Writing surface with removable portable electronic device

• US 8,072,738 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2008
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Kendall, James W., McCoy, Richard A., Viswanathan, Ameresh, Knight, John M., Moes, Christopher S., Weinkauf, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Desai, Nidhi
• Application Number:
  US12/119,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20080232053A1
• Re-issued As: US RE42,312 E1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 36167901-67945, 36167955-67959, 248/442.2
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/12 Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/06 Refrigerators with a vertical mullion
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/40 Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units

Abstract

A system for removably mounting a consumer electronic device to a vertical surface, an adapter, as well as adapters and appliance for use with the system. The system has a writing surface which is at least partially coverable by a removable consumer electronic device. The adapter has a writing surface and an interface for removably mounting an electronic device to at least partially cover the writing surface. The appliance has a writing surface and interface on surface of the appliance, such as, for example, the surface of a door of a refrigeration appliance.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a cabinet comprising a refrigeration appliance having a compartment therein with at least one access opening;

a door mounted to the cabinet to selectively close the opening, the door having a vertical surface;

a writing surface comprising a dry erase board mounted on the door and at least partially covering the vertical surface;

a consumer electronic device comprising a video display removably mounted to the door; and

an adapter removably mounted to door, the adapter further comprising the writing surface and a first service interface capable of removably coupling with the consumer electronic device;

wherein the consumer electronic device at least partially covers the writing surface when mounted to the door; and

wherein the adapter provides the consumer electronic device with an electrical service when the consumer electronic device is coupled to the first service interface.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the appliance is capable of providing the consumer electronic device with an electrical service when the consumer electronic device is mounted to the appliance.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a storage compartment for storing writing accessories for the writing surface.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the writing surface is removably mounted to the door.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the adapter further comprises at least one of a storage compartment, a second consumer electronic device, a power storage device and at least a second service interface for coupling with at least one electronic device.

6. A portable adapter removably mounting an electronic device to a vertical surface of a door of a refrigeration appliance comprising:

an erasable writing surface comprising a dry erase board;

a first service interface capable of removably mounting the electronic device and providing an electrical service to the electronic device when mounted to the service interface; and

second service interface capable of removably coupling the adapter to the refrigeration appliance wherein the adapter communicates at least one service with the refrigeration appliance when coupled to the refrigeration appliance;

wherein the electronic device is a consumer electronic device with a video display and at least partially covers the writing surface when mounted to the first service interface.

7. The adapter of claim 6, configured to communicate at least one service with the refrigeration appliance and with the electronic device.

8. The adapter of claim 6, configured to communicate at least one electrical service with the electronic device when the adapter is not coupled to the refrigeration appliance.

9. The adapter of claim 6 wherein the adapter further comprises at least one of a storage compartment, a second consumer electronic device, a power storage device and at least a second service interface for coupling with at least an additional portable electronic device.

10. A refrigeration appliance comprising:

a vertical surface; and

an adapter removably mounted to the vertical surface and comprising;

a writing surface comprising a dry erase board and at least partially covering the vertical surface; and

a service interface removably mounting a portable electronic device comprising a video display to at least partially cover the writing surface and providing an electrical service to the portable electronic device.

11. The refrigeration appliance of claim 10 further comprising a compartment with a door having an outer surface wherein the vertical surface is the outer surface of the door.

12. The refrigeration appliance of claim 10 further comprising a storage compartment for storing writing and erasing accessories for the writing surface.

13. The refrigeration appliance of claim 10 wherein the writing surface is removably mounted to the vertical surface.