Door-operator Patents (Class 126/192)
  • Patent number: 11751294
    Abstract: An appliance includes a hinge module between a main body and a pull-down door. The hinge module includes a housing, a rotational axis member disposed in the housing serving as a center of rotation between the pull-down door and the main body, an inner link housing movably disposed in the housing that moves with the opening of the pull-down door in a direction of the rotational axis member, and a damper installed in the inner link housing, the damper including a piston and a cylinder and providing damping force according to a relative movement of the piston and the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jangmo Shin, Jeongkil Kim, Myeong Jun Shin, Seongho Jeong, Sangki Lee
  • Patent number: 11661780
    Abstract: An automatized mechanical opening/closing device is mounted to an oven mouth of an oven device and includes an outer door frame assembly, an inner door frame assembly, a door panel, a first driving device, and a plurality of second driving devices. The first driving device and the second driving devices are set in electric connection with a control platform is, so that the first driving device is operable to drive the inner door frame assembly to move inside the outer door frame assembly in an X-axis direction and the second driving devices is operable to drive the door panel to move inside the inner door frame assembly in a Y-axis direction. The control platform can be used to set automatized opening and closing operations of the oven mouth of the oven device to thereby save human labor and to reduce material damage due to manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Weisun Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ko-Chien Ho
  • Patent number: 11624223
    Abstract: An adjustable appliance hinge receiver includes a base including spaced-apart first and second lateral walls. A slide body is slidably connected to the base and located between the lateral walls. The slide body slides relative to the base along an adjustment axis. At least one hinge mounting structure is connected to the slide body and is adapted to be engaged by an associated hinge. An adjustment system includes a first inclined ramp connected to the slide body and an adjustment shaft that extends between and that is rotatably supported by the first and second lateral walls of the base. The adjustment shaft is rotatable relative to the base about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Mansfield Engineered Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. White, James J. Collene
  • Patent number: 11116049
    Abstract: An appliance includes a hinge module between a main body and a pull-down door. The hinge module includes a housing, a rotational axis member disposed in the housing serving as a center of rotation between the pull-down door and the main body, an inner link housing movably disposed in the housing that moves with the opening of the pull-down door in a direction of the rotational axis member, and a damper installed in the inner link housing, the damper including a piston and a cylinder and providing damping force according to a relative movement of the piston and the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jangmo Shin, Jeongkil Kim, Myeong Jun Shin, Seongho Jeong, Sangki Lee
  • Patent number: 9046273
    Abstract: A method for operating a wood fired appliance, in one aspect, generally includes automatically moving a baffle to a lowered closed position from the raised open position in response to a top loading door being moved to a closed position to close the opening in a top wall. The baffle may also be automatically inhibited from being maintained in the raised opened position when the top loading door is disposed in the closed position. For example, a cam may be tripped or activated by lowering of the top loading door to cause the baffle to rotate about an axis and fall under the force of gravity to the lowered closed position, and the cam may inhibit the baffle from being raised when the top loading door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Jotul North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Purinton, Shane L. Spencer, Anthony Labelle
  • Patent number: 8919338
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an outer cabinet within which is provided an oven cavity which can be selectively accessed by movement of a door mounted through a door linkage system which enables the door to be shifted between opened and closed positions through either sliding or tilting movements. In particular, the door can be automatically or manually shifted between open and closed positions, through either the sliding or tilting motions. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the door can be automatically opened at the end of a process or cooking cycle, or manually opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ACP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert McNamee, Thomas Miller, Edward R Cook
  • Publication number: 20140283811
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides an oven appliance. The oven appliance includes a pair of doors. A pair of sprockets or gears, a pair of chains, and a pair of connecting members couple the doors to each other such that the doors open and close simultaneously. The oven appliance also includes features for limiting or eliminating contact between the connecting members at a location where the connecting members cross each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Kershner, John Adam Yantis, John Mark Chilton, Srisurya Prakash Pilli
  • Patent number: 8800544
    Abstract: A locking system for an appliance that includes an oven and a door for the oven. The locking system includes an oven door lock device that is selectively switchable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a flame sensor configured to detect a flame within the oven, and a controller communicatively coupled to the flame sensor. The controller is configured to switch the oven door lock device to its locked position thereby securing the door in its closed position when a flame inside the oven is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Newsom, Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 8720430
    Abstract: A device for latching of horizontal coke oven chambers which is triggered by an auxiliary frame located on the coke oven chamber door is provided. The auxiliary frame is restrictively movable in vertical direction on the coke oven chamber door. During the outward movement, the auxiliary frame hits upwardly against limit stop cams firmly mounted on the oven door and transmitting the vertical traction force onto the coke oven chamber door. During the upward movement, the auxiliary frame actuates levers which are rotationally movable to an axis arranged orthogonally to the coke oven chamber and which are connected to a translatorily freely movable latch. On actuation of this lever, it pulls the latch from the latch take-up bearings mounted on the coke oven chamber door so that the coke oven chamber door is unlatched and opened. In an embodiment of the present invention, the coke oven chamber door can be arrested the open or closed position with a device suitable for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Franz-Josef Schuecker, Peter Thomas
  • Patent number: 8710409
    Abstract: A home appliance that includes a power operated door includes a first sensor that is accessible to a user when the door is closed, and a second sensor that is accessible to the user when the door is open. The first sensor is used to cause the door to move from the closed position to the open position. The second sensor is used to cause the door to move from the open position to the closed position. The first sensor may be located on an exterior of the door and the second sensor may be located on an inner surface of the home appliance or on an inner surface of the door itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard Busalt, Joachim Grützke, Graham Sadtler
  • Patent number: 8689781
    Abstract: An oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a cabinet and a pair of doors mounted to the cabinet. A latch selectively secures one of the pair of doors in a closed position. A pair of seals assists with sealing the chamber of the cabinet when the pair of doors is in the closed position. The seals of the pair of seals overlap and engage each other when the pair of doors is in the closed position such that both doors of the pair of doors are secured in the closed position when the latch secures the one of the pair of doors in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Mark Chilton, John Adam Yantis, Scott Thomas Kershner, Joshua Stephen Wiseman
  • Publication number: 20140069409
    Abstract: An oven appliance with a cabinet that defines a chamber is provided. A pair of doors is mounted proximate the cabinet and provides selective access to the cabinet. One of the pair of doors includes a tongue. Another of the pair of doors defines a groove configured for receipt of the tongue when the pair of doors is in a closed position. The tongue and groove can limit heat loss through a gap between the pair of doors or assist with sealing the pair of doors against the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Adam Yantis, John Mark Chilton, Scott Thomas Kershner, Eric Sugalski, David Schoon, David Perry
  • Patent number: 8651099
    Abstract: An oven appliance is provided having a pair of doors mounted to a cabinet of the appliance and configured for permitting selective access to a cooking chamber of the oven appliance. A mechanism selectively secures the pair of doors in a closed configuration such that access to the cooking chamber is impeded by the pair of doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Adam Yantis, Jonathan Michael Cepress
  • Patent number: 8439027
    Abstract: A door control mechanism which is attached near the hinge region of a door to bias the door to a closed orientation, and after a prescribed location, bias the door toward an open location to a sufficient degree such that the door is noticeably open. The door control mechanism in one form may have a cam extension that engages a spring member to supply stored energy to and from the spring member to bias the door closed and to bias the door open after a prescribed amount of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Wood Stone Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Byron Johnson, Tadeusz Karabin
  • Patent number: 8430089
    Abstract: Provided is a heating cooker which allows a door on a cooking chamber to be opened without direct handling of the door by a user. The heating cooker includes a body having a cooking chamber defined therein, a door hingably mounted to the body to open and close the cooking chamber, a door holder positioned in the body to hold the door and keep the cooking chamber closed by the door, and a hinge part connected between the door and the body to guide rotation of the door such that when the door is released from the door holder, the door is automatically opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kwang Kim, Dae Sung Han, Yong Hyun Kwon, Seok Weon Hong, Tae Uk Lee, Pung Yeun Cho, Han Seong Kang, Sung Soo Park, Han Jun Sung, Tae Hun Kim
  • Publication number: 20130032132
    Abstract: An oven appliance having a pair of doors that open together to provide access to the cooking chamber of the appliance is provided. The doors are mechanically connected with other each such that the opening of one door also causes the other door to open—e.g., a user of the appliance can open both doors using only one door. The mechanism that allows for the simultaneous opening of the doors can be readily contained within the cabinet of the oven—substantially or completely hidden from the user's view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: John Adam Yantis
  • Patent number: 8357886
    Abstract: A drawer type cooking device for disconnecting and connecting the linkage between the drawer body and the movement mechanism in response to the user's selection of operation between a manual opening/closing operation and an electric automatic opening/closing operation of the drawer body. Based on the user's input via the operation unit, connection/disconnection of power transmission via a clutch mechanism and driving/stopping of a drive mechanism is automatically controlled. By turning the clutch mechanism off and isolating the drawer body from the motor, the load of manual operation to open/close the drawer body is reduced. Based on the user's operation via the operation unit, the clutch mechanism is set to connected state, and in that state, the drive mechanism is driven so that power is transmitted to the rack of the drawer body, and the drawer body can be automatically opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Yoshidome
  • Patent number: 8336535
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an oven cavity accessed through first and second French-style doors that are connected to the appliance through a door linkage system. The door linkage system establishes a particular timing of door openings and closings to minimize potential wear of a door gasket. That is, each of the doors has an associated gasket for use in sealing the oven cavity when the doors are closed. One of the doors is provided with an annular gasket, while the other door essentially incorporates a less that fully annular, preferably 3-sided or a three-quarter gasket. With this arrangement, each of the gaskets has three sides adapted to seal against a cabinet shell portion of the appliance, while the fourth side of the first gasket is adapted to seal against an extension provided on the other door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Larsen, David E. Levi, Mark A. Pickering
  • Patent number: 8327835
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having first and second oven doors that combine to extend across and close off a frontal opening of a cooking chamber includes a latching mechanism for locking the first and second oven doors in a closed position. The latching mechanism includes a fixed support plate and a motor having an output shaft to which is rotatably mounted an eccentric drive member. Preferably, the motor is fixedly mounted to the support plate. The latching mechanism further includes first and second latch members each having a first end portion pivotally attached to the eccentric drive member extending to a second end portion defining a hook element. When the motor is activated, a guide mechanism directs the second end portions of the first and second latch members to a locking position leading the hook members into engagement with the first and second doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Larsen, David E. Levi
  • Publication number: 20120298095
    Abstract: A household oven (1) comprising an outer boxlike casing (2) which is internally provided with a inner cooking cavity (2a) for housing the food products to be cooked and that communicates with the outside via an access opening realized on the front face (2b) of the casing, a front door (3) which is hinged to the front face (2b) of the casing to rotate to and from a closing position in which the front door (3) rests against the front face (2b) of the casing to close the access opening realized therein, and an internal heating assembly (4) which is structured for heating and/or maintaining the inside of the inner cooking cavity (2a) at a given cooking temperature; the household oven (1) also comprising a push-push handle (11) which is completely recessed into a seat (Ha) realized in the outer face (3a) of the front door (3), and is structured for alternatively assuming a stable withdrawn position in which the push-push handle (11) remains motionless completely housed into the front door (3) and forms part of the
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Marco Saporetti, Cris Tridello
  • Patent number: 8283610
    Abstract: Methods and devices for opening and closing a door of a drawer-type cooking device, enabling reduction in operation force by causing a drive mechanism not to put a load during an initial period when the door is opened or closed are provided. When a drawer body is driven by a drive mechanism including an electric motor to reach a stroke end such as a fully closed (opened) position, the drive mechanism is reversely driven only for a distance corresponding to a backlash existing in a transmission mechanism (between a pinion and a rack) and is stopped. When the drawer body is manually operated in the direction away from the stroke end, the drawer body moves without driving the drive mechanism against the inertia or load only for the distance corresponding to the backlash. As a result, the drawer body can start to be manually moved with a light burden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hirano
  • Publication number: 20120067333
