US3708997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerator structure
Assignee: AMERICAN FORMED PLASTICS CORP
•
Filing: 1970-12-07
•
Granted: 1973-01-09
•
Expires: 1990-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerator structure in which the housing has a rear and front opening, a removable rear panel closing the rear opening, and a pivoted hinged door closing the front opening. A refrigerating unit is mounted on the rear panel and is removable from the housing along with the rear panel, so that the housing may be inverted for installing the housing as either a right or left door unit while maintaining the refrigerating unit in its upright position.
Inventors
- 👤 Laughlin T Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:55
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D19/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A refrigerator structure for use in either right or left door opening positions, comprising an invertible housing with a compartment and openings in the front and bAck, said housing having substantially the same structure at the top and bottom ends, both outside and inside, so that said housing will be substantially the same when either end is up, a door for the opening in the front invertible with said housing, latch parts on said housing and door operable in substantially the same manner with the housing and door in either position, a hinge means along one side of said door for pivotally attaching said door to said housing along one side of the front opening, a removable rear panel for said housing closing said back opening, means for securing said rear panel to said housing when said housing is in either of said two positions, a refrigeration apparatus mounted on said rear panel and being removable from said housing along with said rear panel, a shelf for said compartment, and fixtures supporting said shelf in either of said two positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A refrigerator structure for use in either right or left door opening positions, comprising an invertible housing with a compartment and openings in the front and bAck, said housing having substantially the same structure at the top and bottom ends, both outside and inside, so that said housing will be substantially the same when either end is up, a door for the opening in the front invertible with said housing, latch parts on said housing and door operable in substantially the same manner with the housing and door in either position, a hinge means along one side of said door for pivotally attaching said door to said housing along one side of the front opening, a removable rear panel for said housing closing said back opening, means for securing said rear panel to said housing when said housing is in either of said two positions, a refrigeration apparatus mounted on said rear panel and being removable from said housing along with said rear panel, a shelf for said compartment, and fixtures supporting said shelf in either of said two positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A refrigerator structure as defined in claim 1 in which said housing is of a generally rectangular shape and the rear panel is of a generally rectangular shape of substantially the same size as the rear end of the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A refrigerator structure as defined in claim 1 in which a flange extends inwardly around the rear opening and the inner edge of the flange is adapted to be in close proximity to the inner surface of the rear panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A refrigerator structure as defined in claim 1 in which the sides, top and bottom of said housing consist of an internal plastic wall and external metal wall and insulating material between the two walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A refrigerator structure as defined in claim 1 in which said rear panel consists of a plastic inner wall and a metal outer wall and insulation material therebetween, and said outer wall includes a forwardly projecting means for securing said rear wall to said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A refrigerator structure as defined in claim 1 in which said means for securing said rear panel to said housing includes a forwardly extending flange on said rear panel for engagement with the rear portion of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A refrigerator structure as defined in claim 1 in which said door includes a latch near the center thereof on the edge opposite said hinge means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A refrigerator structure as defined in claim 1 in which said refrigeration apparatus is mounted on the external side of said rear panel and a cooling unit is mounted on the front side of said rear panel and extends inwardly from the rear panel through said rear opening into said compartment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A refrigerator structure as defined in claim 1 in which said refrigerator unit is mounted on and supported solely by said rear panel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |