Refrigerator having a stowable shelf holder

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator which comprises a compartment for refrigerating articles; one or more shelves which are releasably disposed into the compartment and one or more shelf holders each for releasably holding the respective shelf. The refrigerator of the present invention further comprises: one or more cavities each formed into the inner side wall of the compartment, wherein each shelf holder comprises a supporting member which is releasably and movably disposed into the respective cavity and adapted to be moved to a stowage position inside the respective cavity where it releases the respective shelf and becomes flush with the inner side wall and to an extended position outside the respective cavity where it supports the respective shelf.

1 . A refrigerator comprising a compartment for refrigerating articles; one or more shelves which are releasably disposed into the compartment and one or more shelf holders each for releasably holding the respective shelf, characterized in that one or more cavities each formed into the inner side wall of the compartment, wherein each shelf holder comprises a supporting member which is releasably and movably disposed into the respective cavity and adapted to be moved to a stowage position inside the respective cavity where it releases the respective shelf and becomes flush with the inner side wall and to an extended position outside the respective cavity where it supports the respective shelf. 
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each shelf holder further comprises: a frame member for movably holding the supporting member; a first mounting means for movably mounting the supporting member to the frame member and a second mounting means for releasably mounting the frame member into the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the first mounting means is further adapted to releasably and movably mount the supporting member to the frame member. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the supporting member has a tongue which is adapted to be pushed by the shelf so as to move the supporting member from the stowage position to the extended position. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that one or more shelf holders each comprises a push-to-open mechanism which is adapted to move the supporting member from the stowage position to the extended position when the push-to-open mechanism is manually actuated by the user. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that one or more shelf holders each comprises a stopper mechanism for releasably securing the supporting member at the extended position.