Granted Patent B2

US 12,584,684 · App. 18/000,618 · Granted Mar 24, 2026

Inventors: William Hunter (Shelby Township, MI); Jan-Peter Loerts (Troy, MI)

Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB

F25D23/10B60N3/104F25D23/006

Abstract

Claims (38)

1 . A refrigerator, comprising:

a refrigerator housing having one or more walls and cooling mechanicals which remove heat from the refrigerator housing, the refrigerator housing configured to be positioned within a vehicle;

a heat exchange conduit located within the walls of the refrigerator housing to remove heat from an interior of said refrigerator housing;

said interior of the refrigerator housing defining a cavity for storage of food or beverage;

a joint capable of removably connecting said refrigerator housing to a console compartment of the vehicle, said joint comprising a twist lock which is rotatable about a vertical axis; and,

further comprising a frame extending from said refrigerator housing, said frame supporting the cooling mechanicals.

2 . The refrigerator of claim 1 , further comprising a tray.

3 . The refrigerator of claim 2 , said tray having one or more air intakes allowing air to access said cooling mechanicals.

4 . The refrigerator of claim 1 , said twist lock having a leg and a foot extending from said leg.

5 . The refrigerator of claim 1 , said joint further comprising at least one locking tab on an opposite side of said refrigerator housing from said twist lock.

6 . The refrigerator of claim 1 , said joint comprising an engagement between two or more parts.

7 . The refrigerator of claim 6 , said two or more parts comprising the refrigerator and the console compartment of the vehicle.

8 . The refrigerator of claim 1 , further comprising a housing insert.

9 . The refrigerator of claim 8 , said housing insert being a foam insert.

10 . The refrigerator of claim 8 , said housing insert being a bracket connected to said refrigerator housing.

11 . The refrigerator of claim 10 , a first portion of said joint connected to said bracket.

12 . The refrigerator of claim 3 , said tray disposed adjacent to said refrigerator housing and enclosing an opening between said refrigerator housing and said console compartment.

13 . The refrigerator of claim 12 , said one or more air intakes disposed above said cooling mechanicals.

14 . The refrigerator of claim 1 , said cooling mechanicals comprising a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator.

15 . The refrigerator of claim 1 , further comprising wherein said console compartment is disposed in an automobile, marine craft, or a recreational vehicle.

16 . The refrigerator of claim 1 , said refrigerator housing capable of being removably positioned within said console compartment of a trunk, a frunk, or an interior of the vehicle.

17 . The refrigerator of claim 1 , wherein said refrigerator is capable of being used as a portable cooler.

18 . The refrigerator of claim 17 , wherein said refrigerator may be actively or passively cooled.

19 . The refrigerator of claim 1 , said joint comprising one or more fasteners.

20 . A refrigerator, comprising:

a refrigerator housing having one or more walls defining an interior cavity wherein food or drinks may be located;

a lid pivotally connected to said refrigerator housing to open or close access to an interior of said housing;

the refrigerator housing configured to be positioned within a console of a vehicle;

a frame extending from said refrigerator housing, said frame supporting cooling mechanicals, which remove heat from the refrigerator housing;

said cooling mechanicals comprising a heat exchange conduit within said walls;

a tray disposed above said cooling mechanicals said tray comprising an air intake which allows airflow to said cooling mechanicals.

21 . A refrigerator, comprising:

a refrigerator housing defining an interior cavity wherein food or drinks may be located, said refrigerator housing having one or more walls;

a lid pivotally connected to said refrigerator housing, said lid being movable between an open and a closed position;

a frame adjacent to said refrigerator housing, said frame supporting one or more cooling mechanicals thereon, the cooling mechanical defining a compression cooling system, said compression cooling system comprising a refrigerant conduit passing within said one or walls for cooling of said food or drinks therein;

said refrigerator housing and frame capable of being removably positioned within a vehicle console; and,

a tray disposed above said one or more cooling mechanicals;

wherein airflow moves through an air intake in said tray, around said one or more cooling mechanicals and is exhausted by a fan.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (303)