EP1590605A1

EP1590605A1 - Kitchen stove

Info

Publication number: EP1590605A1
Application number: EP04706101A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guilherme Moreira de ALC NTARA FILHO
Original assignee: Multibras SA
Current assignee: Whirlpool SA
Priority date: 2003-02-03
Filing date: 2004-01-29
Publication date: 2005-11-02
Also published as: BR0300342A; BR0300342B1; AR042958A1; PL377998A1; WO2004070278A1

Abstract

A kitchen stove comprising a structure (10) formed by a lower frame (11) and an upper frame (12), which are medianly hollow and respectively rigidly secured to the lower and upper ends of two front columns (13) and two rear columns (14); an oven compartment (20) affixed to the front columns (13) and to the rear columns (14), maintaining a certain vertical distance in relation to the lower frame (11) and to the upper frame (12), and having a front opening (25); lateral closing panels (60) affixed to the front columns (13) and to the rear columns (14) on each side of the structure (10), in order to define the lateral faces of the stove; a cooktop (90) provided with burners (91) and affixed onto the upper frame (12); front closing parts (15, 30, 40, 50) and a rear closing part (70) respectively affixed to the front columns (13) and to the rear columns (14) and defining respective front and rear face portions of the stove.

Description

KITCHEN STOVE Field of the Invention

The present invention refers to a kitchen stove of the type which comprises a structure carrying an upper cooktop provided with burners, and an oven compartment provided with a front door manually operated by the user. Prior Art In the kitchen stoves of the type mentioned above, the structure, which supports the different components, including the oven compartment with its front door and the cooktop associated with the burners and with the control panel for controlling the operations, is obtained with the compulsory participation of closing elements defined by the known lateral closing panels and by the front wall, which is stamped to define the front opening of the oven compartment, and optionally, the front opening of a storage compartment which can be formed below or above the oven compartment . These stove structures are generally constructed according to two so called side-to-side and front-to- back mounting systems.

The side- o-side system consists in the stove being structured through the lateral closing panels, which are superiorly and inferiorly affixed and locked to the opposite ends of upper horizontal crossbeams, to which the burners of the cooktop are affixed, and of lower horizontal crossbeams. Not only the lateral closing panels, but also the cooktop itself and the front wall of the stove define the structural elements that are fundamental to the integrity of the stove body. It should be noted that, in this system, the bottom of the oven compartment does not reach the lateral closing panels, requiring stronger upper and lower horizontal crossbeams, since the oven compartment does not operate as a structural bracing. The front-to-back system consists of a structure in which the bottom wall of the oven compartment is affixed directly to the lateral closing panels, strengthening the structure of said panels and allowing the upper and lower horizontal crossbeams to be dimensioned less strongly.

Regardless of the constructive system that is used, these stoves present the front, the lateral, and the upper closing parts with a structural function, making their disassembly practically unfeasible, or at least very complex and expensive, in case repair operations are required. The disassembly of any of these components leads to structural deficiencies of different degrees in the stove body, which can bring additional problems to that originally faced. Besides the problem mentioned above, these known constructive systems are not adequate to support the loads required for the certification of the product in different markets. The Brazilian normative requirements define a compressive load in the front diagonal of the stove, while the European system requires tests with the same compressive load but applied to the lateral diagonal of the stove. The US system requires, besides the resistance to the diagonal loads, the resistance of the stove to a distributed load, orthogonal to the cooktop. Another disadvantage of the known constructions is related to the difficulties in manufacturing the front wall in a single stamped piece, producing scraps and requiring enameling. Objects of the Invention

By reason of the disadvantages mentioned above, it is the object of the present invention to provide a kitchen stove presenting a structure, which is easy to manufacture and sufficiently strong to comply with the different certification systems of the product, and which can receive different complementary parts which can be easily dismounted, without affecting the structural integrity of the assembly, such as the cooktop, the oven compartment, the lateral closing panels, and the front closing element that defines the front face of the stove . It is a further object of the invention to provide a kitchen stove as mentioned above, which can have its front face formed by closing elements with reduced dimensions in relation to those required for the stoves known heretofore . Summary of the Invention Aiming at attaining the above-mentioned objects, the kitchen stove of the present invention comprises a structure of prismatic contour with polygonal bases and formed by a lower frame and an upper frame, which are edianly hollow, horizontally disposed, and respectively rigidly affixed to the lower and upper ends of two front columns and two rear columns, between which the front, the rear, and the lateral faces of the stove are defined.

At least one oven compartment is affixed to the front and rear columns in the interior of the structure, maintaining a certain vertical distance in relation to the lower and upper frames and having a front opening coinciding with the front face of the stove. The stove further comprises lateral closing panels affixed to the front and rear columns on each side of the structure, in order to define the lateral faces of the stove; a cooktop provided with burners and affixed to the upper frame; and front and rear closing parts, respectively attached to the front and rear columns and which define respective front and rear face portions of the stove.

The front closing parts may comprise, for example, an oven door, a lower front panel disposed under the oven door, and an upper front panel, said parts having relatively reduced dimensions and being affixed to the structure to close it. These parts require smaller tooling of lower cost and simpler maintenance, leading to a higher productivity resulting from more automation used in the manufacture and assembly and from better dimensional control, particularly due to less deformation occurring in the parts during enameling.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be described below, with reference to the enclosed drawings, given by way of example of a constructive embodiment, and in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the structure of the stove; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the structure of the stove illustrated in figure 1, but incorporating two front horizontal crossbeams; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the structure of the stove illustrated in figure 2, but incorporating two upper horizontal crossbeams; Figure 4 is a top perspective view of a junction region between the upper frame and a front column; Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the structure of the stove illustrated in figure 2, but illustrating an oven compartment and a front closing part that are affixed in the interior of the structure;

Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the oven compartment ;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of the rear region of the oven compartment; Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the structure of the stove illustrated in figure 5, but illustrating a pair of lateral closing panels in an exploded condition;

Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the structure of the stove illustrated in figure 8, but with the lateral closing panels and with a rear closing part affixed to the structure;

Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of the structure of the stove illustrated in figure 9, but with the rear closing part in an exploded condition; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the stove illustrated in figure 9, but illustrating a cooktop and an oven door in an exploded condition. Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment As illustrated in the enclosed drawings, the present kitchen stove comprises a structure 10 of prismatic contour with polygonal bases. In the illustrated construction, the structure 10 takes the form of a prism, whose lower and upper bases are substantially square and spaced from each other by a height that corresponds approximately to the height of the stove. The structure 10 comprises a lower frame 11 and an upper frame 12, which are medianly hollow, horizontally disposed, and respectively rigidly affixed to the lower and upper ends of two generally vertical front columns 13 and two rear columns 14. The lower frame 11 and the upper frame 12 take the form of structures defined by four generally metallic profiles 11a, 12a comprising two pairs of angle bars which can be secured by any adequate process, such as welding, riveting, screwing, gluing, etc. The rear columns 14 can be formed of metallic angle bars with their lower and upper ends respectively affixed, by any adequate process, to the rear vertices of the lower frame 11 and the upper frame 12, as described in relation to the fixation of the profiles 11a and 12a at the vertices of each lower frame 11 and upper frame 12, as illustrated in figures 1-5, 8, and 10. The front columns 13 are equally formed of metallic profiles, which besides presenting a cross section substantially in the form of an angle bar, are preferably stamped according to the side of the stove to which they will be applied, and in order to incorporate a front longitudinal rib 13a along their median edge, the front flap 13b of the front columns 13 lying on a back-spaced plane in relation to the respective front longitudinal rib 13a, and the free edge of the front flap 13b is inwardly bent to give a finishing to the stove. Preferably, the front flap 13b of the front columns 13 is dimensioned with a width that is relatively large and sufficient to define a respective lateral front face portion of the stove. In the illustrated embodiment, the front flap 13b of each front column 13 is further shaped to receive and affix the adjacent end of at least two front horizontal crossbeams 15 with a width which is for example similar to that of the front flaps 13b, and whose front face is coplanar to the external face of the front flaps 13b. The two front horizontal crossbeams 15 are vertically spaced from each other in order to define, with the front flap 13b of the front columns 13 , a window J coinciding with the front opening of an oven compartment 20 to be described below. The front horizontal crossbeams 15 constitute front closing parts of the stove, defining respective portions of a front face of the stove.

The structure 10 may be further provided with upper horizontal crossbeams 16, whose opposite ends are secured to opposite sides of the upper frame 12 and which are designed to receive and secure the burners of a cooktop to be described below.

The present stove further comprises an oven compartment 20 with a parallelepipedic shape, presenting lateral walls 21, a lower wall 22, an upper wall 23, a rear wall 24, and a front opening 25 in the place of the front wall. The oven compartment 20 is attached to the front columns 13 and rear columns 14, in the interior of the structure 10, maintaining a certain vertical distance in relation to the lower frame 11 and upper frame 12 and having its front opening 25 coinciding with the front face of the stove, defined between the two front columns 13. As illustrated in figures 5-8, the oven compartment 20 is preferably provided with a front peripheral flange 26, surrounding the front opening 25 and which is seated and affixed internally against the front flaps 13b of the front columns 13 and against the front horizontal crossbeams 15. In the rear region, the oven compartment 20 carries lateral fixation elements 27 to be seated and affixed internally to the rear columns 14.

The thus constructed oven compartment 20 can be involved with an insulating blanket or other thermal insulating element 28, as illustrated in figure 5 in a simple way.

As illustrated in figure 11, the oven compartment 20 is frontally closed by an oven door 30 of any adequate construction, which is articulated to the front columns 13 generally in the junction region with the front horizontal crossbeam 15 and leveled with the lower wall 22 of the oven compartment 20, in order to be displaced between a closed position, sealing front opening 25 of the oven compartment 20, and opened positions, spaced from the front opening 25. In the illustrated construction, the oven door 30 is seated, in the closed position, against a sealing gasket (not illustrated) operatively associated with the front horizontal crossbeams 15 and with the adjacent portions of the front flaps 13b of the front columns 13.

In the construction illustrated in figure 5, the stove is provided with a front closing part in the form of a lower front panel 40 affixed to the front columns 13, in order to define a front face portion of the stove, placed between the oven door 30 and the lower frame 11. This construction is possible when the stove does not include any other additional compartment between the oven compartment 20 and the lower frame 11. In case no other compartment is provided between the oven compartment 20 and the upper frame 12, this region is provided with a front closing part in the form of an upper front panel 50 attached to the front columns 13, in order to define a front face portion of the stove situated between the oven door 30 and the upper frame 12.

The structure 10 further receives lateral closing panels 60 affixed externally to the front columns 13 and rear columns 14 on each side of the structure 10, so as to define the lateral faces of the stove. The fixation of the lateral closing panels 60 can be such as to allow them to be easily removed and replaced by using several means, since such panels have no structural function. Similarly, a rear closing part 70 is provided, generally in the form of a single protective rear panel, which is removably secured to the rear columns 14 of the structure 10. It is possible to provide the present stove with a storage compartment 80 defined between: a lower closing part 81 affixed between the front columns 13 and rear columns 14 and onto the lower frame 11; the lower wall 22 of the stove compartment 20; the lateral closing panels 60; and the rear closing part 70. The storage compartment 80 is frontally opened, but provided with a storage compartment door 85 defining one of the possible front closing parts of the structure 10 being carried by the latter, in order to be selectively displaced between a closed position, frontally sealing the storage compartment 80, and opened positions, giving access to the interior thereof. The storage compartment door 85 defines a front face portion of the stove situated between the oven door 30 and the lower frame 11, in place of the lower front panel 40 illustrated in figure 5. As illustrated in figure 11, the stove further comprises a cooktop 90, provided with burners 91 and secured onto the upper frame 12 and which is constructed so as to provide the front upper finishing of the structure 10 together with the upper front panel 50, which may carry a control panel 95 of the stove and also be incorporated, in a single piece, to the cooktop 90 itself.

Although only some constructions for the stove have been described and illustrated, it should be understood that changes as to the form and relative arrangement of the components could be made, without departing from the constructive concept defined in the claims that accompany the present specification.

Claims

1. A kitchen stove, characterized in that it comprises: a structure (10) of prismatic contour with polygonal bases and formed by a lower frame (11) and an upper frame (12) , which are medianly hollow, horizontally disposed, and respectively rigidly affixed to the lower and upper ends of two front columns (13) and two rear columns (14) , between which the front, the rear, and the lateral faces of the stove are defined; an oven compartment (20) affixed to the front columns (13) and to the rear columns (14) in the interior of the structure (10) , maintaining a certain vertical distance in relation to the lower frame (11) and to the upper frame (12) and having a front opening (25) coinciding with the front face of the stove; lateral closing panels (60 ) affixed to the front column (13) and to the rear column (14) on each side of the structure (10) , in order to define the lateral faces of the stove; a cooktop (90) provided with burners (91) and affixed onto the upper frame (12); front closing parts (15, 30, 40, 50) and a rear closing part (70) which are respectively affixed to the front columns (13) and to the rear columns (14) and defining respective front and rear face portions of the stove.

2. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the front closing parts comprise an oven door (30) which is articulated to the front columns (13) so as to be displaced between a closed position, sealing the front opening of the oven compartment (20) , and open positions, spaced from the front opening of the oven compartment (20) .

3. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that the front closing parts comprise a lower front panel (40) affixed to the front columns (13) , in order to define a front face portion of the stove located between the oven door (30) and the lower frame (11) .

4. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that the front closing parts comprise an upper front panel (50) affixed to the front columns

(13) , in order to define a front face portion of the stove located between the oven door (30) and the upper frame (12) .

5. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that the upper front panel (50) is incorporated, in a single piece, to the cooktop (90) .

6. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that the upper front panel (50) carries a control panel (95) of the stove.

7. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a lower closing part (81) , horizontally affixed between the front columns (13) and rear columns (14) onto the lower frame (11) and forming, with the lower wall (22) of the oven compartment (20) , with the lateral closing panels (60) , and with a rear closing part (70) , a storage compartment (80) which is frontally opened, the front closing parts comprising a storage compartment door (85) carried by the structure (10) of the stove, in order to be selectively displaced between a closed position, frontally sealing the storage compartment (80) , and open positions, giving access to the interior of the storage compartment (80) , said storage compartment door (85) defining a front face portion of the stove located between the oven door (30) and the lower frame (11) .

8. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that the front closing parts further comprise two front horizontal crossbeams (15) having opposite lateral ends secured to the front columns

(13) , said front horizontal crossbeams (15) being vertically spaced from each other so as to define, with the front columns (13) , a window (J) coinciding with the front opening of the oven compartment (20) .

9. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 8, characterized in that each of the front columns (13) incorporates, along the extension thereof, a front flap (13b) that defines a respective lateral front face portion of the stove to which the opposite lateral ends of the two front horizontal crossbeams (15) are coplanarly affixed.

10. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 1, character!zed in that it comprises a rear closing part (70) comprising a protecting rear panel secured to the rear columns (14) and defining the rear face of the stove.

11. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the upper frame (12) presents two opposite sides affixing the ends of at least two upper lateral crossbeams (16) to which the burners (91) of the cooktop (90) are affixed.

12. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the rear closing part (70) and the lateral closing panels (60) are removably affixed to the structure (10) of the stove.

13. The kitchen stove as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a thermal insulating element (28) mounted around the oven compartment (20) .