WO2016177411A1

WO2016177411A1 - Improved fastening device for use in a cooking appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2016177411A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/059864
Authority: WO
Inventors: Davut Ayhan Serabatir; Mehmet Murat MAMATOGLU; Yalcin OZKAN; Fatih Ceylan
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2015-05-05
Filing date: 2015-05-05
Publication date: 2016-11-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fastening device (1) for use in a cooking appliance (2) comprising a casing (3) for accommodating one or more heating units (4). The casing (3) includes a lower casing (5) and an upper casing (6) which has one or more apertures (7) for receiving the heating units (4) respectively. In the cooking appliance of the present invention, the upper casing (6) has a horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8). The fastening device (1) of the present invention comprises: a fastening clip (9) for releasably fastening the upper casing (6) to the lower casing (5). The fastening clip (9) comprises: an attachment section (10) for detachable attachment to the lower casing (5): and a clamping section (11) for releasably clamping the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) of the upper casing (6) from the inside towards the lower casing (5).

Description

IMPROVED FASTENING DEVICE FOR USE IN A COOKING APPLIANCE

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance which has a cooktop. The present invention more particularly relates to a fastening device which fastens the upper casing that defines the cooktop to the lower casing of the cooking appliance.

Cooking appliances which cook the food by using electric power and/or flammable gases such as liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas are commonly known in the art. The cooktop of the cooking appliance generally comprises an upper casing which has a plurality of apertures for receiving the respective heating units that may include gas burners and/or the electrical heating plates. The upper casing is generally releasably fastened to the lower casing by a fastening device such as a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is generally welded to the upper casing and screwed to the lower casing. A common problem with the prior art cooking appliance is that the assemblage/disassemblage of the upper casing is very laborious and takes an unnecessary amount of time of the assembly operator. The upper casing is generally covered with an enamel coating which is vulnerable to damages due mechanical stresses which are generated during the assembly/disassembly. Another common problem with the cooking appliance is that the enamel coating can easily flake off when assembling/disassembling the upper casing. In such cases, the upper cover becomes junk, and must be replaced with a new one which incurs additional costs.

US 3,927,658 discloses a prior art built-in cooking appliance which has an enameled top cover plate that is mounted to the lower casing by means of a bracket. One end of the bracket is welded to the top cover plate, and the other end of the bracket is screwed the lower casing.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a fastening device for use in a cooking appliance which solves the problems of the prior art in a cost-effective way and which enables an improved production of the cooking appliance and an improved assemblage/disassemblage of the upper casing.

This objective has been achieved by the fastening device as defined in claim 1, and the cooking appliance as defined in claim 8. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

In the cooking appliance of the present invention, the upper casing has an horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim which cooperates with the fastening device of the present invention.

The fastening device of the present invention comprises: a fastening clip for releasably fastening the upper casing to the lower casing. The fastening clip comprises: an attachment section which is adapted for detachable attachment to the lower casing and a clamping section which is adapted to releasably clamp the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim of the upper casing from the inside towards the lower casing.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the by virtue of the fastening clip the assemblage/disassemblage of the upper casing has been considerably simplified. Thereby, the production costs, the assembly costs, and the maintenance costs can be reduced. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of the fastening clip the risk that the enamel coating (if any) flakes off during assemblage/ disassemblage of the upper casing has been eliminated or reduced as much as possible.

In an embodiment, the fastening clip is pivotally supported by the casing such that the clamping section pivots inwardly and releases the peripheral rim when the attachment section is detached from the lower casing and when the upper casing is lifted away from the lower casing. In this embodiment, the lower casing has a horizontal pivot that engages with the counterpart horizontal pivot of the fastening clip. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the upper casing can be more easily disassembled from the lower casing when the fastening clip is pivotably retracted. This embodiment is also particularly advantageous as the fastening clip can be more reliably prevented from damaging the enamel coating on the peripheral rim (if any) when the clamping section is pivotably retracted during the disassemblage. In a version of this embodiment, the fastening clip has a strip section which is inserted into a horizontal slot on the side wall of the lower casing. The horizontal slot and the strip section function as cooperating pivots. In another version of this embodiment, the fastening clip has a shoulder section that holds it inside the horizontal slot. Thereby, the fastening clip can be prevented from falling out the slot after the disassemblage, and thus the reassembly thereof can be expedited.

In another embodiment, the clamping section has a size and shape such that the peripheral rim can easily ride over the clamping section as it is pushed onto the lower casing and become eventually clamped. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the upper casing can be more easily assembled with the lower casing. In this embodiment, the upper casing can be disassembled by detaching the attachment section from the lower casing and by lifting the lower casing. In a version of this embodiment, the clamping section has nose like shape that matches the peripheral rim.

