Liner shelf support structures for refrigerators and freezers

Abstract

An example shelf support structure integral to a refrigerator or freezer liner includes a first feature defined in a liner and extending inward from the liner, the first feature having a first portion at a first height, and a second portion at a second height different from the first height; and a second feature defined in the liner and extending inward from the liner, the second feature spaced-apart from the first feature along a front to back direction and together with the first feature providing support for a shelf, the second feature having a third portion at a third height and a fourth portion at a fourth height different from the third height.

1 . A shelf support structure integral to a refrigerator or freezer liner, comprising:
 a U-shaped first feature integrally defined in a liner and extending inward from the liner, the first feature having a generally horizontal first portion at a first height, a generally horizontal second portion at a second height below the first height, a third portion at a third height extending above the first height wherein the second, first, and third portions form the U-shaped first feature;   a second feature integrally defined in the liner and extending inward from the liner, the second feature spaced-apart from the first feature along a front to back direction and together with the first feature providing support for a shelf with the first feature providing support for a front end portion of the shelf and the second feature providing support for a rear end portion of the shelf, the second feature having a generally horizontal fourth portion at a fourth height and a generally horizontal fifth portion at a fifth height below the fourth height;   a first shelf mounting location comprising the first portion and the fourth portion;   a second shelf mounting location comprising the second portion and the fifth portion, and   wherein the third portion impedes the forward movement of a shelf when placed in the first shelf mounting location and when placed in the second shelf mounting location.   
     
     
         2 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first height is selected relative to the second height so, when a shelf rests on the first shelf mounting location, the shelf does not rest on the second mounting location. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fourth height is selected relative to the fifth height so, when a shelf rests on the first shelf mounting location, the second shelf mounting location is not accessible for placement of a second shelf. 
     
     
         6 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the fourth portions define a first line, and the second portion and the fifth portion define a second line below the first line. 
     
     
         7 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second portion is rearward from the first portion, and the fifth portion is forward from the fourth portion. 
     
     
         8 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fourth portion and the fifth portions form an L-shaped second feature. 
     
     
         9 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second feature further has a sixth portion at a sixth height above the fourth height to impede backward movement of the shelf. 
     
     
         10 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the fourth height is selected relative to the fifth height so, when a shelf rests on the fourth portion, the shelf does not rest on the fifth portion. 
     
     
         11 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a third feature integrally defined in the liner and extending inward from the liner, the third feature spaced-apart from and positioned between the first feature and the second features. 
     
     
         12 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the third feature is U-shaped to receive a wire support rod of a wire shelf. 
     
     
         13 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second shelf mounting location is configured to support a a wire shelf, and a support member of the shelf comprises a wire support rod. 
     
     
         14 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first height is selected relative to the second height so, when a shelf rests on the second shelf mounting location, the shelf does not rest on the first shelf mounting location. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the first shelf mounting location is configured to support a glass shelf, and a support member of the shelf comprises trim. 
     
     
         18 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 17 , wherein placement of a shelf in the first shelf mounting location prevents insertion of a second shelf into the second shelf mounting location. 
     
     
         19 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the fourth portion are configured to support a shelf comprising a planar panel, and a shelf support member comprises a portion of the planar panel. 
     
     
         20 . The shelf support structure as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the fourth portion are configured to support a shelf comprising a planar panel with a trim piece, and a shelf support member comprises a portion of the trim piece. 
     
     
         21 . A refrigerator cabinet liner with an integral shelf support structure, comprising:
 a U-shaped first feature integrally defined in a liner and extending inward from the liner, the first feature having a generally horizontal first portion at a first height, a generally horizontal second portion at a second height below the first height, a third portion at a third height extending above the first height wherein the second portion, the first portion, and the third portion form the U-shaped first feature;   a second feature integrally defined in the liner and extending inward from the liner, the second feature spaced-apart from the first feature along a front to back direction, the second feature having a generally horizontal fourth portion at a fourth height and a generally horizontal fifth portion at a fifth height below the fourth height;   a third feature integrally defined in the liner and extending inward from the liner, the third feature spaced-apart from and located between the first feature and the second feature along a front to back direction, the third feature having a generally horizontal sixth portion at a sixth height and a generally horizontal seventh portion at a seventh height below the sixth height; and   whereby the first, second, and third features together provide support for a shelf in a first shelf mounting position and a second shelf mounting position with the first feature providing support for a front end portion of the shelf, the second feature providing support for a rear end portion of the shelf, and the third feature providing support for a central edge region of the shelf;   the first shelf mounting position comprising the first portion, the fourth portion, and the sixth portion;   the second shelf mounting position comprising the second portion, the fifth portion, and the seventh portion; and   the third portion impeding the forward movement of a shelf when placed in the first shelf mounting position and when placed in the second shelf mounting portion.   
     
     
         22 . The refrigerator cabinet liner as defined in  claim 21 , wherein the second feature further has an eighth portion at an eighth height above the sixth height to impede backward movement of a shelf when the shelf is placed in the first shelf mounting position. 
     
     
         23 . A refrigerator cabinet liner with an integral shelf support structure, comprising:
 a refrigerator cabinet liner having a U-shaped first feature integrally formed in the liner and extending inward from the liner for supporting a first end portion of a shelf in a first shelf mounting location and in a second shelf mounting location,   the first feature having a generally horizontal first portion at a first height,
 a generally horizontal second portion at a second height below the first height, 
 a third portion at a third height above to the first height to impede forward movement of a shelf, 
 the first portion providing support for the first shelf mounting location, 
 the second portion providing support for the second shelf mounting location, and 
   wherein the second, first, and third portions form the U-shaped first feature; and   an L-shaped second feature integrally formed in the liner and extending inward from the liner for supporting a rear portion of a shelf in the first shelf mounting location and in the second shelf mounting location,   the second feature spaced-apart from the first feature along a front to back direction and together with the first feature providing support for a shelf,   the second feature having a generally horizontal fourth portion at a fourth height and a generally horizontal fifth portion at a fifth height below the fourth height and positioned rearward of the fourth portion,   the fourth portion providing support for the first shelf mounting location, and   the fifth portion providing support for the second shelf mounting location,   wherein the fourth portion and the fifth portion form the L-shaped second feature; and   wherein placing a shelf in the first shelf mounting location blocks the placement of a second shelf in the second shelf mounting location.   
     
     
         24 . The refrigerator cabinet liner as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the second feature further has a sixth portion at a sixth height above the fourth height to impede backward movement of a shelf when the shelf is placed in the first shelf mounting location.