Combined Latch And Operator Patents (Class 126/197)
  • Patent number: 11841144
    Abstract: Proposed is a cooking appliance having a function capable of manually opening a door even when a closed state of the door is maintained. The cooking appliance includes: a main body having a cooking chamber defined therein; a door mounted rotatably to the main body; and a latch module provided in the main body and controlling the opening and closing of the door, wherein the latch module includes: a latch installed rotatably at an end thereof, an elastic body installed at a side of the latch and forcing the latch to be rotated in one direction by applying an elastic force to the latch; a driving part installed at a side of the elastic body and supplying power to the latch; a cam provided at a side of the driving part; and a lever bracket having an end thereof connected to the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jaebong Jang
  • Patent number: 11536048
    Abstract: A latch module incorporated with an automatic opening function and a secure lock function includes a latch, a spring that applies a force to move the latch in a first direction, a drive to move the latch in a second direction, a cam that transmits power of the drive to the latch, and first and second switches that are turned on and off by the cam. The first and second switches are in a first mode in which the two switches are turned on and the latch is disposed at a manual lock position, a second mode in which the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off and the latch is disposed at an opening position, a third mode in which the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on and the latch is in a secure lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeongkil Kim, Myeong Jun Shin, Jangmo Shin, Seongho Jeong
  • Patent number: 11203890
    Abstract: An energizable electromagnet of a door locking system is affixed to the door or the door frame for electromagnetically attracting an armature affixed to the other. A power control circuit is configured to selectively energize the electromagnet using a pulse-width modulated current cycle wherein two levels of magnetic force may be selectively applied to the system. A door position sensor is configured to provide a first communication signal to the power control circuit when the door is in a closed position. A second communication signal is provided when the door is not in the closed position. The electromagnet is energized at the lower level of magnetic force when the power control circuit receives the first communication signal and at the higher level of magnetic force only when an unauthorized attempt to open the door is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett L. Davis, Randall Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11191370
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring and control system is provided. The system includes a plurality of temperature sensors for obtaining temperature readings of food items. The system is scalable and configurable with each sensor being capable of functioning as an individual sensor and/or as part of a grouping of sensors. The system is configured to obtain a variety of information, such as ambient air temperature, dwell time of food items, moisture levels, and the like, thereby enabling the system to recognize current and future temperature concerns. The system provides audio and visual warnings and visual displays. In some embodiments, the system performs one or more physical operation based on one or more detected condition. The system is further configured to distinguish between accurate temperature readings and inaccurate temperature readings and/or to otherwise determine if an obstacle is preventing a temperature sensor from obtaining an accurate temperature reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Unified Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Seiss, Arthur DeLorenzo, Sakthivel Sandhalingam, Ryan McMartin
  • Patent number: 11162288
    Abstract: The present invention related to a door hinge for opening a door, which includes a cam fitted to the housing and hinged to the door, a roller that is in contact with an outer curved portion of the cam and is pushed backward according to the eccentric rotation of the cam, a damper case coupled with the roller and a pin and moving linearly backward according to the pushing pressure of the roller, a chamber formed at the end of the damper case, a guide tube extending to the end of the damper case in which the chamber is formed recessedly, a damper cover fixed the housing with a fastening pin and accommodating space is formed therein to accommodate the guide tube, a damper installed in the accommodating space of the damper cover, and a rod configured to exert a compressive force of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SEO WON KOREA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Juneyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 11085648
    Abstract: Provided is a door latch including a latch mechanism, secured to an appliance such as a self-cleaning oven, which locks an appliance door to the appliance. The latch mechanism includes a latch bracket mounted to a surface of the appliance. A latch hook is mounted within the latch bracket for reciprocal movement between locking and unlocking positions. The latch hook pivotally engages a receptacle mounted on the door, to lock the door to the appliance. A flexible cable is retained inside a flexible conduit. A first end of the flexible cable is connected to the latch hook for displacing the latch hook into the locking position for pivotal engagement with the receptacle. An electric actuator is connected to a second end of the flexible cable for producing operative movement of the flexible cable within the flexible conduit to displace the latch hook between the locking and unlocking positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: HTI TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Roger L. DeYoung
  • Patent number: 11026523
    Abstract: A temperature monitoring and control system is provided. The system includes a plurality of temperature sensors for obtaining temperature readings of food items. The system is scalable and configurable with each sensor being capable of functioning as an individual sensor and/or as part of a grouping of sensors. The system is configured to obtain a variety of information, such as ambient air temperature, dwell time of food items, moisture levels, and the like, thereby enabling the system to recognize current and future temperature concerns. The system provides audio and visual warnings and visual displays. In some embodiments, the system performs one or more physical operation based on one or more detected condition. The system is further configured to distinguish between accurate temperature readings and inaccurate temperature readings and/or to otherwise determine if an obstacle is preventing a temperature sensor from obtaining an accurate temperature reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Unified Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Seiss, Arthur DeLorenzo, Sakthivel Sandhalingam, Ryan McMartin
  • Patent number: 10959560
    Abstract: A steam cooking system includes a first steam cooking cavity, a second steam cooking cavity and a steam generator. The steam generator includes a steam outlet for selectively feeding steam to one or both of the first steam cooking cavity and the second steam cooking cavity, the outlet selectively connectable to feed steam to the first steam cooking cavity and/or the second steam cooking cavity via a valved fluid path. The valved fluid path includes a main supply valve, a first valve and a second valve configured and controllable to assure that the steam generator outlet is always connect to atmosphere by one or more paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Michael B. Reckner
  • Patent number: 10746411
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking apparatus capable of accurately perceiving whether a door is closed. Disclosed herein is also a cooking apparatus capable of preventing a latch assembly of a main body from being pressurized by another object outside the cooking apparatus in a state in which a door is opened. The cooking apparatus includes a latch assembly disposed in a main body and configured to confine a key member of a door, wherein the latch assembly includes: a body including an interference hole therein; a first lever rotatably coupled to the body; a second lever configured to be rotatable in a first direction due to pressurization of the key member; a stopper connected to the second lever and configured to restrict rotation of the first lever as the stopper is inserted into the interference hole; and a sensor configured to be selectively pressurized by the first lever and sense whether the door is opened and closed to prevent malfunction of the cooking apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung Kwen Ham, Hyeon Kyu Lim, Nam Soo Park
  • Patent number: 10685803
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is for interrupting an electric circuit if settable protective parameters are exceeded. In an embodiment, the circuit breaker includes an electronic trip unit, in which the set protective parameters are stored, with a movable sealing pane, which covers at least part of the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker further includes a sensor with which a first state of the sealing pane can be ascertained. The electronic trip unit is designed such that changes to the protective parameters are accepted by the electronic trip unit only in the first state of the sealing pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Alexander Kupsch, Andre Borgwardt
  • Patent number: 10393425
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a main-door, the main-door, a sub-door, a restraint device that protrudes from a rear surface of the sub-door, a latch device located at the main-door and configured to selectively restrict movement of the restraint device, and an operation device located at the sub-door and configured to release the restraint device from the latch device. The latch device includes a latch configured to restrict movement of the restraint device from the latch based on rotation of the latch, a stopper configured to engage a side of the latch and limit movement of the latch, a pusher configured to push the stopper to cause the stopper to rotate, and an elastic member connected to the latch and to the stopper. The latch is configured to, based on rotation of the stopper, rotate and release restraint between the latch and the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kihyun Park
  • Patent number: 10344986
    Abstract: An appliance defining a vertical direction includes a door, a catch, and a door assembly. The door defines a cavity accessible through an opening. The catch may be spaced apart from the door along the vertical direction. The door assembly may include a latch assembly and a trigger. The latch assembly may include a latch movable along the vertical direction. The trigger may be coupled to the latch assembly. In addition, the trigger may be movable between a first position and a second position. When the trigger is in the first position, the latch may engage the catch. In contrast, when the trigger is in the second position, the latch may be spaced apart from the catch along the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Adam Yantis
  • Patent number: 10315842
    Abstract: A system is provided for securing a lid of a container to prevent animal intrusion that includes a container, a lid, and a mechanism for securing the lid in a closed position. In an embodiment, the mechanism includes a gravity-actuated swivel lock for locking the mechanism when the container is tilted from a preferred orientation. In another embodiment, the system includes a mechanical claw configured to press at least one release lever for releasing the container lid, while grasping the container for lifting and tilting, to empty the container contents into a garbage truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Western Disposal, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike G. Seader, William A. May, Stanley L. Schisler
  • Patent number: 10251214
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a bimetallic switch is positioned adjacent an electrical heating element. A first electrical conduit is coupled to a first terminal of the electrical heating element and is configured to operate at a first voltage, L1, with respect to ground. A second electrical conduit is configured to operate at a second voltage, L2, with respect to ground. A relay is configured such that the relay connects the second electrical conduit to a second terminal of the electrical heating element when the bimetallic switch is in the first configuration and is also configured such that the relay connects a neutral electrical conduit to the second terminal of the electrical heating element when the bimetallic switch is in the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugenio Gomez, James Lee Armstrong, Philip Ames Barber
  • Patent number: 10234190
    Abstract: A locking assembly for a refrigerator appliance having inner and outer doors includes a catch mounted to an inner door of the refrigerator. The catch includes a body having a support surface and a locking member. The support surface may be positioned between an outer surface of the inner door and an inner surface of the outer door. The locking assembly also includes a latch coupled to the outer door and operable to engage the latch member. In addition, the locking assembly includes a magnet positioned on the support surface, and the magnet is operable to exert a magnetic bias on the outer door towards the inner door along the transverse direction to compress a gasket that is operable to seal against the outer surface of the inner door or the inner surface of the outer door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Wantland, Bagawathkumar Chellappan
  • Patent number: 10107504
    Abstract: An oven for baking a food product includes a housing having a ceiling, a floor, first and second opposing side walls, at least one internal heating zone defined by the ceiling, the floor and the first and second opposing side walls, and at least one heating source for providing heat to the at least one internal heating zone. The ceiling is formed of carbon steel. At least a surface of the ceiling facing the at least one internal heating zone is formed as a high emissivity chemical conversion coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Reading Bakery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. Zaleski, Jr., Paul Mitchell, Greg Hill, David Horning
  • Patent number: 10088817
    Abstract: A controlling device for indoor apparatus includes a detection module, a human machine interface (HMI) and a wireless transmission module. The controlling device accepts supervisor's setting for an indoor electronic apparatus via the HMI, detects the environment around the controlling device for generating a plurality of detection value via the detective module, and receives another detection value from a plurality of slave detection devices in same controlling system. The controlling device generates a control command based on setting parameter of the supervisor and the plurality of detection value, and transmits the generated control command to the indoor electronic apparatus via the wireless transmission module. The indoor electronic apparatus works based on the received control command, so the environment around the controlling system can satisfy supervisor's demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Chieh Chan, Cheng-Yi Huang, Hsu-Fan Ai, Chien-Chung Lee, Yuan-Ping Hsieh, Jo-Fang Wei
  • Patent number: 9709317
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator including a cabinet (10) defining a first storage region (2) for storing food, a door (20) for opening and closing the first storage region (2), a gasket (26) which is provided on an inner surface of the door (20) and seals the first storage region (2) from outdoor air by forming a sealing boundary when the door (20) closes the first storage region (2), a first hinge member (40) which has a rotary shaft (42) and rotatably connects the door (20) to the cabinet (10) out of the sealing boundary, a container (100) which defines a second storage region for storing food and is received in the first storage region (2), and a second hinge member (200) which is fixed, at one side thereof, to the container (100) within the sealing boundary while being rotatably connected, at the other side thereof, to the door (20), the second hinge member (200) having a rotary shaft (206) which is vertically and linearly aligned with the rotary shaft (42) of the first hinge member (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaeyoul Lee, Nami Kim, Raeyoung Park, Hyunbum Kim, Jindong Kim, Jihyun Im, Ayoung Choo, Myunghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9568239
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator including a cabinet defining a first storage area to store food, a door connected to the cabinet by first hinge members, so as to be rotatable about a first rotary shaft located at the front portion of the cabinet, and opening and closing the first storage area, a gasket provided on the door, and a container defining a second storage area received in the first storage area and being rotatable by a second hinge member installed on the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunbum Kim, Jihyun Im, Jindong Kim
  • Patent number: 9518777
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a first storage compartment configured to store food, a main door rotatably mounted on the cabinet and configured to open or close at least a portion of the first storage compartment, an accommodation device accessible through an opening in the main door, a sub door mounted on the main door and configured to open or close the opening, and a door opening assembly that is configured to selectively restrict one side of a back surface of the sub door to a corresponding side of a front surface of the main door to thereby selectively restrict movement of the sub door relative to the main door. The accommodation device defines a second storage compartment within the main door that is separated from the first storage compartment, and the door opening assembly is configured to be manipulated from a side surface of the sub door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihyun Lee, Jinwon Kang, Hangbok Lee, Kyutae Park, Woonkyu Seo, Daesung Lee
  • Patent number: 9429356
