Abstract:
A tray apparatus for a refrigerator is provided which optimizes the use of storage space in the refrigerator. A position of the tray within a storage space of the refrigerator is varied through the use of elastic means which moves the tray toward an upper surface of the storage space as an article is stored thereon. The tray is supported by supporting links which are then connected through interlocking links so that they are integrally pivoted. The link mechanisms are supported on the upper surface of the storage space. Thus, a storage article with a relatively large bottom area can be easily stored in the vicinity of the upper surface of the storage space, which is usually out of use, thereby maximizing the use of the storage space in the refrigerator.

Description:
This is a Continuation of prior application Ser. No. 10/458,241, filed on Jun. 11, 2003, now abandoned, entitled TRAY APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATOR. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a tray apparatus for a refrigerator, which is designed to occupy a predetermined space only when articles are to be placed thereon, so that an interior space of the refrigerator can be efficiently utilized. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a configuration of a general refrigerator. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a freezing chamber  3  and a refrigerating chamber  5 , which serve as a storage space for keeping or storing articles therein, are formed within a refrigerator body  1 . The freezing chamber  3  and the refrigerating chamber  5  are divided by a barrier  7 . Thus, the interior temperatures thereof are set to be different from each other so that the articles can be stored individually according to respective features of the articles. 
   A plurality of shelves  8  are installed at a predetermined vertical interval within the freezing chamber  3  and the refrigerating chamber  5  so that the storage space can be efficiently utilized. The freezing chamber  3  and the refrigerating chamber  5  are shielded from the outside and opened selectively by the doors  9 , respectively. Inner faces of the doors  9  are provided with a plurality of baskets  11  for keeping the articles therein. Reference numeral  5 ′ is a vegetable container which is partitioned separately at a lower portion of the refrigerating chamber  5  so that vegetable or fruit is stored therein. 
   That is, the articles are stored in the freezing chamber  3  and the refrigerating chamber  5  of the refrigerator. More specifically, the articles are stored on the floor, the shelves  8  or in the baskets  11  of the freezing and refrigerating chambers  3  and  5 , according to respective kinds and sizes of the articles. 
   However, there are the following problems in the aforementioned prior art. 
   An area in the freezing and refrigerating chambers  3  and  5 , on which the articles can be placed, is generally limited. Thus, in order to store or keep a lot of articles in the chambers, the articles may be placed one above another. However, this results in the following inconvenience. That is, if any lower one of the stacked articles is to be taken out from the chamber, all the articles placed above the specific article should be displaced. 
   In particular, an article with a large bottom area, e.g. a pizza box or a flat article, occupies a large bottom area of the storage space, while a space above the article is left to be unused. Thus, there is another problem in that space efficiency is lowered. In such a case, other articles may be put on the top of the flat article such as the pizza box. However, it is still very inconvenient for a user to take out the pizza box or the like in a stacked state as mentioned above. 
   Furthermore, spaces in the vicinity of a ceiling surface of the storage space (for example, ceilings of the freezing and refrigerating chambers  3  and  5 , bottom surfaces of the shelves  8 , and the like) are not substantially often used for storing the articles. This is because the height of the article is generally lower than a distance between the adjacent shelves  8  or between one of the shelves  8  and the ceiling surface. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is conceived to solve the above problems in the prior art. 
   Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tray apparatus for a refrigerator by which an article with a large bottom area can be more efficiently received in a storage space of the refrigerator. 
   Another object of the present invention is to a tray apparatus for a refrigerator by which an upper portion of a storage space can be more efficiently utilized. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objects, there is provided a tray apparatus for a refrigerator, which comprises a tray on which an article to be stored is placed, link mechanisms which support both sides of the tray such that the tray can be lifted to and lowered from a ceiling surface of a storage space, and holders for allowing the link mechanisms to be pivotally mounted to the ceiling surface of the storage space. 
   Preferably, each of the link mechanisms includes a plurality of supporting links which are pivotally mounted to the holder and pivotally support the tray on respective one ends thereof, and an interlocking link which connects the plurality of supporting links to one another to cause the ends of the supporting links to be pivoted through the same angle. 
   More preferably, each of the link mechanisms receives an elastic force from one of elastic members and causes the tray to be brought into close contact with the ceiling surface of the storage space. 
   Further, each of the elastic members may be connected to the relevant holder and interlocking link at both ends thereof so that the elastic force is applied in a direction in which the tray is brought into close contact with the ceiling surface of the storage space. 
   Furthermore, each of the elastic members may be installed at the centers of pivot of the supporting links so that the elastic force is applied in a direction in which the tray is brought into close contact with the ceiling surface of the storage space. 
   Preferably, connecting links are engaged with opposite ends of the supp orting links, respectively, at a predetermined angle with respect to longitudinal directions of the supporting links, and other ends of the connecting links are pivotally connected to relevant ends of the interlocking links. 
   The connecting links and the supporting links may be integrally pivoted. 
   A front end of the tray may be formed into a downwardly sloped portion that is curved downwardly. 
   The ceiling surface of the storage space may be one of a ceiling of a freezing chamber, a ceiling of a refrigerating chamber, and a bottom surface of any one of shelves. 
   According to the tray apparatus of the present invention, there are advantages in that the article with a relatively large bottom area can be efficiently stored in the refrigerator without using a floor surface of a storage space, and thus, the space efficiency of the storage space can be improved by using a space in the vicinity of a ceiling surface of the storage space in the refrigerator. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of a general refrigerator; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a configuration of a tray apparatus for a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3   a  is a side view showing a state where a tray of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is in close contact with a ceiling of a storage space; 
       FIG. 3   b  is a side view showing a state where the tray of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is fully lowered from the ceiling; 
       FIG. 4   a  is a plan view of the tray of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4   b  is a side view of a supporting link of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4   c  is a front view of a connecting link of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4   d  is a side view of the connecting link of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4   e  is a front view of an interlocking link of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4   f  is a front view of a holder of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4   g  is a plan view of the holder of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating how to operate the tray apparatus in a state where an article is placed on the tray of the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Hereinafter, a tray apparatus for a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIGS. 2–5  show the configuration of the tray apparatus for the refrigerator according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 2–5 , a tray  50  is formed in a substantially rectangular shape by arranging a plurality of wires on a frame of the tray. An article b to be stored is placed on the tray  50 . The tray  50  may be made of various materials, e.g. a transparent plastic material. Bores  52  are installed on front and rear locations at both sides of a bottom face of the tray  50 . The bores  52  at each side may be connected with each other. 
   A front end of the tray  50  is formed into a downwardly sloped portion  54  that is curved downwardly at a predetermined angle. The downwardly sloped portion  54  of the tray  50  causes a predetermined gap to be defined between the portion  54  and a ceiling surface c of the storage space when the tray  50  comes into close contact with the ceiling surface. Thus, a user can easily lower the tray  50  owing to the gap. 
   The tray  50  is supported at the ceiling surface c of the storage space through link mechanisms such that it can be lifted to or lowered from the ceiling surface. Supporting links  60  are first installed in such a manner that respective ends thereof are connected to the relevant bores  52  of the tray  50 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, four supporting links  60  are utilized. 
   As clearly shown in  FIG. 4   b , each of the supporting links  60  is provided at one end thereof with an engaging hook  62  that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the supporting link  60 . The engaging hook  62  is rotatably fitted into the bore  52  of the tray  50 . At this time, the engaging hook  62  is not inadvertently removed from the bore  52  since it is fitted with a predetermined elastic force resulting from its own inherent shape. 
   Each of the supporting links  60  is provided at the other end thereof with a rotating shaft portion  64  that protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction of the engaging hook  62 . The rotating shaft portion  64  is supported in one of holders  100  to be described later and becomes a center of pivot for the supporting link  60 . An engaging hook  66  is provided at a tip end of the rotating shaft portion  64 . The engaging hook  66  is used to cause the supporting link  60  to be fixed to one of connecting links  70  to be described later. 
   Each of the connecting links  70  is coupled to the engaging hook  66  of the relevant supporting link  60 . At this time, the connecting link  70  is coupled in such a manner that its imaginary extension line intersects with an imaginary longitudinal extension line of the supporting link  60  at a predetermined angle between them. Further, the supporting link  60  and the connecting link  70  do not rotate with respect to each other. Therefore, the supporting link  60  and the connecting link  70  may be integrally formed with each other. 
   A fixing bore  72  is formed at an end of the connecting link  70 . A hole  73  is formed within the fixing bore  72 . The engaging hook  66  is inserted into the hole  73  so that the connecting link  70  and the supporting link  60  are engaged with each other. The hole  73  is substantially rectangular in cross section. An engaging hook  75  is formed at the other end of the connecting link  70 . The engaging hook  75  is used to connect with one of interlocking links  80  to be described later. 
   Each of the interlocking links  80  allows a pair of supporting links  60  for supporting the one side of the tray  50  to rotate together at the same angle and is connected with the two connecting links  70 . Engaging holes  82  are formed at both ends of each of the interlocking links  80 , and the engaging hook  75  of the connecting link  70  is rotatably fitted into the relevant engaging hole  82 . A connecting piece  84  is formed at one side of the interlocking link  80  so that one end of one of elastic members  90  to be described later is hooked thereto. 
   Each of the elastic members  90  provides an elastic force to the relevant link mechanism and causes the tray  50 , which is lifted or lowered by the link mechanisms, to always come into close contact with the ceiling surface c of the storage space. The one end of the elastic member  90  is connected to the connecting piece  84 , and the other end thereof is connected to a fixed portion such as one side of each of the holders  100  to be described later. In the embodiment, a coil spring has been used as the elastic member  90 , but it is not necessarily limited thereto. A torsion spring, which imparts an elastic force to the supporting link  60  around the rotating shaft portion  64  of the supporting link  60 , may be utilized. 
   In the meantime, the link mechanisms are supported on the ceiling surface c of the storage space by means of the holders  100 . The holders  100  are installed at portions corresponding to the both sides of the tray  50 , as clearly shown in  FIGS. 4   f  and  4   g . Hooks  102  for the attachment of the holder to the ceiling surface c and screw holes  103  are formed at both ends of each of the holders  100 . A link receiving portion  104  is formed in the holder  100 . The interlocking link  80 , the elastic member  90 , and the like are placed in the link receiving portion  104  corresponding to a space formed in a longitudinal direction of the holder  100 . 
   Supporting ribs  106  are formed in the middle of the both ends of the holder  100 , respectively. Link holes  107  are also formed on the supporting ribs and corresponding outer surfaces of the holder  100 . The rotating shaft portion  64  of the supporting link  60  is fitted into and supported by the relevant one of the link holes  107  that penetrates through the supporting ribs  106  and the corresponding outer surfaces of the holder  100 . 
   An operation of the tray apparatus of the present invention constructed as such will be hereinafter explained in detail. 
   First, it will be described how to assemble the tray apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The holders  100  into which the link mechanisms are assembled are mounted on the ceiling surface c of the storage space. The holders  100  are installed at right and left portions of the ceiling surface of the storage space at a predetermined interval. 
   In each of the supporting links  60  of the link mechanisms, the rotating shaft portion  64  is fitted into the relevant holder  100  through the link hole  107 , and the relevant connecting link  70  is fixed to the connecting hook  66 . The relevant pair of connecting links  70  at fore and aft ends is connected via the relevant interlocking link  80 . The interlocking link  80  is supported by the relevant elastic member  90  so that the associated supporting links  60  are subjected to the elastic force for causing them to be urged to the ceiling surface c of the storage space. 
   The tray  50  is connected to the lower ends of the supporting links  60  of the link mechanisms. The tray  50  is supported at the both sides by the supporting links  60 , in which the engaging hooks  62  of the supporting links  60  facing each other inward the holders  100  at the both sides are rotatably inserted into the bores  52  provided on the front and rear locations at the both sides of the tray  50 . 
   When the tray  50  is installed at the lower ends of the supporting links  60  in such a way, the tray  50  is in close contact with the ceiling surface c of the storage space by means of the elastic forces of the elastic members  90 , as shown in  FIG. 3   a . At this time, since the supporting links  60  are also rotated therewith to be urged to the ceiling surface c of the storage space, the connecting links  70  connected to opposite ends of the supporting links  60  are in the rotated state shown in  FIG. 3   a . Such rotation is achieved by the elastic forces of the elastic members  90 . Therefore, the interlocking links  80  have been moved to a relatively left position as viewed in the figure. 
   Meanwhile, in order to lower the tray  50 , a user merely grasps the downwardly sloped portion  54  formed at the front end of the tray  50  and exerts a force on the sloped portion so that the tray is moved downward and rearward. When the user exerts the force on the tray  50 , the link mechanisms that support the tray  50  are pivoted while overcoming the elastic forces of the elastic members  90 . 
   That is, the supporting links  60  and the connecting links  70  are integrally pivoted on the rotating shaft portion  64  in a clockwise direction and the interlocking links  80  are moved rightward when viewed in the figure.  FIG. 3   b  shows the state where the tray  50  is fully lowered. 
   Next, storing an article b on the tray  50  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 3   b , the article b such as a thin, hexahedral pizza box is placed on the tray  50  in the state where the tray  50  is fully lowered. When the user relinquishes his/her hold of the tray  50 , the supporting links  60  and the connecting links  70  of the fink mechanisms are lifted while pivoting in a counterclockwise direction by means of the elastic forces of the elastic members  90 . 
   The lift of the tray  50  continues until a top surface of the article b placed on the tray  50  comes into contact with the ceiling surface c of the storage space, so that the state shown in  FIG. 5  is achieved. Therefore, the article b is stored in the state where it is in close contact with the tray  50  and the ceiling surface c of the storage space by means of the elastic forces of the elastic members  90 . 
   Meanwhile, the ceiling surface c of the storage space on which the tray apparatus of the present invention is mounted may be a ceiling of the refrigerating chamber, a ceiling of the freezing chamber, a bottom surface of any one of shelves for vertically partitioning the refrigerating and freezing chambers, or the like. 
   As described above in detail, the tray apparatus for the refrigerator according to the present invention is configured in such a manner that the link mechanisms are installed to impart the elastic forces to the tray in a direction in which the tray is brought into close contact with the ceiling surface of the storage space. Thus, the article with a relatively large bottom area can be additionally stored in the vicinity of the ceiling surface of the storage space, which is usually out of use. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the storage space can be efficiently utilized. 
   Furthermore, when the tray apparatus is not in use, the tray is brought into close contact with the ceiling surface of the storage space. Thus, there is another advantage in that the tray apparatus does not further occupy an additional storage space. 
   The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above but defined by the appended claims. It will be apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes thereto within the scope defined by the claims.