EP1725820A1 - Multi-functional support means for household electrical appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and the like - Google Patents

Multi-functional support means for household electrical appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and the like

Info

Publication number
EP1725820A1
EP1725820A1 EP05716825A EP05716825A EP1725820A1 EP 1725820 A1 EP1725820 A1 EP 1725820A1 EP 05716825 A EP05716825 A EP 05716825A EP 05716825 A EP05716825 A EP 05716825A EP 1725820 A1 EP1725820 A1 EP 1725820A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheel
support part
household electrical
freezers
electrical appliances
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP05716825A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1725820B1 (en
Inventor
Amedeo Whirlpool Europe s.r.l. CONTI
Fiorenzo Whirlpool Europe s.r.l. CASOLI
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool Corp
Original Assignee
Whirlpool Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whirlpool Corp filed Critical Whirlpool Corp
Priority to PL05716825T priority Critical patent/PL1725820T3/en
Publication of EP1725820A1 publication Critical patent/EP1725820A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1725820B1 publication Critical patent/EP1725820B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/38—Refrigerating devices characterised by wheels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multi-functional support means for household electrical appliances, particularly for freezers, in accordance with the introduction to the main claim. It relates in particular to a multifunctional support means for heavy household electrical appliances which in certain situations need to be shifted with agility, but can also be used for appliances of static position.
  • Household electrical appliances are known to rest on the floor via support means in the form of feet, usually four in number. These feet are well known, they being substantially profiled plastic protuberances fixed to the lower surface of the appliance.
  • support means in the form of wheels are present, these facilitating shifting of the appliance.
  • wheel-type support means are often positioned only on the rear side so that the appliance has merely to be lifted on its front side to enable it to be comfortably moved. When the front side is again lowered it rests on the floor, the appliance then maintaining the position attained.
  • a drawback of the known art is that such an appliance is provided either with wheels or with static support feet, with the result that when the support means (static or wheel-type) has been mounted it can no longer be changed other than by very difficult removal and mounting operations.
  • the two different support means must also be produced and kept in store and the appropriate one mounted at the time of order.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a support device which can be easily transformed from static to movable or vice versa.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a support device which is economical and easily installed.
  • FIG. 1 shows a foot for household electrical appliances, particularly refrigerators, freezers and the like, which is indicated overall by 1.
  • connection plate 2 from which there projects, in one piece therewith, a static support part 3.
  • the support part 3 lowerly presents a substantially flat surface 3a which acts as the floor support during static use of the appliance to which the support means is applied via the connection plate.
  • a compartment 5 containing, again in one piece therewith, snap connection means in the form of a cradle acting as a seat 4 for the shaft 6 of a wheel 7; said means enable the wheel to rotate, they presenting a cradle part 4a in which said shaft 6 rests, and snap-tangs 4b which maintain said shaft 6 in position and enable it to rotate.
  • Said compartment 5 is of cross shape, with said seats being provided at the ends of one of the arms of the cross. In this manner the wheel shaft lies in the seats, with that wheel part which is to make contaot with the ground being housed in the wider arm of the cross.
  • the foot 1 is used as it is, such that the surface 3a rests on the ground, whereas if a movable support is required, the wheel 7 is inserted into the appropriate seats, so that by projecting from the surface 3a it allows the appliance to be easily moved.
  • Such a foot can be mounted on any type of household electrical appliance, whether of low or high cost.
  • Inserting the wheel 7 into the appropriate seats is sufficient to transform the foot from a static support means to a movable support m eans.
  • the foot can be formed integral with the base part or base frame.
  • All the components of the invention can be of any material, however a polymeric material such as ABS is preferred.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Elimination Of Static Electricity (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
  • Distillation Of Fermentation Liquor, Processing Of Alcohols, Vinegar And Beer (AREA)
  • Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)

Abstract

A floor support device (1) for household electrical appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and the like, comprising a static support part (3) rigid with the appliance, said static support part being provided with at least one seat to removably receive a wheel for transforming said static support part into a dynamic support part.

