US2465806A - Adjustable shelf - Google Patents

Description

March 29, 1949. w. R. JEWELL ADJUSTABLE SHELF Filed March 4,

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1 a A M F 2 1 a J? U Inventor-z William R. Jewell,

H is Attorney.

Patented Mar. 29, 1949 ADJUSTABLE SHELF William R. Jewell, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application March 4, 1948, Serial No. 13,015

15 Claims. (Cl. 211-153) My invention relates to shelves and moreparticularly to adjustable shelves for cabinets.

In some cabinets, for example in cabinets utilized for household refrigerators, the maximum utilization of the available storage space dictates the spacing of the shelves a distance corresponding to the height of most of the articles to be stored in the cabinet. Occasionally, however, it may be necessary to place in the cabinet a number of tall articles whose height exceeds the normal shelf spacing. By providing an arrangement whereby a portion of a shelving may be shifted out of its normal position, it is possible to provide additional space for tall articles when a large number of such articles is to be stored in the cabinet.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention toprovide an improved shelf structure including provision for varying the position of aportion ofthe shelf.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved shelf structure having two shelf sections and including provisionfor placing the sechens in stacked relationship.

Further obiects and advantages of my invention: will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and. forming part of this: specification.

For a better understanding of. my invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a view of a portion of a refrigerator cabinet. including: a. shelf embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is: a side elevation view showing the parts of the shelf in one; position; Fig; 3 is a. side elevation view showing. the. shelf partsin a second; or intermediate.position; Fig: 4 a. side elevation view' showing. the shelf parts in a: third position; and Fig. 5;is;an elevation-view or a portion. of a shelf illustrating a modified form of my invention;

Referring now to the drawing; there is shown a. refrigerator cabinet I. including. an outer wall and an inner wall 3. Suitable insulating ma- The shelf l0 includes a frame II, a rear shelf section 82 and a front shelf section l3. The frame I I is U-shap-ed and includes a rear portion M and two side portions 5. The side portions each include a front section IS. a lower rear section I! and an inclined section 18 connecting the front and rear sections. The front of each side portion of the frame is bent downwardly at l9 to fit about the shelf supports 8 and 9 and a stop 20 is secured to each side portion to prevent inadvertent forward motion of the frame ll. Two depending ears 2| are secured to the rear portion of the frame and are arranged to fit about the shelf supports 6 and 1 for supporting the frame thereon. The rear portion of the frame includes two raised sections 22. A U-shaped bracket 23 is secured to each of the raised portions 22 so that the top surface of the base of each bracket is located substantially in the same horizontal plane as the front sections [6 of the side portions of the frame. A cross brace 24 is provided to strengthen the frame II.

The rear shelf section l2 includes two cross bars 2 5 and 26 and a plurality of connecting wires 2'! which form the shelf surface. The cross bar 25 is adapted to be received within the brackets 23 and the cross bar 26 is adapted to rest ori'tl'ie front sections I6 of the side portions of the frame. If desired, the brackets 23 may be closed over the top of the cross bar 25 to retain the rear shelf section in position within the brackets.

The front shelf section includes two cross bars 28 and 29 and a plurality of connecting shelf wires 30; The cross bar 2 9 is shaped to provide downwardly extending end portions 3!. These depending portions 31 extend behind the shelf supports 8 and 9 and: prevent inadvertent shifting, forward of the front shelf section l-3. Each end; of the" crossbar 2B is bent downwardly and inwardly about the side portion of the frame to form hooks 32'. The: portionof each hookex tending beneath the frame is arranged in contact withthe frame or only slightly spaced therefrom: so as to prevent. any inadvertent tipping of the front shelf section t3.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the shelf is shown in the position: for: normal usage wherein it extends over substantially the entire width and depth of the interior of the cabinet. When additional storage space for tall: articles: is required the front shelf section [3 is adapted to be moved to the position shown. in Fig. 4. wherein. this shelf section is disposed beneath the rear shelf section. I2 in vertically=arranged stacked relationship. In order to: facilitate; the shifting of thefront shelf section from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 4, the plane of each of the hooks 32 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the plane of its respective one of the inclined sections l8 which connect the front and rear sections it and ll of the side portions of the frame. Accordingly, although the cross bar 28 and the lower portions of the hooks 32 fit snugly about the front sections l6 of the frame when the shelf section I3 is in its normal position where the plane of the hooks 32 is inclined relative to the plane of the sections I6, the hooks slide easily over the inclined sections l8 because of the plane of the hooks is substantially perpendicular thereto.

