CN112539596A - Shelf assembly and refrigerator comprising same - Google Patents

Abstract

A shelf assembly (10) comprising: a guide rail (12); a shelf (14) supported to the rail (12); an adjuster (16) coupled between the rail (12) and the shelf (14) to adjust the position of the shelf (14) relative to the rail (12), the shelf (14) being removable from the adjuster (16) when the adjuster (16) is retained to the rail (12). The invention also relates to a refrigerator (100) comprising said shelf assembly (10).

Description

Shelf assembly and refrigerator comprising same

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of storage equipment, in particular to a shelf assembly and a refrigerator comprising the same.

Background

Storage devices such as refrigerators generally include a shelf assembly for placing articles therein. The positions of the existing shelves relative to the refrigerator are fixed, so that the positions of the shelves are not convenient to adjust according to the sizes of articles to be placed, the articles which can be placed on the shelves are limited in size and the like, and the space in the refrigerator is not favorably utilized.

In other prior art, although the positions of the shelves can be adjusted relative to the refrigerator, the shelves are complex in structure and are somewhat cumbersome to install and remove relative to the refrigerator.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of an embodiment of the present invention includes providing an improved shelf assembly and a refrigerator including the same.

An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention relates to a shelf assembly, including: a guide rail; a shelf supported to the guide rail; an adjuster coupled between the rail and the shelf to adjust a position of the shelf relative to the rail, the shelf being removable from the adjuster when the adjuster is retained to the rail.

In some embodiments, the guide rail includes a number of positioning portions, and the adjuster includes an adjustment portion, any one of the number of positioning portions being releasably engageable with the adjustment portion to position the shelf in a corresponding position.

In some embodiments, the adjuster includes a housing and a latch movably connected to the housing, the latch including a latch portion that releasably latches to the shelf.

In some embodiments, the catch member includes an operating portion for actuating the catch member, the operating portion being located outside the housing.

In some embodiments, the housing includes an opening from which the operating portion extends out of the housing.

In some embodiments, the housing includes a window corresponding to the locking portion.

In some embodiments, the guide rail includes a receiving groove that movably receives the adjuster.

In some embodiments, the shelf includes a downwardly open recess, and the adjuster includes a housing having a projection removably received in the recess to suspend the shelf from the adjuster.

In some embodiments, the shelf includes a boss, and the adjuster includes a latch member movably received in the housing, the latch member including a latch portion that releasably latches to the boss.

In some embodiments, the housing includes a window corresponding to the locking portion.

In some embodiments, the housing includes an opening and the catch member includes an operating portion extending out of the housing from the opening.

In some embodiments, the housing includes a mounting portion, and the latch member includes a pivot portion pivotally mounted to the mounting portion, the pivot portion being located between the latch portion and the operating portion.

In some embodiments, the housing includes a support portion, and the locking member includes a support portion corresponding to the support portion, the support portion being located between the operating portion and the pivot portion.

In some embodiments, the groove is located below the boss.

In some embodiments, the housing includes stepped portions at both sides, and the guide rail includes restricting portions extending from both sides of the receiving groove in opposite directions and corresponding to the stepped portions.

In some embodiments, the adjuster comprises an adjustment lever comprising the adjustment portion.

In some embodiments, the adjuster includes a housing including a first housing and a second housing coupled to the first housing, the adjuster rod movably engaged with the first housing.

In some embodiments, the adjuster includes a latch releasably connected to the shelf, the latch being movably engaged with the second housing.

In some embodiments, the catch member and the adjustment lever are positioned between the first housing and the second housing.

