Patent Publication Number: US-8108972-B2

Title: Door handle for refrigerator

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a door handle for a refrigerator, which is used for opening or closing a door that opens or closes a storage space in the refrigerator. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The configuration of a refrigerator mounted with a conventional door handle will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . A storage space  3  is formed inside a refrigerator main body  1 . The storage space  3  may be partitioned into a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, which are located at upper and lower portions of the main body  1 , respectively. A pair of refrigerating chamber doors  5  for selectively opening or closing the refrigerating chamber are provided at both ends of a front face of the upper portion of the main body  1 , and a freezing chamber door  7  for selectively opening or closing the freezing chamber is installed at a front face of the lower portion of the main body  1 . 
     Door handles  5 ′ and  7 ′ are installed on the refrigerating chamber doors  5  and the freezing chamber door  7 , respectively. The door handles  5 ′ and  7 ′ are constructed such that handle holders  6 ′ and  8 ′ supporting both ends of each of handle bars  6  and  8  are fixed to the doors  5  and  7 , respectively. The both ends of each of the handle bars  6  and  8  are inserted into and fixed to the handle holders  6 ′ and  8 ′. 
     The handle bars  6  and  8  may comprise main bodies  6   a  and  8   a  constituting the bodies of the handle bars  6  and  8 , and decorations  6   b  and  8   b  for decorating front faces, respectively. In this case, the main bodies  6   a  and  8   a  are generally made of a metallic material such as aluminum, and the decorations  6   b  and  8   b  are generally made of a material such as plastics. 
     However, the conventional door handle described above has the following problems. 
     First, each of the handle bars  6  of the conventional door handles  5 ′ and  7 ′ is an elongated single bar. Thus, when a user grips and pulls the handle bars  6  with his/her hand, the handle bars  6  are repeatedly deformed and restored due to their elastic deformation. Thus, during use, coupling between the handle bars  6  and the handle holders  6 ′ and  8 ′ may be loosed so that the handle bars  6  come off or are shaken, which may cause a problem of inconvenience to the user. 
     In addition, since the main bodies  6   a  and  8   a  and the decorations  6   b  and  8   b  of the handle bars  6  are made of different materials, i.e., metal and plastics, they have different coefficients of thermal expansion. Thus, the main bodies  6   a  and  8   a  and the decorations  6   b  and  8   b  are expanded or contracted at different rates according to changes in indoor temperature, which may cause separation between them. Particularly, in a case where the handle bars  6  are assembled at a low temperature and used at a high temperature, the main bodies  6   a  and  8   a  made of a metallic material sensitive to thermal changes are expanded longer. Therefore, the main bodies  6   a  and  8   a  raise the handle holders  6 ′ and  8 ′, thereby causing a problem in that the decorations  6   b  and  8   b  relatively insensitive to thermal changes are separated or shaken. 
     In addition, since the handle bars  6  and  8  in the prior art are constructed such that the decorations  6   b  and  8   b  are simply mounted on the main bodies  6   a  and  8   a , there is a problem in that it is not possible to meet desires of users who want a variety of designs. 
     The handle bars  6  and  8  in the prior art function only as parts that are gripped and pulled by a user to open or close the doors  5  and  7 . However, since the user cannot see the handle bars  6  and  8  when intending to open or close the doors of the refrigerator in a dark state, for example at night, the user should turn on an additional lamp and then grip the handle bars  6  and  8  to open or close the doors  5  and  7 . 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     Accordingly, the present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a door handle with relatively enhanced strength. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a door handle that can be variously decorated. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a door handle of which components are firmly coupled to one another. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to diversify an appearance of a front face of a door handle. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to manufacture various kinds of door handles with minimized design changes of components. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide a door handle that can be easily identified even in the dark by mounting a luminous body therein. 
     Technical Solution 
     According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the objects, there is provided a door handle for a refrigerator, comprising a handle bar having a seating channel provided in a longitudinal direction in a front face thereof, and a translucent or transparent handle cover for shielding the seating channel; a decoration installed in the seating channel so as to be viewed from the outside through the handle cover; and handle holders provided at both ends of the handle bar to fix and support the handle bar at one side of a door. 
     Preferably, the handle bar has a cylindrical shape such that a space is formed therein. 
