The present invention relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a cooking oven, with at least one protection sheet.

A domestic appliance, in particular a cooking oven, may comprise one or more protection sheets. Said protection sheets support the rigidity of the casing of the cooking oven. Further, the protection sheets avoid access from outside to moving parts and electrical components of the cooking oven. Usually, the protection sheets are fastened to an oven chassis by screws.

FIG 17 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the cooking oven 10 according to the prior art. The cooking oven 10 comprises an oven chassis 12 with two side walls 14 and a traverse 20. Said traverse 20 extends horizontally in the upper rear portion of the cooking oven 10. Further, the cooking oven 10 comprises an upper protection sheet 16 and a rear protection sheet 18, wherein the upper protection sheet 16 forms a top wall of the cooking oven 10, while the rear protection sheet 18 forms a rear wall of said cooking oven 10. The upper protection sheet 16 and the rear protection sheet 18 are fixed at the oven chassis 12 by screws 60.

However, the use of screws requires a lot of time and effort for assembling the protection sheets.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a domestic appliance, in particular a cooking oven, with at least one protection sheet, wherein the number of screws for fastening said protection sheet is minimised.

The object of the present invention is achieved by the domestic appliance according to claim 1.

According to the present invention a domestic appliance, in particular a cooking oven, is provided, which comprises:

• a chassis for supporting functional components of the domestic appliance, and
• at least one protection sheet for protecting the functional components of the domestic appliance, wherein
• the protection sheet is fastened or pre-fastened at the chassis by at least one snap-in mechanism.

The core of the present invention is the fastening of the protection sheet at the chassis by the snap-in mechanism. Said snap-in mechanism allows the final fastening or pre-fastening of the protection sheet at the chassis by low effort. Additionally, the protection sheet may be fixed by one or more screws.

Preferably, the chassis includes two side walls and at least one traverse, wherein at least one traverse extends horizontally in the rear upper part of said chassis.

In particular, the protection sheet includes at least two foldbacks arranged at opposite sides of said protection sheet, wherein preferably at least two foldbacks are lateral foldbacks.

According to one embodiment, the protection sheet includes at least two outer embossings arranged at opposite sides of said protection sheet, wherein said outer embossings are formed within the foldbacks, and wherein preferably the outer embossings extend inwards.

Further, the chassis may include at least two inner cut-outs for receiving the outer embossings of the protection sheet in the mounted state of the protection sheet, wherein preferably the cut-out and the corresponding outer embossing form a snap-in mechanism.

Moreover, the chassis may include at least two inner embossings for receiving the outer embossings of the protection sheet, wherein the inner embossing is arranged beside the corresponding inner cut-out, and wherein preferably the inner embossings extend inwards.

Additionally, the outer embossing may include an outer cut-out, wherein a protrusion with a draft angle is formed in the said outer embossing, and wherein preferably said protrusion penetrates the inner cut-out of the chassis in the mounted state of the protection sheet.

The draft angle between the protrusion and the foldback is between 20 degrees and 80 degrees, preferably between 30 degrees and 70 degrees, more preferably between 40 degrees and 60 degrees, in particular about 50 degrees.

For example, the domestic appliance comprises at least one top protection sheet forming a top wall of said domestic appliance, wherein preferably the foldbacks extend downward in the mounted state of said top protection sheet.

In a similar way, the domestic appliance comprises at least one rear protection sheet forming a rear wall of said domestic appliance, wherein preferably the foldbacks extend forward in the mounted state of said rear protection sheet.

According to a further embodiment, the domestic appliance includes at least one locking hook and at least one cut-out, wherein the locking hook and the corresponding cut-out form the snap-in mechanism.

In this case, the locking hook may be formed at the chassis, while the corresponding cut-out is formed in the protection sheet, wherein preferably the locking hook is formed at the traverse.

Alternatively or additionally, the locking hook is formed in the protection sheet, while the corresponding cut-out is formed at the chassis.

Preferably, the snap-in mechanism allows one degree of motion of the protection sheet, so that the protection sheet is movable along the direction for assembling said protection sheet.

At last, the at least one protection sheet may be finally fastened or fixable at the chassis by at least one screw.

