Hinge conduit casing

Abstract

A hinge conduit casing is provided for protecting and concealing service conduits passing from a refrigerator frame to a door mounted pivotally thereto. The casing comprises a pocket and an angular guide slidably engageable into the pocket. The pocket is affixed to the frame and the angular guide is mounted to the door. The angular guide has a pivot end mounted pivotally to the door and a receiving end insertable into the pocket. When the door is opened at an angle relative to the frame, the receiving end of the angular guide remains, at least in part, in the pocket to conceal and protect the service conduits passing therethrough.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to protecting and concealing service conduits passing from a frame to a door mounted pivotally adjacent the frame. More specifically, this invention relates to a casing for service conduits entering the freezer door of a refrigerator with ice and water dispensers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerators commonly have ice and water dispensing devices in one door and often include a light, display, or other electrical device. In order to operate, such dispensing devices require access to water and electricity. Refrigerators having such dispensing devices generally have wires and/or conduits that pass from the refrigerator frame to the door to provide water and electrical service. These service conduits typically extend from the service source through the main refrigerator frame to a lower door hinge, pass over or through the hinge, and continue through the refrigerator door to the dispensing device. These conduits generally are not protected or concealed at the juncture of the frame and door. Thus, when the door is opened and closed, not only are the conduits visible, but the conduits are subject to pinching between the door and the frame at the juncture, possibly causing damage to the conduits, the door, or the refrigerator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This present invention provides a hinge conduit casing for protecting and concealing service conduits passing from a frame to a door mounted pivotally adjacent the frame. The casing comprises a pocket and an angular guide, which is insertable into, and slidably engageable with, the pocket. The pocket is affixed to the frame and the angular guide is mounted pivotally to the door. One or more service conduits pass from the frame through the pocket and angular guide to the door.

The angular guide has a first section with a first longitudinal axis and a second section with a second longitudinal axis, the second section extends from the first section, and the first and second longitudinal axes extend from one another at an angle greater than 90°. The angular guide has a pivot end that is mounted pivotally to the door and a receiving end that is insertable into the pocket. The pivot end is mounted on the door such that when the receiving end of the angular guide is in the pocket and the door is opened at an angle relative to the frame, the receiving end of the angular guide remains, at least in part, in the pocket. In order to reduce wear on the conduit casing, the shape, length and stiffness of the conduits can prevent the angular guide from contacting the walls of the pocket when the door is open or closed. The nesting pocket and angular guide allow the service conduits to remain concealed and protected when the door is open and closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conduit casing assembly in a refrigerator with the door open.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pocket positioned in a frame.

FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the pocket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the pocket of FIG. 2 disassembled from the frame and pocket mount.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an angular guide positioned in a pivot base and angular guide mounting bracket.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the angular guide of FIG. 5 disassembled from the pivot base and angular guide mounting bracket.

FIG. 7 is a partial top view of the conduit casing of FIG. 1 in a door and frame configuration with the door closed.

FIG. 8 is a partial top view of the conduit casing of FIG. 1 in a door and frame configuration with the door open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the figures.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a conduit casing is shown within a refrigerator 5. The casing protects and conceals wires or service conduits that pass from main frame 10 to door 15 of refrigerator 5. Such wires or conduits include, for example, water lines for a water and ice dispenser in a refrigerator door, electrical wires for lighting devices disposed in the door, cables for television signals, or the like. Although FIG. 1 depicts the conduit casing in a side-by-side refrigerator freezer, the conduit casing can be used in a top or bottom mounted refrigerator/freezer orientation, with stacked doors or a single door unit. Furthermore, the conduit casing as described herein is not limited to household appliances and could be used in any door and frame configuration, such as, for example, a car door. The conduit casing is shown throughout the figures in use in a refrigerator for ease of explanation, but should not be limited to such use.

The conduit casing comprises a pocket 20 and an angular guide 25. Generally, the pocket 20 is received into the frame 10 and the angular guide 25 is mounted pivotally to the door 15. The angular guide 25 is slidably insertable into the pocket 20. In one embodiment, the angular guide 25 does not touch the walls of the pocket 20 when the door 15 is open or closed. The angular guide 25 and pocket 20 are positioned such that a service conduit (see FIGS. 7 and 8) can pass from the frame 10 through the pocket 20 and angular guide 25 to the door 15. When the door 15 is closed, the angular guide 25 is contained, at least in part, by the pocket 20. When the door 15 is opened, the angular guide 25 remains, at least in part, inside the pocket 20. Thus, since the angular guide 25 and pocket 20 nest to create a continuous covering or casing, the service conduits are concealed and protected while the door 15 is closed or open.

In FIG. 2, the pocket 20 is shown inserted into the frame 10. The pocket 20 includes an open front face 38 for receiving the angular guide 25, and a rear wall 35 with an opening 30 for receiving one or more service conduits from the refrigerator 5. The opening 30 can be any size or shape suitable for receiving a single or multiple conduits, and alternatively can comprise a plurality of openings. Optionally, the pocket 20 includes a lip 40 extending outwardly from the open face 38. The lip 40 can assist in proper positioning of the pocket 20 during installation into the frame 10 and can prevent the pocket 20 from sliding out of the frame 10.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the pocket 20 is shown with a top wall 45, a bottom wall 50, and two side walls 55 disposed therebetween. The top, bottom, and side walls define the open front face 38. Although the pocket 20 is shown as a substantially rectangular prism, the pocket 20 can be of any shape or size suitable for receiving the angular guide 25. For example, side walls 55 are shown as being parallel and similarly shaped; but could be tapered or placed in any configuration relative to each other and, alternatively still, could be of varying sizes. Further, although FIG. 3 illustrates the rear wall 35 disposed opposite front face 38 with opening 30, the pocket 20 could be open at both ends, i.e. without a rear wall, with the service conduits passing through the open ends of the pocket 20.

FIG. 4 depicts the pocket 20 disassembled from the frame 10. Frame 10 has an opening 60 for slidably receiving the pocket 20. Generally, the pocket 20 is removably insertable into the frame, but could be secured to the frame 10 by any suitable means, such as a pocket mount 65, as shown. If used, the pocket mount 65 is securable itself to the frame 10 and generally has an opening 70 that slidably receives the pocket 20.

The pocket 20 and angular guide 25 are shown in FIGS. 2-4 in a different configuration than as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The pocket 20 as shown in FIGS. 2-4 has a pronounced rear opening 30, while FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a pocket 20 with an opening 30 in profile to the shape of the pocket. The particular configuration of the pocket 20 and angular guide 25 shown in the figures should not be limited in any manner to the particular shape shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, the angular guide 25 is mounted pivotally to the door 15 with a pivot base 75 and an angular guide mounting bracket 85. The angular guide is pivotally mounted on the pivot base 75, which is inserted into a recess in the door 15 or otherwise secured to the door 15 using the angular guide mounting bracket 85. The pivot base is generally disposed on the lower portion of door 15. The angular guide 25 has a pivot end 95 for pivotally mounting the angular guide 25 on the pivot base 75, and a receiving end 105 that is insertable into the pocket 20. Preferably, pivot end 95 has an opening 98 and receiving end 105 has an opening 108, such that one or more service conduits can pass through angular guide 25 to a device in the door 15.

FIG. 6 depicts the angular guide 25 disassembled from the pivot base 75 and angular guide mounting bracket 85. The angular guide 25 has a first section 100 having a first longitudinal axis 102 and a second section 110 having a second longitudinal axis 112. The first and second longitudinal axes extend from each other at an angle greater than 90°. In one embodiment, the angle is between about 100° and about 140°. In another embodiment, the angle is about 120°. As shown in FIG. 5, the first section 100 of the angular guide 25 substantially is cylindrical while the second section 110 substantially is flared. However, the first and second angular guide sections can be of any size or shape suitable for encasing one or more service conduits. Preferably, the second section 110 of the angular guide is configured to allow the one or more conduits to move freely within the angular guide 25 while the door 15 opens or closes. For example, the opening 108 at the receiving end 105 is larger substantially than the service conduits to prevent binding or restricting movement of the conduits when the door 15 opens and closes.

The pivot base 75 has a recess 80 for receiving the angular guide 25, which can be mounted pivotally to the pivot base 75 in numerous ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the angular guide 25 can comprise a pin portion 90, extending downwardly from the pivot end 95, which can be inserted into the pivot base 75. Angular guide 25 can be fastened to the pivot base 75 using any conventional means, such as welding, bonding, or adhesives, or held by fastening means 115, such as washers, spacers, nuts, or bolts. Generally, the angular guide 25 is fastened to the pivot base 75 to pivot freely on the pivot base 75.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a conduit casing is shown in a door and frame configuration with the door 15 closed. The angular guide 25 is mounted pivotally in the door 15 and the pocket 20 is slidably inserted into the frame 10. One or more service conduits 120 pass from the frame 10, through the pocket 20, through the angular guide 25, and into the door 15, to a device located in the door 15. When the door 15 is closed, the longitudinal axis 102 of the first portion 100 of the angular guide 25 generally is parallel to the longitudinal axis 17 of the door 15 and the longitudinal axis 12 of the frame 10. When the door 15 is being opened, the angular guide 25 pivots about the pivot end 95, such that the longitudinal axis 102 of the first portion 100 of the angular guide 25 remains parallel with the longitudinal axis 12 of the frame 10. When the door 15 is open, as shown in FIG. 8, the longitudinal axis 102 of the first portion 100 of the angular guide 25 is at an angle with the longitudinal axis 17 of the door 15, but is parallel to the longitudinal axis 12 of the frame 10. In order to reduce wear on the conduit casing, the shape, length and stiffness of the service conduits 120 can prevent the angular guide 25 from contacting the walls of the pocket 20 when the door 15 is open or closed. Although FIG. 8 shows the door 15 opened at a 120° angle relative to the frame 10, the conduit casing can be configured to allow the door 15 to open at angles greater than about 120°, for example, about 180°. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the one or more service conduits 120 are free to move within the angular guide 25 as the door 15 opens and closes, preventing damage and wear of the conduits.

Although the above description and accompanying figures depict the angular guide as a bent elbow comprising two sections, the angular guide can be of any suitable shape and can comprise more than two sections. For example, the angular guide can be substantially C-shaped. Furthermore, the conduit casing may comprise more than one angular guide, nested within each other, to achieve an extended range of motion.

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art. All equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Further, the various components of the embodiments of the present invention can be interchanged to produce further embodiments and these further embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Various modifications can be made to the thereof. Therefore, the foregoing is of the invention.

Claims

1. A casing for housing at least one service conduit passing from a frame to a door pivotally mounted to the frame of a household appliance, the casing comprising:

(a) a pocket having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls disposed therebetween, said top, bottom, and side walls defining a front pocket opening and a rear pocket opening; and

(b) an angular guide insertable into the front pocket opening and slidably engageable with the pocket;

wherein the pocket is insertable into the frame and the angular guide is insertable into the door;

wherein the angular guide has a first section with a first longitudinal axis and a second section with a second longitudinal axis, the second section extending from the first section; the second longitudinal axis extending from the first longitudinal axis at an angle greater than 90°; and

the first section terminating in a pivot end having a pivot end opening and the second section terminating in a receiving end having a receiving end opening, wherein when the receiving end of the angular guide is disposed in the pocket and the door is opened, the receiving end of the angular guide remains in the pocket.

2. The casing of claim 1, wherein the door is opened at an angle less than 180°.

3. The casing of claim 1, wherein the door is opened at an angle less than 120°.

4. The casing of claim 1, wherein the angular guide does not contact the walls of the pocket when the door is open or closed.

5. The casing of claim 1, wherein the pocket further comprises a rear wall positioned opposite the front pocket opening, said rear wall having a rear wall opening.

6. The casing of claim 1, wherein a lip extends outwardly from the top, bottom, and side walls of the pocket around the front pocket opening.

7. The casing of claim 1, wherein the first section of the angular guide is substantially cylindrical and the second section of the angular guide is a substantially trapezoidal prism.

8. The casing of claim 1, wherein the service conduit passes from the frame through the pocket, through the angular guide to the door.

9. A casing for housing at least one service conduit, the casing comprising:

(a) a pocket assembly comprising (i) a pocket having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls disposed therebetween, said top, bottom, and side walls defining a front pocket opening and a rear pocket opening; and (ii) a frame with a frame opening for receiving the pocket; and

(b) an angular guide assembly comprising (i) a pivot base; and (ii) an angular guide mounted pivotally on said pivot base, the angular guide being insertable into the front pocket opening and receivable into the pocket;

wherein the angular guide has a first section with a first longitudinal axis and a second section with a second longitudinal axis, the second section extending from the first section; the second longitudinal axis extending from the first longitudinal axis at an angle greater than 90°;

the first section terminating in a pivot end having a pivot end opening and the second section terminating in a receiving end having a receiving end opening, wherein when the receiving end of the angular guide is disposed in the pocket and the pivot base is pivoted away from the frame, the receiving end of the angular guide remains in the pocket.

10. The casing of claim 9, wherein the pivot base comprises a recess for receiving the angular guide.

11. The casing of claim 9, wherein the pivot base is pivoted away from the frame at an angle less than 180°.

12. The casing of claim 9, wherein the pivot base is pivoted away from the frame at an angle less than 120°.

13. The casing of claim 9, wherein the pocket is mounted to the frame with a pocket mount.

14. The casing of claim 9, wherein the pocket optionally has a rear wall positioned opposite the front pocket opening, said rear wall having a rear wall opening.

15. The casing of claim 9, wherein a lip extends outwardly from the top, bottom, and side walls of the pocket around the front pocket opening.

16. The casing of claim 15, wherein when the pocket is inserted into the frame opening, the lip contacts the frame.

17. The casing of claim 9, wherein the first section of the angular guide is substantially cylindrical and the second section of the angular guide is a substantially trapezoidal prism.

