Patent ID: 9259088
Filing Date: 2016-02-16
CPC Classification: A47B,F25D

Claim Text:
1. A method of assembling a shelf assembly for an appliance, comprising the steps of: providing, at a nominal condition, a monolithic frame that is adapted to be mounted within an appliance, comprising a rigid front member with a front support channel, rigid side support channels, and a flexible rear member with a rear support channel, wherein at the nominal condition of the frame, all of the front support channel, side support channels, and rear support channel are substantially co-planar along a horizontal plane, and wherein the rear support channel comprises a first wall extending downwards from the rear member along a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and a second wall projecting outwards from the first wall towards the front member and along a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal plane; first, temporarily deflecting the flexible rear member of the frame a distance upwards so that the rear support channel is vertically above the horizontal plane; next, sliding opposed side edges of a shelf panel, which comprises a generally planar support surface, along the side support channels of the frame so that the support surface extends generally along the horizontal plane, continuing to slide the shelf panel along the side support channels until a front edge of the shelf panel is received within the front support channel of the frame; temporarily rotating the rear member of the frame to an angle relative to the horizontal plane a sufficient amount to separate the rear support channel of the rear member from a rear edge of the shelf panel; subsequently inserting and capturing the rear edge of the shelf panel into the rear support channel so that the rear edge of the shelf panel is supported against the force of gravity; and elastically returning the frame to the nominal condition in which all of the front support channel, side support channels, and rear support channel are again substantially co-planar with the horizontal plane.