Ice dispensing chute
US6964351B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C5/24
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ice dispensing chute mechanism is characterized by an ice chute adapted for attachment at an upper ice inlet end to an ice retaining bin at an ice outlet from the bin. An actuating arm is pivotally mounted on the ice chute and has a lower end for being contacted and moved by a receptacle into which ice is to be dispensed from a lower ice discharge end of the chute and an upper end for contacting and moving a linkage mechanism upon rotation of the actuating arm by the receptacle. The linkage mechanism is pivotally mounted on the ice chute and is coupled to an ice gate that is linearly moved by the linkage mechanism between open and closed positions that establish and interrupt communication between the upper inlet to the chute and the ice outlet opening from the bin. Movement of the linkage mechanism by the actuating arm operates the linkage mechanism to translate the rotational movement of the actuating arm into linear movement of the ice gate between its open and closed positions to dispense ice and to cease dispensing ice into the receptacle. The ice chute consists of two halves that snap together in a releasable manner to permit easy disassembly of the ice chute for cleaning,…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.