Combined Latch And Operator Patents (Class 126/197)
  • Publication number: 20090235913
    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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Götzendorfer, Hans Lappat, Andreas Mayr
  • Patent number: 7556033
    Abstract: A door opening and closing system for a electric oven is provided. The system includes: at least one latch provided at one side surface of a door; a door interlocking structure having a rotary lever, a switch and an elastic spring to sense opening and closing of the door, the rotary lever being pushed by the latch to rotate about one side, the switch sequentially contacting with the rotary lever, and the elastic spring allowing the rotary lever to be supported in one direction; and a door locking structure having a motor, a rotary unit and a latch guide unit, the motor rotating after it is sensed that the door is closed by the door interlocking structure, the rotary unit engaged with and rotated about a rotary shaft of the motor, and the latch guide unit being associated with the rotary unit to change a rotation motion of the rotary unit into a straight-line motion such that the door is latched to the latch to prevent an erroneous opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hag Sin Kim
  • Patent number: 7475921
    Abstract: A device with an equipment door (10), an actuator unit (12) and a bolting device element (14) for bolting the equipment door (10), particularly when performing a pyrolysis function, wherein the actuator unit (12) is provided for bringing the bolting device element (14) into engagement with a corresponding bolting device element (15) of the equipment door (10) for locking the equipment door (10) when the equipment door (10) is closed. The bolting device element (14) may be rotatable about a rotating axis (16) running at least essentially perpendicularly to a door plane of the equipment door (10) when the equipment door (10) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Knoll, Rainer Lebacher, Jorg Rosenbauer, Michael Wagner
  • Publication number: 20080276925
    Abstract: A latch for an oven door is provided. The latch includes a bar defined within a frame of the oven and a door rotatably mounted to the frame. A latch arm is pivotably mounted to the door and a handle is pivotably mounted to the door by an operator. The latch arm engages the bar in a first position of the handle with respect to the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin L. Griswold, Jiri Rabas, Brock Francis
  • Publication number: 20080271727
    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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: James J. Collene, Nicholas R. SirLouis
  • 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: 20080196707
    Abstract: A door blocking device including a retaining member movable, along a given path, between a work position and a rest position, in which it respectively cooperates with and does not cooperate with a coupling member of the door when the door is in a closed position; and controlled-actuation means for controlled actuation of the retaining member, and which include elastic means for pushing the retaining member into the rest position; means for moving the retaining member into the work position in opposition to the elastic means; a rotary member having at least one radially projecting peripheral lobe; and an electrically controlled actuator for moving the rotary member selectively between a first angular position, in which the at least one lobe does not interfere with the given path (T), thus allowing the retaining member to move between the work position and the rest position, and a second angular position, in which the lobe interferes with the given path to lock the retaining member in the work position in oppos
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: ITW INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS S.R.L. CON UNICO SOCIO
    Inventor: Dino Chirumbolo
  • Publication number: 20080149086
    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: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Lawrence Byron Johnson, Tadeusz Karabin
  • Patent number: 7334823
    Abstract: A simplified oven door lock reduces the number of components subjected to fatigue from repeated tensile movement. The oven door lock includes a mounting plate, an actuator having an output shaft and the actuator being coupled to the mounting plate, a cam having a mounting hub at its center and an offset hub displaced from the mounting hub, the mounting hub of the cam being coupled to the output shaft actuator so the actuator rotates the cam with respect to the mounting plate, a lock pin extending upwardly at a first position from the mounting plate, an unlock pin extending upwardly at a second position from the mounting plate, a latch mounted to the offset hub of the cam so the latch extends between the lock pin and the unlock pin so that opposing sides of the latch plate slide against the lock pin and the unlock pin as the latch moves in response to the actuator rotating the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co..
    Inventors: Harry Ivan Courter, Brian Anthony Lamantia
  • Patent number: 7241978
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cooking heater which continues cooking without apparently stopping the operation of the cooking heater when a door switch is momentarily turned OFF due to a shock during operation of the cooking heater though the door is not actually opened as far as continuation of the OFF-state is within a predetermined range. Upon receiving a door opening signal, a timer of control means starts counting and when a first period lapse judgment section judges that the count time exceeds a first period T1, a central control section instructs a heating means control section to stop the operation of heating means. Then, before the count time is judged to exceed a second period T2, when a second period lapse judgment section receives a door closing signal, the central control section restarts the operation of the heating means and continues the operation of the cooking heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayuki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 7225804
    Abstract: A simple, highly reliable automatic motor driven oven door latch for an oven self-cleaning operation. To ensure that the motor has operated correctly and has not stopped in a null position, the motor is provided with a start pulse and the location of the latch or locking member of the latching mechanism is monitored to guarantee that the locking member has moved to the correct position. If the locking member has not moved to the correct position, then the motor is provided with another start pulse and the location of the latch or locking member of the latching mechanism again is monitored to again ensure that the locking member has moved to the correct position. This sequence can be repeated on opening and closing of the latching mechanism a desired number of times to guarantee that the locking member has moved to the correct position when locking or releasing the oven door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Charlie Bruce Simmons, Jr., Manfred Staebler
  • Patent number: 7176416
    Abstract: A switching device for controlling an industrial cooking apparatus having a cooking chamber that can be closed by means of a door having a movable door handle with a movable door latch attached to it, with a switch fixed to the housing and with a magnet for actuating the switch, the magnets being arranged in the movable door latch at a position that is positioned adjacent to the switch in a latched state of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Convotherm Elektrogeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Lammerskitten, Hannes Wild
  • 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: 7066503
    Abstract: A springless motorized door latch assembly for locking an oven door in a locked and sealed position for purposes of cleaning the oven. A motor and cam cause a latch member to move between three different positions. In one position the latch member prevents the oven door from opening. From this position, the latch member is pulled inwardly so the oven door is in a locked and sealed position. In its locked and sealed position the door may not be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Smith, Matthew L. Michel
  • Patent number: 6930284
    Abstract: A safety device of an electric oven is disclosed, which is provided to prevent a door from being open when a temperature inside an oven cavity is high. The safety device includes a hole provided in a front part of an oven cavity forming a cooking room therein; a latch protruding from an inner side of a door opening/closing the oven cavity, for being inserted into the hole when the door is closed; a rotation motor provided in an upper part of the oven cavity; a lever rotatably coupled with an axis of the rotation motor; and a temperature sensor measuring a temperature inside the oven cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Myeong Yeol Kang
  • Patent number: 6852961
    Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus includes a switch attachment member for mounting switches, a switch operating member rotatably installed at the switch attachment member and a stopper for regulating the rotation of the switch operating member. The switch attachment member has a hole for accommodating therein a hook of a door key and a portion thereof functions to cover at least one switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kawai
  • Patent number: 6828532
    Abstract: A microwave oven, is designed such that its switches accurately sense whether a door is open or not when opening or closing the door, thus preventing microwaves from leaking out. The microwave oven includes a hook unit, a hook locking unit, a locking step, and a sensing switch. The hook unit is mounted to the door functioning to open or close a cabinet. The hook locking unit is installed in the cabinet to engage with the hook unit. The locking step is provided in the hook locking unit to catch the hook unit when the hook unit enters the hook locking unit. The sensing switch is installed in the hook locking unit to sense whether the hook unit enters the hook locking unit. A screw holding unit is provided on a predetermined portion of the locking step to hold a setscrew which functions to mount the hook locking unit to the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Sung Han, Yong-Woon Han, Seong-Deog Jang, Joo-Yong Yeo, Han-Seong Kang
  • 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: 6730882
    Abstract: A cooking appliance, such as a range, includes a cabinet within which is arranged an oven cavity that is adapted to be selectively closed by a pivotable door. A latching mechanism is provided to interconnect the door and the cabinet. The latching mechanism is movable between a locked position wherein the door is maintained closed and an unlocked position wherein the door can be pivoted to enable access to the oven cavity. The latching mechanism is operable in two distinct modes, i.e., a first mode wherein the latching mechanism is activated in conjunction with the operation of a self-clean cycle, and a second mode wherein the latching mechanism is operated independently of any other function of the cooking appliance. The second mode is particularly employed to prevent children from improperly utilizing the door as a stepping platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Wade A. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6709029
    Abstract: A door latching or locking mechanism or module for a self-cleaning oven includes latching linkage of the door latch module that enables use of lighter duty, less expensive motor. The mechanical advantage and vector optimization of the latching linkage avoids stalling especially from a locked position. The latching mechanism includes a plurality of switches having a corresponding plurality of terminals. The terminals are grouped or ganged to allow connection with a single connector interface. The switches are selectively actuable/de-actuable by a cam and cam plate that utilizes linear motion translated from rotational motion of a driven (motor) to selectively actuate and/or de-actuate the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Cole
  • Patent number: 6698418
    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 and cam cause a latch rod extending from side to side to translate, causing a latch plate to move between three different positions. In one position the latch plate prevents the oven door from opening. From this position, the latch plate is pulled inwardly, orthogonal to the direction of motion of the latch rod, so the oven door is in a locked and sealed position. In its locked and sealed position the door may be opened by biasing the latch plate against the bias of a biaser extending between a fixed location on a mounting plate and a fixed location on the latch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: France/A Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: James Ramsey, Donald E. Smith, Robert G. Sokalski
  • Publication number: 20040004068
    Abstract: A cooking appliance, such as a range, includes a cabinet within which is arranged an oven cavity that is adapted to be selectively closed by a pivotable door. A latching mechanism is provided to interconnect the door and the cabinet. The latching mechanism is movable between a locked position wherein the door is maintained closed and an unlocked position wherein the door can be pivoted to enable access to the oven cavity. The latching mechanism is operable in two distinct modes, i.e., a first mode wherein the latching mechanism is activated in conjunction with the operation of a self-clean cycle, and a second mode wherein the latching mechanism is operated independently of any other function of the cooking appliance. The second mode is particularly employed to prevent children from improperly utilizing the door as a stepping platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Maytage Corporation
    Inventor: Wade A. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20030172920
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge for a stove door, comprising a housing (1) in which a plug-in part (2) is rotationally (10) mounted. In order to be able to easily influence the torque produced by the spring, a spring guide (3) which is loaded by a spring (6), preferably a pressure spring, is provided, said spring guide being fitted with roller (15) that is guided through a curved section (9) of the plug-in part (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Lina Gronbach
  • Publication number: 20030041852
    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 and cam cause a latch rod extending from side to side to translate, causing a latch plate to move between three different positions. In one position the latch plate prevents the oven door from opening. From this position, the latch plate is pulled inwardly, orthogonal to the direction of motion of the latch rod, so the oven door is in a locked and sealed position. In its locked and sealed position the door may be opened by biasing the latch plate against the bias of a biaser extending between a fixed location on a mounting plate and a fixed location on the latch plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: France/A Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: James Ramsey, Donald E. Smith, Robert G. Sokalski
  • Patent number: 6397836
    Abstract: A pair of door mounting assemblies mount an oven door assembly to an oven such that the oven door assembly may move between a closed baking position, a broiling position, and an open position. Each of the door mounting assemblies includes a mounting member that is pivotally connected to the door assembly. Each door mounting assembly includes a spring biased mechanism to enable the oven door assembly to be biased by the weight thereof when in a first range of movement, to be biased toward and into the broiling position when in a second range of movement, and to be biased toward and into the baking position when in a third range of movement. A damper assembly provides resistance to the movement of the oven door assembly within the second and third ranges to limit the rate of movement of the oven door assembly toward the broiling and baking positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventors: Thomas A Pelletier, Steven Levine, Gregory Tropea, Kenneth Strickland
  • Patent number: 6399931
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes a main casing with a cooking chamber, a door for opening and closing the cooking chamber, and a magnetron in the main casing, for heating food within the cooking chamber. The microwave oven further includes a power supply part, a first door switch closed while the door is closed to supply electric power from the power supply part into the magnetron, a monitor switch connected in series to the first door switch, being operated in reverse relative to the opening and closing of the first door switch, and a control part determining that the first door switch is in trouble where the first door switch and the monitor switch are not operated in reverse to each other, and preventing the electric power from being supplied into the magnetron when the door is opened while the first door switch and the monitor switch are both closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-seok Kang, Seong-deog Jang
  • Patent number: 6302098
    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 and cam cause a latch rod extending from front to back to translate, causing a latch plate to move between three different positions. In one position the latch plate prevents the oven door from opening. In another position the latch plate is pulled inwardly so the oven door is in a locked and sealed position. In its locked and sealed position the door may be opened by biasing the latch plate against the bias of a biaser extending between a fixed location on a mounting plate and a fixed location on the latch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6041769
    Abstract: A portable brick oven is made with a sealed brick lining for the back, opposing side and top walls with a door mounted in the front and bottom bricks defining the cooking chamber. The bottom bricks are not sealed and are aligned to define a flat baking surface and these bricks are located so that the edges of the baking surface are spaced from the back and opposing side walls and the individual bricks are not sealed so that the flame of the burner is capable of flowing between bricks. This arrangement provides, radiant, convective and conduction heating. The brick oven is modular constructed and fits into a chassis mounted on wheels. The door is uniquely hinged and clasped to allow for the ease of access into and out of the brick oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventors: Joseph A. Llodra, Jr., Henry A. Tinari
  • Patent number: 6043473
    Abstract: A microwave oven comprises a heating compartment 3, a door 4 having a door key 6 for closing the front opening of the heating compartment 3, a hook spacer 13 manipulated by the door 4, a door hook 9 to be engaged with the door key 6, and switches 10, 11, 12 turned on or off by the door key 6 and hook spacer 13, wherein the door key 6 is made of a resin filled with at least one of acicular crystals of potassium titanate, calcium metasilicate, magnesium pyroborate, barium titanate, and zinc oxide of which Mohs's hardness is lower than that of glass fiber, with the diameter of acicular crystal being 0.1 .mu.m or more and 50 .mu.m or less, and the door hook 9 to be engaged with the door key 6 is made of a resin material filled with glass fiber, with the resin surface roughness of the door key 6 being smaller than the resin surface roughness of the door hook 9, thereby not required to apply grease on the sliding parts of the door key 6 and door hook 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Isogai, Toshio Kai
  • Patent number: 6029648
    Abstract: A natural draft furnace has a firebox inside a water box with fire tubes containing water running through the firebox, flues from the firebox running through the water box, a front/fire door of double wall construction to preheat entering air, a damper in the fire door and a toggle-lock latching system on the fire door that provides uniform sealing pressure around the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: W. Coy Willis
  • Patent number: 5986247
    Abstract: A high frequency heating device having a switching member screwed into a screw hole formed in a flange and fixed to the exterior. When the exterior is fixed to the body, a through-hole formed at that portion in the rear plate of the body through which the switching member passes is too large for the switching member. Thus, while the switching member is fixable to the exterior, the switching member cannot be fixed to the body onto which the exterior is not mounted. Therefore, a high frequency heating device can be provided, wherein an exterior switch more surely keeps the power supply circuit open when the exterior is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Hayashi, Hideki Yamauchi, Junji Murata, Kazuhiko Kawamura, Keiji Harada
  • Patent number: 5986246
    Abstract: A power supply cut-off apparatus of a microwave oven includes a switch box, which is pivotally opened and closed, and provided at a prescribed position of an outer panel. A power supply connection unit is provided inside of the switch box and connected detachably to three power supply wires of an electric cord. A fuse is detachably provided in fuse fixing portions disposed on one side of the power supply connection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 5918588
    Abstract: Device for closing and automatically opening a cover of a cooking instrument, such as a grill and griddle, which includes a timing unit to determine the time for which the cooking instrument will function. The device includes an electromagnet for keeping the cover in closed and one or more springs for actuating opening of the cover, i.e., the springs are biased to open the cover. In operation, the closing position of the cover is detected, e.g., by a microswitch, and the electromagnet is activated in order to keep the cover closed. The electromagnet is controlled by the timing unit such that, when the cover is closed, the electromagnet is activated and the cover remains closed, and the electromagnet is deactivated after the time preset by the timing unit so that the cover is automatically opened through the bias of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Vicente Gil Garcia
  • Patent number: 5895601
    Abstract: A door lock mechanism with a duct is disclosed, which has a duct section, a first lock part, a link bar part, a link bar part guiding part, a second lock part and an engagement part. The link bar part is formed in a rectangular bar shape and has a plurality of engagement grooves. One end of the link bar part is fixedly connected to the other end of the first lock part. The link bar part guiding part is formed in a rectangular bar shape of which center portion is hollow to form an insertion groove. The upper portion of one side of the link bar part guiding part has an engagement hole, and the link bar part guiding part is long enough for the link bar part to be fully inserted thereinto. The link bar part is inserted from the other end of the link bar part guiding part and each of the plurality of engagement grooves become correspondent to the engagement hole in turn when the link bar part is inserted into the insertion groove of the link bar part guiding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 5880436
    Abstract: An oven assembly having a housing enclosing a cooking compartment and a blower compartment, and having a blower for circulating air within the cooking compartment, a door mounted to the housing, and a failsafe switch that is capable of deactivating the blower when the door is opened beyond a set point in the range between at least about 10% to 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Garland Commercial Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Keogh
  • Patent number: 5844214
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes an electric power supply shut-off mechanism for cutting off the supply of electric power when the housing is disassembled for repair while an electric power cord remains plugged into an electric outlet. A sensor in the form of a light sensitive semiconductor and/or a piezoelectric crystal senses when panels of the oven housing are removed and thereupon causes a controller to actuate a solenoid which deactivates a safety switch for cutting off the supply of electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Eui Hoh
  • Patent number: 5841113
    Abstract: An upward and downward movement prevention structure for a microwave oven which is capable of more effectively preventing an upward and downward movement of a door panel when moving the microwave oven by forming movement prevention protrusions and movement prevention protrusion insertion grooves in the side surface of the door panel and a portion of the control panel which portion is matched with the side surface of the door panel in which the movement prevention protrusions are formed. The structure includes a main frame, a door panel disposed in a front surface of the main frame, a control panel disposed beside the door panel, at least more than one movement prevention protrusion means formed in one side surface of the door panel, and at least more than one movement prevention protrusion insertion groove means formed in one side surface of the control panel, said side surface of the control panel being matched with the side surface of the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: In Gwan Kim
  • Patent number: 5822925
    Abstract: A door hinge mechanism is easily fastened to an oven door at its top and bottom, for example, using a hook-like engagement, and providing along the length of the oven door sidewalls rigid structural members and support, and thermal isolation of the oven door sidewalls from the oven door interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Michael McKinney, Scott Williams
  • Patent number: 5818015
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes a case forming a cooking chamber, and an outer panel mounted to the case. The outer panel is to be separated from the case when performing certain maintenance or repairs. Electrical terminals are mounted on the case and outer panel to perform the function of automatically disconnecting power to the oven in response to removal of the outer panel. A first arrangement of terminals can be provided for performing that function in the event of a removal of the outer panel in an upward direction. A second arrangement of terminals can be provided for performing that function in the event of a removal of the outer panel in a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Ho Lee, Young-Won Cho
  • Patent number: 5613487
    Abstract: A gas-fired fireplace comprises an enclosure having a forwardly facing glass panel. The panel is pivotably secured to the enclosure along a lower edge of the panel. The upper edge of the panel is normally spring biased against the enclosure by a latch mechanism. By this arrangement an explosion within the fireplace combustion chamber will cause the panel to pivotably open and relieve the pressure within the chamber. The panel can also be readily removed without tools if it is necessary to gain access to the inside of the fireplace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Hon Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Hawkinson
  • Patent number: 5517006
    Abstract: A microwave oven having a cavity and a door for closing off the cavity. The oven is fitted with a pressure actuated safety catch device which prevents opening of the door as a consequence of a sudden pressure increase in the cavity. The sudden pressure increase in the cavity is used to activate the safety catch device which catches the locking device of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Whirlpool Europe B.V.
    Inventors: Ove Fredriksson, Mats Ringborg
  • Patent number: 5493099
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus, a latching construction therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the latching construction comprising a frame carrying a movable latch member and a drive unit operatively interconnected to the latch member to move the latch member between the latching and unlatching positions thereof, the drive unit comprising a cylinder having opposite ends and a movable piston extending from one of the opposite ends and being operatively interconnected to the latch member, the drive unit having an actuator to extend the piston so as to be adapted to move the latch member from its non-latching position thereof to its latching position thereof when the actuator is first actuated for a door locking operation thereof, the drive unit having a rotatable cam operatively interconnected to the piston and to the latch member so as to be adapted to permit the piston to be retracted after the latch member has been moved to the latching position thereof by the first actuation of the actuating unit while
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: William H. McWilliams, III
  • Patent number: 5477030
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus, a latching construction therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the latching construction comprising a frame carrying a movable latch member and a drive unit operatively interconnected to the latch member to move the latch member between the latching and unlatching positions thereof, the drive unit comprising a cylinder having opposite ends and a movable piston extending from one of the opposite ends and being operatively interconnected to the latch member, the drive unit having an actuator to extend the piston so as to be adapted to move the latch member to its latching position thereof and to retract the piston so as to be adapted to move the latch member to the non-latching position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Buckshaw, David D. Martin, Eric V. Russ
  • Patent number: 5456243
    Abstract: A lock for a door latch which includes a bolt moveable from a first position where the door is unlatched to a second position where the latch engages the door to hold the latch in the second position at selected temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Inventor: Robert F. Jones
  • Patent number: 5440103
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus, a latching construction therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the latching construction comprising a frame carrying a movable latch member and a drive unit operatively interconnected to the latch member to move the latch member between the latching and unlatching positions thereof, the drive unit comprising a cylinder having opposite ends and a movable piston extending from one of the opposite ends and being operatively interconnected to the latch member, the drive unit having an actuator to extend the piston so as to be adapted to move the latch member from its non-latching position thereof to its latching position thereof when the actuator is first actuated for a door locking operation thereof, the drive unit having an additional unit adapted to cause the piston to be retracted after the latch member has been moved to the latching position thereof by the first activation of the actuating unit while maintaining the latch member in its latching position until the actuating
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: David D. Martin
  • Patent number: 5419305
    Abstract: An oven safety door latch has a pair of elongated latch arms pivotably connected to each other and to a base at a point intermediate their length. The arms project beyond the base and have end portions with opposed latching noses. A pawl is rotatably mounted on the base adjacent an end of the arms and has a blocking element engageable with the arms. A spring biases the latch arms and thereby the noses towards each other, and a stop element limits this movement of the noses towards each other. A thermally responsive element is operatively connected to the pawl to rotate it between a first position in which the blocking element is spaced from the arms, and a second position in which the blocking element is engaged with the end portions of the arms to limit their movement and thereby the movement of the noses away from each other to maintain the latch in engagement with the oven door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Roger T. Hanley
  • Patent number: 5300745
    Abstract: An oven comprises a cooking chamber having a movable door (3) hinged on the forward surface (2) of said oven and provided with a hook (4) comprising a nose (5) and a catch (6). The hook enters an opening (9) in the forward surface to actuate a movable locking element (7). The locking element comprises a wheel (20) pivotally mounted on a plate (14) fixed to the forward inside surface of the oven. This wheel comprises a first surface (A) comprising two abutment lugs (22 and 23), a safety lock constituted by a blocking finger (25) fixed on the second surface (B) of the wheel and controlled by a safety spur (24) that projects through an opening (23') transversely to the first surface (A) and adapted, either to come into abutment with stop boss (26) of the plate, or to permit the rotation of the wheel. Application to all closure devices, particularly to a household microwave oven to prevent operation thereof by e.g. a child, when the door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Moulinex (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Pierre Chartrain, Michel G. de Matteis, Bernard M. Bois
  • Patent number: 5293020
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven with an automatic door control device. Novel door latching/opening device which uses permanent magnets and electromagnets is provided in place of hook-type door latches and slots on a oven wall. Door state detector is also provided in which the existing permanent magnets and electromagnets rather than a separate mechanical switch are utilized to discriminate the door closed state from the door open state. Further, a processing device is employed to control the operation of the door latching/opening device and microwave energy generator in response to the input signals from the door state detector and the door open switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jangseop Han, Jaeyong Lee
  • Patent number: 5220153
    Abstract: An oven latch mechanism for heat-cleaning ovens is disclosed. The latch mechanism employs a unidirectional rotating d.c. motor to automatically latch the oven door upon initiation of a heat-cleaning operation and to automatically unlatch the door after a heat-clean operation and after the oven has reached a predetermined lower temperature. The latch mechanism includes a latch arm which moves arcuately through a variety of positions. The latch member senses whether the door is open and follows a different path of motion accordingly. If the latch member senses an open door, it returns to an unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Charles F. Malone, James D. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5012794
    Abstract: A closure for ovens is divulged, comprising a hook mounted for sliding in the oven body between a locked position, in which no lateral movement of the hook is possible and an engaged position in which the hook may move laterally against the retaining force of a spring for letting the door catch pass. A lever retains the hook in the locked position and must be actuated for unlocking and opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Societe Cooperative de Production Bourgeois
    Inventor: Jacques Faurel