Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator has a shelf that is securely supported by a supporting portion and can be conveniently withdrawn. For this end, the refrigerator includes a main body, a supporting portion, a shelf main body, a rail, and a latching member. An inner case defines an interior of the main body. The supporting portion is provided on the inner case. The shelf main body is supported by the supporting portion. The rail is provided at a side of the shelf main body, to guide movement of the shelf main body. The latching member is provided on the rail, latches to the supporting portion, and elastically deforms when the shelf main body is moved.

1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a main body comprising an inner case defining an interior;   a supporting portion on the inner case;   a shelf main body supported by the supporting portion;   a rail at a side of the shelf main body, to guide movement of the shelf main body; and   a latching member on the rail and latching to the supporting portion, the latching member elastically deforming when the shelf main body is moved.   
   
   
       2 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion comprises a latching recess defined therein to latch with the latching member, and the latching member comprises a latch formed thereon to latch to the latching recess when the shelf main body is supported by the supporting portion. 
   
   
       3 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the latch extends from a side of the rail and is formed with a slope enabling insertion in the latching recess. 
   
   
       4 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the latching member comprises a withdrawing lever to be manipulated to withdraw the shelf. 
   
   
       5 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion protrudes toward an inside of the main body, and the rail is disposed to enclose a protruded surface of the supporting portion. 
   
   
       6 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion and the rail are formed with downward slopes toward a front of the main body. 
   
   
       7 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a main body defining a storage compartment;   a shelf provided in the main body to be withdrawable; and   a supporting portion supporting the shelf in the main body, and defining a latching recess latching with the shelf,   wherein the shelf comprises:   a shelf main body storing items for storage;   a rail provided at least at a side of the shelf main body to guide withdrawing of the shelf;   a latching member on the rail to latch to the latching recess; and   a withdrawing lever extending at a side of the latching member, to be manipulated to withdraw the shelf.   
   
   
       8 . The refrigerator according to  claim 7 , wherein the withdrawing lever is selectively pulled to a front of the main body when the shelf is being withdrawn. 
   
   
       9 . The refrigerator according to  claim 7 , wherein the withdrawing lever is selectively pulled downward when the shelf is being withdrawn. 
   
   
       10 . The refrigerator according to  claim 7 , wherein the withdrawing lever is selectively moved upward when the shelf is being withdrawn. 
   
   
       11 . The refrigerator according to any one of  claims 8  through  10 , wherein the rail comprises a guide recess defined therein to guide movement of the withdrawing lever, and the withdrawing lever comprises a guide protrusion formed on an end thereof to be movable when inserted in the guide recess. 
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator according to  claim 7 , wherein the latching member is elastically deformed during withdrawal of the shelf. 
   
   
       13 . The refrigerator according to  claim 7 , wherein the supporting portion and the rail define a space therebetween, to enable the withdrawing lever to move. 
   
   
       14 . The refrigerator according to  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the latching member is sloped to enable insertion into the latching recess, and the latching recess defines a sloped portion corresponding to the latching member. 
   
   
       15 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a main body defining a storage compartment;   a shelf provided in the main body to be withdrawable; and   a supporting portion protruding in a direction to support the shelf on the main body,   wherein the shelf comprises:   a shelf main body storing items for storage; and   a rail on at least one side of the shelf main body, to guide withdrawing of the shelf and enclose protruding surfaces of the supporting portion.   
   
   
       16 . The refrigerator according to  claim 15 , wherein the rail encloses at least an upper surface and a lower surface of the supporting portion. 
   
   
       17 . The refrigerator according to  claim 15 , wherein the rail encloses at least an inner surface of the supporting portion. 
   
   
       18 . The refrigerator according to  claim 15 , wherein the rail comprises a latching member formed of an elastic material to latch with the supporting portion. 
   
   
       19 . The refrigerator according to  claim 15 , wherein the rail comprises a withdrawing lever selectively manipulated by a user to withdraw the shelf.