Refrigerator shelf assembly allowing partial repositioning of shelf units

Abstract

The present invention relates to a household appliance and more particularly a refrigeration appliance having a shelf which is sectionally arranged to provide a space-increasing shelf assembly. The present invention more specifically relates to a refrigeration appliance having a sectionally organized shelf assembly ( 1 ) in a refrigeration cabin thereof, the shelf assembly ( 1 ) comprising a front and a rear shelf units ( 2, 3 ) respectively neighboring in the depthwise direction of the refrigeration cabin, the front and rear shelf units ( 2, 3 ) being displaceable relative to a pair of brackets to which they are attachable.

1 . A refrigeration appliance having a sectionally organized shelf assembly in a refrigeration cabin thereof, the shelf assembly comprising a front and a rear shelf units respectively neighboring in the depthwise direction of the refrigeration cabin, the front and rear shelf units being displaceable relative to a pair of brackets to which they are attachable, characterized in that the rear shelf unit is a shelf section hingedly rotatable so as to take a position different than on the shelf assembly plane. 
     
     
         2 . A refrigeration appliance as in  claim 1 , characterized in that the front shelf unit is slidable towards the rear shelf unit in condition that the rear shelf unit is rotated. 
     
     
         3 . A refrigeration appliance as in  claim 2 , characterized in that the rear shelf unit of the shelf assembly is rotated to upright position by means of a grip portion. 
     
     
         4 . A refrigeration appliance as in  claim 1 , characterized in that the rear shelf unit is hingedly attached to a first and second brackets by means of a first and second hinging means. 
     
     
         5 . A refrigeration appliance as in  claim 4 , characterized in that the first and second hinging means are respectively attached to the first and second brackets by insertion of a hinge head of the hinging means into respective hinge slots of the brackets. 
     
     
         6 . A refrigeration appliance as in  claim 4 , characterized in that the front shelf unit is movable in a guided manner through the first and second brackets. 
     
     
         7 . A refrigeration appliance as in  claim 4 , characterized in that a first and a second support element supports and connects the first and second brackets. 
     
     
         8 . A refrigeration appliance as in  claim 6 , characterized in that movement of the front shelf unit is supported in a guided manner by bracket channels of the first and second brackets into which slideway extensions of the front shelf unit are receivable. 
     
     
         9 . A refrigeration appliance as in  claim 8 , characterized in that bracket channels are hollow longitudinal bodies receiving slideway extensions in a telescopic manner. 
     
     
         10 . A refrigeration appliance as in  claim 1 , characterized in that the front shelf unit is movable forward from a position adjacent to the rear shelf unit's unrotated position on the shelf assembly plane such that an opening between the rear and front shelf units in extended configuration of the front shelf unit is obtained.