MXPA03002232A

MXPA03002232A - Tray apparatus for refrigerator.

Info

Publication number: MXPA03002232A
Application number: MXPA03002232A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Moon-Won Kim
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2002-03-15
Filing date: 2003-03-13
Publication date: 2005-08-16
Also published as: DE10310804A8; DE10310804B4; KR20030075088A; JP2003269854A; KR100476450B1; DE10310804A1; JP4365120B2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tray apparatus for a refrigerator. The tray apparatus of the present invention is configured such that a tray 50 is brought into close contact with a ceiling surface c of a storage space by means of elastic forces from elastic members 90. The tray 50 is supported at front and rear positions of both sides thereof by means of supporting links 60 serving as components of link mechanisms and the supporting links 60 are then connected through interlocking links 80, so that they are integrally pivoted. The link mechanisms are supported on the ceiling surface c of the storage space by holders 100. According to the present invention, an article b with a relatively large bottom area can be easily stored in the vicinity of the ceiling surface of the storage space, which is usually out of use. Thus, there is an advantage in that space efficiency of the storage space can be enhanced.

Description

COOLING APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and very particularly to a tray apparatus for a refrigerator, which is designed to occupy a space only when the articles are placed on it, so that an interior space of the refrigerator can be used for more efficient way DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a general cooler. Referring to Figure 1, a freezing chamber 3 and a cooling chamber 5, which serves as a storage space for storing or storing articles therein, are inside a refrigerator body 1. The freezing chamber 3 and the cooling chamber 5 are divided by a barrier 7. In this way, the internal temperatures thereof are set to be different from one another so that the articles can be stored individually according to respective characteristics of the articles. A plurality of shelves 8 are installed at a predetermined vertical interval within the freezing chamber 3 and the cooling chamber 5 whereby the storage space can be used efficiently. The freezing chamber 3 and the cooling chamber 5 are isolated from the outside and selectively opened by the doors 9, respectively. The internal faces of the doors are provided with a plurality of baskets 11 for holding the articles therein. The reference number 5 'is a vegetable container which is divided separately into a lower portion of the cooling chamber 5 for storing vegetables and fruits thereof. That is, the articles are stored in the freezing chamber 3 and the cooling chamber 5 of the refrigerator. More specifically, the articles are stored on the floor, the shelves or in the baskets 1 1 of the freezing and cooling chambers 3 and 5, according to the specific types and sizes of the articles. However, the following problems exist in the aforementioned technique. An area in the freezing and cooling chambers 3 and 5, on which the articles can be placed, is generally limited. Thus, to store or store many items in the cameras, items can be placed on top of each other. However, this results in the following drawback. That is, if any of the stacked items is to be removed from the camera, all items placed above the specific article must be moved. In particular, an article with a large lower area, e.g., a pizza box or a flat item, occupies a large lower area of the storage location, while the space above the item remains unused. Therefore, there is another problem in which space efficiency is reduced. In such a case, other items may be placed above the flat item such as a pizza box. However, it is very inconvenient for a user to remove the pizza box or other similar object in a stacked condition as mentioned above. In addition, the spaces around the ceiling surface of the storage space (eg, roofs of the freezing and cooling chambers 3 and 5, lower surfaces of the shelves 8, and the like) are often not used to store items. This is because the height of the article is generally lower than a distance between the adjacent shelves 8 or between one of the shelves 8 and the roof surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is designed to solve the above problems in the prior art. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tray apparatus for a refrigerator by means of which an article with a large lower area can be received efficiently in a refrigerator storage space. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tray apparatus for a refrigerator by means of which an upper portion of a storage space can be used more efficiently. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention to achieve the above objects, a tray apparatus for a refrigerator is provided, comprising a tray on which the article to be stored is placed, mechanisms of linkage supporting both sides of the tray in such a way that the tray can be lifted and lowered from the tray. a ceiling surface of a storage space, and holes for allowing the linkage mechanisms to be pivotally mounted to the surface of the storage space. Preferably, each of the linkage mechanisms includes a plurality of support rods that are pivotally mounted to the holder and pivotally support the tray on respective ends thereof, and a locking rod connecting the plurality of rods of supporting one another to cause the ends of the support rods to be rotated pivotally through the same angle. Most preferably, each of the linkage mechanisms receives an elastic force from one of the resilient members and causes the tray to be brought into contact with the ceiling surface of the storage space.

