US2463283A - Refrigerator, including a cabinet provided with a sliding door - Google Patents

Description

March l, 1949.` KAUFMAN ETAL REFRIGERATOR, INCLUDING A CABINET PROVIDED WITH A SLIDING DOOR Filed March 7, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 U THA-m5 A Tian/vz YJ'.

D. L. KAUFMAN ETAL REFRIGERATCR, INCLUDING A CABINET March 1 1949.

PROVIDED WITH A SLIDING DOOR 4 sheets-sheet 2 Filed March 7, 1946 AAA...

INVENTOR: AN/A'L. L. Kauf-MAN. yteacnrf. F2. :Mm/q.

nwe/e .4 rra/uvz Ys.

March l 1949. D. L. KAUFMAN ErAl. 2,463,283

REFRIGERTOR, INCLUDING A CABINET PROVIDED WITH A SLIDING DOOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 7, 1946 Iiwl I I Q 'THE/l ITT'ORNIYJ'.

March 1, 1949. D, L, KAUFMAN ETAL 2,463,283

REFRIGERATOR, INCLUDING A CABINET PROVIDED WITH A sLIDING DooR Filed March 7, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 52g. a '41, M

TMt/e A rra 12A/YJ Patented Mar. 1, 1949 REFRIGERATOR, INCLUDNG A CABINET PROVIDED WITH A SLIDING DOOR Daniel L. Kaufman and Robert E. Fleming, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to General Motors Corporation. Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware vApplication March 7, 1946. Serial No. 652,494

11 Claims. (Ci. 82 89) This invention relates to refrigeration and particularly to refrigerator cabinets and doors employed to close an opening providing access to the interior of such cabinets.

Ordinarily a door providing access to a food storage chamber of a refrigerator cabinet is fully opened each time an article is to be removed from the chamber irrespective of the size of such article. Frequent manipulation of the door to fully open position results in a material loss of refrigeration due to the escape of cold air from the chamber over the entire area of its access openning, normally closed by the door. For this reason we propose to utilize a slidable door for normally closing the food storage chamber access opening of a refrigerator cabinet, which door. when moved, will uncover only a portion of the total area of the opening and affordaccess to one part or another part of the chamber while at the same time maintaining one of the parts of the chamber access opening closed. In practicing our invention the amount of cold air escaping from the refrigerated chamber is reduced and the refrigerating' system associated with the cabinet is rendered more efficient.

AAn object of our invention is to lprovide an improved refrigerator cabinet and to increase the ei'ilciency of a refrigerating system associated therewith.

Another object of our invention is to provide a door for normally closing a single access opening leading to the food storage chamber of a refrigerator cabinet which door may be moved in a plurality of directions for uncovering one portion or another portion only of the total area oi' the access opening.

Another object oi' our invention is to provide a single slidable door yfor closing the access opening' of a food chamber of a refrigerator cabinet which can be moved horizontally in either of two directions relative to the access opening for alternately uncovering different portions of the access opening while at the same time having a part thereof which cooperates with an evaporator within the chamber and forms the sole means o! maintaining another portion of the opening closed.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a slidable door for the access opening of a refrigerator cabinet which when moved to uncover a portion of the opening will be returned automatically to its normal closed position so as not to permit the door to remain in open position too long.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a front view of a refrigerator cabinet having a door arranged in accordance with the present invention mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and shows the door moved toward one side oi' the cabinet;

Fig. 3 is. another view similar to Fig. 1 and shows the door moved toward the .other side of the cabinet;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the refrigerator cabinet taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 and diagrmmatically shows a refrigerating system associated with the cabinet;

Fig. 5 is a broken view of a front position of the refrigerator cabinet with certain elements there'- nf removed' to more clearly illustrate the door mounting;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and shows the door moved to one side of the cabinet;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 1 showing the mounting of the door on upper and lower tracks:

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 5 showing one of the ball bearing door mounting rollers;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8 9 of Fig. 5 showing part of the door cushioning device; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line I O II of Fig. 8 showing a part of the door-returning device. l l

