OVEN RACK ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF USE

Abstract

An oven rack assembly and method of use includes an oven rack configured to support items to be cooked or otherwise heated within an oven cavity, a slide system coupled to the oven rack, and a subframe coupled to the slide system. The slide system is configured to move the oven rack between a retracted position and an extended position where the oven rack has moved forwardly relative to the retracted position. The subframe includes lateral support portions, where each of the support portions include an integral, downwardly depending movement restrictor for retaining the subframe in a stowed position within an oven cavity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Priority is claimed to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/305,521, filed Feb. 1, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/320,775, filed Mar. 17, 2022, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to oven products and, more particularly, to oven rack assemblies having retention mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

Various types of oven racks are well known in the industry. For example, steel wire oven racks are often manufactured from a steel rod which is drawn, so as to form steel wire. These oven racks formed of steel wire products can be coated with various types of materials. Also, oven racks and other oven-related articles can be manufactured from products other than steel. Of course, any type of oven rack or similar product which is positioned within an oven cavity during use must be capable of withstanding normal cooking temperatures which substantially exceed normal cooking temperatures. In addition, for ovens which employ self-cleaning cycles, the oven racks and other oven-related articles located within the oven itself must be capable of being subjected to and withstanding temperatures which substantially exceed normal cooking temperatures. For example, steel wire oven racks may be subjected to temperatures above 900° F. associated with self-cleaning cycles, common in today's kitchen ovens.

One difficulty which has existed for a number of years in the industry relates to manipulation of oven racks. In many conventional ovens, the oven racks can be positioned at various vertically disposed positions, and be adjustable among the same. With the oven racks positioned as desired at various vertically adjusted locations, the oven racks often “slide” on ribs or roller bearing mechanisms positioned on the lateral sides of the oven cavity. These ribs, roller bearings or “ledges” may be separately manufactured and assembled components from the surfaces of the oven cavity and oven racks or, alternatively, may be integrated into the lateral surfaces of the oven cavity.

With respect to oven rack assemblies which can be extended, one particular application includes an oven rack assembly which interacts directly with ribbed liners on the sidewalls of an oven interior. For example, the ribbed liners can include a stack of spaced ribs each having a downwardly extending V-shaped portion. Oven rack assemblies of this type can include a retention mechanism associated with the subframe that engages an outer surface of the V-shaped portion of the rib to hold the subframe within the oven cavity. However, conventional retention mechanisms of this type can include complex assemblies utilizing spring-biased flippers, cams, and rivets. Further adding to the complexity of these retention mechanisms, each of the components must be able to withstand the expected temperatures within the oven.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first example, an oven rack assembly is disclosed that includes an oven rack configured to support items to be cooked or otherwise heated within an oven cavity, a slide system coupled to the oven rack, and a subframe coupled to the slide system. The slide system is configured to move the oven rack between a retracted position and an extended position where the oven rack has moved forwardly relative to the retracted position. The subframe includes lateral support portions, where each of the support portions include an integral, downwardly depending movement restrictor for retaining the subframe in a stowed position within an oven cavity.

In some examples, the movement restrictors can further be for restricting an installation depth for the subframe corresponding to the subframe being in the stowed position within an oven cavity.

In the above examples, the support portions can include a wire body, where the movement restrictor is at least a portion of the wire body. In further examples, the wire bodies can include one or more base portions for supporting the subframe on a structure of an oven cavity and the movement restrictors can be disposed below the one or more base portions; and/or the wire bodies can further include one or more slide supports extending laterally inwardly relative to the base portions, where the slide system is coupled to the slide supports.

In the above examples, the subframe can include an outer wire frame including front, rear, and side wires, where the outer wire frame forms the support portions. In further examples, the subframe can include longitudinal wires extending between the front and rear wires of the outer wire frame; the subframe, other than the movement restrictors thereof, can be planar; and/or the movement restrictors can have a trapezoidal configuration.

In the above examples, the support portions can include a front foot and a rear foot, where the movement restrictor is at least a portion of the front foot. In further examples, the front and rear feet can include aligned base portions for supporting the subframe on a structure of an oven cavity, where the movement restrictors are disposed below the base portions; the movement restrictors can be formed from a wire member and include an angled portion extending downwardly the base portion and a horizontal portion extending from the angled portion; and/or the rear feet can further include an anti-tip portion extending upwardly from the base portion thereof. In yet further examples, the subframe can include spaced longitudinal wires, a front lateral wire coupled to front ends of the longitudinal wires, a rear lateral wire coupled to rear ends of the longitudinal wires, and the front feet can be coupled to ends of the front lateral wire and the rear feet can be coupled to ends of the rear lateral wire. In some forms, the slide system is coupled to the ends of the front and rear lateral wires; and/or the front and rear feet can include one or more slide supports extending laterally inwardly relative to the base portions thereof, where the slide system is coupled to the slide supports.

In any of the above examples, the subframe can be configured for use within an oven cavity having a liner with opposing liner ribs with a concave or gap portion. In some forms, the movement resistors of the support portions can include forwardly facing surfaces configured to engage interior surfaces of the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs of the oven cavity to thereby retain the subframe in the stowed position. In further forms, the movement resistors can have a depth configured to span an interior of the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs of the oven cavity and can include rearwardly facing surfaces configured to engage the interior surfaces of the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs of the oven cavity to thereby restrict the installation depth for the subframe corresponding to the subframe being in the stowed position within the oven cavity.

In accordance with a second example, a method for using an oven rack assembly comprising an oven rack, a slide system coupled to the oven rack, and a subframe coupled to the slide system is disclosed that includes installing the oven rack assembly within an oven cavity, pulling the oven rack outwardly from the oven cavity, the oven rack moving relative to the subframe via slide system, and retaining the subframe in a stowed position within the oven cavity by downwardly-depending movement resistors of the subframe engaging structure of the oven cavity.

In some examples, retaining the subframe in the stowed position within the oven cavity can include the movement resistors engaging interior surfaces of concave or gap portions of liner ribs on which the oven rack is resting. In further examples, installing the oven rack assembly within the oven cavity can include sliding the oven rack assembly into the oven cavity until the movement resistors are received within the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs and adjacent portions of the subframe rest on the liner ribs. In further examples, the method can include restricting an installation depth for the subframe by the movement resistors engaging an interior surface of the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs. In any of the above examples, the method can further include holding the movement resistors within the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs with a weight of the oven rack assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example oven rack assembly;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the oven rack assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example subframe for the oven rack assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the oven rack assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the oven rack assembly of FIG. 1 installed in an example oven cavity;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the oven rack assembly of FIG. 1 being installed in an example oven cavity;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the oven rack assembly of FIG. 1 in an installed, stowed position in an example oven cavity;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second example oven rack assembly;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example oven rack for the oven rack assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example subframe for the oven rack assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is side cross-sectional view of the subframe of FIG. 10 taken along the line 11-11;

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the subframe of FIG. 10 in several stages of installation within an oven; and

FIG. 13 is a side-cross-sectional view of the oven rack of FIG. 9 in several stages of installation within an oven.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An improved oven rack assembly is described herein that includes a retention feature without the drawbacks of conventional retention assemblies discussed above. The retention feature provided herein is an integral part of the subframe, i.e., does not include moving components, which simplifies the construction and use of the oven rack assembly relative to conventional assemblies. The retention feature includes a structure that is disposed lower than adjacent portions of the subframe and at a lower height than other components of the oven rack assembly. The structure extends downwardly to engage a liner or other structure of an oven cavity to thereby prevent the subframe from inadvertently be moved outwardly from the oven cavity.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first example oven rack assembly 10 includes an oven rack 12, a slide system 14, and a subframe 16. The oven rack 12 and the subframe 16 are coupled to the slide system 14 to be moveable relative to one another.

The oven rack 12 includes an outer wire frame 18 extending around a surface area 20 of the oven rack 12. The outer wire frame 18 can have a continuous configuration as shown. The outer wire frame 18 forms a front 22, sides 24, and rear 26 of the surface area 20 of the oven rack 12. To support items to be cooked or otherwise heated within an oven, the oven rack 12 further includes a lattice of overlapping wires extending across the surface area 20. For example, the oven rack 12 can include a series of parallel and spaced apart longitudinal wires 28 that are configured to extend along a direction between the rear and front of an oven and at least one cross or lateral wire 30. By one approach, ends of the lateral wire(s) 30 may be welded or otherwise secured to the sides 24 of the outer wire frame 18. Additionally, ends of the longitudinal wires 28 may be welded or otherwise secured to the front 22 and rear 26 of the outer wire frame 18, and also to intersection points with the lateral wire(s) 30. If desired, a handle 32 can be formed at the front 22 of the outer wire frame 18. The handle 32 can be defined by shortened longitudinal wires 28 that do not fully extend to the front 22 of the outer wire frame 18 and a reduced width lateral wire 34 that does not extend fully between the sides 24 of the outer wire frame 18. With this configuration, the lateral wire 34, adjacent, full length longitudinal wires 28, and the front 22 of the outer wire frame 18 define an opening for the handle 32 extending through the surface area 20. Additionally, if desired, the oven rack 12 can also include a backstop 36 that is coupled to the rear 26 of the outer wire frame 18 and extends upwardly therefrom. The backstop 36 can provide a stop for items being placed on the oven rack 12 to ensure the items are fully supported by the oven rack 12.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the slide system 14 includes a pair of slide devices 38 positioned at opposing sides of the oven rack 12. Each of the slide devices 38 includes inner and outer support stampings 40, 42, relative to the oven rack 12, and a ball bearing slide 44.

Each inner stamping 40 has an inverted L-shaped vertical cross-section with a horizontally disposed top portion 46 and a vertically disposed side portion 48. As shown, the inner stamping 40 may also include a front face portion 50 disposed at a forward end of the inner stamping 40 to restrict rearward movement of the inner stamping 40 relative to the outer stamping 42 and components of the ball bearing slide 44. The inner stamping 40 is welded or otherwise secured to the oven rack 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the top portion 46 of the inner stamping 40 is welded or otherwise secured to the front 22 and rear 26 of the outer wire frame 18, as well as to the lateral wire 30, adjacent to the side 24 of the outer wire frame 18. In this manner, when the oven rack 12 is moved between retracted and extended positions, the inner stamping 40 will move in unison with the oven rack 12. Additionally, the inner stamping 44 provides support for the oven rack 12.

Each outer stamping 42 has an L-shaped vertical cross-section with a vertically disposed side portion 52 and a horizontally disposed bottom portion 54. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom portion 54 of the outer stamping 42 is welded or otherwise secured to the subframe 16, discussed in more detail below.

Each ball bearing slide 44, as primarily shown in FIG. 2, includes inner and outer nesting brackets 56, 58, where each bracket 56, 58 includes an upper portion 60, a side portion 62, and a lower portion 64. Ball bearings (not shown) are disposed between the upper and lower portions 60, 64 of the nested brackets 56, 58 to thereby allow the brackets 56, 58 to be easily moved relative to one another. As shown, the inner bracket 56 is secured to the inner stamping 40 and the outer bracket 58 is secured to the outer stamping 42 to thereby couple all of the components of the oven rack assembly 10 together. The connections between the brackets 56, 58 and the stampings 40, 42 can take any desired form. For example, the stamping 40 can include a horizontally disposed keyhole opening 66 and a downwardly-opening slot opening 68, and the bracket 56 can include corresponding posts or fasteners 70. With this configuration, a front post 70 of the bracket 56 can be inserted into the relatively larger rear portion of the keyhole opening 66 and slid forwardly to seat the post 70 in the relatively smaller portion of the keyhole opening 66 to secure front portions of the bracket 56 and stamping 40 together. Thereafter, the stamping 40 can be pivoted downwardly relative to the bracket 56 to slide the rear post 70 into the slot opening 68. In another example, the bracket 58 and stamping 42 can include aligned openings 72 to receive fasteners 74, such as screws, rivets, etc., therethrough to secure the components together.

Details of the subframe 16 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The subframe 16 has a generally rectangular shape with a central portion 76 and lateral support portions 80. As shown, the support portions 80 each include an integral, downwardly depending movement restrictor 82 for retaining the subframe 16 in an installed, stowed position within an oven cavity. For example, the movement restrictors 82 can be configured to engage a liner or other structure of an oven cavity after the subframe 16 has been installed within the oven cavity to thereby retain the subframe 16 in the stowed position. This is particularly advantageous to maintain a desired support when the oven rack 12 is manipulated between a retracted position and an extended position where the oven rack 12 is moved forwardly relative to the retracted position and relative to the subframe 16 to at least partially extend out from the oven cavity. If desired, the movement restrictors 82 can also function to restrict an installation depth for the subframe 16 that corresponds to the subframe 16 being in the stowed position within the oven cavity. For example, the movement restrictors 82 can be configured to engage a liner or other structure of an oven cavity when the subframe 16 is initially installed into the oven cavity.

In the illustrated form, the subframe 16 includes front and rear cross or lateral wires 84, 86 and at least two longitudinal wires 88 extending between the front and rear lateral wires 84, 86. Ends of the longitudinal wires 88 are welded or otherwise secured to the lateral wires 84, 86 to define the central portion 76 of the subframe 16, which can be rectangular as shown.

As shown, the front and rear lateral wires 84, 86 extend past the longitudinal members 88 to the lateral support portions 80. The support portions 80 can include one or more feet 90, 92 coupled to ends of the lateral wires 84, 86. For example, the support portions 80 can each include a front foot 90 coupled to the end of the front lateral wire 84 and a rear foot 92 coupled to the end of the rear lateral wire 84.

As discussed above, the subframe 16 is the component of the oven rack assembly 10 that is configured to engage structure of an oven liner to thereby support the oven rack assembly 10 therein. Pursuant to this, the feet 90, 92 can include one or more horizontal base portions 94 that extend longitudinally and are configured to engage structure of an oven cavity, such as a liner rib as discussed in more detail below, to support the oven rack assembly 10 within the oven cavity. In the illustrated example, the movement restrictors 82 form a portion of the front feet 90, such that the movement restrictors 82 are located adjacent to a front of the subframe 16. The movement restrictors 82 are disposed below adjacent portions of the feet 90 and, particularly, the base portions 94 thereof, as well as the central portion 76 of the subframe 16. It will be understood that even though the feet 90, 92 are illustrated as separate components, the feet 90, 92 can be combined into a single-piece structure or can be further separated into three or more structures.

As discussed above, the bottom portion 54 of the outer stamping 42 is welded or otherwise secured to the subframe 16. Pursuant to this, each of the support portions 80 of the subframe 16 include a plurality of horizontal slide supports 96 spaced along a longitudinal depth thereof to which the outer stamping 42 is welded or otherwise secured. The slide supports 96 can be disposed adjacent and inward with respect to the base portions 94. Further, if desired, the slide supports 96 can be coplanar with the base portions 94.

In the illustrated example, the support portions 80 include one or more wire members 100 coupled to the lateral wires 84, 86. Each wire member 100 has one or more bends formed therein to create the structures described herein. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the front foot 90 is formed from a single wire member 100 and includes an inwardly extending front lateral slide support 96, a horizontal base portion 94 coupled to the front lateral slide support 96 by a front horizontal bend 104, and a movement restrictor 82 coupled to the base portion 84 by a first vertical bend 106. The movement restrictor 82 includes an angled portion 108, a horizontal portion 110 coupled to the angled portion 108 by a second vertical bend 112, and a rear inward tip 114 coupled to the horizontal portion by a rear horizontal bend 116. The angled portion 108 of the movement restrictor 82 can extend along any desired angle, including between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, generally 45 degrees, between 60 degrees and 90 degrees, generally 90 degrees, and so forth.

The rear foot 92 is formed from a single wire member 100 and includes an inwardly extending front lateral slide support 96, a horizontal base portion 94 coupled to the front lateral slide support 96 by a front horizontal bend 118 and a rear, anti-tip feature 120 coupled to the base portion 94. The anti-tip feature 120 includes an angled portion 122 connected to the base portion 94 by a vertical bend 124 and a rear inward tip 126 coupled to the angled portion 122 by a rear bend 128. The angled portion 122 extends upwardly relative to horizontal and functions to prevent the subframe 16 from being tipped upwardly at too extreme an angle. As shown, the base portions 94 of the front and rear feet 90, 92 are aligned so that the base portions 94 can both engage a planar horizontal surface.

With this configuration, the front lateral wire 84 can be secured to the base portion 84 of the front foot 90 and the rear lateral wire 86 can be secured to the base portion 94 of the rear foot 92. Further, the ends of the lateral wires 84, 86 secured to the base portions 94 can be utilized as slide supports 96. Accordingly, the support portions 80 provide four spaced slide supports 96, with the front lateral wire 84, front foot 90, rear lateral wire 86, and rear foot 92 each providing one slide support 96. The multiple connections between the subframe 16 and the outer stamping 42 of the slide system 14 provide a rigid and robust coupling between the subframe 16 and the slide system 14.

As shown in the figures, the support portions 80 can be disposed below the central portion 76 of the subframe 16 to engage the oven at a desired height. Pursuant to this, the front and rear lateral wires 84, 86 can include downwardly angled portions 134 disposed between the longitudinal wires 88 and the ends thereof providing the slide supports 96.

The oven rack assembly 10 configured as described herein can be used within a conventional oven 200, as shown in FIGS. 5-7. The oven 200 includes interior surfaces defining an oven cavity 202, such as the oven interior side surfaces 204. Integral with or otherwise mounted in any suitable manner to the side oven interior surfaces 204 are a set of opposing liner ribs 206 projecting inwardly therefrom. The liner ribs 206 may include a plurality of vertically stacked ribs to provide the capability of adjusting the height of the oven rack assembly 10 within the oven cavity 202. Each of the liner ribs 206 includes a downwardly extending concave portion 208 disposed adjacent to a front end 210 thereof. The concave portion 208 can be V-shaped as shown or can have other curved configurations, as desired. Each of the liner ribs 208 further include front and rear horizontal shelf portions 212, 214 disposed on either side of the concave portion 208 to support the subframe 16 of the oven rack assembly 10. In some examples, the shelf portions 212, 214 can have a planar configuration. In other examples, the shelf portions 212, 214 can include a plurality of raised nodules 216 spaced along a depth of the oven cavity 202. Although an oven having liner ribs is shown and described, it will be understood that the oven rack assembly 10 described herein can be similarly configured for ovens using wire ladders or other rack support structures.

Advantageously, the movement restrictors 82 of the subframe 16 described above can be configured to extend into the concave portions 208 of the liner ribs 206 to retain the subframe 16 in the stowed position and/or restrict the installation depth of the subframe 16 into the oven cavity 202. Pursuant to this, a forward surface 130 of the movement restrictor 82 can be configured to engage a front interior surface 218 of the concave portion 208 and/or a rear surface 132 of the movement restrictor 82 can be configured to engage a rear interior surface 220 of the concave portion 208. In the illustrated example, the movement restrictor 82 has a depth configured to span an interior of the concave portion 208 between the interior surfaces 218, 220 thereof with a small, e.g., 1-10 mm or 1-5 mm, or no clearance, so that longitudinal movement of the subframe 16 relative to the oven 200 is limited when the subframe 16 is in the stowed position. Advantageously, with this configuration, the subframe 16 is effectively retained in the stowed position with the weight of the oven rack assembly 10 and, as such, does not require any moving parts or complex assemblies.

To install the oven rack assembly 10 into the oven 200, a user can hold the oven rack assembly 10 at a slightly angled orientation with a rear of the oven rack assembly 10 disposed below the front thereof. Thereafter, the user can position the oven rack assembly 10 above opposing liner ribs 206 at a desired height within the oven cavity 202 and insert the assembly 10 along an upper surface or surfaces of the opposing liner ribs 206. As the assembly 10 approaches a desired depth within the oven cavity 202, the movement restrictors 82 of the support portions 80 of the subframe 16 drop down into the concave portions 208 of the liner ribs 206 and, thereafter, the rear surface 132 of the movement restrictor 82 will engage the rear interior surface 220 of the concave portion 208 to thereby restrict further movement of the assembly 10 into the oven cavity 202. The user can then rest the base portions 94 of the subframe 16 on the oven liner shelf portions 212, 214. Advantageously, the weight of the assembly 10 holds the assembly 10 in a desired position within the oven cavity 202, so a user need only release the assembly 10 to complete installation and leave the subframe 16 in the stowed position.

Thereafter, when use of the oven rack 12 is desired, a user can pull the oven rack 12 outwardly from the oven cavity 202 toward an extended position. The slide system 14 operates to allow the oven rack 12 to move relative to the subframe 16. Further, should any force be exerted on the subframe 16 urging the subframe 16 to move out of the oven cavity 202, the movement restrictor 82 will engage structure of the oven cavity 202 to thereby retain the subframe 16 in the stowed position. Configured as described herein, the movement restrictor 82 will engage the front interior surface 218 of the concave portion 208 to retain the subframe 16 in the stowed position within the oven cavity 202.

As shown in FIG. 8, a second example oven rack assembly 300 includes an oven rack 312, a slide system 314, and a subframe 316. The oven rack 312 and the subframe 316 are coupled to the slide system 314 to be moveable relative to one another.

The oven rack 312, shown in FIG. 9, includes an outer wire frame 318 extending around a surface area 320 of the oven rack 312. The outer wire frame 318 can have a continuous configuration as shown. The outer wire frame 318 forms a front 322, sides 324, and rear 326 of the surface area 320 of the oven rack 312. To support items to be cooked or otherwise heated within an oven, the oven rack 312 further includes a lattice of overlapping wires extending across the surface area 320. For example, the oven rack 312 can include a series of parallel and spaced apart longitudinal wires 328 that are configured to extend along a direction between the rear and front of an oven and one, two, or more cross or lateral wires 330. By one approach, ends of the lateral wire(s) 330 may be welded or otherwise secured to the sides 324 of the outer wire frame 318. Additionally, ends of the longitudinal wires 328 may be welded or otherwise secured to the front 322 and rear 326 of the outer wire frame 318, and also to intersection points with the lateral wire(s) 330. Although not shown in this example, the oven rack 312 can be configured to include a handle similar to the above example.

As shown in FIG. 8, the example oven rack assembly 300 includes a slide system 14 having the same configuration as that described above with respect to the first example oven rack assembly 10. Accordingly, the above description applies equally to the configuration of the slide system 14 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5.

Details of the subframe 316 of this example oven rack assembly 300 are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The subframe 316 has a generally rectangular shape with lateral support portions 380. As shown, the support portions 380 each include an integral, downwardly depending movement restrictor 382 for retaining the subframe 316 in an installed, stowed position within an oven cavity. For example, the movement restrictors 382 can be configured to engage a liner or other structure of an oven cavity after the subframe 316 has been installed within the oven cavity to thereby retain the subframe 316 in the stowed position. This is particularly advantageous to maintain a desired support when the oven rack 312 is manipulated between a retracted position and an extended position where the oven rack 312 is moved forwardly relative to the retracted position and relative to the subframe 316 to at least partially extend out from the oven cavity. If desired, the movement restrictors 382 can also function to restrict an installation depth for the subframe 316 that corresponds to the subframe 316 being in the stowed position within the oven cavity. For example, the movement restrictors 382 can be configured to engage a liner or other structure of an oven cavity when the subframe 316 is initially installed into the oven cavity.

In the illustrated form, the subframe 316 includes an outer wire frame 383 having front and rear cross or lateral wires 384, 386 and side longitudinal wires 387 extending between the front and rear lateral wires 384, 386. The outer wire frame 383 can be a single piece component or one or more individual wires welded or otherwise secured together. One, two, or more inner longitudinal wires 388 extend between the front and rear lateral wires 384, 386. Ends of the inner longitudinal wires 388 are welded or otherwise secured to the lateral wires 384, 386 to provide rigidity to the subframe 316.

As discussed above, the subframe 316 is the component of the oven rack assembly 300 that is configured to engage structure of an oven liner to thereby support the oven rack assembly 300 therein. Pursuant to this, the support portions 380 can include one or more horizontal base portions 394 of the side wires 387. With this configuration, the base portions 394 extend longitudinally and are configured to engage structure of an oven cavity, such as a liner rib as discussed in more detail below, to support the oven rack assembly 300 within the oven cavity. The side wires 387 further define the movement restrictors 382, with the movement restrictors 382 disposed between front and back base portions 394. In the illustrated example, the movement restrictors 82 are located adjacent to a front of the subframe 316, such as within a front third of the side wires 387. With this configuration, the subframe 316 of this example assembly 300 is substantially planar with the outer wire frame 383, other than the movement restrictors 382, and the longitudinal wires 388 extending within a common plane.

As with the above example assembly 10, a portion of the slide system 14 is welded or otherwise secured to the subframe 316. Pursuant to this, each of the support portions 380 of the subframe 316 include at least two horizontal slide supports 396 to which the outer stamping 42 of the slide system 14 is welded or otherwise secured. As shown, the slide supports 396 in this example are provided by lateral end portions of the front and rear lateral wires 384, 386 adjacent to the side wires 387.

The oven rack assembly 300 configured as described herein can be used within an oven 400, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 12. The oven 400 includes interior surfaces defining an oven cavity 402, such as the oven interior side surfaces 404. Integral with or otherwise mounted in any suitable manner to the side oven interior surfaces 404 are a set of opposing liner ribs 406 projecting inwardly therefrom. The liner ribs 406 may include a plurality of vertically stacked ribs to provide the capability of adjusting the height of the oven rack assembly 300 within the oven cavity 402.

Each of the liner ribs 406 include front and rear horizontal shelf portions 412, 414 disposed on either side of a gap 408 to support the subframe 316 of the oven rack assembly 300 within the oven 400. In some examples, the shelf portions 212, 214 can have a planar configuration as shown. In other examples, as with the above-described shelf portions 212, 214, a plurality of raised nodules can be spaced along a depth of the oven cavity 202.

Advantageously, the movement restrictors 382 of the subframe 316 described above can be configured to extend into the gaps 408 of the liner ribs 406 to retain the subframe 316 in the stowed position and/or restrict the installation depth of the subframe 316 into the oven cavity 402. Pursuant to this, a forward surface 340 of the movement restrictor 382 can be configured to engage a front interior surface 422 of the gap 408 and/or a rear surface 344 of the movement restrictor 382 can be configured to engage a rear interior surface 424 of the gap 408. In the illustrated example, the movement restrictor 382 has a depth configured to span the gap 408 between the interior surfaces 422, 424 thereof with a small, e.g., 1-10 mm or 1-5 mm, clearance or no clearance, so that longitudinal movement of the subframe 316 relative to the oven 400 is limited when the subframe 316 is in the stowed position. Advantageously, with this configuration, the subframe 316 is effectively retained in the stowed position with the weight of the oven rack assembly 300 and, as such, does not require any moving parts or complex assemblies.

The movement restrictors 382 extend below adjacent portions of the wires 387 and, particularly, the base portions 394 thereof, as well as other portions of the subframe 316, to engage structure of the oven. In the illustrated example, the movement restrictors 382 have a trapezoidal configuration with an angled front and rear. As such, each movement restrictor 308 can include a first vertical bend 350 from the front base portion 394, a front angled wire portion 352, a horizontal wire portion 354 coupled to the front angled portion 352 by a second vertical bend 356 and to a rear angled wire portion 358 by a third vertical bend 360. The rear angled wire portion 358 extends to a fourth vertical bend 362 to connect to the rear base portion 394. The front and rear angled wire portions 352, 358 of the movement restrictor 382 can extend along any desired angle, including between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, generally 45 degrees, between 60 degrees and 90 degrees, generally 90 degrees, and so forth

To install the oven rack assembly 300 into the oven 400, as shown in FIG. 12, a user can insert the subframe 316, with the slide system 14, and the oven rack 312 coupled thereto, over a desired pair of liner ribs 406 in a horizontal orientation until the movement restrictors 382 reach the front shelf portions 412. Thereafter, the user can lift the front of the oven rack assembly 300 to thereby lift the movement restrictors 382 above the front shelf portions 412. The user can then continue to insert the assembly 300 and, as the assembly 300 approaches a desired depth within the oven cavity 402, the movement restrictors 382 of the support portions 380 of the subframe 316 drop down into the gaps 408 defined by the liner ribs 406. The rear surface 344 of the movement restrictor 382 can then engage the rear interior surface 424 of the gap 408 to thereby restrict further movement of the assembly 300 into the oven cavity 402. The user can then rest the base portions 394 of the subframe 316 on the oven liner shelf portions 412, 414. Advantageously, the weight of the assembly 300 holds the assembly 300 in a desired position within the oven cavity 402, so a user need only release the assembly 300 to complete installation and leave the subframe 316 in the stowed position.

Thereafter, when use of the oven rack 312 is desired, a user can pull the oven rack 312 outwardly from the oven cavity 402 toward an extended position. The slide system 14 operates to allow the oven rack 312 to move relative to the subframe 316. Further, should any force be exerted on the subframe 316 urging the subframe 316 to move out of the oven cavity 402, the movement restrictor 382 will engage structure of the oven cavity 402 to thereby retain the subframe 316 in the stowed position. Configured as described herein, the movement restrictor 382 will engage the front interior surface 422 of the gap 408 to retain the subframe 316 in the stowed position within the oven cavity 402.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each of the rear shelf portions 414 include a rear engagement tab 416 that extends downwardly from the rear shelf portion 414 of an upper liner rib 406 to extend toward an adjacent lower liner rib 406 disposed therebelow. Advantageously, the tabs 416 provide an anti-tip functionality for subframes 316 installed within the oven 400. More particularly, the rear tab 416 is spaced from the lower liner rib 406 by a small clearance that allows the side wire 387 of the subframe 316 to be easily slid therebetween during installation, but prevents the oven rack assembly 300 from tipping forward more than a small angle after the subframe 316 is fully installed in the oven 400 with the movement restrictor 382 received within the gap 408. For example, the clearance between the rear tab 416 and the lower liner rib 406, combined with a thickness of the side wire 387 allows the subframe to be tilted forwardly at an angle between 0 degrees and about 5 degrees, at an angle between 0 degrees and about 4 degrees, at an angle between 0 degrees and about 3 degrees, at an angle between 0 degrees and about 2 degrees, at an angle between 0 degrees and about 2 degrees, or about 1 degree. This configuration advantageously prevents the oven rack 312, by virtue of the coupling to the subframe 316 via the slide system 14, from tipping downwardly too significantly, even when fully extended out from the oven 400 with the slide system 14.

