US2780845A - Fabricated refrigerator door - Google Patents

Description

Filed Sept. 10, 1953 D. CHAPMAN ET AL 2,7

FABRICATED REFRIGERATOR DOOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 NTORS DAVE CHAPMAN BENTON DALES HENRY C. ABRAHAMSEN EDWARD M. GAUL ATT' Feb. 12, 1957 D. CHAPMAN ET AL FABRICATED REFRIGERATOR DOOR Sheet 2 5 Sheets- Filed Sept. 10, 1953 'ATTY 1957' D. CHAPMAN ETAL 230,84

FABRICATED REFRIGERATOR DOOR Filed Sept. 10, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 u J5 i ifia o r A/ MFW BENTON DALES HENRY c. ABRAHAMSEN E WARD MGAUL ATTY 1957 D. CHAPMAN ETAL 2,789,845

FABRICATED REFRIGERATOR DOOR Filed Sept. 10, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTORS DAVE CHAPMAN BENTON DAU-IS HENRY C. ABRAHAMSEN EDWARD M. GAUL.

PM o- W ATTYV Feb. 12, 1957 D. CHAPMAN ETAL 2,7803415 FABRICATED REFRIGERATOR DOOR Filed Sept. 10, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 \axmw' DAVE CHAPMAN BENTON DALES HENRY C. ABRAHAMSEN EDWARD M. GAUL .P 0 M ATTY FABRICATED REFRIGERATOR DOOR Dave Chapman, Chicago, EL, and Benton Dales, Henry C. Abrahamsen, and Edward M. Gaul, Evansville, Ind., *assignors, by mesne assignments, to Whirlpool-Seeger Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application September 10, 1953, Serial No. 379,417

22 Claims. (Cl. 20-35) This invention relates to door structures but more particularly to a fabricated-type of door adapted for use with refrigerator cabinets.

In the past refrigerator cabinet doors have generally been fashioned as a shallow shell-like pan or outer liner to which was added suitable reinforcement in the form of diagonal bracing members, while the open side of the pan was covered with a low-heat conducting non-metallic sheet such, for instance, as a high impact polystyrene plastic, to provide an inner pan or liner therefor. Said outer liner or pan most usually resulted from die-forming operations which involved drawing side-walls on a sheet of material to provide a shell-like liner having a front wall with top, bottom and side walls extending therefrom. After initially drawing the top, bottom and side walls the marginal edges thereof were usually inwardly turned to provide a flange or ledge for supporting the inner pan or liner thereupon. Such die-forming procedures are extremely expensive not only because of the initial cost of the dies, which generally have to be replaced when even slight modifications of design or appearance are involved, but also because of the high cost of labor incident to operations of this character. Furthermore, the die-forming of doors in this manner is not entirely satisfactory because of the physical limitations imposed on the depths of the draws in order to avoid cracking or checking of the material from which the shell or pan is formed. Such limitations, of course, greatly hamper and restrict the activities of the stylist or designer when improvements or changes in appearance are made thereon and thus door structures so fashioned generally leave much to be desired from this standpoint as well. In addition, die-formed doors of this character are not readily adaptable for accommodating the various decorative materials which presently are finding favor for ornamental aiiixment to the exterior of a refrigerator cabinet door in order to improve the appearance thereof, or to blend the door into the decorative scheme of the room in which such cabinet may be located.

A feature of the present invention is concerned with the provision of a door structure that will not be subject to the hereinabove mentioned objectionable limitations of the prior die-formed assemblies, and which, additionally, will offer advantages not heretofore attainable in structures of this character. It is a principal object, therefore, of this invention to provide a novel fabricated refrigerator door structure wherein the top, bottom and side wall therefor are separately fashioned from the other wall panels that form a part of such structure.

