Abstract: A steam processor capable of operating in a convection or a pressure mode. The processor includes at least one insulated cooking chamber having an access door for gaining access to the interior, a steam inlet for introducing steam into the chamber and a steam outlet for discharging excess steam and condensate. A drain manifold connects the steam outlet to an ambient drain and includes a fluid pressure operated pinch valve for terminating communication of the steam outlet with the drain in order to place the cooking chamber in a pressure mode. A latch mechanism maintains closure of the access door as long as the cooking chamber is under pressure and includes a solenoid operated locking bar which blocks movement in a door opening latch member. A pressure responsive actuator monitors pressure in the cooking chamber and maintains the locking bar in its blocking position as long as the pressure in the cooking chamber is above a determined level, even if power is interrupted to the steam processor.

Abstract: A cooker includes a body having a heating compartment therein, and a door attached to the body to open and close the heating compartment. The door is locked in a closed position by a lock mechanism. When the door is to be opened, the lock mechanism is electromotively released by first release mechanism, or released by external mechanical force through a second release mechanism.

Abstract: The double action latch employs a strike with two latches and a stop on the opposite side of the latches. The handle actuates a pivotally mounted bracket unit to cause a roller to ride over the first latch while moving a plate into a plate into engagement with the stop. This brings the door into a partially opened position, for example, for venting an oven. The handle is returned to the upright position and then a second pull is effected to move the roller over the second latch so as to permit the door to be fully opened.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus, a door latching construction therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the cooking apparatus including a frame, a cooking chamber carried by the frame, a heating unit carried by the frame and being adapted to be actuated to heat clean the chamber, a switch for permitting the heating unit to heat clean the chamber only when the switch is actuated, a movable door carried by the frame for opening and closing the cooking chamber, a movable latch member carried by the frame and being movable between a non-latching position thereof that permits the door to be opened and closed and a latching position thereof that locks the door in its closed position if the door is in its closed position at the time the latch member is moved to the latching position thereof, and a drive unit carried by the frame and being operatively interconnected to the latch member to move the latch member between the positions thereof, the latch member being movable from the non-latching position thereof to a th

Abstract: A prefabricated zero clearance fireplace includes a combustion chamber having a front opening, a glass door sized and shaped for positioning over and sealing the opening and a guide system for guiding vertical movement of the door between a lowered position over the opening and a raised position. The guide system includes tracks that are inwardly offset at their lowermost ends so that the door seals the combustion chamber without friction as the door is raised and lowered. Counterweights permit the door to be easily raised and lowered. For safety, the counterweights cause the door to automatically raise if it is pushed outwardly from the inside. The door is hinged for pivoting outwardly about a vertical axis in the lowered position. An optional motor can be provided for raising and lowering the door. A convection chamber surrounding the combustion chamber permits circulation and heating of room air.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a cabinet door of a microwave range is provided with a pivotal hook member of the cabinet door, which member is engaged with a dog projection of a hook housing mounted in a door-opening frame of a main body of the microwave range. On a peripheral portion of a cooking cabinet contained in the main body is fixedly mounted a door-opening frame on which is pivotally mounted a hook-operating lever in a lower-end portion of which is slidably mounted one end of a hook-operating rod the other end of which is brought into contact with the pivotal hook member of the cabinet door, the hook-operating rod being normally biased at its retracted position by a spring means. An upper-end portion of the hook-operating lever is brought into contact with a push pin portion of a push button which is mounted in a control panel of the microwave range in a retractable manner.

Abstract: A self-cleaning over door latching mechanism is provided with a locking arrangement responsive to the oven cavity temperature, which includes a locking pin moved by a snap action bimetal member mounted in thermal communication with an oven cavity wall. The bimetal member moves the locking pin to a locking position when the temperature sensed by the bimetal rises above the locking temperature. In its locked position the locking pin prevents the opening of the latch until the temperature in the oven cavity falls below the locking temperature. In its locked position the locking pin also actuates a lock switch electrically connected in parallel with a thermal limit switch. The thermal limit switch provides over temperature protection for the cavity when operating in the normal cooking modes. When actuated, the lock switch shunts the limit switch thereby enabling the temperature in the cavity to rise to the self-clean range.

Abstract: A door latch assembly for use in a microwave oven has a latch pawl coacting with a support member to lock or release a door of the oven. A wormgear having a switching wheel fixedly mounted thereon engages a worm driven by a motor controlled by primary and secondary switches both wired in parallel.

Abstract: A semi-frameless door, per se, and in combination with a firebox opening and the like, utilizes a specially configured spacer frame to seal inner and outer glass panes and also, if desired, the firebox opening. Retainer plates affixed only to the outer glass ends and the spacer frame permits the outer pane to be curved with longitudinally extending exposed edges flush with the edge of the spacer frame to create a full glass covering of the opening. The glass size differences and black colored spacer frame create a size illusion and a shadow glow reflection when viewing the fire in the firebox. Inner retainer plates sealing the inner glass to the inside surface of the spacer frame have lip edges which are forced into contact with a fibrous seal disposed in a channel configuration within the opening when the door is latched to insure sealing of the opening should the door hinge ever loosen during extended use.

Abstract: A microwave oven with a door-closing safety device is provided wherein a movable door comprises a device wherein the beam of at least one light emitter is guided by means of light guides towards a light beam detector. The light guides are arranged along a substantial portion of at least one side of the oven door frame. The beam of light in its non-guided path between the emitter and the detector passes through diaphragms, integral with the oven door, each diaphragm having an aperture such that the light beam passes through it when the door is properly closed but wherein the light beam is intercepted by the edge of the diaphragm when the door is not properly closed. The detector activates a signal that actuates the magnetron when the light beam is received; however, when the beam is intercepted, activation of the magnetron is prevented thereby preventing leakage of microwave energy.

Abstract: In an electronic range, an opening/closing operation of a range door thereof is manually conducted while switching operation of a power-supply circuit is conducted through a push-button type starting switch to make it possible that a control unit for the power-supply circuit is not energized when the range door is open, so that a control switch of the electronic range is completely prevented from being misused.

Abstract: A mechanism for engagingly closing a microwave oven door includes a latch hook and a latch head with a hook-shaped front end which engages with it when the door is closed and presses a start switch by the force of a biasing spring. When the door is opened, the latch head is slightly moved nearly perpendicularly to the direction in which the latch head is moved to become engaged with the latch hook. This perpendicular movement of the latch head causes its front end to be gradually lifted and to be disengaged from the latch hook.

Abstract: A heating appliance including an oven housing, an oven door attached to the oven housing which can be operated between a closed and an opened position to provide access to the interior of the oven housing, a door latching assembly for securing the oven door for opening and closing the oven housing, the door latching assembly including a latch head disposed on the oven door and a latch hook provided in the oven housing for engaging with and disengaging from the latch head, a first switch disposed in the oven housing, the first switch being directly switched by the latch head, and a second switch disposed in the oven housing, the second switch being directly switched by the latch head after the switching of the first switch.

Abstract: In a microwave heating oven, a safety switch 301 is disposed in an external position relative to a heating chamber 100. A displacement rod 302, which is made of polyprophylene or the like low dielectric constant plastic substance, is disposed through and across the heating chamber 100. Displacement rod 302 serves as a thermal switch, so that at an abnormally high temperature displacement rod 302 melts down, thereby opening the safety switch 301 and disengaging the microwave generator.

Abstract: An interlock switch assembly is disclosed having a unitary baseplate having relatively few moving parts and making use of conventional low cost miniature switches, each positively located and retained with respect to the baseplate. First and second actuators convert, respectively, linear motion of first and second operators into rotary motion to actuate the miniature switches. Switch actuation is prevented unless the properly timed motion of both operators is received by the actuators.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment provides an improved microwave oven structure, more particularly, a mechanism related to the installation of the latch-hook engaging the latch-head of the door set to the front entrance of the oven. The improved mechanism is established by setting the oven unit inside the housing, installing the door at the front entrance, installing the door opening/closing mechanical unit to the floor behind the front panel aligned with the door, installing the latch-hook engaging the latch-head of the door behind the peripheral edge of the door opening/closing mechanical unit of the front entrance, and installing the vertical baseplate to be integrally set to the front entrance part of the door opening/closing mechanical unit. The improved mechanism is completed by securing the latch-hook to the vertical baseplate.

Abstract: An improved latching and locking device for use with a door, such as a door of a self-cleaning oven structure, or the like. The latching and locking device utilizes a novel scissors action, avoiding the need for overcenter devices, and providing a smooth releasable latching function while yet providing positive locking of the door when desired, such as during high temperature self-cleaning operations of the oven.

Abstract: A switching assembly of a heating appliance, for example, a microwave oven, wherein when the heating button is operated (depressed) with the door securely closed, the heating lever causes a projection to be engaged with a hook in the tip of the latch head and simultaneously causes the actuation of the heating switch. Thus the heating switch commonly functions as a heating switch and as a safety switch. By using such a mechanism, the heating switch which activates the heating operation commonly functions as a safety switch that activates itself when the door is securely closed. When the heating button is operated, a rotatable heating lever activates the heating switch, and simultaneously securely engages the latch heads with the front panel of the microwave oven. As a result, a switching assembly incorporating a highly reliable safety switch which can be securely locked by a simple mechanism is provided for a heating appliance.

Abstract: A control circuit for a microwave oven with a mechanical switch locking assembly, wherein a cooking start switch is available to turn on after closing a door and is turned off when the door is opened. The control circuit includes a relay for connecting a power source to energize a magnetron, and control means for controlling the relay. The control means enables the relay to connect the power source with the magnetron when the cooking start switch is turned on after connecting the control means with the power source. If the cooking start switch is already turned on prior to connecting the microwave oven to the power source, the operator must first open the microwave oven door, thus opening the start switch, and subsequently closing the door and closing the start switch. This safety procedure encourages the operator to insure that food products are placed in the oven, thus reducing the danger of operating the oven without a load.

Abstract: An interlock switch module for a microwave oven provides a unitary housing containing primary and secondary interlock switches, interlock and logic monitor switches, and a cavity lamp switch. Apertures are provided in the housing to receive actuators external of the switch module. One actuator is contained within the module and is adapted to be actuated by a portion which protrudes from the module. Sequencing and timing of the switches are provided for.

Abstract: An inclined and perforated grate 20 is arranged in a hand-fired, solid fuel stove 10 having a fuel door 11, an ash pit 18 under grate 20, and a combustion air inlet opening 24 to a region under grate 20. Grate 20 inclines to slope downward with increasing distance from fuel door 11, the upper surface of grate 20 is generally flat, and it is arranged to stay fixed in place during use. The central region of grate 20 has a plurality of perforations 22 through which combustion air can rise and ashes can fall. Fuel door 11 is arranged to provide access to grate 20 so that a hand-held poker 40 can be scuffed up and down the inclined upper surface of grate 20 to dislodge ashes that fall through perforations 22 into ash pit 18.

Abstract: A switch operating assembly for a microwave heating apparatus having a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a sliding member which moves to turn on a switch when a cooking start button is pushed, and which slides automatically to turn off the switch when the door is opened. The locking mechanism also includes a guide member having a pair of inclined slits for guiding the sliding member.

Abstract: A fireplace cap includes a pair of hinged doors supported by a rectangular framework of first and second side rails, a header section, and a damper section. The components forming the framework are formed with flanges positioned at the rear of the cap for reinforcing purposes and to act as heat exchangers, picking up heat from a fire within the fire box of the fireplace. This cap can be easily custom fit to fireplaces having fire boxes of various sizes by selecting appropriate components for the framework. A top piece mounted to the header section may serve as a cooking surface. The doors may include optional glass plates supported for easy removal by angle members mounted to the back side of the doors. A latching mechanism, including eccentrically mounted latching arms, holds the doors tightly closed when latched. The top piece and side rails define sealing material receiving pockets and include retainers for holding sealing material to seal the cap against the front of the fireplace.

