PROTECTIVE WALL FOR A COOKING HOB

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a protective wall (10) for a cooking hob (16) and/or for a worktop including said cooking hob (16). The protective wall (10) comprises at least one panel (12) and an elongated support bar (14) or a subdivided support bar (18, 20). The support bar (14; 18, 20) is attached or attachable horizontally upon the cooking hob (16) and/or the worktop. The support bar (14; 18, 20) includes a channel formed on a top side of said support bar (14; 18, 20). The channel extends along the longitudinal axis of the support bar (14; 18, 20) and is open-top. The channel is provided for receiving a lower border area of the panel (12), so that the panel (12) is detachably arranged or arrangeable vertically above the support bar (14; 18, 20).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective wall for a cooking hob and/or for a worktop including said cooking hob. Further, the present invention relates to a cooking hob with a protective wall. Moreover, the present invention relates to a worktop including a cooking hob and a protective wall.

[0002] During a cooking process splashes of fat and cooking liquids are sputtered out of an open cooking vessel into the environment of a cooking hob. In particular, a wall behind the cooking hob is soaked by the splashes of fat and cooking liquids. Further, the portions of the worktop besides the cooking hob may be also soaked by the splashes of fat and cooking liquids.

[0003] EP 2 950 003 A1 discloses a cover plate for a cooking top of a kitchen appliance. The cover plate comprises at least one hinge, preferably two hinges. Said hinge connects the cover plate to the working top. The cover plate is pivoting between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the cover plate is in an upright position relative to the cooking top. In the open position, the cover plate serves as a splashing guard or as a protective wall. In the closed position, the cover plate covers at least a part of the cooking top, so that the working place is enlarged and cooking equipment may be placed on the closed cover plate. However, the cover plate is relative complex and difficult to clean.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective wall for a cooking hob and/or a worktop including said cooking hob, which is easy to handle and clean by low complexity.

[0005] The object is achieved by the protective wall for a cooking hob and/or a worktop including said cooking hob according to claim 1.

[0006] According to the present invention a protective wall for a cooking hob and/or for a worktop including said cooking hob is provided, wherein

• the protective wall comprises at least one panel and an elongated support bar or a subdivided support bar,
• the support bar is attached or attachable horizontally upon the cooking hob and/or the worktop,
• the support bar includes a channel formed on a top side of said support bar,
• the channel extends along the longitudinal axis of the support bar and is open-top, and
• the channel is provided for receiving a lower border area of the panel, so that the panel is detachably arranged or arrangeable vertically above the support bar.

[0007] The core of the present invention is the relative simple structure of the support bar and the at least one panel, so that the protective wall is realized by low complexity. The protective wall provides protection against splashes of fat and cooking liquids and against heat. The panel can be easily inserted into the channel of the support bar and also easily removed thereof. Further, it is easy to clean the panel and the support bar.

[0008] Preferably, the protective wall is arranged or arrangeable behind the cooking hob, wherein a front of said cooking hob is close to the user, while a back of said cooking hob is opposite to the user. For example, the cooking hob is arranged in front of a wall, which is protected by the protective wall. Further, the cooking hob may be arranged on a freestanding cabinet, wherein a portion behind the cooking hob and said cabinet is protected.

[0009] In particular, the at least one panel is a glass panel, preferably a durable glass panel.

[0010] Alternatively, the at least one panel may be made of metal, wood and/or plastics.

[0011] Further, the support bar may be made of metal, wood, plastics and/or rubber.

[0012] For example, the support bar is a massive part.

[0013] Alternatively, the support bar may be a hollow body.

[0014] Moreover, the support bar may be a profile rail.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the support bar is subdivided into at least two support bars attached or attachable serially along one axis, wherein the channel extends along the axis of the subdivided support bar. In this case, the support bar may be composed of relative small parts.

[0016] According to a special embodiment of the present invention, the support bar is subdivided into two lateral support bars and at least one central support bar arranged or arrangeable between said lateral support bars, wherein preferably the at least one central support bar is provided for receiving a lower border area of two adjacent panels.

[0017] Further, said central support bar may be applicable as a handle, wherein the channel of the central support bar is provided for receiving an upper border area of one or more panels, wherein preferably said handle is at least partially capped by a metal plate for covering screw holes and/or representing brandings.

[0018] The elongated support bar can be attached or attachable to said cooking hob and/or to said worktop rigidly in an unchangeable upright orientation of the support bar and any panel attached to it. That embodiment has the advantage that its construction is particularly simple.

[0019] In alternative the elongated support bar can be attached or attachable to said cooking hob and/or to said worktop via at least one hinge that enables that the support bar and any attached panel can be folded down from an upright working position to an essentially horizontal rest position. That embodiment has the advantage that the panel serves as a cover of the cooking hob or worktop when the latter is not in use.

[0020] In the embodiments comprising subdivided support bar with lateral support bars, at least two lateral support bars can differ from each other in their respectively rigid or hinged attachment to the cooking hob or worktop.

[0021] Furthermore, at least one panel may include bumpers, so that the panel can be used as chopping board or pot support.

[0022] In particular, at least one panel has a size, which allows a cleaning of the panel in a dishwasher or rinsing tank.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the designs of the support bar and the at least one panel are adapted to the designs of the cooking hob, the worktop and/or adjacent furniture.

[0024] Additionally, the protective wall may comprise at least one sectional strip inserted or insertable between two adjacent panels. The sectional strip increases the closeness of the protective wall.

[0025] Preferably, the cross-section of said sectional strip is H-shaped, so that the sectional strip engages two adjacent panels.

[0026] Moreover, the design of the sectional strip may be adapted to the design of the support bar, the panels, the cooking hob, the worktop and/or adjacent furniture.

[0027] Further, the present invention relates to a cooking hob with a protective wall, wherein the cooking hob comprises at least one protective wall mentioned above.

[0028] At last, the present invention relates to a worktop including at least one cooking hob, wherein the worktop comprises at least one protective wall describe above.

[0029] Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0030] The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawing, in which

FIG 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a protective wall for a cooking hob or for a worktop including said cooking hob according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the protective wall for the cooking hob or for the worktop including said cooking hob according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a protective wall 10 for a cooking hob 16 or for a worktop including said cooking hob 16 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the cooking hob 16 is a gas cooking hob including four gas burner assemblies. In general, the protective wall 10 is provided for arbitrary cooking hobs.

[0032] The protective wall 10 comprises a support bar 14 and at least one panel 12. In this embodiment, the protective wall 10 comprises a one-piece support bar 14. In particular, the support bar 14 is formed as a single-piece part. In this example, the protective wall 10 comprises two panels 12. In general, the protective wall 10 may comprise an arbitrary number of panels 12. The support bar 14 is detachably or permanently attached on or beside the cooking hob 16. In this example, the support bar 14 is attached on the rear portion of the cooking hob 16. Alternatively, the support bar 14 may be attached on the worktop behind the cooking hob 16. Moreover, the support bar 14 may be attached on a lateral portion of the cooking hob 16 or on the worktop besides the cooking hob 16.

[0033] Preferably, the panels 12 are glass panels, in particular durable glass panels. The panels 12 may be transparent, semi-transparent or non-transparent. The panels 12 and the support bar 14 may be available in different colours, so that the design of the protective wall 10 may be adapted to the design of the cooking hob 16, the worktop and/or adjacent furniture.

[0034] The support bar 14 is elongated and attached horizontally on the cooking hob 16. The support bar 14 includes a channel formed on a top side of said support bar 14. The channel extends along the longitudinal axis of the support bar 14. The top side of the channel is open, while its bottom and side walls are closed. The channel is provided for receiving a lower border area of the panels 12, so that the panels 12 are arranged vertically above the support bar 14.

[0035] The support bar 14 may be made of metal, wood and/or plastics. The support bar 14 may be a massive part or a hollow body. For example, the support bar 14 may be a profile rail.

[0036] The panels 12 can be easily removed from the support bar 14 and from the cooking hob 16 or worktop. In a similar way, the panels 12 can be easily reattached at the support bar 14 and on the cooking hob 16 or worktop. The panel 12 may have a compact size, which allows an easy cleaning in a dishwasher or rinsing tank.

[0037] Furthermore, the panels 12 may be equipped with bumpers, so that the panels 12 can be used as chopping board or pot support. Additionally, a pattern may be formed on the panels 12 in order to match different brands.

[0038] Moreover, the protective wall 10 may comprise one or more sectional strips arranged between two adjacent panels 12. In particular, the cross-section of the sectional strip is H-shaped. The sectional strip engages said two adjacent panels 12. The sectional strip increases the closeness of the protective wall 10.

[0039] The at least one support bar 14 can be attached or attachable to the cooking hob 16 or worktop in a rigid unchangeable upright orientation of the support bar and any panel attached to it and/or via at least one hinge that enables that the support bar and any attached panel to be folded down from the upright working position to an essentially horizontal rest position (not shown).

[0040] FIG 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the protective wall 10 for the cooking hob 16 or for the worktop including said cooking hob 16 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] In this embodiment, the protective wall 10 comprises a subdivided support bar 18 and 20, wherein said subdivided support bar comprises a central support bar 18 and two lateral support bars 20. In general, the subdivided support bar comprises one or more central support bars 18 and two lateral support bars 20. Also in this example, the protective wall 10 comprises two panels 12. In general, the protective wall 10 may comprise an arbitrary number of panels 12. The central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 are detachably or permanently attached on or beside the cooking hob 16. In this example, the central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 are attached on the rear portion of the cooking hob 16. Alternatively, the central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 may be attached on the worktop behind the cooking hob 16. Moreover, the central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 may be attached on a lateral portion of the cooking hob 16 or on the worktop besides the cooking hob 16.

[0042] In particular, the panels 12 are glass panels, preferably durable glass panels. The panels 12 may be transparent, semi-transparent or non-transparent. The panels 12, the central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 may be available in different colours, so that the design of the protective wall 10 may be adapted to the design of the cooking hob 16, the worktop and/or adjacent furniture.

[0043] The subdivided support bar 18 and 20 is attached horizontally and along a common axis on the cooking hob 16. The central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 include a channel formed on their top sides in each case. The channels extend along the common axis of the central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20. The top sides of the channels are open, while their bottoms and side walls are closed. The channels are provided for receiving the lower border area of the panels 12, so that the panels 12 are arranged vertically above the support bar 14.

[0044] In this example, the central support bar 18 supports both panels. In general, the central support bar 18 may be provided for supporting two adjacent panels 12.

[0045] The central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 may be made of metal, wood and/or plastics. The central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 may be a massive part or a hollow body. For example, the central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 may be formed as profile rails.

[0046] The panels 12 can be easily removed from the central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 and from the cooking hob 16 or worktop. In a similar way, the panels 12 can be easily reattached at the central support bar 18 and the lateral support bars 20 and on the cooking hob 16 or worktop. The panel 12 may have a compact size, which allows an easy cleaning in a dishwasher or rinsing tank.

[0047] Furthermore, the panels 12 may be equipped with bumpers, so that the panels 12 can be used as chopping board or pot support. Additionally, a pattern may be formed on the panels 12 in order to match different brands.

[0048] Moreover, the protective wall 10 may comprise one or more sectional strips arranged between two adjacent panels 12. In particular, the cross-section of the sectional strip is H-shaped. The sectional strip engages said two adjacent panels 12. The sectional strip increases the closeness of the protective wall 10.

[0049] Further, the protective wall 10 according to the second embodiment comprises a handle 22. Said handle 22 is arranged at the top of the panels 12. The handle 22 includes a channel formed on its bottom side. Said channel is provided for receiving an upper border area of the panels 12. Additionally, the handle 22 may be fixed by one or more screws at the panel 12 or panels 12, respectively. In this embodiment, the handle 22 is attached at the two adjacent panels 12.

[0050] In this example, the handle 22 has the same shape as the central support bar 18. This contributes to a production by low costs. Additionally, the handle 22 is at least partially covered by a metal plate. Said metal plate may be provided for covered screw holes of the handle 22. Further, the metal plate may be provided for representing different brandings.

[0051] The protective wall 10 according to the present invention provides protection against splashes of fat and cooking liquids. Moreover, the protective wall 10 provides protection against heat. The protective wall 10 of the present invention is easy to handle and clean. The protective wall 10 is realized by low complexity.

[0052] Often, the cooking hob 16 is arranged in front of a wall, which is protected by the protective wall 10. Further, the cooking hob 16 may be arranged on a freestanding cabinet, wherein a portion behind the cooking hob 16 and said cabinet is protected.

[0053] Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

[0054] 

10

protective wall

12

panel

14

support bar

16

cooking hob

18

central support bar

20

lateral support bar

22

handle

Claims

1. A protective wall (10) for a cooking hob (16) and/or for a worktop including said cooking hob (16), wherein

- the protective wall (10) comprises at least one panel (12) and an elongated support bar (14) or a subdivided support bar (18, 20),

- the support bar (14; 18, 20) is attached or attachable horizontally upon the cooking hob (16) and/or the worktop,

- the support bar (14; 18, 20) includes a channel formed on a top side of said support bar (14; 18, 20),

- the channel extends along the longitudinal axis of the support bar (14; 18, 20) and is open-top, and

- the channel is provided for receiving a lower border area of the panel (12), so that the panel (12) is detachably arranged or arrangeable vertically above the support bar (14; 18, 20).

2. The protective wall according to claim 1,
characterised in that
the protective wall (12) is preferably arranged or arrangeable behind the cooking hob (16), wherein a front of said cooking hob (16) is close to the user, while a back of said cooking hob (16) is opposite to the user.

3. The protective wall according to claim 1 or 2,
characterised in that
the at least one panel (12) is either a glass panel, preferably a durable glass panel or made of metal, wood and/or plastics.

4. The protective wall according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the support bar (14; 18, 20) is made of metal, wood, plastics and/or rubber.

5. The protective wall according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the support bar (14; 18, 20) is a massive part or a hollow body.

6. The protective wall according to any one of the claims 1 to 4,
characterised in that
the support bar (14; 18, 20) is a profile rail.

7. The protective wall according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the support bar (18, 20) is subdivided into at least two support bars (18, 20) attached or attachable serially along one axis, wherein the channel extends along the axis of the subdivided support bar (18, 20).

8. The protective wall according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the support bar (18, 20) is subdivided into two lateral support bars (20) and at least one central support bar (18) arranged or arrangeable between said lateral support bars (20), wherein preferably the at least one central support bar (18) is provided for receiving a lower border area of two adjacent panels (12).

9. The protective wall according to claim 8,
characterised in that
the central support bar (18) is applicable as a handle (22), wherein the channel of the central support bar (18) is provided for receiving an upper border area of one or more panels (12), wherein preferably said handle (22) is at least partially capped by a metal plate for covering screw holes and/or representing brandings.

10. The protective wall according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
at least one panel (12) includes bumpers, so that the panel (12) can be used as chopping board or pot support, wherein preferably the at least one panel (12) has a size, which allows a cleaning of the panel (12) in a dishwasher or rinsing tank.

11. The protective wall according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the designs of the support bar (14; 18, 20) and the at least one panel (12) are adapted to the designs of the cooking hob (16), the worktop and/or adjacent furniture.

12. The protective wall according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the protective wall (10) comprises at least one sectional strip inserted or insertable between two adjacent panels (12), wherein preferably the cross-section of the sectional strip is H-shaped, so that the sectional strip engages two adjacent panels (12).

13. The protective wall according to claim 12,
characterised in that
the design of the sectional strip is adapted to the design of the support bar (14; 18, 20), the panels (12), the cooking hob (16), the worktop and/or adjacent furniture.

14. A cooking hob (16),
characterised in that
the cooking hob (16) comprises at least one protective wall according to any one of the claims 1 to 13.

15. A worktop including at least one cooking hob (16),
characterised in that
the worktop comprises at least one protective wall according to any one of the claims 1 to 13.

Drawing