Retractable control unit for refrigerators
First Claim
1. A refrigerator apparatus comprising an insulated cabinet having walls defining a refrigeration compartment, a retractable control panel mounted for movement between a retracted position within said walls and an extended position in which it projects from said walls and is accessible within said compartment, adjustable temperature control means for controlling the temperature of said compartment and having an operator mounted on said control panel, said operator being accessible when said control panel is in said extended position and enclosed within said walls when said control panel is in said retracted position, the operation of said temperature control means being unaffected by movement of said control panel between said extended and retracted positions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A retractable temperature control for refrigeration units includes a control panel pivoted for movement between an extended, accessible position and a retracted position in which it is enclosed within one of the insulated walls of the unit. Mounted on the panel are two operators, one of which controls the temperature of a thermostat and the other of which controls the position of a damper. Adjustment of the operator associated with the thermostat controls the temperature of one compartment in the refrigeration unit and adjustment of the other operator controls the position of a damper, and in turn controls the differential temperature between the two compartments provided by the refrigeration unit. The thermostat and the damper control are structured so that movement of the control panel between the retracted and extended positions does not affect the adjustment thereof. When the controls are in the retracted position, they do not interfere with the placement of articles stored within the refrigeration compartments. Further, retraction of the controls prevents accidental damage of the controls and/or accidental change in the adjusted positions thereof.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A refrigerator apparatus comprising an insulated cabinet having walls defining a refrigeration compartment, a retractable control panel mounted for movement between a retracted position within said walls and an extended position in which it projects from said walls and is accessible within said compartment, adjustable temperature control means for controlling the temperature of said compartment and having an operator mounted on said control panel, said operator being accessible when said control panel is in said extended position and enclosed within said walls when said control panel is in said retracted position, the operation of said temperature control means being unaffected by movement of said control panel between said extended and retracted positions.
- 3. A refrigerator apparatus comprising an insulated cabinet having walls defining a freezer compartment and a separate non-frozen storage compartment, a retractable control panel mounted for movement between a retracted position within said walls and an extended position in which it projects from said walls and is accessible within one of said compartments, and adjustable temperature control means for controlling the temperatures in said compartments and having operators mounted on said control panel, said operators being accessible when said control panel is in said extended position and enclosed within said walls when said control panel is in said retracted position, the operation of said temperature control means being unaffected by movement with said control panel between said extended and retracted positions.
- 13. A temperature control for refrigerator apparatus comprising a mounting frame having a side, said mounting frame being adapted to be mounted in a wall portion of a refrigerator with said side substantially flush with the surface of said wall portion, a movable frame member mounted on said mounting frame for movement between a retracted position recessed beyond said side and an extended position projecting beyond said side, and temperature control means having an operator mounted on said movable frame member positioned thereon for access when said movable frame member is in said extended position, the operation of said temperature control means being unaffected by the movement of said movable frame member between said extended and retracted positions.
Specification