18. The casing of claim 9, wherein the angular guide further comprises a pin portion extending downwardly from the pivot end.

19. The casing of claim 18, wherein the pin portion is secured to the pivot base such that the angular guide can pivot freely about the pivot end.

20. A conduit casing for a door pivotally mounted to a frame comprising:

(a) a pocket mounted on the frame, the pocket having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls disposed therebetween, said top, bottom, and side walls defining a front pocket opening and a rear pocket opening; and

(b) an angular guide assembly mounted on the door, the angular guide assembly comprising: (i) a pivot base; and (ii) an angular guide pivotally mounted on said pivot base, the angular guide being insertable into the front pocket opening and receivable into the pocket;

wherein the frame has a frame opening for receiving the pocket;

wherein the angular guide has a first section with a first longitudinal axis and a second section with a second longitudinal axis, the second section extending from the first section; the second longitudinal axis extending from the first longitudinal axis at an angle greater than 90°;

the first section terminating in a pivot end having a pivot end opening and the second section terminating in a receiving end having a receiving end opening, wherein when the receiving end of the angular guide is disposed in the pocket and the door is opened, the receiving end of the angular guide remains in the pocket.

21. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the pivot base comprises a recess for receiving the angular guide.

22. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the door is opened at an angle less than 180°.

23. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the door is opened at an angle less than 120°.

24. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the angular guide does not contact the walls of the pocket when the door is open or closed.

25. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the longitudinal axis of the first section of the angular guide is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame when the door is open or closed.

26. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the pocket is mounted to the frame with a pocket mount.

27. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the pocket optionally has a rear wall positioned opposite the front pocket opening, said rear wall having a rear wall opening.

28. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein a lip extends outwardly from the top, bottom, and side walls of the pocket around the front pocket opening.

29. The conduit casing of claim 28, wherein when the pocket is inserted into the frame opening, the lip contacts the frame.

30. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the angular guide assembly is mounted to the door with an angular guide mounting bracket.

31. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the first section of the angular guide is substantially cylindrical and the second section of the angular guide is a substantially trapezoidal prism.

32. The conduit casing of claim 20, wherein the angular guide further comprises a pin portion extending downwardly from the pivot end.

33. The conduit casing of claim 32, wherein the pin portion is secured to the pivot base such that the angular guide can pivot freely about the pivot end.

34. The conduit casing of claim 33, wherein the pin portion is inserted into the recess of the pivot base.

35. A method for protecting and concealing one or more service conduits passing from a frame to a door pivotally mounted to the frame, the method comprising:

(a) mounting a pocket on the frame, the pocket having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls disposed therebetween, said top, bottom, and side walls defining a front pocket opening and a rear pocket opening; and

(b) mounting an angular guide assembly on the door, the angular guide assembly comprising: (i) a pivot base; and (ii) an angular guide pivotally mounted on the pivot base, the angular guide being insertable into the front pocket opening and receivable into the pocket;

wherein the angular guide has a first section with a first longitudinal axis and a second section with a second longitudinal axis, the second section extending from the first section; the second longitudinal axis extending from the first longitudinal axis at an angle greater than 90°;

the first section terminating in a pivot end having a pivot end opening and the second section terminating in a receiving end having a receiving end opening, wherein when the receiving end of the angular guide is disposed in the pocket and the door is opened, the receiving end of the angular guide remains in the pocket.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the pivot base comprises a recess for receiving the angular guide.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the door is opened at an angle less than 180°.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the door is opened at an angle less than 120°.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the angular guide does not contact the walls of the pocket when the door is open or closed.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the longitudinal axis of the first section of the angular guide is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame when the door is open or closed.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the pocket is mounted to the frame with a pocket mount.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein the pocket optionally has a rear wall positioned opposite the front pocket opening, said rear wall having a rear wall opening.

43. The method of claim 35, wherein a lip extends outwardly from the top, bottom, and side walls of the pocket around the front pocket opening.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein when the pocket is inserted into the frame opening, the lip contacts the frame.

45. The method of claim 35, wherein the angular guide assembly is mounted to the door with an angular guide mounting bracket.

46. The method of claim 35, wherein the first section of the angular guide is substantially cylindrical and the second section of the angular guide is a substantially trapezoidal prism.

47. The method of claim 35, wherein the angular guide further comprises a pin portion extending downwardly from the pivot end.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the pin portion is secured to the pivot base such that the angular guide can pivot freely about the pivot end.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the pin portion is inserted into the recess of the pivot base.

50. The method of claim 35, wherein the one or more service conduits pass from the frame through the pocket, through the angular guide, to the door.