In another embodiment, the attachment section can be detachably attached onto the outer bottom surface of the lower casing. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the fastening clip can be more easily detached from the lower side of the casing, namely without the need of accessing the fastening clip through one of the apertures provided for the heating units.

In another embodiment, the attachment section is attached to the lower casing by means of a screw, preferably a single screw. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the fastening clip can be easily unfastened/fastened by unscrewing/screwing the single screw. In a version of this embodiment, the screw is inserted from the outside into the lower casing. Alternatively, the screw can be inserted from the inside of the lower casing, for instance, by accessing through the apertures when the lower casing cannot be accessed from the outside during the installation.

According to the present invention, various heating techniques for cooking the food can be used in the cooking appliance. For instance, the cooking appliance may be provided as a gas cooking appliance or an electric cooking appliance or an induction cooking appliance or any combination thereof.

According to the present invention, the cooking appliance can be provided, in addition to the cooktop, with an oven. According to the present invention, the cooking appliance can be provided as a free-standing appliance for installation onto the floor or as a built-in appliance for installation into a notch in a cabinet. Alternatively, the cooking appliance can be provided solely with a cooktop which is suitable for installation onto the countertop or into an opening of the countertop.

According to the present invention, the casing, in particular the parts exposed to the outside can be provided with an enamel coating. Alternatively, the casing can be provided from stainless steel.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the fastening device and the cooking appliance of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective view of a fastening device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 – is a schematic perspective view of a cooking appliance which has a fastening device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 – is a schematic partial sectional view of the cooking appliance of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 – is another schematic partial sectional view of the cooking appliance of Fig. 2;

Figure 5 – is another schematic partial sectional view of the cooking appliance of Fig. 2, during fastening of the upper casing to the lower casing by pushing the upper casing in the direction of the arrow A;

Figure 6 – is another schematic partial view of the cooking appliance of Fig. 2, during unfastening of the fastening clip by removing the screw in the direction of the arrow B;

Figure 7 – is another schematic partial view of the cooking appliance of Fig. 2, during lifting of the upper casing away from the lower casing in the direction of the arrow A’.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Fastening device
Cooking appliance
Casing
Heating unit
Lower casing
Upper casing
Aperture
Peripheral rim
Fastening clip
Attachment section
Clamping section
Side wall
Pivot

13a. Slot

14. Pivot

14a. Strip section

15. Shoulder section

16. Screw hole

17. Screw hole

18. Screw

19. Gas burner

20. Peripheral casing

21. Flange

22. Flange

The fastening device (1) is suitable for use in the cooking appliance (2) which comprises a casing (3) for accommodating one or more heating units (4). The casing (3) includes a lower casing (5) and an upper casing (6).

The upper casing (6) has one or more apertures (7) for receiving the heating units (4) respectively.

In the cooking appliance (2) of the present invention, the upper casing (6) comprises an horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) which cooperates with the fastening device (1) of the present invention.

The fastening device (1) of the present invention comprises a fastening clip (9) for releasably fastening the upper casing (6) to the lower casing (5). The fastening clip (9) comprises: an attachment section (10) which is adapted for detachable attachment to the lower casing (5) and a clamping section (11) which is adapted to releasably clamp the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) of the upper casing (6) from the inside towards the lower casing (5).

The cooking appliance (2) of the present invention comprises one or more fastening devices (1) which clamp the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) (Fig. 1 to 7).

In an embodiment, the lower casing (5) has one or more horizontal pivots (13). In this embodiment, the fastening clip (9) further comprises a counterpart horizontal pivot (14) which is adapted to engage with the respective horizontal pivot (13) of the lower casing (5) such that the clamping section (11) pivots inwardly and releases the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) when the attachment section (10) is detached from the lower casing (5) and when the upper casing (6) is lifted away from the lower casing (5) (Fig. 6 and 7).

In another embodiment, the side wall (12) of the lower casing (5) has one or more horizontal slots (13a) which define the horizontal pivots (13) respectively. In this embodiment, the fastening clip (9) further comprises a strip section (14a) which is adapted for insertion through the respective horizontal slot (13a). The strip section (14a) defines the counterpart horizontal pivot (14) (Fig. 6 and 7).

In another embodiment, the fastening clip (9) has one or more shoulder sections (15) which are adapted to hold the strip section (14) inside the horizontal slot (13a) (Fig. 1 to 7).

In another embodiment, the clamping section (11) is further adapted to be ridden over by the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) and to clamp the same when the upper casing (6) is pushed onto the lower casing (5) and when the attachment section (10) has been attached to the lower casing (5) (Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the attachment section (10) is further adapted for detachable attachment onto the bottom surface of the lower casing (6).

In another embodiment, the lower casing (5) has one or more threaded screw holes (16). In this embodiment, the attachment section (10) comprises a counterpart screw hole (17) which is adapted to receive a screw (18) for attaching the attachment section (10) to the lower casing (5).

In another embodiment, the heating units (4) each comprise a gas burner (19).

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance (1) is further adapted for installation onto a countertop (not shown).

In another embodiment, the casing (3) further includes a peripheral casing (20) for at least laterally enclosing the lower casing (5). In this embodiment, the peripheral casing (20) has an horizontally inwardly bending upper flange (21) which is adapted to bear the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) of the upper casing (6).

In another embodiment, the lower casing (5) and the peripheral casing (20) each has an enamel finish.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the by virtue of the fastening clip (9) the assemblage/disassemblage of the upper casing (6) has been considerably simplified. Thereby, the production costs, the assembly costs, and the maintenance costs can be reduced. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of the fastening clip (9) the risk that the enamel coating (if any) flakes off during the assemblage/disassemblage of the upper casing (6) has been eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Other additional advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the aforementioned embodiments.

Claims

A fastening device (1) for use in a cooking appliance (2) comprising a casing (3) for accommodating one or more heating units (4), wherein the casing (3) includes a lower casing (5) and an upper casing (6) which has one or more apertures (7) for receiving the heating units (4) respectively, wherein the upper casing (6) has an horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8), and characterized in that a fastening clip (9) for releasably fastening the upper casing (6) to the lower casing (5), wherein the fastening clip (9) comprising an attachment section (10) which is adapted for detachable attachment to the lower casing (5) and a clamping section (11) which is adapted to releasably clamp the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) of the upper casing (6) from the inside towards the lower casing (5).
The fastening device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lower casing (5) has a horizontal pivot (13), and characterized in that the fastening clip (9) further comprises a counterpart horizontal pivot (14) which is adapted to engage with the horizontal pivot (13) of the lower casing (5) such that the clamping section (11) pivots inwardly and releases the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) when the attachment section (10) is detached from the lower casing (5) and when the upper casing (6) is lifted away from the lower casing (5).
The fastening device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the side wall (12) of the lower casing (5) has a horizontal slot (13a) which defines the horizontal pivot (13), and characterized in that the fastening clip (9) further comprises a strip section (14a) which is adapted for insertion through the horizontal slot (13a), wherein the strip section (14a) defines the counterpart horizontal pivot (14).
The fastening device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening clip (9) has one or more shoulder sections (15) which are adapted to hold the strip section (14a) inside the horizontal slot (13a).
The fastening device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping section (11) is further adapted to be ridden over by the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) and to clamp the same when the upper casing (6) is pushed onto the lower casing (5) and when the attachment section (10) has been attached to the lower casing (5).
The fastening device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment section (10) is further adapted for detachable attachment onto the bottom surface of the lower casing (5).
The fastening device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the lower casing (5) has a threaded screw hole (16), and characterized in that the attachment section (10) comprises a counterpart screw hole (17) which is adapted to receive a screw (18) for attaching the attachment section (10) to the lower casing (5).
A cooking appliance (2) comprising a casing (3) for accommodating one or more heating units (4), wherein the casing (3) includes a lower casing (5) and an upper casing (6) which has one or more apertures (7) for receiving the heating units (4) respectively, and characterized in that one or more fastening devices (1) each as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper casing (6) comprises a horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) which is clamped by said one or more fastening devices (1).
The cooking appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the upper casing (6) has one or more horizontal pivots (13) each adapted to engage with the counterpart horizontal pivot (14) of the respective fastening clip (9).
The cooking appliance (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that one or more horizontal slots (13a) each adapted to receive the strip section (14a) of the respective fastening device (1), wherein each horizontal slot (13a) is disposed on the side wall (12) of the lower casing (5) and defines the respective horizontal pivot (13).
The cooking appliance (1) according to claim 8 , characterized in that the lower casing (5) comprises one or more threaded screw holes (16) each adapted to receive a screw (18) for attaching the attachment section (10) of the respective fastening device (1) to the lower casing (5).
The cooking appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said one or more heating units (4) each comprise a gas burner (19).
The cooking appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the cooking appliance (1) is further adapted for installation onto a countertop.
The cooking appliance (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the casing (3) further includes a peripheral casing (20) for at least laterally enclosing the lower casing (5), wherein the peripheral casing (20) has a horizontally inwardly bending upper flange (21) which is adapted to bear the horizontally inwardly bending peripheral rim (8) of the upper casing (6).
The cooking appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the cooking appliance (1) is further adapted for installation into an opening in the countertop, and the lower casing (5) comprises a horizontally outwardly bending upper flange (22) which is adapted to abut against the periphery of the opening in the countertop.