U.S. patent application number 12/910130 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for extension rack assembly for consumer appliance and consumer appliance incorporating same.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to Eric Scott Johnson, Brian M. Steurer.
Application Number | 20120097147 12/910130 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45971898 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120097147 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steurer; Brian M. ; et
al. |
April 26, 2012 |
EXTENSION RACK ASSEMBLY FOR CONSUMER APPLIANCE AND CONSUMER
APPLIANCE INCORPORATING SAME
Abstract
An extension rack assembly is mountable within and removable
from a consumer appliance side walls. The extension rack assembly
is movable between an overlapped position and an extended position.
A mechanism is provided for automatically securing the extension
rack assembly in the consumer appliance when the extension rack
assembly within the side walls is moved from the overlapped
position to the extended position and for allowing removal of the
extension rack assembly when the extension rack is maintained in
the overlapped position and slid from the side walls. The extension
rack assembly may also or alternatively be configured to receive a
rack in a first orientation having a first height within the
consumer appliance and in a second orientation having a second
height within the consumer appliance
Inventors: |
Steurer; Brian M.;
(Louisville, KY) ; Johnson; Eric Scott;
(Louisville, KY) |
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
45971898 |
Appl. No.: |
12/910130 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/339 ;
211/13.1; 312/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/339 ;
211/13.1; 312/333 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/16 20060101
F24C015/16; A47B 88/16 20060101 A47B088/16; A47B 96/00 20060101
A47B096/00 |
Claims
1. An extension rack assembly for a consumer appliance, the
extension rack assembly comprising: a rack sized for placement
within the consumer appliance; two rack slides, each rack slide
including a first rack slide member attachable to a side edge of
the rack and a second rack slide member attachable to a side wall
of the consumer appliance, the first rack slide members being
slidable relative to the respective second rack slide members
between an overlapped position and an extended position; and a
latching mechanism attached to at least one of the second rack
slide members, each latching mechanism including a lock bar having
a locking protrusion movable between a locking position and a
sliding position, each latching mechanism including a spring member
urging the locking protrusion toward the locking position, the
first rack slide members locating the locking protrusion in the
sliding position when the rack slide members are in the overlapped
position, the spring member locating the locking protrusion in the
locking position only when the rack slide members are in the
extended position.
2. The extension rack assembly of claim 1, wherein each first rack
slide member includes a camming surface and each lock bar includes
a cam follower, the locking protrusion position controlled at least
in part by the interaction of the camming surface and the cam
follower.
3. The extension rack assembly of claim 2, each camming surface
being configured so that movement of the rack slide members from
the extended position to the overlapped position automatically
moves the locking bar to the sliding position by overcoming the
spring member.
4. The extension rack assembly of claim 2, each camming surface
being configured so that movement of the rack slide members from
the overlapped position to the extended position automatically
moves the locking bar to the locking position via the spring
member.
5. The extension rack assembly of claim 1, the rack slides being
configured to be freely slid from the consumer appliance while in
the overlapped position with the locking bar spaced from the oven
side walls.
6. The extension rack assembly of claim 5, wherein the rack slides
may be freely slid from the consumer appliance while in the
overlapped position without releasing an engagement between the
locking bar and side walls.
7. The extension rack assembly of claim 1, the rack slides being
configured to be fixed within the consumer appliance while in the
extended position due to contact between the locking bar and the
side walls.
8. The extension rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the first rack
slide members are configured to receive the rack in a first
orientation having a first height within the consumer appliance and
in a second orientation having a second height within the consumer
appliance.
9. A consumer appliance comprising: a cabinet having side walls; a
rack sized for placement within the cabinet; two rack slides, each
rack slide including a first rack slide member attachable to a side
edge of the rack and a second rack slide member attachable to a
respective side wall, the first rack slide members being slidable
relative to the respective second rack slide members between an
overlapped position and an extended position; and a latching
mechanism attached to at least one of the second rack slide
members, each latching mechanism including a lock bar having a
locking protrusion movable between a locking position and a sliding
position, each latching mechanism including a spring member urging
the locking protrusion toward the locking position, the first rack
slide members locating the locking protrusion in the sliding
position when the rack slide members are in the overlapped
position, the spring member locating the locking protrusion in the
locking position only when the rack slide members are in the
extended position.
10. The consumer appliance of claim 9, wherein each first rack
slide member includes a camming surface and each lock bar includes
a cam follower, the locking protrusion position controlled at least
in part by the interaction of the camming surface and the cam
follower.
11. The consumer appliance of claim 10, each camming surface being
configured so that movement of the rack slide members from the
extended position to the overlapped position automatically moves
the locking bar to the sliding position by overcoming the spring
member.
12. The consumer appliance of claim 11, each camming surface being
configured so that movement of the rack slide members from the
overlapped position to the extended position automatically moves
the locking bar to the locking position via the spring member.
13. The consumer appliance of claim 9, the rack slides being
configured to be freely slid from the cabinet while in the
overlapped position with the locking bar spaced from the side
walls.
14. The consumer appliance of claim 9, the rack slides being
configured to be fixed within the cabinet while in the extended
position due to contact between the locking bar and the side
walls.
15. An oven comprising: a cabinet having side walls; an extension
rack assembly mountable within and removable from the oven side
walls, the extension rack assembly movable between an overlapped
position and an extended position; and means for automatically
securing the extension rack assembly in the oven cabinet when the
extension rack assembly within the oven side walls is moved from
the overlapped position to the extended position and for allowing
removal of the extension rack assembly from the oven cabinet when
the extension rack is maintained in the overlapped position and
slid from the oven side walls.
16. The oven of claim 15, wherein the means for automatically
securing and allowing removal includes at least one latching
mechanism attached to the extension rack assembly for selectively
engaging the side walls.
17. The oven of claim 16, wherein the latching mechanism includes a
locking bar and a spring member, the spring member urging the
locking bar toward a locking position.
18. The oven of claim 17, wherein the extension rack assembly is
configured to automatically move the locking bar away from the
locking position when the extension rack assembly is in the
overlapped position.
19. An extension rack assembly for a consumer appliance, the
extension rack assembly comprising: a rack sized for placement
within the consumer appliance; two rack slides, each rack slide
including a first rack slide member attachable to a side edge of
the rack and a second rack slide member attachable to a side wall
of the consumer appliance, the first rack slide members being
slidable relative to the respective second rack slide members
between an overlapped position and an extended position, the first
rack slide members being configured to receive the rack in a first
orientation having a first height within the consumer appliance and
in a second orientation having a second height within the consumer
appliance.
20. The extension rack assembly of claim 19, wherein each first
rack slide member includes a receiver for receiving the rack in
either one of two possible orientations.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to
extension rack assemblies for consumer appliances and relates more
particularly to extension rack assemblies with automatic locking
mechanisms for consumer appliances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of types of sliding racks have been proposed
for consumer appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers and
ovens. The most basic racks are constructed of metal rods (or wire)
formed into a rack shape. The racks are slidable into an opening
along elements either formed into or attached to the interior walls
of the consumer appliance. These racks are of solid, one-piece
construction and have no moving parts. Racks are typically slidably
removable from an appliance cabinet for cleaning and/or for
placement at one of multiple locations within the cabinet.
Refrigerator or freezer racks and shelves may thus be attachable at
multiple locations depending on consumer preference. Racks within
ovens are typically insertable at different heights within the oven
to allow for different cooking parameters.
[0003] Complimentary shapes such as stops, edges, lips, etc., may
be provided on the racks and within the appliance cabinet as safety
features to prevent the racks from inadvertently sliding completely
out of the cabinet when not desired. This can be especially
important for an oven, for example when an oven is heated and heavy
items are located on the racks and then slid outward for
inspection, manipulation or removal.
[0004] Some racks known as extension racks include multiple movable
parts. One part of an extension rack is the main rack surface on
which an item is placed by a consumer, for example for cooking or
storage. At the sides of the extension rack are slides, one part
being attachable to the main rack surface and the other part being
attachable to the appliance cabinet interior. The slide parts are
movable relative to each other, often using ball bearings, to
extend the main rack surface out of the cabinet. As above, at times
it is desired to slide the main rack surface out partially, and at
times it is desired to remove the entire rack from the cabinet, for
example for cleaning or repositioning. Therefore, some sort of
mechanism is typically included to hold part of the rack slide in
the cabinet when desired.
[0005] In conventional rack slide assemblies, that mechanism must
typically be released by the user, for example by moving a lever or
the like on the rack slide assembly, to free the device from the
appliance cabinet. This can be a complicated procedure and it may
be difficult for a user to find or operate such a mechanism. If the
consumer appliance is an oven which is hot, the user must be
careful in effecting the release as the rack assembly portions will
also be hot. Accordingly, a rack slide assembly providing a secure
attachment and ready removal from a consumer appliance would be
appreciated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the following description, or may be obvious from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0007] According to certain aspects of the disclosure, an extension
rack assembly is provided for a consumer appliance, the extension
rack assembly including a rack sized for placement within the
consumer appliance and two rack slides. Each rack slide includes a
first rack slide member attachable to a side edge of the rack and a
second rack slide member attachable to a side wall of the consumer
appliance. The first rack slide members are slidable relative to
the respective second rack slide members between an overlapped
position and an extended position. A latching mechanism is attached
to at least one of the second rack slide members, each latching
mechanism including a lock bar having a locking protrusion movable
between a locking position and a sliding position. Each latching
mechanism includes a spring member urging the locking protrusion
toward the locking position. The first rack slide members locate
the locking protrusion in the sliding position when the rack slide
members are in the overlapped position. The spring member locates
the locking protrusion in the locking position only when the rack
slide members are in the extended position. Various options and
modifications are possible.
[0008] According to other aspects of the disclosure, a consumer
appliance includes a cabinet having side walls, a rack sized for
placement within the cabinet, and two rack slides. Each rack slide
includes a first rack slide member attachable to a side edge of the
rack and a second rack slide member attachable to a respective side
wall. The first rack slide members are slidable relative to the
respective second rack slide members between an overlapped position
and an extended position. A latching mechanism is attached to at
least one of the second rack slide members, each latching mechanism
including a lock bar having a locking protrusion movable between a
locking position and a sliding position. Each latching mechanism
includes a spring member urging the locking protrusion toward the
locking position. The first rack slide members locate the locking
protrusion in the sliding position when the rack slide members are
in the overlapped position. The spring member locates the locking
protrusions in the locking position only when the rack slide
members are in the extended position. Again, various options and
modifications are possible.
[0009] According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, an
oven includes an oven cabinet having side walls and an extension
rack assembly mountable within and removable from the oven side
walls. The extension rack assembly is movable between an overlapped
position and an extended position. A mechanism is provided for
automatically securing the extension rack assembly in the oven
cabinet when the extension rack assembly within the oven side walls
is moved from the overlapped position to the extended position and
for allowing removal of the extension rack assembly from the oven
cabinet when the extension rack is maintained in the overlapped
position and slid from the oven side walls. As above, various
options and modifications are possible.
[0010] According to still other aspects of the disclosure, an
extension rack assembly for a consumer appliance includes a rack
sized for placement within the consumer appliance and two rack
slides. Each rack slide includes a first rack slide member
attachable to a side edge of the rack and a second rack slide
member attachable to a side wall of the consumer appliance. The
first rack slide members are slidable relative to the respective
second rack slide members between an overlapped position and an
extended position. The first rack slide members are configured to
receive the rack in a first orientation having a first height
within the consumer appliance and in a second orientation having a
second height within the consumer appliance. Again, various options
and modifications are possible.
[0011] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 provides a front view of a cooking appliance with its
door closed;
[0014] FIG. 2 provides a front view of a portion of the cooking
appliance of FIG. 1 with its door opened;
[0015] FIG. 3 provides a perspective front, close-up view of a
portion of an interior of the cooking appliance as in FIG. 2 with
the extension rack assembly in an overlapped position and a locking
protrusion in a sliding position;
[0016] FIG. 4 provides a perspective front, close-up view of a
portion of an interior the cooking appliance as in FIG. 3 with the
extension rack assembly moved to an extended position and the
locking protrusion in a locking position;
[0017] FIG. 5 provides a top view of the extension rack assembly in
the overlapped position;
[0018] FIG. 6 provides a top view of the extension rack assembly in
the extended position;
[0019] FIG. 7 provides a close up perspective view of a locking tab
mechanism of an extension rack assembly;
[0020] FIG. 8 provides a diagrammatical view of the interaction of
the locking bar, camming surface and side wall during movement of
the extension rack assembly between an extended position and an
overlapped position;
[0021] FIG. 9 provides a diagrammatical top view of the extension
rack assembly showing an optional reversible rack
configuration;
[0022] FIG. 10 provides an end view as in FIG. 9 with the extension
rack assembly in a low position; and
[0023] FIG. 11 provides an end view as in FIG. 9 with the extension
rack assembly in a high position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a consumer appliance in the form of a
cooking appliance, in particular a free standing range 10 including
a cabinet 12 that incorporates a generally rectangular cooktop 14.
An oven 16 is positioned below cooktop 14 and has a front-opening
access door 18. A range backsplash 22 extends upward of a rear edge
24 of cooktop 14 and contains various controls, indicators, etc. 26
for selecting operative features of heating elements for cooktop 14
and oven 16. If desired, the various controls can be integrated
into a front or side portion of cooktop 14. A drawer 28 may be
provided to for storage or as part of a broiler. The construction
and operation of the range, including the controls, oven and
cooktop are believed to be within the purview of those in the art
without further discussion.
[0026] It is contemplated that the present disclosure is applicable
to any type of cooking appliance, oven, stove or range, whether
free standing, built in, countertop or undercabinet, whether gas,
electric, combinations, etc. Also, the present disclosure is
applicable to other consumer appliances. Therefore, the rack
assemblies disclosed herein could be employed in refrigerated
appliances such as refrigerators or freezers, or in dishwashers or
other consumer appliances. No limitation on the use of the rack
assemblies disclosed herein should be construed by virtue of the
examples shown in the Figures using an oven within a range to
illustrate aspects of the rack assemblies.
[0027] An extension rack assembly 30 includes a rack 32 sized for
placement within interior side walls 20 of oven 16. Extension rack
assembly 30 includes two rack slides 34. Each rack slide 34
includes a first rack slide member 36 attachable to a side edge 38
of rack 32 and a second rack slide member 40 attachable to one of
the side walls 20 (See FIG. 7). Side edge portions 38 may be
detachable or permanently attached to first rack slide members 36.
As shown in FIGS. 2-8, rack 32 includes a plurality of rods 42
extending between the rack assemblies 30 and welded to the
respective first rack slide members 36. However, it should be
understood that rack 32 may be removable if desired.
[0028] Second rack slide members 40 are connectable in some way,
either directly or indirectly, to side walls 20. Thus, as shown,
side walls 20 may include a number of channels 44 at different
heights for receiving a sub-rack 46 attached to second rack slide
members 40. Channels 44 are defined between adjacent ridges 45. Sub
rack 46 includes cross portions 48 connecting the two second rack
slide members 40 for movement together just as rods 42 of rack 32
connect the two first rack slide members 36 for movement together.
Sub-rack 46 also includes mounting portions 50 along both sides of
the rack assembly 30 for engaging channels 44 of side walls 20.
Mounting portions 50 may include an upturned rear stop 52 and an
upturned front stop 54 for interacting with corresponding portions
of side walls 20. Rear stop 52 is present as a vertical stop that
engages the underside of formed channels 45 when rack 32 is
extended and prevents the sub-rack 46 from moving vertically in the
rear. Front stop 54 interacts with a bumper 56 disposed in ridge 45
along channel 44 to indicate to a user that rack assembly 30 is
fully inserted into the channels on side walls 20.
[0029] It should be understood that channels 44, stops 52 and 54,
bumpers 56, etc., are not required. Therefore, rack slides 34 could
be mounted in other ways, for example on rods extending from side
walls instead of within channels 44 formed by ridges 45, with or
without stops and bumpers. Also, rack slides 34 could be attached
directly to side walls 20. Accordingly, various mounting methods
are possible within the scope of the invention, and describing the
rack slide members as being attachable to the side walls would
incorporate any and all such methods.
[0030] The first rack slide members 36 are slidable relative to
their respective second rack slide members 40 by virtue of a ball
bearing assembly 58 attached between the rack slide members. The
first and second rack slide members 36 are 40 are movable between
an overlapped position (See FIGS. 3 and 5) and an extended position
(See FIGS. 4 and 6) via relative sliding permitted by bearing
assembly 58. When rack slide members 36 and 40 slide relative to
each other, rack 32 and sub-rack 46 also move relative to each
other accordingly. It should be understood that more sliding is
permitted than shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, and that rack 2 can
therefore move many more inches forward out of oven 16. The
orientations in FIGS. 4 and 6 are intended to show the point at
which extension rack assembly 30 would become secured to the oven
16, as described below.
[0031] It is also possible to use more than two rack slide members
(for example three or more). In such case the first rack slide
member would be attachable to the rack, the second rack slide
member would be attachable to the side walls, and a third rack
slide member would be between the first and second rack slide
members. In such case two bearing assemblies would be required
(between the first and third rack slide members, and between the
third and second rack slide members). Similarly, a fourth rack
slide member could also be added. In any event, describing the
assembly as having first and second rack slide members does not
limit the assembly to two such members, and only refers to the
members that are positioned as described.
[0032] A latching mechanism 60 is attached to each of the second
rack slide members 40. Each latching mechanism 60 includes a lock
bar 62 pivotally mounted to second rack slide member 40, for
example via a plate 64 having extending arms 66, 68 and an axle 70
therethrough. Arms 72 and 74 of lock bar 62 are also connected to
axle 70. Lock bar 62 has a locking protrusion 76 movable between a
locking position (FIGS. 4 and 6) and a sliding position (FIGS. 3
and 5). Each latching mechanism 60 also includes a spring member 78
urging locking protrusion 76 toward the locking position. The first
rack slide members 36 locate the locking protrusions 76 in the
sliding position when the rack slide members 36 and 40 are in the
overlapped position (FIGS. 3 and 5). Spring members 78 locate
locking protrusions 76 in the locking position only when the rack
slide members 36 and 40 are in the extended position (FIGS. 4 and
6). Locking protrusions 76 contact stops 80 along side walls 20
when rack assembly 30 is located fully within side walls 20 and the
rack slide members 36 and 40 are slid apart. FIGS. 5 and 6
schematically show the positions of stops 56 and 80 that are on the
ridge 45 below side rods 50 (as opposed to those that would be on
the ridge above and would be contacted by the depicted stop 54 and
locking protrusion 76) for clarity of illustration. Camming
surfaces 82 on first rack slide members 36 contact a cam follower
84 on lock bar 62 to define the pivot motion that spring member 78
dictates as the lock bar moves to the sliding position. The camming
surface 82 causes locking protrusion 76 to not contact stop 80 when
the rack slide members 36 and 40 are in the overlapped position and
allows the locking protrusion 76.to contact the stop when the rack
slide members are moved to the extended position.
[0033] In other words, when rack slide members 36 and 40 are first
slid together into the side walls 20 (in or eventually into) the
overlapped position as in FIG. 5, locking protrusions 76 are in an
unlocked position. Accordingly, by sliding rack assembly 30 out of
side walls 20 without relative movement between rack slide members
36 and 40, rack assembly 30 can be slid freely from walls 20. This
would typically be done by grasping rack assembly 30 by the front
so that rack 32 and sub-rack 46 move together as a unit. Thus, rack
assembly 30 will slide freely though channels 44 and out of side
walls 20.
[0034] However, when rack slide members 36 and 40 are located fully
within channels 44 and side walls 20, and the rack slide members
are slid apart to the extended position as in FIG. 6, camming
surface 82 will slide forward and cam follower 84 will pivot under
influence of spring member 78, causing locking protrusion 76 to be
immediately pivoted outward to the locked position. Locking
protrusion 76 thus will be extended so that any pulling transmitted
to second rack slide member 40 will be halted by stop 80 contacting
locking protrusion 76. Stop 80 should thus be located along channel
44 at a location corresponding to a desired stopping of second rack
slide members 40. Typically, that desired location would be just
forward of locking protrusion 76 when rack assemblies 30 are
properly and fully inserted into channels 44.
[0035] It should be understood that only one latching mechanism 60
could be employed on only one side, if desired. Also, it should
also be understood that latching mechanism 60 can be attached to
second rack slide member(s) 40 directly or indirectly. Therefore,
latching mechanism 60 being "attached to" second rack slide member
40 would also include the latching mechanism being attached to
something attached to and/or moving along with the second rack
slide member, such as sub-rack 46 or any other structure.
[0036] Oven side walls 20 are typically constructed of metal with a
porcelain-enamel type coating. Accordingly, the contact between
sub-rack 46 and channel 44/ridges 45 will create higher frictional
forces than are provided by smooth rolling ball bearing assemblies
58. Therefore, when a user pulls on rack 32 with rack assembly 30
fully inserted into channels 44, first rack slide members 36 will
move relative to second rack slide members 40 as bearing assemblies
58 provide low friction and sub-racks 46 will stay substantially
motionless within channels 44/ridges 45. Camming surfaces 82, which
before movement had pushed cam follower surface 84 outward so as to
pivot locking protrusions 76 away from side walls 20 by overcoming
spring members 78, will slide away from the cam followers allowing
the spring members to pivot the lock bars 62. Locking protrusions
76 will then pivot outward to a position where, if second rack
slide members 40 were slid along channels 44, stops 80 will contact
the locking protrusions, thereby holding the second rack slide
member in place.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows, from left to right, the pivoting inward of
locking protrusion 76 when the rack slide members 36 and 40 are
moved from the extended to the overlapped position (for example by
pushing in rack 32). From right to left, FIG. 8 shows the pivoting
of lock protrusion 76 outward to a locking position that occurs
when rack slide assemblies 36 and 40 are slid apart (for example by
pulling out rack 32).
[0038] Such contact therefore prevents the entire rack assembly 30
from being inadvertently slid out of side walls 20. The extension
of lock protrusion 76 happens somewhat automatically as rack 32 is
grasped and slid outward, due to differences in frictional
characteristics between parts. No lever, button or other release is
required to slide rack 32 outward, as with previous designs.
Therefore, inadvertent accidents or burns due to complicated
removal or sliding procedures are unlikely. By grasping both rack
32 and sub-rack 46, rack assembly comes right out. By grasping only
rack 32, lock protrusions 76 spring outward after only slight
motion, allowing rack 32 to move forward to the limits of the
bearing assemblies 58.
[0039] Therefore, the above locking bar 62, spring 78 and camming
structure 82, 84 provides a mechanism for automatically securing
extension rack assembly 30 within side walls 20 when the extension
rack assembly is moved from the overlapped position to the extended
position, and for allowing removal of the extension rack assembly
from the side walls when the extension rack is maintained in the
overlapped position and slid from the side walls.
[0040] FIGS. 9-11 show a variation in which rack assembly 130
includes a removable rack 132. Rack 132 is mountable between rack
slides 134 as above, with a sub-rack 146, bearing assemblies 158,
locking bar 162, camming surface 182, etc. Therefore, the operation
of rack assembly with reference to mounting within side walls is
the same as above.
[0041] However, rack assembly 130 includes receivers 133 (such as
u-channels as shown) on first rack slides 136 for receiving rack
132 in two orientations. Rack 132 also includes two side extensions
135 at its edges perpendicular to main rack surface 137. Rack 132
can therefore be mounted at either of two heights relative to rack
slides 134. For an oven, that can allow for different baking
configurations by changing only the position of rack 132, not the
whole rack assembly. Therefore, added adaptability and
functionality are provided by such structure.
[0042] It should be kept in mind that the above rack assemblies and
their various components are not limited to a particular type of
oven, or to an oven for that matter. Such assemblies could be used
with any type of consumer appliance.
[0043] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *