HIDDEN DRAWER GLIDES FOR PANTRY DRAWERS OF A REFRIGERATING APPLIANCE
A refrigerating appliance includes a cabinet structure having an inner liner defining an interior compartment. A drawer includes a panel member and a sliding structure that extends between the panel member and the cabinet structure. The sliding structure serves to operably dispose the panel member between extended and retracted positions of the drawer. A drawer liner is selectively positioned approximate the drawer and is engaged with the panel member. The drawer liner includes opposing sides that define first and second channels, respectively, wherein the first and second channels extend over portions of the sliding structure. A wire chase is defined within at least one of the first and second channels wherein electrical wiring extends from the cabinet structure and to the panel member through the wire chase.
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The device is in the field of refrigerating appliances. Specifically, the device is in the field of concealed drawer glides for pantry drawers of a refrigerating appliance.
SUMMARYIn at least one aspect, a refrigerating appliance includes a cabinet structure having an inner liner defining an interior compartment. A drawer includes a panel member and a sliding structure that extends between the panel member and the cabinet structure. The sliding structure serves to operably dispose the panel member between extended and retracted positions of the drawer. A drawer liner is selectively positioned approximate the drawer and is engaged with the panel member. The drawer liner includes opposing sides that define first and second channels, respectively, wherein the first and second channels extend over portions of the sliding structure. A wire chase is defined within at least one of the first and second channels wherein electrical wiring extends from the cabinet structure and to the panel member through the wire chase.
In at least another aspect, a drawer assembly for a refrigerating appliance includes a panel member and a drawer slide mechanism that includes a sliding portion engaged with a panel member and a cabinet portion that is adapted to engage a structural member of an appliance cabinet. A drawer liner includes opposite sides that define first and second channels, respectively. The first and second channels extend over the sliding portion. The drawer liner is selectively coupled to the panel member and the sliding portion of the drawer slide mechanism. At least one of the first and second channels defines a wire chase extending from the panel member to a position proximate a back wall of the drawer liner.
In at least another aspect, a refrigerating appliance includes a cabinet structure having an inner liner that defines a plurality of interior compartments, including a pantry compartment. A pantry drawer includes a panel member and first and second drawer glides that are positioned at opposite sides of the pantry compartment, respectively. Each of the drawer glides includes a sliding member that is coupled to the panel member and a cabinet member that is coupled to a portion of the cabinet structure. A drawer liner is selectively coupled to the panel member and the sliding members of the first and second drawer glides. The drawer liner includes hollow side walls that define first and second channels, wherein the first and second channels extend around the respective sliding members of the first and second drawer glides.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in
Referring to the embodiment illustrated in
The drawer liner 34 includes opposing sides 40 that define first and second channels 42, 44, respectively. The first and second channels 42, 44 extend over portions of the sliding structure 28. A wire chase 46 is defined within at least one of the first and second channels 42, 44, wherein electrical wiring 48 is adapted to extend from the cabinet structure 20 and to the panel member 26 through at least a portion of the wire chase 46.
According to the various embodiments, as exemplified in
Referring again to
Referring now to
According to the various embodiments, engagement between the support members 106 and the sliding members 102 of the laterally sliding portion 100 of the sliding structure 28 can be magnetic, or can be attached through one or more interference mechanisms, adhesives, welding, combinations thereof, combinations with fasteners, and other similar attachment methods. It is contemplated that removal of the drawer liner 34 after manufacture may be desired, such that separation of the support members 106 and the sliding members 102 may be desired. In such an embodiment, it is contemplated the engagement between the support members 106 and the sliding members 102 can be separable, such as in the case of a magnetic connection, interference connection, or a fastener-type connection. Such removal of the drawer liner 34 may be desired in cases of replacement of a drawer liner 34, upgrade of a drawer liner 34, cleaning of a drawer liner 34, or other similar circumstance where the drawer liner 34 of the drawer assembly 24 may be removed or replaced.
The replacement of the drawer liner 34 within the drawer assembly 24 serves to define the storage area 82 for the compartment, such as in the case of a pantry drawer 120, at least partially defining the storage area 82 for the pantry compartment 10. In this manner, the drawer assembly 24 can be defined as a pantry drawer 120 that is placed in communication with a pantry compartment 10 defined within the cabinet structure 20. Alternatively, the drawer liner 34 described herein can be used for other drawer-type compartments, such as a refrigerating compartment, freezer compartment or other similar compartment, where a drawer liner 34 is attached to a panel member 26 and a sliding structure 28 to define a laterally operable storage area 82 for the appliance 12.
Referring again to
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According to the various embodiments, the drawer liner 34 for each of the drawers of the appliance 12 can be made from a single continuous member. In such an embodiment, it is contemplated that the drawer liner 34 can be molded, formed or otherwise constructed from a single sheet of metal, plastic or other formable material. It is also contemplated that the drawer liner 34 can be made from various components that are attached, formed or molded together to define the structure of the drawer liner 34. Where multiple compartments are implemented, each of the components can be made of various materials that can include, but are not limited to, plastic, metals, polymers, composite materials, combinations thereof, and other similar materials that can be used in conjunction with a refrigerating appliance 12 for performing cooling, freezing, warming, heating, storing, and other similar functions of an appliance 12.
Referring now to
According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that separate wire chases 46 can be disposed in each of the first and second channels 42, 44. In such an embodiment, each of the first and second channels 42, 44 can include a separate bottom cover 60 that engages the drawer liner 34 at the wire chase 46 where the bottom cover 60 is selectively removable from the drawer liner 34.
Referring again to
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According to the various embodiments, the first and second drawer glides 228, 230 of the sliding structure 28 can include standard drawer glides where the sliding member 102 slideably engages the cabinet member 170 to operate the drawer between a retracted position 32 within the pantry compartment 10 and an extended position 30 outside the pantry compartment 10. According to various alternate embodiments, it is contemplated that the sliding structure 28 can include a sliding ledge that is integrally formed within the inner liner 22 of the cabinet structure 20, wherein a portion of the sliding member 102 engages the inner liner 22 to operate the drawer between an extended and retracted positions 30, 32. Various alternate sliding structures 28 are contemplated that can be used to operate the drawer between extended and retracted positions 30, 32.
According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated the drawer assembly 24 disclosed herein can be used for various appliances that can include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, laundry appliances, ovens, and other similar appliances where it is desirable to conceal the drawer sliding structure 28 of the appliance 12 or to conceal electrical wiring 48 that may be delivered to a panel member 26 of a drawer for the appliance 12.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.
Claims
1. A refrigerating appliance comprising:
- a cabinet structure having an inner liner defining an interior compartment;
- a drawer having a panel member and a sliding structure extending between the panel member and the cabinet structure for operably disposing the panel member between extended and retracted positions;
- a drawer liner selectively positioned proximate the drawer and engaged with the panel member, the drawer liner having opposing sides that define first and second channels, respectively, wherein the first and second channels extend over portions of the sliding structure, the drawer liner defining a single unitary piece; and
- a wire chase defined within at least one of the first and second channels, wherein electrical wiring extends from the cabinet structure and to the panel member through the wire chase, and wherein the electrical wiring and the sliding structure are contained within the first and second channels and are hidden from view when the pantry drawer is in the extended position.
2. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, further comprising:
- a bottom cover selectively engaged to the drawer liner at the wire chase, wherein the wire chase is substantially enclosed by the panel member, the bottom cover and at least one of the first and second channels.
3. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the drawer liner defines at least a bottom panel, sides and back wall of a storage area of the drawer.
4. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the panel member includes a user interface, wherein the user interface is in communication with a utility system disposed within the cabinet structure via the electrical wiring disposed in the wire chase.
5. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the panel member includes a tab structure that receives a front wall of the drawer liner.
6. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the cabinet structure includes a plurality of drawer assemblies, and wherein each of the plurality of drawer assemblies has a corresponding drawer liner.
7. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the sliding structure includes a laterally sliding portion that attaches to the panel member, and wherein the first and second channels include support members that engage the laterally sliding portion of the sliding structure to support the drawer liner relative to the panel member.
8. The refrigerating appliance of claim 7, wherein the support members and laterally sliding portions are attached together via fasteners.
9. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the drawer liner is made of a single continuous member.
10. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the drawer is a pantry drawer in communication with a pantry compartment defined within the cabinet structure.
11. A drawer assembly for a refrigerating appliance, the drawer assembly comprising:
- a panel member; a drawer sliding structure having a sliding member that is engaged to the panel member and a cabinet member that is adapted to engage a portion of a cabinet structure; a drawer liner having opposing sides that define first and second channels, respectively, wherein the first and second channels extend between the sliding member and the cabinet structure and over the sliding member, wherein the drawer liner is selectively coupled to the panel member and the sliding member of the drawer sliding structure, and wherein at least one of the first and second channels defines a wire chase that is contained within the drawer liner and extends from the panel member to a position proximate a back wall of the drawer liner.
12. The drawer assembly of claim 11, further comprising:
- a wire harness coupled to the panel member and extending through the wire chase, to an electrical connector disposed at an end of the wire chase, wherein the wire harness places electrical components of the panel member in communication with the electrical connector.
13. The drawer assembly of claim 11, further comprising:
- a bottom cover selectively disposed proximate the wire chase, wherein the bottom cover engages the drawer liner to substantially enclose the wire chase within at least one of the first and second channels, wherein the wire chase is entirely contained within the drawer liner.
14. The drawer assembly of claim 11, wherein the drawer liner is formed from a single continuous member.
15. The drawer assembly of claim 11, wherein the drawer liner is plastic.
16. The drawer assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second channels include an inboard member that defines a portion of a storage area of the drawer liner and an outboard member that defines a covering portion that extends over at least a part of the sliding member, wherein the inboard and outboard members engage one another at a top rail, wherein the inboard and outboard members and the top rail of at least one of the first and second channels defines the wire chase.
17. The drawer assembly of claim 12, wherein the electrical components of the panel member include at least one of a light fixture, a user interface, a heating element and an air handling unit.
18. A refrigerating appliance comprising:
- a cabinet structure having an inner liner defining a plurality of interior compartments, including a pantry compartment;
- a pantry drawer having a panel member and first and second drawer glides positioned at opposing sides of the pantry compartment, respectively, wherein each of the drawer glides includes a sliding member coupled to the panel member and a cabinet member coupled to a portion of the cabinet structure; and
- a drawer liner selectively coupled to the panel member and the sliding members of the first and second drawer glides, wherein the drawer liner includes hollow sides that define first and second channels, wherein the first and second channels extend around the respective sliding members of the first and second drawer glides, each of the first and second channels including outboard members that extend around the respective sliding members between the respective sliding members and the cabinet structure, the outboard members concealing the respective sliding members from view when the pantry drawer is in an extended position.
19. The refrigerating appliance of claim 18, wherein each of the first and second channels includes an inboard member that partially defines a storage area of the pantry drawer, a top rail that extends between the inboard and outboard members and a removable bottom cover extending between the inboard and outboard members, wherein the respective sliding members are contained within the first and second channels, respectively, and are each surrounded by the inboard and outboard members, the top rail and the removable bottom cover of the first and second channels, respectively.
20. The refrigerating appliance of claim 18, wherein at least one of the first and second channels defines a wire chase, wherein electrical wiring extends from the panel member to the cabinet structure via the wire chase, the electrical wiring being hidden from view and contained within the at least one of the first and second channels when the pantry drawer is in the extended position.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 11, 2015
Publication Date: Jun 15, 2017
Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation (Benton Harbor, MI)
Inventors: Robert J. Haeberle (St. Joseph, MI), Dakota E. Kosek (Benton Harbor, MI), Michael S. Richards (St. Joseph, MI), Todd J. Tunzi (St. Joseph, MI), Rahul Wadke (St. Joseph, MI), Joshua J. Wittes (Berrien Springs, MI)
Application Number: 14/965,924