US3834076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerator/freezer safety device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-24
•
Granted: 1974-09-10
•
Expires: 1993-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A device is described for opening the door of an enclosure, more particularly the magnetically held door of a refrigerator, freezer, or the like, which device is responsive to the temperature within the enclosure to open and hold the door thereof, to allow heat dissipation therefrom and air circulation therein, when the temperature within such enclosure exceeds a certain temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 R Vallee
- 👤 G Vallee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:00
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D29/00; F25D29/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A device for opening the door of an enclosure, particularly a refrigerator or freezer having a magnetically held hinged door, which comprises: a rigid member slideably mounted to a wall structure adjacent the door of the enclosure, the sliding direction thereof being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door of the enclosure; a spring biasing said rigid member along the sliding direction thereof against the force holding closed the door of the enclosure; means for holding said rigid member in a retracted position against the bias of said spring; and temperature sensing means comprising a curved bimetallic member, said curved bimetallic member engaging said holding means, said holding means being responsive to said temperature sensing means and releaseable in response to said temperature sensing means when the temperature within the enclosure exceeds a certain level.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A device for opening the door of an enclosure, particularly a refrigerator or freezer having a magnetically held hinged door, which comprises: a rigid member slideably mounted to a wall structure adjacent the door of the enclosure, the sliding direction thereof being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door of the enclosure; a spring biasing said rigid member along the sliding direction thereof against the force holding closed the door of the enclosure; means for holding said rigid member in a retracted position against the bias of said spring; and temperature sensing means comprising a curved bimetallic member, said curved bimetallic member engaging said holding means, said holding means being responsive to said temperature sensing means and releaseable in response to said temperature sensing means when the temperature within the enclosure exceeds a certain level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising: an extension of said rigid member, said extension composed of magnetically susceptible material; an electrically powered solenoid surrounding said extension for magnetically attracting said extension when electric power is applied to said solenoid, thereby retracting said rigid member against the biasing force of said spring; and a switch, responsive to said temperature sensing means, for regulating electric power to said solenoid.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
95 words
A device for opening the door of an enclosure, particularly a refrigerator or freezer having a magnetically held hinged door, which comprises a rigid member slideably mounted to a wall structure adjacent the door of the enclosure, the sliding direction thereof being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door of the enclosure; a curved bimetallic member engaging said rigid member, for urging said rigid member along the sliding direction thereof against the force holding closed the door of the enclosure, to open the door when the temperature within the enclosure exceeds a certain level.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
95 words
A device for opening the door of an enclosure, particularly a refrigerator or freezer having a magnetically held hinged door, which comprises a rigid member slideably mounted to a wall structure adjacent the door of the enclosure, the sliding direction thereof being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door of the enclosure; a curved bimetallic member engaging said rigid member, for urging said rigid member along the sliding direction thereof against the force holding closed the door of the enclosure, to open the door when the temperature within the enclosure exceeds a certain level.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for opening the door of an enclosure, particularly a refrigerator or freezer having a magnetically held hinged door, which comprises: a rigid member slideably mounted to a wall structure adjacent the door of the enclosure, the sliding direction thereof being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door of the enclosure; a spring biasing said rigid member along the sliding direction thereof against the force holding closed the door of the enclosure; means for holding said rigid member in a retracted position against the bias of said spring; and an expandable container anD a volatile liquid contained within said expandable container, said expandable container engaging said holding means, said holding means being responsive to expansion of said expandable container and releaseable in response to said expansion when the temperature within the enclosure exceeds a certain level.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for opening the door of an enclosure, particularly a refrigerator or freezer having a magnetically held hinged door, which comprises: a rigid member slideably mounted to a wall structure adjacent the door of the enclosure, the sliding direction thereof being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door of the enclosure; a spring biasing said rigid member along the sliding direction thereof against the force holding closed the door of the enclosure; means for holding said rigid member in a retracted position against the bias of said spring; and an expandable container anD a volatile liquid contained within said expandable container, said expandable container engaging said holding means, said holding means being responsive to expansion of said expandable container and releaseable in response to said expansion when the temperature within the enclosure exceeds a certain level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a refrigeration unit comprising an enclosure having a magnetically held hinged door and a device for opening the door, the improvement comprising, a rigid member slideably mounted to a wall structure adjacent the door of the enclosure, the sliding direction thereof being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door of the enclosure; a spring biasing said rigid member along the sliding direction thereof against the force holding closed the door of the enclosure; means for holding said rigid member in a retracted position against the bias of said spring; temperature sensing means comprising a curved bimetallic member, said curved bimetallic member engaging said holding means, said holding means being responsive to said temperature sensing means and releaseable in response to said temperature sensing means when the temperature within the enclosure exceeds a certain level; an extension of said rigid member, said extension composed of magnetically susceptible material; an electrically powered solenoid surrounding said extension for magnetically attracting said extension when electric power is applied to said solenoid, thereby retracting said rigid member against the biasing force of said spring; and a switch, responsive to said temperature sensing means, for regulating electric power to said solenoid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a refrigeration unit comprising an enclosure having a magnetically held hinged door and a device for opening the door, the improvement comprising, a rigid member slideably mounted to a wall structure adjacent the door of the enclosure, the sliding direction thereof being substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door of the enclosure; a spring biasing said rigid member along the sliding direction thereof against the force holding closed the door of the enclosure; means for holding said rigid member in a retracted position against the bias of said spring; temperature sensing means comprising a curved bimetallic member, said curved bimetallic member engaging said holding means, said holding means being responsive to said temperature sensing means and releaseable in response to said temperature sensing means when the temperature within the enclosure exceeds a certain level; an extension of said rigid member, said extension composed of magnetically susceptible material; an electrically powered solenoid surrounding said extension for magnetically attracting said extension when electric power is applied to said solenoid, thereby retracting said rigid member against the biasing force of said spring; and a switch, responsive to said temperature sensing means, for regulating electric power to said solenoid.
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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) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |