Air tunnel diverter and method of installing same
AssigneeMaytag Corporation
InventorsJames H. Jenkins, Jr., Richard F. Seman, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air tunnel diverter for a refrigeration unit includes a plurality of leg members secured to a hub. The hub is generally formed to include a fitting through which cooler air is passed to the leg members and routed into the desired locations within the refrigeration unit. The leg members are placed on the fitting by sliding one end of the leg members onto a leg portion of the fitting. The fitting is then secured to the leg members by an overmolding process in which a soft flexible plastic is cast or otherwise applied around the connection. Installation is further simplified by providing the leg members with a flexible portion. The air tunnel diverter is preferably secured in the refrigeration unit by foam insulation.
Claims19
An air tunnel diverter for a refrigeration unit, the air tunnel diverter comprising:
- a leg member;
- a fitting including an opening and a leg portion extending therefrom wherein the leg member is operatively connected to the leg portion;
- and
- a plastic coating securing the leg member to the leg portion.
A method of installing an air tunnel diverter into a refrigeration unit, the method of installing comprising:
- forming an air tunnel diverter by placing a leg member on a fitting to form a connection;
- securing the leg member to the fitting by coating the connection with plastic;
- and
- placing the air tunnel diverter into a refrigeration unit.
An air tunnel diverter for providing cooler air to a plurality of compartments in a refrigerator portion of a refrigeration unit, the air tunnel diverter comprising:
- a plurality of leg members for routing cooler air into the compartments in the refrigerator;
- and
- a hub having an opening for receiving cooler air, the hub including a plurality of leg portions extending from the opening wherein the leg members are slid onto the leg portions to form a connection, the hub further including a plastic coating sealing the connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.