Device for supporting a condenser in a refrigerator or the like

Abstract

 A device (1) for supporting a condenser (2) in the cabinet of a refrigerator, freezer or the like, said condenser (2) having a flat structure of solid or latticed sheet metal, the device (1) comprising a body (8) to be fixed to the refrigerator cabinet and comprising a support portion (10) to be engaged with and be hence coupled to the condenser and to support it on the cabinet when the body (8) of the device (1) has been fixed to the cabinet.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for supporting a condenser in a refrigerator cabinet in accordance with the introduction to the main claim. A refrigerator condenser is known to comprise a generally sheet metal structure in which a hairpin coil is present. The structure can be of strip or solid sheet form or be of sheet expanded to lattice configuration presenting two portions (of lattice form) between which the hairpin coil is located.

[0002] The condenser is usually fixed to the refrigerator cabinet by L-shaped supports (if the condenser is of lattice form) or by spot-welding its structure to said cabinet (if the condenser is solid).

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a device which can be used to easily fix a condenser to the corresponding refrigerator cabinet (whether of an upright refrigerator or of a chest freezer or similar appliance) and which can be used with either a solid sheet or lattice condenser.

[0004] Another object is to provide a device of the stated type which is of very low cost.

[0005] These and further objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a device in accordance with the accompanying claims.

[0006] The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view of the device of Figure 1 from the rear;

Figure 5 is a front view of a lattice condenser coupled to the device of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the part indicated by A in Figure 5.

[0007] With reference to said figures, a device according to the invention is indicated overall by 1 and is provided to support a condenser 2 and fix it to a refrigerator cabinet (not shown). In the example, the condenser 2 is of the lattice type (known per se) comprising two lattice portions 3 and 4 coupled in known manner to a hairpin coil 5 interposed between said portions.

[0008] The device 1 comprises a body 8 having a fixing portion 9 to be fixed to a refrigerator cabinet, and a support portion 10 for supporting the condenser 2. The portion 10 projects from the fixing portion 9.

[0009] Specifically, the fixing portion 9 comprises a flat part which is provided with through holes 13 and is rested against the refrigerator cabinet and fixed to it by screws (not shown) inserted through the holes 13. The flat part 12 presents on an edge 12A a perpendicular end shoulder 14 lying opposite a wall 15 (to which it is connected by a stiffening rib 16) rising perpendicularly from another edge 12B of the part 12 and from which the support portion 10 projects.

[0010] This latter comprises a flat part 17 lying in a plane P1 distant from and parallel to the plane P2 in which the part 12 of the fixing portion 9 lies. From the part 17 there rises a member 20 of substantially T-shaped section comprising an upright 21 and a transverse upper part 22. From below each side 22A of the part 22 there projects an element 23 facing the part 17 and spaced from the upright 21. The element 23 forms with said upright a space 25 for receiving a portion of the condenser. The element 23 is also elastically deformable.

[0011] The invention is used in the following manner. With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the device 1 is secured to the condenser 2 by inserting a portion of the lattice part 3 into the space 25. This is achieved by virtue of the elastic deformability of the element 23, which elastically couples to that lattice portion.

[0012] If the condenser 2 is of solid sheet form, the body 8 of the device 1 can be engaged therewith (for example with its hairpin coil) in a manner similar to that described.

[0013] When the condenser has been secured to each body 8 of the devices provided to support it (preferably four), each body 8 is fixed to the refrigerator cabinet by screws as heretofore described.

[0014] The invention is of simple construction and use, and enables a condenser to be easily and quickly secured to a refrigerator cabinet.

Claims

1. A device (1) for supporting a condenser (2) in the cabinet of a refrigerator, freezer or the like, said condenser (2) having a flat structure of solid or latticed sheet metal, the device (1) being characterised by comprising a body (8) to be fixed to the refrigerator cabinet and comprising a support portion (10) to be engaged with and be hence coupled to the condenser and to support it on the cabinet when the body (8) of the device (1) has been fixed to the cabinet.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the support portion (10) comprises at least one engagement member (23) arranged to elastically engage the condenser (2) and hence secure this latter to the body (8) of the device (1).

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that each engagement member (23) projects from the sides (22) of a substantially T-shaped member (20) rising from a flat part (17) of the support portion (10), said engagement member (23) facing said flat part (17) and being spaced from an upright (21) of said member (20) connected to said flat part (17).

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that an engagement member (23) is present on each side of the upright (21).

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the support portion (10) is rigid with a fixing portion (9) enabling the body (8) of the device (1) to be fixed to the refrigerator cabinet.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the support portion (10) projects from the fixing portion (9).

7. A device as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the fixing portion (9) comprises a flat part (12) provided with through holes (13) to receive fixing screws for securing the device body (8) to the refrigerator cabinet.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the flat part (12) of the fixing portion (9) and the flat part (17) of the support portion (10) lie in mutually parallel but spaced-apart planes (P2, P1).

9. A device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the fixing portion (9) comprises an end shoulder (14) rising perpendicularly from an edge (12A) of the flat part (12), and, opposite this shoulder, a wall (15) rising perpendicularly from another edge (12B) of this part and supporting the support portion (10).

Drawing