ADJUSTABLE PARTITION FOR BOTTOM MOUNT FREEZER
An appliance is provided that includes a storage compartment comprising a storage container, a partition, and at least one fastening mechanism located on the partition configured to secure the partition to a portion of the storage container. The partition is configured to be removably installed at different locations within the storage container. The at least one fastening mechanism includes an area between a first portion and a second portion to secure the portion of the storage container. The at least one fastening mechanism includes a third portion protruding from the first portion and a fourth portion protruding from the second portion. A distance between the first portion and the second portion is less than a second distance between an end of the third portion and an end of the fourth portion which provides an expanded area for locating the at least one fastening mechanism.
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The present invention relates generally to a partition for a storage container for use on a household appliance. In particular, the invention relates to a partition and the fastening mechanisms of the partition for installing the partition on various portions of a storage container.
Refrigeration appliances typically have storage compartments and storage containers. Storage containers can include a variety of partitions for dividing certain items from other items within the appliance. However, there is still a need for an improved partition and system for installing a partition in a variety of locations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some example aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Moreover, this summary is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. The sole purpose of the summary is to present some concepts of the invention in simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an appliance that includes a storage compartment is provided that comprises a storage container, a partition, and at least one fastening mechanism located on the partition. The partition is configured to be removably installed at different locations within the storage container. The at least one fastening mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion and is configured to secure the partition to a portion of the storage container. The at least one fastening mechanism includes an area between the first portion and the second portion to secure the portion of the storage container. The at least one fastening mechanism includes a third portion protruding from at least one of the first portion and the second portion that is configured to provide an expanded area between the third portion and the second portion for locating and receiving the at least one fastening mechanism.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an appliance that includes a storage compartment is provided that comprises a storage container, a partition, and at least one fastening mechanism located on the partition. The partition is configured to be removably installed at different locations within the storage container. The at least one fastening mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion and is configured to secure the partition to a portion of the storage container. The second portion is offset a first distance from the first portion and the first portion and the second portion bound an area for surrounding the portion of the storage container to secure the partition to the storage container. The at least one fastening mechanism includes a third portion protruding from the first portion and a fourth portion protruding from the second portion. An end of the third portion is located at a second distance from an end of the fourth portion where the second distance is greater than the first distance such that the third portion and the fourth portion are configured to provide an expanded area for receiving and locating the portion of the storage container.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an appliance that includes a storage compartment is provided that comprises a basket that includes a plurality of wire members, a partition configured to be removably installed at different locations within the basket, and at least one fastening mechanism located on the partition. The at least one fastening mechanism includes a U-shape portion with a first end and a second end. The U-shape portion of the at least one fastening mechanism is configured to bound an area for securing one of the wire members of the basket and coupling the partition to the basket. The at least one fastening mechanism includes a first angled portion extending from the first end of the U-shape portion and a second angled portion extending from the second end of the U-shape portion. The first angled portion and the second angled portion bound a larger area than the area that secures one of the wire members between the first end and the second end of the U-shape portion. The larger area is configured for locating the one of the wire members of the basket.
The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Example embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of the present invention are described and illustrated in the drawings. These illustrated examples are not intended to be a limitation on the present invention. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices. Moreover, certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Still further, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed for designating the same elements.
As shown in
A first storage container 30 and a second storage container 32 can be provided within the freezer compartment of the appliance 10. In this example, the first storage container 30 is larger than the second storage container 32 but it is appreciated that in other examples various shapes and sizes can be used for both the first storage container 30 and the second storage container 32. The first storage container 30 and the second storage container 32 are configured to move in and out of the storage compartment. The second storage container 32 can be located above the first storage container 30 though other arrangements for multiple storage containers can be used such as the storage containers 30, 32 being located side-by-side or at various angles relative to each other. The first storage container 30 or the second storage container 32 can be a storage basket or can be a storage container such as a solid storage container though other storage apparatuses or shelves can also be used. It is appreciated that either the first storage container 30 or the second storage container 32 can also be a wire basket. A variety of storage containers, such as bins and baskets, can be attached to the second door 20 and supported by telescoping sliding rails or the like so that they travel with the door as it is opened and closed. For example, two storage containers can be located below the second storage container 32. Other numbers of storage containers can also be located in the freezer compartment including providing the storage containers in a side-by-side arrangement.
As shown in
As shown in
A fastening mechanism 60, for use with either example partition 40, 50, is shown in
After the fastening mechanism 60 is secured to a location of the partition 40, 50 selected by the user, the area 76 between the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 can engage and secure a wire member of the storage container 30, 32, such that the wire member is secured within the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 of the fastening mechanism 60. The first portion 62 and the second portion 64 can form a U-shape which is used to couple the partition 40, 50 to a wire member of the storage container 30, 32. The first portion 62 and the second portion 64 can also form other shapes with varying intermediate portions 68 and various shapes for the intermediate portions 68. The substantial U-shape can have a distance 66 between the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 corresponding to the wire members of the storage container 30, 32 such that a wire member is snappingly installed within the at least one fastening mechanism 60.
The at least one fastening mechanism 60 can further include a third portion 70 protruding from at least one of the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 that is configured to provide an expanded area of insertion for receiving the at least one fastening mechanism 60. In one example, the fastening mechanism 60 can include a first portion 62 that is shorter than the second portion 64 where the third portion 70 protrudes from the shorter first portion 62. Thus, in this example, the at least one fastening mechanism 60 provides an expanded area 78 between the end of the third portion 70 and the end of the second portion 64 for receiving and locating the portion of the storage container 30, 32. The larger area 78 of insertion is configured to improve the ability to locate the partition 40, 50 to receive a desired wire member of the storage container 30, 32. In further examples, the end of the third portion 70 can be approximately the same distance from the intermediate portion 68 as the end of the second portion 64.
The at least one fastening mechanism 60 can further include a fourth portion 72 protruding from at least one of the first portion 62 and the second portion 64. It is appreciated that the first portion 62, the second portion 64, the third portion 70, and the fourth portion 72 can be unitary in structure or can be combined from a variety of pieces. An end of the third portion 70 can be located at a second distance 74 from an end of the fourth portion 72. The second distance 74 is greater than the first distance 66 between the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 such that the third portion 70 and the fourth portion 72 are configured to provide an expanded area 78 of insertion for the at least one fastening mechanism 60. The larger distance 74 between the end of the third portion 70 and the end of the fourth portion 72 is configured to improve the ability to locate the partition 40, 50 and receive a desired wire member of the storage container 30, 32. A mouth can be defined as an area 78 between the third portion 70 and the fourth portion 72. The mouth of the fastening mechanism 60 can bound a larger area 78 of insertion for receiving and locating the portion of the storage container 30, 32 than the area 76 of insertion that is configured to secure and receive the portion of the storage container 30, 32. For example, the area 78 between the third portion 70 and the fourth portion 72 can be wider than the area 76 between the first portion 62 and the second portion 64, such as the U-shape portion. The third portion 70 and the fourth portion 72 are configured to be lead-in portions for expanding the area 76 of insertion of the fastening mechanism 60 onto the storage containers 30, 32, such as wire baskets. As opposed to having just the narrow area 76 between the first portion 62 and the second portion 64, the expanded area 78 of insertion between the third portion 70 and the fourth portion 72 improves the installation of the partition 40, 50 as it helps direct and locate the partition 40, 50 onto a desired portion or wire member of the storage container 30, 32. By providing a larger area 78 of insertion, this makes it easier for a user to install the partition 40, 50 on at least one wire member or on a portion of the storage container 30, 32 as it is easier to locate the portion of the storage container 30, 32 into the receiving location of the fastening mechanism 60.
In the first example fastening mechanism 60, the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 can each have sections that have a curvature. For example, the first portion 62 and the second portion 64 can each have a curvature, a plurality of different curvatures, or it can have at least one substantially straight section and at least one section with a curvature. The first portion 62 can include a first longitudinal axis 80. The second portion 64 can include a second longitudinal axis 82. In one example, the first longitudinal axis 80 can be parallel to the second longitudinal axis 82. The third portion 70 can include a third longitudinal axis 84 where the third longitudinal axis 84 is located at a first angle 88 relative to the first longitudinal axis 84. The fourth portion 72 can include a fourth longitudinal axis 86 where the fourth longitudinal axis 86 is located at a second angle 90 relative to the second longitudinal axis 82. The first angle 88 can be equal to the second angle 90.
In a second example fastening mechanism 100, shown in
As shown in
An example of the second storage container 32 is shown in
The invention has been described with reference to the example embodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Example embodiments incorporating one or more aspects of the invention are intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An appliance that includes a storage compartment comprising:
- a storage container;
- a partition configured to be removably installed at different locations within the storage container;
- at least one fastening mechanism located on the partition, wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion and is configured to secure the partition to a portion of the storage container;
- wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes an area between the first portion and the second portion configured to secure the portion of the storage container; and
- wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a third portion protruding from at least one of the first portion and the second portion that is configured to provide an expanded area between the third portion and the second portion for locating and receiving the portion of the storage container.
2. The appliance of claim 1,
- wherein the storage container includes a plurality of wire members and the partition is installed on at least one wire member of the storage container.
3. The appliance of claim 1,
- wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a first fastening mechanism on a first side of the partition and a second fastening mechanism on a second side of the partition.
4. The appliance of claim 1,
- wherein the first portion and the second portion form a U-shape which is used to couple the partition to a wire member of the storage container.
5. The appliance of claim 1,
- wherein the at least one fastening mechanism further includes a fourth portion protruding from at least one of the first portion and the second portion;
- wherein a mouth is formed between the third portion and the fourth portion;
- wherein the mouth of the partition bounds a larger area than the area that is configured to secure the portion of the storage container.
6. The appliance of claim 1,
- wherein the first portion includes a first longitudinal axis;
- wherein the second portion includes a second longitudinal axis where the first longitudinal axis is parallel to the second longitudinal axis; and
- wherein the third portion includes a third longitudinal axis where the third longitudinal axis is located at a first angle relative to the first longitudinal axis.
7. The appliance of claim 6,
- wherein the at least one fastening mechanism further includes a fourth portion with a fourth longitudinal axis wherein the fourth longitudinal axis is located at a second angle relative to the second longitudinal axis;
- wherein a distance between the first portion and the second portion is less than a second distance between an end of the third portion and an end of the fourth portion.
8. The appliance of claim 7, wherein the first angle is equal to the second angle.
9. An appliance that includes a storage compartment comprising:
- a storage container;
- a partition configured to be removably installed at different locations within the storage container;
- at least one fastening mechanism located on the partition, wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion and is configured to secure the partition to a portion of the storage container;
- wherein the second portion is offset a first distance from the first portion;
- wherein the first portion and the second portion bound an area for surrounding the portion of the storage container to secure the partition to the storage container;
- wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a third portion protruding from the first portion and a fourth portion protruding from the second portion;
- wherein an end of the third portion is located at a second distance from an end of the fourth portion; and
- wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance such that the third portion and the fourth portion are configured to provide an expanded area for receiving and locating the portion of the storage container.
10. The appliance of claim 9,
- wherein the storage container includes a plurality of wire members and the partition is installed on at least one of the wire members of the storage container.
11. The appliance of claim 9,
- wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a first fastening mechanism on a first side of the partition and a second fastening mechanism on a second side of the partition.
12. The appliance of claim 9,
- wherein the first portion and the second portion form a U-shape which is used to couple the partition to a wire member of the storage container.
13. The appliance of claim 9,
- wherein a mouth is formed between the third portion and the fourth portion;
- wherein the mouth of the partition bounds a larger area than the area that surrounds and secures the portion of the storage container.
14. The appliance of claim 9,
- wherein the first portion includes a first longitudinal axis;
- wherein the second portion includes a second longitudinal axis where the first longitudinal axis is parallel to the second longitudinal axis; and
- wherein the third portion includes a third longitudinal axis where the third longitudinal axis is located at a first angle relative to the first longitudinal axis.
15. The appliance of claim 14,
- wherein the fourth portion includes a fourth longitudinal axis wherein the fourth longitudinal axis is located at a second angle relative to the second longitudinal axis.
16. The appliance of claim 15, wherein the first angle is equal to the second angle.
17. An appliance that includes a storage compartment comprising:
- a basket that includes a plurality of wire members;
- a partition configured to be removably installed at different locations within the basket;
- at least one fastening mechanism located on the partition wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a U-shape portion with a first end and a second end;
- wherein the U-shape portion of the at least one fastening mechanism is configured to bound an area for securing one of the wire members of the basket and coupling the partition to the basket;
- wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a first angled portion extending from the first end of the U-shape portion and a second angled portion extending from the second end of the U-shape portion; and
- wherein the first angled portion and the second angled portion bound a larger area than the area that secures one of the wire members between the first end and the second end of the U-shape portion; and
- wherein the larger area is configured for locating one of the wire members of the basket.
18. The appliance of claim 17,
- wherein the at least one fastening mechanism includes a first fastening mechanism on a first side of the partition and a second fastening mechanism on a second side of the partition.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 27, 2009
Publication Date: Sep 2, 2010
Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc. (Cleveland, OH)
Inventor: William Lee Moody (Anderson, SC)
Application Number: 12/394,963
International Classification: A47F 5/14 (20060101); A47F 5/00 (20060101);