Abstract
An apparatus for supporting an item in a refrigerator housing has
a frame having rails arranged for the items. A plurality of slotted
strips and/or a drawer slide guide are mounted to the housing. A
plurality of brackets are provided for engaging the slotted strips
and/or drawer slide guide supporting the frame.
Claims
18. A method for supporting an item in a refrigerator cabinet, comprising
the steps of: installing a plurality of brackets on the inside of
the cabinet; and placing a frame on the brackets to be supported
by the brackets.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the item is a blood
bag.
20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the installing step
includes the step of adjusting the height of the brackets.
21. A method according to claim 18, wherein the brackets are mounted
to a drawer slide.
22. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step
of adjusting a location of the brackets along a perimeter of the
frame.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a support structure
and method for supporting items in refrigerators. More particularly,
the present invention relates to supporting items such as blood
bags or leukocyte bags in refrigerators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It has been known to store blood in plastic bags in refrigerators,
such as in the blood bank industry or in the case of leukocyte filtration.
Presently, blood bags are sometimes stored on shelves which are
slidably or fixedly mounted by drawer slides to the sides of a cabinet.
It is sometimes desirable to hang anywhere from one to a large number
of bags upright in the refrigerator. In the case of leukocyte bags,
it is desirable to hang the leukocyte bags in the refrigerator from
rails near the top of the cabinet, which drain through a tube to
a filter and then into another bag in a drawer or at the bottom
of the cabinet itself, which receives the filtered leukocyte.
[0003] It has also been known to suspend the bags from rails that
are permanently fastened to the top or sides of the refrigerator
cabinet top or sides. However, these systems are not easily converted
to different heights and/or configurations, and it would be desirable
to be able to have a configuration in a refrigerator that is easily
height-adjustable and/or convertible between sliding shelves on
a hanging rack.
[0004] Moreover, it would also be desirable to be able to easily
adapt or reconfigure the arrangement inside a refrigerator cabinet
between various configurations as needed. A disadvantage of present
systems is that it is difficult to modify existing cabinets to accept
new rails. For example, if drawer guides and/or pilaster strips
for supporting shelves are to be moved or added into a cabinet (such
as for example in an AABB temperature-specified 4-degrees C. cabinet)
it is necessary to drill holes in the cabinet. Such drilling can
generally only be performed by a sophisticated installer who knows
where the electrical items and other components such as the copper
refrigeration tubing are located within the cabinet walls so that
damage to these components can be avoided. It would be desirable
to be able to more commercially adapt a refrigerator to different
configurations using existing drawer guides and/or pilaster strips.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method
for conveniently providing and/or reconfiguring a support structure
for supporting blood bags and/or leukocyte bags in refrigerator
cabinets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a convenient apparatus and
method for providing and/or reconfiguring a support structure for
supporting blood bags and/or leukocyte bags in a refrigerator cabinet.
The same embodiments the invention also provides an apparatus for
a refrigerator that is easily height-adjustable and/or convertible
between sliding shelves and hanging racks.
[0007] In one aspect, the invention pertains to an apparatus for
supporting an item in a refrigerator housing, comprising a frame
having rails arranged for the items to be suspended therefrom; a
plurality of slotted strips mounted to the housing; and a plurality
of brackets, each for engaging the slotted strips and supporting
the frame.
[0008] In another aspect, the invention pertains to an apparatus
for supporting an item in a refrigerator, comprising a frame having
rails arranged for the items to be suspended therefrom; means for
supporting the frame; and means for height adjustably mounting the
supporting means to the housing.
[0009] In still another aspect, the invention pertains to a method
for supporting an item in a refrigerator housing, comprising the
steps of installing a plurality of brackets on the inside of the
housing; and placing a frame on the brackets to be supported by
the brackets.
[0010] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims
appended hereto.
[0011] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited in its application to the arrangements of the components
set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the
abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded
as limiting.
[0012] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized
as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems
for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.
It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including
such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a blood bag support frame
installed in a refrigerator cabinet, according to a first embodiment
of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a detail view showing the interaction of a support
member with a support frame.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cutaway plan view the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a variation
of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the
present invention, showing a blood bank support frame mounted on
drawer slides in a refrigerator cabinet.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a cutaway detail view showing the interaction
of a support frame, support bracket, and drawer slide according
to the embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the embodiment
of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The present invention provides an apparatus and method for
supporting items such as blood bags and/or leukocyte bags in a refrigerator
cabinet. Preferred embodiments of the invention and variations thereof
are described in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
numerals indicate like elements.
[0021] FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate a first embodiment 10 of the
invention. In this embodiment 10, a refrigerator cabinet housing
12 having a swinging door 14 includes mounted on the inner surfaces
of the refrigerator housing 12 a rear pair of pilaster strips 16
mounted to a back wall and a front pair of pilaster strips 18 mounted
to opposing side walls. These pilaster strips 16 and 18 can be mounted
on the refrigerator housing when it is manufactured, or may be retrofitted
later. The arrow A indicates a direction of opening of the door
14. A framework 20 is provided on which an item such as a blood
bag or a leukocyte bag B is supported as shown in FIG. 3.
[0022] Returning to FIGS. 1 through 4, a benefit of some embodiments
of the invention is the ability of the bag support framework 20
to be adjustably mounted to pilaster strips 16 and 18 at different
locations on the framework 20. By virtue of this, the pilaster strips
16 and 18 can be mounted on the housing 12 where they will not interfere
with components inside the refrigerator housing 12.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the blood bag supporting framework 20
includes a rear rail 22, a central rail 24, and a front rail 26,
which are connected to two front side rails 28 and to rear side
rails 30 as shown. FIGS. 1 and 4 show two possible arrangements
for a framework 20 that can support blood bags, that have different
outlines and a different number of crossbars or transverse rails.
FIGS. 1 and 4 therefore show two different variations of the first
embodiment, with regard to the arrangement of the side rails 28,
30 and the transverse rails 22, 24 and 26. In FIG. 1, there are
three transverse rails 22, 24 and 26, and the rear side rails 30
are spaced apart by a lesser width than the front side rails 28.
However, any suitable framework arrangement may be utilized, including
any number of transverse rails, and any outline shape of the rails.
For example it may be desirable to shape the outline of the rails
to provide a clearance around any internal components in the refrigerator.
By way of example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, there are four transverse
rails, labeled as 22, 24, and 26. Two side rails 28 are provided
which extend the entire length of the framework 20. The support
frame 20 is supported on two rear brackets 32 and two front brackets
34. The brackets 34 have one or more tongues 35 that project from
the bottom of the brackets and engage slots 36 in the pilaster strips
18. Similarly, brackets 32 have one or more tongues 37 projecting
from a lower part thereof that engage with slots 36 in the pilaster
strips 16.
[0024] As seen in FIG. 2, the upper portion of each bracket 32
and 34 includes a U-shaped channel 39 which is sized to receive
the cross-section of the portion of the framework 20 being supported
(in the example of FIG. 2 the side rail 28 is being supported).
Accordingly, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment where the framework
20 is supported on the brackets 32 and 34 merely by resting in U-shaped
channels on the brackets 32 and 34. This arrangement provides several
advantages. First, the framework 20 can be lifted up and conveniently
removed from the brackets 32 and 34. This makes the arrangement
easy to install and adjust, because the framework 20 may be removed,
and each bracket 32 and 34 may be appropriately positioned individually
on a respective strip 16, 18 before the framework is then lowered
on the brackets 32 and 34.
[0025] Also, in this embodiment, the brackets 32 and 34 may engage
with the framework 20 at any location along with the outer rails.
Thus, as illustrated in phantom lines at 34A, the bracket 34 may
be positioned anywhere along the side rails 28 to accommodate different
locations of the pilaster strip 18. The outer brackets 32 and 34
are similarly adjustable in location across the width of the framework
20 to accommodate different placements of the strips 16.
[0026] The embodiment of FIG. 4 may also utilize the interaction
of the brackets 32 and 34 with the frame 20 that is shown in FIG.
2. However, in all versions of the invention, including those of
FIGS. 1 and 2, it is possible to attach the brackets 32 and 34 to
the framework 20 by any other suitable attachment method, including
fixedly welding or otherwise affixing the brackets 32 and or 34
to the framework 20. If the brackets 32 and/or 34 are fixedly attached
to the framework 10, it is desirable to provide enough flexibility
in the arrangement so that the brackets 32 and 34 can be deflected
as necessary during installation to permit the tongues 35 and 37
to engage the slots 36.
[0027] The embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 4 are therefore suitable
for use where pilaster strips 16 and 18, having slots 36 are installed
in a refrigerator housing 12. The pilaster strips 16 and 18 may
already be present in the interior of the refrigerator housing,
or may be added as desired. Although the preferred embodiment shows
tongues 35 and 37 engaging slots 36, any other suitable type of
connection may be used. Further, although a number of slots are
shown in order to provide height adjustment, the invention is also
suitable for use where only a single height mounting point is provided.
This can be a single slot, or any other mounting device such as
for example a projecting pin, rib, or a groove.
[0028] Turning now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 through 7,
another embodiment is shown which incorporates the use of sliding
drawer guides. In some refrigerators, the sliding drawer guides
may already be present on the interior of the cabinet to support
sliding shelves. In these situations, it is possible to remove the
existing shelf, and instead insert the arrangement shown in FIG.
7 in place of the shelf that has been removed.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, the second embodiment includes
a frame 40 having a rear transverse rail 42, a transverse rail 44,
and front transverse rail 46. Side rails 48 and 50 are provided
and are supported by brackets 52 and 54. The brackets 52 and 54
can support the frame 40 as illustrated in FIG. 2, or may be fixedly
attached, for example by being welded, as has been discussed above.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows a bracket 54 having a tongue 55 that extends
into a slot 62 of a drawer slide element 60. The drawer slide element
60 is supported by bearings in a drawer slide guide 64. The drawer
slide guide 64 may be fixedly mounted to the side of the refrigerator
housing 12, or as shown in FIG. 6 may include tongues 56 that project
into slots 36 on a pilaster strip 18. Although a ball bearing-type
sliding drawer slide and guide arrangement is shown, other drawer
mounting arrangements such as a simple lip or groove on the interior
cabinet wall can be employed.
[0031] It will be appreciated that the connection between the bracket
54 and drawer slide 60 may be fixed or removable, and that the slide
guide 64 may also be fixed or removably attached to the housing
12. The use of removable connections in particular provides easy
disassembly, and in the version shown in FIG. 6 the feature of height
adjustment as well. Also, it is possible for the refrigerator housing
12 to have pilaster strips 16 and 18 which can accommodate the embodiments
of FIGS. 1 through 4 and/or the embodiments of FIGS. 5 through 7
without modification to the strips. Further, a combination of multiple
support frames 20 can be installed at various heights, and a conventional
sliding shelf can also be used together with one or more frameworks
20 to create various combinations of frameworks 20, and/or shelves
as desired.
[0032] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent
from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the
appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the
invention which fall within the true spirits and cope of the invention.
Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the
invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. |