SHELF ASSEMBLY FOR A COOLING DEVICE AND COOLING DEVICE HAVING THE SHELF ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A shelf assembly for a cooling device having a storage compartment with an inner liner, includes a shelf panel with mutual bracket structures for attaching a movable drawer defining a storage cavity, to the shelf panel. Each of the bracket structures includes a connection bracket for fixing the shelf assembly to the inner liner, a carrier bracket formed with more than one engagement portion laterally spaced from one another, and a fixing bracket connected to a lower surface of the shelf panel facing the storage cavity and having more than one receiving recess so as to receive the corresponding engagement portions. A cooling device including the shelf assembly is also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Turkish Patent Application TR2022/001906, filed Feb. 14, 2022; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shelf assembly for a cooling device having a storage compartment with an inner liner, including a shelf panel with mutual bracket structures for attaching a movable drawer defining a storage cavity, to the shelf panel.

In a domestic appliance, a storage container, such as a cooling container, is constructed and selectively opened and closed by the user. Generally, storage containers have a shelf panel that is supported by a number of frame components including bracket structures.

Typically, the shelf assembly configurations are fastened to the cooling device such as a refrigerator by the rear profile. However, the inadequacy of the rear profile to balance the weight on the shelf results in undesirable lateral movements during use. In shelving systems connected to a drawer, undesirable separation of the drawer from the shelf panel and lateral jolts limit the provision of a durable drawer assembly.

A prior art publication in the technical field of the invention, which may be referred to, is U.S. Pat. No. 8,850,839 B2 which discloses a cooling device with shelves that each feature a tempered glass panel for storing food and a stopper member, as well as support ribs on both sidewalls of the storage chambers so as to support shelves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a shelf assembly for use in a household cooling device and a cooling device having the shelf assembly, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known assemblies and devices of this general type and which ensure a durable drawer arrangement and prevent lateral movements of the drawer.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a shelf assembly for a cooling device having a storage compartment with an inner liner, comprising a shelf panel with mutual bracket structures for attaching a movable drawer defining a storage cavity, to the shelf panel. Each of the bracket structures includes a connection bracket for fixing the shelf assembly to the inner liner, a carrier bracket formed with more than one engagement portion laterally spaced from one another and a fixing bracket connected to a lower surface of the shelf panel facing the storage cavity, having more than one receiving recess so as to receive the corresponding engagement portions. The invention eliminates the requirement for a separate fixing element, which involves securing the carrier bracket to the fixing bracket with screws. Moreover, this reduces the component count and the mounting effort and circumvents the mounting tolerances.

In a possible embodiment, each of the engagement portions includes an inclined front wall configured to be inserted into a suspension slot disposed on the fixing bracket, an inclined rear wall corresponding to the receiving recess, a seating protrusion extending from an upper wall facing the fixing bracket and a tilting recess adjacent to the seating protrusion. The tilting recess is configured for tilting the engagement portion at a predetermined angle. The engagement portion constitutes a snap-fit configuration that enables the carrier bracket to be attached to the fixation bracket and the tilting recess provides both ease of assembly and flexibility in case of heavy loading.

In a possible embodiment, the carrier bracket is formed with a guiding channel disposed as a longitudinally extending channel in which the respective attachment devices of the drawer are positioned, so that the drawer can slidably move between a closed position in which the shelf panel entirely covers an access opening of the drawer and an open position in which the storage cavity can be accessible from outside of the drawer. This configuration serves to lessen the lateral movement of the drawer and provide a durable fixation. It is thus able to prevent the sagging deformation in drawer assemblies induced by excessive loads over time.

In a possible embodiment, the guiding channel includes more than one contact region formed as a series of edge protrusions extending towards the drawer. The contact between the drawer and the contact area of the shelf assembly is minimized due to the contact region arrangement, which minimizes the friction force generated by the movement of the drawer. Therefore, mechanical distortions induced by friction and undesirable noise are avoided.

In a possible embodiment, the carrier bracket includes more than one retaining protrusion facing the guiding channel, and each of the retaining protrusions extend perpendicularly to a movement plane where the drawer can be slid. By limiting the vertical movement of the drawer in the guiding channel, the retaining protrusion provides movement of the drawer only in the push-pull direction.

In a possible embodiment, a longitudinal protrusion is disposed on a wall of the carrier bracket, the longitudinal protrusion is shaped and sized correspondingly to a retaining groove of the fixing bracket, and the retaining groove has a substantially C-shaped cross-section and is configured so as to extend along the longitudinal protrusion. Hence, the load held by the carrier bracket is transferred to the fixing bracket as the longitudinal protrusion is inserted into the retaining groove disposed on the fixing bracket. This arrangement helps the carrier bracket to be attached firmly onto the fixing bracket in both horizontal and vertical axes.

In a possible embodiment, the carrier bracket is provided with an abutment member formed at an end of the carrier bracket in such a way that an opposite end of the fixing bracket from the connection bracket abuts against the abutment member. The fixing bracket and the carrier bracket are thereby mounted, and a co-planar surface in contact with the shelf panel is constructed.

In a possible embodiment, the abutment member has substantially the same thickness as the fixing bracket. This ensures the uniformity of the shelf assembly and a shelf panel, i.e. glass panel, contact surface.

In a possible embodiment, the carrier bracket includes a locking ramp disposed at the end of the carrier bracket where the abutment member is provided, and the locking ramp has an inclined surface projecting towards the abutment member. The locking ramp provides further limitation for disengaging of the drawer and prevents the drawer from coming out accidentally.

In a possible embodiment, the carrier bracket has more than one reinforcement rib that is uniformly formed, and the reinforcement ribs closer to the locking ramp have a substantially triangular cross-section for providing strength between the upper wall and a bottom wall formed opposite to the upper wall of the carrier bracket. Hence, the shelf assembly can be robust in circumstances in which the drawer remains drawn and the load is unequally distributed.

In a possible embodiment, the carrier bracket includes a stopping hook to be coupled to a lateral surface of the drawer. The stopping hook limits the drawer from coming out accidentally and prevents disengagement.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is concomitantly provided a cooling device including the shelf assembly. Preferably, the cooling device is a household cooling device, particularly a refrigerator.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a shelf assembly for a cooling device and a cooling device having the shelf assembly, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a cooling device including the shelf assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage container illustrating a transverse axis of the shelf assembly extending parallel to front and rear frame members, and also illustrating a longitudinal axis of the shelf assembly which is vertical to the transverse axis of the shelf assembly;

FIG. 3 is a lateral perspective of the shelf assembly wherein the storage is drawn and brought to an open position in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fixing bracket including an abutment protrusion, four suspension slots and receiving recesses in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of the receiving recess including a latching wall, a lateral wall and an opening in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carrier bracket including more than one contact region and a stopping hook in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of a detail C taken from FIG. 6 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of a detail B taken from FIG. 6 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of the carrier bracket including a guiding channel and more than one retaining protrusion in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the carrier bracket including a longitudinal stiffener, a bottom wall and a groove in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the carrier bracket, the fixing bracket attached thereto and the connection bracket;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the carrier bracket and the fixing bracket attached thereto;

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the carrier bracket and the fixing bracket attached thereto;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the shelf assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly taken along section lines A-A and B-B illustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a detail D taken from FIG. 15 wherein the detail D illustrates the connection between a fixing bracket and an engagement protrusion of the carrier bracket;

FIG. 17 is a side-elevational view of the shelf assembly including a drawer and a connection bracket in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a detail E taken from FIG. 17 wherein the detail E illustrates the connection between the drawer and the carrier bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this context, a width direction of the shelf assembly, the shelf panel and the drawer correspond to a direction of a first horizontal axis x in FIG. 2.

In this context, a depth direction of the shelf assembly, the shelf panel and the drawer correspond to a direction of a second horizontal axis z in FIG. 2.

