Heat staked shelf
A shelving assembly (920) is disclosed, with the shelving assembly (920) including a series of heat stake ribs (926). The ribs (926) may be hot formed and made pliable so as to be flexed for purposes of providing additional retention and support to a glass shelf panel (928). The glass shelf panel (928) is also secured to a plastic rim (922). Heat stake pads (942) may be utilized with the heat stake ribs (926). The heat stake ribs (926) may be deformed against the corresponding heat stake pads (942) so as to provide support for the glass shelf panel (928).
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/375,632 filed 27 Feb., 2003 and an International Patent Application No. PCT/US03/02045 filed 24 Jan., 2003. The United States Patent Application and the International Application claim priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/351,917, filed 25 Jan., 2002, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/361,464, filed 4 Mar., 2002.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFISHE APPENDIXNot applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to shelving designs which may be adapted for use with refrigerators and other articles employing shelving and, more particularly, shelving having glass supported in part through the use of heat stake ribs.
2. Background Art
Previous types of shelving have been developed for use as refrigerator and other shelves. In designing refrigerator shelving, it is important to provide a means for permitting selected movement of the shelf within the refrigerator, in addition to providing adequate support for the shelf.
In addition to these design features, one problem which arises with respect to refrigerator shelving relates to spills. It would be advantageous to include means for containing spills. If spills are allowed to build up, they can readily harbor bacteria, mold and other materials which may contaminate food stuffs and the like.
Still further, it is advantageous to insure that shelf panels themselves are appropriately secured to a frame or other supporting means. In addition, it is advantageous if the means for supporting and appropriately securing the shelf panel to supporting frame members is relatively inexpensive and facilitates assembly.
Numerous shelving designs exist in the prior art. For example, Kane, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,809, issued Oct. 14, 1996, discloses an encapsulated shelf assembly with a shelf support supporting a panel. The panel has an edge and a one-piece member encapsulating the panel edge and a substantial majority of the shelf support. The shelf assembly may be formed in a mold apparatus which defines a mold cavity and uses a spacing plug to position the shelf support in a mold cavity of the apparatus in a location spaced from the sides of the mold cavity.
Herrmann, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,589, issued Apr. 7, 1998, discloses a shelf assembly for a refrigerator compartment which includes a member slidably supported for extension and retraction on a support. The shelf member includes slide members which are preferably molded as a rim on an article support surface. A guide member extends from at least one, and preferably both, of the side members to guide the sliding movement. A stop on the guide member limits travel by engaging a limit surface on the shelf support.
Bird, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,638, issued Oct. 3, 1995, discloses adjustable refrigerator shelving having a shelf rail for supporting a partial width shelf within a refrigerator compartment on first and second, spaced shelf racks vertically oriented in the compartment. The tracks releasably engage with a number of support brackets for cantilever support of one or more shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations. The shelf rail includes rearwardly projecting hooks at each of the two opposing ends for releasable engagement with the shelf tracks. Locking tabs are included on the hooks to retain the shelf rails on the track, while a rub strip is provided between the partial shelf and the shelf rail, along a top edge of the shelf rail.
Bird, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,433, issued Jul. 4, 1995, describes a refrigerator shelf which is adapted for containment of spills on the shelf. The shelf includes a planer shelf member with a rim molded around the perimeter edge of the shelf member to form a liquid tight seal between the rim and the shelf member. The molded rim projects above the top surface of the shelf member to form a liquid dam for containing spills on the shelf member. In one embodiment, the shelf is slidably mounted to allow horizontal extension of the shelf, with access to the rear portion of the shelf using slide guides molded into the rim along each side of the shelf. The shelf is cantilevered upon support brackets from the rear wall of a refrigerator to allow air flow around the shelf sides. The support brackets are adapted to support the shelf at a plurality of vertical positions.
Meier, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,720, issued Sep. 19, 2000, discloses a method of manufacturing a glass shelf with a plastic edge. The glass panel is placed on a cavity of a mold with a peripheral edge of the cavity corresponding to the peripheral edge of the glass panel. The cavity has side cavity portions, each housing one of the shelf brackets. Plastic material is injected into the cavity adjacent corners, so that the forces of the injected material are essentially self balancing around the peripheral edge of the glass panel. In this manner, the glass panel is maintained in a substantially mating conformity with the cavity to produce a relatively consistently contoured frame.
The foregoing is merely a sample of the various types of prior art references which currently exist with respect to refrigerator shelving.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the invention, a shelving assembly is adapted for use in a refrigerator and other articles employing shelving. The assembly includes a shelf panel composed of glass. A plastic rim is sized and configured in a manner so as to provide for the rim to be secured around at least a portion of the perimeter of the shelf panel. Securing means are adapted to be heated and made pliable so as to provide retention and support for the panel. The securing means can comprise a plurality of heat stake ribs positioned at various locations around the panel. In addition, the securing means can also include a plurality of heat stake pads. Each of the pads can be associated with a different one of the heat stake ribs. Alternatively, and also in accordance of the invention, the securing means can comprise at least one heat stake pad, with the heat stake pad associated with at least two of the heat stake ribs.
Further in accordance with the invention, the plurality of heat stake ribs can be configured so that at least two of the heat stake ribs are located adjacent each lateral side of the shelf panel. The securing means can further comprise a plurality of heat stake pads, with one of each of the heat stake pads being associated with all of the heat stake ribs adjacent a lateral side of the shelf panel.
In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the securing means can comprise at least one heat stake rib initially projecting downwardly from the plastic rim. The heat stake rib can be adapted to be heated and made pliable, and while in a pliable state turned inwardly and below the perimeter of the shelf panel, so that at least a portion of the heat stake rib abuts an underside of the shelf panel. The heat stake rib can be formed around the perimeter of the shelf panel through the use of a small radius tool. Alternatively, the heat stake rib can be formed around the perimeter of the shelf panel through the use of a large radius tool.
Other aspects of the invention include the securing means having at least one heat stake rib initially projecting downwardly from the plastic rim, with at least one heat stake pad adapted to be in position on the heat stake rib and the heat stake rib is heated so as to be made pliable. When the heat stake rib is heated to an appropriate temperature, directed pressure may be exerted against the heat stake rib, so as to secure at least a portion of the heat stake pad against an underside portion of the shelf panel. The heat stake pad can include an aperture extending through the heat stake pad, with the aperture sized so as to receive the heat stake rib. The heat stake rib can be heated and received within the aperture of the heat stake pad, thereby making the heat stake rib pliable. When the heat stake rib is sufficiently pliable, the heat stake rib can be deformed against an underside of the heat stake pad, so as to cause the heat stake pad to abut an underside of the shelf panel.
Further in accordance with the invention, the securing means can comprise at least two heat stake pads, each of the pads having an L-shaped configuration. Still further, at least two heat stake pads can include a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. Each of the apertures is sized so as to receive one of the heat stake ribs.
The shelving assembly can also include means comprising an adhesive located intermediate to the plastic rim in the shelf panel. The adhesive provides for a leak-proof seal between the plastic rim and the shelf panel. The adhesive also rigidly secures the plastic rim to the shelf panel. The retention support provided by the securing means is additional to any retention and support provided through use of the adhesive.
The shelving assembly may be stationary or may facilitate sliding movement, as desired, on a ribbed liner of a refrigerator. The plastic rim can extend around the entirety of the periphery of the shelf panel. The plastic rim can be of an unitary and integral design. The plastic rim can comprise an upwardly projecting backstop extending across the entirety of the rear portion of the rim. Still further, the plastic rim can comprise a downwardly projecting forward lip having an acute cross section. This lip can act in part as a bumper to prevent damage of the shelving assembly from articles that may be knocked against a forward portion of the shelving assembly. This further acts in part as a handle to facilitate stationary positioning or a sliding movement on a plastic ribbed liner of a refrigerator.
The plastic rim can include a horizontally disposed section. A downwardly projecting section can be integral with the horizontally disposed section. An additional downwardly projecting section can also be integral with the horizontally disposed section. The combination of the horizontally disposed section, downwardly projecting section and additional downwardly projecting section form a groove. Still further, the horizontally disposed section can project inwardly and terminate in a flat plane. The flat plane can provide for a spacial area formed between a lower surface of the horizontally disposed section and an upper surface of the glass shelf panel. The adhesive is provided within the spacial area, and is utilized to facilitate securing of the glass shelf panel to the plastic rim.
The shelving assembly can further include at least one slot between the plastic rim and the shelf panel. The plastic rim can include a flat plane. Within the slot, the adhesive can be provided to as to secure and couple together the glass shelf panel and the plastic rim, while providing a leak-proof barrier to liquids. The slot also aids in the flow of the adhesive during the manufacturing process. The adhesive can comprise a reactive polyurethane hot melt or light cured acrylic adhesive.
Further in accordance with the invention, the shelving assembly can include a horizontally disposed lower ledge depending from a downwardly projecting member of the plastic rim. A plastic stop can be provided which depends downwardly or upwardly, as desired, from the horizontally disposed lower ledge. The shelf panel can also include decorative means for concealing the view of the adhesive. Still further, the shelf panel can be decorated with frosting or etching, so as to conceal viewing of the adhesive.
In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the shelving assembly can include a metal frame for supporting the glass shelf panel and the plastic rim. The shelving assembly can also include means for providing slidable movement of the shelf panel relative to the metal frame. The metal frame can include a forward and substantially horizontally disposed frame member. A further substantially horizontally disposed frame member can be positioned to the rear of the metal frame. The frame can further include a pair of opposing and parallel side plates, and means for coupling the frame members to the side plates. Each of the side plates can include means for removably locking the shelving assembly to walls of the refrigerator and other articles.
The plastic rim can extend around the entirety of the periphery of the shelf panel. The plastic rim can be of a unitary and integral design, and can comprise an upwardly projecting backstop extending across the entirety of a rear portion of the rim. The metal frame can include a pair of opposing and parallel side plates, with each of the side plates comprising an outwardly or inwardly projecting section, or it can be flat as desired. Each of the flat, outwardly or inwardly projecting sections can be received onto grooves of the plastic rim. The slidable movement can be achieved without requiring any additional modifications to the shelving assembly. The shelving assembly can include a depending metal protrusion. The combination of the metal protrusions and the plastic stop can provide for a stop mechanism for sliding movement of the shelving assembly. The metal protrusion can be punched out, formed or fastened so as to be horizontally or vertically depending.
In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the shelving assembly can be stationary and include sideplates which comprise a cantilever or a metal frame. The sideplates are attached to the plastic rim by screws, molded into the plastic rim or snapped onto the plastic rim. A plastic engagement mechanism can be provided, extending across a front or a rear portion of the shelving assembly. The engagement mechanism can include a fitted slot for capturing a front or rear frame member, as desired, in a snap-fit configuration. The front or rear frame member can be coupled to the remaining portions of the metal frame. Still further, the shelving assembly can include a rear plastic rail. The rail can have a downwardly projecting section. Positioned at a terminating end of the downwardly projecting section is a horizontally disposed section. This section is substantially perpendicular to the downwardly projecting section. The downwardly projecting member and the horizontally disposed member form a slot. The shelving assembly can include a rear frame member, interconnected to the sideplates, and located within the slot formed in the rear plastic rail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGThe invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
The principles of the invention are disclosed, by way of example, in certain embodiments of shelving assemblies in accordance with the invention, as illustrated in
Still further, the shelving assembly can be manufactured in a manner such that the shelving assembly may have capability of slidable movement relative to a frame structure. The slidable feature cannot be provided in encapsulated or sonic welded shelving assemblies, without necessarily requiring any “special” add-on hardware or additional plastic molded onto the shelf assembly itself. In addition to the foregoing, the shelving assemblies in accordance with the invention may include means for containing liquid spillage in a leak-proof manner. In part, an adhesive is employed between the glass and plastic rim structures, so as to accomplish this spillage containment. Still further, traditional encapsulated and sonic welded shelving designs may include crevices which are substantially impossible to clean. Within such crevices, build up of food and spillage (with associated bacteria) may occur.
More specifically, in known shelving designs, it is not uncommon to include glass encapsulated within plastic. This is often referred to as encapsulated glass shelving, and is referenced in part in certain of the prior art references described in prior paragraphs herein. Encapsulated glass shelving has several disadvantages, compared to shelving assemblies in accordance with the invention. As earlier mentioned, shelving assemblies in accordance with the invention are relatively more sanitary than prior art shelving. For example, certain encapsulated glass shelving designs are not actually leak-proof, but instead are merely spill-resistant. Such designs will actually allow liquids to spill. The spill-resistant design only impedes speed at which the spill occurs to other shelves below in a refrigerator unit. Over time, such spills can result in a build up of dried fluids between cracks and crevices of the glass and plastic, allowing for growth of bacteria, mold and other harmful materials. Shelving assemblies in accordance with the invention significantly limit these concerns.
Turning to the drawings, the first embodiment of a shelving assembly in accordance with the invention that will be described is a shelving assembly 100 as illustrated in plan view in
Returning to the metal frame 102, and referring primarily to
The glass shelf or glass shelf panel 104, and the plastic rim 106, may be appropriately supported on the metal frame 102. As shown primarily in
As earlier stated, the plastic rim 106 includes a substantially horizontally disposed section 120, again as illustrated in
As earlier stated, the glass shelf or glass shelf panel 104, interconnected with the plastic rim 106, may have capability of sliding relative to the metal frame 102. The sliding action can occur through the relative coupling of the outwardly projecting member 128 of the sideplate 114 to the plastic rim 106 through the slide space 126. The shelving assembly 100 with the glass shelf 104 and plastic rim 106 in a relatively extended position is illustrated in
The plastic rim 106 also includes other structural configurations at forward and rearward locations of the shelving assembly 100. For example, and as primarily illustrated in
At the forward area of the plastic rim 106, the plastic rim 106 includes a downwardly projecting forward lip 144, having an arcuate cross section as illustrated in
Still further, the shelving assembly 100 in accordance with the invention cuts down material usage and facilitates speeding up of manufacturing processes, in view of the integral design of the plastic rim 106. As previously discussed, the coupling of the glass panel 104 to the plastic rim 106 and the integral construction of the plastic rim 106 significantly differs from current methods of completely encapsulating glass shelving within plastic, or the use of top and bottom pieces of plastic sonically welded around glass. Still further, and as described with respect to the shelving assembly 100, the glass shelf 104 and plastic rim 106 can slide on the metal frame 102. This sliding movement is substantially incapable of being accomplished in encapsulated or sonic welded shelving assembly, without the addition of special add-on hardware or additional plastic molding associated with the shelf.
Further in accordance with the invention, various types of adhesives may be employed. To illustrate, two types of adhesives that may be utilized are a polyurethane hot melt or a light cured acrylic adhesive. However, various types of adhesives may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention.
A second embodiment of a shelving assembly in accordance with the invention is illustrated in part as shelving assembly 200 in
The foregoing description of the shelving assembly 200 describes the primary features of shelving assembly 200 which distinguish from the shelving assembly 100. However, both the shelving assembly 100 and the shelving assembly 200 comprise shelf assemblies in accordance with the invention.
Additional features of alternative embodiments of a shelving assembly in accordance with the invention are illustrated in
Similar to the shelving assembly 100 illustrated in
The glass shelf or glass shelf panel 304, interconnected with the plastic rim 306, may have capability of sliding relative to the metal frame. The sliding action can occur through the relative coupling of the inwardly projecting member 328 of the sideplate 314 to the plastic rim 306 through the slide space 326. The shelving assembly 300 with the glass shelf 304 and plastic rim 306 could have a similar extended position as previously seen in
An additional embodiment is described as shelving assembly 400 as seen in
The foregoing description of the shelving assembly 400 describes the primary features of shelving assembly 400 that distinguish it from the shelving assembly 300. However, both the shelving assembly 300 and the shelving assembly 400 comprise shelf assemblies in accordance with the invention.
Additional embodiments are illustrated in
The various embodiments of shelving assemblies in accordance with the invention which have been described in the foregoing paragraphs have commonality with respect to their capability of exhibiting sliding characteristics for the glass shelf panels. Concepts in accordance with the invention relating to the use of glass shelf panels with plastic rims interconnected as discussed herein may also be applied to shelving assemblies which maintain the glass shelf panels in a stationary position, relative to surrounding frame structures. For example, a stationary shelving assembly having features in accordance with the invention is shown in shelving assembly 600, illustrated in
As shown particularly in the underside view of the shelving assembly 600 in
The shelving assembly 600 in accordance with the invention also includes a pair of opposing sideplates 614. In the particular embodiment illustrated in
With reference specifically to
With reference to
Further, and with reference to
An alternative embodiment of a shelving assembly in accordance with the invention is illustrated in
Still another feature of shelving assemblies in accordance with the invention, and as an alternative embodiment to those previously described herein, is the shelving assembly 800 illustrated in
In addition to the plastic stops 807, the shelving assembly 800 also includes a horizontally and inwardly depending metal protrusion 803 which is preferably integral with the metal sideplate 814 and extending therefrom. The relative positioning of the metal protrusion 803 is as shown in
It should be emphasized that various configurations of the concept of providing “stop” features as illustrated in
Another embodiment of a stop mechanism in accordance with the invention is illustrated in shelving assembly 900 as seen in
A still further embodiment of a shelving assembly in accordance with the invention is illustrated in part as shelving assembly 920 illustrated in
Further in accordance with the invention, a plurality of heat stake ribs 926 may be positioned at various locations on the front, back and sides (or combinations thereof) of the plastic rim 922. The entirety of a heat stake rib 926 is illustrated in partial perspective view in
For purposes of assembly, the series of heat stake ribs 926 may be heated by appropriate means. When one of each of the heat stake ribs 926 is heated to an appropriate temperature, the ribs 926 become pliable and thus flexible. While in this heated state, each of the heat stake ribs 926 may be bent or curved so that a lower section 934 of each heat stake rib may be flexed inwardly toward and below the glass shelf panel 928. The process of heating the ribs 926 is conventionally referred to as “hot forming,” and is a practice which is known in the industrial arts. When the heat stake ribs 926 are appropriately formed toward and below the glass shelf panel 928, the ribs 926 take the form as illustrated in
As an example of an alternative configuration for the heat stake pads, a heat stake pad 980 is illustrated in
A further embodiment of a heat stake pad in accordance with the invention is illustrated in
It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that other embodiments of shelving assemblies in accordance with the invention may be designed. That is, the principles of shelving assemblies in accordance with the invention are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Accordingly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and other variations of the above-described illustrative embodiments of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention.
Claims
1. A shelving assembly adapted for use in a refrigerator and other articles employing shelving, characterized in that said shelving assembly comprises;
- a shelf panel composed of glass;
- a plastic rim sized and configured in a manner so as to provide for said plastic rim to be secured around at least a portion of the perimeter of said shelf panel; and
- securing means adapted to be heated and made pliable so as to provide retention and support for said shelf panel.
2. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said securing means comprises a plurality of heat stake ribs positioned at various locations around said shelf panel.
3. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said securing means further comprises a plurality of heat stake pads, with each of said pads associated with a different one of said heat stake ribs.
4. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said securing means further comprises at least one heat stake pad, with said heat stake pad associated with at least two of said heat stake ribs.
5. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that:
- said plurality of heat stake ribs are configured so that at least two of said heat stake ribs are located adjacent each lateral side of said shelf panel; and
- said securing means further comprises a plurality of heat stake pads, with one of each of said heat stake pads associated with all of said heat stake ribs adjacent a lateral side of said shelf panel.
6. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that:
- said securing means comprises at least one heat stake rib initially projecting downwardly from said plastic rim; and
- said heat stake rib is adapted to be heated and made pliable, and while in a pliable state turned inwardly and below said perimeter of said shelf panel, so that at least a portion of said heat stake rib abuts an underside portion of said shelf panel.
7. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that said heat stake rib is formed around said perimeter of said shelf panel through the use of a small radius tool.
8. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that said heat stake rib is formed around said perimeter of said shelf panel through the use of a large radius tool.
9. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said securing means comprises:
- at least one heat stake rib initially projecting downwardly from said plastic rim;
- at least one heat stake pad adapted to be positioned on said heat stake rib and heated so as to make pliable said heat stake rib; and
- when said heat stake rib is heated to an appropriate temperature, upwardly directed pressure may be exerted against said heat stake rib so as to secure at least a portion of said heat stake pad against an underside portion of said shelf panel.
10. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that:
- said heat stake pad comprises an aperture extending through said heat stake pad, with said aperture sized so as to receive said heat stake rib;
- said heat stake rib is heated and received within said aperture of said heat stake pad, thereby making said heat stake rib pliable; and
- when said heat stake rib is sufficiently pliable, said heat stake rib is deformed against an underside of said heat stake pad, so as to cause said heat stake pad to abut an underside of said shelf panel.
11. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said securing means comprises at least two heat stake pads, each having an L-shaped configuration.
12. A securing means in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that:
- said securing means comprises a plurality of heat stake ribs; and
- each of said at least two heat stake pads comprises a plurality of apertures extending there through, with each of said apertures sized so as to receive one of said heat stake ribs.
13. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said heat stake pads are constructed of ABS plastic.
14. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said shelving assembly further comprises means comprising an adhesive located intermediate said plastic rim and said shelf panel, and providing for a leak-proof seal between said plastic rim and said shelf panel, and for rigidly securing said plastic rim to said shelf panel.
15. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that said retention and support provided by said securing means is additional to any retention and support provided through said use of said adhesive.
16. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that such shelving assembly may be stationary or facilitate sliding movement, as is desired, on a ribbed liner of a refrigerator.
17. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that:
- said plastic rim extends around the entirety of the periphery of said shelf panel;
- said plastic rim is of a unitary and integral design; and
- said plastic rim comprises an upwardly projecting backstop extending across the entirety of a rear portion of said plastic rim.
18. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that:
- said plastic rim extends around the entirety of the periphery of said shelf panel;
- said plastic rim is of a unitary and integral design; and
- said plastic rim comprises a downwardly projecting forward lip having an acute cross-section, and acting in part as a bumper to prevent damage of said shelving assembly from articles that may be knocked against a forward portion of said shelving assembly, and further acting in part as a handle to facilitate stationary positioning or sliding movement on a plastic ribbed liner of a refrigerator.
19. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said plastic rim comprises:
- a horizontally disposed section;
- a downwardly projecting section integral with said horizontally disposed section;
- an additional downwardly projecting section integral with said horizontally disposed section; and
- the combination of said horizontally disposed section, downwardly projecting section and additional downwardly projecting section form a groove.
20. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 19, characterized in that:
- said horizontally disposed section of said plastic rim projects inwardly and terminates in a flat plane;
- said flat plane provides for a spacial area formed between a lower surface of said horizontally disposed section and an upper surface of said glass shelf panel; and
- said adhesive is provided within said spacial area, and utilized to facilitate securing of said glass shelf panel to said plastic rim.
21. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that:
- said shelving assembly further comprises at least one slot formed between said plastic rim and said glass shelf panel;
- said plastic rim comprises a flat plane;
- within said at least one slot, said adhesive is provided so as to secure and couple together said glass shelf panel and said plastic rim while providing a leak-proof barrier to liquids; and
- said at least one slot aids in flow of said adhesive during the manufacturing process.
22. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that said adhesive comprises a reactive polyurethane hot melt or light cured acrylic adhesive.
23. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said shelving assembly further comprises:
- a horizontally disposed lower ledge depending from a downwardly projecting member of said plastic rim; and
- a plastic stop depending downwardly or upwardly, as desired, from said horizontally disposed lower ledge.
24. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that said shelf panel includes decorative means for concealing the view of said adhesive.
25. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that said shelf panel is decorated with frosting or etching so as to conceal viewing of said adhesive.
26. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said shelving assembly comprises a metal frame for supporting said glass shelf panel and plastic rim.
27. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that such shelving assembly further comprises means for providing slidable movement of said shelf panel relative to said metal frame.
28. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that said metal frame comprises;
- a forward and substantially horizontally disposed frame member;
- a further substantially horizontally disposed frame member positioned to the rear of said metal frame;
- a pair of opposing and parallel sideplates; and
- means for coupling said frame members to said sideplates.
29. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 28, characterized in that each of said sideplates comprises means for removably locking said shelving assembly to walls of said refrigerator and other articles.
30. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that:
- said plastic rim extends around the entirety of the periphery of said shelf panel;
- said plastic rim is of a unitary and integral design; and
- said plastic rim comprises an upwardly projecting backstop extending across the entirety of a rear portion of said plastic rim.
31. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that:
- said plastic rim extends around the entirety of the periphery of said shelf panel;
- said plastic rim is of a unitary and integral design; and
- said plastic rim comprises a downwardly projecting forward lip having an acute cross-section, acting in part as a bumper to prevent damage of said shelving assembly from articles that may be knocked against a forward portion of said shelving assembly, and further acting in part as a handle to facilitate sliding movement relative to said metal frame.
32. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that;
- said metal frame comprises a pair of opposing and parallel sideplates; and
- each of said sideplates comprises an outwardly or inwardly projecting section, or is flat as is desired, with each of said flat, outwardly, or inwardly projecting sections being receivable onto said grooves of said plastic rim.
33. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that:
- said plastic rim comprises a substantially horizontally disposed section, projecting inwardly and terminating in a flat plane;
- said flat plane provides for a spacial area formed between a lower surface of said horizontally disposed section and an upper surface of said glass shelf panel; and
- said adhesive is provided within said spatial area, and utilized to facilitate securing of said glass shelf panel to said plastic rim.
34. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 27, characterized in that:
- said metal frame includes a pair of opposing and parallel sideplates;
- said plastic rim comprises a pair of grooves;
- said sideplates comprise outwardly or inwardly projecting members or flat sideplates, as desired; and
- said slidable movement of said glass shelf panel relative to said metal frame is provided through relative interaction of said outwardly or inwardly projecting members of said sideplates or flat sideplates, as desired, to said plastic rim through said grooves.
35. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 34, characterized in that said slidable movement is achieved without requiring any additional modifications to said shelving assembly.
36. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that;
- said metal frame includes a pair of opposing and parallel sideplates; and
- each of said sideplates is of a completely flat configuration, with each of said sideplates being receivable onto grooves of said plastic rim.
37. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that said shelving assembly further comprises means comprising an adhesive located intermediate said plastic rim and said shelf panel, and providing for a leak-proof seal between said plastic rim and said shelf panel, and for rigidly securing said plastic rim to said shelf panel.
38. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 37, characterized in that said adhesive comprises a reactive polyurethane hot melt or light cured acrylic adhesive.
39. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 27, characterized in that said shelving assembly further comprises:
- a horizontally disposed lower ledge depending from a downwardly projecting member of said plastic rim; and
- a plastic stop depending downwardly or upwardly, as desired, from said horizontally disposed lower ledge.
40. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 39, characterized in that:
- said shelving assembly further comprises a horizontally and inwardly or outwardly, as is desired, depending metal protrusion;
- said metal frame comprises metal sideplates, with said inwardly or outwardly depending metal protrusions extending therefrom; and
- the combination of said metal protrusions and said plastic stop provides for a stop mechanism for sliding movement of said shelving assembly.
41. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 40, characterized in that said metal protrusion is punched-out, formed, or fastened so as to be horizontally depending or vertically depending, as is desired.
42. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 26, characterized in that said shelving assembly is stationary and further comprises;
- opposing sideplates of said metal frame depending vertically downward or depending inwardly from said shelving assembly;
- said sideplates comprise a cantilever or metal frame, and are attached to said plastic rim by screws, molded into said plastic rim, or snapped onto said plastic rim;
- a plastic engagement mechanism extending across a front and/or rear portion, as desired, of said shelving assembly, said plastic engagement mechanism including a fitted slot for capturing a front or rear frame member, as desired, in a snap fit configuration; and
- said front or rear frame member is coupled to remaining portions of said metal frame.
43. A shelving assembly in accordance with claim 42, characterized in that:
- said shelving assembly further comprises a rear plastic rail having a downwardly projecting section;
- positioned at a terminating end of said downwardly projecting section is a horizontally disposed section substantially perpendicular to said downwardly projecting section;
- said downwardly projecting member and said horizontally disposed member form a slot; and
- said shelving assembly further comprises a rear frame member, interconnected to said sideplates, and located within said slot formed in said rear plastic rail.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 8, 2003
Publication Date: Jul 27, 2006
Inventors: Matthew McMillin (New Albany, IN), Eric Rouch (Louisville, KY)
Application Number: 10/514,199
International Classification: F25D 11/00 (20060101);