EP2318792A1

EP2318792A1 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: EP2318792A1
Application number: EP09782386A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ibrahim Canigur; Ahmet Ziya Demir; Soner Kahraman; Mutlu Kartkaya
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2008-09-01
Filing date: 2009-08-31
Publication date: 2011-05-11
Also published as: WO2010023305A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising shelves (6) which can be moved forward-backward inside the body (2) and assembled on two opposite carrier members (13), extending parallel to the side walls (4).

Description

A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising shelves emplaced in the body and that can move forward-backward slidingly.

[0002] In cooling devices, the foods and beverages are stored on the shelves emplaced inside the body. Difficulties arise in reaching the back side since the shelf is wide and configured as a single-piece. In order to solve this problem, a lot of embodiments are provided in the state of the art wherein the shelves are designed to be forward-backward movable. Thus, the user pulls the shelf outward toward her after opening the cooling device door and easily reaches the items placed on the back side of the shelf. However, problems arise in the easy mounting and dismounting of the shelves to be used forward-backward movably into the body and at the same time in producing these shelves to be strongly supported when assembled inside the body.

[0003] In the European patent document no EP0679848, shelf members that can move forward-backward slidingly are described that are used in refrigerator compartments whereon the food products are placed. In an embodiment of this invention, a stop is provided under the frame surrounding the shelf member whereon the food products are placed. The shelf member is moved inwards and outwards from the compartment by moving the stop inside the elongated openings on the support surfaces whereon the frame is seated. At the same time the motion of the shelf member ends as the stop bears against the closed ends of the elongated opening.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising shelves assembled in the body and that can move forward-backward slidingly.

[0005] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims.

[0006] The cooling device of the present invention comprises at least two carrier members facing oppositely one another for emplacing the shelves inside the body whereon the items of foods and beverages are stored. The carrier member comprises a lateral surface extending parallel to the side wall and a sliding surface that is perpendicular to the lateral surface. The carrier member is formed by bending a plate in an L shape, which is preferably produced of a steel sheet material. When the shelf is assembled into the body, the frame that surrounds the carrying surface of the shelf is seated on the sliding surface.

[0007] The shelf comprises a protrusion each on the two opposite lateral sides of the frame, having a neck and a headpiece with a greater width than the neck and at least one L shaped clips disposed between the protrusion and the rear side of the frame, with its orifice facing the side wall being open. The clips clasp the sliding surface from below when the shelf is mounted on the carrier member and supports the shelf when the shelf is pulled forward. Accordingly, when the shelf is pulled forward, the drawbacks such as unbalancing, tumbling etc. of the shelf due to the items on the rear side are avoided.

[0008] The carrier member comprises a cut-out on the sliding surface and one recess on at least one side of the cut-out. The width of the cut-out is such that the headpiece can be inserted therein for the frame to be seated on the sliding surface when the shelf is assembled into the body. In the case that the headpiece is inserted into the cut-out and passes under the sliding surface, the neck slides between the recess maintaining the forward-backward motion of the shelf inside the body.

[0009] The carrier member comprises a guide on the end of the sliding surface facing the door. The guide has a curved outer surface matching the convex shape of the headpiece such that it can slide over the headpiece and come over the sliding surface while the shelf is assembled into the body. Thus the user can mount the shelf inside the body by a lesser amount of effort.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cut-out is disposed virtually at the center of the sliding surface. The headpiece going through the cut-out while the shelf is assembled into the body or the headpiece coming out of the cut-out while the shelf is taken out of the body are maintained from almost the middle point. Thus, the vertical distance traveled is kept at an optimum level while the shelf moves angularly during mounting and dismounting.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier member comprises two recesses on two sides of the cut-out that is disposed almost at the center of the sliding surface. When the shelf is seated on the sliding surface such that the headpiece is inserted into the cutout and remains under the sliding surface, the neck can move forward and backward inside the recesses until the headpiece can bear against one of the closed ends of the two recesses. Moreover, the total distance the shelf that moves forward and backward is increased thereby increasing the mobility of the shelf inside the body.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier member comprises a cut-out on the sliding surface, with one side open and a recess on at least one side of the cut-out, with one side open. The width of the cut-out is greater than the widths of the recesses and a clearance is seen, with one side having a deeper stepped appearance when the carrying surface is viewed from above. One side of the cut-out and the recess being open makes it easier for the headpiece to pass through the cut-out. While the shelf is assembled into the body, the headpiece, upon coming over the cut-out while moving slidingly on the sliding surface, it falls by itself, passing into the cut-out.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the shelf comprises two clips under two lateral sides of the frame, on both sides of the protrusion, one at the front and the other at the back. The sides of the clips facing the side walls are open for allowing the sliding surface to be inserted therebetween. The clips prevent the motion of the shelf in the vertical axis by clasping the sliding surface from below when the shelf is mounted into the body. Consequently, the shelf is assembled more rigidly into the body.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the clips is almost equal to the width of the sliding surface. Thus, when the shelf is assembled into the body, the clips can clasp the frame more tightly.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion comprises a headpiece having a semi-circular cross-section. Accordingly, the sliding motion of the headpiece on the sliding surface becomes flexible after the headpiece goes over the sliding surface.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises at least two retainers having housings disposed at certain intervals for securing the carrier member to the rear wall. The carrier member comprises extensions on its end facing the rear wall that are fitted to the housings for securing the carrier member to the rear wall when positioned inside the body. When the position of the shelf in the body is desired to be changed, the extensions are displaced from the housings holding them and are inserted into the housings at the desired height. Thus, the shelf is not required to be entirely taken out of the body and its position inside the body can be changed easily.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier members that extend parallel to the side wall, with their inner surfaces facing each other are joined at the front and back by a shaft each. Thus, the strength and balanced position of the carrier members, with the shelf mounted thereon, are improved.

[0018] By means of the present invention, the shelves assembled into the body to be forward and backward slidable are both produced easily and also mounted and dismounted from the body conveniently.

[0019] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0020] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooling device.

[0021] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the shelf and the carrier member when the shelf is mounted on the carrier member.

[0022] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of a carrier member and a shaft.

[0023] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of a carrier member.

[0024] Figure 5 - is the perspective view of a shelf.

[0025] Figure 6 - is the perspective view of detail A in Figure 5.

[0026] Figure 7 - is the perspective view of detail B in Figure 6.

[0027] Figure 8 - is the perspective view of detail C in Figure 6.

[0028] Figure 9 - is the perspective view of detail D in Figure 6.

[0029] Figure 10 - is the perspective view of the shelf and the carrier member at the moment the clips clasp the guide while the shelf is mounted on the carrier member. [0030] Figure 11 - is the perspective view of the shelf and the carrier member at the moment the headpiece coincides with the guide. [0031] Figure 12 - is the perspective view of the shelf and the carrier member at the moment when the headpiece goes over the guide and moves on the sliding surface. [0032] Figure 13 - is the bottom view of the shelf and the carrier member at the moment when the shelf is entirely seated on the carrier member. [0033] Figure 14 - is the perspective view of the shelf and the carrier member at the moment when the shelf is pulled forward. [0034] Figure 15 - is the perspective view of the retainer and the shelf at the moment when the shelf is mounted to the retainers. [0035] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Body

3. Door

4. Side wall

5. Rear wall

6. Shelf

7. Carrying surface

8. Frame

9. Protrusion

10. Neck

11. Headpiece

12. Clips

13. Carrier member

14. Lateral surface

15. Sliding surface

16. Cut-out

17. Recess

18. Guide

19. Extension 20. Retainer

21. Housing

22. Shaft

[0036] The cooling device (1) comprises a body (2), a door (3) for accessing inside the body (2), two opposite side walls (4), a rear wall (5) that closes the back side of the body (2), and one or more shelves (6) having a carrying surface (7) produced of glass, whereon the items are placed, a frame (8) that surrounds the carrying surface (7), a protrusion (9) disposed under the two opposite lateral sides of the frame (8), having a neck (10) and a headpiece (11) that is wider than the neck (10).

[0037] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises at least two carrier members (13) that extend parallel to the side walls (4) and face each other, whereon the shelf (6) is mounted. The carrier members (13) have a distance therebetween as wide as the shelf (6) to be mounted thereon. The carrier member (13) comprises a plate shaped lateral surface (14) that extends parallel to the side walls (4), a sliding surface (15) perpendicular to the lateral surface (14), whereon the shelf (6) is seated, a cut-out (16) disposed on the sliding surface (15), wide enough for the headpiece (11) to pass through and at least one recess (17) disposed on at least one side of the cut-out (16), wherein the neck (10) can move forward-backward when the shelf (6) is seated on the sliding surface (15) by passing the headpiece (11) through the cut-out (16) such that it remains under the sliding surface (15) and which is narrower than the cut-out (16) such that the headpiece (11) cannot pass therethrough.

[0038] The shelf (6) comprises at least one clips (12) under both lateral sides of the frame (8), disposed between the protrusion (9) and the rear side of the frame (8), enabling the shelf (6) to be mounted by fitting onto the sliding surface (15) and supporting the shelf (6) by clasping the sliding surface (15) from below.

[0039] The width of the headpiece (11) is greater than the width of the recess (17) such that it can move over the recesses (17) while the shelf (6) is mounted to or dismounted from the body (2). The width of the neck (10) is almost equal to the difference between the width of the sliding surface (15) and the width of the recess (17). Thus, in cases when the shelf (6) is seated on the carrier member (13) such that the headpiece (11) passes through the cut-out (16) and remains under the sliding surface (15), the neck (10) is moved between the recesses (17) and the shelf (6) is enabled to move slidingly forward and backward.

[0040] The carrier member (13) is a reverse L shaped piece with a lateral surface (14) extending parallel to the side walls (4) and a sliding surface (14) perpendicular to the lateral surface (14). The carrier members (13) are preferably produced of metal material for high strength since it serves to support the shelf (6) mounted thereon. When the shelf (6) is assembled into the body (2) the frame (8) virtually overlaps with the sliding surface (15).

[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier member (13) comprises a guide (18) disposed on the end of the sliding surface (15) facing the door (3), having a configuration matching the curved shape of the headpiece (11), enabling the headpiece (11) to slide thereover and go onto the sliding surface (15) while the shelf (6) is assembled into the body (2). The guide (18) is the first part that contacts with the headpiece (11) while the shelf (6) is mounted on the carrier member (13). Therefore, the outer surface of the guide (18) is produced with a curvilinear form, matching the headpiece (11) such that it will slide on the curved outer surface of the headpiece (11) and go over the sliding surface (15). Thus, assembly of the shelf (6) into the body (2) is made easier and the user uses less effort in placing the shelf (6) inside the body (2).

[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier member (13) comprises a cut-out (16), disposed almost at the center of the sliding surface (15) where the headpiece (11) passes through to go under the sliding surface (15) when the shelf (6) is seated on the carrier member (13). The dimensions of the cut-out (16) are such that the headpiece (11) can enter into the cut-out (16). Two recesses (17) are provided on the sliding surface (15), on both sides of the cut-out (16), the widths of which are narrower than the cut-out (16). The widths of the recesses (17) are such that the headpiece (11) is prevented from passing into the recesses (17) when the shelf (6) is mounted to or dismounted from the body (2). On the other hand, the recesses (17) are wide enough for the neck (10) to move therebetween in the case when the headpiece (11) passes through the cut-out (16) and remains under the sliding surface (15). The length of the recesses (17) is such that the shelf (6) is allowed to move slidingly forward-backward within a certain distance, in the case the shelf (6) is mounted inside the body (2). Thus, when the user wants to access the back sides of the shelf (6), s/he can take out the shelf (6) forward from the body (2), almost as long as the length of the recess (17) and can easily reach thereto. Again after the user takes the items to be used, s/he pushes the shelf (6) backward so that the shelf (6) resumes the position of virtually contacting with the rear wall (5) wherein the door (3) can be closed.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier member (13) comprises a recess (17) with one side open and a cut-out (16) on at least one side of the recess (17) so that the headpiece (11) can pass through the cut-out (16) and the frame (8) is fitted on the sliding surface (15). Accordingly, the shelf (6) can be easily mounted on the carrier member (13).

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the shelf (6) comprises two clips (12) under each lateral side of the frame (8), one in the front and one in the back. The clips (12) is L shaped, with the side facing the side wall (4) being open. When the shelf (6) is seated on the carrier member (13), the clips (12) clasp the sliding surface (15) from the front and back ends thereby enabling the shelf (6) to be assembled into the body (2) more strongly. The clips (12) near the rear wall (5) support the sliding surface (15) when the shelf (6) is fully loaded and pulled forward, preventing the risks of toppling, turning over the shelf (6) under conditions of unbalanced loading.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the clips (12) is almost the same width as the sliding surface (15). Thus, when the shelf (6) is seated on the carrier member (13), the shelf (6) and the items stored thereon are supported in a more balanced and durable manner.

[0046] When the shelf (6) is desired to be mounted into the body (2), the shelf (6) is attached to the carrier member (13) by enabling the guide (18) on the end of the sliding surface (15) facing the door (3) to be first clasped with the clips (12) at the back. The shelf (6) is moved inside the body (2) by pushing the shelf (6) towards the rear wall (5). When the headpiece (11) of the protrusion (9) disposed almost at the center of the frame (8) coincides with the guide (18), the headpiece (11), due to its outer surface being rounded, slides over the guide (18) having a similarly rounded shape and goes over the sliding surface (15). As the bulged portion of the headpiece (11) goes over the sliding surface (15), the shelf (6) is pushed forward angularly with respect to the carrier member (13). The protrusion (9) moves over the recess (17) and reaches the cut-out (16) by means of its headpiece (11) having a width almost equal to that of the sliding surface (15). Since the width of the cut-out (16) is more than the width of the headpiece (11), at this point the headpiece (11) falls and fits into the cut-out (16). In this position, the shelf (6) gets free from the angular position with respect to the carrier member (13) and changes to a position parallel to the sliding surface (15), and becomes overlapping with the sliding surface (15). After the headpiece (11) enters into the cut-out (16), the shelf (6) is pushed towards the rear wall (5), enabling the neck (10) which has a narrower width than the headpiece (11) to move along the recess (17) behind the cut-out (16). The headpiece (11) under the sliding surface (15) bears against the recess (17) and the motion of the shelf (6) inside the body (2) is interrupted. Consequently, the most backward place (2) and the thoroughly seated position of the shelf (6) in the body (2) is provided. In this case, the back end of the sliding surface (15) is clasped by the rear clips (12) of the frame (8) and the motion of the shelf (6) in the vertical plane is prevented. The shelf (6), when desired to be pulled outward for reaching the rear portions more easily, is pulled forward such that the headpiece (11) remains under the sliding surface (15), moving the neck (10) in the recesses (17) and on the cut-out (16). In this case, the shelf (6) keeps its overlapped position with the sliding surface (15) of the frame (8) and is parallel to the floor. When the headpiece (11) bears against the end of the recess (17) near the door (3), the forward movement of the shelf (6) ends. In this case, the shelf (6) is at its most forward position while attached to the body (2), being parallel to the plane of the floor. Thus, the user can easily access the items at the back of the shelf (6).

[0048] When the shelf (6) is desired to be taken out of the body (2) entirely, first of all the shelf (6) is pulled forward by moving parallel to the sliding surface (15). While being pulled forward, the sliding surface (15) gets free of the clips (12) at the front and the neck (10) moves slidingly along the recess (17) near the rear wall (5). The forward pulling motion is continued until the headpiece (11) coincides with the cut-out (16). In this position, the shelf (6) is parallel to the sliding surface (15) and the headpiece (11) is almost under the cut-out (16). The end portion of the shelf (6) is lifted by giving an upward angle to the shelf (6) and the headpiece (11) is lifted up through the cut-out (16), to over the recess (17) that is near the door (3). The shelf (6) is entirely taken out of the body (2) by sliding the bulged portion of the headpiece (11) over the recess (17), then over the sliding surface (15) disposed thereafter, while keeping the shelf (6) in an angular position.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion (9) comprises a headpiece (11) having a semi-circular cross-section. Thus, after the headpiece (11) goes over the sliding surface (15) the moving forward motion by sliding on the sliding surface (15) becomes easier.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion (9) comprises a neck (10) with the end facing the door (3) being recessed. Thus, when the shelf (6) is pulled forward, the headpiece (11) bears against the end of the recess (17) at the front side of the sliding surface (15) and the shelf (6) becomes more balanced in this position.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises at least two retainers (20) disposed on the rear wall (5), having more than one housing (21), in arrays of one over the other. The carrier member (13) comprises extensions (19) on the end of the lateral surface (14) facing the rear wall (5) for securing the carrier member (13) to the rear wall (5) by fitting into the housings (21), with a configuration matching the shape of the housings (21) and support protrusions situated under the extensions (19) for the carrier members (13) to bear against the rear wall (5). The carrier members (13) are positioned inside the body (2) by fitting the extensions (19) into the housings (21 ). The position of the shelf (6) inside the body (2) can be easily changed by fitting the extension (19) into the housings (21) arranged at certain intervals on the retainer (20) without needing to take the shelf (6) entirely out of the body (2).

[0052] In various embodiments of the present invention, more than two retainers (20) are provided on the rear wall (5), arranged with a certain space therebetween. Accordingly, the carrier members (13) can be placed at different levels by securing the carrier members (13), with a width of almost half of the body (2), to the housings (21) disposed at different heights on the retainers (20). Consequently, the user is provided with convenience of utilization with the shelves (6) at different levels from each other, and with a width of almost half of the body (2).

[0053] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises at least one shaft (22) for joining the carrier members (13), in a parallel position to the side walls (4) and facing each other.

[0054] By means of the cooling device (1) of the present invention, the shelves (6) assembled to be forward-backward slidable inside the body (2) can be mounted and dismounted easily. Moreover, the said shelves (6) not only provide ease of utilization for the user but also the production has been made easier.

[0055] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cooling device (1) that comprises a body (2), a door (3) for accessing inside the body (2), two opposite side walls (4), a rear wall (5) that closes the back side of the body (2), and one or more shelves (6) having a carrying surface (7) produced of glass, whereon the items are placed, a frame (8) that surrounds the carrying surface (7), a protrusion (9) disposed under the two opposite lateral sides of the frame (8), having a neck (10) and a headpiece (11) that is wider than the neck (10) and two plate shaped carrier members (13) having a lateral surface (14) that extends parallel to the side walls (4), and a sliding surface (15) perpendicular to the lateral surface (14), whereon the shelf (6) is seated, and characterized by

- the shelf (6) comprising at least one clips (12) under the lateral sides of the frame (8), disposed between the protrusion (9) and the rear side of the frame (8), enabling the shelf (6) to be mounted by fitting onto the sliding surface (15) and supporting the shelf (6) by clasping the sliding surface (15) from below and

- a carrier member (13) having a cut-out (16) disposed on the sliding surface (15), wide enough for the headpiece (11) to pass through and at least one recess (17) disposed on at least one side of the cut-out (16), wherein the neck (10) can move forward-backward when the shelf (6) is seated on the sliding surface (15) by passing the headpiece (11) through the cut-out (16) such that it remains under the sliding surface (15) and which is narrower than the cut-out (16) such that the headpiece (11) cannot pass therethrough.

2. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the carrier member (13) comprising a guide (18) disposed on the end of the sliding surface (15) facing the door (3), having a configuration matching the curved shape of the headpiece (11), enabling the headpiece (11) to slide thereover and go over the sliding surface (15) while the shelf (6) is mounted into the body (2).

3. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the cut-out (16) disposed almost at the center of the sliding surface (15).

4. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by at least two recesses (17) disposed on both sides of the cut-out (16).

5. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the recess (17) and a cut-out (16), with one of their sides being open.

6. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the frame (8) comprising two clips (12), each under one lateral side of the frame (8), one in the front and the other in the back.

7. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by clips (12) with a width that is almost equal to the width of the sliding surface (15).

8. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the protrusion (9) comprising a headpiece (11) having a semi-circular cross-section.

9. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the protrusion (9) comprising a neck (10) with its end facing the door (3) being recessed.