Stamped steel refrigerator shelf

Abstract

A shelf, usable in a refrigerator, is provided which has a generally flat, horizontal support surface comprising a left edge, a right edge, a front edge and a rear edge. A first support arm extends along the left edge of the support surface and a second support arm extends along the right edge of the support surface. The first and second support arms are each connected by a substantially right angle bend to the support surface. The first and second support arms each extend rearwardly beyond the rear edge of the support surface. The support surface and the support arms are formed from a single piece of metal and are bent into a final configuration without the use of fasteners to hold separate pieces together.

1 . A shelf for a refrigerator comprising: 
 a generally flat, horizontal support surface comprising a left edge, a right edge, a front edge and a rear edge,    a first support arm extending along said left edge of said support surface,    a second support arm extending along said right edge of said support surface, 
 said first and second support arms each connected by a substantially right angle bend to said support surface,  
 said support surface and said support arms being formed from a single piece of metal and being bent into a final configuration without the use of fasteners to hold separate pieces together.  
   
   
   
       2 . A shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein said support surface includes a plurality of openings formed therein.  
   
   
       3 . A shelf according to  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of openings comprise a series of parallel slots extending generally front-to-rear.  
   
   
       4 . A shelf according to  claim 3 , wherein said series of parallel slots comprises two rows of parallel slots.  
   
   
       5 . A shelf according to  claim 2 , wherein said openings include downwardly depending walls defining said openings.  
   
   
       6 . A shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein said support arms each are provided with hooked tabs arranged to engage with a support ladder in the refrigerator.  
   
   
       7 . A shelf according to  claim 1 , wherein said support surface includes a raised rim extending around a perimeter of said surface.  
   
   
       8 . A shelf according to  claim 1 , including a downwardly extending lip formed at said front edge of said support surface.  
   
   
       9 . A shelf according to  claim 1 , including an upwardly extending ledge formed at said rear edge of said support surface.  
   
   
       10 . A shelf comprising: 
 a generally flat support surface comprising a left edge, a right edge, a front edge and a rear edge,    a first support arm depending from said left edge of said support surface,    a second support arm depending from said right edge of said support surface, 
 said first and second support arms each connected by a bend to said support surface,  
   wherein said shelf with said support surface and said support arms is formed from a single flat sheet of metal and is mechanically shaped into a final configuration.    
   
   
       11 . A shelf according to  claim 10 , wherein said support surface includes a plurality of openings formed therein.  
   
   
       12 . A shelf according to  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of openings comprise a series of parallel slots extending generally front-to-rear.  
   
   
       13 . A shelf according to  claim 12 , wherein said series of parallel slots comprises two rows of parallel slots.  
   
   
       14 . A shelf according to  claim 11 , wherein said openings include downwardly depending walls defining said openings.  
   
   
       15 . A shelf according to  claim 10 , wherein said support arms each are provided with at least one rib extending in a front-to-rear direction.  
   
   
       15 . A shelf according to  claim 10 , wherein said support arms each are provided with at least one rib extending in a front-to-rear direction.  
   
   
       16 . A shelf according to  claim 10 , wherein said support surface includes a raised rim extending around a perimeter of said surface.  
   
   
       17 . A shelf according to  claim 10 , including a downwardly extending lip formed at said front edge of said support surface.  
   
   
       18 . A shelf according to  claim 10 , including an upwardly extending ledge formed at said rear edge of said support surface.  
   
   
       19 . A shelf for a refrigerator comprising: 
 a generally flat, horizontal support surface comprising a left edge, a right edge, a front edge and a rear edge, said support surface including a plurality of openings arranged as a series of parallel slots formed therein and including downwardly depending walls defining said openings,    a first support arm extending along said left edge of said support surface,    a second support arm extending along said right edge of said support surface, 
 said first and second support arms each connected by a substantially right angle bend to said support surface,  
 said first and second support arms each extending rearwardly beyond said rear edge of said support surface and being provided with hooked tabs arranged to engage with a support ladder in the refrigerator,  
   a downwardly extending lip formed at said front edge of said support surface and an upwardly extending ledge formed at said rear edge of said support surface, 
 said support surface and said support arms being formed from a single piece of steel and being bent into a final configuration without the use of fasteners to hold separate pieces together.  
   
   
   
       20 . A shelf according to  claim 19 , wherein said series of parallel slots comprises two rows of parallel slots.  
   
   
       21 . A shelf according to  claim 19 , wherein said support surface includes a raised rim extending around a perimeter of said surface.