초록 ▼

A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator includes a fill chamber and a dispenser housing positioned above the fill chamber. The dispenser is fed by a liquid supply line having a first end portion attached to a liquid source, a second end portion and an intermediate portion. The second end portion of

A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator includes a fill chamber and a dispenser housing positioned above the fill chamber. The dispenser is fed by a liquid supply line having a first end portion attached to a liquid source, a second end portion and an intermediate portion. The second end portion of the liquid supply line terminates at the dispenser housing above the fill chamber and is provided with a nozzle held in place by a clamp. The clamp is fixedly secured to the liquid supply line and includes a protrusion that engages a wall member on the dispenser housing to properly position the second end of the liquid supply line above the fill chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a liner arranged within the cabinet, said liner defining a fresh food compartment; a door pivotally mounted relative to the cabinet; an ice maker; a dispenser for discharging a selected one of ice and water from the refrigerator, said dispenser havi

I claim: 1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a liner arranged within the cabinet, said liner defining a fresh food compartment; a door pivotally mounted relative to the cabinet; an ice maker; a dispenser for discharging a selected one of ice and water from the refrigerator, said dispenser having a fill chamber and a dispenser housing extending above the fill chamber; a liquid supply line having a first end portion adapted to be attached to a water source and a second end portion; a clamp fixedly securing the second end portion of the liquid supply line to the dispenser housing, said clamp including a protrusion that engages the dispenser housing to fixedly position the second end portion of the liquid supply line above the fill chamber; and a clip extending from the dispenser housing, said clip snap-fittingly engaging the liquid supply line in a predetermined orientation to maintain a curvilinear routing path for the liquid supply line along the dispenser housing. 2. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a liner arranged within the cabinet, said liner defining a fresh food compartment; a door pivotally mounted relative to the cabinet; an ice maker; a dispenser for discharging a selected one of ice and water from the refrigerator, said dispenser having a fill chamber and a dispenser housing extending above the fill chamber; a liquid supply line having a first end portion adapted to be attached to a water source and a second end portion; and a clamp fixedly securing the second end portion of the liquid supply line to the dispenser housing, said clamp including a protrusion that engages the dispenser housing to fixedly position the second end portion of the liquid supply line above the fill chamber. 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the dispenser housing includes an ice chute unit for guiding ice from the dispenser, said ice chute unit including an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a main body portion. 4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, further comprising: a plurality of guide members projecting outward from the main body portion of the ice chute unit, said liquid supply line passing between the plurality of guide members in establishing a curvilinear routing path. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the main body portion of the ice chute unit includes an arcuate support element, said liquid supply line passing over and be partially supported by the arcuate support element. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising: a discharge nozzle secured to the second end portion of the liquid supply line by the clamp. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising: first and second wall members projecting from the main body portion of the ice chute, each of said first and second wall members including an upper surface region and a lower surface region, said first and second wall members being spaced from one another so as to establish a slot, said liquid supply line passing through the slot with the clamp engaging a lower surface region of one of the first and second wall members. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein the dispenser housing is injection molded from plastic. 9. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the clamp is formed from metal. 10. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the clamp is formed from plastic. 11. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; a liner arranged within the cabinet, said liner defining a fresh food compartment; a door pivotally mounted relative to the cabinet; an ice maker; a dispenser for discharging a selected one of ice and water from the refrigerator, said dispenser having a fill chamber and a dispenser housing extending above the fill chamber; a liquid supply line having a first end portion adapted to be attached to a water source and a second end portion; and a clip extending from the dispenser housing, said clip snap-fittingly engaging the liquid supply line in a predetermined orientation to maintain a curvilinear routing path for the liquid supply line along the dispenser housing. 12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the dispenser housing includes an ice chute unit for guiding ice from the dispenser, said ice chute unit including an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a main body portion. 13. The refrigerator according to claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of guide members projecting outward from the main body portion of the ice chute unit, said liquid supply line passing between the plurality of guide members in establishing the curvilinear routing path. 14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the main body portion of the ice chute unit includes an arcuate support element, said liquid supply line passing over and being partially supported by the arcuate support element. 15. A method of establishing and maintaining a desired routing path for a water line in a liquid dispensing assembly of a refrigerator comprising: fixedly attaching a clamp to an end portion of the liquid supply line, said clamp establishing a protrusion; engaging the protrusion with a dispenser housing extending above a fill chamber; guiding the liquid supply line along an ice chute portion of the liquid dispenser housing; and clipping the liquid supply line to the dispenser housing. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the liquid supply line is clipped to the ice chute portion of the dispenser housing. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: guiding the liquid supply line through a slot defined by first and second wall members of the dispenser housing, said protrusion formed on the clamp being placed in abutment with one of the first and second wall members. 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: attaching a discharge nozzle to the liquid supply line with the clamp; and mounting the discharge nozzle above the fill chamber of the liquid dispensing assembly. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein, in guiding the liquid supply line along the ice chute portion, the liquid supply line is routed in a curvilinear path.