CA2233370A1 - Refrigerator door stop - Google Patents
Refrigerator door stop Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2233370A1 CA2233370A1 CA 2233370 CA2233370A CA2233370A1 CA 2233370 A1 CA2233370 A1 CA 2233370A1 CA 2233370 CA2233370 CA 2233370 CA 2233370 A CA2233370 A CA 2233370A CA 2233370 A1 CA2233370 A1 CA 2233370A1
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- pin
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- stop
- pivot
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Abstract
A hinge and closure mechanism with an integral door stop which, together with the closure unit of the mechanism, stops a refrigerator door from opening beyond a preselected position is described. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes a hinge unit, a closure unit, and door stop. The hinge unit includes a cabinet hinge plate and a door hinge plate. The cabinet hinge plate is mounted to the base of the cabinet, and the door hinge plate is mounted to a refrigerator door. A connector pin and a pivot pin extend through respective openings in the door hinge plate, and door hinge plate is coupled to the cabinethinge plate by the pivot pin. The closure unit includes a pivot plate coupled tothe door hinge plate by the connector pin. The closure unit also includes a compression spring and a link. The link couples the spring to the pivot plate.
A pin stop slot is located in the pivot plate, and the dimensions of the slot are selected to correspond to the position at which it is desired to stop the refrigerator door. A pin stop extends through the pin stop slot and is engaged to the cabinet hinge plate. More particularly, the pin stop includes a flange which prevents the pin stop from extending completely through the pin stop slot.The pin stop also includes a bushing having a first portion and a second portion.
The bushing first portion extends through slot for minimizing friction between the slot and the pin stop, and the bushing second portion has an end in contact with the cabinet hinge plate. The pin stop further includes a threaded end sizedto be inserted into the pin stop opening in the cabinet hinge plate for being threadedly engaged to cabinet hinge plate. As the refrigerator door is opened, the pivot plate rotates with the door. When the pivot plate rotates to a point at which the pin stop is located at the far end of the slot, the pin stop abuts against the pivot plate and prevents further rotation of the door.
A pin stop slot is located in the pivot plate, and the dimensions of the slot are selected to correspond to the position at which it is desired to stop the refrigerator door. A pin stop extends through the pin stop slot and is engaged to the cabinet hinge plate. More particularly, the pin stop includes a flange which prevents the pin stop from extending completely through the pin stop slot.The pin stop also includes a bushing having a first portion and a second portion.
The bushing first portion extends through slot for minimizing friction between the slot and the pin stop, and the bushing second portion has an end in contact with the cabinet hinge plate. The pin stop further includes a threaded end sizedto be inserted into the pin stop opening in the cabinet hinge plate for being threadedly engaged to cabinet hinge plate. As the refrigerator door is opened, the pivot plate rotates with the door. When the pivot plate rotates to a point at which the pin stop is located at the far end of the slot, the pin stop abuts against the pivot plate and prevents further rotation of the door.
Description
REFRIGERATOR DOOR STOP
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to household refrigerators and more particularly, to a door stop integral with a hinge and closure mechanism for a 5 refrigerator door.
Background of the Invention Side-by-side household refrigerators include a fresh food storage compartment and a freezer storage co~ -ent. Each storage compartment has a front access opening normally closed by a fresh food door and a freezer door, 10 respec~i~ely. The doors are mounted to the cabinet by hinge mech~ . With at least some known refrigerators, no positive stop is provided to prevent opening the door beyond a presele~te~ position. For example, with some known refrigerators, the door can be rotated away from the refrigerator cabinet to a point at which the hinge mechanism itself prevents further rotation. In 15 some llouse in~tallqtions, the hinge mechani~m~ may not prevent rotation of the refrige:rator door beyond a point at which the refrigerator door impacts against~djacellt cabinets or walls of the house.
It would be desirable to provide a positive door stop which prevents open~ng a refrigerator door beyond a preselected position. It also would be 20 desirable to provide such a positive door stop which is easy to assemble and does not add signifir~nt labor and material cost to the assembly of refrigeratorhinge and closure mschqni~m~.
S~lmmary of the Invention These and other objects may be Attain~d by a hinge and closure 25 m.orhqni~rn with an integral door stop which, together with the closure unit of the mechqni~m, stops a refrigerator door from opening beyond a prese!ecte~
position. The door stop is integMl with the hinge and closure mechanism in that certain components of the mechanism also perform functions associated with the door stop. More particularly, the hinge unit includes a cabinet hinge plate and a door hinge plate. The cabinet hinge plate is mounted to the base of the cabinet, and the door hinge plate is mounted to a refrigerator door. A
5 connector pin and a pivot pin extend through respective openings in the door hinge plate, and the door hinge plate is coupled to the cabinet hinge plate by the pivot pin. The closure unit includes a pivot plate coupled to the door hinge plate by the connector pin. The closure unit also includes a compression spring and a link. The link couples the spring to the pivot plate.
With respect to the door stop, a pin stop slot is located in the pivot plate, and the di"-f .~ions of the slot are selected to correspond to the position at which it is desired to stop the refrigerator door. A pin stop extends through the pin stop slot and is engaged to the cabinet hinge plate. More particularly, the pin stop includes a flange which prevents the pin stop from extending completely 15 through the pin stop slot. The pin stop also includes a bushing having a first portion and a second portion. The bushing first portion extends through the slotfor minimi7in~ friction between the slot and the pin stop, and the bushing second portion has an end in contact with the cabinet hinge plate. The pin stop further in~hldes a threaded end sized to be inserted into the pin stop o~nillg and 20 threadedly engaged to the cabinet hinge plate.