Another important object is to provide novel and readily removable trim means disposed about the edge of the door, which trim in one instance may cooperate with the outer panel thereof to improve the appearance of the door, and which in another instance may cooperate with the outer panel additionally to fixedly position a sheathing of decorative material against the surface of said panel.

nited States Patent Another object is to provide a resilient, longitudinally extending and removable trim member having an inner portion that is compressible for positioning between a retaining member disposed adjacent the edge of a cabinet door and the outer panel of said door, and an outer portion that is positionable against marginal edge portions of said outer door panel for improving the overall appearance of the door.

Another object is to provide a resilient and readily removable member adapted for being frictionally supported adjacent the marginal edges of the outer panel of a cabinet door at the same time that it also frictionally engages a sheathing of decorative material to thereby securely position said material against the outer panel of said door.

Another object is to provide a simple yet ruggedly constructed door structure which may readily be inexpensively fabricated without the use of costly and complicated die-forming equipment and machinery, and which, further, is sufiiciently flexible of arrangement as to be fashionable for use either as a right-hand or a left-hand door.

A further object is to provide a door having novel and versatile means associated therewith for fixedly positioning a decorative sheathing against the outer panel of the door, and for further accommodating sheathings of various thicknesses.

A still further object is to provide a door structure having trim carrying and supporting means fashioned integral with the top, bottom and side walls thereof.

A yet still further object is to provide a door structure having a continuous peripherally extending channel or annular recess adjacent the outer edges thereof, which channel or recess is adapted for supportingly receiving a removable trim strip.

Other objects and advantages will be understood and will become more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. l is a front plan view of a refrigerator door embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a door frame structure without the panels aflixed thereto;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 3 but shown with a sheathing of decorative material in position against the outer panel of the door;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section. in enlarged dimension taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1 and showing the detail of the trim assembly;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 6 but shown with a sheathing of decorative material positioned against the outer panel of the door;

Fig. 8 is a plan View in enlarged dimension of the connecting bracket for the frame ends;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a partial front plan view of a refrigerator door embodying the present invention and showing particularly the details of the front panel insert assembly;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view, in enlarged dimension, taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 10 but shown with a sheathing of decorative material positioned against the outer panel of the door;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view, in enlarged dimension, taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 10 and shown with a sheathing of decorative material positioned against the outer panel of the door; and

Fig. 13. is a horizontal section taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 10.

In the illustrative development selected for depicting a preferred embodiment of the present invention a vertically mounted refrigerator cabinet door is shown and indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The use of such a dooron refrigerated cabinets is well understood hence it is felt unnecessary to further illustrate the specific application thereof to a suitable cabinet. Suflice it to say the door may be hingedly mounted by suitable hinges (not shown) and likewise provided with a latching mechanism (not shown) as is customary, but since these elements form no part of the present invention the details thereof are not illustrated herein.

The proposed door in accordance with one specific application of the teachings of the present invention, may be fabricated with a separate or independent outer frame or shell 11 to which an outer panel member 12 and an inner panel member 13 are secured, as hereinafter described, with suitable heat insulating material 1311 positioned between said panels. The shell or casing 11 is fashioned, preferably, as a peripherally extending framelike assembly (see Fig. 4) with a wall member 14 having three flange-like members projecting inwardly therefrom. One edge of said wall member 14 may be bent over or inwardly turned to provide a rear wall flanged ledge portion 15 while the opposite edge of said wall member 14 (Figs. 6 and 7) may be bent back upon itself, as indicated at 16, and the edge thereof subsequently inwardly turned, as shown, to provide a flange 17 parallel to and spaced from the flange 15. The bent-back portion 16 may also be bent over .or inwardly turned to provide a flange or angle-like retaining member 18 parallel to and spaced from the flanges 15 and 17. While any suitable means may be used for forming the inwardly extending flangelike portions 15, 17 and 18 it has been found that the flanges 17 and 18 may be readily formed by means of a conventional Yoder roll while the flange 15 may be fashioned in any well known manner. An off-set 19 may, if desired, be suitably embossed, rolled or otherwise fashioned in the wall member 14 to provide more rigidity for said member as well as to enhance the esthetic appeal of the structure. The casing 11 may be conveniently and economically formed by utilizing a single longitudinally extending strip-like member that is subsequently bent to form the corners and the four sided frame or shell illustrated, in which case the ends :of the strip may be suitably secured together by means of welding, or the like, to a connecting or seaming bracket 20. If desired, of course, diagonal, transverse and corner cross bracing members (not shown) may also be provided in accordance with practices well known in the art for increasing the rigidity of door structures.

A resilient door gasket seal 21, having a longitudinally extending opening 22 along one edge thereof that opens into a pocket 23 therein, is positioned against said rear wall ledge portion 15 and may be secured thereto by suitable means, such as the self tapping screws 24 which are threaded into aligned openings spaced at intervals around said ledge.

The inner panel 13, of the door 11, is fashioned preferably from a non-metallic low-heat conducting material contoured as illustrated herein, but which may be contoured otherwise if desired without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The marginal edge portions of said panel, however, preferably are flat with all of said edge portions lying in the same horizontal plane, while the thickness of the panel may be varied at will. A plurality of openings along the marginal edges of said panel, and spaced at intervals to correspond with the interval spacing of the openings 15a in the flanged ledge 15, are provided to receive the screws 24' by means of which boththe said panel and gasket seal are affixed to said door ledge.

The outer panel member 12 is shown as having a very slight horizontal as well as. vertical crown in the crosssection thereof but it will be understood it may be otherwise contoured if desired. Said panel'is fashioned, preferably, of a metallic material and the marginal edge portions thereof, which are flat and lying in the same plane, are slightly offset from the plane of the crowned portion thereof. The offset 25 which extends continuously around the panel is provided for purposes which will subsequently be more fully explained. Said panel may be secured by spot welding a plurality of points along the periphery of the marginal edges thereof, as indicated at 26, to the outer surface of the flange-like portion 17, of the frame 11, and thereby provide a very strong and rigid door structure assembly. A diverging space between the flange 17 and the offset portion 25 of said panel may be filled with a suitable bituminous asphalt, or like sealing compound as indicated at 27, to assure a good moisture seal adjacent the spot-welded marginal area of the panel 12.

When the flange-like retainer portion 18 is spaced from the flange 17 a distance somewhat greater than the thickness of. the outer panel 12, as illustrated, there is created an annular. recess or slot-like opening 28 adjoining the marginal edges of said flanges which opens inwardly thereof. In order to close or cover this gap or slotted opening; and thereby provide a neat and finished appearance for the door structure there is provided a sealing trim member 29 which is so disposed that it bridges said gap and. additionally overlaps and conceals the exposed edge of the flanged retainer portion 18. The proposed trim member 29 is fashioned, preferably, of a compressible and resilient material and may be fabricated as a unitary strip or frame-like assembly that is preformed to correspond substantially with the peripheral contour of the slotted opening or annularly extending pocket 28. While any suitable resilient and compressible material may be used in the manufacture of said trim strip it has been found that either a rubber or a vinyl plastic composition provide excellent results.

The novel trim member is fashioned with a substantiallyhollow longitudinally extending body that includes an inner substantially circular-shaped portion 30, and an outer portion 31 joined thereto by oppositely disposed reentrant portions 32 and 33 which serve to give said outer portion a generally trapezoidal shape. A transversely disposed and longitudinally extending rib member 34, fashioned, preferably, integral therewith, joins opposite sides of said inner and outer portions and divides the interior of said trim member into two hollow sections 35 and 36, respectively, one adjacent each side of said rib. The rib as thus disposed serves to limit transverse distortion and to prevent collapse of said trim upon being compressed. The inner portion 30, of said trim, is. adapted. for compressible positioning within the annular recess 28,'formed by the flanges 17 and 18, while the adjoining outer portion 31, which projects beyond the edge of the retainer flange 18, fits against the outer panel 12 and additionally covers the exposed edge of said retainer flange 18, fits against the outer panel 12 and additionally covers the exposed edge of said retainer flange. As illustrated, it will be noted the marginal edge of said outer panel terminates short of the bent-back portion 16, of the wall member 14, so that when the trim member 29 is in place the inner portion 30 thereof is able to compressibly engage both of the spaced apart flanges 17 and 18, while the reentrant portion 32 thereof fits closely around and substantially hides the exposed edge of the retainer flange 18 and the oppositely disposed reentrant portion 33 contacts the flat marginal edge portion of said outer panel. At the same time one surface of the trapezoidal-shaped outer portion 31 presses tightly against the offset portion 25, of the outer panel 12 while another side portion thereof bridges the open gap between the flange 18v and the outer panel 12 to greatly enhance the appearance of the assembly. If desired, of course, said trim member may be colored or otherwise treated to further improve thev appearance of the door or to blend the trim into a particular decorative scheme.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs.

5, 7, 11 and 12 a decorative sheathing 37 has been positioned against the outer panel 12, otherwise the door structure is identical with that heretofore described and the same reference characters apply to corresponding parts and elements.

The decorative sheathing 37 may be any suitable material adaptable for such purposes and may include various plastic sheets or film either colored or otherwise decorated, or it may include various types of fabrics likewise colored or treated with a suitable decorative design that blends or harmonizes with the surroundings or decor of the area in which the proposed door and its associated cabinet may be located. The decorative sheathing may be positioned against the outer surface of the panel without the trim member 29 in place so that when said trim is squeezed or compressed into position beneath the flange 18 and outer portion 31 thereof will overlie and frictionally engage edge portions of the fabric tending at the same time to stretch the material tightly against the panel. The edges of the material may be cut sufliciently long to extend far enough into the recess 28 so that the circular inner portion 30 of said trim will also frictionally engage said material and thus provide an additional securing means therefor. Since the trim member is resilient and readily compressible it will be appreciated that no change in the structure or the dimensions thereof will be required to add a decorative sheathing to the initial door assembly.

While only one preferred mode of application of the decorative sheathing has been described it will be understood that this is not the only manner in which the sheathing may be applied to the structure of the present invention, hence no such specified limitation should be placed thereon. It will be readily seen, however, that the proposed arrangement provides a very simple, effective and novel means for removably aflixing a decorative sheathing to a refrigerator door and for tightly stretching the sheathing over the surface of the door so that it will present a neat and orderly appearance.

In order to adapt a door structure of the character proposed herein to use either as a right-hand or a lefthand opening door, there is provided a panel-like insert 38 (Fig. which is disposed so as to extend transversely of the outer panel 12 of the door. Said insert may be fashioned of any material suitable for embellishment or contouring so as to further enhance the decorative appeal of the door and, as illustrated, is slightly crowned to correspond with the crowning of said outer panel. Depending from a bottom surface of the insert there is a continuously extending flange 39 adjoining the four marginal edges thereof that may serve as a footing to support said insert against the outer panel of the door, While a series of lugs or ears 40, arranged in pairs, extend outwardly from the two longitudinally extending and out wardly disposed surfaces of said flange.

A transversely extending recess 41, embossed or otherwise suitably fashioned in the outer panel 12, is dimensioned to receive the panel insert 38 and has a series of slot-like openings or cavities 42 in opposite Walls thereof which are provided to receive the lugs 40 and which may be so spaced and dimensioned that each of said slotted openings will accommodate one such pair of lugs.

A generally conventional push-in spring-clip type of T fastener 43 may be positioned so that the arm of the T overlaps the two lugs 40 of a pair while the stem thereof is frictionally secured in an aligned opening in said outer panel to thereby aid in fixedly positioning said insert in the transverse recess in said outer panel. The end edges of said insert, preferably, are extended so as to project beneath a portion of the trim strip 29 while at the same time overlying an edge portion of the flange 17 of frame assembly 11. In this way said trim strip may additionally function to aid in fixedly securing said panel inserted in position in said recess.

