U.S. patent application number 12/628257 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-02 for shelf for an appliance.
Invention is credited to Aaron Matthew McDaniel, Jonathan NASH.
Application Number | 20110127897 12/628257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44068333 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110127897 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NASH; Jonathan ; et
al. |
June 2, 2011 |
SHELF FOR AN APPLIANCE
Abstract
A spill proof shelf and a refrigerator using the same are
disclosed. The shelf has a glass plate formed through a
glass-slumping process. The shelf also has a metal bracket coupled
to the plate for supporting the plate. The bracket provides an
interface of the shelf with the refrigerator. The plate has a lower
planar portion and an upper planar portion surrounding the lower
planar portion. The upper planar portion is smoothly transitioned
to the lower planar portion through the glass-slumping process, to
define a central recess. The plate also has a side portion
extending perpendicularly from the upper planar portion. In case
food or beverage spill occurs, it will be confined in the
recess.
Inventors: |
NASH; Jonathan; (LaGrange,
GB) ; McDaniel; Aaron Matthew; (Louisville,
KY) |
Family ID: |
44068333 |
Appl. No.: |
12/628257 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/408 ;
211/134; 248/250 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/028 20130101;
F25D 25/02 20130101; F25D 2325/022 20130101; F25D 2400/22
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/408 ;
211/134; 248/250 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/00 20060101
F25D023/00; A47F 5/00 20060101 A47F005/00; A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1. A shelf comprising: a plate comprising a lower planar portion
and an upper planar portion substantially surrounding the lower
planar portion to define a central recess, the plate further
comprising at least one side portion extending downwardly from the
upper planar portion; and at least one bracket coupled to the plate
for supporting the plate.
2. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the plate comprises a glass pane,
the lower planar portion, the upper planar portion and the at least
one side portion of the glass pane being formed through a
glass-slumping process.
3. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the at least one side portion
extends substantially perpendicularly from the upper planar
portion.
4. The shelf of claim 3, wherein the bracket comprises an inner
wall, an outer wall, and a bottom wall connecting the inner wall
and the outer wall.
5. The shelf of claim 4, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall
are substantially parallel to the at least one side portion of the
plate and spaced from each other, for defining a space to receive
the at least one side portion.
6. The shelf of claim 5, wherein the inner wall of the bracket
comprises a sloped terminal portion extending inwardly and upwardly
from the inner wall.
7. The shelf of claim 1 further comprising a cross-brace attached
to the bracket for enhancing the strength of a depending wall of
the bracket.
8. The shelf of claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a top wall
supporting the upper planar portion of the plate, and a depending
wall extending downwardly from the top wall and adjacent to the at
least one side portion of the plate.
9. The shelf of claim 8, wherein the depending wall of the bracket
extends substantially perpendicularly from the top wall.
10. The shelf of claim 8 further comprising at least one stopper
integrally formed with the plate for preventing sliding of the
plate relative to the bracket in a given direction.
11. The shelf of claim 8, wherein the depending wall of the bracket
comprises at least one elongated lateral slot formed through the
depending wall.
12. The shelf of claim 11 further comprising a cross-brace attached
to the bracket for enhancing the strength of the depending wall of
the bracket.
13. The shelf of claim 11, wherein the side portion of the plate
comprises at least one through hole in substantially alignment with
the elongated lateral slot.
14. The shelf of claim 11 further comprising a fixing member
configured to extend through the at least one elongated lateral
slot and attached to the depending wall of the bracket, the fixing
member being configured to move along the elongated lateral
slot.
15. The shelf of claim 13 further comprising a fixing member
configured to extend through the at least one elongated lateral
slot and the at least one through hole, the fixing member being
configured to move along the elongated lateral slot.
16. The shelf of claim 8, wherein the depending wall of the bracket
comprises at least one through hole and the side portion of the
plate comprises at least one through hole in substantially
alignment with the at least one through hole of the depending wall
of the bracket.
17. The shelf of claim 16 further comprising a fixing member
extending through the at least one through hole of the depending
wall of the bracket and the at least one through hole of the side
portion of the plate, for fixing the depending wall of the bracket
to the side portion of the plate.
