U.S. patent application number 11/015809 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for stamped steel refrigerator shelf.
Invention is credited to David Lloyd Benefiel, Martin Shawn Egan.
Application Number | 20060132008 11/015809 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36594775 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060132008 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benefiel; David Lloyd ; et
al. |
June 22, 2006 |
Stamped steel refrigerator shelf
Abstract
A shelf, usable in a refrigerator, is provided which has a
generally flat, horizontal support surface comprising a left edge,
a right edge, a front edge and a rear edge. A first support arm
extends along the left edge of the support surface and a second
support arm extends along the right edge of the support surface.
The first and second support arms are each connected by a
substantially right angle bend to the support surface. The first
and second support arms each extend rearwardly beyond the rear edge
of the support surface. The support surface and the support arms
are formed from a single piece of metal and are bent into a final
configuration without the use of fasteners to hold separate pieces
together.
Inventors: |
Benefiel; David Lloyd;
(Oakland City, IN) ; Egan; Martin Shawn;
(Evansville, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHIRLPOOL PATENTS COMPANY - MD 0750
500 RENAISSANCE DRIVE - SUITE 102
ST. JOSEPH
MI
49085
US
|
Family ID: |
36594775 |
Appl. No.: |
11/015809 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/027 20130101;
A47B 2210/17 20130101; F25D 25/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/408 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/04 20060101
A47B096/04 |
Claims
1. A shelf for a refrigerator comprising: a generally flat,
horizontal support surface comprising a left edge, a right edge, a
front edge and a rear edge, a first support arm extending along
said left edge of said support surface, a second support arm
extending along said right edge of said support surface, said first
and second support arms each connected by a substantially right
angle bend to said support surface, said support surface and said
support arms being formed from a single piece of metal and being
bent into a final configuration without the use of fasteners to
hold separate pieces together.
2. A shelf according to claim 1, wherein said support surface
includes a plurality of openings formed therein.
3. A shelf according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of openings
comprise a series of parallel slots extending generally
front-to-rear.
4. A shelf according to claim 3, wherein said series of parallel
slots comprises two rows of parallel slots.
5. A shelf according to claim 2, wherein said openings include
downwardly depending walls defining said openings.
6. A shelf according to claim 1, wherein said support arms each are
provided with hooked tabs arranged to engage with a support ladder
in the refrigerator.
7. A shelf according to claim 1, wherein said support surface
includes a raised rim extending around a perimeter of said
surface.
8. A shelf according to claim 1, including a downwardly extending
lip formed at said front edge of said support surface.
9. A shelf according to claim 1, including an upwardly extending
ledge formed at said rear edge of said support surface.
10. A shelf comprising: a generally flat support surface comprising
a left edge, a right edge, a front edge and a rear edge, a first
support arm depending from said left edge of said support surface,
a second support arm depending from said right edge of said support
surface, said first and second support arms each connected by a
bend to said support surface, wherein said shelf with said support
surface and said support arms is formed from a single flat sheet of
metal and is mechanically shaped into a final configuration.
11. A shelf according to claim 10, wherein said support surface
includes a plurality of openings formed therein.
12. A shelf according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of
openings comprise a series of parallel slots extending generally
front-to-rear.
13. A shelf according to claim 12, wherein said series of parallel
slots comprises two rows of parallel slots.
14. A shelf according to claim 11, wherein said openings include
downwardly depending walls defining said openings.
15. A shelf according to claim 10, wherein said support arms each
are provided with at least one rib extending in a front-to-rear
direction.
15. A shelf according to claim 10, wherein said support arms each
are provided with at least one rib extending in a front-to-rear
direction.
16. A shelf according to claim 10, wherein said support surface
includes a raised rim extending around a perimeter of said
surface.
17. A shelf according to claim 10, including a downwardly extending
lip formed at said front edge of said support surface.
18. A shelf according to claim 10, including an upwardly extending
ledge formed at said rear edge of said support surface.
19. A shelf for a refrigerator comprising: a generally flat,
horizontal support surface comprising a left edge, a right edge, a
front edge and a rear edge, said support surface including a
plurality of openings arranged as a series of parallel slots formed
therein and including downwardly depending walls defining said
openings, a first support arm extending along said left edge of
said support surface, a second support arm extending along said
right edge of said support surface, said first and second support
arms each connected by a substantially right angle bend to said
support surface, said first and second support arms each extending
rearwardly beyond said rear edge of said support surface and being
provided with hooked tabs arranged to engage with a support ladder
in the refrigerator, a downwardly extending lip formed at said
front edge of said support surface and an upwardly extending ledge
formed at said rear edge of said support surface, said support
surface and said support arms being formed from a single piece of
steel and being bent into a final configuration without the use of
fasteners to hold separate pieces together.
20. A shelf according to claim 19, wherein said series of parallel
slots comprises two rows of parallel slots.
21. A shelf according to claim 19, wherein said support surface
includes a raised rim extending around a perimeter of said surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Movable shelves in appliances and cabinets, such as in
refrigerators are well known. Typically the shelves are formed from
multiple components, including multiple materials in some
instances. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,492 discloses a movable
refrigerator shelf having side brackets 66 which are secured by
welding to a support plate 68. The use of a welding bead as a
fastener to hold together two separate parts requires extra
assembly labor and materials, and hence increases the cost of the
shelf. U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,347 discloses a one piece molded plastic
frame for a refrigerator shelf that is molded around a separate
glass shelf panel. U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,233 discloses a refrigerator
shelf formed from a plurality of separate sheet metal stampings
that are connected and held together by welds and receive a
tempered glass shelf that has an elastic seal secured to its
peripheral edge. Many other examples show similar shelf
constructions.
[0002] A drawback of these existing shelf constructions is that
extra labor and materials are required when the shelf is
constructed of multiple components, whether those components are
made from identical or different materials. Extra assembly and
handling steps, and use of separate fasteners, including welding of
separate parts, increase the cost of the shelves.
[0003] It would be an advance in the art if there were provided a
single piece, metal shelf that could be formed without the need for
assembly or use of fasteners for separate parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a single piece, metal shelf
that may be formed without the need for assembly or use of
fasteners to join or hold separate parts or components
together.
[0005] In an embodiment, the invention comprises a shelf, usable in
a refrigerator, which has a generally flat, horizontal support
surface comprising a left edge, a right edge, a front edge and a
rear edge. A first support arm extends along the left edge of the
support surface and a second support arm extends along the right
edge of the support surface. The first and second support arms are
each connected by a substantially right angle bend to the support
surface. The first and second support arms each extend rearwardly
beyond the rear edge of the support surface. The support surface
and the support arms are formed from a single piece of metal and
are bent into a final configuration without the use of fasteners to
join or hold separate parts or components together.
[0006] In an embodiment, the support surface includes a plurality
of openings formed therein. For example, the plurality of openings
may be a series of parallel slots extending generally front to
rear. In one embodiment, the series of parallel slots may be two
rows of parallel slots. In any configuration of openings, the
openings may include downwardly depending walls which define the
openings.
[0007] In an embodiment, the support arms each are provided with
hooked tabs arranged to engage with a support ladder in the
refrigerator.
[0008] In an embodiment, the support surface includes a raised rim
extending around a perimeter of the surface.
[0009] In an embodiment, a downwardly extending lip may be formed
at the front edge of the support surface.
[0010] In an embodiment, an upwardly extending ledge may be formed
at the rear edge of the support surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator cabinet using
a refrigerator shelf embodying the principles of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a stamped refrigerator
shelf embodying the principles of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the stamped
refrigerator shelf of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom partial perspective view of the
stamped refrigerator shelf of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view taken generally along the
line V-V of FIG. 2
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view taken generally along the
line VI-VI of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The present invention is directed to a shelf which finds
utility as a refrigerator shelf, although it could be used in other
environments, including use in other appliances, such as freezers
and also in various cabinets and shelving applications. In order to
illustrate an embodiment of the invention, the shelf is illustrated
as a shelf that can be used in a refrigerator, however, its use
should not be limited to such an environment.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigeration appliance 20 having a
cabinet 22 with a door 24 openable to expose a refrigeration
compartment 26. Other refrigeration appliances, such as some
located in stores, do not have doors that need to be opened to
expose the refrigeration compartment. Positioned within the
refrigeration compartment 26 are a number of shelves 28, one or
more of which may embody the principles of the present invention.
In the illustrated embodiment, the shelves 28 are supported by
slotted ladders 30 at the rear wall 32 of the refrigeration
compartment 26 in a known cantilevered fashion.
[0019] The shelves 28 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2-6,
where it is seen that each shelf has a generally flat, horizontal
support surface 34 comprising a left edge 36, a right edge 38, a
front edge 40 and a rear edge 42. A first support arm 44 extends
along and depends from the left edge 36 of the support surface 34
and a second support arm 46 extends along and depends from the
right edge 38 of the support surface. The first 44 and second 46
support arms are each connected by a substantially right angle bend
48, 50 to the support surface 34 so that they each reside generally
in a vertical plane. The first 44 and second 46 support arms each
extend rearwardly and may extend beyond the rear edge 42 of the
support surface 34. The support surface 34 and the support arms 44,
46 are formed from a single piece of metal and are bent into a
final configuration without the use of fasteners to hold separate
pieces together. The single piece shelf 28 may be securely held in
its folded final configuration or strengthened by a securing or
strengthening element, such as by a metal clinch between two
overlapping sections of the single piece shelf, or by a tack weld
between two overlapping sections. Separate pieces are not required
to be gripped and held in a predefined orientation relative to one
another, rather the folded single piece must merely be retained in
its folded condition temporarily while the securing or
strengthening element is applied. In a progressive die press, the
securing or strengthening element may be applied as an automated
additional step without adding further complexity to the
manufacturing process.
