Assembly for locking an oven door

Abstract

An assembly for locking an oven door mounted on a body of a range and movable between open and closed positions, is provided that comprises a mount bracket adapted to be secured to the range body, with the mount bracket having a base and a cradle protruding below the base and disposed above an oven top wall. A latch member is coupled to the mount bracket for movement relative to the bracket. A locking device is disposed at least partially within the cradle and includes a thermally responsive element and a locking member coupled to the thermally responsive element. A heat transfer member has a first end adapted to be secured to the oven top wall and a second end secured to the cradle, wherein the locking member prevents the latch member from moving from a position where the door is latched and forced against the range body by the latch member toward a position wherein the door can be opened, when the thermally responsive member is actuated.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to oven locks, and more particularly, to manually operated, non-automatic oven locks for use with self-cleaning ovens.

BACKGROUND

Self-cleaning ovens which are incorporated into self-standing ranges are well known. Such ovens conventionally have an oven door which is hingedly secured to a range body. The oven door can be opened to gain access to an oven cavity, with one or more heating elements disposed within the oven cavity. The oven door may also be closed, to close the oven cavity during cooking or self-cleaning cycles.

Self-cleaning ovens can include a locking mechanism to ensure that the oven door is not opened during self-cleaning cycles. Some mechanisms include a bi-metallic actuator, of various configurations, that is mounted on a top wall of the oven cavity. Accordingly, during self-cleaning cycles, the bi-metallic actuator can be heated to very high temperatures, in excess of 500° C. (932° F.), for longer periods of time than that recommended by the manufacturers of bi-metallic actuators. As a result, degradation of the bi-metallic actuators can occur. More particularly, the molecular bond securing the two metals together can degrade or delaminate.

Conventional oven door locking mechanisms also include those having multiple links to latch and seal the oven door in a closed position. Systems of this type tend to be relatively complex and relatively large.

Conventional ovens can include one or more electrical switches, for instance to provide an indication that the oven door is closed, with each switch mounted directly on a mount bracket which in turn is mounted on a top wall of the oven cavity. Accordingly, insulating material such as Nomex® or fiberglass sheets or the equivalent is typically placed between the switches and the mount bracket to act as a heat shield to prevent exceeding the operating temperature of the switches. The insulating material adds cost to the assembly.

SUMMARY

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, an assembly is provided for locking an oven door of a range in a closed position that closes an oven cavity defined in part by an oven top wall, with the oven door being movably mounted on a body of the range. The assembly comprises a mount bracket adapted to be secured to the range body, with the mount bracket having a base and a cradle protruding below the base and disposed above the oven top wall. A latch member is coupled to the mount bracket for movement relative thereto. A locking device is disposed at least partially within the cradle, with the locking device including a thermally responsive element and a locking member coupled to the thermally responsive element. The assembly further includes a heat transfer member having a first end adapted to be secured to the oven top wall and a second end secured to the cradle, wherein the locking member is operably effective for preventing the latch member from moving from a position wherein the oven door is latched and forced against the body of the range by the latch member toward a position wherein the door can be opened, when the thermally responsive member is actuated.

The cradle can be dome-shaped and can include a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots formed therein. The thermally responsive member can be a bi-metallic disk and it can be disposed within and supported by the cradle. The locking member can be a pin and can include tabs that engage the thermally responsive member and can move upward and protrude above the base when the thermally responsive member is actuated, wherein the latch member is prevented from moving from the position wherein the oven door is latched and forced against the body of the range toward a position wherein the door can be opened.

The assembly can further include a handle lever pivotally coupled to the base for rotation relative to the base, with the handle lever being coupled to the latch member and operably effective for moving the latch member when the handle lever is rotated manually. The assembly can further include a handle that snaps onto the handle lever.

An electrical switch can be mounted on the mount bracket at a position above the base and the electrical switch can include an actuation member movable between an open position when the door is open and a closed position when the door is closed, wherein the switch is actuated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an assembly is provided for locking an oven door of a range in a closed position that closes an oven cavity defined in part by an oven top wall, with the oven door being movably mounted on a body of the range. The assembly comprises a mount bracket adapted to be secured to the range body and the mount bracket comprises a base and first, second and third apertures formed therein. The assembly further includes a handle lever, having first and second apertures formed therein, and a latch member disposed intermediate the mount bracket and the handle lever. The latch member includes an aperture formed therein, a first surface facing the mount bracket and a protruding member extending away from the first surface toward the mount bracket and into the first aperture in the mount bracket. The protruding member is movable within the first aperture in the mount bracket.

The assembly further comprises a first connecting member that extends through the first aperture in the handle, the aperture in the latch member and the second aperture in the mount bracket. The first connecting member pivotally couples the handle lever and the latch member to the mount bracket. A second connecting member extends through the second aperture in the handle lever, through the aperture in the latch member and into the third aperture in the mount bracket. The second connecting member is movable within the aperture and the latch member and the third aperture in the mount bracket.