18. A refrigerator comprising: at least one storing compartment;
and at least one shelf disposed in the compartment, comprising: a
plate comprising a lower planar portion and an upper planar portion
substantially surrounding the lower planar portion to define a
central recess, the plate further comprising at least one side
portion extending downwardly from the upper planar portion; and at
least one bracket coupled to the plate for supporting the
plate.
19. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the plate comprises a
glass pane, the lower planar portion, the upper planar portion and
the at least one side portion of the glass pane being formed
through a glass-slumping process.
20. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the at least one side
portion extends substantially perpendicularly from the upper planar
portion.
21. The refrigerator of claim 20, wherein the bracket comprises an
inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom wall connecting the inner
wall and the outer wall.
22. The refrigerator of claim 21, wherein the inner wall and the
outer wall are substantially parallel to the at least one side
portion of the plate and spaced from each other, for defining a
space to receive the at least one side portion.
23. The refrigerator of claim 22, wherein the inner wall of the
bracket comprises a sloped terminal portion extending inwardly and
upwardly from the inner wall.
24. The refrigerator of claim 18 further comprising a cross-brace
attached to the bracket for enhancing the strength of a depending
wall of the bracket.
25. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the bracket comprises a
top wall supporting the upper planar portion of the plate, and a
depending wall extending downwardly from the top wall and adjacent
to the at least one side portion of the plate.
26. The refrigerator of claim 25, wherein the depending wall of the
bracket extends substantially perpendicularly from the top
wall.
27. The refrigerator of claim 25 further comprising at least one
stopper integrally formed with the plate for preventing sliding of
the plate relative to the bracket in a given direction.
28. The refrigerator of claim 25, wherein the depending wall of the
bracket comprises at least one elongated lateral slot formed
through the depending wall.
29. The refrigerator of claim 28 further comprising a cross-brace
attached to the bracket for enhancing the strength of the depending
wall of the bracket.
30. The refrigerator of claim 28, wherein the side portion of the
plate comprises at least one through hole in substantially
alignment with the elongated lateral slot.
31. The refrigerator of claim 28 further comprising a fixing member
configured to extend through the at least one elongated lateral
slot and attached to the depending wall of the bracket, the fixing
member being configured to move along the elongated lateral
slot.
32. The refrigerator of claim 30 further comprising a fixing member
configured to extend through the at least one elongated lateral
slot and the at least one through hole, the fixing member being
configured to move along the elongated lateral slot.
33. The refrigerator of claim 25, wherein the depending wall of the
bracket comprises at least one through hole and the side portion of
the plate comprises at least one through hole in substantially
alignment with the at least one through hole of the depending wall
of the bracket.
34. The refrigerator of claim 33 further comprising a fixing member
extending through the at least one through hole of the depending
wall of the bracket and the at least one through hole of the side
portion of the plate, for fixing the depending wall of the bracket
to the side portion of the plate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application Ser. No. relates to the application
entitled SLUMPED GLASS SPILL PROOF SHELF FOR AN APPLIANCE AND
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A SHELF, attorney docket no. 237978, filed
______.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to shelf assemblies
for appliances such as refrigerators and, more particularly, to
spill proof refrigerator shelves which do not require a traditional
plastic frame while still maintaining a satisfactory structural
integrity and spill proof functionality of the products.
[0003] A refrigerator typically includes a number of shelves for
the storage of food and beverage containers of a variety of shapes
and sizes. As the containers are retrieved, returned and rearranged
on the shelves, occasional leaks and spilling of food and liquid
may occur. Extensive cleanup efforts are required since the spill
will commonly flow down through the compartment, from shelf to
shelf. Therefore, it is desirable to provide containment implements
for the refrigerator to limit the area of such a spill.
[0004] Traditionally, a spill proof shelf of a refrigerator
requires a plastic frame, a glass pane supported by the frame, and
one or more metal support brackets which engage the frame and also
mate with the cant tracks of the refrigerator. The cost for molding
the plastic frame, including the cost for manufacturing a mold for
the frame and the cost for assembling the frame with the glass pane
and the support brackets, is high. Furthermore, the plastic frame
impedes the lighting of the refrigerator. Accordingly, it is
desirable to provide a refrigerator shelf, which does not require
the frame while still maintaining the structural integrity and the
spill proof functionality of the shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] As described herein, the various exemplary embodiments of
the present invention overcome one or more of the above or other
disadvantages known in the art.