[0020] In an embodiment, the support surface 34 includes a
plurality of openings 52 formed therein. For example, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of openings 52 may be a series of
parallel slots extending generally front to rear. In one
embodiment, as shown, the series of parallel slots may be two rows
of parallel slots in which the slots are formed as elongated ovals.
In other embodiments, the slots may have other configurations, such
as extending side-to-side rather than front-to-rear, and may be
arranged in chevron configurations or other non-linear
configurations. The openings 52 themselves may also be formed with
a configuration different than the illustrated oval slot, and could
include round, square, rectangular, pentagonal or other polygonal
shapes and combinations of curved and straight edges.
[0021] In any configuration of openings, as shown in greater detail
in FIG. 4, the openings 52 may include downwardly depending walls
54 which define the openings. The downwardly depending walls 54
provide additional strength to the support surface 34. A lower edge
55 of the walls 54 may be curled over to avoid sharp edges of the
wall.
[0022] In an embodiment, the support arms 44, 46 each are provided
with hooked tabs 56 extending rearwardly of the rear edge 42 of the
support surface 34 and are arranged to engage with the support
ladders 30 in the refrigeration appliance 20. The tabs 56 engage in
the slots of the ladders 30 and a rear edge 58 of the support arms
44, 46 abuts against the ladders to support the shelf 28 in a
cantilevered fashion.
[0023] To provide additional strengthening for the shelf 28, in an
embodiment, the support surface 34 includes a raised rim 60
extending around a perimeter 62 of the surface. The raised rim 60
is comprised of a short vertical wall segment 64 and a horizontal
wall segment 66.
[0024] In an embodiment, a downwardly extending lip 68 may be
formed at the front edge 40 of the support surface 34 or rim 60.
This lip 68 extends across the entire front edge 40 and abuts the
two support arms 44, 46. In some embodiments, the front lip 68 and
support arms 44, 46 may be formed integrally, through appropriate
bending and drawing operations, and in other embodiments, the front
lip may be separate, but abutting the support arms.
[0025] In an embodiment, an upwardly positioned ledge 70 may be
formed by a rear edge riser 72 at the rear edge 42 of the support
surface 34 or rim 60. The ledge 70 may extend across the entire
rear edge 42 of the support surface 34 and a portion of the support
arms 44, 46 may depend directly from the ledge. Also, the upper
hooked tab 56 may extend rearwardly from the support arms 44,46 at
the level of the ledge 70.
[0026] To provide further strengthening for the shelf 28, one or
more ribs or channels 74 may be provided in each support arm 44,46
extending generally in a front-to-rear direction.
[0027] The shelf 28, as described can be formed through a series of
bends, draws and punches, and with the various strengthening bends
and walls described allows the shelf to be formed from a thinner
metal material than is presently used for refrigerator shelf
construction. For example, presently used shelves have a thickness
of about 0.060-0.070 inches, and the shelves made in accordance
with the principles of the present invention may be formed of steel
having a thickness of about 0.030 inches. In order to assure
support strength for the attachment of the shelf 28 to the support
ladder 30, the metal material forming the shelf may be folded over
to provide a double thickness in the area of the tabs 56 (as best
seen in FIG. 5), either by folding the material up from a lower
edge of the tabs 56 or folding the material back from a rear edge
of the tabs. If the shelf 28 is formed from a material having
sufficient thickness or strength, the folding over would not be
necessary.
[0028] To form the shelf 28 of the present invention, a single flat
sheet of metal, such as cold rolled commercial quality steel, drawn
quality cold rolled steel or stainless steel (300 series), may be
sequentially operated on in a progressive die press in which
various of the openings 52 are formed, the outer perimeter shape is
defined by cutting or punching, the various bends and draws are
made and thus the shelf is completed from a single flat sheet to
the finished configuration by mechanical shaping, all without
further assembly or use of fasteners including welding of separate
components or parts. Tack welding or clinching of the folded or
bent portions of the single piece shelf can occur, for
strengthening or securing purposes, during the operation of the
progressive die press, without the gripping or positioning of
additional components or parts.
[0029] The resulting unitary self 28 has the required structural
strength while being very economical to manufacture. Following the
formation of the shelf 28 in the press, the shelf may be coated
with powder coating, high solids coating, or electro-coating paint
systems and may be pointed a variety of colors and/or may carry a
variety of decorative hot stamps or films.
[0030] As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the
invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations
and modifications which may differ particularly from those that
have been described in the preceding specification and description.
It should be understood that we wish to embody within the scope of
the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably
and properly come within the scope of our contribution to the
art.
* * * * *