Patent ID: 8701898
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: A47L

Abstract:
1. An adjustable shelf assembly used in a kitchen appliance, the shelf assembly comprising: a bar configured to be mounted within the kitchen appliance, a carrier slideably engaged to the bar, a flexible gripping projection extending from the carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a channel defined by the gripping projection and a rigid wall opposite to the gripping projection, wherein the channel receives the bar and allows the carrier to slide along the bar, the gripping projection in use flexes between a gripping position and a sliding position, wherein the gripping projection bends toward the bar and grips the bar as it moves from the sliding position to the gripping position exerting a greater gripping force upon the bar when in the gripping position than when in the sliding position, and a shelf pivotally connected to and supported by the carrier, the shelf pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the stowed position being more parallel to the bar than the deployed position, wherein the shelf acts on the carrier as the shelf moves from the stowed position to the deployed position, causing the gripping projection to flex from the sliding position to the gripping position maintaining the gripping projection in the gripping position while the shelf is in the deployed position such that the gripping force in the gripping position holds the shelf in place on the bar in the deployed position.