ADJUSTABLE HINGE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN A REFRIGERATOR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the hinge assembly which supports the pivotable door of a refrigerator.

[0002] Refrigerators are commonly known in the art. A refrigerator generally comprises a main body which includes one or more refrigeration compartments for refrigerating the articles and one or more pivotable doors for accessing the respective refrigeration compartments. The pivotable doors are mounted to the main body through respective hinge assemblies. The refrigeration compartments and the pivotable doors may be arranged side by side or alternatively one above the other.

[0003] US 8,491,070 B2 discloses a refrigerator which has side by side doors.

[0004] A common problem with the prior art refrigerator is that the relative position of each pivotable door must be adjusted during the assembly process by the assembly operator due to the manufacturing tolerances. The adjustment process is very time consuming and complicated. Moreover, after the assembly process, the service person as well as the user has no possibility to readjust the pivotable doors during the installation of the refrigerator in case of need.

[0005] Documents US2008034539, US5788351, US2014259529, KR20040071539, KR20060111211 and KR20070028634 disclose adjustable hinges for use in a refrigerator.

[0006] An objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustable hinge assembly for use in a refrigerator which overcomes the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost-effective way and which enables the hinge assembly to be easily and quickly adjusted at any time and as often as required through the assembly operator, the service person or the user.

[0007] The present invention is disclosed in the independent claim 1. Further embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0008] The adjustable hinge assembly of the present invention comprises a first bracket which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body; a vertical pivot which is adapted to bear the counterpart vertical pivot of the respective pivotable door, wherein the vertical pivot is vertically movably connected to the first bracket; a second bracket which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body, wherein the second bracket is adapted to be relatively movably connected to the first bracket; a first adjustment mechanism which is adapted to move the first bracket relative to the second bracket in the horizontal direction that is parallel to the front of the main body and a second adjustment mechanism which is adapted to move the vertical pivot relative to the first bracket in the vertical direction.

[0009] A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the pivotable doors can be easily and quickly adjusted at any time and as often as required through the assembly operator, the service person or the user. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that each pivotable door can be continuously adjusted both in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction. Thereby, the pivotable doors can be mutually aligned and thus the appearance of the refrigerator can be improved. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the adjustable hinge assembly can be easily accessed from the outside and can be entirely mounted/demounted for service. With the present invention, the assembly and the maintenance of the pivotable doors have been improved.

[0010] In an embodiment, the first bracket and second brackets are each adapted to be vertically pivotably mounted to the main body. In this embodiment, the second bracket is adapted to be horizontally movably connected to the first bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first bracket and second bracket can be easily assembled with the refrigerator.

[0011] In another embodiment, the first bracket has a vertical hole for receiving a pivot bolt that is mountable to the main body of the refrigerator. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first bracket can be easily pivotably mounted to the main body of the refrigerator through the pivot bolt.

[0012] In another embodiment, the second bracket has a pivot pin which fits into a hole on main body of the refrigerator. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the second bracket can be easily pivotably mounted to the refrigerator through the pivot pin.

[0013] In an embodiment, the horizontal distance between the first bracket and the second bracket can be increased or decreased through accordingly rotating the horizontal adjustment screw of the first adjustment mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the horizontal adjustment can be immediately performed through the horizontal adjustment screw.

[0014] In another embodiment, the horizontal adjustment screw is threadably received in a threaded horizontal hole on the first bracket and accommodated at the narrow diameter section in a vertical notch on the second bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first narrow diameter section can stably drive the first bracket through accordingly rotating the horizontal adjustment screw.

[0015] In another embodiment, the second bracket can be fixed after the adjustment to the first bracket through a first fixing mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the pivotable door can be securely maintained at its adjusted position.

[0016] In another embodiment, the second bracket is fixed to the first bracket through a vertical fixing screw which is threadably received by a first threaded vertical hole on the first bracket and slidably accommodated in a horizontal slot on the second bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the first fixing mechanism improves the integrity and the smooth operation of the first bracket and the second bracket.

[0017] In another embodiment, the vertical distance between the first bracket and the vertical pivot can be increased or decreased through accordingly rotating the vertical threaded rod of the second adjustment mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the vertical adjustment can be immediately performed through rotating the vertical threaded rod.

