Patent Publication Number: US-9903637-B1

Title: Container system for a cabinet

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a container system for a cabinet and, in particular, to a container system for a refrigerator cabinet. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Refrigerator appliances can comprise a cabinet having an upper, fresh-food compartment with one or two vertically hinged doors and a lower, freezer compartment with a drawer-like door that slides open. To slidably couple the lower door to the cabinet, slide assemblies may be used that are mounted to interior side surfaces of the lower compartment. These slide assemblies can also be used to support a basket within the lower compartment and permit the basket to be slid in and out of the lower compartment. 
     Due to the combined weight of the lower door and basket and the tight tolerances for mounting the door to the cabinet, the slide assemblies coupling the door and basket to the cabinet typically need to be very robust. Moreover, the location of the slide assemblies within a freezer environment requires the use of expensive components that can tolerate and function properly in low temperatures. Thus, slide assemblies that are mounted within a freezer compartment to slidably couple a basket and door can be expensive. Moreover, when slide assemblies are mounted to interior side surfaces of a freezer compartment, the available space for a basket within the compartment is limited in a lateral dimension because the basket cannot extend completely from one side surface of the compartment to the other due to the presence of the slide assemblies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, a refrigerator comprises a cabinet defining an enclosure. The enclosure is bounded by a lower surface, a pair of opposing side surfaces and an upper surface. The refrigerator further comprises a door for providing selective access to the enclosure that is slidable relative to the cabinet between an open and a closed position, the door being slidably coupled to the cabinet by a slide assembly located externally of the enclosure. 
     In one example of the aspect, the refrigerator further comprises a container and a rail assembly slidably coupling the container to the cabinet so that the container can be slidably moved between a first position within the enclosure and a second position at least partially outside of the enclosure. The rail assembly is provided below the container. 
     In one example of the aspect, the rail assembly is coupled to the lower surface of the enclosure. 
     In another example of the aspect, the rail assembly comprises at least one linear guide member and at least one carriage member slidably coupled to the linear guide member. In one example, the container is fixedly coupled to the at least one carriage member. In another example, the container is fixedly coupled to the at least one carriage member such that a top surface of the at least one carriage member faces a bottom surface of the container. In yet another example, the at least one linear guide member comprises a substantially “I” shaped cross-section defining first and second linear guide channels. In still yet another example, the at least one carriage member comprises a substantially “C” shaped cross-section having a first horizontal portion that rests over the at least one linear guide member and two leg portions that extend downward from the first horizontal portion and straddle the at least one linear guide member. In another example, the rail assembly further comprises at least one bearing configured to facilitate sliding of the at least one carriage member along the at least one linear guide member. In yet another example, the at least one bearing comprises a first roller bearing provided within the first linear guide channel and a second roller bearing provided within the second linear guide channel. 
     In yet another example of the aspect, the rail assembly comprises a first linear guide member and a second linear guide member that is slidably coupled to the first linear guide member such that the second linear guide member can telescope in and out of the first linear guide member in a linear motion. In one example, the rail assembly is coupled to the door such that sliding of the door between the open and closed position causes the second linear guide member to telescope in or out of the first linear guide member. 
     In still yet another example of the aspect, the slide assembly comprises a support tube horizontally slidable through a linear bearing. In one example, the slide assembly further comprises a vertically oriented stanchion that is coupled to the support tube and received in the door. In another example, the door can be removed from the slide assembly by sliding the door vertically off of the stanchion. In yet another example, the stanchion is tapered and received in a complementary-shaped receiving cavity in the door. In still yet another example, the stanchion is removably coupled to the support tube. In another example, the stanchion comprises a sleeve portion that receives the support tube and is removably coupled to the support tube by a pin that is inserted through holes in the sleeve portion and support tube. In yet another example, the stanchion comprises a height that is at least ⅕ the height of the door. In still yet another example, the linear bearing is disposed in a support block coupled to a bottom portion of the cabinet below the enclosure. In another example, a roller support is rotatably coupled to the support block. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an example refrigerator, with French doors of the refrigerator partially broken away to show interior details; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the refrigerator; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial isometric view of a slide assembly on a left side of the refrigerator; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the bottom left front of the refrigerator; 
         FIG. 5  is a isometric view of a door of the refrigerator; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial isometric exploded view of a rail assembly and container of the refrigerator; and 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of the rail assembly and container of the refrigerator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Relative language used herein is best understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numerals are used to identify like or similar items. Further, in the drawings, certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form. 
     It is to be noted that the term “coupled” as used herein when describing two or more features means that the features can be integral with each other or that the features can be separate features that are removably or non-removably attached to each other using various means such as threads, fasteners, hooks, clips, adhesive, welds, or other means of attaching two separate features. Moreover, the features can be coupled such that the features are fixed relative to each other or such that the features can move relative to each other such as, for example, by sliding. 
     Examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which example embodiments are shown. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. However, aspects may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an example apparatus  10  is shown comprising a cabinet  12  defining an enclosure  14 . The apparatus  10  is an appliance and, more specifically, a refrigerator having a fresh-food compartment with French doors and a bottom-mounted freezer compartment, the enclosure  14  being the freezer compartment. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus  10  can be a refrigerator with an alternative arrangement of compartments or a refrigerator with a single compartment. The apparatus  10  can be any cabinet-like structure that comprises a cabinet defining an enclosure and may be characterized as a drawer, a desk, a container, a chest, a safe, a cupboard, a cabinet or the like. The enclosure  14  of the cabinet  12  may provide a particular type of environment for items stored therein and, for example, may be suitable for refrigeration, heating, sanitization, a vacuum, etc. 
     The enclosure  14  is bound by a lower surface  18 , a pair of opposing, interior side surfaces  20 , and an upper surface  22 . The apparatus  10  can comprise a door  26  that can be slidably coupled to the cabinet  12  for providing selective access to the enclosure  14 . For example, the door  26  can be slidably coupled to the cabinet  12  using one or more slide assemblies located externally of the enclosure  14  such as, for example, the pair of slide assemblies  28  shown in  FIG. 1 . The door  26  can be slidable between a closed position that prevents access to the enclosure  14  and an open position that permits access to the enclosure  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the slide assemblies  28  can each comprise a support tube  30  that is slidable through a linear bearing  32 . The support tube  30  is preferably formed of steel and can have a length approaching the front-to-back depth of the apparatus  10 , though other materials and lengths are possible. The support tube  30  can be a longitudinal member having a circular cross-section across its longitudinal axis, as in the illustrated embodiment, or the support tube  30  can have a cross-section of a different shape. Ideally, the bearing  32  is of the recirculating ball-type of known construction, though other bearing types are possible. 
     The support tube  30  and bearing  32  of each slide assembly  28  are preferably arranged such that the support tube  30  extends and slides horizontally through the bearing  32  in a front-to-back motion and vice versa. The linear bearing  32  can be disposed in a support block  34  that is coupled to a bottom portion of the cabinet  12  underneath the enclosure  14 . The support block  34  may be a metal die casting that is bolted or otherwise coupled to the cabinet  12 . Also disposed in the support block  34  may be a molded plastic roller support  38  that is rotatably coupled to the support block  34 . It will be understood that the weight of the cabinet  12  and its contents is largely transferred to the roller support  38  through the support block  34 . 
     Each slide assembly  28  can further comprises a stanchion  42  that is coupled to a front end of its support tube  30  to provide support for the door  26 . In the illustrated case, the stanchions  42  are hollow sheet metal weldments having a wedge shape that extends vertically. More specifically, each side of the stanchions  42  has a profile of a truncated isosceles triangle, though other shapes are possible. Each stanchion  42  can include a sleeve portion  44  at a lower end thereof that is proportioned to receive its associated support tube  30  with a slip fit. Each stanchion  42  can be removably coupled to its respective support tube  30  by sliding its sleeve portion  44  over the support tube  30  and inserting a hitch pin  48  through aligned holes in the sleeve portion  44  and tube  30 . 
     In order to couple the door  26  to the slide assemblies  28 , a bottom wall  52  of the door  26  can be molded or otherwise provided with surface structure in the form of female cavities  54  that can each have a shape complementary to the shape of the stanchions  42  to fit tightly over a respective one of the stanchions  42 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The complementary taper geometry of the stanchions  42  received in the door  26  and receiving cavities  54  of the bottom wall  52  can assure a friction fit when the door  26  is fully seated on the stanchions  42  to secure the door  26  on the stanchions  42  and minimize or eliminate free play between these elements. The vertical height of the stanchions  42  is preferably a major fraction of the height of the door  26 , being, for example, at least ⅕ and preferably ¼ or more of the door height. A spring latch may be provided to further retain the door  26  on the stanchions  42 . For example a flexible part of the stanchion  42  can have a detent that engages a slot or hole in the cavity  54  and have a flange accessible from below the door  26  for manual release of the latch. 
     By using the pair of slide assemblies  28  described above, the door  26  can be easily attached to or removed from the slide assemblies  28  of the cabinet  12  by sliding the door  26  vertically on or off of the stanchions  42  of the slide assemblies  28 . Moreover, because the slide assemblies  28  are located externally of the enclosure  14 , it is not necessary to manufacture the slide assemblies  28  using expensive components that can tolerate/function in low temperatures which may be present in the enclosure  14 . Furthermore, because the slide assemblies  28  are located externally of the enclosure  14 , more space is available within the enclosure  14  for items such as containers and/or foodstuff. However, it is to be appreciated that the apparatus  10  can comprise a variety of other structure for slidably coupling the door  26  to the cabinet  12  such as, for example, a single slide assembly or some other structure located externally of the enclosure  14 . Moreover, in some examples, the door  26  may be slidably coupled to the cabinet  12  using coupling structure (e.g., one or more slide assemblies) located within the enclosure  14 . The door  26  may be slidably coupled to the cabinet  12  using a variety of different structure. 
