Patent Publication Number: US-2017363344-A1

Title: Refrigerator door lock

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a door lock optionally useable to retain the doors of a refrigerator in a closed position. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator door lock which can be retrofitted to a refrigerator which does not incorporate such a feature. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Refrigerators can be incorporated in recreational vehicles and other conveyances such as large water craft. In such an installation, the doors of the refrigerator may be prone to accidently open when the vehicle or water craft is in transit. Accidental opening of the refrigerator doors may be caused by the ability of the refrigerator doors and the refrigerator contents to move relative to the refrigerator frame which is firmly secured to the vehicle or water craft. 
     In the prior art, various closure devices incorporating locking structures secured to both the refrigerator frame and the door to be secured have been utilized. Also, certain refrigerators incorporate threaded apertures in the door frame, which can be utilized to anchor a catch that engages a closed door to selectively hold the refrigerator door in a closed position. However, the anchor/catch arrangement is not useable with a French door refrigerator or any other refrigerator that doesn&#39;t incorporate an integral anchor. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator lock for selectively locking at least one door of a refrigerator into a closed position. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the refrigerator lock includes an anchor having an outer periphery sized to fit on a door face of the refrigerator adjacent to one or more door seals when such doors maintain the closed position. A fastener such as an adhesive may be utilized to secure the anchor to the door face of the refrigerator at a selected location. An extension extends from a catch and is selectively securable to the anchor. With the extension secured to the anchor, the catch overlaps the refrigerator doors and either directly or indirectly engages the refrigerator doors to hold them in the closed position. 
     Because the anchor of the present disclosure is selectively securable in a chosen position, it is retrofitable to any refrigerator and does not require the door face to be drilled or otherwise have an aperture formed therein. 
     The disclosure, in one form thereof, provides a refrigerator lock for selectively locking at least one door of a refrigerator into a closed position in which a door seal of the at least one door maintains sealing engagement with a door face of the refrigerator and access to an internal compartment for storing cooled items is prevented. In this form of the present disclosure, the refrigerator lock includes an anchor including an outer periphery sized to fit on the door face of the refrigerator adjacent to a seal of the at least one door of the refrigerator when the at least one door of the refrigerator maintains the closed position and the seal of the at least one door engages the door face of the refrigerator. In this form of the present disclosure the anchor includes a refrigerator fastener operable to selectively secure the anchor to the door face of the refrigerator in a chosen position. A catch and an extension extending from the catch is selectively securable to the anchor in a secured position. The catch is sized to overlap the at least one door of the refrigerator when the catch is secured to the anchor and the anchor is secured to the door face of the refrigerator adjacent to the seal of the at least one door when the at least one door of the refrigerator maintains the closed position and the seal of the at least one door engages the door face of the refrigerator, the extension having a length between the catch and the anchor when the extension is secured to the anchor, the length sized so that with the anchor secured to the door face adjacent to the seal of the at least one door and the at least one door of the refrigerator in the closed position and the extension secured to the anchor, the catch engages the at least one door of the refrigerator to hold it in the closed position. In this or any other form of the invention, the engagement of the door with the refrigerator may be either direct or indirect. For example, a towel, sponge, or other soft and resilient material may be positioned between the catch and the refrigerator door. 
     The disclosure, in another form thereof, provides a method of securing the doors of a refrigerator against opening, the method of this form of the present disclosure comprises: securing an anchor to the refrigerator so that the anchor is adjacent to a seal of the at least one door of the refrigerator when the at least one door of the refrigerator maintains a closed position in which a door seal of the at least one door maintains sealing engagement with a door face of the refrigerator and access to an internal compartment for storing cooled items is prevented; and securing a catch to the anchor so that, with the at least one door of the refrigerator maintaining the closed position, the catch overlaps the at least one door of the refrigerator and engages at least one door of the refrigerator to hold it in the closed position, the catch secured relative to the at least one door of the refrigerator solely by way of its securement to the anchor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective, exploded view of an exemplary refrigerator door lock of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective, exploded view illustrating securement of an anchor of the present disclosure to a French door refrigerator having a bottom drawer freezer; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective, exploded view of the refrigerator illustrated in  FIG. 2 , with one door thereof open to better illustrate an anchor secured to a door face of the refrigerator prior to securement of a catch to hold all three refrigerator doors in a closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the refrigerator lock of the present disclosure positioned to maintain the closed position of all three doors of a French door refrigerator; and 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, the embodiment disclosed below is not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise form disclosed. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , refrigerator door lock  10  includes anchor  12  and catch  14  having extension  16  extending therefrom. Anchor  12  includes distal surface  18  to which double sided adhesive  20  is secured. Anchor  12  tapers from distal surface  18  to proximal surface  22 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, tapering from a distal surface  18  to proximal surface  22  follows an arcuate path to define domed portion  24  of anchor  12 . In alternative embodiments, tapering of anchor  12  may be linear so that domed portion  24  comprises a conical portion. 
     Anchor  12  includes threaded elongate aperture  26  traversing proximal surface  22  and extending into the body of anchor  12 . Extension  16  includes distal threaded end  28 . Distal threaded end  28  of extension  16  and threaded elongate aperture  26  of anchor  12  include compatible threads such that extension  16  may be threadedly engaged with anchor  12 . In one exemplary embodiment, length L of distal threaded end  28  (measured along the longitudinal axis of extension  16 ) is no longer than a height measured from distal surface  18  to proximal surface  22  of anchor  12 . In certain embodiments, length L of distal threaded end  28  may be less than the height of anchor  12 . If length L of threaded distal end  28  is less than the height of anchor  12  and threaded elongate aperture  26  spans the entire height of anchor  12 , then a shoulder formed proximate of distal threaded end  28  can bottom out on proximal surface  22  of anchor  12  when extension  16  is fully threadedly engaged with anchor  12 . In such an embodiment in which a shoulder proximate of distal threaded end  28  bottoms out on proximal surface  22  of anchor  12 , this frictional engagement will provide further frictional resistance to detachment of extension  16  and therefore catch  14  from anchor  12 . Further, a lock washer may be interposed between such a shoulder and proximal surface  22  of anchor  12 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, distal surface  18  of anchor  12  defines a circular periphery having a diameter of about 1⅜ inches. The diameter of anchor  12  may also be 1 3/16 inches. Anchor  12  will be sized so that it can be positioned between adjacent seals  38  of adjacent doors  40  of refrigerator  32  as described in detail below. Anchor  12  can have a height measured between distal surface  18  and proximal surface  22  of about 7/16 inches. The height of anchor  12  may also be 0.39 inches. Such heights allows anchor  12  to be interposed between door face  30  of refrigerator  32  and doors  40 , when doors  40  are placed in the closed position. Such an arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 5  and further described below. 
     In embodiments of the present disclosure, extension  16  may have a total length extending from boss  36  of catch  14  to the distal most end of distal threaded end  28  of about 3 inches. In alternative embodiments, the length of extension  16  extending from boss  36  is about 1.875 inches. Such lengths allow extension  16  to secure catch  14  relative to the doors of a refrigerator as further described herein. In embodiments of the present disclosure, extension  16  comprises a cylindrical extension having a diameter of about ⅜ inch, with a proximal end having a thread with a ⅜ inch major diameter and 16 threads per inch pitch extending for a length of 0.625 inches for threaded engagement with catch  14 . The distal end of the ⅜ inch diameter extension includes a thread with a 5/16 inch major diameter and 18 threads per inch pitch extending for a length of 0.375 inches for threaded engagement with a complementary female thread in anchor  12 . This distal thread size allows the unthreaded length of extension  16  adjacent to the distal thread to form a shoulder that bottoms out on a proximal surface of anchor  12 , as the distal end of extension  16  is threaded into a corresponding 5/16-18 female thread in anchor  12 . 
     In alternative embodiments, extension  16  may have a polygonal cross-section, e.g., a hexagonal cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the extension throughout the length of the extension. In an exemplary embodiment, the head of catch  14  defines a generally circular perimeter perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the catch. In one exemplary embodiment, catch  14  has a circular outer periphery defining a diameter of approximately 2½ inches. The outer diameter of catch  14  is measured to its radial outward most extent. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, anchor  12  is formed of steel, such as a mild steel or hardened steel. Anchor  12  may be formed of stainless steel, e.g., 304 Stainless Steel. Extension  16  may similarly be formed of a steel such as a mild steel or a hardened steel, while catch  14  may be formed of a hardened plastic or any of a variety of polymers including, e.g., various polyethylenes. In construction, extension  16  may be threadedly engaged with boss  36  of catch  14 . Alternatively, a liquid adhesive may be inserted into a longitudinal aperture formed in boss  36  and extension  16  may thereby be secured to catch  14 . 
     In construction, double sided adhesive  20  is secured to distal surface  18  of anchor  12  with the opposite side of double sided adhesive  20  having backing  34  removably secured thereto. In use, backing  34  will be removed to allow double sided adhesive  20  to be utilized to secure anchor  12  to door face  30  of refrigerator  32  as further described below. In one exemplary embodiment, double sided adhesive  20  comprises GASKA Hi BOND® SERIES double sided adhesive tape available from Gaska Tape Inc. of Elkhart, Ind. Double sided adhesive  20  is, in exemplary embodiments thereof, a double sided adhesive tape having either a foamed acrylic core or a solid acrylic core that is coated on both sides with high performance acrylic adhesives. In exemplary embodiments, double sided adhesive  20  has a T block Tensile Adhesion according to the QA3012 test method of 120 psi and an Adhesive Peel of 12 psi according to ASTM D-1000. 
     In use, backing  34  can be removed from anchor  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  so that anchor  12  can be secured to door face  30  of refrigerator  32 . Double sided adhesive  20  provides sufficient tensile strength to hold anchor  12  in position throughout the useful life of refrigerator  32 . Should removal of anchor  12  be sought, a number of solvents and/or adhesive removal compounds may be utilized in conjunction with application of force to effect removal of anchor  12  from refrigerator  32 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , anchor  12  will be positioned such that it is secured to door face  30  and positioned adjacent to door seals  38  ( FIG. 5 ) when doors  40  maintain the closed position. In a conventional manner, door seals  38  extend about the perimeter of each door  40  to seal doors  40  relative to door face  30  when doors  40  are placed in a closed position (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Advantageously, using double sided adhesive tape to secure anchor  12  to refrigerator  32  in the manner described herein allows catch  14  to be secured to refrigerator  32  without piercing the frame of refrigerator  32 . 
     While the French door refrigerator illustrated in the drawings includes two classic “doors” which are hingedly connected to the frame of refrigerator  32  and a lower “door” which might be referred to as a “drawer front”, for the purposes of this document the term “door”, as it is used with reference to refrigerators, generally refers to any external covering that cooperates with the refrigerator frame to selectively effect sealing with a door face of the refrigerator and prevent access to an internal compartment for storing cooled items in the refrigerator. 
     With anchor  12  positioned at the intersection of gaps  42 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , refrigerator door lock  10  is effective to maintain all three doors  40  in a closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . With anchor  12  positioned at the intersection of gaps  42 , a portion of anchor  12  can be positioned between seals  38  of the two adjacent upper, hindedly connected doors and a portion of anchor  12  can be positioned between each of the seals  38  of the two adjacent upper doors and the seal  38  ( FIG. 5 ) of the lower door  40 . Should securement of a fewer number of doors be desired, anchor  12  may be suitably positioned to effect securement of fewer than all of doors  40 . For example, anchor  12  could be moved to a position intermediate the left French door  40  and lower door comprising the front of the lower drawer freezer. Similarly, anchor  12  could be moved to a position below the portion of door face  30  intermediate the lower freezer compartment and upper refrigerator compartment. For example, anchor  12  could be secured to a portion of door face  30  which is only engaged by the seal associated with the lower drawer freezer. In exemplary applications, a pair of refrigerator door locks may be utilized with refrigerator  32 . 
     With anchor  12  secured in the position illustrated in  FIG. 3 , doors  40  may all be moved to a closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , with threaded elongate aperture  26  of anchor  12  accessible through gaps  42  formed between doors  40  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Extension  16  is sized to fit through gaps  42  between doors  40  in their closed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . With doors  40  closed, extension  16  is positioned through gaps  42  formed between doors  40  until distal threaded end  28  of extension  16  encounters threaded elongate aperture  26 . Catch  14  and, therefore, extension  16  is thereafter rotated to threadably engage distal threaded end  28  in threaded elongate aperture  26 . To facilitate rotation of extension  16  to threadedly engage anchor  12 , catch  14  includes a plurality of spaced concave recesses  44  which provide gripping surfaces to facilitate user rotation of catch  14 . 
     Extension  16  is sized such that catch  14  will frictionally engage doors  40  to hold them in the closed position either before, or at the same time as the travel of distal threaded end  28  in threaded elongate aperture  26  is exhausted. In the position illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , refrigerator door lock will be operable to maintain all three doors  40  in a closed position because catch  14  will overlap and engage all three doors  40 . With catch  14  either directly or indirectly engaging doors  40  as described above, catch  14  will frictionally engage (either directly or indirectly) doors  40 ; however, because such frictional engagement is caused solely by the securement of catch  14  to anchor  12 , catch  14  is considered to be secured relative to doors  40  solely by way of its securement to anchor  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , boss  36  of catch  14  may include an outer radius sized whereby boss  36  engages doors  40  to lock doors  40  into a closed position. In alternative embodiments, boss  36  will more closely approximate the outer diameter of extension  16  so that boss  36  will be positionable within gaps  42  together with extension  16 . In such an embodiment, the more radially outward head of catch  14  will engage doors  40  to hold them in the locked position. 
     While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.