Articulation structure for sliding shelf stem

Abstract

An articulation mechanism for a sliding shelf stem of a household appliance and a method for constructing the articulation mechanism are disclosed. The articulation mechanism may operate without the use of an additional piece and may be made only with a stamping on the counter-door itself of the household appliance. The configuration of the articulation mechanism may simplify its fabrication and assembly, and may reduce or eliminate the need for use of accessories and tools for the assembly processes, simplifying construction.

1 . A method of constructing an appliance door, the method comprising:
 stamping, in a counter-door plate of the appliance door, a receptacle configured to receive a stem of a sliding shelf and to permit the stem of the sliding shelf to rotate when the counter-door plate is moved.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 stamping, in the counter-door plate, a protrusion forming a first portion of the receptacle. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 stamping, in the counter-door plate, a depression forming a second portion of the receptacle. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising:
 stamping the protrusion at a perimeter of the depression, wherein the protrusion and the depression enable an end of the stem of the sliding shelf to be disengaged and reengaged from the receptacle. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising:
 stamping the depression and the protrusion such that an edge of the depression abuts an edge of the protrusion, wherein the depression facilitates inserting the end of the stem of the sliding shelf into the protrusion. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 mounting the appliance door to an appliance having an opening through which the sliding shelf is configured to slide when the appliance door is opened, wherein the appliance door is mounted to the appliance such that an outer perimeter of the counter-door plate completely surrounds the opening of the appliance when the appliance door in a closed position. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 forming the counter-door plate with a substantially planar surface, wherein the substantially planar surface is substantially parallel to a back wall of the appliance when the appliance door is in the closed position. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 forming the protrusion as an arching protrusion, wherein, when the appliance door is in the closed position, the arching protrusion extends from the substantially planar surface of the counter-door plate toward the back wall of the appliance. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 stamping, in the counter-door plate, a hollowed arching bow forming a first portion of the receptacle. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 stamping the hollowed arching bow such that the hollowed arching bow sits on and extends from a plane created by the counter-door plate and such that an end of the stem of the sliding shelf can be inserted within the hollowed arching bow. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 stamping, in the counter-door plate, a depression forming a second portion of the receptacle, wherein hollowed arching bow is housed in the depression, and wherein the hollowed arching bow extends outward from a plane formed by a base of the depression enabling an end of the stem of the sliding shelf to be inserted within the hollowed arching bow. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 stamping, in the counter-door plate, a vertical tab including a central through hole configured to house an end of the sliding shelf, wherein the vertical tab extends perpendicular to a plane formed by the counter-door plate. 
 
     
     
         13 . An appliance door comprising:
 a stamped counter-door plate configured to house a stem of a sliding shelf and to facilitate sliding of at least one shelf, wherein the stamped counter-door plate integrally houses a receptacle configured to permit the stem of the sliding shelf to rotate when the stamped counter-door is moved, and wherein the receptacle includes a hollowed arching bow configured such that an end of the stem can be inserted within the hollowed arching bow.   
     
     
         14 . The appliance door of  claim 13 , wherein the hollowed arching bow sits on a plane formed by the stamped counter-door and extends upward from the plane formed by the stamped counter-door. 
     
     
         15 . The appliance door of  claim 13 , wherein the hollowed arching bow is housed in a depression in the counter-door, the hollowed arching bow extending outward from a plane formed by a base of the depression. 
     
     
         16 . An appliance door comprising:
 a stamped counter-door configured to house a stem of a sliding shelf and to facilitate sliding of at least one shelf, wherein the stamped counter-door integrally houses a receptacle configured to permit the stem of the sliding shelf to rotate when the stamped counter-door is moved, wherein the receptacle includes a vertical tab extending perpendicular to a plane formed by the stamped counter-door, the vertical tab having a central through hole configured to house an end of the stem.