SHELF WITH TILT DOWN FRONT FOR FREEZER

• US 3,625,371 A
• Filed: 09/05/1969
• Issued: 12/07/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles R. Dill
• Original Assignee: Charles R. Dill
• Inventors: Dill, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Britts, Ramon S.
• Application Number:
  US04/856,908
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 211/153,134,150,126,181,148 312/313,311,310,351 108/90,27,157
• US Class Current: 211/153
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/025 Shelves with moving elements, e.g. movable extensions or link elements cabinets, racks or shelf units enabling enlargement in height, length or depth A47B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 5/01 made of tubes or wire A47F5/0807 takes precedence foldable or adjustable A47F5/13
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2325/021 Shelves with several possible configurations
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2325/023 Shelves made of wires
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/02 by shelves

Abstract

A shelf structure for use in a cabinet such as a freezer cabinet having a removable upright front panel for selectively arranging the shelf as a basket-type shelf and an open-type shelf. The means for connecting the panel to the shelf moves rearwardly of the front edge of the shelf during removal therefrom so as to guide articles on the shelf away from the front edge during such removal. The panel is pivotally mounted on the shelf to swing to a horizontal position wherein it comprises a loading, or unloading table for facilitated transfer of the articles relative to the freezer compartment. In one form, the connector is arranged to permit removal and installation of the panel in a vertical disposition. In another form, the connector is arranged to permit removal and installation of the panel in a horizontal position, thus allowing the panel to serve as a tray for carrying the articles to and from the freezer for further facilitated transfer.

Claims

1. A shelf structure comprising:

a shelf having a front edge portion;

a front panel having a rear edge portion; and

means removably connecting said rear edge portion of the panel to said front edge portion of the shelf including a first connector portion on said shelf and a second connector portion on said panel cooperaTively defining means for selectively (a) releasably locking the panel in an upright position, (b) releasably retaining the panel in a forwardly extending horizontal position, and (c) permitting said panel to be separated from said shelf by body movement thereof while substantially only horizontal and with said first connector portion fixedly retained on said shelf.

2. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises means for pivotally mounting said front portion of the panel on said front edge portion of said shelf and means for latching the panel thereon perpendicularly to said shelf.

3. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said panel comprises a wire grid structure.

4. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said shelf comprises a wire grid structure.

5. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a bracket fixedly secured to said shelf, means on said panel for pivotally mounting said panel to said bracket, and latch means fixedly secured to said panel for releasably preventing pivotal movement of said panel on said shelf.

6. A shelf structure comprising:

a shelf having a front edge portion;

a front panel; and

means for removably securing the front panel to said front edge portion of the shelf in an upright position to define means for retaining articles on said shelf rearwardly thereof, and upon removal thereof from said shelf said panel-defining tray means for carrying articles to and from said shelf, said securing means including a bracket fixedly secured to said shelf, means on said panel for pivotally mounting said panel to said bracket, and latch means fixedly secured to said panel for releasably preventing pivotal movement of said panel on said shelf, said bracket including a slot and said latch means including a tab removably received in said slot.

7. A shelf structure comprising:

a shelf having a front edge portion;

a front panel; and

means for removably securing the front panel to said front edge portion of the shelf in an upright position to define means for retaining articles on said shelf rearwardly thereof, and upon removal thereof from said shelf said panel-defining tray means for carrying articles to and from said shelf, said securing means including means requiring the panel to be moved to rearwardly of said front edge portion of the shelf during removal to urge articles on the shelf rearwardly from said front edge as an incident of removal of the panel from the shelf.

8. A shelf structure comprising:

a shelf having a front edge portion;

a front panel;

means for removably securing the front panel to said front edge portion of the shelf in an upright position to define means for retaining articles on said shelf rearwardly thereof, and upon removal thereof from said shelf said panel-defining tray means for carrying articles to and from said shelf; and

means requiring the lower edge of the panel to be moved successively upwardly from and rearwardly of said front edge of the shelf during removal of the panel.