[0018] In another embodiment, the vertical threaded rod is threadably engaged in a second threaded vertical hole on the first bracket and rotatable through an adjustment nut that is fixed thereon. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the vertical adjustment can be immediately performed through the adjustment nut.

[0019] In another embodiment, the vertical pivot can be fixed after the adjustment to the first bracket through the second fixing mechanism. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the pivotable door can be securely maintained at its adjusted position.

[0020] In another embodiment, the vertical pivot can be fixed through a fixing nut which is threadably engaged with the lower end of the vertical threaded rod and abutted against the lower surface of the first bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the vertical pivot can be securely maintained at its adjusted position through the fixing nut.

[0021] In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly has a threaded foot that carries the refrigerator. The threaded foot is threadably engaged in a third threaded vertical hole on the first bracket. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the adjustable hinge assembly can also be used at the bottom of the main body.

[0022] In another embodiment, the threaded foot has a grip. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the grip facilitates the manual height adjustment of the threaded foot and thus the need for using a hand tool has been obviated.

[0023] In other alternative embodiments, the adjustable hinge assembly is used at the top of the main body, at the bottom of the main body or between the top and the bottom of the main body in accordance with the particular arrangement of the pivotable doors. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the adjustable hinge assemblies can be flexibly used at different locations on the main body.

[0024] In another embodiment, the refrigerator comprises two side by side refrigeration compartments and two side by side pivotable doors for accessing the respective refrigeration compartments. In this embodiment, the side by side pivotable doors are supported through two adjustable hinge assemblies which are disposed onto the bottom of the main body. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the relative positions of the side by side pivotable doors can be correctly adjusted.

[0025] In other alternative embodiments, each of the horizontal adjustment screw, the vertical fixing screw, the adjustment nut and the fixing nut comprises a commonly used head that matches a commonly used tool. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the adjustment can be easily performed through the user by way of using a universal hand tool that matches the head.

[0026] Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the adjustable hinge assembly and the refrigerator of the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 - is a schematic partial front view of a refrigerator which has two adjustable hinge assemblies at the bottom of the main body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 - is a schematic enlarged front view of the detail A of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 - is a schematic perspective view of an adjustable hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 - is a schematic exploded perspective view of the adjustable hinge assembly of Fig. 3.

[0027] The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

1. Adjustable hinge assembly

2. Refrigerator

3. Main body

4. Pivotable door

5. First bracket

6. Vertical pivot

7. Second bracket

8. 1^st adjustment mechanism

9. 2^nd adjustment mechanism

10. Vertical hole

11. Pivot pin

11a. Recess

12. Horizontal adjustment screw

13. Threaded horizontal hole

14. Vertical notch

15. Narrow diameter section

16. 1^st fixing mechanism

17. Vertical fixing screw

18. 1^st threaded vertical hole

19. Horizontal slot

20. Vertical threaded rod

21. 2^nd threaded vertical hole

22. Adjustment nut

23. 2^nd fixing mechanism

24. Fixing nut

25. Threaded foot

26. 3^rd threaded vertical hole

[0028] The adjustable hinge assembly (1) is suitable for use in a refrigerator (2) comprising a main body (3) which includes one or more refrigeration compartments (not shown) and one or more pivotable doors (4) each for accessing the respective refrigeration compartment (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

[0029] The adjustable hinge assembly (1) of the present invention further comprises a first bracket (5) which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body (3); a vertical pivot (6) which is adapted to bear the counterpart vertical pivot (not shown) of the respective pivotable door (4), wherein the vertical pivot (6) is vertically movably connected to the first bracket (5); a second bracket (7) which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body (3), wherein the second bracket (7) is adapted to be relatively movably connected to the first bracket (5); a first adjustment mechanism (8) which is adapted to move the first bracket (5) relative to the second bracket (7) in the horizontal direction (H) that is parallel to the front of the main body (3) and a second adjustment mechanism (9) which is adapted to move the vertical pivot (6) relative to the first bracket (5) in the vertical direction (V) (Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).

[0030] The refrigerator (2) of the present invention comprises one or more adjustable hinge assemblies (1) (Fig. 1).

