US3628845A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerator cabinet with self-closing door
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1970-05-11
•
Granted: 1971-12-21
•
Expires: 1990-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerator cabinet having an access opening and a door for closing the access opening is provided with a hinge construction assuring the self closing of the door from a substantially open position and the positive sealing of the door gasket with the cabinet base as the door approaches its closed position. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the hinge construction also includes means for positioning the door in a predetermined open position as for example at an angle of 90* with the face of the cabinet.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard J Grimm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:36
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05F; E05F1/00; E05F1/02; E05F1/04; E05F1/06; E05F1/061; E05F1/063; E05Y; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/30; E05Y2900/31
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In combination, a refrigerator cabinet having an access opening in the front wall thereof, a door for closing said access opening and having thereon a gasket for engaging the front wall of said cabinet when the door is closed to seal said opening, and upper and lower hinge means respectively mounted on said cabinet above and below said door for pivotally supporting said door on said cabinet; the axis of said upper hinge means being offset rearwardly from the axis of said lower hinge means; said lower hinge means comprising a fixed bearing and a plate member; said fixed bearing member surrounding the axis of said lower hinge means and including a plurality of spaced radially extending slots in the upper surface thereof, said slots having inclined sidewalls; said plate member being secured to the bottom edge of said door and movable with said door and including a portion surrounding said lower hinge axis and having at least two spaced radially extending projections thereon for engagement with two of said slots when said door is in a closed position; said projections including flat bottom surfaces adapted to ride on flat areas on said lower bearing member during pivotal movement of said door.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In combination, a refrigerator cabinet having an access opening in the front wall thereof, a door for closing said access opening and having thereon a gasket for engaging the front wall of said cabinet when the door is closed to seal said opening, and upper and lower hinge means respectively mounted on said cabinet above and below said door for pivotally supporting said door on said cabinet; the axis of said upper hinge means being offset rearwardly from the axis of said lower hinge means; said lower hinge means comprising a fixed bearing and a plate member; said fixed bearing member surrounding the axis of said lower hinge means and including a plurality of spaced radially extending slots in the upper surface thereof, said slots having inclined sidewalls; said plate member being secured to the bottom edge of said door and movable with said door and including a portion surrounding said lower hinge axis and having at least two spaced radially extending projections thereon for engagement with two of said slots when said door is in a closed position; said projections including flat bottom surfaces adapted to ride on flat areas on said lower bearing member during pivotal movement of said door.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |