Consumer appliance with finger guard

Abstract

A consumer appliance, such as a refrigerator, includes a door attached to the casing along a hinge side of the door. An elongated finger guard is pivotally mounted to a back surface of the door along the hinge side of the door. The finger guard has an extension portion with a floating edge and is pivotally biased to swing away from the appliance casing so that the floating edge of the extension portion engages against an item, such as a cabinet, adjacent to the appliance casing. The extension portion has a transverse width so as to slide along and remain engaged against the item adjacent to the appliance in all positions of the door.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present subject matter relates generally to a protective device for doors to prevent injury to a hand or fingers, and more particularly to a consumer appliance, such as a refrigerator, incorporating such a device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]It is generally appreciated that the operation of doors swinging relative to a stationary frame can create a pinch or crush hazard in the gap that is formed along the hinge side of the door. It is not uncommon for an unwary person or child to place their hand or fingers in this gap wherein, upon closing the door, a serious injury can result.[0003]Various devices have been suggested to address the issue. For example, the published European patent application EP 1988249A describes a door gap guard intended to cover the gap between a door panel and door frame. The guard is an elongated sheet member that is mounted to the door frame along one side. The opposite free side rides against the door panel to cover the g...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In an exemplary embodiment, a consumer appliance, such as a refrigerator, is provided having a casing that defines one or more internal storage spaces. A door (or doors) is attached to the casing along a hinge side of the door. An elongated finger guard is pivotally mounted to a back surface of the door (for example, to the back of a front panel attached to a door frame) along the hinge side of the door. The finger guard has an extension portion that defines a floating edge. The finger guard is pivotally biased to swing away from the casing so that the floating edge of the extension portion engages against an item adjacent the casing, for example against the side of cabinetry adjacent a flush-mount refrigerator. The extension portion has a transverse width so as to slide along and remain engaged against the item adjacent to the casing in all positions of the door.

Problems solved by technology

It is generally appreciated that the operation of doors swinging relative to a stationary frame can create a pinch or crush hazard in the gap that is formed along the hinge side of the door.

It is not uncommon for an unwary person or child to place their hand or fingers in this gap wherein, upon closing the door, a serious injury can result.

These components can create a dangerous scissoring action upon opening and closing the refrigerator door.

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