Water filter abstract
A refrigerator water filter assembly is provided in the ceiling
of a refrigerator and is adapted to hinge downwardly from the ceiling
for changing the filter cartridge. The cartridge is normally partially
recessed within the ceiling so as to minimize the use of space in
the food compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes
a base mounted in the refrigerator ceiling, a manifold pivotally
mounted on the base, a filter cartridge attached to the manifold,
and a cover pivotally mounted on the manifold so as to be movable
between open and closed positions. When the cover is opened, the
filter cartridge is angled downwardly from the ceiling for easy
grasping by a person for replacement of the cartridge.
Water filter claims
What is claimed is:
1. A water filter assembly for a refrigerator having a fresh food
compartment with a floor, a ceiling and side walls, the assembly
comprising: a base mounted in the ceiling; a manifold having opposite
pins to pivotally mount the manifold to the base; a water filter
cartridge with an end releasably mounted to the manifold, the end
having both a water supply line and a water return line; and a cover
pivotally mounted on the manifold pins adjacent the ceiling for
enclosing the filter cartridge and being movable between a closed
position wherein the manifold and filter cartridge are pivoted upwardly
and an open position wherein the manifold and filter cartridge pivot
downwardly from the ceiling for removal of the filter cartridge
from the manifold.
2. The water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the water filter
cartridge is in a substantially horizontal position when the cover
is closed.
3. The water filter assembly of claim 1 further comprising a clip
to retain the cover in the closed position.
4. The water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover pivots
away from the filter cartridge when opened to provide access to
the filter cartridge.
5. The water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover is pivotal
a greater degree than the manifold and the filter cartridge so as
to be spaced from the filter cartridge when in the open position.
6. The water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the manifold is
pivotal a first radial distance and the cover is pivotal a second
radial distance, the second radial distance being greater than the
first radial distance.
7. The water filter assembly of claim 1 wherein the filter cartridge
is partially recessed into the ceiling when the cover is in the
closed position.
Water filter description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Refrigerators often times include water filters to treat water
used to make ice cubes or dispensed from a built-in water dispenser.
The filter assemblies include a manifold with a removable filter
cartridge which can be replaced periodically. Prior art water filter
assemblies are typically located at the bottom of the refrigerator
adjacent the floor or in the rear of the fresh food compartment
adjacent the ceiling. In both instances, access to the cartridge
for replacement is not convenient and the cartridge may be difficult
to reach for some people.
Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is the
provision of an improved water filter assembly for a refrigerator.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of
refrigerator water filter assembly which is pivotally mounted to
the ceiling in the fresh food compartment.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of
a refrigerator water filter assembly wherein the filter cartridge
is partially recessed into the ceiling of the fresh food compartment
so as to minimize encroachment into the compartment.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of
a method of accessing the water filter cartridge in a refrigerator
involving the steps of opening a filter cover to expose the filter
cartridge, pivoting the filter manifold and cartridge downwardly
and manually removing the cartridge from the manifold.
Still another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a hinge down refrigerator water filter assembly that provides
quick and easy access for replacement of the filter cartridge.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of
a refrigerator water filter assembly which is economical to manufacture
and durable in use.
These and other objectives will become apparent from the following
description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A water filter assembly is provided for a refrigerator, and includes
a base mounted in the ceiling of the fresh food compartment of the
refrigerator, a manifold pivotally mounted in the base, a cartridge
releasably mounted in the manifold, and a cover pivotally mounted
to the manifold. The cover is movable between a closed position
which holds the manifold and cartridge in an upwardly pivoted position,
and an open position wherein the manifold and filter cartridge pivot
downwardly from the ceiling. The cover pivots downwardly a greater
degree than the manifold and cartridge so as to expose the filter
for grasping and removal from the manifold. When the cover is in
the closed position, the filter cartridge is at least partially
recessed into the ceiling, thereby minimizing the space occupied
by the filter assembly in the food compartment. A clip normally
retains the cover in the closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator illustrating the
location of the water filter assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water filter assembly in the
closed position.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the water filter assembly in an
open position.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the water filter assembly taken along
lines 4--4 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base of the water filter assembly.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the base taken along lines 6--6 of
FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the base taken along lines 7--7 of
FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the filter manifold of the water
filter assembly.
FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the filter manifold of the water
filter assembly.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cover of the water filter
assembly.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the cover taken along lines 11--11
of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The water filter assembly 10 of the present invention is shown
to be mounted in the roof or ceiling 12 of a refrigerator 14. Alternatively,
the filter assembly 10 may be mounted in one of the side wall panels
16 of the refrigerator 14 though the preferred location is in the
ceiling 12.
The water filter assembly 10 includes a base 18 a filter manifold
20 a filter cartridge 22 and a cover 24. The manifold 20 and the
cover 24 are pivotal. The cover 24 is movable between a closed position,
shown in FIG. 2 wherein the manifold 20 and the cartridge 22 are
held in a substantially horizontal position, with the cartridge
22 being partially recessed into the ceiling 12 and an open position
shown in FIG. 3 wherein the manifold 20 the cartridge 22 and the
cover 24 are pivoted downwardly from the base 18 to provide access
to the cartridge 22. As seen in FIG. 3 the cover 24 pivots a greater
degree than the manifold 20 and the cartridge 22.
The base 18 is adapted to be mounted on the ceiling 12 of the refrigerator
14 through a plurality of clips 26 which are adapted to extend through
corresponding holes in the ceiling 12. The base includes a rear
housing or tunnel 28 through which water lines 30 32 extend. The
base also includes a collar 34 and a clip 36 opposite one another
to pivotally support the manifold 20 as described below. The base
18 also includes an enlarged opening 38 corresponding to the shape
of the filter cartridge 22 which allows a portion of the cartridge
to extend upwardly through the opening 38 and into a recess in the
ceiling 12 when the cover 24 is closed, as best seen in FIG. 2.
The manifold 20 is best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The manifold 20
includes an upper plate 40 and opposite downwardly extending side
plates or wings 42. A pair of pins 44 extend outwardly from each
of the wings 42 and define a pivot axis for the manifold 20. The
pins 44 of the manifold 22 are adapted to be received in the collar
34 and the clip 36 of the base 18 as shown in FIG. 4 so as to
pivotally mount the manifold 22 to the base 18. The upper plate
40 includes a sloped portion 46 angled downwardly and rearwardly
from the pivot pins 44.
The manifold 20 also includes a head 48 adapted to threadably receive
the cartridge 22. The head 48 includes the female plug 50 which
mates with the cartridge 22 in a conventional manner. The plug 50
includes a plurality of O rings 52 to matingly seal with the cartridge
22 and prevent water leakage. Conventional valves 54 are provided
in the head 48 so as to provide communication between the water
lines 30 32 when the cartridge 22 is mounted on the head 48 of
the manifold 20.
The cover 24 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and is shaped so as to
substantially matingly enclose the cartridge 22 when in the closed
position. The cover 24 includes opposite flared out portions 56
adjacent the rearward end of the cover 24. Each flared out portion
56 includes an inwardly directed collar 58 which are adapted to
receive the pins 44 of the manifold 20 such that the cover 24 is
pivotally mounted on the manifold 20. The trailing edge 60 of the
flared out portions 56 is tapered or sloped downwardly to permit
the cover 24 to pivot relative to the base 18. The angle of the
trailing edge 60 relative to a horizontal plane is greater than
the angle of the sloped portion 46 of the manifold plate 40 such
that the cover 24 pivots a greater amount than the manifold 20 and
the cartridge 22 as seen in FIG. 3. A clip 62 is provided on the
front end of the cover 24 and is adapted to releasably engage a
retention surface 64 on the base 18 to thereby releasably lock the
cover 24 in the closed position shown in FIG. 2.
In use, with the cartridge 22 is mounted on the manifold 20 water
is supplied through the water line 30 to the filter for treatment,
and then returned through the water line 32 for supply to the refrigerator
ice maker or water dispenser. When it is time to change the filter,
as indicated in any known manner, the clip 62 of the cover 24 is
depressed for release from the clip retention surface 64 on the
base 18. Upon release of the clip 62 the cover 24 the manifold
20 and the cartridge 22 pivot downwardly by gravity away from the
ceiling 12. The cover 24 can be further pivoted to a spaced relation
from the cartridge 22 as shown in FIG. 3 so that a person can
easily grasp the cartridge 22 and twist the cartridge 22 for disengagement
from the manifold head 48. A new cartridge can be installed on the
manifold head 48. The cover 24 can then be pushed upwardly until
the clip 62 locks on the retention surface 64 of the base 18.
The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred
embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions,
and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and
scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that
the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. |