Pivotally mounted insulated glass door assembly with self-contained structural support frame
First Claim
1. A refrigerator door assembly mountable for swinging movement relative to an opening of a refrigeration cabinet comprising a plurality of glass panes disposed inside-by-side relation with an air space therebetween and a structural frame interposed between said glass panes, said structural frame including a plurality of interconnected metal tubular frame members disposed adjacent the peripheral edges of said glass panes, means sealing said air space from the outside ambient environment, and hinge means extending into at least one of said tubular frame members for supporting said structural frame for swinging movement relative to said cabinet opening about a vertical pivot axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerator door assembly comprising a plurality of insulated doors each mounted for pivotal swinging movement about a vertical axis. The insulated doors each comprise a plurality of glass panes disposed in side-by-side relation with a structural frame at least partially interposed and contained between the glass panes for maintaining the panes in parallel relation with the sealed air space therebetween and for supporting the door for swinging opening and closing movement, without the necessity for a separate outer load carrying support frame as conventionally required. Each door has a trim portion formed of a structural foam that has insulating qualities so as to eliminate the necessity for electrical heating of the door for condensation control, while at the same time enhancing the structural rigidity of the door assembly.
51 Citations
45 Claims
- 1. A refrigerator door assembly mountable for swinging movement relative to an opening of a refrigeration cabinet comprising a plurality of glass panes disposed inside-by-side relation with an air space therebetween and a structural frame interposed between said glass panes, said structural frame including a plurality of interconnected metal tubular frame members disposed adjacent the peripheral edges of said glass panes, means sealing said air space from the outside ambient environment, and hinge means extending into at least one of said tubular frame members for supporting said structural frame for swinging movement relative to said cabinet opening about a vertical pivot axis.
- 30. A refrigerator door assembly mountable for swinging movement relative to an opening of a refrigeration cabinet comprising a plurality of glass panes disposed in side-by-side spaced apart relation with an air space therebetween and a structural frame including a plurality of interconnected metal tubular frame members disposed adjacent the peripheral edges of said glass panes, means sealing said air space from the outside ambient environment, a one-piece non-metallic trim portion encapsulating the outer periphery of said glass panes and said frame members, and hinge means extending into at least one of said tubular frame members for supporting said structural frame for swinging movement relative to said cabinet opening.
Specification