Description:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention
[0001] This disclosure relates to a collapsible shelf in a household appliance.

Background of the invention
[0002] Storage of taller container is not possible where we have less gap between glass shelfs due to height of the container. If there is the option to collapse the half of the glass shelfs with simple design, that will help for storage of taller container. The present invention provides one such solution.

[0003] A patent application US8640482 discloses a refrigerator having a folding shelf. The refrigerator includes an ice maker disposed at one side of a storage chamber for storing food, a folding shelf disposed at the ice maker to be folded in a vertical direction or unfolded in a horizontal direction to efficiently use a space formed on the side of the ice maker, a shelf supporting member fixed to the ice maker to rotatably support the folding shelf, and a locking part disposed at the shelf supporting member to support the folding shelf when the folding shelf is unfolded to be arranged in a horizontal direction. When the folding shelf disposed in the storage chamber is folded in a vertical direction, there is formed a space capable of storing containers or food products having a great height. When the folding shelf is unfolded in a horizontal direction, containers or food products having a small height can be put on the folding shelf.

Brief description of the invention:
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a collapsible shelf in a household appliance.

[0005] The objects are solved by a collapsible shelf in of a household appliance having the features according to claims 1 and 10.

[0006] The invention relates to a collapsible shelf in a household appliance. The appliance comprises at least one compartment having a liner. The appliance comprises at least one frame fitted on the liner of at least one compartment. The frame comprises a first portion and a second portion for accommodating a fixed shelf and a movable shelf. The at least one frame, the fixed shelf and the movable shelf together forms the collapsible shelf.

[0007] A feature of this invention is that, the at least one frame comprises an extension made on the first portion in such a way that, multiple grooves are formed for holding the fixed shelf and the movable shelf.

[0008] Another feature of this invention is that, dimensions of the extension is made corresponding to any one of the following shelves comprising the movable shelf and the fixed shelf.

[0009] Another feature of this invention is that, the first portion and the second portion of the frame made perpendicular to each other , such that , the frame is made in the form of a letter “L”.

[0010] Another feature of this invention is that, the at least one frame is made corresponding to the liner profile and is fitted on a rib /nubbin of the liner of the at least one compartment.

[0011] Another feature of this invention is that, a cut-section and a protrusion is made at a closed end of the at least one frame for receiving the fixed shelf. The fixed shelf is slided beneath the protrusion.

[0012] Another feature of this invention is that, a stopper is made on the first portion and the second portion at an open end of the at least one frame for arresting a movement of the movable shelf.

[0013] Another feature of this invention is that, an open condition, the fixed shelf and the movable shelf are placed adjacent to each other to cover a length of the at least one frame.

[0014] Another feature of this invention is that, a closed condition, the movable shelf is slided above the fixed shelf for accommodating a large item.

[0015] Another feature of this invention is that, the extension comprises a stopper for arresting a movement of the movable shelf, when fitted above the fixed shelf in the closed condition.

[0016] With the above disclosed collapsible shelf in the appliance, an additional space is available to store large items like large boxes. The collapsible shelf is easy to install and opearte making it a low-cost effective solution. The collapsible shelf is made in such a way that, the necessity of removing out of the appliance is avoided. As the frame is made of a flexible material, the wear and tear of the shelf is less when compared to a conventional shelf.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a collapsible shelf in a household appliance, in accordance with an embodiment of this invention; and
[0018] Figures 2(a),2(b) illustrates the collapsible shelf in a household appliance, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0019] Figure 1 illustrates a collapsible shelf 13 in a household appliance, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The appliance 10 comprises at least one compartment having a liner. The appliance comprises a collapsible shelf 13 having at least one frame 15 fitted on the liner 14 of at least one compartment 12. The frame 15 comprises a first portion 16 and a second portion 18 for accommodating a fixed shelf 20 and a movable shelf 22. The at least one frame 15, the fixed shelf 20 and the movable shelf 22 together forms the collapsible shelf 13.

[0020]Further , the construction of the appliance 10 and the components of the appliance 10 is explained in detail. According to one embodiment of the invention, the appliance 10 is a refrigerator. The appliance 10 is chosen from a group of appliances comprising a single door refrigerator, a mutli-door refrigerator and the like. The appliance 10 comprises multiple shelves (20,22) for storing items that require refrigeration. The shelves (20,22) are made of a material comprising glass, flexible plastic and the like.

[0021]The at least one frame 15 comprises the first portion 16 and the second portion 18 of the frame made perpendicular to each other , such that , the frame 15 is made in the form of a letter “L”. It is to be noted that, the frame 15 can be made of any other shape that can be fitted to the liner 14 of the at least one compartment 12 of the appliance 10. The at least one compartment 12 according to one embodiment of the invention is a refrigeration compartment 12. The refrigeration compratment 12 comprises two side surfaces 40 and a rear side surface 42. The liner 14 is fitted on the two side surfaces 40 and the rear side 42. According to the present invention, two frames 15 are attached in the refrigeration compartment 12 one on each side surface 40.

[0022] The movable shelf 22 and the fixed shelf 20 are slided into the frame 15 and the fixed shelf 20 is fitted to at least one frame 15 using any of the fitting techniques like a snap fit technique, a screw fit technique, a fastner. The frame 15 comprises an extension 24 made on the first portion 16 in such a way that, multiple grooves (26,28) are formed for holding the fixed shelf 20 and the movable shelf 22. For ease of understanding, due to the extension, two grooves (26,28) are formed on the frame 15 , a first groove 26 above the extension 24 and a second groove 28 below the extension 24. The first groove 26 receives the movable shelf 22 and the second groove 28 receives the fixed shelf 20.

[0023]The dimensions of the extension 24 is made corresponding to any one of the following shelves comprising the movable shelf 22 and the fixed shelf 20. For example, the length of the extension 24 is made same as the length of the either one of the shelves (20,22).According to one embodiment of the invention, the movable shelf 22 and the fixed shelf 20 is made of same dimensions. According to another embodiment of the invention, the movable shelf 22 and the fixed shelf 20 are made of different dimensions.

[0024]The at least one frame 15 is made corresponding to the liner profile 14 and is fitted on a rib /nubbin 30 of the liner 14 of the at least one compartment 12. The compartment 12 comprises multiple ribs/nubbins 30 for accomdating the shelves (16,18). On one of those ribs/nubbins 30, the frame 15 is fitted using any one of the fitting techniques. The frame 15 comprises an open end 35 and a close end 31, wherein the close end 31 is positioned in proximity to the rear side 42 of the refrigeration compartment 12.

[0025]According to one embodiment of the invention,the close end 31 comes into contact with the rear side liner of the refrigeration compartment 12 . The open end 35 of the frame 15 is positioned away from the rear side 42 of the refrigeration compartment 12. The close end 31 of the frame 15 comprises a cut-section 32 and a protrusion 34 for receiving the fixed shelf 20. The fixed shelf 20 is slided beneath the protrusion 34. The protrusion 34 acts as a stopper and avoids the toppling of the fixed shelf 20.

[0026] Figures 2(a),2(b) illustrates the collapsible shelf in a household appliance, in accordance with the present invention.The open end 35 of the frame 15 (as shown in the figure 2(b)) comprises a stopper (36,37) for arresting a movement of the movable shelf. The first portion 16 and the second portion 18 of the frame 15 each comprises a stopper (36,37) respectively for holding the movable shelf 16 and fixed shelf 18. According to one embodiment of the invention, the movable shelf 16 and the fixed shelf 18 makes one complete collapsible shelf 13. The collapasible shelf 13 operates in two conditions, an open condition and a close condition. In an open condition, the fixed shelf 20 and the movable shelf 22 are placed adjacent to each other to cover a length of the at least one frame 15.

[0027]In a closed condition, the movable shelf 22 is slided above the fixed shelf 20 (as shown in fig 2(a)) for accommodating a large item. As mentioned above the extension 24 made on the frame 15 creats mulitple grooves(26,28) , one for holding each shelf (20,22) ,one above the other ie., the movable shelf 22 above the fixed shelf 20. In order to withhold the movable shelf 22 in a firm position, the extension 24 comprises a stopper 38. The stopper 38 arrests a movement of the movable shelf 22, when fitted above the fixed shelf 20 in the closed condition.

[0028]The working of the collapsible shelf 13 is explained in detail. The appliance 10 comprises two frames 15 fitted opposite to each other to the side surfaces 40 of the refrigeration compartment 12 on the liner 14. For ease of understanding , the invention is explained with one frame 15 as reference. It is to be noted that, the same is applicable to other frame also. The frame 15 which is of L-shape (according to one embodiment of the invention), is fitted onto the liner 14 of the refrigeration comparment 12.

[0029] The first portion 16 of the frame 15 is made smaller than the second portion 18 in one of the dimensions, wherein one such dimension is width. The extension 24 is made as an integral part of the frame 15 and is made according to the length of at least one shelf (20,22). The cut-section 32 present on the frame 15 is made corresponding to the shape of the fixed shelf (20), such that, the fixed shelf 20 is fitted properly at the rear side of the refrigeration compartment 12.

[0030]In an open condition, both the fixed shelf 20 and the movable shelf 22 are placed adjacent to each other. Due to the presence of the at least one frame 15 and the rib/nubbin 30 of the appliance 10, the movable shelf 22 will not fall when any items are stored above it. The fixed shelf 20 is fitted below the extension 24 and the movable shelf 22 occupies the remaining space on the second portion 18 . Ie., in the open condition, both the shelves (20,22) are placed on the second portion 18. The stopper 37 present on the open end of the second portion 18 helps in holding the movable shelf 22 in a firm position and also avoiding it to topple. In addition to this, the stopper 36 present on the first portion 16 also helps in holding the movable shelf 22 in a firm position. This arrangment makes the collapsible shelf 13 works like a conventional shelf and the user can store the items over the complete cross sectional area of the shelf 13.

[0031]In a closed condition, the movable shelf 22 is removed from the second portion 18 and is slided into the groove 26 formed between the extension 24 and the first portion 16. The movable shelf 22 is positioned above the fixed shelf 20 , with the extension 24 separating both the shelves (20,22). The stopper 38 present on the extension 24 open end holds the movable shelf 22 without sliding out from the first groove 26 . This arrangment helps in storing large container beneath the collapsible shelf 13. The user can manually slide in and slide out the movable shelf 22 as in required.

[0032] With the above disclosed collapsible shelf 13 in the appliance, an additional space is available to store large items like large boxes. The collapsible shelf 13 is easy to install and opearte making it a low-cost effective solution. The collapsible shelf 13 is made in such a way that, the necessity of removing out of the appliance 10 is avoided. As the frame 15 is made of a flexible material, the wear and tear of the shelf 13 is less when compared to a conventional shelf.

[0033] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

List of Reference Signs
10 household appliance
12 at least one compartment
14 liner
13 collapsible shelf
15 at least one frame
16 first portion
18 second portion
20 fixed shelf
22 movable shelf
24 extension
26, 28 multiple grooves
26 first groove
28 second groove
30 rib/nubbin
31 close end of the frame
32 cut-section on the frame
34 protrusion on the frame
35 open end of the frame
36 stopper at an open end of the first portion of the frame
37 stopper at an open end of the second portion of the frame
38 stopper on the extension
40 side surface of the at least one compartment
42 rear surface of the at least one compartment

, Claims:We Claim:
1. A household appliance (10) comprising:
- at least one compartment (12) having a liner (14);
characterized in that:
- a collapsible shelf (13) comprising at least one frame (15) fitted on said liner (14) of said at least one compartment (12), said at least one frame (15) comprises a first portion (16) and a second portion (18) for accommodating a fixed shelf (20) and a movable shelf (22);
said at least one frame (15), said fixed shelf (20) and said movable shelf (22) together forms said collapsible shelf (13).
2. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one frame (15) comprises an extension (24) made on said first portion (16) in such a way that, multiple grooves (26,28) are formed for holding said fixed shelf (20) and said movable shelf (22).
3. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein dimensions of said extension (24) is made corresponding to any one of the following shelves comprising said movable shelf (22) and said fixed shelf (20).
4. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first portion (16) and said second portion (18) of said frame made perpendicular to each other, such that, said at least one frame (15) take a letter “L” shape.

5. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one frame (15) is made corresponding to said liner (14) profile and is fitted on a rib /nubbin (30) of said liner (14) of said at least one compartment (12).
6. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cut-section (32) and a protrusion (34) are made at a closed end (31) of said at least one frame (15) for receiving said fixed shelf (20), said fixed shelf (20) is slided beneath said protrusion (34).

7. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a stopper (36) is made on said first portion (16) and said second portion (18) at an open end (35) of said at least one frame (15) for arresting a movement of said movable shelf (20).

8. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in an open condition, said fixed shelf (20) and said movable shelf (22) are placed adjacent to each other to cover a length of said at least one frame (12).

9. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in a closed condition, said movable shelf (22) is slided above said fixed shelf (20) for accommodating a large item.

10. The appliance (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said extension (24) comprises a stopper (38) for arresting a movement of said movable shelf (22), when fitted above said fixed shelf (20) in said open condition.