Referring to theV drawings, for illustrating the present invention, we have shown in Fig. 1 thereof a refrigerating apparatus comprising a cabinet I0 having a plurality of outer sheet metal panels or the like I'I and an inner liner I2 (see Fig. 4) forming the food storage chamber I4 within the cabinet. Insulating material I8 is disposed between the panels Il and liner l2. The front wall of cabinet I0 has an f opening I1 therein which provides access to the chamber il. A door i ananas I8 mounted on cabinet I8, in a manner to be hereinafter more specifically described, normally closes the chamber access opening I1. A closed refrigerating system is associated with the cabinet I8 and includes a refrigerant compressing and liquefying unit which may be housed in the lower part of the cabinet and an evaporator 2l mounted in the chamber I4. Evaporator 2| is preferably of the embossed double sheet metal wall type and is in the form of a large plate which cooperates with-walls of the chamber I4 to divide theinterior thereof into two compartments Ila and |4b. Shelves may be mounted in. any suitable or desirable manner on either side of the vertically disposed evaporator 2| and within the compartments I4a -and I'4b for supporting bottled beverages or other food products. The evaporator 2| hasan edge, or is provided with an extension 22, which projects outwardly through the opening I1 and cooperates with the door I8 to retard circulation of air between the compartments |4a and |4b. The refrigerant compressing and liquefying unit of the refrigerating system is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 4 and includes an electric motor 24 which' drives, through suitable belt and pulley connections, a compressor 28. Compressor -28 vcommunicates with the evaporator 2|, by way of a conduit 21. Any suitable control device (not shown) may be employed for causing starting and stopping of motor 24 and consequently compressor 28 as is conventionalv in the art. Refrigerant evaporated in evaporator 2| causes the evaporator to cool and circulate air within the chamber I4 and compartments I`4a and Mib. The evaporated refrigerant is drawn into the compressor through the conduit 21 whereupon it is compressed and forwarded under pressure, through a conduit 28, to

a condenser 29. VThe compressed refrigerant is cooled and liquefied Iwithin the condenser 29 and flows into a receiver 3l'. Liquid refrigerant is directed from receiver 3|, through a conduit 32, back to the evaporator 2| for re-evaporation therein. Any suitable orconventional expansion device or restrictor (not shown) may be employed for controlling the ow of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator 2|.

In the present disclosure the door I8 is mounted on cabinet I8 for sliding movement toward one side and/or toward the opposite side of thecabnet. Door I8 may be of any suitable or desirable-construction and is providedabout its sides with a seal element 38 (see Fig. 8) which sealingly engages the front of cabinet I8 around the chamber access opening I1 to prevent the I or desirable manner for concealing the upper track 31, L-shaped member 48, rollers. 48 and the screws or bolts 44. The bottom edge of door I8 has-a metal member 5| secured,`thereto by screws or bolts 52 (see Figs. 5, 6, '1, and`8) Brackets 53 welded to member 5| form with this member supports for studs or bolts 54 upon which are mounted rollers 58. Each of the rollers 48 and 58 include a ball bearing member 51 (see Fig. Y

8) upon which the part forming the rollers 48 and 58 is secured in any desirable or conventional manner. This part which forms the rollers 48 and' 58 has a groove 59 provided therein for receiving and fitting over the track forming edge bracket 8 I.

portion of track members 81 and 88. With the grooves 59 of rollers 48 and 58 fitting over the edge portion of track members 81 and 88, it is obvious that the door I8 is mounted between these track members upon the cabinet for rolling or sliding movement. kThe upper track member 31 nasa V-like portion 5v(see Fig. 5) cut in the edge part thereof upon which the rollers 48 roll for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Metal member 5 which moveswith movement of door I8, has a bracket 8| welded thereto at each lower corner thereof (see Figs. 5, 6 and 8). The brackets 8| have legs 82 directed inwardly toward the front =wal1 of cabinet I8 (see Figs. '1 and 8) for a purpose to be presently described. Another pair of brackets 84 are welded upon the track forming member 38 and cooperate with the bracket 8|. Another pair of vbrackets 84 are 4welded upon the bottom portion of lower track forming member 38 and cooperate with the These brackets 84 each have outwardly directed legs 88 which overlap and are normally in vertical alignment with the legs 82 on brackets 8|. The one edge of each lbracket 8| and 84 at each side of theydoor I8 has a notch o 81 cut therein (see Fig. 10) for the receptionl of a spring supporting member 88. vMember 88 straddles the leg portions -82 and y88 of both L brackets 8|`and 84 and is provided with a depending portionv1| having a hole therein for the reception of a rod to be presently described. A screw 12 passing through the members 88 is threaded into a cage-like element 18 which has ears 14 bent over one or more end coil portions of a large coil springs 15 (see Fig. l0) Thus the spring 15 is held between opposed cages 18 for expansion when either of the brackets' 8| is moved away from a bracket 84 upon movement of the door I8. vThe brackets 8| and 84, members 88, screws 12, cages 13 and spring 15 all cooperate to escape of cold air from the chamber l'4. Upper and lower tracks 31 and 38 respectively (see Figs.

5 and 7) are secured to the front wall of cabinet I0 by a plurality of screws 39. Lower track 881s provided with elongated openings 4| (see Figs. 5 and 6) for the screws 39 and which openings permit adjustment of the tracks relative to one another for proper mounting and operation of the door I8. The top edge of door I8 has an L- shaped 4metal member 43 secured thereto by screws or the like 44' (see Figs. 5, 6.and '1). Member 43 has bracketfs 48 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto and `these brackets together with the members 43 form supports for .studs or bolts 41 upon 'which ball bearing rollers 48 are mounted. The construction and mounting of these rollers will be more clearly described in a description of the rollers associated with the lower track 38. A removable cover plate 49 (see Fig. 7) is secured to the cabinet I8 in any suitable provide a means or device for returning the door I8 to its closed position therefrom.

In order to prevent the door I8 from moving too fast in its closing movement, under the influence of spring 15 we provide means for cushioning at least the nal closing movemert of the door. This means, in the present disclosure, includes a metal cylinder or ltube 8| secured to a pair of brackets 82 mounted upon the front wallv the lock nut 81 for rotating the valve and adjusting the needle thereof with respect to its seat so as to alter the restricted orifice 84 if desired. A pair of pistons 88 and 88 (see Fig-5) carried on the rods 8| and 82'respectively are 'after it has been moved f 5 adapted to be reciprocated within the cylinder 9| upon slliding movement of door I9. One rod 9| passes through the hole in the depending part 1| of the spring supporting member 99 at the one side ofthe front of cabinet I9 and the other rod 92 passes through the hole in the depending part 1| of member 99 located at the other side of the front of the cabinet. Bushings 99 and 99 are secured in spaced apart relation upon rod 9| one on each side of the member 99 and vother similar bushings 99 and 99- are secured upon rod 92 one on each side of the other member 99. A removable cover plate or panel 91 is detachably secured to the front of cabinet ||I in any suitable or desirable manner to conceal member. 9|, rollers 99, brackets 9| and 99, spring 19, cylinder or tube 9| and other elements associated with the spring 19 and with the cylinder 9|. Pistons 99 or 99 move freely toward the open ends of cylinder 9| but, due to the orifice air outlet 99, movement of either piston ytoward the center of the cylinder will be restricted. In other words the cylinder and the pistons therein form a pump similar to a bicycle tire pump.

The door I9 normally closes the entire area of the chamber access opening I1, as is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings and can be moved to either side of the cabinet I to uncover a portion only of the total area of opening I1 while at the same time providing the sole means of closing another portion of the area of the access opening. While the door is in closed position the door seal element 99 is out of cooperation with the extension member 22 on the front edge of evaporator 2| and therefore some air will circulate between the compartments I9a and I9b. Movement of door I9 toward the left hand side of cabinet I0, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6' of the drawings, will cause legs 92 of the one bracket 9|, secured to the lower left hand corner of the door, to move the one spring supporting element 99 in a direction toward the left hand side of the cabinet. This movement of door I9, element 99 and screw 12 v causes this screw to pull on cage 19 and thereby stretch the spring 'I9 lengthwise. In addition, movement lof this element 99 along piston rod 9| picks up the bushing 99 and causes the piston 99 to move in a direction outwardly of cylinder.

9| (see Fig. 6). Full movement of door I9 to the left hand side of the cabinet also causes the upper right hand roller 99 to drop into the V-like undercut portion 99 provided intrack 91. The single door I9 will, by virtue of the roller resting in undercut portion 99 of track 91, remain in open position to uncover that portion of the area of acess opening I1 leading to the y compartment IIb. While in this open position the door I9 has a part thereof which forms the soie means of closing the other portion of the access opening I'I leading to compartment |9a. That portion of the seal element 99 along the right hand side of door I9'cooperates with the evaporator 2| or its extension 22 to prevent the escape of cold air from compartment I 9a when compartment I9b is opened. If the door I9 is not moved entirely to the left hand side of cabinet I9 the spring 19 will, due to its being stretched, immediately return the door to its normal closed position when the door is released.

"However, if door I9 is fully opened so that roller 99 rests in the undercut portion 59 of track 91, as shown in Fis. 6 of the drawings.- then a slight jar or starting movement is required to move the roller out of the undercut 99 whereupon the door will be returned to its normal closed position under power of the energy stored in' spring 19. Closing movement of door I9 causes the spring supporting element 99 to move to the right along rod 9| until it strikes the bushing 99 thereon, and then the rod 9| is moved to the right or into the cylinder 9|. Piston 99 on rod 9| is therefore moved toward-the center of cylinder 9| and this movement of piston 99 tends to compress air within the cylinder. The orifice 99 in fitting 99 restricts the escape of air from cylinder 9| and this retards movement of piston 99 to its normal position within the cylinder and consequently the simple air pump described ouahions the action of spring I9 andthe final closing movement of door I9.

Movement of door I9 toward the other side of cabinet I0 or to the right. as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. to uncover that portion of 'the access opening I1 leading to*V compartment |9a will cause the elements located at the lower right hand corner yof the door to come into play or to operate in the same manner as is described in the description of operation of the elements on the left hand side of the door. In this right hand movement of door I9, bracket 9| carried on plate 9| and both of which move with the door, element 99 will be moved to the right to stretch spring 19 andthe lower end 1I of element 99 will engage the bushing 99, -secured to rod 92, and move the piston 99toward the open end of cylinder 9| to render the air pump effective for cushioning the closing movement of door I9. In moving door I9 to the right it may. if laccess to compartment Ila is desired for any length of time, be moved fuiiy'open so that the left hand upper roller 99 will rest in the undercut 99 of track 91. If this be the case the door I9, instead of immediately returningvto `its closed position under the power of the stretched spring 19, will 40 have to be manually started toward closed position whereupon the spring 19 will close same. Spring 19 is adjustably maintained between brackets 99, by the spring supports 99 bearing against these brackets, under a slightly stretched tension, so as to insure that door I9.will be centralized with respect to the cabinet side walls. Since the brackets 9i and also the springsupports 99 move with movement of door I9 the spring 19 is uniformly stretched irrespective of the direction of movement of the door. The normal closed position of door I9 retains the air pump or door cushioning device in a neutral position so that movement of the door either to one side or to the other side of the refrigerator cabinet will render one of the pump pistons effective when the door is moved by the spring 19 to closed position. l o

In view of the foregoing it will be seen that we have provided an improved door arrangement for a. refrigerator cabinet in which a single door normally closes the entire area of the food chamber access opening and when moved in a first direction uncovers at least one side of the access opening while forming the sole means of closing the other side thereof,4 and when moved in a second direction uncovers the said other side of the access opening while forming the sole means for closing the said one side thereof. viding a single door which slides in two different directions within the confines of the width of the refrigerator cabinet the cabinet can be installed in any location without danger of the door interfering withv other objects of furnitureor appliances located` adjacent the cabinet. The improved door. byuncovering a portion only of the l adopted, as may come within chamber access opening at any one time and by closing another portion of the chamber, conserves cold air within the refrigerated chamber.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a-preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a refrigerator, a cabinet having a plurality of walls forming a chamber, said cabinet having an opening in a wall thereof providing access to said chamber, a single door for closing said chamber access opening, a closed refrigerating system associated with said cabinet and including an evaporator mounted in said chamber for cooling air therein, said evaporator cooperating with walls of said chamber to divide the inferior thereof into a plurality of compartments, means for mounting said door on-said cabinet for sliding movement',

said door when moved in a direction toward one side of said cabinet uncovering that portion of said chamber access opening leading to one of said compartments and having a part thereof cooperating with said evaporator and forming the sole `means of closing that portion of said chamber access opening leading to another of said compartments, and said door when moved in a direction toward the other side of said cabinet uncovering that portion of said chamber access opening leading to said another compartment and havingn part thereof cooperating with said evaporator and forming the sole means of closing that portion of said chamber access opening leading to said one of said compartments.

2. In a refrigerator, a cabinet having a plurality of walls forming a chamber, said cabinet having an opening in a wall thereof providing access to said chamber, a single door for closing said chamber access opening, a closed refrigerating system associated with said cabinet and including an evaporator mounted in said chamber for cooling air therein, said evaporator cooperating with walls of said chamber to divide the interior thereof into a plurality of compartments, means for mounting said door on said cabinet for sliding movement, said door when moved in a direction toward one side of said cabinet uncovering that portion of said chamber access opening leading to one o`f said compartments and having a part thereof cooperating with said evaporator and forming the sole means of closing that portion of said chamber access opening leading to another of said compartments, said door when moved in a direction toward the other side of said cabinet uncovering 40 portion of said chamber access opening leading to that portion of said chamber access opening leading to se id another compartment and having a part thereof cooperating with said evaporaa-.mand forming the sole means of closing that portion of said chamber access opening leading to said one of said compartments, and means rendered eective by movement of said door in either r-f movement, said door when moved in la direction toward. one side of said cabinet uncovering that; portion of said chamber access opening leading to one of said compartments and having a. part thereof cooperating with said evaporator and forming the sole means of closing that portion of said chamber access opening leading to another of said compartments, said door when moved in a direction toward the other side of said cabinet uncovering that portion of said chamber access opening leading to said another compartment and having? a part thereof cooperating with said evaporator and forming the sole means of closing that portion of said chamber access opening leading to said one of said compartments, means ,rendered effective by movement of said door in either of said directions for returning the door to its closed position, and means also rendered effective by movement of said door for cushioning said last named means at least during the ilnal closing movement of the door.

4. In a refrigerator, a cabinet having a plurality of wallsforming a chamber, said cabinet having an opening 1n the front wall thereof providing the sole means for access to said chamber, a single door for closing said chamber access openinga closed refrigerating system associated with said cabinet and including av sheet metal evaporator mounted in said chamber for cooling air therein. said evaporator being vertically disposed within said chamber and cooperating with Vwalls thereof to divide same into a plurality of compartments, said door being mounted on track means disposed above and below said chamber access opening for sliding movement, said door when moved in a v i'lrst direction uncovering a portion of said chamber access opening leading to one of said compartments and having a part thereof cooperating with said evaporator for'closing that anotheiof said compartments, and said door when moved lin a direction opposite said first direction uncovering that portion of said chamber access opening leading to said another of said compartments and having a part thereof cooperating with said evaporator for closing that portion of4 said chamber access opening leading to said one of said compartments.

5. In a refrigerator,.a cabinet having a plurality of insulated walls forming a chamber, a closed refrigerating system associated with said cabinet including a refrigerant translating unit and an evaporator for cooling the interior of said chamber, one Wall of said cabinet having an opening therein providing access to said chamber and having other outer cabinet walls directed therefrom, each of two opposed walls of said chamber access opening being spaced. a substantial distance inwardly of the cabinet outer wall adjacent thereto, a single door normally closing said opening, said door being mounted for sliding movement along said one cabinet wall intermediate said other outer cabinet walls, said door when moved in a rst direction positioning an edge thereof substantially in alignment with one of said cabinet outer walls and uncovering one portion of said chamber access opening, said door when moved in anotherdirection positioning its opposed edge substantially in alignment with the other of said cabinet outer Walls ,and uncovering another portion of said chamber access opening, and said door when moved to either of its said positions having a part thereof covering one of said portions of the opening.

6. In a refrigerator, a cabinet having a plurality of insulated walls forming a chamber, a'closed refrigerating system associated with said cabinet includingsa refrigerant translating unit and an evaporator for cooling the interior'of said chamber, one wall of said cabinet having an' opening therein providing access to said chambero and having other outer cabinet walls directed therefrom, each of two opposed walls of said chamber access opening being spaced a substantial distance inwardly of the cabinet outer wall adjacent thereto, a single door normally closing said open' ing, said door being mounted for sliding movement along said one cabinet wall intermediate said other outer cabinet walls, said door when moved in a first direction positioning an edge thereof substantially in alignment with one of said cabinet outer walls and vuncovering one portion of said chamber access opening, said door when moved in another direction positioning lits opposed edge substantially in alignment with theother of said cabinet'outer walls and uncovering another portion of said chamber access opening, said door when moved to-either of its said positions having of said door to prevent its movement bevondl said other outer cabinet walls, said door when moved in a first direction uncovering one Dolftion of said chamber access opening and cover- 4inganother portion thereof, said door when moved in a second direction uncovering said another portion of said chamber access opening and covering said one portion thereof, and means rendered eifective by movement of said door in either of said directions 'forreturning the door to its said normal closed position.

