Refrigeration – Means producing shaped or modified congealed product
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-08
2003-04-22
Tapolcai, William E. (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Means producing shaped or modified congealed product
C137S355230, C137S355260
Reexamination Certificate
active
06550266
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of plumbing. More specifically, the invention comprises an assembly for connecting a refrigerator icemaker to a fixed water line located in a wall, using a self-retracting spool for the connecting line.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most residential refrigerators are equipped with icemakers. These icemakers must be fed by a small water line.
FIG. 1
shows a typical prior art installation. A water line
18
is installed within either floor
10
or wall
12
. A sufficient length is left exposed to allow flare fitting
20
to be connected to icemaker connector
16
on the back of refrigerator
14
while refrigerator
14
is pulled away from wall
12
. Water line
18
is typically ¼ inch copper line. It is somewhat flexible, so that when refrigerator
14
is pulled in and out for maintenance and cleaning it will bend freely. However, those skilled in the art know that over time such copper lines tend to crimp and become fatigued. The mechanical stresses placed on the line will also tend to produce leaks at flare fitting
20
. The result is that leaks typically develop in the icemaker water supply.
In addition, the installation of prior art water line
18
is not standardized. The installing plumber must exercise judgment to determine how much excess line will be needed to permit adequate movement of refrigerator
14
. Experienced plumbers have little trouble with this issue, but many residential jobs are performed by persons lacking the necessary skills and judgment.
Finally, the prior art installation has an inherently crude appearance that displeases the homeowner. The known devices for connecting icemakers are therefore limited in that they:
1. Are subject to fatigue and resulting leakage;
2. Require an experienced plumber for proper installation; and
3. Have a crude appearance.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a modular icemaker connecting device which eliminates the disadvantages inherent in the prior art. Referring to
FIG. 2
, the invention comprises a wall-mounted spool assembly. The icemaker connection is made by a flexible line which is dispensed by an automatically retracting spool. As the refrigerator is moved in and out, the spool dispenses and retracts sufficient line to maintain a stress-free connection to the icemaker.
A shut-off valve is incorporated so that the user can shut off the water supply if the refrigerator must be disconnected. The device also included a fascia plate to give the whole a neat and finished appearance.
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
1. to eliminate water line stress and resulting leakage;
2. to provide a modular system which can be installed by relatively inexperienced plumbers; and
3. to provide a neat and finished appearance.
These objects and advantages will be fully explained in the details hereafter described, explained, and claimed, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3788089 (1974-01-01), Graves
patent: 3867957 (1975-02-01), Fehrm
patent: 4798061 (1989-01-01), LaConte
patent: 5381820 (1995-01-01), Chandler
patent: 5568824 (1996-10-01), Cordrey
patent: 5678596 (1997-10-01), Corallo
patent: 5794648 (1998-08-01), Jentzsch et al.
patent: 6050290 (2000-04-01), Yacobi et al.
patent: 6129109 (2000-10-01), Humber
patent: 6148624 (2000-11-01), Bishop et al.
Ali Mohammad M.
Horton John Wiley
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