EP2764307B1

EP2764307B1 - Shelf suitable for use on a cooling device door

Info

Publication number: EP2764307B1
Application number: EP12770467.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kadir Ridvan Celik; Osman Cihan DEMIREL
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2011-10-03
Filing date: 2012-10-03
Publication date: 2018-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-03
Also published as: EP2764307A2; WO2013050399A3; PL2764307T3; WO2013050399A2

Description

The present invention relates to a shelf suitable for using on the cooling device door.
In cooling devices, shelves whereon foodstuffs and containers are placed are situated on the inner surface of the door. In some cooling devices, door shelves, the supporting surface of which is produced from glass or similar materials, are used for reasons of cleanliness and to improve the esthetic appearance. In these shelves, barriers are disposed at the front side of the glass plate for securing the glass plate, preventing the objects thereon from falling and to improve the appearance by hiding the cross section of the glass plate. These barriers are preferably of plastic material, generally produced together with the side walls and this results in the increase of molding and labor costs. Problems of durability arise in shelves wherein the barriers are mounted after placing the glass plate.
In the state of the art European Patent Document No. EP0564952 , a door shelf that comprises a glass plate is described. In this embodiment, the appearance of the shelf is improved by mounting a U-profiled rubber component to the front side of the glass plate.
In the state of the art European Patent Document No. EP2000760 , a door shelf that comprises a glass plate is described. The glass plate is prevented from dislodging from the front side by means of two support pieces that extend towards each other from the side walls of the shelf such that front side of the glass plate is partially covered. In this embodiment, the glass plate is mounted to the cooling device door after being grouped to the shelf body.
Document US5332611 A discloses a shelf edge trim having a U-shaped body portion for removably receiving and supporting a shelf therein.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a shelf suitable for utilization in the cooling device door and for which ease of assembly is provided.
The shelf realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body having two opposite side walls and a plate produced from glass or similar material, disposed in the body so as to entirely cover the gap between the side walls. The shelf furthermore comprises a support member that is mounted on the body so that the front side of the plate is covered. The support member that extends along the length of the plate is attached to the inner surfaces of the side walls from two sides. Thus, the plate is prevented from dislodging from the front side of the shelf. Furthermore, the cross-section of the plate is hidden and the esthetic appearance is improved.
The support member, after being seated on the side walls, is secured to the body by being rotated around an axis that extends almost parallel to the front side of the plate. Accordingly, dislodging of the support member from the body by pulling is prevented and a more durable connection is maintained.
While the support member is mounted to the body, at least some portion thereof exerts pressure on the plate and prevents the plate from moving in the vertical direction. Thus, the problems like the plate getting loose, shaking, swaying are prevented during the use of the shelf and/or opening/closing of the cooling device door.
In the present invention, the support member is easily mounted to the body by means of the pins and the detent means disposed oppositely on the inner surfaces of the side walls and by means of the channels, openings and protrusions situated at both ends of the support member. Furthermore, the support member prevents dislodging of the plate from the body by both covering the front side of the plate and exerting pressure from above by means of the protrusion.
In a version of this embodiment, a ramp-shaped detent means is used. The detent means rises from the front side of the body towards the rear side and after a peak point comes back instantly to the elevation of the point wherefrom it started. During mounting the support member to the body, the protrusion moves easily to the peak point of the detent means due to this inclined structure and after passing over the peak point, rests on the surface of the detent means, the width of which preferably is wider than itself, that is almost vertical to the side wall. Thus, the protrusion is prevented from being freed from the detent means.
In the present invention, resting surfaces are located on the inner surfaces of the opposite side walls. The plate is placed on the resting surfaces at equal elevations from each side. Thus, the plate is provided to be mounted to the body without using any connection member.
In the present invention, the body comprises a rear wall and a guide is disposed on the surface of this rear wall facing the side walls, which extends almost all along the rear wall. The guide is at a higher position than the resting surfaces. The plate is first placed between the guide and the resting surfaces and afterwards is released to be seated on the resting surfaces.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support member has the same cross-section all along its length. Thus, the production of the support member is made easier and the material cost decreases. In this embodiment, since the opening extends all along the support member, the flexibility of the support member increases and it is mounted to the body in an easier manner.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf comprises at least one barrier that is mounted to the upper surfaces of the side walls from each end. By means of the preferably wire-shaped barrier, the objects on the plate are prevented from falling down.
By means of the present invention, the shelf suitable for use in cooling device doors gains a modular structure and mounting thereof to the cooling device door becomes easier. Furthermore, by means of the support member structure, pressure is exerted on the plate from two directions and the durability is increased.
The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the shelf of the present invention.
Figure 2 - is the partial view of the shelf before the support member is mounted to the body.
Figure 3 - is the sideways schematic view of the shelf while the support member is being mounted to the body.
Figure 4 - is the sideways schematic view of the shelf when the support member is mounted to the body.
Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the shelf while the plate is being placed to the body.
Figure 6 - is the sideways schematic view of the shelf while the plate is being placed to the body.
Figure 7 - is the exploded view of the shelf.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Shelf
2. Body
3. Side wall
4. Plate
5. Support member
6. Pin
7. Detent means
8. Channel
9. Opening
10. Protrusion
11. Resting surface
12. Rear wall
13. Guide
14. Barrier

The shelf (1) suitable for use in the cooling device door comprises a body (2) having two side walls (3) and a plate (4) disposed between the side walls (3), whereon objects are placed.
The shelf (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises a support member (5) that provides the plate (4) to be secured to the body (2) by being mounted to the inner surfaces of the side walls (3) from two sides thereof such that the front side of the plate (4) is almost entirely covered. The support member (5) not only improves the esthetic appearance by hindering cross-section of the plate (4) to be viewed the by the user but also prevents the plate (4) to be dislodged from the body (2) (Figure 1).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the support member (5) is mounted on the side walls (3) by being rotated such that the line connecting the points wherefrom it is mounted to the side walls (3) is the rotational axis. Thus, a durable connection is maintained and the support member (5) is made difficult to be dislodged from the body (2).
The support member (5) prevents the plate (4) from moving in the vertical direction by at least some portion thereof exerting pressure on the plate (4) from above when mounted to the side walls (3). Thus, when the user places objects on the plate (4), the problems like the plate (4) shaking, quivering are prevented and the durability perception of the user is increased.
In the present invention, the shelf (1) comprises pins (6) oppositely disposed on each of the side walls (3) and detent means (7) oppositely disposed on the each of the side walls (3), above each pin (6) and that prevent the support member (5) from falling. The support member (5) comprises a channel (8) wherein the pin (6) is seated, enabling to rotate around the pin (6) while being mounted to the body (2), an opening (9) allowing the pin (6) to be fitted into the channel (8) and a protrusion (10) that provides the support member (5) to be secured by bearing to the detent means (7) after being mounted to the body (2). After the plate (4) is mounted to the body (2), the support member (5) is aligned such that the pins (6) on the side walls (9) pass through the openings (9) at each end. The support member (5) is pushed slightly towards the plate (4) and the pins (6), due to their flexible structure, are seated in the channel (8) by passing through the opening (9). Afterwards, the support member (5) is rotated around the pin (6) until the protrusion (10) bears against the detent means (7). When the protrusion (10) bears against the detent means (7), the support member (5) is prevented from being dislodged and the assembly process is completed. Thus, the shelf (1) can be mounted modularly and sequentially to the door of the cooling device where it will be used and ease of assembly is provided. Furthermore, the protrusion (10) increases the durability of the plate (4) by exerting pressure thereon (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4).
In a version of this embodiment, the detent means (7) is ramp-shaped. Thus, during mounting the support member (5), the protrusion (10) moves more easily on the detent means (7) and provides the support member (5) to be mounted to the body (2) in a durable manner by being positioned behind the detent means (7) at the end of the movement (Figure 5).
In the present invention, the shelf (1) comprises resting surfaces (11) extending inwards from each of the side walls (3). In this embodiment, the plate (4) is placed on the resting surfaces (11). Thus, after the body (2) is mounted to the surface wherein the shelf (1) is to be used, the plate (4) can be disposed on the body (2) and ease of assembly is provided. Furthermore, cost advantage is provided since an additional component is not required for mounting the plate (4) to the body (2) (Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7).
In the present invention, the body (2) comprises a rear wall (12). The shelf (1) comprises a guide (13) disposed on the rear wall (12) which provides the plate (4) to be aligned while being mounted to the body (2). The guide (13) is at a higher position than the elevation of the resting surfaces (11) at least by as much as the thickness of the plate (4). After the side of the plate (4) facing the rear wall (12) is placed under the guide (13), the plate (4) is released slightly and is seated on the resting surfaces (11). Consequently, the operation of mounting the plate (4) to the body (2) is performed more easily (Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the support member (5) has the same cross-section all along its length. Thus, the production of the support member (5) becomes easy. In this embodiment, the material cost also decreases since the opening (9) extends along the support member (5). Furthermore, the assembly process becomes easier since the flexibility of the support member (5) is increased.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf (1) comprises at least one barrier (14) that is mounted on the upper surfaces of the opposite side walls (3) from each end and which prevents the objects on the plate (4) from falling. Thus, the objects on the plate (4) are prevented from falling down after overturning and hence safety of the user and the objects stored on the shelf (1) is increased (Figure 1, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 7).
By means of the present invention, the shelf (1), which is suitable for use in cooling device doors, having the plate (4) produced from glass or similar material, is being mounted to the door easily and the durability of the shelf (1) is increased by means of the support member (5) limiting the movement of the plate (4) in two directions.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A shelf (1) suitable for using on a cooling device door comprising
- a body (2) having two side walls (3) and a rear wall (12)

- a plate (4) produced from glass or similar material, disposed between the side walls (3), whereon objects are placed,

- a support member (5) having two ends that provides the plate (4) to be secured to the body (2) by being mounted with the ends to the inner surfaces of the side walls (3) such that the front side of the plate (4) is entirely covered, wherein at least some portion of the support member (5) exerts pressure on the plate (4) from above,

- pins (6) oppositely disposed on each of the side walls (3),

- detent means (7) disposed oppositely on each of the side walls (3), above the pins (6),

- resting surfaces (11) extending inwards from each of the side walls (3), the plate (4) being disposed on the resting surfaces (11),

- a guide (13) disposed on the rear wall (12) and the guide (13) at a higher position than the resting surfaces, and which provides the plate (4) to be aligned while being mounted to body (2),

- wherein each end of the support member (5) having a channel (8) wherein the pin (6) is seated, enabling the support member (5) to rotate around the pin (6) while being mounted to the body (2), an opening (9) allowing the pin (6) to be fitted into the channel (8) and a protrusion (10) that provides the support member (5) to be secured by resting on the detent means (7) after being mounted to the body (2).
A shelf (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the support member (5) mountable on the side walls (3) by being rotated such that the line connecting the points wherefrom it is mounted to the side walls (3) is the rotational axis.
A shelf (1) as in anyone of the above Claims, characterized by the ramp-shaped detent means (7).
A shelf (1) as in anyone of the above Claims, characterized by the support member (5) having the same cross-section all along its length.
A shelf (1) as in anyone of the above Claims, characterized by at least one barrier (14) which is mounted on the upper surfaces of the opposite side walls (3) from each end and that prevents the objects on the plate (4) from falling.
A cooling device comprising a shelf (1) as in anyone of the above Claims.