ANTI-TIP DEVICE AND ANTI-TIP SYSTEM FOR A REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE

Abstract

An anti-tip device for an appliance has a base leg of a given length, and a plurality of holes formed in the base leg for facilitating mounting of the anti-tip device to a wall by way of threaded fasteners. First and second tip prevention legs extend forward from opposite ends of the base leg so as to overlie a top wall of the refrigeration appliance when the anti-tip device is mounted to a wall against which the refrigeration appliance is located. The tip prevention legs are spaced a sufficient distance apart so as to only engage the top wall of the refrigeration appliance in areas where contact is acceptable, while also avoiding any interference with refrigeration appliance components that are located atop the refrigeration appliance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Turkish Patent Application TR 2023/006331, filed May 31, 2023; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to refrigeration appliances and, more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to preventing a refrigeration appliance from tipping over.

Refrigeration appliances can be large and heavy. Additionally, the geometry of a refrigeration appliance is commonly such that a height dimension of the refrigeration appliance is greater than a width dimension, and frequently substantially greater than a depth dimension. Such a geometry lends itself to possible inadvertent tipping of a refrigeration appliance which, due to the size and weight of many refrigeration appliances, has the potential to cause injury to persons or damage to surrounding objects. Consequently, it is desirable to prevent the tipping of refrigeration appliances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the above and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an anti-tip device for a refrigeration appliance. The novel anti-tip device comprises:

• • an elongate and substantially rigid base leg for mounting to a vertical wall surface, said base leg having a first end, a second end, a forward surface, and a rear surface;
  • said base leg having a plurality of holes distributed along a length of said base leg and passing through said base leg from said forward surface to said rear surface for allowing fasteners to pass through said base leg;
  • a substantially rigid first tip prevention leg extending in a forward direction from said base leg at said first end thereof; and
  • a substantially rigid second tip prevention leg extending in the forward direction from said base leg at said second end thereof.

With the above and other objects in view there is also provided, in accordance with the invention, an anti-tip system, or kit, for preventing a refrigeration appliance from tipping. The anti-tip system comprises:

• • an anti-tip device as outlined above; and
  • one or more blocking elements affixed to the refrigeration appliance along opposite lateral sides of refrigeration appliance components that are disposed on a top wall of the refrigeration appliance, the one or more blocking elements being configured to prevent contact between the refrigeration appliance components with the first and second tip prevention legs.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an anti-tip device for a refrigeration appliance, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary refrigeration appliance with which anti-tip device examples according to the present disclosure can be used.

FIG. 2 is a top front perspective view of one example of a refrigeration appliance with which anti-tip device examples according to the present disclosure can be used.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an anti-tip device according to one example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts one example of an anti-tip device according to the present disclosure installed to a wall to prevent tipping of a refrigeration appliance.

FIG. 5 shows one example of an anti-tip device according to the present disclosure mounted to a typical residential stud wall that is depicted in partial transparency.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain aspects and examples of the present disclosure relate to a device and method for effectively preventing the tipping of a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance can be a refrigerator, a freezer, a refrigerator-freezer, or another refrigeration appliance. While not exclusive thereto, built-in, professional style refrigeration appliances may be particularly prone to tipping because they are typically only of counter depth to allow for flush installation into existing cabinets. Such refrigeration appliances are also designed to accept custom door panels for seamless integration into various kitchen designs, which adds weight at the front of the refrigeration appliance and further encourages tipping.

The tipping of a refrigeration appliance can be avoided through the use of an anti-tip device. In addition to being capable of reliably preventing the tipping forward or tipping over of a refrigeration appliance, an anti-tip device should preferably be easy to properly install, so that the anti-tip device is not improperly installed or entirely ignored by an installer. This can be accomplished by providing a simple but effective anti-tip device and mounting the anti-tip device to a wall above a refrigeration appliance such that at least portions of the anti-tip device can overlie and engage with a top wall of the refrigeration appliance at least near a rear edge thereof to prevent tipping.