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment, a first door that is rotatably disposed in front of the main body and has an opening, a door guard disposed in the opening, a second door that is rotatably disposed in front of the first door, opens/closes the opening, and is rotated in the same direction as the first door, first hinges coupling the first door rotatably to the main body, and second hinges coupling the second door rotatably to the first door, elastic levers coupled to the first door applying an elastic force in a direction in which the first door is closed, and a first stopping member coupled to the first door to limit an angle at which the first door is opened and a second stopping member coupled to the second door to limit an angle at which the second door is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Beom Gon Kim, Youn Tae Shin
  • Patent number: 9410732
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment and a main door mounted on the cabinet by a hinge and having an access opening. An auxiliary storage compartment is provided at a rear portion of the main door and is accessible through the access opening. A sub door is mounted on the main door and opens and closes the access opening. A locking device selectively couples the main door with the sub door, and a handle is pivotably attached on the sub door and can be pushed rearward by pivoting about an end of the handle. A lock control device is mounted in the sub door and unlocks the locking device as a result of the handle being pushed rearward about the end of the handle. The handle has a gripping recess and opens the main door and the sub door simultaneously as a result of being pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyukwan Choi, Minsub Kim, Sungkyong Han
  • Patent number: 9342038
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a casing having a first opening and a second opening. The first and second openings each extend between an interior of the casing and an exterior of the casing. A cover has a close position in which the cover covers the first opening and the second opening, and an open position in which cover does not cover the first opening and the second opening. A shutter has a shielding position in which the shutter covers the second opening, and a retracted position. The shutter is operably connected to the cover so as to move between the shielding position and the retracted position in response to movement of the cover. A protrusion extends from the cover, and the protrusion extends through the second opening when the cover is in the close position and the shutter is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yosuke Aoi
  • Patent number: 9316429
    Abstract: A cooling device (1) is described that includes a body (2) wherein the objects to be cooled are placed, two doors (3) providing access into the body (2) and which remain side by side when closed, two door opening mechanisms (4), each situated on one door (3) and wherein the distance between the doors (3) is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
    Inventors: Kadir Ridvan Celik, Elif Altay, Haldun Dingec
  • Publication number: 20150068509
    Abstract: A home cooking appliance with a side swing door is provided. The home cooking appliance includes a self capturing latch mechanism that secures and seals the side swing door in the closed position, the self capturing latch mechanism including a stationary hook and a receiver that receives and draws part of the stationary hook into a secured position within the receiver when the side swing door is moved into the closed position to secure the side swing door in the closed position. The receiver provides a variable closing force that varies from a first closing force at an initial engagement of the receiver with the part of the stationary hook to a predetermined second closing force, which is greater than the first closing force, at a completed engagement of the receiver with the part of the stationary hook to seal the side swing door in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: James Gayle, Joseph Geiger
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8844514
    Abstract: A latching system for an appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a first oven, a first door for the first oven, a second oven and a second door for the second oven. The latching system includes a master latch assembly for locking the first door when it is fully closed; a slave latch assembly for locking the second door when it is fully closed; a cable operatively coupling the two latch assemblies so that a movement of one latch assembly between an unlocking position and a locking position generates a corresponding movement of the other latch assembly between an unlocking position and a locking position; a position switch for one latch assembly; and a controller configured to enable an operation of the first oven and/or the second oven when the position switch detects the latch assembly is in its locking position in conjunction with an operation request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Brian Steurer
  • 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: 8714148
    Abstract: A locking apparatus for locking a cooking device door is provided that includes a locking element, a motor for moving the locking element, and a stop in the cooking device door which restricts the movement of the locking element in a locking position. In order to provide a locking apparatus for locking a cooking device door with improved properties in terms of reliability of the lock, the locking apparatus includes a device for detecting a core variable for a movement path covered by the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Haugeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Götzendorfer, Hans Lappat, Andreas Mayr
  • Publication number: 20140097172
    Abstract: An oven in which a cooking space in a cooking chamber is dividable into a plurality of individual cooking spaces by a partition member. The oven includes a door assembly including a main door rotatably combined with a main body and provided with a plurality of openings corresponding to the respective plurality of individual cooking spaces and a plurality of individual doors rotatably combined with the main body to open and close the respective plurality of openings. The door assembly may selectively open and close the entirety of the cooking space or the respective plurality of individual cooking spaces, and thus a heat loss or danger of burn generated due to opening and closing the main door when only the individual cooking space is used may be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han Seong KANG, Hyang Ki Kim, Sang Yun Jung, Seok Weon Hong, Yun Ic Hwang
