Shelf assembly for a refrigerator compartment

Abstract

A sliding or vertically step-adjustable shelf includes a panel of tempered glass and two open frames. A peripheral edge of the glass panel is sandwiched between the two open frames and the latter are staked together. Alternatively, a pair of metal shelf brackets can be staked to the frames to provide vertical step-adjustment of the shelf. The vertically step-adjustable shelf can be further simplified by eliminating one of the open frame members and staking the metal shelf brackets to side frame portions of but a single outer/uppermost open frame member. In each of the shelves various components utilized in the assembly thereof, such as stake projections, heads and openings are hidden from view when the shelves are in their horizontal in-use position. Hence, each shelf presents a highly desirable aesthetic appearance, yet is strong and can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable price.

1 . A shelf assembly comprising a pair of substantially open frame members each defining an opening and including a plurality of at least one of stake projections and stake projection openings, a shelf panel having an outer peripheral edge sandwiched between said frame members, said stake projections projecting into said stake projection openings, and said stake projections having axial terminal ends staked to form enlarged stake heads thereby retaining said frame members and shelf panel in assembled relationship.  
   
   
       2 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including at least one shelf support having at least one stake projection opening therein and a stake projection of at least one of said frame members being inter-engaged with said shelf support at least one stake projection opening, and said last-mentioned stake projection having a staked head retaining said shelf support and at least one frame member in assembled relationship.  
   
   
       3 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein axes of at least two of said plurality of stake projections are substantially normal to a plane of said shelf panel.  
   
   
       4 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein axes of at least two of said plurality of stake projections are substantially parallel to a plane of said shelf panel.  
   
   
       5 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein axes of at least two of said plurality of stake projections are substantially normal to a plane of said shelf panel, and axes of at least two others of said plurality of stake projections are substantially parallel to the plane of the shelf panel.  
   
   
       6 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein one of said frame members is disposed uppermost when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which said shelf panel is substantially horizontal, said one frame member includes an outermost surface, and said one frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible staked heads.  
   
   
       7 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein one of said frame members is disposed uppermost when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which said shelf panel is substantially horizontal, said one frame member includes an outermost surface, said one frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible staked heads, another of said frame members is disposed lowermost in the position of use, said another frame member includes an outermost surface, and discernible staked heads at said another frame member outermost surface.  
   
   
       8 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein one of said frame members is disposed lowermost when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which said shelf panel is substantially horizontal, said one frame member includes an outermost surface, and discernible staked heads at said one frame member outermost surface.  
   
   
       9 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including means for supporting said shelf assembly in a position of use in which said shelf panel is substantially horizontal.  
   
   
       10 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including means for supporting said shelf assembly in a position of use in which said shelf panel is substantially horizontal, and means for locating said supporting means with respect to one of said frame members.  
   
   
       11 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including means for supporting said shelf assembly in a position of use in which said shelf panel is substantially horizontal, and means for slidably assembling said supporting means with respect to one of said frame members.  
   
   
       12 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including means for locating said pair of frame members relative to each other.  
   
   
       13 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including means for snap-securing said pair of frame members relative to each other.  
   
   
       14 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including means for locating said shelf panel with respect to one of said frame members.  
   
   
       15 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame members are each of a substantially polygonal configuration defined by opposite spaced substantially parallel side frame portions and opposite spaced substantially parallel front and rear frame portions, and said plurality of inter-engaged stake projections and stake projections openings are defined by said frame members side frame portions.  
   
   
       16 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame members are each of a substantially polygonal configuration defined by opposite spaced substantially parallel side frame portions and opposite spaced substantially parallel front and rear frame portions, and said plurality of inter-engaged stake projections and stake projections openings are defined by said frame members front and rear frame portions.  
   
   
       17 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame members are each of a substantially polygonal configuration defined by opposite spaced substantially parallel side frame portions and opposite spaced substantially parallel front and rear frame portions, and said plurality of inter-engaged stake projections and stake projections openings are defined by said frame members side frame portions, rear frame portions and front frame portions.  
   
   
       18 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame members are each of a substantially polygonal configuration defined by opposite spaced substantially parallel side frame portions and opposite spaced substantially parallel front and rear frame portions, said plurality of inter-engaged stake projections and stake projections openings are defined by said frame members side frame portions, and axes of at least two of said stake projections are substantially normal to each other.  
   
   
       19 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame members are each of a substantially polygonal configuration defined by opposite spaced substantially parallel side frame portions and opposite spaced substantially parallel front and rear frame portions, said plurality of inter-engaged stake projections and stake projections openings are defined by said frame members side frame portions, and axes of at least two of said stake projections are substantially parallel to each other.  
   
   
       20 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame members are each of a substantially polygonal configuration defined by opposite spaced substantially parallel side frame portions and opposite spaced substantially parallel front and rear frame portions, said plurality of inter-engaged stake projections and stake projections openings are defined by said frame members side frame portions, axes of at least two of said stake projections are substantially normal to each other, and axes of at least two others of said stake projections are substantially parallel to each other.  
   
   
       21 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein each frame member includes opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a substantially vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which the shelf panel is substantially horizontal.  
   
   
       22 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein each frame member includes opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a substantially vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which the shelf panel is substantially horizontal, and said vertical flanges project downwardly and said horizontal flanges are disposed in a substantially common horizontal plane in the position of use.  
   
   
       23 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein each frame member includes opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a substantially vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which the shelf panel is substantially horizontal, and said shelf panel outer peripheral edge is sandwiched between said horizontal flanges.  
   
   
       24 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein each frame member includes opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a substantially vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which the shelf panel is substantially horizontal, and said plurality of stake projections project from at least two of said vertical flanges.  
   
   
       25 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein each frame member includes opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a substantially vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which the shelf panel is substantially horizontal, and said plurality of stake projections project from vertical flanges of the same frame member.  
   
   
       26 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein each frame member includes opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a substantially vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which the shelf panel is substantially horizontal, and said plurality of stake projections project from vertical flanges of the same frame member in opposite directions.  
   
   
       27 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein each frame member includes opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a substantially vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which the shelf panel is substantially horizontal, said vertical flanges project downwardly and said horizontal flanges are disposed in a substantially common horizontal plane in the position of use, a pair of means for supporting said shelf assembly in the position of use, and means for securing one of said supporting means to at least one vertical flange of one of the frame member opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions.  
   
   
       28 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein each frame member includes opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a substantially vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which the shelf panel is substantially horizontal, said vertical flanges project downwardly and said horizontal flanges are disposed in a substantially common horizontal plane in the position of use, a pair of means for supporting said shelf assembly in the position of use, means for securing one of said supporting means to at least one vertical flange of one of the fame member opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions, and said securing means include stake projections of the last-mentioned vertical flanges projecting through openings of the supporting means each having a staked head.  
   
   
       29 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said stake projections and stake projection openings are outboard of an outer peripheral edge of said shelf panel.  
   
   
       30 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame members include an upper frame member and a lower frame member, said upper frame member carries at least some of said stake projections, and said lower frame member carries at least some of said stake projection openings.  
   
   
       31 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame members include an upper frame member and a lower frame member, said upper frame member carries said stake projections, and said lower frame member carries said stake projection openings.  
   
   
       32 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein one of said frame members includes opposite side frame portions of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by substantially vertical and horizontal flanges, and said vertical flanges peripherally cover an outer peripheral edge of said shelf panel at said opposite side frame portions.  
   
   
       33 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame members collectively set-off uppermost and lowermost opposite surfaces of said shelf assembly, and the stake heads are located between the uppermost and lowermost opposite surfaces.  
   
   
       34 . A shelf assembly comprising at least one substantially open frame member having an inner peripheral edge defining an opening and a shelf panel having an outer peripheral edge, said frame member including opposite spaced substantially parallel frame portions each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a substantially downwardly directed vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a position of use in which the shelf panel is substantially horizontal, a pair of support brackets each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a substantially downwardly directed vertical flange in the shelf assembly position of use, said shelf panel outer peripheral edge being sandwiched between the horizontal flanges of the frame member and pair of support brackets, means for securing at least selected ones of said frame member and support brackets flanges to each other, at least one of said open frame member and said pair of support brackets being formed of synthetic polymeric/polymeric plastic material, and said securing means being defined by a plurality of inter-engaged stake projections formed of said synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material and stake projection openings with the stake projections having stake heads securing said selected flanges to each other.  
   
   
       35 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 34  wherein said support brackets substantially horizontal flanges are in opposing substantially aligned relationship to each other.  
   
   
       36 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 34  including means for locating said shelf panel with respect to said frame member.  
   
   
       37 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 34  including means for locating said shelf panel with respect to said frame member, and said locating means are carried by said frame member flanges.  
   
   
       38 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 34  wherein said selected ones of said frame member and support bracket flanges are horizontal flanges.  
   
   
       39 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 34  wherein said selected ones of said frame member and support bracket flanges are vertical flanges.  
   
   
       40 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 34  wherein said selected ones of said frame member and support bracket flanges are horizontal flanges and vertical flanges.  
   
   
       41 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 34  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads.  
   
   
       42 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 34  including means for locating said shelf panel with respect to said frame member.  
   
   
       43 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 34  including means for locating said shelf panel with respect to said frame member, and said locating means are carried by said frame member flanges.  
   
   
       44 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 35  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads.  
   
   
       45 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 36  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads.  
   
   
       46 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 38  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads.  
   
   
       47 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 39  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads.  
   
   
       48 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 40  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads.  
   
   
       49 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 34  wherein said frame member is formed of said synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material, and said pair of support brackets are each metal.  
   
   
       50 . A method of manufacturing a shelf assembly comprising the steps of (a) providing an open frame member formed of synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material defining an opening and including at least one frame portion of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a downwardly directed vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a substantially horizontal position of use with at least one of the vertical and horizontal flanges having a plurality of in situ formed synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material stake projections, (b) providing a shelf panel having an outer peripheral edge, (c) providing at least one shelf bracket of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a downwardly directed vertical flange in the position of use with a plurality of stake projection openings in at least one of the last-mentioned horizontal and vertical flanges, (d) sandwiching the shelf panel peripheral edge between the horizontal flanges, (e) inserting the stake projections into the stake projection openings, and (f) staking terminal end portions of the stake projections to form enlarged stake heads.  
   
   
       51 . The method as defined in  claim 50  wherein the vertical flanges of the open frame and shelf bracket include the stake projections and stake projection openings.  
   
   
       52 . The method as defined in  claim 50  wherein the horizontal flanges of the open frame and shelf bracket include the stake projections and stake projection openings.  
   
   
       53 . The method as defined in  claim 50  wherein the vertical and horizontal flanges of the open frame and shelf bracket include the stake projections and stake projection openings.  
   
   
       54 . The method as defined in  claim 50  wherein the open frame includes an uppermost surface and a lowermost surface in the shelf assembly position of use and the method includes the further steps of orienting the open frame otherwise than with its uppermost surface uppermost during the performance of step (d).  
   
   
       55 . The method as defined in  claim 50  wherein the open frame includes an uppermost surface and a lowermost surface in the shelf assembly position of use and the method includes the further steps of orienting the open frame otherwise than with its uppermost surface uppermost during the performance of step (e).  
   
   
       56 . The method as defined in  claim 50  wherein the open frame includes an uppermost surface and a lowermost surface in the shelf assembly position of use and the method includes the further steps of orienting the open frame otherwise than with its uppermost surface uppermost during the performance of steps (d) and (e).  
   
   
       57 . A method of manufacturing a shelf assembly comprising the steps of (a) providing a pair of open frame members each defining an opening and including opposite substantially parallel frame portions each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a downwardly directed vertical flange when the shelf assembly is located in a substantially horizontal position of use with the vertical flanges of one of the frame members having oppositely directed stake projections, (b) providing a shelf panel having an outer peripheral edge, (c) providing a pair of shelf brackets each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by a substantially horizontal flange and a downwardly directed vertical flange in the position of use with a plurality of stake projection openings in the last-mentioned vertical flanges (d) sandwiching the shelf panel peripheral edge between the horizontal flanges of the frame members, (e) inserting the stake projections into the stake projecting openings of each shelf bracket, and (f) staking terminal end portions of the stake projections to form enlarged stake heads.  
   
   
       58 . The method as defined in  claim 57  including the step of securing the frame members to each other before performing step (e).  
   
   
       59 . The method as defined in  claim 57  including the step of snap-securing the frame members to each other before performing step (e).  
   
   
       60 . The method as defined in  claim 57  including the step of snap-securing each support bracket to an innermost frame member horizontal flange prior to the performance of step (e).  
   
