US2701454A - Wedge ice tray - Google Patents

Description

J. B. HORVAY WEDGE ICE TRAY Feb. 8, 1955 Filed March 14, 1952 Pi .2. VIIIIII; a. Q '2 2O 6 7 Inventor: Julius B.Horvay,

His Attorney.

WEDGE ICE TRAY Julius B. Horvay, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application March 14, 1952, Serial No. 276,638

9 Claims. ,(Cl. 62108.5)

My invention relates to ice trays used in refrigerators and pertains more particularly to grid structures employed in ice trays for dividing the trays into ice block forming compartments.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an ice tray grid structure including improved means for facilitating release of formed ice blocks from the tray and the elements comprising the grid structure.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to andforming part of this specification.

ln carrying out the objects of my invention, I provide a grid structure including a central divider formed by an upper wedge and a lower wedge. The wedges are arranged so that the pointed portions thereof are in juxtaposed engaging relation. The upper wedge is movable downwardly to increase the surface engagement thereof with the lower wedge. Increased surface engagement between the upper and lower wedges displaces the wedges laterally. Lateral displacement of the wedges exerts laterally directed forces against ice blocks formed on either side of the central divider to effect the release of the ice blocks from the tray and the elements comprising the grid structure.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an ice tray, parts broken away to illustrate a grid structure embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating an operating lever employed to operate my wedge release means, and showing the lever in its operated position; and Fig. 4 is a section taken along the line 44 in Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a grid or grid structure constructed in accordance with my invention and generally designated 1. The grid 1 is adapted to be positioned in and to cooperate with an ice tray 2. The ice tray 2 is formed to include a bottom wall 3, side walls 4 and end walls 5. The tray 2 is of pressed sheet metal and the side walls 4 have such flexibility that they will readily yield outwardly when ice blocks are forced laterally thereagainst, as during operation of ice block releasing means provided in the grid 1 and hereinafter described. Also, the side walls 4 are slightly inclined outwardly which causes ice blocks pressed thereagainst to rise upwardly and partly out of the tray 2 to insure the release thereof from the walls of the tray and to facilitate removal of the ice blocks. As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the grid 1 includes a central divider 6. The central divider 6 is formed by a longitudinal downwardly pointing upper wedge 7 and a longitudinal upwardly pointing lower wedge 8. The wedges are arranged so that the pointed portions thereof or the portions just adjacent the lower edge of the upper wedge 7 and adjacent the upper edge of the lower wedge 8 are in side-by-side or juxtaposed engaging relation. The upper wedge 7 is formed in the upper edge thereof with a series of spaced apart slots 9. The lower wedge 8 is formed on the lower edge thereof with a corresponding series of spaced apart slots 10. The lower wedge 8 is further formed so as to conform to the bottom and end walls 3 and 5, respectively,'of the ice tray 2.

The grid 1 includes further a plurality of transverse dividers 11. The transverse dividers 11 are each formed "Ice with a vertically elongated central aperture 12. The apertures 12 receive the central divider 6, that is, the upper wedge 7 and lower wedge 8 comprising the central divider 6. The dimensions of the apertures 12 are such that the upper and lower wedges fit loosely therein and are displaceable both vertically and laterally.

Portions of each of the transverse dividers 11 are inserted in one of the slots 9 in the upper edge of the upper divider 7 and in the corresponding one of the slots 10 in the lower edge of the lower divider 8. By this arrangement, the transverse dividers 11 are retained on the central divider 6 in spaced apart substantially parallel relation to provide ice block forming compartments 13. Each compartment 13 includes walls formed by the central divider 6, that is, the upper and lower wedges, at least one transverse divider 11 and the bottom and side walls 3 and 4, respectively, of the ice tray 2. The four end compartments additionally include walls formed by the end walls 5 of the ice tray 2.

When ice blocks are frozen in the compartments 13, they become bonded to the walls of the compartments or to the ice tray 2 and the various elements comprising the grid structure 1. The bonds may be broken by moving one or both of the wedges so as to increase the surface engagement between the wedges. By increasing the surface engagement between the wedges, the wedges are displaced laterally. Lateral displacement of the wedges exerts laterally directed forces against the ice blocks formed on either side of the wedges or to the ice blocks formed in the compartments 13 separated by the central divider 6. It will be seen that by exerting ice block releasing forces laterally from the central divider 6, the ice blocks are released from all the elements comprising the grid 1. Also, the ice blocks are pressed with a high force against the somewhat flexible side walls 4 of the tray 2 which causes the side walls to bow outwardly slightly and the ice blocks to ride upwardly on the slightly inclined side walls 4. This insures the release of the ice blocks from those walls of the compartments 13 formed by the ice tray 2 and also facilitates removal of the ice blocks from the compartments. It will be seen further that it is the cooperation of the inclined inner sides of the upper and lower Wedges 7 and 8, respectively, which effects the lateral displacement of the wedges whereby the ice blocks are released. Therefore, while the upper and lower wedges are shown in the drawing as having both inclined inner and outer sides, the outer sides could be vertical and the wedges would still be effectively displaced laterally for releasing the ice blocks when the surface engagement between the inclined inner sides of the wedges is increased.

In the form of my invention illustrated in the drawing, I have chosen to increase the surface engagement between the upper wedge 7 and the lower wedge 8 for releasing the ice blocks by moving the upper wedge downwardly while the lower wedge is maintained relatively stationary regarding vertical movements. in order to effect the movement of the upper wedge downwardly in a facilitated manner, I employ force-multiplying means or leverage means. As seen in Fig. 1, I provide two levers 14. The levers 14- are formed with pairs of pendent arms 15 which straddle the ends of the lower wedge 8 and are pivotally connected thereto by pins 16. Each end of the upper wedge 7 is formed with a portion 17 which is inclined and extends outwardly between the pendent arms 15 of the lever 14 connected to the corresponding end of the lower wedge 8. Formed in each of the portions 17 is an outwardly inclined slot 18. Disposed in each slot 18 is a stud 19 which extends fixedly between the pendent arms 15 of the corresponding lever 14.

The transverse dividers 11 are formed with central upwardly extending portions 20. Normally, as during the freezing of ice blocks in the compartments 13, the levers 14 rest on the portions 20 of the transverse dividers 11 in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2. With the levers 14 at rest on the portions 20, the upper wedge 7 is maintained in the raised position thereof shown in Fig. 2. When the blocks are frozen and it is desirous to release them for removal and use, the levers 14 are grasped at the inner ends thereof and operated or raised to the dot and dash line positions of Fig. 1, (the full line position of Fig. 3). As better seen in Fig. 3, the raising or the pivotal movement of the lever 14 about the pin 16 causes the stud 19 to cooperatewith the inclined slot 1 8. The

studs 19 travel in an arcuate path and the slots 18 are straight. As a result, downwardly directed and multiplied forces are exerted on the ends of the upper wedge 7. With this arrangement, movement of the upper wedge 7 downwardly is facilitated' Downward movement of limited to the particular form shown and described and I intend by the appended claims to cover all modifications within 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 grid structure for cooperating with an ice tray to provide ice block forming compartments, a compartment divider comprising a longitudinal divider consisting of a pair of oppositely point-ing wedges, said wedges being arranged with the pointed portions thereof in juxtaposed engaging relation, at least one of said wedges being movable for increasing surface engagement between said wedges, increased surface engagement between said wedges effecting lateral displacement of said wedges thereby to exert laterally directed forces againstice block-s formed in compartments separated by said wedges for facilitating the release of said ice blocks from said compartments.

2. In a grid structure for cooperating with an ice tray to provide ice block forming compartments, a compartment divider comprising a longitudinal divider consisting of a downwardly pointing upper wedge, and an upwardly pointing lower wedge, said upper wedge and said lower wedge being arranged with the pointed portions thereof in juxtaposed engaging relation, said upper wedge being movable downwardly for increasing surface engagement thereof with said lower wedge, increased surface engagement between said upper wedge and said lower wedge effecting lateral displacement of both said upper wedge and said lower wedge thereby to exert laterally directed forces against ice blocks formed in compartments separated by said upper and said lower wedges for facilitating the release of said ice blocks from said compartments.

3. In a grid structure for cooperating with an ice tray to provide ice block forming compartments, a compartment divider comprising a longitudinal divider consisting of a downwardly pointing upper wedge, an upwardly pointing lower wedge, said upper wedge and said lower wedge being arranged with the pointed portions thereof in juxtaposed engaging relation, and force-multiplying means operatable for moving said upper wedge downwardly to increase surface engagement between said upper wedge and said lower wedge, increased surface engagement between said upper wedge and said lower Wedge effecting lateral displacement of both said upper wedge and said lower wedge, thereby to exert laterally directed forces against ice blocks formed in compartments separated by said upper and said lower wedges for facilitating the release of said ice blocks from said compartments.

4. A grid structure adapted for cooperating with an ice tray to provide ice block forming compartments comprising; a central divider consisting of a pair of oppositely pointing longitudinal Wedges, and a plurality of transverse dividers carried spacedly on said central divider, said wedges being arranged with the pointed portions thereof in juxtaposed engaging relation, at least one of said wedges being movable for increasing surface engagegment between said wedges, increased surface engagement between said wedges eifecting lateral displacement of said wedges thereby to exert laterally directed forces against ice blocks formed in compartments separated by said central divider for facilitating the release of said ice blocks from said compartments.

5. A grid structure adapted for cooperating with an ice tray to provide ice block forming compartments comprising; a central divider consisting of a longitudinal downwardly pointing upper wedge and a longitudinal upwardly pointing lower wedge, and a plurality of transverse dividers carried spacedly onsaid central divider, said upper wedge and said lower wedge being arranged with the pointed portions thereof in juxtaposed engaging relation, said upper wedge being movable downwardly for increasingv surface engagement thereof with said lower wedge, increased surface engagement between said ,upper wedge and said lower wedgeeifecting lateral displacement of both said upper wedge and said lower wedge thereby to exert laterally directed forces against ice blocks formed in compartments separated by said central divider for facilitating the release of said ice blocks from said compartments.

6. A grid structure adapted for cooperating with an ice tray to provide ice block forming compartments comprising; a central divider consisting of a longitudinal downwardly pointing upper wedge and a longitudinal upwardly pointing lower wedge, a plurality of transverse dividers carried spacedly on said central divider, said upper wedge and said lower wedge being arranged with. thepointed portions thereof in juxtaposed engaging relation, and force-multiplying means operatable for moving said upper wedge downwardly to increase surface engagement between said upper wedge and said lower wedge, increased surfaceengagement between said upper wedge and said lower wedge effecting lateral displacement of both said upper wedge and said lowerwedge. thereby to exert laterally directed forces against ice blocks formed in compartments separated by saidcentral dividerfor facilitating the release of said ice blocks. from said compartments.

7. A grid structure adapted for cooperating with an ice tray to provide ice-block forming compartments comprising; a central dividerformed by a pair of oppositely pointing longitiudinal wedges, said wedges being arranged with the pointed portions thereof in juxtaposed engaging'relation, said wedges being formedwith corresponding series of spaced apart slots in the edges, opposite the points thereof, a pluralityuof transverse dividers formed with vertically elongated central apertures, said central divider extending through .said apertures in said transverse dividers, said transverse dividers being inserted in said slots in saidwedges whereby said transverse dividers are retained spacedly on said central divider and said wedges are movable for increasing surface engagement therebetween, and levers pivotally connected to the ends of one of said wedges, and. engaging the other, of said wedges, operation of said levers moving said other wedge for increasing surface engagement between said wedges, increased surface engagement between said wedges effecting lateral displacement of said wedges thereby to exert laterally directed-forces against ice blocks formed in compartments separated by said central divider for, facilitating the release of said ice blocks fromsaid compartments.

8. A grid'structure adapted for. cooperating with an ice tray to provide ice block forming compartments comprising; a central dividerjformed by alongitudinal downwardly pointing upper wedge and a longitudinal upwardlypointing lower wedge, saidupper wedge and said lower wedgevbeing arranged with the pointed portions thereof in juxtaposed.engagingrelation, said upper wedge being formed with a series of spaced apart slots in the upper edge thereof, said lower wedgebeing formed with a corresponding series of spaced apart slots in the lower edge thereof, a plurality of transverse dividers formed with vertically elongated central apertures, said central divider extending through said apertures in said transverse dividers, said transverse dividers being inserted in said slots in said upper wedge and said lower wedge whereby said transverse dividers are retained spacedly on said central divider and said upper wedge is movable downwardly for increasing surface engagement thereof with said lower wedge, levers pivotally connected to the ends of said .lower wedge and engaging said upper wedge, operation of said levers moving said upper wedge downwardly thereby to increase surface engagement thereof with said lower wedge, increased surface engagement between said upper wedge and said lower wedge effecting lateral displacement of both said upper wedge and said lower vwedge thereby to exert laterally directed force against ice blocks formed in compartments separated by said central divider for facilitating the release of said ice blocks from said compartments.

9. A grid structure adapted for cooperating with an ice tray to provide ice blockv forming compartments comprising; a central divider formed by a longitudinal downwardly pointing, .upperwedge and a longitudinal upwardly pointingulower wedge, said-.upper wedge and said lower wedge being arranged. withthe pointedportions thereof in juxtaposed engaging .relation, said upper wedge being formed with aseries of spacedgapart-slots in the upper edge thereof, said lower wedge being. formed with a corresponding series of spaced apart slots in the lower edge thereof, a plurality of transverse dividers formed with vertically elongated central apertures, said central divider extending through said apertures in said transverse dividers, said transverse dividers being in serted in said slots in said upper wedge and said lower wedge whereby said transverse dividers are retained spacedly on said central divider and said upper Wedge is movable downwardly for increasing surface engagement thereof with said lower wedge, said upper wedge having outwardly inclined slots formed in the ends thereof, levers pivotally connected to the ends of said lower wedge, and a stud carried by each of said levers and disposed in a corresponding one of said inclined slots in said ends of said upper wedge, operation of said levers eifecting cooperation between said studs and said inclined slots for moving said upper wedge downwardly thereby to increase surface engagement thereof with said lower wedge, increased surface engagement between said upper wedge and said lower wedge effecting lateral displacement of both said upper wedge and said lower wedge, thereby to exert laterally directed forces against ice blocks formed in compartments separated by said central divider for facilitating the release of said ice blocks from said compartments.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,168,678 Miner Aug. 8, 1939 2,168,739 Miner Aug. 8, 1939 2,181,591 Smellie Nov. 28, 1939 2,265,731 Haugh Dec. 9, 1941 2,289,848 Mallard July 14, 1942 2,304,662 Shuart Dec. 8, 1942 2,345,799 Dodson Apr. 4, 1944 2,351,303 Storer June 13, 1944 2,496,331 Buchanan Feb. 7, 1950

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