초록 ▼

A tray apparatus for a refrigerator is provided which optimizes the use of storage space in the refrigerator. A position of the tray within a storage space of the refrigerator is varied through the use of elastic means which moves the tray toward an upper surface of the storage space as an article i

A tray apparatus for a refrigerator is provided which optimizes the use of storage space in the refrigerator. A position of the tray within a storage space of the refrigerator is varied through the use of elastic means which moves the tray toward an upper surface of the storage space as an article is stored thereon. The tray is supported by supporting links which are then connected through interlocking links so that they are integrally pivoted. The link mechanisms are supported on the upper surface of the storage space. Thus, a storage article with a relatively large bottom area can be easily stored in the vicinity of the upper surface of the storage space, which is usually out of use, thereby maximizing the use of the storage space in the refrigerator.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A tray apparatus for a refrigerator, comprising: a tray configured to be positioned in a storage space of a refrigerator and configured to receive at least one storage item; at least one holder configured to be attached to a surface of the storage space; and link mechanisms c

What is claimed is: 1. A tray apparatus for a refrigerator, comprising: a tray configured to be positioned in a storage space of a refrigerator and configured to receive at least one storage item; at least one holder configured to be attached to a surface of the storage space; and link mechanisms configured to move the tray relative to the surface so as to raise the tray toward the surface or lower the tray away from the surface, wherein each of the link mechanisms comprises: a plurality of supporting links, wherein a first end of each supporting link is pivotally coupled to a respective holder, and a second end of each supporting link is pivotally coupled to a respective side of the tray; and an interlocking link configured to connect the plurality of supporting links to one another so as to cause the first and second ends of the respective supporting links to pivot through the same angle; and an elastic member connected between each of the link mechanisms and its respective holder, wherein an elastic force generated by the elastic member causes the tray to move toward the surface of the storage space. 2. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link mechanisms comprise one link mechanism provided on one side of the tray and another link mechanism provided on an opposite side of the tray. 3. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein ends of each of the elastic members are connected to the interlocking link of the link mechanism and its respective holder, and wherein the elastic force generated by the elastic member is applied to the link member in a direction which causes the tray to be brought closer to the surface of the storage space. 4. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each elastic member is installed at a pivot point of a respective supporting link. 5. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising connecting links, wherein a first end of each connecting link is configured to engage a first end of a respective supporting link, and a second end of each connecting link is configured to engage a respective interlocking link. 6. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connecting links and the supporting links are integrally pivoted. 7. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a front end of the tray comprises a downwardly sloped portion. 8. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface of the storage space is one selected from a group consisting of a ceiling of a freezing chamber of a refrigerator, a ceiling of a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator, and a bottom surface of any one of a plurality of shelves provided in the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator. 9. A refrigerator comprising the tray apparatus of claim 1. 10. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a receiving space is formed between the tray and the surface and wherein the tray can be located at a plurality of positions between a fully open position in which the tray is at a furthest position away from the surface based on a length of the link mechanisms and a fully closed position in which the tray is positioned substantially adjacent the surface such that a size of the receiving space formed between the tray and the surface is based on one of the plurality of positions of the tray. 11. The tray apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second ends of the interlocking link are each pivotably engaged with the second ends of a respective connecting link such that the interlocking link pivots relative to the connecting links as the tray moves relative to the surface. 12. A tray apparatus for a refrigerator, comprising: a tray configured to be positioned in a storage space of the refrigerator and configured to receive a storage item thereon; a holder configured to be attached to a surface of the storage space; a plurality of links configured to couple the tray to the holder, comprising at least one forward link and at least one rear link provided on opposite sides of the tray, wherein a forward link is pivotally coupled to each forward side portion of the tray and a corresponding forward portion of the holder, and a rear link is pivotally coupled to each rear side portion of the tray and a corresponding rear portion of the holder; and at least one interlocking link that extends between a corresponding link pair of forward and rear links, wherein the at least one interlocking is configured to move as the forward and rear links pivot so as to cause the forward and rear links to pivot through the same angle. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising at least one elastic member configured to connect the at least one interlocking link to the holder. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one elastic member is configured to connect a forward portion of a respective interlocking link and a rear portion of the holder. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one elastic member is coupled to a pivot point of a respective link of the plurality of links. 16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of connecting links, wherein a first end of each of the plurality of connecting links is configured to engage with an end of a corresponding link of the plurality of links, and a second end of each of the plurality of connecting links is configured to engage with an end of a corresponding interlocking link. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first end of each of the plurality of connecting links is configured to be fixedly engaged with a corresponding end of a respective link at a predetermined angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the respective link. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second end of each of the plurality of connecting links is configured to be pivotally engaged with a corresponding end of a respective interlocking link. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of links each comprise: a body portion; a first engaging hook extending in a first direction from a first end of the body portion and configured to be rotatably coupled to a corresponding bore provided on a side portion of the tray; and a second engaging hook extending in a second direction from a second end of the body portion and configured to rotatably couple to a respective connecting link of the plurality of connecting links. 20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second ends of the interlocking link are each pivotably engaged with the second ends of a respective connecting link such that the interlocking link pivots relative to the connecting links as the tray moves relative to the surface. 21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the surface of the storage space comprises a ceiling surface of a refrigerating chamber or a freezing chamber of a refrigerator, or a lower surface of a shelf positioned within the refrigerating chamber or the freezing chamber of the refrigerator. 22. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the surface of the storage space and the tray are configured to form a receiving space therebetween, and wherein a position of the tray is adjustable so that it can assume a plurality of positions in-between a fully open position in which the tray is at a furthest position away from the surface based on a length of the plurality of links and a fully closed position in which the tray is positioned substantially adjacent the surface such that a size of the receiving space formed between the tray and the surface is based on one of the plurality of positions of the tray. 23. A refrigerator comprising the tray apparatus of claim 12. 24. A tray apparatus for a refrigerator, comprising: a tray on which an article to be stored is placed; link mechanisms which support both sides of the tray such that the tray can be lifted to and lowered from a ceiling surface of a storage space; and holders configured to pivotally couple the link mechanisms to the ceiling surface of the storage space, wherein each of the link mechanisms comprises: a plurality of supporting links configured to pivotally couple a respective holder to a respective side of the tray; and an interlocking link that extends between each pair of the plurality of supporting links, wherein the interlocking links are configured to move as the plurality of support links pivot so as to cause the supporting links to pivot through the same angle.