[0001] The present invention relates to an oven door in accordance with the introduction
to the independent claim.
[0002] Various types of oven doors are known for closing their usual cavity (or cooking
chamber). An oven door usually comprises an annular structure or frame to which one
or more glazed surfaces are secured. An object of the present invention is to provide
an oven door which is of simple construction and rapid assembly while being of enhanced
appearance. This and further objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art
are attained by an oven door in accordance with the accompanying claims. The present
invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by
way of non-limiting example and in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective front view of an oven door according to the invention;
and
Figure 2 is a rear view of the door of Figure 1.
[0003] With reference to said figures, an oven door according to the invention is indicated
overall by 1 and comprises a peripheral frame 2 of substantially rectangular shape,
usually of metal, and a plurality of glazed surfaces which in Figure 1 are three in
number and are indicated by the reference numerals from 3 to 5. Specifically, the
first surface 3 is the most outer surface with respect to the cavity of an oven (not
shown) with which the door is associated, the second surface 4 is the intermediate
surface and the third surface 5 is the inner surface, i.e. that which faces the said
cavity. The door 1 is associated with a fixed structure of the oven (in which the
said cavity is provided) by means of hinge members 7.
[0004] More specifically, the frame 2 for supporting the three glazed surfaces 3, 4 and
5 (these also being substantially rectangular) comprises a profile bar 10 of C cross-section
presenting long sides 11 and 12 and short sides 13 and 14. The profile bar 10 of C
cross-section has its lower side (side 12) undercut towards the oven exterior to enable
the intermediate glass to be inserted (as will be clear from the ensuing description).
From opposing sides of the frame 2 there therefore extend, perpendicular to these
sides, walls 18 and 19 on which the surfaces 4 and 5 are arranged to rest. It should
be noted that the glazed surface 4 is positioned between these walls within the frame
2. The first surface 3, however, has larger dimensions than those of the frame 2 and
projects from this latter, as can be seen in Figure 2. Between the surfaces 4 and
5, maintained spaced apart by the walls 19, an air volume is present to reduce heat
transfer from the third surface 5 to the second surface 4.
[0005] The first glazed surface 3 is arranged to support a handle 20 fixed onto the outer
face 3A of the surface 3 in any known manner. For example, screws (not shown) or equivalent
fixing members such as rivets etc.) passing through holes 22 formed in the glazed
surface 3 fix the handle 20 to a metal element 23 positioned in correspondence with
the inner face 3B of the surface 3 and fixed thereto by adhesive (for example two-component
glue). The element 23 is positioned in correspondence with a first side 3K (which,
despite of the perspective view, is of greater length) of the surface 3, a second
element 24 similar to the first being positioned in correspondence with the second
greater-length side 3H of this surface and being fixed to the face 3B of this latter
by adhesive. The elements 23 and 24 comprise projections 28 to be secured, for example
by elastic deformation, to the bent edges of the frame 2.
[0006] The second glazed surface 4 cooperates with finned elements 30 positioned in correspondence
with its opposing ends 31 and 32 (which, despite of the perspective view, are of greater
length in Figure 1). These elements 30 are fixed to the surface 4 in any known manner,
preferably by inserting said ends 31 and 32 into their seats 33; they are of thermoplastic
material. The elements 30 are arranged to elastically react against the sides 11 and
12 of the frame 2, to absorb the deformations undergone by the glass during the use
of the oven.
[0007] Finally the third glazed surface 5, facing the cavity interior, is secured to the
frame 2 preferably by adhesive.
[0008] The surface 5 comprises an end portion 5A of reduced transverse width L or presenting
lateral bevels 35 enabling the lugs 36 of the hinge members 7 to be positioned on
the side edges of the surface 5, to cooperate with hinge counter-members associated
with the fixed structure of the oven. Each hinge member 7 is associated with a corresponding
side 13 and 14 of the frame 2 by screws (or equivalent fixing members) cooperating
with holes 38 and 39 provided in the side 13 and 14 and in an arm 7A of the member
7 (from which the lug 36 projects perpendicularly). Each hinge member 7 is also secured
lowerly to the frame 2 by screws passing through suitable holes (not shown) in the
frame and screwed into the body of the hinge member 7. The C-section profile bar 10
of the frame lowerly presents two undercut apertures for the insertion of the hinge
members 7. Finally, one of the sides 11, 12, 13 or 14 is divided into two portions
by a cut or aperture 40, as the profile bar 10 closes on itself in this region. The
C-section profile bar is welded in this region before mounting the glass panels.
[0009] By virtue of the invention, the assembly of the door 1 is rapid and reliable. For
this assembly the glazed surface 5 is fixed to the frame 2 with two-component glue;
the members 7 are then fixed to the frame 2 by two screws each; the second glazed
surface 4 is then inserted into the frame 2, with the finned elements 30 being positioned
to bear against the frame sides 11 and 12. This operation is facilitated by the deformability
of said elements 30.
[0010] The third glazed surface 3 (external) already provided with the handle 20 and the
two metal elements 23 and 24 is then fixed to the frame 2. This fixing is achieved
by inserting the upper metal element 23 into the frame 2 and then fixing the assembly
by two screws which clamp the lower metal element 24 to the frame. These screws, preferably
of self-tapping type, are also screwed into the plastic finned element 30 of the inner
glass panel 4.
[0011] The door constructed in this manner also has a pleasant appearance in that the glazed
surfaces are associated with the frame without visible support means being present
for these surfaces.
1. An oven door (1) comprising a support frame (2) for a plurality of glazed surfaces
(3, 4, 5), with the frame (2) there being associated hinge members (7) arranged to
secure the door (1) to the oven in correspondence with a cooking cavity of this latter,
characterised in that the frame (2) comprises a profile bar (10) of substantially C cross-section bent
in the form of a rectangle, at least two glazed surfaces (3, 5) being rested on and
secured to opposing faces of the frame (2).
2. An oven door as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a further glazed surface (4) is mounted in the interior of the frame (2).
3. An oven door as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the profile bar (10) of the frame (2) presents a joining region (40) on a greater-length
side (12) of the frame.
4. An oven door as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that on its outer face (3A) the first glazed surface (3) supports a handle (20).
5. An oven door as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the first glazed surface (3) supports on its inner face (3B), in correspondence with
opposing sides (3K, 3H), coupling elements (23, 24) for securing said surface to the
frame (2), said elements being fixed to the glazed surface (3) preferably by adhesive.
6. An oven door as claimed in claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the handle (20) is fixed to the glazed surface (3) by screws or similar members which
pass through holes (22) provided in said surface and are connected to one (23) of
the coupling elements (23, 24).
7. An oven door as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that each coupling element (23, 24) supports projections (28) which project towards the
frame (2) and are coupled thereto.
8. An oven door as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the second glazed surface (4) internal to the frame (2) cooperates, at its opposing
ends (31, 32), with deformable elements (30) arranged to act against opposing sides
(11, 12) of the frame (2).
9. An oven door as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that each deformable element (30) comprises a seat (33) arranged to contain a corresponding
end (31, 32) of the second glazed surface (4).
10. An oven door as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the third glazed surface (5) presents an end portion (5A) provided with lateral bevels
(35) which reduce its transverse width (L) relative to the remainder of said surface
(5), hinge lugs (36) of the hinge members (7) being present at said bevels.