In addition, each of the elastic members can be connected to the relevant latch and locking rod at both ends thereof so that the elastic force is applied in a direction in which the tray is brought into close contact with the ceiling surface of storage space. Additionally, each of the elastic members can be installed in the pivot centers of the linkage mechanisms, whereby the elastic force is applied in a direction in which the tray is brought into close contact with the ceiling surface of storage space. Preferably, the connecting rods are hooked with opposite ends of the support rods, respectively, at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal directions of the support rods, and the other ends of the connecting rods are pivotally connected to each other. Relevant ends of the interlocking rods. The connecting rods and the support rods can be rotated in a pivotal manner. A front end of the tray can be formed within a descendingly grooved portion that is curved downward. The ceiling surface of the storage space can be one of a roof of a freezing chamber, a ceiling of a cooling chamber and a lower surface of any of the shelves. In accordance with the tray apparatus of the present invention, there are advantages in that the article with a large lower area can be stored efficiently in the refrigerator without using a floor space of a storage space, and therefore the efficiency Storage space space can be improved by using a space around the ceiling surface of the storage space in the refrigerator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a given preferred embodiment together with the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a general refrigerator; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a tray apparatus for a refrigerator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3a is a side view showing a state wherein a tray of the tray apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention is in close contact with a roof of a storage space; Figure 3b is a side view showing a state where the tray of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is completely lowered from the roof; Figure 4a is a plan view of the tray of the tray apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4b is a side view of a support rod of the tray apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4c is a front view of a collection rod of the tray apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4d is a side view of the connecting rod of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4e is a front view of a locking rod of the tray apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4f is a front view of a fastener of the tray apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4g is a plan view of the fastener of the tray apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a side view showing how to operate the tray apparatus in a state where an article is placed on the tray of the tray apparatus in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a tray apparatus for a refrigerator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 2-5 show the configuration of the tray apparatus for the refrigerator in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 2-5, a tray 50 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape by arranging a plurality of wires on a tray frame. An article b to be stored is placed on the tray 50. The tray 50 can be made from a variety of materials, for example, a transparent plastic material. Holes 52 are installed on the front and rear portions on both sides of a bottom face of the tray 50. The holes 52 on each side can be connected to one another. A front end of the tray 50 is formed in a downwardly sloping portion 54 that is curved downwardly at a predetermined angle. The downward sloping portion 54 of the tray 50 causes a predetermined space to be defined between the portion 54 and a roof surface c of the storage space when the tray 50 comes into close contact with the roof surface. Therefore, a user can easily lower tray 50 due to space. The tray 50 is supported on the roof surface c of the storage space through the rod mechanisms and can be lifted or lowered from the roof surface. Support rods 60 are first installed in such a manner that the respective ends thereof are connected to the relevant holes 52 of the tray 50. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, four support rods 60 are used. As is clearly shown in Figure 4b, each of the support rods 60 is provided at one end thereof with a coupling hook 62 projecting in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support rod 60. The coupling hook 62 is rotatably adjusted within the hole 52 of the tray 50. At this time, the coupling hook 62 is not inadvertently removed from the hole 52 since it is adjusted with a predetermined elastic force resulting from its own inherent shape. Each of the support rods 60 is provided at the other end thereof with a rotating shaft portion 64 that projects in a direction opposite to the direction of the coupling hook 62. The rotary shaft portion 64 is supported on one. of the fasteners 100 that is described below and becomes a pivot center for the support rod 60. A coupling hook 66 is provided at the tip end of the rotating shaft portion 64. The coupling hook 66 is used to cause the support rod 62 to be fixed to one of the connecting rods 70 to be described later. Each of the connecting rods 70 is coupled to a coupling hook 66 of the relevant support rod 60. During this time, the connecting rod 70 is coupled in such a way that its imaginary extension line intersects a longitudinal extension line. imaginary of the support rod 60 at a predetermined angle therebetween. In addition, the support rod 60 and the connecting rod 70 do not rotate with respect to each other. Therefore, the support rod 60 and the connecting rod 70 can be integrally formed with each other. A fixing hole 72 is formed at one end of the connecting rod 70. A hole 73 is formed inside the fixing hole 72. The coupling hook 66 is inserted into the hole 73 so that the connecting rod 70 and the support rod 60 are coupled with one another. The hole 73 has a substantially rectangular cross section. A coupling hook 75 is formed at the other end of the connecting rod 70. The coupling hook 75 is used to connect with one of the locking rods 80 to be described later. Each of the interlocking rods 80 allows a pair of support rods 60 to support one side of the tray 50 to rotate together at the same angle and connect with the other connecting rods 70. The coupling holes 82 are formed in both ends of each of the locking rods 80 and the coupling hook 75 of the connecting rod 70 is rotatably fitted within the relevant coupling hole 82. A connecting piece 84 is formed on one side of the locking rod 80. so that one end of one of the elastic members 90 which will be described later is hooked thereto. Each of the elastic members 90 provides an elastic force to the relevant linkage mechanism and makes the tray 50, which is raised or lowered by the linkage mechanisms, always come in close contact with the roof surface c of the storage space. One end of the elastic member 90 is connected to the connecting piece 84 and the other end is connected to a fixed portion such as one side of each of the fasteners 100 which will be described later. In the preferred embodiment, a coil spring has been used as the elastic member 90, but is not necessarily limited thereto. A torsion spring, which imparts an elastic force to the support rod 60 around the rotary shaft portion 64 of the support rod 60, can be used. Meanwhile, the linkage mechanisms are supported on the roof surface c of the storage space by means of the fasteners 100. The fasteners 100 are installed in corresponding portions on both sides of the tray 50, as clearly shown in Figures 4f and 4g. The hooks 102 for fastening the fastener to the roof surface c and the screw holes 103 are formed in both ends of each of the fasteners 100. A rod receiving portion 104 is formed in the fastener 100. The locking rod 80 , the elastic member 90 and the like are placed on the rod receiving portion 104 corresponding to a space formed in a longitudinal direction of the fastener 100. Support ribs 106 are formed in the middle of both ends of the fastener 100, respectively. Rod holes 107 are also formed on the supporting ribs and corresponding external surfaces of the fastener 100. The rotating shaft portion 64 of the support rod 60 fits within and is supported by a relevant one of the holes for rod 107 that penetrate to through the support ribs 106 and the corresponding external surfaces of the fastener 100. An operation of the tray apparatus of the present invention constructed as such will be explained in detail below. First, it will be described how to assemble the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The fasteners 100 in which the linkage mechanisms are assembled are mounted on the roof surface c of the storage space. The fasteners 100 are installed in right and left portions of the ceiling surface of the storage space at a predetermined interval. In each of the support rods 60 of the linkage mechanisms, the rotary arrow portion 64 fits within the relevant holder 100 through the rod hole 107 and the relevant connecting rod 70 is attached to the connection hook 66. The relevant pair of connecting rods 70 at the leading and trailing ends is connected through the relevant locking rod 80. The locking rod 80 is supported by the relevant elastic member 90 so that associated support rods 60 are subjected to the elastic force to cause them to be propelled to the roof surface c of the storage space. The tray 50 is connected to the lower ends of the support rods 60 of the linkage mechanisms. The tray 50 is supported on both sides by the support rods 60, in which the coupling hooks 62 of the support rods 60 that face one or the other inwards of the fasteners 100 that on both sides are rotatably inserted in the holes 52 provided on the front and rear portions on both sides of the tray 50. When the tray 50 is installed on the lower ends of the support rods 60 in such a form, the tray 50 is in close contact with the ceiling surface c of the storage space by means of the elastic forces of the elastic members 90, as shown in Figure 3a. At this time, since the support rods 60 are also rotated with them to be propelled to the roof surface c of the storage space, the connecting rods 70 connected to the opposite ends of the support rods 60 are in the rotated state shown in Figure 3a. Said rotation is achieved by the elastic forces of the elastic members 90. Therefore, the locking rods 80 have been moved to a position relatively to the left as seen in the figure. Meanwhile, in order to lower the tray 50, a user simply holds the descending inclined portion 54 formed at the front end of the tray 50 and exerts a force on the inclined portion so that the tray is moved downward and backward. When the user exerts the force on the tray 50, the linkage mechanisms supporting the tray 50 are rotated in a pivotal manner while they overcome the elastic forces of the elastic members 90. That is, the support rods 60 and the connecting rods 70. they are integrally rotated in a pivotal manner on the rotary arrow portion 64 in a clockwise direction and the locking rods 80 are moved to the right when viewed in the figure. Figure 3b shows the state where the tray 50 is lowered completely. Next, the storage of an article b on the tray 50 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3b, the article b such as a thin hexahydric pizza box is placed on the tray 50 in the state where the tray 50 is lowered completely. When the user stops holding the tray 50, the support rods 60 and the connecting rods 70 of the linkage mechanisms are lifted while pivoting in a counter-clockwise direction by means of the elastic forces of the arms. elastic members 90. The lifting of the tray 50 continues until an upper surface of the articles b placed on the tray 50 comes into contact with the ceiling surface c of the storage space, whereby the state shown in Figure 5 is achieved. Therefore, the article b is stored in the state where it is in close contact with the tray 50 and the roof surface c of the storage space by means of the elastic forces of the elastic members 90. Meanwhile, the surface of the storage space on which the tray apparatus of the present invention is mounted can be a ceiling of the cooling chamber, a t echo of the freezing chamber, a lower surface of any of the shelves to vertically divide the cooling and freezing chambers, or the like. As described above in detail, the tray apparatus for the refrigerator according to the present invention is configured in such a way that the linkage mechanisms are installed to impart the elastic forces to the tray in a direction in which the tray is carried. close contact with the ceiling surface of the storage space. Therefore, the article with a relatively large lower area can be additionally stored around the ceiling surface of the storage space, which is generally not used. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the storage space can be used efficiently. Further, when the tray apparatus is not in use, the tray is brought into close contact with the ceiling surface of the storage space. Therefore, there is another advantage in that the tray apparatus does not occupy an additional storage space. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment but is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made thereto within the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A tray apparatus for a refrigerator, comprising: a tray on which an article to be stored is placed; linkage mechanisms supporting both sides of the tray in such a way that the tray can be lifted and lowered from a ceiling surface of a storage space, and holes for allowing the linkage mechanisms to be pivotally mounted to the surface of the cabinet. storage space.

2. The tray apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that each of the linkage mechanisms includes: a plurality of support rods that are pivotally mounted to the holder and pivotally support the tray on respective ends thereof, and an interlocking rod connecting the plurality of support rods to each other to cause the ends of the support rods to be rotated pivotally through the same angle.

3. The tray apparatus according to claim 2, further characterized in that each of the linkage mechanisms receives an elastic force from one of the elastic members and causes the tray to be brought into contact with the ceiling surface of the space storage.

4. - The tray apparatus according to claim 3, further characterized in that each of the elastic members can be connected to the relevant fastener and locking rod at both ends thereof so that the elastic force is applied in one direction in which the tray is brought into close contact with the ceiling surface of the storage space.

5. - The tray apparatus according to claim 3, further characterized in that each of the elastic members can be installed in the pivot centers of the linkage mechanisms, so that the elastic force is applied in a direction in the which the tray is brought into close contact with the ceiling surface of the storage space.

6. - The tray apparatus according to claim 2, further characterized in that the connecting rods are hooked with opposite ends of the support rods, respectively, at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal directions of the support rods, and the other ends of the connecting rods are pivotally connected to relevant ends of the interlocking rods.

7. - The tray apparatus according to claim 6, further characterized in that the connecting rods and support rods are pivotally pivoted.

8. - The tray apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that a front end of the tray is formed within a downward sloping portion that is curved downward.

9. The tray apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that the ceiling surface of the storage space is selected from a group consisting of a roof of a freezing chamber, a roof of a cooling chamber and a bottom surface of any of the shelves.