Shelf support

Claim 1

A shelf assembly comprising a shelf of substantial arbitrary length and of simple rectangular cross sectional geometry, and a shelf support therefor, said support being continuous and of a length corresponding to the length of the shelf and having a section defining (a) a backing by which the support is to be secured in position with the backing upright, (b) a support extension comprising a first portion extending outwardly from said backing to define an upward facing support surface for frictional engagement with the lower face of the inserted shelf near the edge thereof and a second portion extending downwardly and inwardly to a location where the second portion is joined to the backing, said first and second portions and said backing defining a hollow space therebetween which is capable of serving as a conduit for a lighting or other electrical supply, and (c) a retaining ridge also extending outwardly from said backing but to a lesser extent than said support extension to define a downward facing retaining surface directly opposed to said support surface for frictional engagement with the upper surface of said inserted shelf and spaced therefrom by the thickness of the shelf, said support surface and retaining surface constituting opposed sides of a channel running the length of the support which receives the said one longitudinal side of the shelf with the shelf being slid in for retention cantilverwise with the weight taken by a downward force of the underside of the shelf on the support surface and an upward force of the upper side of the shelf on the retaining surface, said shelf completely filling the channel defined by said support surface, said retaining surface and the backing, and said support surface including, at a position thereof which opposes said retaining surface, a narrow upwardly projecting formation for biting into the material of the shelf, said formation extending the length of said support surface.