Patent ID: 8172347

Claim:
A variable shelf assembly comprising: a mounting member detachably mounted in a storage compartment of a refrigerator; a shelf support member including a lifting panel part coupled to the mounting member such that the shelf support member is vertically movable; a shelf mounted on the shelf support member; a lifting unit to lift the shelf support member; and a panel defining a channel in the storage compartment to circulate cool air, wherein the mounting member or the lifting panel part of the shelf support member has a plurality of cool air discharge holes through which cool air circulating in the channel is discharged, and the lifting unit includes a driving gear mounted to the shelf support member, a driven gear rotated by the driving gear, a screw shaft coupled to the driven gear and rotatable supported by the shelf support member, at least one moving member coupled to the screw shaft and movable by the rotation of the screw shaft, and at least one rotary link having a first end rotatably coupled to the moving member and a second end rotatably coupled to the mounting member.