     Preferably, the handle bar includes: a handle bar body provided with hooking ribs formed to extend in parallel at both ends of a cross section thereof; and a cover base coupled with the hooking ribs of the handle bar body so as to be fastened to the handle bar body, wherein the seating channel is provided in the cover base so that the decoration and the handle cover are mounted thereto. 
     Preferably, cover end coupling pieces to be fastened to both ends of the cover base are formed at both ends of the handle cover, and the cover base is formed with coupling ribs corresponding to coupling holes formed in the cover end coupling pieces so that the handle cover and the cover base are coupled with each other. 
     Preferably, cover protrusions are formed at both longitudinal ends of the handle cover, and coupling recesses are formed at positions in the seating channel corresponding to the cover protrusions so that the cover protrusions can be seated in the coupling recesses. 
     Preferably, the decoration is made of a jewel or luminous body. 
     Preferably, each of the handle holders includes: a holder body formed with a bar seating groove in which an end of the handle bar is seated and engaged; and an end shield piece formed at an end of the holder body to shield the end of the handle bar. 
     Preferably, the end shield piece of the handle holder is formed with a coupling through-hole for coupling with each of end coupling pieces formed at both ends of the handle cover, and a cap is mounted to the coupling through-hole. 
     Preferably, the handle cover is made by injection-molding a synthetic resin, and the handle bar is made by extruding a metallic material. 
     According to other aspect of the present invention for achieving the objects, there is provided a door handle for a refrigerator, comprising: a handle bar having a seating channel formed in a longitudinal direction in a front face thereof, and a transparent or translucent handle cover for shielding the seating channel; a decoration installed in the seating channel so as to be viewed from the outside through the handle cover; and handle holders provided at both ends of the handle bar to fix and support the handle bar at one side of a door, wherein cover end coupling pieces are formed at both ends of the handle cover so as to extend toward the handle bar so that the cover end coupling pieces are coupled respectively with both ends of the handle bar. 
     Preferably, the handle bar includes: a handle bar body provided with hooking ribs formed to extend in parallel at both ends of a cross section thereof, and a cover base coupled with the hooking ribs of the handle bar body so as to be fastened to the handle bar body, wherein the seating channel is provided in the cover base so that the decoration and the handle cover are mounted thereto. 
     Preferably, the cover end coupling pieces of the handle cover are coupled to a coupling rib formed on the handle bar body. 
     Preferably, the cover end coupling pieces of the handle cover are coupled to a coupling rib formed on the cover base. 
     Preferably, the decoration is made of a jewel or luminous body. 
     Preferably, each of the handle holders includes: a holder body formed with a bar seating groove in which an end of the handle bar is seated and engaged; and an end shield piece formed at an end of the holder body to shield the end of the handle bar. 
     Preferably, the end shield piece of the handle holder is formed with a coupling through-hole for coupling with each of end coupling pieces formed at both ends of the handle cover, and a cap is mounted to the coupling through-hole. 
     According to other aspect of the present invention for achieving the objects, there is provided a door handle for a refrigerator, comprising: a handle bar including a handle bar body formed to be elongated in one direction and having an open front face, and a handle cover mounted to the open front face of the handle bar body; a decoration installed at a position on the front face of the handle bar body except a position where the handle cover is mounted; and handle holders provided at both ends of the handle bar to fix and support the handle bar at one side of a door. 
     Preferably, a decoration groove capable of receiving a decoration material is formed in a front face of the decoration, and a decoration cover made of a transparent or translucent material is mounted in the decoration groove of the decoration so that the interior of the decoration groove can be seen from the outside. 
     Preferably, the decoration material including a jewel or a luminous body is received in the decoration groove of the decoration. 
     Preferably, the decoration and the decoration cover are formed by injection-molding a synthetic resin, and the decoration cover contains a luminous or photoluminescence material. 
     Preferably, first fixing steps for mounting the handle cover are formed to face each other inside the open front face of the handle bar body, and second fixing steps for mounting the decoration are formed to face each other at portions inward with respect to the first fixing steps, wherein hook projections caught by the first fixing steps are formed to be elongated in a longitudinal direction of the handle cover at both ends of a rear face of the handle cover, and a plurality of hooks caught by the second fixing steps are formed along both ends of a rear face of the decoration. 
     Preferably, the handle bar body and the handle cover are formed by extruding a metallic material. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the objects, there is provided a door handle for a refrigerator, comprising: handle holders coupled to a door; and a handle bar with both ends mounted to and supported by the handle holders, wherein a decoration is installed to at least one side of the handle holder and the handle bar. 
