U.S. patent application number 13/037736 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-11 for stove with assembly components.
This patent application is currently assigned to ELECTROLUX DO BRASIL SA. Invention is credited to Antonio Carlos Junior Bevilacqua, Martins Alves Gilberto.
Application Number | 20110192391 13/037736 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41721992 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110192391 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bevilacqua; Antonio Carlos Junior ;
et al. |
August 11, 2011 |
STOVE WITH ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS
Abstract
A stove with a plurality of structural members coupled together
and assembled to form a stove is disclosed. The stove may include a
first structural member with an integral alignment protrusion
formed in the structural member and extending from a main body of
the structural member and a second structural member having an
integral orifice complimentary in configuration and housed on the
second structural member in a complimentary location to permit the
integral alignment protrusion of the first structural member to be
placed within the integral orifice and slid relative to the second
structural member so as to couple the first and second structural
members so as to form a portion of a stove. As such, stove tops,
stove sides, kick plates, and other structural components in stoves
may be easily assembled.
Inventors: |
Bevilacqua; Antonio Carlos
Junior; (Curitiba-PR, BR) ; Gilberto; Martins
Alves; (Curitiba-PR, BR) |
Assignee: |
ELECTROLUX DO BRASIL SA
Curitiba-PR
BR
|
Family ID: |
41721992 |
Appl. No.: |
13/037736 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/BR2009/000280 |
Sep 1, 2009 |
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13037736 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
126/1R ;
126/211 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/007 20130101;
F24C 15/10 20130101; F24C 15/08 20130101; F24C 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/1.R ;
126/211 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/00 20060101
F24C015/00; F24C 15/10 20060101 F24C015/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 1, 2008 |
BR |
MU8802471-7 |
Claims
1. A plurality of components for assembly as a portion of a stove
comprising: a plurality of structural members configured to be
coupled together and assembled to form a stove, a first structural
member having an integral alignment protrusion formed in the
structural member and extending from a main body of the structural
member and a second structural member having an integral orifice
complimentary in configuration and housed on the second structural
member in a complimentary location to permit the integral alignment
protrusion of the first structural member to be placed within the
integral orifice and slid relative to the second structural member
so as to couple the first and second structural members so as to
form a portion of a stove.
2. The plurality of components for assembly as a portion of a stove
of claim 1, wherein the first structural member is a stove top and
the second structural member is a side of stove.
3. The plurality of components for assembly as a portion of a stove
of claim 1, wherein the first structural member is a side of stove
and the second structural member is a stove top.
4. The plurality of components for assembly as a portion of a stove
of claim 1, wherein the first structural member is a side of a
stove, the integral alignment protrusion being positioned on a
lower edge of the side of the stove, and wherein the second
structural member is a kick plate of the stove.
5. The plurality of components for assembly as a portion of a stove
of claim 1, where the first structural member is the external half
of a door of the stove and the second structural member is the
internal half of the door of the stove.
6. A stove comprising: a plurality of structural members coupled
together and assembled to form a stove, a first structural member
having an integral alignment protrusion formed in the structural
member and extending from a main body of the structural member and
a second structural member having an integral orifice complimentary
in configuration and housed on the second structural member in a
complimentary location to permit the integral alignment protrusion
of the first structural member to be placed within the integral
orifice and slid relative to the second structural member so as to
couple the first and second structural members so as to form a
portion of a stove.
7. The stove of claim 6, wherein the first structural member is a
stove top and the second structural member is a side of a
stove.
8. The stove of claim 6, where the first structural member is the
external half of a door of the stove and the second structural
member is the internal half of the door of the stove.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to Brazilian Patent
Application Number MU8802471-7 filed on Sep. 1, 2008 and is a
continuation of PCT Application Number PCT/BR2009/000280 filed on
Sep. 1, 2009, each herein incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to household appliances and
construction and assembly of these products. Particularly, the
present disclosure is directed to stoves with assembly components
to facilitate assembly of the stove.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Currently stove parts are assembled and made using
conventional fastening devices, such as screws or rivets, in
addition to joint pieces, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Use of
these conventional fastening members in stove assembly adds cost to
the final product, as a result of not only screws, clinches and
pieces that must be acquired for this purpose, but also the time
and manpower employed in these assembly tasks. For example,
assembly of the stove table with the side pieces typically requires
using at least four screws or rivets, as shown in FIG. 7A, plus
additional pieces to unite the parts. This additional labor,
usually manual, requires further assembly time and effort and must
be performed with reasonable accuracy.
[0004] In other assembly processes, the table is combined with the
front finishing and the table is fastened on the sides of the
chamber and its front part only overlapped to the finishing, which
is fixed with screws in the chamber body. This manner of assembly
has disadvantages as the table is only overlapped to the finishing,
and an alignment gap may occur. Eventually table barbs may be
exposed on the front part of the product potentially causing harm
to users and others. In oven doors that may have two hinges and a
handle along with two stamped pieces assembled opposing one
another, plus corner finishing, these pieces are coupled together
using at least four rivets. These rivets remain exposed and are
subject to user interaction, are aesthetically unappealing and may
pose as safety risk during operation.
[0005] PI 9600036 8A presents a conventional stove component
assembly system detailing a fitting system of an intermediate table
and lacks integral alignment protrusions and clamps. U.S. Pat. No.
2,533,797 merely describes a stove component assembly system that
utilizes later added pieces not formed as part of the stove
components. Neither of these documents provides the innovative
aspects of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
[0006] This disclosure is directed to household appliances
including stoves with improved features and components for
facilitating assembly. Using complimentary shaped and configured
integral alignment protrusions and associated orifices formed in
stove members including stove tops, sides, fronts and other
features, assembly of the stoves may be expedited and made
significantly more cost effective through reduced components and
reduced time spent on assembly. The stove components are outfitted
with complimentary structures to facilitate alignment and coupling
together. These components may include coupling structures
including integral alignment protrusions and orifices which may be
stamped or otherwise formed in the structural and other components
of the stove. The shapes, dimensions and arrangements simplify its
fabrication and assembly and reduce or eliminate the need for
conventional fasteners and tools for assembly processes such as
assembly of the stove top with the sides, the table with the front
finishing and the stove oven door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A more complete understanding of the present disclosure and
the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the
following description in consideration of the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features,
and wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1A illustratively presents an overview of the table
fitting (3) with the stove side (4), with a perspective view of the
pieces in position prior to the fitting. FIG. 1B illustratively
shows a detailed perspective view of the integral alignment
protrusion (1), located in the stove side (4), and of the
corresponding orifice (2), located in the stove table or stove top
(3).
[0009] FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate stages of assembly of the table
fitting (3) with the stove side (4). FIG. 2A illustratively shows a
side view of the table (3) and of the stove side (4) prior to the
fitting, while FIG. 2B illustratively shows a cut-way view of the
stove components taken along the line B-B of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C
illustratively shows a side view of the table (3) and the stove
side (4) in a fitted position, and is shown in more detail in
enlarged view FIG. 2E, illustrating the integral alignment
protrusion (1) at a coupled or engaged position. FIG. 2D shows a
cut-way view of the stove components in a fitted position of FIG.
2C and is a view taken along the same line B-B in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2F
is an illustrative enlarged view the stove components shown in FIG.
2D.
[0010] FIG. 3A provides an illustrative perspective view of an
alternative arrangement of the table fitting (3) with the stove
side (4) in a position prior to being fitted together or placed in
an engaged position. FIG. 3B illustrative shows a detailed
perspective view of the integral alignment protrusion (1), located
in the stove table (3), and of the corresponding orifice (2),
placed in the stove side (4).
[0011] FIGS. 4A-4F illustratively depicts the stages fitting the
table (3) with the stove side (4). FIG. 4A illustratively depicts a
side view of the table (3) and of the stove side (4) prior to the
fitting, while FIG. 4B shows an illustrative cut-way view of the
stove components taken along the line B-B of FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C
illustrative shows a side view of the table (3) fitted to the stove
side (4). FIG. 4E, provides a further enlarged detailed view
illustrating the integral alignment protrusion (1) at an engaged or
coupled position. FIG. 4D depicts an illustrative cut-way view
taken along the same line B-B in FIG. 4A of the stove components in
an engaged or coupled position pieces. FIG. 4F illustratively shows
an enlarged view of the stove components shown in FIG. 4D.
[0012] FIGS. 5A-5F illustratively depict the coupling system of the
table (3) with the frontal finishing (5). FIG. 5A illustratively
presents a front view of the finishing (5), while FIG. 5B shows an
upper view of the same finishing (5). FIG. 5C illustratively
provides a partial top view of the table (3), with a cut-way detail
illustratively showing the integral alignment protrusions (1). FIG.
5D & 5G illustratively depicts the fitting sequence of the
finishing (5) on the table (3), illustrating the integral alignment
protrusions (1) on the table (3) and the corresponding orifices (2)
in the finishing (5), as well as the fitting motions and the side
displacement for fastening. FIG. 5E illustratively shows a cut-away
view of transversal section of mounted parts and illustrates the
table fastening shape (3) with the finishing (5). FIG. 5F provides
an illustrative perspective view of the table (3) with a cut-away
region depicting coupling of the integral alignment protrusions
(1).
[0013] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustratively provide two perspective views
of the oven door, depicting the coupling or engagement process of
the two component pieces (6a and 6b). FIG. 6A illustratively shows
a perspective view of both pieces (6a and 6b) as they are about to
be placed in a coupled or engaged position. FIG. 6B shows a
vertical perspective of both pieces (6a and 6b) as they are about
to be placed in a coupled or engaged position. FIG. 6C illustrative
shows an enlarged perspective view of the coupling of the integral
alignment protrusion (7) detail and the corresponding orifice (8),
both integrally formed in the stove component structures (6a and
6b). FIG. 6C is an enlarged detailed view of the region identified
in FIG. 6B.
[0014] FIG. 7A illustratively shows a front view of a stove and the
current assembly technique, while FIG. 7B illustratively provides a
detailed enlarged front view detail of the fastening system in FIG.
7A, in which are presented the screws (9) that are conventionally
used to fasten stove parts, namely the table (3), side wall (4) and
the reinforcement (10).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In the following description of the various embodiments,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part
hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various
embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural
and functional modifications may be made without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
[0016] This disclosure illustratively describes various
arrangements of stove components, comprised by couplings, which
consist of associations of orifices (2) and integral alignment
protrusion type cuttings (1), integrally formed on the component
parts. Such devices are coupled together to assemble the table (3)
with the stove side (4), as shown in FIGS. 1A to 4F, of the table
(3) with the front finishing (5), in FIG. 5A-5F, and of both
component parts (6a and 6b) of the stove oven door, in FIGS. 6A-6C.
The term stove is well known to those skill in the art and may
include various cooking features ands structures and may also house
ovens, microwaves, burners and other structures well known in the
art. Additionally, that disclosed herein will be recognized by
those skilled in the art as generally applicable to appliances in
general.
[0017] In one illustrative aspect of this invention, the stove side
(4) is supplied with a integral alignment protrusion (1),
hook-shaped, as FIGS. 1A and 2E, formed on its upper border, having
the stove table (3) as a slit (2) on its side lower tab, coincident
with the hook (1) of the side (4), as illustrated in FIG. 1A. Thus,
the table (3), is overlapped on the sides (4) and recessed several
centimeters back, locks the pieces vertically, while limiting the
backward motion, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2C. After that, the
table (3) may be fastened at its rear part to the chamber through
use of only two screws.
[0018] In another illustrative arrangement, the coupling system
between the table (3) and the side (4) can be reversed, so the side
(4) could match the slit (2) and the table (3) has the integral
alignment protrusion (1) which is hook-shaped, as shown in FIG. 3A.
The operation mode and process to lock is substantially identical
to the previous arrangement, as it may be observed in FIGS. 4A and
4C.
[0019] In other aspect of the disclosure, the stove table (3) with
two or more integral alignment protrusions (1), hook-shaped, and
formed on its front lower border and turned inward, as shown in
FIG. 5C, while the finishing (5) has a channel with two slits (2)
on its upper tab, coincident with the table hooks (1), shown in
FIG. 5D. Thus, when the finishing (5) is coupled with the table (3)
tab and displaced a few millimeters sideward, the pieces are locked
horizontally, not allowing a gap between them, as observed in FIG.
5D. After that, the finishing (5) may be fastened, in its lower
part, to the chamber through two screws. This routine provides,
also, a front finishing free from barbs, contributing to the
equipment aesthetic and safety.
[0020] In another arrangement of the disclosure, the system may be
utilized in assembling of the stove heater door, providing the
external half (6a) of the oven door with two integral alignment
protrusions (7) formed on its upper border, as shown in FIG. 6C,
which, upon assembly, are coincident with two slits (8) existing on
the upper border of the inner half (6b) of the door, as illustrated
in FIG. 6C. Thus, the two pieces (6a and 6b) may be kept coupled
and united by the upper border of both pieces (6a and 6b), and
after, the external half (6a) is fastened to the inner half (6b) on
its lower part through three rivets. Then, the upper border of the
oven door may be kept free of rivets.
[0021] This invention is not limited to the representations
mentioned or illustrated herein, and it has to be comprehended in
its wide scope. Many changes and other representations of the
invention will come in mind of those skilled in the technique to
which this invention belongs, having the learning benefit presented
in previous descriptions and attached drawings. Further, it is to
be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed
specific shape and that changes and other shapes are understood as
enclosed within the scope of the attached claims. Although specific
terms are nominated herein, they are only used in a generic and
descriptive form and not for a limiting purpose.
[0022] While the invention has been described with respect to
specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying
out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
there are numerous variations and permutations of the above
described systems and techniques. Thus, the spirit and scope of the
invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended
claims.
* * * * *