U.S. patent application number 11/088837 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-28 for vertically adjustable shelves and refrigerator compartment housing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Gemtron Corporation. Invention is credited to Bienick, Craig, Ramik, Vincent L..
Application Number | 20050161421 11/088837 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35820678 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050161421 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bienick, Craig ; et
al. |
July 28, 2005 |
Vertically adjustable shelves and refrigerator compartment housing
the same
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
Bienick, Craig; (Jenison,
MI) ; Ramik, Vincent L.; (Annandale, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Vincent L. Ramik
DILLER, RAMIK & WIGHT
Suite 101
7345 McWhorter Place
Annandale
VA
22003
US
|
Assignee: |
Gemtron Corporation
|
Family ID: |
35820678 |
Appl. No.: |
11/088837 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11088837 |
Mar 25, 2005 |
|
|
|
10355136 |
Jan 31, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/194 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/061 20130101;
F25D 2500/02 20130101; F25D 25/02 20130101; A47B 57/48 20130101;
F25D 2325/022 20130101; A47B 96/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/194 |
International
Class: |
A47B 043/00; A47B
047/00; A47B 057/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
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.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] 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 INVENTION
[0002] This 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.
[0003] 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 INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator, a
refrigerator compartment thereof and a novel shelf assembly of the
invention defined by a shelf having an injection molded
encapsulation or rim unitizing a tempered glass shelf member to a
pair of metal shelf support brackets, and a pair of shelf adapter
brackets each defined by first and second bracket members, each of
the first bracket members being secured to a rear wall of the
refrigerator compartment and having opposing slideways and a
plurality of vertically spaced slots therein, and a second bracket
member having oppositely directed projecting supports received in
the slots and additionally having slits or slots receiving hooks of
the metal shelf support brackets.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
generally along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and illustrates the injection
molded rim encapsulating and unitizing a peripheral edge of the
glass shelf member and an upper edge of one of the metal shelf
support brackets.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded view of one of the shelf
adapter brackets, and illustrates details of the slideways and
slots of the first shelf bracket member, oppositely directed
projecting supports and slits of the second shelf bracket member
and hooks of the shelf.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the
shelf adapter brackets, and illustrates the manner in which the
oppositely directed projections of the second shelf bracket member
are seated in the slots of the first shelf bracket member and hooks
of the shelf support brackets are received in slits of the second
shelf bracket member.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of each shelf adapter
bracket of FIG. 1, and illustrates the manner in which the
projecting supports of the second shelf bracket member slide in the
slideways of the first shelf bracket member to effect vertical
sliding adjustment therebetween.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the shelf adapter
bracket of FIG. 4, and illustrates the manner in which the shelf
will automatically lock in a slightly inclined or canted position
if inadvertently or accidentally released or dropped when the
projecting supports of the second shelf bracket member are in the
slideways of first shelf bracket member.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally
along line 7-7 of FIG. 4, and illustrates one of the shelf adapter
brackets in the adjusted and locked position thereof.
[0020] FIG. 8 is fragmentary perspective view of a shelf bracket
constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates as
an integral part thereof a rear member in the form of a second
shelf bracket member carrying oppositely directed supporting
projections.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally
along line 9-9 of FIG. 10, and illustrates the shelf bracket having
a glass panel member unitized thereto by an injection molded rim or
encapsulation and the oppositely directed supporting projections
thereof seated in slots of an associated first shelf bracket member
conventionally secured to a wall of the refrigerator
compartment.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the shelf
and shelf adapter bracket of FIG. 9, and illustrates the
interlocked relationship between the first and second shelf bracket
members thereof to achieve desired vertical adjustment.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of another shelf adapter
bracket of the present invention and illustrates one of the second
shelf bracket members of FIG. 1 integrally unitized to a shelf by
an injection molded encapsulation or rim at a reinforced corner
thereof.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary top plan view looking downwardly in
FIG. 11, and illustrates oppositely directed projecting supports of
the second shelf bracket member.
[0025] FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view
taken generally along line 13-13, and illustrates the manner in
which the shelf bracket member is unitized to the shelf by the
injection molded encapsulation or rim at the corner thereof.
[0026] FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of
another shelf adapter bracket, and illustrates a first shelf
bracket member having opposing channels or slideways and vertically
spaced slots and a second shelf bracket member locked thereto and
supporting a shelf.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally
along line 15-15 of FIG. 14, and illustrates the interlocked
relationship between the first and second shelf bracket members,
and integral hooks of a shelf carried by one of the second shelf
bracket members.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary exploded view of the shelf and
second shelf bracket member of FIGS. 14 and 15, and illustrates
details thereof.
[0029] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a refrigerator, including a
refrigerator compartment thereof and another novel shelf assembly
of the invention, and illustrates a shelf having an injection
molded encapsulation or rim unitizing a tempered glass shelf member
to a pair of metal shelf support brackets and a pair of vertical
slotted trackways each of a generally U-shaped transverse
cross-sectional configuration defined by a bight wall and a pair of
spaced lateral walls each defining a slideway which can be accessed
by latching pins of the shelf bracket by means of uppermost and
lowermost slots or openings formed in the lateral walls of each
trackway.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of one of
the shelf support brackets and the associated trackway of FIG. 17,
and illustrates details of the trackway including a vertical
slideway defined by lateral walls and access openings or slots in
the lateral walls through which a latching or supporting projecting
pin can be inserted into or removed from the slideway along a path
of travel substantially transverse or normal thereto.
[0031] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the
trackways, and illustrates an uppermost shelf contiguous the
refrigerator compartment top wall incident to the shelf being moved
to the right whereupon the latching or support pin passes through
the access openings of the lateral walls of the trackway, enters
the slideway and can be moved vertically downwardly therealong to a
desired position of final adjustment, as is illustrated in phantom
outline.
[0032] FIG. 20 is fragmentary side elevational view of the shelf
trackway and shelf assembly of FIG. 19, and illustrates the manner
in which the upper shelf with its latching pin in the slideways
will, if inadvertently released or dropped, pivot or cant
counterclockwise to the phantom outline position thereof with
further descent being blocked by a bottom projecting finger of the
shelf support bracket engaging a lower one of three or more stops
or hooks of the trackway.
[0033] FIG. 21 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken
generally along line 21-21 of FIG. 17, and illustrates one of the
shelf support brackets with its pin supported by edges of slots of
the trackway, narrower vertical terminal edge portions of the side
walls engaging laterally projecting stabilizing ribs of the shelf
support bracket, and one of several screws or fasteners securing
the trackway to the side wall of the refrigerator compartment.
[0034] FIG. 22 is an enlarged top plan view of each trackway of
FIG. 17, and illustrates the generally forwardly opening U-shaped
transverse cross-sectional configuration thereof, including lateral
walls defining the slideway, narrower terminal edges for
stabilization purposes and a forwardly projecting shelf stop hook
formed from the material of the bight wall of the trackway.
[0035] FIG. 23 is a fragmentary rear view of one of the trackways,
and illustrates details of the transversely aligned, vertically
spaced slots for supporting the shelf bracket pins, and one of
several vertically spaced forwardly projecting shelf stop hooks of
the trackway.
[0036] FIG. 24 is a top perspective view of another shelf which can
be utilized in the shelf assemblies heretofore described, and
illustrates a circular tempered glass panel encapsulated by an
injection molded rim or encapsulation which diametrically attaches
thereto a single metal shelf bracket carrying a latching pin and a
lubricity increasing block of material.
[0037] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line
25-25 of FIG. 24, and illustrates details of the metal shelf
bracket including the latching pin, a rearwardly projected shelf
stop nose and the lubricity block.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] A novel refrigerator shelf assembly constructed in
accordance with the present invention is generally designated by
the reference numeral 10, and is illustrated in FIG. 1 in
association with a cabinet or compartment C of a refrigerator
R.
[0039] 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 (FIG. 2) formed in accordance with the method disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,362,149 granted on Nov. 8, 1994 to Bird et al., the
totality of which is incorporated hereat by reference. Each of the
metal support brackets 16, 17 includes conventional downwardly
directed hooks 21, 22 which normally engage in vertically disposed
parallel shelf tracks in a conventional refrigerator compartment,
as is fully disclosed in the latter-identified patent. Such
conventional shelves 10 can be hooked to, completely unhooked from
and re-hooked to the slots of the shelf tracks to effect step-wise
vertical adjustments of the shelves relative to other shelves
and/or top and bottom walls of an associated refrigerator
compartment. However, a disadvantage of such total disconnection
noted earlier herein between conventional shelf hooks and
conventional vertical shelf tracks can result in advertent or
accidental shelf and/or product droppage and result in damage or
breakage. The latter is precluded by the novel refrigerator shelf
assembly 10 of the present invention.
[0040] The shelf assembly 10 further includes a pair 25, 25 (FIG.
1) of identical shelf adapter brackets, each defined by a first
shelf bracket member 26 and a second shelf bracket member 27 (FIGS.
3-5). Each first shelf bracket member 26 of the pair 25, 25 of
shelf bracket adapters is of a generally U-shaped transverse cross
section (FIGS. 5 and 7) and is preferably constructed of relatively
rigid metallic sheet material stamped, blanked and formed to the
specific configuration best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings.
Each U-shaped first bracket member includes a bight wall or bight
portion 28 and opposite legs or leg portions 29, 30. Each leg 29,
30 includes a relatively straight front edge or edge portion 31, a
top edge or edge portion 32 and a bottom edge or edge portion 33.
The bight portion or wall 28 has a plurality of openings 34 (FIGS.
5, 6 and 7) for securing each of the first bracket members 26, 26
to a rear wall 13 of the refrigerator compartment C, as is readily
apparent in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
[0041] 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 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 7) and is defined by a first leg or
leg portion 42 most adjacent each front edge 31, a second leg or
leg portion 43 and a bight portion 44 therebetween. The legs or leg
portions 42, 43 are in diverging relationship to each other in a
direction away from the bight portion 44. Each slideway or channel
41 includes a narrowest transverse width W which increases in the
opening direction of the slideways 41, 41. Each leg portion 43 also
blends with a medial portion 45 (FIGS. 3-7) of each of the legs 29,
30.
[0042] 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 (FIGS. 3-7).
[0043] 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.
[0044] As is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5 of the drawings,
the second shelf bracket member 27 of each of the pairs 25, 25 of
adapter brackets is also of a generally U-shaped transverse
cross-sectional configuration, and is preferably also constructed
of relatively rigid sheet metal material blanked, stamped and
formed to the configuration best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 of
the drawings. Each second shelf bracket member 27 includes a bight
wall 68 and oppositely substantially parallel legs 69, 70 which
converge toward each other and terminating in substantially
parallel end edges or edge portions 71, 72, respectively. The end
edges 71, 72 each have a plurality of vertically spaced openings 73
(FIGS. 4 and 5) through which injected polymeric/copolymeric
plastic material can pass during the formation of slide members 74
(FIG. 3) on outer surfaces (unnumbered) of the terminal end portion
71, 72 and enlarged heads 75 (FIG. 5) on inboard surfaces
(unnumbered) of the terminal edges 71, 72. Slots 81, 82 (FIGS. 3
and 5) are formed in the bight wall 86 of each second shelf bracket
member 27 for receipt therein of the hooks 21, 22 of the shelf 15.
The pins or projections 60 have a maximum diameter D (FIG. 5)
increasing from the narrowest transverse width W of the slideways
41, 41 to the maximum width thereof to permit relative vertical
sliding movement therebetween during which the glide members 74, 74
engage inner surfaces (unnumbered) of the legs 29, 30 of the first
bracket members 26, as is best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 of the
drawings.
[0045] As is best illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the
oppositely projecting pins 60, 60 carried by each second shelf
bracket member 27 are spaced from each other a maximum effective
distance D1 which is slightly less than an effective distance D2
measured between the bight portions 44 of the slideways 41. Because
of the slight difference in the distances D1, D2, the projecting
pins or projecting supports 60 move readily easily vertically
upwardly and downwardly within the slideways 41. Therefore, during
initial installation after each of the first bracket members 26, 26
has been secured to the rear wall 13 of the refrigerator
compartment C with the slots 50, 50 thereof in horizontal
alignment, the pins 60 can be introduced into the slideways 41 from
above or below. This can be done by first hooking the hooks 21, 22
into the respective slots 81, 82 of the second shelf bracket
members 27 and thereafter simultaneously introducing the latter
from the bottom or from the top into the first shelf bracket
members 26, 26. Alternately, the shelf 15 need not be connected
through its hooks 21, 22 to the slots 81, 82 of the second shelf
bracket members 27 but instead the latter can be individually or
simultaneously introduced into the first bracket members 26 via the
slideways 41 and when horizontally aligned, the second shelf
bracket members 27 are simply pushed inwardly in a direction toward
the bight walls 28 of the first shelf bracket members 26. As the
second shelf bracket members 26 are pushed inwardly, the projecting
pins 60 thereof engage and are guided downwardly by the upper edges
53 and/or by the lower edges 55 of a pair of the slots 50. Since
the slideways 41, 41 of each of the first bracket members 26, 26
oppose each other, the leg portions 43 thereof are in converging
relationship to each other in a direction away from the front edges
31, 31 of the legs 29, 30 and toward the bight wall 28 (FIG. 5).
Therefore, during the inward movement of the supporting pins 60
from within the slideways 41 (FIG. 5), the pins 60 move along the
converging edges or ledges 55 of the converging walls 43, 43 (FIG.
5) progressively inward from the outermost distance D2, measured
across the bight walls 44, 44 of the slideways 41, 41 to a distance
D3 (FIG. 5) which is the maximum distance between the horizontally
adjacent supporting edges 54. In this manner the transition edges
55, 55 (FIG. 7) of horizontally adjacent slots 50, 50 in the legs
29, 30 of each of the first shelf bracket members 26, 26 contact
and guide the associated pins 60, 60 from the slideways 41, 41
toward and upon the supporting edges 54 (FIGS. 4 and 7) and
conversely away from the supporting edges 54 and into the slideways
41 for disassembly purposes.
[0046] 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
[0047] Reference is made to FIG. 6 of the drawings which
illustrates the position of the shelf 15' after it has been
introduced from above by inserting each second shelf bracket member
27, 27 into an associated first bracket member 26, 26 with the
projecting pins 60 disposed in the slideways 41. With the uppermost
pins 60, 60 of each second shelf bracket member 27 are immediately
adjacent the upper edges 32 of each first shelf bracket members 26,
it is assumed that the shelf 15' is accidentally released/dropped.
Since the shelf 15' is cantilevered, even absent products or
articles supported thereon, its weight Wt (FIG. 6) will effect
downward movement and vertical pivoting and/or tilting movement. In
other words if the shelf 15' were released from the uppermost
assumed position, it would begin to fall vertically because of
gravity acting upon its weight Wt, but since the shelf 15' is
cantilevered, it will also pivot, tilt or cant in a
counterclockwise direction, as is indicated by the curved line of
travel A associated therewith in FIG. 6 bringing the uppermost
projecting pins 60 into bearing engagement with the front leg
portions 42 of the slideways 41 and the lowermost projecting
supports or pins 60 into bearing engagement with the rear leg
portions 43 at the slideways 41. If the slots 50 did not project
into the bight portions 44 of the slideways 41, the shelf 15' would
most assuredly continue a downward slide while being slightly
cocked or tilted with the uppermost and lowermost projecting
supports 60, 60 bearing against the respective front and rear leg
portions 42, 43 of the slideways 41 until dropping out the bottom
thereof. However, since the slots 50 include the ledge or edge
portions 55 (FIGS. 4 and 5) which begin within the medial portion
44 of each slideway 41, the lowermost projecting supports 60 (FIG.
6) eventually reach the slots 50, devoid of the inner leg portions
43, which allows the projecting supports 60 to progressively enter
horizontally aligns slots 50 guided by the transition edges 55, as
is readily visualized in FIG. 6, until eventually fully overlying
the transition edges 55 thereof which guide the lowermost
projecting supports 60 toward and upon the horizontal supporting
edges 54. Thus, the shelf 15' can be adjusted along the slideways
41 to any one of a number of vertically desired positions of
adjustment absent fear of disengagement of the second shelf bracket
members 27 from the first shelf bracket members 26. The latter
function is extremely important because even under a worse case
scenario, the shelf 15' will not drop from the first bracket
members 26 and will tilt substantially no worse than that
illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. Even should the latter occur
while articles or products are being supported upon the shelf 15',
a person most likely could prevent the articles/products from
falling because both hands could be utilized for the latter
purpose, as opposed to being used to essentially simultaneously
catch and/or hold the shelf 15' and the articles/products supported
thereupon.
[0048] Another novel refrigerator shelf assembly constructed in
accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8
through 10 of the drawings and is generally designated by the
reference numeral 10". All the structure and components of the
refrigerator shelf assembly 10" which are structurally identical to
or equivalent to the refrigerator shelf assembly 10 of FIGS. 1
through 5 of the drawings bear the same reference numerals and
reference characters but are double primed.
[0049] 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" (FIG. 8). The shelf
bracket 17" is slit longitudinally, blanked, stamped and formed to
define an upper leg 91, a medial leg 92, and a lower leg 93. The
upper and lower legs 91, 93, respectively, are offset to one side
of a vertical plane of the shelf bracket 17" while the medial or
central leg 92 is offset an equal amount to an opposite side of a
vertical plane through the shelf bracket 17" resulting in the
generally U-shaped configuration when viewed from above or below
(FIG. 9). The legs 91 through 93 include projecting supports or
projecting pins 94 through 96, respectively. The projecting
supports 94, 96 project away from and axially opposite to the
direction of projection of the projecting support 95, as is most
apparent from FIG. 9. The vertical spacing between the projecting
supports 94, 95; 95, 96 corresponds to the vertical spacing between
the slots 50" of the first shelf bracket member 26".
[0050] 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" (FIG. 9) and positioning the
projecting supports 94 through 96 in three desired slots 50", as is
illustrated in FIG. 10. Structurally and functionally the shelf
assemblies 10, 10' are virtually identical except for the fact that
by constructing the shelf support 17" and the second shelf bracket
member 90 as a single one-piece component from a single piece of
metallic material, the overall expense of manufacture of the shelf
assembly 10" is appreciably lessened as compared to that of the
shelf assembly 10.
[0051] Another shelf assembly constructed in accordance with this
invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11 through 13 of the drawings and
is generally designated by the reference numeral 100. The shelf
assembly 100 is similar in structure and is substantially identical
in function to the shelf assembly 10 and at each of two rear
corners (unnumbered) of an injection molded encapsulation, border
or rim 120, there is a second shelf bracket member 127 which is
substantially identical to the second shelf bracket member 27 (FIG.
3) and functions in the manner heretofore described with respect to
an associated one of a pair of first shelf bracket members 26 to
adjust the shelf 150 vertically in a refrigerator compartment. The
shelf assembly 100 differs from the shelf assembly 10 in that the
shelf 150 excludes metallic shelf brackets corresponding to the
shelf brackets 16, 17, and in lieu thereof the injection molded
encapsulation, border or rim 120 integrally unitizes or unites a
shelf member 118 of tempered glass to the second shelf bracket
member 127 at each of the two rear corners of the rim 120 during
the injection molding of the rim 120 which causes the injection
molded polymeric/copolymeric material thereof to fuse across a
plurality of slots 181 through 183 (FIG. 13). With one of the
second shelf bracket members 127 at each corner of the shelf 150,
oppositely directed projections 160 thereof function with respect
to slideways 41 and slots 50 of associated first shelf bracket
members 26 in the manner heretofore described relative to the shelf
assembly 10.
[0052] Another refrigerator shelf assembly constructed in
accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 14 through 16
of the drawings and is generally designated by the reference
numeral 210. Structure of the shelf assembly 210 which is
structurally or functionally equivalent to the shelf assembly 10 is
identified by identical reference numerals preceded by 200, such as
a shelf 215 defined by a shelf member 218 of tempered glass which
is encapsulated along a peripheral edge (unnumbered) thereof by an
injection molded encapsulation, rim or border 220 which at opposite
rear corners (unnumbered) includes downwardly directed relatively
rigid integral hooks 216, each of which includes a centrally
located, downwardly projecting, thinner flexible latching or
locking tab 300 having a locking ledge 305 and a finger/thumb tab
310 (FIG. 15). Each hook 216 hooks over and behind a front wall 301
of a second shelf bracket member 227 constructed from molded
polymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material. Each of the two
second shelf bracket members 227, of which only one is illustrated,
is adapted for introduction into and can be vertically adjusted
relative to a first shelf bracket member 226 (FIG. 14) also
constructed from synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material.
Each second shelf bracket member 227 includes a pair of vertically
spaced oppositely directed projecting supports or supporting pins
260 (FIGS. 15 and 16) which slide in associated slideways 241
(FIGS. 14 and 15) which open toward each other in opposite legs
229, 230 (FIG. 14) of each first shelf bracket member 226. Each leg
229, 230 includes a front edge or front flange 231 with the flanges
231, 231 being in opposing relationship to each other and in part
each defining one of the slideways 241 which extend the entire
vertical length of the first shelf bracket member 226. Each of the
legs 229, 230 is molded to define a plurality of slots 250 having
surfaces, edges and/or ledges corresponding to like structure of
each slot 50 which has been identified by reference numerals 252
through 255. The projecting supports 260 of each second shelf
bracket member 227 cooperate with the slots 250 of each of the two
first shelf bracket members 226, 226 precisely in the manner set
forth with respect to the operation of the respective first and
second shelf bracket members 26, 27 of the two pair of adapter
brackets 25 heretofore described relative to FIGS. 1 through 7 of
the drawings which are incorporated hereat by reference. Obviously,
a major difference between the latter two constructions is that the
slots 50 are "open," i.e., pass through the legs 29, 30 whereas the
slots 250 are "closed," i.e., do not pass through the legs 229,
230. The latter may at times be considered preferable for aesthetic
purposes inasmuch as the slots 250 are essentially hidden by the
legs 229, 231. Furthermore, the outer surfaces (unnumbered) of the
legs 229, 230 of the first shelf bracket member 226 are relatively
flat and uniplanar which might also be considered to be more
aesthetic than the undulating exterior configuration of the legs
29, 30, particularly in the area of the slideways 41 thereof.
However, both shelf assemblies 10, 210 function identically with
respect to vertical adjustment and the prevention of inadvertent or
accidental shelf droppage in the manner heretofore described with
respect to the shelf 15' of FIGS. 6 and 7. In the case of the shelf
215, should the latter tend to pivot, tilt or cant clockwise under
its weight Wt', as viewed in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the projecting
supports or pins 260 are in the slideways 241, the upper projecting
supports or pins 260 will contact the front flanges 231, 231 of the
legs 229, 230 which limit the tilting of the shelf 215 and the
eventual introduction of the lowermost projecting supports or pins
260 into the slots 250 to achieve the orientation of the shelf 215
corresponding to the shelf 15' of FIG. 6.
[0053] 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 FIG. 15. The
locking function is achieved by simply sliding each hook 216
downwardly into each second bracket member 227 which automatically
prevents disengagement therebetween until desired by a person
pushing the finger/thumb tabs 310 to the left, as viewed in FIG.
15, to effect disengagement of the hooks 216, 216 from the walls
301, 301 of the second shelf bracket members 227, 227.
[0054] Another novel refrigerator shelf assembly constructed in
accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 17
through 23 of the drawings and is generally designated by the
reference numeral 100. Components of the shelf assembly 100 which
correspond to the like components of the shelf assembly 10 have
been prefixed by "100" to identify identical structure without
specifically describing the same. For example, as in the case of
the shelf assembly 10, the shelf assembly 100 includes a shelf 115
defined by opposite substantially parallel metal shelf brackets
116, 117 unitized to a peripheral edge (unnumbered) of a shelf
member or panel 118 of tempered glass by an injection molded
encapsulation, rim or border 120 formed in accordance with the
method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,149. However, as opposed to
the metal support brackets 16, 17 of the shelf assembly 10, each
metal shelf bracket 116, 117 of the shelf assembly 100 includes at
a rearmost end portion (unnumbered) thereof latch means or pin
means 200 (FIG. 18) for effecting vertical stepwise adjustment with
respect to vertically spaced support means, slots or openings 150
of vertical trackways 126, 126 corresponding substantially
identically to the first shelf bracket member 26 earlier described.
Each metal shelf bracket 116, 117 further includes lateral
stabilization means 220 (FIGS. 18 and 21) for intimately slidably
engaging vertical terminal side edges or walls 131, 131 of trackway
side walls 142, 142 of the trackways 126 to reduce sidewise or
lateral shelf movement in any adjusted position of the shelf 115
during vertical upward or vertical downward adjustment thereof with
respect to the trackways 126.
[0055] Each metal shelf bracket 116, 117 further includes means 240
(FIG. 18) in the form of a block of plastic material having a very
low coefficient of friction and excellent lubricity which thereby
reduces frictional forces during sliding adjustment of the shelf
115 upwardly or downwardly with respect to the trackways 126, 126
particularly as the lubricity block 240 slides in intimate
contacting relationship with the inner vertical side edges or walls
131, 131 of the side walls 142, 142 of each of the trackways 126
(FIG. 21).
[0056] Cooperative means 260 (FIGS. 18 and 20) in the form of a
projection or projecting nose of each of the shelf brackets 116,
117 cooperates with a plurality of stop means 270 (FIG. 19) struck
from a bight wall 128 of each of the trackways 126 to preclude
inadvertent or accidental descent of the shelf 115 during
adjustment in the manner heretofore described and as is readily
apparent from FIG. 20 which illustrates the projection 260 of the
metal shelf bracket 117 shown in phantom outline engaging a
lowermost one of a plurality of the stops 270 of the trackway
126.
[0057] Each of the trackways 126, 126 also includes means 280
(FIGS. 18 and 21) for securing the same directly to conventional
side walls SW1, SW2 and/or a rear wall RW of a conventional fresh
food compartment or freezer compartment C1 of a conventional
refrigerator R1 (FIG. 17) which also includes top and bottom walls
TW and BW, respectively. It is to be understood that the top and
bottom walls TW, BW, respectively, are not necessarily the
uppermost or lowermost interior walls of the compartment C1 of the
refrigerator R1. For example, the top wall TW can be the bottom
wall of an upper separately front accessible freezer compartment
(not shown), while the bottom wall BW can be the upper wall of an
inner crisper compartment accessed by an inner door sliding
therebeneath. Rather, the compartment C1 is intended to illustrate
the major volume of a fresh food compartment or a frozen food
compartment in which one or a plurality of shelves, such as the
shelf 115, are mounted for maximum of vertical distance movement Dm
as is possible and practical between the top and bottom walls TW,
BW, respectively. Toward the latter end, one necessary prerequisite
to achieve maximum distance Dm vertical adjustment of the shelf or
shelves 115 is for the trackways 126 to substantially vertically
span or extend the same maximum vertical distance Dm between the
walls TW, BW, as is readily apparent from FIG. 17 of the drawings.
The latter could present a problem with respect to shelf
insertion/removal unless otherwise provided for by the present
invention, as will be described more fully hereinafter.
[0058] The latching means or latching pin 200 (FIGS. 18 and 21) of
each metal shelf bracket 116, 117 is formed of a substantially
cylindrical piece of metal and has oppositely projecting concentric
end portions 201, 202 (FIG. 21). Prior to each pin 200 being
assembled with respect to a circular opening 210 of each metal
shelf bracket 116, 117, the pin 200 is provided with only one of
two collars 203, 204. Assuming, for example, that only the collar
203 at the pin end portion 201 is an integral portion of the pin
200, in lieu of the collar 204, the pin 200 includes an annular
portion having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the
opening 210 which permits the same to be freely slid therein and
therethrough until the collar 203 abuts against the metal shelf
bracket 116, 117. Thereafter, the annular metal collar which
projects through the circular shelf bracket opening 210 is upset or
staked to form the collar 204. In the latter manner, each pin 200
is a substantially rigid homogeneous single piece of material which
is rigidly united to the metal shelf brackets 116, 117 through the
collars 203, 204. The specifics of the method of forming the pin
200 beyond that just described are found in Applicant's co-pending
application Ser. No. ______ filed on ______ and entitled
"Vertically Adjustable Shelves and Refrigerator Compartment Housing
the Same," and the totality of the latter disclosure is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0059] 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 (FIG. 17) in the manner heretofore described
with respect to the shelf assembly 10 of FIGS. 1 through 7 of the
drawings. However, each pin 200 and specifically the axially
opposite end portions 201, 202 thereof cannot be inserted in the
slideways 141, 141 of the trackways 126, 126 directly vertically
from above or directly vertically from below (FIGS. 17 and 19)
because the ends (unnumbered) of the trackways 126, 126 are
immediately contiguous the respective top and bottom walls TW, BW
of the refrigerator compartment C1. Furthermore, the axial length
of the pins 200, as is best illustrated in FIG. 21, is greater than
the distance between the vertical terminal edges 131, 131 of each
of the trackway lateral walls 142, 142. Accordingly, in accordance
with the present invention, means 142', 142' in the form of
transverse openings or slots are provided in the trackway lateral
walls 142, 142 for defining a transverse or normal entry/removal
path of travel for the pins 200, 200 of each of the shelf brackets
116, 117 into the vertical path of travel defined by the slideways
141, 141. As is most readily evident in FIG. 19, a horizontal plane
P which is tangent to a lowermost surface of the pin 200 passes
directly into the slideway at a point above the slots or openings
142', 142'. Therefore, when the shelf 115 of FIG. 19 is positioned
as shown in solid lines in FIG. 19, it need but be moved to the
right, the pin 200 passes along a path of travel normal to the
vertical path of travel established by the slideways 141, 141 of
the trackways 126, 126 which effects both assembly and disassembly
of an uppermost shelf 115 as immediately adjacent the top wall TW
of the compartment C1 as is possible. The shelf 115 then need but
be moved downwardly until spaced a desired distance below the top
wall TW (phantom outline in FIG. 19) after which the pin 200
thereof can be latched in the latching openings 150, as is
illustrated by the phantom outline shelf 115 of FIG. 19. FIGS. 18
and 19 illustrate equivalent slots or openings 142', 142' formed in
the trackways 126, 126 substantially midway of the end-to-end
length thereof, while substantially identical slots or openings
142', 142' are formed in each trackway 126, 126 (FIG. 17) adjacent
but spaced above the bottom wall BW of the compartment C1. The
lowermost pair of slots 142', 142' of each trackway 126, 126 are
spaced from the bottom wall BW a minimum bottom distance Db (FIG.
17) which corresponds substantially to the vertical distance
between a bottom edge (unnumbered) of the shelf brackets 116, 117
and a like horizontal plane P associated with the shelf 115 when
resting with its lower edge against the bottom wall BW incident to
being moved toward the rear wall RW at which time each of the pins
200, 200 enter through the lowermost access openings 142', 142' of
each of the trackways 126, 126 and into the slideways 141, 141 for,
in this case, upward adjusting movement. Obviously, downward
adjusting movement at the point of entry just described is not
possible, but the shelf thus positioned can be vertically adjusted
as desired.
[0060] 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 (FIGS. 18 and 21). The stabilizing means 220
are designed for intimately slidably engaging the forward side
edges 131, 131 of trackway side walls 142, 142 of each of the
trackways 126 to thereby reduce sidewise shelf movement. The latter
is accomplished by forming the lateral stabilizing means 220 as
three ribs 221, 222 and 223 disposed in substantially spaced
parallel relationship to each other. The ribs 221, 223 project to
one side of the metal shelf brackets 116, 117 whereas the rib 222
projects to an opposite side of each of the metal shelf brackets
116, 117. Through the ribs 221 through 223 are substantially in
parallel horizontal spaced relationship to each other, the same can
also be inclined or can be of other configurations so long as the
maximum distance Md (FIG. 21) between the inboardmost portion of
the inboard rib 222 and the outboardmost portion (unnumbered) of
either or both of the outboard ribs 221, 223 approximates the same
distance Md between the lateral wall terminal vertical edges 131,
131 of the side walls 142, 142 in the manner best illustrated in
FIG. 21 of the drawings. As is readily apparent from FIG. 21, the
innermost rib 222 and the outermost rib 221, as well as the
unillustrated lowermost outermost rib 223, engage the edges 131,
131 of the respective inner and outer walls 142, 142 of each of the
trackways 126 and thereby preclude lateral or sidewise movement
and/or torquing of the shelf brackets 116, 117 thereby obviously
stabilizing/rigidifying the shelf 115, particularly in its position
of use (FIG. 17). It is to be particularly noted that since the
maximum distance Md of the ribs 221 through 223 is substantially
equal to the distance between the vertical terminal edges 131, 131
of the trackways 126, the transverse/normal entry and exit movement
of the shelf 115 relative to the trackways 126 is unhindered, as is
most readily apparent from FIG. 21 of the drawings.
[0061] 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 (FIG. 18) is provided in the form of synthetic
polymeric/copolymeric plastic material of a generally U-shaped
transverse cross-section defined by opposite side walls 241, 242
and a bight or bight wall 243 therebetween. A slot 244 between the
walls 241, 242 corresponds substantially to the thickness of the
metal support brackets 116, 117. A conical recess 245 is provided
in the wall 242 and a cylindrical opening 246 aligns with an
opening 247 formed along a lower edge (unnumbered) of each of the
shelf support brackets 116, 117. After the lower edge of each shelf
support bracket 116, 117 is slid into an associated slot 244, a
sheet metal screw 248 is threaded into the opening 247 to retain
the block 240 appropriately assembled to its associated shelf
bracket 116, 117. The distance between exterior surfaces
(unnumbered) of the side walls 241, 242 is very slightly greater
than the maximum distance Md heretofore described from the
outermost surface of the rib 222 to the outermost surface of either
of the ribs 221, 223, with the latter distances being measured
normal to each other which brings the surfaces (unnumbered) of the
walls 241, 242 into intimate sliding relationship to the vertical
edges 131, 131 of the walls 142, 142 of the trackways 126, 126. In
the latter position, the ends of the ribs 221-223 preferably are
extremely virtually indiscernibly spaced from the vertical edges
131, 131 of the walls 142, 142 whereby major sliding engagement
between the walls 142, 142 is between the edges 131, 131 of the
latter and the outside surfaces of the side walls 241, 242 of the
lubricity block 240. It is to be particularly noted that since the
maximum distance Md of the ribs 121 through 123 is substantially
equal to the distance between the vertical terminal edges 131, 131
of the trackways 126, the transverse/normal entry and exit movement
of the shelf 115 relative to the trackways 126 is unhindered, as is
most readily apparent from FIG. 21 of the drawings.
[0062] As in the case of the shelves 15, 15' heretofore described,
particularly with respect to FIG. 6, the shelf 115 will under its
own weight with or without product thereon will, if advertently or
accidentally released, pivot, tilt or cant from a horizontal
position (solid lines in FIG. 20) counter-clockwise, as viewed in
FIG. 20, to the phantom outline position illustrated therein along
a curved line of travel corresponding to the curve line of travel A
associated with the shelf 15' of FIG. 6. The latter movement in the
case of the shelf 115 brings each of the projecting pins 200 into
bearing engagement with the front leg portions 142, 142 of the
slideways 141, 141 of each trackway 126, 126 but, in this case, the
shelf brackets 116, 117 each include only a single pin 200 and in
lieu of an additional pin or pins, each shelf bracket 116, 117
includes the shelf stop projections or shelf stop noses 260 which
engage the stops or stop hooks 270 (phantom outline in FIG. 20) of
each trackway 126. The projections or noses 260 are vertically
aligned with the stops or stop hooks 270, and should the shelf 115
move to the position shown in phantom outline in FIG. 20, the nose
260 of each of the shelf brackets 116, 117 will engage the nearest
lowermost stop 270 of the bight wall 128 of each trackway 126 in
the manner clearly evident in FIG. 20 of the drawings. A minimum of
three upwardly directed stops or stop hooks 270 are preferred, but
it is to be understood that more or less than the latter number of
stops 270 may be provided as need be, particularly by adding
additional stops 270 thereto to limit incremental
inadvertent/accidental downward descent of the shelf 115.
[0063] As is best illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 21 of the drawings,
the means 280 for securing each of the trackways 126, 126 to the
refrigerator compartment side walls SW1, SW2 include aligned pairs
of vertically spaced small circular openings 281 and larger
circular openings 282 formed in the respective lateral or side
walls 129, 130, respectively. A fastener 283 having a head 284
which will pass through the opening 282 but not through the opening
281 can be thereby screwed into the side wall SW2 or SW1 in the
manner apparent from FIG. 21 of the drawings. If it were desired to
attach the trackways 126, 126 to the rear wall RW, only the smaller
circular holes 281 need be formed in the bight wall 128 of the
trackways 126, 126.
[0064] 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 FIG. 17 by
visualizing the side walls SW1, SW2 as being continuations of the
most remote edges 131, 131 of the trackways 126, 126, while the
rear wall RW is a like continuation of a wall spanning the
inboardmost edges 131, 131 of the trackways 126. The latter has
been drawn in FIG. 17 in dash-dot lines only at the top of the
figure and is identified by the reference characters IS1, IR an
IS2. Thus, in an integral one-piece construction, the side walls IS
and IS2 would constitute merely a continuation of the left and
right trackways 126, 126, as viewed in FIG. 17, and the rear wall
IR would span these same trackways.
[0065] Another shelf assembly 300 (FIGS. 24 and 25) which includes
components substantially identical to those heretofore described
with respect to the shelf assemblies 10 and 100 has been prefixed
by reference numeral "300" to identify such identical components.
For example, the shelf assembly 300 of FIGS. 24 and 25 includes a
shelf 315 defined by a single metal shelf bracket 316 unitized to a
peripheral edge (unnumbered) of a substantially circular shelf
member 318 of tempered glass by an injection molded encapsulation,
rim or border 319 formed in accordance with U.S. Pat. No.
5,362,149. However, since the metal shelf bracket 316 diametrically
spans the tempered glass shelf member 318, the latter is preferably
translucent or opaque to reduce or preclude visibility of the shelf
bracket 316 from above. The shelf 315 can be utilized with the
shelf adapter bracket 26, 26 and/or the trackways 126, 126. Since
the shelf 315 is relatively small and is designed for supporting
relatively lightweight articles thereon, the shelf bracket 316 is
shown devoid of the stabilizing means 260 in the form of the three
stabilizing ribs 121 through 123 for preventing sidewise or lateral
shifting or wobbling or canting of the shelf 315 relative to an
associated trackway 126. However, such shifting or wobbling is
precluded through the utilization of a lubricity block 340.
However, the shelf bracket 316 may be provided with ribs
corresponding to the ribs 121, 122 and 123 (FIG. 18). The shelf
assembly 300 also includes as part of the single shelf bracket 316
a vertical latching or latch adjusting or support pin 320
corresponding to the pin 200 of the shelf brackets 116, 117 and a
projecting stop nose, projection or stop 360.
[0066] 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.
[0067] 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.
* * * * *