9. In a refrigeratonla cabinet having a plurality "of walls forming a chamber, said cabinet having an opening -in a wallthereof providing access to said chamber, a single door normally closing said chamber access opening, a closed refrigerating system associated with said cabinet ed therefrom, each of two opposed walls of said chamber-access opening being spaced a substantial distance inwardly of the cabinet outer wall adjacent thereto, Aa single door normally closing said opening, said door being mounted for sliding movement along said one cabinet wall intermediate said other outer cabinet walls, said door when moved in a first direction positioning an edge thereof substantially in alignment with on'e of said cabinet outer walls and uncovering one portion of said chamber access opening, said door when moved'in another direction positioning its opposed edge substantially in alignment with the other of said cabinet outer walls and uncovering another portion of lsaid chamber access opening, said door when moved to either of its said positions having a part thereof covering one of said portions of the opening, means rendered effective by movement of said door in either of said directions for returning the door to its said normal closed position, and means also rendered eifective by movement of said door for cushioning said last named means at least during the final closing movement of the door. I

8. In a refrigerator, a cabinet having a Plurality of insulated walls forming a chamber, a closed refrigerating system associated with said cabinet including a refrigerant translating unit and an evaporator for cooling the interior of said chamber, one wall of said cabinet having an opening therein providing access to said chamber an-d having other outer cabinet walls directed therefrom, each of two opposed walls of said chamber access opening being spaced a substan- Itial distance inwardly of the cabinet outer wall adjacent thereto, a single door normally closing said opening, said door being mounted for sliding movement in opposite directions along said one cabinet wall, means for limiting sliding and including an evaporator mounted in said chamber for cooling air therein, said evaporator cooperating with walls of said chamber and having` means associated therewith and cooperating with the inner face of said door to divide said chamber into a plurality of compartments, means for mounting said door on said cabinet for sliding movement, said door when moved in one direction uncovering that portion of said cham- .ber access opening Ileading to one of said comlpartments and cooperating with said means associated with said evaporator to close that portion of said chamber access opening leading to another of said compartments, and said door when moved ,in a direction opposltesaid one direction of movement thereof uncovering that portion of said chamber access opening leading to said another compartment and cooperating with said means associated with said evaporator to close that portion of said chamber access opening leading to said one of said compartments.

10. In a refrigerator. a cabinet having a plu- 40 rality of walls forming a chamber, a closed refrigerating system associated with said cabinet including a refrigerant translating unit and an evaporator for cooling the interior of said chamber. one wall of said cabinet'having Van opening therein providing access to said chamber, a single door normally closing said chamber access opening, said door being mounted for sliding movement in opposite directions along said onev cabinet wall, said door when moved in a first direction from its normally closed position uncovering one side of sai-d chamber access opening and covering the other side thereof, said -door lwhen moved in a second direction from its normally closed position uncovering said other side of said chamber access opening and covering said one side thereof, means rendered effective by moving said door in either of its directions of movement for returning the door from either of its moved positionsto its said normal closed position. and means rendered effective by moving said door '1in either of its directions of movement for cushioning said last. named means at least during the final closing movement of the door.

1l. In a'refrigerator, a cabinet having a plulll cover-ingrE one side ot said chamber access openmally closed position uncovering said otherside of said chamber access opening and covering said one side thereof, holding means securing said door against closure after being moved into either of said directions o! movement thereof, and

mens effective upon release of said holding means for returning the door trom either of its moved positions to its said normal closed posi# ROBB'IR'I'l El.' FLEMING. u 445,436,

A l2 nEFEpENcEs errno The following references are of record in th me of this patent:

UNrTm sTATEs PATENTS v Date Number Name 1,380,222 Lichtenberg May 31, 1921 2,085,832 Shoohet July 6, 1937 p FOREIGN PATENTS l Number v Country Date 59,301 Norway May 2, 1938 437,722 Germany Nov. 26, 1926 Great Britain Apr. 9, 1936

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