Appliance wit drawer, for instance a domestic oven

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an appliance according to the preamble of claim 1. Such an appliance is known e.g. from US 2001/0008037.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

[0002] An oven with a similar cabinet, drawer-like door and closing device is also disclosed in DE-A-102 53 158. The oven comprises a cabinet defining an oven cavity with a charging opening for charging the open cavity with food stuff to be cooked; a drawer-like door for optionally opening and closing said charging opening in a substantially horizontal direction; and a sealing gasket arranged between the door and the oven cavity. The drawer-like door comprises a base plate, which is slidingly received in the oven cavity. More precisely, the door is fixed to sliding bars, which slide in guiding rails provided within the oven cavity in order to realize the horizontal opening and closing movement of the door. The guiding rails are inclined towards their rearmost free end in a downward direction relative to the horizontal, i.e. down-wards towards the backwall of the cabinet, such that the self-weight of the door contributes to the door closing force closing the door. However, this arrangement cannot always guarantee a proper functioning of the sealing.

[0003] A further oven is described in DE-U-20 2007 007 450, which comprises a cabinet defining an oven cavity with a charging opening for charging the oven cavity with food stuff to be cooked; a drawer-like door for optionally opening and closing the charging opening in a substantially horizontal direction; and a sealing gasket arranged between the door and the oven cavity. The door is fixed to sliding bars, which slide inguiding rails in order to realize the horizontal opening and closing movement of the door. A closing device generating a closing force for closing the door is arranged at the guiding rails, which cooperates with the sliding bars. This closing device comprises spring elements fixed to the rearmost portions of the guiding rails. These spring elements draw the sliding bars at the end of their closing movement towards the backwall of the cabinet in order to press the inner wall of the door with a predetermined closing force against the sealing gasket, which is arranged around the charging opening of the cabinet. To ensure a smooth closing of the door, the cooking oven further comprises an attenuating means or damper, which counteracts the closing force of the closing device.

[0004] There is a general problem with respect to cooking ovens in that the depth of the cabinet is limited due to installation space standardisation and the tendency of downsizing the installation space of cooking ovens. Accordingly, also the extraction length of drawer-like doors is limited. Nevertheless, the extraction length of the doors should be as long as possible in order to ensure a comfortable handling with respect to the charging and discharging of the oven cavity.

[0005] However, according to DE-U-20 2007 007 450 the extraction length of the door is shortened due to the fact that the closing device is arranged between the backwall of the cabinet and the sliding bars. Moreover, the installation space for the closing device is limited. Accordingly, it may happen, that the closing device cannot guarantee a closing force, which is strong enough to ensure a proper functioning of the sealing gasket, in particular when an attenuation means is provided, which counteracts the closing force of the closing device.

[0006] Moreover, ovens are known, which comprise a closing device using pairs of magnets for providing the closing force, which come into contact with each other in the closed state of the door. However, the contact points of the magnets of each pair define stoppers, which do not allow an adaptation of the closing force to variations with respect to the elastic compression of the gasket, which are generated due to a varying degree of pollution of the gasket, an ageing of the gasket, etc. Accordingly, a changing elastic compression of the gasket cannot be compensated by the closing device. Thus, the closing force provided by the closing device is not stable in this case so that a proper closing function of the door cannot be guaranteed.

[0007] EP 0 391 221 A1 discloses a closing device for drawers. A tipping element is arranged at a cabinet and movable along a sliding bar of the cabinet. The tipping element includes a slot for receiving an actuator, which is mounted at the drawer. The sliding bar includes a linear section in the rear portion and a curved section in the front portion. The tipping element is coupled to the cabinet via a spring.

[0008] EP 0 951 848 A1 discloses a locking mechanism for a door or a drawer. The locking mechanism comprises a tipping element, a spring and a holding element arranged beside the front plate of the door or drawer, respectively. The locking mechanism has only a closing function. The locking mechanism or parts of it are not moveable along a sliding bar.

[0009] US 2001/0008037 A1 describes a closure device for moveable furniture parts with a closure damper mechanism. The closure damper mechanism is assisted by a fluidic damper. The closure device and the closure damper mechanisms form a compact unit.

[0010] Starting from this prior art technology it is an object of the present invention to provide an appliance of the above mentioned type, which has an alternative configuration in order to eliminate one or more of the forgoing drawbacks.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] This object is solved by providing an appliance according to claim 1. The dependent claims refer to individual embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] According to the present invention the carrier projects downwards from the underside of the horizontally extending base plate of the door, wherein the movable unit is fixed to the cabinet by means of sliding bushings, which extend through guiding slots provided as guiding means in the moveable unit, and wherein the locking means is provided by means of a curved or angled design of at least one guiding slot and by means of the sliding bushing extending therethrough.

[0013] Preferably, the closing device of the appliance according to the present invention is designed in such a manner, that the spring is coupled with the opening movement of the door between a first position, in which the door is in its entirely closed state, and a second position, in which the door is in a partially opened state. Accordingly, the spring is further tensioned when opening the door between the first position and the second position. Moreover, the closing device is designed in such a manner, that the spring is decoupled from the opening movement of the door, when the opening movement is continued between the second position and a third position, in which the door is in its entirely opened state, whereas the tension state of the spring is maintained while moving the door between the second and the third position. Furthermore, the closing device is designed in such a manner, that the spring is uncoupled from the closing movement of the door between the third and the second position, and that the spring is coupled to the closing movement of the door, when the closing movement of the door continues from the second position to the first position, such that the spring supports the closing movement of the door between the second position and the first position and provides the predetermined closing force in the first position. The second position is preferably chosen in such a manner, that only the last part of the closing movement of the door and the first part of the opening movement of the door are performed under the influence of the load of the spring.

[0014] Further, the closing device of the appliance according to the present invention comprises a movable unit, which is fixed to the cabinet of the appliance and comprises guiding means for guiding a movement of the movable unit relative to the cabinet between a first location, in which the door is in its first position, and a second location, in which the door is in its second position. Moreover, a carrier is provided, which is fixed to the door and carries the movable unit from the first location to the second location, when the door is moved from the first position to the second position. The spring, which is provided for generating the predetermined closing force, is fixed to the movable unit and to the cabinet in such a manner, that it is further tensioned when the movable unit is moved from its first location towards its second location. Moreover, the closing device comprises locking means for locking the movable unit in its second location in order to maintain the tensioned state of the spring. Furthermore, releasing means are provided, which release the lock of the locking means when reaching the second position of the door during its closing movement, such that the movable unit is returned to its first location under the restoring force of the spring.

[0015] The movable unit comprises a snap-fit, which is engaged by the carrier during the opening movement of the door between the first position and the second position, so that the carrier is hooked with the snap-fit and the movable unit follows the movement of the carrier until the door reaches its second position, wherein the carrier is decoupled from the snap-fit in the second location of the moveable unit, as soon as the moveable unit is locked in position.

[0016] Moreover, the movable unit is fixed to the cabinet by means of sliding bushings, which extend through guiding slots formed in the moveable unit as guiding means. Accordingly, the relative movement between the movable unit and the cabinet is defined by the length and the form of the guiding slot.

[0017] The locking means is provided by means of a curved or angled design of at least one guiding slot and by means of the sliding bushing extending therethrough, whereas the sling bushing is locked in a curved or angled section of the slot.

[0018] Preferably, the releasing means is provided by means of a projection, which is fixed to or made integral with the door, in particular with the underside of the base plate of the door and a lever, which is fixed to or made integral with the movable unit, whereas the projection moves the lever, when the door reaches its second position during its closing movement, so that the movable unit is moved in such a manner that the lock of the locking means is released.

[0019] The closing device advantageously comprises a base, which is fixed to the cabinet, and the moveable unit is fixed to the base and relatively movable to the base between the first and the second location, whereas the spring is fixed to the base and to the movable unit. By providing the closing device with a separate base it is not necessary to directly fix the movable unit and the spring to the cabinet of the appliance. Accordingly, the bottom wall of the cabinet does not have to be prepared for such fixation. Therefore, the production and installation may be simplified.

[0020] Preferably, the closing device is produced from metallic and/or plastic material, in particular from heat resistant and/or rigid material.

[0021] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the appliance is an oven.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0022] The detailed configuration, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a top sectional view of an appliance according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which shows the appliance in a state, in which the door of the appliance is arranged in its entirely closed stated;

Figure 2 is a top sectional view of the appliance shown in figure 1, whereas the door is arranged in a partially opened state;

Figure 3 is a sectional side view showing the lower portion of the appliance;

Figure 4 is an enlarged top view of the closing device of the appliance shown in figures 1 to 3; and

Figure 5 is a side view of the closing device shown in figure 4.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023] Below, one embodiment of an appliance of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. In the figures, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0024] The figures 1 to 5 show an embodiment of an appliance 10 according to the present invention which is provided in form of an oven. The oven 10 comprises a cabinet 12 having an internal space 14 for receiving food stuff therein. The internal space 14 is defined by a bottom wall 16 as well as by a topwall, a backwall and two sidewalls, which are not shown in the figures. The internal space 14 has an opening 18 for charging the oven 10, which is provided on the front side of the oven 10. Moreover, the oven 10 comprises a drawer-like door 20 for optionally opening and closing the opening 18. The door 20 is formed by a horizontally extending base plate 22 and a vertically extending front plate 24, which are fixed to each other. On top of the vertically extending front plate 22 recessed grips 26 are provided, which can be gripped by a user in order to open and close the door 20. The door 20 is fixed to sliding bars 28, which are received and guiding by guiding rails 30, which in turn are fixed to the right and left sides of the bottom wall 16 of the internal space 14. Accordingly, the door 20 can be opened and closed by performing a substantially linear and horizontal movement. As it is shown in figures 1 to 3, a closing device 32 is arranged within the internal space 14 of cabinet 12. The closing device 32 comprises a platelike base 34, which is fixed to the bottom wall 16 by means of sheet metal screws 36. Moreover, the closing device 32 comprises a movable unit 38 made from sheet metal, which is fixed to the base 34 in such a manner, that it can perform a combined linear and pivotal movement relative to the base 34. For this purpose, a straight extending slot 40 and an angled slot 42 are provided in the movable unit 38. Sliding bushings 44 and 46 are inserted through these slots 40 and 42 and fixed to the base 34 by means of screws 46 and nuts 48. Accordingly, the sliding bushings 44 serve as a guiding means for guiding the combined linear and pivotal movement of the movable unit 38 relative to the base 34. Moreover, the closing device 32 comprises a helical spring 50 having two free ends which are fixed to hook elements 52 and 54, which are made integral with the base 34 and the movable unit 38, respectively. The length of the spring 50 is chosen in such a manner, that the spring 50 is tensioned between the base 34 and the movable unit 38 in the entirely closed state of the door 20, which will be described in more detail below. On the side of the movable unit 38 a snap-fit 56 is provided, which can receive a carrier 58 projecting downwards from the underside of the horizontally extending base plate 22 of the door 20. Furthermore, the movable unit 38 comprises a lever 60, which extends sideways from the movable unit 38. For operating the lever 60, a projection 62 is provided on the underside of the horizontally extending base plate 22.

[0025] Below, the operation of the closing device 32 will be described with reference to figures 1 and 2, which are sectional topviews of the oven 10 along a section plane extending between the bottom wall 16 of the internal space 14 and the horizontal base plate 22 of the door 20, whereas figure 1 shows the oven 10 in a entirely closed state of the door 20 and figure 2 shows the oven 10 in a state, in which the door 20 is partially opened.

[0026] With reference to figure 1, the horizontal extending base plate 22 of the door 20 is engaged with the movable unit 38 by means of the carrier 58, which is hooked in the snap-fit 56 of the movable unit 38. Moreover, the spring 50 is in a biased state, such that it generates a predetermined closing force, which presses the vertical extending front plate 24 of the door 20 against the cabinet 12, more precisely against a gasket (not shown) arranged around the opening 18 of the cabinet 12. Accordingly, the tight seal is provided between the cabinet 12 and the door 20 as long as the movable unit 38 is arranged in the first location shown in figure 1.

[0027] When the door 20 is opened starting from the state shown in figure 1, the movable unit 38 follows the opening movement of the door, because the carrier 58 and the snap-fit 56 are still engaged with other such that the movable unit 38 is drawn by the carrier 58. During this movement, the movable unit 38 is guided by the guidance resulting from the sliding bushings 44 and the slots 40 and 42. Accordingly, the movable unit 38 performs a combined linear and pivotal movement while further tensioning the spring 50. This movement is stopped in the second location of the movable unit 38, in which the sliding bushes 44 reach the ends of the slots 40 and 42. In this second location, the leading sliding bushing 44 is locked within the angled end of the slot 42. Accordingly, a locking means is provided for locking the second location of the movable unit 38 in order to maintain the tensioned state of the spring 50. Moreover, the carrier 58 is decoupled from the snap-fit 56 in the second location of the movable unit 88, as soon as the movable unit 38 is locked in position. Accordingly, the movable unit 38 does no longer follow the opening further movement of the door 20.

[0028] When closing the door 20 again, the projection 62 comes into engagement with the lever 60 of the movable unit 38 shortly prior to the end of the closing movement of the door 20. The projection 62 presses against the lever 60, such that the movable unit 38 is slightly turned in order to release the lock provided by the leading sliding bushing 44 and the angled slot 42. As soon as the lock is released, the movable unit 38 is drawn towards the completely closed position of the door 20 by means of the restoring force of the spring 50, until an entirely closed position of the door 20 is reached as shown in figure 1. In this condition, the door 20 is held closed with a predetermined closing force generated by the spring 50, as it was described above.

Claims

1. Appliance (10) comprising

- a cabinet (12) having an internal space (14) defined by a bottom wall (16), a top wall, a back wall and side walls, whereas an opening (18) is provided on the front side,

- a drawer-like door (20) for optionally opening and closing said opening (18), said drawer-like door (20) comprising a base plate (22), which is received in the internal space (14) of the cabinet (12) in the closed state of the door (20); and

- a closing device (32) for closing the door (20) with a predetermined closing force, whereas the closing device (32) comprises at least one spring (50), which provides said predetermined closing force, wherein said closing device (32) comprises:

- a movable unit (38), which is fixed to the cabinet (12) of the appliance (10),

- guiding means (42, 44) for guiding a movement of the movable unit (38) relative to the cabinet (12) between a first location, in which the door (20) is in its first position, and a second location, in which the door (20) is in its second position,

- a carrier (58), which is fixed to the door (20) and carries the movable unit (38) from the first location to the second location, when the door (20) is moved from the first position to the second position;

- locking means (42, 44) for locking the movable unit (38) in its second location in order to maintain the tensioned state of the spring (50); and

- releasing means (60) for releasing the lock of the locking means (42, 44) when reaching the second position of the door (20) during its closing movement, such that the movable unit (38) is returned to its first location under the restoring force of the spring (50); wherein

- the closing device (32) is arranged between the bottom wall (16) of the internal space (14) of the cabinet (12) and the base plate (22) of the door (20);
and wherein

- the spring (50) is fixed to the movable unit (38) and to the cabinet (12) in such a manner, that it is further tensioned when the movable unit (38) is moved from its first location towards its second location;
and wherein

- the movable unit (38) comprises a snap-fit (56), which comes into engagement with the carrier (58) during the opening movement of the door (20) between the first position and the second position, so that the carrier (58) is hooked in the snap-fit (56) and the movable unit (38) follows the movement of the carrier (58) until the door (20) reaches its second position; and wherein

- the carrier (58) is decoupled from the snap-fit (56) in the second location of the moveable unit (38), as soon as the moveable unit (38) is locked in position,

characterized in that
the carrier (58) projects downwards from the underside of the horizontally extending base plate (22) of the door (20), wherein the movable unit (38) is fixed to the cabinet (12) by means of sliding bushings (44), which extend through guiding slots (40, 42) provided as guiding means in the moveable unit (38), and wherein the locking means (42, 44) is provided by means of a curved or angled design of at least one guiding slot (42) and by means of the sliding bushing (44) extending therethrough.

2. Appliance (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a gasket is provided between the door (20) and the cabinet (12).

3. Appliance (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing device (32) is designed in such a manner, that

- the spring (50) is coupled with the opening movement of the door (20) between a first position, in which the door (20) is in a entirely closed state, and a second position, in which the door (20) is in a partially opened state, such that the spring (50) is further tensioned when opening the door (20) between the first position and the second position,

- that the spring (50) is decoupled from the opening movement of the door (20), when the opening movement is continued between the second position and a third position, in which the door (20) is in its entirely opened state, whereas the tensioned state of the spring (50) is maintained while moving the door (20) between the second and the third position,

- that the spring (50) is decoupled from the closing movement of the door (20) between the third and the second position, and

- that the spring (50) is coupled to the closing movement of the door (20), when the closing movement of the door (20) continues from the second position to the first position, such that the spring (50) supports the closing movement of the door (20) between the second position and the first position and provides the predetermined closing force in the first position.

4. Appliance (10) according to anyone of the forgoing claims, characterized in that the releasing means (60, 62) is provided by means of a projection (62), which is fixed to or made integral with the door (20), and a lever (60), which is fixed to or made integral with the movable unit (38), whereas the projection (62) and the lever (60) come into engagement with each other, when the door (20) reaches its second position during its closing movement, and the movable unit (38) is moved due to this engagement in such a manner that the lock of the locking means (42, 44) is released.

5. Appliance (10) according to any of the forgoing claims, characterized in that the closing device (32) comprises a base (34), which is fixed to the cabinet (12), whereas the movable unit (38) is fixed to the base (34) while allowing a movement of the movable unit (38) relative to the cabinet (12) between the first and the second location, and the spring (50) is fixed to the base (34) and the movable unit (38).

6. Appliance (10) according to any of the forgoing claims, characterized in that the closing device (32) is produced from metallic and/or plastic material.

7. Appliance (10) according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the appliance (10) is an oven.

Ansprüche

1. Gerät (10), das aufweist:

- ein Gehäuse (12) mit einem Innenraum (14), der durch eine untere wand (16), eine obere Wand, eine Rückwand und Seitenwände definiert wird, wobei an der Vorderseite eine Öffnung (18) vorgesehen ist,

- eine schubladenähnliche Tür (20) zum optionalen Öffnen und Schließen der Öffnung (18), wobei die schubladenähnliche Tür (20) eine Bodenplatte (22) aufweist, die im geschlossenen Zustand der Tür (20) im Innenraum (14) des Gehäuses (12) aufgenommen wird; und

- eine Schließvorrichtung (32) zum Schließen der Tür (20) mit einer vorbestimmten Schließkraft, wobei die Schließvorrichtung (32) mindestens eine Feder (50) aufweist, welche die vorbestimmte Schließkraft liefert, wobei die Schließvorrichtung (32) aufweist:

- eine bewegliche Einheit (38), die am Gehäuse (12) des Geräts (10) befestigt ist,

- Führungseinrichtungen (42, 44) zum Führen einer Bewegung der beweglichen Einheit (38) bezüglich des Gehäuses (12) zwischen einer ersten Stelle, an der die Tür (20) in ihrer ersten Stellung ist, und einer zweiten Stelle, an der die Tür (20) in ihrer zweiten Stellung ist,

- einen Träger (58), der an der Tür (20) befestigt ist und die bewegliche Einheit (38) von der ersten Stelle zur zweiten Stelle trägt, wenn die Tür (20) von der ersten Stellung in die zweite Stellung bewegt wird;

- Verriegelungsmittel (42, 44) zum Verriegeln der beweglichen Einheit (38) an ihrer zweiten Stelle, um den gespannten Zustand der Feder (50) aufrechtzuerhalten; und

- Freigabemittel (60) zur Freigabe des Riegels der Verriegelungsmittel (42, 44), wenn die zweite Stellung der Tür (20) während ihrer Schließbewegung erreicht wird, so dass die bewegliche Einheit (38) unter der Rückstellkraft der Feder (50) an ihre erste Stelle zurückgebracht wird; wobei die Schließvorrichtung (32) zwischen der unteren Wand (16) des Innenraums (14) des Gehäuses (12) und der Bodenplatte (22) der Tür (20) angeordnet ist; und wobei

- die Feder (50) so an der beweglichen Einheit (38) und an dem Gehäuse (12) befestigt ist, dass sie weiter gespannt wird, wenn die bewegliche Einheit (38) von ihrer ersten Stelle zu ihrer zweiten Stelle bewegt wird; und wobei

- die bewegliche Einheit (38) ein Rastmittel (56) aufweist, des während der Öffnungsbewegung der Tür (20) zwischen der ersten Stellung und der zweiten Stellung mit dem Träger (58) in Eingriff kommt, so dass der Träger (58) in das Rastmittel (56) eingehakt wird und die bewegliche Einheit (3B) der Bewegung des Trägers (58) folgt, bis die Tür (20) ihre zweite Stellung erreicht; und wobei

- der Träger (58) an der zweiten Stelle der beweglichen Einheit (38) von dem Rastmittel (56) entkoppelt wird, sobald die bewegliche Einheit (38) in Stellung verriegelt ist,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Träger (58) von der Unterseite der sich waagrecht erstreckenden Bodenplatte (22) der Tür (20) nach unten ragt, wobei die bewegliche Einheit (38) am Gehäuse (12) mittels gleitender Laufbuchsen (44) befestigt ist, die sich durch Führungsschlitze (40, 42) erstrecken, die als Führungseinrichtungen in der beweglichen Einheit (38) vorgesehen sind, und wobei das Verriegelungsmittel (42, 44) mittels einer gekrümmten oder winkligen Gestaltung mindestens eines Führungsschlitzes (42) und mittels der sich durch ihn erstreckenden gleitenden Laufbuchse (44) gebildet wird.

2. Gerät (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Dichtung zwischen der Tür (20) und dem Gehäuse (12) vorgesehen ist.

3. Gerät (10) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schließvorrichtung (32) so gestaltet ist, dass

- die Feder (50) mit der Öffnungsbewegung der Tür (20) zwischen einer ersten Stellung, in der die Tür (20) in einem vollständig geschlossenen Zustand ist, und einer zweiten Stellung gekoppelt ist, in der die Tür (20) in einem teilweise geöffneten Zustand ist, so dass die Feder (50) weiter gespannt wird, wenn die Tür (20) zwischen der ersten Stellung und der zweiten Stellung geöffnet wird,

- die Feder (50) von der Öffnungsbewegung der Tür (20) entkoppelt wird, wenn die Öffnungsbewegung zwischen der zweiten Stellung und einer dritten Stellung fortgesetzt wird, in der die Tür (20) in ihrem vollständig geöffneten Zustand ist, wobei der gespannte Zustand der Feder (50) beibehalten wird, während die Tür (20) zwischen der zweiten und der dritten Stellung bewegt wird,

- die Feder (50) zwischen der dritten und der zweiten Stellung von der Schließbewegung der Tür (20) entkoppelt wird, und

- die Feder (50) mit der Schließbewegung der Tür (20) gekoppelt ist, wenn die Schließbewegung der Tür (20) sich von der zweiten Stellung in die erste Stellung fortsetzt, so dass die Feder (50) die Schließbewegung der Tür (20) zwischen der zweiten Stellung und der ersten Stellung unterstützt und die vorbestimmte Schließkraft in der ersten Stellung liefert.

4. Gerät (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Freigabemittel (60, 62) mittels eines Vorsprungs (62), der an der Tür (20) befestigt ist oder aus einem Stück mit ihr besteht, und eines Hebels (60) geliefert werden, der an der beweglichen Einheit (38) befestigt ist oder aus einem Stück mit ihr besteht, wobei der Vorsprung (62) und der Hebel (60) miteinander in Eingriff gelangen, wenn die Tür (20) während ihrer Schließbewegung ihre zweite Stellung erreicht, und die bewegliche Einheit (38) aufgrund dieses Eingriffs derart bewegt wird, dass der Riegel der Verriegelungsmittel (42, 44) freigegeben wird.

5. Gerät (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schließvorrichtung (32) eine Fußplatte (34) aufweist, die am Gehäuse (12) befestigt ist, wobei die bewegliche Einheit (38) an der Fußplatte (34) befestigt ist, während eine Bewegung der beweglichen Einheit (38) bezüglich des Gehäuses (12) zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Stelle möglich ist, und die Feder (50) an der Fußplatte (34) und an der beweglichen Einheit (38) befestigt ist.

6. Gerät (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schließvorrichtung (32) aus metallischem und/oder Kunststoffmaterial hergestellt wird.

7. Gerät (10) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Gerät (10) ein Ofen ist.

Revendications

1. Appareil (10) comprenant

- un corps (12) ayant un espace interne (14) défini par une paroi inférieure (16), une paroi supérieure, une paroi arrière et des parois latérales, tandis qu'une ouverture (18) est prévue sur le côté avant,

- une porte (20) de type tiroir pour éventuellement ouvrir et fermer ladite ouverture (18), ladite porte (20) de type tiroir comprenant une plaque de base (22) qui est reçue dans l'espace interne (14) du corps (12) dans l'état fermé de la porte (20) ; et

- un dispositif de fermeture (32) pour fermer la porte (20) avec une force de fermeture prédéfinie, tandis que le dispositif de fermeture (32) comprend au moins un ressort (50), lequel produit ladite force de fermeture prédéfinie, ledit dispositif de fermeture (32) comprenant :

- une unité mobile (28), laquelle est fixée au corps (12) de l'appareil (10),

- des moyens de guidage (42, 44) pour guider un mouvement de l'unité mobile (38) par rapport au corps (12) entre un premier emplacement, dans lequel la porte (20) est dans sa première position, et un deuxième emplacement, dans lequel la porte (20) est dans sa deuxième position,

- un support (58), lequel est fixé à la porte (20) et supporte l'unité mobile (38) à partir du premier emplacement jusqu'au deuxième emplacement, lorsque la porte (20) est déplacée à partir de la première position jusqu'à la deuxième position ; des moyens de verrouillage (42, 44) pour verrouiller l'unité mobile (38) dans son deuxième emplacement afin de maintenir l'état tendu du ressort (50) ; et

- des moyens de libération (60) pour libérer le verrouillage des moyens de verrouillage (42, 44) lorsque la deuxième position de la porte (20) est atteinte pendant son mouvement de fermeture, de telle sorte que l'unité mobile (38) soit ramenée à son premier emplacement sous l'effet de la force de rappel du ressort (50) ;

- le dispositif de fermeture (32) étant agencé entre la paroi inférieure (16) de l'espace interne (14) du corps (12) et la plaque de base (22) de la porte (20) ; et

- le ressort (50) étant fixé à l'unité mobile (38) et au corps (12) d'une manière telle qu'il soit tendu davantage lorsque l'unité mobile (38) est déplacée à partir de son premier emplacement en direction de son deuxième emplacement ; et

- l'unité mobile (38) comprenant un encliquetage (56), lequel vient en prise avec le support (58) pendant le mouvement d'ouverture de la porte (20) entre la première position et la deuxième position, de telle sorte que le support (58) soit accroché dans l'encliquetage (56) et que l'unité mobile (38) suive le mouvement du support (58) jusqu'à ce que la porte (20) atteigne sa deuxième position ; et

- le support (58) étant désaccouplé de l'encliquetage (56) dans le deuxième emplacement de l'unité mobile (38), dès que l'unité mobile (38) est verrouillée en position,

caractérisé en ce que
le support (58) fait saillie vers le bas à partir du côté inférieur de la plaque de base (22) s'étendant horizontalement de la porte (20), l'unité mobile (38) étant fixée au corps (12) au moyen de douilles coulissantes (44), lesquelles s'étendent à travers des fentes de guidage (40, 42) prévues en tant que moyens de guidage dans l'unité mobile (38), et le moyen de verrouillage (42, 44) est produit au moyen d'une conception incurvée ou coudée d'au moins une fente de guidage (42) et au moyen de la douille coulissante (44) s'étendant à travers celle-ci.

2. Appareil (10) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'un joint d'étanchéité est prévu entre la porte (20) et le corps (12).

3. Appareil (10) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de fermeture (32) est conçu d'une manière telle que

- le ressort (50) est accouplé au mouvement d'ouverture de la porte (20) entre une première position, dans laquelle la porte (20) est dans un état entièrement fermé, et une deuxième position, dans laquelle la porte (20) est dans un état partiellement ouvert, de telle sorte que le ressort (50) soit tendu davantage lorsque la porte (20) est ouverte entre la première position et la deuxième position,

- le ressort (50) est désaccouplé du mouvement d'ouverture de la porte (20), lorsque le mouvement d'ouverture est poursuivi entre la deuxième position et une troisième position, dans laquelle la porte (20) est dans son état entièrement ouvert, tandis que l'état tendu du ressort (50) est maintenu tandis que la porte (20) est déplacée entre la deuxième et la troisième position,

- le ressort (50) est désaccouplé du mouvement de fermeture de la porte (20) entre la troisième et la deuxième position, et

- le ressort (50) est accouplé au mouvement de fermeture de la porte (20), lorsque le mouvement de fermeture de la porte (20) se poursuit à partir de la deuxième position jusqu'à la première position, de telle sorte que le ressort (50) supporte le mouvement de fermeture de la porte (20) entre la deuxième position et la première position et produise la force de fermeture prédéfinie dans la première position.

4. Appareil (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le moyen de libération (60, 62) est produit au moyen d'une saillie (62), laquelle est fixée à la porte (20) ou réalisée d'un seul tenant avec celle-ci, et d'un levier (60), lequel est fixé à l'unité mobile (38) ou réalisé d'un seul tenant avec celle-ci, tandis que la saillie (62) et le levier (60) viennent en prise l'un avec l'autre, lorsque la porte (20) atteint sa deuxième position pendant son mouvement de fermeture, et l'unité mobile (38) est déplacée du fait de son entrée en prise d'une manière telle que le verrouillage du moyen de verrouillage (42, 44) soit libéré.

5. Appareil (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de fermeture (32) comprend une base (34), laquelle est fixée au corps (12), tandis que l'unité mobile (38) est fixée à la base (34) tout en permettant un mouvement de l'unité mobile (38) par rapport au corps (12) entre le premier et le deuxième emplacement, et le ressort (50) est fixé à la base (34) et à l'unité mobile (38).

6. Appareil (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de fermeture (32) est produit à partir de matériau métallique et/ou plastique.

7. Appareil (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'appareil (10) est un four.

Drawing