Adjustable refrigerator shelving

In a refrigerator having a refrigerated compartment with at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilevered support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations, the improvement of refrigerator shelving comprising the combination of:

• a full shelf extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said full shelf having a support bracket coupled with at least one of said first shelf track and said second shelf track to support said full shelf;
• a shelf rail mounted on said first and second shelf tracks and extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said shelf rail including projecting members for releasable engagement with said first and second shelf tracks at said plurality of vertically spaced locations, said shelf rail having an elongated body, said projecting members extending from said elongated body and having a first hook for releasable engagement with said first shelf track and a second hook for releasable engagement with said second shelf track, said second hook being spaced along a length of said shelf rail from said first hook;
• a partial shelf mounted on said shelf rail, said partial shelf extending less than fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said full shelf being in vertically spaced relation to said partial shelf when mounted on said shelf rail, said partial shelf being cantilevered from said shelf rail and including releasable engagement members for releasably engaging said shelf rail, said shelf rail having means for cooperating releasable engagement with said releasable engagement members of said partial shelf, said partial shelf engaging said shelf rail at a plurality of horizontal locations;
• and
• a wear member interposed between said partial shelf and said shelf rail, said shelf rail having a top edge extending substantially along said length of said shelf rail, said wear member defining an open-sided channel extending along said top edge, said shelf rail extending through said open side with said top edge seated within said channel.

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigerated compartment;
• at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said refrigerated compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilever support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• a shelf rail in said refrigerated compartment, said rail extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said shelf rail having an elongated body with integral rigid coupling members engaging said first shelf track and said second shelf track in releasable supporting engagement, said coupling members being spaced along a length of said shelf rail;
• and
• a partial shelf releasably supported by said shelf rail in said refrigerated compartment, said partial shelf having a width less than said width between said first and second shelf tracks, and being supported by said shelf rail, said partial shelf further including a shelf panel with a top surface for receiving and supporting an article thereon and a peripheral edge thereabout, a rim molded from a moldable material along said perimeter edge to define a spill dam to contain any liquid disposed on said shelf panel, and a support engaging said shelf rail for supporting said shelf panel on said shelf rail, said partial shelf also having at least one locking hook releasably engaging said shelf rail, said locking hook having an elongated leg defining a space between said leg and said partial shelf to receive a portion of said shelf rail, said leg extending along and adjacent to a side of said shelf rail opposite said partial shelf, said leg bearing against said side to limit rotation of said partial shelf relative to said shelf rail.

In a refrigerator having a refrigerated compartment with at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilevered support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations, the improvement of refrigerator shelving comprising the combination of:

• a full shelf extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said full shelf having at least one support bracket coupled with at least one of said first shelf track and said second shelf track to support said full shelf;
• a shelf rail mounted on said first and second shelf tracks and extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks;
• and
• a partial shelf mounted on said shelf rail, said partial shelf extending less than fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said full shelf being in vertically spaced relation to said partial shelf when mounted on said shelf rail, said partial shelf having a shelf panel with a top surface for receiving and supporting an article set thereupon and a perimeter edge thereabout, having a rim molded from a resinous material about said perimeter edge to provide a liquid-tight seal between said shelf panel and said rim, said liquid-tight seal being formed during molding, and having at least one support bracket for supporting said partial shelf.

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigerated compartment;
• at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilever support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• a shelf rail in said compartment, said rail extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said shelf rail having an elongated body with integral rigid coupling members engaging said first shelf track and said second shelf track in releasable supporting engagement, said coupling members being spaced along a length of said shelf rail;
• and
• a partial shelf in said compartment, said partial shelf having a width less than said width between said first and second shelf tracks, and being releasably supported by said shelf rail;
• and
• a wear member interposed between said partial shelf and said shelf rail.

In a refrigerator having a refrigerated compartment with at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilevered support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations, the improvement of refrigerator shelving comprising the combination of:

• a full shelf extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said full shelf having at least one support bracket coupled with at least one of said first shelf track and said second shelf track to support said full shelf;
• a third shelf track, said third shelf track being generally parallel to and positioned in horizontally spaced relation to said second shelf track on a side of said second shelf opposite said first shelf track to define a first width between said first shelf track and said second shelf track and define a second width between said second shelf track and said third shelf track, said third shelf track being adapted for releasable engagement with said number of support brackets at said plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• a shelf rail mounted on said first and third shelf tracks and extending at least fully across said first width between said first shelf track and said second shelf track, and said second width between said second shelf track and said third shelf track, said shelf rail including projecting members for releasable engagement with at least said first shelf track and said third shelf track;
• and
• a partial shelf mounted on said shelf rail, said partial shelf extending less than fully across said first width between said first shelf track and said second shelf track, said full shelf being in vertically spaced relation to said partial shelf mounted on said shelf rail, said partial shelf having a shelf panel with a top surface for receiving and supporting an article set thereupon and a perimeter edge thereabout;
• having a rim molded from a resinous material about said perimeter edge to provide a liquid-tight seal between said shelf panel and said rim, said liquid-tight seal being formed during molding, and having at least one support bracket for supporting said partial shelf.

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigerated compartment;
• at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilevered support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• a refrigerator shelving shelf rail having an elongated body extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said body including a first rigid portion releasably engaging said first shelf track, a second rigid portion spaced along a length of said shelf rail from said first rigid portion and releasably engaging said second shelf track, an upper edge and a lower edge extending along a length of said shelf rail, a generally vertical surface extending between said upper and lower edges and first and second rigid portions, a stiffener extending along said length of said shelf rail in said generally vertical surface intermediate said upper and lower edges, and a support along said length of said shelf rail to receive and support a shelf, said support including at least portions of said upper edge and said generally vertical support surface.

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigerated compartment;
• at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilevered support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• a refrigerator shelving shelf rail having an elongated body extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said body including a first rigid portion releasably engaging said first shelf track, including a second rigid portion spaced along a length of said shelf rail from said first rigid portion and releasably engaging said second shelf track, including a stiffener extending along said length of said shelf rail, and including a support along said length to receive and support a shelf;
• said first rigid portion having at least a first hook with a leg releasably engaging said first shelf track;
• said second rigid portion having at least a second hook with a leg releasably engaging said second shelf track;
• each of said first hook and said second hook including a tab extending in a direction generally opposite to said leg, each of said first hook and said second hook engaging a corresponding one of said first shelf track and said second shelf track, each said tab engaging said corresponding one of said first shelf track and said second shelf track to lock each of said first hook and said second hook in engagement with said corresponding one of said first shelf track and said second shelf track, each said tab including a stop hook, each said stop hook releasably engaging said corresponding one of said first shelf track and said second shelf track to limit rotation of said shelf rail to a position in which said tab is disengaged from and adjacent to said corresponding one of said first shelf track and said second shelf track.

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigerated compartment;
• at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilever support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• a shelf rail in said compartment, said rail extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said shelf rail having an elongated body with integral, rigid coupling members engaging said first shelf track and said second shelf track in releasable supporting engagement, said coupling members being spaced along a length of said shelf rail;
• said coupling members including at least a first hook with a leg releasably engaging said first shelf track, and at least a second hook with a leg releasably engaging said second shelf track, said first hook and said second hook being spaced along said length of said shelf rail;
• a partial shelf in said compartment, said partial shelf having a width less than said width between said first and second shelf tracks, and being releasably supported by said shelf rail, said partial shelf having at least one locking hook releasably engaging said shelf rail;
• and
• a wear member interposed between said partial shelf and said shelf rail.

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigerated compartment;
• at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilevered support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• a refrigerator shelving shelf rail having an elongated body extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said body including a first rigid portion releasably engaging said first shelf track, including a second rigid portion spaced along a length of said shelf rail from said first rigid portion and releasably engaging said second shelf track, including a stiffener extending along said length of said shelf rail, and including a support along said length to receive and support a shelf;
• said first rigid portion having at least a first hook with a leg releasably engaging said first shelf track;
• said second rigid portion having at least a second hook with a leg releasably engaging said second shelf track;
• a partial shelf, said partial shelf extending less than fully across said width between said first shelf track and said second shelf track, said partial shelf including support members, said support members releasably engaging said shelf rail, said support of said shelf rail cooperating in releasable engagement with said support members of said partial shelf to support said partial shelf.

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigerated compartment;
• at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilevered support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• a refrigerator shelving shelf rail having an elongated body extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said body including a first rigid portion releasably engaging said first shelf track, including a second rigid portion spaced along a length of said shelf rail from said first rigid portion and releasably engaging said second shelf track, including a stiffener extending along said length of said shelf rail, and including a support along said length to receive and support a shelf;
• and
• a partial shelf, said partial shelf extending less than fully across said width between said first shelf track and said second shelf track, said partial shelf including support members, said support members releasably engaging said shelf rail, said support of said shelf rail cooperating in releasable engagement with said support members of said partial shelf to support said partial shelf.

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigerated compartment;
• at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilevered support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• a refrigerator shelving shelf rail having an elongated body extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said body including a first rigid portion releasably engaging said first shelf track, including a second rigid portion spaced along a length of said shelf rail from said first rigid portion and releasably engaging said second shelf track, including a stiffener extending along said length of said shelf rail, and including a support along said length to receive and support a shelf;
• and
• said refrigerator further including a third shelf track, said third shelf track being generally parallel to and positioned in horizontally spaced relation to said second shelf track, opposite said first shelf track, to define a first width between said first shelf track and said second shelf track and a second width between said second shelf track and said third shelf track, said third shelf track being adapted to couple in releasable supporting engagement with said number of support brackets at said plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• wherein said shelf rail extends at least fully across said first width and said second width;
• and wherein said shelf rail has a third rigid portion releasably engaging said third shelf track, said third rigid portion being spaced along said length of said shelf rail from each of said first rigid portion and said second rigid portion.

A refrigerator comprising:

• a refrigerated compartment;
• at least a first shelf track and a second shelf track mounted in said compartment, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track being generally vertically oriented in horizontally spaced relation to each other and defining a width therebetween, each of said first shelf track and said second shelf track also being adapted for releasable supporting engagement with a number of support brackets for cantilever support of a number of shelves at a plurality of vertically spaced locations;
• a shelf rail in said compartment, said rail extending at least fully across said width between said first and second shelf tracks, said shelf rail having an elongated body with integral, rigid coupling members engaging said first shelf track and said second shelf track in releasable supporting engagement, said coupling members being spaced along a length of said shelf rail;
• and
• a partial shelf in said compartment, said partial shelf having a width less than said width between said first and second shelf tracks, and being releasably supported by said shelf rail, said partial shelf further including a shelf panel with a top surface for receiving and supporting an article thereon and a peripheral edge thereabout, a rim molded from a moldable material along said perimeter edge to define a spill dam to contain any liquid disposed on said shelf panel, and a support engaging said shelf rail for supporting said shelf panel on said shelf rail.