The pivotal coupling of the handle lever and the latch member to the mount bracket with the first connecting member in combination with the movement of the protruding member within the first aperture in the mount bracket, the movement of the second connecting member within the second and third apertures in the mount bracket, and the positioning of the second connecting member within the second aperture in the handle lever, permit the handle lever and the latch member to rotate together from a first position wherein the oven door can be opened to a second position wherein the latch member contacts the oven door and the oven door is latched and cannot be opened, and to permit the latch member to translate relative to the handle lever and the mount bracket from the second position to a third position, as the handle lever rotates beyond the second position, wherein the oven door is latched and forced against the body of the range.

According to other embodiments, the assembly can include one or more of the following features. The first aperture in the mount bracket can have a first arcuate portion and a second portion communicating with the arcuate portion and extending rearwardly away from the second portion. The protruding member moves within the arcuate portion of the first aperture in the mount bracket as the handle lever and the latch member rotate from the first to the second position and the protruding portion moves rearwardly within the second portion of the first aperture in the mount bracket as the latch member translates from the second position to the third position.

The first aperture in the mount bracket can be generally T-shaped. In this embodiment, the arcuate portion of the first aperture in the mount bracket has first and second ends and the second portion of the first aperture intersects the arcuate portion intermediate the first and second ends. Alternatively, the first aperture in the mount bracket can be generally L-shaped. The aperture in the latch member can be generally V-shaped and the third aperture in the mount bracket can be generally crescent-shaped.

The aperture in the latch member can include a first leg and a second leg communicating with the first leg, with the first and second legs forming an angle therebetween. The first connecting member is disposed within the first leg and the second connecting member is movable within the second leg as the latch member moves between the first, second and third positions.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a range is provided that comprises a body including an oven top wall, an oven cavity disposed within the body, an oven door movably mounted on the body wherein the oven door can be moved between an open position and a closed position wherein the oven cavity is closed. The range further includes a mount bracket secured to the range body. The mount bracket has a base and a cradle protruding below the base and disposed above the open top wall. The range also includes a latch member coupled to the mount bracket for movement relative thereto and a locking device disposed at least partially within the cradle. The locking device includes a thermally responsive element and a locking member coupled to the thermally responsive element. A heat transfer member has a first end secured to the oven top wall and a second end secured to the cradle, and wherein the locking member is operably effective for preventing said latch member from moving from a position wherein the oven door is latched and forced against the body of the range by the latch member toward a position wherein the door can be opened, when the thermally responsive member is actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating a range that can incorporate an assembly for locking an oven door of the range in a closed position, according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view of the assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 6C;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the latch member shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6A is a plan view of the assembly shown in FIGS. 1-5, with the latch member of the assembly in a first position that allows the oven door of the range to be opened and closed;

FIG. 6B is a plan view similar to FIG. 6A but with the latch member of the included assembly in a second position, wherein the oven door of the range is latched and cannot be opened;

FIG. 6C is a plan view similar to FIG. 6A but with the latch member of the included assembly in a third position wherein the oven door is latched and forced against the body of the range;

FIG. 6D is a plan view similar to FIG. 6A but with the latch member of the included assembly in a fourth position wherein the door is open and not shown in FIG. 6D and the position of the latch member and handle is such that the oven self-cleaning cycle cannot be initiated;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged fragmentary view of the assembly, with the latch member in the position shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7B is an enlarged fragmentary view of the assembly, with the latch member in the position shown in FIG. 6B;

FIG. 7C is an enlarged fragmentary view of the assembly, with the latch member in the position shown in FIG. 6C;

FIG. 7D is an enlarged fragmentary view of the assembly, with the latch member in the position shown in FIG. 6D;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a mount bracket included in the assembly, according to an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the locking device of the assembly shown in FIGS. 1-7D, with the included thermally responsive member and the locking member in a non-actuated position; and

FIG. 9B is a view similar to FIG. 9A, but with the thermally responsive member and the locking member shown in an actuated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a self-standing range 10 (partially shown) incorporating an assembly 12 for locking an oven door according to the principles of the present invention. Range 10 includes a self-cleaning oven 14 and a plurality of burners 16 (one shown) disposed above the oven 14. Range 10 includes a range body 18 having a pair of side walls (not shown), a back wall (not shown), a front wall 20 and a top 22. Range 10 further includes an oven top wall 24 which is spaced a fixed distance below the top 22 of the range body 18. An oven cavity 26 is defined by the oven top wall 24, the side walls (not shown) of the range body 18, a cavity back wall (not shown) and a bottom (not shown). One or more heating elements (not shown) are disposed therein for purposes of heating the oven cavity 26. An oven door 28, having a handle 30 and an optional window 32, is hingedly mounted to the body 18 of the range 10 so that a user holding handle 30 can move the door 28 between open and closed positions. When the door 28 is closed, the oven cavity 26 is closed.

With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the particular features of the assembly 12 for locking the oven door 28 are discussed in greater detail. Assembly 12 includes a mount bracket 34, that can be made of metal, secured to the range body 18. Mount bracket 34 includes a base 36, a pair of side flanges 38 extending upwardly from the base 36 and a front flange 40 extending upwardly from the base 36. Front flange 40 can include a plurality of apertures 42 and can be attached to the front wall 20 of range body 18 by a plurality of fasteners (not shown).

The mount bracket 34 further includes a cradle 44 that extends below the base 36 as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Cradle 44 can include a first plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 46 and a second plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 48. As best seen in FIG. 3, the slots 46 can be disposed in a circular pattern having a relatively smaller diameter and the slots 48 can be disposed in a circular pattern having a relatively larger diameter. Also, the slots 46 can be offset circumferentially relative to slots 48. The function of slots 46 and 48 is discussed subsequently. A locking device 50 is disposed at least partially within cradle 44. The locking device 50 includes a thermally responsive element 52 that can be a bimetallic, snap-action disk as shown in the illustrated embodiment. The thermally responsive element 52 is shown in the actuated position in FIG. 4. The non-actuated and actuated positions of element 52 are discussed subsequently with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B.

The locking device 50 further includes a locking member 54 which can comprise a pin, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. Locking member 54 can include a cylindrical body portion 56 and at least one tab 58 extending outwardly from the body 56. The locking device 50 can also include a resilient member 60 which can be a coil spring as shown in the illustrated embodiment. The thermally responsive element 52 can include an aperture 62 formed therein which is effective for receiving the locking member 54. As best shown in FIG. 4, tabs 58 of the locking member 54 are disposed above the thermally responsive element 52 and are sized such that they extend radially beyond the resilient member 60, so that the locking member 54 and resilient member 60 can exert forces on one another as subsequently discussed. Tabs 58 also permit the thermally responsive element 52 to push locking member 54 upward when the thermally responsive element 52 is actuated. Resilient member 60 is disposed between the tabs 58 of locking member 54 and the base 36 of mount bracket 34.

The base 36 can include mount structures 64 and 66, each extending upwardly from the base 36. Mount structures 64 and 66 can be used to mount a switch 68 on mount bracket 34 at a position above the base 36. The mount structure 64 can include a tab 70 having an aperture 72 formed therein, which can be a round hole. The structure 66 can include an upwardly extending bayonet portion 74. Switch 68 can include a plurality of apertures 76 formed therein and can be mounted to the mount bracket 36 as follows. Switch 68 can be attached to the mount structure 64 with a conventional fastener, such as rivet 78, which extends through one of the apertures 76 formed in switch 68 and the aperture 72 formed in the tab 70 of mount structure 64. The bayonet portion 74 of the mount structure 66 can protrude through the other aperture 76 formed in switch 68. Switch 68 can further include an actuation member 80, movable between an open position when the oven door 28 of range 10 is closed and a closed position when the oven door 28 is open, wherein the switch 68 is actuated and can turn on an oven light.

Mount structure 64 can include a notch 82 formed therein which is effective for receiving a door sensor 84, which can comprise a stepped rod as shown in the illustrated embodiment. A forward portion 86 of the rod can extend through an aperture 88 formed in the front flange 40 of base 36 of mount bracket 34. The forward portion 86 of door sensor 84 can receive a resilient member 90 which is disposed in contacting engagement with the oven door 28 when it is closed. An upper portion 92 of the door sensor 84 can be received within the notch 82 formed in the mount structure 64. A rear portion 94 of sensor 84 can extend through an aperture 96 formed in a tab 98 extending upwardly from the base 36 of mount bracket 34. The rear portion 94 of door sensor 84 can receive a resilient member 100, which can comprise a coil spring as shown in the illustrated embodiment, with the member 100 extending between tab 98 and a first sloping portion 102 of the door sensor 84. The length of resilient member 100 is sized such that, when the oven door 28 is closed, member 100 is compressed. When the door 28 is open, member 100 exerts a force on the sloping portion 102 of door sensor 84, moving the sensor 84 forward such that a second sloping portion 104 of sensor 84 contacts the actuating member 80 of switch 68, closing switch 68, and turning on an oven light (not shown). Door sensor 84 and the associated switch 68, rivet 78 and resilient members 90 and 100 are optional.

Assembly 12 can further include a second mount switch 68 having a plurality of apertures 76 formed therein and an actuating member 80 which is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the switch 68 is actuated. The second switch 68 is mounted to mount bracket 34 in a manner similar to that discussed previously with respect to the first switch 68. Mount bracket 34 can include a mount structure 106 extending upwardly from the base 36 of mount bracket 34 which can include a tab 108 and a hole 110 formed in tab 108. Mount bracket 34 also includes a mount structure 112 having an upwardly extending bayonet portion 114. Switch 68 can be attached to mount structure 106 by a conventional fastener, such as rivet 78, which passes through one of the apertures 76 formed in switch 68 and through the aperture 110 formed in tab 108. The bayonet portion 114 of the mount structure 112 passes through the other aperture 76 of switch 68. Both switches 68 are disposed above the base 36 of mount bracket 34 so that the temperature of switches 68 is lower, during cooking and self-cleaning cycles, then would otherwise be the case if switches 68 were mounted directly to the base 36. Accordingly, it is not necessary to position an insulating material between switches 68 and mount bracket 34. The distance that switches 68 are disposed above base 36 can vary with application. In one embodiment, this distance is about 0.375 inch. When the actuating member 80 of the second switch 68 is closed, as subsequently discussed, the switch 68 is actuated indicating that the oven door 28 is latched and forced to a closed position against the front wall 20 of the range body 18. When this switch 68 is actuated, the oven self-cleaning cycle can be initiated.

Assembly 12 can further include a bridge member 116 that spans across an open top of the cradle 44 and can be secured to the base 36 of mount bracket 34 by a plurality of extruded holes 118 formed in the bridge member 116 and corresponding ones of a plurality of apertures 120 formed in the base 36 of mount bracket 34. The extruded holes 118 can be flared below the base 36 of mount bracket 34. Alternately, conventional bolts and nuts can be used to secure bridge member 116 to base 36. Bridge member 116 includes a guide hole 122 formed therein which receives the locking member 54.

Assembly 12 can further include a latch member 124 having an aperture 126 formed therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture 126 is generally V-shaped, with the aperture having first 128 and second 130 legs which communicate with one another. Aperture 126 further includes an arcuate transition portion 132 at the intersection of legs 128 and 130. Latch member 124 can further include an extruded hole 134 formed therein, such that a protruding member 136, which can be cylindrical as shown in the illustrated embodiment, extends away from a bottom surface 138 of the latch member 124 toward the base 36 of mount bracket 34 as shown in FIG. 5.

Latch member 124 can include a hook 140, which is substantially L-shaped in the illustrated embodiment. The hook 140 includes a first portion 142, which contacts the oven door 28 when the latch member 124 and the door 28 are in the positions shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. Hook 140 further includes a second portion 144, extending away from portion 142 that is effective for pulling the oven door 28 from the position shown in FIG. 6B to the position shown in FIG. 6C as subsequently discussed.

Assembly 12 can further include a handle lever 146 and a handle 148 that can be removably secured to handle lever 146. For example, the handle 148 can snap onto handle lever 146. The fact that handle 148 is removably secured to handle lever 146, provides an advantage relative to handles and handle levers that are integral with one another, since the manufacturers of different models of oven ranges can use handles having a configuration and color that are compatible with their oven range. Handle lever 146 can have a stepped configuration, as shown in the illustrative embodiment, with lever 146 including an upper portion 150, a lower portion 152 and a transition portion 154 interconnecting the upper portion 150 and the lower portion 152. Lever 146 can further include a tab 156 having an aperture formed therein and tab 156 can be integral with the transition portion 154 of lever 146. Tab 156 is effective for receiving one end of a resilient member 158, which can comprise a coil spring as shown in the illustrated embodiment. The opposite end of the member 158 can be received by a tab 160 (best seen in FIG. 2), having a notch formed therein, which extends upwardly from the base 36 of the mount bracket 34. Resilient member 158 is effective for retaining the handle lever 146 in its various steady state positions, without a user exerting a force on handle 148, and also provides the customary “feel” to a user when moving the door 28 between the open and closed positions. The lower portion 152 of handle lever 146 includes apertures 162 and 164 formed therein.

The handle lever 146 and latch member 124 are pivotally coupled to the mount bracket 34 by a connecting member 166, which can comprise a rivet as shown in the illustrative embodiment. Connecting member 166 can include a relatively larger diameter head 168 that is sized so that it cannot pass through aperture 162 formed in handle lever 146. Connecting member 166 can also include a relatively smaller diameter portion 170 that passes through aperture 162 in handle lever 146, through aperture 126 formed in latch member 124 and through an aperture 172 formed in the base 36 of mount bracket 34. The lower portion 170 of connecting member 166 can be enlarged somewhat (not shown), in a manner known in the art, so that it is larger than aperture 172, thereby preventing the connecting member 166 from being pulled upward through aperture 172. Connecting member 166 can further include a shoulder 174 disposed intermediate head 168 and lower portion 170 and having a relatively larger diameter than the lower portion 170. As a result, the shoulder 174 passes through aperture 162 formed in the handle lever 146 and aperture 126 formed in latch member 124, but does not pass through the aperture 172 formed in base 36 of mount bracket 34. The shoulder 174 has a thickness that is slightly greater than the thickness of the latch member 124, thereby permitting latch member 124 to be disposed intermediate base 36 of mount bracket 34 and the lower portion 152 of handle lever 146, and to provide clearance for latch member 124 to move relative to handle lever 146 as subsequently discussed in greater detail.

Assembly 12 further includes a connecting member 176 that can comprise a pin having a relatively smaller diameter upper portion 178 that extends through the aperture 164 in handle lever 146 and a relatively larger diameter lower portion 180 that has a diameter larger than that of aperture 164 and extends through the aperture 126 formed in latch member 124 and into an aperture 182 formed in the base 36 of mount bracket 34. The upper portion 178 of connecting member 176 can be enlarged somewhat (not shown), in a manner known in the art, with the combination of the enlarged upper portion 178 and the lower portion 180 preventing member 176 from disengaging from handle lever 146. In the illustrated embodiment, aperture 182 has an arcuate shape and can be generally crescent-shaped as shown in FIG. 3.

The protruding member 136 of latch member 124 extends into, and can extend through, an aperture 184 formed in the base 36 of mount bracket 34. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7D, 9A and 9B, aperture 184 is generally T-shaped and includes a first, arcuate portion 186 and a second portion 188 communicating with and extending away from the arcuate portion 186. The arcuate portion 186 of aperture 184 includes first 190 and second 192 ends. In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the assembly 12 can include a mount bracket 34ahaving a generally L-shaped aperture 184aformed in the base 36aof mount bracket 34ain lieu of the generally T-shaped aperture 184 formed in the base 36 of mount bracket 34. In this embodiment, the latch member 124 cannot rotate to the position shown in FIG. 6D as subsequently discussed. Aperture 184aincludes a first, arcuate portion 186aand a second portion 188acommunicating with portion 186aand extending away one end of portion 186a.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, assembly 12 includes a heat transfer member 200 that can be made of metal. Heat transfer member 200 includes a first, lower end 202 secured to the oven top wall 24 by a conventional fastener, such as bolt 204. Heat transfer member 200 further includes an upper portion 206 that can be secured to the cradle 44 of mount bracket 34 by a grommet 208. The locking member 54 can slide within grommet 208. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper portion 206 of heat transfer member 200 and the cradle 44 of mount bracket 34 are disposed above the oven top wall 24. During oven cooking and self-cleaning cycles, heat is transferred from the oven wall 24 to the heat transfer member 200 and then to cradle 44. The slots 46 and 48 formed in cradle 44 inhibit conduction heat transfer to the base 36 of mount bracket 34 and other portions of assembly 12 including switches 68, which helps to maintain the operating temperature of switches 68 within an acceptable range. The circumferential offset of slots 46 relative to slots 48 helps inhibit conduction heat transfer to the base 36 of mount bracket 34 because this configuration causes heat to be conducted along a longer, staggered path from the bottom of cradle 44 to base 36 than would exist if slots 46 and 48 would be aligned with one another. This also enhances the heat transfer from cradle 44 to the thermally responsive element 52. Cradle 44 can be made of metal and can be integral with the base 36 of mount bracket 34 as shown in the illustrated embodiment. Alternately, cradle 44 can be made separately from base 36. In this instance, base 36 can include an aperture that receives cradle 44, with cradle 44 being secured to base 36. Also, the slots 46 and 48, which act as a “heat brake” by inhibiting conduction heat transfer, can be omitted. Instead, cradle 44 can be made, at least substantially, of a material having a relatively low thermal conductivity to inhibit conduction heat transfer to base 36 in lieu of slots 46 and 48. One type of suitable material having relatively low thermal conductivity is phenolic materials. In this embodiment, it is necessary to provide other means (not shown) of conducting heat from heat transfer member 200 to the thermally responsive element 52. These means can include a metallic insert (not shown) in the otherwise phenolic cradle that contacts both heat transfer member 200 and element 52. The actuation of the thermally responsive element 52 and the resulting movement of locking member 54 will be discussed subsequently in conjunction with FIGS. 9A and 9B.

The operation of assembly 12 is discussed further with reference to FIGS. 6A-6D and 7A-7D. The oven door 28 includes an inner wall 220 that closes the oven cavity 24 when the door 28 is closed as shown in FIGS. 6C and 7C. Door 28 further includes an outer wall 222, with the inner 220 and outer 222 walls being interconnected by sidewalls (not shown) of the oven door 28. Door 28 further includes an interior structure 224 that is disposed intermediate the inner wall 220 and outer wall 222. The interior structure 224 includes an aperture 226 formed therein and further includes a surface 228 disposed proximate the aperture 226 and a surface 230 that faces the outer wall 222 of door 28. The interior structure 224 can assume a variety of configurations and can be secured to one or more of the inner 220, outer 222 and side walls of the oven door 28.

When the handle lever 146 and latch member 124 are positioned as shown in FIG. 6A, the hook 140 of latch member 124 passes through an aperture 234 formed in the front wall 20 of range body 18, through an aperture 236 formed in the inner wall 220 of door 28 and through the aperture 226 of interior structure 224. In this position, hook 140 of latch member 124 is not in contacting engagement with the interior structure 224 of the oven door 28. Accordingly, in this position, the oven door 28 can be opened and can move between open and closed positions. Although door 28 is shown in a partially open position in FIG. 6A, in close proximity to the front wall 20 of range body 18, the door 28 can also be closed against wall 20 with handle lever 146 and latch member 124 in this position, depending upon the design of the particular door. Cooking is typically done with handle lever 146 and latch member 124 in the position shown in FIG. 6A as the user is free to open and close door 28 as required during the cooking cycle.

With the handle lever 146 and latch member 124 positioned as shown in FIG. 6A, the protruding member 136 of latch member 124 is disposed within the aperture 184 formed in base 36 of mount bracket 34, as best seen in FIG. 7A. More particularly, the protruding member 136 is disposed within end 190 of the arcuate portion 186 of aperture 184. The relatively larger, lower portion 180 of connecting member 176 extends through leg 128 of the aperture 126 formed in latch member 124 and into aperture 182 formed in the base 36 of mount bracket 34. The shoulder 174 of connecting member 166 extends through the aperture 162 in handle lever 146 and the aperture 126 in latch member 124, at a position proximate the arcuate transition portion 132 of aperture 126, and the lower portion 170 of connecting member 166 extends through the aperture 172 in base 36 of mount bracket 34.

When a user wants to initiate a self-cleaning cycle for oven 14, the user must rotate handle lever 146 from the position shown in FIG. 6A to the position shown in FIG. 6C, which is a rotation in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 6A and 6C. Latch member 124 rotates with handle lever 146 through an initial arc between the positions of handle lever 146 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. When the handle lever 146 reaches the position shown in FIG. 6B, the hook 140 of latch member 124 contacts the surface 228 of the interior structure 224 of the oven door 28, which prevents the latch member 124 from rotating any further. With the handle lever 146 and latch member 124 oriented as shown in FIG. 6B, the shoulder 174 of connecting member 166 is disposed in substantially the same position within aperture 126 of latch member 124 as best seen in FIG. 7B. However, the position of the protruding member 136 of latch member 124 within the arcuate portion 186 of the aperture 184 formed in base 36 of mount bracket 34 is different than the position shown in FIG. 6A, such that protruding member 136 is aligned with the second portion 188 of aperture 184. The lower portion 180 of connecting member 176 remains in substantially the same position within leg 128 of the aperture 126 formed in latch member 124 but is in a different position within the arcuate aperture 182 formed in the base 36 of mount bracket 34. Connecting member 176 moves in an arc within aperture 182 as handle lever 146 is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 6A to that shown in FIG. 6B and as it is rotated further to the position shown in FIG. 6C. Latch member 124 is in a latched position as shown in FIG. 6B and a user cannot open the oven door 28 with the latch member 124 in this position.

As a user continues to rotate the handle 148 and handle lever 146 past the position shown in FIG. 6B, the contacting engagement between latch member 124 and the interior structure 224 of oven door 28 prevents the latch member 124 from rotating. During the rotation of handle 148 and handle lever 146 between the positions shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the connecting member 176 is in contacting engagement with an edge of the aperture 126 in latch member 124 and exerts a force on latch member 124, causing the latch member 124 to move rearward relative to the base 36 of mount bracket 34. The translation of latch member 124 relative to mount bracket 34 can occur since the protruding member 136 of latch member 124 moves rearward from a position in the arcuate portion 186 of aperture 184 to a rearward position in the second portion 188 of aperture 184, which extends rearward from the arcuate portion 186. Also, when the latch member 124 translates rearwardly, the connecting member 166 is disposed in a forward portion of the leg 130 of the aperture 126 formed in latch member 124.

When latch member 124 translates rearward, the hook 140 of latch member 124 is in contacting engagement with the surface 230 of the interior structure 224 of the oven door 28, and forces the oven door 28 to move between the latched position shown in FIG. 6B and the position shown in FIG. 6C where the oven door 28 is in a latched position and is closed against the front wall 20 of the range body 18. The door is forced 28 against front wall 20 due to the rearward movement of latch member 124. A gasket (not shown) can be disposed between the front wall 20 of range body 18 and the inner wall 220 of the oven door 28 so that the oven door 28 is in sealing engagement with the front wall 20. With the latch member 124 in this position, handle lever 146 contacts the actuation member 80 of the adjacent switch 68 as shown in FIG. 6C, which provides an electrical signal that the oven door 28 is closed thereby permitting the initiation of a self-cleaning cycle.

Accordingly, the cooperation of the connecting member 176 with the aperture 126 in latch member 124 and the aperture 182 in the base 36 of mount bracket 34, and the cooperation of the protruding member 136 of latch member 124 with the aperture 184 in the base 36 of mount bracket 34, in combination with the pivotal coupling of handle lever 146 and latch member 124 to mount bracket 34 with connecting member 166, permits the handle lever 136 and latch member 124 to move relative to bracket 34 between the positions shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C.

During a cooking or self-cleaning cycle, heat is transferred from the oven top wall 24 to the heat transfer member 200 and to cradle 44 and the thermally responsive element 52, which is a bimetallic disk in the illustrated embodiment and is disposed within cradle 44. When sufficient heat has been transferred to the thermally responsive element 52, element 52 is actuated and snaps upwardly from a non-actuated, steady state position shown in FIG. 9A, where element 52 has a downwardly bulging or concave shape, to the actuated position shown in FIG. 9B, where element 52 has an upwardly bulging or convex shape. This forces the locking member 54 to move upward so that it protrudes above the bridge member 116 secured to base 36 of mount bracket 34 and prevents the handle lever 146 and latch member 124 from rotating from the position shown in FIG. 6C toward the position shown in FIGS. 6B or 6A. When this occurs, the oven door 28 is in a latched and locked position and cannot be opened.

The thermally responsive element 52 is designed to actuate during a self-cleaning cycle to prevent a user from opening oven door 28 during this cycle, thereby protecting the user from the very high temperatures within oven 14 during a self-cleaning cycle. The thermally responsive element 52 is not designed to actuate during normal cooking cycles. However, if element 52 inadvertently actuates during a long and relatively high temperature baking cycle, for example during the cooking of a turkey, or during a relatively high temperature broiling cycle, for example during the broiling of fish, assembly 12 includes a feature which prevents “nuisance locking” and the resultant overcooking of the food within oven 14. If handle lever 146 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 6A and 6C, after the thermally responsive element 52 has actuated and locking member 54 protrudes above bridge member 116, the handle lever 146 will contact locking member 54 before handle lever 146 reaches the position shown in FIG. 6C. Accordingly, handle lever 146 cannot be locked and the user is free to rotate handle lever 146 in a clockwise direction back to the position shown in FIG. 6A so that door 28 can be opened.

Assembly 12 includes another feature that prevents initiation of the self-cleaning cycle of oven 14 when the door 28 is open, when assembly 12 includes mount bracket 34 and the T-shaped aperture 184 formed in the base 36 of mount bracket 34 (this feature is not available when assembly 12 includes mount bracket 34aand the L-shaped aperture 184aformed in base 36aof bracket 34a). This feature operates as follows. If oven door 28 is open and a user rotates handle lever 146 in a counterclockwise direction, handle lever 146 and latch member cannot rotate past the position shown in FIG. 7D since the protruding member 136 contacts the end 192 of the aperture 184 in the base 36 of mount bracket 34 and the connecting member 176 cannot move with the arcuate aperture 182 in base 36 as it is restrained from such movement by aperture 126 in latch member 124. As shown in FIG. 6D, the handle lever 146 is spaced apart from the actuation member 80 of the adjacent switch 68 so that switch 68 cannot be actuated and the self-cleaning cycle of oven 14 cannot be initiated.

While the foregoing description has set forth one or more embodiments of the present invention in particular detail, it must be understood that numerous modifications, substitutions and changes can be undertaken without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the ensuing claims. The invention is therefore not limited to specific embodiments as described, but is only limited as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. An assembly for locking an oven door of a range in a closed position that closes an oven cavity defined in part by an oven top wall, the oven door being movably mounted on a body of the range, said assembly comprising:

a mount bracket adapted to be secured to the range body, said mount bracket having a base and a cradle protruding below said base and disposed above the oven top wall;

a latch member coupled to said mount bracket for movement relative thereto;

a locking device disposed at least partially within said cradle, said locking device including a thermally responsive element and a locking member coupled to said thermally responsive element;

a heat transfer member having a first end adapted to be secured to the oven top wall and a second end secured to said cradle; and wherein

said locking member is operably effective for preventing said latch member from moving from a position wherein the oven door is latched and forced against the body of the range by said latch member toward a position wherein the door can be opened, when said thermally responsive member is actuated.

2. An assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said locking member includes tabs that engage said thermally responsive member and wherein said locking member moves upward and protrudes above said base when said thermally responsive member is actuated, wherein said latch member is prevented from moving from the position wherein the oven door is latched and forced against the body of the range toward a position wherein the door can be opened.

3. An assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein:

said cradle is dome-shaped; and

said thermally responsive member is a bi-metallic disk, said bi-metallic disk being disposed within and supported by said cradle.

4. An assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein:

said cradle includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots formed therein.

5. An assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein:

said locking member is in a pin.

6. An assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a handle lever pivotally coupled to said base for rotation relative to said base, said handle lever being coupled to said latch member and operably effective for moving said latch member when said handle is rotated manually.

7. An assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical switch mounted on said mount bracket at a position above said base.

8. An assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein:

said electrical switch includes an actuation member movable between an open position when the door is open and a closed position when the door is closed, wherein said switch is actuated.

9. An assembly as recited in claim 6, further comprising:

a handle, wherein said handle snaps onto said handle lever.

10. An assembly for locking an oven door of a range in a closed position that closes an oven cavity defined in part by an oven top wall, the oven door being movably mounted on a body of the range, said assembly comprising:

a mount bracket adapted to be secured to the range body, said mount bracket comprising a base and first, second and third apertures formed therein;

a handle lever having first and second apertures formed therein;

a latch member disposed intermediate said mount bracket and said handle lever, said latch member including an aperture formed therein, a first surface facing said mount bracket and a protruding member extending away from said first surface toward said mount bracket and into said first aperture in said mount bracket, said protruding member being movable within said first aperture in said mount bracket;

a first connecting member extending through said first aperture in said handle, said aperture in said latch member and said second aperture in said mount bracket, said first connecting member pivotally coupling said handle lever and said latch member to said mount bracket;

a second connecting member extending through said second aperture in said handle lever, through said aperture in said latch member and into said third aperture in said mount bracket, said second connecting member being movable within said aperture in said latch member and said third aperture in said mount bracket; wherein

the pivotal coupling of said handle lever and said latch member to said mount bracket with said first connecting member in combination with the movement of said protruding member within said first aperture in said mount bracket, the movement of said second connecting member within said third aperture in said mount bracket and the positioning of said second connecting member within said second aperture in said handle lever, permit said handle lever and said latch member to rotate together from a first position wherein the oven door can be opened to a second position wherein said latch member contacts the oven door and the oven door is latched and cannot be opened, and to permit said latch member to translate relative to said handle lever and said mount bracket from the second position to a third position, as said handle lever rotates beyond the second position, wherein the oven door is latched and forced against the body of the range.

11. An assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein:

said first aperture in said mount bracket has a first arcuate portion and a second portion communicating with said arcuate portion and extending rearwardly away from said second portion;

said protruding member moves within said arcuate portion of said first aperture in said mount bracket as said handle lever and said latch member rotate from the first to the second position and said protruding portion moves rearwardly within said second portion of said first aperture in said mount bracket as said latch member translates from the second position to the third position.

12. An assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein:

said aperture in said latch member includes a first leg and a second leg communicating with said first leg, said first leg and said second legs forming an angle therebetween;

said first connecting member is disposed within said first leg and said second connecting member is movable within said second leg as said latch member moves between the first, second and third positions.

13. An assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein:

said arcuate portion of said first aperture in said mount bracket has first and second ends; and

said second portion of said first aperture in said mount bracket intersects said arcuate portion intermediate said first and second ends.

14. An assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein:

said first aperture in said mount bracket is generally T-shaped;

said aperture in said latch member is generally V-shaped; and

said third aperture in said mount bracket is generally crescent-shaped.

15. An assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein:

said first aperture in said mount bracket is generally L-shaped;

said aperture in said latch member is generally V-shaped; and

said third aperture in said mount bracket is generally crescent-shaped.

16. An assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein:

said mount bracket further comprises a cradle protruding below said base and disposed above the oven top wall, said assembly further comprising:

a locking device disposed at least partially within said cradle, said locking device including a thermally responsive element and a locking member coupled to said thermally responsive element;

a heat transfer member having a first end secured to the oven top wall and a second end secured to said cradle; and wherein

said locking member prevents said latch member from moving from the third position toward the first position when said thermally responsive member is actuated.

17. An assembly for locking an oven door of a range in a closed position that closes an oven cavity defined in part by an oven top wall, the oven door being mounted on a body of the range and movable between open and closed positions, said assembly comprising:

a mount bracket adapted to be secured to the range body, said mount bracket comprising a base and first, second and third apertures formed therein;

a handle lever having an aperture formed therein;

a latch member disposed intermediate said mount bracket and said handle lever, said latch member including an aperture formed therein, and a protruding member extending toward said mount bracket;

a first connecting member pivotally coupling said handle lever and said latch member to said mount bracket;

a second connecting member coupled to said handle lever; wherein

said protruding member cooperates with said first aperture in said mount bracket and said second connecting member cooperates with said aperture in said latch member and said second aperture in said mount bracket, which, in combination with the pivotal coupling of said handle lever and said latch member to said mount bracket with said first connecting member permits the handle lever and latch member to rotate together from a first position wherein the oven door can be opened to a second position wherein said latch member contacts the oven door and the oven door is latched and cannot be opened, and to permit said latch member to translate relative to said handle lever and said mount bracket from the second position to a third position, as said handle lever rotates beyond the second position, wherein the oven door is latched and forced against the body of the range.

18. A range comprising:

a body including an oven top wall;

an oven cavity disposed within said body;

an oven door movably mounted on said body wherein said oven door can be moved between an open position and a closed position wherein said oven cavity is closed;

a mount bracket secured to the range body, said mount bracket having a base and a cradle protruding below said base and disposed above said open top wall;

a latch member coupled to said mount bracket for movement relative thereto;

a locking device disposed at least partially within said cradle, said locking device including a thermally responsive element and a locking member coupled to said thermally responsive element;

a heat transfer member having a first end secured to said oven top wall and a second end secured to said cradle; and wherein

said locking member is operably effective for preventing said latch member from moving from a position wherein said oven door is latched and forced against said body by said latch member toward a position wherein said oven door can be opened, when said thermally responsive member is actuated.

19. An assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein:

said locking member includes tabs that engage said thermally responsive member and wherein said locking member moves upward and protrudes above said base when said thermally responsive member is actuated, wherein said latch member is prevented from moving toward a position wherein the oven door can be opened.

20. An assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein:

said cradle is dome-shaped; and

said thermally responsive member is a bi-metallic disk, said bi-metallic disk being disposed within and supported by said cradle.

21. An assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein:

said cradle includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots formed therein.

22. An assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein:

said locking member is in a pin.

23. An assembly as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

a handle lever pivotally coupled to said base for rotation relative to said base, said handle lever being coupled to said latch member and operably effective for moving said latch member when said handle is rotated manually.

24. An assembly as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

an electrical switch mounted on said mount bracket at a position above said base.

25. An assembly as recited in claim 24, wherein:

said electrical switch includes an actuation member movable between an open position when the door is open and a closed position when the door is closed, wherein said switch is actuated.

26. An assembly as recited in claim 23, further comprising:

a handle, wherein said handle snaps onto said handle lever.