Patent ID: 8733862

Claim:
An adjustable shelf support assembly for an appliance, the appliance including a pair of opposing side walls, the adjustable shelf support assembly comprising: a shelf having a pair of opposing sides for positioning near the opposing side walls; a plurality of support legs extending from the opposing sides of the shelf, each leg having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is rotatably connected to one of the opposing sides of the shelf, and wherein the second end of each support leg is configured for rotatable connection along one of the opposing side walls of the appliance; at least one locking leg connected to one of the opposing sides of the shelf, the locking leg having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the at least one locking leg is configured for rotatable connection along one of the opposing side walls of the appliance; a locking mechanism for fixing the vertical position of the shelf, the locking mechanism comprising: a first shaft connected with the shelf and extending along a lateral direction; a second shaft connected with the first end of the at least one locking leg, wherein the first and second shafts are rotatable relative to each as the shelf is raised or lowered; and a spring defining a spring axis and coils encircling the spring axis to create a cavity into which at least parts of the first shaft and the second shaft are received, the spring wrapped around the first shaft and the second shaft in a manner that increases the tension on the spring as the shelf is lowered and decreases the tension on the spring as the shelf is raised.