[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a shelf for a
refrigerator. The shelf includes a plate having a lower planar
portion and an upper planar portion substantially surrounding the
lower planar portion to define a central recess. The plate further
includes at least one side portion extending downwardly from the
upper planar portion. The shelf further includes at least one
bracket coupled to the plate for supporting the plate.
[0007] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a
refrigerator. The refrigerator includes at least one storing
compartment and at least one shelf disposed in the compartment. The
shelf includes a plate having a lower planar portion and an upper
planar portion substantially surrounding the lower planar portion
to define a central recess. The plate further includes at least one
side portion extending downwardly from the upper planar portion.
The shelf further includes at least one bracket coupled to the
plate for supporting the plate.
[0008] These and other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are
designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a
definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference
should be made to the appended claims. Moreover, the drawings are
not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise
indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the
structures and procedures described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustrative perspective view of a refrigerator
shelf according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the shelf along Lines 2-2 in
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an illustrative perspective view of a refrigerator
shelf according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the shelf along Lines 4-4 in
FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an illustrative perspective view of a refrigerator
shelf according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the shelf along Lines 6-6 in
FIG. 5;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an illustrative perspective view of a refrigerator
shelf according to still another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the shelf along Lines 8-8 in
FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0017] It is contemplated that the teaching of the description set
forth below is applicable to all types of refrigeration appliances,
including but not limited to household refrigerators. The present
invention is therefore not intended to be limited to any particular
refrigeration apparatus or configuration described in the exemplary
embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a refrigerator
shelf 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the shelf 10 along Lines
2-2 in FIG. 1.
[0019] The shelf 10 is mounted in a storing compartment of a
refrigerator, for supporting thereon food or beverage containers.
The shelf 10 includes a plate 100 and at least one bracket 200
(only one bracket 200 is shown in FIG. 1) coupled to the plate 100
for supporting the plate 100. The plate 100 is capable of
supporting food or beverage containers. The bracket 200 is
mountable to a wall of the refrigerator to place the shelf 10 in a
proper position, such as a horizontal position in the refrigerator.
For example, the bracket 200 mates the cant tracks in the
refrigerator.
[0020] The plate 100 includes an upper planar portion 120 and a
lower planar portion 140 substantially surrounded by the upper
planar portion 120. The upper planar portion 120 is smoothly
transitioned to the lower planar portion 140 through a curved
portion 150. The upper planar portion 120 and the lower planar
portion 140 define a central recess 160. In the event leaks and
spilling of the food or beverage occurs, the spilled solid or
liquid would be confined in the recess 160.
[0021] The plate 100 further includes at least one side portion 170
extending downwardly from the upper planar portion 120. The side
portion 170 and upper planar portion 120 form an angle .alpha.,
which is in the range between 0.degree. and 180.degree.. In the
shown exemplary embodiment, the side portion 170 extends
substantially perpendicularly from the upper planar portion 120,
such that the angle .alpha. is approximately 90.degree.. However, a
person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the
relative position between the side portion and the upper planar
portion can vary depending on the specific design of the shelf.
[0022] Optionally, the plate 100 includes a front rim 180 curved
downwardly from the front edge of the upper planar portion 120. The
rim 180 serves as a handle for a user to grab the plate 100.
[0023] In the shown embodiment, the plate 100 is an integral glass
pane formed through a glass-slumping process. In such a process, a
flat piece of float glass is heated to a temperature just below the
transition temperature for glass and thus allowed to take the form
of a mold. By means of the glass-slumping process, the upper planar
portion 120 is smoothly transitioned to the lower planar portion
140 through the curved portion 150, thereby defining the recess
160. Pressure can be added to adjust the curvature of the curved
portion 150. Furthermore, the glass plate 100 does not impede the
lighting of the refrigerator. Suitable transparent or translucent
material, other than glass, can also be used in place or in
addition to glass.