     Preferably, the decoration emits light and is installed inside the handle bar or the handle holders, and the handle holders and the handle bar are at least partially transparent or translucent to transmit the light from the decoration to the outside. 
     Preferably, the decoration is interposed between the handle holders and the handle bar, contains a luminous body therein, and is transparent or translucent to transmit light to the outside. 
     Preferably, the decoration has a ring shape and contains a luminous body therein. 
     Preferably, the decoration has a cylindrical shape so that the handle bar or the handle holders pass therethrough, and a luminous body is installed inside the decoration. 
     Preferably, the luminous body provided in the decoration is one selected from an LED, a lamp, a light emitting material and a fluorescent material. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     With the door handle for a refrigerator according to the present invention constructed as above, the strength of the door handle is relatively reinforced. Thus, there are advantages in that no deformation occurs upon operation of the door handle, durability thereof is improved, and various decorations can be made thereon. 
     Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, components of the door handle are firmly coupled to one another. Thus, there are advantages in that the strength of the entire door handle is relatively improved and it is possible to minimize the occurrence of relative deformation between components with different properties. 
     Moreover, according to another embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage in that it is possible to make various kinds of door handles with minimized design changes of their components. 
     In addition, according to the present invention, since a luminous body is contained in the door handle and emits light, there are advantages in that a user can easily identify the door handle even in the dark and the door handle itself can act as a light, resulting in better convenience to the user. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the configuration of a front face of a refrigerator with a conventional door handle. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing major potions of a door handle for a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a state where the door handle is installed on a door. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the door handle of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing major portions of the door handle of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing major portions of a door handle according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view showing the configuration of a front face of a refrigerator equipped with a door handle according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the door handle of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the configuration of the door handle of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view showing major portions of the door handle of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view showing a decoration and a decoration cover of the door handle of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 11  is a partial front view showing that a door handle according to a further embodiment of the present invention is installed on a refrigerator door. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE 
     Hereinafter, the configurations of door handles for a refrigerator according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , a door  10  for opening or closing a storage space of a refrigerator has a front face defined by a front panel  12 . Of course, an outer door may be provided inside the front panel  12  to shield an insulation layer. The door  10  has a rear face defined by a door liner (not shown). 
     In addition, decoration bars (not shown) define side surfaces and upper and lower surfaces of the door  10 . Among the decoration bars, a side decoration bar  14  defining one side surface is constructed to shield a portion of an edge of the front panel  12 . Through-holes  15  are formed in portions of the side decoration bar  14 , which shields the edge of the front panel  12 , in order to mount handle holders  20  that will be explained later. Mount brackets  16  with through-holes  16 ′ at positions corresponding to the through-holes  15  are positioned on an inner surface of the side decoration bar  14 . The mount brackets  16  are coupled to the side decoration bar  14  together with the handle holders  20  by means of screws (not shown). 
     The handle holders  20  are mounted on the portions of the side decoration bar  14 , which correspond to the edge of the front panel  12  defining the front face of the door  10 . Each of the handle holders  20  has a holder body  22 . The holder body  22  has a substantially elongated hexahedral shape. A bar seating groove  24  is formed in the holder body  22  in a longitudinal direction. The bar seating groove  24  is formed at a side opposite to the side where the holder body  22  is coupled to the side decoration bar  14 . A coupling hole  24 ′ is formed in the bar seating groove  24  of the holder body  22 . The coupling hole  24 ′ is a portion through which a screw for coupling with a handle bar  30 , which will be explained later, passes. 
     An end shield piece  26  is formed to protrude at an end of the holder body  22 . The end shield piece  26  protrudes from the end of the holder body  22  in a direction opposite to the side decoration bar  14 . A coupling through-hole  27  is formed in the end shield piece  26 . The coupling through-hole  27  is used for coupling a base  34  and a handle cover  42 , which will be explained later. The coupling through-hole  27  is shielded by a cap  28 . That is, the cap  28  shields the coupling through-hole  27  so that coupled portions of the cover base  34  and the handle cover  42  cannot be seen from the outside. The cap  28  has a disk shape and is provided with resilient legs  28 ′ at both side ends thereof the cap  28  such that the resilient legs can be engaged with the coupling through-hole  27  of the end shield piece  26 . 