The liner ribs 406 can also be configured with retention functionality for a standalone oven rack 312 that is not coupled to the slide system 14 or the subframe 316. For example, each of the rear shelf portions 414 can include a front engagement tab 418 that extends downwardly from the rear shelf portion 414 of an upper liner rib 406 to extend toward an adjacent lower liner rib 406 disposed therebelow. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, each of the sides 324 of the outer wire frame 318 can include a rear portion 325 that is angled upwardly to dispose the rear 326 of the outer wire frame 318 above the surface area 320. The longitudinal wires 328 can include a similar configuration as the sides 324 of the outer wire frame 318 with rear portions 329 that are angled upwardly to couple to the rear 326 of the outer wire frame 318. The rear portions 325, 329 advantageously combine to provide a backstop 336 for the oven rack 312, as well as provide retention and anti-tip functionality when installed within the oven 400. For example, backstop 336 can extend along any desired angle, including between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, between 60 degrees and 90 degrees, generally 45 degrees, generally 90 degrees, and so forth.

The front tab 418 has a clearance from the lower rib 406 a sufficient distance to allow the backstop 336 of the oven rack 312 to be slid therebetween with the oven rack 312 held at an angle with respect to horizontal. Thereafter, the oven rack 312 can be returned to horizontal, which causes the backstop 336 to project upwardly a sufficient distance, such that the backstop 336 abuts both of the tabs 416, 418 as the oven rack 312 is slid into and out from the oven 400. This configuration effectively retains the oven rack 312 within the oven. Further, the backstop 336 can be sized to extend between the upper and lower ribs 406 a sufficient distance to restrict tipping of the oven rack 312 downwardly. Stated another way, the backstop 336 can be configured to abut the upper rib 406 to stop further tipping of the oven rack 312. Preferably, the backstop 336 and the distance between the upper and lower ribs 406 are sized to restrict a tipping angle of the oven rack 312 to be less than 15 degrees, less than 10 degrees, less than 5 degrees, and so forth.

As shown in FIG. 13, the front tab 418 has a larger clearance from the lower rib 406 than the rear tab 416, which allows the backstop 336 of the oven rack 312 to be slid therebetween during installation. For example, the oven rack 312 can be held at an angle β, which can be between 10 degrees to 15 degrees, or about 12 degrees, during installation to provide sufficient clearance for the backstop 336 to clear the front tap 418. Of course, it will be understood that this angle and the clearance required for installation of the oven rack 312 onto the liner rib 402 is dependent on the height of the backstop 336 and the clearance between the front tab 418 and the lower rib 406, as well as the distance between the front shelf portion 412 and the front tab 418. Accordingly, other installation angles, such as less than 15 degrees, less than 10 degrees, more than 12 degrees, and so forth are within the scope of this disclosure.

Further, the clearance between the lower rib 406 and the front tab is sufficient to allow the movement restrictor 382 to be slid over the front shelf portion 412 as the subframe 316 is installed within the oven 400 and the movement restrictor 382 is guided into the gap 408. For example, the subframe 316 can be held at an angle α, which can be between 1 degree and 5 degrees, or about 3 degrees, during installation to provide sufficient clearance for the movement restrictor 382 to clear the front shelf portion 412 as shown in FIG. 12. Of course, it will be understood that this angle and the clearance required for installation of the subframe 316 onto the liner rib 402 is at least partially dependent on the height of the movement restrictor 382. Accordingly, other installation angles, such as less than 3 degrees, more than 3 degrees, a range of between 1 and 5 degrees, and so forth are within the scope of this disclosure.

To prevent an oven rack 312 from being installed on top of the top liner rib 406, the oven 400 can include a stop 420 that is integral with or otherwise mounted in any suitable manner to the side oven interior surfaces 404 and that projects inwardly therefrom. In the illustrated example, the stop 420 is disposed above the top liner rib 406 and has a length and clearance from the top rib 406 that makes it impossible for the backstop 336 to be inserted therebetween. If desired, the configuration can take into account a top wall of the oven, which could restrict an angle of insertion for the oven rack 312.

Although an oven having liner ribs is shown and described, it will be understood that the oven rack assembly 300 described herein can be similarly configured for ovens using wire ladders or other rack support structures.

It will be understood that although wires having a generally circular cross-section are shown in the figures for a variety of components of the oven rack assembly, wires having any desired cross-sectional shape can be utilized. Moreover, the wires can have any desired gauge or configuration to suit a desired oven configuration. The terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and “about” used throughout this specification are used to describe and account for small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing. For example, they can refer to less than or equal to ±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to ±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to ±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.05%.

It will be appreciated that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. The same reference numbers may be used to describe like or similar parts. Further, while several examples have been disclosed herein, any features from any examples may be combined with or replaced by other features from other examples. Moreover, while several examples have been disclosed herein, changes may be made to the disclosed examples within departing from the scope of the claims.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. An oven rack assembly comprising:

an oven rack configured to support items to be cooked or otherwise heated within an oven cavity;

a slide system coupled to the oven rack and configured to move the oven rack between a retracted position and an extended position where the oven rack has moved forwardly relative to the retracted position;

a subframe coupled to the slide system, the subframe comprising lateral support portions, each of the support portions including an integral, downwardly depending movement restrictor for retaining the subframe in a stowed position within an oven cavity.

2. The oven rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the movement restrictors are further for restricting an installation depth for the subframe corresponding to the subframe being in the stowed position within an oven cavity.

3. The oven rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the support portions each comprise a wire body, the movement restrictor being at least a portion of the wire body.

4. The oven rack assembly of claim 3, wherein the wire bodies include one or more base portions for supporting the subframe on a structure of an oven cavity, the movement restrictors disposed below the one or more base portions.

5. The oven rack assembly of claim 3, wherein the wire bodies further include one or more slide supports extending laterally inwardly relative to the base portions, the slide system coupled to the slide supports.

6. The oven rack assembly of claim 3, wherein the subframe comprises an outer wire frame including front, rear, and side wires, the outer wire frame forming the support portions.

7. The oven rack assembly of claim 6, wherein the subframe further comprises longitudinal wires extending between the front and rear wires of the outer wire frame.

8. The oven rack assembly of claim 6, wherein the subframe, other than the movement restrictors thereof, is planar.

9. The oven rack assembly of claim 6, wherein the movement restrictors have a trapezoidal configuration.

10. The oven rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the support portions comprise a front foot and a rear foot, the movement restrictor being at least a portion of the front foot.

11. The oven rack assembly of claim 10, wherein the front foot and the rear foot each include aligned base portions for supporting the subframe on a structure of an oven cavity, the movement restrictor disposed below the base portions.

12. The oven rack assembly of claim 11, wherein the movement restrictors are formed from a wire member comprising an angled portion extending downwardly the base portion and a horizontal portion extending rearwardly from the angled portion.

13. The oven rack assembly of claim 11, wherein the rear foot includes an anti-tip portion extending upwardly from the base portion thereof.

14. The oven rack assembly of claim 10, wherein the subframe comprises:

spaced longitudinal wires;

a front lateral wire coupled to front ends of the longitudinal wires;

a rear lateral wire coupled to rear ends of the longitudinal wires;

wherein the front feet are coupled to ends of the front lateral wire and the rear feet are coupled to ends of the rear lateral wire.

15. The oven rack assembly of claim 14, wherein the slide system is coupled to the ends of the front and rear lateral wires.

16. The oven rack assembly claim 14, wherein the front and rear feet further include one or more slide supports extending laterally inwardly relative to the base portions thereof, the slide system coupled to the slide supports.

17. The oven rack assembly of claim 1, wherein the subframe is configured for use within an oven cavity having a liner with opposing liner ribs with a concave or gap portion.

18. The oven rack assembly of claim 17, wherein the movement resistors of the support portions include forwardly facing surfaces configured to engage interior surfaces of the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs of the oven cavity to thereby retain the subframe in the stowed position.

19. The oven rack assembly of claim 18, wherein the movement resistors have a depth configured to span an interior of the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs of the oven cavity and include rearwardly facing surfaces configured to engage the interior surfaces of the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs of the oven cavity to thereby restrict the installation depth for the subframe corresponding to the subframe being in the stowed position within the oven cavity.

20. A method for using an oven rack assembly comprising an oven rack, a slide system coupled to the oven rack, and a subframe coupled to the slide system, the method comprising:

installing the oven rack assembly within an oven cavity;

pulling the oven rack outwardly from the oven cavity, the oven rack moving relative to the subframe via slide system;

retaining the subframe in a stowed position within the oven cavity by downwardly-depending movement resistors of the subframe engaging structure of the oven cavity.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein retaining the subframe in the stowed position within the oven cavity comprises the movement resistors engaging interior surfaces of concave or gap portions of liner ribs on which the oven rack is resting.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein installing the oven rack assembly within the oven cavity comprises sliding the oven rack assembly into the oven cavity until the movement resistors are received within the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs and adjacent portions of the subframe rest on the liner ribs.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising restricting an installation depth for the subframe by the movement resistors engaging an interior surface of the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising holding the movement resistors within the concave or gap portions of the liner ribs with a weight of the oven rack assembly.