Abstract: A latch assembly for manually releasably latching an appliance door in a closed position capable of being manually moved between an open position and a closed position features a frame structure constructed and arranged to be fixed with respect to an appliance structure to which the appliance door movably mounts at a position adjacent the appliance door. A handle structure is connected to the frame structure for pivotal movement about a first pivotal axis between door releasing and door latching positions. A latching structure is connected to the handle structure for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a spaced second pivotal axis between an inoperative position, which allows the appliance door to be manually moved between the open and closed positions thereof and an operative position, which latches the appliance door in the closed position thereof.

Abstract: A fully assembled hinge mechanism for a door of a major appliance which comprises an elongated guide member arranged to be attached to the appliance at spaced apart front edges thereof having a pivotal door hanger lever extending therefrom, and a hinge arm pivotally connected to the door hanger lever and movable on the guide member to permit opening of a door on the hanger lever where the hinge arm is spring biased into contact with the guide member and the spring counterbalances the weight of the door.

Abstract: An automatic safety latch assembly for use in combination with a striker on a door of a self-cleaning kitchen range has a bolt which is mounted for rotational movement and subsequent longitudinal movement to a latched position. An over-center biasing arrangement is provided to bias the latching mechanism into both the latched and unlatched positions of the latch bolt. A door sensing element is cooperatively engaged with the latch bolt to prevent accidental tripping of the latching mechanism until the oven door is properly positioned. The latching mechanism includes a thermally responsive blocking mechanism to lock the latch bolt in the latched position and prevent the opening of the oven door during the high temeprature self-cleaning cycle of the kitchen range.