Abstract: A closure arrangement for an incinerator or cremator in which the door and the opening in the incinerator are complementary wedge-shapes is described. The door can be automatically lowered by a hydraulic actuator to close the opening by a wedging action in the vertical direction. The seal is enhanced by a sealing strip fastened around the periphery of the door which is compressed between the door and the opening when the door is closed. A hinge is connected between the door and the actuator which allows it to move laterally as well as vertically so that it can fit snugly into the opening. The door can also be raised to close the opening. In the case of large heavy doors the hinge can be omitted and the door may be raised or lowered using guides.

Abstract: A door lock apparatus of an electric cooker has a handle movably supported by a door which is mounted on a housing of the cooker and capable of moving to open/close an opening. Two hooks are pivotally mounted on the inner face of the door. Each hook is disposed engageable with the housing for locking the door in a closed position, thereby closing the opening and a switch for controlling an oscillation of a magnetron. The hooks are biased by biasing member to a position at which the hooks engage with the housing. Pushers are supported by the door to be movable along the axis thereof, respectively. Each pusher has two ends and abuts against the handle at one end and against the hook at the other end. When the handle is moved, each pusher pivots the hook to release engagement between the hook and the housing. Each hook has an arcuated action surface which abuts against the other end of the pusher.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fail-safe device for use in heating appliances including an electric oven and a microwave oven. More particularly it relates to a fail-safe device which includes an electronic control circuit 28 for controlling a main circuit of the heating appliance and a mechanical latch for unlocking actuator levers 39, 44 and 45 for fail-safe switches 26, 27, 29 and 30 responsive to the opening and closing movement of a door 3 and to the turning on of a switch 31 in the main circuit upon mechanical actuation of a cook start button 7. There is, therefore, no danger that the appliance may be self-triggered due to the failure of the electronic control circuit 28, incoming noise, a surge of lightning, electrostatic noise, momentary power failure, etc., and become operative when it is not desirable.

Abstract: A slow combustion stove having a transparent portion to enable vision into a primary combustion zone so that flames are visible in use has a double burning combustion chamber defined by the primary combustion chamber and a partitioned off secondary burning combustion chamber, an air inlet to enable air to circulate within the stove adjacent a deflector which deflects the incoming air over the transparent portion to cool and resist staining and soot build-up thereon. A majority of the air passes to the primary combustion zone and a proportion of further gases enter the secondary combustion chamber with the gases of primary combustion for combustion of smoke and other unburned gases.

Abstract: A microwave oven door aligning assembly is provided and includes a centering prong rigidly mounted on the door of the oven and projecting beyond the inside surface of the door. A clip is mounted to the oven behind the front face of the oven cavity and the clip has an opening in alignment with an opening in the front face. A centering prong receiving receptacle having a rigid square body portion is removably inserted into the clip opening and secured to the clip. The receptacle has a square opening to receive the centering prong which opening is offset from the center of the receptacle such that two opposite sides of the opening are equal distance from the center and the other two opposite sides of the opening are of unequal distance from the center. With this arrangement the receptacle may be rotatably installed to assure proper parallel alignment of the door relative to the top and bottom cabinet walls by cooperation between the centering prong and the receptacle.

Abstract: An L-shaped hooked end of a latch rod, rotatably supported by a range body, engages a door-supported cam surface as the rod is rotated on its longitudinal axis by a motor to effect oven door locking. The cam surface is fixed at and radially spaced from the center of an elongated member whose ends are fastened to the oven door. As the latch hook engages and rides the cam surface, the elongated member is placed in torsion to provide a biasing force that maintains the locked oven door in tight sealing engagement with the range body. The motor rotating the latch rod to effect oven door locking and unlocking is actuated solely by operator manipulation of the oven thermostat control apart from the oven selector and timer controls.

Abstract: Structure for locking a latching mechanism provided for controlling the opening of a range oven door selectively closing an oven cavity, so as to prevent the opening thereof when the oven cavity is at a high temperature such as during a pyrolytic self-cleaning operation. The locking device includes a thermal sensor which is caused to be disposed in accurate correlated relationship to the oven wall outwardly thereof as a result of a housing associated with the thermal sensor being secured to the oven wall. Resultingly, the sensor is retained in accurate preselected heat transfer association with the oven cavity while being free of exposure to fumes and gases generated in the oven cavity.

Abstract: A solid fuel furnace is disclosed as including a firebox disposed inside of a heating chamber through which air to be heated is passed. A pair of baffles guides the air through the heating chamber to progressively heat the air. In addition, an auxiliary air system is provided to inject air into the fire when there is a heating demand to increase combustion and provide more heat when it is most needed.A modified solid fuel furnace is also disclosed which includes a combustion chamber having a door designed to prevent flash-back when the door is opened, a valve for preventing a flow of combustion air to the combustion chamber when the temperature in the combustion chamber rises above a present level, and a manual override for the valve.

Abstract: A mechanism for inhibiting the locking movement of a hooklike oven door latch member when an associated keeper fixed to the oven door is not in its proper position for engagement with the latch member. Inhibiting the locking movement of the latch member precludes the closing of associated interlock switches to prevent the user from initiating a high temperature oven cleaning cycle or a microwave cooking cycle without proper locking of the oven door. The mechanism includes a stop member biased at a latch movement inhibiting position, the stop member being moved to a non-inhibiting position by engagement with the keeper when the oven door is moved to a fully closed position.

Abstract: A latch control arrangement for a self-cleaning oven or similar thermostatically controlled apparatus is provided to efficiently and safely control the locking and unlocking of the oven door. The self-cleaning oven is of the type that includes an oven temperature control circuit having a sensing element arranged to sense the temperature of the oven cavity. The oven temperature control circuit is responsive to manually operable selector arrangements of the oven including oven temperature and oven mode selection arrangements. In one arrangement, the oven controls are provided by a rotatable selector control. The latch control arrangement in one embodiment includes a locking member to lock a manually operable oven door latch. A locking member verification switch is provided to sense the portion of the locking member that extends into interfering relationship with the latch member.

Abstract: A latch control arrangement for a self-cleaning oven or similar thermostatically controlled apparatus is provided to efficiently and safely control the locking and unlocking of the oven door. The self-cleaning oven is of the type that includes an oven temperature control circuit having a sensing element arranged to sense the temperature of the oven cavity. The oven temperature control circuit is responsive to manually operable selector arrangements of the oven including oven temperature and oven mode selection arrangements. In one arrangement, the oven controls are provided by a rotatable selector control. The latch control arrangement in one embodiment includes a locking member to lock a manually operable oven door latch. A locking member verification switch is provided to sense the portion of the locking member that extends into interfering relationship with the latch member.

Abstract: A solid fuel burning stove (10) includes a firebox (11) having an insulated bottom chamber in which fuel is burned. The bottom chamber includes an insulated bottom surface (72) and walls (18, 20, 22, 24) which provides for heat retention when fuel is burned therein thereby creating high temperatures. The bottom chamber of the firebox (11) is divided from a top chamber by a horizontally extending baffle (46) which directs flow of exhaust gases from the bottom to the top of the firebox (11). The exhaust gases are burned in the top portion of the firebox (11) by means of the heat generated within the lower chamber and the introduction of fresh combustion air. This fresh combustion air is drawn in through an orificed pipe (49) extending along the length of the firebox.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for microwave ovens or similar cooking devices, in which a circuit breaking element and a main switch, which is arranged to be open in conjunction with an unlocking operation of a lock for a door, are interposed in a load circuit connecting between an electric source of power and a load. A first door switch is arranged to be closed when the door is opened and is connected to the load circuit in parallel with the load. An auxiliary switch becomes opened upon unlocking of the lock, and is connected in the load circuit on the load side of the first door switch. A second door switch becomes opened with a delayed time interval after closing of the first door switch, by opening of the door, and is connected to the load circuit on the electrical power source side of the first door switch. The door switches become operated by a door arm extending from the door.

Abstract: A door latch interlock system for use in a microwave oven in selectively securing a closure door in a closed position across the opening to the microwave oven cavity. The structure for selectively securing the door in the closed position includes a guide on the cabinet, a slider member movably carried by the guide, catch structure carried by the slider member, latch structure carried by the closure and engageable with the catch structure as an incident of the closure being disposed in the latching position, an actuator carried by the closure for operating one of the switches of the electrical circuit for controlling delivery of electric power to the microwave energy generator of the oven to permit operation of the generator only when the door is latched in the closed position, and manually operable structure carried by the closure for arranging the actuator to cause the one switch to prevent operation of the generator and concurrently move the slider member to the released disposition.

Abstract: A wood burning stove having a primary combustion chamber and a secondary chamber having a catalytic converter therein is disclosed. Primary air is introduced to said primary chamber and secondary air is introduced to said secondary chamber utilizing completely separate and independent control means, with the draft means for said primary and secondary air both being located below the fuel (wood) support level. Means are provided for preheating both the secondary air and the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A fireplace stove comprising a generally rectangular metallic housing adapted to extend into a fireplace opening, with penetration being limited by a flange around the housing which engages and seals against the face of the fireplace. A metallic inner fire shell is closely spaced within the inner surfaces of the housing to provide airflow passages between them. An air inlet with a blower is located at the lower end of one side of the housing and a narrow, hot air outlet extends across the top. Air is directed to flow almost completely around the fire shell for maximum heating. An air inlet with a blower is located at the lower end of one side of the housing and a narrow, hot air outlet extends across the top. Air is directed to flow almost completely around the fire shell for maximum heating. An access door is held in sealed engagement by a spring latch and a combustion air duct in the door extends into the interior so that the air entering thereto is preheated before actual contact with the fire.

Abstract: A latch for a door of a substantially airtight solid-fuel stove, whose operation requires that before full opening of the stove door can be accomplished the door be positioned in a partially opened position while the latch is being manipulated. A latch dog normally engages a wedge to hold the door fully closed, and a limit stop allows a first rotation of the latch mechanism to disengage the dog from the wedge but prevents rotation sufficient to allow the latch dog to clear the edge of the doorway opening. A space defined between the wedge and the front of the stove permits the latch dog to pass between the wedge and the front of the stove during a second rotation of the latch mechanism, in the opposite direction, to a position allowing full opening of the stove door. During this second motion of the latch mechanism the door is partially opened, allowing sufficient air to enter the combustion chamber to establish normal convective draft currents and prevent backpuffing and expulsion of smoke and flame.

Abstract: A free-standing unit for heating air in a U-shaped channel surrounding a fire box having a pair of spaced vertical vents for directing the heated forced air to converge in front of the fire box opening to limit air flow towards said openings. Mesh in the vertical vents directs the forced air downward to be combined with the hot forced air from a bottom horizontal vent. A baffle plate depending from the top of the fire-box adjacent the flue port and an opening along the top of the doors ignite the gases adjacent the top and directs some gases back into the fire. By forcing heated air at a low level and drawing cool air from a high level, the air being heated is of a uniform temperature. A hood extending along the top edge of the fire box opening diverts exiting gases back into the fire box. A thermostatically controlled blower creates the forced air and cools the fire box walls.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism, mountable in an oven for engagement with an oven door, includes a base, a latch plate carried on the base by a pair of flanged guide rollers carried on the base and cooperating with a pair of guide slots in the latch plate, and a yieldable over-center urging means pivotally engaged with the latch plate and reciprocably received by a support on the base, the latch plate being carried by the base for movement between an extended position and a retracted position corresponding to open and closed positions, respectively, of the oven door. The mechanism, in one embodiment, further includes a lock for securing the latch plate in its retracted position and a thermally responsive interlock for retaining the lock in a locked position when the oven is operative.

Abstract: A stove for use in an abode and which includes an air intake system and a viewing door. The air intake system inducts air into the stove from outside the abode and includes a draft control mechanism for controlling the amount of air introduced into the stove. The viewing door includes means for slidably receiving a spark screen, a viewing window and a heat shield, which elements can be used singly or in combination, as desired. A latching mechanism on the door enables the door to be closed with varying degrees of tightness. Alternative embodiments include use of the stove in a water heating system and fans convecting air over the stove outside surfaces.

Abstract: A baking oven has a flame tube defining a baking chamber and a charging opening oriented in a vertical plane; a door for opening and closing the charging opening; a rail structure secured to the door and extending into the oven externally of the flame tube for providing a sliding support for the door for sliding movement in a horizontal direction towards and away from the charging opening. The door is horizontally divided into a lower door portion and an upper door portion. The upper portion is pivotally attached to the lower door portion to provide for a swinging motion of the upper door portion from an upright orientation in an arcuate vertical direction away from the charging opening.

Abstract: A pyrolytic self-cleaning oven has an oven door latch mechanism with an elongated latch arm that has a shifting pivot means and a tapered latch hook so the latch mechanism will cause the compression of the door gasket for sealing the oven cavity during the self-cleaning cycle. There is a locking means for the latch mechanism which functions when the door is locked and the oven temperature is above normal cooking temperatures. The locking means includes a bimetal actuator that senses the temperature of the oxidation unit in the oven exhaust system.

Abstract: A latch for ovens and the like includes a latch subassembly movable between latching and unlatching positions, a high temperature locking pawl which is engageable with the latch subassembly at a preselected elevated temperature to block its movement to unlatching position, and a thermal element which rotates the pawl into the blocking position. Resiliently deflectable means is provided on the locking pawl to rotate the pawl into blocking position in the event that the latch subassembly is moved from the latched position towards the unlatched position as the preset elevated temperature for latching is approached, thereby compensating for lag in response of the thermal element and preventing opening of the oven door at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a locking mechanism for the door of a pyrolytic range having a high temperature self-cleaning cycle; the mechanism includes a latch arm pivotally mounted to the oven frame of the range and adapted to move between a door locking position and a door unlocked position; a pair of solenoids, each including a movable magnet bar, are coupled to the latch arm so that the bars may be simultaneously displaced for each separate energization of the solenoids; spring means are used to maintain the latch arm in each position reached by the arm.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for an appliance having a cabinet with an access opening and an access door for closing the access opening. The latch mechanism has a strike portion on the cabinet and a latch portion on the access door. The latch portion includes a handle rotatable in a horizontal plane and an actuating member for longitudinally shortening while transversely widening a catch member to concurrently latch and seal the access door to the cabinet.

Abstract: An oven door has a movable shield for covering its window during a self-cleaning cycle of an oven. The door includes apparatus for automatically raising and lowering the shield to and from a window covering position as the oven door is raised and lowered, improved track system for controlling and guiding the shield movement within the door and improved locking means for locking the oven door shut only when the shield is in its window covering position.

Abstract: A door interlock system for use with a microwave oven. The interlock system includes a slider member movably mounted to the cabinet of the oven for movement between released and interlocking positions. A catch structure is provided to be movable with the slider member and an interlock structure is provided for selectively securing the door in closed position across the cabinet opening by cooperation with the catch structure. The interlock structure may include fixed latching members on the door and a movable operator on the door arranged to move the slider member between the released and interlocking positions. Actuator structure is provided to be operated concurrently with the latching of the door to operate switches associated with the microwave energy generating device to permit operation of the generating device only when the door is latched in the closed position.