[0031] In an embodiment, the first bracket (5) is adapted to be vertically pivotably mounted to the main body (3). In this embodiment, the second bracket (7) is adapted to be vertically pivotably mounted to main body (3). According to the present invention, the second bracket (7) is adapted to be horizontally movably connected to the first bracket (5) (Fig. 3).

[0032] In another embodiment, the first bracket (5) has a vertical hole (10) which is adapted to receive a pivot bolt (not shown). In this embodiment, the pivot bolt is adapted to be vertically mounted to the main body (3).

[0033] In another embodiment, the second bracket (7) has a pivot pin (11) which is adapted to be mounted to the main body (3) (Fig. 3).

[0034] In another embodiment, the pivot pin (11) is press fitted into a recess (11a) on the second bracket (7) (Fig. 4).

[0035] In another embodiment, the first adjustment mechanism (8) comprises a horizontal adjustment screw (12) that is adapted to connect the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) and to change the horizontal distance between the second bracket (7) and the first bracket (5) upon rotation (Fig. 3).

[0036] In another embodiment, the first adjustment mechanism (8) further comprises a threaded horizontal hole (13) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the horizontal adjustment screw (12) and a vertical notch (14) which is formed into the second bracket (7) and adapted to accommodate a narrow diameter section (15) of the horizontal adjustment screw (12) (Fig.4).

[0037] In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly (1) further comprises a first fixing mechanism (16) which is adapted to fix the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) after the adjustment (Fig. 3).

[0038] In another embodiment, the first fixing mechanism (16) comprises a vertical fixing screw (17) which is adapted to connect the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) and to fix, after the adjustment, the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) upon rotation; a first threaded vertical hole (18) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably engaged with the vertical fixing screw (17) and a horizontal slot (19) which is formed into the second bracket (7) and adapted to slidably accommodate the respective vertical fixing screw (17) (Fig. 4).

[0039] In another embodiment, the second adjustment mechanism (9) comprises a vertical threaded rod (20) that is adapted to connect the vertical pivot (6) to the first bracket (5) and to change the vertical distance between the vertical pivot (6) and the first bracket (5) upon rotation (Fig. 3).

[0040] In another embodiment, the second adjustment mechanism (9) further comprises a second threaded vertical hole (21) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably receive the vertical threaded rod (20) and an adjustment nut (22) which is fixed to the vertical threaded rod (20) (Fig. 4).

[0041] In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly (1) further comprises a second fixing mechanism (23) which is adapted to fix the vertical threaded rod (20) to the first bracket (5) after the adjustment (Fig. 3).

[0042] In another embodiment, the second fixing mechanism (23) comprises a fixing nut (24) which is adapted to be threadably received by the lower end of the vertical threaded rod (20) which protrudes through the second threaded vertical hole (21) on the first bracket (5) (Fig. 4).

[0043] In another embodiment, the adjustable hinge assembly (1) further comprises a threaded foot (25) and a third threaded vertical hole (26) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to be threadably engaged with the threaded foot (25) (Fig. 4).

[0044] In another embodiment, the refrigerator (2) comprises at least two side by side refrigeration compartments; at least two side by side pivotable doors (4) for accessing the respective refrigeration compartments and two adjustable hinge assemblies (1) each disposed onto the bottom of the main body (3) in close proximity to the opposite side walls of the main body (3) respectively (Fig. 1).

[0045] A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the pivotable doors (4) can be easily and quickly adjusted at any time and as often as required through the assembly operator, the service person or the user (Fig. 3). Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that each pivotable door (4) can be continuously adjusted both in the horizontal direction (H) and in the vertical direction (V) (Fig. 2). Thereby, the pivotable doors (4) can be mutually aligned and thus the appearance of the refrigerator (2) can be improved (Fig. 1). Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the adjustable hinge assembly (1) can be easily accessed from the outside and can be entirely mounted/demounted for service (Fig. 1 and Fig. 3). With the present invention, the assembly and the maintenance of the pivotable doors (4) have been improved (Fig. 4). Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be deduced from the above described embodiments.

Claims

1. An adjustable hinge assembly (1) for use in a refrigerator (2) comprising a main body (3) which includes one or more refrigeration compartments; one or more pivotable doors (4) each for accessing the respective refrigeration compartment, wherein the adjustable hinge assembly (1) comprises a first bracket (5) which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body (3), a vertical pivot (6) which is adapted to bear the counterpart vertical pivot of the respective pivotable door (4), wherein the vertical pivot (6) is vertically movably connected to the first bracket (5); a second bracket (7) which is adapted to be movably mounted to the main body (3), wherein the second bracket (7) is adapted to be relatively movably connected to the first bracket (5); a first adjustment mechanism (8) which is adapted to move the first bracket (5) relative to the second bracket (7) in the horizontal direction (H) that is parallel to the front of the main body (3) and a second adjustment mechanism (9) which is adapted to move the vertical pivot (6) relative to the first bracket (5) in the vertical direction (V).

2. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first bracket (5) is adapted to be vertically pivotably mounted to the main body (3), the second bracket (7) is adapted to be vertically pivotably mounted to main body (3) and the second bracket (7) is adapted to be horizontally movably connected to the first bracket (5).

3. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first bracket (5) has a vertical hole (10) which is adapted to receive a pivot bolt, wherein the pivot bolt is adapted to be vertically mounted to the main body (3).

4. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second bracket (7) has a pivot pin (11) which is adapted to be mounted to the main body (3).

5. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first adjustment mechanism (8) comprises a horizontal adjustment screw (12) that is adapted to connect the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) and to change the horizontal distance between the second bracket (7) and the first bracket (5) upon rotation.

6. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first adjustment mechanism (8) further comprises a threaded horizontal hole (13) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to threadably engaged with the horizontal adjustment screw (12) and a vertical notch (14) which is formed into the second bracket (7) and adapted to accommodate a narrow diameter section (15) of the horizontal adjustment screw (12).

7. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a first fixing mechanism (16) which is adapted to fix the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) after the adjustment.

8. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first fixing mechanism (16) comprises a vertical fixing screw (17) which is adapted to connect the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) and to fix, after the adjustment, the second bracket (7) to the first bracket (5) upon rotation; a first threaded vertical hole (18) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to be threadably engaged with the vertical fixing screw (17) and a horizontal slot (19) which is formed into the second bracket (7) and adapted to slidably accommodate the respective vertical fixing screw (17).

9. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second adjustment mechanism (9) comprises a vertical threaded rod (20) that is adapted to connect the vertical pivot (6) to the first bracket (5) and to change the vertical distance between the vertical pivot (6) and the first bracket (5) upon rotation.

10. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second adjustment mechanism (9) further comprises a second threaded vertical hole (21) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to be threadably engaged with the vertical threaded rod (20) and an adjustment nut (22) which is fixed to the vertical threaded rod (20).

11. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by a second fixing mechanism (23) which is adapted to fix the vertical threaded rod (20) to the first bracket (5) after the adjustment.

12. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the second fixing mechanism (23) comprises a fixing nut (24) which is adapted to be threadably engaged with the lower end of the vertical threaded rod (20) which protrudes through the second threaded vertical hole (21) on the first bracket (5).

13. The adjustable hinge assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by a threaded foot (25) and a third threaded vertical hole (26) which is formed into the first bracket (5) and adapted to be threadably engaged with the threaded foot (25).

14. A refrigerator (2) comprising a main body (3) which includes one or more refrigeration compartments and one or more pivotable doors (4) each for accessing the respective refrigeration compartment, characterized by an adjustable hinge assembly (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13 for each of the pivotable doors (4).

15. The refrigerator (2) according to claim 14, characterized by at least two side by side refrigeration compartments and at least two side by side pivotable doors (4) for accessing the respective refrigeration compartments and two adjustable hinge assemblies (1) for the two pivotable doors (4), each of the two hinge assemblies (1) being disposed onto the bottom of the main body (3) in close proximity to the opposite side walls of the main body (3) respectively.