   
       61 . The method as defined in  claim 57  including the step of snap-securing each support bracket to an innermost frame member horizontal flange after the performance of step (d).  
   
   
       62 . A method of manufacturing a panel assembly comprising the steps of (a) providing a pair of open frame members each defining an opening and including a plurality of at least one of stake projections and stake projection openings, (b) providing a panel having an outer peripheral edge (c) sandwiching the panel outer peripheral edge between the pair of open frame members, (d) inserting the stake projections into the stake projection openings, and (e) staking terminal end portions of the stake projections to form enlarged stake heads.  
   
   
       63 . The method as defined in  claim 62  wherein the panel assembly frame members include an uppermost frame member and a lowermost frame member, and step (d) is performed by inserting stake projections of the uppermost frame member into stake projection openings of the lowermost frame member.  
   
   
       64 . The method as defined in  claim 62  wherein the panel assembly frame members include an uppermost frame member and a lowermost frame member, step (d) is performed by inserting stake projections of the uppermost frame member into stake projection openings of the lowermost frame member, and step (e) is performed by confining the enlarged stake heads between upper and lower surfaces of the uppermost frame member.  
   
   
       65 . The method as defined in  claim 62  including the steps of providing one of the frame members with the stake projections and providing the other of the frame members with the stake projection openings.  
   
   
       66 . The method as defined in  claim 62  wherein the panel assembly frame members include an uppermost frame member having an uppermost outermost surface and a lowermost outermost surface and a lowermost frame member having an uppermost and a lowermost surface, step (d) is performed by inserting stake projections of the uppermost frame member into stake projection openings of the lowermost frame member, and step (e) is performed by confining the enlarged stake heads between the uppermost frame member lowermost outermost surface and the lowermost frame member lowermost surface.  
   
   
       67 . The method as defined in  claim 62  wherein the frame member includes an uppermost frame member and a lowermost frame member, and providing the uppermost frame member with the stake projections and the lowermost frame member with the stake projection openings.  
   
   
       68 . A refrigerator compartment having opposite side walls, each side wall having means for slidably supporting a shelf assembly thereon, a shelf assembly including a pair of substantially open frame members each defining an opening and including a plurality of at least one of stake projections and stake projection openings, a shelf panel having an outer peripheral edge sandwiched between said frame members, said stake projections projecting into said stake projection openings, said stake projections having axial terminal ends staked to form enlarged stake heads thereby retaining said frame members and shelf panel in assembled relationship, and one of said frame members includes opposite side frame portions each slidingly supported upon one of said side wall supporting means.  
   
   
       69 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 68  wherein said stake projections and stake projection openings are outboard of said shelf panel outer peripheral edge.  
   
   
       70 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 68  wherein said frame members include an upper frame member and a lower frame member, said upper frame member carries at least one of said stake projections and stake projection openings, and said lower frame member carries at least the other of said stake projections and stake projection openings.  
   
   
       71 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 68  wherein said frame members include an upper frame member and a lower frame member, said upper frame member carries at least some of said stake projections, and said lower frame member carries at least some of said stake projection openings.  
   
   
       72 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 68  wherein said one frame member opposite side frame member opposite side frame portions is each of a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration defined by substantially vertical and horizontal flanges, and said vertical flanges peripherally cover said shelf panel outer peripheral edge at said opposite side frame portions.  
   
   
       73 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 68  wherein said frame members collectively set-off uppermost and lowermost opposite surfaces of said shelf assembly, and the stake heads are located between the uppermost and lowermost opposite surfaces.  
   
   
       74 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 68  wherein one of said open frame members and the stake projections thereof are a one-piece in situ molded synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material member.  
   
   
       75 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 69  wherein one of said open frame members and the stake projections thereof are a one-piece in situ molded synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material member.  
   
   
       76 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 70  wherein one of said open frame members and the stake projections thereof are a one-piece in situ molded synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material member.  
   
   
       77 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 71  wherein one of said open frame members and the stake projections thereof are a one-piece in situ molded synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material member.  
   
   
       78 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 72  wherein one of said open frame members and the stake projections thereof are a one-piece in situ molded synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material member.  
   
   
       79 . The refrigerator compartment as defined in  claim 73  wherein one of said open frame members and the stake projections thereof are a one-piece in situ molded synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material member.