Holding device for a tray in a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance and cooking appliance
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GORENJE GOSPODINJSKI APARATI DOO
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing holding devices for trays in cooking compartments often have a weak connection between the upper support bar and the front vertical bar, leading to a higher probability of the tray striking this connection area and making it difficult to introduce the tray into the holding structure.
The holding device features a design where the upper support bar has a front end region with a lowered thickness, which is welded to the front vertical bar. This design creates a stable welded connection laterally outside the tray-sliding region, reducing the likelihood of the tray striking the connection area and simplifying tray introduction.
The improved connection between the upper support bar and the front vertical bar enhances the stability of the tray placement, reduces the risk of tray strikes, and simplifies the tray introduction process, while maintaining a strong welded connection.
Smart Images
Figure EP2023069635_23012025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] HOLDING DEVICE FOR A TRAY IN A COOKING COMPARTMENT OF A COOKING APPLI¬
[0002] ANCE AND COOKING APPLIANCE
[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to holding device for a tray in a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance and to a cooking appliance.
[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] For placing a tray in the cooking compartment a holding structure is needed to hold and / or guide the tray in or to a predefined position in the cooking compartment of a cooking appliance. A predefined horizontal region / height for placing the tray can be provided or defined between a lower support bar and an upper support bar which are each placed at their particular horizontal planes. Both support bars are typically connected to vertical supports, wherein the latter are mounted to the walls of the compartment, for example screwed or plugged to the sidewalls. Further, guide elements for the tray can be arranged at the lower support bar. The end of the upper support bar is typically cross welded to the front vertical bar (and to the rear vertical bar). It is desired to improve the connection of the upper support bar to the front vertical bar in order to lower the probability of striking the tray to the connection region between the upper support bar and the front vertical bar and to simplify introducing the tray to the holding structure.
[0007] Document KR100765552 B1 describes an oven which includes a cavity, a door, a rack, and a shelf. The door is installed at the front of the oven to open and close the cavity. The rack is installed at a sidewall of the cavity. The shelf is inserted into the cavity and supported by the rack. The rack includes a plurality of support bars, and a connection bar. The plurality of support bars extend in a horizontal direction thereof. The connection bar extends in a vertical direction to maintain the shape of the support bars. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to improve the connection between the upper support bar and the front vertical bar and to simplify introducing the tray to the holding structure.
[0009] The object is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims.
[0010] The present invention pertains a holding device for a tray in a cooking compartment according to claim 1 and to a cooking appliance according to claim 10.
[0011] Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.
[0012] According to the invention the holding device for a tray in a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance comprises for each of two opposite lateral sidewalls of the cooking compartment a front vertical bar and a rear vertical bar which are arranged parallel to each other and wherein the rear vertical bar is spaced apart from the front vertical bar by a predefined horizontal distance; at least one upper support bar and at least one lower support bar which are both arranged at the front vertical bar and at the rear vertical bar, wherein the upper support bar extends inside an upper horizontal plane and the lower support bar extends inside a lower horizontal plane, wherein the lower horizontal plane extends parallel to the upper horizontal plane and below it and is spaced by a predefined height from the upper horizontal plane; wherein the upper support bar and the lower support bar form an insertion guide region next to the front vertical bar for receiving the tray in a front region of the upper support bar and of the lower support bar for sliding and / or resting the tray on the lower support bar and wherein the upper support bar has a front end region which is at least partly arranged beside the front vertical bar, wherein a thickness of the upper support bar is lowered in the front end region and wherein the front end region is welded to the front vertical bar.
[0013] The tray can be a food tray or any other type of trays for a cooking appliance. The vertical bars and support bars can have mainly a cylindrical shape with predefined radiuses. The vertical and horizontal direction can be defined according to the interior of the compartment of a cooking appliance when mounted or positioned for use.
[0014] According to a further embodiment of the holding device the front end region is arranged laterally at the front vertical bar when seen from a front view direction on the front vertical bar.
[0015] According to a further embodiment of the holding device the front end region has a vertical surface at which a welded contact with the front vertical bar is provided.
[0016] The welding surface (area) of the welded contact can be adjusted to the desired strength of the welded contact and it is an advantage of the increased welding area, when compared to already known solutions, that the strength of the welded contact can be highered.
[0017] According to a further embodiment of the holding device the front vertical bar and / or the upper support bar have at least partly a cylindrical symmetry and wherein the front end region deviates from the cylindrical symmetry and the front end region has an inclined or curved surface between the vertical surface and a front straight part of the upper support bar over which inclined or curved surface the thickness of the upper support bar is lowered.
[0018] According to a further embodiment of the holding device the lower support bar is crosswelded at its front region to the front vertical bar and has a first offset from a front view direction on the front vertical bar at the front region of the lower support bar and / or the upper support bar has a front straight part which extends from the front end region towards the rear vertical bar in the front view direction, wherein the front end region and the front straight part are in front view on the front vertical bar in the front view direction at least partly hidden behind the front vertical bar.
[0019] In particular, the inclined or curved surface can be partly or totally hidden behind the front vertical bar. By at least partly hiding parts of the front end region and the front straight part in front view on the front vertical bar in the front view direction behind the front vertical bar and by placing the welded contact laterally outside the tray-sliding region a probability of striking the tray to the connection region between the upper support bar and the front vertical bar can be lowered and introducing the tray to the holding device can be simplified. At the same time a stable welded connection can be provided at the lateral side of the front vertical bar but on the lateral outer side towards the next lateral sidewall of the cooking compartment, such that the welded contact is opposite the side of the front vertical bar of where the tray is received and therefore the probability of hitting the welded contact or front end region by the tray is significantly lowered.
[0020] The front straight part as well as the curved or inclined surface can be fully hidden behind the front vertical bar, in particular have smaller diameters than the front vertical bar.
[0021] According to a further embodiment of the holding device the upper support bar has a middle part which follows up the front straight part in direction towards the rear vertical bar and which has a second offset from the front view direction on the front vertical bar, wherein the upper support bar runs at least partly parallel to the lower support bar behind the second offset in the direction towards the rear vertical bar.
[0022] According to a further embodiment of the holding device the welded contact is spaced apart from the inclined or curved surface by a first distance.
[0023] In particular, none part of the welded contact and of the welding material reaches the inclined or curved surface between the straight part and the front vertical bar. Therefore, the curved or inclined surface of the upper support bar between the straight part and the front vertical bar and which is directed towards the front vertical bar does not provide a front surface for the welded contact to the front vertical bar. According to a further embodiment of the holding device the upper support bar has a crosscut surface at an end of the front end region extending laterally from the front vertical bar and staying behind a foremost point of the front vertical bar when seen from the front view direction on the front vertical bar.
[0024] The cross-cut surface therefore provides a frontal end surface of the upper support bar which is seen from the front view direction and beside the front vertical bar. The cross-cut surface extends beyond the welded contact and no welded material of the contact between the front vertical bar and the vertical surface of the front end region reaches the cross-cut surface such that the cross-cut surface does not have the role of a contact surface.
[0025] According to a further embodiment of the holding device the cross-cut surface is inclined in the front view direction.
[0026] The vertical surface can in particular be a pressed surface which can be provided such that the upper support bar can be pressed and pulled (in front direction) while producing it such that the inclined and / or curved surface is made and the "vertical" surface as kind of a flat pressed surface can be formed. By pulling the material also in the front direction the deviation in width can be mainly avoided and the resulting material from pressing can extend in the longitudinal direction and form the end region. Also a bar region can be provided on the vertical surface during this step. In other words, the inclined and curved surface as well as the pressed (vertical) surface can be achieved only by pressing and without cutting the material of the upper support bar. The rear end of the upper support bar can be made / provided similar to the front part and also contacted in a similar manner to the rear vertical bar.
[0027] According to the invention the cooking appliance comprises a cooking compartment and a holding device according to the invention, which is arranged at opposite lateral sidewalls of the cooking compartment and inside the cooking compartment, wherein the front end region is arranged between the front vertical bar and the nearest lateral sidewall of the cooking compartment. The holding device can have all its components twice, in particular one arrangement at one lateral sidewall of the compartment and another arrangement at the opposite lateral sidewall of the compartment, having the upper support bars respectively at same heights and the lower support bars respectively at same heights (vertical) for receiving the tray in a particular horizontal plane (between the upper and lower horizontal plane or at the lower horizontal plane). The vertical support bars (front and rear ones) are mounted to the lateral sidewalls inside the compartment.
[0028] According to a further embodiment of the cooking appliance the cooking appliance is a built-in oven or a standalone cooking appliance or a microwave.
[0029] It is also possible to place guiding / sliding elements for the tray on the upper support bar.
[0030] The upper support bar and the lower support bar can be separate parts which are welded to the vertical bars and a predefined vertical distance between both can be present.
[0031] The straight part of one upper support bar can be longer or shorter than another straight part of another upper support bar.
[0032] BRIEF DESORPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings as appended.
[0034] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate a comparative embodiment and embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.
[0035] Fig. 1 shows a cooking appliance with a holding device for a tray according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0036] Fig. 2a shows a view of a front end region of the upper support bar of the holding device according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0037] Fig. 2b shows the front vertical bar with the lower support bar and with the upper support bar in the holding device according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0038] Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show further details of the arrangement of Fig. 2b.
[0039] Fig. 4 shows a schematic view on the holding device for supporting a tray according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0040] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.
[0042] Fig. 1 shows a cooking appliance with a holding device for a tray according to an embodiment of the invention. The cooking appliance CA comprises a cooking compartment CD which is shown from a front side but the front door of the cooking appliance CA is not shown. A holding device 10 according to the invention is arranged at lateral sidewalls SW of the cooking compartment CD and inside the cooking compartment CD. The lateral sides of the cooking compartment CD regard the right and left sidewalls SW when seen from front view from the opening of the cooking compartment CD. An arrangement with vertical bars as well as with several upper support bars U and lower support bars L is arranged on each of the opposite lateral sidewalls SW of the cooking compartment CD, in particular the left and the right lateral sidewall SW-L and SW-R. The tray tr can then be placed on respective (left and right) lower support bars L such to extend in a horizontal plane and supported by a lower support bar L on the right lateral sidewall SW-L and by a lower support bar (not shown) on the left lateral sidewall SW-L. The arrangement of the vertical bars and upper and lower support bars II and L is equal at right and left lateral sidewall SW-R and SW-L. The cooking appliance CA can, for example, be a built-in oven or a standalone cooking appliance or a microwave.
[0043] Fig. 2a shows a view of a front end region of the upper support bar of the holding device according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0044] The upper support bar U has a front end region U-E which can deviate from a cylindrical symmetry of the rest of the upper support bar U and there the thickness of the upper support bar U is lowered in the front end region U-E.
[0045] The front end region U-E can have a vertical surface U-PR (vertical when mounted / welded to the front vertical bar, in the view of Fig. 2a the vertical surface U-PR is shown from above in an unmounted state) at which a welded contact (not shown) with the front vertical bar can be provided when mounted (not shown). The front end region U-E deviates from the cylindrical symmetry where the front end region U-E has an inclined or curved surface U-l between the vertical surface U-PR and a front straight part U-SP of the upper support bar U over which inclined and / or curved surface U-l the thickness of the upper support bar U is lowered. The vertical surface U-PR can have a bar region U-B which can represent a detail for improving the welding to the front vertical bar. The bar region U-B can be a rib extending along the vertical surface U-PR and reach the inclined or curved surface U-l with a predefined width and height. The bar region U-B can be made integral with the upper support bar (material).
[0046] Fig. 2b shows the front vertical bar with the lower support bar and with the upper support bar in the holding device according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0047] In Fig. 2b the arrangement of the bars of the holding device 10 for one of the two opposite lateral sidewalls (from Fig. 1) is shown.
[0048] The lower support bar L can be cross-welded at its front region FR-L to the front vertical bar V1 and has a first offset of-1 from a front view direction FVD on the front vertical bar V1 at the front region FR-L of the lower support bar L and the upper support bar II has a front straight part U-SP which extends from the front end region. The front straight part ll-SP and the front end region can form the front region FR-ll of the upper support bar U.
[0049] The lower support bar L can have a region at its front end which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the lower support bar L which also forms the first offset of-1 and which stays inside the lower horizontal plane and which is cross-welded to the front vertical bar.
[0050] The first offset of-1 can be located laterally at the front vertical bar V1 and opposite the lateral side of the upper support bar U.
[0051] The front end region and the front straight part U-SP are in front view on the front vertical bar V1 in the front view direction FVD at least partly hidden behind the front vertical bar V1.
[0052] The upper support bar U has a cross-cut surface U-CS at an end of the front end region extending laterally (outward) from the front vertical bar V1 and staying behind a foremost point of the front vertical bar V1 when seen from the front view direction FVD on the front vertical bar V1.
[0053] Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show further details of the arrangement of Fig. 2b. In Fig. 3a the upper support bar U is shown with the cross-cut surface U-CS at the front end of the vertical surface U-PR in a direction from vertical along the front vertical bar V1 and perpendicular to the front view direction FVD from right to left.
[0054] The welded contact W is provided at the vertical surface U-PR and is spaced apart from the inclined and / or curved surface U-l by a first distance w1. The inclined surface U-l can have an inclination relative to the plane of the vertical surface U-PR by, for example a = 30 to 60 ° or another value. The front straight part U-SP follows next to the inclined surface U-l. The thickness of the upper support bar U is lowered over the inclined and / or curved surface U-l.
[0055] The first distance w1 between a projection of the most inner (in front-rear view and along FVD) point of the front vertical bar V1 on the vertical surface U-PR and a foot point 0 of the curved and / or inclined surface U-l can be, for example greater than 1,5 mm.
[0056] After welding the upper support bar U to the front vertical bar V1 the end of the upper support bar U can be cut in an inclined manner, for example under 30°, such to extend in a tangential manner on the front surface of the front vertical bar V1 and inclined towards the rear direction (towards FVD) and forming the cross-cut surface U-CS.
[0057] Fig. 3b shows a view on the vertical surface U-PR from the front view direction FVD (in Fig. 3a) in the unmounted state where the bar region U-B is visible.
[0058] Fig. 4 shows a schematic view on the holding device for supporting a tray according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0059] The front vertical bar V1 and the rear vertical bar V2 can be arranged at the lateral sidewall of the cooking compartment in a plugged or screwed manner. The holding device 10 for a tray (as shown in Fig. 1) in a cooking compartment of a cooking appliance comprises for each of two opposite lateral sidewalls of the cooking compartment a front vertical bar V1 and a rear vertical bar V2 which are arranged parallel to each other and wherein the rear vertical bar V2 is spaced apart from the front vertical bar V1 by a predefined horizontal distance. Further, the holding device 10 comprises at each sidewall at least one upper support bar II and at least one lower support bar L which are both arranged at the front vertical bar V1 and at the rear vertical bar V2, wherein the upper support bar U extends inside an upper horizontal plane UH and the lower support bar L extends inside a lower horizontal plane LH, wherein the lower horizontal plane LH extends parallel to the upper horizontal plane UH and below it and is spaced by a predefined height hp from the upper horizontal plane UH. In Fig. 4 there are five such pairs of upper support bars U and lower support bars L. The predefined height hp can be equal or vary for the particular pairs of upper support bars U and lower support bars L when compared to each other. Further, the upper support bar U and the lower support bar L form an insertion guide region GR next (directly or with predefined distance) to the front vertical bar V1 for receiving the tray tr in a front region of the upper support bar U and of the lower support bar L for sliding and / or resting the tray tr on the lower support bar L from the front view direction FVD.
[0060] At the rear vertical bar V2 the upper support bars U and the lower support bars L can be cross-welded to the rear vertical bar V2 or welded to the latter as the upper support bar to the front vertical bar V1 (not shown).
[0061] The upper support bar U can have a middle part U-MP which follows up the front straight part U-SP in direction towards the rear vertical bar V2 and which has a second offset of-2 from the front view direction FVD on the front vertical bar V1, wherein the upper support bar U runs at least partly parallel to the lower support bar L behind the second offset of-2 in the direction towards the rear vertical bar V2. The region between the first offset (as shown in Fig. 2b) of the lower support bar L at the front vertical bar V1 and the second offset of-2 can form the insertion guide region GR.
[0062] In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more examples or examples with the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.
