SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LEVELING AN APPLIANCE

SYSTEME ET PROCEDE PERMETTANT DE POSITIONNER CORRECTEMENT UN APPAREIL SUR UN PLAN HORIZONTAL

English Abstract

A wheeled leveling device is provided that includes a cabinet bracket, a wheel
assembly (16), and an adjustment screw (36). The cabinet bracket (26) includes
a pair of slots that include detent portions (32). The wheel assembly includes
a roller rotatably secured to a wheel assembly bracket. A pair of rockers
secured to the wheel assembly bracket slide into and engage with the slots of
the cabinet bracket. The rockers pivot about the detent portions of the slots
(28) such that the wheel assembly does not disengage. The adjustment screw
passes through a hole in the cabinet bracket and a hole in the wheel assembly
bracket and engages with a threaded fastener secured to the wheel assembly
bracket. Turning the adjustment screw causes the wheel assembly to pivot about
the detent portions of the slots of the cabinet bracket, thereby raising or
lowering the roller and hence altering the height of the appliance.

French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de mise à niveau monté sur roulette qui comprend un logement/support de roulette, un ensemble roulette (16) et une vis de réglage (36). Le logement (26) de roulette comporte une paire de fentes pourvues de parties formant des crans (32). L'ensemble roulette est formé d'une roulette fixée de manière à tourner, sur un support d'ensemble roulette. Une paire de pattes fixées sur le support d'ensemble roulette glissent dans les fentes du logement/support et se logent dans ces dernières. Les pattes pivotent autour des parties formant des crans situées dans les fentes (28) de sorte que l'ensemble roulette ne se détache pas. La vis de réglage traverse un orifice formé dans le logement/support et un orifice formé dans le support d'ensemble roulette et s'accouple avec une fixation filetée fixée sur le support d'ensemble roulette. Lorsqu'on tourne la vis de réglage, ceci a pour effet de faire pivoter l'ensemble roulette autour des parties formant des crans prévues dans les fentes du logement/support et permet ainsi de faire monter ou descendre la roulette et par conséquent de régler la hauteur de l'appareil.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A wheeled leveling device (14) for a home appliance, the leveling device
comprising: a cabinet bracket (26) having a rear wall (40) and two opposite
side walls (38)
each including a slot (28); a wheel assembly (16) having a roller (20)
rotatably secured to a
wheel assembly bracket (18), the wheel assembly bracket (18) having a pair of
rockers (24)
formed to slide into and engage the slots (28) in the side walls (38) of the
cabinet bracket
(26); and an adjustable screw (36) that passes through a hole (44) in the rear
wall (40) of
the cabinet bracket (26) and through a hole (42) in the wheel assembly bracket
(18) and
engages a threaded fastener (34) secured to the wheel assembly bracket (18).
2. The wheeled leveling device of claim 1 wherein the slot (28) in each of the
side
walls (38) of the cabinet bracket (26) includes a straight portion (30).
3. The wheeled leveling device of claim 1 wherein the slot (28) in each of the
side
walls (38)of the cabinet bracket (26) includes a detent portion (32).
4. The wheeled leveling device of claim 1 wherein the rockers (24) of the
wheel
assembly bracket (18) are formed into the wheel assembly bracket (18).
5. The wheeled leveling device of claim 1 wherein the cabinet bracket (26)
includes a
plurality of seating tabs (48) securing the bracket (26) to the bottom of the
household
appliance (10).
6. A method of safely leveling a household appliance (10) having a top,
bottom, and
sides, the method comprising: sliding tabs (24) on a wheel assembly (16) into
slots (28) in
side walls of a cabinet bracket on the bottom of the appliance (10); engaging
the wheel
assembly (16) with a detent portion (32) in each slot (28); rotating the wheel
assembly (16)
about the detent portion (32); engaging an adjustment screw (36) with a
threaded fastener
(34) secured to the wheel assembly bracket (18); turning the adjustment screw
(36) to
adjust the height of the appliance (10).

7. A method of leveling a household appliance (10) comprising: sliding a wheel
assembly (16) into slots (28) in side walls (38) of a cabinet bracket (26),
the slots (28)
including a detent portion (32); engaging the wheel assembly (16) with the
detent portion
(32) of each slot (28); rotating the wheel assembly (16) about the detent
portion (32) of
each slot (28); passing an adjustment screw (36) through a hole (44) in a rear
wall of the
cabinet bracket (28) and a hole (42) in the wheel assembly (16) and engaging
the
adjustment screw (36) with a threaded fastener (34) secured to the wheel
assembly (16);
turning the adjustment screw (36) to adjust the height of the household
appliance (10).
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the cabinet bracket (28) is part of the
bottom of the
household appliance (10).
9. The method of claim 7 wherein the wheel assembly (16) includes a rocker
(24).

Description

CA 02453488 2004-O1-12
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Agent's Ref. No. P5524 305791
TITLE: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LEVELING AN APPLIANCE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a system and method for leveling
appliances. More particularly, though not exclusively, the present invention
relates to a
system and method for leveling a household~appliance, such as a refrigerator
or freezer, that
may be easily installed and. adjusted without unintentionally disengaging.
Leveling devices are commonly used on household appliances. While most floors
are generally flat, these devices allow precise leveling so that doors and
shelves of the
appliance will properly open, and close. Adjustable legs that have a flat pad
for engaging ~ ,
the floor have been used for many years: However, when the mobility of the
appliance is a
consideration, rollers have been incorporated into the leveling device.
Installation of these devices has proven problematic. U.S. Pat. No. 3,534,430
. issued to Kesling is typical of the. prior art. The leveling device
disclosed in the Kesling
patent incorporates a wheel and screw arrangement that allows the user to
adjust the level
of the appliance by turning the screw. However, it has become apparent that
the
installatiomof such desirable roller assemblies is problematic.
Most leveling devices, such as the one disclosed in the Kesling patent, are
installed
into the bottom of the appliance housing on-site. Many appliances such as
refrigerators and
2o freezers should not be placed on their sides. Therefore, the appliance must
be raised in
order to install the leveling device. This poses a great danger to the
installer. Should the
appliance tip over onto the installer during installation of the leveling
device, serious injury
might result. This requires the installer to perform the difficult and time-
consuming task of
assembling and inserting the leveling device underneath the appliance. This
often requires
inserting a pin into a pair of holes while the roller assembly is in place
underneath the ,
appliance. It is' desirable to be able to install a leveling device in an
efficient and safe
manner.
Not all leveling devices use pins or other complex assembly methods to connect
the
leveling device to the appliance. US-A-4'783 879 to Weaver discloses a
leveling device
that is secured into a specially-created slot. This slot allows the installer
to insert the roller
assembly without having to perform an extremely cumbersome task. However,
s
AMENDIrD SH~~T
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should the appliance tip over during installation, the Weaver roller assembly
fall out or
pivot about the installation slot and allow the appliance to fall onto the
installer's hand,
causing serious injury. For proper installation, the Weaver assembly must be
further
secured with screws. It is therefore desirable to provide a leveling device
that may be
quickly installed into a secured position without the need for additional
fasteners.
Accordingly, a primary feature of the present invention is the provision of a
method
and system for leveling an appliance that overcomes problems found in the
prior art.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and
system for
leveling an appliance that is easy to install.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and
system for
leveling an appliance that can be installed in a secured position without the
need for
additional retaining means.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and
system
for leveling an appliance that is adjustable.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and
system for
leveling an appliance that may be fitted with a roller.
A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and
system
for leveling an appliance that is relatively inexpensive.
These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the
following
specification and claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally comprises a method and system for leveling an
appliance. More specifically, the present invention generally includes a
cabinet bracket and
a wheel assembly. The cabinet bracket has a pair of opposing side walls that
each contain
slot including a detent portion.
A wheel assembly is provided with a pair of rockers that fit into the slots.
The slots
in the bracket are specially designed to include a detent portion forming a
corner about
which the rockers can rotate. The rockers are preferably formed from the same
piece of
material as the wheel assembly housing. In this manner, the wheel assembly
easily slides
into a secured position in the cabinet bracket without the need for additional
parts.
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Should the appliance fall during installation, the weight of the appliance
will cause
the rockers to rotate into the detent portion of the bracket. This prevents
the wheel
assembly from inadvertently disengaging during the installation process.
Additionally, an adjustment member, such as a screw, is secured to the wheel
assembly. The adjustment member allows the installer to vary the height of the
wheeled
leveling device, quickly and safely leveling the appliance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an appliance such as a household refrigerator
or
freezer, which may be adapted for use with the system and method of the
present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the system for
leveling
an appliance of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is an exploded side view of the cabinet bracket and wheel assembly of
the
present invention.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the wheel assembly of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cabinet bracket of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a side view of the cabinet bracket and wheel assembly of the present
invention with the wheel assembly fully retracted .
Fig. 7 is a side view of the cabinet bracket and wheel assembly of the present
invention with the screw fully engaged and the wheel assembly fully extended.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred
embodiment. It
is not intended that the present invention be limited to the preferred
embodiment. It is
intended that the invention cover all modifications and alternatives that may
be included
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
As shown in Fig. 1, a household appliance such as a refrigerator 10 generally
will
include a plurality of wheeled leveling devices 14 at or near the bottom 12 of
the
refrigerator 10. Alternatively, the refrigerator 10 may include one or more
non-adjustable

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legs or wheels in combination with one or more wheeled leveling devices 14.
One
embodiment of the wheeled leveling device 14 of the present invention is shown
in Fig. 2.
As shown in Fig. 2, the wheeled leveling device 14 of the present invention
includes a wheel assembly 16 secured in a cabinet bracket 26. The cabinet
bracket 26 may
be a stand alone part that secures to the bottom 12 of the refrigerator 10 by
a pair of seating
tabs 48. Alternatively, the cabinet bracket 26 may be incorporated into the
bottom 12 of
the refrigerator 10.
The wheel assembly 16 shown in Fig. 4 includes a wheel assembly bracket 18 to
which a roller 20 is rotatably secured by an axle pin 22. The wheel assembly
bracket 18
also includes a pair of rockers 24 that are essentially upward turned tabs
preferably formed
with the wheel assembly bracket 18. Alternatively, the rockers 24 may consist
of one or
more separate pieces connected to the wheel assembly bracket 18.
The entire wheel assembly 16 is rotatably mounted into the cabinet bracket 26.
As
shown in Fig. 5, the cabinet bracket 26 includes a pair of opposing side walls
38 and a rear
wall 40. Each side wall 38 includes a slot 28. Each slot 28 includes a
straight portion 30
that allows the rockers 24 to slide into the cabinet bracket 26, as shown in
Fig. 3. Each slot
28 also includes a detent portion 32. The detent portion 32 acts as both a
pivot point for
the rocker 24 and as a stop to prevent the wheel assembly 16 from backing out
of the slot
28 in the cabinet bracket 26. This insures that installation of the wheel
assembly 16 into
the cabinet bracket 26 occurs quickly and safely.
As shown in Fig. 2, a threaded fastener 34 snaps onto a hole 42 in the wheel
assembly bracket 18. When installed, an adjustment screw 36 can be inserted
through the
hole 44 in the cabinet bracket 26 to interact with the threaded fastener 34 on
the wheel
assembly bracket 18.
As shown in Fig. 6, the weight of the refrigerator 10 pushing down on the
wheeled
leveling device 14 will cause the wheel assembly 16 to pivot about the axis
defined by the
rockers 24 in the detent portions 32 of the slots 28 thereby minimizing the
extension of the
roller 20 from the cabinet bracket 26. Without additional adjustment, the
roller 20 will
retract inside the cabinet bracket 26 until the rockers 24 press against the
upper portions 46
of the slots 28.
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Additional adjustment can be accomplished using the adjustment screw 36 and
threaded fastener 34. As shown in Fig. 7, tightening the adjustment screw 36
causes the
wheel assembly 16 to pivot about the axis defined by the rockers 24 in the
slots 28 thereby
extending the roller 20 and the refrigerator 10 until the screw 36 is fully
engaged with the
threaded fastener 34. Alternatively, loosening the adjustment screw 36 causes
the wheel
assembly 16 to pivot about the axis defined by the rockers 24 in the detent
portions 32 of
the slots 28 in the opposite direction, retracting the roller 20 under the
weight of the
refrigerator 10 and thereby lowering the refrigerator 10.
Thus, it can be seen that the wheeled leveling device 14 can be easily
installed and
adjusted, thereby safely raising or lowering the household appliance 10. In
addition, it can
be seen that installation of the wheeled leveling device 14 can be
accomplished without the
need for additional fasteners. Further, it can be seen that when a plurality
of wheeled
leveling devices 14 are employed, the household appliance 10 can be quickly
and safely
leveled with precision.
Whereas the invention has been shown and described in connection with the
preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that many modifications,
substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended broad
scope of the
following claims. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present
invention
accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.

Representative Drawing