Ice bucket agitator and refrigerator appliance
US11709009B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2500/02
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ice bucket for a refrigerator appliance, includes a bucket body; an auger provided inside the bucket and including an auger shaft rotatable about a first shaft axis and a collet at a first end of the auger shaft and including an axially beveled surface formed circumferentially around the auger shaft; and an agitator provided in the bucket in mechanical communication with the auger, the agitator including an agitator shaft rotatable about a second shaft axis non-parallel to the first shaft axis, a plurality of first tines extending radially from the agitator shaft within the bucket body to engage ice therein, and a projection that extends perpendicularly from the agitator shaft opposite the plurality of tines. The projection engages with the axially beveled surface to oscillate the agitator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.