MXPA06003323A - Refrigerator shelf - Google Patents

Abstract

A shelf is defined by a tempered glass panel bonded to opposing flanges of a pair of metal shelf brackets carrying hooks for connection to and adjustment along vertical trackways in refrigerator compartments. Adhesive constitutes the sole means for maintaining the shelf substantially rigidly united. Each shelf bracket includes at least one abutment surface for engaging an edge of the shelf panel or a handgrip member carried thereby to assure perfect alignment between the components during curing of the adhesive. Each shelf bracket is defined by a shelf arm and a flange with the flanges having pockets housing the adhesive. The shelf arms may additionally include uppermost projections for engaging side edges of the shelf panel and/or at least one additional flange, such that side edge portions of the shelf panel can be housed between the pair of vertically spaced longitudinally offset flanges of each shelf bracket.

Description

A REFRIGERATOR SHELF FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to shelves for refrigerators and the like, however it also has the ability to be used as a book shelf or a shelf associated with most any type of furniture such as a cantilevered shelf defined by a pair of shelf brackets and a shelf panel held between them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Shelves specifically designed for refrigerators are well known, and something typical therein is the cantilever shelf of Figure 1 of U.S. Patent No. 5,362,145 issued November 8, 1994 to Kevin C. Bird et al. The cantilevered shelf is formed by a flat tempered glass shelf element or panel and a pair of metal support brackets which are joined together by means of a material, encapsulation or molded mount of thermoplastic, synthetic, polymeric resin / copolymer The frame is molded around the entire peripheral edge of the shelf element of glass or panel and forms a spill dam to contain product spills that occur when the shelf or shelf assembly is in use in an associated refrigerator compartment. Said encapsulated shelves have been manufactured and sold exclusively by the assignee of the present application and are generally used in high quality / expensive refrigerators due to the rigidity of the shelf, the drip / spill protection of the product and the extremely attractive aesthetic appearance achieved through the encapsulation or injection molding of the shelf brackets to the glass shelf panel. Figure 46 of the latter patent discloses another cantilevered cantilever assembly in which a mount or encapsulation of synthetic polymeric / copolymer plastic material completely encompasses a tempered glass part edge and is press-fit by molding fasteners or encapsulation to the front and rear structure elements of a generally polygonal wire structure which includes side frame brackets and associated hooks to secure the shelf assembly to conventional slotted vertical rails of a refrigerator compartment. The aesthetics of this last shelf assembly is less than that of the shelf assembly described above in the present invention, but the cost of manufacturing and assembly it may be minor, particularly if it is manually assembled in countries outside the United States that have lower wages, benefits, etc. However, the last shelf assembly retains the function of liquid dam or anti-spill which is a desirable feature, particularly for cantilever shelves on which products that tend to spill or drip can be held, particularly when the shelf is vertically tight. Instead of metal shelf brackets or metal wire polygonal structure of U.S. Patent No. 5,362,145, U.S. Patent No. 6,488,347 issued December 3, 2002 in the name of Craig Bienic discloses a refrigerator shelf formed of two pieces. of material, namely, a glass shelf panel bounded by a one-piece integral encapsulation / frame / structure, injection molded of polymeric / copolymer synthetic plastic material which includes integral shelf brackets and suspension hooks defined by the encapsulation /mount. This shelf assembly includes all the advantages of the first shelf assembly described with respect to US Patent No. 5,362,145 and desirably excludes separate metal shelf brackets. However, the total periphery of the encapsulation and particularly the lateral arms of the The shelf should be reinforced to avoid adverse torsional characteristics which could occur if the arms of the polymer / copolymer shelf were extremely thin. Thus, although the assembly of the last patent shelf excludes the costs of manual assembly, the latter could be offset by the added cost of the polymer / copolymer material used in the injection molding of the frame / encapsulation to effect the rigidity / reinforcement of the same. Obviously, said conventional material is derived from petroleum and both the availability and the price stability of it have always been a problem, particularly when the costs of manufacturing shelves one or more years in the future are quoted, as is customary under customer agreements. long-term purchase. A relatively simple refrigerator shelf is found in U.S. Patent No. 4,923,260 issued May 8, 1990 to Douglas Poulsen. The refrigerator shelf includes a pair of brackets or cantilevered metal brackets which are rigidly interconnected with each other by a rigid back support rod or cross member. The glass shelf is inserted into a rear shelf retainer which carries a U-shaped downward opening fastener which engages the back rod. An element U-shaped front cross section is also rigidly secured between the front or free ends of the cantilever brackets. Although relatively simple with respect to the various parts required to form the shelf, the welding of the front and rear transverse elements to the shelf brackets is costly, as is the complex nature of the extruded back fastener. The latest patents and those additionally specified in US Patent No. 6,488,347 establish the state of the art of the cantilever shelf on which the present description is considered as a novelty and a point of no obvious starting point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Continuing with the description, a novel shelf, particularly a cantilevered shelf which is adapted to be hooked to, and vertically adjusted with respect to conventional grooved grooves in a refrigerator compartment, is made from a pair of metal shelf brackets , a shelf panel preferably made of tempered glass, and adhesive for joining the last three shelf components in a substantially rigid manner. Through the use of two metal shelf brackets which are properly cut from a flat piece of sheet metal, profiled / bent and, if desired, painted, binder material is used to rigidly adhere the upper surfaces of opposite flanges of the brackets from the shelf to a lower side of the tempered glass panel. The flanges of each shelf bracket preferably include a reservoir or upward opening cavity wherein the adhesive or binder material can be placed so that as soon as the side edges of the glass panel are assembled to the flanges, the adhesive / binder material is not It will come out laterally towards the inside or outside of the eyelashes so the aesthetics is improved due to the absence of visible material extruded adhesive / binder inside or outside the eyelashes. In accordance further with the present invention, each cantilever arm of each bracket includes at least one projection that projects upwardly beyond its associated flange so that the projections couple the side edges of the tempered glass panel to do more the assembly rigid along the length of the shelf bracket thereof thus preventing undesirable twisting of the shelf attached in an adhesive and rigid manner.

Additionally in accordance with the present invention, each of the arms of the shelf includes at least a second flange spaced above and deviated longitudinally from the first flange, which collectively supports the upper and lower support for the side edge portions. of the tempered glass panel housed between both. The shelf of the present invention also includes means for locating the tempered glass shelf panel relative to each of the shelf brackets to ensure a perfect alignment of the components such as the dry / stick adhesive, which ensures a substantially perfect parallelism between the metal shelf arms or brackets which improves the anti-torsion characteristics and the rigidity of the shelf. With the foregoing and other objects in view what will appear hereafter, the nature of the invention will be understood more clearly by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the various views illustrated in the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a novel cantilever cantilever shelf designed in accordance with the present invention, and illustrates a pair of metal shelf brackets that extend through a transparent tempered glass shelf panel which in turn carries a front fastener element and a rear product retainer, each formed of polymeric / copolymer synthetic plastic material. Figure 2 is a front perspective view of portions of the shelf of Figure 1, and illustrates each shelf arm in the form of a relatively flat side shelf bracket having a hook and reinforcement at a rear end thereof, and a support tab of the shelf panel directed inward defining an opening cavity upwards along its length. Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the shelf of Figure 1, and illustrates a front edge of the shelf bracket and the shelf flange of the shelf panel and a trailing edge of the support flange of the adjacent shelf panel that engages the respective front fastener and the rear product retaining elements to accurately locate the glass shelf or glass panel relative to the shelf shelf incident to a bonding operation. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and illustrates structural adhesive in the flange cavity for rigidly joining a upper surface of the support flange of the shelf panel to a lower surface of the tempered glass shelf panel. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of Fig. 1, and illustrates more clearly the manner in which the front and rear edges of the shelf bracket engage the front fastener and the respective rear product retaining elements for locating each of the shelf brackets relative to the tempered glass panel during the hardening of the adhesive. 6 is a top perspective view of another novel cantilever cantilever shelf designed in accordance with the present invention, and illustrates a pair of metal shelf brackets extended through a transparent tempered glass shelf panel which in turn it carries a front fastener element and a rear product retainer element, each formed of synthetic polymeric / copolymer plastic material. Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the shelf of Figure 6, and illustrates a front edge of the shelf bracket and the shelf flange of the shelf panel and a rear edge of the flange of the adjacent shelf panel support. coupling the front bra respective and subsequent product retention elements to accurately locate the glass or glass panel shelf relative to the incident grid bracket to a joining operation. Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 of Figure 7, and illustrates structural adhesive in a recess of the flange to rigidly attach a top surface of the flange of the flange of the flange. support of the shelf panel to a lower surface of the tempered glass shelf. Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line 9-9 of Figure 7, and illustrates structural adhesive in the cavity for rigidly attaching the support flange of the shelf panel to a lower surface of the tempered glass shelf and a top projection of the shelf bracket to effect abutting alignment of the edge of the glass panel. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 10-10 of Fig. 6, and more clearly illustrates the manner in which the front and rear edges of the shelf bracket engage the front fastener and the subsequent elements of product retention to locate Precisely each of the shelf brackets relative to the tempered glass panel during the hardening of the adhesive. Figure 11 is a top perspective view of another novel cantilever cantilever shelf designed in accordance with the present invention, and illustrates a pair of metal shelf brackets extended through a transparent tempered glass shelf panel which in turn it carries a front fastening element formed of polymeric / copolymeric synthetic plastic material and a tongue of rear location of the shelf brackets that couple a trailing edge of the shelf panel. Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the shelf of Figure 11, and illustrates a front edge of the shelf bracket and the shelf flange of the shelf panel and a trailing edge of the supporting flange of the adjacent shelf panel engaging the respective front fastener element and the trailing edge of the shelf panel to locate the glass shelf or glass panel relative to the shelf bracket incident to a joining operation. Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in fragments generally along line 13-13 of Fig. 12, and illustrates structural adhesive in a cavity of the shelf flange of the shelf panel for rigidly joining the shelf flange of the shelf panel to a lower surface of the tempered glass shelf and a top superposed top flange by engaging an upper surface of the glass shelf. Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 14-14 of Figure 12, and illustrates structural adhesive in the cavity in a longitudinal portion of the shelf bracket which excludes the upper superposed flange. Figure 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken generally along line 15-15 of Figure 11, and more clearly illustrates the manner in which the front and rear edges of the shelf bracket engage the fastener element the respective front and the trailing edge of the shelf panel to locate each of the shelf brackets relative to the shelf panel during the hardening of the adhesive and in alternating longitudinally alternating relation of the shelf panel support and the overlapping tabs. Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line 16-16 of Figure 12, and illustrates the manner in which the location projection or tab formed from of the shelf bracket material is aligned to abut the rear end edge of the tempered glass shelf or panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES A novel cantilever shelf or shelf assembly, designed in accordance with the present invention, which is particularly adapted for use in fresh food or frozen food compartments of a refrigerator in association with slotted vertical tracks thereof is illustrated in FIGS. to 5 of the figures and is generally designated with the reference number 10. The shelf 10 is constructed from three primary components, namely, a shelf panel 11 and a pair of lateral metal cantilever shelf brackets 12, 13 and secondary components. in the form of a front fastener or fastener element 14 and a rear product retaining element 15 carried by the shelf panel 11. The shelf panel 11 is preferably constructed from a polygonal piece of transparent tempered glass defined in portions. of lateral edges 16, 17 having respective lateral edges 18, 19 in substantially parallel relation to each other and front and rear edge portions 20, 21 having respective front and rear edges 22, 23 (FIGS. 3 and 5)) also in substantially parallel relation to each other. The shelf panel 11 also includes a substantially flat upper surface 24 and a substantially flat lower surface 25. Each of the edges 18, 19, 22, 23 is preferably below and, if desired, either or both elements can be removed. 14, 15. The metal shelf brackets 12, 13 are substantially identical to each other and each is cut from a sheet of flat metal material and is formed for the configurations and cross sections best illustrated in Figures 2 and 4. of the figures. Each shelf bracket 12, 13 includes a relatively flat cantilever shelf arm 30, 31 having a respective rear end portion 32, 33 and a respective front end portion 34, 35. The rear end portions 32, 33 of the respective shelf arms 30, 31 carry respective reinforced hooks 36, 37 and projections 38, 39 which are used in a conventional manner to secure the shelf 10 in the grooves of the vertical tracks of a refrigerator compartment (which is not shown) in a conventional way, particularly as illustrated in Figure 1 of U.S. Patent No. 5,362,145. Each shelf bracket 12, 13 additionally includes a support flange of the shelf panel 40, 41, respectively, which projects laterally from one another, as best seen in Figure 2. Because the panel support flanges of shelf 40, 41 are identical, the immediate description of the shelf flange of the shelf panel 40 also applies to the shelf flange of the shelf panel 41. The shelf flange of the shelf panel 40 (Figure 4) includes a portion of inner flange 42 more adjacent an upper longitudinal portion (not numbered) of shelf arm 30, an outer flange portion 43 terminating at a lateral end edge 44 and a middle flange portion 45 between flange portions 42, 43 of an upwardly open U-shaped cross-sectional configuration generally defining a reservoir or cavity 46 into which the incident structural adhesive means is introduced for assemble and join the shelf panel 11 and the shelf brackets 12 and 13, as will be described in more detail below. A plane Pl (Fig. 4) is common for the upper (unnumbered) surfaces of the inner and outer flange portions 42, 43, respectively, and it is also common for the lower surface 25 of the shelf panel 11. Each of the support flanges of the shelf panels 40, 41 includes media 50., 51 (figures 2, 3 and 5) defined by the most front and rearmost edges of the respective shelf panel support flanges 40, 41, to locate the shelf panel 11 accurately in relation to the shelf brackets 12, 13 until the moment that the adhesive A has hardened to ensure the parallelism between the shelf brackets 12, 13, the parallelism of the side edges 18, 19 of the shelf panel 11 relative to the shelf brackets 12, 13, and usually substantially between the shelf arms 30, 31 and the shelf panel 11. The front fastener element 14 and the product retainer 15 can either be injection molded into the front edge portions and 20, 21 of the shelf panel 11 or can be manufactured and subsequently assembled by sliding them into the respective edge portions 20, 21 of the shelf panel 11. The elements 14, 15 have lower transverse edges 52, 53 (FIG. uras 3 and 5) which are separated by a distance DI from each other. The distance DI corresponds to the substantially identical distance DI (FIG. 2) between the positioning means 50, 51 of the support flanges of the control panel. shelf 12, 13. Therefore, as the shelf panel 11 is assembled relative to the shelf brackets 12, 13, as can easily be seen in Figure 2 imagining that these latter components move in the direction of each other to the position shown in Figure 1, the transverse edges 52, 53 of the cross members 14, 15, respectively, will be coupled and will therefore be located through the location means or edges 50, 51, respectively, of the brackets of the respective shelf 12, 13. The adhesive A is preferably deposited in the cavities 46 of each of the support flanges of the shelf panel 40, 41 before the bottom surface 25 of the glass shelf panel 11 is moved to the position shown in figure 4. The adhesive A can extend the entire length of each of the tanks or cavities 46 and slightly above the plane Pl (figure 1) before assembly. A bead of the adhesive A of a generally cylindrical cross-sectional configuration, as seen in figure 4 although not illustrated therein, with an upper surface slightly above the plane Pl will be maintained in the last configuration by surface tension. Subsequently, as the lower surface 25 of the glass shelf panel 11 moves in the direction of the flange portions 42, 43 and comes into contact with the same, the adhesive bead A will flatten and expand laterally in both lateral directions, but will not be extruded or squeezed laterally outwardly and inwardly beyond any of the flange portions 42 or 43 respectively. The latter is highly desirable to avoid the need to clean the extruded adhesive A from the interior areas of the flange edge that hold the shelf 44 and / or exteriors of the joint between the shelf edges 18, 19 and the respective bracket arms 30. , 31. However, said extrusion will not occur in accordance with the present invention by placing beads of adhesive A in spaced relation to each other along each of the cavities or reservoirs 46 in the manner illustrated in FIG. figures In this last case, if there were an excess of adhesive A in the cavities 46 of the support flanges of the shelf panel 40, 41, said excess would be pushed, extruded or pressed along the length of the cavities 46 due to the longitudinal minor resistance to flow in opposition to the lateral resistance for flow / friction offered by the U-shaped flange wall portion 45. Therefore, the cavities 46 define means to avoid lateral extrusion or flow in any direction of the adhesive A from there and to promote extrusion or longitudinal flow along the length of the cavities 46, thus ensuring a shelf with aesthetic appearance 10. The adhesive A is preferably a structural adhesive / sealant, such as AM-47, which provides high strength and excellent adhesion while being hard, elastic and waterproof, all features are required for the use of the shelf 10 in refrigerator compartments, particularly by virtue of the humidity normally associated therewith, both in the form of normal condensation and product spillage. AM-47 adhesive can be absent priming paint, is easy to harden, is extremely low shrinkage, is compatible paint / enamel and, once hardened, satisfies all Federal Provisions of the United States, such as the Communication Standards of OSHA Hazard. In Figures 6 to 10 there is illustrated another novel cantilever shelf or shelf assembly designed in accordance with the present invention, which is also particularly adapted for use in fresh food or frozen food compartments of a refrigerator in association with slotted vertical tracks. thereof and is generally designated with the reference number 100. The components of the shelf assembly 100, which correspond to components similar to the shelf assembly 10, have the prefix "100" to identify the identical structure without specifically describing it, however, as in the case of the shelf assembly shelf 10, the shelf 100 is designed from three primary components , specifically, a shelf panel 111 and a pair of metal cantilever shelf side brackets 112, 113 and secondary components in the form of a front fastener or fastener element 114 and a rear product retainer element 115 carried by the shelf panel 11. The most important difference between the two shelves 10, 100 resides in the fact that, while the shelf brackets 12, 13, each with a relatively long shelf support bracket flange 40, 41, respectively, the brackets of corresponding shelf 112, 113 of the shelf 100 each include a pair of shelf flanges of the shelf panel 140, 140; 141, 141; respectively. The shelf panel support flanges 140, 141 are in opposite relation to the support flanges of the shelf panel 141, 141, as can easily be seen by comparing Figures 7 and 10 of the figures. The upper (unnumbered) surfaces of the support flanges of the shelf panel 140, 141 lie in a common plane corresponding to the plane Pl of FIG. 4 which lies in the plane of the lower surface 125 of the glass panel 111 (figures 8 and 9). Each shelf flange of the shelf panel 140, 141 defines an upwardly opening reservoir or cavity 146 in which the structural adhesive A is introduced in an assembly and joining operation corresponding to the operation so far described with respect to the shelf 10 However, the shelf or shelf assembly 100 also includes means 147, 148 and 149 in the form of upper edge portions or upper projections of the respective shelf arms 30, 31 which terminate at an upper common longitudinal edge or portion thereof. of edge 160. As best illustrated in Figure 9 of the figures, a plane passing horizontally through the upper surface 124 of the glass panel 11 also passes through the common edge 160 of the projecting portions 147 , 148, 149. The panel support flanges 140, 141 at the forward end portions 134, 135 of the respective shelf brackets 112, 113 are located between projecting upward portions or projecting edges 147, 148, while the support flanges of the shelf panel 140, 141 at the rear end portions 30, 33 of the respective shelf brackets 112, 113 are positioned between the projections directed towards top or projection edge portions 147, 149. Projection portions 147 to 149 define stop means or locating means for attaching shelf board 111 to adhesive A on flanges 140, 140; 141, 141. The side edges 118, 119 of the glass panel 111 are placed in a contacting or contiguous relationship with the interior (unnumbered) surfaces of the flat shelf arms 130, 131 of the respective shelf brackets 112, 113 , in the manner best illustrated in Figure 9 of the figures. This last contact ensures that the side shelf brackets 112, 113 are in parallel relation to each other and that they are also normal to a horizontal plane through the glass panel 111 until such time as the adhesive solidifies or hardens. Once the latter occurs, an extremely rigid right angle connection is made along the length of each shelf bracket 112, 113 and the side edge portions 116, 117 of the shelf panel 111 to form an extremely rigid shelf. 100 which is not subject to distortion, tilting, twisting, etc., during vertical adjustment and / or when under a load of products. Figures 11 to 16 illustrate another novel cantilever shelf or shelf assembly designed in accordance with the present invention and is generally designated with the reference number 200. The components of the shelf assembly 200, which correspond to similar components of the shelf assemblies or shelves 10 and 100, have been designated in a similar manner to avoid duplication of the description. The shelf or shelf assembly 200 differs from the shelves 10, 100 in three aspects, namely, (1) each metal shelf bracket 212, 213 includes a single pair of projecting edge portions or projections 248, 249 which results in three separate shelf panel support tabs 239, 240 and 241 along each shelf bracket 212, 213, (2) the upper edge portions 260 of the upper edge projections 248, 249 are bent towards inside in opposite aligned relation to each other (figure 11) in superposed relation to the glass panel 211, and (3) each shelf bracket 212, 213 includes locating means 251 in the shape of a tongue placed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees (figure 17) to its associated shelf panel support flange 240, 241 in alignment with, and contacted by the trailing edge 223 of the glass panel 211. As can easily be seen from figure 13, because the pest añas 260, 239; 260, 240 and 260, 241 perfectly receive the portions between them of side edge 216, 217 of the glass panel 211, greater rigidity is provided to the shelf 200 at the time of solidification / hardening of the adhesive A. The latter is increased with additional adhesive, which can be placed in the deposits of the three support panel support flanges 239, 240 and 241 associated with each shelf bracket 212, 213, thus providing greater rigidity than that of the shelf 100 which only includes the two pairs of relatively short shelf support brackets 140 , 141 (figures 7 and 10). Finally, the locating tabs or tabs 250 ensure that the glass shelf 211 can not move to the left of the position shown in Figures 12 and 15 with respect to the shelf brackets 212, 213, thus further ensuring that all the components are assembled in the desired parallel / normal relationships described so far. Although specifically herein illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that minor variations can be made to the apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (6)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as a priority: CLAIMS 1. - A shelf comprising a pair of metal shelf brackets and a shelf panel, said shelf brackets each include a shelf arm and a shelf flange of the shelf panel, said shelf arms being positioned in relation substantially substantially parallel to each other, said shelf panel support flanges are positioned in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, means between an upper surface of each shelf flange of the shelf panel and a surface bottom of said shelf panel for adhesive bonding thereof, and said adhesive bonding means is the only means for maintaining said shelf substantially substantially rigidly attached.
2. 2. The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that each support flange of the shelf panel includes means for forming by at least one deposit opening in a direction towards said lower shelf panel surface, and said adhesive bonding means are located at least partially in said deposit means.
3. 3. The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that each shelf arm includes at least one upper edge portion projecting upward beyond its shelf flange of the shelf panel, and each opposite side edge of the shelf panel. said shelf panel is contiguous with an upper edge portion of the adjacent shelf arm.
4. 4. The shelf according to claim 1, further including means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto.
5. 5. The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that each shelf arm includes a longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each shelf flange of the shelf panel is defined by a portion of its upper edge portion that is longitudinally associated extends, each shelf bracket includes at least a second flange, said second flange being placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said planes common define a distance that substantially corresponds to the thickness of said shelf panel, and said shelf panel includes side edge portions each placed between each of said shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second tabs.
6. 6. The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that each shelf arm includes a longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each shelf flange of the shelf panel is defined by a portion of its upper edge portion that is extends longitudinally associated, each shelf bracket includes at least a second flange, said second flange being placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance that substantially corresponds to the thickness of said shelf panel, said shelf panel includes side edge portions each placed between each of said shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second tabs, and the shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second tabs of each shelf shelf. Grill are longitudinally deviated from each other. 7. - The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that each arm of shelf includes a longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each supporting flange of the shelf panel is defined by a portion of its associated longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least one second flange, said second flange being placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of said shelf panel, said shelf panel includes side edge portions each placed between each of said shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second flanges, the shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second flanges of each grill shelf are longitudinally deflected from each other, each shelf bracket includes at least one additional tab of said shelf panel support flange and said second flange, and said additional flange of said shelf bracket lies in one of said common planes. 8. - The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that each shelf arm includes a longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each support flange of the shelf panel is defined by a portion of its associated longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least a second flange, said second flange being placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of said shelf panel, said shelf panel includes side edge portions each placed between each of said shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second tabs, the shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second tabs. tabs of each grill bracket are longitudinally offset from each other, each shelf bracket includes an additional flange of said shelf panel support tabs, and said additional shelf panel support tabs lie in said first mentioned common plane. 9. The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that each shelf arm includes a longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each shelf flange of the shelf panel is defined by a portion of its upper edge portion that is longitudinally associated extends, each shelf bracket includes at least one second flange, said second flange being placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of said shelf panel, said shelf panel includes side edge portions each placed between each of said shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second flanges, the shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second flanges of each grill shelf are longitudinally offset from each other, each shelf bracket includes an additional flange of said second flanges, and said second additional flanges lie in the common plane of said flanges. second tabs first mentioned. 10. The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that each shelf arm includes a longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each shelf flange of the shelf panel is defined by a portion of its upper edge portion that is extends longitudinally associated, each shelf bracket includes at least a second flange, said second flange being placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance that substantially corresponds to the thickness of said shelf panel, said shelf panel includes side edge portions each one positioned between each of said shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second flanges, the shelf flanges of the shelf panel and second flanges of each grill shelf are longitudinally offset from each other, each shelf bracket includes an additional flange of said shelves. Support flanges of the shelf panel, said additional shelf panel support flanges lie in said first common plane, each shelf bracket further includes an additional flange of said second flanges, and said second additional flanges lie in the common plane of said second tabs first mentioned. 11. The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that said shelf panel is tempered glass. 12. The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that said shelf panel includes a front edge portion and a rear edge portion, and a polymeric / copolymer front fastener element has a channel in which the portion of the front edge is located. front edge of said shelf panel. 13. The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that each shelf arm includes at least a portion of upper edge projecting upward beyond its shelf panel support flange, each opposite side edge of said shelf panel is adjacent to an upper edge portion of the adjacent shelf arm, and an upper terminal edge of each edge portion of the upper shelf panel support lies in a plane substantially common to a plane of an upper surface of said shelf panel. 14. The shelf according to claim 2, characterized in that each shelf arm includes at least one upper edge portion projecting upward beyond its shelf flange of the shelf panel, and each opposite side edge of the shelf panel. said shelf panel is adjacent to an upper edge portion of the adjacent shelf arm. 15. The shelf according to claim 2, further comprising means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto. 16. The shelf according to claim 2, characterized in that each shelf arm includes a longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each shelf flange of the shelf panel is defined by a portion of its upper edge portion that is extend longitudinally, each shelf bracket includes at least a second flange, said second flange is placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of said panel of shelf, and said shelf panel includes side edge portions each placed between one of each said shelf panel support flanges and second flanges. 17. The shelf according to claim 3, further comprising means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto. 18. The shelf according to claim 3, characterized in that each shelf arm includes a longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each shelf flange of the shelf panel is defined by a portion of its upper edge portion that is extends longitudinally, each shelf bracket includes at least a second flange, said second flange is placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of said shelf panel, and said shelf panel includes side edge portions each placed between one of each said shelf panel support flanges and second flanges. 19. The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said shelf panel location means are defined by stop means of each shelf arm to bump against said shelf panel. 20. The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said positioning means of the shelf panel are defined by stop means in a front end portion of each shelf arm to bump against said shelf panel. 21. The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said positioning means of the shelf panel are defined by stop means in a rear end portion of each shelf arm to bump against said shelf panel. 22. The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel are defined by stop means in rear and front end portions of each shelf arm to bump against said shelf panel. 23. The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said means of The location of the shelf panel are defined by an edge of each of said shelf arms. 24. The shelf in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel are defined by an edge of each shelf arm located next to a front end of each shelf arm. The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel are defined by an edge of each shelf arm located next to a rear end of each shelf arm. 26.- The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel are defined by a pair of edges of each shelf arm each located next to the front and rear ends of each shelf arm. 27.- The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel is a stop projection formed from metal of each shelf bracket that meets at least against one of a front end and a rear end of said shelf panel. 28. The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said means of The location of the shelf panel is a stop projection formed from metal of each shelf bracket that abuts a back edge of said shelf panel. 29. The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel is a stop tab formed from metal of each shelf bracket that meets at least against one of a front end and end back of said shelf panel. The shelf according to claim 4, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel is a stop tab formed from metal of each shelf bracket that abuts a rear edge of said shelf panel. 31. The shelf according to claim 5, further comprising means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto. 32. The shelf according to claim 6, further comprising means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto. 33. The shelf according to claim 7, further comprising means associated with each shelf bracket to locate the shelf panel in relation to them. 34. The shelf according to claim 8, further comprising means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto. 35. The shelf according to claim 9, further comprising means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto. 36. The shelf according to claim 10, further comprising means associated with each shelf bracket for locating the shelf panel relative thereto. 37. The shelf according to claim 31, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel are defined by stop means of each shelf arm to bump against said shelf panel. 38.- The shelf according to claim 31, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel are defined by an edge of each of said shelf arms. 39.- The shelf according to claim 31, characterized in that said means of The location of the shelf panel is defined by an edge of each shelf arm located adjacent to a front end of each shelf arm. The shelf according to claim 31, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel are defined by an edge of each shelf arm located next to a rear end of each shelf arm. The shelf according to claim 31, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel are defined by a pair of edges of each shelf arm located at each of the adjacent front and rear ends of each shelf arm . 42.- The shelf according to claim 31, characterized in that said means for locating the shelf panel is a projecting projection formed from metal of each shelf bracket that meets at least one of a front end end back of said shelf panel. 43.- A shelf comprising a pair of metal shelf brackets and a shelf panel, said shelf brackets each include a shelf arm and a shelf flange of the shelf panel, said shelf arms being placed in separate relationship substantially parallel to each other, said shelf panel support flanges are placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to their associated shelf arm, means between an upper surface of each shelf flange of the shelf panel and a bottom surface of said shelf panel for adhesive bonding, each shelf arm includes a longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each shelf flange of the shelf panel is defined by a portion of its associated longitudinally extending upper edge portion, each shelf bracket includes at least a second flange, said second flange being placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, said common planes define a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of said shelf panel, and said shelf panel includes side edge portions, each arranged between one of each panel support flange of shelf and second tabs. 44.- The shelf according to claim 43, characterized in that said support flange of the shelf panel and second flanges of each shelf are longitudinally offset relative to one another. 45. - A shelf comprising a pair of metal shelf brackets and a shelf panel, said shelf brackets each include a shelf arm and a shelf flange of the shelf panel, said shelf arms being positioned in relation substantially substantially parallel to each other, said shelf panel support flanges are placed in a substantially common plane that is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, media between an upper surface of each shelf flange of the shelf panel and a bottom surface of said shelf panel for adhesive bonding thereto, each shelf arm includes at least the top edge portion projecting up past its support flange of the shelf panel, and each opposite side edge of said shelf panel. of shelf is adjacent to an upper edge portion of adjacent shelf arm. 46.- A shelf comprising a pair of metal shelf brackets and a tempered glass shelf panel, said shelf panel having at least one pair of substantially parallel opposed land edges, said shelf brackets each including a shelf arm and a shelf flange of the shelf panel, said shelf arms are placed in a substantially parallel, substantially parallel relation to each other, said Support flanges of the shelf panel are placed in a substantially common plane which is substantially normal to its associated shelf arm, means between an upper surface of each shelf flange of the shelf panel and a bottom surface of said shelf panel for adhesively bonding them, and said adhesive bonding means is the only means for maintaining said shelf in a substantially rigid manner. 47.- The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that said edges to ground are lateral edges of said shelf panel. 48. The shelf according to claim 1, characterized in that said grounded edges are side edges of said shelf panel and a front fastener element carried by a front edge portion of said shelf panel.