Abstract:
A vertically step-adjustable shelf includes a panel of tempered glass and two open frames. A pair of metal shelf brackets can be staked to the frames to provide vertical step-adjustment of the shelf. The vertically step-adjustable shelf can be further simplified by eliminating one of the open frame members and staking the metal shelf brackets to side frame portions of but a single outer/uppermost open frame member. In each of the shelves various components utilized in the assembly thereof, such as stake projections, heads and openings are hidden from view when the shelves are in their horizontal in-use position. Hence, each shelf presents a highly desirable aesthetic appearance, yet is strong and can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable price.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 11/029,347 filed on Jan. 6, 2005 and entitled SHELF ASSEMBLY FOR A REFRIGERATOR COMPARTMENT and now patent Ser. No. ______. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Adjustable shelves are conventionally associated with both the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment of conventional refrigerators. Such shelves or shelf assemblies are normally constructed as cantilevered step-adjustable shelving or as a slidable shelf which slides along channels or ledges in opposite side walls of the freezer or fresh food compartment. Typical of such shelves and shelving, both sliding and cantilevered, are disclosed in the following patents. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,119,982 issued to Ohnstrand discloses a glass slab 3 which sits upon “a filler 7 of suitable material, as cement” (page 1, lines 52-53). A ledge 1 of an annular frame or “truss flange 2” (page 1, line 40) supports the entire shelf. The glass slab 3 is basically “dropped-in” from above. 
         [0004]    In lieu of bonding a piece of glass to a frame, several patents to Bienick (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,422,673 and 6,679,573) provide a sliding shelf in which a piece of tempered glass is snapped-fit into a substantially polygonal plastic frame. The latter is an innovation which excludes the utilization of separately applied adhesive and does not include complete rim encapsulation, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,362,145; 5,429,433 and 5,524,981, each of which are assigned to the assignee of the present application. The latter three patents require sophisticated molding techniques because a pair of metal shelf brackets and a piece of tempered glass are held accurately during the closing of an injection mold and thereafter polymeric/copolymeric material is injected into the mold creating a rim or encapsulation which holds the shelf brackets to the piece of tempered glass. Thus, glass-to-frame bonding, snap-fitting, encapsulation and the like are all quite commonplace whether the shelving assembly is slidable or can be vertically adjusted through the utilization of conventional refrigerator compartment trackways. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,236 in the name of Randall discloses a shelf having a rim in which an edge of a piece of tempered glass is inserted, followed by the insertion of a plurality of wedge members which are driven or forced into a notch or groove which receives the edge of glass to retain the latter components assembled. 
         [0006]    Numerous other patents disclose frames made of a single piece of plastic material, as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,983 to Whitcomb; individual frame members, as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,260 granted to Poulsen; extruded rims, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,574 in the name of Avendano; and multi-piece reinforced frames, as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,308 in the name of Donaghy. 
         [0007]    The shelves of the latter patents and patents listed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,673 fairly reflect the scope and content of the prior art as a whole in the field of shelving, particularly shelving or shelf assemblies utilized in refrigerators, be they sliding shelves or vertically step-adjustable shelves. 
         [0008]    The particular shelf which is selected for a particular refrigerator depends upon numerous factors, primarily among which is price. Obviously, for so-called top-of-the-line refrigerators, more expensive, durable, aesthetic, etc. shelving is generally utilized, and the best shelving for the best and/or most expensive refrigerators is the encapsulated shelving manufactured by the assignee of the present application, and is reflected in such patents as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,524,981; 5,362,145; 5,429,433; etc. Such encapsulated shelving, whether sliding shelves or vertically adjustable shelves, are the so-called “Cadillac” of the industry and are utilized in most of the more expensive refrigerators found in the marketplace. As total wholesale/retail prices become more competitive, particularly toward mid-line and lower cost refrigerators, more expensive shelves, such as encapsulated shelves, can prove competitively disadvantageous, irrespective of the quality of the products and the aesthetics thereof. Because of the latter, the shelves of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,422,673 and 6,679,573 were developed because they provide excellent aesthetics at a lesser price without adversely effecting functionality. However, the optimum shelf or shelf assembly would be a combination of maximum functionality, highest aesthetics and lowest price. In an effort toward achieving the latter, the present invention provides each of the latter three objectives at as low a cost of manufacture as is possible. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A novel shelf assembly or shelf is constructed in accordance with the present invention from but a single panel of tempered glass and two plastic frame members in the case of a sliding shelf and from a single piece of tempered glass, a single frame member, and two support brackets in the case of a vertically step-adjustable shelf or shelf assembly. In both cases, adhesive is not required and in lieu thereof, the components of the shelves, whether sliding or vertically step-adjustable, are provided with a plurality of inter-engageable stake projections and stake projection openings. When appropriately assembled, axial end portions of the stake projections are upset or staked to form enlarged heads which unitize the shelf frames to the tempered glass panel or a pair of shelf brackets, a single shelf frame and the tempered glass panel to each other in manufacturing sliding and vertically step-adjustable shelving, respectively. 
         [0010]    In further accordance with the present invention, both in the case of a sliding shelf and a vertically step-adjusting shelf, two polymeric/copolymeric plastic frames are utilized and are stake-assembled to each other to impart additional strength/reinforcement to the shelf assemblies. 
         [0011]    In accordance with the present invention, in the case of a shelf assembly made of a single piece of tempered glass and two frame members, one of the frame members is provided with stake projections and the other frame member is provided with openings for receipt therein of the stake projections. A peripheral edge of the tempered glass panel is sandwiched between the two frame members and upon staking of the axial ends of the stake projections, the three components of the shelf are securely and rigidly assembled to each other absent the addition of adhesive, bonding material, sealants or the like. 
         [0012]    In the case of a vertically step-adjustable shelf, preferably at least one of a pair of frame members includes depending vertical flanges which carry stake projections which are inserted into and through openings of shelf brackets and are thereafter staked or headed to retain the shelf components in a rigid, unitized, aesthetic shelf assembly. 
         [0013]    With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is front top perspective view of a novel shelf or shelf assembly constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a pair of metal shelf brackets each having a pair of hooks, a tempered glass panel, and two generally polygonal open frame members collectively defining a rim bordering the glass panel of the shelf. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of the underside of the shelf assembly of  FIG. 1 , and from bottom to top illustrates an upper/outer polygonal open frame member, the tempered glass panel, a lower/inner polygonal open frame member and the pair of shelf brackets prior to assembly of the components. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the shelf assembly of  FIG. 2  partially assembled, and illustrates a peripheral edge of the tempered glass panel sandwiched between the upper and lower polygonal open frame members with stake projections of the upper outermost open frame member being each received in a stake projection opening of the lower innermost open frame member. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the shelf assembly of  FIG. 3 , and illustrates stake projection openings of the metal shelf brackets receiving stake projections of side frame portions of the upper open frame member. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the shelf assembly of  FIG. 4 , and illustrates axial ends of the stake projections being staked or enlarged to retain the components of the shelf assembly in assembled relationship. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 , and illustrates the generally L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration of side frame portions of the inner and outer open frame members and the metal shelf bracket; a locating member or tongue of the outer frame member snap-secured in a locating opening of the inner open frame member; a stake projection of the outer frame member projecting through a stake projection opening of the shelf bracket, and a horizontal flange of the shelf bracket engaged beneath a generally inverted L-shaped locating portion or leg of the inner open frame member with the peripheral edge of the tempered glass panel being sandwiched between horizontal flanges of the inner and outer open frame member side portions. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 , and illustrates the identical components described with respect to  FIG. 6  and additionally illustrating an axial terminal end portion of the stake projection being staked into an enlarged staked head to retain the shelf components in assembled relationship. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5 , and illustrates a plurality of stake projections having enlarged stake heads disposed along a rear frame portion of the shelf assembly with axes thereof substantially normal to the axes of the stake projections of vertical flanges of the outer frame member side portions. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of another shelf assembly, specifically a sliding shelf, and illustrates a pair of generally polygonal open upper and lower frame members and a polygonal tempered glass panel prior to being unitized, a plurality of abutment bars for locating the tempered glass panel relative to the upper open frame member, upwardly projecting stake projections of the latter, and stake projection openings of the lower open frame member associated therewith. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the sliding shelf or sliding shelf assembly of  FIG. 9 , and illustrates the components staked together in assembled relationship. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 , and illustrates the manner in which a peripheral edge of the polygonal tempered glass panel is sandwiched between horizontal flanges of the upper/outer and lower/inner open frame members which are in turn held together by one of a plurality of stake projections each received through a stake projection opening and retained therein by an enlarged/staked head. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a front fragmentary perspective view of a refrigerator including one of a pair of side-by-side compartments thereof, and illustrates the shelves of  FIGS. 1 and 10  assembled respectively to a pair of slotted vertical trackways and slidable upon opposite side wall ledges. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 12 , and illustrates the manner in which a lower surface of a vertical flange of a side frame portion of the outer open frame member slides upon an upper surface of one of the refrigerator compartment ledges. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of another step-adjustable shelf or shelf assembly constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates an upper/outer generally polygonal open frame member, a substantially polygonal tempered glass panel, and a pair of metal shelf brackets which are collectively held in assembled relationship by a plurality of stake projections of the open frame member housed in stake projection openings of the metal shelf brackets and having at axial ends thereof enlarged staked heads. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 , and illustrates the components of  FIG. 14  in more detail, including one of the staked projections projecting through the stake projection opening and an enlarged staked head of the stake projection. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    A novel shelf or shelf assembly constructed in accordance with this invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 8  of the drawings and is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . The shelf or shelf assembly  10  is designed for vertical step-adjustment with respect to a conventional pair of substantially vertically disposed slotted tracks T 1 , T 2  ( FIG. 12 ) in a freezer and/or fresh food compartment C of a conventional refrigerator R which also includes opposite horizontally aligned and vertically spaced pairs of ledges L 1 , L 2  in respective side walls S 1 , S 2  of the compartment C for slidably accommodating another shelf  10 ′ of the invention which will be fully described hereinafter. 
         [0030]    The shelf assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 8  and  12  is defined by a pair of substantially polygonal open polymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material frame members, including an upper, uppermost, outer or outermost substantially continuous polygonal open frame member or border  11  and an inner, innermost, lower or lowermost substantially polygonal continuous open frame member or border  31 . The shelf assembly  10  further includes a substantially polygonal tempered glass panel or piece of glass  50  and a pair of substantially identical metal shelf brackets or shelf supporting brackets  70 ,  70 . 
         [0031]    The outer open frame member  11  includes an outermost substantially continuous border surface (unnumbered) and an inner polygonal peripheral edge  12  defining a substantially polygonal opening  13 ; a pair of substantially parallel side frame member portions  14 ,  15 ; a front frame member portion  16  having a forwardly and downwardly curved finger gripping wall portion  19  and a rear frame member portion  17  which is substantially parallel to the front frame member portion  16 . 
         [0032]    The side frame member portions  14 ,  15  each include a horizontal flange  18  and, as viewed in  FIG. 1 , a downwardly directed vertical flange  20  with the horizontal flanges  18 ,  18  of the side frame member portions  14 ,  15  being substantially in opposing relationship to each other. 
         [0033]    Each horizontal flange  18 ,  18  of the side frame member portions  14 ,  15  carries means in the form of locating ribs or bars  21  which are also provided along the flanges  18 ,  18  continuing along the front frame member portion  16  and the rear frame member portion  17 . The locating ribs, bars or abutments  21  set-off a peripheral dimension which corresponds substantially to a peripheral edge  51  of the tempered glass panel  50 . This enables the glass panel  50  to be “dropped-in” inserted into the upper open frame member  11  from the position shown in  FIG. 2  to the position evident from  FIG. 3  in which the glass panel  50  is accurately located within and closes the opening  13  of the outer frame member  11 . 
         [0034]    The vertical flanges  20 ,  20  of the side frame member portions  14 ,  15  each include four inwardly directed opposing locating/latching tabs or tongues  22  which are each received in and are snap-secured to an associated locating opening  32  ( FIGS. 2 ,  6  and  7 ) in a vertical flange  38  of the lower/inner open frame member  31 . Inasmuch as the tongues  22  are aligned with the openings  32  ( FIG. 2 ), the lower open frame member  31  need but be moved downwardly from the position shown in  FIG. 2  into the upper/outer open frame member  11  and the tongues  22  each snaps into one of the openings  32  during the outward deflection and subsequent inward rebound of the vertical flanges  20  of the side frame member portions  14 ,  15 . 
         [0035]    The outer open frame member  11  also includes four stake projections  25  along the front frame member portion  16 , the rear frame member portion  17  and three stake projections  25  along each of the vertical flanges  20  of the side frame member portions  14 ,  15 . The stake projections  25  of the side frame member portions  14 ,  15  are in axially aligned opposing relationship to each other and axes (unnumbered) thereof are substantially normal to the axes of the stake projections  25  of the front and rear frame member portions  16 ,  17 , respectively. 
         [0036]    The inner/lower substantially open frame member  31  defines an outermost substantially continuous border surface (unnumbered) and similarly includes an inner peripheral edge (unnumbered) corresponding in size to the inner peripheral edge  12  of the outer frame member  11  which defines and borders a substantially polygonal opening  33 . The inner open frame member  31  includes substantially parallel spaced side frame members portions  34 ,  35 , a front frame member portion  36  and a rear frame member portion  37  which are oriented for aligned assembly with the respective frame member portions  14  through  17  of the outer open frame member  11 . 
         [0037]    Each of the side frame member portions  34 ,  35  is of a generally L-shaped transverse cross-sectional configuration ( FIGS. 6 through 8 ) and is defined by the vertical depending flange  38  and a horizontal flange  40  with the horizontal flanges  40  being disposed in opposing aligned relationship. The horizontal flanges  40  carry four substantially identical L-shaped locating and retaining legs, noses or feet  41  whose ends  42  ( FIG. 6 ) are spaced above the respective horizontal flanges  40  and define therewith a locating or retaining channel  43  for a horizontal flange  73  each of the respective shelf brackets  70 , as will be more apparent hereinafter. Each of the vertical flanges  38  of the side frame member portions  34 ,  35  includes four of the locating openings or slots  32  heretofore described, and above three of the four locating openings  32  in each flange  38  is an upwardly opening slot  45 , as viewed in  FIG. 2 . The slots  45  of the vertical flanges  38  of the side frame member portions  34 ,  35  are aligned with each other and are each aligned with a stake projection receiving opening or stake projection opening  71  in a vertical flange  72  of each metal shelf bracket  70  which also includes the horizontal flanges  73  disposed in aligned opposing relationship with each other and a pair of hooks  75 . The notches or slots  45  each receive or accommodate one of the stake projections  25  projecting inwardly from the vertical flanges  20  of the side frame member portions  14 ,  15 , as is readily apparent in  FIG. 3 . In the partially assembled condition of the shelf  10  in  FIG. 3 , the stake projections  25  of the front frame member portion  16  and the rear frame member portion  17  of the outer frame  11  project into and through stake projections openings  39  of the respective front frame member portion  36  and rear frame member portion  37  of the inner or lower open frame member  31 . The stake projections  25  of the side frame member portions  14 ,  15  of the outer frame member  11  each project through one of the notches  45  in the vertical flanges  38  of the side frame member portions  34 ,  35  of the lower frame member  31  and also pass through the stake projection receiving openings  71  of the shelf brackets  20  ( FIG. 4 ), as will be immediately described hereinafter. Thus, fourteen terminal axial ends (unnumbered) of the stake projections  25 , of which eleven are illustrated in  FIG. 3 , are accessible for subsequent staking or enlarging under heat and pressure deformation, as will be described hereinafter. 
         [0038]    After the partial assembly of the shelf assembly  10  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is completed, each of the shelf brackets  70  is either slid from left-to-right, as viewed in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , to insert each shelf bracket  70  in the position shown in  FIG. 4  in which the stake projections  25  of the vertical flanges  20  of the side frame member portions  14 ,  15  project through the stake openings  71  of the shelf brackets  70  while each horizontal flange  73  is engaged beneath an associated leg  42  ( FIG. 6 ) and within the channel  43  formed thereby of each locating member  41 . 
         [0039]    In lieu of sliding the metal shelf bracket  70 ,  70  from left-to-right in the manner just described with respect to  FIG. 3 , the shelf brackets  20  can be instead positioned substantially as shown in  FIG. 2  in side-by-side relationship to the side frame member portions  14 ,  34 ;  15 ,  35  of  FIG. 3 . The horizontal flanges  73  are then merely slid under the legs or noses  41  of the locating members  41  which temporarily causes the vertical flanges  20  to deflect outwardly but subsequently rebound to the assembled position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . 
         [0040]    After the total assembly of the shelf or shelf assembly  10  of  FIG. 4 , the exposed axial ends (unnumbered) of each of the fourteen stake projections  25  are simultaneously staked in a conventional manner under the application of heat and pressure resulting in the deformation of the plastic material and the formation of enlarged heads or staked heads  60  which maintain and retain the components of the shelf  10  rigidly assembled. The shelf or shelf assembly  10  can thereafter be utilized in the compartment C ( FIG. 12 ) of the refrigerator R by hooking the hooks  75  of the shelf brackets  70  in any selected horizontally aligned pair of the slots (unnumbered) in the trackways T 1 , T 2  to afford step-adjustment of the shelf  10  in the compart C in a conventional manner. 
         [0041]    The shelf or shelf assembly  10 ′ earlier alluded to is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 through 11  of the drawings and has primed reference numerals applied thereto to identify structure which corresponds substantially identically to structure heretofore described with respect to the shelf or shelf assembly  10 . However, the major difference between the two shelves  10 ,  10 ′ resides in the fact that the shelf  10  includes the two metal shelf brackets  70 ,  70  for achieving the step-adjustment heretofore described, whereas the shelf  10 ′ excludes such metal shelf brackets and is formed as a sliding shelf defined by three components, namely, a pair of substantially polygonal open polymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material frame member, including an upper, uppermost, outer or outermost open frame member  11 ′ and an inner, innermost, lower or lowermost substantially polygonal open frame member  31 ′. The shelf assembly  10 ′ further includes a substantially polygonal tempered glass panel or piece of glass  50 ′ having a peripheral polygonal edge  51 ′ 
         [0042]    The outer open frame member  11 ′ includes sixteen upwardly directed stake projections  25 ′ having axes substantially in parallel relationship to each other with each stake projection  25 ′ being aligned for inter-engagement into and with stake projection receiving openings or stake projection openings  39 ′ of the inner lower open frame member  31 ′ ( FIG. 9 ). 
         [0043]    As in the case of the assembly of the shelf  10  described with respect to  FIGS. 2 through 4 , the sliding shelf  10 ′ is assembled in a similar manner by the drop-in insertion or placement of the tempered glass panel  50 ′ into the upper open frame member  11 ′ with the accurate location thereof being assured by the locating ribs  21 ′. Thereafter, the lower open frame member  31 ′ is moved downwardly from the position shown in  FIG. 9  to the position shown in  FIG. 10  at which axial end portions (unnumbered) of each of the upwardly directed stake projections project into and through the stake projection openings  39 ′ and with the peripheral edge  51 ′ of the tempered glass panel  50 ′ being sandwiched between the flanges  18 ′,  40 ′ of the respective open frame members  11 ′,  31 ′. As is best illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the vertical downwardly directed flange  38 ′ of the lower open frame member  31 ′ extends about the entire outer periphery of the lower open frame member  31 ′ and bears against an inner surface (unnumbered) of the horizontal flange  18 ′ of the outer/upper open frame member  11 ′. Thus, the peripheral vertical flange  38 ′ reinforces the entire periphery of the lower open frame member  31 ′ to prevent the same from distorting under the application of heat and pressure when the axial end of each stake projection  25 ′ is staked under heated pressure to form the enlarged staked head(s)  60 ′ thereof ( FIG. 11 ). The sixteen staked projections  25 ′ including the stake/enlarged heads  60 ′ thereof maintain the sliding shelf  10 ′ in rigid assembled relationship for its use in association with the ledges L 1 , L 2  of the refrigerator compartment C ( FIG. 12 ) in a conventional manner. It is to be particularly noted from  FIG. 13  that each depending vertical flange  20 ′ of the side frame member portions  14 ′,  15 ′ has a lowermost surface  65  which rides along the ledges L 1 , L 2  and supports the shelf  10 ′ in a manner such that the enlarged staked heads  60 ′ are spaced well above and do not slide along upper surfaces (unnumbered) of the ledges L 1 , L 2 . This prevents the enlarged staked heads  60 ′ from being worn under the influence of constant sliding friction during the use of the shelf  10 ′, particularly under the load of articles positioned thereupon. Because of the absence of wear with respect to the enlarged staked heads  60 ′, the longevity of the shelf  10 ′ is enhanced and increased. It is also to be particularly noted that from an aesthetic standpoint, none of the stake projections  25 ,  25 ′ or for that matter the locking members or tongues  22 , legs  41  or the openings  32  are visible from above when the shelves  10 ,  10 ′ are in use ( FIG. 12 ). In other words, the uppermost/outermost surface (unnumbered) of the uppermost open frame members  11 ,  11 ′ are essentially smooth, uninterrupted and offer no visible evidence of the internally hidden components latter-described. Thus, when viewed in the positions of use ( FIG. 12 ), the shelves  10 ,  10 ′ give the appearance of an expensive high-end encapsulated shelf absent the relatively higher cost thereof while retaining the excellent functionability and high aesthetics of encapsulated shelving. 
         [0044]    Another vertically step-adjustable shelf or shelving assembly  10 ′″ is illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15  of the drawings and corresponds in all material aspects but one to the shelf  10 , namely, the shelf  10 ′″ excludes the corresponding open inner lower frame member  31  while including the upper outer open frame member  11 ′″, a piece of thermal glass or glass panel  50 ′″, and a pair of metal shelf brackets  70 ′″ each having a vertical flange  72 ′ with a plurality of stake projection openings  71 ′″ therein, a pair of hooks  75 ′″ and a horizontal flange  73 ′″. As is most evident from  FIG. 15 , the peripheral edge  51 ′″ of the tempered glass panel  50 ′″ is accurately located and sandwiched between the flanges  18 ′″ of the inner open frame member  11 ′″ and the flange  73 ′″ of each of the metal shelf brackets  70 ′″. The stake projections  25 ′″ of each of the vertical flanges  20 ′″ of the outer upper open frame member  11 ′″ project through the stake projection openings  71 ′″ and are provided with enlarged staked heads  60 ′″under heat and pressure, as heretofore described to assemble the components in a rigid assembly suitable for supporting products in the compartment C of the refrigerator R. However, since there are no stake projections  25 ′″ along the front or rear member portions  16 ′″,  17 ′″, respectively, of the upper open frame member  11 ′″ of the shelf  10 ′″, an appropriate bonding material or adhesive can be utilized in these areas to glue or bond an upper surface (unnumbered) of the tempered glass panel  50 ′″ directly to the underside of the horizontal flanges  18 ′″ of the front and rear frame member portions  16 ′″,  17 ′″, respectively. 
         [0045]    Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minor variations may be made in the apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.