Claims
CLAIMS1. Holding device (10) for a tray (tr) in a cooking compartment (CD) of a cooking appliance (CA), comprising for each of two opposite lateral sidewalls (SW) of the cooking compartment (CD):- a front vertical bar (V1) and a rear vertical bar (V2) which are arranged parallel to each other and wherein the rear vertical bar (V2) is spaced apart from the front vertical bar (V1) by a predefined horizontal distance;- at least one upper support bar (U) and at least one lower support bar (L) which are both arranged at the front vertical bar (V1) and at the rear vertical bar (V2), wherein the upper support bar (U) extends inside an upper horizontal plane (UH) and the lower support bar (L) extends inside a lower horizontal plane (LH), wherein the lower horizontal plane (LH) extends parallel to the upper horizontal plane (UH) and below it and is spaced by a predefined height (hp) from the upper horizontal plane (UH); wherein the upper support bar (U) and the lower support bar (L) form an insertion guide region (GR) next to the front vertical bar (V1) for receiving the tray (tr) in a front region (FR-U, FR-L) of the upper support bar (U) and of the lower support bar (L) for sliding and / or resting the tray (tr) on the lower support bar (L) and wherein the upper support bar (U) has a front end region (U-E) which is at least partly arranged beside the front vertical bar (V1), wherein a thickness of the upper support bar (U) is lowered in the front end region (U-E) and wherein the front end region (U-E) is welded to the front vertical bar (V1).
2. Holding device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the front end region (U-E) is arranged laterally at the front vertical bar (V1) when seen from a front view direction (FVD) on the front vertical bar (V1).
3. Holding device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front end region (U-E) has a vertical surface (U-PR) at which a welded contact (W) with the front vertical bar (V1) is provided.
4. Holding device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the front vertical bar (V1) and / or the upper support bar (U) have at least partly a cylindrical symmetry and wherein the front end region (U-E) deviates from the cylindrical symmetry and the front end region (U-E) has an inclined or curved surface (U-l) between the vertical surface (U-PR) and a front straight part (U-SP) of the upper support bar (U) over which inclined and / or curved surface the thickness of the upper support bar (U) is lowered.
5. Holding device (10) according to any of claim 1 to 4, wherein the lower support bar (L) is cross-welded at its front region (FR-L) to the front vertical bar (V1) and has a first offset (of-1) from a front view direction (FVD) on the front vertical bar (V1) at the front region (FR-L) of the lower support bar (L) and / or the upper support bar (U) has a front straight part (U-SP) which extends from the front end region (U-E) towards the rear vertical bar (V2) in the front view direction (FVD), wherein the front end region (U-E) and the front straight part (U-SP) are in front view on the front vertical bar (V1) in the front view direction (FVD) at least partly hidden behind the front vertical bar (VI ).
6. Holding device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the upper support bar (U) has a middle part (U-MP) which follows up the front straight part (U-SP) in direction towards the rear vertical bar (V2) and which has a second offset (of-2) from the front view direction (FVD) on the front vertical bar (V1), wherein the upper support bar (U) runs at least partly parallel to the lower support bar (L) behind the second offset (of-2) in the direction towards the rear vertical bar (V2).
7. Holding device (10) according to any of claims 4 to 6, as far as referenced to claim 4, wherein the welded contact (W) is spaced apart from the inclined or curved surface (U-l) by a first distance (w1).
8. Holding device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper support bar (U) has a cross-cut surface (U-CS) at an end of the front end region (U-E) extending laterally from the front vertical bar (V1) and staying behind a foremost point of the front verticalbar (V1) when seen from the front view direction (FVD) on the front vertical bar (V1).
9. Holding device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the cross-cut surface (U-CS) is inclined in the front view direction (FVD).
10. Cooking appliance (CA) comprising:- a cooking compartment (CD);- a holding device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 9, which is arranged at opposite lateral sidewalls (SW) of the cooking compartment (CD) and inside the cooking compartment (CD), wherein the front end region (U-E) is arranged between the front vertical bar (V1) and the nearest lateral sidewall (SW) of the cooking compartment (CD).
11. Cooking appliance (CA) according to claim 10, wherein the cooking appliance (CA) is a built-in oven or a standalone cooking appliance or a microwave.