Apparatus with a closure member having a handle member

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1), preferably a household appliance (1), particularly preferably a kitchen appliance (1), and most preferably a cooking appliance (1), with an interior having an access opening and with a locking element (12) which is designed to be moved by a user by means of a handle element (13) in order to close and release the access opening of the interior, wherein the handle element (13) has at least one inner part (14) which is fixedly connected to the locking element (12) and at least one outer part (15) which is fixedly connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13).The device (1) is characterized in that the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) has at least one retaining element (15a) extending in a straight line along a joining direction and the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) has at least one corresponding interlocking receptacle (14a) which extends obliquely away from the outer part (15) along the joining direction, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is positively connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) by means of the interlocking of the interlocking receptacle (14a) of the inner part (14) of the handle element (13), or vice versa.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device with a closure element with a handle element.

[0002] In many technical fields, devices or appliances are known which have an interior space or the like, the opening of which can be opened and closed by a movable closure element. Such a closure element can be a door, a flap, or the like. The movement between the opened or open state and the closed state can be rotational by pivoting or folding the closure element around a rotational axis, for example, by means of hinges or the like, or translational by pulling or pushing along an axis. Combined movements are also possible using appropriate mechanisms.

[0003] In any case, it is known and common practice for this movement of the closure element to be carried out by a person as the user. For this purpose, a grip element is usually arranged on the front side of the closure element, which faces the user, and can be grasped by the user with the hand or at least with the fingers to move the closure element. Such grip elements can be designed as handles or handgrips, in particular to be grasped around or grasped behind by the user, which enables the user to securely grip and hold the handle element and can thereby enable or promote secure and defined guidance of the closure element during movement.

[0004] In addition to their technical function of being gripped and moved by the user, such handle elements should also be visually appealing and unobtrusive, as the handle elements, as a component or attachment of the closure element, face the user and are usually arranged in a visually prominent manner. The handle elements can therefore strongly influence the external appearance of the closure element. This applies in particular to kitchen appliances and in particular to built-in kitchen appliances, where the closure element usually forms or occupies essentially or even entirely the front. Built-in kitchen appliances can also be raised above the surface and thus arranged more at the user's eye level, which can further increase the user's attention to the appearance of the built-in kitchen appliance. The handle element of a closure element can therefore be of great visual and aesthetic importance.

[0005] A device with a closure element with a handle element is known, for example, from the document DE 10 2010 043 340 A1.

[0006] For example, in cooking appliances, it is known to construct the handle element of the closure element in multiple parts, so that an inner part can be designed to be technically functional as a holding part of the handle element and can be defined and fixedly mounted on the closure element in order to transmit the forces of the user's movement. The inner part of the closure element can then be enclosed and concealed, at least in sections, by an outer part as a decorative part of the handle element, so that only the outer part is essentially or completely visually perceived by the user and can be designed accordingly in an appealing, high-quality, and aesthetic manner. This allows both goals or functions of a handle element of the closure element to be combined.

[0007] Two-part handle elements are disclosed in the documents US 231 4 522 A and US 611 9 309 A.

[0008] The problem here, however, is that the connection between the inner and outer parts of the handle element of the closure element must also be fixed and, at the same time, visually appealing and unobtrusive in order to achieve both goals and ensure functionality. This creates a gap between the inner and outer parts of the handle element of the closure element at the contact points or contact surfaces, which should therefore also be visually appealing and unobtrusive.

[0009] In addition, visible screw connections between the inner and outer parts of the handle element of the locking element should be avoided, as these could be perceived as visually disturbing by the user.

[0010] A screw connection between the inner and outer parts of the handle element of the closure element by means of a grub screw, in particular along the vertical axis from below, could make the screw connection visually disappear, but would involve increased manufacturing and assembly effort, which would lead to increased production costs.

[0011] Accordingly, at least in cooking appliances, gluing and locking are known to fasten the outer part to the inner part of the handle element of the closure element.

[0012] A disadvantage of bonding the outer part to the inner part of the handle element of the closure element is that the gap between the outer and inner parts, which are components to be joined, can be subject to significant process fluctuations during bonding, which can result in an uneven gap. In this case, the gap or joint can also widen under the application of the subsequent live load if the adhesive cannot withstand the stresses, at least not in the long term. This could impair the visual impression for the user.

[0013] A disadvantage of locking or snap-locking the outer part with the inner part of the handle element of the closure element is that this cannot reliably prevent the joined components from shifting relative to each other. Furthermore, locked components tend to generate friction and clicking noises during subsequent handling due to play between the connected components, which can be perceived as annoying by the user and considered to be of inferior quality.

[0014] In any case, glued or locked components cannot be separated from each other without causing damage, which can make it difficult or even impossible to disassemble the outer part from the inner part of the handle element of the locking element, for example to remove the outer part for repair or replacement.

[0015] In any case, it is necessary that the outer part, as a decorative element, can be attached to the inner part of the handle element of the closure element over a longer surface or via an angular contour, and that both components can be precisely positioned relative to each other. Failure to achieve this can lead to visual defects in the handle element of the closure element, as previously mentioned.

[0016] The invention therefore addresses the problem of creating a device with a closure element and a handle element, the handle element of which can be mounted on the closure element more easily, quickly, cost-effectively, and / or in a more visually appealing manner than previously known. This should be possible, in particular, for mounting an outer part of the handle element to an inner part of the handle element of the closure element. At the very least, an alternative to the known possibilities should be created.

[0017] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a device, a closure element, and a handle element having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the following dependent claims.

[0018] Thus, the invention relates to an appliance, preferably a household appliance, particularly preferably a kitchen appliance, most preferably a cooking appliance, having an interior with an access opening and having a closure element which is designed to be moved by a user by means of a handle element in order to close and open the access opening of the interior, wherein the handle element has at least one inner part which is fixedly connected to the closure element and at least one outer part which is fixedly connected to the inner part of the handle element.

[0019] The outer part has an outer surface facing the user, particularly one that is visible to the user. When the closure element is closed, the outer surface is oriented essentially parallel to the access opening of the interior.

[0020] The device according to the invention is characterized in that the outer part of the handle element has at least one holding element running straight along a joining direction and the inner part of the handle element has at least one corresponding interlocked receptacle running obliquely away from the outer part along the joining direction, wherein the outer part of the handle element is non-positively connected to the inner part of the handle element by means of the interlocking of the interlocked receptacle of the inner part of the handle element, or vice versa.

[0021] An interlacing or interlaced receptacle of the inner part of the handle element is understood to mean an oblique or inclined course of the receptacle along its longitudinal extension direction or along the joining direction, which is inclined by a few degrees compared to a straight course along the longitudinal extension direction to the surface extension of the outer part. At the same time, the holding element runs exactly straight along its longitudinal extension direction or along the joining direction, so that the holding element of the outer part of the handle element and the interlaced receptacle of the inner part of the handle element are designed to correspond to one another and thus fit together precisely. However, due to the interlacing of the interlaced receptacle of the inner part of the handle element, the respective extension directions are not congruent but form an angle between them.

[0022] Thus, the outer part of the handle element can initially be held in a form-fitting manner in the corresponding receptacle of the inner part of the handle element by means of its holding element in order to essentially prevent relative movements perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of extension or in the joining direction. Due to the additional interlocking of the receptacle of the inner part of the handle element, a tensile force can be exerted from the inner part of the handle element to the outer part of the handle element during the connecting or joining process, whereby an additional frictional connection can be created between the inner part of the handle element and the outer part of the handle element. The degree of interlocking of the receptacle of the inner part of the handle element can be selected such that the desired frictional connection occurs or is achieved at the end of the connecting or joining process.

[0023] This creates a solid, stable, and durable, play-free connection between the inner and outer parts of the handle element, while simultaneously ensuring defined and highly precise positioning of the two connecting parts. In particular, the connection can be removed and re-established quickly and easily without damaging the inner and outer parts, for example, to replace the outer part.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the outer part of the handle element is non-positively connected to the inner part of the handle element by means of a plurality of holding elements extending rectilinearly along the joining direction, by means of the interlocking of a plurality of interlocked receptacles of the inner part of the handle element. This can increase or improve the stability of the connection as well as the accuracy of the positioning.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, the pairs of retaining elements of the outer part of the handle element and the interlocked receptacles of the inner part of the handle element are arranged at equal distances from one another. This can increase or improve the stability of the connection as well as the accuracy of the positioning.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention, the inner part of the handle element preferably has a narrowed opening which extends linearly along the joining direction and makes the preferably respective interlocked receptacle of the inner part of the handle element accessible to the outer part of the handle element. Preferably, a retaining element web of the outer part of the handle element, which connects the preferably respective retaining element to the outer part, extends within the narrowed opening of the inner part of the handle element. This can represent a concrete possibility for implementing the aforementioned positive connection between the inner and outer parts of the handle element.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, the retaining element, preferably the retaining elements, of the outer part of the handle element are T-shaped. This can represent one possible implementation. In particular, this can create two flanks or edges of the T-shaped retaining element, which can be bent or compressed by interlocking the receptacle of the inner part of the handle element, which can support or reinforce the frictional connection.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the invention, the retaining element, preferably the retaining elements, of the outer part of the handle element are C-shaped. This can represent an alternative possibility for achieving the properties and advantages described above and an increased force connection and / or an increased frictional connection due to the surface contact.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention, the interlocking receptacle of the inner part of the handle element is cylindrical. This can enable implementation by means of a bore that penetrates the material of the inner part of the handle element to the outside at the edge, thereby preferably creating the narrowed opening described above.

[0030] According to the invention, the joining direction runs at an angle to the vertical axis. This minimizes the length of the retaining element of the outer part of the handle element and the interlocked receptacle of the inner part of the handle element.

[0031] According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer part of the handle element projects beyond the inner part of the handle element at least along the transverse axis, preferably also along the longitudinal axis. As a result, the outer part of the handle element can close off the handle element to the outside and create a uniform and closed appearance, which may be more visually appealing to the user than seeing the inner part of the handle element. The above relative dimensions refer to the state of the device with the closure element closed.

[0032] According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer part of the handle element is an outwardly visible decorative element of the handle element. This can improve the visual impression and increase the visual design options.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer part of the handle element and the inner part of the handle element form a defined joint between them. This can improve the visual impression.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the invention, the grip element is curved so that the user can grip it with at least one finger, preferably with all fingers, at least partially, preferably completely and continuously. This can make it easier for the user to move the closure element by gripping and pulling or pushing the grip element.

[0035] According to a further aspect of the invention, the gripping element extends substantially horizontally. This can make gripping easier for the user. This can be particularly useful for closure elements in the form of flaps that are movably mounted on the lower edge.

[0036] The present invention also relates to a closure element with at least one handle element for use with a device as described above. This allows a closure element to be created for implementing a device as described above.

[0037] The present invention further relates to a handle element for use with a closure element as described above and / or with a device as described above. This allows a handle element to be created for implementing a device as described above.

[0038] Several embodiments of the invention are shown purely schematically in the drawings and are described in more detail below. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an appliance according to the invention in the form of a cooking appliance according to a first embodiment, viewed diagonally from the front; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a section of an inner part of a handle element of a closure element of the cooking appliance of the Figure 1 ; Figure 3 a perspective view of a section of an outer part of the handle element of the closure element of the cooking appliance of the Figure 1 ; Figure 4 a perspective view of the section of the handle element of the Figures 1 to 3 in the connected state; Figure 5 is a plan view of a section of the connected handle element of the Figure 4 ; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the outer part of the handle element of the closure element of the cooking appliance according to a second embodiment; and Figure 7 is a plan view of a portion of the connected handle element of the Figure 6 .

[0039] The above figures are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. There is a longitudinal axis X, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X. Perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X extends a transverse axis Y, which can also be referred to as width Y. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y extends a particularly vertically oriented vertical axis Z, which can also be referred to as height Z and corresponds to the direction of gravity. The longitudinal axis X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an appliance 1 according to the invention in the form of a cooking appliance 1 according to a first embodiment, viewed diagonally from the front above. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a section of an inner part 14 of a handle element 13 of a closure element 12 of the cooking appliance 1 of the Figure 1 . Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a section of an outer part 15 of the handle element 13 of the closure element 12 of the cooking appliance 1 of the Figure 1 . Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the section of the handle element 13 of the Figures 1 to 3 in the connected state. Figure 5 shows a plan view of a section of the connected handle element 13 of the Figure 4 .

[0041] A kitchen appliance 1 according to the invention as a household appliance 1 and in particular as a kitchen appliance 1 is considered using the example of a cooking appliance 1. The cooking appliance 1 has a housing 10 which essentially encloses the cooking appliance 1 on the outside. Within the housing 10, the cooking appliance 1 has an interior space (not shown) with an access opening (not shown) and a closure element 12 in the form of a flap 12, which forms the essential part of the front side 12a or the outer side 12a of the cooking appliance 1. The flap 12 is designed to be moved by a user by means of a handle element 13 in order to close and open the access opening of the interior space. Above the flap 12, the front side 12a of the cooking appliance 1 terminates with a panel 11. The flap 12 is attached to the housing 10 of the cooking appliance 1 at its lower edge in a foldable or pivotable manner.

[0042] The handle element 13 has an inner part 14, which is fixedly connected to the flap 12, and an outer part 15, which is fixedly connected to the inner part 14 of the handle element 13. The inner part 14 of the handle element 13 can also be referred to as the support part 14 of the handle element 13. The outer part 15 of the handle element 13 represents a decorative part 15 of the handle element 13.

[0043] For the fixed and precise arrangement of the outer part 15 of the handle element 13 on the inner part 14 of the handle element 13, the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 has a plurality of interlocked receptacles 14a such that in each case a bore penetrates the material of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 towards the outside at the edge in such a way that a narrowed opening 14b is created in each case. On the other hand, these bores each run as interlocked receptacles 14a of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 at an angle or inclination to the vertical axis Z such that the central axis of the interlocked receptacles 14a moves further and further away from the edge of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 or its narrowed opening 14b as it extends from top to bottom, cf. Figure 2 .

[0044] Correspondingly, the outer part 15 of the handle element 13 has a holding element 15a, which can also be referred to as a pin 15a. In the first embodiment of the Figures 1 to 5 The holding element 15a is T-shaped, so that each holding element web 15b, as a pin web 15b, points straight from the inner side (not designated) of the outer part 15 of the handle element 13 to the corresponding interlocked receptacle 14a of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 and passes through the respective narrowed opening 14b. There, the respective holding element web 15b merges into the respective holding element 15a, which extends at right angles on both sides and rests with its two outer edges (not designated) against the inner surface (not designated) of the respective interlocked receptacles 14a of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13.

[0045] If the outer part 15 of the handle element 13 is now mounted on the inner part 14 of the handle element 13, the holding elements 15a of the outer part 15 of the handle element 13 are placed along the vertical axis Z from above on the interlocked receptacles 14a of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 and guided downwards into the interlocked receptacles 14a of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13, thereby achieving a positive fit. The interlocking of the interlocked receptacles 14a of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 simultaneously creates a frictional connection, so that a secure but non-destructively removable hold with a defined joint 16 between the inner part 14 and outer part 15 on the top and bottom of the handle element 13 can be created.

[0046] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a section of the outer part 15 of the handle element 13 of the closure element 12 of the cooking appliance 1 according to a second embodiment. Figure 7 shows a plan view of a section of the connected handle element 13 of the Figure 6 In this case of the second embodiment of the Figures 6 to 7 the holding element 15a is C-shaped, so that the outer edges or flanks are curved and lie against the contour of the bore of the interlocked receptacle 14a of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13, cf. Figure 7 . List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0047] X Longitudinal axis; Depth; Length Y Transverse axis; Width Z Vertical axis; Height X, Y Horizontal; horizontal plane 1Appliance; household appliance; kitchen appliance; cooking appliance 10Housing 11Panel 12Closing element or flap 12aFront or outer side of the closing element 12 13Handle element 14Inner part or holding part of the handle element 13 14aInterlocked receptacles 14bNarrowed openings of the interlocked receptacles 14a 15Outer part or decorative part of the handle element 13 15aHolding elements; pins 15bHolding element webs; pin webs 16Joint between inner part 14 and outer part 15

Claims

1. An appliance (1), preferably a household appliance (1), particularly preferably a kitchen appliance (1), very particularly preferably a cooking appliance (1), having an interior with an access opening and having a closure element (12) which is designed to be moved by a user by means of a handle element (13) in order to close and open the access opening of the interior, wherein the handle element (13) has at least one inner part (14) which is fixedly connected to the closure element (12), and at least one outer part (15) which is fixedly connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13), wherein the outer part (15) has an outer surface whose surface extension is oriented substantially parallel to the access opening of the interior when the closure element (12) is in the closed state. characterized in thatthe outer part (15) of the handle element (13) has at least one holding element (15a) running rectilinearly along a joining direction and the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) has at least one corresponding interlocked receptacle (14a) running obliquely away from the outer part (15) along the joining direction, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is non-positively connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) by means of the interlocking of the interlocked receptacle (14a) of the inner part (14) of the handle element (13), or vice versa, wherein the joining direction is inclined with respect to the surface extension of the outer surface of the outer part (15).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is non-positively connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) by means of a plurality of holding elements (15a) extending rectilinearly along the joining direction by means of the interlacing of a plurality of interlaced receptacles (14a) of the inner part (14) of the handle element (13).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the pairs of holding elements (15a) of the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) and interlocked receptacles (14a) of the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) are arranged at equal distances from one another.

4. Device (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein at least one of the holding elements (15a) of the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is T-shaped and / or wherein at least one of the holding elements (15a) of the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is C-shaped.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner part (14) of the handle element (13), preferably in each case, has a narrowed opening (14b) which extends in a straight line along the joining direction and makes the, preferably respective, interlaced receptacle (14a) of the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) accessible to the outer part (15) of the handle element (13), wherein, preferably in each case, a holding element web (15b) of the outer part (15) of the handle element (13), which connects the, preferably respective, holding element (15a) to the outer part (15), runs within the narrowed opening (14b) of the inner part (14) of the handle element (13).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interlocked receptacle (14a) of the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) is cylindrical.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (12) is arranged and designed to be moved about an axis of rotation for closing and releasing the access opening of the interior space, wherein the axis of rotation is preferably oriented parallel to the, in particular horizontal, transverse axis (Y).

8. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the surface extension of the outer surface of the outer part (15) is oriented parallel to the axis of rotation.

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) projects beyond the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) at least along the transverse axis (Y), preferably further along the longitudinal axis (X).

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is an outwardly visible decorative element (15) of the handle element (13).

11. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) and the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) form a defined joint (16) between them.

12. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the grip element (13) is curved in shape in order to be gripped behind by the user with at least one finger, preferably with all fingers, at least in sections, preferably completely and continuously.

13. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle element (13), in particular in the closed state of the closure element (12), is oriented substantially parallel to the transverse axis (Y) and / or the longitudinal axis (x), preferably parallel to the horizontal (X, Y).

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