GB2409020A

GB2409020A - Shelving apparatus for a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: GB2409020A
Application number: GB0426870A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Young-Chul Son
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2003-12-08
Filing date: 2004-12-07
Publication date: 2005-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2024-12-07
Also published as: KR20050055524A; GB0426870D0; JP2005172421A; KR101049950B1; JP4833542B2; GB2409020B; US20050122017A1

Abstract

Shelving apparatus for a refrigerator comprises a rectangular frame 100 preferably positioned below a shelf on which foods are placed in the refrigerator. The shelving apparatus also includes a slide bar 200 positioned in the frame 100 and able to slide along the frame, and a flexible sheet 300 whose one side is fixed to the slide bar 200 and whose other side is fixed to the side frame member 120 that faces the slide bar such that bottles can easily be held by the sheet 300 and the convenience of keeping foods and bottles can be improved. Guide grooves 111 are provided in the front and rear frame members 110. Locking jaws 115 are formed at each end of a respective guide groove 111. When a bottle is kept in the position where the sheet 300 is curved to maximum effect, the slide bar 200 is locked in place by the locking jaws 115 such that the bottle is kept in a stable position. The sheet 300 is preferably made of synthetic resin.

Description

KEEPING APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATOR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a keeping apparatus for a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a keeping apparatus for a refrigerator capable of more easily keeping bottles and of improving convenience of keeping.

Discussion of the Related Art In general, a refrigerator is divided into a freezing chamber and a chilling chamber. Foods that must be kept frozen are kept in the freezing chamber and foods that must be kept chilled are kept in the chilling chamber. Recently, various refrigerators having specific functions such as wine refrigerators, cosmetic refrigerators, and kimchi refrigerators have been developed. Such functional refrigerators have only chilling chambers in some cases and have no keeping apparatuses in doors in some cases. The keeping apparatuses of refrigerators according to the present invention can be widely applied to various kinds of refrigerators.

As life requirements have changed, refrigerators have recently been developed that provide wine racks capable of keeping wine bottles. GB2158705 is taken as an example and is illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2. Referring to the accompanying figures, the keeping apparatus that is illustrated therein is of trapezoidal configuration having longer and shorter parallel edges 1 and 2 whose lengths are respectively 245mms and 220mms and also two opposite side ribs 3 that are gently convergent from the longer edge l to the relatively parallel shorter edge 2, each side rib 3 having the length of l 90mms.

Between the side ribs 3, first ribs 4 separated from each other by a distance and second ribs 5 orthogonal to the first ribs 4 are integrated with each other.

The keeping apparatus is hung on a shelf l 1. Therefore, in each of the side ribs 3, three projection hooks 6 are formed from the outside to the inside. Three stops 8 are formed in the longer edge l and buttresses 9 for reinforcing connection are formed between the stops 8 and the longer edge 1.

Such a keeping apparatus of a refrigerator is fixed to the shelf l l provided in the refrigerator by the projection hooks 6 such that the keeping apparatus is curved.

A bottle lO is inserted into the keeping apparatus combined with the shelf l l such that the bottle lO is kept in the keeping apparatus. At this time, since the keeping apparatus is of trapezoidal configuration, the bottle l O is inclined toward the longer parallel edge l and the inclined bottle lo is supported by the three stops.

However, such a conventional keeping apparatus of a refrigerator must be combined with the shelf l l and, when the keeping apparatus is not used, the keeping apparatus must be separated from the shelf l 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of another conventional keeping apparatus. A keeping apparatus 20 referred to as a wine rack is combined with the shelf of a refrigerator such that a bottle is kept. In the keeping apparatus 20, keeping portions are separated from each other by a predetermined distance such that a bottle is supported. A bottle is placed in a portion in which the keeping portions 25 are curved in a lower direction.

However, such a conventional keeping apparatus must be separated from a refrigerator when the keeping apparatus is not used.

That is, conventional keeping apparatuses must be separated from refrigerators in order to keep other foods in a state where there is no bottle to be kept.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above-described problems, it would be desirable to provide a keeping apparatus for a refrigerator capable of easily keeping bottles.

It would also be desirable to provide a keeping apparatus for a refrigerator comprising a rectangular frame provided in a refrigerator, a slide bar slidably combined with the frame so as to cross the frame, and a flexible sheet whose one side is fixed to the slide bar and whose the other side is fixed to one side frame that faces the slide bar.

A keeping apparatus of a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises a rectangular frame provided in a refrigerator and a flexible sheet provided in the frame. A part of the sheet is fixed to a slide bar that moves in the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate an example embodiment of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the present invention. In the drawings: Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a conventional keeping apparatus of a refrigerator is used; Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the conventional keeping apparatus illustrated in an initially flat position; Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating another conventional keeping apparatus of a refrigerator; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a keeping apparatus of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where the sheet of the keeping apparatus is in a flat position; Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the keeping apparatus of a refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state where the sheet of the keeping apparatus is curved; and Fig. 6 is a partially cut front view illustrating guide grooves formed in front and rear frames.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a keeping apparatus for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a keeping apparatus for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where the sheet of the keeping apparatus is in a flat position. Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the keeping apparatus for a refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state where the sheet of the keeping apparatus is curved.

As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the keeping apparatus for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a rectangular frame provided in a refrigerator, a slide bar 200 slidably combined with the frame 100 so as to cross the frame 100, a flexible sheet 300 whose one side is fixed to the slide bar 200 and whose the other side is fixed to one side frame that faces the slide bar 200.

The frame 100 includes front and rear frames 110 that are perpendicular to the slide bar 200, a first side frame 120 which is parallel to the slide bar 200 and to which one side of the sheet 300 is fixed, and a second side frame 130 that is parallel to the first side frame 120.

Guide grooves 111 are provided in the front and rear frames 110 such that the slide bar 200 can slide.

Fig. 6 is a partially cut front view illustrating guide grooves formed in front and 1 0 rear frames. As illustrated in Fig. 6, locking jaws 115 by which the slide bar 200 is locked are preferably formed such that the sheet 300 can be spread enough.

Two locking jaws 115 may be formed in both ends of the guide groove 111. If two locking jaws 115 are formed in both ends of the guide groove 111, the positions of the two locking jaws 115 are determined such that the sheet 300 is maximally spread in one position and that the sheet 300 is maximally curved in the other position in accordance with the movement of the slide bar 200. That is, when a bottle is kept in the position where the sheet 300 is maximally curved, the slide bar is locked by the locking jaws 115 such that the bottle is stably kept.

Also, three or more locking jaws 115 may be formed in the guide groove 111 at predetermined intervals. In such a case, a user can select proper locking jaws 115 in accordance with the size of a bottle such that the slide bar 200 is locked by the locking jaws 115.

The slide bar 200 is arranged in parallel between the first side frame 120 and the second side frame 130.

A handle (not shown) may be formed under the slide bar 200 such that a user can easily move the slide bar.

The sheet 300 is preferably made of synthetic resin.

The sheet 300 may be in the form of a net such that a bottle is more easily chilled by the cool air in a refrigerator. In such a case, the area in which the cool air directly contacts the bottle increases due to the spaces of the sheet 300 such that cooling effect improves.

The keeping apparatus for a refrigerator is preferably positioned below a shelf on which foods are placed to be close to the shelf. In such a case, when a bottle is kept, the sheet 300 is curved such that the bottle is kept in the space formed by the sheet. When no bottle is kept, the sheet 300 is spread. According as the space between the shelf and the keeping apparatus is reduced, the keeping space of a refrigerator increases. That is, the space that is not used for keeping foods is reduced in a refrigerator such that the efficiency of keeping foods is increased.

1 5 Also, the keeping apparatus for a refrigerator may be separated from the shelf on which foods are placed by no less than 15cm such that the keeping apparatus is perpendicular to the shelf. In such a case, when a bottle is kept, the sheet 300 is curved such that the bottle is kept in the space formed by the sheet. When no bottle is kept, the sheet 300 is spread such that other foods may be placed thereon. That is, when no bottle is kept, the sheet 300 may serve as a shelf.

The keeping apparatus for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a rectangular frame provided in a refrigerator and a sheet whose part is flexible and which is provided in the frame. A part of the sheet is fixed to a slide bar that moves in the frame.

The operation of the keeping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows.

When a bottle is kept, the slide bar is moved such that the sheet is curved. The bottle is kept in the space formed by the curved sheet. As described above, a plurality of locking jaws may be provided such that a user makes the slide bar locked by proper locking jaws in accordance with the size of the bottle. Accordingly, the user may select the size of the space formed by the curved sheet. When no bottle is kept, the slide bar is locked by the locking jaws in the ends of the guide grooves such that the sheet is spread. That is, the space formed by the curved sheet is removed. In such a case, the frame is provided below the shelf previously provided in a refrigerator to be close to the shelf such that the space of the refrigerator can be effectively used. Also, when the sheet is spread in a state where the frame is separated from the shelf by no less than l 5cm such that the frame is perpendicular to the shelf, other foods may be placed on the spreading sheet.

As described above, the keeping apparatus for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which the slide bar is combined with the frame and the sheet is spread or curved by the slide bar. When the keeping apparatus is not used, the keeping sheet is spread such that the space of the refrigerator is increased and that other foods are placed on the spreading sheet.

Therefore, it is possible to improve convenience of keeping bottles and foods. l I

Claims

1. A keeping apparatus for a refrigerator comprising: a rectangular frame provided in a refrigerator; a slide bar slidably combined with the frame so as to cross the frame; and a flexible sheet whose one side is fixed to the slide bar and whose the other side is fixed to one side of the frame that faces the slide bar.

2. The keeping apparatus according to claim l, wherein the frame 1 0 comprises: front and rear frames that are perpendicular to the slide bar; a first side frame which is parallel to the slide bar and to which one side of the sheet is fixed; and a second side frame that is parallel to the first side frame.

3. The keeping apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the front and rear frames comprise guide grooves such that the slide bar can slide.

4. The keeping apparatus according to claim 3, wherein locking jaws by which the slide bar is locked are formed in the guide grooves such that the sheet can be spread enough.

5. The keeping apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of locking jaws are formed at predetermined intervals. fr

6. The keeping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide bar comprises a handle thereunder such that a user can easily move the slide bar.

7. The keeping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is made of synthetic resin.

8. The keeping apparatus according to claim l, wherein the sheet is in the form of a net.

9. The keeping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame is below a shelf to be close to the shelf.

lO. The keeping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame is separated from the shelf by no less than 1 5cm and such that the frame is perpendicular to the shelf.

11. A keeping apparatus of a refrigerator comprising: a rectangular frame provided in a refrigerator; and a flexible sheet provided in the frame, wherein a part of the sheet is fixed to a slide bar that moves in the frame.

12. A refrigerator comprising the keeping apparatus of any of claims l to 11.

13. A keeping apparatus for a refrigerator substantially as herein described with reference to figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.