIG. 10;
[0028] FIG. 12--is a schematic partial perspective view of the
refrigerator according to an alternative embodiment of the present
invention, wherein the supporting member has been moved to the
stowage position and the shelf has been released;
[0029] FIG. 13--is a schematic partial front view of the
refrigerator of FIG. 12;
[0030] FIG. 14--is a schematic sectional partial view of the
refrigerator of FIG. 13, taken along the line E-E;
[0031] FIG. 15--is a schematic perspective view of the shelf holder
of FIG. 12, wherein the supporting member has been moved to the
stowage position;
[0032] FIG. 16--is another schematic perspective view of the shelf
holder of FIG. 15;
[0033] FIG. 17--is another schematic perspective view of the shelf
holder of FIG. 12, wherein the supporting member has been moved to
the extended position;
[0034] FIG. 18--is another schematic perspective view of the shelf
holder of FIG. 17;
[0035] FIG. 19--is a schematic perspective view of the supporting
member of FIG. 12;
[0036] FIG. 20--is another schematic perspective view of the
supporting member of FIG. 12;
[0037] FIG. 21--is a schematic partial front view of the
refrigerator according to a another alternative embodiment of the
present invention, wherein the supporting member has been moved to
the extended position and the shelf has been released;
[0038] FIG. 22--is a schematic partial side view of the
refrigerator of FIG. 21;
[0039] FIG. 23--is a schematic sectional partial view of the
refrigerator of FIG. 21, taken along the line F-F;
[0040] FIG. 24--is a schematic sectional partial view of the
refrigerator of FIG. 22, taken along the line G-G;
[0041] FIG. 25--is a schematic perspective view of the shelf holder
of FIG. 21;
[0042] FIG. 26--is another schematic perspective view of the shelf
holder of FIG. 21;
[0043] FIG. 27--is a schematic perspective view of the shelf holder
of FIG. 21, wherein the supporting member is being moved from the
stowage position to the extended position;
[0044] FIG. 28--is another schematic perspective view of the shelf
holder of FIG. 21, wherein the supporting member has been moved to
the stowage position;
[0045] FIG. 29--is a schematic perspective view of the supporting
member of FIG. 21.
[0046] The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the
following technical features. [0047] 1. Refrigerator [0048] 2.
Compartment [0049] 3. Shelf [0050] 4. Shelf holder [0051] 5. Cavity
[0052] 6. Inner side wall [0053] 7. Supporting member [0054] 7a.
Tongue [0055] 8. Frame member [0056] 9. 1.sup.st mounting means
[0057] 10. 2.sup.nd mounting means [0058] 11. Push-to-open
mechanism [0059] 12. Stopper mechanism
[0060] The refrigerator (1) comprises a compartment (2) for
refrigerating articles;
[0061] one or more shelves (3) which are releasably disposed into
the compartment (2) and one or more shelf holders (4) each for
releasably holding the respective shelf (3) (FIG. 1 and FIG.
2).
[0062] The refrigerator (1) of the present invention further
comprises one or more cavities (5) each formed into the inner side
wall (6) of the compartment (2) (FIG. 8; FIG. 14; FIG. 23). In the
refrigerator (1) of the present invention, each shelf holder (4)
comprises a supporting member (7) which is releasably and movably
disposed into the respective cavity (5) and adapted to be moved to
a stowage position inside the respective cavity (5) where it
releases the respective shelf (3) and becomes flush with the inner
side wall (6) and to an extended position outside the respective
cavity (5) where it supports the respective shelf (3) (FIG. 8, FIG.
9; FIG. 14, FIG. 17; FIG. 23, FIG. 28).
[0063] In an embodiment, each shelf holder (4) further comprises a
frame member (8) for movably holding the supporting member (7); a
first mounting means (9) for movably mounting the supporting member
(7) to the frame member (8) and a second mounting means (10) for
releasably mounting the frame member (8) into the cavity (5) (FIG.
5, FIG. 8; FIG. 14; FIG. 23, FIG. 25).
[0064] In another embodiment, the first mounting means (9) is
further adapted to releasably and movably mount the supporting
member (7) to the frame member (8) (FIG. 6; FIG. 16; FIG. 24).
[0065] In another embodiment, the supporting member (7) has a
tongue (7a) which is adapted to be pushed by the shelf (3) so as to
move the supporting member (7) from the stowage position to the
extended position (FIG. 14).
[0066] In another embodiment, one or more shelf holders (4) each
comprises a push-to-open mechanism (11) which is adapted to move
the supporting member (7) from the stowage position to the extended
position when the push-to-open mechanism (11) is manually actuated
by the user (FIG. 6 and FIG. 8).
[0067] In another embodiment, one or more shelf holders (4) each
comprises a stopper mechanism (12) for releasably securing the
supporting member (7) at the extended position (FIG. 7 and FIG.
9).
[0068] A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that
the user can release the shelves (3) and move the supporting
members of the shelf holders (4) to the stowage positions when
cleaning the inner side walls (6) of the compartment (2) (FIG. 8;
FIG. 12; FIG. 28). Thereby, the even surface of the compartment (2)
can be easily and quickly cleaned and thus the dirt can be more
effectively removed. Another major advantageous effect of the
present invention is that the service person can release and
replace the supporting members (7) in case of damage (FIG. 6; FIG.
19; FIG. 29). Another major advantageous effect of the present
invention is that the user can move the unused supporting members
(7) of the shelf holders (4) to the stowage positions and thus
improve the visual appearance of the inner side walls (6). With the
present invention the user satisfaction can be increased. Other
advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the
above described embodiments.
* * * * *