US3805545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separator wall structure
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-16
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Granted: 1974-04-23
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Expires: 1993-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A separator wall structure for dividing a space into two compartments. The wall structure may comprise a horizontal partition separating a freezer section from an above-freezing refrigerated section of a household refrigerator. The evaporator of the refrigerator may be mounted to the separator wall structure. The wall structure may be formed of expanded foamed plastic and simplified means are provided for securing the breaker trim, center rail and evaporator to the wall structure.
Inventors
- 👤 W Buchser
- 👤 R Kraemer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:13
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D23/00; F25D23/06; F25D23/069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In a refrigeration apparatus having a cabinet defining an internal space, horizontal separator wall means for dividing said space, comprising: a wall formed of synthetic plastic material and defining a forward end, a top surface, and a bottom surface; trim means on said wall including a top breaker strip having a first portion overlying said wall top surface and a turned second portion embracing a portion of said wall forward end, and a bottom breaker strip having a first portion underlying said wall bottom surface and a turned second portion embracing a portion of said wall forward end; and means for securing said breaker strips to said wall including a connector element extending through said wall and having integral first retaining means at one end confronting the first portion of one of said breaker strips, and second retaining means confronting the first portion of the other of said breaker strips and removably secured to the other end of said connector element for maintaining said retaining means against said breaker strip first portions to secure said breaker strips to said wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a refrigeration apparatus having a cabinet defining an internal space, horizontal separator wall means for dividing said space, comprising: a wall formed of synthetic plastic material and defining a forward end, a top surface, and a bottom surface; trim means on said wall including a top breaker strip having a first portion overlying said wall top surface and a turned second portion embracing a portion of said wall forward end, and a bottom breaker strip having a first portion underlying said wall bottom surface and a turned second portion embracing a portion of said wall forward end; and means for securing said breaker strips to said wall including a connector element extending through said wall and having integral first retaining means at one end confronting the first portion of one of said breaker strips, and second retaining means confronting the first portion of the other of said breaker strips and removably secured to the other end of said connector element for maintaining said retaining means against said breaker strip first portions to secure said breaker strips to said wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The refrigeration apparatus wall means of claim 1 wherein said connector element comprises a T-shaped stud.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The refrigeration apparatus wall means of claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes an evaporator means and means for securing the evaporator means to said connector element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The refrigeration apparatus wall means of claim 1 wherein said breaker strips define J-section elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The refrigeration apparatus wall means of claim 1 wherein said wall means forward end defines a forwardly opening recess, the distal end of each said breaker strip turned portion extending into said recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The refrigeration apparatus wall means of claim 1 wherein said wall is formed of a molded synthetic plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The refrigeration apparatus wall means of claim 1 wherein said wall is formed of a molded synthetic plastic and is provided with a U-shaped upwardly opening reinforcing channel extending laterally across said bottom surface thereof with the upwardly extending bags of said channel embedded in said wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The refrigeration apparatus wall means of claim 1 wherein said wall defines a recess opening outwardly through one of said wall surfaces and arranged to receive said first retaining means, said recess and first retaining means being complementarily arranged to preclude turning movement of the first retaining means in the recess.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The refrigeration apparatus wall means of claim 1 wherein said second retaining means comprises a screw extending through said first portion of said other breaker strip and threaded to said other end of the connector element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The refrigeration apparatus wall means of claim 1 wherein said cabinet includes spaced sliders at opposite sides of said wall means, and means are provided on said wall means for slidably engaging said slides and supporting said wall means thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
A compartment separator comprising: a foamed synthetic plastic wall defining a front edge; a first breaker strip overlying one face of the wall and embracing the portion of said front edge adjacent said one face; a second breaker strip overlying the opposite face of the wall and embracing the portion of said front edge adjacent said opposite face; and securing means extending successively through said first breaker strip, said wall, and said second breaker strip remotely from said front edge for securinG said breaker strip to said wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
A compartment separator comprising: a foamed synthetic plastic wall defining a front edge; a first breaker strip overlying one face of the wall and embracing the portion of said front edge adjacent said one face; a second breaker strip overlying the opposite face of the wall and embracing the portion of said front edge adjacent said opposite face; and securing means extending successively through said first breaker strip, said wall, and said second breaker strip remotely from said front edge for securinG said breaker strip to said wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
The compartment separator of claim 11 wherein said securing means comprises an element extending through said wall and including a turned end portion engaging one of said breaker strips to maintain said one breaker strip in engagement with the confronting wall face, and threaded means at the opposite end portion removably secured to said element for engaging the other of said breaker strips for maintaining said other breaker strip in engagement with the confronting wall face.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The compartment separator of claim 12 wherein said element comprises a synthetic plastic element having a recess at said opposite end, and said threaded means comprises screw means extending through said other of said breaker strips and threaded into said recess.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The compartment separator of claim 11 wherein the breaker strips are formed of molded rigid plastic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The compartment separator of claim 11 further including slide means embedded in said foamed wall for slidably supporting the wall on a subjacent slide surface.
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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) | 1977-04-22 | 1977-10-22 | 1978-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-22 | 1981-10-22 | 1982-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-22 | 1985-10-22 | 1986-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |