US3832863A

US3832863A - Ice tunnel mounting

Info

Publication number: US3832863A
Application number: US00395851A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Boorman
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1973-09-10
Filing date: 1973-09-10
Publication date: 1974-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-03

Abstract

An ice tunnel is mounted in a freezer compartment through having openings in a side wall thereof to receive L-shaped supports on a side wall of the freezer compartment by moving the ice tunnel toward the side wall of the freezer compartment to enable the supports to protrude through the openings into the ice tunnel and then moving the ice tunnel rearwardly. One opening has a movable tab therein to reduce the length of the opening to less than the length of the L-shaped support whereby the tab bends as the ice tunnel is moved toward the freezer compartment wall to receive the L-shaped supports and then bends back to cooperate with the rear of the L-shaped support at the completion of rearward movement of the ice tunnel to lock the ice tunnel to the wall. The ice tunnel is removed from its mounting by inserting a sharp instrument in the space between the tab and an edge of the opening to move the tab inwardly into the ice tunnel so that the ice tunnel can be moved forwardly to a position such that the Lshaped supports are aligned with the openings whereby the ice tunnel can be pulled away from the wall of the freezer compartment.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Boorman, Jr.

[4 1 Sept. 3, 1974 [CE TUNNEL MOUNTING Earl D. Boorman, Jr., Louisville, Ky.

[73] Assignee: General Electric Company [22] Filed: Sept. 10, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 395,851

[75] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-William J. Wye Attorney, Agent, or FirmWalter E. Rule 57 ABSTRACT An ice tunnel is mounted in a freezer compartment through having openings in a side wall thereof to receive L-shaped supports on a side wall of the freezer compartment by moving the ice tunnel toward the side wall of the freezer compartment to enable the supports to protrude through the openings into the ice tunnel and then moving the ice tunnel rearwardly. One opening has a movable tab therein to reduce the length of the opening to less than the length of the L- shaped support whereby the tab bends as the ice tunnel is moved toward the freezer compartment wall to receive the L-shaped supports and then bends back to cooperate with the rear of the L-shaped support at the completion of rearward movement of the ice tunnel to lock the ice tunnel to the wall. The ice tunnel is removed from its mounting by inserting a sharp instrument in the space between the tab and an edge of the opening to move the tab inwardly into the ice tunnel so that the ice tunnel can be moved forwardly to a position such that the L-shaped supports are aligned with the openings whereby the ice tunnel can be pulled away from the wall of the freezer compartment.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIEN'TEDSEP3 m4 ICE TUNNEL MOUNTING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an ice tunnel mounted in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator to support ice trays. Such ice tunnels, open at both ends, are normally mounted within the freezer compartment forwardly of the rear wall of the freezer compartment and in line with an air duct in the rear wall of the freezer compartment so that air can flow through the ice tunnel to freeze the water in the ice trays supported within the ice tunnel.

One means of mounting an ice tunnel within the freezer compartment has been to drive screws through holes in a flange at the top of the ice tunnel and then fasten the screws to a wall of the freezer compartment. However, this mounting of the ice tunnel has limited the location of the ice tunnel within the freezer compartment because it has been necessary for the screws to be easily accessible to mount and remove the ice tunnel. Thus, the previous mounting arrangement has limited the location of the ice tunnel within the freezer compartment.

Furthermore, the use of screws to mount the ice tunnel has prevented most users of refrigerators from removing the ice tunnel to clean it. This is because the user would not know whether the removal of the screws could affect the operation of the refrigerator or be certain that the screws could be returned into the proper position to secure the ice tunnel if the user believed that the removal of the screws would not affect the operation of the refrigerator.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problems by providing a mounting arrangement for an ice tunnel in which the ice tunnel is readily removable from the freezer compartment whenever desired. Thus, the ice tunnel may be easily removed for cleaning purposes.

Another problem of the prior mounting arrangement for an ice tunnel is that the use of the screws to mount the ice tunnel after the tunnel has been positioned in the compartment was time consuming so as to increase manufacturing costs. It was necessary for the screws to be disposed in the proper locations; this took both time and the use of a tool.

The ice tunnel mounting arrangement of the present invention satisfactorily solves this problem since there is no tool required to mount the ice tunnel. Instead, the ice tunnel is readily mounted on the wall of the freezer compartment by the assembler after the mounting means has been secured to the compartment wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention employs supports extending from and secured to a wall of the freezer compartment. The supports enable an ice tunnel to be mounted within the freezer compartment by merely moving the ice tunnel toward the wall having the supports, the supports being received in openings in a wall of the ice tunnel and being designed to retain the ice tunnel by movement of the ice tunnel rearwardly into the freezer compartment.

The supports mounted on one wall of the compartment are preferably. L-shaped and have one leg extending substantially perpendicular from the wall of the freezer compartment with the other leg being disposed in spaced and substantially parallel relation to the wall of the freezer compartment. The ice tunnel is provided with openings in a wall thereof to receive the supports when the ice tunnel is moved towards the wall of the freezer compartment having the supports. Further movement of the ice tunnel into the freezer compartmentor parallel to the support wall causes the support legs, which are parallel to the freezer compartment wall and spaced therefrom, to engage the inner surface of the wall of the ice tunnel in which the openings are formed.

One of the openings in the ice tunnel wall has its size reduced to less than that of the support received therein by a movable resilient tab. When the support is introduced into the opening, the tab bends to allow the support to extend through the opening into the ice tunnel. Then, when the ice tunnel is moved rearwardly, the tab snaps behind the support so that the ice tunnel is locked to the freezer compartment wall by the supports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The attached drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic fragmentary elevational view of a portion of a refrigerator freezer compartment having an ice tunnel of the present invention mounted therein;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the mounting arrangement of the present invention showing the the ice tunnel and a portion of the wall of the freezer compartment having the supports; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the mounting arrangement of the present invention showing the locking of the ice tunnel and taken from the interior of the ice tunnel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a refrigerator 10 having a freezer compartment 11 within which is mounted an ice tunnel 12, which is fonned of a suitable plastic material such as polystyrene. The freezer compartment 11 has an air duct (not shown) in its rear wall 14 for directing air through the tunnel and over ice trays supported within the tunnel.

As shown in FIG. 2, the freezer compartment 11 includes a side wall 15 on which L-shaped supports 16, 17, and 18 are fastened. Each of the L-shaped supports 16-18 includes a first leg 19, which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the side wall 15 and extending therefrom, and a second rectangular leg 20, which is disposed substantially parallel to the side wall 15 of the freezer compartment 11 and in spaced relation thereto. The second leg 20 of each of the L-shaped supports 16-18 extends from the first leg 19 forwardly toward entrance 2] (see FIG. 1) of the freezer compartment 1 l.

As shown in FIG. 2, the L-shaped supports 17 and 18 are preferably disposed in the same horizontal plane with the L-shaped support 16 being disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal plane containing the L-shaped supports 17 and 18 and preferably above the L-shaped supports 17'and 18.

The ice tunnel 12, which is open at both ends, has a side wall 22 formed with rectangular-shaped openings 23, 24, and 25. The openings 23, 24, and 25 are positioned in the wall 22 so as to receive the L-

shaped supports

16, 17, and 18, respectively, when the ice tunnel 12 is moved towards the side wall 15 of the freezer compartment 11. Each of the openings 23, 24, and has a greater height than the L-

shaped supports

16, 17, and 18 and a greater length than the length of the legs 20 of the L-shaped supports 16, 17, and 18.

While the opening 23 has a length greater than the length of the L-shaped support 16, the length of the opening 23 is reduced to less than the length of the L- shaped support 16 by a flexible tab 26 (see FIG. 3), which is preferably formed integral with the side wall 22. The tab 26 is also preferably of less width than the vertical dimension or height of the opening 23 so that a slot or space 27 is formed between the top of the tab 26 and the top edge of the opening 23 and a slot or space 28 is formed between the bottom of the tab 26 and the bottom edge of the opening 23.

To mount the ice tunnel 12 within the freezer compartment 11, the ice tunnel 12 is disposed within the freezer compartment 11 so that the openings 23-25 are aligned with the L-shaped supports 16-18, respectively. Then, the ice tunnel 12 is moved towards the side wall 15 of the freezer compartment 11 so that the L-shaped supports 16-18 protrude through the openings 23-25.

As the ice tunnel 12 is thus moved towards the side wall 15 so that the L-shaped supports 16-18 protrude through the openings 23-25 in the side wall 22 of the ice tunnel 12, the tab 26 moves or flexes inwardly because of its resiliency. This bending of the tab 26 insures that the opening 23 is large enough to receive the L-shaped support 16.

After the L-shaped supports 16-18 have protruded through the openings 23-25 in the side wall 22 of the tunnel 12, the ice tunnel 12 is moved rearwardly until one or more of the forward edges of each of the openings 23-25 abuts against one or more forward edges 29 of the leg 19 of each of the L-shaped supports 16-18 as shown in phantom in H0. 2. The leg 20 of each of the L-shaped supports 16-18 then overlaps a portion of the side wall 22 of the ice tunnel 12 and is disposed substantially parallel thereto. The leg 20 is either in contact with the inner surface of the side wall 22 of the ice tunnel 12 or slightly spaced therefrom so that any substantial movement of the ice tunnel 12 away from the side wall 15 of the freezer compartment 11 is prevented.

To aid in mounting the ice tunnel 12 on the L-shaped supports 16-18, the leg 20 of each of the L-shaped supports 16-18 has its free end or edge 30 beveled. The beveled end 30 enables rearward movement of the ice tunnel 12 even if the leg 20 has not completely protruded into the ice tunnel 12 at the start of the rearward movement of the ice tunnel 12. Thus, the beveled end 30 functions as a camming surface to insure that forward edges of the L-shaped supports 16-18 do not prevent rearward movement of the ice tunnel 12 after the L-shaped supports 16-18 have at least partially entered the openings 23-25.

As the ice tunnel 12 has been moved rearwardly into the freezer compartment 11, the tab 26 clears the rear end of leg 20 on support 16 and due to its resiliency returns to the plane of the side wall 22 wherein the tab 26 is disposed behind and in locking engagement with the L-shaped support 16 as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the

ice tunnel 12 is locked in position by the tab 26 since the tab 26 abuts the edge 31 of the leg 19 of theL- shaped support 16 if forward movement of the ice tunnel 12 is attempted.

To remove the ice tunnel 12 from the freezer compartment 11, it is first necessary to remove the tab 26 from its locking position. This can be accomplished through disposing a tool such as a screw driver or knife blade within either the slot 27 or 28 to spring the tab 26 out of the plane of the wall 22 towards the interior of the ice tunnel 12. With the tab 26 held in this sprung or non-locking position by the tool, initial forward movement of the ice tunnel 12 from the freezer compartment 11 causes the leg 20 of the L-shaped support 16 to move rearwardly relative to the ice tunnel 12 so as to be exterior of the held tab 26. Thereafter, it is not necessary for the tab 26 to be held by the tool since the L-shaped support 16 now holds the tab 26 in the nonlocking position.

As the forward movement of the ice tunnel 12 is continued until the rear edge of each of the openings 23-25 is engaged by the L-shaped supports 16-18, the ice tunnel 12 can be pulled away from the side wall 15 of the freezer compartment 11 to disengage the L- shaped supports 16-18 from the openings 23-25, respectively. Then, the ice tunnel 12 can be removed completely from the freezer compartment 11.

While the present invention has shown and described the L-shaped support 16 as disposed above the L- shaped supports 17 and 18, it should be understood that the L-shaped support 16 could be disposed below the plane of the L-shaped supports 17 and 18. Also, while the L-shaped supports 17 and 18 are preferably disposed in the same horizontal plane and the L-shaped support 16 positioned in a plane offset from the supports 17 and 18, it should be understood that such is not necessary for the mounting arrangement to function satisfactorily. Any other suitable arrangement of the L-shaped supports 16-18 in which all of the legs 20 are parallel may be employed. Furthermore, it is not necessary that the number of L-shaped supports 16-18 be limited to three although no more than three are required.

The L-shaped supports 16-18 can be located wherever desired on a side wall of the freezer compartment 11. Thus, the ice tunnel 12 can be located as desired within the freezer compartment.

For purposes of exemplification, a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described according to the best present understanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes and modifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim: 1. In a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of supports mounted on a wall of said freezer compartment and extending therefrom;-

each of said supports being L-shaped and having one leg extending substantially perpendicular from the wall of said freezer compartment and the other leg substantially parallel to the wall of said freezer compartment and spaced therefrom, the other leg extending from the one leg toward the entrance of said freezer compartment;

