Door for Refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door for a refrigerator. The door for a refrigerator of the present invention comprises a front panel 20 which defines a front surface of the door; first and second side decoration bars 30 and 40 which extend along both side edges of the front panel 20 to define side surfaces of the door, respectively; top and bottom decoration caps 24 and 26 which extend along upper and lower edges of the front panel 20 and are fastened to ends of the side decoration bars 30 and 40 to define top and bottom surfaces of the door, respectively; a panel supporting bar 37 which is installed on each of the side decoration bars 30 and 40 and provided with a supporting portion 39 for supporting each side edge on a rear surface of the front panel 20 ; and a door liner 22 which is installed opposite to the front panel 20 to define a rear surface of the door. A foam insulating layer is formed within an internal space such that the front panel 20 , the decoration caps 24 and 26 , the side decoration bars 30 and 40 , the panel supporting bar 37 and the door liner 22 . According to the door for a refrigerator of the present invention so configured, there are advantages in that the number of parts can be minimized and thus the manufacturing costs can be reduced while an external appearance of the door is decorated at a satisfactory level, and the total weight of the door can be minimized to simplify an installation structure. In particular, since components defining the external appearance of the door can be integrally formed with one another, an assembling structure can be simplified.

1 . A door for a refrigerator, comprising: 
 a front panel defining a front surface of the door;    first and second side decoration bars extending along both side edges of the front panel to define side surfaces of the door, respectively;    top and bottom decoration caps extending along upper and lower edges of the front panel and fastened to ends of the side decoration bars to define top and bottom surfaces of the door, respectively; and    a door liner installed opposite to the front panel to define a rear surface of the door,    wherein a foam insulating layer is formed within an internal space of the door such that the front panel, the side decoration bars, the decoration caps and the door liner can be integrally coupled with one another.    
   
   
       2 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a panel supporting bar provided with a supporting portion for supporting each side edge of the rear surface of the front panel is installed in each of the side decoration bars to support the front panel in cooperation with the side decoration bars.  
   
   
       3 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the side decoration bars is formed to extend in a longitudinal direction and comprises: 
 a plate-shaped bar body formed to have a predetermined width and a length corresponding to a length of one side of the front panel;    a front surface forming portion formed at one end of the bar body and having a length corresponding to the length of the bar body to support the edge of the front panel;    a space adjusting portion provided on the rear of the bar body to allow the panel supporting bar to be mounted thereto; and    a screw fastening portion provided on the rear of the bar body to be fastened to the decoration cap.    
   
   
       4 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a rear surface forming portion formed opposite to the front surface forming portion to extend, with a predetermined width, in the longitudinal direction of the bar body is further provided on the bar body.  
   
   
       5 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the space adjusting portion is provided with a latch at its one surface, and the panel supporting bar is provided with a latch corresponding to the latch of the space adjusting portion, so that a distance between the supporting portion of the panel supporting bar and a rear surface of the front surface forming portion of each of the side decoration bars.  
   
   
       6 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the panel supporting bar is formed to extend in a longitudinal direction of each of the side decoration bars and includes: 
 a mounting portion provided with an insertion channel into which the space adjusting portion is inserted, and    a supporting portion formed integrally with the mounting portion and brought into contact with the rear surface of the front panel,    wherein the insertion channel of the mounting portion is provided with a latch corresponding to the latch of the space adjusting portion.    
   
   
       7 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein a sectional shape of the latch formed in the space adjusting portion or the panel supporting bar is a polygonal shape including at least a triangle, which can be engaged with each other.  
   
   
       8 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein a spacer is selectively employed between the front panel and a supporting piece in the top and bottom decoration caps according to the thickness of the front panel.  
   
   
       9 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising connecting brackets for connecting the top and bottom decoration caps with the side decoration bars, respectively, wherein fastening screws are fastened to the screw fastening portions of the side decoration bars through the connecting brackets at both ends of the decoration caps to cause the side decoration bars, the decoration caps and the connecting brackets to be fastened to one another.  
   
   
       10 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the fastening screws are fastened to the side decoration bars through fastening holes formed in portions corresponding to four corners of each of the decoration caps.  
   
   
       11 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein guide bosses which are inserted into corresponding insertion holes of each of the connecting brackets are formed on each of the decoration caps to guide positions where the connecting brackets are mounted to the decoration caps.  
   
   
       12 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the front panel is composed of a glass or iron plate, and the glass or iron plate is painted in a predetermined color or formed with a coating layer.  
   
   
       13 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the front panel is composed of at least two glass and/or iron plates, the glass or iron plates are painted in a predetermined color or formed with a coating layer, and a display unit, a home bar, a dispenser or the like is installed between the glass or iron plates to be forwardly exposed.  
   
