Patent Application: US-201514875501-A

Abstract:
a motorized rotating apparatus for the interior , thermally insulated compartment of a refrigerator is described . the apparatus has one or more guiding tracks and one or more movable shelves that remain upright while being moved up or down . the apparatus employs a motor which is configured to automatically rotate the shelves , moving them vertically and horizontally in the process . the apparatus facilitates access to the contents of the interior of the refrigerator without needing to reach to the rear of the refrigerator , nor bend down to reach contents at the bottom of the refrigerated insulated compartment .

Description:
the present invention is a motorized rotating apparatus 10 configured to rotate about a curved track 12 . the present invention is equipped with shelves 14 that are configured to rotate and pivot , preventing the contents of the shelves 14 from spilling or falling over during rotation . referring now to the invention in more detail , in fig1 , the motorized rotating apparatus 10 is shown having at least one track 12 that is curved and preferably disposed vertically , allowing the shelves 14 to move up and down . the movement of the shelves is guided by roller plates 16 that run within the tracks 12 , and are connected to the shelves 14 . the roller plates 16 are preferably connected to a driven chain 20 using connecting rods 18 . the shelves 14 remain upright throughout their movements in the tracks 12 with help of the roller plates 16 . in more detail , still referring to the invention of fig1 , the motorized rotating apparatus 10 as shown includes a set of shelves 14 . the number of shelves can vary to the user &# 39 ; s preference , but is limited by the amount of space provided within a refrigerator . the tracks 12 are composed of a straight section and two round sections at the bottom and top of the tracks 12 . the tracks &# 39 ; 12 cross sections are in the form of a “ u ”. within the straight section of the tracks 12 , the sides of the cross sections are larger in height compared to the sides of the tracks within the curved section . the smaller sides within the curved section at the top and bottom part of the tracks 12 allow for roller 22 to leave the guiding sides of the tracks 16 , while the roller 24 remains in the tracks 16 guided by the two sides of the ‘ u ’ section . referring to fig7 , it can be seen that the two sprocket wheels 38 are connected for co - rotation by a shaft 39 shown in fig8 , mounted on roller bearings 40 at the top and bottom of the chain link assembly . a torsion spring is fixed with its lower end connected to a crosspiece . the torsion spring has a variable length such that it can be used to exert a rotary force in the direction of a screw . this will help maintain tension in the chain used at the bottom of the motor - chain - sprocket drive mechanism . fig6 schematically illustrates the drive mechanism which includes a sprocket 38 , a motor 35 , and the point where tension is applied by the torsion spring 36 . the chain link of endless chain 37 is used to transfer the power from the motor 35 to the sprocket chain assembly which drives the shelves 14 in the intended direction . it is envisioned that the rotation of the present invention may be reversed by the user if needed . referring now to fig2 , there is shown the details of the construction of the roller plates 16 with one shelf 14 unit . the roller plates 16 have one roller 22 mounted in close proximity to the roller plate 16 and one roller 24 mounted at a small distance away from the roller plate 16 . both rollers 22 and 24 follow the tracks 12 when the shelf 14 moves . when the shelf 14 follows the curved bend of the tracks 12 , the roller 22 close to the roller plate 16 is free to move out of the tracks 12 , while the roller 24 remains in the tracks 12 due to its further distance to the roller plate 16 . this allows for the shelf 14 to remain upright during the passage of the curved section of the tracks 12 . the roller plate 16 is connected to the shelf 14 using a hinge assembly 26 . in further detail , still referring to fig2 , the shelves 14 are sufficiently wide and long for fitting grocery items . the exact dimensions are scaled to the size of the refrigerator . the tracks 12 are sufficiently tall to fill the refrigerator . referring now to fig3 , there is shown the details of the roller plate 16 assembly with the hinge assembly 26 and the rollers 22 and 24 . roller 24 preferably stands further out than roller 22 . the hinge assembly 26 is attached to the roller plate 16 and the shelf 14 using a bolt that does not allow for any relative rotation between the roller plate 16 and the shelf 14 . the construction details of the invention as shown in fig1 and fig2 , allow the motorized rotating apparatus 10 to be made of stainless steel or of any other sufficiently rigid , strong , and safe material such as high - strength plastic , metal , and the like . further , the various components of the motorized rotating apparatus 10 can be made of different materials . referring now to fig4 , there is shown the tracks 12 with the cross beams 30 attached to the side bars 34 of the tracks 12 . the cross beams 30 allow for the present invention to be fitted into a refrigerator by adjusting the lengths of the cross beams 30 according to the size of the interior of the refrigerator . the side bars 34 hold the adjustable knobs 32 , that allow for mounting the present invention against the inside wall of the refrigerator . there are preferably two cross beams 30 and four side bars 34 . each side bar 34 preferably holds two adjusting knobs 32 . referring now to fig5 , the detailed view of one set of the adjusting knobs 32 is shown . in particular , the adjustable knobs 32 consist of having a soft head 36 mounted on a screw 31 that is screwed into the side bars 34 . further referring to fig6 , it illustrates the drive of at least one sprocket 38 by means of an electric motor 35 which is preferably mounted to the cabinet housing of the refrigerator . an endless chain 37 is trained over the at least one sprocket 38 to co - rotate the sprocket on the other side of the shelf assembly of the present invention . the at least one sprocket 38 is connected to the motor output shaft by the endless chain 37 . in order to maintain the tension of the endless chain 37 , a device is provided which consists of a pivoted lever with a freely supported tensioning wheel 36 . 