IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,704,314
Granted Patent B2
US 12,704,314 · App. 18/777,642 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Support beam for a refrigerator

Inventors: Jos Nieuwlaat (Etten-Leur, NL); Joannes Sebastiaan Cornelis Emmen (Etten-Leur, NL); Thijs Slagter (Etten-Leur, NL)
Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
F25D23/028F25D27/00F25D2323/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,704,314
App. No.
18/777,642
Granted
Aug 11, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A support beam for a refrigerator includes an outer shell defining a cavity, or a spine with a keyed surface, a filler applied to the outer shell or spine, and at least one jamb. The filler and outer shell or spine are formed of the same material. A method of manufacture, a fridge including the support and a kit are also described.

Claims (18)

1 . A support beam for a refrigerator, the support beam comprising:

an extruded outer shell defining a cavity,

a filler foam occupying the cavity,

at least one jamb, formed by the outer shell,

wherein the filler foam is a polymer material and the extruded outer shell is also formed of the polymer material, wherein the extruded outer shell is a single extruded piece of the polymer material that defines a closing face for a door of the refrigerator.

2 . A support beam for a refrigerator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the polymer material is polypropylene.

3 . A support beam as claimed in claim 2 wherein the filler foam comprises expanded polypropylene.

4 . A support beam as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beam forms two jambs, each arranged to abut first and second respective doors.

5 . A support beam as claimed in claim 4 wherein the two jambs are arranged on different regions of the support beam.

6 . A support beam as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beam is a barrier to thermal conductivity between the interior of a refrigerator and the exterior of a refrigerator.

7 . A support beam as claimed in claim 1 wherein the closing face forms a door sealing surface.

8 . A support beam as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beam comprises an ancillary component mount formed in the filler or outer shell.

9 . A support beam as claimed in claim 8 , wherein an ancillary component is fixed to the ancillary component mount and is a light.

10 . A support beam as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beam further comprises means to urge a door in contact with the support beam towards the support beam.

11 . A support beam as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beam is capable of bearing the load of one or more refrigerator shelves and/or a refrigerator top panel.

12 . A support beam as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beam is provided with one or more accessible fixings to at least temporarily connect the support beam to the refrigerator.

13 . A refrigerator comprising a support beam as claimed in claim 1 .

14 . A kit of parts comprising a support beam as claimed in claim 1 .