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130319395
    Abstract: A household cooking appliance including a housing having an oven chamber accessible through an opening. The opening has a seal surrounding a perimeter of the opening. A door covers the opening and is moveable about a hinge between an open position and a closed position. The door includes a door skin forming an outer surface of the door and a full glass inner panel forming an inner surface of the door. The full glass inner panel abuts the seal when the door is in a closed position. A latch retainer is coupled to the door skin and an oven lock is moveable between a lock position in which the oven lock engages the latch retainer and locks the door in the closed position during a self-cleaning process, and an unlock position in which the oven lock is disengaged from the latch retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ben Braden, Rose Marie Parker, Timothy Russell
  • Publication number: 20130233294
    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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: 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: 8327756
    Abstract: An oven system is disclosed that includes an oven housing. A door is hingedly attached to the housing through a locking assembly designed to lock and seal an opening in the housing. The locking assembly includes floating latch and hinge systems which can be translated into and away from the opening of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kitchen Concepts LLC
    Inventors: Steve Hoffman, Jesus Cordero
  • 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: 20120199571
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressurized oven apparatus having a compressor and a pressurized chamber for rapidly preparing food products and retaining internal moisture therein. The apparatus comprises an oven with a pin-locking door and sealing means, an internal chamber having heating elements and a structure designed to withstand elevated internal pressures. Ambient air is drawn into the device through an air filter by an air compressor means. The compressor elevates the air pressure as it enters, whereby it flows to a preheating chamber, raising its temperature prior to being forced into the oven internal chamber. An automated relief valve system allows a consistent pressure to be maintained within the chamber, allowing the pressurized air to be evacuated therefrom through an insulated and muffled outlet. The air outlet of the device is preferably connected to an insulated air line to vent air to the exterior of a building or residence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Brown
  • Publication number: 20120180776
    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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Paul Newsom, Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20120060821
    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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ACP, INC.
    Inventors: Robert McNamee, Thomas Miller, Edward R. Cook
  • Patent number: 8110779
    Abstract: There is provided a door lock control device in a heating cooker that prevents a door from being accidentally unlocked when the door is locked and a temperature inside the heating cooker is a predetermined temperature or more such as during self-cleaning. When the temperature inside the cooker is low and a thermal switch 8 of a lock detection and thermal switch portion 6 is closed, the lock detection and thermal switch portion 6 can be energized, and a power supply line 2 can supply power to a drive motor 5 to lock and unlock the door. In the case of self-cleaning or the like, the door is locked and a detection switch 7 is on a door lock side 7a, but the temperature inside the cooker is high and thus the thermal switch 8 is opened, and the power supply line 2 is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masamitsu Kishimoto
  • 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: 7910861
    Abstract: A cooking device including a cooking cavity, a fan located in the cooking device, the fan being configured to force air into the cooking cavity, and at least one optical heater to supply optical wave energy to heat the forced air provided by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeon Sik Nam, Wan Soo Kim, Dong Seong Kwag, Seong Ho Cho
  • Patent number: 7895998
    Abstract: A door lock device includes a fixing rack, an operation rack, a solenoid device, an engaging member, and a locking pin. The fixing rack is installed in a receptacle and has a hinge shaft. The operation rack is coupled with the hinge shaft. The solenoid device is installed in the receptacle and has a rod. The engaging member is assembled to the rod and ascends or descends in response to the operation of the solenoid device. The locking pin is installed in the operation rack and performs a locking or unlocking function to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Poong Won Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: June-Young Lee
  • Publication number: 20110023860
    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 in the open or closed position with a device suitable for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Franz-Josef Schuecker, Peter Thomas
  • Patent number: 7814897
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes first and second French-style doors connected through a door linkage system. The door linkage system includes first and second control arms, each including a first end linked to a corresponding one of the first and second doors and a second end. The second ends of the first and second control arms are interconnected and mounted so as to travel in an arcuate path when one of the doors is operated. Shifting one of the first and second doors in an open or closed direction results in a corresponding movement in the other door. The first and second control arms are actually interconnected to a linkage control arm that establishes a particular timing of the doors. The door linkage system also employs a camming surface, cam follower and spring element that provides a biasing force to the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20100206289
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER A. LARSEN, DAVID E. LEVI
  • 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