US4014178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerator temperature controls
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-05-03
•
Granted: 1977-03-29
•
Expires: 1996-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerator principally for home use, the refrigerator having a temperature control panel on the front exterior thereof for indicating and regulating the temperatures within both the freezer and cool compartments, thus readily providing means for observing and controlling the existing temperatures therein, and eliminating the necessity of opening the refrigerator doors for ascertaining and adjusting internal refrigerator temperatures to efficient and desirable levels.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Kells
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:39
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D29/00; F25D29/005; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
In a refrigerator incorporating exterior temperature control means, the combination of a refrigerator having a cool compartment and a freezer compartment, a front door for each said compartment, a control panel for each said compartment located on an exterior wall of said refrigerator, each said control panel including a fixed, temperature calibrated dial with rotatable knob having an attached indicating needle, constituting means to select and maintain a desired temperature level for its respective compartment in conjunction with a thermo electric mechanism, a temperature insulated space embodied in the refrigerator, convenient to the cool compartment and freezer compartment thereof, said space divided into two chambers, temperature insulated from each other, said chamber housing an externally controlled thermostatic element, each chamber having an air conduit, opening into its respective compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a refrigerator incorporating exterior temperature control means, the combination of a refrigerator having a cool compartment and a freezer compartment, a front door for each said compartment, a control panel for each said compartment located on an exterior wall of said refrigerator, each said control panel including a fixed, temperature calibrated dial with rotatable knob having an attached indicating needle, constituting means to select and maintain a desired temperature level for its respective compartment in conjunction with a thermo electric mechanism, a temperature insulated space embodied in the refrigerator, convenient to the cool compartment and freezer compartment thereof, said space divided into two chambers, temperature insulated from each other, said chamber housing an externally controlled thermostatic element, each chamber having an air conduit, opening into its respective compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a temperature guage is mounted on each said door, such guages being readable from exterior of the refrigerator and indicating the temperature inside each said compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination set forth in claims 1 and 2 except comprising a refrigerator having a single compartment, either a freezer compartment of a cool compartment, with a single chamber, single control panel and its components, single thermo electric mechanism and temperature guage.
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) | 1980-03-28 | 1980-09-27 | 1981-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-28 | 1984-09-27 | 1985-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-28 | 1988-09-27 | 1989-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |