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An encapsulated refrigerator shelf is assembled by interconnecting a platform, such as a glass panel, within a peripheral frame. More specifically, a peripheral shelf frame is formed with a split side portion defining upper and lower frame portions which are spaced by an elongated slot. The encapsul

An encapsulated refrigerator shelf is assembled by interconnecting a platform, such as a glass panel, within a peripheral frame. More specifically, a peripheral shelf frame is formed with a split side portion defining upper and lower frame portions which are spaced by an elongated slot. The encapsulated glass refrigerator shelf is made by slidably inserting the platform onto peripheral frame support structure through the slot formed between the upper and lower frame portions. The frame is also formed with retaining structure to maintain the platform in place once the platform is inserted a requisite amount within the peripheral frame.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A refrigerator comprising: a liner defining a food compartment; anda shelving assembly mounted within the food compartment defined by the liner for supporting food stored within the refrigerator, said shelving assembly including: front, rear and opposing side frame members interconnected to estab

1. A refrigerator comprising: a liner defining a food compartment; anda shelving assembly mounted within the food compartment defined by the liner for supporting food stored within the refrigerator, said shelving assembly including: front, rear and opposing side frame members interconnected to establish a peripheral frame, one of the front, rear and opposing side frame members constituting a split frame member defined by upper and lower frame portions which are spaced by an elongated slot;a platform slidably received within the elongated slot in order to be supported by a plurality of the front, rear and opposing side frame members within the peripheral frame; anda retainer member provided on one of the upper and lower frame members within the slot for retaining the platform within the peripheral frame upon extending through the elongated slot. 2. A refrigerator shelving assembly comprising: front, rear and opposing side frame members interconnected to establish a peripheral frame, one of the front, rear and opposing side frame members constituting a split frame member defined by upper and lower frame portions which are spaced by an elongated slot;a platform slidably received within the elongated slot in order to be supported by a plurality of the front, rear and opposing side frame members within the peripheral frame; anda retainer member provided on one of the upper and lower frame members within the slot for retaining the platform within the peripheral frame upon extending through the elongated slot. 3. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of ledges formed on at least two of the front, rear and opposing side frame members, said platform being supported upon the plurality of ledges within the peripheral frame. 4. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of ledges are formed on the opposing side frame members and define channels within which the platform is slidably received through the elongated slot which is formed in the rear side frame member. 5. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 4, further comprising: an additional ledge formed on the front frame member, with the additional ledge further supporting the platform within the peripheral frame. 6. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 2, wherein the front, opposing side and rear frame members establish an upper peripheral rim which is raised above and extends about the platform. 7. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 6, wherein the platform is defined by a glass panel. 8. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 2, wherein the retainer member directly engages the platform within the elongated slot. 9. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 2, wherein the retainer member includes an upright wall portion and a projecting section establishing a receiving channel within which the platform is receive to prevent the platform from sliding out of the peripheral frame. 10. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 9, further comprising: a central recessed zone formed in the lower frame member, wherein the retainer member extends from the upper frame member and is aligned to extend into the central recessed zone. 11. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 2, wherein the retainer member includes a tapered wall surface against which the platform slides in order to pass through the elongated slot. 12. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 11, wherein the retainer member further includes an upright wall surface, opposite the tapered wall surface, with the upright wall surface defining a stop preventing the platform from sliding out of the peripheral frame. 13. The refrigerator shelving assembly according to claim 2, further comprising: front and rear pan supports projecting from the front and rear frame members for supporting a drawer frame from the peripheral frame. 14. A method of assembling a refrigerator shelf adapted to be mounted within a food compartment for supporting food stored within the refrigerator comprising: sliding a platform through an elongated slot spacing upper and lower frame members of a peripheral shelving frame until the platform is supported upon ledges within the peripheral frame;continuing to slide the platform through the elongated slot until the platform passes a retainer member provided within the slot; andpreventing the platform from sliding out of the peripheral frame following insertion through the elongated slot by engaging the platform with the retainer member within the slot. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the peripheral frame is defined by front, rear and opposing side frame members, with the rear side frame member being split to define the upper and lower frame members and the ledges being provided along the opposing side frame members such that the platform is inserted into the peripheral frame through the elongated slot of the rear side frame member and supported upon the ledges provided along the opposing side frame members. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the retainer member includes an upright wall portion and a projecting section establishing a receiving channel, with the upper frame member being flexed to receive the platform in the receiving channel in order to prevent the platform from sliding out of the peripheral frame. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the lower frame includes a central recessed zone, with the retainer member extending into the central recessed zone upon loading of the platform. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the retainer member includes a tapered wall surface, with the platform sliding against the tapered wall surface in order to pass through the elongated slot. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the retainer member further includes an upright wall surface opposite the tapered wall surface, with the platform abutting the upright wall surface upon sliding the platform through the elongated slot in order to stop the platform from sliding out of the peripheral frame. 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the peripheral shelving frame must flex in order for the platform to slide past the retainer member within the slot.