Mounting arrangement for the internal dividing means in refrigerators and freezers

Abstract

A mounting arrangement for the internal dividing means in refrigerators and freezers, having a cabinet ( 10 ) formed by an external box ( 11 ); at least one internal box ( 12 ) and a thermal insulator ( 13 ) injected between the external box ( 11 ) and the internal box ( 12 ). The mounting arrangement comprises: at least two holes ( 15 ) which are horizontally spaced from each other and produced through a respective lateral wall ( 14 ) of the internal box ( 12 ) and through part of the thickness of the thermal insulator ( 13 ); a tubular bushing ( 20 ) tightly fitted in each of said holes ( 15 ); and at least one support member ( 40, 50 ) configured to support, laterally, an internal dividing means of the cabinet ( 10 ) and to incorporate at least one pin ( 30 ) to be fitted and axially removably retained in each of said tubular bushings ( 20 ), securing the support means ( 40, 50 ) against a respective lateral wall ( 14 ) of the internal box ( 12 ) at a height defined upon the provision of the respective holes ( 15 ) in the already formed cabinet ( 10 ).

1 . A mounting arrangement for the internal dividing means in refrigerators and freezers, having a cabinet ( 10 ) formed by an external box ( 11 ); at least one internal box ( 12 ) defining a respective refrigeration compartment (C) provided with lateral walls ( 14 ), and a thermal insulator ( 13 ) injected between the external box ( 11 ) and the internal box ( 12 ), characterized in that it comprises: at least two holes ( 15 ) horizontally spaced from other and produced through a respective lateral wall ( 14 ) of the internal box ( 12 ) and through part of the thickness of the adjacent portion of the thermal insulator ( 13 ); a tubular bushing ( 20 ) tightly fitted in each of said holes ( 15 ); and at least one support member ( 40 ,  50 ) configured to support, laterally, an internal dividing means of the cabinet ( 10 ) and to incorporate at least one pin ( 30 ) to be fitted and axially removably retained in each of said tubular bushings ( 20 ), securing the support means ( 40 ,  50 ) against a respective lateral wall ( 14 ) of the internal box ( 12 ) at a height which is defined upon the provision of the respective holes ( 15 ) in the already formed cabinet ( 10 ).  
   
   
       2 . The mounting arrangement as set forth in  claim 1 , characterized in that the tubular bushing ( 20 ) comprises a front end portion ( 21 ), opened to the interior of the cabinet ( 10 ), and a median portion ( 22 ) and a rear end portion ( 23 ) which are positioned in the interior of the thermal insulator ( 13 ), said rear end portion ( 23 ) presenting, internally, a diametrical widening ( 23   a ) in relation to the adjacent region of the median portion ( 22 ).  
   
   
       3 . The mounting arrangement as set forth in  claim 2 , characterized in that the interior of the median portion ( 22 ) of the tubular bushing ( 20 ) is slightly frusto-conical, widening towards the front end portion ( 21 ).  
   
   
       4 . The mounting arrangement as set forth in  claim 2 , characterized in that the front end portion ( 21 ) of the tubular bushing ( 20 ) incorporates, externally, a peripheral flange ( 21   a ) to be seated against the lateral wall ( 14 ) of the cabinet ( 10 ).  
   
   
       5 . The mounting arrangement as set forth in  claim 4 , characterized in that the front end portion ( 21 ) of the tubular bushing ( 20 ) presents, externally, close to the peripheral flange ( 21   a ), a frusto-conical portion ( 21   a ), tapering towards the peripheral flange ( 21   a ) and which has an extension slightly larger than the thickness of the internal box ( 12 ), said frusto-conical portion ( 21   b ) having its diameter larger than the diameter of the respective hole ( 15 ) passing through the internal box ( 12 ).  
   
   
       6 . The mounting arrangement as set forth in  claim 2 , characterized in that the rear end portion ( 23 ) of the tubular bushing ( 20 ) is closed.  
   
   
       7 . The mounting arrangement as set forth in  claim 2 , characterized in that each pin ( 30 ) of a support member ( 40 ,  50 ) presents a tubular cross section, with an external contour which is similar to and slightly smaller than that of the internal cross section of the tubular bushing ( 30 ), and a free end portion ( 33 ) which is resiliently deformable in the radial direction and tightly fittable inside the diametrical widening ( 23   a ) of the respective tubular bushing ( 20 ), axially locking the pin ( 30 ) in the interior of the latter.  
   
   
       8 . The mounting arrangement as set forth in  claim 7 , characterized in that the free end portion ( 33 ) of the pin ( 30 ) is longitudinally split.  
   
   
       9 . The mounting arrangement as set forth in  claim 1 , characterized in that each support member ( 40 ,  50 ) takes the form of a rail incorporating, laterally, a pair of pins ( 30 ) to be fitted in respective tubular bushings ( 20 ) affixed to each lateral wall ( 14 ) of the cabinet ( 10 ), said support member ( 40 ) being configured to support, slidingly, a lateral edge of an internal dividing means of the cabinet ( 10 ).  
   
   
       10 . The mounting arrangement as set forth in  claim 9 , characterized in that the internal dividing means take the form of shelves.  
   
   
       11 . The mounting arrangement as set forth in  claim 9 , characterized in that the internal dividing means take the form of compartments.