[0024] The bracket 200 can be of any suitable type, which includes
standard features mating with, for example, the cant tracks of a
refrigerator. The bracket 200 includes an inner wall 210 and an
outer wall 220, connected to each other through a bottom wall 230.
The inner wall 210 and the outer wall 220 are substantially
parallel to each other and spaced from each other by a fixed
distance sufficient to receive the side portion 170.
[0025] Accordingly, a space S is provided between the inner wall
210 and the outer wall 220, into which the lower end 172 of the
side portion 170 is inserted. The space S is dimensioned to pinch
the lower end 172 of the side portion 170, to prevent the plate 100
from undesirable movement.
[0026] Optionally, the inner wall 210 can be provided with a sloped
terminal portion 212, which extends inwardly and upwardly from the
inner wall 210. The sloped terminal portion 212 facilitates
insertions of the lower end 172 into the space S.
[0027] The bracket 200 can be fabricated from a variety of suitable
materials, including but not limited to, metal such as steel.
Furthermore, the number, position and configuration of the bracket
can be changed depending on the specific design of the
refrigerator.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a
refrigerator shelf 20 according to another exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. Similar to the shelf 10, the shelf 20
includes a plate 300 and at least one bracket 400 supporting the
plate 300 (only one bracket 400 is shown in FIG. 3).
[0029] The plate 300 is capable of supporting food or beverage
containers. The bracket 400 is mountable to a wall of the
refrigerator to place the shelf 20 in a proper position. For
example, the bracket 400 mates the cant tracks in the
refrigerator.
[0030] The plate 300 includes an upper planar portion 320 and a
lower planar portion 340 substantially surrounded by the upper
planar-portion 320. The upper planar portion 320 is smoothly
transitioned to the lower planar portion 340 through a curved
portion 350. The upper planar portion 320 and the lower planar
portion 340 define a central recess 360. In the event leaks and
spilling of the food or beverage occurs, the spilled solid or
liquid would be confined in the recess 360.
[0031] The plate 300 further includes at least one side portion 370
extending downwardly from the upper planar portion 320. The side
portion 370 and upper planar portion 320 form an angle .beta.,
which is in the range between 0.degree. and 180.degree.. In the
shown exemplary embodiment, the side portion 370 extends
substantially perpendicularly from the upper planar portion 320,
such that the angle .beta. is approximately 90.degree.. However, a
person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the
relative position between the side portion and the upper planar
portion can vary depending on the specific design of the shelf.
[0032] Optionally, the plate 300 includes a front rim 380 curved
downwardly from the front edge of the upper planar portion 320. The
rim 380 serves as a handle for a user to grab the plate 300.
[0033] Similar to the previously described plate 100, the plate 300
is an integral glass pane formed through a glass-slumping
process.
[0034] In the shown embodiment, the bracket 400 includes a top wall
410, on which the upper planar portion 320 of the plate 300 sits,
and a depending wall 420 extending downwardly from the top wall 410
and adjacent or in contact with the side portion 370 of the plate
300. For example, the depending wall 420 is substantially parallel
to the side portion 370 of the plate 300.
[0035] The bracket 400 can be fabricated from a variety of suitable
materials, including but not limited to, metal such as steel.
Furthermore, the number, position and configuration of the bracket
can be changed depending on the specific design of the
refrigerator.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the shelf 20 along Lines 4-4
in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, preferably the shelf 20 further
includes at least one stopper 500 (only one stopper 500 is shown in
FIG. 3) integrally formed with the upper planar portion 320, for
example, through a glass-slumping process. In the shown embodiment,
the stopper 500 is preferably located at the rear edge of the upper
planar portion 320. The stopper 500 extends downward so that it can
engage the rear edge of the top wall 410 of the bracket 400. Thus,
the stopper 500 prevents the plate 300 from being slid forwardly by
its interference with the rear edge of the top wall 410 of the
bracket 400. The stopper may be located in other places. For
example, it may be integrally formed with the rear edge of the side
portion 370 of the plate 300.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a refrigerator
shelf 30 according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. The shelf 30 is disposed in a storing
compartment of a refrigerator. Similar to the previously described
shelves 10 and 20, the shelf 30 includes a plate 600 and at least
one bracket 700 supporting the plate 600.
[0038] The plate 600 is capable of supporting food or beverage
containers. The bracket 700 is mountable to a wall of the
refrigerator to place the shelf 30 in a proper position. For
example, the bracket 700 mates the cant tracks in the
refrigerator.
[0039] The plate 600 includes an upper planar portion 620 and a
lower planar portion 640 substantially surrounded by the upper
planar portion 620. The upper planar portion 620 is smoothly
transitioned to the lower planar portion 640 through a curved
portion 650. The upper planar portion 620 and the lower planar
portion 640 define a central recess 660. In the event leaks and
spilling of the food or beverage occurs, the spilled solid or
liquid would be confined in the recess 660.
[0040] The plate 600 further includes at least one side portion 670
extending downwardly from the upper planar portion 620. The side
portion 670 and upper planar portion 620 form an angle .PHI., which
is in the range between 0.degree. and 180.degree.. In the shown
exemplary embodiment, the side portion 370 extends substantially
perpendicularly from the upper planar portion 320, such that the
angle .PHI. is approximately 90.degree.. However, a person of
ordinary skill in the art should understand that the relative
position between the side portion and the upper planar portion can
vary depending on the specific design of the shelf.
[0041] Optionally, the plate 600 includes a front rim 680 curved
downwardly from the front edge of the upper planar portion 620. The
rim 680 serves as a handle for a user to grab the plate 600.
[0042] The bracket 700 includes a top wall 710, on which the upper
planar portion 620 of the plate 600 sits, and a depending wall 720
extending downwardly from the top wall 710 and adjacent to or in
contact with the side portion 670 of the plate 600. For example,
the depending wall 720 is substantially parallel to the side
portion 670 of the plate 600.
[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the shelf 30 along
Lines 6-6 in FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the shelf 30
further includes features for implementing a slidable shelf, such
that a user can slide the plate 600 relative to the bracket 700,
laterally along the directions indicated by arrows Y-Y' in FIG. 5.
Accordingly, it is convenient to the user to handle the food or
beverage containers supported on the shelf.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the bracket 700 includes an elongated
lateral slot 730 formed through the depending wall 720 of the
bracket 700, along the lateral direction indicted by the arrows
Y-Y'. As shown in FIG. 6, the side portion 670 of the plate 600
includes a through hole 690 in substantial alignment with the
elongated lateral slot 730, such that a fixing member is capable of
extending through both the elongated lateral slot 730 and the
through hole 690.
[0045] The shelf 30 further includes a fixing member 800, which
includes but is not limited to a pin, a screw and so on. The fixing
member 800 includes a shaft 810 extending through the elongated
lateral slot 730 and the through hole 690. The fixing member 800
further includes a pair of expanded heads 820 and 830, disposed at
the opposite ends of the shaft 810. For example, the fixing member
can be an elongated malleable metal material having a sufficient
lateral length. In operation, the elongated malleable metal
material is first inserted through the lateral slot 730 and the
through hole 690. Subsequently, both ends of the material extending
outside of the lateral slot 730 and the through hole 690 are
pressed to provide expanded heads to pinch the shelf and bracket.
Alternatively, the shaft 810 can be a threaded bolt extending
through the elongated lateral slot 730 and the through hole 690;
and the pair of expanded heads 820 and 830 can be threaded nuts for
mating with the bolt. In operation, the bolt is deployed to extend
through both the elongated lateral slot 730 and the through hole
690 first. Subsequently, the nuts are rotated onto the ends of the
bolt, to press against the depending wall 720 of the bracket 700
and the side portion 670 of the plate 600, respectively. However, a
person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the
fixing member is not limited to the above-described
embodiments.
[0046] Through the interaction between the shaft 810 and the
through hole 690, the fixing member 800 and the plate 600 move
simultaneously. The elongated lateral slot 730 allows the fixing
member 800 to move laterally within the elongated lateral slot 730.
