Patent Application
20080036349
With initial reference to
Although refrigerator 2 can take various forms,
For the sake of simplicity, the various components of a conventional refrigeration circuit have not been shown. However, with this configuration of refrigerator 2, the various compressor, condenser, evaporator and the like components are preferably supported upon top panel 60 of freezer compartment box 55, as well as top cover member 84. In accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the evaporator is supported above freezer compartment box 55 while the compressor and condenser are located above fresh food compartment box 65, with each of these components being accessible upon removing access panel 32.
In accordance with the invention, front frame 40 includes top, bottom and opposing side frame members 110-113 along with a mullion member 117 that collectively define first and second openings 128 and 129. In the embodiment shown, opening 128 corresponds to freezer compartment box 55 and opening 129 corresponds to fresh food compartment box 65. Important in connection with the present invention, as best shown in
In further accordance with the invention, in addition to establishing openings 128 and 129, the stamping process creates a plurality of outer edge portions 140-143 that correspond to top, bottom and opposing side frame members 110-113 respectively. Outer edge portions 140-143 are provided with a plurality of openings, one of which is indicated at 144, which, as will be discussed more fully below, are employed when connecting front frame 40 to the remainder of refrigerator 2. In addition to outer edge portions 140-143, front frame 40 also includes first and second plurality of inner edge portions 145-148 and 153-156. Inner edge portions 145-148 and 153-156 extend about and define openings 128 and 129 respectively.
Following the stamping process, front frame 40 undergoes a forming process during which outer edge portions 140-143 and first and second pluralities of inner edge portions 145-148 and 153-156 are folded or bent so as to define an outer peripheral U-shaped channel 161, as well as a U-shaped mullion channel 164, both of which open rearwardly as represented in
In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, peripheral frame 40 is provided with a plurality of corner or stiffening brackets 184-187 that are respectively arranged at an intersection (not separately labeled) of top and bottom frame members 110 and 111 with opposing side frame members 112 and 113. Each stiffening bracket 184-187 is generally L-shaped having first and second leg portions, indicated at 190 and 191 for bracket 184, which extend onto top frame member 110 and side frame member 113 respectively. Of course, the remaining stiffening brackets 185-187 include corresponding leg portions that extend onto top or bottom frame members 110, 111, as well as a respective side frame member 112, 113. In any case, stiffening brackets 184-187 are preferably fixedly mounted to front frame 40 through respective double-sided adhesive pads 195-198. Once in place, stiffening brackets 184-187 provide additional stiffening to front frame 40 so as to minimize racking forces which may occur during shipment.
Based on the above, it should be readily apparent that front frame 40, constructed in accordance with the present invention, provides for a simple, cost effective method of manufacture that removes many previously required steps to join top, bottom, opposing side frames and mullion members. By removing unnecessary steps in a manufacturing process, the present invention reduces costs and complexity associated with the construction of refrigerator 2 thereby providing the manufacturer with a competitive advantage.
Although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, while shown in connection with a built-in refrigerator, front frame 40 could also be employed in other side-by-side models, as well as top mount, bottom mount and French door style refrigerators. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.