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

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 cooking oven according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 2

illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of the cooking oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 3

illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of an inner cut-out and an inner embossing formed in an oven chassis of the cooking oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 4

illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of an outer embossing formed in a rear protection sheet of the cooking oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 5

illustrates a schematic sectional rear view of the outer embossing and inner embossing of the cooking oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 6

illustrates a schematic detailed sectional rear view of the outer embossing and the outer cut-out of the rear protection sheet for the cooking oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 7

illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of the cooking oven with a top protection sheet according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 8

illustrates a further schematic detailed perspective view of the cooking oven with the top protection sheet according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 9

illustrates a schematic sectional rear view of an outer embossing formed in the top protection sheet and a corresponding inner cut-out formed in the oven chassis of the cooking oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 10

illustrates a schematic detailed sectional rear view of the outer embossing formed in the top protection sheet and the corresponding inner cut-out formed in the oven chassis of the cooking oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 11

illustrates a schematic detailed side view of the outer embossing formed in the top protection sheet of the cooking oven according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 12

illustrates a schematic perspective view of the cooking oven according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 13

illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of a traverse of the cooking oven according to the second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 14

illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of locking hooks formed in the traverse of the cooking oven according to the second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 15

illustrates a schematic side view of the locking hook formed in the traverse of the cooking oven according to the second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 16

illustrates a schematic detailed side view of the locking hook formed in the traverse of the cooking oven according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG 17

illustrates a schematic perspective view of the cooking oven according to the prior art.

FIG 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a cooking oven 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The cooking oven 10 comprises an oven chassis 12. In this example, the oven chassis 12 includes two side walls 14 and a traverse 20, wherein said traverse 20 extends horizontally in the upper rear portion of the cooking oven 10.

The terms "upper", "lower", "front" and "rear" relate to the built-in cooking oven 10 from the view angle of a user standing in front of said cooking oven 10.

The cooking oven 10 comprises an upper protection sheet 16 and a rear protection sheet 18. In this example, the upper protection sheet 16 forms a top wall of the cooking oven 10, while the rear protection sheet 18 forms a rear wall of said cooking oven 10.

FIG 2 illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of the cooking oven 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG 2 shows a lower portion of the rear protection sheet 18 and the oven chassis 12, wherein the rear protection sheet 18 is partially mounted at the oven chassis 12.

The rear protection sheet 18 includes a lateral foldback 22 at each side. An outer embossing 24 is formed in the lateral foldback 22. A further outer embossing 24 is formed in the lateral foldback 22 on the other side. The outer embossings 24 extend inwards in view of the cooking oven 10. Further, the outer embossing 24 includes an outer cut-out 30 forming a draft angle 34 at said outer embossing 24, so that a protrusion 32 is formed at the outer embossing 24. The protrusion 32 extends parallel to an edge formed by the lateral foldback 22. In this example, the protrusion 32 extends upwards.

The oven chassis 12 includes an inner cut-out 26 corresponding with the outer embossing 24 of the rear protection sheet 18. The inner cut-out 26 is formed in a rear corner of the oven chassis 12. The outer embossing 24 of the rear protection sheet 18 engages with the inner cut-out 26 of the oven chassis 12, when the rear protection sheet 18 is in the mounted state. The protrusion 32 of the outer embossing 24 penetrates the inner cut-out 26 of the oven chassis 12.

Optionally, the oven chassis 12 includes an inner embossing 28 provided for receiving and/or supporting the outer embossing 24 of the rear protection sheet 18. In this example, the inner embossing 28 is arranged beneath the inner cut-out 26 and is also formed in the rear corner of the oven chassis 12.

The interaction between the outer embossing 24 with the protrusion 32 and the inner cut-out 26 and the inner embossing 28 avoids upward, downward and lateral movement of the rear protection sheet 18 relative to the oven chassis 12, while forward and backward movement of the rear protection sheet 18 relative to the oven chassis 12 is allowed. The forward movement of the rear protection sheet 18 relative to the oven chassis 12 is performed, when said protection sheet 18 is mounted to the oven chassis 12.

FIG 3 illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of the inner cut-out 26 and the inner embossing 28 formed in the oven chassis 12 of the cooking oven 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The inner cut-out 26 and the inner embossing 28 are formed either in the side wall 14 of the oven chassis 12 or in a frame of said oven chassis 12.

The inner cut-out 26 and the inner embossing 28 of the oven chassis 12 correspond with the outer embossing 24 of the rear protection sheet 18. In particular, the inner cut-out 26 is provided for receiving the protrusion 32 of the outer embossing 24 of the rear protection sheet 18. The inner embossing 28 is provided for receiving and/or supporting the outer embossing 24 of the rear protection sheet 18.

