Patent Abstract:
A refrigerator and/or freezer with a carcass is provided, in which at least one inner container is arranged for receiving goods to be refrigerated and/or frozen, and at least one bearing block for mounting one or more doors by which the carcass can be closed. An interconnecting element is provided, which extends in a region between two walls of the carcass, and the bearing block is fixed to the interconnecting element or to a component directly or indirectly connected with the interconnecting element.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a carcass, in which at least one inner container is arranged for receiving goods to be refrigerated and/or frozen, and with at least one bearing block for mounting one or more doors by means of which the carcass can be closed. 
     From the prior art, refrigerators and freezers are known, in which the inner container is locked by means of fastening screws which are also used for fixing the bearing block to the appliance. The fastening screws thus are used not only for mounting the bearing block to the appliance carcass, but also for fixing the inner container. The inner container thus is not arranged in a floating manner, which possibly involves the disadvantage that impressions of the foaming core are visible in the inner container. 
       FIG. 1  shows such arrangement known from the prior art, in which the bearing block is designated with reference numeral  20 , the fastening screws with reference numeral  100 , a portion of the side wall with reference numeral  40 , and the inner container with reference numeral  10 . 
     As in appliances known from the prior art, the screw connection of the bearing block is realized by means of oblong holes, this can furthermore involve the disadvantage that the mounting position of the bearing block differs from appliance to appliance, which can lead to correspondingly different positions of the door or doors. A further disadvantage in appliances known from the prior art consists in that adjusting the bearing block with mounted doors is difficult. Furthermore, embodiments are known from the prior art, in which the bearing block includes holes for receiving the fastening screw, which are, however, not configured as oblong holes. This case involves the further disadvantage that there is no possibility for adjusting the bearing block and hence for adjusting the doors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object underlying the present invention to develop a refrigerator and/or freezer as mentioned above such that the possibility is opened up to realize a high accuracy when mounting the bearing block and the doors and/or to avoid said impressions of the foaming core in the inner container. 
     This object is solved by a refrigerator and/or freezer with the features herein. Accordingly, it is provided that in a region between at least two walls of the carcass of the appliance at least one interconnecting element extends, and that the bearing block is fixed to the interconnecting element or to a component directly or indirectly connected with the interconnecting element. In accordance with the invention, it thus is provided that the bearing block is mounted to the interconnecting element or to a component connected therewith, which opens up the possibility of a floating arrangement of the container, i.e. the same is not fixed by the fastening screw(s) of the bearing block, although such configuration likewise is comprised by the invention. 
     In a preferred aspect of the invention, it thus is provided that the inner container is accommodated in a floating manner and is not fixed by the fastening elements, by means of which the bearing block is attached to the carcass. 
     This invention furthermore relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a carcass, in which at least one inner container is arranged for receiving goods to be refrigerated and/or frozen, wherein an interconnecting element is provided, which extends in a region between at least two walls, for instance side walls, of the carcass, and wherein at least one connecting element is provided, which connects the interconnecting element with the wall or walls and is attached to the inner container. Such configuration also provides for the floating arrangement of the inner container, which in this embodiment of the invention is disposed at the connecting element and is mounted to the same for instance by a latch or clamp connection. 
     In a further aspect of the invention it is provided that said interconnecting element is directly or indirectly connected with the walls, e.g. with the side walls of the carcass of the appliance. It is conceivable to realize a firm connection between wall and interconnection for instance by means of a suitable connecting element, which in addition provides for realizing a high accuracy when mounting the bearing block or when mounting the doors, and allows the floating accommodation of the inner container. 
     In a further aspect of the invention it is provided that at least one connecting element connects the interconnecting element and/or the inner container with one or more walls, e.g. both side walls of the carcass of the appliance. 
     Furthermore, a connecting element can be provided, by means of which the interconnecting element is connected with the inner container. Said two connecting elements can be one and the same component. 
     The walls mentioned above can for instance be side walls, partitions of refrigerators or freezers, such as e.g. chest freezers. 
     The connecting element can include a component, for instance a plate, or be connected with the same, which includes e.g. threaded holes or other fastening means for mounting the bearing block. 
     In a further aspect of the invention it is provided that the interconnecting element is locked to the connecting element(s) by means of a latch or clamp connection. Furthermore, it can be provided that one or more walls, e.g. both side walls of the carcass of the appliance, are connected with the connecting element via a latch or clamp connection. 
     Furthermore, it can be provided that the inner container also is connected with the connecting element via a latch or clamp connection. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the connecting element is latched with the interconnecting element, is furthermore used for locking the inner container, and finally is also latched with the wall or walls, e.g. side walls, of the carcass of the appliance. The connecting element furthermore can include a mounting plate or some other component, which includes threaded holes in which fastening screws for the bearing block are received. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, the connecting element for instance can include two elements connected with each other by means of a hinge, preferably by means of a film hinge, and pivotally mounted relative to each other, between which a portion of the inner container is accommodated in the condition of the elements swivelled against each other. 
     In a particularly preferred aspect of the invention, it is provided that the appliance includes means for fixing the bearing block in a preferred position. In this way, it is possible to choose a uniform mounting position of the bearing block and hence also ensure corresponding positions of the doors. 
     Said means can be formed for instance by a spring or by a screw, by means of which the bearing block can be fixed in a “zero position”, but which furthermore provide for an adjustability of the bearing block. 
     Said means can be formed by one or more resilient tabs, which are arranged on the connecting element or on another component. Furthermore, said means can be formed by a screw which fixes the bearing block relative to the interconnecting element. It can also be provided that said means are formed by a screw which is located in a threaded hole of the bearing block and which is arranged such that it acts on a fastening screw by means of which the bearing block is fixed to the appliance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1 : shows a perspective sectional representation through a refrigerator and/or freezer at the level of the bearing block in accordance with the prior art, 
         FIGS. 2.1 ,  2 . 2 : show perspective representations of a connecting element with mounting plate and interconnecting element, 
         FIGS. 3.1 ,  3 . 2 : show perspective representations of the connecting element as shown in  FIGS. 2.1 ,  2 . 2  with inner container, 
         FIG. 4 : shows a sectional representation through a refrigerator and/or freezer at the level of the bearing block in accordance with the present invention, 
       FIGS.  5 . 1 - 5 . 4 : show different views of the connecting element with integrated zero position, 
         FIG. 6 : shows a sectional representation through the refrigerator and/or freezer of the invention at the level of the bearing block with an adjusting screw in a first embodiment, and 
         FIG. 7 : shows a sectional representation through the refrigerator and/or freezer of the invention at the level of the bearing block with an adjusting screw in a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 2.1  shows the component  60  subsequently referred to as corner connecting element, which connects the interconnecting element  30  with the inner container and with a side wall of the appliance. The interconnecting element  30  extends for instance at the level between two compartments of the appliance located one above the other across the entire width or an essential part of the width of the appliance, and in its two terminal regions is each connected with one of the corner connecting elements  60 . The interconnecting element  30  extends between the side walls of the appliance, for instance between a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment of the appliance. 
     At its two ends, the interconnecting element  30  includes openings in which the latching hooks  66  of the corner connecting element  60  engage, as is shown in  FIG. 2.1 . For mounting the corner connecting element  60  to the interconnecting element  30 , the corner connecting element  60  is laterally inserted into grooves of the interconnecting element  30  in direction of arrow, until the latching hooks  66  of the corner connecting element  60  engage in corresponding recesses of the interconnecting element  30 , as is shown in  FIG. 2.1 . 
     The corner connecting element  60  furthermore includes latching hooks  65  for the side wall of the appliance yet to be mounted. The corner connecting element  60  furthermore includes a mounting plate  50  made of metal, which is connected with the same for instance by a latch connection and includes two threaded holes  52  arranged one beside the other, as can also be taken from  FIG. 2.1 . 
     The arrow of  FIG. 2.1  shows the direction of insertion of the corner connecting element  60  into the grooves arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of the interconnecting element  30 . 
       FIG. 2.2  shows the arrangement of  FIG. 2.1  in a different configuration. Identical parts or parts having the same function are designated with the same, but primed reference numerals as in  FIG. 2.1 . 
     When the corner connecting element  60  with the mounting plate  50  is latched with the interconnecting element  30 , the interconnecting element  30  is mounted on the inner container  10 . As can be taken from  FIG. 3.1 , the corner connecting element  60  consists of the film hinge  62  and two elements  64  which can be swivelled relative to each other about the hinge  62 . Upon mounting the interconnecting element  30  with the corner connecting element  60  on the inner container  10 , the element  64  of the corner connecting element  60 , which is not connected with the inner container  10 , is swivelled about 180°, as is illustrated by the arrow in  FIG. 3.1 , until it rests against the other side of the inner container  10 , so that the two elements  64  of the corner connecting element  60  are located substantially parallel to each other. The folded position is secured by latching hooks  67 , which engage either in the inner container  10  or in the other one of the elements  64  of the corner connecting element  60 . In this way, the inner container  10  is fixed between the elements  64  of the corner connecting element. 
     In a further step, the side wall  40  is latched with the latching hooks  65  of the corner connecting element  60  without any clearance. 
     The corner connecting element  60  thus serves to connect the interconnecting element  30 , the side wall  40  and the inner container  10 . 