In this context, a vertical direction of the shelf assembly, the shelf panel and the drawer correspond to a direction of a vertical axis y in FIG. 2.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, it is seen that the present invention proposes a shelf assembly 100 for a cooling device 1 having a storage compartment 70 with an inner liner 71. The storage compartment 70 has a compartment storage space in which the foodstuffs and the shelf assemblies are provided. The inner liner 71 forms the inner walls of the cooling device 1 facing the compartment storage space. Those inner walls are sidewalls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a rear wall. The present invention as depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 presents the shelf assembly 100 of a cooling device 1 including a shelf panel 61, a pair of attachment devices 62 disposed in a parallel spaced relation, and a movable drawer 60 defining a storage cavity. There is a main frame 63 connected to a front side of the shelf panel 61. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the main frame 63 has two U-shaped channels. One of the U-shaped channels receives a front edge of the shelf panel 61. The other U-shaped channel receives a front end of a carrier bracket 30. On the other hand, the shelf panel 61 is provided with mutual bracket structures 50 for attaching the movable drawer 60 to the shelf panel 61. In a possible embodiment of the invention, each of the bracket structures 50 includes a connection bracket 14 for fixing the shelf assembly 100 to the inner liner 71, the carrier bracket 30 being formed with more than one engagement portion 31 laterally spaced one to another and a fixing bracket 10 connected to a lower surface of the shelf panel 61 facing the storage cavity, having more than one receiving recess 12 so as to receive the corresponding engagement portions 31. The fixing bracket 10 has a flat surface for bonding the fixing bracket 10 to a lower surface of the shelf panel 61 facing the fixing bracket 10, by an adhesive member which is not shown.

In a possible embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drawer 60 is movable between a closed position in which the drawer 60 is completely inserted into a storage compartment 70 and an open position in which the drawer 60 is at least partially pulled out of the storage compartment 70 when in use. In other words, the drawer 60 can be slidably moved between the closed position in which the shelf panel 61 entirely covers an access opening of the drawer 60 and the open position in which the storage cavity can be accessible from outside of the drawer 60. The two attachment devices 62 are provided on the mutual walls of the drawer 60. Each of the attachment devices 62 attach to the corresponding carrier bracket 30.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 10, the fixing bracket 10 further includes a longitudinal protrusion 39 which provides a retaining groove 11 provided along the fixing bracket 10 for at least partly receiving the carrier bracket 30. The retaining groove 11 has a substantially C-shaped cross-section. The fixing bracket 10 includes a suspension slot 13. As seen in FIG. 8, an inclined front wall 312 of the carrier bracket 30 is positioned into the suspension slot 13 in such a way that an inclined rear wall 313 rests against the circumferential walls of the suspension slot 13. Thus, the stability of the carrier bracket 30 is ensured.

As depicted in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, the guiding channel 38 is equipped with more than one contact region 35 in the vicinity of a lateral surface of the drawer 60. Yet another feature of the contact region 35 is that it is constructed as a series of edge protrusions that extend along a first horizontal axis x of the shelf assembly 100.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention disclosing more than one reinforcement rib 33 adjacent to a locking ramp 32. Each of the reinforcement ribs 33 have a substantially triangle cross-section, which provides structural strength and durability between an upper wall 40 and a bottom wall 41 of the carrier bracket 30. When the drawer 60 is pulled and brought to the open position, the center of gravity of the carrier bracket 30 shifts towards the front thereof. The reinforcement ribs 33 exemplified in FIG. 12 are disposed on the upper wall 40 so as to provide a shelf assembly 100 that is capable of withstanding conditions in which the drawer 60 remains extended and the load is unequally distributed.

As depicted in FIG. 11, the carrier bracket 30 is attached to the fixing bracket 10 as follows: Initially, the longitudinal protrusion 39 of the carrier bracket 30 is inserted into the retaining groove 11. Thereafter, the engagement portion 31 of the carrier bracket 30, which is a flexible member, is pushed towards the fixing bracket 10 and attaches into the receiving recess 12 provided on an upper part of the fixing bracket 10.

