IP Library Granted Patent US 8,777,434
Granted Patent B2
US 8,777,434 · App. 13/571,503 · Granted Jul 15, 2014

Refrigerator with externally mounted lighting

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,777,434
App. No.
13/571,503
Granted
Jul 15, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A refrigerator constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a cabinet that defines an interior volume. A first door is coupled to the cabinet and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A light is disposed on the cabinet outside of the interior volume. The light is configured to illuminate when the door is in the open position and shine light toward the interior volume.

Claims (22)

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet that defines an interior volume;

a first door coupled to the cabinet and movable between a closed position and an open position;

a projection extending forwardly from the cabinet in a direction generally away from the interior volume; and

a light disposed on the projection and located outside the interior volume, the light configured to illuminate the interior volume when the door is in the open position and shine light directly toward the interior volume.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the first door is hingedly coupled to the cabinet.

3. The refrigerator of claim 2 wherein the interior volume comprises a first interior volume section and a second interior volume section.

4. The refrigerator of claim 3 , further comprising a second door that is coupled to the cabinet and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first interior volume is accessible through the first door and the second interior volume is accessible through the second door.

5. The refrigerator of claim 4 wherein the light is disposed at a location intermediate the first and second door.

6. The refrigerator of claim 1 , further comprising a switch that communicates a signal to a controller in response to the first door being moved to the open position, wherein the controller responsively communicates a signal to illuminate the light.

7. The refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the refrigerator is an absorption refrigerator.

8. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet that defines an interior volume;

a first door coupled to the cabinet and movable between a closed position and an open position;

a front projection arranged on the refrigerator, the front projection extending forwardly from the cabinet in a direction generally away from the interior volume, the front projection including a control panel for controlling operational features of the refrigerator; and

a light disposed on the front projection at a location outside the interior volume and that is configured to directly illuminate the interior volume when the door is in the open position and shine light toward the interior volume.

9. The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein the projection extends from the cabinet without extending into the interior volume such that the interior volume is open immediately adjacent the projection.

10. The refrigerator of claim 4 , wherein the projection is positioned immediately between the first and second doors.

11. The refrigerator of claim 8 , wherein the projection extends from the cabinet without extending into the interior volume such that the interior volume is open immediately adjacent the projection.

12. The refrigerator of claim 11 , further comprising a second door that is coupled to the cabinet and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first interior volume is accessible through the first door and the second interior volume is accessible through the second door.

13. The refrigerator of claim 12 , wherein the projection is positioned immediately between the first and second doors.

14. The refrigerator of claim 11 , wherein the front projection is disposed completely outside of the interior volume such that the interior volume.

Assignments (5)
NOTICE OF PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 13, 2021
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
To: THETFORD CORPORATION; THETFORD BV; NORCOLD, INC.
Reel/Frame 058496/0214 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 3, 2017
From: KEARNEY-NATIONAL INC.; PLAID ENTERPRISES, INC.; THETFORD CORPORATION; B & B MOLDERS, LLC; THETFORD B.V.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 041872/0343 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2016
From: THETFORD CORPORATION
To: THETFORD BV
Reel/Frame 040194/0358 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 30, 2013
From: COTO TECHNOLOGY, INC.; NORCOLD, INC.; KEARNEY-NATIONAL INC.; THETFORD CORPORATION; PLAID ENTERPRISES, INC.
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 031515/0176 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 10, 2012
From: VAN BEEK, JACCO; WESSELS, WILCO
To: THETFORD CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028763/0038 →