U.S. patent application number 10/950842 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-30 for extendable oven rack assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to BSH Home Appliances Corporation. Invention is credited to Klaus Erdmann, Kevin W. Sherbert.
Application Number | 20060065265 10/950842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36097624 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060065265 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Erdmann; Klaus ; et
al. |
March 30, 2006 |
Extendable oven rack assembly
Abstract
An extendable oven rack assembly includes an oven rack adapted
for positioning in an oven cavity. The rack is supported on two
telescoping extension slides shaped for being received in support
slots or ledges of an oven cavity. The telescoping extension slides
are made of at least a first section received in fixed position
within an oven. At least a second section is slidable in
relationship to the first section and can be extended out of the
oven. The second section supports the oven rack thereon.
Inventors: |
Erdmann; Klaus; (New Bern,
NC) ; Sherbert; Kevin W.; (New Bern, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN T. WINBURN
100 BOSCH BOULEVARD
NEW BERN
NC
28562
US
|
Assignee: |
BSH Home Appliances
Corporation
Huntington Beach
CA
|
Family ID: |
36097624 |
Appl. No.: |
10/950842 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/339 ;
126/337A |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/339 ;
126/337.00A |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/16 20060101
F24C015/16 |
Claims
1. An extendable oven rack assembly, comprising: an oven rack
adapted for positioning in an oven cavity; two telescoping
extension slides shaped for being received in support slots in
walls of an oven cavity, and having a first section for being
received in fixed position in a corresponding support slot of an
oven cavity and at least one second section in sliding relation to
a corresponding first section; and each one of said at least one
second section having said oven rack supported thereon.
2. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 1, further including
resistance means for providing resistance against the oven rack
sliding out of the oven cavity when in substantially fully
retracted position.
3. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 2, further including
resistance means for retaining the oven rack in position to prevent
movement thereof when in substantially fully extended position.
4. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 2, wherein said
resistance means includes a spring clip extending from said second
section in proximity to the rear thereof, and a first tab extending
from said first section in proximity to the rear thereof for being
engaged by said spring clip.
5. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 4, wherein said lock
means include a second tab extending from said first section in
proximity to the front thereof for being engaged by said spring
clip when said oven rack is substantially in fully extended
position.
6. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 1, wherein said oven
rack assembly is made of steel capable of resisting the highest
temperature of an oven in which it is used without suffering
substantial deterioration thereof as a result of use at said
temperature.
7. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 6, further including
grease applied between said first sections and said second sections
to facilitate sliding engagement therebetween, said grease being of
the type capable of withstanding normal oven baking temperatures
without substantial deterioration.
8. An extendable oven rack assembly, comprising: an oven rack
adapted for positioning in an oven cavity, and having support
extensions extending the length of the oven rack at each side
thereof, and each support extension having at least one first
engagement section thereon; two telescoping extension slides, a
respective one corresponding to one of said support extensions and
each having at least one second engagement section for receiving
said oven rack thereon through engagement between said at least one
first engagement section of said support extensions and a
corresponding one of said at least one second engagement section of
a corresponding one of said two telescoping extension slides; and
said two telescoping extension slides, each comprised of at least
two sections, a first section constructed for being received in
fixed position within the oven cavity in respective support slots
in side walls of the oven cavity, and at least a second section
slidably engaged with said first section, for supporting said oven
rack, and for allowing the oven rack to be slidably moved out of
the oven cavity.
9. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 8, wherein said
telescoping extension slides include three slide sections, two of
said sections slidable in relation to each other and with respect
to said first section.
10. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 8, wherein said oven
rack includes at least one raised wire section at the rear thereof
for preventing articles supported thereon from sliding off the rear
of the rack.
11. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 8, further including
a tab extending from at least one of said first sections in
proximity to the rear thereof, and at least one corresponding
spring clip extending from at least one of said second sections for
engaging with said tab when said oven rack assembly is fully
retracted in the oven cavity for preventing the oven rack from
sliding out of the oven cavity.
12. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 8, wherein said
first engagement section is a slot and said second engagement
section is a raised projection for being received within said
slot.
13. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 8, made of steel of
a type capable of withstanding maximum temperatures of an oven
without substantial deterioration thereof.
14. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 13, wherein said two
telescoping extension slides are coated with heat resistant grease
at locations to facilitate relative sliding between said at least
two sections thereof.
15. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 11, further
including a second tab extending from said first section in
proximity to the front thereof for engaging said spring clip for
retaining said at least one of said second oven sections in
position relative to said at least one of said first sections when
said extendable rack assembly is in substantially fully extended
position.
16. The extendable oven rack assembly of claim 8, further including
a foot extending downwardly from each one of said first sections of
said telescoping extension slides, said foot having a cutout
therein for engaging a projection in support slots in side walls of
an oven cavity for preventing said first sections from sliding out
of the oven cavity when said oven rack is moved outward from the
oven cavity.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an extendable oven rack assembly
for use in an oven. More particularly, the invention relates to an
extendable oven rack including telescoping slides for use in an
oven cavity and for maximum extension, out of the oven.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0004] In cooking appliances such as ovens, or free standing ranges
which include ovens, the oven cavity is typically populated with
one or more racks to support food items being cooked in the oven.
The oven cavities include a plurality of sets of slots, ledges or
wire rack supports (hereinafter "oven supports") in the opposite
side walls thereof which allow the oven racks to be slidably
received within the oven cavity. The oven supports also typically
include an upward projection near the front of the oven cavity
which often serves as a stop against a corresponding projection
both in the front and in the back of an oven rack to prevent the
oven rack from being pulled completely out of the oven when
supporting food thereon, and to prevent the oven rack from being
pushed too far back into the oven to avoid contact between the rear
of the oven rack and the interior back wall of the oven cavity.
[0005] In these types of arrangements, due to the fact that the
oven rack must be supported over a substantial portion thereof by
the oven supports of the oven cavity, the amount which the rack can
be extended out of the oven cavity is limited. This results in
difficulty in positioning food items on such racks or in removing
the food items from the rack. This also creates a danger that the
person removing or replacing such items on the oven rack may
inadvertently contact the hot walls of the oven cavity.
[0006] More recently, in order to avoid these problems, there have
been designed extendable rack arrangements for use in an oven
cavity which allow a rack to be extended well out of an oven
cavity, including so-called over extension racks. One design
involves a rack assembly which includes a rack extendable upon a
primary rack frame, which is itself mounted for sliding movement
relative to the oven cavity. The rack is supported upon guides
carried by the rack frame with multiple sets of rollers. While
desirable from the perspective of allowing greater extension of the
oven rack out of the cavity of the oven, this type of arrangement
takes up a substantial amount of additional space within an oven
cavity due to the fact that it is essentially a double rack
arrangement, with each rack separated from each other by a space
consuming roller mechanism. As such, while desirable from the
perspective of allowing a rack to be extended outside of the oven
cavity, this type of rack arrangement substantially decreases the
useable volume in an oven cavity, particularly when multiple rack
assemblies of this type are used.
[0007] While providing a more simplified arrangement than a double
rack assembly, this design still suffers from the requirement of
having a compound rack system wherein two racks are required, one
being a wire frame rack and the other being the actual rack that
holds the food being cooked in the oven.
[0008] In accordance with the invention, the problems of the
extendable oven racks in current use are avoided, and an oven rack
assembly is provided which allows full over-extension of an oven
rack outside of an oven cavity, ensures that the oven rack is
securely held by the rack supports of the oven cavity, and avoids
the disadvantages of additional space consumed by current
extendable oven rack assemblies.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one aspect, there is disclosed an extendable oven rack
assembly. The oven rack assembly includes an oven rack adapted for
positioning in an oven cavity. Two telescoping extension slides are
shaped or have attachment features thereon for being received in
the rack supports in the walls of an oven cavity. The slides
include a first section for being received in fixed position in a
corresponding rack support of the oven cavity and at least a second
section in sliding relationship to the corresponding first section.
Each one of the second sections have the oven rack supported
thereon.
[0010] In a more specific aspect, there is provided an extendable
oven rack assembly which includes an oven rack adapted for
positioning in an oven cavity. The rack includes support extensions
extending the length of the sides of the oven rack. Each support
extension has at least one engagement section. The two telescoping
extension slides, a respective one corresponding to one of the
support extensions, also include engagement sections for receiving
the oven rack thereon through engagement between the oven rack
engagement section and that of the telescoping extension slides.
The telescoping extension slides are made up of at least two
sections. A first section is constructed for being received in
fixed position within the oven cavity in the rack supports on the
side walls of the oven cavity. A second section is slidably engaged
with the first section and supports the oven rack for allowing the
oven rack to be slidably moved out of the oven cavity.
[0011] In a preferred aspect, the extension slides are made up of
three sections. Two sections are slidable in relation to each
other, and with respect to the first section which is held in fixed
position in the oven cavity.
[0012] Yet still further, the oven rack assembly includes a tab
extending from at least one of the first sections in proximity to
the rear thereof. A corresponding spring clip extends from at least
one of the slidable sections for engaging the tab when the oven
rack assembly is fully retracted in the oven cavity. This serves to
inhibit the oven rack from sliding out of the oven cavity without a
person pulling on the rack. Yet still more preferably, a second tab
extends from at least one of the first sections in proximity to the
front thereof for engaging the spring clip for retaining the oven
rack in position when the extendable oven rack assembly is in
substantial fully extended position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0013] Having briefly described the invention, the same will become
better understood from the following detailed description, made
with reference to the appended drawing, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disassembled telescoping
oven rack assembly embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the oven rack of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the telescoping oven rack
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of the telescoping oven rack
assembly;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the oven rack of the telescoping
oven rack assembly;
[0019] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of two spring clip
element embodiments located at the area shown as circle A of FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective partial view of the spring clip of
FIG. 6A attached to a telescoping extension slide;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective partial view of the telescoping
extension slide shown partially extended; and
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective partial view of the front portion of
one of the telescoping extension slides.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disassembled telescoping
rack assembly 11 in accordance with the invention. The rack
assembly 11 includes an oven rack 13 having a pair of extensions 15
along the side thereof. The extensions 15, when the oven rack
assembly 11 is assembled, rest on one section of a telescoping
extension slide 17 on each side of the oven rack 13 respectively.
The extensions 15 include respective slots 19 which receive
respective projections 21 of the telescoping extension slide 17 as
they are assembled together. In addition, the front of each one of
the telescoping extension slides 17 include a cap 31, so that the
open front end 20 is not exposed to catch food particles or
clothing. The front ends 20 each also include a securing hole 22,
which matches with corresponding holes 24 in the slides 17. The
slides 17 and the extensions 15 can be attached to one another
through the holes 22, 24, such as by rivets or other fasteners.
[0024] The telescoping slides 17 also include feet 23 and 25, which
serve to support the telescoping slides 17 on the support racks in
the side walls of an oven (not illustrated) in which the rack
assembly 11 is received, and whose structure and function will be
described in greater detail hereinafter.
[0025] The oven rack assembly 11 also includes a tab 27 within the
region identified as circle A, on at least one of the telescoping
extension slides 17, and preferably on both. The function of the
tab 27 is also discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the oven rack 13 of the
invention. As illustrated in both FIGS. 1 and 2, the oven rack 13
includes a pair of upwardly extending wire members 29 at the rear
of the rack 13 which serve to prevent food articles and/or plates
from falling off the back of the rack 13. The rack 13 is of
otherwise conventional construction in a grid pattern made up by
substantially perpendicular fixedly attached wire members 33 and
35.
[0027] As further shown in FIG. 3, a first section of each of the
telescoping extension slides 17 include the feet 23 and 25, and the
tab 27. The feet 23 and 25 serve to allow the oven rack assembly 11
to be supported in a fixed position within an oven cavity on the
support racks therein. The telescoping extension slides 17 include
at least one other section in telescoping sliding relationship
relative to the first section. This is more clearly shown in FIG. 8
which shows a first section 26 and a second section 28. In a more
preferred embodiment, the telescoping extension slides 17 are three
part slides with two of the parts in sliding relationship to
section 26 for allowing the rack 13 to be extended substantially
outside of the oven cavity in the so-called over extension
position. The sliding relationship is provided by internal rollers
(not illustrated) between the sliding sections.
[0028] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate in greater detail the wire members
29 which keep food items from falling off the back of the oven rack
13. The side extensions 15 are also shown as being of generally
L-shape to sit on the telescoping extension slides 17, for securing
thereto in this embodiment. The side extensions 15 also could just
include upstanding parallel portions 26 and the extensions 15 could
be attached to the side walls of the slide 17 with the parallel
portions 26 (not illustrated) omitting the top portions 30 (FIG.
5).
[0029] As shown in greater detail in FIG. 9, the feet 23 also
include on one side a cutout portion 32 which serves to engage a
projection within the supporting channel or support slot (not
illustrated) in an oven to keep the telescoping extension slide 17
from being inadvertently pulled out of the oven cavity. The feet 23
also include the tab 27 on the side facing the inside of the oven
which will serve as the engagement tab 27 for the spring 37 shown
in FIG. 6A, and discussed hereafter.
[0030] The spring 37 in FIG. 6A is not shown in the area identified
as circle A in FIG. 1, but is more clearly shown in operation in
FIGS. 7 and 8. The spring 37 has a first portion 39, which
preferably is integrally formed with a connecting portion 41 formed
at a substantially right angle thereto and with a spring tab
portion 43 formed at an angle to the first portion 39. More
specifically, when the telescoping extension slide 17 is fully
retracted into the oven, the spring tab portion 43 passes behind
the tab 27 and serves as the structure for providing resistance to
the oven rack 13 and sections 28 of the telescoping slide 17 to
prevent the oven rack 13 from moving easily out of the oven cavity
by itself. More specifically, when it is desired to pull the oven
rack 13 out of the oven, as shown in FIG. 8, the spring tab portion
43 is brought out of engagement with the tab 27 and the section 28
of the telescoping extension slide by a person pulling firmly on
the oven rack 13 to overcome the spring resistance. The slide 17
then moves easily relative to section 26, to move the oven rack 13
supported thereon out of the oven cavity.
[0031] Thereafter, when the telescoping extension slide 17 is in
fully extended position with the section 28 and the oven rack 13 is
fully extended (over-extended) out of the oven, the tab portion 43
of the spring element 37 comes in contact with the tab portion of
the feet 23 at the front of the portion of the telescoping slide 17
to abut against that portion, and provides a means to retain the
oven rack 13 in an outwardly extended position. The person then
pushes against the rack 13 to overcome the resistance of the spring
tab portion 43 and move the oven rack 13 back into the oven when
desired.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 6B, an alternate spring element 37' is
illustrated. The alternate spring element 37' includes the same
elements as the spring element 37, but in a more simple
configuration. The spring 37' also has a first portion 39', which
again preferably is integrally formed with a connecting portion
41', but in this embodiment the two portions 39' and 41' are formed
planar with one another. The first portion 39' again has a spring
tab portion 43' formed at an angle to the first portion 39', which
functions identically to the spring tab portion 43, as previously
described.
[0033] The extendable oven rack assembly 11 of the invention is
preferably made of steel, more preferably stainless steel, of a
nature and quality, which is resistant to the highest temperatures
of an oven in which it is used without suffering substantial
deterioration as a result of exposure to such temperatures. Other
parts of the oven rack 13 can be made of coated carbon steel. The
telescoping extension slides 17 may contain grease therein between
the sections thereof to facilitate sliding movement between the
various parts. The grease, as will also be appreciated to those of
ordinary skill in the art, will be of a nature and type also
capable of resisting normal oven baking temperatures without
deterioration.
[0034] Having thus generally described the invention, the same will
become better understood from the appended claims from which it is
set forth in a non-limiting manner.
* * * * *