초록 ▼

A retainer assembly for preventing food containers placed on a shelf of a refrigerator door from falling off the shelf when the refrigerator door is abruptly opened or closed includes a retaining element which is connected to a crosspiece extending above a base of the shelf and pivotally movable rel

A retainer assembly for preventing food containers placed on a shelf of a refrigerator door from falling off the shelf when the refrigerator door is abruptly opened or closed includes a retaining element which is connected to a crosspiece extending above a base of the shelf and pivotally movable relative to the crosspiece between first and second extreme positions, as well as a substantially infinite number of intermediate positions. The retaining element is either directly attached to the crosspiece or pivotally connected to a supporting sheath that is snap-fit onto the crosspiece. In either case, the retaining element rides along one or more camming surfaces which causes the retaining element to be physically deformed as it is pivoted between the first and second extreme positions.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. In a refrigerator door including an inner liner having an upstanding wall portion with laterally spaced dike portions projecting therefrom and at least one shelf including a base for supporting one or more food items between the dike portions, as well as a crosspiece extending ab

[ We claim:] [1.]1. In a refrigerator door including an inner liner having an upstanding wall portion with laterally spaced dike portions projecting therefrom and at least one shelf including a base for supporting one or more food items between the dike portions, as well as a crosspiece extending above the base and laterally between the dike portions to aid in preventing the food items from inadvertently falling off the base, an adjustable retainer assembly comprising: a retaining element connected to the crosspiece for pivotal movement relative to the crosspiece between first and second extreme positions, as well as a substantially infinite number of intermediate positions, wherein said retaining element includes a portion which extends across a substantial section of the at least one shelf at a position which, when the retaining element is in the first extreme position and at least a majority of the intermediate positions, is both spaced from and higher than the crosspiece, said portion of the retaining element being adapted to abut a frontal zone of one or more of the food items.