   
       14 . A door for a refrigerator, comprising: 
 a front panel defining a front surface of the door;    first and second side decoration bars each having front surface a forming portion brought into contact with an edge on a front surface of the front panel and extending along a side edge of the front panel to define a side surface of the door;    top and bottom decoration caps extending along upper and lower edges of the front panel and fastened to ends of the side decoration bars to define top and bottom surfaces of the door, respectively; and    a panel supporting bar installed on each of the side decoration bars and provided with a supporting portion for supporting each side edge on a rear surface of the front panel such that a distance between the supporting portion and the front surface forming portion of each of the side decoration bars can be adjusted; and    a door liner installed opposite to the front panel to define a rear surface of the door,    wherein a foam insulating layer is formed within an internal space of the door to such that the front panel, the side decoration bars, the decoration caps, the panel supporting bar and the door liner can be integrally coupled with one another.    
   
   
       15 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein each of the side decoration bars is provided with a space adjusting portion having a latch on a surface thereof, and the panel supporting bar is mounted on the space adjusting portion and provided with a latch corresponding to the latch of the space adjusting portion, so that a distance between the supporting portion of the panel supporting bar and a rear surface of the front surface forming portion of each of the side decoration bars can be adjusted.  
   
   
       16 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the panel supporting bar includes 
 a mounting portion provided with an insertion channel into which the space adjusting portion is inserted, and    a supporting portion formed integrally with the mounting portion and brought into contact with the rear surface of the front panel,    wherein the insertion channel of the mounting portion is provided with a latch corresponding to the latch of the space adjusting portion.    
   
   
       17 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a sectional shape of the latch formed in the space adjusting portion or the panel supporting bar is a polygonal shape including at least a triangle, which can be engaged with each other.  
   
   
       18 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein a spacer is selectively employed between the front panel and a supporting piece in the top and bottom decoration caps according to the thickness of the front panel.  
   
   
       19 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the supporting portion of the panel supporting bar is further provided with at least one blocking rib which is formed to protrude in the longitudinal direction of the panel supporting portion to prevent a foaming resin from leaking out through between the front panel and the panel supporting portion.  
   
   
       20 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising connecting brackets for connecting the top and bottom decoration caps with the side decoration bars, respectively, wherein fastening screws are fastened to the screw fastening portions of the side decoration bars through the connecting brackets at both ends of the decoration caps to cause the side decoration bars, the decoration caps and the connecting brackets to be fastened to one another.  
   
   
       21 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein guide bosses which are inserted into corresponding insertion holes of each of the connecting brackets are formed on each of the decoration caps to guide positions where the connecting brackets are mounted to the decoration caps.  
   
   
       22 . A door for a refrigerator, comprising: 
 a front panel defining a front surface of the door;    first and second side decoration bars provided with screw fastening portions and extending along both side edges of the front panel to define side surfaces of the door, respectively;    top and bottom decoration caps extending along upper and lower edges of the front panel and fastened to ends of the side decoration bars to define top and bottom surfaces of the door, respectively; and    connecting brackets for connecting the top and bottom decoration caps with the side decoration bars; and    a door liner installed opposite to the front panel to define a rear surface of the door;    wherein fastening screws are fastened to the screw fastening portions of the side decoration bars through the connecting brackets at both ends of the decoration caps to cause the side decoration bars, the decoration caps and the connecting brackets to be fastened to one another, and    an insulating layer is formed by means of a foaming resin within a space defined by the front panel, the door liner, the side decoration bars and the decoration caps, thereby to couple the components integrally with one another.    
   
   
       23 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the fastening screws are fastened to the side decoration bars through fastening holes formed in portions corresponding to four corners of each of the decoration caps.  
   
   
       24 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein each of the connecting brackets is formed such that a portion engaged with each of the decoration caps is substantially orthogonal to a portion engaged with each of the side decoration bars, and the portion engaged with each side decoration bar serves to guide positions where the side decoration bars are engaged with the connecting brackets.  
   
   
       25 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein guide bosses which are inserted into corresponding insertion holes of each of the connecting brackets are formed on each of the decoration caps to guide positions where the connecting brackets are mounted to the decoration caps.  
   
   
       26 . A door for a refrigerator, comprising: 
 a front panel defining a front surface of the door;    a case exposed to the front of the front panel and provided with seating channels on which an edge of the front panel is placed;    first and second side decoration bars extending along both side edges of the front panel and the case to define side surfaces of the door, respectively;    top and bottom decoration caps extending along upper and lower edges of the front panel and fastened to ends of the side decoration bars to define top and bottom surfaces of the door, respectively; and    a door liner installed opposite to the front panel to define a rear surface of the door,    wherein a foam insulating layer is formed in an internal space such that the front panel, the case, the side decoration bars, the decoration caps and the door liner can be attached to the insulating layer and coupled integrally with one another.    
   
   
       27 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the case is engaged with a cover, and the cover is installed to partially overlap the edge on a front surface of the front panel.  
   
   
       28 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the cover is detachably engaged with the case by means of a hook and a catching jaw.  
   
   
       29 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the cover and the case define an external appearance of any one of a display unit, a dispenser and a home bar.  
   
   
       30 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein a panel supporting bar provided with a supporting portion for supporting each side edge of a rear surface of the front panel is installed in each of the side decoration bars, and the panel supporting bar is positioned within the insulating layer.  
   
   
       31 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 30 , where the supporting portion is further provided with at least one blocking rib which is formed to protrude in the longitudinal direction of the panel supporting bar to prevent a foaming resin from leaking out through between the front panel and the panel supporting bar.  
   
   
       32 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein a panel supporting bar provided with a supporting portion for supporting each side edge of the rear surface of the front panel is installed in each of the side decoration bars to support the front panel in cooperation with the side decoration bars.  
   
   
       33 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein each of the side decoration bars is formed to extend in a longitudinal direction and comprises: 
 a plate-shaped bar body formed to have a predetermined width and a length corresponding to a length of one side of the front panel;    a front surface forming portion formed at one end of the bar body and having a length corresponding to the length of the bar body to support the edge of the front panel;    a space adjusting portion provided on the rear of the bar body to allow the panel supporting bar to be mounted thereto; and    a screw fastening portion provided on the rear of the bar body to be fastened to the decoration cap.    
   
   
       34 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the space adjusting portion is provided with a latch at its one surface, and the panel supporting bar is provided with a latch corresponding to the latch of the space adjusting portion, so that a distance between the supporting portion of the panel supporting bar and a rear surface of the front surface forming portion of each of the side decoration bars.  
   
   
       35 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the panel supporting bar is formed to extend in a longitudinal direction of each of the side decoration bars and includes: 
 a mounting portion provided with an insertion channel into which the space adjusting portion is inserted, and    a supporting portion formed integrally with the mounting portion and brought into contact with the rear surface of the front panel,    wherein the insertion channel of the mounting portion is provided with a latch corresponding to the latch of the space adjusting portion.    
   
   
       36 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein a sectional shape of the latch formed in the space adjusting portion or the panel supporting bar is a polygonal shape including at least a triangle, which can be engaged with each other.  
   
   
       37 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein a spacer is selectively employed between the front panel and a supporting piece in the top and bottom decoration caps according to the thickness of the front panel.  
   
   
       38 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 26 , further comprising connecting brackets for connecting the top and bottom decoration caps with the side decoration bars, respectively, wherein fastening screws are fastened to the screw fastening portions of the side decoration bars through the connecting brackets at both ends of the decoration caps to cause the side decoration bars, the decoration caps and the connecting brackets to be fastened to one another.  
   
   
       39 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein each of the connecting brackets is formed such that a portion engaged with each of the decoration caps is substantially orthogonal to a portion engaged with each of the side decoration bars, and the portion engaged with each side decoration bar serves to guide positions where the side decoration bars are engaged with the connecting brackets.  
   
   
       40 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein guide bosses which are inserted into corresponding insertion holes of each of the connecting brackets are formed on each of the decoration caps to guide positions where the connecting brackets are mounted to the decoration caps.  
   
   
       41 . A door for a refrigerator, comprising: 
 a front panel defining a front surface of the door;    first and second side decoration bars extending along both side edges of the front panel to define side surfaces of the door and causing front surface forming portions and panel supporting portions to define seating channels into which the edges of the front panel are inserted, respectively;    top and bottom decoration caps extending along upper and lower edges of the front panel and fastened to ends of the side decoration bars to define top and bottom surfaces of the door, respectively; and    blocking ribs formed to protrude from surfaces of the panel supporting portions in a longitudinal direction of the panel supporting portions to prevent a foaming resin from leaking out through the front panel and the panel supporting portions; and    a door liner installed opposite to the front panel to define a rear surface of the door,    wherein a foam insulating layer is used to formed in an internal space to couple the front panel, the side decoration bars, the decoration caps and the door liner integrally with one another.    
   
   
       42 . The door for a refrigerator as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the blocking ribs are formed on the surfaces of the at least one panel support bar.