In order to effect shifting of the front shelf section [3 to the position beneath the rear shelf section l2, wherein it is supported on the lower rear sections I 7 of the side portions of the frame, the rear shelf section I2 is swung upwardly about its cross bar 25 which rests in the brackets 23. It is only necessary to lift the front edge of this shelf section l2 slightly so that the front shelf section l3 may be slid beneath the cross bar 26, and the cross bar 26 may be allowed to rest on the shelf wires 30 of the front shelf section during the remainder of the shifting operation, as shown in Fig. 3. The hooks 32 pass easily over the inclined sections I8 since, because of the perpendicular relationship, the maximum spacing between the lower portion of the hooks 32 and the cross bar 28 is utilized. The shelf section 13 is slid along the side portions of the frame until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 4. At this time the cr'oss bar 26 of the rear shelf section I 2 again occupies its original position on the front sections l6 of the side portions of the frame. In this position of the shelf the entire portion forward of the rear shelf section I2 is available for the storage of tall articles resting on the floor of the cabinet or on a lower shelf. When the full depth of the shelf is again required the reverse operation is performed and the shelf section I3 is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 2, the perpendicular relationship of the plane of the hooks 32 and the plane of the inclined sections l8 of the side portion of the frame again facilitating the movement of the shelf section I 3 along the frame.

The width of the rear shelf section [2, is the length of the shelf wires 27, exceeds the length of the sections ll of the side portions of the frame I I so that the front cross bar 23 of this shelf section is supported on the front sections I8 of the side portions of the frame. Also, the spacing between the hooks 32 and the depending portions 3! of the front shelf section is chosen so as to be less than the length of the rear sections I! of the side portions of the frame so that, in the position shown in Fig. 4, the shelf section I3 is supported entirely on the lower rear sections I! of the side portions of the frame.

In Fig. there is illustrated a modified form of the invention which further facilitates the shifting of the front shelf section to a position beneath the rear shelf section. In this form the rear shelf section is made somewhat narrower than in the form previously described so that there is a greater space between the cross bar 28 of the front shelf section and the cross bar 26 of the rear shelf section. The end cross Wires 33 of the front shelf section are extended downwardly and rearwardly beyond the cross bar 28, as indicated by 34. While the end wires 33 have been shown so extended, it will be apparent that pairs that of wires other than the wires 33 might be extended instead and, if desired, a single wire, centrally located, might be employed. The end of the portion 34 of each of the wires 33 extends beneath the cross bar 26 of the rear shelf section. In this form it is not necessary to manually swing the front end of the rear shelf section upwardly to permit sliding of the front shelf section to the position shown in Fig. 4. The front shelf section is merely slid toward the rear. During initial movement of the front shelf section, the cross bar 26 rides up the sloping portions 34 of the shelf wires 33. The front shelf section thereby passes beneath the rear shelf section, and may then be slid to the position shown in Fig. 4.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention as applied to a household refrigerator cabinet, I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and I intend, by the appended claims, to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A shelf comprising a frame having a rear portion and two side portions, each of said side portions including a front section and a rear section in different horizontal planes and an inclined section connectin said front and rear sections, a rear shelf section, and a front shelf section slidable on said frame for positioning in vertically spaced stacked relationship with said rear shelf section, said front shelf section including a hook extending beneath said frame to prevent tipping of said front shelf section, the plane of said hook a front shelf section slidable on said frame for positioning below said rear shelf section, said front shelf section including a hook extending beneath said frame to prevent tipping of said front shelf section, the plane of said hook being substantially perpendicular to the plane of one of said inclined sections to facilitate sliding of said front shelf section over said one of said inclined sections.

3. A shelf comprising a frame having a rear portion and two side portions, each of said portions including a front section, a lower rear section and an inclined section connecting said front and said rear sections, a rear shelf section, and a front shelf section slidable on' said frame, said front shelf section being slidable between a first position in the same horizontal plane as said rear shelf section and a second position below said rearshelf section, said front shelf section including a hook extending beneath said frame to prevent tipping of said front shelf section, the plane of said hook being substantially perpendicular to the plane of one of said inclined sections to facilitate sliding of said front shelf section over said one of said inclined sections.

4. A shelf comprising a frame havin a rear portion and two side portions, each of said side portions including a front section, a lower rear section, and an inclined section connecting said front and rear sections, a rear shelf section, and a front shelf section slidable on said frame for smegma.

5 positioning below said rear=she1f section; said front? shelf section including twohooks, eachof. said-hooks extending beneath one of said side portions of said frame toi prevent tipping of said front shelfsection, the planeof each of saidhooks being substantiallyperpendicular to-the plane of the corresponding inclinedsection of said frame to: facilitate sliding of said front shelf section over said inclined: sections.

5'. A shelf comprising-aframe having a"- rear portion and t'wo side portions, each of'said side portions including a front section and a rear section in different horizontal planes and an inclined section connecting said front and rear sec tions, a rear shelf section, and a front shelf sec tion slidable on said framefor positioning in vertically spaced stacked relationshipwith said rear shelf section, said front shelf section including a hook extending beneath said frame and in engagement with the lower surface thereof for preventing-tipping of said front shelf section, the planeof said h'ook bein substantially perpendicular to the plane of 'one of said inclined sections to facilitate sliding of said front shelf section over said one of said inclined sections.

6. A shelf comprising a frame having a rear portion and two side portions, each of" said'sid'e portions including a front section, a lower rear section and an inclined" section connecting said front and rear' sections, at least a section of said rear portion being arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane as said front. sections of said side portions of said frame, a rear shelf sec-- tion supported on said section of saidrear portion of said frame and said front sections of said side portions of saidframe, and'a front shelf section supported on said front sections of said frame and slidable onsaid frame for positioning below'said rear shelf section, said front shelf section including hooks extending beneath said frame to prevent tippingofsaid front shelf section, the plane of each of" said hooks being substantially perpendicular to the plane of its respective inclined section to facilitate sliding of said front. shelf section over said inclined: sections.

'7. A shelf comprising a frame. having a rear portion and two side portions, each of said side portions. including a front section, a lower rear section and an inclined section connecting said 5 front and rear sections, at least: a. section; of said rear portion being arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane as said front sections, a rear shelf section, said rear shelf section being wider than the length of each of said rear sections of said side portions of said frame whereby said rear shelf section is supported on said section of said rear portion of said frame and on said front sections of said side portions of said frame, and a front shelf section supported on said front sections of said side portions of said frame in the same horizontal plane as said rear shelf section, said front shelf section being slidable on said frame for positioning on said lower rear sections of said side portions of said frame beneath said rear shelf section, said front shelf section including a hook extending beneath said frame, the plane of said hook being substantially perpendicular to the plane of one of said inclined sections to facilitate sliding of said front shelf section over said one of said inclined sections.

8. A shelf comprising a frame having a rear portion and two side portions, each of said side portions including a front section, a lower rear section and an inclined section connecting said iii) front and rear'sections, at least a section. ofsaid rear portionbeingarranged in substantially the same horizontal plane as said front sections, a

rear shelfs'ectiom said rear shelf section being wider than-the lengtlrof each of said. rear sections of'said side portions of said frame whereby saidrear shelf section is supported. on said section of" said rear portion of said frame and on said-'front-sectionsof said side portions of said frame; and a front shelf section arranged to be supported-Lin afi'rstposition on said front sections of saidside-portions of said frame in the same horizontal plane as said rear shelf section, said front-shelf'section: being slidable on said frame to. a: second positionton' said lower rear sections of said side portions of said frame beneath said rear shelf: section, said front shelf section including -a hook extending beneath said frame, the plane of-"said hook being substantially perpendicular to the plane of one of said inclined sections to=--facilitate sliding of said front shelf section over'said one of -said inclined sections, said front shelf section being supported on said frame at points spaced closer" than the length of said rear sections-of'said side portions of saidframe where-- by: said front shelf section is supported entirely by said rear sectionsin said'second position of said front shelf section.

9. A shelf comprising a frame having a rear portion and two side portions, each of said side portions including front section, a lower rear section and an inclined section connecting said front and rear sections, at least one bracket be'-- ing secured to saidrear portion of said frame, a rear shelf section supported for swinging movement'insaidbracket a-ndadapted to rest on said front sections of said side portions of said frame, and" a front shelf section supported on said front sections of said side portions of said' frame. and slidable on said frame for positioning below said rear shelf-section; said rear shelf section being swingaole upwardly to permit passage of saidfront shel-fsection beneath said rear shelf section, said front shelf section includingtwo'. hooks extending beneath said frame to prevent tipping of said front shelff section, the plane of each of said hooksbeing substantially perpendicular to theplanezof. its respective inclined section to facilitate sliding of said front shelf sect-ionover saidiinclined sections.

10'. A shelf. comprising a. frame having a rear portion and' two side portions, each of said side portions including a front section, a lower rear section and an inclined section connecting said front and rear section-s, a rear shelf section, and a front shelf section slidable on said frame for positioning below said rear shelf section, said front shelf section including a hook extending beneath said frame to prevent tipping of said front shelf section, the plane of said hook being substantially perpendicular to the plane of one of said inclined sections to facilitate sliding of said front shelf section over said one of said inclined sections, said front shelf section further including a portion extending beneath a portion of said rear shelf section to facilitate sliding of said front shelf section beneath said rear shelf section.

11. A shelf comprising a frame having a rear portion and two side portions, each of said side portions including a front section, a lower rear section and an inclined section connecting said front and said rear sections, a rear shelf section, and a front shelf section slidable on said frame, said front shelf section being slidable between a first position in the same horizontal plane as said rear shelf section and a second position below said rear shelf section, said front shelf section including a .hook extending beneath said frame to prevent tipping of said front shelf section, the plane of said hook being substantially perpendicular to the plane of one of said inclined sections to facilitate sliding of said front shelf section over said one of said inclined sections, said front shelf section further including a portion extending beneath the front edge of said rear shelf section whereby said front edge is elevated during initial movement of said front shelf section from its first position to its second position to facilitate sliding of said front shelf section beneath said rear shelf section.

12. A shelf comprising a frame having a rear portion and two side portions, each of said side portions including a front section, a lower rear section and an inclined section connecting said front and said rear sections, a rear shelf section, and a front shelf section slidable on said frame, said front shelf section being slidable between a first position in the same horizontal plane as said rear shelf section and a second position below said rear shelf section, said front shelf section further including a portion extending beneath the front edge of said rear shelf section whereby said front edge is elevated during initial movement of said front shelf section from its first position to its second position to facilitate sliding of said front shelf section beneath said rear shelf section.

13. A shelf comprising a frame having a rear portion and two side portions, each of said side portions including a front section, a lower rear section and an inclined section connecting said front and said rear sections, a rear shelf section including two cross bars and connecting shelf wires, and a front shelf section including two cross bars and connecting shelf wires, said front shelf section being slidable between a first position in the same horizontal plane as said rear shelf section and a second position below said rear shelf section, at least one of said wires of said front shelf section extending beneath one of said cross bars of said rear shelf section whereby during initial movement of said front shelf section from its first position toward its second position said cross bar is elevated to permit passage of said front shelf section therebeneath.

14. A shelf comprising a frame having a rear portion and two side portions, each of said side portions including a front section and a rear section in different horizontal planes and an inclined section connecting said front and said rear sections, a rear shelf section including two cross bars and connecting shelf wires, and a front shelf section including two cross bars and connecting shelf wires said front shelf section being slidable between a first position in the same horizontal plane as said rear shelf section and a second posi-- tion below said rear shelf section, at lea-st one of said wires of said front shelf section extending beneath one of said cross bars of said rear shelf section whereby during initial movement of said front shelf section from its first position toward its second position said cross bar is elevated to permit passage of said front shelf section therebeneath, said front shelf section including a hook extending beneath said frame to prevent tipping of said front shelf section, the plane of said hook being substantially perpendicular to the plane of one of said inclined sections to facilitate sliding of said front shelf section over said one of said inclined sections.

15. A shelf comprising a frame having a rear portion and two side portions, each of said side portions including a front section and a rear section in different horizontal planes and an inclined section connecting said front and rear sections, a rear shelf section, and a front shelf section slidable on said frame for positioning in vertically spaced stacked relationship with said rear shelf section, said front shelf section including two cross bars and a plurality of connecting shelf wires, one of said cross bars being bent to form a hook extending beneath said frame for preventing tipping of said front shelf section, the plane of said hook being substantially perpendicular to one of said inclined sections to facilitate sliding of said front section over said one of said inclined shelf sections.

WILLIAM R. JEWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,925,371 Charter Sept. 5, 1933 1,997,432 Replogle Apr. 9, 1935 2,095,130 Gates Oct. 5, 1937

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