US2556444A - Stove top construction - Google Patents

Description

June 12, 1951 H. M. hEEvEs 2,556,444

STOVE TOP CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 31, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hev-bert Qeeves H. M. REEVES STOVE TOP CONSTRUCTION Jt me 12, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 31. 1947 Patented June 12, 1951 STOVE TOP CONSTRUCTION Herbert M. Reeves, Kankakee, Ill., assignor to Florence Stove Company, Gardner, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application January 31, 1947, Serial No. 725,657

12 Claims.

1 The invention relates generally to cookstoves of the table type and more particularly to an improved top construction for such stoves.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a top construction for stoves of the above general character which is more attractive in appearance, easier to keep clean, and less expensive to manufacture than the top structures heretofore in use.

A more specific object is to provide a top structure for stoves having all of the desirable characteristics of so-called one-piece tops but which is much less expensive to manufacture.

Another object is to provide separately formed back guard and top elements for table top cookstoves characterized by the simplicity of construction with its resultant low cost and by the complete absence of square corners or exposed joints between the working surface at the top of the stove and the back guard.

Still another object is to provide an attractive and efficient back guard and improved means for supporting it on the stove whereby the joint between the guard and the adjacent top parts of the stove is elevated substantially above the working surface of the, same and thus protected against the accumulation of grease or dirt and elfectually concealed from View.

A further object is to provide a sheet metal back guard for stoves embodying a novel louver structure which greatly facilitates manufacture of the guard and which materially reduces its cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a stove top embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the stove top taken in a vertical plane substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the back guard is sup.- ported on and secured to the side panels of the stove body.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the stove top taken in a vertical plane substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the louver structure taken in ofiset planes substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

v Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of a louver supporting bracket.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but

2 it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

For purposes of illustration the invention has been shown as embodied in a table type cookstove having a generally rectangular body closed at opposite ends by sheet metal end panels 9 and supporting at its upper end a cooking top ll) (Fig. 2) and a working top H (Fig. 1) arranged in side by side relation. The cooking top is formed with suitable openings for the accommodation of conventional heating elements or burners l2 and is provided with a removable cover l3 adapted to be closed down over the burners as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The cooking top is preferably stepped or ofi'set downwardly from the working top I l to permit the cover when closed to lie flush with the working top and thus present a fiat horizontal surface over the entire top of the stove. An upright back guard member I5 is provided along the rear edge of the stove body for protecting the adjacent wall from splashing grease or the like.

In accordance with the invention, the back guard member I5 is supported and the working top H and cover l3 are shaped for cooperation therewith in a novel manner which effectually eliminates square corners and exposed joints between the back guard and the top elements of the stove. More particularly, the back guard member is supported above and in vertically spaced relation to the working top surface of the stove by upright extensions l6 formed on the end panels 9. The working top H and the cover l3 are formed adjacent their rear edges with upwardly and rearwardly sweeping curved portions IT and I8 adapted to closely underlie the back guard member as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6. With this arrangement the joint between the back guard and the top elements of the stove is raised substantially above the working surface which terminates at the rear of the stove in a gently rounded corner in whichthere is no tendency for dust, dirt or grease to become lodged and which, moreover, is easily cleaned. Louvers l 9 forming a part of the front wall of the back guard member l5 provide for venting the space in back of the stove and effectually conceal the joint between the guard and the stove top elements.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the end panels 9, cooking top H], working top H, cover I3, and back guard member l5 are formed as sheet metal stampings and are preferably fin-' ished'with a coating of vitreous enamel in accordance with the usual practice of the art. As these parts are relatively small they can be produced economically with simple, inexpensive dies and forming apparatus. Lighter gauge metal can be used without sacrifice of strength or rigidity with a corresponding reduction in cost. Moreover, scrap losses are reduced as compared with those experienced in the production of onepiece tops.

In the exemplary stove, the end panels 9 are provided on their upper and front edges with inwardly and downwardly turned flanges 2| (Fig. 2) adapted for engagement with the framework 22 of the stove. When assembled in the stove structure the flanges 2| lie substantially flush with the cooking top it.

The cooking top I 9 comprises a flat metal sheet 23 having a downwardly turned marginal flange .24 by which the top is supported on the stove frame. In the particular stove illustrated, the cooking top is dimensioned so that its rear edge is disposed somewhat forwardly of the front face of the back guard member l5, as shown in Fig. 4,

to permit the cover IE to be shifted from the horizontal closed position in which it is shown to an upright open position with its rear edge portion projecting into the stove body.

The working top 1 l is formed from a flat generally rectangular metal sheet 25 and is provided with downwardly turned marginal flanges 26 along its front and side edges. Preferably, the corners at the front and outside edges of the member are rounded to present a'pleasing streamlined appearance, while the inside edge is formed with a square corner to permit a close fit with the cover 13. Adjacent its rear edg the top sheet 25 merges with the upwardly and rearward-1y sweeping curved portion 11 which forms a gently rounded sanitary corner along the back edge of the working top.

As herein shown, the cover i8 is complemental-ly shaped with respect to the working top member H. sheet 28 with depending front and side flanges 29,. As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the marginal edge portions of the flanges 29 are turned inwardly to provide wide bearing surfaces 30 for supporting the cover on the cooking top. The top sheet 28 merges into the upwardly curved rear portion 18 which has its rear marginal edge turned back and then downwardly as indicated at 31 (Fig. 4). Rollers 32 journalled in the stove frame cooperate with hinge members 33 connecting between the frame and the cover to guide the latter in its movements between open and closed positions.

The back guard 15 is constructed and assembled with the other elements of the stove in a novel manner which simplifies manufacture and which materially reduces the cost of the same. To this end the back guard is made up of an elongated top member or cap and the louvers l9 which are separately formed and. assembled as a unitary structure. The cap 4i as shown in Figs. 1 and 3-5, comprises a sheet metal stamping dimensioned to extend over and rest upon the extension l6 of the end panels.

Viewed in cross section, the cap 49 is shaped to provide a gently sloping top wall M (Fig. 4) merging into a steeply sloping front wall 42. The central portion of the wall 42 is pressed outwardly so as to overhang the louvers l9 and the lower edge thereof is formed with a bead 43 to aline with the forward edges of the louvers. Inturned flanges 44 are provided along the front and rear edges of the cap to impart strength and rigidity thereto. As shown in Fig. 3, the flange 44 is slightly enlarged adjacent the ends of the. cap 0 1 Thus the cover comprises a flat top .same.

attachment to the extensions it which are formed with inturned flanges 45 providing a seat for the The parts are detachably secured together as by stove bolts 36 extending through the flanges.

The louver structure [9 comprises one or more louver elements 50, three in the embodiment illustrated, assembled in vertically spaced relation. In the preferred form shown, each louver element is stamped or drawn from sheet metal to provide a flat top wall 5| and a downwardly and forwardly sloping front wall 52 with upright end walls 53 connecting the same at each end. The front wall 52 may be formed slightly concave to improve the appearance of the structure and is terminated at its lower edge in a curled bead 5'4 to conceal the raw edges of the element and to reinforce it longitudinally.

The louver elements 56 are assembled in superimposed relation and secured together as a unit by bolts 55 passing through suitable apertures in the top walls 51 of the elements adjacent opposite ends of the elements. Spacers, herein shown as tubular members or sleeves 55 enclosing the bolts 54 and interposed between adjacent elements, serve to hold them in predetermined spaced relation.

For mounting the louver unit on the stove structure, the unit is provided with spring clips 56 adapted to cooperate with brackets 51 supported on the extension I5 of the side panels. As shown in Fig. 7, the brackets '51, which are shaped respectively for right and left-hand mounting, comprise sheet metal stampings each having a fiat web portion and a depending leg 58 formed with a transverse slot 59 for the re ception of the clip 56. The web portion of the bracket is adapted to lie flush against the underside of the flange 45 of the extension f6 and is secured thereto by the bolt 46 by which the member 4'0 is fastened in place. The bracket is mounted so that the leg 58 extends substantially parallel to the front wall of the cap it, depending flanges 60 on the web portion of the bracket serving to accurately locate the same in the desired position.

The clips 55 as herein shown each comprises an elongated strip of sheet metal having an aper ture at one end for the reception of the bolt 54 of the louver unit. In the assembly of the unit, the strip is inserted between the intermediate louver element 50 and the lower spacer 55, with the other end portion projecting at the rear of the unit. The projecting end of the strip is bent back upon itself and then downwardly to form a resilient detent 6i engageable in the slot 58, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The arrangement is such that the detent portion is compressed when forced through the slot 59 and subsequently expands to draw the louver unit tightly against the legs 58 of the brackets. The louver unit may thus be mounted on the stove by simply entering the clips '56 in the notches 59 and pushing the assembly rearwardly. To remove the unit it is only necessary to compress the detent portion 5i of the clip so that it may be withdrawn from the slot 59.

Preferably, the legs 58 of the brackets 51 are inclined slightly from the vertical so that thelowermost louver element '50 extends over the; end portions H and I8 of the cover and working. top, thus effectually concealing the joint between the back guard and the top elements of the stove. The spacing of the louver elements provides adequate venting for the space in back of the stove, thus permitting the stove to be mounted flush against the wall of the room in which it is installed. Accordingly, the top wall 4| of the cap 40, the side walls of the extensions I6 and the adjacent edge portions of the panels 9 are extended rearwardly of the stove body for cooperation with the room wall in forming a relatively deep chamber for circulating cooling air between the stove and the wall. Air is admitted to the lower end of the chamber in well known manner to mix with the hot gases from the oven and the air and gases are discharged through the louvers I9, which as explained heretofore are arranged to direct the air and gases downwardly and forwardly over the stove top.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides a stove top construction of novel and advantageous character. By supporting the back guard on the end panels of the stove in vertically spaced relation to the top surface thereof, the working top member and the cover for the cooking top may be formed with upwardly sweeping rear edge portions which provide a gently rounded corner at the rear of the working surface. The joint between the back guard member and the top elements of the stove is thus raised substantially above the working surface and effectually protected from accumulation of dirt or grease. The absence of square corners or joints adjacent the working surface materially improves the sanitary characteristics of the stove.

The back guard includes a louver unit of novel character which provides adequate venting for the chamber at the back of the stove, imparts strength and rigidity to the guard, and which conceals the joint between the guard and the ad-- jacent stove parts. By reason of the improved construction, the various parts are all of relatively small size and capable of being produced by simple, inexpensive forming dies. Thus the advantages of attractive appearance, absence of corners and joints, and proper venting of the space in back of the stove are obtained at minimum cost.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a table type cookstove, in combination, a generally rectangular cooking top, a generally rectangular Working top presenting a flat working surface at one side of said cooking top, an upright back guard member extending along the rear edges of the cooking and working tops, and sheet metal panels at opposite ends of the stove having integral upwardly projecting extensions supporting said member with its lower edge spaced upwardly from said working surface, said working surface sweeping upwardly and rearwardly adjacent the rear edge of the working top to closely underlie said back guard member.

2. In a table type cookstove, in combination, a generally rectangular cooking top, a generally rectangular working top presenting a flat working surface at one side of said cooking top, a removable cover for said cooking top presenting when closed a horizontal surface, an upright back guard member extending along the rear edges of the cooking and Working tops, and sheet metal panels at opposite ends of the stove having integral upwardly projecting extensions supporting said back guard member with its lower edge spaced upwardly from the cooking and working tops, said cooking top cover having its upper surface shaped to sweep upwardly and rearwardly to closely underlie said back guard member when the cover is closed.

3. In a cookstove having a generally rectangu-jlar body, a panel supported on said body providing a horizontal working top surface, a second panel disposed at one side of said working top panel providing a horizontal. cooking top oifset downwardly from the working top surface, a cover for said cooking top adapted when in closed position to lie flush with the working top surface, end panels closing opposite ends of the stove body and each having an extension projecting above the top of the stove adjacent the rear edge thereof, and a back guard member supported by said extensions above and in vertically spaced relation to said working top and cover surfaces, said working top and said cover having raised portions adjacent their rear edges underlying said back guard and forming a joint disposed substantially above the surfaces, and longitudinally disposed louvers in the face of said back guard member concealing said joint. r

4. A back guard for a cookstove including an elongated sheet metal cap member adapted to be supported at the rear of and above the top surface of the stove, a louver unit disposed between the stove top and said cap member and cooperating with the latter to form the back guard, said louver unit comprising a plurality of sheet metal louver elements, spacers interposed between said elements to maintain them in parallel spaced relation, bolts securing said elements and said spacers together in a unitary structure, and means secured between the spacers and one of said elements for supporting the unit on the stove.

5. A back guard for a cook stove including a cap member supported at the rear of and above the top of the stove, brackets supported on said stove below and adjacent opposite ends of said cap member, each of said brackets having a transversely slotted generally upright leg, a plurality of louver units disposed in spaced parallel relation and secured together as a unitary structure, and supporting members rigid with said louver structure including resilient detents engageable in the slots in said bracket legs to maintain the louver structure in assembled relation with the stove.

6. In a cookstove having a cooking top and a working top, panels at opposite ends of the stove formed with integral extensions projecting above the stove tops, a back guard for the stove including a cap member extending over and resting on said extensions, and a louver unit extending between and supported on said extensions below said cap member, said unit comprising a plurality of louver members assembled in vertically spaced relation and having their front edges substantially alined with the lower front edge of said cap member.

'7. In a cookstove having a cooking top and a working top, panels at opposite ends of the stove formed with integral extensions projecting above the stove tops, a back guard for the stove including a cap member extending over and resting on said extensions, a louver unit dimensioned to extend between said extensions, brackets rigidly secured to said extensions and projecting below said cap member, and detent means rigid with said unit and engageable with said brackets for detachably supporting the unit.

8. In a table type cookstove having a flat generally rectangular top, panels at opposite ends of the stove formed with integral extensions projecting above the stove top, a back guard for the stove including a cap member extending over and resting on said extensions, and a louver member extending between and supported on said extensions below said cap member, said louver member :having its forward edge substantially alined with the front edge of said cap member and disposed in overlying relation to the rear edge of the stove top.

9. In a table type cookstove having a generally rectangular body with a horizontally disposed cooking top, sheet metal panels closing opposite ends of the stove body and having extensions projecting above the stove top adjacent the rear edge of the stove body, said end panels having inwardly turned flanges extending along their upper edges and said extensions having similar flanges facing forwardly, a back guard including a louver unit supported between the flanges of said extensions at the rear edge of the stove body, a cover for said cooking top hinged adjacent its rear edge to swing between an upright open position and a horizontal closed position, said cover having an upwardly extending rear edge portion and the lower edge of said louver unit being spaced from said cooking top to accommodate the rear edge portion of the cover when closed with said portion underlying the louver unit between said extensions and to afford clear- 1 flange extending along its upper edge, said extensions having inwardly turned flanges on their front edges merging with the flanges on the panels as well as flanges on the top surface thereof, and a back guard member having flanges along its lower edge supported by said extensions in vertically spaced relation to said top surface, the flanges on said extensions and said member being secured together.

11. In a table type cookstove having a generally rectangular body with a horizontally disposed top surface, sheet metal panels closing opposite ends of the stove body and having integrally formed extensions projecting above the top surface of the stove adjacent its rear edge, a back guard comprising a cap member and a louver unit, and means for independently mounting said cap member and said louver unit on said extensions.

12. In a table type cookstove having a generally rectangular body with a horizontally disposed top surface, sheet metal panels closing opposite ends of the stove body and having an integrally formed extension on each of said panels projecting above the top surface of the stove adjacent its rear edge, and a back guard unit comprising a cap member and .a louver unit, said cap member extending over and resting on said extensions and said louver unit extending below said cap member and serving to close the space between the cap member and the top surface of the stove.

HERBERT M. REEVES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,989,556 Moecker Jan. 29, 1935 2,154,724 Brown Apr.18, 1939 2,163,258 Lautz June 20, 1939 2,175,819 Barnsteiner Oct. 10, 1939 2,226,834 Rogers Dec. 31, 1940 2,237,795 Shroyer Apr. 8, 1941 2,274,299 Mayer Feb. 24, 1942 2,329,853 Ring Sept. 21, 1943 2,332,760 Smallen Oct. 26, 1943 2,349,307 Reeves May 23, 1944 2,364,950 Cook Dec. 12, 1944

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