Patent Publication Number: US-10309717-B2

Title: Variable width deli cover

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/254,218 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,174,992), filed on Sep. 1, 2016, entitled VARIABLE WIDTH DELI COVER, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present device generally relates to a shelf assembly for a refrigerator compartment, and more particularly, to a deli cover that includes adaptable brackets for accommodating various size liners used to define a refrigerator compartment. 
     When constructing a refrigerator, a liner is used to define a refrigerator compartment. When providing options such as refrigerated drawers or deli-style drawers, a cover is needed that spans the inner sidewalls of the liner for coupling thereto. In manufacturing, the liner width may vary particularly when used in a vacuum insulated refrigerator. Thus, a production deli cover is desired wherein the connecting brackets for the deli cover are able to accommodate various spans of inner sidewalls for various refrigerator liners. Further, in the assembly of a refrigerator compartment, a deli cover having a support bracket configuration that is narrower than the span of the liner is desired, such that the deli cover will not scratch the liner sidewalls when the deli cover is installed during assembly. Thus, the deli cover must have support structures that are narrower than the liner sidewalls and configured to expand to a greater width during installation to sufficiently couple to the liner sidewalls in a support configuration. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present concept includes a variable width shelf assembly having a shelf panel with first and second support brackets coupled to the shelf panel at opposite sides thereof. Each support bracket includes a body portion having an upright portion and a support portion extending inwardly from the upright portion. One or more support slots and one or more relief slots are disposed on the upright portion of the support brackets. One or more coupling tabs are disposed adjacent to one of the one or more support slots and one of the one or more relief slots. The coupling tabs are flexible tabs configured to flex outwardly relative to the upright portion of the body portion for coupling the first and second brackets to a refrigerator compartment. 
     Another aspect of the present concept includes an adjustable shelf assembly for a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment having first and second opposed sidewalls with inner and outer surfaces. The refrigerator compartment includes a width defined between the inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls include a plurality of slots disposed therethrough. First and second mounting plates are coupled to the outer surfaces of the first and second sidewalls, respectively, and include one or more mounting features received through one or more of the slots disposed through the first and second sidewalls. A shelf assembly includes a shelf panel with first and second support brackets disposed on opposed side edges of the shelf panel. The first and second support brackets each include a body portion having an upright portion with one or more coupling tabs disposed thereon. The coupling tabs are configured to flex outwardly relative to the upright portion for coupling the first and second brackets to the first and second mounting plates, respectively. The body portion further includes one or more support slots, wherein the one or more mounting features of the mounting plates are received in the one or more support slots within the refrigerator compartment in assembly. 
     Yet, another aspect of the present concept includes a method of installing a shelf assembly in a refrigerator. The method includes: a) providing a refrigerator compartment having a width defined between inner surfaces of opposed first and second sidewalls of the refrigerator compartment; b) mounting first and second mounting plates on each of the sidewalls of the refrigerator compartment, wherein the first and second mounting plates include one or more mounting features extending into the refrigerator compartment through the first and second sidewalls, respectively; c) providing a shelf assembly having first and second support brackets disposed on opposite sides thereof, the first and second support brackets including outer surfaces, one or more flexible coupling tabs and one or more support slots, wherein the outer surfaces of the support brackets define a width of the shelf assembly, wherein the width of the shelf assembly is less than the width of the refrigerator compartment; d) receiving the shelf assembly within the refrigerator compartment above the first and second mounting brackets; e) lowering the shelf assembly such that the one or more mounting features of the first and second mounting plates are received in the one or more support slots of the first and second support brackets, respectively; f) driving the one or more flexible coupling tabs from at-rest positions to outwardly flexed positions using one or more fasteners; and g) expanding the width of the shelf assembly to a second width defined by outer surfaces of the one or more flexible coupling tabs when the one or more flexible coupling tabs are in the outwardly flexed positions. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a refrigerator configured for use with the present concept; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the refrigerator of  FIG. 1  with the doors and drawer removed to reveal a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top perspective view of a shelf assembly according to one embodiment of the present concept; 
         FIG. 3B  is a bottom perspective view of a shelf assembly of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the refrigerator of  FIG. 2  having an exterior wrapper removed therefrom and the shelf assembly of  FIG. 3A  exploded away from the refrigerator compartment; 
         FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of a mounting plate; 
         FIG. 5B  is a rear perspective view of the mounting plate of  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a front perspective view of the mounting plate of  FIG. 5A  installed on a sidewall of a refrigerator liner; 
         FIG. 6A  is a top perspective view of the shelf assembly of  FIG. 3A  supported on the sidewall and mounting plate of  FIG. 5C  in a set-in-place position; 
         FIG. 6B  is a top perspective view of the shelf assembly of  FIG. 6A  fixedly coupled to the liner sidewall; 
         FIG. 7A  is a side elevational view of the support bracket of  FIG. 6A  in a set-in-place position; 
         FIG. 7B  is a side elevational view of the support plate of  FIG. 7A  as fixedly coupled to the mounting plate; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart representing a method of installing an adjustable shelf assembly in a refrigerator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a refrigerator  1  includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure  2  which includes a refrigerator compartment  3  and a freezer compartment  4 . Doors  5  and  6  are provided to selectively provide access to the refrigerator compartment  3 , while a drawer  7  is used to provide access to the freezer compartment  4 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the refrigerator  1  is shown with the doors  5  and  6 , and drawer  7  removed therefrom to reveal the refrigerator compartment  3  and freezer compartment  4 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the refrigerator compartment  3  includes a refrigerator liner  10 . The refrigerator liner  10  includes a pair of opposed sidewalls  12 ,  14  having inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A ( FIG. 4 ) and outer surfaces  12 B,  14 B ( FIG. 4 ). The inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A cooperate to define a width W 1  for the refrigerator compartment  3  spanning the distance between the opposed sidewalls  12 ,  14 . In the refrigerator compartment  3 , a plurality of shelves  16  are shown which are contemplated to be vertically adjustable structures for customized placement within the refrigerator compartment  3 . As further shown in  FIG. 2 , a number of drawers  18  are shown disposed below the shelves  16  and are contemplated to be refrigerated drawers for fresh food items, and may further include one or more deli-style drawers spanning the width W 1  of the refrigerator compartment  3 . In locations L 1  or L 2  within the refrigerator compartment  3 , a fixed support structure or shelf assembly may be desired to cover the drawers  18  along an upper portion thereof, such that the fixed support structure will generally cover the width W 1  of the refrigerator compartment  3  by spanning from inner surface  12 A of sidewall  12  to inner surface  14 A ( FIG. 4 ) of sidewall  14  in assembly. 
     As noted above, the refrigerator  1  of the present concept includes a refrigerator compartment  3  disposed within a vacuum insulated cabinet structure  2 . The vacuum insulated cabinet structure  2  is generally created and defined in a space between the refrigerator liner  10  and the freezer liner  11  as spaced-apart from an exterior wrapper  20 . The spacing between the exterior wrapper  20  and the refrigerator liner  10  and freezer liner  11  provides an insulating space that can be vacuum sealed using a vacuum sealing technique. This type of sealing and insulating technique may cause for fine variations in the distance between the sidewalls  12  and  14  of the refrigerator liner  10 , such that the width W 1  of the refrigerator  1  may vary as compared to the width of another refrigerator formed with an identical vacuum insulating and sealing technique. Thus, for ease of assembly, a support structure that spans the width W 1  of the refrigerator  1  must be a variable or adjustable support structure that can be easily manufactured for use in a variety of refrigerators having variable widths. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , a shelf assembly  30  is shown, wherein the shelf assembly  30  includes a shelf panel  32  supported on support brackets  34 ,  36  disposed on opposite sides  38 ,  40  of the shelf panel  32 . The shelf panel  32  includes an upper surface  32 A that is spaced-apart from a lower surface  32 B. The shelf panel  32  further includes a rear edge  42  and a front edge  44  which cooperate with the opposed side edges  38 ,  40  to define a peripheral edge PE of the shelf panel  32 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , the rear edge  42  and front edge  44  of the shelf panel  32  have cover members  46 ,  48  disposed therearound which may help with the containment of spilled substances that may be deposited on the upper surface  32 A of the shelf panel  32  during use. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 3A , the support brackets  34 ,  36  are configured to couple to the sidewalls of a refrigerator, such as sidewalls  12 ,  14  of the refrigerator liner  10  shown in  FIG. 2 . The support brackets  34 ,  36  are similar in configuration and will be described herein using like reference numerals. Further, as one support bracket is described in this disclosure, the features of that support bracket will also describe the identical features of the companion support bracket. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , the support brackets  34 ,  36  are shown supporting the shelf panel  32  in a mirror configuration relative to one another. Each of the support brackets  34 ,  36  includes a body portion  50  having first and second flexible coupling tabs  52 ,  54  disposed adjacent to vertically configured support slots  56 ,  58 , respectively, along with horizontally configured relief slots  60 ,  62 , respectively. The support slots  56 ,  58  and relief slots  60 ,  62  define cutout portions of the body portion  50  of the support brackets  34 ,  36  which define the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  and allow the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  to flex or adjust, as further described below. As further shown in  FIG. 3A , the support brackets  34 ,  36  generally include an upright portion  64  and an inwardly curved horizontal support portion  66 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the support portion  66  extends inwardly from the upright portion  64  at approximately 90°, and abuts the lower surface  32 B of the shelf panel  32  for supporting the same. The upright portion  64  includes the vertical support slots  56 ,  58 , the horizontal relief slots  60 ,  62 , and the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  for positioning and coupling the support brackets  34 ,  36  to the inner surfaces of the liner walls, such as inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A of sidewalls  12 ,  14  of the refrigerator liner  10  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 3A , the support slots  56 ,  58  are tapered slots that extend upwardly from a bottom edge  51  of the body portion  50 . With specific reference to support slot  58 , which has a similar configuration to support slot  56 , each support slot  56 ,  58  includes an open bottom end  58 A and a closed top end  58 B. Support slot  58  tapers inwardly, such that the support slot  58  narrows from the open bottom end  58 A to the closed top end  58 B. In this way, a mounting feature can be closely received in the tapper support slot  58 , such that there will be little to no play between the support bracket  34  and the mounting feature, as further described below. Similarly, the relief slots  60 ,  62  are also tapered slots which extend inwardly from opposed end portions  54 A,  54 B of the body portion  50 . With specific reference to relief slot  62 , which has a similar configuration to relief slot  60 , each relief slot  60 ,  62  includes an open outer end  62 A and a closed inner end  62 B. Relief slot  62  tapers inwardly, such that the relief slot  62  narrows from the open outer end  62 A to the closed inner end  62 B. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , the shelf assembly  30  is shown from a bottom perspective view, wherein an upper surface  66 A of support portion  66  of support bracket  36  is shown abutting the lower surface  32 B of the shelf panel  32 . It is contemplated that the shelf panel  32  may be a glass panel, wherein the shelf panel  32  may be coupled to the upper surface  66 A of support portion  66  of support bracket  36  using an adhesive. When the shelf panel  32  is made of a plastic or other like material, it is contemplated that the shelf panel  32  may be coupled to the support portion  66  of the support brackets  36 ,  34  using fasteners or welding. As further shown in  FIG. 3B , the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  of the support brackets  34 ,  36  include mounting apertures  70  disposed therethrough. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B , the mounting apertures  70  are disposed adjacent to end portions  52 A,  54 A of the coupling tabs  52 ,  54 , respectively. The mounting apertures  70  are configured to receive fasteners therethrough for coupling the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  to inner surfaces of spaced-apart sidewalls of a refrigerator liner, as further described below. As further shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the body portions  50  of the support brackets  34 ,  36  include outer surfaces  50 A and inner surfaces  50 B. With the support brackets  34 ,  36  coupled to opposite sides  38 ,  40  of the shelf panel  32 , an overall first width W 2  of the shelf assembly  30  is defined between the outer surfaces  50 A of the support brackets  34 ,  36 . In the configurations shown in  FIGS. 3A, 3B , the first width W 2  of the shelf assembly  30  is less than the width W 1  of the refrigerator compartment  3  defined by the inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A of the refrigerator liner  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . In this way, the shelf assembly  30  can be carefully installed within the refrigerator compartment  3  without the support brackets  34 ,  36  touching, scratching or otherwise marking the inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A of the refrigerator liner  10 . The outer surfaces  50 A of the support brackets  34 ,  36  also define outer surfaces of the coupling tabs  52 ,  54 . As noted above, the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  are configured to flex outwardly with respect to the upright portions  64  of the support brackets  34 ,  36  from an at-rest position AR (shown in  FIGS. 5C, 6A, 7A ) to an outwardly flexed position OF (shown in  FIGS. 6B and 7B ). In the outwardly flexed position OF, the outer surfaces of the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  define a second width W 3  ( FIG. 7B ) of the shelf assembly  30  that is greater than first width W 1  of the shelf assembly  30  when the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  are in the at-rest position. In this way, the shelf assembly  30  is a variable width or adjustable shelf assembly as the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  flex outwardly relative to the upright portion  64  of the support brackets  34 .  36 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the shelf assembly  30  is shown exploded away from the refrigerator compartment  3  of refrigerator  1 . In  FIG. 4 , the exterior wrapper  20  ( FIG. 1 ) has been removed such that an outer surface  12 B of sidewall  12  is shown. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a mounting plate  80  is shown coupled to the outer surface  12 B of sidewall  12  of the refrigerator liner  10 . Similarly, a second mounting plate  82  is shown coupled to an outer surface  14 B of sidewall  14  of the refrigerator liner  10 . Mounting features of the mounting plate  82  are shown extending through sidewall  14  and outwardly extending beyond the inner surface  14 A of sidewall  14 . These mounting features are further described below with particular references to  FIGS. 5A and 5C  and are used to couple the shelf assembly  30  to the refrigerator compartment  3  at support brackets  34 ,  36 . The mounting plates  80 ,  82  are identical members mounted in a mirror configuration on the refrigerator  1  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Thus, like reference numerals will be used to describe the mounting plates  80 ,  82  with particular reference to  FIGS. 5A-5C , and all features of one mounting plate specifically described are contemplated to be features of the companion mounting plate. 
     As further shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the mounting plates  80 ,  82  are coupled to the sidewalls  12 ,  14  of the refrigerator liner  10  at a location L 2  which is disposed above a spacing S where one or more drawers may be located within the refrigerator compartment  3 , such as drawers  18  shown in  FIG. 1 . It is contemplated that the refrigerator liner  10  is comprised of a polymeric material, such that the sidewalls  12 ,  14  are a polymeric material commonly used within the refrigerator industry. The support brackets  34 ,  36  are contemplated to be comprised of a metal material that may be coated or painted. Thus, in the installation of the shelf assembly  30 , it is important that the support brackets  34 ,  36  do not contact the inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A of the refrigerator liner  10  as the shelf assembly  30  is inserted into the refrigerator liner in a substantially horizontal direction as indicated by arrow A. Once the shelf  30  is fully received horizontally within the refrigerator compartment  3 , the shelf assembly  30  is moved downward in a direction as indicated by arrow B shown in  FIG. 5C , such that the support brackets  34 ,  36  can locate to and engage with the mounting features of the mounting plates  80 ,  82 . During movement of the shelf assembly  30  within the refrigerator compartment  3  in the directions as indicated by arrows A and B, it is important that the support brackets  34 ,  36  do not contact the inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A of the refrigerator liner  10 . Thus, the first width W 2  of the shelf assembly  30 , as defined by the outer surfaces  50 A of support brackets  34 ,  36 , is less than the width W 1  of the refrigerator compartment  3 . In this way, the shelf assembly  30 , and support brackets  34 ,  36  coupled thereto, can move within the refrigerator compartment  3  in the direction as indicated by arrows A and B without contacting the inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A of the refrigerator liner  10 . The shelf assembly  30  is configured for a set-in-place engagement of the support brackets  34 ,  36  on the mounting features of the mounting plates  80 ,  82 , as further described below, before a final coupling procedure is conducted to fixedly couple the shelf assembly  30  within the refrigerator compartment  3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5A , mounting plate  82  is shown which, as described above, is identical to mounting plate  80  shown in  FIG. 4 . Thus, the same reference numerals will be used to describe the features of both mounting plates  80 ,  82 . In  FIG. 5A , mounting plate  82  includes a body portion  84  having an inner surface  84 A and an outer surface  84 B ( FIG. 5B ). The mounting plate  82  includes first and second mounting features  86 ,  88  extending outwardly from the inner surface  84 A. The mounting features  86 ,  88  are shown in  FIG. 5A  as mounting fins or tabs that are configured to be received in the support slots  56 ,  58  of the support brackets  34 ,  36 , respectively. Thus, the mounting features  86 ,  88  are configured to extend through the sidewalls  12 ,  14  of the refrigerator liner  10  and further extend beyond the inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A of the sidewalls  12 ,  14  in assembly. As further shown in  FIG. 5A , abutment guides  90 ,  92  also extend outwardly from the inner surface  84 A of the mounting plate  82  and, much like the mounting features  86 ,  88  are configured to extend through the sidewall to which the mounting plate  82  is coupled. The abutment guides  90 ,  92  are outwardly protruding structures having abutment surfaces  91  which are used to guide the direction of the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  as the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  outwardly flex during the final fixing procedure. As further shown in  FIG. 5A , mounting apertures  94  are disposed on opposite sides of the mounting plate  82  and are configured to align with the mounting apertures  70  of the support brackets  34 ,  36  for receiving fasteners in assembly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5B , mounting plate  82  is shown from a rear perspective view, wherein mounting bosses  96  are shown extending outwardly from the outer surface  84 B of the body portion  84  of the mounting plate  82 . With reference to  FIG. 5A , the mounting apertures  94  open into the mounting bosses  96  shown in  FIG. 5B . The mounting bosses  96  are configured to receive a fastener that couples the support brackets  34 ,  36  of the shelf assembly  30  to the mounting plate  80 ,  82  in assembly. As further shown in  FIG. 5B , locating bosses  98  are shown extending outwardly from the outer surface  84 B of the body portion  84  of mounting plate  82 . With reference to  FIG. 5A , access apertures  95  open into the locating bosses  98 , and the locating bosses  98  are configured to receive a fastener to retain the mounting plates  80 ,  82  on an outer surface of a sidewall of the refrigerator liner  10  as further described below. Thus, the mounting plate  82  shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  includes a generally planar body portion having an inner surface  84 A that is configured to abut an outer surface of a sidewall of a refrigerator liner, such as outer surfaces  12 B,  14 B of sidewalls  12 ,  14  of refrigerator liner  10  described above. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5C , the shelf assembly  30  is shown positioned above the mounting plate  82  which is coupled to sidewall  14  of the refrigerator liner  10 . The shelf assembly  30  is configured for set-in-place support from an engagement between the support bracket  36  and mounting plate  82  when the shelf assembly  30  is moved downward in a direction as indicated by arrow B. As further shown in  FIG. 5C , the sidewall  14  of the refrigerator liner  10  includes inner slots  100 ,  102  and outer slots  104 ,  106 . The mounting features  86 ,  88  of the mounting plate  82  are configured to be received through the inner slots  100 ,  102  of the sidewall  14 , such that the mounting features  86 ,  88  extend inwardly into the refrigerator compartment  3  beyond inner surface  14 A of sidewall  14 . Similarly, the abutment guides  90 ,  92  extend inwardly into the refrigerator compartment  3  through outer slots  104 ,  106 , respectively. In this way, the mounting features  86 ,  88  and the abutment guides  90 ,  92  are exposed within the refrigerator compartment  3  and are accessible for engagement with the support brackets  34 ,  36  of the shelf assembly  30  by extending through slots of the plurality of slots disposed on the sidewalls  12 ,  14 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 5C , the sidewall  14  further includes mounting apertures  108 ,  110  which are configured to align with the mounting apertures  70  of the support brackets  34 ,  36 , as well as mounting apertures  94  of mounting plates  80 ,  82  in assembly. When the mounting plate  82  is positioned on an outer surface  14 B of sidewall  14  by aligning the mounting features  86 ,  88  and abutment guides  90 ,  92  with the inner slots  100 ,  102  and outer slots  104 ,  106 , respectively, the mounting plate  82  is retained in this position using fasteners  112 , which include head portions  114 . In assembly, the fasteners  112  extend through access apertures disposed through the sidewall  14  and align with locating apertures  95  ( FIG. 5A ) of the mounting plate  82 . The fasteners  112  are contemplated to have shaft portions which engage the locating bosses  98  extending outwardly from the outer surface  84 B of mounting plate  82 . In this way, the mounting plates  80 ,  82  can be positioned on the outer surfaces  12 B,  14 B of the refrigerator liner  10  and retained on these outer surfaces  12 B,  14 B using fasteners  112  as received in locating bosses  98  of the mounting plates  80 ,  82 . With the mounting plates  80 ,  82  retained in place on the sidewalls  12 ,  14 , the shelf assembly  30  can move downward in the direction as indicated by arrow B for engagement with the mounting features  86 ,  88  of the mounting plate  82  at support slots  56 ,  58  of the support brackets  34 ,  36 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6A , the shelf assembly  30  has been moved downward in a direction as indicated by arrow B for a set-in-place engagement with mounting plate  82 . With the shelf assembly  30  in the set-in-place position P, the mounting features  86 ,  88  of the mounting plate  82  extending through sidewall  14  have been received in the support slots  56 ,  58  of support bracket  36  for supporting the shelf assembly  30  within in the refrigerator compartment  3 . As noted above, the support slots  56 ,  58  are tapered, such that the mounting features  86 ,  88  are closely received at the closed top ends  56 B,  58 B of the support slots  56 ,  58  after passing through the open bottom ends  56 A,  58 A. The mounting apertures  70  of the support bracket  36  are configured to receive fasteners and are aligned with the mounting apertures  110  of sidewall  14 , as well as mounting apertures  94  of mounting plate  82 . As further shown in  FIG. 6A , the mounting aperture  70  of support bracket  36  also align with the mounting bosses  96  of mounting plate  82 . The mounting apertures  70  are disposed adjacent the end portions  52 A,  54 A of coupling tabs  52 ,  54 . In this way, when a fastener is received in the mounting apertures  70  and engaged with mounting bosses  96 , the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  can bend approximately at the locations X indicated in  FIG. 6  which are also the locations where the outer surface  50 A ( FIG. 3 ) of the support bracket  36  will abut outer abutment surfaces  91  of the abutment guides  90 ,  92  of the mounting plate  82  as they extend through the sidewall  14  of the refrigerator liner  10  ( FIG. 5A ). The ability of the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  to bend in the directions as indicated by arrows C and D is due to the location of the support slots  56 ,  58  in conjunction with the relief slots  60 ,  62  of the support bracket  36 . These cutout portions provided by support slots  56 ,  58  and relief slots  60 ,  62  provide for a band of material M disposed therebetween which can bend under the force of a fastener being received in mounting boss  96 . In this way, the coupling tabs  52 ,  54 , and particularly the end portions  52 A,  54 A of coupling tabs  52 ,  54 , will bend from the at-rest positions AR of the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  shown in  FIG. 6A  to an outwardly flexed position OF ( FIG. 6B ) to abut the inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A of the sidewalls  12 ,  14  of the refrigerator liner  10 . The bending motion of the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  is guided by the abutment guides  90 ,  92  and their engagement with outer surface  50 A of the support brackets  34 ,  36 . When the support brackets  34 ,  36  are in the set-in-place position on the mounting features  86 ,  88  of the mounting plates  80 ,  82  (see  FIG. 6A ), the abutment guides  90 ,  92  (see  FIG. 5A ) are properly aligned with the support brackets  34 ,  36  to bend the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  at a predictable location X. In this way, the front end portion  54 A will have a tight fit against the sidewall  14  of the refrigerator liner  10  as shown in  FIG. 7B . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6B , fasteners  120  have been received in mounting apertures  70  of support bracket  36 . As noted above, the fasteners  120  engage the mounting bosses  96  of mounting plate  82  for fixedly coupling the shelf assembly  30  to the sidewalls  12 ,  14  of the refrigerator compartment  3 . With the shelf assembly  30  in the fixedly coupled position FC, the fasteners  120  have driven the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  from the at-rest position AR ( FIG. 6A ) to an outwardly flexed or coupled position OF shown in  FIG. 6B  to sandwich the liner sidewall  14  between the support bracket  36  and the mounting plate  82 . In the outwardly flexed position OF, the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  are snug fit against the inner surface  14 A of sidewall  14  having bent or flexed outwardly at location X. By Flexing outwardly, the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  have defined a second width W 3  ( FIG. 7B ) of the shelf assembly  30  that is greater than first width W 2  defined with the coupling tabs  52 ,  54  in the at-rest position AR ( FIG. 6A ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7A , the shelf assembly  30  is shown in the set-in-place position P, with coupling tab  54  of the support bracket  36  in the at-rest position AR. In the at-rest position AR, coupling tab  54  defines a first width W 2  of the shelf assembly  30  at outer surface  50 A thereof. Mounting feature  88  of mounting plate  82  is disposed within supporting slot  58  in  FIG. 7A , and this arrangement is best shown in  FIG. 6A . The inner surface  84 A of mounting plate  82  is shown abutting the outer surface  14 B of sidewall  14  as positioned thereon, and abutment surface  91  of abutment guide  92  is shown abutting the outer surface  50 A of the coupling tab  54 . A fastener  120  is shown ready to be received through mounting apertures  70 ,  110  and  94  of the support bracket  36 , liner sidewall  14 , and mounting plate  82 , respectively. The fastener  120  includes a head portion  122  and a shaft portion  124 . In assembly, the head portion  122  abuts the inner surface  50 B of the support bracket  36  while shaft portion  124  extends through the aligned mounting apertures  70 ,  110  and  94  for engagement with mounting boss  96 . It is contemplated that shaft portion  124  is a threaded member that is threadingly engaged with a threaded channel of mounting boss  96  in assembly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7B , support bracket  36  is shown in the fixedly coupled position FC, wherein coupling tab  54  has been driven by fastener  120  from the at-rest position AR ( FIG. 7A ) to the outwardly flexed or coupled position OF. As driven by fastener  120  from the at-rest position AR to the outwardly flexed position OF, the coupling tab  54  has bent or flexed outwardly, such that outer surface  50 A of the support bracket  36  abuts the inner surface  14 A of the liner sidewall  14 . As noted above, this bending motion of the coupling tab  54  is guided by abutment guide  92  to ensure that the coupling tab  54  bends in a predictable manner at a predictable location X shown in the  FIGS. 6A and 6B . As bent outwardly, coupling tab  54  has moved outward to define a second width W 3  of the shelf assembly  30  that is greater than the first width W 2  shown in  FIG. 7A . Width W 3  brings the shelf assembly  30  to a position spanning the full width W 1  of the refrigerator compartment. In this way, the shelf assembly  30  is a variable width shelf assembly having a first width W 2  that allows for the shelf assembly to be positioned in the set-in-place position P ( FIGS. 6A, 7A ) without contacting the liner sidewalls  12 ,  14 , while also being adjustable to a second width W 3  that is greater than first width W 2 . At second width W 3 , the support bracket  34 ,  36  are closely coupled with the liner sidewalls  12 ,  14  and mounting plates  80 ,  82 . The difference in widths A between first width W 2  and second width W 3  is shown in  FIG. 7B  and contemplated to be equivalent to a few millimeters on each side of the shelf assembly  30  at the location of the opposed support brackets  36 ,  38 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a method  200  of installing the shelf assembly  30  is outlined. The method  200  includes the following procedural steps: Step  202 ) providing a refrigerator compartment  3  ( FIG. 1 ) having a width W 1  defined between inner surfaces  12 A,  14 A of opposed first and second sidewalls  12 ,  14  of the refrigerator compartment  3 ; Step  204 ) mounting first and second mounting plates  80 ,  82  ( FIG. 4 ) on each of the sidewalls  12 ,  14  of the refrigerator compartment  3 , wherein the first and second mounting plates  80 ,  82  include one or more mounting features  86 ,  88  ( FIG. 5A ) extending into the refrigerator compartment  3  through the first and second sidewalls  12 ,  14 , respectively; Step  206 ) providing a shelf assembly  30  ( FIG. 3A ) having first and second support brackets  34 ,  36  disposed on opposite sides  38 ,  40  thereof, the first and second support brackets  34 ,  36  including outer surfaces  50 A, one or more flexible coupling tabs  52 ,  54  and one or more support slots  56 ,  58 , wherein the outer surfaces  50 A of the support brackets  34 ,  36  define a first width W 2  of the shelf assembly  30 , and further wherein the first width W 2  of the shelf assembly  30  is less than the width W 1  of the refrigerator compartment  3  ( FIG. 7A ); Step  208 ) receiving the shelf assembly  30  ( FIG. 5C ) within the refrigerator compartment  3  above the first and second mounting brackets  80 ,  82 ; Step  210 ) lowering the shelf assembly  30  to a set-in-place position P ( FIGS. 6A, 7A ) such that the one or more mounting features  86 ,  88  of the first and second mounting plates  80 ,  82  are received in the one or more support slots  56 ,  58  of the first and second support brackets  34 ,  36 , respectively; Step  212 ) driving the one or more flexible coupling tabs  52 ,  54  from at-rest positions AR ( FIG. 7A ) to outwardly flexed positions OF ( FIG. 7B ) using one or more fasteners  120 ; and Step  214 ) expanding the first width W 2  of the shelf assembly  30  to a second width W 3  ( FIG. 7B ) defined by outer surfaces  50 A of the one or more flexible coupling tabs  52 ,  54  when the one or more flexible coupling tabs  52 ,  54  are in the outwardly flexed positions OF. 
     The method  200  outlined in  FIG. 8  further includes Step  216 ) guiding a bending motion of the one or more flexible coupling tabs  52 ,  54  using one or more abutment guides  90 ,  92  disposed on the first and second mounting plates  80 ,  82  and extending into the refrigerator compartment  3  through the first and second sidewalls  12 ,  14  of the refrigerator compartment  3 . 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise. 
     The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.