As the refrigerator door is opened, the pivot plate rotates with the door and the pin stop remains snbsL~ y stationary. When the pivot plate rotates to a point at which the pin stop is located at the end of the slot, the pin stopabuts against the pivot plate and prevents further rotation of the door. The 25 length of the slot and the position of the pin stop can be selected to provide door stopping at a prçselected position which typically is in a range of between about one hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty five degrees open.
With the above described hinge and closure mech~ni.cm, door stopping is performed by the combination of the door stop and the closure unit.
30 Specifically, as the door is opened, the spring is progressively co~ ssed. As the spring is compressed, forces are transferred from the spring through the link to the pivot plate to resist further opening of the door. These forces, in combination with the door stop, act to stop the door when the pin stop abuts against the end of the slot. Therefore, door stopping is not fully dependent on the impact of the pin stop when it abuts against walls of the slot, and the impact forces of the pin stop against the pivot plate are believed to be less than the impact forces which would otherwise be generated if door stopping were fully dependent on the impact of the pin stop. Such reduced impact is believed to provide a llulllber of advantages, including reducing the forces acting on itemsstored in door upon stopping.
In addition, the above described mech~ni~m provides positive door stopping which facilitates preventing opening a refrigerator door beyond a preselectçd position which could cause damage to adjacent walls and cabinets.
Such mech~nicm also is easy to assemble and does not add signifi~nt labor and material cost to the assembly of refrigerator hinge and closure mtoch~ni~m~.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a pe,~ecli~e view of a side-by-side refrigerator including a door hinge and closure mech~nicm in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the refrigerator shown in Figure 1 including the door hinge and closure m-orh~ni~m with an integral door stop.
Figure 3 is a top view of the door hinge and closure m~rh~ni~m with the integral door stop shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side view of the door hinge and closure mech~ni~m with the integral door stop shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a top view of the door hinge and closure mech~ni~m with the integral door stop with the door open to about ninety degrees.
9D-~IR-19050 Figure 6 is a top view of the door hinge and closure mechanism with the integral door stop with the door opened beyond ninety degrees.
Figure 7 is a top view of the door hinge and closure mech~ni.cm with the integral door stop with the door opened to the full open position.
5 Detailed Description An exemplary embodiment of a door hinge and closure mecll~ni~m with an integral door stop in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is described below in detail in connection with a side-by-side household refrigerator. Side-by-side household refrigerators are commercially 10 available from General Electric Company, Louisville, Kentucky, 40225, and such refrigerators can be modified to incorporate the hinge and closure mechanism with the integral door stop. The hinge and closure m~cll~ni~m with the integral door stop, of course, can be used in many other models and types of refrigerators, such as top mount refrigerators, other than the specific side-by-15 side refrigerator described herein.
Although a hinge and closure mPch~ni~", with an integral door stop isdescri)~ed herein as being coupled to the bottom of the cabinet, it should be understood that such mec1 ~ni~m could be coupled to the top of the cabinet. The Ill~mer of coupling the mPch~ni~m to the top of the cabinet will be app~enl to 20 those skilled in the art.
Refelling now specifically to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a side-by-side refrigerator 20 including hinge and closure m~ch~nism~
22 (Somrtimps referred to herein as hinge merll~ni~m~ 22) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Refrigerator 20 includes a cabinet 24 25 having a fresh food storage compartment 26 and a free~r storage cOIllp;i 28 arranged in a side-by-side configuration. Each storage compartment 26 and 28 has a front access opening normally closed by a fresh food door 30 and a freezer door 32, respectively. Each door 30 and 32 is secured to colnpalllllent 9D-~IR-19050 cabinet 24 by hinge mech~ni~m~ 22, and handles 34 and 36 are mounted to each door 30 and 32 to facilitate door opening.
Refrigerator 20 includes a base 38 which forms a base channel 40. As described below in more detail, hinge and closure m~ch~ni~m~ 22 include a S hinge unit 42 and a closure unit 44. ~lthough only one mech~ni~m 22 is described below in detail, it should be understood that the other hinge and closure mech~ni~m utilized in connection with refrigerator 20 is identical to the described mech~ni~m.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of refrigerator 20 including 10 door hinge and closure mechanism 22 with an integral door stop 46. Door stop 46 is integral with mPrh~ni~m 22 in that certain components of mP~h~nicm 22 also perform functions associated with door stop 46. More particularly, hinge unit 42 includes a cabinet hinge plate 48 mounted to base 38 by screws 50.
Cabinet hinge plate 48 includes a pivot pin opening 52, a pin stop opening 54, 15 and a connector pin cutout 56. Hinge unit 42 also includes a door hinge plate58 mounted to door 30 by screws 60. A colm~;lor pin 62 and a pivot pin 64 extend through respective openings in door hinge plate 58. Door hinge plate 58 is coupled to cabinet hinge plate 48 by pivot pin 64 which extends from door hinge plate 58 through a bore 66 in a bushing 68 and into pivot pin opening 52.