. 6 an ice tunnel having a wall for disposition adjacent 5. An arrangement for mounting an ice tunnel in a said wall of said freezer compartment when said ice freezer compartment of a refrigerator including: tunnel is disposed within said freezer compartment; a plurality of supports mounted on a wall of the t freezer compartment and extending therefrom, said wall of said ice tunnel having a plurality of open- 5 h f aid rt b i L-shaped and having ings therein for respectively receiving the other leg one leg f Said Lrshaped support extending of of sal d p to allow Said support to stantially perpendicular from the wall of the freezer tend 9 531d f tumleli compartment and the other leg substantially paraleach of said openings being larger than said other leg tel t0 the wall f the freezer Compartment and pp to rem-me movement between 10 spaced therefrom, the other leg being rectangular said support and said opening after said support exand extending from the one leg toward the tends through said opening into said ice tunnel; and trance of the freezer compartment;

a plurality of rectangular openings in a wall of the ice movable means extending from said wall of said ice tunnel each of Said Openings receiving one of Said tunnel into at least one of said openings to reduce at least the length of said opening to less than the length of said support to be received therein, said movable means being movable out of said opening when said support is introduced into said opening and being movable back into said opening after reception of said support to lock said ice tunnel in position in said freezer compartment.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 in which said movable means cooperates with the edge of the one leg of said support remote from the free end thereof.

3. The improvement according to claim 2 in which said movable means comprises a movable tab integral with said wall of said ice tunnel, said tab having a width supports to allow each of said supports to extend into the ice tunnel;

each of said openings having a width greater than the width of the other leg of said support to be received therein and a length greater than the length of said other leg of said support to be received therein; and

flexible means integral with said ice tunnel wall and disposed in at least one of said openings to reduce at least the length of said opening to less than the length of said support received therein to lock said support in said opening to prevent removal of the ice tunnel from the freezer compartment.

6. The mounting arrangement according to claim 5 less than the height of said opening. Whlchi t 4. The improvement according to claim 3 in which: two of Sald p g the Wall of the ice tunnel are disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane; said wall of said ice tunnel has two of said openings and in substantially the same horizontal plane; and Said Opening having Said tab is disposed in a plane said wall has said opening having said tab disposed in 3 5 substantially parallel to the plane containing said a plane substantially parallel to the plane containtwo openings.

ing said two openings.

Claims

1. In a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, the improvement comprising: a plurality of supports mounted on a wall of said freezer compartment and extending therefrom; each of said supports being L-shaped and having one leg extending substantially perpendicular from the wall of said freezer compartment and the other leg substantially parallel to the wall of said freezer compartment and spaced therefrom, the other leg extending from the one leg toward the entrance of said freezer compartment; an ice tunnel having a wall for disposition adjacent said wall of said freezer compartment when said ice tunnel is disposed within said freezer compartment; said wall of said ice tunnel having a plurality of openings therein for respectively receiving the other leg of one of said supports to allow said support to extend into said ice tunnel; each of said openings being larger than said other leg of a support to allow relative movement between said support and said opening after said support extends through said opening into said ice tunnel; and movable means extending from said wall of said ice tunnel into at least one of said openings to reduce at least the length of said opening to less than the length of said support to be received therein, said movable means being movable out of said opening when said support is introduced into said opening and being movable back into said opening after reception of said support to lock said ice tunnel in position in said freezer compartment.

3. The improvement according to claim 2 in which said movable means comprises a movable tab integral with said wall of said Ice tunnel, said tab having a width less than the height of said opening.

4. The improvement according to claim 3 in which: said wall of said ice tunnel has two of said openings in substantially the same horizontal plane; and said wall has said opening having said tab disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the plane containing said two openings.

5. An arrangement for mounting an ice tunnel in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator including: a plurality of supports mounted on a wall of the freezer compartment and extending therefrom, each of said supports being L-shaped and having one leg of said L-shaped support extending substantially perpendicular from the wall of the freezer compartment and the other leg substantially parallel to the wall of the freezer compartment and spaced therefrom, the other leg being rectangular and extending from the one leg toward the entrance of the freezer compartment; a plurality of rectangular openings in a wall of the ice tunnel, each of said openings receiving one of said supports to allow each of said supports to extend into the ice tunnel; each of said openings having a width greater than the width of the other leg of said support to be received therein and a length greater than the length of said other leg of said support to be received therein; and flexible means integral with said ice tunnel wall and disposed in at least one of said openings to reduce at least the length of said opening to less than the length of said support received therein to lock said support in said opening to prevent removal of the ice tunnel from the freezer compartment.

6. The mounting arrangement according to claim 5 in which: two of said openings in the wall of the ice tunnel are disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane; and said opening having said tab is disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the plane containing said two openings.