Abstract:
An adapter that integrates an icemaker with a beverage dispenser includes a base defining a passage therethrough and at least a first bracket. The base includes a first rail and a second rail, and a top of the base may support thereon at least a portion of the icemaker. The first bracket includes a first rail engagement member engageable with the first rail and a second rail engagement member engageable with the second rail. The bracket inserts within the passage of the base such that the first rail element member engages the first rail and the second rail engagement member engages the second rail. The bracket is movable along the first and second rails to accommodate icemakers having different dimensions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to adapting icemakers to beverage dispensers and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to methods and an apparatus for an icemaker adapter. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In the areas of food and beverage dispensing, manufacturers are often forced to provide a variety of dispenser sizes and capacities to accommodate customer requirements. Beverage dispenser manufacturers also typically have optional equipment that may be utilized in alternate configurations. The presence of these multiple configurations along with optional equipment suggests that the sales force must be intimately familiar with the product lines, the limitations of the product lines, as well as variations thereof. 
         [0005]    Illustratively, icemakers are an example of optional equipment that is often utilized with beverage dispensers. Icemakers are typically placed on top of the beverage dispensers. In this configuration, ice made within the icemakers drops directly into the beverage dispensers for later dispensing to customers. Adapters are used to ensure a proper fit between the icemakers and the beverage dispensers. Often manufacturers have numerous beverage dispensers and icemakers. Therefore, the manufacturers must have multiple adapters to meet the various combinations of beverage dispensers and icemakers thereby increasing inventory and work for the sales team. 
         [0006]    An adjustable adapter would allow for use in multiple applications. This has a number of benefits such as lowering inventory costs for a manufacturer and reducing part numbers for the sales team. For example, an adjustable adapter has the benefit of allowing a sales team to lessen the number of adapters that are needed to fit an icemaker to a beverage dispenser. Accordingly, an adjustable adapter that ensures proper fit between beverage dispensers and icemakers would be beneficial. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, an adapter allows different icemakers to integrate with a beverage dispenser. The adapter includes a base defining a passage therethrough, at least a first bracket, and a lid that fits over and engages the sides of the beverage dispenser in order to conceal a storage chamber area of the beverage dispenser. 
         [0008]    The base includes a first rail and a second rail, and a top of the base may support thereon at least a portion of the icemaker. Specifically, the top of the base includes receiving surfaces that support thereon at least a portion of the icemaker. A bottom of the base includes a stop that secures the base with the beverage dispenser. The stop includes internal and external lips extending from the bottom of the base that secure the base with the beverage dispenser. The first rail and the second rail of the base border the passage between a first side and a second side of the passage. Furthermore, the first rail and the second rail include a first bracket engagement surface and a second bracket engagement surface that engage the first bracket. 
         [0009]    The first bracket includes a first rail engagement member engageable with the first rail of the base and a second rail engagement member engageable with the second rail of the base. The first rail engagement member and the second rail engagement member of the first bracket each include a first rail engagement surface that engages the first bracket engagement surface and a second rail engagement surface that engages the second bracket engagement surface. The bracket inserts within the passage of the base such that the first rail engagement member engages the first rail and the second rail engagement member engages the second rail. The bracket is movable along the first and second rails to accommodate icemakers having different dimensions. 
         [0010]    Integrating the icemaker with the beverage dispenser using the first bracket involves inserting the first bracket within the passage of the base and moving the first bracket within the passage along the first and second rails until the first bracket resides against either the first side or the second side of the passage. The icemaker is placed atop the adapter over the beverage dispenser. The icemaker sits atop the first bracket and at least a portion of the top of the base such that the icemaker is offset from a central portion of the passage. 
         [0011]    The adapter may further include a second bracket substantially identical to the first bracket. The second bracket inserts within the passage such that the second bracket resides adjacent the first bracket. The icemaker is placed atop the adapter over the beverage dispenser such that the icemaker sits atop the first bracket and the second bracket and at least a portion of the top of the base such that the icemaker is offset from a central portion of the passage. Alternatively, the second bracket inserts within the passage and is moved within the passage such that the second bracket resides opposite the first bracket against either the first side or the second side of the passage. The icemaker is placed atop the adapter over the beverage dispenser such that the icemaker sits atop the first and the second bracket and is positioned in a central portion of the passage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded top perspective view illustrating an adapter according to the preferred embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded bottom perspective view illustrating the adapter. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a base and brackets of the adapter. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top view illustrating the base and the brackets of the adapter. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view taken along line B,B of  FIG. 4  illustrating the base and the brackets of the adapter. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the adapter. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top view illustrating the adapter. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a front view illustrating the adapter. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a side view illustrating the adapter. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 10-12  are perspective views illustrating the adapter integrating an icemaker with a beverage dispenser. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Figures are not necessarily to scale, and some, features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components or steps. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1-10  illustrate an adapter  10 . The adapter  10  is designed to allow an icemaker  100  to integrate with a beverage dispenser  200 . The adapter  10  is placed on top of the beverage dispenser  200  to allow fitting of the icemaker  100  atop the beverage dispenser  200 . The adapter  10  includes a base  20 , brackets  40 , and a lid  60 . 
         [0024]    The base  20  can be made of any suitable material such as plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel. The base  20  includes a top  21 , a bottom  22 , a front  23 , a back  24 , and sides  25 - 26 . Furthermore, the base  20  includes rails  28  and  29  designed to engage the brackets  40 . The base  20  defines a passage  27  that includes a first side  51  and a second side  52 . The passage  27  passes from the top  21  to the bottom  22  of the base  20 . The top  21  includes receiving surfaces  34  that may be employed to support a portion of the icemaker  100 . While the base  20  may comprise any shape configured to rest atop the beverage dispenser  200 , the base  20  according to the preferred embodiment typically includes a four-sided configuration such as a square or rectangle. 
         [0025]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the bottom  22  includes an internal lip  36  that engage the top of the beverage dispenser  200  to secure the base  20  with the beverage dispenser  200 . In the preferred embodiment, the internal lip  36  is four discontinuous pieces that surround the passage  27 . However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the internal lip  36  may be configuration such as a continuous one that allows the base  20  of the adapter  10  to engage the beverage dispenser  200 . In addition, the bottom  22  may include an external lip that engages the top of the beverage dispenser  200  and aids the internal lip  36  in securing the base  20  with the beverage dispenser  200 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 4-6  illustrate the rails  28  and  29  of the base  20 . The rails  28  and  29  of the base  20  each include a first bracket engagement surface  31  and a second bracket engagement surface  32 . In the preferred embodiment, the first bracket engagement surface  31  slopes downward toward the passage  27  and the second bracket engagement surface  32  is vertical in elation to the passage  27 . The shape of the first bracket engagement surface  31  and the second bracket engagement surface  32  allow the bracket  40  to be placed within the passage  27  and maneuvered within the passage  27  to permit proper integration between the beverage dispenser  200  and the icemaker  100 . In the preferred embodiment, the rails  28  and  29  are located opposite each other bordering the passage  27  and in an interior portion of the front  23  and the back  24  of the base  20 . However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the rails  28  and  29  may be located opposite of each other bordering the passage  27  and in an interior portion of the sides  25  and  26 . 
         [0027]    The bracket  40  includes a top  41 , a bottom  42 , and sides  43  and  44 . In addition, the bracket  40  includes rail engagement members  45  and  46  each including a first rail engagement surface  47  and a second rail engagement surface  48  located at each end of the bracket  40 . The bracket  40  inserts within the passage  27  such that the bracket  40  engages the rails  28  and  29 . In particular, the first rail engagement surfaces  47  of the rail engagement members  45  and  46  are angled such that the first rail engagement surfaces  47  align and engage the first bracket engagement surfaces  31  of the rails  28  and  29 . The second rail engagement surface  48  of the rail engagement members  45  and  46  are vertical such that the second rail engagement surfaces  48  align with and engage the second bracket engagement surfaces  32  of the rails  28  and  29 . The bracket  40  is designed to conceal gaps between the beverage dispenser  200  and the icemaker  100  and will be explained with greater detail herein. Furthermore, the bracket  40  or brackets  40  integrate with base  20  in order to accommodate different sizes of icemakers  100 . In particular, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that no brackets  40  may be used to accommodate a larger icemaker  100  or one or more brackets  40  may be used in order to accommodate a smaller icemaker  100 . The widths of brackets  40  according to the preferred embodiment are uniform to simplify their manufacture, and the specific width is selected for universality to accommodate the largest number of different icemakers  100 . Nevertheless, it should be understood that the widths of the brackets  40  may vary. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 1, 2, and 6-9  illustrate the lid  60 . The lid  60  includes a top  61 , a bottom  62 , and sides  63  and  64 . The lid  60  inserts over the top  21  of the base  20 . In particular, the sides  63  and  64  are placed over and engage the sides  25  and  26 . The lid  60  is designed to close out and conceal a storage chamber area  245  on the beverage dispenser  200  and will be explained in greater detail herein. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 10-12  illustrate the icemaker  100  and the beverage dispenser  200 . The icemaker  100  is one well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the icemaker  100  is mounted on top of the beverage dispenser  200  such that the icemaker  100  automatically loads the beverage dispenser  200  with ice. In particular, the ice made by the icemaker  100  drops by gravity into the storage chamber area  245  of a beverage dispenser  200  and is then dispensed from the beverage dispenser  200  when a lever or button for ice is pushed. 
         [0030]    The beverage dispenser  200  dispenses various forms of beverages, including soft drinks, uncarbonated drinks, water, flavored drinks, and concentrates thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the beverage dispenser  200  includes a rear wall  240 , a front wall  239 , a first sidewall  241 , a second sidewall  242 , and a display  290 . In addition, the beverage dispenser  200  further includes an upper face (not shown) and a storage chamber  245  disposed within the walls  239 ,  240 ,  241 , and  242 . The upper face receives the base  20  of the adapter  10  and rides along the uppermost edges of the dispenser walls  239 ,  240 ,  241 , and  242 . The storage chamber  245  is typically utilized to store a product for dispensing, illustratively ice. The beverage dispenser  200  may still further include a dispensing port, and an actuation lever  247  for receiving the signal to move the product from the storage chamber  245  to the dispensing port for use. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 10-12  illustrate the integration of the icemaker  100  and the beverage dispenser  200  using the adapter  10 . The integration of the icemaker  100  and the beverage dispenser  200  begins by placing the base  20  of the adapter  10  onto the upper face of the beverage dispenser  200 . The base  20  is oriented on the beverage dispenser  200 , such that the front  23 , the back  24 , and sides  25 - 26  of the base  20  align with the front wall  239 , the rear wall  240 , the first side wall  241 , and the second side wall  242  of the beverage dispenser  200 , respectively. Specifically, after the base  20  aligns with the beverage dispenser  200 , the base  20  sits atop the upper face of the beverage dispenser  200  such that the internal lips  36  of the base  20  reside adjacent interior portions of the front  11239 , the first and second side walls  241  and  242 , and the rear wall  240 . The internal lips  36  secure the base  20  of the adapter  10  with the beverage dispenser  200  and prevent the base  20  from sliding off the beverage dispenser  200 . 
         [0032]    Once the base  20  has been placed on the beverage dispenser  200 , one or more brackets  40  may be installed within the base  20  to allow integration of the icemaker  100  with the beverage dispenser  200 . If one bracket  40  is required to integrate the icemaker  100  with the beverage dispenser  200 , a first bracket  40  is placed within the passage  27  of the base  20  such that the first rail engagement surfaces  45  and  46  align and engage the first bracket engagement surface  31  of the rails  28  and  29 . Furthermore, the second rail engagement surfaces  47  and  48  align with and engage the second bracket engagement surface  32  of the rails  28  and  29 . After installing the bracket  40 , the first bracket  40  is moved to a desired location within the passage  27 . In particular, the first bracket  40  is moved within the passage  27  such that the first bracket  40  resides against either the first side  51  or the second side  52  of the passage  27 . 
         [0033]    If two brackets  40  are required to integrate the icemaker  100  with the beverage dispenser  200 , a second bracket  40  is placed within the passage  27  of the base  20  such that the first rail engagement surfaces  45  and  46  align and engage the first bracket engagement surface  31  of the rails  28  and  29 . Furthermore, the second rail engagement surfaces  47  and  48  align with and engage the second bracket engagement surface  32  of the rails  28  and  29 . After installing the first bracket  40  and the second bracket  40 , the first bracket  40  and the second bracket  40  are moved to a desired location within the passage  27 . In particular, the second bracket  40  is moved within the passage  27  such that the second bracket  40  engages the first bracket  40 . The abutting first and second brackets  40  may reside against either the first side  51  or the second side  52  of the passage  27 . Alternatively, the first bracket  40  and the second bracket  40  may reside opposite each other against the first side  51  and the second side  52  of the passage  27 . 
         [0034]    If three brackets  40  are required to integrate the icemaker  100  with the beverage dispenser  200 , a third bracket  40  is placed within the passage  27  of the base  20  such that the first rail engagement surfaces  45  and  46  align and engage the first bracket engagement surface  31  of the rails  28  and  29 . Furthermore, the second rail engagement surfaces  47  and  48  align with and engage the second bracket engagement surface  32  of the rails  28  and  29 . After installing the first bracket  40 , the second bracket  40 , and the third bracket  40 , the first bracket  40 , the second bracket  40 , and the third bracket  40  are moved to a desired location within the passage  27 . In particular, the second bracket  40  is moved within the passage  27  such that the second bracket  40  engages the first bracket  40 . The abutted first and second brackets  40  may reside against either the first side  51  or the second side  52  of the passage  27 . The third bracket  40  will then reside opposite the first bracket  40  and the second bracket  40  against the first side  51  or the second side  52  of the passage  27 . Alternatively, the second bracket  40  and the third bracket  40  are moved within the passage  27  such that the second bracket  40  engages the first bracket  40  and the third bracket engages the second bracket  40 . The abutted first, second, and third brackets  40  may reside against either the first side  51  or the second side  52  of the passage  27 . 
