Heat staked shelf

Abstract

A shelving assembly (920) is disclosed, with the shelving assembly (920) including a series of heat stake ribs (926). The ribs (926) may be hot formed and made pliable so as to be flexed for purposes of providing additional retention and support to a glass shelf panel (928). The glass shelf panel (928) is also secured to a plastic rim (922). Heat stake pads (942) may be utilized with the heat stake ribs (926). The heat stake ribs (926) may be deformed against the corresponding heat stake pads (942) so as to provide support for the glass shelf panel (928).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 375,632 filed 27 Feb., 2003 and an International Patent Application No. PCT / US03 / 02045 filed 24 Jan., 2003. The United States Patent Application and the International Application claim priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 351,917, filed 25 Jan., 2002, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 361,464, filed 4 Mar., 2002.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. REFERENCE TO A MICROFISHE APPENDIX [0003] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of the Invention [0005] The invention relates to shelving designs which may be adapted for use with refrigerators and other articles employing shelving and, more particularly, shelving having glass supported in part through the use of heat stake ribs. [0006] 2. Background Art [0007] Previous types of shelving have been dev...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022] The shelving assembly may be stationary or may facilitate sliding movement, as desired, on a ribbed liner of a refrigerator. The plastic rim can extend around the entirety of the periphery of the shelf panel. The plastic rim can be of an unitary and integral design. The plastic rim can comprise an upwardly projecting backstop extending across the entirety of the rear portion of the rim. Still further, the plastic rim can comprise a downwardly projecting forward lip having an acute cross section. This lip can act in part as a bumper to prevent damage of the shelving assembly from articles that may be knocked against a forward portion of the shelving assembly. This further acts in part as a handle to facilitate stationary positioning or a sliding movement on a plastic ribbed liner of a refrigerator.

[0024] The shelving assembly can further include at least one slot between the plastic rim and the shelf panel. The plastic rim can include a flat plane. Within the slot, the adhesive can be provided to as to secure and couple together the glass shelf panel and the plastic rim, while providing a leak-proof barrier to liquids. The slot also aids in the flow of the adhesive during the manufacturing process. The adhesive can comprise a reactive polyurethane hot melt or light cured acrylic adhesive.

[0027] The plastic rim can extend around the entirety of the periphery of the shelf panel. The plastic rim can be of a unitary and integral design, and can comprise an upwardly projecting backstop extending across the entirety of a rear portion of the rim. The metal frame can include a pair of opposing and parallel side plates, with each of the side plates comprising an outwardly or inwardly projecting section, or it can be flat as desired. Each of the flat, outwardly or inwardly projecting sections can be received onto grooves of the plastic rim. The slidable movement can be achieved without requiring any additional modifications to the shelving assembly. The shelving assembly can include a depending metal protrusion. The combination of the metal protrusions and the plastic stop can provide for a stop mechanism for sliding movement of the shelving assembly. The metal protrusion can be punched out, formed or fastened so as to be horizontally or vertically depending.

Problems solved by technology

In addition to these design features, one problem which arises with respect to refrigerator shelving relates to spills.

If spills are allowed to build up, they can readily harbor bacteria, mold and other materials which may contaminate food stuffs and the like.

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