ADJUSTABLE ROLLER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An adjustable roller assembly for a household appliance includes a mounting base, an adjustable foot, and a height adjusting ring. The mounting base is configured to attach to a household appliance. The adjustable foot is configured to slidably engage the mounting base, and the height adjusting ring is configured to threadably engage the adjustable foot. Based at least on a rotation of the height adjusting ring, the height adjusting ring is configured to adjust a position of the adjustable foot relative to the mounting base to at least one of raise and lower a household appliance relative to the adjustable foot. A household appliance including an adjustable roller assembly is also provided as are methods of assembling an adjustable roller assembly in a household appliance.

Claims

1. An adjustable roller assembly for a household appliance comprising: a mounting base configured to attach to a household appliance; an adjustable foot configured to slidably engage the mounting base; and a height adjusting ring configured to engage the adjustable foot; wherein, based at least on a rotation of the height adjusting ring, the height adjusting ring is configured to adjust a position of the adjustable foot relative to the mounting base to at least one of raise and lower the household appliance relative to the adjustable foot.

2. The adjustable roller assembly of claim 1, wherein the adjustable foot comprises a roller configured to contact a surface to permit rolling movement of the household appliance on the surface.

3. The adjustable roller assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting base comprises a channel within which the adjustable foot is configured to slide.

4. The adjustable roller assembly of claim 3, wherein the adjustable foot comprises at least one protrusion configured to engage at least one slot formed on an inner surface of the channel.

5. The adjustable roller assembly of claim 4, wherein the slot comprises an end against which the at least one protrusion is configured to contact to prevent the adjustable foot from sliding completely out of the channel.

6. The adjustable roller assembly of claim 1, wherein the height adjusting ring comprises a plurality of projections arranged around an exterior perimeter thereof, the plurality of projections being configured to permit a user to grip the height adjusting ring to impart a rotational force thereon.

7. The adjustable roller assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting base comprises a surface to which foamed-in insulation is configured to adhere to secure the mounting base to a household appliance.

8. The adjustable roller assembly of claim 7, wherein the surface comprises additional structure to provide increased surface area to which the foamed-in insulation is configured to adhere.

9. The adjustable roller assembly of claim 8, wherein the additional structure comprises a honeycomb pattern.

10. The adjustable roller assembly of claim 7, wherein the mounting base further comprises a recess formed on a side thereof to which foamed-in insulation is configured to adhere to further secure the mounting base to a household appliance.

11. A household appliance comprising an adjustable roller assembly, wherein the adjustable roller assembly comprises: a mounting base attached to the household appliance; an adjustable foot slidably engaged with the mounting base; and a height adjusting ring threadably engaged with the adjustable foot; wherein, based at least on a rotation of the height adjusting ring, the height adjusting ring adjusts a position of the adjustable foot relative to the mounting base to at least one of raise and lower the household appliance relative to the adjustable foot.

12. The household appliance of claim 11, wherein the household appliance comprises: at least one of a frame and cabinet, and wherein the at least one of a frame and cabinet comprises an aperture within which at least a portion of the mounting base is positioned.

13. The household appliance of claim 11, wherein the adjustable foot comprises a roller configured to contact a surface to permit rolling movement of the household appliance on the surface.

14. The household appliance of claim 11, wherein the mounting base comprises a surface to which foamed-in insulation adheres to secure the mounting base to the household appliance.

15. The household appliance of claim 14, wherein the surface comprises additional structure to which the foamed-in insulation adheres.

16. The household appliance of claim 11, wherein the mounting base comprises a channel within which the adjustable foot is configured to slide, and wherein the adjustable foot comprises at least one protrusion configured to engage at least one slot formed on an inner surface of the channel.

17. A method of assembling an adjustable roller assembly in a household appliance comprising: providing a household appliance having an aperture formed therein positioning a mounting base into the aperture foaming insulation in the household appliance wherein at least a portion of the insulation contacts a surface of the mounting base to, at least in part, secure the mounting base to the household appliance, the adjustable roller assembly comprising an adjustable foot configured to slidably engage the mounting base; and a height adjusting ring configured to threadably engage the adjustable foot; wherein, based at least on a rotation of the height adjusting ring, the height adjusting ring is configured to adjust a position of the adjustable foot relative to the mounting base to at least one of raise and lower the household appliance relative to the adjustable foot.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the aperture is formed in at least one of a frame and a cabinet of the household appliance.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: attaching the mounting base to the household appliance with a fastener prior to foaming insulation in the household appliance.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising removing the fastener after foaming insulation in the household appliance, wherein removing the fastener provides an attachment location on the household appliance, and then attaching a component of the household appliance to the household appliance with at least one of the removed fastener and another fastener at the attachment location.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] These as well as other aspects of the disclosure are better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevational view of an example of a bottom-mount refrigerator at which an example of an adjustable roller assembly can be installed;

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an adjustable roller assembly for a household appliance according to examples of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a mounting base of an adjustable roller assembly;

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an adjustable roller assembly positioned in a household appliance;

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a household appliance according to examples of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of a mounting base of an adjustable roller assembly positioned in a household appliance;

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the mounting base of the adjustable roller assembly positioned in the household appliance of FIG. 6;

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of an adjustable roller assembly positioned in a household appliance; and

[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the adjustable roller assembly positioned in the household appliance of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In the following description of the present invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments illustrating the principles of the present invention and how it may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized to practice the present invention and structural and functional changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adjustable roller assembly for a household appliance. The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. It is to be appreciated that the various drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale from one figure to another or within a given figure. Also, the sizes of the components are somewhat arbitrarily drawn in order to facilitate an understanding of the drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, but it can be possible in certain instances to practice the present invention without those specific details. Additionally, the examples discussed are not intended to be a limit on the invention. For example, one or more aspects of the disclosed examples can be utilized in other examples and even other types of apparatus and devices.

[0032] In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as, top, bottom, left, right, up, down, upper, lower, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used. Such directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. It is to be understood that embodiments presented herein are by way of example and not by way of limitation. The intent of the following detailed description, although discussing exemplary embodiments, is to be construed to cover all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0033] When placing an appliance in a household for use it is important that the appliance is level upon placement in the desired location. For example, in a refrigerator it is important that the refrigerator is level so the shelves in the refrigerator will be level to prevent items in the refrigerator from shifting uncontrollably or breaking. Additionally, mobility of the appliance is desired so a user can move the appliance to other locations in the household. When a user moves the appliance to a new location it is important that the appliance is still level in the new location or can be leveled in the new location. The disclosed device can be attached to a part of a base of the appliance to allow a user to adjust the height of that part of the appliance. The device further includes a roller to allow a user to adjust the location of the appliance.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an example household appliance 10. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, the household appliance 10 comprises a bottom-mount refrigerator, indicated generally at 10. In this embodiment, the bottom-mount refrigerator 10 includes a fresh food compartment 12 and a freezer compartment 16. The fresh food compartment includes fresh food compartment double doors 14-14 that provide access to an interior of the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment includes a freezer compartment door 18. In one embodiment of the household appliance 10, shown in FIG. 1, an adjustable roller assembly 20 is located at a bottom corner of the household appliance 10. In a version of this embodiment, two adjustable roller assemblies 20 are located at mirror bottom corners of the household assembly 10. In this version, the two adjustable roller assemblies 20 could be mirror copies of each other. However, any suitable location and/or configuration of the adjustable roller assembly 20 on the household appliance 10 may be used.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated one embodiment of the adjustable roller assembly 20. The adjustable roller assembly 20 is provided with various example features that may be used either alone or in combination to provide at least one of height adjustment and rolling movement of a household appliance 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the adjustable roller assembly 20 includes a mounting base 30, an adjustable foot 60, and a height adjusting ring 80.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the mounting base 30. The mounting base 30 may include a top surface 32, an opposing bottom surface 34, and at least one side extending laterally from the top surface 32. In an embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the top surface 32 is substantially rectangular in shape, however any suitable shape may be used. In a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the mounting base 30 includes a first side wall 36 and a second side wall 38. In one embodiment, the first side wall 36 includes a first end connected to the top surface 32, a second end, and a flange 40 extending laterally from the second end. In a version of this embodiment, the flange 40 may include an upward extending mounting base first protrusion 42 defining a hollow space. In a yet further embodiment, the second side wall 38 includes at least one aperture 44 for attaching the mounting base 30 to a household appliance 10 as will be discussed below.

[0037] The top surface 32 may be configured such that foamed-in insulation 104 (see FIG. 6) can adhere to the top surface 32 to additionally secure the mounting base 30 to the household appliance 10. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the top surface 32 may include additional structure 46 to provide increased surface area to which the foamed-in insulation 104 is configured to adhere. The additional structure 46 may comprise a honeycomb pattern, as shown in FIG. 3. The additional structure 46 may also comprise other shapes and patterns, such as checkerboard, studded, or the like. The mounting base 30 may further define a recess between a side thereof and a portion of the household appliance 10 to which foamed-in insulation 104 is configured to adhere to further secure the mounting base 30 to the household appliance 10. In one embodiment, the mounting base 30 is made of injection molded plastic. However, any suitable material may be used and the separate components of the mounting base 30 may comprise different materials.

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the adjustable foot 60. The adjustable foot 60 comprises a body 62 and a movement mechanism 64. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the body 62 comprises a substantially cylindrical shape; however any shape consistent with the intended use may be used. In a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the movement mechanism 64 comprises a roller 66, however any suitable movement device may be used. The roller 66 may be configured to contact a surface 100 to permit rolling movement of the household appliance 10 on the surface 100. The roller 66 can include a wheel, a bearing, a drum, or any other cylindrical or rounded structure that can roll. One embodiment of the roller 66, shown in FIG. 4, comprises a wheel 68 with a solid periphery 70 with spokes 72 extending radially between a center of the wheel 68 and an exterior of the wheel 68. In a version of this embodiment, the center of the roller 66 includes a through-hole or a bore 74 into which at least a portion of an axle (e.g. a pin, a dowel, a rod, a peg, or any other fastener configured to permit rotation of the roller 66) can be inserted. The roller 66 may be permanently coupled to the body 62 or the roller 66 may be removably coupled to the body 62 to selectively provide the option of rolling movement of the household appliance 10. In one embodiment, the adjustable foot 60 is made of injection molded plastic. However, any suitable material may be used and the separate components of the adjustable foot 60 may comprise different materials.

[0039] In an embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the mounting base 30 further includes a second protrusion 48 extending from the bottom surface 34. The second protrusion 48 defines a channel 50 with a first end attached to the bottom surface 34 and an open second end. In one version of this embodiment, the second protrusion 48 comprises a generally cylindrical shape where the inner diameter of the second protrusion 48 is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the adjustable foot 60. The adjustable foot 60, in a version of this embodiment, is configured to be insertable into the channel 50.

[0040] In an embodiment of the second protrusion 48, shown in FIG. 4, the inner diameter of the second protrusion 48 includes at least one slot 52. In a version of this embodiment the outer diameter of the adjustable foot 60 includes at least one third protrusion 76 configured to engage the slot 52. In a yet further version of this embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, the slot 52 includes an end 54 against which the at least one third protrusion 76 is configured to contact to prevent the adjustable foot 60 from sliding out of the channel 50. In another embodiment the inner diameter of the second protrusion 48 includes a first slot and a second slot diametrically opposite the first slot and the outer diameter of the adjustable foot 60 includes corresponding third protrusions 76 configured to engage the slots.

[0041] In another embodiment, the second protrusion 48 comprises a generally cylindrical shape including a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion has a larger diameter than the second portion. The connection between the first and second portion creates an end that extends around the entire perimeter of the channel 50. The adjustable foot 60 comprises a generally cylindrical shape with a third portion and a fourth portion, where the outer diameter of the third portion is substantially similar to the inner diameter of the first portion and the outer diameter of the fourth portion is substantially similar to the inner diameter of the second portion. Such that, when the adjustable foot 60 is placed in the mounting base 30, the third portion contacts the end and the adjustable foot 60 is not removable.

[0042] In an embodiment of the second protrusion 48, shown in FIG. 4, the second protrusion 48 is located on the bottom face 34 of the mounting base 20 a spaced distance from a front of the mounting base 20 when the mounting base 20 is attached to the household appliance 10. In another embodiment, the second protrusion 48 is located further rearward of the front of the mounting base 20. In a yet further embodiment, the second protrusion 48 is located closer to the front of the mounting base 20. However, any suitable location of the second protrusion 48 on the mounting base 20 may be used according to a desired location of the foot 60 with respect to the appliance cabinet.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the height adjusting ring 80. In one embodiment, the height adjusting ring 80 includes at least one projection 82 arranged on an exterior perimeter. In another embodiment, the height adjusting ring 80 includes no projection arranged on an exterior perimeter. In a further embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the height adjusting ring 80 includes a plurality of projections 82 arranged on the exterior perimeter. In a version of this embodiment, the plurality of projections 82 are configured to permit a user to grip the height adjusting ring 80 and impart a rotational force thereon. In one embodiment, the height adjusting ring 80 includes a first set of screw threads 84 on an interior perimeter of the ring and the adjusting foot includes a corresponding second set of screw threads 78 on the outer diameter of the body 62 such that the height adjusting ring 80 can threadably engage the adjusting foot. A user can adjust the height of the adjustable foot 60 by rotating the height adjuster ring clockwise or counter-clockwise to raise or lower a portion of the household appliance 10 relative to the adjustable foot 60 when the adjustable foot 60 is in contact with a surface 100. In one embodiment, the height adjusting ring 80 is made of injection molded plastic. However, any suitable material may be used and the separate components of the height adjusting ring 80 may comprise different materials.

[0044] The household appliance 10 may be a refrigerator, a portion of which is illustrated in FIGS. 5-9. FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the household appliance 10 with an appliance frame 90 and at least one appliance aperture 92 in a lower corner of the frame 90 for accepting at least a portion of the mounting base 30 therein. In another embodiment, the housing appliance may include a cabinet with the appliance aperture 92 in the cabinet; however any suitable location of the appliance aperture 92 may be used. For simplicity, embodiments of the appliance aperture 92 in the frame 90 are discussed below; these embodiments can also be applied to appliance apertures 92 located in other parts of the household appliance 10 and are not so limited.

[0045] In a version of an embodiment of the appliance aperture 92 in the frame 90, the frame 90 further includes a frame protrusion 94 adjacent the appliance aperture 92. The frame protrusion 94 is configured to be insertable into the hollow space of the mounting base 30 first protrusion 42. The frame protrusion 94 assists in properly orienting the mounting base 30 during insertion into the appliance aperture 92. In one embodiment, the appliance frame 90 may include further apertures that align with the apertures in the side wall of the mounting body to assist in securing the mounting body to the housing appliance. In another embodiment, the housing appliance may include a cabinet with the appliance aperture 92 in the cabinet, however any suitable location of the appliance aperture 92 may be used.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in one embodiment, the top surface 32 of the mounting body substantially surrounds and covers the appliance aperture 92 when the mounting body is mounted within the frame 90 aperture. In another embodiment, the top surface 32 of the mounting body covers a portion of the appliance aperture 92 when the mounting body is mounted within the frame 90 aperture.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the mounting base 30 may be attached to the household appliance 10, the adjustable foot 60 may be slidably engaged with the mounting base 30, and the height adjusting ring 80 may be threadably engaged with the adjustable foot 60.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the household appliance 10 may further include a component 102 generally located at a portion of the household appliance 10 adjacent the appliance aperture 92. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the component 102 comprises an arm with a pad on a first end attached to a bottom surface of the frame 90. The pad may be configured to contact the surface 100. The component 102 may also comprise a door pivot bracket, a hinge, or another suitable component.

[0049] One embodiment of a method of assembling an adjustable roller assembly 20 in a household appliance 10 includes the step of providing a household appliance 10 having an appliance aperture 92 formed therein, a mounting base 30, an adjustable foot 60, and a height adjusting ring 80. The method includes positioning the mounting base 30 in the appliance aperture 92. The method further includes the step of foaming insulation 104 into the household appliance 10. At least a portion of the insulation 104 contacts a top surface 32 of the mounting base 30 to, at least in part, secure the mounting base 30 to the household appliance 10. The method further includes the step of adjustably attaching the adjustable foot 60 to the mounting base 30. In one embodiment, the mounting base 30 includes a protrusion defining a hollow space and the adjustable foot 60 is at least partially inserted into the protrusion. Additionally, the method includes adjustably attaching the height adjusting ring 80 to the adjustable foot 60 to adjust the position of the adjustable foot 60 with respect to the mounting base 30. The height adjusting ring 80 may also adjust the position of the adjustable foot 60 with respect to the household appliance 10.

[0050] The method may further include attaching the mounting base 30 to the household appliance 10 with at least one mounting fastener 106 prior to foaming insulation 104 into the household appliance 10. The method may further include removing the at least one mounting fastener 106 after foaming insulation 104 in the household appliance 10. The at least one mounting fastener 106 may then be used to removably attach a component 102 to the household appliance 10 via the mounting base 30. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in one embodiment, the component 102 comprises an arm with a pad on a first end. The component 102 may also comprise a door pivot bracket, a hinge, or another suitable component.

[0051] In one embodiment of this method, the appliance aperture 92 is formed in a frame 90 of the household appliance 10. In another embodiment, the appliance aperture 92 is formed in a cabinet of the household appliance 10. The appliance aperture 92 may be located where suitable in the housing appliance.

[0052] It should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that various changes may be made by adding, modifying or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure. The invention is therefore not limited to particular details of this disclosure except to the extent that the following claims are necessarily so limited.