Ansprüche

1. Eine einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1) für die Verwendung in einem Kühlschrank (2) mit einem Hauptkörper (3), der ein oder mehrere Kühlräume und jeweils eine oder mehrere schwenkbare Türen (4) zum Zugang zum jeweiligen Kühlraum, wobei die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1) eine erste Halterung (5) aufweist, die dazu ausgelegt ist, beweglich an dem Hauptkörper (3) montiert zu werden, einen vertikalen Drehpunkt (6), der dazu ausgelegt ist, den vertikalen Drehpunkt des Gegenstücks der jeweiligen schwenkbaren Tür (4) zu tragen, wobei der vertikale Drehpunkt (6) vertikal beweglich mit der ersten Halterung (5) verbunden ist; darüber hinaus umfasst sie eine zweite Halterung (7), eine zweite Halterung (7), die so ausgelegt ist, dass sie beweglich an dem Hauptkörper (3) montiert werden kann, wobei die zweite Halterung (7) so ausgelegt ist, dass sie relativ beweglich mit der ersten Halterung (5) verbunden ist; einen ersten Einstellmechanismus (8), der dazu ausgelegt ist, die erste Halterung (5) relativ zur zweiten Halterung (7) in der horizontalen Richtung (H) zu bewegen, die parallel zur Vorderseite des Hauptkörpers (3) ist, und eine zweite Einstellungsmechanismus (9), der dazu ausgelegt ist, den vertikalen Drehpunkt (6) relativ zur ersten Halterung (5) in vertikaler Richtung (V) zu bewegen.

2. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in Anspruch 1 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Halterung (5) so ausgelegt ist, dass sie vertikal schwenkbar am Hauptkörper (3) montiert werden kann und dass die zweite Halterung (7) so ausgelegt ist, dass sie vertikal schwenkbar am Hauptkörper (3) angebracht ist, und die zweite Halterung (7) ist so ausgelegt, dass sie horizontal beweglich mit der ersten Halterung (5) verbunden ist.

3. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in Anspruch 2 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Halterung (5) ein vertikales Loch (10) aufweist, das zur Aufnahme eines Schwenkbolzens geeignet ist, wobei der Schwenkbolzen zur vertikalen Montage am Hauptkörper (3) geeignet ist.

4. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in Anspruch 2 oder 3 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zweite Halterung (7) einen Drehzapfen (11) aufweist, der zur Montage am Hauptkörper (3) geeignet ist.

5. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in den Ansprüchen 1 bis 4 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Einstellmechanismus (8) eine horizontale Einstellschraube (12) umfasst, die dazu ausgelegt ist, die zweite Halterung (7) mit der ersten Halterung (5) zu verbinden und den horizontalen Abstand zwischen der zweiten Halterung (7) und der ersten Halterung (5) bei einer Drehung zu ändern.

6. Die einstellbare Scharnierordnung (1), wie in Anspruch 5 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Einstellmechanismus (8) des Weiteren ein horizontales Gewindeloch (13) umfasst, das in die erste Halterung (5) eingeformt und so angepasst ist, dass es mit der horizontalen Einstellschraube (12) und einer vertikalen Kerbe (14) gewindeförmig in Eingriff steht; welches in die zweite Halterung (7) geformt und angepasst ist, um einen Abschnitt (15) mit schmalem Durchmesser der horizontalen Einstellschraube (12) aufzunehmen

7. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in einem der Ansprüche von 1 bis 6 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein erster Befestigungsmechanismus (16) dazu ausgelegt ist, die zweite Halterung (7) nach der Einstellung an der ersten Halterung (5) zu befestigen.

8. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in Anspruch 7 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Befestigungsmechanismus (16) eine vertikale Befestigungsschraube (17) umfasst, die dazu ausgelegt ist, die zweite Halterung (7) mit der ersten Halterung (5) zu verbinden und nach der Einstellung die zweite Halterung (7) bei der ersten Halterung (5) während der Drehung zu befestigen und ein erstes vertikales Gewindeloch (18), das in die erste Halterung (5) geformt ist und so angepasst ist, dass es mit der vertikalen Befestigungsschraube (17) fadenziehbar in Eingriff steht, und einen horizontalen Schlitz (19), der in die zweite Halterung (7) und ausgebildet ist angepasst, um die jeweilige vertikale Befestigungsschraube (17) verschiebbar aufzunehmen.

9. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Einstellmechanismus (9) eine vertikale Gewindestange (20) umfasst, die dazu ausgelegt ist, den vertikalen Drehzapfen (6) mit der ersten Halterung (5) zu verbinden und den vertikalen Abstand zwischen dem vertikalen Drehzapfen (6) und der ersten Halterung (5) beim Drehen zu ändern.

10. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in Anspruch 9 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Einstellmechanismus (9) darüber hinaus ein zweites vertikales Gewindeloch (21) aufweist, dass in die erste Halterung (5) eingeformt ist und so angepasst ist, dass es mit der vertikalen Gewindestange (20) und einer Einstellmutter (22) mit Gewinde in Eingriff steht, die an der vertikalen Gewindestange (20) befestigt ist.

11. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in Anspruch 9 oder 10 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein zweiter Befestigungsmechanismus (23) dazu ausgelegt ist, die vertikale Gewindestange (20) nach der Einstellung an der ersten Halterung (5) zu befestigen.

12. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in Anspruch 11 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Befestigungsmechanismus (23) eine Befestigungsmutter (24) umfasst, die so ausgelegt ist, dass sie mit dem unteren Ende der vertikalen Gewindestange (20), die durch das zweite vertikale Gewindeloch (21) an der ersten Halterung (5) hervorsteht, fadenziehbar eingreift.

13. Die einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1), wie in einem der Ansprüche von 1 bis 12 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Gewindefuß (25) und ein drittes vertikales Gewindeloch (26), das in die erste Halterung (5) eingeformt ist und so angepasst ist, dass es mit dem Gewindefuß (25) fadenziehbar in Eingriff steht.

14. Ein Kühlschrank (2) umfasst einen Hauptkörper (3), der ein oder mehrere Kühlräume und eine oder mehrere schwenkbare Türen (4) zum Zugang zum jeweiligen Kühlraum umfasst, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er eine einstellbare Scharnieranordnung (1) für jede der schwenkbaren Türen (4) aufweist, die in den Ansprüchen 1 bis 13 aufgeführt ist.

15. Ein Kühlschrank (2), wie in Anspruch 14 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens zwei nebeneinander liegende Kühlräume und mindestens zwei nebeneinander schwenkbare Türen (4) für den Zugang zu den jeweiligen Kühlräumen und zwei einstellbare Scharnieranordnungen (1) für die zwei schwenkbaren Türen (4), jeweils die beiden Scharnieranordnungen (1) auf dem Boden des Hauptkörpers (3) in unmittelbarer Nähe zu den gegenüberliegenden Seitenwänden des Hauptkörpers (3) angeordnet sind.

Revendications

1. Un ensemble de charnière réglable (1) pour une utilisation dans un réfrigérateur (2) comprenant un corps principal (3) qui inclut un ou plusieurs compartiments de réfrigération ; une ou plusieurs portes pivotantes (4), chacune pour accéder au compartiment de réfrigération correspondant, dans lequel l'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) comprend un premier support (5) qui est adapté pour être monté de façon mobile sur le corps principal (3), un pivot vertical (6) qui est adapté pour supporter le pivot vertical correspondant de la porte pivotante correspondante (4), dans lequel le pivot vertical (6) est connecté de façon mobile verticalement au premier support (5) ; un deuxième support (7) qui est adapté pour être monté de manière mobile sur le corps principal (3), dans lequel le deuxième support (7) est adapté pour être relié de manière relativement mobile au premier support (5) ; un premier mécanisme de réglage (8) qui est adapté pour déplacer le premier support (5) par rapport au deuxième support (7) dans la direction horizontale (H) qui est parallèle à l'avant du corps principal (3) et un deuxième mécanisme de réglage (9) qui est adapté pour déplacer le pivot vertical (6) par rapport au premier support (5) dans la direction verticale (V).

2. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon la déclaration 1, est caractérisé en ce que le premier support (5) est adapté pour être monté de façon à pouvoir pivoter verticalement sur le corps principal (3), le second support (7) est adapté pour être monté de façon à pouvoir pivoter verticalement sur le corps principal (3) et le second support (7) est adapté pour être relié de façon mobile horizontalement au premier support (5).

3. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon la déclaration 2, est caractérisé en ce que le premier support (5) a un trou vertical (10) qui est adapté pour recevoir un boulon de pivot, dans lequel le boulon de pivot est adapté pour être monté verticalement sur le corps principal (3).

4. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon la déclaration 2 ou 3, est caractérisé en ce que le second support (7) possède un axe de pivotement (11) qui est adapté pour être monté sur le corps principal (3).

5. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations 1 à 4, est caractérisé en ce que le premier mécanisme de réglage (8) comprend une vis de réglage horizontale (12) qui est adaptée pour relier le second support (7) au premier support (5) et pour modifier la distance horizontale entre le second support (7) et le premier support (5) lors de la rotation.

6. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon la déclaration 5, est caractérisé en ce que le premier mécanisme de réglage (8) comprend en outre un trou horizontal fileté (13) qui est formé dans le premier support (5) et adapté pour s'engager par filetage avec la vis de réglage horizontal (12) et une encoche verticale (14) qui est formée dans le second support (7) et adaptée pour recevoir une section de diamètre étroit (15) de la vis de réglage horizontal (12).

7. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations 1 à 6, est caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un premier mécanisme de fixation (16) qui est adapté pour fixer le deuxième support (7) au premier support (5) à la suite du réglage.

8. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon la déclaration 7, est caractérisé en ce que le premier mécanisme de fixation (16) comprend une vis de fixation verticale (17) qui est adaptée pour relier le second support (7) au premier support (5) et pour fixer, après le réglage, le second support (7) au premier support (5) lors de la rotation ; un premier trou vertical fileté (18) qui est formé dans le premier support (5) et adapté pour être engagé par filetage avec la vis de fixation verticale (17) et une fente horizontale (19) qui est formée dans le second support (7) et adaptée pour recevoir de manière coulissante la vis de fixation verticale correspondante (17).

9. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations 1 à 8, est caractérisé en ce que le second mécanisme de réglage (9) comprend une tige filetée verticale (20) qui est adaptée pour relier le pivot vertical (6) au premier support (5) et pour modifier la distance verticale entre le pivot vertical (6) et le premier support (5) lors de la rotation.

10. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon la déclaration 9, est caractérisé en ce que le second mécanisme de réglage (9) comprend en outre un second trou vertical fileté (21) qui est formé dans le premier support (5) et adapté pour être engagé par filetage avec la tige filetée verticale (20) et un écrou de réglage (22) qui est fixé à la tige filetée verticale (20).

11. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon la déclaration 9 ou 10, est caractérisé en ce qu'un second mécanisme de fixation (23) est adapté pour fixer la tige filetée verticale (20) au premier support (5) suite au réglage.

12. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon la déclaration 11, est caractérisé en ce que le second mécanisme de fixation (23) comprend un écrou de fixation (24) qui est adapté pour être engagé par filetage avec l'extrémité inférieure de la tige filetée verticale (20) qui fait saillie à travers le second trou vertical fileté (21) sur le premier support (5).

13. L'ensemble de charnière réglable (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations 1 à 12, est caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un pied fileté (25) et un troisième trou vertical fileté (26) qui est formé dans le premier support (5) et adapté pour être engagé par filetage avec le pied fileté (25).

14. Un réfrigérateur (2) comprenant un corps principal (3) qui inclut un ou plusieurs compartiments de réfrigération et une ou plusieurs portes pivotantes (4), chacune pour accéder au compartiment de réfrigération correspondant, est caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un ensemble de charnières réglables (1) tel que défini dans l'une quelconque des déclarations 1 à 13 pour chacune des portes pivotantes (4).

15. Le réfrigérateur (2) selon la déclaration 14, est caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins deux compartiments de réfrigération côte à côte et au moins deux portes pivotantes (4) côte à côte pour accéder aux compartiments de réfrigération correspondants et deux ensembles de charnières réglables (1) pour les deux portes pivotantes (4), chacun des deux ensembles de charnières (1) étant disposé sur le fond du corps principal (3) à proximité immédiate des parois latérales opposées du corps principal (3) correspondant.

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