Search

BR-102025014089-A2 - REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE SUBCOMPONENT ASSEMBLY SYSTEM

BR102025014089A2BR 102025014089 A2BR102025014089 A2BR 102025014089A2BR-102025014089-A2

Abstract

An anchoring assembly for securing a subcomponent to a refrigerator includes a receiving portion and a cover portion. The receiving portion has a first end configured to extend into an internal chamber of a refrigerator and support a drawer or shelf, a second end, and tabs that extend radially outward to a position between the first and second ends. The cover portion has a hub and a skirt that extend radially outward from the hub. The hub is configured to engage the second end of the receiving portion to secure the second portion to the first portion. The skirt is configured to engage a wall and extend around the keyed hole. The tabs and skirt are configured collectively to generate a compressive force on the wall to secure the anchoring assembly to the wall.

Inventors

  • LUIZ AFRANIO ALVES FERREIRA
  • Vinicius Bianchezzi
  • LEONARDO KRIEGER GRANEMANN

Assignees

  • WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date
20260310
Application Date
20250708
Priority Date
20240814

Claims (20)

  1. 1. Anchoring assembly configured to engage an inner lining of a refrigeration appliance, the anchoring assembly CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a receiving portion having (i) a first axial end, (ii) a second axial end and (iii) tabs extending radially outwards in a position that is between the first and second axial ends, wherein (a) the first axial end includes an operable post to support a shelf or drawer, (b) the second axial end has threads and (c) the tabs are configured to engage an inner surface of the inner lining; a cover portion (i) defining a threaded hole and (ii) having a skirt extending radially outward from the threaded hole, wherein (a) the threaded hole is configured to engage the threads to secure the cover portion to the receiving portion, (b) the skirt is configured to engage an outer surface of the inner liner and extend around a hole defined by the inner liner to isolate the hole, and (c) the tabs and the skirt are configured to collectively generate a compressive force on the inner liner to secure the anchor assembly to the inner liner.
  2. 2. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a roller arranged rotatably around the post, wherein the roller is operable to (i) support the drawer or shelf and (ii) rotate around the post and along the drawer or shelf to facilitate sliding adjustment of a position of the drawer or shelf.
  3. 3. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the post defines a hole for receiving fasteners.
  4. 4. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a fastener disposed within the fastener receiving hole, wherein the fastener is operable to retain the roller on the post.
  5. 5. Anchoring assembly according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that (i) the fastener includes a head, (ii) the head and the receiving portion have opposite surfaces, and (iii) the opposite surfaces engage opposite axial ends of the roller to restrict the axial movement of the roller along the post.
  6. 6. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the post is oriented horizontally to support the shelf or drawer.
  7. 7. Anchoring assembly configured to engage a refrigeration unit lining, the anchoring assembly CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a first portion having (i) a first end, (ii) a second end and (iii) tabs extending radially outward therefrom, wherein (a) the tabs are configured to engage the lining and (b) the first end includes an operable pin to support a shelf or drawer; and a second portion having (i) a hub and (ii) a skirt extending radially outward from the hub, wherein (a) the hub is configured to engage the second end of the first portion to secure the second portion to the first portion, (b) the skirt is configured to engage the lining and extends around an orifice defined by the lining, and (c) the tabs and the skirt are configured to collectively generate a compressive force on the lining to secure the anchoring assembly to the lining.
  8. 8. Anchoring assembly according to claim 7 CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a roller rotatably arranged around the pin, wherein the roller is operable to (i) support the drawer or shelf and (ii) rotate around the pin and along the drawer or shelf to facilitate sliding adjustment of the position of the drawer or shelf.
  9. 9. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the pin defines a receiving hole for the fastener.
  10. 10. Anchoring assembly according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a fastener disposed within the fastener receiving hole, wherein the fastener is operable to retain the roller on the pin.
  11. 11. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that (i) the fastener includes a head, (ii) the head and the first portion have opposite surfaces and (iii) the opposite surfaces engage opposite axial ends of the roller to restrict the axial movement of the roller along the pin.
  12. 12. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the pin is oriented horizontally to support the shelf or drawer.
  13. 13. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the second portion includes wings to facilitate engagement between the hub and the second end by means of a threaded connection during installation of the second portion onto the first portion.
  14. 14. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the first portion includes a pair of substantially parallel plates (i) extending radially outward, (ii) disposed between the first and second ends, and (iii) defining at least one chamber between them, configured to receive leakage of an insulating material during the installation of the insulating material in the second portion.
  15. 15. Anchoring assembly for securing a subcomponent to a refrigerator, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a receiving portion having (i) a first end configured to extend into an inner chamber of a refrigerator and support a drawer or shelf, (ii) a second end, and (iii) tabs extending radially outward at a position between the first and second ends; and a cover portion having (i) a cube and (ii) a skirt extending radially outward from the cube, wherein (a) the cube is configured to engage the second end of the receiving portion to secure the cover portion to the receiving portion, (b) the skirt is configured to engage a wall and extend around a keyed hole, and (c) the tabs and skirt are configured collectively to generate a compressive force on the wall to secure the anchoring assembly to the wall.
  16. 16. Anchoring assembly according to claim 15 CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a roller rotatably disposed around the first end, wherein the roller is operable to (i) support the drawer or shelf and (ii) rotate around the first end and along the drawer or shelf to facilitate sliding adjustment of a position of the drawer or shelf.
  17. 17. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED in that the first end defines a hole for receiving fasteners.
  18. 18. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 17, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a fastener disposed within the fastener receiving hole, wherein the fastener is operable to retain the roller at the first end.
  19. 19. Anchoring assembly according to claim 18, CHARACTERIZED in that (i) the fastener and the receiving portion have opposite surfaces and (ii) the opposite surfaces engage opposite axial ends of the roller to restrict the axial movement of the roller along the first end.
  20. 20. Anchoring assembly, according to claim 15, CHARACTERIZED in that the first end is oriented horizontally to support the shelf or drawer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS [001] This application claims priority over U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18/804,684, filed August 14, 2024, which is a partial continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18/631,302, filed April 10, 2024, which is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17/851,632, filed June 28, 2022, now U.S. Patent No. 11,988,439, issued May 21, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [002] This disclosure refers to an appliance such as a refrigerator. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [003] To keep food fresh, a low temperature must be maintained inside the refrigerator to reduce the rate of reproduction of harmful bacteria. Refrigerators circulate refrigerant and transform it from a liquid to a gaseous state through an evaporation process in order to cool the air inside the refrigerator. During the evaporation process, heat is transferred to the refrigerant. After evaporation, a compressor increases the pressure and, in turn, the temperature of the refrigerant. The gaseous refrigerant is then condensed into liquid and the excess heat is expelled into the environment. The process then repeats. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [004] An anchoring assembly configured to engage an inner lining of a refrigerator includes a receiving portion and a cover portion. The receiving portion has a first axial end, a second axial end, and tabs that extend radially outward to a position between the first and second axial ends. The first axial end includes an operable bracket to support a shelf or drawer. The second axial end has threads. The tabs are configured to engage an inner surface of the inner lining. The cover portion defines a threaded hole and has a skirt that extends radially outward from the threaded hole. The threaded hole is configured to engage the threads to secure the cover portion to the receiving portion. The skirt is configured to engage an outer surface of the inner lining and extend around a hole defined by the inner lining to isolate the hole. The tabs and skirt are configured to collectively generate a compressive force on the inner lining to secure the anchoring assembly to the inner lining. [005] An anchoring assembly configured to engage a refrigeration appliance lining includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first end, a second end, and tabs that extend radially outward from it. The tabs are configured to engage the lining. The first end includes an operable pin to support a shelf or drawer. The second portion has a hub and a skirt that extends radially outward from the hub. The hub is configured to engage the second end of the first portion to secure the second portion to the first portion. The skirt is configured to engage the lining and extend around an orifice defined by the lining. The tabs and skirt are configured to collectively generate a compressive force on the lining to secure the anchoring assembly to the lining. [006] An anchoring assembly for securing a subcomponent to a refrigerator includes a receiving portion and a cover portion. The receiving portion has a first end configured to extend into an inner chamber of a refrigerator and support a drawer or shelf, a second end, and tabs that extend radially outward to a position between the first and second ends. The cover portion has a hub and a skirt that extend radially outward from the hub. The hub is configured to engage the second end of the receiving portion to secure the second portion to the first portion. The skirt is configured to engage a wall and extend around the keyed hole. The tabs and skirt are configured collectively to generate a compressive force on the wall to secure the anchoring assembly to the wall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [007] Figure 1 is a partial rear isometric exploded view of a refrigerator; [008] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1; [009] Figure 3 is an isometric view of an assembled anchoring system; [010] Figure 4 is an isometric view of the disassembled anchoring assembly; [011] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view obtained along line 55 of Figure 3; [012] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the engagement between the anchoring assembly and a keyed hole; [013] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of area 8-8 from Figure 2; [014] Figure 9 is an isometric view of an internal panel of the refrigerator; [015] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between the inner panel and the anchoring assembly; [016] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of area 11-11 of Figure 10; [017] Figure 12 is an exploded isometric view of an alternative configuration of the anchor assembly; [018] Figure 13 is an isometric view of the alternative configuration of the assembled anchoring set; [019] Figure 14 illustrates the engagement between the alternative configuration of the anchoring assembly and a shelf; and [020] Figure 15 illustrates a coup