Shelf assembly for a refrigerator compartment

Abstract

A vertically step-adjustable shelf includes a panel of tempered glass and two open frames. 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 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 outboard of the panel outer peripheral edge, 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 integral unitary one-piece in situ molded stake projections formed of said synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material of said at least one open frame member received in stake projection openings of said pair of support brackets with the stake projections having stake heads securing said selected flanges to each other. 
   
   
       2 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said support brackets substantially horizontal flanges are in opposing substantially aligned relationship to each other. 
   
   
       3 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including means for locating said shelf panel with respect to said frame member. 
   
   
       4 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including means for locating said shelf panel with respect to said frame member, and said locating means are carried by said frame member flanges. 
   
   
       5 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said selected ones of said frame member and support bracket flanges are horizontal flanges. 
   
   
       6 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said selected ones of said frame member and support bracket flanges are vertical flanges. 
   
   
       7 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said selected ones of said frame member and support bracket flanges are horizontal flanges and vertical flanges. 
   
   
       8 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads. 
   
   
       9 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including means for locating said shelf panel with respect to said frame member. 
   
   
       10 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  including means for locating said shelf panel with respect to said frame member, and said locating means are carried by said frame member flanges. 
   
   
       11 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 2  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads. 
   
   
       12 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 3  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads. 
   
   
       13 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 5  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads. 
   
   
       14 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 6  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads. 
   
   
       15 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 7  wherein said frame member has an outermost surface, and said frame member outermost surface is devoid of discernible stake heads. 
   
   
       16 . The shelf assembly as defined in  claim 1  wherein said frame member is formed of said synthetic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material, and said pair of support brackets are each metal.