An anti-tip device according to examples of the present disclosure can include a base leg of some length via which the anti-tip device can be mounted to a vertical wall surface. A tip prevention leg extends forward from each end of the base leg so as to overlie a top wall of a refrigeration appliance when the anti-tip device is mounted to a wall such as, but not limited to, a stud wall against or near which a rear wall of the refrigerator is located. The tip prevention legs are spaced a sufficient distance apart so as to only engage the top wall of the refrigeration appliance in designated areas of acceptable contact, while also avoiding any interference with refrigeration appliance components that are located atop the refrigeration appliance. The anti-tip device can be easily secured to a wall, for instance by way of threaded fasteners.

Illustrative examples are provided to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The construction and method of operation of the invention, together with additional objects and advantages thereof may be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. The following sections describe various additional features and examples with reference to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions are used to describe the illustrative aspects, but, like the illustrative aspects, should not be used to limit the present disclosure.

Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, in particular, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a perspective view of an exemplary refrigeration appliance 100 with which an anti-tip device according to the present disclosure can be used. As would be understood by those of skill in the art, the refrigeration appliance 100 includes a cabinet 102, which may have a plurality of walls that define at least one cooling space within the refrigeration appliance 100. In the particular example of FIG. 1, the refrigeration appliance 100 includes an upper refrigeration space and a lower freezer space. A pair of doors 104 are pivotally connected to the cabinet 102 and seal the upper refrigeration space within the cabinet 102 when closed. A lower drawer front 106 is connected to and moves with an extendable drawer of the freezer space, and acts to seal the freezer space when closed. While the refrigeration appliance 100 of FIG. 1 is provided for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that an anti-tip device according to the present disclosure can be used with refrigeration appliances having many other configurations.

As may also be observed in FIG. 1, the refrigeration appliance 100 has a height dimension H, a width (lateral) dimension W, and a depth dimension D. As is typical of many, if not most, refrigeration appliances, the height dimension H of the refrigeration appliance 100 is greater than the width dimension W, and each of the height dimension H and the width dimension W is greater than the depth dimension D. This geometry of the refrigeration appliance 100 lends itself to possible inadvertent tipping over of the refrigeration appliance 100 in a forward direction and away from a wall 108 against (or close to) which the refrigeration appliance 100 is located. The tendency of the refrigeration appliance 100 to tip forward may also be encouraged by the location and weight of the doors 104, and possibly also the drawer front 106, which can cause a forward shift of the center of gravity of the refrigeration appliance 100, particularly when the doors 104 or the drawer front 106 are in an opened position. Likewise, the tendency of the refrigeration appliance 100, or another refrigeration appliance, to tip forward may be exacerbated when the refrigeration appliance is a counter-depth model refrigeration appliance, as counter-depth model refrigeration appliances typically have a reduced depth dimension.

FIG. 2 is a front top perspective view of the refrigeration appliance of FIG. 1, where it can be observed that various refrigeration appliance components 110 may reside upon a top wall 112 of the refrigeration appliance 100. The refrigeration appliance components 110 can be, but are not required to be, substantially centered relative to the width direction W of the top wall 112 and the refrigeration appliance 100.

The nature of the refrigeration appliance components 110 that are present on the top wall 112 of the refrigeration appliance 100 can vary. For example, and without limitation, the refrigeration appliance components 110 can include various electronic components, cooling components, wiring harnesses, and combinations thereof. In any case, due the sensitive nature of such refrigeration appliance components 110, applying a force thereto, such as may be exerted through contact with a superjacent anti-tip device, should be avoided to prevent damage to the refrigeration appliance components 110. Consequently, the use of certain known anti-tip devices such as, without limitation, a 2×4 or another block of wood that can be secured to the wall 108 to extend in the width direction W along the top wall 112 of the refrigeration appliance 100, should be avoided because such an anti-tip device would overlie a portion of the refrigeration appliance components 110 and make forcible contact therewith if the refrigeration appliance 100 tips forward.

As further indicated in FIG. 2, any contact between the top wall 112 of the refrigeration appliance 100 and an anti-tip device that is designed to prevent tipping of the refrigeration appliance 100 through movement inhibiting contact with the top wall 112, should be limited to areas of the top wall 112 that reside laterally outward of either side of the refrigeration appliance components 110. In the case of the refrigeration appliance 100 shown in FIG. 2, the location of such areas of acceptable contact 114 with the top wall 112 is approximately indicated with hatching. As should be obvious, each area of acceptable contact 114 with respect to the refrigeration appliance 100 may also extend farther in a forward direction if desired. Additionally, in refrigeration appliance 100 examples that lack the blocking elements 116 that are shown in FIG. 2 and described in more detail below, each area of acceptable contact 114 may also extend farther in a laterally inward direction so as to more closely approach the refrigeration appliance components 110. In any case, contact between an anti-tip device and the refrigeration appliance components 110 should be avoided.

FIG. 3 depicts one example of an anti-tip device 200 according to the present disclosure. The anti-tip device 200 may be used to prevent tipping of a refrigeration appliance, such as the refrigeration appliance 100, through non-damaging contact with the top wall 112 of the refrigeration appliance 100. As shown, the exemplary anti-tip device 200 includes an elongate and substantially rigid base leg 202 for mounting the anti-tip device 200 to the vertical surface of the wall 108. The base leg 202 includes a first end 202a, a second end 202b, a forward surface 204, and a wall abutting rear surface 206. The rear surface 206 of the base leg 202 may be substantially flat to facilitate mounting of the anti-tip device 200 to the wall 108.

A substantially rigid first tip prevention leg 208 extends in a forward direction (i.e., in a generally rear face-to-forward face direction) from the first end 202a of the base leg 202, and a substantially rigid second tip prevention leg 210 extends in a forward direction from the second end 202b of the base leg 202. The first tip prevention leg 208 and the second tip prevention leg 210 may extend from the base leg 202 at an acute angle, an obtuse angle, or a right angle (i.e., the first and/or second tip prevention legs 208, 210 may be perpendicular to the base leg 202). The first tip prevention leg 208 and the second tip prevention leg 210 may or may not be parallel to one another. The orientation of the first tip prevention leg 208 and the second tip prevention leg 210 is also such that, with the anti-tip device 200 installed to a vertical wall surface (see FIG. 4), each of the first tip prevention leg 208 and the second tip prevention leg 210 is most resistant to bending in an upward or downward direction relative to the floor.

The base leg 202 is shown to have a length L₁. A plurality of holes 212 are distributed along the length L₁ of the base leg 202 and pass through the base leg 202 from the forward surface 204 to the rear surface 206 for allowing the passage of fasteners (e.g., threaded fasteners) through the base leg 202. As described in more detail below, the fasteners can be used to secure the anti-tip device 200 to the wall 108, such as by engaging with wooden wall studs. By using appropriate fasteners, the anti-tip device 200 can also be secured to the wall 108 when the construction of the wall 108 employs metal studs or is of concrete block or poured concrete (masonry) construction, as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

In some examples of the anti-tip device 200, the first tip prevention leg 208, the second tip prevention leg 210, and the base leg 202 can be separate components, and the first tip prevention leg 208 and the second tip prevention leg 210 can be joined to the base leg 202, such as by welding or by another technique known in the art and appropriate to the material from which the first tip prevention leg 208, the second tip prevention leg 210, and the base leg 202 are constructed. To simplify manufacturing of the anti-tip device 200, and to possibly save material, the anti-tip device 200 can instead be formed from a single piece of material, such as by plastic molding or by metal working. For example, when the anti-tip device 200 is manufactured from a single piece of metal material, the first tip prevention leg 208 and the second tip prevention leg 210 may be bent forward from the base leg 202.

FIG. 4 depicts the anti-tip device 200 of FIG. 3 in use to prevent tipping of the refrigeration appliance 100 depicted in FIG. 2. As shown, the anti-tip device 200 is securely attached to the wall 108 against which the refrigeration appliance 100 is located, such as by passing a plurality of fasteners (not shown) through various ones of the holes 212 in the base leg 202 of the anti-tip device and into studs in the wall 108. Once installed to the wall 108, the first tip prevention leg 208 and the second tip prevention leg 210 of the anti-tip device 200 overlie the top wall 112 of the refrigeration appliance 100. Particularly, it may be observed that when the anti-tip device 200 is properly mounted to the wall 108 and properly positioned relative to the refrigeration appliance 100, the first tip prevention leg 208 and the second tip prevention leg 210 overlie the top wall 112 of the refrigeration appliance 100 in the areas of acceptable contact 114 with the top wall 112, and do not contact or otherwise interfere with the refrigeration appliance components 110. Once properly installed to the wall, the anti-tip device 200 prevents forward tipping of the refrigeration appliance 100 by prohibiting upward movement of the top wall 112 of the refrigeration appliance.

As may be observed in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, this example of the refrigeration appliance 100 includes a pair of optional blocking elements 116 that reside on opposite lateral sides of the refrigeration appliance components 110. When present, the blocking elements 116 function to prevent damage to the refrigeration appliance components 110 if the anti-tip device 200 is mislocated relative to the refrigeration appliance 100. More specifically, the blocking elements 116 would prevent either the first tip prevention leg 208 or the second tip prevention leg 210 from making undesirable contact with the refrigeration appliance components 110 if the anti-tip device 200 is mislocated relative to the refrigeration appliance 100 and far enough off-center relative to the refrigeration appliance components 110. While a pair of blocking elements 116 are depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that one or more blocking elements 116 may be present in examples according to the present disclosure.

When used, the blocking elements 116 may be already installed (existing) components of the refrigeration appliance 100. Alternatively, the blocking elements 116 can be provided as companion components to the anti-tip device 200 and may be mounted to the refrigeration appliance 100 prior to or at the time of installation of the anti-tip device 200. In at least some examples, the blocking elements 116 may comprise brackets that are attachable to the refrigeration appliance 100, such as to the top wall 112 or a rear wall of the refrigeration appliance 100. When used in combination, the anti-tip device 200 and the blocking elements 116 can form a refrigeration appliance anti-tip system.

FIG. 5 depicts a section of the wall 108 to which the anti-tip device 200 is installed in FIG. 4, with a drywall/sheetrock covering removed to reveal a first wall stud 300 and a second wall stud 302 that are overlaid by the anti-tip device 200. Wall studs, such as the wall studs 300, 302 of FIG. 5, are typically arranged at on-center intervals of sixteen inches or twenty-four inches, depending on the dimensions of the wall studs and the nature of the wall construction. As such, the holes 212 in the base leg 202 of the anti-tip device 200 are preferably spaced apart along the length direction L₁ of the base leg 202 so as to be aligned with wall studs having such spacings. For example, the holes 212 in one example of the anti-tip device 200 according to the present disclosure may be spaced apart so that selected pairs of the holes 212 will be aligned with wall studs spaced at sixteen inches on center. The holes 212 in another example of the anti-tip device 200 according to the present disclosure may be spaced apart so that selected pairs of the holes 212 will be aligned with wall studs spaced at twenty-four inches on center. Alternatively, it may be possible to arrange the holes 212 in an example of the anti-tip device 200 according to the present disclosure so that selected pairs of the holes 212 will be aligned with wall studs spaced at both sixteen inches and twenty-four inches on center.

The number of holes in the base leg 202 of the anti-tip device 200 may vary, as may the specific spacing between adjacent holes 212. Based on the aforementioned typical sixteen and twenty-four inch spacing between residential wall studs, adjacent holes 212 in the base leg 202 of the anti-tip device 200 can be spaced, for example, at some distance that is an even multiple of one or both of the sixteen and the twenty-four-inch dimensions. For example, and without limitation, hole-to-hole spacings of ⅓ of an inch, ⅔ of an inch, 1 inch, 1⅓ inches, and 1⅔ inches, are all even multiples of one or both of the sixteen and the twenty-four-inch dimensions. Considering also the typical 1½ inch thickness of typical residential framing lumber, and balancing the hole spacing to avoid an excessive number of holes 212, one exemplary and non-limiting example of the anti-tip device 200 according to the present disclosure utilizes a hole spacing of approximately 1 inch on center. In another exemplary and non-limiting example of the anti-tip device 200 according to the present disclosure, a hole spacing of approximately ¾ of an inch on center may be used. This slightly reduced hole spacing can ensure that wall studs spaced apart by sixteen inches, twenty-four-inches, or other dimensions, can be easily accommodated. As indicated, other hole spacings are also possible, including hole spacings that are not specifically mentioned above.

