US 2003/0110591 A1 · REFRIGERATOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A refrigerator handle assembly includes a main handle member, upper and lower extensions, and a base member. The main handle member is formed with an elongated upper cleat over which the upper extension snaps, an intermediate gripping portion, and a lower connecting portion including a cantilevered finger beneath which the base member extends. Each of the upper and lower portions of the main handle member is formed with slots which receive projections provided on the upper and lower extensions respectively. Detents provided on the upper and lower extensions are received beneath respective portions of the cleat and the base member in order to snap-fittingly interconnect the upper and lower extensions. The lower extension actually extends around both the terminal end of the main handle member and the base, while the upper extension extends about the elongated cleat. A tab formed on the cleat projects through a cut-out formed in the second extension.

Claims20

Dependent claims

In a refrigerator including a cabinet defining an interior compartment and at least one door, having a front side, pivotally mounted to the cabinet for selectively accessing the compartment, a handle assembly for the door comprising:

a base member fixed to the door along a portion of the front side, said base member having first and second longitudinally spaced ends;
a main body member including a first terminal extension positioned adjacent the first end of the base member, a second terminal extension which defines an elongated cleat, and a central gripping portion which is spaced from the front side of the door to enable the main body member to be grasped in order to selectively open and close the door, said main body portion being fixed to the door at each of the first and second extensions;
a first extension extending about both the first terminal extension of the main body portion and the base member, with said first extension being snap-fittingly connected to the base member;
and
a second extension extending about and being snap-fittingly attached to the cleat.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Refrigerator handle assembly

Life of this patent

Refrigerator handle assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20