FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a locking mechanism for a refrigerator door. The locking mechanism of the present invention may be provided with the handle of a refrigerator.
PRIOR ART
It is generally known to provide a lock with a refrigerator. However, in the known constructions, the lock is normally provided on the front side of a refrigerator door. Such a manner of providing the lock impairs the aesthetic value of the refrigerator. Such a lock could not be provided on the side of the door as the locking plate would then not engage with the cabinet of the refrigerator to facilitate a locking action.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to propose a novel construction of a locking mechanism with the door handle of a refrigerator.
Another object of this invention is to propose a locking mechanism with the door handle of a refrigerator which contributes to the aesthetic value of the refrigerator.
Still another object of this invention is to propose a locking mechanism with the door handle of a refrigerator which is efficient.
Further objects and advantage of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided a locking mechanism with the door handle
of a refrigerator comprising
a) a rotatable locking rotor,
b) one end of said rotor having a key slot for receiving a key to impart a rotatable movement to said rotor,
c) a lock plate held to the opposite end of said rotor,
d) said lock plate held at an inclination to the major or longitudinal axis of said rotor,
e) a locking finger at the end of said lock plate.
In accordance with this invention, the handle is of an angular section with at least one end terminating on the side of the door, said end having the key slot for receiving a key for imparting a rotatable actuation to the locking rotor. As the key slot is provided only on the side on the side of the refrigerator door and not on the front face, the aesthetic of the refrigerator is improved.
DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing
description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and wherein:
Fig.l shows a refrigerator door of the known art,
Fig.2 shows a refrigerator door having the locking mechanism of the present invention.
Fig.3 shows the locking mechanism of the present invention, and-—
Fig.4 shows an exploded view of the locking mechanism.
Referring to fig.l, the refrigerator door 1 of the prior art had a door handle 2 with both ends 2a and 2b terminating in the front face of door 1. Door 1 had a key slot 3 also provided in the front face of door 1. The provision of key slot 3 on the front face impaired the aesthetic value of the refrigerator.
To obviate such a disadvantage, reference is made to fig.2 and wherein the refrigerator door 10 of the present invention has a door handle 11 with angularly disposed ends 11a and lib so as to allow the ends to be held to the side 12 of door 10. A key slot 13 is provided with the end lib of door handle 11 and such that the major axis of key 14, when inserted in key slot 13, is perpendicular to the side 15 of the refrigerator and not parallel as provided in the known art. Fig.2 shows that both ends 11a and 1 lb are held to the side 12 of refrigerator door 10. However, the end lib may be only held to side 12 of refrigerator door 10.
Reference is now made to the locking mechanism as shown in figs. 3 and 4. The locking mechanism comprises a locking ring 22 held to a locking slot 20, said slot provided at the end lib of handle 11. An outer body 21 is held to locking ring 22. Outer body 21 receives an inner or locking rotor 23, said rotor having a key slot 24 at one end for engagement with a key 25. Inner rotor 23 has a locking finger 26.
A lock plate or lever 27 is held to the opposite end of rotor 23 by a clip 28. Outer body 21 is held to the door of refHgerator through threads on said outer body 21 and a locking nut 29. As shown in figs. 3 and 4, a locking finger 30 is provided at the terminating end of lock plate or lever 27. Locking finger 30 is disposed at an inclination to the major axis of lever 27. Preferably, finger 30 is disposed at right angles to the major axis of lever 27.

WE CLAIM:
1. A locking mechanism with the door handle of a refrigerator comprising
a) a rotatable locking rotor,
b) one end of said rotor having a key slot for receiving a key to impart a rotatable movement to said rotor,
c) a lock plate held to the opposite end of said rotor,
d) said lock plate held at an inclination to the major or longitudinal axis of said rotor,
e) a locking finger at the end of said plate.

2. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lock plate has a locking finger disposed at an inclination to the major axis of said plate.
3. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lock plate is disposed vertical to the major axis of said rotor.
4. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 and held to that end of a handle terminating on a side of the door.
5. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said locking finger is disposed at right angles to the major axis of the plate.
6. A locking mechanism with the door handle of a refrigerator substantially as herein described and illustrated.