Refrigerator shelving frame with snap-in sliding insert

A refrigerator shelf assembly includes a frame having a depth and a first support element extending along the depth and defining a first track open in a lateral direction perpendicular to the depth. The support element further defines a first open area along a first side of the track and extending between an adjacent portion of the track and an exterior of the first support element and a cantilever arm having a free end adjacent the first open area. The cantilever arm is resiliently deformable away from a plane defined along the first side of the track. The assembly further includes an insert slidably received within the track and moveable along the depth of the first track through a fixed range of motion, wherein the insert is disposed over an expanse of the first open area.

BACKGROUND

The present device generally relates to a shelving arrangement for a refrigerator, and more specifically, to a shelving assembly wherein an insert can be assembled with a frame without deformation of the frame.

Various types of shelving assemblies for refrigerators may include a frame of a first material type, including plastic or the like, supporting an insert or substrate of a different material type, which may include glass, transparent plastic, or the like. Such arrangements may include various types and configurations of fixed or sliding inserts or substrates. In one aspect, a sliding insert of a substrate of glass or transparent plastic may be assembled in a supporting manner between opposite facing grooves in a separate frame. In some arrangements, the grooves may be longer than the insert such that sliding of the insert relative to the frame is facilitated. Some implementations of this and similar shelving assemblies may include closed tracks wherein flexing of the frame by an extent to temporarily deform the overall frame to expand the distance between the grooves to a distance greater that the corresponding dimension of the insert is required. Depending on the construction or materials used for the frame, such deformation may be difficult or may damage the frame itself during assembly of the shelf. Further, if removal of the insert is later needed, it may be similarly difficult to flex the frame sufficiently to be able to remove the insert. Accordingly, further advancements may be desired.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect, a refrigerator shelf assembly includes a frame having a depth and a first support element extending along the depth and defining a first track open in a lateral direction perpendicular to the depth. The support element further defines a first open area along a first side of the track and extending between an adjacent portion of the track and an exterior of the first support element and a cantilever arm having a free end adjacent the first open area. The cantilever arm is resiliently deformable away from a plane defined along the first side of the track. The assembly further includes an insert slidably received within the track and moveable along the depth of the first track through a fixed range of motion, wherein the insert is disposed over an expanse of the first open area.

In at least another aspect, a refrigerator shelf assembly includes a frame having a depth and a first support element extending along the depth and defining a first track. A first open area extends between an adjacent portion of the track and an exterior of the first support element, and a resiliently deformable cantilever arm has a free end adjacent the first open area. The assembly also includes an insert configurable in an installed state, wherein the track is slideable along the track within an installed fixed range of motion less than a full length of the track, and in an assembly state, wherein movement thereof along the full length of the track is permitted. When in the assembly state, the insert is moveable through the first open area into and out of an assembly position wherein the back edge of the insert is in contact with the second end of the track by rotation of the insert generally about the back edge thereof under extension and flexing of the cantilevered portion.

In at least another aspect, a method for assembling a refrigerator shelf includes moving an insert portion of the refrigerator shelf through a first open area of a support element in a frame portion of the refrigerator shelf. The support element extends along a depth of the frame and defines a first track and a resiliently deformable cantilever arm having a free end adjacent the first open area such that moving the insert portion causes flexing of the cantilever arm and brings a back edge of the insert into contact with an end of the track. The method further includes rotating the insert generally about the back edge thereof under extension of the cantilevered portion into an assembly position wherein a front edge of the insert portion opposite the back edge is disposed over the open area and the insert is slidably received within the track. A trim piece is then assembled on a front edge the insert opposite the back edge. The insert restricts movement of the insert within the track to a fixed range of motion, wherein the front edge of the insert remains disposed away from the open area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-10, reference numeral10generally designates a shelf assembly for a refrigerator12(FIG. 3). Shelving assembly10includes a frame14having a depth16and a first support element18extending along the depth16and defining a first track20open in a lateral direction22perpendicular to the depth16. The support element18also defines a first open area24along a first side26of the track and extending between an adjacent portion of the track (i.e., the track interior28) and an exterior of the first support element18. The first support element18includes a cantilever arm30having a free end32adjacent the first open area24. The cantilever arm30is resiliently deformable away from a plane34defined along the first side26of the track. The shelf assembly also includes an insert36slidably received within the track20and moveable along the first track20through a fixed range of motion38such that a front edge40the insert36does not overlie an expanse42of the first open area24.

As explained more fully herein, the above-described incorporation of the first open area24into first support element18, defined by cantilever arm30and in communication with first track20, can facilitate assembly of insert36with frame14and, if desired, removal of track20from frame14. More specifically, the insert36may be assembled with track20by passing insert36through open area24by flexing of cantilever arm30, which extends to maintain insert36within track20. As discussed further below, the insert36is restricted to movement within the fixed range of motion38after such assembly to maintain insert36in a position where front edge40of insert36does not move into a position aligned with open area24to prevent subsequent removal of insert36, including by inadvertent movement of insert36back out through open area24. The incorporation of cantilever arm30allows for localized flexing of frame14for reliable assembly of insert36with frame14, including in a manner that provides positive feedback confirming proper installation, without requiring general flexing or deformation of frame14to capture insert36within track20and within frame14overall, as discussed further below.

As can be seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, in particular, the first track20includes opposite first44and second46closed ends defining a length50of the track20. The fixed range of motion38of the insert36allows movement of the insert36into an extended position (as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2), wherein the front edge40of the insert36is adjacent the forward end44of the track20, and an opposite back edge48of the insert36is remote from the rearward end46of the first track20. On the opposite end of the fixed range of motion38, the insert36is moveable into a tucked position (shown inFIGS. 3, 4, and 6), wherein the front edge40of the insert36is spaced from a forward end44of the track20and the back edge48of insert36moves closer to, but remains spaced from a rearward end46of the first track20, the forward end44and the rearward end46defining opposed closed ends of track20. In particular, the front edge40of the insert36may move away from the forward end44of the first track20by a distance about equal to a distance between the front40and back48edges of the insert36. In one aspect, such movement of insert36can allow for the overall configuration of the shelving assembly10to be changed with insert36moveable outward for storing of articles thereon, or moveable inward to allow for taller articles to be stored in a position beneath shelving assembly10and extending into or through an area otherwise occupied by insert36.

As discussed above, shelving assembly10is configured to provide for improved assembly of insert36with frame14through localized deformation of frame14within cantilevered arm30, while preventing inadvertent removal of insert36. As discussed above, such inadvertent removal may be prevented by configuring shelving assembly10such that the insert is restricted to the fixed range of motion38to maintain the front edge40in a position forward of the first open area24. As shown inFIGS. 5-7, the first open area24is defined between fixed edge52and an opposite free edge54defined on the free end32of the cantilevered arm30, the fixed edge52of the open area24is disposed toward the forward end44of the track20, and the free edge54is disposed toward the rearward end46of the track20. In this manner, a first distance56between the back edge48of the insert and the rearward end46of the first track20remains greater than a second distance58between the front edge40of the insert36and the fixed edge52of the first open area24throughout movement of the insert36in the fixed range of motion38.

As discussed further below, this spacing allows for room within track20for insertion or removal of insert36through the open area24in support element18, while restricting the movement of insert36, once installed, to the fixed range of motion38prevents insert36from moving into a position (e.g., where the front edge40is within open area24) where insert36can be removed from support element18. In this manner, insert36is configurable in an “installed” state, wherein movement of insert36along the track20is restricted to movement within the fixed range of motion38. Further, insert36may be further configurable in an “assembly” state (and, accordingly, alternately configurable between the installed and assembly states) such that assembly or intentional removal of insert36through open area24is possible. In the assembly state movement of the insert36along the entirety of the track20is permitted.

As shown inFIGS. 4, 5, and 7, a trim piece60is assembled over the front edge40of insert36and extends upwardly and downwardly from insert36to generally align in a thickness thereof with the first support element18and/or other adjacent portions of frame14. As further shown, frame14further includes an intermediate support62extending from a portion of the first support element18generally perpendicularly thereto. As shown intermediate support62extends from support element18generally within a mid-portion thereof or from a “midpoint” that may not be exactly from a geometric middle of first support element18or the depth16of frame14but may be more generally from within the portion generally understandable as the described mid portion of frame14. In one aspect, such a midpoint may be within a middle-third of the length of support element18and/or the depth16of frame14and may, further, coincide with the position of rear edge48of insert36when front edge40is in contact with the forward end44of track20such that support element18is positioned over or just to the front of rear edge48in such a position.

Intermediate support62may be further structured to be positioned generally above insert36and track20such that intermediate support62does not interfere with movement of insert36within the fixed range of motion38. As would be understood, such an arrangement allows for sliding of insert36beneath intermediate support62within the fixed range of motion38. However, because trim piece60extends upwardly from insert36, trim piece60contacts the intermediate support62when insert36is moved along track20into the positions illustrated inFIGS. 4, 5, and 7(i.e. wherein front edge40is increasingly moved away from the forward end44of track20. In this manner, the contact of trim piece60with intermediate support62can define the rearward end of the fixed range of motion38with such contact preventing continued movement of back edge48toward the rearward end46of track20outside of the fixed range of motion38, resulting in the above-described spacing56therebetween. In this manner, trim piece60can be removably installed or assembled with insert36such that the assembly of trim piece60can configure insert36in the installed state, wherein movement of insert36is restricted to the fixed range of motion38. Further, the general absence or subsequent removal/disassembly of trim piece60from insert36can configure insert36in the assembly state such that insert36can be moved or otherwise positioned along track20outside of the fixed range of motion38to positions anywhere along the length of track20for installation or removal of insert36into or out of track20and support element18.

Turning toFIGS. 8 and 9A-9E, the movement of insert36along the entirety of track20when in the assembly state includes movement of the rear edge48of the insert36into contact with the rearward end46of the track20, as shown inFIG. 9C. Due to the above-described positioning of the fixed edge52of open area24with respect to both the forward end44and rearward end46of track20, the back edge48of insert36will be positioned in close proximity (e.g., within about 5 mm) or in actual contact with rearward end46of track for front edge40of insert36to be disposed within or above open area24(i.e. to be rearward of fixed edge52). In this manner, configuration of insert36in the assembly state allows for the initial installation of insert36within track20to be supported by support element18in frame14. As shown inFIG. 8, insert36, thusly configured in the assembly state (e.g., without trim piece60assembled therewith), can be assembled with frame14by positioning insert36in an aligned manner with respect to open area24with insert36positioned generally below frame14(i.e. to correspond with the positioning of open area24on the bottom of track20). Insert36can then be moved in direction64toward open area24such that back edge48of insert36passes through open area24and into a position within an adjacent portion of track20, as shown inFIG. 9B.

In one aspect, the open area24, as defined between the fixed edge52and the opposing edge54on the free end32of cantilever arm30, can be less than a size actually realized for open area during installation of insert36, which may be a product of the depth of insert36and the thickness thereof. In this manner, the described movement of insert36into and through the position shown inFIG. 9Bcan result in insert36simultaneously contacting an upper side66of track20, the fixed edge52and the free edge54of open area before the front edge40of insert36clears the fixed edge52(and with back edge48still displaced from the rearward end46of track20). In this arrangement, the structure of cantilever arm30, which may defined as a tab or extended portion of the support element18on the first side26of track20that is relatively flexible and extends along track20in a suspended arrangement from the contiguous portion of support element18, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. This configuration of cantilever arm30and the use of the edge54on the free end32thereof to define open area24means that cantilever arm30may be flexible to allow for expansion of open area24under a force applied on free end32under flexing of cantilever arm30.

As shown inFIG. 9B, movement of insert36to force back edge48of insert36toward the rearward end46of track20can cause insert36to apply such pressure to free end32, which can cause cantilever arm30to flex, as illustrated. This flexing of cantilever arm30can provide the needed configuration or manipulation of open area24for continued movement of insert36into a position where front edge40of insert36is aligned with open area24by being clear of the fixed edge52. In one aspect, free end32of cantilever arm30can include a bent portion68that can provide a surface over which insert36can slide during such movement, which may prevent any increased friction or jamming from contact with an edge. Such a bent portion68can also provide a catch to facilitate alignment of back edge48of insert36with open area24during assembly thereof. In a similar manner, the fixed edge52of open area24can be defined on an upwardly sloped or ramp portion70of support element18, which can provide another sliding surface for insert36during movement into and through the position ofFIG. 9B.

Continued movement of insert36through the position ofFIG. 9Bcan result in insert36being positioned such that front edge40of insert36is aligned with open area24by being clear of the fixed edge52. When such positioning has been achieved, back edge48of insert36will be proximate to or in contact with rearward end46of track20and insert36will be moveable into an aligned position within track20, as shown inFIG. 9C, by upward rotation of insert36about back edge48in direction72. In one aspect, the above-described flexing of cantilever arm30during earlier stages of assembly will displace cantilever arm30from its natural position such that, once front edge40is clear from fixed edge52, cantilever arm30will extend back toward its natural position, thereby causing the upward rotation of insert36into the position ofFIG. 9Cin a snapping manner. In this arrangement, open area24will generally return to its original configuration and insert36may be supported in the aligned position within track20by cantilever arm30. In this position, insert36may be slid forward along track20through the position shown inFIG. 9D, including into the fixed range of motion38, and into the position shown inFIG. 9E. Subsequently, as shown inFIG. 10, trim piece60can be assembled onto front edge40of insert36(which can be done with insert positioned generally anywhere within the fixed range of motion38) to configure insert36in the installed state.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method for assembling the shelving assembly10discussed herein, can be in accordance with the steps shown inFIGS. 8, 9A-9E, and 10and the corresponding description, above, and can include moving the insert36through open area24of support element18, such support element18, as discussed above, being within frame14of the shelving assembly10. As also discussed above, the support element18extends along the depth16of the frame14and defines the above-described first track20and the resiliently deformable cantilever arm30having free end32adjacent the first open area24. In this manner, moving the insert36, ad described, causes flexing of the cantilever arm30and brings the back edge48of the insert36into contact with the rearward end46of the track20. The method further includes rotating the insert36, including as discussed above, generally about the back edge48thereof under extension of the cantilever arm30into an “assembly” position (i.e., the above-described aligned position of insert36within track20) wherein the front edge40of the insert36is disposed over the open area24and the insert36is slidably received within the track20. The method further includes assembling trim piece60on the front edge40the insert36opposite. The trim piece60, when installed, restricts movement of the insert36within the track20to the above-discussed fixed range of motion38wherein the front edge40of the insert36remains disposed away from the open area24.

If desired, insert36can be subsequently removed from frame14by first removing trim piece60(to configure insert36in the assembly state, followed by reversal of the above steps, wherein back edge48of insert36is moved into close proximity or contact with the rearward end46of track20and insert36is rotated downwardly (in a direction opposite direction72) by flexing of cantilever arm30to move front edge40to a position outside of support element18. Insert is then moved in a direction opposite the assembly direction64to slide insert36out through open area24.

As further shown in the figures, insert36may be configured as a forward portion of what may be generally characterized as a “tuck shelf.” In particular, insert36may be supported opposite from the support element18described above by a second support element74positioned laterally opposite support element18such that insert36extends between the support elements18and74. In this manner, support element74can be configured in a similar manner to the support element18, as described above, but as a mirror image thereof about a lateral midplane of shelving assembly10. Accordingly, support element74can extend along depth16of frame14generally parallel to support element18and can include a second track76that is open toward the opposite track20such that insert36can be slidably supported therebetween. Further support element74can be configured with its own open area78and corresponding cantilever arm80. In this manner, insert36can be assembled with support element74through open area78into track76in a similar manner to the assembly of insert36with support element18. Further, such assembly of insert36(and/or subsequent removal) can be carried out simultaneously with both support elements18and74in the same process as discussed above. Further, assembly of trim piece60with insert36can configure insert36in the installed position with respect to both support elements18,74and can restrict movement of the insert36in the same fixed range of motion38with respect to both tracks20and76.

As further shown in the figures, the above-described intermediate support62can extend between and perpendicular to both the first and second support elements20,74at the above-described midpoint along the depth16of the frame14. In this manner, the shelving assembly10may further include a first substrate82supported on the intermediate support26and the first and second support elements18,74in a fixed position with respect to frame14. In one aspect both the insert36and the first substrate82can be of a glass (including tempered glass, borosilicate glass, or the like, for example) or plastic, including transparent plastic (e.g., Lucite™, acrylic, Plexi-Glass™, or the like). In such an arrangement, movement of the insert36through the fixed range of motion38includes movement of the insert36into a “tucked” position (corresponding with the depictions of shelving assembly10inFIGS. 4 and 5), wherein the first substrate82overlies the insert36(i.e., insert36is positioned beneath substrate82). Further, movement of insert36to the opposite end of the fixed range of motion38(i.e. with the front edge40of insert36in contact with the forward end44of track20) positions insert36in an extended position (shown inFIGS. 1 and 2), wherein the insert36extends in a portion of the depth16of frame14that is outside of or beyond the first substrate82. In this manner, each of the insert36and the shelf can extend through corresponding portions or divisions of the depth16of frame14, as shown in the figures.

Still further, the shelving assembly10described herein may be a U-Shaped tuck shelf, wherein frame14further defines first and second lateral elements84a,84bspaced outwardly from and generally parallel with the first and second support elements18,74through the depth16of the frame14. The first and second lateral elements84a,84bcan be spaced apart from each other to define width86of the frame14that is greater than a distance88between the first and second support elements18,74. The shelving assembly10can further include second and third substrates90a,90bwith the second substrate90abeing positioned in an area between the first lateral element84aand the first support element18and the third substrate90bbeing positioned in an area between the second lateral element84band the second support element74. As shown, both the second and third substrates90a,90bextend through a majority of the depth16of the frame14. The second and third substrates90a,90bcan be of any of the materials discussed above with respect to the insert36and the first substrate82, wherein the assembly10may include a combination of various different such materials among the insert36and the first, second, and third substrates82,90a,90b.

By the described arrangement, the shelving assembly10takes on a U-shape, particularly when insert36is in the tucked position beneath substrate82. The incorporation of the open areas24partially defined by cantilever arms30, which facilitate assembly of insert36with frame14without deformation thereof may be of particular use in such an arrangement, as the additional frame elements (including lateral elements84a,84band intermediate support62) may add to the overall rigidity of frame14making deflection thereof to a degree to assemble insert36between the support elements18,74difficult. As further shown inFIG. 10, the assembly of shelving assembly10can also include positioning of the substrates82,90a,90bwithin the respective portions of frame14, which can be done, for example, after assembly of insert36with frame14.