Another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention relates to a refrigerator including the shelf assembly as described above.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar reference numerals may be used to refer to the same or similar elements in different embodiments and the related description of the same or similar elements in different embodiments may be omitted.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a shelf assembly in accordance with an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of the guide rail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1 but does not include a guide rail;

FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective schematic view of the regulator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the assembled shelf and adjuster of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the shelf and adjuster in an unlatched, separable condition;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the regulator of FIG. 1, as assembled;

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the adjuster of FIG. 1 partially assembled on the upper portion of the guide rail, exposing the first housing and adjuster of the adjuster;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8, but with the adjuster located in a lower portion of the guide rail; and

fig. 10 is a partial perspective schematic view of a refrigerator including a shelf assembly according to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

As shown in FIG. 1, one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention relates to ashelf assembly 10 comprising: aguide rail 12; ashelf 14 supported to therail 12; anadjuster 16 coupled between therail 12 and theshelf 14 to adjust the position of theshelf 14 relative to therail 12, theshelf 14 being removable from theadjuster 16 when theadjuster 16 is retained to therail 12.

The position of theshelf 14 relative to therail 12 is adjustable so that the items on which theshelf 14 can be placed are less limited in size and the like, helping to take full advantage of the space within the refrigerator when theshelf assembly 10 is used in a refrigerator. Theshelf 14 is removable from theadjuster 16 when theadjuster 16 is retained to theguide rail 12 for ease of operation. Theshelf 14 can be made compact by using conventional structures.

Referring also to fig. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, therail 12 includes a plurality of positioningportions 18, theadjustor 16 includes an adjustingportion 20, and any one of the plurality of positioningportions 18 is releasably engaged with the adjustingportion 20 to position theshelf 14 in a corresponding position. In this way, theshelf 14 can be positioned at a position determined by thecorresponding positioning portion 18 when theadjustment portion 20 is combined with any one of thepositioning portions 18, and can be adjusted to a position determined by the correspondingother positioning portion 18 when theadjustment portion 20 is combined with theother positioning portion 18.

In some embodiments, theadjuster 16 includes ahousing 22 and acatch member 24 movably coupled to thehousing 22, thecatch member 24 including acatch portion 26 that releasably catches on theshelf 14. In this manner, theadjuster 16 and theshelf 14 may be releasably coupled.

In some embodiments,catch member 24 includes anoperating portion 28 for actuatingcatch member 24, andoperating portion 28 is located outside ofhousing 22. In this manner, thelatch 24 can be operated by theoperating portion 28 to achieve the engagement and disengagement between theadjuster 16 and theshelf 14.

In some embodiments, thehousing 22 includes anopening 30, and thehandle portion 28 extends out of thehousing 22 from the opening 30. In this manner, manipulation of thelatch member 24 by themanipulation portion 28 can be facilitated to effect releasable engagement and disengagement between theadjuster 16 and theshelf 14.

Referring also to fig. 4, in some embodiments, thehousing 22 includeswindows 32 corresponding to thelatching portions 26. In this way, thelocking portions 26 can be extended and retracted into and out of thehousing 22 through thewindows 32 to achieve the coupling and decoupling between theadjuster 16 and theshelf 14.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, theguide rail 12 includes a receivingslot 34 for movably receiving theadjuster 16. In this manner, theadjuster 16 can move theshelf 14 through movement in thereceiving slot 34 and adjust the position of theshelf 14 relative to therail 12. Thepositioning portion 18 may be located on a side wall of the receivinggroove 34.

With continued reference to fig. 3, in some embodiments, theshelf 14 includes a downwardlyopening recess 36, and theadjuster 16 includes thehousing 22, thehousing 22 having aprojection 38, theprojection 38 being removably received in therecess 36 to allow theshelf 14 to hang from theadjuster 16 to help prevent downward movement of theshelf 14 relative to theadjuster 16.

In some embodiments, theshelf 14 includes aboss 40, theadjuster 16 includes acatch member 24 movably received in thehousing 22, thecatch member 24 includes acatch portion 26, and thecatch portion 26 releasably latches to theboss 40 to releasably latch theshelf 14 and theadjuster 16 to help prevent upward movement of theshelf 14 relative to theadjuster 16.

In some embodiments,housing 22 includeswindows 32 corresponding tolatching portions 26. In this way, thelocking portions 26 can be extended and retracted into and out of thehousing 22 through thewindows 32 to achieve the coupling and decoupling between theadjuster 16 and theshelf 14.

