WO2015165493A1

WO2015165493A1 - Assembling system for assembling of a plurality of household appliances

Info

Publication number: WO2015165493A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/058642
Authority: WO
Inventors: Faik Emre Ozyuksel; Mehmet Ercan KAYMAK; Suat Yuksel; Kadir Ridvan Celik; Umud Yazgan
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2014-04-29
Filing date: 2014-04-29
Publication date: 2015-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-29

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembling system allowing installation of a plurality of electric household appliance such as refrigerators side-by-side in a convenient and space saving manner. In a more specific manner, the present invention relates to an assembling element (2) for assembling at least two household appliances (1) in a combined manner such that the at least two household appliances (1) are connectible with each other at a plurality of locations and interlocking of the two household appliances (1) is performable.

Description

ASSEMBLING SYSTEM FOR ASSEMBLING OF A PLURALITY OF HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES

The present invention relates to an assembling system allowing installation of a plurality of electric household appliance such as refrigerators side-by-side in a convenient and space saving manner. In a more specific manner, the present invention provides an assembling system for conveniently securing two refrigeration appliances in a side-by-side configuration.

Use of a separate refrigeration appliance beside an existing appliance requires additional space for accommodating the additional machine. It might happen that customers, instead of buying a new appliance with a larger capacity, i.e. a larger inner storage compartment in the case of refrigeration appliances, may prefer purchasing a second refrigeration appliance with a capacity equal or comparable to the first appliance, therefore advantageously maintaining an already functioning appliance and investing in a second appliance with a cheaper price tag. However, it should first be ensured that the two appliances may be conveniently placed side-by side and this can become an important issue to the extent that people intending to buy a new appliance may not do so simply because the two appliances may not be placed in a compact manner as a single unit having two doors. To this end, the two refrigeration appliances should be combined such that they give an orderly and compact impression to the residents and visitors. The two refrigeration appliances should be spaced with regard to each other in a constant distance and in a perfectly aligned position.

A prior art reference, among others, relevant to the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as EP2476983 publication. It discloses a method that involves arranging two household appliances side-by-side and fixing an assembling element at an upper side of the two household appliances. The fixing of the assembling element is carried out at both household appliances by one or multiple screws. A side-by-side household appliances assembly, particularly side-by-side refrigerator or freezers assembly, two household appliances, particularly cooling or freezing devices are disclosed by the cited publication.

The present invention, on the other hand, provides an assembling system by which a plurality of household appliances can be assembled with an in-between distance being set according to the preference of the user. The assembling elements are uniformed such that no additional special assembling element is needed other than the uniform elements. When assembled in combined relationship, the two appliances can be moved as a single unit, that is, the in-between distance as set by the plurality of assembling elements will not be disrupted.

The present invention therefore provides an assembling system for combining a plurality of electric household appliances and in particular refrigeration appliances overcoming the aforementioned inconveniences, which is defined in Claim 1.

Primary object of the present invention is to provide an assembling system for combining a plurality of refrigeration appliances side-by-side in an aligned manner such that the combined unit can be moved as a single unit with the fixed in-between distance.

The present invention proposes an assembling element for assembling at least two household appliances such that these can act as a single unit when moved and can be aligned in a compact manner. The assembling element comprises a connection plate having a first side mounted on both of the two household appliances, covering equal surface portions thereof. The connection plate has a minimum distance belt extending between two edges thereof at one side surface. The minimum distance belt is insertable inside an in-between space of the two household appliances while a plurality of screw members secures the connection plate onto the two household appliances.

Further, two distance adjustment arms are projectable out from below the minimum distance belt with retaining surfaces pressing against the opposite lateral surfaces of the household appliances in the in-between space.

The distance adjustment arms’ position is controlled by means of a first and second arm driving means in the form of adjustment screws. Both distance adjustment arms can be separately controlled so that a desired intermediate distance can be obtained.

In the closed position of the distance adjustment arms in the region between the minimum distance belt and the connection plate, the intermediary distance, i.e. the in-between distance will only be determined by the lateral thickness of said minimum distance belt.

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying an assembling system for combining a plurality of electric household appliances, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained hereinafter in brief.

The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in said claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

Fig. 1 demonstrates a perspective view of an assembling element with closed arms according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 demonstrates a perspective view of an assembling element with open arms according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 demonstrates a top perspective view of an assembling element with open arms and while the minimum distance belt being dismantled according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 demonstrates a side view of an assembling element according to the present invention.

Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b demonstrate a top view of an assembling element respectively with closed arms while the minimum distance belt is dismantled and with open arms according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 demonstrates an enlarged general perspective view of an assembling element assembling two electric household appliances according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 demonstrates a general perspective view of an assembling element shown as mounted on a first electric household appliances according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 demonstrates a general perspective view of two electric household appliances assembled by the system according to the present invention.

Referring now to the figures outlined above, the present invention proposes a system for assembling a plurality of electric household appliances. The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings:

Household appliance
Assembling element
Minimum distance belt
Distance adjustment arm
Connection plate
First arm driving means
Second arm driving means
Retaining surface
Distance indication line
Screw member
Fixing hole

The present invention provides an assembling element (2) having a T-shaped cross-section, allowing securing of a first electric household appliance (1) such as a refrigeration appliance with a second appliance of similar type. The second appliance may preferably be an appliance identical with the first one, i.e. having a similar production model number by the same manufacturer or may dimensionally correspond to the first appliance to be combined in a convenient manner. The two electric household appliances (1) are preferably refrigeration appliances adapted to be assembled side-by-side in a combined relationship.

The assembling elements (2) of the present invention provide interlocking of two or more refrigeration appliances in a secure manner. Each assembling element (2) comprises a connection plate (5) simultaneously mountable on a pair of refrigeration appliances so as to cover a respective surface portion of the two.

Said connection plate (5) is integrally formed with a minimum distance belt (3) extending between two opposite edges of the connection plate (5) so as to form a generally rectangular shape extension at one surface of the connection plate (5). Each assembling element (2) further comprises two distance adjustment arms (4), which projects outwards from the space defined in between the minimum distance belt (3) and the connection plate (5). The minimum distance belt (3) covers the distance adjustment arms (4) when the latter are in closed position, in which case the distance between the two refrigeration appliances is determined by the minimum distance belt (3) itself.

The assembling element (2) is adjustably mounted to two refrigeration appliances in a fixedly secured manner, whereby the space in between the refrigeration appliances can be determined by means of the distance adjustment arms (4), by way of tightening an adjustment screw, i.e. a first and second arm driving means (6, 7) in association with each distance adjustment arm (4). Therefore, the distance between the two opposite lateral surfaces of the household appliances (1) facing each other is adjusted in consideration with the available space in the room where the installation is carried out. It is to be noted that each of the first and second arm driving means (6, 7) can be independently tightened such that the in-between distance can be gradually adjusted within a certain distance range, that is, between the shortest distance as determined by the minimum distance belt (3) and the largest distance obtained when the two distance adjustment arms (4) are both fully projected from below the minimum distance belt (3). A maximum distance indication line (9) as well as a distance measurement ruler can be provided to help during the installation operation.

More particularly, the two household appliances (1) being connected with each other at a plurality of appropriate locations by a plurality of assembling elements (2) ensures that the two appliances are securely interlocked. The in-between distance, i.e. the dimension from one of the opposite lateral surfaces to the other can therefore be varied depending on the specific needs. To this end, an installation system allowing adaptation of a plurality of appliances to be assembled in a combined relationship is performed in view of the specific properties of the installation space.

The connection plate (5) simultaneously mounted on a pair of refrigeration appliances so as to cover a respective surface portion of the two, the surface portions extending along a first plane, the minimum distance belt (3) is inserted inside the in-between space of the two refrigeration appliances such that a retaining surface (8) associated with each distance adjustment arm (4) leans against one of the opposite lateral surfaces of the two refrigeration appliances, these opposite lateral surfaces extending along a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

The retaining surfaces (8) maintain a contact relationship with the opposite lateral surfaces of the household appliances such that a fixed relative distance is provided in a supported manner while the two household appliances (1) are connected to each other in a stable manner, by way of inserting a plurality of screw members (10) through fixing holes (11). According to the present invention, the assembling elements (2) are mounted on already existing fixing holes (11) so that the installation operation can be completed without having to drill any additional fixing holes (11).

According to the present invention, the distance adjustment arms (4) are connected to the minimum distance belt (3) by means of a pivotal connection, by which, rotation of the first and second arm driving means (6, 7) provides displacement of the distance adjustment arms (4).

The installation process between two neighboring appliance should preferably be completed by mounting four assembling elements (2), two along the upper connection line separating the two household appliances (1), one on the front side and one on the rear side, one along the front connection line on the lower side and one along the rear connection line on the lower side. However, various other connection locations can be used depending on the specific product models and existing fixing holes (11).

In a nutshell, the present invention provides an assembling element (2) for assembling at least two household appliances (1) in a combined manner such that the at least two household appliances (1) are connectible with each other at a plurality of locations and interlocking of the two household appliances (1) is performable.

The assembling element (2) comprises a connection plate (5) simultaneously mountable on the two household appliances (1) so as to cover a surface portion thereof. The connection plate (5) is formed with a minimum distance belt (3) extending between two edges of the connection plate (5) so as to form an extension both ends of which is connected to the connection plate (5) at one surface thereof. The assembling element (2) further comprises two distance adjustment arms (4) projectable out from a space defined in between the minimum distance belt (3) and the connection plate (5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the distance adjustment arms (4) are connected to the minimum distance belt (3) by means of a first and second arm driving means (6, 7).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the distance adjustment arms (4) are connected to the minimum distance belt (3) by means of pivotal connections, by which rotation of the first and second arm driving means (6, 7) provides displacement of the distance adjustment arms (4).

In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the minimum distance belt (3) is insertable inside an in-between space of the two household appliances (1) such that a retaining surface (8) associated with each distance adjustment arm (4) is leanable against one of opposite lateral surfaces of the household appliances (1).

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, each distance adjustment arm (4) is independently drivable by the first and second arm driving means (6, 7).

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the minimum distance belt (3) covers the distance adjustment arms (4) when the latter are in closed position.

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the first and second arm driving means (6, 7) are tightenable to drive the distance adjustment arms (4).

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, a maximum distance indication line (9) and a distance measurement ruler are provided on the surface of the connection plate (5) having the minimum distance belt (3).

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the minimum distance belt (3) extends between two opposite edges of the connection plate (5) so as to form a generally rectangular shape extension.

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, said at least two household appliances (1) are refrigeration appliances.

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration appliances (1) are joinable by four assembling elements (2), two of which are located along an upper connection line separating the two household appliances (1), one along a front connection line and one along a rear connection line.

Therefore, an assembling system by which a plurality of household appliances can be assembled with an in-between distance being set according to the preference of the user is obtainable. As each assembling element is uniform and no additional special assembling element is needed other than those uniform elements, a practical and yet efficient solution is achieved. The installation process requires no authorized repair and maintenance staff and can also be accomplished by the user.

When assembled in combined relationship, the two appliances can be moved as a compact and aligned single unit, that is, the in-between distance as set by the plurality of assembling elements (2) will not be disrupted. If needed, the screw members (10) can be easily removed to separate the appliances from each other. In this configuration, a mechanically reliable as well as versatile connection is ensured whereby adjustability of the in-between distance is possible.

Claims

An assembling element (2) for assembling at least two household appliances (1) in a combined manner such that the at least two household appliances (1) are connectible with each other at a plurality of locations and interlocking of the two household appliances (1) is performable characterized in that;

- the assembling element (2) comprises a connection plate (5) simultaneously mountable on said two household appliances (1) so as to cover a surface portion thereof,

- the connection plate (5) is formed with a minimum distance belt (3) extending between two edges of the connection plate (5) so as to form an extension both ends of which is connected to the connection plate (5) at one surface thereof,

- the assembling element (2) further comprises two distance adjustment arms (4) projectable out from a space defined in between the minimum distance belt (3) and the connection plate (5).
An assembling element (2) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the distance adjustment arms (4) are connected to the minimum distance belt (3) by means of a first and second arm driving means (6, 7).
An assembling element (2) as in Claim 2, characterized in that the distance adjustment arms (4) are connected to the minimum distance belt (3) by means of pivotal connections, by which rotation of the first and second arm driving means (6, 7) provides displacement of the distance adjustment arms (4).
An assembling element (2) as in Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the minimum distance belt (3) is insertable inside an in-between space of the two household appliances (1) such that a retaining surface (8) associated with each distance adjustment arm (4) is leanable against one of opposite lateral surfaces of the household appliances (1).
An assembling element (2) as in Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each distance adjustment arm (4) is independently drivable by the first and second arm driving means (6, 7).
An assembling element (2) as in Claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that the minimum distance belt (3) covers the distance adjustment arms (4) when the latter are in closed position.
An assembling element (2) as in Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first and second arm driving means (6, 7) are tightenable to drive the distance adjustment arms (4).
An assembling element (2) as in any preceding Claims, characterized in that a maximum distance indication line (9) and a distance measurement ruler are provided on the surface of the connection plate (5) having the minimum distance belt (3).
An assembling element (2) as in any preceding Claims, characterized in that the minimum distance belt (3) extends between two opposite edges of the connection plate (5) so as to form a generally rectangular shape extension.
An assembling element (2) as in any preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least two household appliances (1) are refrigeration appliances.
An assembling element (2) as in Claim 10, characterized in that the refrigeration appliances (1) are joinable by four assembling elements (2), two of which are located along an upper connection line separating the two household appliances (1), one along a front connection line and one along a rear connection line.