FIG. 13 represents an assembled state of the carrier bracket 30 and the fixing bracket 10. The carrier bracket 30 is provided with an abutment member 34 formed at a first end 43 of the upper wall 40. The distal end of the fixing bracket 10 towards the connection bracket 14 abuts against the abutment member 34 wherein the abutment member 34 and the connection bracket 14 are located at the opposite ends of the shelf assembly 100, when the carrier bracket 30 is attached to the fixing bracket 10. The abutment member 34 acts a damper on any probable vibrations of the fixing bracket 10 while the drawer 60 is pulled out of the of the cooling device 1. The abutment member 34 has a thickness that is substantially equal to that of the fixing bracket 10. Upon securing the carrier bracket 30 to the fixing bracket 10 an integrated structure is provided, which is endowed by the abutment member 34. Moreover, this integration ensures that the load carried by the shelf panel 61 in the z-direction is equally distributed. Hence, the homogeneity of the shelf assembly 100 and the smoothness of the contact surface of the shelf panels 61 are both guaranteed.

Referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, a cross-sectional view of the shelf assembly 100 taken along section lines A-A and B-B illustrates the connection between the drawer 60, engagement portion 31 and fixing bracket 10. The engagement portion 31 is attached to the fixing bracket 10 with snap fit connections.

Referring to FIG. 16, the attachment devices 62 are directed in the guiding channel 38 by only partially contacting due to the inclined configuration of the guiding channel 38. Accordingly, the contact between the distal end of the guiding channel 38 that faces the drawer 60 and the attachment devices 62 is diminished to the minimum level. The first point of contact of the drawer 60 with the guiding channel 38 coincides with an orthogonal projection of the retaining groove 11 on a plane enclosing the guiding channel 38. If the guiding channel 38 were not formed as an inclined plane, the drawer 60 would be able to be located at the distal end of the guiding channel 38. In this circumstance, more load would be applied to this connection area as a result of the moment formed there, causing the inclined rear wall 313 of the engagement portion 31 to disengage from a latching portion 121 of the receiving recess 12.

It is clear from the explanations above that the inclined plane of the guiding channel 38 results in the shelf assembly 100 being more durable and long-lasting.

Referring to FIG. 13, a stopping hook 36 to be coupled to a lateral surface of the drawer 60 is disposed on the bottom wall 41 of the carrier bracket 30. Moreover, the stopping hook 36 extends at least partly into an interior volume of the drawer 60. The stopping hook 36 limits the drawer 60 from coming out accidentally and prevents disengaging.

As can be seen most clearly from FIG. 16, the longitudinal protrusion 39 of the carrier bracket 30 is attached to the retaining groove 11 and the attachment between the longitudinal protrusion 39 and the retaining groove 11 prevents an up and down oscillating movement of the shelf panel 61.

Referring to FIG. 5, the engagement portions 31 are respectively inserted into a corresponding opening 123 disposed on the fixing bracket 10 and the latching portion 121 disposed on fixing bracket 10. The attachment between the engagement portion 31 and the latching portion 121 serves to lessen the lateral movement of the drawer 60.

Referring to FIG. 8, the engagement portion 31 has the inclined front wall 312 corresponding to the suspension slot 13 disposed on the fixing bracket 10, the inclined rear wall 313 facing the receiving recess 12, a seating protrusion 314 and a tilting recess 311 adjacent to the seating protrusion 314. When the inclined front wall 312 is inserted into the suspension slot 13, the inclined rear wall 313 fits into the receiving recess 12. Accordingly, the movement of the engagement portion 31 is restricted by the peripheral walls of the receiving recess 12. Moreover, the inclined front wall 312 and the inclined rear wall 313 are disposed in the shape of a hook. The tilting recess 311 is configured to allow for a predefined angle of tilt of the engagement portion 31. The engagement portion 31 features a snap-fit structure that allows the carrier bracket 30 to be joined to the fixing bracket 10, while the tilting recess 311 facilitates installation and provides greater flexibility in the case of heavy loading. FIG. 17 depicts a lateral view of the shelf assembly 100 including a drawer 60 and a connection bracket 14. An enlarged view of the detail E taken from FIG. 17 shows the connection between the storage compartment 70 and the carrier bracket 30. Moreover, FIG. 18 depicts that the seating protrusions 314 fit into the corresponding recesses formed on the fixing bracket 10.

As can be further seen from the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 10, a plurality of retaining protrusions 37 facing the guiding channel 38 are provided, each of which extends perpendicularly to a movement plane where the drawer 60 is pulled away from the cooling device.

The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention.

REFERENCE LIST

• 100 shelf assembly
• 50 bracket structures
• 10 fixing bracket
• 11 retaining groove
• 12 receiving recess
• 121 latching portion
• 123 opening
• 13 suspension slot
• 14 connection bracket
• 30 carrier bracket
• 31 engagement portion
• 311 tilting recess
• 312 inclined front wall
• 313 inclined rear wall
• 314 seating protrusion
• 32 locking ramp
• 33 reinforcement rib
• 34 abutment member
• 35 contact region
• 36 stopping hook
• 37 retaining protrusion
• 38 guiding channel
• 39 longitudinal protrusion
• 40 upper wall
• 41 bottom wall
• 43 first end
• 60 drawer
• 61 shelf panel
• 62 attachment devices
• 63 main frame
• 70 storage compartment
• 71 inner liner
• x first horizontal axis
• y vertical axis
• z second horizontal axis

Claims

1. A shelf assembly for a cooling device having a storage compartment with an inner liner, the shelf assembly comprising:

a shelf panel having a pair of bracket structures for attaching a movable drawer to said shelf panel, the movable drawer defining a storage cavity, and said shelf panel having a lower surface facing toward said storage cavity;

each of said bracket structures including a connection bracket for fixing the shelf assembly to the inner liner, a carrier bracket formed with more than one engagement portion laterally spaced apart from one another, and a fixing bracket connected to said lower surface of said shelf panel, said fixing bracket having more than one receiving recess for receiving said engagement portions corresponding to said more than one receiving recess.

2. The shelf assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said engagement portions includes an inclined front wall configured to be inserted into a suspension slot formed in said fixing bracket, an inclined rear wall corresponding to said receiving recess, a seating protrusion extending from an upper wall facing said fixing bracket and a tilting recess adjacent to said seating protrusion.

3. The shelf assembly according to claim 2, wherein said carrier bracket is formed with a guiding channel disposed as a longitudinally extending channel in which respective attachment devices of the drawer are positioned, permitting the drawer to slidably move between a closed position in which said shelf panel entirely covers an access opening of the drawer and an open position in which said storage cavity is accessible from outside of the drawer.

4. The shelf assembly according to claim 3, wherein said guiding channel includes more than one contact region formed as a series of edge protrusions extending towards the drawer.

5. The shelf assembly according to claim 3, wherein said carrier bracket includes more than one retaining protrusion facing said guiding channel, and each said retaining protrusion extends perpendicularly to a movement plane in which the drawer can slide.

6. The shelf assembly according to claim 2, wherein said carrier bracket has a wall, a longitudinal protrusion is disposed on said wall of said carrier bracket, said longitudinal protrusion is shaped and sized to correspond to a retaining groove formed in said fixing bracket, and said retaining groove has a substantially C-shaped cross-section and is configured to extend along said longitudinal protrusion.

7. The shelf assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fixing bracket has an end opposite to said connection bracket, said carrier bracket has an end provided with an abutment member, and said opposite end of said fixing bracket abuts against said abutment member.

8. The shelf assembly according to claim 7, wherein said abutment member and said fixing bracket have substantially equal thicknesses.

9. The shelf assembly according to claim 7, wherein said carrier bracket includes a locking ramp disposed at said end of said carrier bracket having said abutment member, and said locking ramp has an inclined surface projecting towards said abutment member.

10. The shelf assembly according to claim 9, wherein said carrier bracket has mutually opposite upper and bottom walls and more than one uniformly formed reinforcement rib, and said more than one reinforcement rib includes reinforcement ribs closer to said locking ramp having a substantially triangular cross-section for providing strength between said upper wall and said bottom wall.

11. The shelf assembly according to claim 1, wherein said carrier bracket includes a stopping hook to be coupled to a lateral surface of the drawer.

12. A cooling device, comprising the shelf assembly according to claim 1.