     Referring back now to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  10  can comprise a container  58  having a box-like shape that is insertable in the enclosure  14  though in some embodiments, the container  58  may have a shape other than that of a box and, for example, may be semi-cylindrical. The container  58  may be a basket formed from multiple parts such as interwoven wires or the container  58  may be formed by molding polymeric material. When inserted in the enclosure  14 , the container  58  can make up the entire enclosure  14  or the container  58  can make up a part of the enclosure  14 . The container  58  can be accessed directly from the exterior of the cabinet  12  by opening the door  26  or the container  58  may need to be pulled out after the door  26  is first opened. 
     The container  58  can be slidably coupled to the cabinet  12  so that the container  58  can be slidably moved between a first position (e.g., a retracted position), wherein the container  58  is within the enclosure  14 , and a second position (e.g., an extended position), wherein the container  58  is at least partially outside of the enclosure  14 . Preferably, the container  58  is slidably coupled so that the container  58  can slide in a horizontal, front-to-back motion and vice versa. For instance, in some examples, the container  58  can be fixed to a rear surface of the door  26  such that the container  58  is cantilevered from and supported by the rear surface. In such examples, the container  58  will move with the door  26  as the door  26  slides between its open and closed positions. 
     In some examples, the apparatus  10  can comprise at least one rail assembly  60  provided below the container  58  that supports the container  58  from underneath and slidably couples the container  58  to the cabinet  12 . The rail assembly  60  can comprise one or more linear guide members  62  that can be slidably or fixedly coupled to the cabinet  12 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the rail assembly  60  comprises a first linear guide member  64  that is provided within the enclosure  14  and fixedly coupled to the lower surface  18  of the cabinet  12  and a second linear guide member  66  that is slidably coupled to the first linear guide member  64  and cabinet  12 . The second linear guide member  66  is configured to telescope in and out of the first linear guide member  64  in a linear motion between a retracted and extended position. In some embodiments, the rail assembly  60  can comprise further linear guide members  62  that telescope within the second linear guide member  66 . Moreover, in some embodiments, the rail assembly  60  may comprise just a single linear guide member  62  that is fixed or slidably coupled to the cabinet  12 . Furthermore, in some embodiments, the rail assembly  60  may be provided outside of the enclosure  14  and coupled to external cabinet structure. 
     In some embodiments, the rail assembly  60  can be coupled to the door  26  such that sliding of the door  26  between its open and closed position causes one or more of its linear guide members  62  to translate relative to the cabinet  12 . For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the second linear guide member  66  can be fixedly coupled to the door  26  using a mounting bracket  68  that is coupled to an end of the second linear guide member  66 . As such, when the door  26  is slid horizontally between its open and closed positions, the second linear guide member  66  will also translate horizontally relative to the cabinet  12  in a linear motion. In particular, the second linear guide member  66  will telescope in and out of the first linear guide member  64 , which is fixed to the bottom surface  18  of the cabinet  12 . Thus, the linear guide members  62  can form a track that extends from within the enclosure  14  to the door  26  and can expand or retract as the door  26  is moved between its open and closed positions. However, it is to be noted that there may be embodiments wherein the rail assembly  60  is not coupled to the door  26  and can expand or retract independently of the door&#39;s position. 
     The rail assembly  60  can further comprise one or more carriage members  72  that are slidably coupled to one or more linear guide members  62  of the rail assembly  60 . For example, the rail assembly  60  can comprise a first carriage member  74  that is associated with and can slide along the first linear guide member  64 . The rail assembly  60  can further comprise a second carriage member  76  that is associated with and can slide along the second linear guide member  66 . Alternatively, the rail assembly  60  can comprise a single carriage member  72  that can slide along multiple linear guide members  62  of the rail assembly  60 . 
     Each linear guide member  62  and associated carriage member  72  of the rail assembly  60  is preferably configured to permit a sliding engagement therebetween. For example, each linear guide member  62  can be a longitudinal member having a substantially “I” shaped cross-section along its longitudinal axis that defines a first linear guide channel  80  and a second linear guide channel  82 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 . Moreover, each associated carriage member  72  can have a substantially “C” shaped cross-section configured such that the carriage member  72  will rest over the linear guide member  62  with the “C” shaped cross-section opening downward. More specifically, the “C” shaped cross-section can comprise a horizontal portion  84  that extends over the linear guide member  62  and two leg portions  86  that extend downward from the horizontal portion  84  and straddle opposite sides of the linear guide member  62 . 