         [0035]    If four brackets  40  are required to integrate the icemaker  100  with the beverage dispenser  200 , a fourth bracket  40  is placed within the passage  27  of the base  20  such that the first rail engagement surfaces  45  and  46  align and engage the first bracket engagement surface  31  of the rails  28  and  29 . Furthermore, the second rail engagement surfaces  47  and  48  align with and engage the second bracket engagement surface  32  of the rails  28  and  29 . After installing the first bracket  40 , the second bracket  40 , the third bracket  40 , and the fourth bracket  40 , the first bracket  40 , the second bracket  40 , the third bracket  40 , and the fourth bracket  40  are moved to a desired location within the passage  27 . In particular, the second bracket  40  is moved within the passage  27  such that the second bracket  40  engages the first bracket  40 . The abutted first and second brackets  40  may reside against either the first side  51  or the second side  52  of the passage  27 . The third bracket  40  is moved within the passage  27  such that the third bracket  40  engages the fourth bracket  40 . The abutted third and fourth brackets  40  will then be positioned opposite the first bracket  40  and the second bracket  40  against the first side  51  or the second side  52  of the passage  27 . Conversely, the second bracket  40 , the third bracket  40 , and the fourth bracket  40  are moved within the passage  27  such that the second bracket  40  engages the first bracket  40 , the third bracket engages the second bracket  40 , and the fourth bracket  40  engages the third bracket  40 . The abutted first, second, third, and fourth brackets  40  may reside against either the first side  51  or the second side  52  of the passage  27 . Alternatively, the second bracket  40  and the third bracket  40  are moved within the passage  27  such that the second bracket  40  engages the first bracket  40  and the third bracket engages the second bracket  40 . The abutted first, second, and third brackets  40  may reside against either the first side  51  or the second side  52  of the passage  27 . The fourth bracket  40  will then reside opposite the first, second, and third brackets  40 , the against the first side  51  or the second side  52  of the passage  27 . 
         [0036]    After securing the base  20  and installing one or more of the brackets  40 , the beverage dispenser  200  is ready to receive the icemaker  100 . The icemaker  100  is placed on top of the adapter  10 . In particular, the icemaker  100  resides on and is supported by the one or more brackets  40  alone or if necessary in combination with any portion of the receiving surfaces  34  of the base  20  necessary to stabilize the icemaker  100  atop the beverage dispenser  200 . In addition, the icemaker  10  is positioned on the adapter  10  such that a dispensing zone  109  lies above the passage  27 , and ice dispensed from the icemaker  100  falls through the passage  27  to enter the storage chamber  245 . The icemaker  100  includes rubber feet (not shown) that create friction sufficient to prevent movement of the icemaker  100  from atop the beverage dispenser  200 . In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the icemaker  100  may be secured to the adapter  10  or may be restrained with an anti-slide mechanism (not shown) to minimize the possibility of the icemaker  100  falling from the top of the beverage dispenser  200 . 
         [0037]    With the adapter  10  and the icemaker  100  installed on the beverage dispenser  200 , a portion of the storage chamber area  245  is still accessible, such that an operator may scoop ice manually or to provide access for cleansing operations. The storage chamber area  245  may be fully covered with the lid  60 . Specifically, the lid  60  inserts over the top  21  of the base  20  such that the sides  63  and  64  of the lid  60  are placed over and engage the sides  25  and  26  of the base  20  thereby fully covering the storage chamber area  245 . 
         [0038]    The adapter  10  allows beverage dispenser  200  to accommodate icemakers  100  of different sizes and allows the icemaker  100  to reside at multiple positions on the adapter  10 . A icemaker  100  may reside solely on the receiving surfaces  34  of the base  20  and a smaller icemaker  100  may reside on a combination of the receiving surfaces  34  and the brackets  40  or solely on the brackets  40 . Furthermore, the base  20  and the brackets  40  allow an icemaker  100  to be positioned centrally or to be offset to the left, right, front, or back of a central portion of the passage  27  thereby allowing the icemaker  100  to reside centrally or to be offset to the left, right, front, or back of a central portion above the storage chamber  245  using a combination of once or more brackets  40  as previously described. As described above, an icemaker  100  can be positioned centrally in the passage  27  using no brackets  40  or an even number of brackets  40  such as 2 or 4 placed opposite each other on the first side  51  and the second side  52  of the passage  27 . Conversely, an icemaker  100  may be offset to the left, right, front, or back of a central portion of the passage  27  using a combination of one or more brackets  40  as previously described. 
         [0039]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing detailed description; rather, it is defined only by the claims that follow.