WO2003036199A2

WO2003036199A2 - Tip-out storage bin for a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2003036199A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/033430
Authority: WO
Inventors: John R. Selina
Original assignee: Thetford LLC
Current assignee: Thetford LLC
Priority date: 2001-10-22
Filing date: 2002-10-21
Publication date: 2003-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2004-04-22
Also published as: EP1451511A4; AU2002349967A1; DE20213438U1; WO2003036199A3; EP1451511A2

Abstract

The present invention provides a refrigerator (12) having a cabinet (14), a pivot pin (46) and a storage bin (10). The cabinet (14) defines a storage area (18) and includes first and second laterally spaced apart sidewalls (36). The pivot pin (46) is secured to the cabinet (14) and inwardly extends into the storage area (18). The storage bin (10) is disposed in the storage area (18) and includes a receiving portion (52) for receiving the pivot pin (46). The storage bin (10) is pivotal about the pivot pin (46) between a first position and a second position.

Description

TIP-OUT STORAGE BIN FOR A REFRIGERATOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to refrigerators. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tip-out bin for a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Vehicles, including but not limited to recreational vehicles ("RVs"), tractor trailers, airplanes, boats, trains, and the like, often incorporate refrigerators for the comfort and convenience of the occupants. Space available for refrigerators on such vehicles is limited and a significant design emphasis has been placed upon maximizing refrigerator storage volume. [0003] Refrigerators, including those designed specifically for vehicles, conventionally incorporate bins for the storage of items. For example, such storage bins are commonly used to retain produce. Within the bin, produce and the like can be randomly placed and stacked such that the storage volume is not entirely limited by the square area of a support surface (e.g., shelf or cabinet bottom). Explaining further, the walls of the storage bin cooperate to effectively and efficiently retain produce and other goods within the refrigerator. Many known refrigerator storage bins are equipped with covers. Such conventional covers retain moisture within the bin to preserve freshness, otherwise protect the bin contents, and contributed to an organized appearance of a refrigerator interior. , [0004] While such conventional refrigerator storage bins have proven to be acceptable for their intended uses, they are all associated with limitations. Most significantly, insofar as the present invention is concerned, conventional bins are not easily accessed. This is particularly true where the available refrigerator space necessitates a shallow storage bin such that the storage bin cannot be translated within the cabinet. Explaining further, a shallow bin must typically be removed completely from the cabinet to access its contents. This is because the load is not sufficiently distributed to allow for any cantilevering of the bin from the cabinet.

[0005] Accordingly, it remains a need in the pertinent art to provide a tip-out storage bin for a vehicle that overcomes the limitations associated with the prior known arrangements, including but not limited to those disadvantages discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] It is a general object of the present invention to provide a tip- out storage bin for a refrigerator which is both easily accessed and easily removed.

[0007] In one particular form, the present invention provides a refrigerator having a cabinet, a pivot pin and a storage bin. The cabinet defines a storage area and includes first and second laterally spaced apart sidewalls. The pivot pin is secured to the cabinet and inwardly extends into the storage area. The storage bin is disposed in the storage area and includes a receiving portion for receiving the pivot pin. The storage bin is pivotal about the pivot pin between a first position and a second position. [0008] Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tip-out storage bin for a refrigerator constructed in accordance with the teachings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrated within an exemplary refrigerator, the tip-out storage bin shown articulated to an upright position.

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the tip-out storage bin articulated to a tipped-out position. [0013] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of

Figure 1.

[0014] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of

Figure 2.

[0015] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 4 illustrating the top-out storage bin during removal from the refrigerator.

[0016] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of

Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0017] The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0018] With initial reference to Figures 1 and 2, a tip-out storage bin constructed in accordance with the teachings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and generally identified at reference character 10. The storage bin 10 is shown throughout the drawings associated with a particular refrigerator 12. As will become apparent below, the teachings of the present invention are particularly adapted for a refrigerator cabinet having a stepped bottom surface conventionally constructed to accommodate placement of the refrigerator 12 near a wheel well (not shown) of the vehicle. However, the teachings of the present invention have application for other arrangements. The tip-out storage bin 10 is shown in Figure 1 disposed within the exemplary refrigerator 12 and articulated to a first or upright position. In Figure 2, the tip-out storage bin 10 is shown articulated to a second or tipped-out position.

[0019] Prior to describing the function and operation of the storage bin 10 of the present invention, a further understanding of the exemplary refrigerator shown throughout the drawings is warranted. The refrigerator 12 includes a cabinet 14 and a door 16. The door 16 is pivotally connected to the cabinet 14 for articulation between an opened position (shown in Figures 1 and 2) and a closed position (not specifically shown). The cabinet 14 and door 16 cooperate to define a storage area 18. The storage area 18 is defined in part by a pair of laterally spaced apart sidewalls (one of which is identified at reference number 20), a rear wall 22 and a floor 24. One or more shelves 25 are releasably secured to the sidewalls 20.

[0020] As briefly discussed above, the refrigerator 12 is specifically adapted to accommodate installation within a vehicle near a wheel well and a heater hose. As a result, the floor 24 of the cabinet 14 is stepped to include a first horizontal surface 26 and a second horizontal surface 28. The second horizontal surface 28 is substantially higher than the first horizontal surface 25.

[0021] With continued reference to Figures 1 and 2 and additional reference to Figures 3 through 6, the storage bin 10 of the present invention will be further described. The storage bin 10 is generally rectangular in shape and includes a front wall 30, a rear wall 32, a bottom surface 34, and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls 36. The bottom surface 34 of the storage bin 10 is stepped to include a first horizontal portion 40 and a second horizontal portion 42. In its upright position, the second horizontal portion 42 is substantially higher than the first horizontal portion 40. Further in the upright position (as shown in Figure 3), the first and second horizontal portions 40 and 42 of the bottom surface are substantially seated on the first and second horizontal portions 26 and 28 of the floor 24 of the cabinet 14. [0022] To facilitate a pivotal interconnection of the storage bin 10 with the cabinet 14, a pivot pin 46 is secured to a sidewall 20 of the cabinet 14 and inwardly extends into the storage area 18. In the embodiment shown, the pivot pin 46 is secured to the sidewall 20 with an inner mounting grommet 48 and an outer mounting grommet 50. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that this manner of attachment of the pivot pin 46 to the sidewall 20 is but one example of a suitable technique. Other manners of attachment may be employed within the scope of the present invention.

[0023] The storage bin 10 is constructed to define a receiving portion

52 for receiving the pivot pin 46. As shown perhaps most specifically in Figure 5, the receiving portion 52 comprises a slot or opening which downwardly opens to the first horizontal portion 40 of the bottom surface 34. This opening 52 receives the pivot pin 46 when the bin 10 is positioned within the cabinet 14.

[0024] The pivot pin 46 defines a pivot axis about which the storage bin 10 pivots between its upright position and its tipped position. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the storage bin 10 pivots through approximately 40° from the upright position (as shown in Figure 3) and the tipped position (as shown in Figure 4). In the tipped position, access to an interior of the bin 10 is readily provided.

[0025] For purposes of preventing rotation of the storage bin 10 unintentionally beyond the tipped position shown in Figure 4, the refrigerator 12 incorporates one or more stops 53. In the exemplary embodiment, the refrigerator 12 includes a stop 53 associated with each sidewall 20. Each stop

53 is secured to the cabinet 14 in any conventional manner. One conventional manner of attachment is illustrated in connection with attachment of the pivot pin 46 to the cabinet 14. Each stop 53 inwardly extends into the storage area 18 and is positioned to engage an upper edge 54 of one of the bin sidewalls 36 when the storage bin 10 is articulated to the tipped position.

[0026] To facilitate removal of the storage bin 10 from the cabinet 14, the sidewall 36 of the storage bin includes a recess or opening 56 which intersects the upper edge 54 of the sidewall 36. When the stop 53 is received within the opening 56 (as shown in Figure 5), the bin 10 can be translated generally in the direction of arrow A shown in Figure 5. Such translation is sufficient to permit the bottom surface 34 of the storage bin to clear the pivot pin 46. [0027] In certain applications it may be desirable to removably attach the at least one stop 53 to the cabinet 14. In this manner, the at least one stop 53 may be removed to facilitate removal of the storage bin 10 from the cabinet 14. If the stop(s) 53 are removable, an opening 56 in the sidewalls 36 of the storage bin 10 would not be required. [0028] For sake of clarity, use of the storage bin 10 will now be described. With particular reference to Figure 3, in the stored or upright position the bottom surface 34 of the storage bin 10 is essentially matingly received on the floor 24 of the cabinet 14. When access to the interior of the bin 10 is desired, the bin 10 is pivoted about the pivot pin 46 to the tipped position of Figure 4. Such pivotal movement is limited by the stop 53 which engages the upper edge 54 of the sidewall 36. When it is desired to remove the storage bin 10 from the cabinet 14, the storage bin 10 is pivoted in a clockwise direction (as shown in the drawings) approximately 5° from the tipped position. At this orientation, the storage bin 10 can be translated in the direction of arrow A (see Figure 5) and the stop 53 is received within the opening 56. When the stop 53 reaches the end of the opening 56, the bin 10 can then be effectively pivoted about an pivot axis defined by the stop 53. After the first horizontal portion 40 of the bottom surface of the bin 10 clears the pivot pin 46, the storage bin 10 can be translated in a generally downward direction and removed completely from the cabinet 14. [0029] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet defining a storage area, the cabinet including first and second laterally spaced apart sidewalls; a pivot pin secured to the cabinet and inwardly extending into the storage area; a storage bin disposed in the storage area and including a receiving portion for receiving the pivot pin, the storage bin pivotable about the pivot pin between a first position and a second position.

2. The refrigerator of Claim 1, wherein the storage bin is oriented generally upright in the first position and tipped such that an upper end of the bin extends from the cabinet in the second position.

3. The refrigerator of Claim 1, wherein the storage bin rotates about the pivot pin approximately 40° between the first and second positions.

4. The refrigerator of Claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the storage bin is stepped to include a first horizontal portion adjacent a front side and a second horizontal portion adjacent a rear side, the second horizontal portion being substantially higher than the first horizontal portion.

5. The refrigerator of Claim 4, wherein a floor of the cabinet is stepped such that the first and second horizontal portions of the storage bin are substantially seated on the floor when the storage bin is in the first position.

6. The refrigerator of Claim 4, wherein the stop is removably attached to the cabinet.

7. The refrigerator of Claim 1, further comprising a stop secured to the cabinet and inwardly extending into the storage area, the stop position to prevent further rotation of the storage bin beyond the second position.

8. The refrigerator of Claim 7, wherein the storage bin further comprises a cut-away portion for receiving the stop.