The length L₁ of the base leg 202 can vary depending on the dimensions of the refrigeration appliance 100 with which the anti-tip device 200 will be used, as well as the dimension of the refrigeration appliance components 110 at least in the width direction W of the refrigeration appliance 100. For example, one of skill in the art would understand that refrigeration appliances are manufactured in various widths, including at least widths of 30 inches, 36 inches, 42 inches, and 48 inches. The width of the refrigeration appliance components 110 located atop the refrigeration appliance 100 may or may not vary with the width of the refrigeration appliance 100. In any case, the anti-tip device 200 may be manufactured in various lengths to accommodate different dimensions of the refrigeration appliance 100 and the refrigeration appliance components 110. This ensures that the first tip prevention leg 208 and the second tip prevention leg 210 of the anti-tip device 200 will overlie the areas of acceptable contact 114 on the top wall 112 of the of the refrigeration appliance 100 regardless of the width dimensions of the refrigeration appliance 100 or the refrigeration appliance components 110.

While the length L₁ of the base leg 202 of the anti-tip device 200 may vary, it is preferred that the base leg 202 have a minimum length that is slightly greater than sixteen inches. In this manner, the holes 212 in the base leg 202 of the anti-tip device 200 should allow the anti-tip device 200 to be secured to at least two wall studs when the wall studs are set on sixteen-inch centers.

The lengths L₂ of the first tip prevention leg 208 and the second tip prevention leg 210 of the anti-tip device 200, as measured in the forward direction in which the first and second tip prevention legs 208, 210 extend from the base leg 202, can also vary. The lengths L₂ of the first and second tip prevention legs 208, 210 will normally, but not necessarily, be less than the length L₁ of the base leg 202.

As with the length L₁ of the base leg 202, the height H_B of the base leg 202, which is measured perpendicularly to the length L₁ of the base leg 202, may also vary. In some examples, the height H_T of one or both of the first and second tip prevention legs 208, 210 may be equal to the height H_B of the base leg 202. In other examples, the height H_T of one or both of the first and second tip prevention legs 208, 210 may be different than the height H_B of the base leg 202. When the height H_T of one or both of the first and second tip prevention legs 208, 210 is different than the height H_B of the base leg 202, it is preferred, but not essential, that a bottom edge of each of the first and second tip prevention legs 208, 210 lies in substantially the same plane as a bottom edge of the base leg 202.

In at least some examples, it is anticipated that the anti-tip device 200 may be used to prevent tipping of the refrigeration appliance 100 when the refrigeration appliance 100 is installed into what is commonly referred to in the art as a European-style frameless niche. In such an installation, a top wall of the frameless niche is normally set at a height of 84 inches above the surface of the floor on which the refrigeration appliance 100 will rest. Based on the typical height of the refrigeration appliance 100, this will result in a gap of 53 millimeters between the top wall of the frameless niche and the top wall 112 of the refrigeration appliance 100 when the refrigeration appliance 100 is placed in the niche. Consequently, in one particular example according to the present disclosure, the height H_B of the base leg 202 of the anti-tip device 200 is 53 millimeters. The height of the first and second tip prevention legs 208, 210 may also be 53 millimeters, or can be less than 53 millimeters. Setting the height of at least the base leg 202 of the anti-tip device 200 at 53 millimeters eliminates the need for an installer to measure an offset from the top edge of the base leg 202 to the top wall of the frameless niche. Instead, the top edge of the base leg 202 of the anti-tip device 200 can simply be placed against the top wall of the frameless niche, and the anti-tip device 200 will automatically be set at the proper height to overlie and prevent tipping of the refrigeration appliance 100 once the refrigeration appliance 100 is installed into the frameless niche.

Where appearing herein, the terms first and second are used only for purposes of differentiation and not to indicate superiority, a preference, or an order.

The foregoing description of certain examples, including illustrated examples, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

• • 100 Refrigeration Appliance
  • 102 Cabinet
  • 104 Door
  • 106 Drawer Front
  • 108 Wall
  • 110 Refrigeration Appliance Components
  • 112 Top Wall
  • 114 Areas of Acceptable Contact
  • 116 Blocking Elements
  • 200 Anti-tip Device
  • 202 Base Leg
  • 202a First End
  • 202b Second End
  • 204 Forward Face
  • 206 Rear Surface
  • 208 First Tip Prevention Leg
  • 210 Second Tip Prevention Leg
  • 212 Holes
  • 300 First Wall Stud
  • 302 Second Wall Stud
  • H Height dimension of the appliance
  • W Width dimension of the appliance
  • D Depth dimension of the appliance
  • L₁ Length of the anti-tip device
  • L₂ Length of a tip prevention leg
  • H_B Height of the base leg
  • H_T Height of the tip prevention leg

Claims

1. An anti-tip device for a refrigeration appliance, the anti-tip device comprising: an elongate and substantially rigid base leg for mounting to a vertical wall surface, said base leg having a first end, a second end, a forward surface, and a rear surface;said base leg having a plurality of holes distributed along a length of said base leg and passing through said base leg from said forward surface to said rear surface for allowing fasteners to pass through said base leg;a substantially rigid first tip prevention leg extending in a forward direction from said base leg at said first end thereof; anda substantially rigid second tip prevention leg extending in the forward direction from said base leg at said second end thereof.

2. The anti-tip device according to claim 1, wherein the length of said base leg exceeds sixteen inches.

3. The anti-tip device according to claim 1, wherein a height of said base leg, measured perpendicularly to the length of said base leg, is approximately 53 millimeters.

4. The anti-tip device according to claim 1, wherein said holes are arranged along the length of said base leg so that selected pairs of said holes are separated by a distance selected from the group consisting of sixteen inches and twenty-four inches.

5. The anti-tip device according to claim 1, wherein a length of said first tip prevention leg and a length of said second tip prevention leg is less than the length of said base leg.

6. The anti-tip device according to claim 1, wherein the first tip prevention leg is substantially parallel to the second tip prevention leg.

7. The anti-tip device according to claim 1, wherein said base leg, said first tip prevention leg, and said second tip prevention leg are formed of a single piece of material.

8. The anti-tip device according to claim 7, wherein the material is metal, and said first and second tip prevention legs are bend forward from said base leg.

9. The anti-tip device according to claim 1, wherein said rear surface of said base leg is substantially flat to facilitate mounting of the anti-tip device to a wall.

10. An anti-tip system for a refrigeration appliance, the anti-tip system comprising: an anti-tip device comprising: an elongate and substantially rigid base leg for mounting the anti-tip device to a vertical wall surface, said base leg having a first end, a second end, a forward surface, and a rear surface;said base leg having a plurality of holes distributed along a length of said base leg and passing through said base leg from said forward surface to said rear surface for allowing fasteners to pass through said base leg;a substantially rigid first tip prevention leg extending in a forward direction from said base leg at said first end thereof; anda substantially rigid second tip prevention leg extending in the forward direction from said base leg at said second end thereof; andone or more blocking elements affixed to the refrigeration appliance along opposite lateral sides of refrigeration appliance components that are disposed on a top wall of the refrigeration appliance, said one or more blocking elements being configured to prevent contact between the refrigeration appliance components and said first and second tip prevention legs.

11. The anti-tip system according to claim 10, wherein said holes are arranged along the length of said base leg of said anti-tip device so that selected pairs of said holes are separated by a distance selected from the group consisting of sixteen inches and twenty-four inches.

12. The anti-tip system according to claim 10, wherein said base leg, said first tip prevention leg, and said second tip prevention leg of said anti-tip device are formed of a single piece of material.

13. The anti-tip system according to claim 10, wherein the refrigeration appliance components are substantially centered along a width dimension of the top wall of the refrigeration appliance.

14. The anti-tip system according to claim 10, wherein said one or more blocking elements are integral components of the refrigeration appliance.

15. The anti-tip system according to claim 10, wherein said one or more blocking elements are brackets configured for attachment to the refrigeration appliance.