Refrigerator shelving system with item retainer

Abstract

A retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator includes a retainer member and at least one connector member. The retainer member may extend between the first and second lateral sides of the shelf and may include a central portion positionable above the shelf. The at least one connector member may connect the retainer member to the shelf. The at least one connector member may include a locking mechanism for securing the retainer member at various points along a length of at least one of the lateral sides of the shelf.

1 . A retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator, the shelf generally defining a horizontal plane and include first and second lateral sides, the retention system comprising:
 a retainer member for extending between the first and second lateral sides of the shelf, the retainer member including a central portion positionable above the shelf; and   at least one connector member for connecting the retainer member to the shelf, the at least one connector member including a locking mechanism for securing the retainer member at various points along a length of at least one of the lateral sides of the shelf.   
   
   
       2 . The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector member includes a first connector member for connecting the retainer member to the first lateral side and a second connector member for connecting the retainer member to the second lateral side. 
   
   
       3 . The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one connector member is operable in a first mode to permit sliding movement of the at least one connector member relative to the shelf and operative in a second mode to prevent sliding movement of the at least one connector member relative to the shelf. 
   
   
       4 . The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector member defines a channel for slidably receiving one of the first and second lateral sides of the shelf. 
   
   
       5 . The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector member includes a stop member moveable between a first position and a second position such that relative movement between the retainer member and the shelf is permitted in the first position and relative movement between the retainer member and the shelf is prevented in the second position. 
   
   
       5 . The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of  claim 5 , wherein the retainer member is moveable from a first position to second position to move the stop member from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       6 . The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of  claim 5 , wherein the stop member frictionally engages the shelf to prevent relative movement between the retainer member and the shelf. 
   
   
       7 . The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of  claim 5 , wherein the stop member is elastically moveable from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       8 . The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer member is rotatable about a laterally extending axis. 
   
   
       9 . The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of  claim 1 , in combination with the shelf. 
   
   
       10 . The retention system for a shelf of a refrigerator of  claim 1 , in combination with the shelf and the refrigerator. 
   
   
       11 . A shelving arrangement for a refrigerator, the shelving arrangement comprising:
 a shelf generally defining a horizontal plane;   a retainer member for extending between the first and second lateral sides of the shelf, the retainer member including a central portion positionable above the shelf; and   a first connector member coupling the retainer member to the first lateral side of the shelf; and   a second connector member coupling the retainer member to the second lateral side of the shelf.   
   
   
       12 . The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one of the first and second connector members are operable in a first mode to permit sliding movement of the at least one connector member relative to the shelf and operative in a second mode to prevent sliding movement of the at least one connector member relative to the shelf. 
   
   
       13 . The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second connector members defines a channel for slidably receiving a corresponding one of the first and second lateral sides of the shelf. 
   
   
       14 . The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second one connector members includes a stop member moveable between a first position and a second position such that relative movement between the retainer member and the shelf is permitted in the first position and relative movement between the retainer member and the shelf is prevented in the second position. 
   
   
       15 . The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein the retainer member is moveable from a first position to second position to move the stop member from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       16 . The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein the stop member frictionally engages the shelf to prevent relative movement between the retainer member and the shelf. 
   
   
       17 . The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of  claim 14 , wherein the stop member is elastically moveable from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       18 . The shelving arrangement for a refrigerator of  claim 11 , wherein the shelf is a solid shelf. 
   
   
       20 . A shelving arrangement for a refrigerator, the shelving arrangement comprising:
 a solid shelf generally defining a horizontal plane;   a retainer member for extending between the first and second lateral sides of the shelf, the retainer member including a central portion positionable above the shelf; and   first and second connector members respectively coupling the retainer member to the first and second lateral sides of the shelf, each connector member including a first side for slidably receiving the respective lateral side of the shelf and a second side for receiving one of the ends of the retainer member, each connector member further including a stop member for limiting upward translation of the retainer member, the stop members of the first and second connector members cooperating to define a pivot axis about which the retainer member may rotate.