US1888358A

US1888358A - Rubber cushion and insulating strip for refrigerator doors

Info

Publication number: US1888358A
Application number: US556055A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick C Palenske
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1931-08-10
Filing date: 1931-08-10
Publication date: 1932-11-22
Anticipated expiration: 1949-11-22

Description

RUBBER CUSHION AND INSULATING STRIP FOR REFRIGERATOR DOORS Nov; 22,1932. F. c. PALENSKE Filed Aug. 10/, 1951 Patented Nov. 22, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I, FREDERICK C. PALENSKE, OF ST. J'OSEIH, MICHIGAN Application filed August 10. 1981. Serial No. 556,055.

This invention relates to rubber stripping for doors of refrigerators or iceboxes or similar structures requiring tight joints and insulation between the edges of the doors and the body of the structur Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved construction and arrangement whereby a rubber stripping is provided having means for forming a double seal, so to speak, having two edge portions spaced apart in position to engage one member of the structure, when the door is closed, providin a dead air space between them, whereby e ective insulation and an air-tight joint are rovided-between the door and the body of t e structure.

It is also 'an object to provide certain details and features of construction tending to increase the general efli ciency and the desirability of a rubber stripping of this particular character.

.To these and other useful ends, the invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which- 4 Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a refrigerator provided with rubber stripping between the door and the body of the structure, em-

bodying the principles of the invention. 0 Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal detail section on line 22 in Fig. 1 of the drawing, showing the door in closed or. substantially closed position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing the door structure open.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of a section of the rubber stripping constituting the invention.

As thus illustrated, the invention comprises a rubber strip having a base portion 1 0 provided at one edge thereof with a flange 2, saidbase and flange being secured to the door 3 in any suitable or desired manner. The base 1 is provided on the face thereof with curved ribs 4 which are spaced apart and which are preferably provided with sharp edges, as shown. The

portions

1 and 2 are at an angle to each other, preferably forming an obtuse angle, whereby the flange 2 will extend between the meeting edges of the door and the doorway, as shown, these edges being beveled, preferably, whereby a tight joint is formed.

When the door 3 is closed, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the ribbed portions 4 are bent or distorted as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, by contact thereof with the body 5 of the refrlgerator structure. This provides a double seal, so'to speak, as each rib 4 provides a tight joint, and in addition there is e a dead air space 6 formed between the two ribs. In this way insulation is provided, in the joint between the door and the body of the structure, and a double air-tight seal is also provided, whereby there can be no interchange of relatively cold and warm air inside and outside of the refrigerator. In other words, there can be no leakage around the edges of the door, tending to impair the efiiciency of the refrigerator.

It will be understood, of course, that the shape of the base of the rubber stripping ma be of any suitable form or character, depen ing upon the shape of the structure or mem-. ber to which it is to be secured. But, in any event, and regardless of the shapev of the base 5 or attaching portions, the stripping will have the plurality of spaced ribs on the face thereof, each rib forming an air-tight seal or joint along its edge, and the ribs together forming a dead air space between them, inthe manner shown and described.

It will be understood'that tlie rubber stri ping may be fastened to either the door or t e body of the structure, depending upon the character thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will alsobe seen that in the form shown one of the ribs 4 is at the edge of the base 1, while the other rib is spaced a distance therefrom. But the two ribs are curved on their outer sides, whereby the two ribs normally incline toward each other, and whereby the two ribs are bent or distorted toward each other when the door or closure is in closed position. Two ribs are shown and described, but it is obvious that a plurality of ribs may be employed, involving the use of more than two ribs, without departing from the spirit of the invention. But, in any event, the formation is such that dead air space is formed between the ribs when the door or closure is in closed position, with the flange 2 forming an outer tight joint, and with said ribs forming an inner tight joint.

5 What I claim as my invention is:

1. Rubber stripping for refrigerator doors, or other closures, comprising a base for attachment to a relatively movable member of the structure, formed with a portion to extend between the meeting edges of the door and doorway, said base having another portion disposed at an angle to said first mentioned portion, and a plurality of ribs on the face thereof, said ribs spaced apart to provide air space between them, and said ribs eing adapted to engage another relatively movable member of the structure, when the door or closure is moved into closed position, each rib providing an air-tight joint or seal,

and the ribs also providing dead air space between them when the door or closure 1s in closed position, thereby providing an airtight seal and insulation in the joint between the door or closure and doorway of the body of the structure.

' 2. A structure as specified in claim 1, said ribs being curved toward each other, thereby being subject to distortion toward each other when the door or closure is in closed position.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1, said ribs being two in number, one rib being at the outer edge of the base, and the other rib being spaced a distance therefrom, the two ribs being curved on their outer surfaces,

whereby the two ribs normally incline toward each other, and are bent or distorted toward each other when the door or closure is in closed position.

Specification signed this 3rd day of Au- .4 gust, 1931.

FREDERICK C. PALENSKE.