A handle for an oven

Abstract

The invention relates to a door handle for an oven, which comprises an elongated handle body (10) extending from a first end portion (12) to an opposing second end portion (14) with an intermediate section (15); first and second support sections (16, 18) formed by bending from the first and second end portions; and a decorative panel (20) that spans the handle body (10) from an exterior side (11), including an inner section (22) formed by mutually bending a first and second bending section (24, 26).

Description

[0001] A HANDLE FOR AN OVEN

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention pertains to home appliances, particularly to a handle designed for an oven door.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] A door for a home appliance such as an oven, microwave oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher handle allows access to the interior of the device. For the user to be able to open the door and access the interior cavity, a handle must be provided on the door. Particularly, the variety of device door handles on the market commonly stems from the aesthetic requirements of the component. However, often these requirements are not merely aesthetic but are designed considering thermal or mechanical endurance details as well. Mechanical requirements on electric device door handles must also comply with existing regulations, thus necessitating that the components undergo testing, which consequently increases costs. The majority of handles found in home appliances possess metal parts that withstand aesthetic and mechanical requirements very well; however, the drawback is that they are substantially more expensive than handles made entirely of plastic. Additionally, a wide variety of door handles made entirely of plastic are available on the market.

[0006] DE102011076697A1 is related to a decorative strip structure positioned on a handle. The handle has a rod-like handle section with two opposing ends. The cover plates are provided at both ends of the rod-like handle section. The cover plates are connected with the outer sides of the end of the rod-like handle section. A decorative strip is formed at the front side of the rod-like handle section. The decorative strip is made of an aluminum extruding component.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The objective of the invention is to obtain a compact handle for an oven, wherein a decorative panel is securely adapted.In order to achieve the aforementioned objective, the invention concerns a door handle for an oven, comprising an elongated handle body; a middle section extending from a first end portion to a second end portion that is opposite and distanced from the first end; a first support portion obtained by bending from the first end portion, and a second support portion obtained by bending from the second end portion; a decorative panel extending to the first and second support portions and enveloping the handle body from the exterior longitudinally. The door handle includes an inner portion obtained by mutual bending from a first bent section extending opposite the first and second support portions and a second bent section covering the first and second support portions. Thus, when the handle body is to be fastened onto any surface, for example, an oven front panel, it can be placed easily without using any additional parts with the engaged decorative panel.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle body includes a connection socket provided in the first and second support portions and enabled by a screw. This enables the handle body to be fastened onto any surface, for example, an oven door, with the aid of a single screw.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decorative panel includes a connection hole corresponding to the connection socket and enabled by a screw. Hence, the engagement of the connection socket and connection hole is facilitated by a single screw.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection socket located on the support portions and the connection socket provided in the inner portion of the decorative panel are concentric. Thus, after engagement, the movement of the decorative panel is restricted to prevent problems that may arise from the movement of the decorative panel.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second bent portions form a U-like shape.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second bent section sits such that it provides a pre-tension towards the support portion. This results in a compact structure and ensures a durable structure of the handle body and the decorative panel after assembly.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle body includes at least one fixing hole enabled by a connecting element in the middle section. This provides the necessary fixing hole for the engagement of the decorative panel and the handle body.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decorative panel includes at least one clip engaged with the fixing hole provided between the first and second bent portions in a middle section. This results in a resilient and highly durable structure.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decorative panel includes at least one pair of clips leaning towards an upper edge and a lower edge of the fixing holes, corresponding to them. The pair of clips ensure equal stresses on the decorative panel and result in a high-strength structure.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decorative panel includes a second pair of clips engaged in mirror symmetry to the pair of clips. This results in a highly durable handle body and decorative panel structure upon assembly.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decorative panel directly extends over the handle body. This results in a compact structure.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decorative panel is made from a metallic material. This ensures a long product lifespan.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decorative panel is in the form of a metal sheet. This shortens the production time of the decorative panel.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle body is made from a plastic material.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] Figure 1 shows the pre-assembly position of the handle and the decorative panel from a rear perspective.

[0023] Figure 2 shows the pre-assembly position of the handle and the decorative panel from a front perspective.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In this detailed exposition, the subject matter of the invention is elucidated without any constraints and is supported by examples merely for enhanced comprehension.In Figure 1, the pre-assembly position of the handle and the decorative panel is shown from a rear perspective. The handle designed for an oven comprises an elongated handle body (10) made of plastic in the preferred embodiment. The handle body (10) includes a middle section (15) that extends from a first end section (12) to a second end section (14) and is strip-shaped. A first support section (16) is obtained by inwardly bending the handle body from the first end section (12). Between the obtained first support section (16) and the middle section (15), there exists a curvature resembling a quarter-circle. Mirroring the middle section's (15) center point, a second support section (18) is achieved by bending from the second end section (14). There exists a curvature resembling a quarter-circle between the second support section (18) and the middle section (15). On the front surface of both first and second support sections (16, 18), a threaded connection socket (19) is provided at a distance from their central axes. Two additional connection sockets (13) are symmetrically and equidistantly placed in relation to the connection socket (19). The connection socket (19) allows for the engagement of the handle body (10) to, for example, an oven door (not shown), facilitated by a single screw. The additional connection sockets (13) allow for engagement to a glass surface of an oven door. In the middle section (15) of the handle body (10), at least one fixing hole (17) is provided, and in the preferred embodiment, four fixing holes (17) are present. These apertures (17) open towards the center of the middle section (15) from both an upper edge (172) and a lower edge (174). They are designed such that two apertures (17) near the first support section (16) and two near the second support section (18) are symmetrical around the central axis. These apertures are rectangular in shape.

[0026] The door handle includes an elongated decorative panel (20) that covers the entire length of the handle body (10). In the preferred embodiment, the decorative panel (20) is fabricated from a metal material. The decorative panel (20) includes a first bending section (24) extending to the first and second support sections (16, 18). It also encompasses a second bending section (26) that completely covers the first and second support sections (16, 18) by bending from the first and second end sections (12, 14). The first and second bending sections (24, 26) form a U-like shape. An inner section (22) is achieved opposite to the second bending section (26), which covers the front surface of both first and second support sections (16, 18). This inner section (22) contains a connection hole (29) that is threadedly and concentrically aligned with the connection socket (19). Four securing elements (23) are provided, two distanced from the first support section (16) and two from the second support section (18). These securing elements (23) reinforce the attachment of the decorative panel (20) to the handle body (10). In the middle section (25) of the decorative panel (20), there exist pairs of prongs (21, 27) which correspond to the fixing holes (17) on the handle body (10). These pairs of prongs engage with the fixing holes (17). By securing from both theupper edge (172) and lower edge (174) of the fixing holes (17), the assembly of the decorative panel (20) on the handle body (10) is strengthened and expedited.

[0027] In Figure 2, the pre-assembly position of the handle and the decorative panel is shown from a front perspective. The decorative panel (20) is directly engaged with an outer surface (11) of the handle body (10). For enhanced structural integrity, the outer surface (11) of the handle body (10) has spaced-apart structures in a "+" and "X" shape. The bends made from both the first and second end sections (12, 14) result in corner points that form a quartercircle-like shape, which is entirely covered by the quarter-circle-like shapes formed by the first bending section (24) of the decorative panel (20). The pairs of prongs (21, 27) on the decorative panel (20) engage with the fixing holes (17) on the outer surface (11) of the handle body (10), thereby strengthening the assembly process.

[0028] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0029] 10 Handle Body 20 Decorative Panel

[0030] 11 Outer Surface 21 Pair tabs

[0031] 12 First End 22 Inner Section

[0032] 13 Additional Connection Socket 23 Securing Elements

[0033] 14 Second End 24 First Bending Section

[0034] 15 Middle Section 25 Middle Section of the Decorative Panel

[0035] 16 First Support Section

[0036] 17 Fixing hole 26 Second Bending Section

[0037] 27 Second Pair of tabs

[0038] 172 Upper Edge 29 Connection Hole

[0039] 174 Lower Edge

[0040] 18 Second Support Section

[0041] 19 Connection Socket

Claims

CLAIMS1. A door handle for an oven, comprising: an elongated handle body (10) with a first end portion (12) and an opposing second end portion (14), and an intermediate section (15) extending between the first and second end portions; a first support section (16) formed by bending from the first end portion (12), and a second support section (18) formed by bending from the second end portion (14); characterized by a decorative panel (20) which spans the length of the handle body (10) from an exterior side (11) and includes an inner section (22) formed by mutually bending a first bending section (24) extending toward the first and second support sections (16, 18) and a second bending section (26) that covers the first and second support sections.

2. A door handle according to claim 1, wherein a connection socket (19) provided in a threaded manner in the first and second support sections (16, 18).

3. A door handle according to claim 2, wherein a connection hole (29) provided in a threaded manner in the inner section (22) of the decorative panel (20), corresponding to the connection socket (19).

4. A door handle according to claims 2-3, wherein the connection socket (19) located on the support sections (16, 18) and the connection hole (29) provided in the inner section (22) of the decorative panel (20) aligned in a concentric manner.

5. A door handle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first bending section (12) and second bending section (14) form a U-like shape.

6. A door handle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second bending section (14) is arranged such that it provides a pre-tension toward the second support section (18).

7. A door handle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one fixing hole (17) is provided in a manner to pass a connecting element through the intermediate section (15) of the handle body (10).

8. A door handle according to claim 7, wherein at least one tab (21) provided on an intermediate section (25) between the first and second bending sections (24, 26) on the decorative panel (20), is engaging with the fixing hole (17).

9. A door handle according to claims 7-8, wherein at least one pair of tabs (21 ) provided on the intermediate section (25) of the decorative panel (20) corresponding to the fixing holes (17) and leaning toward an upper edge (172) and a lower edge (174) thereof.

10. A door handle according to claim 9, wherein a second pair of tabs (27) provided in mirror symmetry to the pair of tabs (21) on the intermediate section (25) of the decorative panel (20).

11. A door handle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative panel (20) directly extending onto the handle body (10).

12. A door handle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative panel (20) being made of a metal material.

13. A door handle according to claim 11, wherein the decorative panel (20) being in the form of a metal sheet.

14. A door handle according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the handle body (10) being made of a plastic material.

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