20 ~usl~il~g 68 includes a first, smaller ~ metPr portion 70 which is inserted into pivot pin opening 52 and a second, larger ~i~rnPter portion 72 which prevents IJu~ 68 from falling through opening 52. Pivot pin bushing 68 is therefore trapped between door hinge plate 58 and cabinet hinge plate 48.
Closure unit 44 includes a pivot plate 74 having a connector pin opening 25 76 and a link opening 78. Door hinge plate 58 is coupled to pivot plate 74 byconnector pin 62 which extends through a bore 80 of a bushing 82 and through opening 76 in pivot plate 74. A snap ring 84 snaps into a groove 86 of com~-;lor pin 62 and substantially prevents col~e.,lor pin 62 from being lifted away from pivot plate 74. Rllshing 82 is trapped between door hinge plate 58 30 and pivot plate 74.
Closure unit 44 also includes a co.l~pl~,ssion spring 88 and a link 90.
Link 90 couples spring 88 to pivot plate 74. More particularly, link 90 extends through opening 78 in pivot plate 74, through a slot 92 in hinge plate 48, and through compression spring 88. A first stop washer 94 is provided to prevent S spring 88 from moving through slot 92, and a second stop washer 96 and load adjustrnent nut 98, which is threadedly engaged to a threaded end 100 of link 90, are provided so that the loading of spring 88 as it is colnplessed between stop washers 94 and 96 can be adjusted.
A pin stop slot 102 is located in pivot plate 74, and the dimensions of slot 102 are selected to correspond to the position at which it is desired to stop opening of door 30 as described below. A pin stop 104 extends through slot 102 and is engaged to cabinet hinge plate 48. More particularly, pin stop 104 includes a flange 106 which prevents pin stop 104 from e~ten~lin~ completely through pin stop slot 102. Pin stop 104 also includes a bushing 108 which extends through slot 102 for minimi7ing friction between walls of slot 102 and pin stop 104 and for cont~cting the ends of slot 102. Bushing 108 has a first portion 110 and a second portion 112. Bushing first portion 110 extends through slot 102 for minimi7ing friction between slot 102 and pin stop 104 and for contacting the ends of slot 102, and bushing second portion 112 has an end 114 in contact with cabinet hinge plate 48. Pin stop 104 further includes a threaded end 116 sized to be inserted into pin stop Openlllg 54 in cabinet hingeplate 48 for being threadedly engaged to cabinet hinge plate 48.
Figure 3 is a top view of door hinge and closure mPrll~nism 22. As shown in Figure 3, pin stop 104 is located at one end of slot 102 when door 30 is closed. As door 30 is opened, pivot plate 74 rotates with door 30. When pin stop 104 reaches the far end of slot 102, then pin stop 104 abuts against pivot plate 74 and p~ further rotation of door 30. More particularly, and in the specific embodiment described above, when door 30 rotates to a prçsele~ted position, pin stop 104 abuts against the far end of slot 102 and prevents further opening of door 30. The length of slot 102 and the position of pin stop 104 can be selected to provide door stopping at a preselected position which typically is in a range of between about one hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty five degrees open.
Figure 4 is a side view of door hinge and closure mech~ni~m 22. As 5 shown in Figure 4, the extent to which m~ch~ni~m 22 extends beyond door 30 is minim~l, which enh~nres the ~sth~tic appearance of refrigerator 22. Spring 88 may, for example, be fabricated from spring steel. Link 90 may be a flexible wire such as cable. Door hinge plate 58, cabinet hinge plate 48, and pivot plate 74 may be fabricated from 1045 carbon steel, for example. Of 10 course, the components of meçh~ni~m 22 may be fabricated from many other materials.
Figure 5 is a top view of the door hinge and closure mechanism 22 with door 30 open to about ninety degrees. In this position, spring 88 is more coll"~lessed as compared to the collll"~ssion of spring 88 in when door 30 is in15 the fully closed position (Figure 3). Also, pivot plate 74 subst~n~i~lly freely rotates to this position in that pin stop 104 and pivot pin bushing 68 do not "lle.re~ with rotation of plate 74. Spring 88, of course, exerts a closure forceon door 30 through plate 74 as door 30 is opened.
Figure 6 is a top view of door hinge and closure merll~ni.cm 22 with 20 door 30 opened beyond ninety degrees. In the position shown in Figure 6, pivot plate 74 is in contact with pivot pin bushing 68 at pivot pin 64. Particularly, a side surface 118 of pivot plate 74 is shaped, i.e., curved, so that pivot plate 74 does not pre~e"l rotation of door 30 yet contacts bushing 68. Such contact results in friction forces between plate 74 and bushing 68. In addition, spring 25 88 is progressively co"~p,~ssed as door 30 is rotated from the position shownin Figure S to the position shown in Figure 6. The closure forces generated by spring 88 and the friction forces between plate 74 and bushing 68 decelerate door 30 and act as a deterrent to further opening of door 30. Pin stop 104, however, is still located at an interme~ te location within slot 102 and door 3030 can be opened further.
9D-HR-l905O
Figure 7 is a top view of door hinge and closure mech~ni~m 22 with door 30 opened to the full open position. In the full open position, pin stop 104 abuts against the end of slot 102 and prevents further opening, or rotation, of door 30. Door stopping, however, is not fully dependent upon the impact of pin stop 104 against the end of slot 102. Specifically, the closure forces generated by spring 88 and the friction between plate 74 and bushing 68 decelerate door 30 before door 30 reaches the fully open position.