Description

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SUPPORT MEANS FOR HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES SUCH AS FREEZERS, REFRIGERATORS AND THE LIKE
The present invention relates to a multi-functional support means for household electrical appliances, particularly for freezers, in accordance with the introduction to the main claim. It relates in particular to a multifunctional support means for heavy household electrical appliances which in certain situations need to be shifted with agility, but can also be used for appliances of static position.
Household electrical appliances are known to rest on the floor via support means in the form of feet, usually four in number. These feet are well known, they being substantially profiled plastic protuberances fixed to the lower surface of the appliance. In the more costly appliances of this type, instead of feet, which represent static support means, support means in the form of wheels are present, these facilitating shifting of the appliance. These wheel-type support means are often positioned only on the rear side so that the appliance has merely to be lifted on its front side to enable it to be comfortably moved. When the front side is again lowered it rests on the floor, the appliance then maintaining the position attained.
A drawback of the known art is that such an appliance is provided either with wheels or with static support feet, with the result that when the support means (static or wheel-type) has been mounted it can no longer be changed other than by very difficult removal and mounting operations. The two different support means must also be produced and kept in store and the appropriate one mounted at the time of order.
An object of the present invention is to provide a support device which can be easily transformed from static to movable or vice versa.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a support device which is economical and easily installed.
This and further objects are attained by a multi-functional support device especially for household electrical appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and the like in accordance with the technical teachings of the accompanying claims.
Other characteristics and advantages will be apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the support device, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure shows a perspective view of the support device of the present invention.
Said figure shows a foot for household electrical appliances, particularly refrigerators, freezers and the like, which is indicated overall by 1.
It comprises a connection plate 2, from which there projects, in one piece therewith, a static support part 3. The support part 3 lowerly presents a substantially flat surface 3a which acts as the floor support during static use of the appliance to which the support means is applied via the connection plate. In the interior of said support element 3 there is formed a compartment 5 containing, again in one piece therewith, snap connection means in the form of a cradle acting as a seat 4 for the shaft 6 of a wheel 7; said means enable the wheel to rotate, they presenting a cradle part 4a in which said shaft 6 rests, and snap-tangs 4b which maintain said shaft 6 in position and enable it to rotate.
Said compartment 5 is of cross shape, with said seats being provided at the ends of one of the arms of the cross. In this manner the wheel shaft lies in the seats, with that wheel part which is to make contaot with the ground being housed in the wider arm of the cross.
The use of the invention is apparent from that described and illustrated.
Specifically, if a static support is required, the foot 1 is used as it is, such that the surface 3a rests on the ground, whereas if a movable support is required, the wheel 7 is inserted into the appropriate seats, so that by projecting from the surface 3a it allows the appliance to be easily moved.
To return to a static support condition the wheel 7 has merely to be extracted from the static support part.
Such a foot can be mounted on any type of household electrical appliance, whether of low or high cost.
Inserting the wheel 7 into the appropriate seats is sufficient to transform the foot from a static support means to a movable support m eans.
This provides considerable advantages in terms of mounting speed and reduces the number of pieces required for mounting which iave to be kept in store, with all the consequent advantages.
Modifications and variants are possible in addition to those already stated, hence for example the foot can be formed integral with the base part or base frame.
All the components of the invention can be of any material, however a polymeric material such as ABS is preferred.

Claims

1. A floor support device (1 ) for household electrical appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and the like, comprising a static support part (3) rigid with the appliance, characterised in that said static support part is provided with at least one seat to removably receive a wheel for transforming said static support part into a dynamic support part.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that profiled elastic tangs (4b) are provided in said seat (4) for snap-engagement of the wheel
(7).
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that a pair of said seats are provided in a cross-shaped compartment, each comprising a pair of elastic tangs (4b).
4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said elastic tangs (4b) are joined together by a cradle-shaped part (4a) for supporting said wheel (7).
5. A device as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that said wheel presents a projecting shaft (6), the ends of which engage in said seats (4).
6. A floor support device as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that said static support part (3) and said wheel (7) are formed by moulding polymeric material, preferably ABS.
EP05716825A 2004-03-01 2005-02-28 Multi-functional support means for household electrical appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and the like Expired - Lifetime EP1725820B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL05716825T PL1725820T3 (en) 2004-03-01 2005-02-28 Multi-functional support means for household electrical appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and the like

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000077U ITMI20040077U1 (en) 2004-03-01 2004-03-01 MULTI-PURPOSE SUPPORT FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES SUCH AS FREEZERS
PCT/EP2005/050836 WO2005085724A1 (en) 2004-03-01 2005-02-28 Multi-functional support means for household electrical appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and the like

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1725820A1 true EP1725820A1 (en) 2006-11-29
EP1725820B1 EP1725820B1 (en) 2010-10-13

Family

ID=34917530

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05716825A Expired - Lifetime EP1725820B1 (en) 2004-03-01 2005-02-28 Multi-functional support means for household electrical appliances such as freezers, refrigerators and the like

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1725820B1 (en)
BR (1) BRPI0508255A (en)
DE (1) DE602005024115D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2353524T3 (en)
IT (1) ITMI20040077U1 (en)
PL (1) PL1725820T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2005085724A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2554931A1 (en) * 2011-08-02 2013-02-06 Girardini S.r.l. Support and movement equipment

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR102025737B1 (en) * 2012-09-03 2019-09-27 삼성전자주식회사 Refrigerator and manufacturing method thereof
KR102157649B1 (en) * 2014-01-23 2020-09-18 엘지전자 주식회사 Refrigerator

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9306848U1 (en) 1993-05-06 1993-08-19 Wagner-System GmbH, 77933 Lahr Device for moving or moving heavy objects
US5711162A (en) * 1996-04-09 1998-01-27 Maytag Corporation Refrigerator compressor mounting pan arrangement
DE19909544A1 (en) * 1999-03-04 2000-09-07 Bsh Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Cabinet-like laundry treating machine has travel rollers located on housing bottom
EP1406771B1 (en) 2001-07-16 2006-12-20 Maytag Corporation System and method for leveling an appliance

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2005085724A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2554931A1 (en) * 2011-08-02 2013-02-06 Girardini S.r.l. Support and movement equipment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BRPI0508255A (en) 2007-07-31
ES2353524T3 (en) 2011-03-02
PL1725820T3 (en) 2011-04-29
WO2005085724A1 (en) 2005-09-15
ITMI20040077U1 (en) 2004-05-27
EP1725820B1 (en) 2010-10-13
DE602005024115D1 (en) 2010-11-25

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