     The handle bar  30  includes a handle bar body  31  and the cover base  34 . Depending on design conditions, the handle bar body  31  and the cover base  34  may be formed integrally with each other. Here, a predetermined space is formed in the handle bar  30 . This space functions to reinforce the strength of the handle bar  30  so that the handle bar cannot to be easily deformed. That is, due to the formation of the space, the handle bar body  31  has a specific shape reinforcing the strength thereof. In particular, the strength can be reinforced by mounting the cover base  34  or the like at an entrance of the space formed in the handle bar body  31 . Both ends of the handle bar  30  are coupled to and supported by the handle holders  20 . 
     The handle bar body  31  extends in a vertical or lateral direction of the door  10 , and both ends of the handle bar body  31  are coupled to the handle holders  20  and thus supported by the door  10 . The handle bar body  31  may be made by extruding a metallic material. Thus, the handle bar body  31  has a uniform cross section in a longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the handle bar body  31  has, in cross section, a semi-cylindrical shape of which both side ends linearly extend in parallel by a certain distance. That is, hooking ribs  32  are formed to extend forward at both side ends of the cross section of the handle bar body  31 . A hooking protrusion  33  is formed at a front end of each of the hooking ribs  32 . The hooking ribs  32  and the hooking protrusions  33  are continuously formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the handle bar body  31 . 
     The cover base  34  is engaged with the hooking ribs  32  of the handle bar body  31 . The cover base  34  has the same length as the handle bar body  31  and functions to reinforce the handle bar  30  through coupling with the handle bar  30 . Coupling ribs  35  caught by the hooking protrusions  33  are formed at both ends of a rear face of the cover base  34  in the longitudinal direction. Coupling ribs  35  are also formed on the cover base  34 . The coupling ribs  35  are portions that are to be coupled with a cover end coupling piece  45  of the handle cover  42 , which will be explained later. 
     A seating channel  36  is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction in a front face of the cover base  34 . An additional decoration  40  is put into the seating channel  36 . Various kinds of decorations can be used as the decoration  40 . For example, decorations having colors or made of materials different from that of the handle bar body  31  or the cover base  34 , or employing luminous bodies may be used to give various aesthetic senses. 
     In addition, a jewel such as crystal may be used for the decoration  40  so that the door handle looks more elegant. The decoration  40  may be Swarovski stone as an example. 
     Coupling recesses  38  are formed in the seating channel  36  of the cover base  34  at positions departing from a front face of the decoration  40 . The coupling recesses  38  extend in the longitudinal direction of the cover base  34 . The coupling recesses  38  are formed at opposite positions in the seating channel  36 . 
     The handle cover  42  is installed in the seating channel  36  in which the decoration  40  has been seated. The handle cover  42  is made of a transparent material. For example, the handle cover  42  is formed by injection-molding a transparent PC material. The handle cover  42  is provided with cover protrusions  43  to be seated in the coupling recesses  38 . The cover protrusions  43  are seated in the coupling recesses  38  so that the handle cover  42  can be coupled with the cover base  34 . The cover protrusions  43  are formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction along both side ends of the handle cover  42 . 
     The cover end coupling pieces  45  are formed at both ends of the handle cover  42 . The cover end coupling pieces  45  are formed to be perpendicular to the other portions of the handle cover  42 . A through-hole  47  is formed in each of the cover end coupling pieces  45 . The cover end coupling pieces  45  are used for coupling thereof with the cover base  34 . 
     Hereinafter, the operation of the door handle for a refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention constructed as above will be described in detail. 
     First, an operation for assembling the door handle of the present invention will be explained. The decoration  40  is seated in the seating channel  36  of the cover base  34 . At this time, a double-sided tape or an adhesive is preferably used so that the decoration  40  cannot be easily separated from the seating channel  36 . 
     After the decoration  40  is mounted to the cover base  34 , the handle cover  42  is mounted to the cover base  34 . To this end, the cover protrusions  43  of the handle cover  42  are placed in the coupling recesses  38  of the seating channel  36 . When the handle cover  42  is mounted over the entire length of the cover base  34 , the through-holes  47  of the cover end coupling pieces  45  are located at positions corresponding to the coupling ribs  35  of the cover base  34 . 
     In this state, the cover base  34  is assembled to the handle bar body  31 . Of course, the decoration  40  or the handle cover  42  may be mounted in the state where the cover base  34  is assembled to the handle bar body  31 . The cover base  34  is coupled to the handle bar body  31  in such a manner that the coupling ribs  35  at both ends of the rear face of the cover base are caught by the hooking protrusions  33  formed on the hooking ribs  32  of the handle bar body  31 . When the cover base  34  is assembled to the handle bar  30 , the hooking ribs  32  are slightly elastically deformed and then restored to their original states to fix the cover base  34 . 
     Then, the handle holders  20  are coupled to the handle bar body  31 . To this end, screws passing through the coupling holes  24 ′ formed in the bar seating grooves  24  of the handle holders  20  are fastened to the handle bar body  31 . In this way, the handle bar body  31  and the handle holders  20  are coupled with each other. 
     The handle holders  20  are coupled to the side decoration bar  14 . That is, in a state where the holder bodies  22  of the handle holders  20  are positioned on an outer side of the side decoration bar  14  and the mount brackets  16  are positioned on an inner side thereof, screws passing through the through-holes  16 ′ of the mount brackets  16  and the through-holes  15  of the side decoration bar  14  are fastened to the holder body  22 . In this way, the handle holders  20  are coupled to the side decoration bar  14 . 
     Meanwhile, a screw is fastened to the coupling ribs  35  of the cover base  34  and the cover end coupling piece  45  through the coupling through-hole  27  of the end shield piece  26  of each of the handle holders  20 . In this way, the handle holders  20 , the handle bar body  31  and the handle cover  42  are coupled with one another. Then, the cap  28  is mounted in the coupling through-hole  27  of the end shield piece  26  of each of the handle holders  20  so that the cover end shield piece  45  or the like cannot be seen from the outside. 
     Of course, the handle holders  20  and the handle cover  42  may be directly coupled depending on design conditions. This is because the handle bar body  31  is coupled to the holder bodies  22  of the handle holders  20  by means of screws. In this case, it is not necessary to form the coupling through-hole  27  in the end shield piece  26 , and to use the cap  28  as well. 
     When the handle holders  20  provided at the both ends of the handle bar  30  are coupled to the side decoration bar  14  in this way, the door handle is mounted to the door  10 . 
     In this embodiment, the cover base  34  and the handle bar body  31  of the handle bar  30  are formed by extruding a metallic material, and the handle cover  42  is formed by injection-molding a synthetic resin material. Thus, there may be difference in their coefficients of thermal expansion, but a coupling state thereof is not changed according to changes in environment since the both ends of the handle cover  42  are coupled with the cover base  34  by means of the cover end coupling pieces  45 . 
     For reference, the handle bar  30  may be formed not separately from but integrally with the handle bar body  31  and the handle cover  42  in this embodiment. However, in this case, the seating channel  36  may be formed in the front face of the handle bar  30  corresponding to the handle cover  42 , the decoration  40  may be placed in the seating channel, and the seating channel  36  may be shielded by the transparent handle cover  42 . 
     The handle cover  42  is not necessarily completely transparent and may be at least translucent or transparent. 
     Mode for Invention 
     Meanwhile,  FIG. 5  shows a door handle according to another embodiment of the present invention. For description of this embodiment, components corresponding to those of the previous embodiment described above are designated by like reference numerals but added by  100 , and only different components will be described below. 
     In this embodiment, a coupling rib  131 ′ is formed to be elongated in a handle bar body  131  of a handle bar  130  in a longitudinal direction of the handle bar body  131 . The coupling rib  131 ′ is used for coupling with cover end coupling pieces  145 . The coupling rib  131 ′ is formed over the entire length of the handle bar body  131 . This is because the handle bar body  131  is formed by extruding a metallic material. 
     Hooking ribs  132  are formed in parallel at both longitudinal ends of an open portion of the handle bar body  131 . Hooking protrusions  133  are formed at front ends of the hooking ribs  132  over the entire lengths of the hooking ribs  132 . The hooking protrusions  133  of the hooking ribs  132  at the both ends are formed to face each other. 
     A cover base  134  is installed in the open portion of the handle bar body  131  while being caught by the hooking ribs  132 . The cover base  134  is constructed such that hooks  135  to be caught by the hooking protrusions  133  of the hooking ribs  132  are formed on a rear side of the cover base in parallel at positions corresponding to the hooking protrusions  133 . 
     A seating channel (not shown) is formed in a front face of the cover base  134 . For example, a decoration (not shown) is mounted in the seating channel. Coupling recesses  138  are formed at an entrance of the seating channel of the cover base  134 . The coupling recesses  138  are formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the cover base  134 . 
     A handle cover  142  is mounted to the cover base  134 , and cover protrusions  143  are formed to be elongated at both ends of the handle cover in the longitudinal direction thereof. The cover protrusions  143  are seated in the coupling recesses  138  so that the handle cover  142  can be coupled to the cover base  134 . 
     The cover end coupling pieces  145  are formed at both ends of the handle cover  142  to be perpendicular to the other portions of the handle cover  142 . Through-holes  147  are formed in the cover end coupling pieces  145 , and the through-holes  147  are formed at positions corresponding to the coupling rib  131 ′ as well shown in  FIG. 5 . Thus, the cover end coupling pieces  145  are coupled to the handle bar body  131 . Since the handle cover  142  is coupled directly to the handle bar body  131  as mentioned above, the cover base  134  can be separated from the handle bar body  131  only when the handle cover  142  is separated from the handle bar body  131 . 
     The handle door for a refrigerator according to this embodiment mentioned above is assembled in the substantially same manner as the previous embodiment. However, since the handle cover  142  is coupled to the coupling rib  131 ′ of the handle bar body  131 , the entire handle bar  130  is coupled into one unit, so that a coupling state among the handle cover  142 , the cover base  134  and the handle bar body  131  is more secured as compared with the previous embodiment. 
     Now, a door handle according to a further embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 10 . 
     This embodiment will be explained in connection with a side-by-side type refrigerator. Doors  232  and  232 ′ are installed at a front face of a refrigerator main body  230 . The doors  232  and  232 ′ are used for selectively opening or closing storage spaces formed in the refrigerator main body  230 . A door handle  234  is installed at a front end of each of the doors  232  and  232 ′. 
     The door handle  234  includes handle holders  236  installed at upper and lower ends of a front face of each of the doors  232  and  232 ′, and a handle bar  238  of which both ends are supported by the handle holders  236 . The handle holders  236  allow the handle bar  238  to be supported while being spaced apart by a certain distance from the front face of each of the doors  232  and  232 ′. For reference, although the door handle  234  is vertically installed on the door in this embodiment, it may also be installed in a horizontal direction depending on the kind of a door. 
     The handle bar  238  includes a handle bar body  240  with a substantially U-shaped cross section. The handle bar body  240  is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction while its front end portion toward the front of each of the doors  232  and  232 ′ is opened. That is, the handle bar body  240  is formed by extruding a synthetic resin or metallic material to have the same sectional area over the entire length. The handle bar body  240  is preferably made of a metallic material, for example, aluminum. 
     First fixing steps  242  are formed along both sides at front ends of an open portion of the handle bar body  240 . The first fixing steps  242  are formed to be elongated over the entire length of the handle bar body  240 . The first fixing steps  242  at the both sides are formed to face each other. Second fixing steps  244  are formed to face each other at positions inward with respect to the positions where the first fixing steps  242  are formed. The second fixing steps  244  are also formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the handle bar body  240 . 
     A coupling rib  246  for coupling with the handle holders  236  is formed in the handle bar body  240 . The coupling rib  246  is formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the handle bar body  240  at a portion corresponding to the center of an inner face of the handle bar body  240 . 
     A handle cover  250  is mounted to a front end of the open portion of the handle bar body  240 . In this embodiment, at least two handle covers  250  are used. Although the handle cover.  250  has a convexly curved face facing the front of each of the doors  232  and  232 ′ in this embodiment, it is not necessarily limited thereto. The handle cover  250  is also formed by means of extrusion, and preferably made of a metallic material. For example, the handle cover  250  may be made of aluminum. 
     Hooks  252  to be caught by the first fixing steps  242  are formed at both ends of a rear face of the handle cover  250 . The hooks  252  are formed to face in opposite directions at both ends of each of portions protruding from the rear face of the handle cover  250 . The hooks  252  also extend in the longitudinal direction of the handle cover  250 . A coupling rib  254  for coupling with the handle holders  236  is formed along the center of the rear face of the handle cover  250 . 
     Meanwhile, a decoration  260  is coupled and installed together with the handle cover  250  to the handle bar body  240 . The decoration  260  is mounted to a portion of the handle bar body  240  where the handle cover  250  is not mounted. As seen from  FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, the decoration  260  is positioned slight above a central portion of the handle bar  238 . However, the position of the decoration  260  is not limited thereto. In addition, as the number of the handle covers  250  varies, the number of the decorations  260  may be changed. 
     The decoration  260  is formed by injection-molding a synthetic resin material. Thus, the decoration  260  can be implemented in relatively various shapes rather than the handle bar body  240  and the handle cover  250 . For example, the decoration  260  may be made of synthetic resins with various colors and have various shapes since its sectional shape is not necessarily consistent as a whole. 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10 , the decoration  260  is formed to be elongated generally in one direction but has different cross sectional shapes at respective portions contrary to the handle cover  250 . As for the detailed configuration of the decoration  260 , a plurality of hooks  262  are formed to extend rearward from a rear face of the decoration. The plurality of hooks  262  are formed at certain intervals along both sides of the rear face of the decoration  260 . A hook projection  263  is formed at a front end of each of the hooks  262  so as to be caught by the second fixing step  244  of the handle bar body  240 . The hooks  262  may be elastically deformed relatively more in view of their material and shape. 
     An open decoration groove  264  is formed in a front face of the decoration  260 . The decoration groove  264  is formed to be depressed in the front face of the decoration  260 . A plurality of coupling recesses  266  are formed around a periphery of the decoration groove  264 . 
     A decoration cover  270  is mounted in the decoration groove  264  of the decoration  260 . The decoration cover  270  may also be made by means of injection molding and is made of a synthetic resin material. In particular, the decoration cover  270  is preferably made of a transparent material. This is to allow an additional decoration installed in the decoration groove  264  to be seen from the outside. Of course, the decoration cover  270  may have a specific color and design to serve as a decoration by itself. 
     The decoration cover  270  is provided with coupling protrusions  272  at positions corresponding to the coupling recesses  266  of the decoration groove  264 . As the coupling protrusions  272  are seated in the coupling recesses  266 , the decoration cover  270  is fixed to the decoration  260  while being seated in the decoration groove  264 . In this state, a user cannot arbitrarily separate the decoration cover  270  from the decoration  260 . 
     Hereinafter, the operation of the door handle for a refrigerator according to this embodiment constructed as above will be described in detail. 
     First, a process of manufacturing the handle bar  238  will be explained. The handle bar body  240  and the handle cover  250  are made by means of extrusion. Of course, additional processing may be performed on outer surfaces of the handle bar body  240  and the handle cover  250  so as to have appearances with desired colors or patterns. 
     In addition, the decoration  260  and the decoration cover  270  are made by means of injection molding. The decoration  260  may have different colors and shapes by properly selecting a material in the injection molding process and designing a mold for injection molding into a desired shape. In fact, injection molding allows more various colors and shapes rather than extrusion. Thus, the decoration  260  and the decoration cover  270  may have various colors and shapes. 
     Then, the handle cover  250  is mounted to the handle bar body  240 . That is, the handle cover  250  is mounted to the handle bar body  240  in such a manner that the hooks  252  of the handle cover  250  are caught by the first fixing steps  242  of the handle bar body  240 . Here, when the handle cover  250  is mounted to the handle bar body  240 , elastic deformation of the front ends of the open portion of the handle bar body  240  and the rearward protruding portions of the handle cover  250  are used. 
     In this embodiment, two handle covers  250  are used and their lengths are changed according to the installation position of the decoration  260 . That is, referring to  FIG. 6 , the handle cover  250  provided at an upper end of the handle bar body  240  is relatively shorter than that provided at a lower end thereof in this embodiment. 
     After each of the handle covers  250  is mounted at a desired position on the handle bar body  240 , the decoration  260  is mounted at a remaining position. At this time, the hook projections  263  of the hooks  262  of the decoration  260  are caught by the second fixing steps  244  of the handle bar body  240 . Such a mounting operation of the decoration  260  uses elastic deformation of the hooks  262 . 
     Meanwhile, the decoration cover  270  is mounted in the decoration groove  264  of the decoration  260 . If the decoration cover  270  is made of a transparent material, a user may see the interior of the decoration groove  264 . That is, since decorations contained in the decoration groove  264  can be seen from the outside, the handle bar  238  can have a more beautiful appearance. 
     For reference, various decoration materials such as jewels, luminous bodies or objects with specific colors may be placed in the decoration groove  264 . 
     The handle bar  238  constructed as above in this embodiment is mounted to each of the doors  232  and  232 ′ by being coupled to the handle holders  236  mounted to each of the doors  232  and  232 ′ using the coupling ribs  246  and  254 . When the handle bar  238  is mounted to each of the doors  232  and  232 ′ using the handle holders  236  as mentioned above, a user can open or close each of the doors  232  and  232 ′ while gripping the handle bar  238  with his/her hand. 
     Now, a door handle according to a still further embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 11 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , door handles  334  and  334 ′ are installed to doors  332  and  332 ′ mounted to a refrigerator main body, respectively. The door handles  334  and  334 ′ serve as portions to which a user applies forces to open or close the doors  332  and  332 ′. 
     Each of the door handles  334  and  334 ′ includes handle holders  336  coupled to each of the doors  332  and  332 ′, and a handle bar  38  of which both ends are coupled to the handle holders  336 . The handle holders  336  and the handle bar  338  may be constructed similarly to those of the previous embodiments. 
     In this embodiment, a decoration  340  is contained at any one side of each of the door handles  334  and  334 ′, and the decoration  340  may be, for example, a luminous body. That is, a luminous body such as an LED or a lamp that emits light using supplied power, or a noctilucent or fluorescent substance is installed at one side of each of the door handles  334  and  334 ′. 
     As the decoration  340  in this embodiment, the luminous body may be installed at a side of the interior of the handle holder  336 . In a case where the luminous body is installed in the handle holder  336 , at least a part of the handle holder  336  should be made of a light transmission material so that light can be emitted to the outside. For example, if an LED or the like mentioned above is installed in the handle holder  336  and an end of the handle holder  336  (adjacent to the handle bar  338 ) is partially made of a light transmission material, light generated from the inner LED can be emitted outward through the part of the handle holder  336 . 
     Alternatively, the luminous body may also be installed in the handle bar  338 . Even in a case where a luminous body such as an LED is mounted inside the handle bar  338 , at least a part of the handle bar  338  should be made of a light transmission material. Otherwise, it will be apparent that the entire handle bar  338  is made of a light transmission material. 
     As another example, luminous bodies such as LEDs may be mounted at connections between the handle bar  338  and the handle holders  336 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the decorations  340  are interposed between the handle holders  336  and the handle bar  338 . The decoration  340  is formed to have the same sectional shape as the handle bar  338 , for example a circular section, and have a luminous body such as an LED or lamp therein. Alternatively, the decoration  340  may be made of a material containing a noctilucent substance or be coated with a noctilucent substance so as to emit light in the dark. Otherwise, the decoration  340  may be made of a photoluminescence material capable of absorbing light during a bright time but emitting light in the dark. 
     The decorations  340  are installed to be interposed between the handle bar  338  and the handle holders  336 . For example, the decoration  340  may be formed in a ring shape and have a luminous body such as LED or lamp contained therein. Alternatively, the decoration  340  may be made to have a cylindrical shape and to be interposed between the handle bar  338  and each of the handle holders  336 . If the decoration  340  is formed in a cylindrical shape, the handle bar  338  and the handle holders  336  are connected and supported while passing through the interior of the decoration  340 , and it will be apparent that the luminous body such as an LED or lamp should be installed not to interfere with the handle bar  338  and the handle holders  336 . 
     If the decoration  340  is made of a material capable of emitting light in this embodiment, a user can easily open or close the doors  332  and  332 ′ of the refrigerator even in the dark. In addition, such a decoration  340  may substantially have the function of illumination in a kitchen. That is, when coming to the kitchen at night, the user can move in a very convenient way due to light from the luminous body. Further, if an LED or lamp is used as the luminous body, it is preferably turned on or off using an additional switching device. 
     Meanwhile, the decoration  340  of this embodiment described above may be considered as the cover base  34  or  134  and the decoration  260  of the previous embodiments. Thus, the cover base  34  or  134  and the decoration  260  (or the decoration cover  270 ) themselves may be made of a luminous or photoluminescence material like the decoration  340 . 
     It will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the basic technical spirit of the invention described above, and the scope of the present invention should be construed based on the appended claims. 
     Industrial Applicability 
     The door handle for a refrigerator according to the present invention described above can be applied variously to a door for opening or closing a refrigerating chamber or a freezing chamber in a refrigerator having a refrigerating chamber provided at an upper portion and a freezing chamber at a lower portion or a refrigerator having a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber in parallel.