Dovetail refrigerator door handle lock

• US 5,797,164 A
• Filed: 11/30/1995
• Issued: 08/25/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: White Consolidated Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Donaghy, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gurley, Donald M.
• Application Number:
  US08/565,412
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 16/124, 16/125, 16/126, 16/111 R, 16/114 R, 16/DIG. 24, 49/460, 403/381, 312/348.6, 312/401, 312/405
• US Class Current: 16/412
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 95/02 Handles similar handles for doors in general E05B1/0015
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 1/0015 Knobs or handles which do not operate the bolt or lock, e.g. non-movable; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/30 Dovetail-like connections
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 16/24 Handle fastening means

Abstract

An improved handle assembly for a refrigerator door including a mounting button secured to a face of the refrigerator door, a mounting block secured to a first or lower end of a door handle, and a mounting bracket integrally formed with a second or top end of the door handle. The mounting block and mounting button cooperate to provide a dovetail-type connection wherein the first end of the refrigerator door handle is slidably secured to a face of the refrigerator door without any exposed mechanical connection. The mounting bracket includes openings through which screws may be inserted to secure the second end of the door handle to a top surface of the refrigerator door.

Claims

1. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door, comprising a mounting button, a mounting block, and a handle, said handle having a first end to which one of said mounting block or mounting button is secured, the other of said mounting block or mounting button being secured to the refrigerator door, said mounting button having a frustoconical outer surface, said mounting block defining a slot having a closed end and into which said mounting button is inserted, wall surfaces surrounding said slot being angled to cooperate with and engage said frustoconical outer surface of said mounting button at said closed end of said slot, wherein at least one of said mounting button and said mounting block comprises a compressible resilient material and angled wall surfaces of said mounting block and said frustoconical outer surface of said mounting button cooperate to provide an interference-type connection which secures said handle first end to the refrigerator door.

2. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door according to claim 1, wherein said handle has a second end including a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket being secured to the refrigerator door by a mechanical fastener.

3. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door according to claim 1, wherein the mounting button is secured to the refrigerator door and the mounting block is secured to the first end of said handle.

4. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door according to claim 1, wherein the mounting block defines a slot into which the mounting button is inserted.

5. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door according to claim 4, wherein surfaces of a wall surrounding the slot are angled such that one portion of the slot has a first width and another portion of the slot has a second width, the first width being different than the second width.

6. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door according to claim 1, wherein the mounting button is secured to the refrigerator door and the mounting block is secured to the first end of said handle.

7. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door according to claim 6, wherein engagement between the mounting block and the mounting button defines a dovetail-type connection.

8. The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the button is nylon.

9. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door, comprising:

a mounting button secured to the refrigerator door and having a frustoconical outer surface;

a handle having a first end and a second end, the first end including a mounting block and the second end including a mounting bracket, said mounting block defining a slot having a closed end, wall surfaces surrounding said slot being angled to cooperate with and engage said frustoconical outer surface of said mounting button at said closed end of said slot, wherein at least one of said mounting button and said mounting block comprises a compressible resilient material and said mounting block is adapted to be slidably attached to said mounting button with said wall surfaces engaging said frustoconical outer surface to thereby secure the first end of the handle to the door.

10. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door according to claim 9, wherein the mounting bracket is secured to the door by a mechanical fastener.

11. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door according to claim 9, wherein the mounting block defines a slot into which the mounting button is inserted.

12. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door according to claim 11, wherein surfaces of a wall surrounding the slot are angled such that one portion of the slot has a first width and another portion of the slot has a second width, the first width being different than the second width.

13. A handle assembly for a refrigerator door according to claim 12, wherein engagement between the mounting block and the mounting button defines a dovetail-type connection.

14. The handle assembly according to claim 9, wherein the button is nylon.