GB2256703A

GB2256703A - Extractor hood

Info

Publication number: GB2256703A
Application number: GB9112500A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Min-Woei Wu
Original assignee: WU MIN WOEI
Current assignee: WU MIN WOEI
Priority date: 1991-06-11
Filing date: 1991-06-11
Publication date: 1992-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-06-11
Also published as: GB2256703B; GB9112500D0

Abstract

A cooker extractor hood comprises a set of exhaust fans (2) disposed within a housing (3) secured adjacent a vertical wall. A rear housing compartment includes a pair of triangular end plates (41 a, b). A front baffle plate (51) is pivotably secured to an attachment plate (52) by hinges. The attachment plate is hinged to the back wall of the rear compartment. A handle (511 a) and a magnetic catch are disposed on both front sides of the baffle plate. The baffle plate can be pivoted upwards, covering the open lower portion of the housing and is held in place by a permanent magnet. When the extractor is in use the baffle plate is pivoted downwards covering the back portion of the rear compartment and is held in place by a magnet. The inclined position of the baffle plate aids in chanelling air to the exhaust fans. The attachment plate is secured to the rear of the housing by a releasable catch. Upon release both the attachment plate and the baffle plate can dangle downwards. <IMAGE>

Description

Title SMOKE EXHAUSTER Background of the Present Invention The present invention relates to an improved structure of z smoke exhauster and more particularly to an improved structure of a smoke exhauster that aids the circulation of air towards the exhaust fans therein and protects an adjacent wall to the rear thereof fro cooking vapcrs and other detritus.

A conventional smoker ehauster suffers from a number of deficiencies, one of the most notable being the rather poor air flow near the adjacent wall to the rear thereof. Due to the rather abrupt angle created by the juxtaposition of the housing thereon with the vertical wall, swirling eddy currents are forDed by the moving columns of air sucked upwards by the fans.

Tb s reduces the efficiency of the 5 stoke exhauster and causes considerable amounts of oily air to flow outwards in a lateral direction. Moreover, a thick coating cf oil and grime quickly builds up on the adjacent wal and particularly in the area where the rear housing adjoins therewith.

Also, the open lover housing of a conventional smoke exhauster contains heavy concentrations of dirt and grime which may flake off and fa 1 onto the cooking mantle below.

The improved structure smoke exhauster overcomes these shortcomings and offers greater utility and convenience to a user.

The improved structure smoke exhauster of the present invention utilizes a folding baffle that closes the open lower portion of the housing thereof when in a cased position and covers the open front portion of a rear compartment adjacent to the wall when in an open position.

When the folding baffle is in an open position, the covered front cf the rear compartment is at an angle with the wall, sloping upwards towards the open lower portion of the smoke exbauster.

The sloping surface effectively channels air sucked upwards by the rotating fans of the smoke exhauster, increasing its effectiveness. The rear compartment also serves to shield the rear wall from dirt and grime whether from cooking vapors cr direct splashing from cooking containers.

The folding baffle closes the open lower portion of the smoke exhauster when not In use, preventing detritus from falling cut and also aids in keeping the interior of the smoke exhauster clean as muon cf the grime accumulated in the interior is a result of adhesion cf dust particles In the air to the oil residues therein, which would circulate throgh the smoke exhauster even when the fans are not in operation.

Summary of the Present Invention The improved structure smoke exhauster of the present invention has as a first objective to provide a smoke exhauster with a folding baffle that closes the open owe portion of the smoke exhauster when in a closed position and protects the rear wall to which the smoke exhauster is mounted when folded to an open position, and has as a second objective to provide a smoke exhauster with a folding baffle that aids in channeling air towards the fans therein when the baffle is in an open position and the smoke exhauster is operating.

The improved structure smoke exhauster of the present invention comprises a rear compartment provided on the lower portion of the housing of the smoke exhauster, adjacent to a rear wall, and a folding baffle with an attachment plate secured to the rear of the rear compartment by hinges and a baffle plate secured to the front of the attachment plate by hinges.

The attachment plate is releasably secured in a horizontal position by a securing lug secured thereto and engaged with a spring loaded can secured to a rear portion of the smoke exhauster.

The rear compartment includes two end pieces and E rear cross plate connected therebetween, with the rear compartement having an open front portion.

The baffe plate closes the open lower portion of the housing when in a raised position, being held in place by a permanent magnet disposed in the front of The housing attracting a securing plate disposed on the upper sloe or the baffle plate.

The baffle plate is brought to an open position by pulling down on a handle disposed on the lower side of the baffle plate near the front edge thereof. The baffle plate is swung down to cover the open front of the rear compartment and held in place by a permanent magnet disposed therein, attracting a securing plate disposed on the lower side of the baffle plate.

The smoke exhauster can then be activated with the rear compartment protecting the rear wall from dirt and grime and the sloping baffle plate coverirg the front of the rear colpartment channeling air towards the fans thereof.

The first and second objectives of the present invention are thereby achieved.

In an alternate embodiment of the smoke exhauster of the present invention, the front edge of the baffle plate is slindingly secured to a pair of guides disposed within the lateral walls of the housing with both the baffle plate and attachment plate foldIng downwards wnen the folding baffle is folded te an open position.

A detailed description of the embodiments ano variations of the improved structure smoke exhauster of the present invention along with the other functions thereof is given in the preferred embodiments below.

The present invention is further described hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from below of a first embodiment of an extractor hood or smoke exhauster according to the present invention, with a folding baffle thereof in a closed position; Figure 2 is an inverse plan view of the smoke exhauster of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of the smoke exhauster of Figure 1 with the folding baffle thereof in an open position; Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the smoke exhauster of Figure 1 with the folding baffle thereof fully unfolded; Figure 5 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of a smoke exhauster according to the present invention, showing an internal guide in a housing thereof in which a forward edge of a baffle plate thereof is slidingly secured;; Figure 6 is a perspective view from below of the smoke exhauster of Figure 5 showing the folding baffle thereof slid halfway between a closed and an open postion; Figure 7 is a perspective view from below of the smoke exhauster of Figure 5 with the folding baffle thereof in an open position; Figure 8 is a part sectional view of a releasable sliding mechanism of the folding baffle of the smoke exhauster of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a part sectional side elevation of a releasable mechanical securing mechansim for a baffle plate actuated by a power switch, of an embodiment of a smoke exhauster according to the present invention; and Figure 10 is an end view of a sliding attachment method for a rear compartment of an embodiment of a smoke exhauster according to the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, a first embodiment of a smoke exhauster according to the present invention includes a conventional smoke exhauster 1 secured to a wall with exhauster fans 2 disposed within a housing 3.

The improvement thereof comprises a rear compartment 40 disposed below the housing 3 and adjacent to the wall, and a folding baffle 50 (as shown in Figure 2).

The rear compartment 40 includes a pair of triangular end plates 41a and 41b connected together by a rectangular cross plate 42 at the rear thereof.

The folding baffle 50 includes a baffle plate 51 pivotably secured to an attachment plate 52 by hinges 521a and 521b.

Attachment plate 52 is in turn pivotably secured to the upper edge of cross plate 42 by hinges 522a and 522b.

h handle 511a and a securing plate 512a are disposed on the lower side of baffle plate 51 near the front edge thereof.

When folding baffle 50 is in a closed position1 covering the open lower portion of housing 3, as in Fig. 1, baffle plate 51 is releasably secured t housing 3 by a permanent magnet 32 dispose: under the front cf housing 3, and a securing plate 512b secured to the upper side of baffle plate 51 near the front edge thereof, as shown In Figs. 2 and 3. Magnet 32 attracts securing plate 5i2b, mace from E ferrous material, and holds be plate 51 in position under housing 3.

Baffle plate 51 can be pivoted downwards by pulling down on handle Sila, separating securing plate 512b fro: magnet 32.

Baffle plate 51 can then be closed against the open front c rear compartment 40, with a magnet 421 secured near the lower edge of cross plate 42 attracting securing plate 512a to hold baffle in position thereon.

The folding baffle is then in an open position as shown In Fig. 3. Whereby, when smoke exhauster 1 is operating, baffle plate 51 aids in channeling air towards fans 2 and along with end plates 41a and 41b protect the wall against oil and detritus.

MoreovEr, removable holding fixtures can be attached to cross plate 42 for placement of cleaning or culinary utensils, which are of course protected from cooking vapors by baffle plate 51 when closed zgainst rear compartment 40.

Attachment plate 52 is releasably secured in a horizontal position with the rear wall of housing 3 by a locking lug 523 formed near the rear edge of attachment plate 52, and a catch 31 disposed on the rear wall of housing 3, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Lug 523 has a recess formed there in that engages a spring loaded locking bar in catch 31.

If desired, attachment plate 52 can be released and pivoted downwards by pulling dow fir on handle 511b with baffle plae 51 in a roughly vertical position.

Folding baffle 50 is then n a fully open position as shown in Fig. 4. In this position, the rear of housing 3 is exposed, faciliating access or cleaning therein.

In a second embodiment of the improved structure smoke exhauster of the present invention both baffle plate 51 and attachment plate 52 pivot as folding baffle 50 is closed or opened Referring to Figs. 5 and 8, E pair of elongate guide rails, 60a and 60b, are disposed on the inner side of respective latera edges of housing 3. 3. A slot 81 extends along the length o respective guide rails, 60a and 60b, with the front edge of baffle plate 51 being pivotably secured therein.

A channel 55 is secured to the front edge of baffle plate 51 with a pair of rods, 71a and 71b, disposed therein. The outer ends of rods, 71a and 71b, extend Into respective slots E1 of rails, 60a and 60b, with rollers 80 attached thereon.

A retaining ring 75 is secured to respective rods, 71a and 71b, at pre-determined positions, and a block 100 is secured within channel 55 at pre-determined positions inwards from a respective retaining ring 75. h spring 90 is disposed between each respective pair of retaining rings 75 and blocks 100.

The inner ends of rods, 71a and 71b, are bent at a right angle and protrude from a slot opening 55i formed near the front edge of baffle plate 51.

Referring to rigs. 6 an 7, by pushing handle Slia towards the rear, baffle plate 5i and attachment plate 52 both pivot downwards.

liandle 511b on the upper side of baffle plate 51, and locking lug 523 and catch 31 are not required in this embodiment.

Securing plate 512a has been repositioned in the for a c f securing plate 524, disposed near the front edge of attachment plate 52.

With the front edge of baffle plate 51 slid to the rear of slots 60a and 60b, folding baffle 50 is in an open position with baffle plate 51 covering the front of rear compartment 40.

Magnet 421 attracts securing plate 524 to hold the assembly in place.

By squeezing ends, 711a and 711b, inwards, rollers 80 are retracted from slots 61 so that both baffle plate 51 and attachment plate 52 may be lowered to a vertical position, as with the first embodiment.

The second embodiment of the improved structure of z smoke exhauster has the advantage of exposing only the lower side of baffle plate 51 when in an open or closed position, with the upper side remaining relatively cleaner.

Furthermore, as the folding baffle 50 of the second embodiment does nct circumscribe as great z volume as the folding baffle 50 of the first embodiment, the likelihood of interference with a cooking container or other article disposed below smoke exhauster 1 is correspondingly reduced.

Other variations in conjunction with the embodiments given above are also pcsslble.

As an example, securing methods other than magnetic could be used to re 1 easably secure baffle plate 51 to housing 3, such as a mechanical locking mechanism engaged with the power switch of smoke exhauster 1, as shown in Fig. 9.

A push button A is secured to one end of an actuating roc El of a power switch E. An angled actuating tab 8 is also securec thereon, with an end thereof abutting against an upper arm D1 of E link D. Link D is rotatably secured to housing 3 by a pivot D3 and pushed in a counter-clockwise direction by a spring E.

A catch D21 protrudes from the bottom edge of a lover arm D2 of link D, and is engaged with a recess F1 formed in a securing lug F, secured to the upper side of channel 55, when folding baffle 50 is in 2 closed position.

Ey depressing push botton A, power switch B is activated to start smoke exhauster 1, concomitantly actuating tab C moves rearward causing link D to rotate in E clockwise direction and catch D21 to retract from recess F1, releasing baffle plate 51.

Folding baffle 50 then folds to an open position under the action of gravity or by t h C aid of springs secured to appropriate Elements thereof.

Though the mechanical securing mechanism described is suited primarily for the folding baffle 50 of the second embodiment, a similar y arranged mechanise could also be used to releasably secure folding baffle 50 of the first embodiment.

Likewise, rear compartment 40 can be slidingly secured with the bottom of housing 3 to facilitate quick assembly or the attachment of another adjunctive device.

Referring to Fig. 10, a pair of rails G with E generally T-shaped cross-section is secured along the respective upper edges of end plates 41a and 41b.

A pair of corresponding guides G are secured to respective lower edges of the lateral sides of the reer portion of housing Each guide G has a cavity H1 formed along the length thereof with a corresponding T-shaped cross-section. Each cavity H1 communicates with the lower side of a respective guide H through a slit H2 formed along the length thereof.

Thus, rear compartment 4C can be assembled with housing 3 by sliding rails G thereon into respective guides G on housing 3.

As such, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the specificities of the exposition above but by the appended claims.

Table of Drawing Numbers 1- smoke exhauster 61- slot 2- fan 2 housing 71a- rod 31- catch 711a- end 32- permanent magnet 71b- rod 711b- end 40- rear compartment 41a- end plate 75- retaining ring 41b- end plate 80- roller 2- cross plate 90- spring 421- permanent magnet 100- block DC- folding baffle A-push button 51- baffle plate n- power site 511a- handle B1- activating rod 511b- handle C- activating tab 512a- securing plate D- link 512b- securing plate 52- attachment plate D1- upper arm 521a- hinges D2- lower arm 521b- hinges D2i- catch 522a- hinges D3- pivot 522b- hinges E- spring 523- locking lug F- securing lug 524- securing plate F1- recess 55- channel 551- slot opening C rail H- guide 60a- guide rail H1- cavity 60b- guide raii R2- slit

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A device for exhausting smoke and the like comprising a housing for mounting adjacent to a wall and at least one extractor fan disposed within said housing and communicating with an open lower portion thereof; the housing having; a rear compartment including two end plates provided on respective sides of a lower portion of said housing and having an open front portion; a folding baffle including a baffle plate and an attachment plate, with said baffle plate pivotably secured to said attachment plate, and said attachment plate pivotably secured to the rear of said housing; a first releasable securing means, for releasably securing a front edge of said baffle plate to the front of said housing, and a second releasable securing means, for releasably securing said baffle plate to said rear compartment; wherein, said folding baffle can be unfolded to a closed position, covering the open lower portion of said housing with said baffle plate releasably secured to said housing by said first releasable securing means, and can be folded to an open position, with said baffle plate covering the open front portion of said rear compartment and releasably secured thereon by said second releasable securing means whereby said baffle plate is in an inclined position so that a lower edge thereof is closer to the rear of said housing than an upper edge thereof; whereby, said baffle plate aids in channeling air towards said fan and together with said end plates serves for protecting said wall from cooking fumes and other detritus, when said folding baffle is in an open position.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein: said attaching plate is secured in a substantially horizontal position by a locking lug secured to the upper side thereof releasably engaged with a catch secured to the rear wall of said housing; a handle is secured to the lower side of said baffle plate near the fron edge thereof; a handle is secured to the upper side of said baffle plate near the front edge thereof; whereby, removable holding fixtures can be attached to said cross plate of said rear compartment enabling storage of cleaning or culinary utensils therein; said attachment plate can be released fror said catch by pulling down on said handle on the upper side of said baffle plate with said baffle plate in a roughly vertical position, said attachment plate and said baffle plate may then be lowered to a vertical post ion, exposing the rear port ion of said housing and facilitating access or cleaning therein.
3. h device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein; a rcss pirate is secured to the rear of said rear compartment connecting said two end plates; said first releasable securing means comprises a permanent magnet secured to the front portion of said housing in proximity to and attracting a securing plate made from a ferrous materIal and secured to the upper side of said baffle plate near the front edge thereof, when said folding baffle is in a closed position;; said second releasable securing means comprises a permanent magnet secured to said cross plate near the lower edge thereof, in proximity to and attracting a securing plate made from a ferrous material and secured to the lower side of said baffle plate near the front edge thereof, when said folding baffle is in an open position.
4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein; a handle is secured to the lower side of said baffle plate near the front edge thereof; an elongate guide is disposed on the inner side cf each respective lateral wall c said housing, each sad guide having E slct formed along the length thereof; a pair or retractable rollers protrude from respective sides of the fror. edge of-raid baffle plate and are disposed within respective said slots of said guides, slindingly securing -he front edge of said baffle plate thereto; said rcllers can be retracted by a releasing means; whereby, when said folding baffle is folded to an open position the front edge of said baffle plate slides to the rear of said guides, with both said baffle plate and said attachment plate pivoting downwards; said baffle plate exposes only the lower side thereof when closed against the open lower portion of said housing or the open front portion of said rear compartment, with the upper side of said baffle plate remainin relatively cleaner.
D. A device according to claim 4 wherein; a cross place is secured to the rear of said rear compartment connecting said two end plates; said first releasable securing means comprises a permanent magnet secured to the front portion of said housing in proximity to anå attract ng a securing plate made from a f Cr rot's mater a and secured tG the Upper side of said baffle plate near the front edge thereof, when said folding baffle is in a closed positions said second releasable securing means comprises a permanent magnet secured to said cross plate near the lower edge thereof, in proximity t o and attracting a securing plate made from a a ferrous material and secured to the lower side of said attachment plate near the front edge thereof, when said folding baffle is in an open position.
6. A device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said releasing means comprises: a pair of rods with said rollers rotatably secured to the outer respective ends thereon, disposed within a channel secured to the front edge of said baffle plate, a pair of blocks secured within said channel at predetermined positions, inwards from said rollers; a pair of retaining rings secured to respective said rods at predetermined positions, between a respective block and roller; E pair of springs disposed within said channel, between C aspective pair of retaining rings and blocks; 2 right angle bend is forked on each said rod, in proximity to the respective inner ends thereof, with the inner ends of said rods protruding through a slot opening formed on the lower side of said baffle plate near the front edge thereof; wherein, the protruding inner ends of said rods can be pulled together, causing said rollers to retract from respective said guides, releasing seid baffle plate therefrom; whereby, after the release of said baffle plate said folding baffle can be unfolded to a vertical position, exposing the rear portion of said housing and facilitating access or cleaning therein.
7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein: said baffle plate is releasably secured to te ront cf said housing by means of a release mechanism actuated by the action of starting said smoke exhauster; said release mechanism includes a link pivotably secured within said housing and locking lug secured to the upper side of said baffle plate near the front edge thereof; 2 protruding catch formed on one end of a first arm of said link is engaged With a recess formed on said locking lug, securing said baffle plate to the front of said housing; a second arm of said link is engaged with the starting mechanics: of said smoke exhauster by means of at least one connecting element; whereby, starting said smoke exhauster causes said link to pivot and said catch to withdraw from said recess, releasing said baffle plate.
8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein: a pair of rails are disposed on the respective upper edges c said end plates a pair of guies are disposed on respective lower edges o said housing, to the rear thereof; a cavity s formed within each said guide, communicating with the exterior thereof throgh a slit formed on the lower side of said guide; whereby, said end plates may be releasably secured to said housing by sliding said rails into a respective said guides.
9. A device for exhausting smoke and the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.