An opening 44 to accommodate a door-opening handlemember 45 is provided proximate the left end of the panel insert 38 since it is intended that the door, in the illustrated embodiment, be utilized as a left-hand opening door. If a right-hand opening door is desired the handle may, of course, be mounted at the right end of said panel and an appropriate opening provided therefor in that end instead of at the left, as shown. In this way the same door structure may be readily utilized for either type door opening without requiring any material alteration or modification of the general door structure. It will be understood, of course, that an aligned opening registering with the opening in said insert will be provided in the outer panel behind which will be mounted the latching mechanism (not shown) that is to be operated by said handle.

Decorative trim strips, generally indicated by the reference numeral 46 and each of which is shaped substantially to resemble the letter C, are positioned to overlie the areas adjoining the opposite walls of the recess 41 and the respective longitudinal edges of the insert panel 38. Such trim strips serve not only to enhance the appearance of the overall structure but also provide an effective means for fixedly securing one marginal edge of a decorative sheathing, such as the material 37, when such is positioned against the outer panel of the door. A generally conventional push-in spring-clip type of T fastener 47, which is positioned so that the arm of the T fits over the inwardly turned edges of each trim strip while the stem thereof is frictionally secured in an aligned opening in the outer panel, provides a simple and effective means for removably securing said trim strips to the outer panel. A plurality of such fasteners may be used with each strip and spaced throughout the length thereof as desired, and it will be understood, of course, that a trim strip such as described may be used along each of the top and bottom edges of the insert panel 38. When a decorative sheathing is used on the outer panel a marginal edge of said sheathing, preferably, is extended beneath one of the inwardly turned edges of the C-shaped trim member 46 and fixedly positioned between said trim strip edge and its associated fastening clips 47 so as to further aid in maintaining the said decorative material tightly positioned against said outer panel.

From the foregoing it should now be apparent that a novel fabricated-type of door structure adapted for use with a refrigerator cabinet has been shown and described, and it is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separately formed peripherally extending channelshaped wall member interconnecting outer marginal edges of said inner and outer panels; a peripherally extending angle member adjacent one corner edge of said channelshaped wall member; and means including a peripherally extending decorative trim disposed adjacent said angle member and removably secured directly between said angle member and said outer panel.

2. -A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separately formed channel-shaped frame member interconnecting outer marginal edges of said inner and outer panels; a peripherally extending member carried by said frame member and having an arm thereon substantially parallel to and spaced from said outer panel; and means including a decorative trim removably positioned in the space between and being in direct contact with said peripherally extending arm member and said outer panel.

3. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separately formed channel-shaped peripherally extendanswers ing casing interconnecting outermarginal' edges of said inner and outer panels; a peripherallyextending retainer member fashioned integral with said casing and having an arm thereon substantially parallel to and spaced from said outer panel; and means including adecorative trim removably positioned in the space between and in direct contact with the arm of said-retainer member and said outer panel.

4. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separately formed peripherally extending frame having spaced apart flanges interconnected by a central web member; said frame being positioned adjacent the edges of said panels with the flanges thereof connected re spectively to outer marginal edges of said inner and outer panels, and having the central web member therebetween arranged so as to form'top, bottom, and side walls for the door; a lip spaced from and over-hanging marginal edges of the outer panel, and having said lip secured to said frame proximate'one corner edge thereof; and means including a decorative trim removably positioned in the space between and in direct contact with said lip and said outer panel.

5. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending frame having spaced apart flanges interconnected by a central web member; said frame being positioned adjacent the edges of said panels with the flanges thereof connected respectively to outer marginal edges of said inner and outer panels, and having the central web member therebetween arranged so as to form top, bottom, and side walls for the-door; a lip spaced from and over-hanging marginal edges of the outer panel, and'having said lip secured to said frame proximate one corner edge thereof; a decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel with the marginal edges of said sheathing extending into the space between said lip and said outer panel; and removable trim means positionable adjacent the marginal edges of said sheathing and cooperating with said lip for securing said decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel.

6. A refrigerator door, comprising: anouter panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending frame having spaced apart flanges interconnected by a central web member; said frame being positionedadjacent the edges of said panels with the flanges thereof connected respectively to outer marginal edges ofsa'id inner-and outer panels, and having the central web member therebetween arranged so as to form top, bottom, and side walls forthe door; a lip spaced from the marginal edges of the outer panel, and having said lip secured to said frame proximate one corner edge thereof; a decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel; and removable trim means cooperating with said lip and said decorative sheathing for maintaining said decorative sheathing in said position against said outer panel.

7. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending frame having spaced apart flanges interconnected bya central web member; said frame being positioned adjacent the edges of said panels with the flanges thereof connected respectively to outer marginal edges of said inner and outer panels, and having the central web member therebetween arranged'so as to form top, bottom, and side walls for the door; a peripherally extending angle member fashioned integral with and extending from said frame, and having a portion thereof disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from said outer panel; a decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel with the marginal edges thereof extending into the space between said angle member portion and said outer panel.

8. A refrigerator door, comprising: and outer panel; anv inner panel; insulations disposed between said panels;

a separate peripherally extending wall member positioned adjacent the edges of said outer and inner panels; said wall member having first, second and third flanges inwardly extending therefrom, and having said three flanges substantially parallel to and spaced from one another; said inner panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said first flange, and said outer panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said second flange; and means including a decorative trim removably positioned between said third flange and said outer panel to cover an open space therebetween.

9. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending wall member positioned adjacent edge portions of said outer and inner panels; said wall member having first, second and third flanges inwardly extending therefrom, and having said three flanges substantially parallel and spaced from one another; said inner panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said first fiange, andsaid outer panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said second flange; a decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel with the marginal edges thereof extending beneath saidthird flange; and removable trim means cooperating with said third flange and said decorative sheathing for securing said sheathing positioned against said outer panel.

10. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending wall member positioned adjacent edge portions of said outer and inner panels; said Wall member having first, second and third flanges inwardly extending therefrom, and having said three flanges substantially parallel to and spaced from one another; said inner panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said first flange, and said outer panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said second flange; trim means removably positioned adjacent ed adjacent edge portions of said outer and inner panels; her having a first portion thereof that is compressibly disposed between said third flange and said second flange, and a second portion that projects beyond the edge of said third flange and resiliently presses against said outer panel and provides a decorative element adjoining the edge of said third flange.

11. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; aninner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending wall member positioned adjacent edge. portions of said outer and inner panels; said wall member having first, second and third flanges inwardly extending therefrom, and having said three flanges substantially parallel to and spaced from one another; said inner panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said first flange, and said outer panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said second flange; a decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel with the marginal edges thereof extending beneath said third flange; and trim means removably positioned adjacent said third flange including, a resilient member having one portion thereof that is compressibly positionable between said third flange and said decorative sheathing to aid in securing said sheathing positioned against said outer panel, and another portion that projects beyond the edge of said third flange andabuts said decorative sheathing to further aid in securing said sheathing positioned against said outer panel and to provide a decorative element adjoining the edge of said third flange.

12. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending wall frame disposed proximate marginal edge portions of said inner and outer panels; said framebeing fashioned with one edge thereof inwardly turnedto. provide afirst flange, and having the oppositeiedgewthereof. bent-back upon itself and. inwardly turned to provide a second flange spaced from and parallel to the first, and further having the bent-back portion inwardly turned to provide a third flange spaced from and parallel to said second flange; said inner panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said first flange, and said outer panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said second flange; a decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel with the marginal edges thereof extending between said second and third flanges; and removable trim means cooperating with said third flange and said decorative sheathing for securing said sheathing positioned against said outer panel.

13. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending frame having spaced apart and substantially parallel flanges interconnected by a central web member; said frame being disposed proximate the edges of said panels, and having one flange thereof connected with said outer panel and the other flange thereof connected with said inner panel, and having the central web member thereof positioned to provide top, bottom, and side walls between said panels; a peripherally extending angle member extending from said frame, and having a portion thereof disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from the flange connected with said outer panel; a decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel and having the marginal edges of said sheathing extending into a space between the said portion of said angle member and the flange connected with said outer panel; and removable trim means positionable adjacent said sheathing and cooperating with the said angle portion for maintaining said decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel.

14. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending frame having spaced apart and substantially parallel flanges interconnected by a central web member; said frame being disposed proximate the edges of said panels, and having one flange thereof connected with said outer panel and the other flange thereof connected with said inner panel, and having the central web member thereof positioned to provide top, bottom, and side walls between said panels; a peripherally extending angle member extending from and fashioned integral with said frame, and having an overhanging portion thereof disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from the flange connected with said outer panel; a decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel and having the marginal edges of said sheathing extending into a space between said over-hanging portion of said angle member and the flange connected with said outer panel; and removable trim means cooperating with said overhanging angle portion for simultaneously maintaining said decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel and bridging an open space between said overhanging angle portion and said decorative sheathing.

15. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending wall member positioned adjacent edge portions of said outer and inner panels; said wall member having first, second and third flanges inwardly extending therefrom, and having said three flanges substantially parallel to and spaced from one another; said inner panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said first flange, and said outer panel being connected along marginal edges thereof to said second flange; removable trim means positioned adjacent said third flange; said means including a longitudinally extending body having a first compressible portion connected through two oppositely disposed reentrant portions to a second compressible portion; said first compressible portion being positioned between said second and third flanges in frictionally engaging relationship therewith; one of said reentrant portions being disposed so as to closely engage the edge of said third flange, while said other reentrant 1% portion engages an edge portion of said outer panel; and having said second compressible portion tightly pressed against said outer panel.

16. A refrigerator door, comprising: a peripherally extending wall member having first, second and third flanges extending inwardly therefrom, and arranged substantially parallel to and spaced from one another; an inner panel connected along marginal edges thereof to said first flange; an outer panel fashioned with a central portion in one plane, a marginal edge portion in another plane and an offset portion connected between said differently planed portions; said outer panel being connected along the marginal edges thereof to said second flange; insulation disposed between said inner and outer panels; trim means positioned adjacent said third flange; said means including a resilient member having a first generally circularly-shaped portion that is compressibly disposed between said second and third flanges, and a second generally trapezoidal-shaped portion extending therefrom that closely engages the edge of said third flange and simultaneously presses in a close fitting relationship against the offset portion of said outer panel.

17. A refrigerator door, comprising: a peripherally extending wall member having first, second and third flanges extending inwardly therefrom, and arranged substantially parallel to and spaced from one another; an inner panel connected along marginal edges thereof to said first flange; an outer panel fashioned with a central portion in one plane, a marginal edge portion in another plane and an oifset portion connected between said difierently planed portions; said outer panel being connected along the marginal edges thereof to said second flange; insulation disposed between said inner and outer panels; a decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel with the marginal edges thereof extending into a space between said second and third flanges; trim means positioned adjacent said second and third flanges; said means including a resilient member having a first generally circularly-shaped portion that is compressibly disposed between said second and third flanges, and a generally trapezoidal-shaped portion extending therefrom that closely engages the edge of said third flange and simultaneously presses said decorative sheathing in a close fitting relationship against said offset and marginal edge portions so as to secure said sheathing tightly stretched against said outer panel.

18. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel having a transversely extending recess therein; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending wall member positioned adjacent the edges of said outer and inner panels; said wall member having first, second and third flanges inwardly extending therefrom, and having said three flanges substantially parallel to and spaced from one another; said inner and outer panels being connected along marginal edges thereof, respectively, to said first and second flanges; a panel insert member positioned in said outer panel recess with the end edges of said insert overlying the edge of said second flange; and means including a decorative trim removably positioned between said second and third flanges, and being further disposed so as to overlie the end edges of said insert to thereby maintain said insert positioned in said recess and additionally to cover an open space between said third flange and said outer panel.

19. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel having a transversely extending recess therein; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending wall member disposed adjacent the edges of said outer and inner panels; said wall member having first, second and third flanges inwardly extending therefrom with said flanges substantially parallel to and spaced from one another, and having said first and second flanges connected, respectively, to said inner and outer panels; a panel insert member positioned within said outer panel recess and disposed so that the end 11 edges thereof overlie the edge of said second flange; fastening means resiliently receivable in said outer panel and cooperating with said panel insert to aid in maintaining said insert positioned in said recess; a resilient decorative trim compressibly positioned in the space between said second and third flanges and adjoining the edges of said outer panel; said trim beingfurther disposed so that a portion thereof overlies the end edges of said panel insert to thereby aid in maintaining said insert positioned in said recess, while another portion thereof bridges a gap and covers an open space between said third flange and said outer panel.

20. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel having a transversely extending recess therein; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending wall member disposed adjacent the edges of said outer and inner panels; said wall member having first, second and third flanges inwardly extending therefrom with said flanges substantially parallel to and spaced from one another, and having said first and second flanges connected, respectively, to said inner and outer panels; a panel insert member having a plurality of lugs extending outwardly from longitudinal edges thereof; said insert being positioned within said outer panel recess, and beingvfurther disposed so that the end edges thereof overlie the edge of said second flange; fastening means resiliently receivable in said outer panel and positioned so as to cooperate with said lugs in maintaining said insert positioned within said recess; a resilient decorative trim compressibly positionable in a space between said second and said third flanges and adjoining the edges of said outer panel; said trim being further disposed so as to overlie the end edges of said panel insert to thereby aid in maintaining said insert positioned within said recess and to bridge a gap and cover an open space between said third flange and said outer panel.

21. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel having a transversely extending recess therein; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a sepate peripherally extending wall member positioned adjacent the edges of said outer and inner panels; said wall member having first, second and third flanges inwardly extending therefrom with flanges substantially parallel to and spaced from one another, and having said first and second flangesconnected, respectively, to said inner and outer panels; a panel insert member positioned within said outer panel recess and disposed so that the end edges'thereof overlie the edge of-said second flange;-

means including a resilient decorative trim compressibly positioned between said second and third flanges, and being further disposed so that a portion thereof overlies the end edges of said panel insert to thereby aid in maintaining said insert positioned in said recess, while another portion thereof bridges a gap' and covers an open space between said third flange and said outer panel; secondary trim means overlying the longitudinal edges of said panel insert and said outer panel recess; fastening means resiliently receivable in said outer panel and cooperating with said second trim for atfixing said secondary trim in position against said outer panel and against said panel insert whereby said secondary trim aids in maintaining said panel insert positioned within said recess.

22. A refrigerator door, comprising: an outer panel having a transversely extending recess therein; an inner panel; insulation disposed between said panels; a separate peripherally extending wall member positioned adjacent the edges of said outer and inner panels; said wall member having first, second, and third flanges inwardly extending therefrom with said flanges substantially parallel to and spaced from one another, and having said first and second flanges connected, respectively, to said inner and outer panels; a decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel with marginal edges thereof extending beneath said third flange; a panel insert member positioned within said outer panel recess and disposed so that the end edges thereof overlie the edge of said second flange; trim means removably positioned adjacent said third flange; said means including a resilient member having a first portion thereof that is compressibly disposed between said third flange and marginal edges of said decorative sheathing to aid in securing said sheathing positioned against said outer panel, and a second portion thereof that projects beyond the edge of said third flange and overlies the end edges of said panel insert to thereby aid in maintaining said insert positioned in said recess and additionally to bridge a gap and close a space between said third flange and said decorative sheathing; secondary trim means overlying the longitudinal edges of said panel insert and said outer panel recess; said decorative sheathing having a marginal edge disposed so as to underlie at least one edge of said secondary trim; fastening means resiliently receivable in said outer panel and cooperating with said secondary trim for afiixing said secondary trim in position whereby said secondary trim aids in maintaining said panel insert in position and additionally aids in maintaining said decorative sheathing positioned against said outer panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,903,225 P al enske Mar. 28, 1933 2,230,688 Irwin Feb. 4, 1941 2,367,409 Kuhler Ian. 16, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 84,529 Sweden Oct. 8, 1935

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