     In some embodiments, the rail assembly  60  can comprise one or more bearings  90  configured to facilitate sliding of each carriage member  72  along its associated linear guide member  62 . For instance, the rail assembly  60  can comprise a first roller bearing  92  and a second roller bearing  94 . In some examples, the first and second roller bearings  92 ,  94  can be rotatably mounted to the leg portions  86  of each carriage member  72  such that the first and second roller bearings  92 ,  94  are respectively provided within the first and second linear guide channels  80 ,  82  of its associated linear guide member  62  and will translate through the first and second linear guide channels  80 ,  90  as the carriage member  72  slides along the linear guide member  62 . The first and second roller bearings  92  can rest against a lower surface  96  of the first and second linear guide channels  80 ,  82 , thereby supporting the weight of the carriage member  72  and any structure resting on top of the carriage member  72 . The first and second roller bearings  92 ,  94  can be configured to rotate about a rotational axis that is perpendicular to direction of translation of the carriage member  72  relative to the linear guide member  62  so that when the carriage member  72  is slid along the linear guide member  62 , the first and second roller bearings  92 ,  94  can rotate and facilitate sliding of the carriage member  72  along the linear guide member  62 . In other examples, the first and second roller bearings  92 ,  94  can be rotatably mounted to each linear guide member  62  such that its associated carriage member  72  will translate over the first and second roller bearings  92 ,  94  as the carriage member  72  slides along the linear guide member  62 . The first and second roller bearings  92 ,  94  can take on a variety of different configurations to help facilitate sliding of the carriage member  72  along the linear guide member  62 . 
     The container  58  can be fixedly coupled to the one or more carriage members  72  of the rail assembly  60  such that the container  58  can be slid relative to the cabinet  12  along the one or more linear guide members  62  of the rail assembly  60  with the carriage members  72 . For example, as shown in shown in  FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 , the container  58  can be fixed to each carriage member  72  such that a top surface  100  of the carriage member  72  faces and abuts a bottom surface  102  of the container  58 . The container  58  can be fixed using fasteners  106  that extend through apertures  108  in a bottom wall  110  of the container  58  and are threadably inserted into threaded bores  112  in the horizontal portion  84  of the carriage member  72 . However, the container  58  can be fixed to each carriage member  72  using other means or according to other arrangements without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Preferably, the container  58  is fixedly coupled to the one or more carriage members  72  such that the rail assembly  60  is provided below the container  58  between the container  58  and the bottom surface  18  of the cabinet  12 . When arranged as such, the rail assembly  60 , which can be aesthetically displeasing, can be at least partially hidden from view from above the container  58 . 
     Although the apparatus  10  in the illustrated embodiment comprises a single rail assembly  60  slidably coupling the container  58  to the enclosure  14 , it is to be appreciated that there may be embodiments that comprise multiple rail assemblies  60 . Moreover, although the container  58  is supported from below by the rail assembly  60 , there may be other structure provided at the sides of the container  58  to help support the container  58  such as, for example, between the container  58  and the side surfaces  20  of the enclosure  14 . 
     In some examples, the container  58  can be coupled to both the rail assembly  60  and the door  26  to slidably couple the container  58  to the cabinet  12 . For instance, the container  58  can be fixed to a rear surface of the door  26  and coupled to the one or more carriage members  72  of the rail assembly  60  as described above. In such examples, the container  58  will slide between its retracted and extended positions as the door  26  is moved between its closed and opened positions. However, it is to be appreciated that the container  58  may not be coupled to the door  26  in some embodiments and may move independently of the door  26 . 
     In the example apparatus  10  described above, because the container  58  is supported by the rail assembly  60  underneath the container  58  and the door  26  is mounted using separate slide assemblies  28  located externally of the enclosure  14 , it is not necessary to use mounting structure for the door  26  and/or container  58  that is mounted along the interior side surfaces  20  of the enclosure  14 . As such, the container&#39;s lateral dimension can be increased and maximized. Moreover, because the rail assembly  60  for the container  58  is not being used to support a weight of the door  26 , the rail assembly  60  does not have to be made with expensive components that can withstand low temperatures while supporting the combined weight of the container  58  and door  26 . However, it is to be appreciated that in some embodiments, the apparatus  10  may not comprise the external slide assemblies  28  and the container  58  and door  26  may both be slidably coupled to the cabinet  12  using the rail assembly  60 . Alternatively, the apparatus  10  may not comprise the rail assembly  60  and the container  58  and door  26  may both be slidably coupled to the cabinet  12  using the external slide assemblies  28 . The apparatus  10  can comprise the external slide assemblies  28  and rail assembly  60 , either alone or in combination, to slidably couple the container  58  and/or door  26  to the cabinet  12 . 
     It should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure. The invention is therefore not limited to particular details of this disclosure except to the extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.