Refrigeration – Cooled enclosure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-04-24
McDermott, Corrine (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Cooled enclosure
C312S287000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220049
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to refrigerators and, in particular, to a dual-access refrigerator for use with a recreational vehicle to provide access to refrigerated items from two separate locations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recreational vehicles, such as motor homes and conversion vans, allow the occupants to explore while in the comforts of a self-contained vehicle. One of the benefits of traveling in this type of self-contained vehicle is the inclusion of various creature comforts such as air conditioning, stereo sound systems, televisions, comfortable bedding, showers, and refrigerators. Small refrigerators are used to keep perishable food fresh and beverages cold. Larger refrigerators include secondary compartments that allow storage of frozen goods.
Although the refrigerator is a step forward in the field of perishable food transportation, known versions of this device produce logistical hurdles in many settings. For instance, recreational vehicles are commonly driven to sporting events, allowing individuals to hold pre-game tailgate parties, in which a variety of foods and beverage are enjoyed. With existing refrigerators, each time an individual requires a refrigerated item, the individual would need to enter the vehicle to retrieve the desired item. This type of activity can distract the individual from the festive nature of the tailgate party. Additionally, this type of activity places a severe strain on the air conditioning system of the vehicle, because conditioned air leaks out of the vehicle each time the main door is opened and the refrigerator loses cold air each time the front panel is opened. This situation leads to accelerated wear and tear on the vehicle.
Should the recreational vehicle be used in a campground, an individual should not have be concerned about cleaning his feet, accidentally letting out a dog, waking a sleeping occupant, or allowing mosquitoes to enter the vehicle, simply to retrieve a cooled beverage or snack.
A refrigerator that would eliminate the need for an individual to enter the host vehicle to retrieve refrigerated items would represent a major advancement in the field of recreational vehicle use, in general.
Thus, what is needed is a dual-access refrigerator that allows access to stored items in a conventional manner and through the wall of a host vehicle, from outside the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention is based on a refrigerator especially suited for use with recreational vehicles. The refrigerator of the present invention allows conventional access and supplemental rear access through the wall of a host recreational vehicle. In particular, the refrigerator is adapted to cooperate with the host recreational vehicle so that the supplemental rear access is possible from outside the host vehicle.
The device includes a main housing having an internal compartment bounded by a movable front access panel or door. The front access panel is hinged to the front of the main housing. The rear of the main housing is characterized by a rear access aperture which may span the entire rear face of the housing or may disposed within a rear wall. The rear access aperture is covered by a hinged rear access panel. Moving the rear access panel provides direct access to the refrigerator internal compartment.
In one embodiment, the refrigerator is used with a host vehicle having a refrigerator access aperture disposed with a vehicle side wall. The refrigerator main housing is positioned so that the rear access aperture is aligned with the refrigerator access aperture. This arrangement places the refrigerator access panel in close proximity with the refrigerator rear access panel. As a result, the refrigerator internal compartment may be accessed from outside the host vehicle by opening the rear access panel, through the refrigerator access aperture. Opening the rear access panel provides direct access to the refrigerator internal compartment.
In a second embodiment, the host vehicle includes a refrigerator access aperture that is selectively covered by a movable refrigerator access panel. The refrigerator main housing is positioned so that the rear access aperture is aligned with the refrigerator access aperture, placing the refrigerator access panel in close proximity with the refrigerator rear access panel. With this arrangement, the refrigerator internal compartment may be accessed from outside the host vehicle by opening the refrigerator access panel to expose the rear access panel. The rear access panel may then be opened to provide direct access to the refrigerator internal compartment.
In a third embodiment the refrigerator main housing is constructed without a rear access panel, and the host vehicle refrigerator access panel seals the rear access aperture directly. In this embodiment, a contoured sealing partition extends from the perimeter of the rear access aperture to the interior of the vehicle side wall, providing a thermal seal between the refrigerator internal compartment and the refrigerator access panel. The refrigerator access panel of this embodiment is preferably insulated.
Thus, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide a dual-access refrigerator that allows access to stored items in a conventional manner and through the wall of a host vehicle, from outside the vehicle.
An additional objective of the instant invention to provide a dual-access refrigerator that eliminates the need to enter a vehicle to retrieve a refrigerated item.
Yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a dual-access refrigerator that allows access from another room, e.g. a bedroom.
Still a further objective of the instant invention to provide a dual-access refrigerator that includes a remotely located cooling apparatus.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2811405 (1957-10-01), Formoso
patent: 3086830 (1963-04-01), Malia
patent: 4314602 (1982-02-01), Frederick
Ali Mohammad M
Insta Freeze, LLC
McDermott Corrine
McHale & Slavin
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