US2601241A - Refrigerator cabinet - Google Patents

Description

June 24, 1952 E. H. BoDDY REFRIGERATOR CABINET 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 Filed Oct. 3, 1946 Tri Inventor- Eciwh H. Boddg, :12J/1 His AtboT-heg.

June 24, 1952 E. H. BODDY REFRIGERATOR CABINET 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed OCT.. 5, 1946 w nd vo CB .t nH wm Tmw d E bs if im H ie Attorney.

Patented June 24, 1952 UN I TED S TATES PATENT FFLICE .nnnaionan'ron CABINET Edwin I. oddy, Erie, Pa., .assigner .to General Electric Company, a corporation o'f'Nw Yoilk Application October 3, 1946;'Seri2tl N.'7'-00;91 i claims. (o1. `zet-15j `My rinvention relates to refrigerator cabinetsiof the type lincluding a metal inner liner secured in spaced relation to the outer cabinet shell and more-particularly to arrangements `for maintaining the required spacing between 4the shell and liner and lfor closing the space therebetween.

It `is an object of -my invention to provide a refrigeratorcabinet -having an outerfshell and an inner liner secured 7in spaced relationship and including an improved arrangement -for maintaining the sidesof the outer shell and the inner .liner in their required alignment with a vminimum of heat ltransfer between the outer shell and the inner liner. v l

It is another Aobject of my invention to provide an arrangement for holding `the vouter shell and the inner liner -in the desired relationship inf cluding 4improved spacing members which can be easily assembled and which can Ibe firmly locked in position. Y

Further objects and `advantages-otmy invention will become :apparent Aas the following de scription proceeds andthe features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity .in the clairnsannexed v.to and forming apart of vthis'sp1eci-cation. v A Y For a better understandinguof myinvention reference may be had to .the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of .a refrigerator cabinet incorporatingemy involition; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken along' Athe line .2-.2 of Fig. A1.; Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of :the `upper" le'fthad corner of the cabinet with .portions broken away .to illustrate the var-` ious elements;` Fig. 4 -is a sectidr'ial,ViewV taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 3 .showing the .posif tioning and locking arrangement for' thespacer members; Fig. 5 is a sectional view .taken `along the lines 5-5 of Fig. l showing one portion .of thel mounting of lthe upper 'breaker strip; Fig. -6 isfa sectional View taken along the lines 6--6 of Fig. l showing another portion of .the mounting of the lipperfbreake strip; Fig. 7 .is a sectional view taken along the linesi'I--T of Fig. 1 showing onep'or'tiono the mounting of the lower .breaker strip; and Fig. 8 'is a sectional view taken .along the line 8-8 lof Fig'. 1 showing another .portion of themontiig oi the lowerbreaker strip. Y A

Elefe'rririg'A to Fig. .1', I'have .shown a refrigerator cabinet .I including `a `door 2 .and a machinery compartment cover 3. A handle 4/is provided for the door 2. In dot-ted :lines in Fig. 1,51 have shown .ageneral -outline of the various elements included in my Aarrangement ifor maintaining alignmentof the outer shell and inner liner and for completing the door framefof the refrigerator cabinet. Referring 'to these dotted portions; =I have `indicated a number of spacer members or spacers 5 which connect the inner liner 6 and theouter `shell Iyin a manner which Will be ydescribed in. detail fin connection with the succeedingigures. I have also illustrated in Fig.: l a number of shelf Ysupports 8 which also will be described in further Adetail later in this specica tion. To support the inner liner in spaced relation to the outer shellpcorner braces 9 are provided at eachicorner -of the 4outer shell, vandcorner pieces i0 arevconne'cted to the corner -braces and 4are welded or otherwise .secured to the cor-- ners of the inner liner 6.

Referring nowfto Fig. .2. the louter `shellf! is bent 'back on itself at H and is provided with 'an inwardly Yextending :portion `Iii `which forms one attaching portion of the complete assembly.y A series of openings, the purpose lof -which 'will be described later, is provided in the inwardly textendingr portion LI-2, Ione of these' vopenings being indicated at lHi in Fig. 2.V Although the openings areshown in an integral portion of the outer shell, they A obviously may be provided in other suitable parts of the structure, lfor example in afseparate Vmem-ber secured to the shell, vor ina nnmber of individual members fastened to the shell at interva1s. y u v inner liner 5 Ais providedl with a `portion `lv-I which .formsanother attaching portion of the complete assembly, .and-aseries of openings are provided in the attaching Aportion M. These openings .areloeated opposite the corresponding openings provided in theportion z(I2 of the outer shell, and -the shape of lthese open-ingsgi's similar t@ washers of theopeningscin the lnii-ter Shell- Thedescriptionofthe openings intheouter-shell, to Vbe given/ingesamt@ Withlig. 4 willlapply @dually Weil, t0 the @0r-@Sanding Openings pro'- V-dd i?? the. iler-91911Mwfthenmr liner-.- In Cider. tgmeinteinhe reqired alignment. bef tween the )uter .shell andthe inner liner, a number oi spacer members, indicated-ati in Fig. ihare provided betweenthe `outer lshell and :the inner liner. One of Vthesem'spacer .members -is shown i-ndetail inFig. 2. Thefspacer member 5 consists of `a `flat 'strip :o'f heat insulatinglmaterial, .-for example, any suitably :impregnated :lai-ni-n nate'd fibrous material. The' :spacer member ris' roundedr at .each 16nd and is provided with re# cess'ed Agportions vor notches 'I5 and .'I'G at .one end thereof andwith `recessed portions or notchesi?! and l2! at the other end thereof. The spacer member fis designed -to pass through the openings in the outer shell and the inner liner and, when the spacer member is turned in making the assembly, portions of the outer shell and inner liner project into the recessed portions above described to maintain the various elements of the structure in the desired relationship. The exact method by which this is accomplished will be described in detail later in the specication.

In order to lock the spacer members in the assembled position a resilient locking element or member I9 which runs substantially the entire distance from the top of the cabinet to the bottom, is secured to the inwardly extending portion I2 of the outer liner. This member I9 is provided with openings which are in register with the openings in portion I2. The exact shape oi these openings will be described later in this specification. In order to lock the spacer member 5 in its assembled position, one edge 20 of the member I9 extends inwardly and is provided with a notch adjacent the spacer member 5. The edge 29 is provided with a series of such notches, one notch being adjacent each of the spacer members 5 shown in Fig. 1. The other edge 2I of the member I9 extends upwardly and outwardly so as to bear against a breaker strip 22, and serves to hold one edge of the breaker strip in position against the return bent portion II of the outer shell. In order that edges 20 and 2| may properly perform their functions, the member I9 is made of a resilient material. Although member I9 has been shown as a continuous strip, individual elements, each having a suitable opening and notch, may be employed. The other edge of the breaker strip 22 is held in position by a clamp 23, one end of which extends over the edge of the breaker strip 22. The clamp 23 is held in position between the shelf support 8 and the inner liner 6 by a bolt 24 and a washer 25. Although I have illustrated only one clamp 23, it is to be understood that a similar clamp is provided with each of the shelf supports illustrated in Fig. 1. The clamp 23 presses the rounded portion 26 of the breaker strip firmly against the correspondingly rounded end of the spacer member 5. Although I have shown both ends of the spacer member rounded, it will be apparent that only the end which abuts the breaker strip need be rounded in order to accomplish the above purpose. The door 2, which includes an exterior section 21 and a liner 28, is provided with a sealing gasket 29. In the closed position of the door this gasket bears against the outer shell 'I.

Referring now to Fig. 3, I have illustrated in an enlarged view the details of the construction of the upper left-hand corner of the door frame of the cabinet. This view has been chosen to show the general relationship of the various parts. The other corners have substantially the same construction. The outer shell is illustrated showing the return bent portion II and the inwardly extending portion I2. The corner brace 9 is secured to the outer shell, as by welding, and the corner piece I0 is secured to the corner brace 9 by any suitable fastener, such as a bolt 30. The corner piece I0 is in turn secured to the inner liner 6 by Welding or any other suitable securing arrangement. The member I9 is connected to the portion I2 of the outer shell by any suitable devices, such as a bolt 3I and nut 32. One of the openings in the member I9 is illustrated at 33 in register with a corresponding opening 34 in the portion I2 of the outer shell. One edge 2| of the member I9 is shown in this gure pressing one edge of the breaker strip 22A against the return bent portion I I of the outer shell. In order to lock the spacer members 5 in their assembled position, notches are provided in the edge 20 of the member I9 adjacent the various spacing members 5. One of these notches is shown at 35 in Fig. 3. In the assembled position spacer member 5 lits within the notch 35 and is thus prevented from movement, as will be more clearly described in discussing the assembling of the various elements following the description of Fig. 4.

A member 36 is secured to an inwardly extending portion of the outer shell along the top section of the cabinet by any suitable arrangement, for example, a bolt 3l and nut 39. This member 3G serves to retain a breaker strip 39 of rightangled cross section in position against a portion of the outer shell, as will be more clearly seen in the description of Fig. 5. The breaker strip is secured to the inner liner by screws, one of which -is illustrated at 40 in Fig. 3. The exact arrangement for securing the breaker strip 39 is more clearly shown in Fig. 5 and will be described in detail in connection with that figure.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated in detail the nature of the openings in the portion I2 of the outer shell and in the member I9. The openings provided in the portion I4 of the inner liner are similar to those provided in the portion I2 of the outer shell. In Fig. 4 I have shown the outer shell 'I including the return bent portion II thereof and the inwardly extending portion I2. Mounted on the portion I2 is the member I9 having an upwardly extending portion 2I which presses the breaker strip 22 against the return bent portion II of the outer shell. Through the portion I2 of the outer shell I provide an opening 34 which is of oval shape, as indicated by the dotted line portion in Fig. 4. The opening 33 through the member I9 is in register with the opening 34, as can be seen from Fig. 4, but is of a slightly diierent shape, as indicated by the solid lines in Fig. 4. The opening 33 is of generally oval shape, the longer dimension of the oval being disposed along the length of the door frame opening and the shorter dimension of the oval being disposed crosswise of the door frame opening. At the upper left-hand side of the oval a portion of the member I9 projects inwardly toward the center of the oval to form a roughly triangular-shaped section 4I having an edge 42. Similarly, at the lower right-hand side of the oval a portion of the member I9 projects inwardly toward the center of the oval to provide a second roughly triangular-shaped section 43 having an edge 44. rIhe spacer member 5 is illustrated in solid lines in its assembled position and is illustrated by dotted lines in the position in which it is originally inserted through the openings 33 and 34 during assembly. The upwardly and inwardly extending edge 2B of the member I9 is illustrated in this gure and the notch 35 is also shown in this iigure. It can be seen by reference to Fig. 4 that in the assembled position the spacer member 5 is locked within the notch 35. Further support is lent to the spacer member by the edges 42 and 44 against which opposite sides of the spacer member 5 rest when in the assembled position. These edges also act as stops to prevent turning of the spacer member more than about during assembly. If desired, the openings in the portion I2 of the outer shell and in the portion I4 of the inner liner can be made of the same shape as the opening 33 described above. Also, if desired, the stops can be omitted from the openings in member I9 and provided only for the openings in acer-24.1

portion I.'2 ofthe outer shell Lor .portion I4 .of theinn'erlliner.

.The .method :of :assembly of .the spacer .members fand of lthe breaker strips, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to '4, will now .bedescribed The assembly to be described applies to the construction yof the .left-hand and right-hand vertical portions ofthe door frame; the upper .and .lower portions will be "describ'edlater in the specicatiOn. During `r.the initial :sheet metal stamping operations the proper .openings are made in the portion I2 iofthe outer shell, 'in the member I'IS, and yin the .portion I4 of the inner liner. The member I9 .secured .to the outer shell with thevarious openings fin y.prbperregisterlnfmaking the inal assembly the spacer members are vinserted through .theopenings in a'direction .perpendicular to Vthe Lplane of the openings .and in .a 4plane extending longitudinally of the -rdoor frame, :as shown by the dotted lines 'in .'Fig. 4, until the recessed portions I5 and I5 .are aligned with the portion I2 of the outer shell and with `.the member 19, and the recessed portions I'I and 1.?8 are aligned with the portion 'le of the inner liner. The spacer members are then turned through an angle of about 90 degrees. During this turning movement the edge of each spacer member comes in contact with the edge 12S of the member I9 and, since the member RG is formed -of a resilient material, the edge '2li is forced outwardly. At the end Vof the QO-degree turn .the Vspacer member passes into the notch 35 and the resilient edgelZD snaps back t0 its original position thereby locking the spacer member in its assembled position. In its assembled Vposition the spacer member lies in a plane crosswisebf the door frame, as shown bythesolid lines in Fig. li. Itcan be seen that the spacer vmember cannot move back to its detachable position unless the edge 2E] of the member I9 is forcibly moved outwardly. The edges 42 and 44, as previously mentioned, serve as stops for the spacer member, assisting in maintaining the spacer member in position .and also .preventing rotation of the spacer member more than about 90 degrees during assembly. After the .several .spacer members have been locked in position, lone edge of .the breaker strip 22 is inserted between 4the yportion II 4of the outer Vshell and the edge 2| of the member I9. The breaker strip is pressed rmly against .the rounded end of each spacer member by clamps, one of which is indicated by .23. The breaker strip 22 is of curved cross section, and the ends of the spacer members are rounded. Whenin the assembled position, the rounded end of each spacer member nts the contour of the Aabutting portion 26 of the breaker strip, so that the breaker strip ts firmly against the spacer. members. As is most Areadily apparent from Fig. 2,. the'rounded end of the spacer member and the corresponding contour of the abutting portion 26 of the breaker strip 22 prevent the edge of the breaker vstrip from becoming detached from beneath the clamp 23. This broad feature, however, of'preventing dislodgement of the breaker strip 'bytheprojection of a portion ofthe spacing assemblyinto the curved contour of thebreaker strip `is not my invention but `is described and claimed in the copending-application of Robert A. King, Serial No. 700,846, filed October'S, 1946, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

Referringmow to Fig.5,.1 have shown theouter shell -'I having a `return bent portion 45 and an `inwardly `extending portion 46. Annember 35 having a downwardly extending edge 41 Lis fastened ito the V.inwardly extending .portion Vof the outer .shell .by .any `suitable :fastening .arrangement, such as a .bolt '48 anda nut 49. One edge of :the Abreaker strip is held in .position between the return .bent portion '4i5 of the /outer shell and the edge `III of the .member .36. The other edge .of the breaker strip is .fastened `.by a `screw 5D to a `cup-shaped member `5I which is lsecured :to .the inner .liner E.

In Fig. '.6 `I .have .illustrated `an arrangement for maintaining the .outer .shell and the inner liner rin properly spaced relationship along the upper edge `of the door frame. The parts in Fig. I6 which correspond to those shownin 'Eig..5 have been designated by the same numerals. The outer shell and inner ,linerare connected -by a bolt `:52 and nut 53 and .arefmaintainedin properly spaced relationship by .a tubular spacer '.54, formed .of heat :insulating material. The holt 52 carries Yany downward load at the center ofthe top wall nf the liner.

The construction of the lower horizontal edge of .the .dooriframe is illustrated 'in Figs. .7 and V8. In Fig. 'I I have illustrated 'the portion of the inner .liner ;.6 .which 'forms the bottom of the food :storage compartment of the refrigerator. The router shell `I is provided with .a return bentportion 55 andan inwardly extending portion .56. Amember 51 zhaving upwardly extending edges 58 and 59 is secured to the portion 56 of the outer shell. A 'U-shaped member 55, also-shown in Fig. l, is `fastened in lany suitable manner, as rby welding, to the inner liner '6'. Openings vof the same isha-pe as openings 3d are provided in `the -U-shaped member-*66 and in the portion 56 of the outer shell. An'opening of the 'same .shape :as l:opening T33 is provided in the member 5:-1. A spacer member 5, 'which is Yof the same shape as the spacer members ldescribed inconnection with Figs. l to 4, is provided for the construction yshown in Fig. 7. 'This spacer member is inserted through .the openings in the U-shaped member 6B, portion 5t of the outer shell -and vthe member'5`l, and -is locked in position inthe same manner as V4previously described in-connection with Fig. '4. A@ne edgeof a-breaker strip 6I Yisfinserted betweenthe return bent portion 5.5 `of the outer shell and .the edge 59 of the member 51. theother edge of the breaker strip overlying the inner liner 6.

As indicated in lFig. 8, the member 51 is vsecured to .the Ainwardly extending portion 56 `:of the outer shell by va vbolt 62 and a Anut 63,01 by any [other suitable securing arrangement. The breaker strip (l is fastened by a screw 54 to :a cup-shaped'member 65 which is secured It can 'be 'seen that 'I 'have provided an arrangement for securing'a'heatinsulating breaker strip 'between the inner linerand outer shell vof a refrigerator cabinet'alongithe area of the door frame :which vaiords easy assembly, and which will maintain spaced edges ofthe shell and'liner in'the'ir required alignment. It can alsoA be seen that .I`have provided an arrangement for holding fthe breaker strip in assembled position and forbracing .it with the same elements used in maintaining the above alignment.

While I have illustrated and described my inventionby reference to a specic construction, I do not desire my invention Vto :be .limited lto the :particular construction shown and described andzintend, bythe appended. claims, to cover all modifications in the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having thereon an attaching portion, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell and having thereon an attaching portion, means including a spacer member for maintaining alignment between said outer shell and said inner liner, said spacer member having integral means at each end thereof interlockingly engaging said attaching portions of said outer shell and said inner liner, and resilient means including a recess for receiving an edge of said spacer member to lock said spacer member in position.

2. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, said opening having one dimension greater than another, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell, means including a spacer member for maintaining alignment between said outer shell and said inner liner, said spacer member having a portion of greater width than the smaller dimension of said opening and having a recessed portion for engaging said attaching portion along the smaller dimension of said opening, and resilient means including a recess for receiving an edge of said spacer member to lock said spacer member in position.

3. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having an attaching portion thereon, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell and having an attaching portion thereon, means including a spacer member for maintaining alignment between said outer shell and said inner liner, one of said attaching portions having an opening therein, said opening having one dimension greater than another, one end of said spacer member having a cross section which includes one dimension smaller than the greater dimension of said opening and greater than the smaller dimension of said opening, said one end of said spacer member having a portion arranged to pass through said opening in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said opening with said one dimension of said one end in line with the larger dimension of said opening, said one end having a recessed portion arranged to engage said one attaching portion when said one dimension of said one end is in line with the smaller dimension of said opening whereby said spacer member may be inserted longitudinally7 through said opening in line with the larger dimension thereof and turned into engaging position in line with the smaller dimension of said opening, the other end of said spacer member engaging the other of said attaching portions, and resilient means engaging said spacer member for locking said spacer member in its engaging position.

4. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell and having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, each of said openings having one dimension greater than another, and a spacer member having portions of elongated cross section adapted to pass through said openings when in line with the larger dimension thereof and having recessed portions whereby said spacer member may be inserted through said 8 openings in line with the larger dimension thereof and turned into line with the smaller dimension thereof so that said attaching portions project into said recessed portions to maintain said outer shell and said inner liner in alignment.

5. In a refrigerator cabinet. an outer shell having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell and having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, each of said openings having one dimension greater than another, a spacer member arranged to maintain said outer shell and said inner liner in alignment, said spacer member having portions of elongated cross section adapted to pass through said openings when in line with the larger dimension thereof and having recessed portions whereby said spacer member may be inserted through said openings in line with the larger dimension thereof and turned into line with the smaller dimension thereof so that said attaching portions project into said recessed portions, and a breaker strip for closing the space between said outer shell and said inner liner, a portion of said spacer member being arranged to en-l gage said breaker strip for limiting the movement thereof.

6. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having an attaching portion thereon, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell having an attaching portion thereon, one of said attaching portions having an opening therein, said opening having one dimension larger than another, and means including a spacer member for maintaining said outer shell and said inner liner in alignment, one end of said spacer member having a portion adapted to pass freely through'said opening in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said opening and in line with the larger dimension thereof and having a recessed portion arranged to engage said one of said attaching portions in line with the smaller dimension of said opening whereby said spacer member may be inserted longitudinally through said opening in line with the larger dimension thereof and turned into engaging position in line with the smaller dimension of said opening, the other end of said spacer member engaging the other of said attaching portions, said opening being shaped to afford turning movement of said spacer member and being further shaped to provide a stop for limiting said turning movement of said spacer member.

7. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell and having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, each of said openings having one dimension greater than another, a spacer member arranged to maintain said outer shell and said inner liner in alignment, said spacer member having portions of elongated cross section adapted to pass through said openings in line with the larger dimension thereof and having recessed portions whereby said spacer member may be inserted through said openings in line with the larger dimension thereof and turned so that said recessed portions engage said attaching portions in the assembled position of said spacer member, and means for locking saidV spacer member in its assembled position.

8.. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having an attaching portion thereon, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell having an attaching portion thereon, one of said attaching portions having an opening therein, said opening having one dimension larger than another, means including a spacer member for maintaining said outer shell and said inner liner in alignment, one end of said spacer member having a portion adapted to pass through said opening in line with the larger dimension thereof and having a recessed portion arranged to engage said one of said attaching portions in line with the smaller dimension of said opening whereby said spacer member may be inserted longitudinally through said opening in line with the larger dimension thereof and turned into engaging position in line With the smaller dimension of said opening, the other end of said spacer member engaging the other of said attaching portions, a stop for limiting the turning movement of said spacer member, and a breaker strip for closing the space between said outer shell and said inner liner, a portion of said spacer member being arranged to engage said breaker strip for limiting the movement thereof.

9. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell and having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, a member mounted on one of said attaching `portions and having an opening therein, each of said openings having one dimension greater than another, and a spacer adapted to maintain said outer shell and said inner liner in alignment, said spacer having portions of elongated cross section adapted to pass through said openings in line with the larger dimension thereof and having recessed portions for engaging said attaching elements along the smaller dimensions of said openings, said member including means for locking said spacer in position. 4

l0. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell and having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, a member mounted on one of said attaching portions and having an opening therein, each of said openings having one dimension greater than another, a spacer adapted to maintain said outer shell and said inner liner in alignment, said spacerhaving portions of elongated cross section adapted to pass through said openings in line with the larger dimension thereof and having recessed portions for engaging said attaching portions along the smaller dimension of said openings, and a breaker strip for closing the space between said outer shell and said inner liner, said member including resilient means for locking said spacer in position and means for holding said breaker strip against said outer shell.

1l. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having an attaching portion thereon, an inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell and having an attaching portion thereon, a spacer member for maintaining said outer shell and said inner liner in alignment, one of said attaching portions having an opening therein,

said opening having one dimension greater than another, said spacer member engaging one of said attaching portions and having a portion adapted to pass through the opening in the other attaching portion in line With the larger dimension of said opening and having a recessed portion arranged to engage said other attaching portion in line with the smaller dimension of said opening, a breaker strip for closing the space between said outer shell and said inner liner, means for locking said` spacer member in position and for holding one portion of said breaker strip against said outer shell, and means for pressing another portion of said breaker strip against one end of said spacer member.

12. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell havingv thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, an. inner liner disposed in spaced relation to said outer shell and having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, each of said openings having one dimension greater than another, a spacer member having portions of elongated cross section adapted to pass through the larger dimension of said openings when in alignment with said larger dimension and having recessed portions adapted to engage said outer shell and said inner liner when said spacer member is turned out of alignment with said larger dimension of said openings for maintaining said shell and liner in alignment, and a locking element including means for limitingthe turning movement of said spacer member, said locking element having a resilient portion arranged to be displaced by said spacer member during turning movement and to snap back for locking said spacer member in position.

13. In a refrigerator cabinet, an outer shell having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, an inner liner disposed in spaced relationship to said outer shell and having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, each of said openings having one dimension greater than another, a member mounted on one of said attaching portions and having an opening therein, said lastmentioned opening having one dimension greater than another, a stop formed on said member adjacent said last-mentioned opening, a spacer adapted to maintain said outer shell and said inner liner in alignment, said spacer having portions of elongated cross section adapted to pass through said openings in line with the larger dimension thereof and having recessed portions to permit turning of said spacer member against said stop for engaging said attaching portions.

14. In a refrigerator cabinet, a metal outer shell having thereon an attaching portion provided With an opening therein, a metal inner liner having thereon an attaching portion provided With an opening therein, each of said openings having one dimension greater than another, means for securing said outer shell and said inner liner in spaced relationship, means for maintaining alignment of said outer shell and said inner liner in the area of the door frame, said last-mentioned means including a heat-insulating spacer member having portions of elongated cross section adapted to pass through said openings in line with the larger dimension thereof and having recessed portions adapted to engage said attaching portions when said spacer member is turned into line with the smaller dimension of said openings, and resilient means for locking said spacer member in position.

15. In a refrigerator cabinet, a metal outer shell having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, a metal inner liner disposed in spaced relationship to said outer shell and having thereon an attaching portion provided with an opening therein, each of said openings having one dimension greater than another, a stop adjacent one of said openings, a thin iiat spacer strip of heat-insulating material for maintaining said shell and liner in alignment, said spacer strip having a rounded end and notches in the sides near each end thereof, said spacer strip being adapted to pass through the larger dimension of said openings, said notches being adapted to engage said attaching 1J REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,773,019 Wickers Aug. 12, 1930 2,250,139 Shimer July 22, 1941 2,261,882 Howard Nov. 4, 1941 2,394,229 Bergstrom Feb. 5, 1946

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