# US 10,371,436 B2 · Bin assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,436 B2 - Document ID: US10371436B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/807,117 - Filed: 2017-11-08 - Published: 2019-05-09 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-08 - Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation - Applicants: Whirlpool Corporation - Inventors: Shrawan Kumar; Kundan S. Rawate; Lokendra Kumar; Naushad P. Monangat - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371436B2 ## CPC - F25D 25/025: {Drawers} - F25D 23/028: {Details} - F25D 2325/021: Shelves with several possible configurations - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) ## Abstract A bin assembly for use within a refrigeration appliance includes a substrate defining a compartment including a central portion, a first lateral portion, and a second lateral portion. A cavity is formed within each lateral portion. A locking member is configured to extend through an opening defined in an exterior wall of each lateral portion. The locking member includes a flange protruding perpendicularly from the locking member. A cover is secured to the locking member and the substrate, and inhibits rotation of the locking member. A rotatable member is coupled to the locking member and configured to move the bin between a stowed position and a deployed position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bin assembly comprising: a substrate defining a compartment including a central portion, a first lateral portion, and a second lateral portion, wherein a cavity is defined within each lateral portion; a locking member rotatable between a first position and a second position, the locking member including a flange protruding perpendicularly from the locking member, wherein the locking member is configured to extend through an opening defined in an exterior wall of each lateral portion, and further wherein the flange is positioned within the cavity when the locking member is in the second position; a cover secured to the locking member and the substrate, wherein the cover inhibits rotation of the locking member; and a rotatable member coupled to the locking member and configured to move said bin assembly between a stowed position and a deployed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bin assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking member is disposed in the first position within the opening, and further wherein the locking member is engaged with the exterior wall when the locking member is rotated from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The bin assembly of claim 2, wherein the opening is further defined by a rim configured to prevent the locking member from rotating beyond the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The bin assembly of claim 2, wherein the flange is positioned between the exterior wall and a dividing wall when the locking member is in the second position, the dividing wall extending into the cavity. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The bin assembly of claim 1, wherein the rotatable member includes a wheel and an axle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The bin assembly of claim 5, wherein the axle is operably coupled to an aperture defined by the locking member, the aperture further extending through the cover and the substrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The bin assembly of claim 5, wherein the axle is integrally formed with the locking member. ### Claim 8 A bin assembly comprising: a substrate having a bottom surface and a perimeter wall defining a compartment with a front portion and a back portion, the substrate further defining a cavity and an opening; a locking member having a center portion and two protrusions, the two protrusions extending in opposing directions from the center portion, and a flange extending from the locking member and perpendicularly to the center portion; a cover securing the locking member and the two protrusions to prevent the locking member from rotating; and a wheel operably coupled with an axle that extends into an aperture defined by the locking member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The bin assembly of claim 8, wherein the bottom surface and the perimeter wall are integrally formed, and wherein a stepped surface is defined along a lateral portion of the back portion of the compartment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The bin assembly of claim 8, wherein a dividing wall extends into the cavity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The bin assembly of claim 8, wherein the locking member and the two protrusions are disposed in the opening and allow the locking member to rotate in a first direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The bin assembly of claim 11, wherein the opening is further defined by an at least one outer lip, the outer lip having a contact surface that defines a predefined magnitude of rotation for the locking member in the first direction when disposed within the opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The bin assembly of claim 11, wherein the cover is configured to prevent rotation of the locking member in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The bin assembly of claim 8, wherein the axle is configured to extend through the aperture and into the cavity to operably couple the wheel to the locking member. ### Claim 15 A bin assembly comprising: a substrate defining a compartment and a cavity external to the compartment; a locking member rotatable between first and second positions, the locking member having a flange extending therefrom, wherein the locking member is disposed within an opening defined by an exterior wall of the cavity, and further wherein the locking member is engaged with the substrate when the locking member is in the second position; a cover coupled with the locking member on an opposing side of the substrate from the flange; and a rotatable member operably coupled with an aperture defined by the cover, the locking member, and the exterior wall of the cavity. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The bin assembly of claim 15, wherein the flange is positioned within the cavity when the locking member is in the second position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The bin assembly of claim 16, wherein the cover is configured to couple with the substrate to inhibit rotation of the locking member, thereby securing the locking member in the second position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The bin assembly of claim 15, wherein the rotatable member includes a wheel and an axle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The bin assembly of claim 18, wherein the axle is integrally formed with the wheel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The bin assembly of claim 15, wherein the locking member includes a first protrusion extending from a center portion of the locking member and a second protrusion extending from the center portion of the locking member, and further wherein the first protrusion is laterally opposed to the second protrusion.