Patent ID: 7815268

Claim:
A tilting apparatus that tilts a door configured to open and close a storage chamber of a refrigerator, the apparatus comprising: first and second receptacles respectively provided at first and second lateral side ends of a basket frame configured to be positioned at a rear surface of the door and to removably receive a storage basket therein; first and second rollers rotatably installed in the first and second receptacles, respectively; first and second door hinges each having a first end thereof rotatably coupled to the rear surface of the door and a second end thereof fixed to a side of a respective receptacle; first and second tilting hinges each having a first end thereof rotatably coupled to the rear surface of the door and a second end thereof provided with a roller reception portion configured to receive a respective roller therein based on a position of the door, wherein the first and second tilting hinges maintain rolling contact with the first and second rollers, respectively, so as to move along a predetermined trajectory as the door rotates about the first and second door hinges, and wherein the first and second rollers are received in a respective roller reception portion so as to limit a tiling angle of the door; first and second door brackets each fixed to the rear surface of the door, at positions corresponding to the first and second receptacles, respectively, and first and second hinge supporters respectively installed within the first and second door brackets, wherein the first and second hinge supporters each comprises: a first hinge pin to which the first end of the respective door hinge is rotatably coupled; a second hinge pin to which the first end of the respective tilting hinge is rotatably coupled; a support bar that extends between the first end of the respective tilting hinge and an upper end portion of the respective hinge supporter; and a spring positioned on the support bar so as to elastically support the respective tilting hinge; and first and second tilting brackets respectively coupled to the first and second receptacles, each of the first and second tilting brackets having a first guide slot formed therein that is aligned with a second guide slot formed in the respective receptacle and a through hole formed in the respective door bracket, wherein the first and second door hinges and the first and second tilting hinges extend from the respective hinge supporter, through the guide slot formed in the respective door bracket, through the first guide slot formed in the respective tilting bracket, and into the respective receptacle through the second slot formed therein.