With integral door stop and closure mech~ni~m 22, door stopping is performed by the combination of door stop 46 and closure unit 44. Specifically, as door 30 is opened, compression spring 88 gene,~tes forces which are transferred through link 90 to pivot plate 74 to resist further opening of door 30. When door 30 is opened beyond the ninety degree opened position, pivot plate 74 contacts pivot pin bushing 68. The closure forces generated by spring 88 and the friction forces b~lweell plate 74 and bushing 68 decelerate door 30 and act as a deterrent to further opening of door 30. These forces, in combination with door stop 46, act to stop door 30 when pin stop 104 abuts against the far end of slot 102. Therefore, with m~ch~ni~m 22, door stopping is not fully dependent on the impact of pin stop 104 when it abuts against wallsof slot 102. The impact forces of pin stop 104 against pivot plate 74 are believed to be less than the impact forces which would othenhise be ge.~eldled if door stopping were fully dependent on the impact of pin stop 104 against plate 74. Such reduced impact is believed to provide a number of advantages, including reducing the forces acting on items stored in door 30 upon stopping.
From the prece~ing description of various embodiments of the present invention, it is evident that the objects of the invention are ~ ined Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to household refrigerators and more particularly, to a door stop integral with a hinge and closure mechanism for a 5 refrigerator door.
Background of the Invention Side-by-side household refrigerators include a fresh food storage compartment and a freezer storage co~ -ent. Each storage compartment has a front access opening normally closed by a fresh food door and a freezer door, 10 respec~i~ely. The doors are mounted to the cabinet by hinge mech~ . With at least some known refrigerators, no positive stop is provided to prevent opening the door beyond a presele~te~ position. For example, with some known refrigerators, the door can be rotated away from the refrigerator cabinet to a point at which the hinge mechanism itself prevents further rotation. In 15 some llouse in~tallqtions, the hinge mechani~m~ may not prevent rotation of the refrige:rator door beyond a point at which the refrigerator door impacts against~djacellt cabinets or walls of the house.
It would be desirable to provide a positive door stop which prevents open~ng a refrigerator door beyond a preselected position. It also would be 20 desirable to provide such a positive door stop which is easy to assemble and does not add signifir~nt labor and material cost to the assembly of refrigeratorhinge and closure mschqni~m~.
S~lmmary of the Invention These and other objects may be Attain~d by a hinge and closure 25 m.orhqni~rn with an integral door stop which, together with the closure unit of the mechqni~m, stops a refrigerator door from opening beyond a prese!ecte~
position. The door stop is integMl with the hinge and closure mechanism in that certain components of the mechanism also perform functions associated with the door stop. More particularly, the hinge unit includes a cabinet hinge plate and a door hinge plate. The cabinet hinge plate is mounted to the base of the cabinet, and the door hinge plate is mounted to a refrigerator door. A
5 connector pin and a pivot pin extend through respective openings in the door hinge plate, and the door hinge plate is coupled to the cabinet hinge plate by the pivot pin. The closure unit includes a pivot plate coupled to the door hinge plate by the connector pin. The closure unit also includes a compression spring and a link. The link couples the spring to the pivot plate.
With respect to the door stop, a pin stop slot is located in the pivot plate, and the di"-f .~ions of the slot are selected to correspond to the position at which it is desired to stop the refrigerator door. A pin stop extends through the pin stop slot and is engaged to the cabinet hinge plate. More particularly, the pin stop includes a flange which prevents the pin stop from extending completely 15 through the pin stop slot. The pin stop also includes a bushing having a first portion and a second portion. The bushing first portion extends through the slotfor minimi7in~ friction between the slot and the pin stop, and the bushing second portion has an end in contact with the cabinet hinge plate. The pin stop further in~hldes a threaded end sized to be inserted into the pin stop o~nillg and 20 threadedly engaged to the cabinet hinge plate.
As the refrigerator door is opened, the pivot plate rotates with the door and the pin stop remains snbsL~ y stationary. When the pivot plate rotates to a point at which the pin stop is located at the end of the slot, the pin stopabuts against the pivot plate and prevents further rotation of the door. The 25 length of the slot and the position of the pin stop can be selected to provide door stopping at a prçselected position which typically is in a range of between about one hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty five degrees open.
With the above described hinge and closure mech~ni.cm, door stopping is performed by the combination of the door stop and the closure unit.
30 Specifically, as the door is opened, the spring is progressively co~ ssed. As the spring is compressed, forces are transferred from the spring through the link to the pivot plate to resist further opening of the door. These forces, in combination with the door stop, act to stop the door when the pin stop abuts against the end of the slot. Therefore, door stopping is not fully dependent on the impact of the pin stop when it abuts against walls of the slot, and the impact forces of the pin stop against the pivot plate are believed to be less than the impact forces which would otherwise be generated if door stopping were fully dependent on the impact of the pin stop. Such reduced impact is believed to provide a llulllber of advantages, including reducing the forces acting on itemsstored in door upon stopping.
In addition, the above described mech~ni~m provides positive door stopping which facilitates preventing opening a refrigerator door beyond a preselectçd position which could cause damage to adjacent walls and cabinets.
Such mech~nicm also is easy to assemble and does not add signifi~nt labor and material cost to the assembly of refrigerator hinge and closure mtoch~ni~m~.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a pe,~ecli~e view of a side-by-side refrigerator including a door hinge and closure mech~nicm in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the refrigerator shown in Figure 1 including the door hinge and closure m-orh~ni~m with an integral door stop.
Figure 3 is a top view of the door hinge and closure m~rh~ni~m with the integral door stop shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side view of the door hinge and closure mech~ni~m with the integral door stop shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a top view of the door hinge and closure mech~ni~m with the integral door stop with the door open to about ninety degrees.
9D-~IR-19050 Figure 6 is a top view of the door hinge and closure mechanism with the integral door stop with the door opened beyond ninety degrees.
Figure 7 is a top view of the door hinge and closure mech~ni.cm with the integral door stop with the door opened to the full open position.
5 Detailed Description An exemplary embodiment of a door hinge and closure mecll~ni~m with an integral door stop in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is described below in detail in connection with a side-by-side household refrigerator. Side-by-side household refrigerators are commercially 10 available from General Electric Company, Louisville, Kentucky, 40225, and such refrigerators can be modified to incorporate the hinge and closure mechanism with the integral door stop. The hinge and closure m~cll~ni~m with the integral door stop, of course, can be used in many other models and types of refrigerators, such as top mount refrigerators, other than the specific side-by-15 side refrigerator described herein.
Although a hinge and closure mPch~ni~", with an integral door stop isdescri)~ed herein as being coupled to the bottom of the cabinet, it should be understood that such mec1 ~ni~m could be coupled to the top of the cabinet. The Ill~mer of coupling the mPch~ni~m to the top of the cabinet will be app~enl to 20 those skilled in the art.
Refelling now specifically to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a side-by-side refrigerator 20 including hinge and closure m~ch~nism~
22 (Somrtimps referred to herein as hinge merll~ni~m~ 22) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Refrigerator 20 includes a cabinet 24 25 having a fresh food storage compartment 26 and a free~r storage cOIllp;i 28 arranged in a side-by-side configuration. Each storage compartment 26 and 28 has a front access opening normally closed by a fresh food door 30 and a freezer door 32, respectively. Each door 30 and 32 is secured to colnpalllllent 9D-~IR-19050 cabinet 24 by hinge mech~ni~m~ 22, and handles 34 and 36 are mounted to each door 30 and 32 to facilitate door opening.
Refrigerator 20 includes a base 38 which forms a base channel 40. As described below in more detail, hinge and closure m~ch~ni~m~ 22 include a S hinge unit 42 and a closure unit 44. ~lthough only one mech~ni~m 22 is described below in detail, it should be understood that the other hinge and closure mech~ni~m utilized in connection with refrigerator 20 is identical to the described mech~ni~m.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of refrigerator 20 including 10 door hinge and closure mechanism 22 with an integral door stop 46. Door stop 46 is integral with mPrh~ni~m 22 in that certain components of mP~h~nicm 22 also perform functions associated with door stop 46. More particularly, hinge unit 42 includes a cabinet hinge plate 48 mounted to base 38 by screws 50.
Cabinet hinge plate 48 includes a pivot pin opening 52, a pin stop opening 54, 15 and a connector pin cutout 56. Hinge unit 42 also includes a door hinge plate58 mounted to door 30 by screws 60. A colm~;lor pin 62 and a pivot pin 64 extend through respective openings in door hinge plate 58. Door hinge plate 58 is coupled to cabinet hinge plate 48 by pivot pin 64 which extends from door hinge plate 58 through a bore 66 in a bushing 68 and into pivot pin opening 52.
20 ~usl~il~g 68 includes a first, smaller ~ metPr portion 70 which is inserted into pivot pin opening 52 and a second, larger ~i~rnPter portion 72 which prevents IJu~ 68 from falling through opening 52. Pivot pin bushing 68 is therefore trapped between door hinge plate 58 and cabinet hinge plate 48.
Closure unit 44 includes a pivot plate 74 having a connector pin opening 25 76 and a link opening 78. Door hinge plate 58 is coupled to pivot plate 74 byconnector pin 62 which extends through a bore 80 of a bushing 82 and through opening 76 in pivot plate 74. A snap ring 84 snaps into a groove 86 of com~-;lor pin 62 and substantially prevents col~e.,lor pin 62 from being lifted away from pivot plate 74. Rllshing 82 is trapped between door hinge plate 58 30 and pivot plate 74.
Closure unit 44 also includes a co.l~pl~,ssion spring 88 and a link 90.
Link 90 couples spring 88 to pivot plate 74. More particularly, link 90 extends through opening 78 in pivot plate 74, through a slot 92 in hinge plate 48, and through compression spring 88. A first stop washer 94 is provided to prevent S spring 88 from moving through slot 92, and a second stop washer 96 and load adjustrnent nut 98, which is threadedly engaged to a threaded end 100 of link 90, are provided so that the loading of spring 88 as it is colnplessed between stop washers 94 and 96 can be adjusted.
A pin stop slot 102 is located in pivot plate 74, and the dimensions of slot 102 are selected to correspond to the position at which it is desired to stop opening of door 30 as described below. A pin stop 104 extends through slot 102 and is engaged to cabinet hinge plate 48. More particularly, pin stop 104 includes a flange 106 which prevents pin stop 104 from e~ten~lin~ completely through pin stop slot 102. Pin stop 104 also includes a bushing 108 which extends through slot 102 for minimi7ing friction between walls of slot 102 and pin stop 104 and for cont~cting the ends of slot 102. Bushing 108 has a first portion 110 and a second portion 112. Bushing first portion 110 extends through slot 102 for minimi7ing friction between slot 102 and pin stop 104 and for contacting the ends of slot 102, and bushing second portion 112 has an end 114 in contact with cabinet hinge plate 48. Pin stop 104 further includes a threaded end 116 sized to be inserted into pin stop Openlllg 54 in cabinet hingeplate 48 for being threadedly engaged to cabinet hinge plate 48.
Figure 3 is a top view of door hinge and closure mPrll~nism 22. As shown in Figure 3, pin stop 104 is located at one end of slot 102 when door 30 is closed. As door 30 is opened, pivot plate 74 rotates with door 30. When pin stop 104 reaches the far end of slot 102, then pin stop 104 abuts against pivot plate 74 and p~ further rotation of door 30. More particularly, and in the specific embodiment described above, when door 30 rotates to a prçsele~ted position, pin stop 104 abuts against the far end of slot 102 and prevents further opening of door 30. The length of slot 102 and the position of pin stop 104 can be selected to provide door stopping at a preselected position which typically is in a range of between about one hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty five degrees open.
Figure 4 is a side view of door hinge and closure mech~ni~m 22. As 5 shown in Figure 4, the extent to which m~ch~ni~m 22 extends beyond door 30 is minim~l, which enh~nres the ~sth~tic appearance of refrigerator 22. Spring 88 may, for example, be fabricated from spring steel. Link 90 may be a flexible wire such as cable. Door hinge plate 58, cabinet hinge plate 48, and pivot plate 74 may be fabricated from 1045 carbon steel, for example. Of 10 course, the components of meçh~ni~m 22 may be fabricated from many other materials.
Figure 5 is a top view of the door hinge and closure mechanism 22 with door 30 open to about ninety degrees. In this position, spring 88 is more coll"~lessed as compared to the collll"~ssion of spring 88 in when door 30 is in15 the fully closed position (Figure 3). Also, pivot plate 74 subst~n~i~lly freely rotates to this position in that pin stop 104 and pivot pin bushing 68 do not "lle.re~ with rotation of plate 74. Spring 88, of course, exerts a closure forceon door 30 through plate 74 as door 30 is opened.
Figure 6 is a top view of door hinge and closure merll~ni.cm 22 with 20 door 30 opened beyond ninety degrees. In the position shown in Figure 6, pivot plate 74 is in contact with pivot pin bushing 68 at pivot pin 64. Particularly, a side surface 118 of pivot plate 74 is shaped, i.e., curved, so that pivot plate 74 does not pre~e"l rotation of door 30 yet contacts bushing 68. Such contact results in friction forces between plate 74 and bushing 68. In addition, spring 25 88 is progressively co"~p,~ssed as door 30 is rotated from the position shownin Figure S to the position shown in Figure 6. The closure forces generated by spring 88 and the friction forces between plate 74 and bushing 68 decelerate door 30 and act as a deterrent to further opening of door 30. Pin stop 104, however, is still located at an interme~ te location within slot 102 and door 3030 can be opened further.
9D-HR-l905O
Figure 7 is a top view of door hinge and closure mech~ni~m 22 with door 30 opened to the full open position. In the full open position, pin stop 104 abuts against the end of slot 102 and prevents further opening, or rotation, of door 30. Door stopping, however, is not fully dependent upon the impact of pin stop 104 against the end of slot 102. Specifically, the closure forces generated by spring 88 and the friction between plate 74 and bushing 68 decelerate door 30 before door 30 reaches the fully open position.
With integral door stop and closure mech~ni~m 22, door stopping is performed by the combination of door stop 46 and closure unit 44. Specifically, as door 30 is opened, compression spring 88 gene,~tes forces which are transferred through link 90 to pivot plate 74 to resist further opening of door 30. When door 30 is opened beyond the ninety degree opened position, pivot plate 74 contacts pivot pin bushing 68. The closure forces generated by spring 88 and the friction forces b~lweell plate 74 and bushing 68 decelerate door 30 and act as a deterrent to further opening of door 30. These forces, in combination with door stop 46, act to stop door 30 when pin stop 104 abuts against the far end of slot 102. Therefore, with m~ch~ni~m 22, door stopping is not fully dependent on the impact of pin stop 104 when it abuts against wallsof slot 102. The impact forces of pin stop 104 against pivot plate 74 are believed to be less than the impact forces which would othenhise be ge.~eldled if door stopping were fully dependent on the impact of pin stop 104 against plate 74. Such reduced impact is believed to provide a number of advantages, including reducing the forces acting on items stored in door 30 upon stopping.
From the prece~ing description of various embodiments of the present invention, it is evident that the objects of the invention are ~ ined Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet having at least one access opening closed by a door, said door coupled to said cabinet by a hinge and closure mechanism, said mechanism comprising:
a hinge unit comprising a door hinge plate mounted to said door and a cabinet hinge plate mounted to said cabinet, said door hinge plate coupled to said cabinet hinge plate, said cabinet hinge plate having a pin stop opening therein;
a closure unit for exerting a closure force on said door, said closure unit comprising a pivot plate coupled to said door hinge plate, said pivot plate having a pin stop slot therein, a spring movably coupled to said pivot plate, and a link coupling said spring to said pivot plate; and a pin stop for assisting in stopping opening of said door, said pin stop extending through said pin stop slot in said pivot plate and into said pin stop opening in said cabinet hinge plate.
a hinge unit comprising a door hinge plate mounted to said door and a cabinet hinge plate mounted to said cabinet, said door hinge plate coupled to said cabinet hinge plate, said cabinet hinge plate having a pin stop opening therein;
a closure unit for exerting a closure force on said door, said closure unit comprising a pivot plate coupled to said door hinge plate, said pivot plate having a pin stop slot therein, a spring movably coupled to said pivot plate, and a link coupling said spring to said pivot plate; and a pin stop for assisting in stopping opening of said door, said pin stop extending through said pin stop slot in said pivot plate and into said pin stop opening in said cabinet hinge plate.
2. A refrigerator in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said hinge unit further comprises a pivot pin coupled to and extending from said door hinge plate, a pivot pin opening in said cabinet hinge plate, said pivot pin extendinginto said pivot pin opening in said cabinet hinge plate, and a pivot pin bushinghaving a bore therethrough, said pivot pin extending through said pivot pin bushing and said pivot pin bushing being trapped between said door hinge plate and said cabinet hinge plate.
3. A refrigerator in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said hinge unit further comprises a connector pin coupled to and extending from said door hinge plate, a connector pin opening in said pivot plate, said connector pin extending through said connector pin opening in said pivot plate, and a connector pin bushing having a bore therethrough, said connector pin extending through said connector pin bushing and said connector pin bushing being trapped between said door hinge plate and said pivot plate.
4. A refrigerator in accordance with Claim 3 wherein said cabinet hinge plate further comprises a connector pin cut-out sized to at least partially receive said connector pin bushing.
5. A refrigerator in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said pin stop comprises a flange which prevents one end of said pin stop from extending through said pin stop slot.
6. A refrigerator in accordance with Claim 5 wherein said pin stop further comprises a bushing extending through said slot for minimizing friction between walls of said slot and said pin stop and for contacting the ends of saidslot.
7. A refrigerator in accordance with Claim 5 wherein said pin stop further comprises a threaded end sized to be inserted into said pin stop openingin said cabinet hinge plate and to threadedly engage said cabinet hinge plate.
8. A refrigerator in accordance with Claim 7 wherein said pin stop further comprises a bushing having a first portion and a second portion, said bushing first portion extending through said slot for minimizing friction between walls of said slot and said pin stop and for contacting the ends of said slot, said bushing second portion having an end in contact with said cabinet hinge plate.
9. A door hinge and closure mechanism for being mounted to a refrigerator, the refrigerator including a cabinet having at least one access opening closed by a door, said hinge and closure mechanism configured to couple the door to the cabinet, said mechanism comprising:
a hinge unit comprising a door hinge plate mounted to the door and a cabinet hinge plate mounted to the cabinet, said door hinge plate coupled to said cabinet hinge plate, said cabinet hinge plate having a pin stop opening therein;a closure unit for exerting a closure force on said door, said closure unit comprising a pivot plate coupled to said door hinge plate, said pivot plate having a pin stop slot therein, a spring movably coupled to said pivot plate, and a link coupling said spring to said pivot plate; and a pin stop for assisting in stopping opening of said door, said pin stop extending through said pin stop slot in said pivot plate and into said pin stop opening in said cabinet hinge plate.
a hinge unit comprising a door hinge plate mounted to the door and a cabinet hinge plate mounted to the cabinet, said door hinge plate coupled to said cabinet hinge plate, said cabinet hinge plate having a pin stop opening therein;a closure unit for exerting a closure force on said door, said closure unit comprising a pivot plate coupled to said door hinge plate, said pivot plate having a pin stop slot therein, a spring movably coupled to said pivot plate, and a link coupling said spring to said pivot plate; and a pin stop for assisting in stopping opening of said door, said pin stop extending through said pin stop slot in said pivot plate and into said pin stop opening in said cabinet hinge plate.
10. A door hinge and closure mechanism in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said hinge unit further comprises a pivot pin coupled to and extendingfrom said door hinge plate, a pivot pin opening in said cabinet hinge plate, said pivot pin extending into said pivot pin opening in said cabinet hinge plate, anda pivot pin bushing having a bore therethrough, said pivot pin extending throughsaid pivot pin bushing and said pivot pin bushing being trapped between said door hinge plate and said cabinet hinge plate.
11. A door hinge and closure mechanism in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said hinge unit further comprises a connector pin coupled to and extending from said door hinge plate, a connector pin opening in said pivot plate, said connector pin extending through said connector pin opening in said pivot plate, and a connector pin bushing having a bore therethrough, said connector pin extending through said connector pin bushing and said connector pin bushing being trapped between said door hinge plate and said pivot plate.
12. A door hinge and closure mechanism in accordance with Claim 11 wherein said cabinet hinge plate further comprises a connector pin cut-out sized to at least partially receive said connector pin bushing.
13. A door hinge and closure mechanism in accordance with Claim 9 wherein said pin stop comprises a flange which prevents one end of said pin stop from extending through said pin stop slot.
14. A door hinge and closure mechanism in accordance with Claim 13 wherein said pin stop further comprises a bushing extending through said slotfor minimizing friction between walls of said slot and said pin stop and for contacting the ends of said slot.
15. A door hinge and closure mechanism in accordance with Claim 13 wherein said pin stop further comprises a threaded end sized to be inserted into said pin stop opening in said cabinet hinge plate and to threadedly engage said cabinet hinge plate.
16. A door hinge and closure mechanism in accordance with Claim 15 wherein said pin stop further comprises a bushing having a first portion and a second portion, said bushing first portion extending through said slot for minimizing friction between walls of said slot and said pin stop and for contacting the ends of said slot, said bushing second portion having an end in contact with said cabinet hinge plate.
17. A pin stop for a hinge and closure mechanism of a refrigerator, the hinge and closure mechanism including a pivot plate having a slot therein, said pin stop comprising a flange which prevents one end of said pin stop from extending through the pin stop slot.
18. A pin stop in accordance with Claim 17 further comprising a bushing for extending through the slot for minimizing friction between walls of the slot and said pin stop and for contacting the ends of the slot.
19. A pin stop in accordance with Claim 17 wherein the hinge and closure mechanism further includes a cabinet hinge plate having an opening therethrough and said pin stop further comprises a threaded end sized to be inserted into the pin stop opening in the cabinet hinge plate to threadedly engage the cabinet hinge plate.
20. A pin stop in accordance with Claim 17 wherein the hinge and closure mechanism further includes a cabinet hinge plate having an opening therethrough and said pin stop further comprises a bushing having a first portion and a second portion, said bushing first portion configured to extend through the slot for minimizing friction between walls of the slot and said pin stop and forcontacting the ends of said slot, said bushing second portion having an end configured to be in contact with the cabinet hinge plate.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US5736097P | 1997-08-29 | 1997-08-29 | |
| US60/057,360 | 1997-08-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2233370A1 true CA2233370A1 (en) | 1999-02-28 |
Family
ID=22010093
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2233370 Abandoned CA2233370A1 (en) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-03-26 | Refrigerator door stop |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2233370A1 (en) |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017148680A1 (en) * | 2016-03-03 | 2017-09-08 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Domestic refrigerator with a door opening unit introduced from below into a base unit, and method for installing a domestic refrigerator |
| CN107916859A (en) * | 2017-11-29 | 2018-04-17 | 青岛海尔股份有限公司 | Refrigerator |
| CN108166879A (en) * | 2017-11-29 | 2018-06-15 | 青岛海尔股份有限公司 | Refrigerator |
| CN112284018A (en) * | 2019-07-23 | 2021-01-29 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with a door |
| CN112282546A (en) * | 2019-07-23 | 2021-01-29 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Hinge assembly with baffle and refrigerator with hinge assembly |
| CN112444071A (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2021-03-05 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with switching assembly |
| CN112444073A (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2021-03-05 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Embedded multi-door refrigerator |
| CN112444069A (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2021-03-05 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with multi-axis hinge assembly |
| CN112444068A (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2021-03-05 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Embedded side-by-side combination refrigerator |
| CN112595011A (en) * | 2020-12-15 | 2021-04-02 | 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with a door |
-
1998
- 1998-03-26 CA CA 2233370 patent/CA2233370A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017148680A1 (en) * | 2016-03-03 | 2017-09-08 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Domestic refrigerator with a door opening unit introduced from below into a base unit, and method for installing a domestic refrigerator |
| CN107916859B (en) * | 2017-11-29 | 2022-02-18 | 海尔智家股份有限公司 | Refrigerator with a door |
| CN107916859A (en) * | 2017-11-29 | 2018-04-17 | 青岛海尔股份有限公司 | Refrigerator |
| CN108166879A (en) * | 2017-11-29 | 2018-06-15 | 青岛海尔股份有限公司 | Refrigerator |
| CN108166879B (en) * | 2017-11-29 | 2022-02-18 | 海尔智家股份有限公司 | Refrigerator with a door |
| CN112284018A (en) * | 2019-07-23 | 2021-01-29 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with a door |
| CN112282546A (en) * | 2019-07-23 | 2021-01-29 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Hinge assembly with baffle and refrigerator with hinge assembly |
| CN112282546B (en) * | 2019-07-23 | 2022-10-04 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Hinge assembly with baffle and refrigerator with hinge assembly |
| CN112284018B (en) * | 2019-07-23 | 2022-05-17 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with a door |
| CN112444068A (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2021-03-05 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Embedded side-by-side combination refrigerator |
| CN112444069A (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2021-03-05 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with multi-axis hinge assembly |
| CN112444069B (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2022-04-29 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with multi-axis hinge assembly |
| CN112444073B (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2022-04-29 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Embedded multi-door refrigerator |
| CN112444068B (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2022-04-29 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Embedded side-by-side combination refrigerator |
| CN112444073A (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2021-03-05 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Embedded multi-door refrigerator |
| CN112444071B (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2022-09-13 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with switching assembly |
| CN112444071A (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2021-03-05 | 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with switching assembly |
| CN112595011A (en) * | 2020-12-15 | 2021-04-02 | 海信（山东）冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator with a door |
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