Apparatus for retractable recess tray

Abstract

An apparatus includes an extendable tray that can be moved into a retracted position and an extended position away from a recess surface, and a cover with a surface positioned in conjunction with the extendable tray so as to bridge a gap between the recess surface and the tray when the tray is in the extended position to provide a uniform appearance. Also included is a latch apparatus that includes a latch arm that engages a stop to limit horizontal translation of the tray past an extended position, a handle that, when depressed, disengages the latch arm, enabling removal of the tray past the extended position, a pivot that provides a rotational axis by which the handle is attached to the tray, and a spring arm that controls a pivot angle of the handle, ensuring that latch arm engages the stop. A refrigerator incorporating the structures is also disclosed.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an extendable tray, wherein the extendable tray can be moved into two positions, wherein the two positions comprise a retracted position and an extended position away from a recess surface; and   a cover with a surface positioned in conjunction with the extendable tray so as to bridge a gap between the recess surface and the extendable tray when the extendable tray is in the extended position to provide a uniform appearance.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a friction restriction that impedes motion of the tray beyond the extended position. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the friction restriction comprises a stop. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch attached to the tray, wherein the latch enables removal of the tray. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the latch comprises a handle, wherein the handle, when engaged, disengages the stop and enables removal of the tray. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable tray comprises a targeting feature to communicate location of a water stream emitted from a dispenser. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable tray comprises a grill, wherein the grill comprises one or more holes to allow water to permeate. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable tray comprises an alignment feature, wherein the alignment feature facilitates movement of the tray between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is stationary. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a telescoping feature. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a lip implemented around an edge of the cover, wherein the lip substantially prevents water from permeating a back portion of the tray and facilitates water to move forward into the tray. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch coupled to the tray, wherein the switch coupled to the tray is used to carry out one or more actions. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more actions comprise at least one of changing a flow rate of dispensed water, changing a volume of dispensed water, turning on of a dispenser light, altering a dispenser light, changing an auto-fill feature detection limit, illuminating a light-emitting diode (LED) light, changing color of an LED light, changing location of a dispensed water stream, changing location of a dispensed water stream target, altering a liquid crystal display (LCD), and relaying information about tray position. 
     
     
         14 . A latch apparatus attached to an extendable tray, comprising:
 a latch arm, wherein the latch arm engages a stop to limit horizontal translation of the tray past an extended position;   a handle, wherein the handle, when depressed, disengages the latch arm, enabling removal of the tray past the extended position;   a pivot, where the pivot provides a rotational axis by which the handle is attached to the tray; and   a spring arm, wherein the spring arm controls a pivot angle of the handle, ensuring that latch arm engages the stop.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the latch arm comprises a hook for engaging the stop. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the spring arm provides a bias force to counteract a force applied when the handle is depressed. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the spring arm comprises a cantilever beam with a cam surface on an end, wherein the cam surface causes the latch apparatus to rotate into stop position when the cam surface meets a mating surface, wherein the cantilever beam deflects elastically when the handle is engaged. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising two bearings with snap arms, wherein the bearings align to a mating slot in the tray, and wherein the snap arms allow for tool- and connector-free assembly of the handle. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a rigid surface to bear an impulse force associated with impacting a stop location. 
     
     
         20 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a body defining at least one cooled compartment;   a door hinged to the body and permitting access to the at least one cooled compartment, wherein the door includes a dispenser recess;   an extendable tray configured in the dispenser recess of the door, wherein the extendable tray can be moved into two positions, wherein the two positions comprise a retracted position and an extended position away from the recess surface; and   a cover with a surface positioned in conjunction with the extendable tray so as to bridge a gap between the recess surface and the extendable tray when the extendable tray is in the extended position to provide a uniform appearance.