US2760349A

US2760349A - Refrigerator constructions

Info

Publication number: US2760349A
Application number: US432709A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis A Valenti
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-05-27
Filing date: 1954-05-27
Publication date: 1956-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 1973-08-28

Description

Aug. 28, 1956 L. A. VALENTI 2,760,349

REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTIONS Filed May 27, 1954 FIC-5.5

INVENTOR LOUIS AVALENTI ATTORNEY" ilnited States Patent REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTIONS Louis A. Valenti, Worcester, Mass.

Application May 27, 1954, Serial No. 432,709

8 Claims. (Cl. 62-117.45)

This invention relates to new and improved refrigerator constructions which provide for a high degree of saving of refrigerating space and also in room space wherever installed, particularly in the kitchen of a home.

The principal object of the present invention resides in the provision of a space-saving refrigerator construction, wherein the refrigerator box is enabled to be set with its back squarely against a Wall and requires no spacing around it in any way, so that cabinets may be built down to the top of the box, and in fact the entire box may be completely recessed in a wall; and the provision of a space-saving refrigerator as above stated wherein the entire interior of the refrigerator is made useful for storage purposes, the working mechanism being located exteriorly of the refrigerator and specifically below the same, being inset in the oor and depending between the rafters of the ceiling below.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of a mechanical refrigerator having a compressor unit located in movable relationship with respect to an aperture in the oor of the refrigerator box, so that the same may be mounted and shipped within the refrigerator box for convenience and protection thereof, but when the refrigerator is installed, the complete unit is dropped through this aperture, said unit having a top flange cr cap by which it is held in flush relationship with the oor of the refrigerator and depending below the same between the rafters of the ceiling of the floor below or in the cellar of the home.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of induced circulating air exhaust means below the compressor unit and thus wholly below the floor supporting the box7 for making the circulated air useful for heating in winter in the oor below, and capable of avoiding heating in the summer; making the refrigerator solidly positioned on the floor and against the wall, so that the box does not shake when the door is opened and closed, etc.; the provision against any compressor noise, and the provision of a refrigerator as above stated which maintains the surrounding atmosphere, for instance the kitchen and under the box, cleaner and more free of dust, etc.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a perspective view showing the improved refrigerator with the door open and located in position on the oor and against a wall, parts being broken away and in section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale illustrating the lower portion of the refrigerator box of Fig. l and appurtenant structure;

Fig. 3 is a section on an enlarged scale on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view, looking in the direction of arrow 4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view on an enlarged scale similar to Fig. 4 but with the fan ceiling grill removed;

Fig. 6 is a plan view, looking in the direction of arrow 6 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the compressor mechanism in position for shipment.

Conventional refrigerators must be located in spaced relation from a wall at the back and at the top in order to provide for air circulation, and this invention obviates this condition, thus providing for better use of space and the saving of wall space, floor space, and enlarging the effective capacity of the refrigerator. As illustrated in Fig. l, a refrigerator box 1i? is shown as largely conventional in general appearance and having a door 12 for closing the same. In this case, the evaporator for the refrigerator may be located at the top portion 14, which is conveniently used as a freezing compartment. The refrigerator box 10 is located in flat abutment against the wall 16 and is located on the iloor 1S. ln this figure, the oor 18 is broken away to illustrate rafters 2i) for the oor below or in the ceiling of the cellar of the domestic house under the kitchen.

The box 10 is insulated in the usual manner but is provided with a lower ange 22 which is adapted to contact the floor 18 and efectively enclose a chamber 24 within the contines of the box such as illustrated in Fig. 2. This chamber provides a space between the supporting lloor 18 and the bottom 26 of the box 1G, and this space accommodates a exible loop of pipes or hoses 23 which provide refrigeration and defrosting materials. These hoses are led under the floor 26 to a side wall of the box as illustrated at 30 whence they are directed upwardly to the evaporator.

Hoses 28 issue from a housing 32 and it is to be understood that the housing 32, the pipes 28, and the conventional evaporating unit, which is not shown, are all parts of one unit which are installed and may be removed frorn the box as a unit. The loop in the pipes 2S allows for disposition of the housing 32 in either the lower operative position of Figs. l and 2 or the upper shipping position of Fig. 7. Housing 32 is preferably at or near the front of the box for installation convenience, but the housing may be located anywhere desired.

The housing 32 is provided with a ilange or cap 34 which supports the same in the lowermost position thereof on a gasket 36 located in a recess in the oor 26. When the unit 32 is in its uppermost position of Fig. 7, it is supported upon a pair of rotatable supporting brackets 38 swung inwardly to support the unit in Fig. 7 and swung outwardly to allow the unit to descend in Fig. 2.

The unit 32 contains a compressor preferably of the dome type illustrated at 40 (see Fig. 3), the same having a drip-pan below it at 42 providing for evaporation of defrosted water and also providing a partial condensing medium as for instance in the pipe 44. The unit 32 also includes a junction box 46 which is permanently installed therein and which is used to control the operation of the compressor. A plug 4S is provided in a side wall of the housing 32 for providing electric energy for an air-circulating fan 50 to be later described. Of course the box 46 is provided with convenient flexible electric conduit means for supplying energy thereto.

The bottom of housing 32 is Substantially open with the exception of the drip-pan 42 and is adapted to be closed by a ceiling fan grill 52 which is fastened to a pair of adjacent rafters 20 by any desired fastening means as for instance the brackets 54. The fan 50 is mounted on the upright wall 56 and this wall is telescopically arranged with reference to the housing 32 for accommodating different widths of rafters 20.

The fan grill 52 is provided with openings 58 located oppositely to a swivel outlet 60 and these openings provide for'circulation of cooling air for the condenser by means of the fan 50, and a partition or baftle 51 directs theeir dow es lthrough en opening 5.3 adieeent Ythe ten, see Fig. 3. Y

The swivelout-let .60 may be supplied `with a `hose for leading the heated air to an exterior location with regard to the building for summer-time use, so .as to reduire nnwanted heat and to allow air ,conditioning .apparatus ,if present to zoperate more satisfactorily. This hose will ,of course be removed for winteretimeuse to allow a flor of heated air into the room below the refrigerator and by turning .the swivel 60, this heated eirfrnnyy be -direeted where desired. The ,fan is provided with an eleetric line o2 to plng into 'the outlet 48, so es to derive power there# from but it is contemplated that thermos-tatie means will be provided ,for preventing the tan from operating Until the air in the housing has reached a .comfortable ten-i,- Perntore .for providing the flow of heated lnr referred te :for winter-time use.

In order to remove the pipes 28 as a unit, a removable portion .64 is provided in the floor 26 .of the box and con.- yentional removable strips as at 66 may be provided for removing the entire hose and also the evaporator, not shown.

When the refrigerator is shipped from the factory, the unit 32 is in the Fig. 7 position, in which the rim 2 2 extends below it and protects it. Any means necessary may beused to hold the unit in this position,

When the installation is to be made, the hole in the Voor 13 is rst prepared, the brackets 3,8 4are turned to allow the unit 32 to descend through the hole in the floor, .and then the fan grill is applied and telesCOPd upwardly .to the extent necessary as shown in Fig. 2. The device is now ready for operation vand as a very important feature of this invention it will be seen that there is no mechanism within the box and that the entire capacity of the refrigerator is made useful. Furthermore, the back .of the box is plane and butted directly up against the Wall 16 and as a matter of fact cabinets may be built in all around the box at the top and the sides. There is no compressor noise noticeable because it occurs below the floor, the heat from the compressor is utilized t the most ecient advantage both for summer and winter and never enters the room Where the box is located, the box may be made square at the top if desired, there is no wabble Yof the box when the door is opened and closed, and the air circulated being below the floor does not draw in dust at one side and expel it at the other as in conventional refrigerators, so that the kitchen is maintained much cleaner.

Among the other advantages of the invention, the novel refrigerator may be installed in any variable standard structnre or building without altering any structural members such as floor joists, outside wall foundation, etc., the cost is maintained at or near the level of present conventional refrigerators, both as to manufacture and for installation so far as the consumer is concerned, having in mind the advantages attendant upon the new construction; the new unit makes use of unwanted or unused space and is operable more conveniently, making use of a cooler atmosphere for increased eiciency, and in general any survicing which might be necessary to the mechanical parts will be much easier to do and less annoying to the service man, or the consumer.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, l do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

' l. Arefrigerator adapted to be set on a supporting door vand comprising an insulated box having a floor, an evaporating device in the box, a compressor and condensing unit, a iiexible hose connecting the unit to the evaporator ,et all. times .Seid inrit being eelieeonteined and selectively located to depend from the door of the box therebelow or to be located wholly within the box, means to hold said unit in selected position, and means providing for circulation of waste heated air from the condenser below the refrigerator floor, said means including a housing, means to telescopingly adjust the housing with respect to the unit, said housing having a position beneath the supporting oor.

2. A refrigerator adapted to ybe set on a supporting door and comprising en insulated bon, ,en evnporating device therein, a compressor and condensing unit connected to the evaporator, said unit -being self-contained and located to depend lfrom the floor v-of the box exteriorly therebelow, means to hold said unit in dependent position, means providing for circulation of waste heated air from the condenser below the supporting floor for the refrigerator, said air-circulating means comprising a separate fan grill housing, means for telescoping ,the ysame relative to said unit for relative adjustment ot the height .of the tan grill housing ,relative .to the supporting floor, whereby the fan housing may be independently secured inoperative position relative to said unit, and means to secure the fan grill housing in adjusted position, said fan exhausting waste heated lair from the unit to the atmosphere below the supporting oor.

3. A refrigerator adapted to be kset on a supporting floor and comprising an insulated box, an evaporating device therein, a compressor and condensing unit .connected to the evaporator, said unit being self-contained and located to depend from the floor V,of the box ,exteriorly therebelow, means to hold said unit in dependent position, and means .providing for circulation of waste heeded air from the Condenser below the supporting floor for the refrigerator, said'air-circulating means comprising e seperate fan grill housing, means for teleseoping the seine relative to said unit for relative adjustment of the height of the -fan grill housing `relative to the supporting floor, whereby the fan housing may be independently secured in koperative position relative to .said unit, a fan in seid fan housing, means .for directing lthe heated air to disposition wholly below said iloor, and means to secure the fan housing in adjusted relation to the unit,

4 A refrigerater adapted to be set on a Supporting floor and `eornpris.ing en insulated box, en evaporating device therein, a compressor and condensing unit conneeteii to the evaporator, seid nuit being YSeli-een.tained and located `to depend from the floor of the box exteriorly therebelow, ineens te hold Seid unit in dependent position, ineens. providing for yCirculation of waste heated nir troni the -eondenser below the supporting door for the refrigerator, seid gir-circulating menus comprising .a Separate fan grill housing, means for teleseoping fthe sanne relative to Said unit, the fan housing receiving the i waste heated air from the unit, means to secure the fan housing in operative position relative to said unit, a fan in said fan housing, means for directing the waste heated air blown by the fan to disposition below said floor, said last-named means providing for a hose CQD.' nection for iiow of the heated air to a remote point or selectively for removal of the hose to direct the heated air to Athe area below the refrigerator supporting doen 5. A refrigerator adapted to be set on a supporting iioor and comprising an insulated box adapted for disposition llatly against the wall of a building where located, an aperture in the bottom of said box, a compressor and condenser unit, a housing for said unit, Asaid housing being located generally in said aperture, the entire bottom' of the box at the interior thereof being flat, a top plate, the top plate and refrigerator iloor being flush, suspending the housing from the refrigerator iloor, a fan grill housing for application to the lower end of said first-named housing, and means for fastening the fan grill housing in position to the ceiling below the oor upon which the refrigerator stands, an evaporator at the upper end of the box and hose connections for the evaporator, said first-named unit being removable with the evaporator as a single unit relative to the box.

6. A refrigerator comprising an insulated box having side Walls and a iioor, an opening in the oor, a compressor and condenser unit, a housing therefor, means on said housing suspending the same in said opening, means on the housing closing the opening flush with the floor of the box, and means for holding said unit substantially exterior of the box in dependent condition relative thereto, a fan housing having an open top for telescopic reception with respect to the lower end of the unit, said fan housing receiving waste heated air from the unit, a fan for blowing the waste heated air out of the fan housing to the atmosphere, and means on said fan housing for securing the same to an external support.

7. A refrigerator for disposition on a supporting oor and comprising an insulated box having side walls and a iioor, an opening in the floor, a compressor and condenser unit, a housing therefor, means on said housing suspending the same in said opening, a plate on the housing closing the opening, the plate being ush with the box oor at the interior thereof, means for holding said unit substantially within the box in raised condition relative thereto, a fan housing having an open top for telescopic reception with respect to the lower end of the unit, means on said fan housing for securing the same externally of the box, and a rim surrounding the box below the bottom thereof for close engagement with the floor upon which the box is supported, said rim providing for dust-proof installation under the bottom of the box, said fan housing receiving waste heated air from the unit and discharging the same below the supporting floor.

8. A refrigerator for disposition on a supporting floor and comprising an insulated box having side walls and a floor, an opening in the oor, a compressor and condenser unit, a housing therefor, means on said housing suspending the same in said opening, means on the housing closing the opening flush with the oor of the box, means for holding said unit substantially exterior of the box in dependent condition relative thereto, said housing having an open bottom, a fan housing having an open top for telescopic reception with respect to the lower end of the unit, said fan housing receiving waste heated air from the unit, a fan for blowing the Waste heated air out of the fan housing to the atmosphere, and means on said fan housing for securing the same to an external support, and means directing cool air in at one side of the fan housing, all below the said box supporting oor and out of contact with the atmosphere in which the box is located.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,825,870 King Oct. 6, 1931 2,035,653 Haskell Mar. 31, 1936 2,204,401 Butler June 11, 1940 2,245,234 Tanner June l0, 1941 2,480,510 Roper Aug. 30, 1949 2,576,549 Wagner et a1. Nov. 27, 1951