Patent Application
20160003522
Certain embodiments of the invention relate to refrigerators. More specifically, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile for accommodating upper cabinets such that additional capacity of a temperature-controlled storage cavity is provided.
Existing refrigerators 10 are generally rectangular-shaped such that the refrigerator 10 fits in a free standing refrigerator “cutout” in a kitchen. Typical existing “cutouts” may be, for example, from thirty (30) to thirty-six (36) inches wide and from sixty (60) to seventy (70) inches tall. The size of a kitchen refrigerator “cutout” can be defined by one or more of a floor, walls, and/or cabinets. Referring to
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.
Various embodiments provide a refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile that provides additional capacity of a temperature-controlled storage cavity, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.
Aspects of the present invention are related to free standing refrigerators. More specifically, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator having a top surface with a notched profile for accommodating upper cabinets such that additional capacity of a temperature-controlled storage cavity is provided.
A representative embodiment of the present invention provides users of refrigerators with additional temperature-controlled storage capacity without having to remove existing upper cabinets by providing a refrigerator with a top surface having a notched profile. The top surface of the refrigerator may include a rear portion sitting, for example, below the existing upper cabinets and a front portion, substantially parallel with the rear portion, that is above the rear portion and coupled to the rear portion by a vertical portion such that the top surface extends, for example, generally around a bottom and front surface of the upper cabinets to define the notched profile.
Various embodiments provide a refrigerator 100 that includes a temperature-controlled storage cavity 117, a front surface 113, a rear surface 114 opposite the front surface 113, and a top surface 111. The temperature-controlled storage cavity 117 includes a first storage area 117a and a second storage area 117b. At least a portion of the front surface 113 provides access to the temperature-controlled cavity 117. The top surface 111 includes a front portion 111a adjacent and generally perpendicular to the front surface 113. The top surface 111 includes a rear portion 111c adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface 114. The rear portion 111c is below the front portion 111a. The top surface 111 includes a central portion 111b connecting the front portion 111a and the rear portion 111c. The first storage area 117a is below the rear portion 111c and between the front surface 113 and the rear surface 114. The second storage area 117b is above the rear portion 111c, below the front portion 111a, and between the front surface 113 and the central portion 111b.
As utilized herein, the terms “exemplary” or “example” means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the term “e.g.” introduces a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.
The front surface 113 can include one or more doors and/or drawers for accessing the temperature-controlled storage cavity 117. For example, the front surface 113 and temperature-controlled storage cavity 117 can be configured as a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, a French door refrigerator top with bottom freezer drawer, a top freezer and bottom refrigerator, a top refrigerator with two door bottom freezer, all freezer, all refrigerator, or any suitable configuration. In an example embodiment, a height from the bottom surface 112 to a top of the front surface 113 is greater than a height from the bottom surface 112 to a top of the rear surface 114. For example, a top of the front surface 113 may be approximately eighty-four (84) inches from the bottom surface 112 and a top of the rear surface 114 may be approximately sixty-nine (69) inches from the bottom surface 112. The rear surface 114 is opposite the front surface 113 such that the rear surface 114 is, for example, adjacent wall 32 when the refrigerator is positioned in a kitchen “cutout.”
The bottom surface 112 may be a base for the refrigerator 100. The bottom surface 112 may, for example, sit on a floor 30. The bottom surface may comprise legs, rollers, pads, or the like for supporting the refrigerator 100 in relation to the floor 30. The legs, rollers, pads, or the like can be adjustable to, for example, level the refrigerator. The legs, roller, pads, or the like may protect the floor from damage, such as scratching, and/or assist in allowing the refrigerator to be slid or rolled on floor 30. The side surfaces 115, 116 are the sides of the refrigerator 100. The side surfaces 115, 116 are generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to the top 111, bottom, 112, front 113, and rear 114 surfaces. The side surfaces 115, 116 may have a notched or stepped upper profile that corresponds with the top surface 111, as described below, such that refrigerator 100 may fit around upper cabinet 20, among other things.
The top surface 111 comprises a front portion 111a, a central/vertical portion 111b, and a rear portion 111c. In an example embodiment, the front 111a and rear 111c portions are generally parallel with each other and the bottom surface 112, and the central portion 111b is generally perpendicular with and connects the front 111a and rear 111c portions to provide a top surface 111 with a notched or stepped profile. For example, an angle between the front portion 111a and the central portion 111b is approximately ninety (90) degrees. The angle between the rear portion 111c and the central portion 111b may also be approximately ninety (90) degrees. The front portion 111a is adjacent and generally perpendicular to the front surface 113. The rear portion 111c is adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface 114.
In an embodiment, the front portion 111a is above the rear portion 111c. As an example, a height of the front portion 111a from the bottom surface 112 is greater than a height of the rear portion 111c from the bottom surface 112. In various embodiments, the height of the front portion 111a from the bottom surface 112 may be approximately eighty-four (84) inches, the height of the rear portion 111b from the bottom surface 112 may be approximately sixty-nine (69) inches, and the height of the central portion 111b from the rear portion 111c to the front portion 111a may be approximately fifteen (15) inches, for example.
In certain embodiments, a depth of the rear portion 111c from the central portion 111b to the rear surface 114 may each be between thirteen (13) and twenty-five (25) inches to accommodate upper cabinet 20 depths of twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) inches, for example. A depth of the front portion 111a between the front surface 113 and the central portion 111b may be, for example, eight (8) to twenty (20) inches. In an example embodiment, a depth of the front portion 111a is sixteen (16) inches and the depth of the rear portion 111c is fifteen (15) inches.
As illustrated in
Although devices, methods, and systems according to the present invention may have been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternative, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the scope of the invention as defined by this disclosure and appended diagrams.
While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
