Patent ID: 9357845
Filing Date: 2016-06-07
CPC Classification: F25D

Claim Text:
1. A shelf assembly for an appliance, comprising: a shelf panel comprising a generally planar support surface; a shelf frame adapted to be mounted within an appliance to support the shelf panel with the support surface extending generally along a horizontal plane, the shelf frame comprising a front member with a front support recess, opposed side members each with a side support recess, and a rear member that together define an outer periphery, wherein the front support recess is sized to slidingly receive and support the front edge of the shelf panel and the side support recesses are each sized to slidingly receive and support one of the opposed side edges of the shelf panel against the force of gravity; a support channel formed into an underside of the outer periphery of the shelf frame along each of the front member, opposed side members, and the rear member so that the support channel is substantially co-extensive with the outer periphery; a reinforcing support frame adapted to support the shelf frame within said appliance, the reinforcing support frame comprising a front support member, opposed side support members, and a rear support member, wherein the reinforcing support frame is co-extensive with the support channel of the shelf frame and is captured within the support channel to form a unitary shelf assembly, and wherein the front support member of the reinforcing support frame is resiliently captured within a front portion of the support channel by a snap-fit connection; and at least one stud projecting outward from each of the opposed side support members of the reinforcing support frame, wherein the studs are adapted to be received within a corresponding recess of an interior wall of said appliance to thereby support the shelf assembly within said appliance.