Accordingly, once the fixing member 800 is assembled to the plate
600 and the bracket 700, a user is able to slide the plate 600
laterally along the slot 730 to conveniently access the food or
beverage containers supported by the plate 600.
[0047] Alternatively, a fixing member, extending through the
elongated lateral slot 730, can be attached to the side portion
670. For example, the fixing member can be glued to the side
portion 670. In this case, there is no need to form a through hole
in the side portion 670 of the plate 600.
[0048] Optionally, in order to enhance the strength of the bracket
700, a cross-brace (not shown) can be attached to the depending
wall 720 of the bracket 700.
[0049] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a shelf 40 according to still
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Similar to
the shelves 10, 20 and 30, the shelf 40 includes a plate 900 and at
least one bracket 1000 supporting the plate 900.
[0050] The plate 900 is capable of supporting food or beverage
containers. The bracket 1000 is mountable to a wall of the
refrigerator to locate the shelf 40 in a proper position within a
compartment of refrigerator. For example, the bracket 1000 mates
the cant tracks the refrigerator.
[0051] The plate 900 includes an upper planar portion 920 and a
lower planar portion 940 substantially surrounded by the upper
planar portion 920. The upper planar portion 920 is smoothly
transitioned to the lower planar portion 940 through a curved
portion 950. The upper planar portion 920 and the lower planar
portion 940 define a central recess 960. In the event leaks and
spilling of the food or beverage occurs, the spilled solid or
liquid would be confined in the recess 960.
[0052] The plate 900 further includes at least one side portion 970
extending downwardly from the upper planar portion 920. The side
portion 970 and upper planar portion 920 form an angle .gamma.,
which is in the range between 0.degree. and 180.degree.. In the
shown exemplary embodiment, the side portion 370 extends
substantially perpendicularly from the upper planar portion 320,
such that the angle .gamma. is approximately 90.degree.. However, a
person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the
relative position between the side portion and the upper planar
portion can vary depending on the specific design of the shelf.
[0053] Optionally, the plate 900 includes a front rim 980 curved
downwardly from the upper planar portion 920. The rim 980 serves as
a handle for a user to grab the plate 900.
[0054] The bracket 1000 includes a top wall 1010, on which the
upper planar portion 920 of the plate 900 sits, and a depending
wall 1020 extending downwardly from the top wall 1010 and adjacent
or in contact with the side portion 970 of the plate 900. For
example, the depending wall 1020 is substantially parallel to the
side portion 970 of the plate 900.
[0055] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the shelf 40 along Lines 8-8
in FIG. 7. The side portion 970 of the plate 900 includes at least
one through hole 980, and the depending wall 1020 of the bracket
1000 includes at least one through hole 1030, in substantially
alignment with the through hole 980.
[0056] The shelf 40 further includes a fixing member 1100, having a
central shaft 1110 and a pair of expanded heads 1120 and 1130
disposed at either end of the shaft 1110. The shaft 1110 is adapted
to pass through both the through hole 1030 of the bracket 1000 and
the through hole 980 of the plate 900. The fixing member 1100 can
be handled to allow the expanded heads 1120 and 1130 to firmly
compress the depending wall 1020 of the bracket 1000 and the side
portion 970 of the plate 900, respectively. Thus, the plate 900 and
the bracket 1000 are assembled to each other to provide a fixed
shelf in the refrigerator. For example, the fixing member 1100 can
be same or similar to the fixing member 800 described previously. A
person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the
fixing member can vary from those shown in these embodiments. The
fixing member includes but is not limited to a pin, a screw and so
on.
[0057] The through hole 1030 of the bracket 1000 and the through
hole 980 of the plate 900 can assume any suitable shape, such as
circular through holes. In order to enhance the fixation of the
bracket 1000 to the plate 900, a supplemental fixing member 1200,
similar to the fixing member 1100, may be added, in a similar
manner.
[0058] Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out
fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to various
specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various
omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of
the apparatus illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the
invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all
combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform
substantially the same function in substantially the same way to
achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention.
Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements
and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any
disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated
in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment
as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention,
therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *