Vertically adjustable shelves and refrigerator compartment housing the same
An adjustable shelf assembly includes a shelf formed by a panel of tempered glass, at least one metal shelf bracket, and a rim securing the panel to the shelf bracket. The shelf bracket includes a pin vertically movable in a trackway which extends substantially the entire distance between top and bottom walls of a refrigerator compartment. Slots in lateral walls of the trackway define a transverse/normal path of travel by way of which the shelf can be assembled to or disassembled from the trackway, particularly contiguous the top wall of the refrigerator compartment. The shelf bracket includes at least one stabilization member for preventing lateral instability during assembly, disassembly and use of the shelf assembly.
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This is a continuation-in-part application of pending application Ser. No. 10/355,136 filed Jan. 31, 2003 in the names of Craig Bienick et al. entitled Refrigerator Compartment Housing Vertically Adjustable Shelves, and now U.S. Pat. No. ______.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to shelving particularly for refrigerators, but is equally adapted for utilization in a variety of different environments, such as furniture shelves, cabinet shelves, point-of-sale displays, and the like.
A conventional refrigerator shelf typically includes a substantially planar shelf member, and a pair of metal shelf brackets connected to the shelf member, preferably by an injection molded resinous peripheral encapsulation, rim or border. The support brackets typically include a pair of hooks which are received in pairs of slots carried by vertical shelf supports, channels or tracks secured to or forming an integral portion of a rear wall of a refrigerator compartment. The shelves can be step-adjusted along the vertical supports in a convention manner by hooking and unhooking the shelf brackets relative to the vertical supports or tracks. The latter is readily accomplished when the shelf is devoid of any products/articles. However, if relatively heavy products are supported upon the planar shelf member of the shelf, it is not uncommon for the weight and imbalance of the products to cause the shelf and the products thereon to dislodge and/or drop with attendant damage (breakage, spillage, etc.). At times a cantilevered shelf with articles/products thereon is partially unhooked from the vertical support rails of the refrigerator compartment and tilts or cants which causes the articles/products to slide off the shelf with resultant damage even though the shelf itself does not drop. Therefore, cantilevered shelves which are designed to be step-adjusted relative to shelf tracks or channels provided on the rear wall of a refrigerator are susceptible to damage during adjustment, along with the products/articles supported thereon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, the present invention provides a refrigerator shelf assembly defined in part by a conventional shelf, namely, a pair of metal support brackets, a planar shelf member, preferably made of clear tempered glass, and an injection molded encapsulation, border or rim unitizing the shelf brackets and the planar shelf member. However, the invention provides a novel adapter bracket utilized in pairs. Each adapter bracket is preferably constructed from metal and includes a first bracket member having front edges along each of which is a slideway or channel into which opens a plurality of vertically spaced slots. The rear of each first bracket member is conventionally secured to the rear wall of a refrigerator compartment. Each second bracket member includes a pair of oppositely projecting projections or supports which are vertically spaced from each other a distance corresponding to the slots in the first member. Moreover, the distance between the ends of the second member projections corresponds substantially to the same distance between the channels and is substantially equal to the maximum distance between support edges defined by the vertical slots of the second member. The latter dimensional relationships permit the shelf bracket first and second members, one of which carries the shelf, to be moved upwardly and downwardly in the slideways or channels without being fully disassembled therefrom thereby precluding inadvertent or accidental disassembly of the shelf from the pair of adapter brackets. The second members preferably include slots into which are hooked hooks of the shelf and remain so attached when the shelf is adjusted vertically upwardly or downwardly by sliding movement of the second members. In this fashion the shelf is never bodily removed from the adapter brackets and the first and second members of the adapter brackets are never bodily disconnected from each other unless done intentionally.
In further accordance with the invention, the projecting supports of the second members and the slideways and slots of the first member are so related that should the shelf be accidentally released when the second member projections are in the slideways, the weight of the cantilevered shelf, with or without products/articles thereon, tilts or cants the cantilevered shelf forwardly and downwardly which automatically introduces a lowermost of the second member projections into associated slots of the first member which bottom against support edges of the slots and automatically lock the cantilevered shelf in the position of a slight forward tilt. In this manner the entire shelf and the articles/products supported thereon will not drop and most, if not all, products/articles will be retained upon the glass shelf member thereof.
The novel shelf assembly and the pair of shelf adapter brackets associated therewith thereby effect limited vertical sliding movement to space shelves different vertical distances from each other but permit the latter to be accomplished without bodily or entirely disconnecting the shelf from the adapter brackets and the adapter brackets from the refrigerator compartment. The latter, with the automatic locking feature latter described, virtually eliminates inadvertent/accidental shelf, shelf assembly, product and/or article breakage or damage during vertical shelf adjustment.
Another object of this invention is a novel shelf assembly which can provide incremental vertical adjustment in a conventional refrigerator compartment, be it a freezer compartment or fresh food compartment, absent inadvertent, accidental or undesired downward shelf movement during vertical adjustment when utilized with one or more trackways formed as integral vertical wall portions of rear or side walls of the refrigerator compartment or as individual trackways fastened to the refrigerator compartment side and/or rear walls. In each case, preferably a pair of vertical trackways extend substantially the entire vertical distance between upper and lower walls of the refrigerator compartment, and the shelf associated therewith can, therefore, be incrementally vertically adjusted substantially the entire vertical height of the associated refrigerator compartment. In the case of a pair of vertical trackways, the shelf includes a pair of shelf support brackets, each carrying a latching pin with each latching pin being vertically adjustable in a slideway of its vertical trackway while being movable into slots or openings of the vertical trackways to interlock therewith and hold the shelf in a substantially horizontal position of use. Preferably, one or more such shelves are supported by and are adjustable relative to the pair of trackways, but, most importantly, the shelves and trackways are so constructed and arranged as to provide a transverse entry/removal path of travel for the shelf pins, preferably at upper, lower and medial positions along the vertical trackways. The transverse entry/removal path of travel for the shelf supporting pins is defined by a pair of transverse slots in lateral walls of each vertical trackway through which each self bracket pin can transversely enter or leave the slideway and the latching or support openings or slots associated therewith. The latter is particularly important because it maximizes the vertical adjustment of the shelf assembly, particularly adjacent an associated top wall of the refrigerator compartment. Therefore, not only are the trackways and shelves specifically designed with the automatic locking feature earlier described, but one or more shelves can be transversely assembled to or disassembled from the trackways at at least three locations to maximize refrigerator storage compartment capacity while facilitating removal and disassembly for a variety of purposes, such as cleaning, repositioning, etc.
In further accordance with this invention, in the case of separate vertical trackways which are fastened to interior walls of a refrigerator compartment, each trackway is preferably of a U-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a bight wall and lateral walls with each of the lateral walls defining a slideway of a predetermined size and more closely adjacent elongated terminal edges. The trackways open in a direction away from the refrigerator compartment rear wall and include openings for fastening the same to either opposite side walls and/or the rear wall of the refrigerator compartment. Such openings need not be provided should the trackways constitute integral vertical wall portions of, for example, the refrigerator compartment rear wall. However, in either case, the forwardmost terminal lateral edges of the lateral walls are relieved by an opening or a slot in each immediately adjacent the compartment top wall, somewhat less adjacent the compartment bottom wall, and if desired at a position therebetween. Since the shelf brackets of the shelf carry pins at uppermost edges thereof, an uppermost shelf can be assembled through the uppermost access openings immediately adjacent the top wall of the refrigerator compartment and can be vertically adjusted as need be thereafter, or removed therefrom in a like manner along a substantially transverse path of travel relative to the vertical slideways of the trackways. The lowermost access openings are spaced above the bottom wall of the compartment at a point at which the locking or latching slots of the trackways are immediately accessible and thereby define the lowest shelf position of the refrigerator compartment.
A further object of this invention is to provide a novel shelf assembly as immediately heretofore set forth wherein the shelf includes a shelf panel and opposite shelf brackets, and the shelf brackets include means for intimately slidably engaging side walls of the vertical trackways to thereby reduce sidewise shelf movement.
A further object of this invention is to provide a novel shelf assembly as immediately heretofore set forth wherein the shelf includes a shelf panel and opposite shelf brackets, and the shelf brackets include means projecting rearwardly from each shelf bracket for engaging stops in the vertical trackways during undesired vertical downward travel of the shelf.
Another object of this invention is to provide a novel shelf assembly in which each shelf bracket has an opening and at least one pin in the opening having end portions projecting in opposite directions, the pin includes a pair of collars larger than the opening and sandwiching the opening therebetween, and at least one of the collars is formed of material of its associated pin end portions swaged from a size corresponding substantially to the opening to a size larger than the opening to thereby retain the pin in the opening.
With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A novel refrigerator shelf assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10, and is illustrated in
The shelf assembly 10 includes a shelf 15 defined by opposite substantially parallel metal shelf brackets 16, 17 unitized to a peripheral edge (unnumbered) of a shelf member 18 of tempered glass by an injection molded encapsulation, rim or border 20 (
The shelf assembly 10 further includes a pair 25, 25 (
Each of the legs 29, 30 of each of the first shelf bracket members 26, 26 is provided with a vertical slideway or channel 41 immediately adjacent each front edge 31 and substantially parallel thereto. Each slideway 41 is of a generally U-shaped transverse cross section (
A plurality of identical vertically spaced support means 50 in the form of slots or openings 50 are formed along the length of the medial portion 45 of each of the legs 29, 30 between the upper edge 32 and the lower edge 33 thereof. Each slot 50 includes a front vertical edge 51, a rear vertical edge 52 and a slightly curved top edge 53. The edges 51, 52 are substantially parallel to each other and are parallel to the front edge 31 of the associated legs 29, 30. A lower edge or ledge of each slot 50 includes a lowermost substantially horizontally disposed edge or ledge 54 defining means for supporting projecting supports or projections 60 of each of the second bracket members 27, as will be described more fully hereinafter. A curved transition edge or ledge 55 extends from each edge 51 to each edge 54 beginning at a point midway in the bight portion 44 of each slideway 41, continuing along the ledge portion 43 and ending at a merge point (unnumbered) with the supporting ledge or edge 54 (
The purpose and function of the transition edges or ledges 55 of the legs 29, 30 of each of the first shelf bracket members 26 is to permit the projecting supports, projections or pins 60 of the second shelf bracket members 27 ready entry from the associated slideways 41, 41 toward and downwardly upon the support edges or ledges 54 of the slots 50 and the like ready removal thereof in an opposite direction for purposes of assembling or vertically slidably adjusting the shelf 15 relative to the first bracket members 26 by sliding the second bracket members 27 vertically relative thereto.
As is best illustrated in
As is best illustrated in
It is to be particularly noted that during any of the vertical adjustment just described of the shelf 15 when attached to the second shelf bracket members 27, 27, and specifically during the movement of the latter along the slots 50 and the slideways 41, there is no total or complete disassembly of the shelf 15 relative to the second shelf bracket members 27 or any total disassembly of the second shelf bracket members 27 relative to the first shelf bracket members 26. Therefore, during vertical adjustment of the shelf 15, when connected to the second shelf bracket members 27, it is extremely unlikely that the shelf 15, with or without products/articles thereon, will be inadvertently dropped or tilted because during any such adjusting movement the projecting pins 60, 60 are at all times in contact with portions of the first shelf bracket members 26, be it through the slots 50, 50 or the slideways 41, 41 thereof. It is only upon moving the projecting pins 60 upwardly or downwardly along their associated slideways 41 that the shelf 15 can accidentally drop substantially vertically if released, and only upon the removal of all three projecting pins 60 from each slideway 41 could the shelf 15 drop to the bottom of the compartment C, though the latter is virtually impossible for reasons explained immediately hereinafter
Reference is made to
Another novel refrigerator shelf assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in
The refrigerator shelf assembly 10″ includes a shelf 15″ formed by two metal shelf supporting brackets of which only the shelf supporting bracket 17″ is illustrated. A shelf member 18″ of tempered glass and an injection molded encapsulation, rim or border 20″ unitize the latter components which can be hooked, re-hooked and vertically adjusted relative to a first bracket member 26″. Therefore, the overall shelf assembly 10″ is identical to the shelf assembly 10 except that in lieu of the separate second shelf bracket member 27, the shelf bracket support 17″ and the opposite equivalent unillustrated metal shelf bracket support, are each provided with a second shelf bracket member 90 which is an integral part of the shelf supporting bracket 17″ (
As in the case of the shelf 15, the shelf 15″ can be inserted into the first shelf bracket member 26″ from above or below by simply introducing the projecting supports 94 through 96 in the associated slideways 41″, 41″ (
Another shelf assembly constructed in accordance with this invention is illustrated in
Another refrigerator shelf assembly constructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated in
After each hook 216 of the shelf 215 has been hooked upon the front wall 301 of the associated second shelf bracket member 227, the locking nose or ledge 305 of each locking tab 300 engages beneath and locks with a lower edge 306 of each second shelf bracket member 227 to prevent the shelf 215 from being inadvertently or accidentally withdrawn or removed from the second shelf bracket members 227, as is readily apparent from
Another novel refrigerator shelf assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in
Each metal shelf bracket 116, 117 further includes means 240 (
Cooperative means 260 (
Each of the trackways 126, 126 also includes means 280 (
The latching means or latching pin 200 (
Suffice it to say that the shelf 115 through the latching or support pins 200 and particularly the end portions 201, 202 thereof are adjusted with respect to the shelf adaptor brackets or trackways 126, 126 (
Each of the metal shelf brackets 116, 117 is relatively thin and unless otherwise provided for might tend to wobble, sway or move sidewise or laterally or torque or cant within the trackways 126, 126, particularly under heavy product loads, unless otherwise provided for which is accomplished herein by the lateral stabilizing means 220 (
Even through the metal shelf brackets 116, 117 and the trackways 126 are painted and the surfaces thereof are relatively slick, it is preferred that the stabilizing means or lateral movement preventing means 220 and/or the stabilizing ribs 221 through 223 do not necessarily at all times engage the walls 142, 142 of the shelf adapter brackets 126, 126. In other words, it is highly desirable that the dimensioning of the ribs 221 through 223 s such that they are spaced a transverse maximum distance Md very slightly less than the distance between the terminal vertical edges 131, 131 of the walls 142, 142 of the trackways 126, 126 to barely avoid sliding/rubbing frictional contact therebetween during adjustment both to decrease frictional contact and, obviously, prevent wear and/or scratching of the opposing painted surfaces. In order to maintain such exact distance and aid in low friction sliding, the block 240 of low coefficient of friction/high lubricity material (
As in the case of the shelves 15, 15′ heretofore described, particularly with respect to
As is best illustrated in
Needless to say, through the trackways 126, 126 have been described as separate individual components of the overall shelf assembly 100, each could be an integral blanked and formed portion of the rear wall RW in particular, but the same could also be integrally blanked and formed from the side walls SW1, SW2, particularly if the walls SW1, RW and SW2 were a single piece of material. The latter is readily envisioned in
Another shelf assembly 300 (
During the manufacture of the shelf assembly 300, a substantially circular tempered glass-panel 318 and shelf bracket 316 are inserted in a mold with an upper edge 408 of the shelf bracket or shelf arm 316 bearing against a lower surface 409 of the tempered glass panel 318. The mold is closed and hot pressurized polymeric/copolymeric plastic material is injected into cavities which not only form the overall rim or encapsulation 319 but at forward and rear end portions 410, 411 of the shelf bracket 316 the latter ends are encapsulated by diametrically opposite encapsulation portions 412, 413, respectively. The forward encapsulation portion 412 totally encapsulates the front end or nose 410 of the shelf bracket 316 whereas the rear encapsulation portion 413 is formed to include a narrow “belt” 414 which surrounds and encases the shelf bracket 316 affording rigidity thereto for stabilization and anti-torquing purposes.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made in the apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A refrigerator compartment comprising a top wall, a bottom wall below said top wall, a rear wall between said top and bottom walls, and a pair of spaced side walls between said top and bottom walls; a shelf means for establishing a substantially vertical path of travel in said compartment substantially between said top and bottom walls along which said shelf can be selectively vertically adjustably positioned, means for holding said shelf at any one of a plurality of positions of adjustment along said substantially vertical path of travel means, means for effecting the release of said holding means to permit selective vertical adjustment of said shelf along said vertical path of travel means, and means contiguous said top wall for defining a transverse entry/removal path of travel for said shelf holding means into said vertical path of travel means to introduce/remove said shelf relative to said vertical path of travel means.
2. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 1 including means for preventing undesired inadvertent downward movement of the shelf upon the release of said holding means and accompanying release of the shelf.
3. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 1 wherein said vertical path of travel means is integrally formed from the material of one of said side and rear walls.
4. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 1 including means for fastening said vertical path of travel means to at least one of said side and rear walls.
5. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 1 including means for defining a second transverse entry/removal path of travel for said shelf holding means into said vertical path of travel means to introduce/remove said shelf relative to said vertical path of travel means, and said first-mentioned and second transverse path of travel means are disposed in substantially vertically spaced relationship.
6. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 1 including means for defining a second transverse entry/removal path of travel for said shelf holding means into said vertical path of travel means to introduce/remove said shelf relative to said vertical path of travel means, said second transverse path of travel means is disposed in substantially adjacent said bottom walls and the vertical distance between said top wall and said first-mentioned transverse path of travel means is appreciably less than the vertical distance between said bottom wall and said second transverse path of travel means.
7. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 1 wherein said transverse path of travel means is substantially immediately at a lower surface of said top wall.
8. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 1 wherein said transverse path of travel means includes a slot having a lower edge spaced a predetermined vertical distance below said top wall, and said predetermined vertical distance corresponds substantially to the vertical distance between an upper surface plane of said shelf and a lower surface plane of said shelf holding means.
9. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 1 including means for preventing undesired inadvertent downward movement of the shelf upon the release of said holding means and accompanying release of the shelf, and said downward movement preventing means includes at least one stop means along said vertical path of travel means for stopping downward movement of the shelf.
10. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 1 wherein said vertical path of travel means is defined by an elongated member defined at least in part by lateral walls, said lateral walls having elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance, said lateral walls having elongated medial wall portions inboard of said elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance substantially greater than said elongated terminal wall portions predetermined distance and in part defining the vertical path of travel means, said shelf holding means include pin means of said shelf for latching with vertically spaced shelf adjusting openings of said spaced lateral walls, said pin means being of a predetermined axial length substantially between said first and second predetermined distances, and said transverse path of travel means is defined by substantially laterally aligned slots in said elongated terminal wall portions which effect transverse entry/removal of said pin means relative to said vertical path of travel means along said elongated medial wall portions.
11. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 1 wherein said vertical path of travel means is an elongated member defined at least in part by lateral walls, said lateral walls having elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance, said lateral walls having elongated medial wall portions inboard of said elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance substantially greater than said elongated terminal wall portions predetermined distance and in part defining the vertical path of travel means, said shelf holding means include pin means of said shelf for latching with vertically spaced shelf adjusting openings of said spaced lateral walls, said pin means being of a predetermined axial length substantially between said first and second predetermined distances, said transverse path of travel means is defined by substantially laterally aligned slots in said elongated terminal wall portions which effect transverse entry/removal of said pin means relative to said vertical path of travel means along said elongated medial wall portions, said lateral walls include inboardmost wall portions, said inboard wall portions are spaced a predetermined distance from each other substantially less than the pin means predetermined axial distance, and said holding means are defined by edges of said shelf adjusting openings formed in said inboard wall portions.
12. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 5 including means for preventing undesired inadvertent downward movement of the shelf upon the release of said holding means and accompanying release of the shelf.
13. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 5 wherein said vertical path of travel means is integrally formed from the material of one of said side and rear walls.
14. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 5 including means for fastening said vertical path of travel means to at least one of said side and rear walls.
15. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 5 wherein said vertical path of travel means is an elongated member defined at least in part by lateral walls, said lateral walls having elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance, said lateral walls having elongated medial wall portions inboard of said elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance substantially greater than said elongated terminal wall portions predetermined distance and in part defining the vertical path of travel means, said shelf holding means include pin means of said shelf for latching with vertically spaced shelf adjusting openings of said spaced lateral walls, said pin means being of a predetermined axial length substantially between said first and second predetermined distances, and said transverse path of travel means is defined by substantially laterally aligned slots in said elongated terminal wall portions which effect transverse entry/removal of said pin means relative to said vertical path of travel means along said elongated medial wall portions.
16. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 5 wherein said vertical path of travel means is an elongated member defined at least in part by lateral walls, said lateral walls having elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance, said lateral walls having elongated medial wall portions inboard of said elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance substantially greater than said elongated terminal wall portions predetermined distance and in part defining the vertical path of travel means, said shelf holding means includes pin means of said shelf for latching with vertically spaced shelf adjusting openings of said spaced lateral walls, said pin means being of a predetermined axial length substantially between said first and second predetermined distances, said transverse path of travel means is defined by substantially laterally aligned slots in said elongated terminal wall portions which effect transverse entry/removal of said pin means relative to said vertical path of travel means along said elongated medial wall portions, said lateral walls include inboardmost wall portions, said inboard wall portions are spaced a predetermined distance from each other substantially less than the pin means predetermined axial distance, and said holding means are defined by edges of said shelf adjusting openings formed in said inboard wall portions.
17. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 6 wherein said vertical path of travel means is an elongated member defined at least in part by lateral walls, said lateral walls having elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance, said lateral walls having elongated medial wall portions inboard of said elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance substantially greater than said elongated terminal wall portions predetermined distance and in part defining the vertical path of travel means, said shelf holding means include pin means of said shelf for latching with vertically spaced shelf adjusting openings of said spaced lateral walls, said pin means being of a predetermined axial length substantially between said first and second predetermined distances, and said transverse path of travel means is defined by substantially laterally aligned slots in said elongated terminal wall portions which effect transverse entry/removal of said pin means relative to said vertical path of travel means along said elongated medial wall portions.
18. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 6 wherein said vertical path of travel means is an elongated member defined at least in part by lateral walls, said lateral walls having elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance, said lateral walls having elongated medial wall portions inboard of said elongated terminal wall portions spaced from each other a predetermined distance substantially greater than said elongated terminal wall portions predetermined distance and in part defining the vertical path of travel means, said shelf holding means includes pin means of said shelf for latching with vertically spaced shelf adjusting openings of said spaced lateral walls, said pin means being of a predetermined axial length substantially between said first and second predetermined distances, said transverse path of travel means is defined by substantially laterally aligned slots in said elongated terminal wall portions which effect transverse entry/removal of said pin means relative to said vertical path of travel means along said elongated medial wall portions, said lateral walls include inboardmost wall portions, said inboard wall portions are spaced a predetermined distance from each other substantially less than the pin means predetermined axial distance, and said holding means are defined by edges of said shelf adjusting openings formed in said inboard wall portions.
19. A refrigerator compartment comprising a top wall, a bottom wall below said top wall, a rear wall between said top and bottom walls, and a pair of spaced side walls between said top and bottom walls; a shelf means for establishing a substantially vertical path of travel in said compartment substantially between said top and bottom walls along which said shelf can be selectively vertically adjustably positioned, means for holding said shelf at any one of a plurality of positions of adjustment along said substantially vertical path of travel means, means for effecting the release of said holding means to permit selective vertical adjustment of said shelf along said vertical path of travel means, means contiguous said top wall for defining a transverse entry/removal path of travel for said shelf holding means into said vertical path of travel means to introduce/remove said shelf relative to said vertical path of travel means, said vertical path of travel means is a trackway, and said trackway is integrally formed from the material of at least one of said side and rear walls.
20. A refrigerator compartment comprising a top wall, a bottom wall below said top wall, a rear wall between said top and bottom walls, and a pair of spaced side walls between said top and bottom walls; a shelf means for establishing a substantially vertical path of travel in said compartment substantially between said top and bottom walls along which said shelf can be selectively vertically adjustably positioned, means for holding said shelf at any one of a plurality of positions of adjustment along said substantially vertical path of travel means, means for effecting the release of said holding means to permit selective vertical adjustment of said shelf along said vertical path of travel means, means contiguous said top wall for defining a transverse entry/removal path of travel for said shelf holding means into said vertical path of travel means to introduce/remove said shelf relative to said vertical path of travel means, and means carried by said shelf for effecting lateral stabilization of said shelf.
21. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 20 wherein said vertical path of travel means include a pair of laterally spaced vertically extending walls, each vertically extending wall includes first and second vertically extending wall portions, said first vertically extending wall portions being spaced a first predetermined distance from each other, said second vertically extending wall portions being spaced a second predetermined distance from each other, said holding means includes pin means for latching with vertically spaced laterally aligned latching ledges of one of said first and second vertically extending wall portions, and said stabilization effecting means is in contiguous relationship to the other of said first and second vertically extending wall portions.
22. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 21 wherein said stabilization means is in contiguous relationship with the vertically extending wall portions defining the lesser of said first and second predetermined distances.
23. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 22 wherein the greater of said first and second predetermined distances corresponds substantially to the axial length of said pin means.
24. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 21 wherein said laterally spaced vertically extending walls define a vertically extending slot therebetween, said slot having terminal vertical edges defined by said first vertically extending wall portions, and a vertically slideway defined by said second vertically extending wall portions.
25. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 21 wherein said laterally spaced vertically extending walls define a vertically extending slot therebetween, said slot having terminal vertical edges defined by said first vertically extending wall portions, a vertically slideway defined by said second vertically extending wall portions, and said second predetermined distance is greater than said first predetermined distance.
26. The refrigerator compartment as defined in claim 25 wherein said stabilization effecting means is in contiguous relationship to said first vertically extending wall portions.
27. A shelf comprising a shelf panel and a shelf bracket, said shelf bracket and shelf panel being disposed in substantially normal relationship to each other, said shelf bracket being substantially inboard of a peripheral edge portion of said shelf panel except at substantially diametrically opposite peripheral edge portions of said glass panel peripheral edge, an encapsulation of synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material defining a rim of said shelf panel, and diametrically opposite portions of said encapsulation defining diametrically opposite means for encapsulatingly securing a front end portion and a rear end portion of said shelf bracket to said shelf panel.
28. The shelf as defined in claim 27 wherein said shelf bracket is substantially devoid of encapsulating material between said diametrically opposite encapsulating rim portions.
29. The shelf as defined in claim 27 wherein said shelf panel is made of tempered glass.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 25, 2005
Publication Date: Jul 28, 2005
Applicant:
Inventors: Craig Bienick (Jenison, MI), Vincent Ramik (Annandale, VA)
Application Number: 11/088,837