FIG 4 illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of the outer embossing 24 formed in the rear protection sheet 18 of the cooking oven 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The outer embossing 24 is formed in the lateral foldback 22 of the rear protection sheet 18. The outer embossing 24 extends inwards in view of the cooking oven 10. Further, the outer embossing 24 includes the outer cut-out 30 forming the draft angle 34 at said outer embossing 24, so that the protrusion 32 is formed at the outer embossing 24. The protrusion 32 extends parallel to the edge formed by the lateral foldback 22. In this example, the protrusion 32 extends upwards.

FIG 5 illustrates a schematic sectional rear view of the outer embossing 24 and inner embossing 28 of the cooking oven 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The outer embossing 24 of the rear protection sheet 18 is received by the inner embossing 28 of the oven chassis 12. The protrusion 32 of the outer embossing 24 penetrates the inner cut-out 26 of the oven chassis 12. The penetration of the protrusion 32 in the inner cut-out 26 avoids the lateral and upward movement of the rear protection sheet 18. The downward movement of the rear protection sheet 18 is avoided in that a lower edge of said rear protection sheet 18 is supported by the oven chassis 12.

FIG 6 illustrates a schematic detailed sectional rear view of the outer embossing 24 and the outer cut-out 30 of the rear protection sheet 18 for the cooking oven 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG 6 shows the detail A of FIG 5.

The outer cut-out 30 of the rear protection sheet 18 is formed in the outer embossing 24. The outer cut-out 30 forms the draft angle 34 and the protrusion 34 of the outer embossing 24. The draft angle 34 is formed between a cutting plane of the outer embossing 24 and the plane of the foldback 22. In this example, the draft angle 34 is about 50 degrees. In general, the draft angle 34 may be between 20 degrees and 80 degrees, preferably between 30 degrees and 70 degrees and more preferably between 40 degrees and 60 degrees.

The pair of outer embossings 24 in the rear protection sheet 18 and the corresponding pair of inner cut-outs 26 in the oven chassis 12 allow a final fastening or at least a pre-fastening of the rear protection sheet 18 at the oven chassis 12. In the latter case, one or more screws are provided for the final fastening. Preferably, one screw is sufficient for the final fastening. At least one screw is necessary for the final fastening.

FIG 7 illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of the cooking oven 10 with the top protection sheet 16 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG 7 the top protection sheet 16 is not yet mounted on the oven chassis 12. In FIG 7 the top protection sheet 16 is arranged above the desired mounting position.

The top protection sheet 16 includes two lateral foldbacks 36 extending downwards and arranged at opposite sides. An outer embossing 38 is formed in the lateral foldback 36. A further outer embossing 38 is formed in the lateral foldback 36 on the opposite side. Said outer embossings 38 extend inwards in view of the cooking oven 10.

The oven chassis 12 includes a further inner cut-out 40 and a further inner embossing 42 at each side. Said inner cut-out 40 and inner embossing 42 correspond with the outer embossing 38 of the top protection sheet 16. The inner cut-out 40 and the inner embossing 42 are formed either in the side wall 14 of the oven chassis 12 or in the frame of said oven chassis 12.

The top protection sheet 16 is mounted on the oven chassis 12 by receiving the outer embossing 38 by the inner embossing 42 at first and then by the inner cut-out 40 finally. At first, the top protection sheet 16 is moved downwards, so that the outer embossings 38 are received by the corresponding inner embossings 42. Then, the top protection sheet 16 is moved forwards, so that the outer embossings 38 are received by the corresponding inner cur-outs 40. Thus, the top protection sheet 16 is fixed on the oven chassis 12 by a snap-in mechanism.

FIG 8 illustrates a further schematic perspective view of the cooking oven 10 with the top protection sheet 16 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG 8 the top protection sheet 16 is in the mounted state on the oven chassis 12.

In the mounted state the outer embossing 38 of the top protection sheet 16 is received by the inner cut-out 40 of the oven chassis 12. The top protection sheet 16 is fixed on the oven chassis 12 by the snap-in mechanism.

FIG 9 illustrates a schematic sectional rear view of the outer embossing 38 formed in the top protection sheet 16 and the corresponding inner cut-out 40 formed in the oven chassis 12 of the cooking oven 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 10 illustrates a schematic detailed sectional rear view of the outer embossing 38 formed in the top protection sheet 16 and the corresponding inner cut-out 40 formed in the oven chassis 12 of the cooking oven 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG 10 shows the detail B of FIG 9.

In FIG 10 the outer embossing 38 is received by the inner cut-out 40. Further, the outer embossing 38 includes an outer cut-cut 44 forming a protrusion 46 on said outer embossing 38. Said protrusion 46 extends upwards. A draft angle is formed at the protrusion 46. The outer cut-cut 44 and the draft angle avoid a lateral, upward and downward movement of the top protection sheet 16.

FIG 11 illustrates a schematic detailed side view of the outer embossing 38 formed in the top protection sheet 16 of the cooking oven 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The outer embossing 38 is formed in the lateral foldback 36 of the top protection sheet 16. In order to avoid a rearward motion of the top protection sheet 16, said top protection sheet 16 is fixed by at least one screw.

The outer embossing 38 formed in the protection sheets 16 and 18 and the corresponding inner cut-outs 40 formed in the oven chassis 12 minimise the number of screws or eliminates the screws for fixing said protection sheets 16 and 18. Only one outer embossing 24 and 38 per side of each protection sheet 16 and 18, respectively, is sufficient for assembling said protection sheets 16 and 18. The assembling of the cooking oven 10 is performed by low complexity and lower costs.

FIG 12 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the cooking oven 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The cooking oven 10 comprises the oven chassis 12. In this example, the oven chassis 12 includes the two side walls 14 and the traverse 20. The traverse 20 extends horizontally in the upper rear portion of the cooking oven 10. The cooking oven 10 comprises the upper protection sheet 16 and the rear protection sheet 18. In this example, the upper protection sheet 16 forms the top wall of the cooking oven 10, while the rear protection sheet 18 forms the rear wall of said cooking oven 10.

FIG 13 illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of the traverse 20 of the cooking oven 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG 13 shows the detail C of FIG 12.

The traverse 20 includes two locking hooks 48 extending rearwards. The rear protection sheet 18 includes two cut-outs 50 corresponding with the locking hooks 48. The locking hook 48 and the cut-out 50 form a snap-in mechanism for pre-fastening the rear protection sheet 18 at the oven chassis 12. In this example, two snap-in mechanisms are provided for pre-fastening the rear protection sheet 18 at the oven chassis 12. In general, one or more snap-in mechanisms may be provided for pre-fastening the rear protection sheet 18 at the oven chassis 12.

FIG 14 illustrates a schematic detailed perspective view of the locking hooks 48 formed in the traverse 20 of the cooking oven 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In this example, the locking hook 48 is formed by an embossing in the traverse 20. The cut-out 50 is formed by a nicking in the upper border of the rear protection sheet 18. The locking hook 48 and the cut-out 50 form the snap-in mechanism. The rear protection sheet 18 is pre-fastened by the snap-in mechanisms at the oven chassis 12 by pushing forward said rear protection sheet 18 from the rear side.

FIG 15 illustrates a schematic side view of the locking hook 48 formed in the traverse 20 of the cooking oven 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 16 illustrates a schematic detailed side view of the locking hook 48 formed in the traverse 20 of the cooking oven 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 15 and 16 clarify the snap-in mechanism formed by the locking hook 48 and the cut-out 50. Said snap-in mechanism allows a reliable pre-fastening of the rear protection sheet 18 at the oven chassis 12.

The pre-fastened rear protection sheet 18 is arranged in the desired position and allows an automatic screwing. It is not necessary to keep the pre-fastened rear protection sheet 18 in position by any operator or another system. The assembling of the cooking oven 10 may be performed by low complexity and lower costs. The rear protection sheet 18 with the snap-in mechanism contributes to an increased rigidity of the cooking oven 10.

FIG 17 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the cooking oven 10 according to the prior art. The cooking oven 10 comprises the oven chassis 12 with two the side walls 14 and the traverse 20. Said traverse 20 extends horizontally in the upper rear portion of the cooking oven 10. Further, the cooking oven 10 comprises the upper protection sheet 16 and the rear protection sheet 18, wherein the upper protection sheet 16 forms the top wall of the cooking oven 10, while the rear protection sheet 18 forms the rear wall of said cooking oven 10. The upper protection sheet 16 and the rear protection sheet 18 are fixed at the oven chassis 12 by screws 60.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, 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.

10

cooking oven

12

oven chassis

14

side wall

16

top protection sheet

18

rear protection sheet

20

traverse

22

lateral foldback (of the rear protection sheet)

24

outer embossing (of the rear protection sheet)

26

inner cut-out

28

inner embossing

30

outer cut-out (of the rear protection sheet)

32

protrusion (of the rear protection sheet)

34

draft angle

36

lateral foldback (of the top protection sheet)

38

outer embossing (of the top protection sheet)

40

inner cut-out

42

inner embossing

44

outer cut-out (of the top protection sheet)

46

protrusion (of the top protection sheet)

48

locking hook

50

cut-out

60

screw

A

detail of the protrusion 32

B

detail of the outer embossing 38

C

detail of the traverse 20