Retractable shelf for the cabinet of a refrigeration appliance

Abstract

A retractable shelf for the cabinet of a refrigeration appliance, comprising a lateral edge ( 21 ) which is slidingly mounted, by two longitudinally spaced apart seating regions ( 22 ), on respective rail portions ( 30 ) affixed in opposite internal lateral walls ( 12 ) of the cabinet ( 10 ), in order to be selectively displaced between at least one lower operative position and one transitional intermediary position, in which it is upwardly forwardly displaced, and also between this last position and an upper operative position, in which it is backwardly displaced, situated above and vertically spaced from the lower operative position.

1 . A retractable shelf for the cabinet of a refrigeration appliance, characterized in that it has each lateral edge ( 21 ) slidingly mounted, by two longitudinally spaced apart seating regions ( 22 ), on respective rail portions ( 30 ) affixed to opposite internal lateral walls ( 12 ) of the cabinet ( 10 ), in order to be selectively displaced between at least one lower operative position and one transitional intermediary position, in which it is upwardly forwardly displaced, and also between said transitional operative position and an upper operative position, in which it is backwardly displaced, situated above and vertically spaced from the lower operative position.  
   
   
       2 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 1 , characterized in that the transitional intermediary position is substantially in the same level of the upper operative position.  
   
   
       3 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 1 , characterized in that lower and upper operative positions are parallel and vertically aligned to each other.  
   
   
       4 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 1 , characterized in that each rail portion ( 30 ) comprises: a lower rail extension ( 32 ) forwardly upwardly inclined and which presents a closed lower end ( 32   a ) defining the seating position for a respective seating region ( 22 ) when the shelf ( 20 ) is in the lower operative position, and an open upper end ( 32   b ); and an upper rail extension ( 33 ) having a rear end ( 33   a ) defining the seating position for a respective seating region ( 22 ) when the shelf ( 20 ) is in the upper operative position, and a front end ( 33   b ) which is opened to the interior of the upper end ( 32   b ) of the lower rail extension ( 32 ).  
   
   
       5 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 4 , characterized in that the upper rail extension ( 33 ) is horizontal, with its rear end ( 33   a ) being vertically aligned in relation to the lower end ( 32   a ) of the lower rail extension ( 32 ).  
   
   
       6 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 4 , characterized in that the junction of the lower rail extension ( 32 ) and the upper rail extension ( 33 ), in the front end ( 33   b ) of the latter, defines the position of the respective seating region ( 22 ) when the shelf ( 20 ) reaches the transitional intermediary position.  
   
   
       7 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 4 , characterized in that the lower rail extension ( 32 ) and the upper rail extension ( 33 ) of each rail portion ( 30 ) take the form of “U” shaped channels, with the bottom wall being seated and affixed against a respective internal lateral wall ( 12 ) of the cabinet ( 10 ).  
   
   
       8 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 7 , characterized in that each seating region ( 22 ) comprises a pin that is externally incorporated to a respective lateral edge of the shelf ( 20 ), in order to project outwardly to be slidingly fitted in the interior of the “U” shaped channels defined by the lower rail extension ( 32 ) and the upper rail extension ( 33 ).  
   
   
       9 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 8 , characterized in that the seating regions ( 22 ) are disposed in a plane inferior to that in which the supporting upper face of the shelf ( 20 ) is found.  
   
   
       10 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 9 , characterized in that the seating regions ( 22 ) are carried by respective pending lateral flaps ( 24 ) of the shelf ( 20 ).  
   
   
       11 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 8 , characterized in that each upper rail extension ( 33 ) has its rear end ( 33   a ) provided with a lower recess ( 33   c ), defining a concave cradle for supporting a respective seating region ( 22 ) when the shelf ( 20 ) is conducted to the upper operative position.  
   
   
       12 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 4 , characterized in that the two rail portions ( 30 ) positioned on the same side of the shelf ( 20 ) are formed in a single piece, with the rear end ( 33   a ) of the upper rail extension ( 33 ) of one of the rail portions ( 30 ) being incorporated to the front end ( 33   b ) of the upper rail extension ( 33 ) of the other of said rail extensions ( 30 ), by means of an intermediary rail extension ( 34 ).  
   
   
       13 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 12 , characterized in that each pair of rail portions ( 30 ), formed in a single piece, incorporates a front rail extension ( 36 ), which is horizontally leveled and associated with the adjacent upper rail extension ( 33 ), as it were a continuation of the latter, and having a front end which is open for allowing the seating regions ( 22 ) of the shelf ( 20 ) to be mounted to the rail portions ( 30 ).  
   
   
       14 . The shelf as set forth in  claim 13 , characterized in that each front rail extension ( 36 ) is provided with a stop means ( 37 ) selectively displaced between an operative position and an operative positive, in which it respectively blocks and liberates the passage of the seating regions ( 22 ) along said front rail extension ( 36 ).