       FIG. 3.2  shows the arrangement of  FIG. 3.1  with the corner connecting element illustrated in  FIG. 2.2 . Identical parts or parts having the same function are designated with the same, but primed reference numerals as in  FIG. 3.1 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the arrangement with mounted bearing block  20  in a sectional representation. Reference numeral  40  designates a side wall, which by means of said latching hooks  65  is connected with the corner connecting element  60  without any clearance. The inner container  10  is accommodated between two elements  64  of the corner connecting element  60  and in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  has a clearance to the inner container  10 , which is designated by reference numeral  200 . On its front side, the interconnecting element  30  latched with the corner connecting element  60  includes holes through which the fastening screws are inserted, which fix the bearing block  20  to the appliance. Said fastening screws then extend through the threaded holes  52  of the plate  50  as shown in  FIG. 2 , which plate is connected with the corner connecting element  60 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , reference numeral  300  designates a grommet, which serves to guide the frame heater  310  through the inner container. 
     In a rear view,  FIG. 5.1  shows a segment of the corner connecting element  60  without mounting plate. From this view, it can be taken that the corner connecting element  60  includes a recess in which the spring  70  is disposed, which is formed by the two tabs  72 . These two tabs  72  can be bent radially to the outside, as is indicated by arrows in  FIG. 5.1 . 
       FIG. 5.2  illustrates the situation in which the bearing block  20  is fixed in the zero position by a positive connection. The bearing block  20 , of which a protrusion shown in the recess of the corner connecting element  60  can be seen in  FIGS. 5.1 ,  5 . 2 , is held in the zero position by the tabs  72  of the spring  70 .  FIGS. 5.1 ,  5 . 2  show the hole of the bearing block configured as an oblong hole, through which a fastening screw extends in the mounted condition, whose male thread meshes with the female thread of the threaded hole  52  of the plate  50 , which is not shown in  FIGS. 5.1 ,  5 . 2  and which adjoins the corner connecting element  60  on the side facing the viewer. 
     If the bearing block is to be adjusted, this is easily possible by applying a force as shown in  FIG. 5.2 , whereby the bearing block  20  moves against the spring force of the tabs  72 . 
       FIGS. 5.3  and  5 . 4  show an arrangement with diametrically opposite springs  70 ′ with spring tabs  72 , between which the bearing block  20 ′ is accommodated. 
       FIG. 6  shows an alternative possibility for realizing a preferred position, i.e. a zero position of the bearing block  20 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , which shows the arrangement in a sectional view, an adjusting screw  82  is provided, which is guided through a corresponding hole in the interconnecting element  30 , as is shown in  FIG. 6 . The fastening screws  100  serve to mount the bearing block  20  on the mounting plate  50 , which includes said threaded holes  52 . 
     As can furthermore be taken from  FIG. 6 , the bearing block  20  includes a threaded hole for receiving the adjusting screw  82 , via which the adjusting screw  82  can be screwed out of the fixing hole in the interconnecting element  30  or can be screwed into the same. If the bearing block  20  is to be adjusted, said adjusting screw  82  must be screwed out of the bearing block. 
       FIG. 7  shows another possibility for realizing a bearing block with zero position, in which the adjusting screw  84  is provided on the end face. In this case, the adjusting screw thus does not extend parallel to the fastening screws, as is the case in  FIG. 6 , but vertical thereto.  FIG. 7  shows the arrangement in a sectional representation, wherein reference numeral  100  designates the fastening screws and reference numeral  84  designates the adjusting screw. Vertical to the oblong holes for receiving the fastening screws  100 , a threaded hole extends in a lateral region of the bearing block such that this threaded hole communicates with one of the oblong holes for receiving the fastening screw  100 . The adjusting screw  84  is screwed into this threaded hole, until its terminal region rests against the shaft of the fastening screw  100 , as is shown in  FIG. 7 . For mounting purposes, the bearing block  20  with the adjusting screw  84  is attached, for instance urged to the outside, and the fastening screws are screwed in. For adjusting the bearing block  20  it is necessary to readjust the adjusting screw  84 . The mounted door urges the adjusting screw  84  against the fastening screw  100 , which involves the advantage that the bearing block  20  cannot be displaced anymore. 
     The present invention allows to provide a firm connection between the side walls or between the side wall and the interconnection, by means of which a high accuracy can be realized when mounting the bearing block or when mounting the doors. Another advantage consists in that it is possible in accordance with the invention to accommodate the inner container in a floating manner. In preferred aspects of the invention, the bearing block can be mounted via oblong holes with integrated zero position, which involves the advantage that a future alignment of the doors by means of the bearing block with oblong holes is possible at any time, without parts having to be replaced at the bearing block.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5