36 will be connected to a power source to be driven by a suitable control algorithm to maintain the tension of the endless chain 37 . after the present invention has been in operation for an extended period of time , the two endless chains 37 and 41 will inevitably undergo elongation . this change in the length of the endless chains 37 and 41 , which could be in the range of several centimeters , can be compensated for automatically by the measures described above . this proposed design feature in the present invention will significantly cut down the maintenance required over the lifetime of the modified refrigerator , reducing the need to replace the endless chains 37 and 41 frequently . the design of the torsion spring is configured to exert a constant rotary force on the spindle 36 of the present invention . endless chain 37 may also be referred to as the first endless chain , and endless chain 41 may also be referred to as the second endless chain . it is envisioned that endless chain 37 may instead be a circular belt . it should be understood that the present invention is envisioned for use in conventional refrigerators , and is preferably equipped with a modular mounting mechanism to facilitate the installation of the present invention in refrigerators produced by a wide assortment of manufacturers . similarly , it should be understood that the motor 35 employed by the present invention is preferably brushless and nearly silent . similarly , the curved tracks 12 of the present invention are preferably lubricated , and may employ an o - ring sealed chain or belt as endless chain 41 . additionally , the present invention is preferably activated by the user via conventional means , such as via a manual switch , motion detection switch , light detection switch , capacitive touch switch , or other similar switch . the movement of the shelves is preferably managed by at least one microcontroller in order to calibrate and manipulate the access height of the shelves ( 14 ) to satisfy individual physical requirements , minimizing biomechanical stress for the user . it should be understood that the present invention is configured to rotate clockwise or counter - clockwise according to the preference of the user . the switch employed is preferably capable of activating forward or reverse rotation at the will of the user . in short , the present invention is a device for modification of refrigerator shelves that provides for easier , saver access to the contents of the refrigerator . the modification allows the shelves to move under external power in both the vertical and the horizontal dimensions . the vertical and horizontal movement of the shelves enables the shelves and contents to achieve a position that minimizes biomechanical stress for the user . it should be noted that the present invention is especially beneficial for individuals with mobility deficits , including those who require mobility devices , such as walkers , wheelchairs , canes , and scooters . additionally , the present invention is beneficial to individuals who are at risk of falling , including elderly individuals and persons with balance or vestibular disorders . similarly , individuals with neurological disorders , including stroke , brain injury , multiple sclerosis , or parkinson &# 39 ; s disease , individuals benefit from the use of the present invention . the present invention is also intended for individuals with health conditions that required them to minimize their physical exertion , including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , heart disease , post thoracic surgery , congenital heart failure , and other conditions . additionally , individuals with painful or debilitating musculoskeletal conditions , including arthritis , low back pain , frozen shoulder , post orthopedic surgery , etc . with consistent use , the present invention can be expected to help prevent the development or progression of overuse or repetitive strain injuries . likewise , with consistent use , the present invention provides a decrease in food waste by providing easier access , improves the diet diversity of users , and can facilitate the cleaning of the shelves of the refrigerator to maintain sanitary conditions within the refrigerator . having illustrated the present invention , it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention . further , it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above , but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application . the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description . they are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed , and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching . the exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application , to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated . akdal , g ., donmez , b . & amp ; angin , s . 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