Referring also to fig. 5, when theshelf 14 is coupled to theadjustor 16, thelocking portion 26 extends out of thehousing 22 through thewindow 32 and engages with theboss 40 to help prevent theshelf 14 from moving upward relative to theadjustor 16. The combination of theshelf 14 and theadjuster 16 is not affected by theguide 12 and may occur prior to assembly of theadjuster 16 with theguide 12 or subsequent to assembly of theadjuster 16 with theguide 12.

With continued reference to fig. 3, in some embodiments, thehousing 22 includes anopening 30, and the lockingmember 24 includes an operatingportion 28 extending out of thehousing 22 from theopening 30. In this manner, manipulation of thelatch member 24 by themanipulation portion 28 may be facilitated to effect releasable engagement, removal, or both of theadjuster 16 and theshelf 14.

In some embodiments, thehousing 22 includes a mountingportion 42 and thelatch member 24 includes apivot portion 44 pivotally mounted to the mountingportion 42, thepivot portion 44 being located between thelatch portion 26 and the operatingportion 28. In this way, when the operatingportion 28 is subjected to a force, the lockingportion 26 can be actuated to be unlocked by pivoting thepivot portion 44.

In some embodiments, thehousing 22 includes asupport portion 46 and thecatch member 24 includes asupport portion 48 corresponding to thesupport portion 46, thesupport portion 48 being located between the operatingportion 28 and thepivot portion 44. In this manner, the engagement of thesupport portion 46 and thesupport portion 48 can facilitate the pivoting of thepivot portion 44 to actuate the latchingportion 26 to unlatch when the operatingportion 28 is subjected to a force.

When the operatingportion 28 is subjected to a force in the direction F, for example, as shown in fig. 6, the lockingportions 26 move in the direction D opposite to the direction F, for example, to disengage from the lockingprojections 40, and theshelf 14 is lifted upward, therecesses 36 of theshelf 14 are disengaged from theprojections 38, and theshelf 14 can be easily removed from theadjuster 16. The unlocking process does not involve theguide rail 12 and the separation of theshelf 14 from theadjuster 16 can be performed while theadjuster 16 is on theguide rail 12.

Referring to fig. 3, in some embodiments, thegroove 36 is located below theboss 40. In this manner, ease of assembly between theshelf 14 and theadjuster 16 may be facilitated. For example, theshelf 14 and theadjuster 16 may be connected by snapping theprojections 38 into thegrooves 36 and the snap-fit portions 26 snap-fit over thebosses 40.

Theshelf 14 may include abottom wall 60, aperipheral wall 62 extending upwardly from each edge of thebottom wall 60, and astorage space 64 defined collectively by thebottom wall 60 and theperipheral wall 62. Therecesses 36 and thebosses 40 may be located on theouter surfaces 66 of the two opposingperipheral walls 62 for releasable engagement with tworespective regulators 16. Eachadjuster 16 may be mounted to a corresponding one of therails 12.

With continued reference to fig. 2 and 3, in some embodiments, thehousing 22 includesstep portions 50 at two sides, and theguide rail 12 includes limitingportions 52 extending from two sides of the receivinggroove 34 toward each other and corresponding to thestep portions 50. Therestrictions 52 help prevent theregulator 16 from disengaging from thepocket 34. The receivingslot 34 is upwardly and forwardly openable, theadjuster 16 is insertable into the receivingslot 34 from anopening 68 at an upper portion of the receivingslot 34, and the restrictingportion 52 helps prevent theadjuster 16 from falling out of anopening 70 at a front portion of the receivingslot 34.

With continued reference to fig. 1, in some embodiments, theadjuster 16 includes anadjustment lever 54, and theadjustment lever 54 includes theadjustment portion 20. Theadjustment portion 20 of theadjustment lever 54 facilitates positional adjustment of theshelf 14.

With continued reference to fig. 3, in some embodiments, theadjuster 16 includes ahousing 22, thehousing 22 includes afirst housing 56 and asecond housing 58 coupled to thefirst housing 56, and theadjustment lever 54 movably engages thefirst housing 56 to facilitate position adjustment of theshelf 14. Thefirst housing 56 and thesecond housing 58 may be combined by a combiningportion 72.

In some embodiments, theadjuster 16 includes acatch member 24 releasably connected to theshelf 14, thecatch member 24 and thesecond housing 58 movably cooperating to facilitate latching and unlatching of theshelf 14 and theadjuster 16.

The engagement of theadjustment lever 54 and thecatch member 24 with thefirst housing 56 and thesecond housing 58, respectively, may facilitate the respective movement of theadjustment lever 54 and thecatch member 24 without interfering with each other.

In some embodiments, thecatch member 24 and theadjustment lever 54 are positioned between thefirst housing 56 and thesecond housing 58 to facilitate latching, unlatching and positional adjustment of theshelf 14 with theadjuster 16.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, one aspect of the present embodiment relates to ashelf assembly 10 comprising: ashelf 14; anadjuster 16 including anadjuster 74, theadjuster 74 including anadjuster portion 20; aguide rail 12, ashelf 14 adapted to be supported to theguide rail 12 by anadjuster 16, theguide rail 12 including afirst trigger portion 76 and a plurality ofdetent portions 18, any one of the plurality ofdetent portions 18 being releasably engageable with theadjustment portion 20 to position theshelf 14 in a corresponding position, engagement of thefirst trigger portion 76 with theadjuster 74 triggering restriction of theadjustment portion 20, the restrictedadjustment portion 20 moving past thedetent portions 18 in a disengaged condition from thedetent portions 18 as theadjuster 16 moves relative to theguide rail 12.

Theadjuster 16 can adjust the position of theshelf 14 relative to therail 12 so that the items on which theshelf 14 can be placed are less limited in size and the like, helping to take full advantage of the space within the refrigerator when theshelf assembly 10 is used in a refrigerator. Theadjuster 16 can also move past thepositioning portion 18 in a state where the restrictedadjustment portion 20 is disengaged from the positioningportion 18, facilitating automatic adjustment of the position of theshelf 14 with relative ease of operation. Theshelf 14 can be made of any conventional design and is relatively simple in construction.

Referring also to fig. 8, in some embodiments, the restricted regulatingportion 20 and thepositioning portion 18 are spaced apart in a direction in which they can be combined. In this way, theregulator 16 is facilitated to move past theposition fixing portion 18 in a state where theregulated portion 20 is disengaged from theposition fixing portion 18.

In some embodiments, theadjustment member 74 includes adetent 78 fixed relative to theadjustment portion 20, and thefirst trigger portion 76 actuates thedetent 78 to trigger the restriction of theadjustment portion 20. In this way, theregulator 16 is facilitated to move past theposition fixing portion 18 in a state where theregulated portion 20 is disengaged from theposition fixing portion 18. Thestop portion 78 is fixed relative to theadjustment portion 20 and both move together, and the structure and operation of theadjustment member 74 is relatively simple. The brakingportion 78 and theadjustment portion 20 may be integrally formed, or may be two components that are fixedly assembled together.

With continued reference to fig. 2, in some embodiments, theguide rail 12 includes a receivingslot 34 for receiving theadjustor 16, and thepositioning portion 18 and the first triggeringportion 76 are located on the same side of the receivingslot 34. In this manner, the cooperation of theadjustment portion 20 and thedetent portion 78 is facilitated, and the compactness of theguide rail 12 and theadjuster 16 is also facilitated.

In some embodiments, the first triggeringportion 76 is closer to the central axis of the receivingslot 34 than the positioningportion 18. In this manner, the first triggeringportion 76 is facilitated to actuate thebraking portion 78 to trigger the restriction of the regulatingportion 20.

With continued reference to fig. 1, in some embodiments, the brakingportion 78 and theadjustment portion 20 are located on the same side of theadjuster 16. This is advantageous in reducing the size of theregulator 16 and making it compact.

Referring to fig. 7 and 9 together, in some embodiments, when theadjuster 16 is moved relative to theguide rail 12 with the restriction of theadjuster 20 released, theadjuster 20 extends beyond thestopper portion 78 in a direction perpendicular to the movement of theadjuster 16. In this manner, theadjustment portion 20 may be combined with any one of thepositioning portions 18 to position theshelf 14 at a corresponding position, and thestopper portion 78 may not contact theguide rail 12.

Referring also to fig. 3, 8 and 9, in some embodiments, theadjuster 16 includes a retainingportion 80 for retaining theadjuster 74 after thefirst trigger portion 76 triggers theadjuster 74 such that theadjuster 20 remains restrained. In this way, theregulator 16 is facilitated to move past theposition fixing portion 18 in a state where theregulated portion 20 is disengaged from theposition fixing portion 18.

In some embodiments, theadjuster 16 includes ahousing 22, and theadjuster 74 is movably received in thehousing 22, thehousing 22 having a retainingportion 80. As such, the engagement of thehousing 22 with theadjuster 74 facilitates movement of theadjuster 16 past thepositioning portion 18 in a state where the restrictedadjustment portion 20 is disengaged from the positioningportion 18.

In some embodiments,adjustment member 74 includes ananchor portion 82, and retainingportion 80 is configured to engageanchor portion 82 to retainadjustment member 74 in the constrained state after engagement offirst trigger portion 76 withadjustment member 74 triggers constraint ofadjustment member 20. In this way, theregulator 16 is facilitated to move past theposition fixing portion 18 in a state where theregulated portion 20 is disengaged from theposition fixing portion 18.

In some embodiments, one of the retainingportion 80 and theanchor portion 82 is elastically deformable and adapted to grip the other of the retainingportion 80 and theanchor portion 82 to retain theadjustment portion 20 retracted within thehousing 22. In this way, theregulator 16 is facilitated to move past theposition fixing portion 18 in a state where theregulated portion 20 is disengaged from theposition fixing portion 18.

With continued reference to fig. 2, 8 and 9, in some embodiments, theguide rail 12 includes asecond trigger portion 84, and thesecond trigger portion 84 is engaged with theadjuster 74 to release the restriction of theadjuster 20. Theregulation portion 20 after the limitation is released can be combined with any one of thepositioning portions 18 to position theshelf 14 at a corresponding position.

With continued reference to fig. 1 and 9, in some embodiments, theadjuster 16 includes ahousing 22, and theadjuster 74 includes arelease portion 86, therelease portion 86 extending outside thehousing 22 to be accessible by thesecond trigger portion 84 or being positioned within thehousing 22 to be accessible by thesecond trigger portion 84 passing through a through-hole 88 in thehousing 22 to release the restriction of theadjuster 20. Theregulation portion 20 after the limitation is released can be combined with any one of thepositioning portions 18 to position theshelf 14 at a corresponding position.

As shown in fig. 2, in some embodiments, thesecond trigger portion 84 is located below the positioningportion 18 in a direction along the length of therail 12. In this manner, theadjuster 16 may be moved in an upward direction to secure theshelf 14 in a position corresponding to one of thedetents 18.

In some embodiments, thesecond trigger 84 is located below thefirst trigger 76 and thelocator 18. In this manner, theadjuster 16 can adjust the position of theshelf 14 by moving theshelf 14 in an upward direction, and can also drop theshelf 14 back by gravity under thesecond trigger 84 without engaging thedetent 18 after reaching the position of thefirst trigger 76.

In some embodiments, thesecond trigger portion 84 and thepositioning portion 18 are located on different sides of therail 12. In this manner, it may be helpful to reduce the size ofrail 12 andadjuster 16 to make it compact.

Referring also to fig. 3, in some embodiments, the adjustingmember 74 includes an adjustingrod 54 movably received in the receiving cavity 90, the adjustingrod 54 includes the integrally disposed adjustingportion 20, and the adjustingrod 54 is accessible by the first triggeringportion 76 to move the adjustingportion 20 toward the receiving cavity 90. In this manner, during the downward movement of theadjuster 16, theregulated portion 20 is received in the receiving cavity 90 without being engaged with thepositioning portion 18.

In some embodiments, theadjustment lever 54 includes astop portion 78 accessible by thefirst trigger portion 76, theadjustment lever 54 is pivotally coupled to thehousing 22, and the distance between theadjustment portion 20 and the axis ofrotation 92 of theadjustment lever 54 is greater than the distance between thestop portion 78 and the axis ofrotation 92 of theadjustment lever 54. In this way, the stability of the combination of the regulatingportion 20 and thepositioning portion 18 is facilitated.

In some embodiments, theadjustment portion 20 is located at the distal end of theadjustment rod 54. This helps to reduce the size of theregulator 16 and to make it compact.

In some embodiments, theadjustment lever 54 is accessible by thesecond trigger 84 to clear the restriction of theadjustment portion 20. Theregulation portion 20 after the limitation is released may be combined with thepositioning portion 18 to fix theshelf 14 at a corresponding position.

In some embodiments, theadjustment lever 54 includes arelease portion 86 accessible by thesecond trigger portion 84, theadjustment lever 54 is pivotally coupled to thehousing 22, and theadjustment portion 20 is spaced from therotational axis 92 of theadjustment lever 54 by a distance greater than the distance between therelease portion 86 and therotational axis 92 of theadjustment lever 54. In this way, the stability of the combination of the regulatingportion 20 and thepositioning portion 18 is facilitated.

In some embodiments, thehousing 22 includes a first through-hole 94, a second through-hole 96, and a through-hole 88 that correspond to theadjustment portion 20, thedetent portion 78, and therelease portion 86, respectively. Thus, the adjustingportion 20 and thebraking portion 78 can be respectively extended into and retracted from thehousing 22 through the first throughhole 94 and the second throughhole 96, so as to generate and cancel the combination and interference with thepositioning portion 18 and the first triggeringportion 76. The second triggeringportion 84 can touch the releasingportion 86 through the throughhole 88, so that the releasingportion 86 drives the adjustingportion 20 to move and extend out of the first throughhole 94, and the adjusting portion can be combined with thepositioning portion 18 in a state of releasing the restriction.

Referring also to fig. 7, in some embodiments, thehousing 22 includes afirst side portion 98 and astep portion 99 recessed relative to thefirst side portion 98, the first throughhole 94 is located on thefirst side portion 98 and thestep portion 99, and the second throughhole 96 is located on thestep portion 99. In this way, the thickness of the regulatingportion 20 may be greater than that of thebraking portion 78, contributing to the firmness of the coupling of the regulatingportion 20 and thepositioning portion 18.

In some embodiments, thehousing 22 includes arotating shaft 92 and theadjustment lever 54 includes a rotatingportion 55 pivotally coupled to therotating shaft 92. The adjustinglever 54 can rotate around the rotatingshaft 92, so that the adjustingportion 20 and thebraking portion 78 can be extended into and retracted from thehousing 22, and the combination and interference with thepositioning portion 18 and the first triggeringportion 76 can be generated and canceled.

In some embodiments, theadjustment member 74 includes aresilient member 75 having one end in contact with theadjustment lever 54 and the other end in contact with thehousing 22.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, in the case that the adjustingpart 20 is not limited, the adjustingrod 54 is reset by theelastic member 75, and the liftedshelf 14 can be lifted, positioned and loaded along thepositioning part 18 with theadjuster 16. When thebraking portion 78 touches thefirst trigger portion 76 when moving to the upper portion of theguide rail 12, the brakingportion 78 retracts, bringing the adjustingportion 20 into a restricted state, and theadjuster 16 directly descends with theshelf 14 due to the gravity. When the descendingrelease portion 86 is abutted by thesecond trigger portion 84, theadjustment portion 20 is not restrained, and theshelf 14 can be lifted to achieve lifting, positioning and bearing.

As shown in fig. 10, another aspect of the embodiment of the present invention relates to arefrigerator 100 including theshelf assembly 10 as described above. The twoguide rails 12 of theshelf assembly 10 may be installed at both sides of thedoor body 200 of therefrigerator 100, and the height of theshelf 14 on thedoor body 200 may be adjusted by the movement of the twoadjusters 16 with the guide rails 12, and may be removed from the guide rails 12 and thedoor body 200 by being separated from theadjusters 16.

The various embodiments described above and shown in the drawings are illustrative of the invention and are not exhaustive of the invention. Any modification of the present invention by a person of ordinary skill in the related art within the scope of the basic technical idea of the present invention is within the scope of the present invention. For example, aspects, features, structures of any of the above embodiments may be combined with aspects, features, structures of any of the other embodiments, as appropriate to the circumstances, to form new embodiments.

Claims (20)

1. A shelf assembly (10), comprising:

a guide rail (12);

a shelf (14) supported to the rail (12);

an adjuster (16) coupled between the rail (12) and the shelf (14) to adjust the position of the shelf (14) relative to the rail (12), the shelf (14) being removable from the adjuster (16) when the adjuster (16) is retained to the rail (12).

2. The shelf assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the rail (12) includes a number of locating portions (18), and the adjuster (16) includes an adjustment portion (20), any of the number of locating portions (18) being releasably engageable with the adjustment portion (20) to locate the shelf (14) in a corresponding position.

3. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 1 wherein said adjuster (16) includes a housing (22) and a latch member (24) movably connected to said housing (22), said latch member (24) including a latch portion (26) releasably latched to said shelf (14).

4. Shelf assembly (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that the catch piece (24) comprises an operating part (28) for actuating the catch piece (24), the operating part (28) being located outside the housing (22).

5. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 4 wherein the housing (22) includes an opening (30), the operating portion (28) extending out of the housing (22) from the opening (30).

6. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 3 wherein said housing (22) includes windows (32) corresponding to said catches (26).

7. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 1, wherein the guide (12) includes a receiving slot (34) that movably receives the adjuster (16).

8. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 7 wherein the shelf (14) includes a downwardly open recess (36), the adjuster (16) including a housing (22), the housing (22) having a projection (38), the projection (38) being removably received in the recess (36) to allow the shelf (14) to hang from the adjuster (16).

9. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 8 wherein the shelf (14) includes a boss (40) and the adjuster (16) includes a latch member (24) movably received in the housing (22), the latch member (24) including a latch portion (26), the latch portion (26) being releasably latched to the boss (40).

10. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 9 wherein said housing (22) includes windows (32) corresponding to said catches (26).

11. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 9 wherein the housing (22) includes an opening (30) and the catch member (24) includes an operating portion (28) extending from the opening (30) out of the housing (22).

12. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 11 wherein said housing (22) includes a mounting portion (42) and said latch member (24) includes a pivot portion (44) pivotally mounted to said mounting portion (42), said pivot portion (44) being located between said latch portion (26) and said operating portion (28).

13. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 12 wherein said housing (22) includes a support portion (46) and said catch member (24) includes a support portion (48) corresponding to said support portion (46), said support portion (48) being located between said operating portion (28) and said pivot portion (44).

14. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 9 wherein said recess (36) is located below said boss (40).

15. The shelf assembly (10) of claim 8, wherein the housing (22) includes steps (50) on both sides, and the guide rail (12) includes restrictions (52) extending from both sides of the receiving groove (34) toward each other corresponding to the steps (50).

16. The shelf assembly (10) according to claim 2, wherein the adjuster (16) comprises an adjustment lever (54), the adjustment lever (54) comprising the adjustment portion (20).

17. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 16, wherein the adjuster (16) includes a housing (22), the housing (22) including a first housing (56) and a second housing (58) coupled to the first housing (56), the adjustment lever (54) being movably engaged with the first housing (56).

18. A shelf assembly (10) as defined in claim 17 wherein said adjuster (16) includes a latch member (24) releasably connected to said shelf (14), said latch member (24) being movably engaged with said second housing (58).

19. Shelf assembly (10) according to claim 18, characterized in that the catch member (24) and the adjustment lever (54) are located between the first housing (56) and the second housing (58).

20. A refrigerator (100) comprising a shelf assembly (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19.

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