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oven door opening and closing device comprising at least one hinge, which is connectable to an oven door and to an oven housing for realizing a predetermined pivoting opening and closing movement of the oven door relative to the oven housing between an open and a closed position; at least one closing force generating means for generating a predetermined closing force; kinematic means, which are coupled to the hinge and to a moveable element in such a manner, that the predetermined pivoting opening and closing movement of the hinge is converted into a predetermined reciprocating opening and closing movement of the moveable element; and at least one damping system having a damper for generating a damping force which counteracts the closing movement of the movable element within a predetermined section, which corresponds to a predetermined angle section of the pivoting closing movement of the hinge shortly prior to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Behnam Mirshekari, Klaus Walzlein, Simone Stephan, Klaus Kern, Dietmar Hildner, Gerhard Schaff, Branko Ivanovic, Tobias Weber
  • Patent number: 8020548
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a storage compartment and a useful storage volume that is closable by a door. The door is able to slide into the storage compartment with a guiding system during opening. To simplify the assembly of the household appliance, the useful storage volume is provided in a useful storage volume module while the storage compartment is provided in a storage compartment module. The two modules represent two separate components that are assembled so as to form the household appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Bartmann, Jochen Herbolsheimer, Horst Krenz, Heiko Meyer
  • Patent number: 7819113
    Abstract: A door assembly for a cooking apparatus is provided that prevents heat generated in a cooking chamber from being released to the outside while also being as thin as possible. The door assembly may include a glass support that supports a first glass panel on a front side, and a second glass panel on a rear side. The second glass panel may be supported by a seating protrusion and catching protrusions formed on the rear side of the glass support. A door frame may be coupled to the rear side of the glass support, with a third glass panel coupled to either a front or rear side thereof. A cover frame may be coupled to the rear side of the glass support to enclose the first, second and third glass panels and the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Myeung Chin
  • Patent number: 7793650
    Abstract: When a user manually opens/closes the door of the drawer-type heating cooker, a pulse generation means attached to an electric motor generates pulses for counting the number of revolutions. A determination means determines whether the door is opened/closed manually or not on the basis of detection of the pulses. A prediction means predicts whether the manual operation is door opening or door closing in response to the status of position detection switches for detecting the position of the door. A motor control means decides the rotation direction of the electric motor in accordance with the prediction by the prediction means and controls the rotation of the electric motor on the basis of the decision. Hence the burden of door opening/closing operation is alleviated with the help of the driving force of the electric motor even when both hands of the user are occupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Nishio
  • Patent number: 7755004
    Abstract: A motorized hinge system for an oven door includes first and second hinge assemblies. At least one hinge assembly is motorized. In the motorized hinge assembly, a first hinge portion is connected to the oven door and a second hinge portion connected to the oven body. A door control arm has first end connected to the first hinge portion and a second end spaced from the first end. A motor is connected to the oven body and includes an actuator that is driven by the motor. The actuator is operably coupled to the door control arm and is movable in first and second directions by the motor to move the door control arm and door in corresponding first and second directions pivotally relative to the second hinge portion. In one example, the actuator is a lead screw type actuator. A non-motorized hinge assembly is also used together with the motorized hinge assembly to connect the oven door to the body. The non-motorized hinge assembly is spring-biased to urge the door toward its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: James J. Collene, Jeffrey D. Habegger, Brian S. Studer, Nicholas R. SirLouis
  • Patent number: 7735480
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having first and second oven doors that combine to extend across and close off a frontal opening of a cooking chamber includes a latching mechanism for locking the first and second oven doors in a closed position. The latching mechanism includes a fixed support plate and a motor having an output shaft to which is rotatably mounted an eccentric drive member. Preferably, the motor is fixedly mounted to the support plate. The latching mechanism further includes first and second latch members each having a first end portion pivotally attached to the eccentric drive member extending to a second end portion defining a hook element. When the motor is activated, a guide mechanism directs the second end portions of the first and second latch members to a locking position leading the hook members into engagement with the first and second doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Larsen, David E. Levi
  • Patent number: 7726294
    Abstract: A motorized oven latch includes a base plate. A latch member is slidably connected to the base plate by a first mounting stud or first and second mounting studs connected to the latch member and located in a contoured slot defined in the base plate. The latch member includes an inner end and an outer end, and the outer end includes a hook adapted to engage an oven door. A motor is drivingly coupled to the latch member, and the motor is selectively operative to move the latch member forward and rearward relative to said base plate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch member moves on a non-linear path relative to the base plate in response to movement of the first mounting stud or both the first and second mounting studs in the contoured slot when the motor moves the latch member forward to the unlocked position or rearward to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: James J. Collene, Nicholas R. SirLouis
  • Publication number: 20090200297
    Abstract: There is provided a cooking device having a drawer type automatic door in which delicate control is carried out when the door is opened and closed, whereby an influence (falling, overflowing, or the like) exerted on an object to be cooked such as a food by a shock produced at the time of door opening and closing can be reduced or eliminated. When a before-stop position (full opening detection switch Pso at the time of full opening, intermediate switch Psi at the time of full closing) provided before the stop position of the door is detected by specific position detecting means, speed control means controls driving means to reduce the travel speed of a drawer body. For the door opening and closing at the time of start and finish of cooking, a position at which the drawer body is to be stopped automatically (fully opened position Po, fully closed position Pc) is recognized, and the opening/closing speed leading to the stopping is controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Toshiro MYOJI
  • Publication number: 20090178663
    Abstract: The invention is a new kitchen oven with door (P) equipped with a push closing and release device (B1, B2), in such a way as to allow the user to open and close said door by simply pushing it. The closing and release device is provided with a coupling element (B1) and a coupling and uncoupling mechanism (B2) suited to house and hold said coupling element when the door is first pressed or pushed and to free and expel said coupling element when it is pressed again, thus opening the door itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: FILIPPI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Filippo Filippi
  • Patent number: 7445005
    Abstract: A household appliance door, which is mounted in a manner that enables it to pivot about a joint axis, has a door handle that can pivot about a door handle axis running parallel to the joint axis. At least one controlling mechanism is associated with the door handle. When the door executes a pivotal movement in a first pivoting direction, the controlling mechanism pivots the door handle in a second pivoting direction opposite the first pivoting direction, as such, reliable actuation of the door handle is achieved. The door handle is pivotally mounted in a bearing housing and the bearing housing extends in an axial direction along the entire door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Bartmann, Jochen Herbolsheimer, Horst Krenz, Heiko Meyer
  • Publication number: 20080257331
    Abstract: An actuator moves the hinged lid of a cooking grill or similar container between a closed position and an opened position when an electronic sensor detects the approach of a person. For example, the actuator can open the lid when a person approaches, and then close the lid at a later time, such as when the person activates a switch or leaves the area, or after a time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Chris LOCKHART
  • Patent number: 7392804
    Abstract: An actuator moves the hinged lid of a cooking grill or similar container between a closed position and an opened position when an electronic sensor detects the approach of a person. For example, the actuator can open the lid when a person approaches, and then close the lid at a later time, such as when the person activates a switch or leaves the area, or after a time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Chris A. Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20080148960
    Abstract: A method for operating a cooking appliance having a cooking appliance control system and a door. The method includes automatically opening the door using the cooking appliance control system when a cooking process is complete, and automatically closing the door when a physical quantity falls below a predetermined threshold value stored in a memory of the cooking appliance control system. In addition, a cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber, a door, a cooking appliance control system having a memory, a sensor disposed in the cooking chamber, a guide device, and a door opening device including a positioning motor and a rod. The cooking appliance control system is configured to actuate the positioning motor as a function of the output signal so as to automatically open the door when a cooking process is complete and automatically close the door when a physical quantity falls below a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Berger, Hartmut Dittrich, Ruediger Hoehn
  • Publication number: 20080078373
    Abstract: Provided is a heating cooker which allows a door on a cooking chamber to be opened without direct handling of the door by a user. The heating cooker includes a body having a cooking chamber defined therein, a door hingably mounted to the body to open and close the cooking chamber, a door holder positioned in the body to hold the door and keep the cooking chamber closed by the door, and a hinge part connected between the door and the body to guide rotation of the door such that when the door is released from the door holder, the door is automatically opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Sung Kwang Kim, Dea Sung Han, Yong Hyun Kwon, Seok Weon Hong, Tae Uk Lee, Pung Yeun Cho, Han Seong Kang, Sung Soo Park, Han Jun Sung, Tae Hun Kim
  • Patent number: 7263989
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a cam 3, a lever 8, a switch 10, a spring 9 and fire detection means 15. Utilizing an interlocking movement and an operation of the switch, a motor 2 is driven under a microcomputer control 23, and by doing so, the automatic opening and closing movement of a cover 1 can be effected smoothly and stably. Even when a fire occurs at a cooking device 13 below the apparatus, the fire detection means 15 stops the operation of a circulating fan 11, and also stops the cover 1 in an open condition, and by doing so, the spreading of the fire can be limited to a minimum, and also an abnormality in the opening and closing of the cover 1 can be indicated at a display portion 23, and therefore the safety, the durability and the degree of satisfaction of customers can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yamauchi, Toshiyuki Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 7261100
    Abstract: A household device includes a useful storage volume that can be closed by a door and a storage compartment disposed below, above, or to the side of the useful storage volume into which the door can be displaced. The door is associated with a guiding system including at least one slide track, wherein a guiding element associated with the door is guided by displacing the door from a closed position and moving it into the storage compartment. The slide track includes a start section that initially guides the door in an upward direction when it moves out of the closed position. Such a configuration has the same size as conventional household device with an increased useful storage volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Bartmann, Jochen Herbolsheimer, Horst Krenz, Heiko Meyer
  • Patent number: 7234457
    Abstract: A door for household appliances, in particular, a door for cooking appliances, are mounted to pivot about an articulation axis include a door handle that can be pivoted about a door-handle axis that runs parallel to the articulation axis and is connected to at least one control mechanism. When the door is pivoted in a first pivoting direction, the control mechanism pivots the door handle in a second pivoting direction that is opposite to the first. According to the invention, to obtain a reliable actuation of the door handle, a protective device is allocated to the control mechanism and prevents the pivoting motion of the door handle, during the actuation of the latter, from being transmitted to the control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Bartmann, Jochen Herbolsheimer, Horst Krenz, Heiko Meyer
  • Patent number: 7227101
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an oven having a flexible and retractable door is described. The oven door is adapted to move from a closed position wherein it effectively closes an open side of the oven box and an open position wherein the door is retracted into the body of the oven, typically below the oven box. In variations, an electric motor is provided to selectively move the oven door between the open and closed positions. In other variations, the oven includes an oven rack that is moveable between extended and retracted positions by way of a second electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventors: Gary V. Harned, Kim A. Williams, Kenneth W. House, Douglas P. Collins
  • Patent number: 7150071
    Abstract: A breakaway hinge system for an appliance door includes a claw and a receptacle adapted to receive and retain the claw. The receptacle includes a support member and at least one hinge mounting structure that is engaged by the claw. The at least one hinge mounting structure is movable relative to the support member between first and second positions. A spring biases the at least one hinge mounting structure to the first operative position, and the at least one hinge mounting structure is movable to the second position in response to application of force to the hinge assembly having a magnitude sufficient to overcome the spring. The at least one hinge mounting structure can be a pin or like structure provided as part of a pair of pins connected directly or indirectly to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: James J. Collene, Jeffrey D. Habegger
  • Patent number: 7137387
    Abstract: An oven lock mechanism is disclosed having a latch mechanism driven by a motor between a latched position wherein the oven door is held in a closed position and an unlatched position wherein the oven door freely opens and closes. The motor is controlled by a switch that enables rotation of the motor when in a first state and prevents rotation of the motor when in a second state. A switch actuator mechanism places the switch in the first state when the door is closed and in the second state when the door is open. The switch is mounted at the rear of the oven away from the front opening of the oven compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Charles V. Edwards, Harry I Courter, Tracy J. Talley
  • Patent number: 7064296
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an oven having a flexible and retractable door is described. The oven door is adapted to move from a closed position wherein it effectively closes an open side of the oven box and an open position wherein the door is retracted into the body of the oven, typically below the oven box. In variations, an electric motor is provided to selectively move the oven door between the open and closed positions. In other variations, the oven includes an oven rack that is moveable between extended and retracted positions by way of a second electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Culinary Logic, LLC
    Inventors: Gary V. Harned, Kim A. Williams, Kenneth W. House, Douglas P. Collins
  • Patent number: 6922033
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus for controlling the opening of a cover over a barbecue grill includes a motor for opening and closing the cover over the barbecue grill, with the motor connected to the cover by a coupling rod. The cooking apparatus includes, in one embodiment, a counterweight attached at the rear of the barbecue cover. The cooking apparatus also comes with a remote control for transmitting control signals to the motor. The remote control transmits start and stop signals to the motor, or alternatively, the motor operates only during the transmission of control signals to the motor. The remote control may also transmit signals to control flow of a combustible gas. The barbecue cover opener is removable from the barbecue grill. Control of the motor allows movement of the cover to stop at any point within the full range of the cover being opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventors: John T. Ziegenhorn, Eric A. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20040255929
    Abstract: A heating generating appliance including an opening device configured to automatically open doors of the appliance. The opening device functions based on user input or can be controlled automatically via the appliance controls to open and/or close the doors of the appliance as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: David Jon Miller, Robert Samuel Waddell, Brynn Douglas Rogers, Thomas J. Bachinski
  • Publication number: 20040187858
    Abstract: A motorized door latch assembly for locking an oven door in a locked and sealed position for purposes of cleaning the oven. A motor assembly causes a latch rod to translate, causing a latch plate to move between different positions. In a first position, the latch plate allows the oven door to open. In a second position, the latch plate prevents the oven door from opening. In a third position, the oven door is pulled inwardly to a locked and sealed position. During shipment, the latch plate is locked in its first position by a fixer. The distance between the latch plate and the motor assembly may be adjusted for ranges of different sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: France/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: James Ramsey, Donald E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6789537
    Abstract: A device for foot operation of the cover of a cooking instrument, such as a barbecue grill, includes a lever located so as to be operated by a foot, a lift support attached to the cover of the cooking instrument and a linkage connecting the foot operated lever and the lift support. A spring connected to the lift support assists in operating the lid with only a small amount of foot pressure. The foot operated lever can be moved so as to lock the cover in the open position. This enables the cover of the cooking instrument to be safely and conveniently operated in a “no hands” manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Lutz, Jill D. Lutz
  • Publication number: 20040144380
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a door, in particular, a cooking appliance door, through which a useful space can be closed, and having a stowage space, into which the door can be lowered at least partly, guided by a guide system that has a pivot axis and at least one guide element guided in a guide track, through which the door is guided in its movement along the guide track during a pivoting movement. The position of the pivot axis is fixed in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Joachim Grutzke, Thomas Rembold
  • Publication number: 20040011347
    Abstract: A motorized door latch assembly for locking an oven door in a locked and sealed position for purposes of cleaning the oven. A motor assembly causes a latch rod to translate, causing a latch plate to move between different positions. In a first position, the latch plate allows the oven door to open. In a second position, the latch plate prevents the oven door from opening. In a third position, the oven door is pulled inwardly to a locked and sealed position. During shipment, the latch plate is locked in its first position by a fixer. The distance between the latch plate and the motor assembly may be adjusted for ranges of different sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: James Ramsey, Donald E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6581587
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening an outdoor grill cover using an activation device and an opening mechanism. The activation device is attached to one end of the opening mechanism, and the activation device is positioned such that a grill user can access it. The opening mechanism is attached to the grill cover at an opposing end such that the activation device actuates the opening of the grill cover. The apparatus further includes a closing mechanism coupled to the opening mechanism such that the closing mechanism allows for gentle closure of the grill cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: James H. Helms
  • Patent number: 6125773
    Abstract: A cable system for raising and lowering a door of an industrial furnace utilizes a pair of vertically extending cables having lower ends connected to the door and upper ends connected to shaft-carried sheaves that are rotated concurrently to cause upper portions of the cables to be wound onto and off of the sheaves to raise and lower the furnace door to open and close a furnace opening defined in a vertical furnace face. The cables wind onto and off of sheave-defined tracks that are configured to cause lower portions of the cables to move the door a small distance horizontally during raising and lowering. This small distance horizontal movement capability may be utilized at the initiation of door raising to move the door away from the furnace face, and at the conclusion of door lowering to close the door against the furnace face to close the furnace opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Gary L. Coble