SUSPENSION DEVICE FOR A FOOD-ACCOMMODATING CONTAINER COMPRISING A PROFILED RAIL MADE OF METAL, ARRANGEMENT AND HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATOR COMPONENT

Abstract

A suspension device enables a freely projecting suspension of a food-accommodating container. The suspension device has a central rail for the direct suspension of the food-accommodating container. The central rail is a profiled rail made of metal. There is also described an arrangement of a suspension device with a food-accommodating container suspended in a freely projecting manner on the profiled rail, and a household refrigerator component.

Claims

1. A suspension device for the freely projecting suspension of a food-accommodating container, the suspension device comprising: a central rail configured for directly suspending the food-accommodating container therefrom; said central rail being a profiled rail made of metal.

2. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein said profiled rail is formed integrally in one piece.

3. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein said profiled rail is a roll-formed profile.

4. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein said profiled rail is made of stainless steel.

5. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein said profiled rail is a linear rail.

6. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein said profiled rail is formed with: a first, upper hollow chamber which is integrally formed on an upper edge of a front plate of said profiled rail; and a second, lower hollow chamber which is spaced apart from said first hollow chamber and integrally formed on a lower edge of said front plate of said profiled rail; and wherein, starting from said front plate, said first and second hollow chambers extend rearward.

7. The suspension device according to claim 6, wherein each of said first and second hollow chambers is at least three-sided in cross section and is open in cross section.

8. The suspension device according to claim 6, wherein, in a depth direction of the suspension device, said first, upper hollow chamber has a smaller depth than said second, lower hollow chamber.

9. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein, along a longitudinal axis of said profiled rail, said profiled rail is formed with an open first end, and said open first end is configured as an insertion holder for receiving a holding part of the suspension device, and/or said profiled rail is formed with an open second end, and said open second end is configured as an insertion holder for receiving a holding part of the suspension device.

10. The suspension device according to claim 6, wherein, along a longitudinal axis of said profiled rail, said profiled rail is formed with an open first end, and said open first end is configured as an insertion holder for receiving a holding part of the suspension device, and/or said profiled rail is formed with an open second end, and said open second end is configured as an insertion holder for receiving a holding part of the suspension device.

11. The suspension device according to claim 10, wherein said insertion holders formed at said open first and second ends are hollow chambers that are laterally open in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

12. The suspension device according to claim 10, further comprising at least one holding part formed as an L-shaped part, and wherein one leg of said L-shaped part is an insertion part for insertion into said profiled rail, which is separate from said holding part, and a further leg of said L-shaped part has a coupling part for coupling to a household appliance component.

13. The suspension device according to claim 10, further comprising a holding part formed with a rear edge wall, wherein, in a mounted state of said holding part on said profiled rail, a rear defining wall of said upper hollow chamber, when viewed in a width direction of the suspension device, is arranged flush with an upper edge wall portion of said rear edge wall and, in the mounted state of said holding part on said profiled rail, a rear defining wall of said lower hollow chamber, when viewed in the width direction of the suspension device, is arranged flush with a lower edge wall portion of said edge wall.

14. The suspension device according to claim 1, being a combination of said profiled rail and two holding parts which are separate from said profiled rail and which are fastened at mutually opposite ends of said profiled rail to form a U-shaped suspension device.

15. An arrangement, comprising a suspension device according to claim 1 and at least one food-accommodating container suspended in a freely projecting manner on said profiled rail.

16. A household refrigerator component, comprising a suspension device according to claim 1.

17. The household refrigerator component according to claim 16, further comprising at least one food-accommodating container suspended in a freely projecting manner on the profiled rail of said suspension device.

18. The household refrigerator component according to claim 16, formed as a door of a household refrigerator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a perspective (or axonometric) view of an exemplary embodiment of a suspension device according to the invention;

[0052] FIG. 2 shows the suspension device according to FIG. 1 in a different perspective from FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a profiled rail made of metal of the suspension device according to FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0054] FIG. 4 shows the profiled rail according to FIG. 3 in a different perspective from FIG. 3;

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a holding part of the suspension device according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

[0056] FIG. 6 shows the holding part according to FIG. 5 in a different perspective from FIG. 5;

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a suspension device according to the invention;

[0058] FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of partial components of the suspension device according to FIG. 7;

[0059] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention comprising a suspension device and a plurality of food-accommodating containers;

[0060] FIG. 10 shows the design of the arrangement according to FIG. 9 in a different perspective from FIG. 9; and

[0061] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of household refrigerator component with an exemplary embodiment of a suspension device.

[0062] Elements which are identical or functionally identical are provided in the figures with the same reference numerals throughout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, in particular, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a suspension device 1 in a perspective view. The suspension device 1 is provided as intended for the freely projecting suspension of a food-accommodating container. In the second exemplary embodiment the suspension device 1 has a central rail for directly suspending a food-accommodating container thereon or, respectively, therein. This central rail is a profiled rail 2. The profiled rail 2 is configured from metal. The profiled rail 2 has a longitudinal axis A. The profiled rail 2 is configured in a linear manner. The profiled rail 2 is produced in one piece. The profiled rail is a roll-formed profile in the exemplary embodiment. Thus, in particular, it is entirely bent into shape by roll-forming from a plate strip. Preferably the profiled rail 2 is made of stainless steel.

[0064] Moreover, the suspension device 1 has a first holding part 3. The first holding part 3 is arranged on a first end 4 of the profiled rail 2, when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. The suspension device 1 also has a second holding part 5. The holding part 5 is arranged at a second end 6 opposing the first end 4 on the profiled rail 2 which is separate therefrom. In the exemplary embodiment the holding parts 3 and 5 in each case are one-piece components. The holding parts are configured, in particular, from plastics. These holding parts 3 and 5 which are separate from the profiled rail 2 are configured in the exemplary embodiment in an L-shaped manner in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the entire suspension device 1. The holding parts are directly connected to the profiled rail 2. In this mounted end state the suspension device 1 has a U-shape.

[0065] The suspension device 1 is shown in FIG. 2 in a different perspective from FIG. 1. The suspension device is shown in FIG. 2 from the rear. In this case, it may also be seen that the profiled rail 1 is a three-dimensional shaped component.

[0066] The profiled rail 2 has a front plate 7. The front plate 7 is configured without interruption. A first profiled region is configured so as to be integrally formed on this front plate 7. When viewed in the depth direction (z-direction) this profile region directly adjoins the thin front plate 7 to the rear. This profiled region is a hollow chamber 8. This is a first upper hollow chamber, when viewed in the vertical direction (y-direction).

[0067] Moreover, the profiled rail 2 has a second profiled region which is different from the first. In the exemplary embodiment this profiled region is a second lower hollow chamber 9. The hollow chambers 8 and 9 in each case have defining walls which in each case define the hollow space.

[0068] A profiled rail 2 is a component which has at least one open hollow region defined by walls.

[0069] As may be seen in FIG. 2 the two hollow chambers 8 and 9 are arranged entirely to the rear of the front plate 7. This means that in the vertical direction they do not project upwardly or downwardly over the extent of the front plate 7. When viewed in the width direction (x-direction, along the longitudinal axis A) of the suspension device, the hollow chambers 8 and 9 extend without interruption over the entire length of the front plate 7. As may also be seen in FIG. 2, an upper defining wall 8a of the first upper hollow chamber 8 is oriented horizontally. The upper defining wall directly adjoins an upper marginal edge 7a of the front plate 7.

[0070] Moreover, the lower hollow chamber 9 has a lower defining wall 9a. This lower defining wall on the front face adjoins a lower defining edge 7b (FIG. 1) of the front plate 7 or, respectively, terminates directly thereon.

[0071] As may also be seen in FIG. 2 the holding parts 3 and 5 are inserted into the profiled rail 2. Thus a positioning of the holding parts 3 and 5 fitted inside the profiled rail 2 is provided.

[0072] In FIG. 3 the profiled rail 2 is shown in an axonometric or perspective view. The hollow chambers 8 and 9 are evident on the side. As also shown in FIG. 3, in the exemplary embodiment the hollow chambers 8 and 9, when viewed in cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, are formed by a four-sided cross-sectional shape. Moreover, it may also be seen that this cross-sectional shape is not fully closed. Thus, in particular, in the upper hollow chamber 8 a lower defining wall 8b is open or, respectively, not configured directly adjoining the front plate 7. Moreover, an upper defining wall 9b of the lower hollow chamber 9 is arranged spaced apart from this front plate 7. Thus this lower hollow chamber 9, when viewed in cross section, is also not completely closed over the periphery.

[0073] Moreover in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in the exemplary embodiment it may be seen that in the depth direction (z-direction) the upper hollow chamber 8 has a smaller depth than the lower hollow chamber 9.

[0074] Moreover, it is also provided that the profiled rail 2 is configured to be open both at the first end 4 and at the second end 6. In particular, relative thereto the hollow chambers 8 and 9 are configured so as to be open at these opposing ends 4 and 6. On the one hand, a first insertion holder 10 and a second insertion holder 11 are configured integrally at these open ends of the hollow chambers 8 and 9. These insertion holders 10 and 11 are configured for accommodating and inserting and thus also holding the additional holding parts 3 and 5 as intended. These insertion holders 10 and 11 are thus in each case formed at the ends by the laterally open hollow chambers 8 and 9.

[0075] In FIG. 4 the profiled rail 2 is shown in a different perspective from FIG. 3, similar to the different perspectives of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

[0076] In FIG. 5 an exemplary embodiment of the holding part 5 is shown in a perspective view. The L-shape may be seen here. A first leg of the L-shape 12 is an insertion part for inserting into an insertion holder 10, 11 of the profiled rail 2. This leg of the L-shape 12 has insertion elements 13 and 14. These insertion elements are also formed as hollow chambers. The insertion elements 13 and 14 are configured for insertion into the hollow chambers 8 and 9 with an accurate fit and, in particular, a positive and non-positive connection.

[0077] Moreover, it may also be seen that this leg of the L-shape 12 has a stop edge 15. This stop edge 15 is provided for directly abutting against a marginal edge 17 (FIGS. 3, 4) of the profiled rail 2 at the open end 6. In particular, by this design of the leg of the L-shape 12 a flush arrangement of the surface regions of the holding part 5 relative to the surface regions of the profiled rail 2 is also possible. In particular, therefore, in the mounted state a flush transition between an upper face 16 of the holding part 5 and the upper defining wall 8a of the upper hollow chamber 8 is possible. Moreover, a flush transition to an inner face 18 of the holding part 5, in particular of the leg of the L-shape 12, to a front face 7c (FIG. 3) of the front plate 7 is possible. Moreover, by this peripheral stop edge 15 a flush transition between a rear edge wall 19 (FIG. 2) of the holding parts 3 and 5 to the rear walls or, respectively, rear defining walls 8c and 9c of the hollow chambers 8 and 9 (FIG. 4) is also possible. This may also be seen in FIG. 2. Here the flush transitions between the upper face 16 and the upper defining wall 8a and the rear defining walls 8c, 9c to this rear edge wall 19 are shown. In FIG. 1 the flush transition between the front face 7c and the inner face 18 may be seen relative thereto.

[0078] Moreover, according to the view in FIG. 5 the holding part 5 has a further leg of the L-shape 20. This leg of the L-shape is oriented, in particular, at an angle of 90° to the leg of the L-shape 12.

[0079] As may also be seen in FIG. 2 in the exemplary embodiment in which the hollow chambers 8 and 9 have different depths, this rear edge wall 19, when viewed in the vertical direction, is not rectilinear. In particular a stepped shape is configured relative thereto. In this context, an upper edge wall portion 19a is arranged offset to the front relative to a lower edge wall portion 19b. Thus in this exemplary embodiment with the hollow chambers 8 and 9 of different depth the respective flush transition, when viewed in the width direction, is also possible between the rear defining walls 8c and this upper edge wall portion 19a, on the one hand, and the rear defining wall 9c and the lower edge wall portion 19b. The edge wall 19 is a rear region at the transition between the legs of the L-shape 12 and 20.

[0080] By this offset of the edge wall portions 19a and 19b it is also possible that a suspension element of a food-accommodating container may be pushed-on as far as possible outwardly in the width direction and thus in this case in the direction of the longitudinal axis A and thus in the vicinity of the holding part 3. In particular, therefore, a positioning of the food-accommodating container may be carried out which optionally also bears directly against an inner face 21 (FIG. 5) of the leg of the L-shape 20 projecting to the front. Thus the free space generated in the depth direction is formed to the rear of the upper edge wall portion 19a for positioning a suspension element of the food-accommodating container. The suspension element thus may be positioned such that it overlaps the interface between the hollow chamber 8 and the stop edge 15 in the width direction.

[0081] The further holding part 3 is configured according to the holding part 5, so that the descriptions made relative to the holding part 5 also apply to the holding part 3. Accordingly, therefore, in the figures the same reference numerals are also shown in the holding parts 3 and 5 for the respective individual components, where visible.

[0082] In FIG. 6 the exemplary embodiment of the holding part 5 is shown in a different perspective from FIG. 5. It may be seen here that the forwardly projecting leg of the L-shape 20 has a coupling element 23 on an outer face 22. This is provided for the direct mechanical coupling to a counter coupling element which is integrally formed on a household appliance component. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment shown here this coupling element 23 is an integrated holding cam receiver. A holding cam which, for example, is integrally formed on a vertically oriented bar projecting in the depth direction to the rear from an internal panel of a door of the household refrigerator may engage therein. This holding cam engages in this holding cam receiver, in particular, with an accurate fit and thus also with a positive connection.

[0083] In FIG. 7 a further exemplary embodiment of a suspension device 1 is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the profiled rail 2 is not exclusively configured in a linear manner as has been described in the preceding exemplary embodiments. Rather, the one-piece profiled rail 2 is configured here in a U-shaped manner. In each case, an accommodating part 25 and 26 is integrally formed on opposing ends by bending back, in particular roll-forming, a central rectilinear part 24. In this case, the suspension device 1 also has once again a U-shape. In particular, the suspension device 1 is also of modular construction here. The profiled rail 2 is also configured in one piece from metal in this case. In one exemplary embodiment, it is preferably provided that this central part 24 is a profiled part. According to the preceding embodiments, the central part may also have hollow regions. In particular, hollow chambers 8 and 9 may also be provided here. In this exemplary embodiment, the hollow chambers 8 and 9 may also be designed such that in contrast to the preceding exemplary embodiment the defining walls 8b and 9b are not present. Thus in this case the contours are not square but triangular, in particular U-shaped in cross section.

[0084] In particular, in this regard the upper hollow chamber 8 as may be seen in FIG. 8 is open downwardly. The lower hollow chamber 9 in this exemplary embodiment is completely open upwardly.

[0085] Once again holding parts 3 and 5 are also provided here. These holding parts 3 and 5 are separate components from the profiled rail 2. In this regard, the holding parts are fastened so as to be held on the accommodating parts 25 and 26. As may be seen here, the accommodating parts 25 and 26 are plate parts which are configured without interruption. In a similar manner to the holding part 5, the holding part 3 may be fastened, for example, in a non-destructive, releasable manner to the profiled rail 2. Here, for example, a plugging or snap-fitting to the parts 25 and 26 may be provided. In particular, an insertion into the hollow chambers 8 and 9 is additionally provided. In this regard, a plug connection, in particular a positive plug connection, may be provided. This plug connection may also be configured non-positively.

[0086] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an arrangement 27 according to the invention in a perspective view. The arrangement has a suspension device 1. This suspension device may be configured according to an exemplary embodiment as has been described. The arrangement 27 also has at least one food-accommodating container 28 separate therefrom. The food-accommodating container, or food container, may be configured as a tray. An accommodating region 29 is a component of this one-piece food-accommodating container 28. The food-accommodating container 28 also has a suspension element 30. The suspension element is integrally formed in one piece on a rear edge of the accommodating region 29. With this suspension element 30 the food-accommodating container 28 is suspended from above onto or, respectively, into the profiled rail 2. This freely projecting suspension of the food-accommodating container 28 may be seen.

[0087] In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9 it may be seen that in this case two separate food-accommodating containers 28 and 31 are suspended on the suspension device 1. In this context, it may also be seen that a suspension element 32 of the food-accommodating container 31 projects into the free space to the rear of the upper edge wall portion 19a. This suspension element 32 terminates above the lower edge wall portion 19b, when viewed in the vertical direction. Moreover, it may also be seen here that a side wall 33 of the food-accommodating container 31 bears directly against the holding part 3 on the inner face. Thus the entire clear width between the two inner faces of the holding parts 3 and 5 may be used in order to position the food-accommodating containers 28, 31. The overlapping position of the suspension element 32, when viewed in the width direction, relative to the interface between the stop edge 15 and the marginal edge 17 is shown. The same is also configured, in particular, in the case of the suspension element 30.

[0088] In FIG. 10 the arrangement 27 according to FIG. 9 is shown in a reverse perspective relative to FIG. 9. In this context the food-accommodating containers 28 and 31 are viewed from the front.

[0089] In FIG. 11 an exemplary embodiment of a household refrigerator component 37 according to the invention is shown. In this case, the household refrigerator component 37 is a door for a household refrigerator. In particular, the door has an internal panel 34, also referred to as a liner 34. This internal panel has bars 35 and 36 which are oriented vertically and arranged parallel to one another. The bars project from the plane of a base plate of the internal panel 34. The bars 35, 36 are configured in one piece with the internal panel 34. A suspension device 1 with a profiled rail 2, which are separate from the panel 34, are arranged on the internal panel 34. In particular, the suspension device 1 is fastened directly to the bars. The suspension device is fastened in a non-destructive, releasable manner thereto. To this end, holding cams which directly engage in holding cam receivers on the holding parts 3, 5 of the suspension device are integrally formed on the inner faces of the bars 35, 36.

[0090] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0091] 1 Suspension device [0092] 2 Profiled rail [0093] 3 Holding part [0094] 4 End [0095] 5 Holding part [0096] 6 End [0097] 7 Front plate [0098] 7a Marginal edge [0099] 7b Lower edge [0100] 7c Front face [0101] 8 Hollow chamber [0102] 8a Defining wall [0103] 8b Defining wall [0104] 8c Defining wall [0105] 9 Hollow chamber [0106] 9a Defining wall [0107] 9b Defining wall [0108] 9c Defining wall [0109] 10 Insertion holder [0110] 11 Insertion holder [0111] 12 Leg of the L-shape [0112] 13 Insertion element [0113] 14 Insertion element [0114] 15 Stop edge [0115] 16 Upper face [0116] 17 Marginal edge [0117] 18 Inner face [0118] 19 Edge wall [0119] 19a Edge wall portion [0120] 19b Edge wall portion [0121] 20 Leg of the L-shape [0122] 21 Inner face [0123] 22 Outer face [0124] 23 Coupling element [0125] 24 Part [0126] 25 Accommodating part [0127] 26 Accommodating part [0128] 27 Arrangement [0129] 28 Food-accommodating container [0130] 29 Accommodating region [0131] 30 Suspension element [0132] 31 Food-accommodating container [0133] 32 Suspension element [0134] 33 Side wall [0135] 34 Internal panel [0136] 35 Bar [0137] 36 Bar [0138] 37 Household refrigerator component [0139] x Width direction [0140] y Vertical direction [0141] z Depth direction [0142] A Longitudinal axis