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Patent Abstract
A refrigerator water filter assembly is provided in the ceiling
of a refrigerator and is adapted to hinge downwardly from the ceiling
for changing the filter cartridge. The cartridge is normally partially
recessed within the ceiling so as to minimize the use of space in
the food compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes
a base mounted in the refrigerator ceiling, a manifold pivotally
mounted on the base, a filter cartridge attached to the manifold,
and a cover pivotally mounted on the manifold so as to be movable
between open and closed positions. When the cover is opened, the
filter cartridge is angled downwardly from the ceiling for easy
grasping by a person for replacement of the cartridge.
Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A water filter assembly for a refrigerator having a fresh food
compartment with a floor, a ceiling and side walls, the assembly
comprising: a base mounted in the ceiling; a manifold pivotally
mounted in the base; a water filter cartridge releasably mounted
to the manifold; and a cover for enclosing the water filter and
being movable between a closed position wherein the manifold and
filter cartridge are pivoted upwardly and an open position wherein
the manifold and filter pivot downwardly from the ceiling for removal
of the filter cartridge from the manifold.
2. The water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the water filter
cartridge is in a substantially horizontal position when the cover
is closed.
3. The water filter assembly of claim 1 further comprising a clip
to retain the cover in the closed position.
4. The water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover is pivotally
attached to the manifold.
5. The water filter assembly of claim 4 wherein the cover pivots
away from the filter cartridge when opened to provide access to
the filter cartridge.
6. The water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the manifold and
the cover have a common pivot axis.
7. The water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the manifold includes
opposite pins to pivotally mount the manifold to the base.
8. The water filter assembly of claim 7 wherein the cover is pivotally
mounted on the manifold pins.
9. The water filter assembly of claim 8 wherein the cover is pivotal
a greater degree than the manifold and filter cartridge so as to
be spaced from the filter cartridge when in the open position.
10. The water filter assembly of claim 8 wherein the manifold is
pivotal a first radial distance and the cover is pivotal a second
radial distance, the second radial distance being greater than the
first radial distance.
11. The water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the cartridge
is partially recessed into the ceiling when the cover is in the
closed position.
12. A method of accessing a refrigerator filter cartridge mounted
in a ceiling portion of the refrigerator, comprising: opening a
filter cover attached to a filter manifold to exposure the filter
cartridge mounted on the manifold; and pivoting the manifold and
cartridge downwardly such that the cartridge can be grasped and
removed from the manifold.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising pivoting the cover
downwardly to open the cover.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising pivoting the cover
further than the manifold and cartridge to provide access to the
cartridge.
15. The method of claim 12 further comprising retaining the cover
in a closed position with a clip.
16. An improved refrigerator having a fresh food compartment defined
by a bottom, side wall panels and a ceiling panel, the improvement
comprising: a water filter cartridge pivotally mounted adjacent
one of the panels for movement about a pivot axis substantially
parallel to the one panel.
17. The improved refrigerator of claim 16 wherein the cartridge
is at least partially recessed into the one panel.
18. The improved refrigerator of claim 16 further comprising a
cover movable between a closed position covering the cartridge and
an open position exposing the cartridge.
19. The improved refrigerator of claim 18 wherein the cover is
pivotally mounted adjacent the one panel for pivotal movement between
the open and closed positions.
20. The improved refrigerator of claim 19 further comprising a
clip to releasably retain the cover in the closed position.
21. The improved refrigerator of claim 19 wherein the cover pivots
a greater degree than the cartridge so as to be spaced from the
cartridge when in the open position.
22. The improved refrigerator of claim 16 further comprising a
filter manifold pivotally mounted in the one panel and adapted to
supply water to and receive water from the cartridge.
23. The improved refrigerator of claim 16 wherein the pivot axis
does not extend through the cartridge.
Patent Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to the U.S. provisional
patent application serial No. 60/305,735 entitled "Hinge Down
Water Filter" filed on Jul. 16, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Refrigerators often times include water filters to treat
water used to make ice cubes or dispensed from a built-in water
dispenser. The filter assemblies include a manifold with a removable
filter cartridge which can be replaced periodically. Prior art water
filter assemblies are typically located at the bottom of the refrigerator
adjacent the floor or in the rear of the fresh food compartment
adjacent the ceiling. In both instances, access to the cartridge
for replacement is not convenient and the cartridge may be difficult
to reach for some people.
[0003] Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention
is the provision of an improved water filter assembly for a refrigerator.
[0004] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of refrigerator water filter assembly which is pivotally mounted
to the ceiling in the fresh food compartment.
[0005] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a refrigerator water filter assembly wherein the filter cartridge
is partially recessed into the ceiling of the fresh food compartment
so as to minimize encroachment into the compartment.
[0006] A further objective of the present invention is the provision
of a method of accessing the water filter cartridge in a refrigerator
involving the steps of opening a filter cover to expose the filter
cartridge, pivoting the filter manifold and cartridge downwardly
and manually removing the cartridge from the manifold.
[0007] Still another objective of the present invention is the
provision of a hinge down refrigerator water filter assembly that
provides quick and easy access for replacement of the filter cartridge.
[0008] Another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a refrigerator water filter assembly which is economical to manufacture
and durable in use.
[0009] These and other objectives will become apparent from the
following description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A water filter assembly is provided for a refrigerator,
and includes a base mounted in the ceiling of the fresh food compartment
of the refrigerator, a manifold pivotally mounted in the base, a
cartridge releasably mounted in the manifold, and a cover pivotally
mounted to the manifold. The cover is movable between a closed position
which holds the manifold and cartridge in an upwardly pivoted position,
and an open position wherein the manifold and filter cartridge pivot
downwardly from the ceiling. The cover pivots downwardly a greater
degree than the manifold and cartridge so as to expose the filter
for grasping and removal from the manifold. When the cover is in
the closed position, the filter cartridge is at least partially
recessed into the ceiling, thereby minimizing the space occupied
by the filter assembly in the food compartment. A clip normally
retains the cover in the closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator illustrating
the location of the water filter assembly of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water filter assembly
in the closed position.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the water filter assembly
in an open position.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the water filter assembly
taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base of the water filter
assembly.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the base taken along lines
6-6 of FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the base taken along lines
7-7 of FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the filter manifold of the
water filter assembly.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the filter manifold of
the water filter assembly.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cover of the water
filter assembly.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the cover taken along lines
11-11 of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The water filter assembly 10 of the present invention is
shown to be mounted in the roof or ceiling 12 of a refrigerator
14. Alternatively, the filter assembly 10 may be mounted in one
of the side wall panels 16 of the refrigerator 14, though the preferred
location is in the ceiling 12.
[0023] The water filter assembly 10 includes a base 18, a filter
manifold 20, a filter cartridge 22, and a cover 24. The manifold
20 and the cover 24 are pivotal. The cover 24 is movable between
a closed position, shown in FIG. 2, wherein the manifold 20 and
the cartridge 22 are held in a substantially horizontal position,
with the cartridge 22 being partially recessed into the ceiling
12, and an open position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the manifold 20,
the cartridge 22, and the cover 24 are pivoted downwardly from the
base 18 to provide access to the cartridge 22. As seen in FIG. 3,
the cover 24 pivots a greater degree than the manifold 20 and the
cartridge 22.
[0024] The base 18 is adapted to be mounted on the ceiling 12 of
the refrigerator 14 through a plurality of clips 26 which are adapted
to extend through corresponding holes in the ceiling 12. The base
includes a rear housing or tunnel 28 through which water lines 30,
32 extend. The base also includes a collar 34 and a clip 36 opposite
one another to pivotally support the manifold 20 as described below.
The base 18 also includes an enlarged opening 38 corresponding to
the shape of the filter cartridge 22 which allows a portion of the
cartridge to extend upwardly through the opening 38 and into a recess
in the ceiling 12, when the cover 24 is closed, as best seen in
FIG. 2.
[0025] The manifold 20 is best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The manifold
20 includes an upper plate 40 and opposite downwardly extending
side plates or wings 42. A pair of pins 44 extend outwardly from
each of the wings 42 and define a pivot axis for the manifold 20.
The pins 44 of the manifold 22 are adapted to be received in the
collar 34 and the clip 36 of the base 18, as shown in FIG. 4, so
as to pivotally mount the manifold 22 to the base 18. The upper
plate 40 includes a sloped portion 46 angled downwardly and rearwardly
from the pivot pins 44.
[0026] The manifold 20 also includes a head 48 adapted to threadably
receive the cartridge 22. The head 48 includes the female plug 50
which mates with the cartridge 22 in a conventional manner. The
plug 50 includes a plurality of O rings 52 to matingly seal with
the cartridge 22 and prevent water leakage. Conventional valves
54 are provided in the head 48 so as to provide communication between
the water lines 30, 32 when the cartridge 22 is mounted on the head
48 of the manifold 20.
[0027] The cover 24 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and is shaped so
as to substantially matingly enclose the cartridge 22 when in the
closed position. The cover 24 includes opposite flared out portions
56 adjacent the rearward end of the cover 24. Each flared out portion
56 includes an inwardly directed collar 58 which are adapted to
receive the pins 44 of the manifold 20 such that the cover 24 is
pivotally mounted on the manifold 20. The trailing edge 60 of the
flared out portions 56 is tapered or sloped downwardly to permit
the cover 24 to pivot relative to the base 18. The angle of the
trailing edge 60 relative to a horizontal plane is greater than
the angle of the sloped portion 46 of the manifold plate 40, such
that the cover 24 pivots a greater amount than the manifold 20 and
the cartridge 22, as seen in FIG. 3. A clip 62 is provided on the
front end of the cover 24 and is adapted to releasably engage a
retention surface 64 on the base 18 to thereby releasably lock the
cover 24 in the closed position shown in FIG. 2.
[0028] In use, with the cartridge 22 is mounted on the manifold
20, water is supplied through the water line 30 to the filter for
treatment, and then returned through the water line 32 for supply
to the refrigerator ice maker or water dispenser. When it is time
to change the filter, as indicated in any known manner, the clip
62 of the cover 24 is depressed for release from the clip retention
surface 64 on the base 18. Upon release of the clip 62, the cover
24, the manifold 20 and the cartridge 22 pivot downwardly by gravity
away from the ceiling 12. The cover 24 can be further pivoted to
a spaced relation from the cartridge 22, as shown in FIG. 3, so
that a person can easily grasp the cartridge 22 and twist the cartridge
22 for disengagement from the manifold head 48. A new cartridge
can be installed on the manifold head 48. The cover 24 can then
be pushed upwardly until the clip 62 locks on the retention surface
64 of the base 18.
[0029] The invention has been shown and described above with the
preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications,
substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended
spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be
seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its
stated objectives. |