FUME EXTRACTOR HOOD

Abstract

 A fume extractor hood (1) comprises a frame (2) configured to at least partially fit into a receptacle (100) formed in a ceiling (101); at least one lock member (9) located at one side (3a, 3b) of the frame (2), and comprising a deployable portion (10), adapted to be alternated between a deployed configuration in which it holds the frame (2) in the receptacle (100) and a retracted configuration in which it is entirely pulled back inside a perimeter of the frame (2) to allow the frame to be moved into and out of the receptacle (100), the lock member (9) comprises at least one elastic element (11) associated with the deployable portion (10) to bias it from the retracted configuration to the deployed configuration; the lock member (9) comprises a grip element (15) connected to the deployable portion (10) and arranged to be accessible when the frame (2) fits in the receptacle (100), the grip element (15) is adapted to be actuated to pull the deployable portion (10) back from the deployed configuration to the retracted configuration.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a fume extractor hood. In particular, this hood is preferably but without limitation designed to extract cooking fumes from food. A hood of this type suitably finds application in kitchens of canteens, restaurants, hotels, private homes and other places, as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] More in detail, the hood of the present invention is of the type designed to at least partially fit in a receptacle formed in a ceiling. This ceiling has an outer surface that faces the room occupied by users, e.g. the kitchen. The ceiling further has an inner surface, hidden from view of hood users, and at least partially defines the aforementioned receptacle. The inner surface is opposite to the outer surface.

Background art

[0003] Cooking fume extractor hoods that can at least partially fit in a receptacle formed in a ceiling are known in the art, also as ceiling hoods.

[0004] Prior art hoods generally comprise a frame that partially defines a suction duct. This frame also defines a suction opening, through which cooking fumes are drawn into the suction duct, filtered and exhausted.

[0005] More in detail, the frame has at least one pair of opposite sides. If the opening has a rectangular shape, then the frame comprises two pairs of opposite sides. A first pair of opposite sides is defined by the two long sides of the frame, and a second pair is defined by the two short sides.

[0006] In particular, in prior art hoods, the frame is designed to at least partially fit in the receptacle. In order to facilitate installation, prior art hoods comprise spring-actuated lock members at the long sides of the frame. Typically, prior art hoods comprise two lock members at each side.

[0007] More in detail, each of the lock members comprises a lug that is designed to retract into a perimeter of the frame and allow the frame to fit into the receptacle. Once the frame has been positioned, the lug is deployed to rest on the inner wall of the receptacle. Then the frame is fastened to the ceiling by means of screws.

The problem of the prior art

[0008] One drawback of this arrangement is that, while these hoods are easily positioned and installed, the reverse operation is not as easy. Once the screws are removed, the operator should find a way to push the lug toward the frame to remove the hood. These lugs are placed in locations that are hard to reach when the hood is installed, whereby the operation is complex and time-consuming.

[0009] Furthermore, the operator must use both hands to disengage the lugs, whereby the support of at least one more person is needed to hold the hood as it is being removed.

Object of the Invention

[0010] Therefore, the technical purpose of the present invention is to provide a cooking fume extractor hood that can obviate the above-mentioned prior art drawbacks.

[0011] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a fume extractor hood that can allow a single operator to remove the hood from the ceiling.

[0012] The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are substantially fulfilled by a cooking fume extractor hood that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of the accompanying claims.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] In particular, a cooking fume extractor hood according to one embodiment of the present invention is of the type designed to at least partially fit in a seat formed in a ceiling. This ceiling has an outer surface and an inner surface opposite to the outer surface. The inner surface at least partially defines the seat.

[0014] The hood of the present invention comprises a frame that has at least one pair of opposite sides. The frame is configured to at least partially fit in the seat.

[0015] The hood also comprises at least a locking element at one of the sides of the frame. The locking element comprises a extendable portion adapted to alternate between a extended configuration and a retracted configuration. In the extended configuration, the extendable portion rests on the inner surface of the ceiling to hold the frame in the receptacle. In the retracted configuration, the extendable portion is pulled back into a perimeter of the frame, to allow the frame to be moved into and out of the seat.

[0016] The locking element comprises at least one elastic element associated with the extendable portion to bias the latter from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.

[0017] The locking element comprises a gripping member connected to the extendable portion. This gripping member is placed in a position that allows access thereto when the frame fits in the seat. The gripping member is adapted to be actuated to pull the extendable portion from the extended configuration back to the retracted configuration.

[0018] The hood of the invention solves the aforementioned technical problem because the gripping member allows the extendable portion to be easily pulled back by the locking element, particularly using one hand. Thus, the operator can use the other hand to hold the hood and is therefore able to complete the disassembly process without the help of another person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will result more clearly from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a fume extractor hood as shown in the annexed drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of a fume extractor hood of the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the hood of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a top perspective view of a detail of the hood of Figures 1 and 2;
• Figures 4a and 4b are top perspective views of the detail of Figure 3, with certain parts omitted to better show other parts; and
• Figures 5a and 5b are side views of the detail of Figure 3 in respective operating configurations;
• Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of a detail of the hood of Figures 1 and 2; and
• Figure 7 is a sectional side view of the hood of Figures 1 and 2 as it fits in a ceiling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Even when this is not expressly stated, the individual features as described with reference to the particular embodiments shall be intended as auxiliary to and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other exemplary embodiments.

[0021] Referring to the annexed figures, numeral 1 generally designates a fume extractor hood of the present invention.

[0022] The hood 1 is particularly of the type designed to at least partially fit in a seat 100 formed in a ceiling 101. By way of example, the ceiling 101 has an outer surface 101 a and an inner surface 101b opposite to the outer surface 101a. The seat 100 is at least partially defined by the inner surface 101b.

[0023] It shall be noted that, as used herein, the outer surface 101a is the surface of the ceiling 101 that is exposed to the view of people underneath, regardless of whether the ceiling 101 is located indoors, within a building, or outdoors, such as in a porch. Likewise, the inner surface 101b is the surface that is generally hidden to people below the ceiling 101.

[0024] It shall be further noted that, as used herein, the term "ceiling" is intended to designate any surface defining the top of a room or environment. Therefore, this term also encompasses other architectural or furnishing elements such as false ceilings or furniture that possibly locally define the top of the environment in which they are located.

[0025] Particularly referring to Figure 1, the hood 1 comprises a frame 2. The frame 2 is designed to at least partially fit in the seat 100 formed in the ceiling 101.

[0026] In particular, the frame has at least one pair of opposite sides 3a, 3b. All the sides 3a, 3b of the frame 2 define an outer perimeter of the frame 2. By way of example, the frame 2 has a rectangular perimeter, and comprises two pairs of opposite sides 3a, 3b. A first pair of opposite sides 3a is defined by the two long sides 3a of the frame, and a second pair of sides 3b is defined by the two short sides 3b.

[0027] The frame 2 further comprises a base 4 which, in operation, is placed below and projects out of the ceiling 101. In particular, the base 4 has an outer surface 4a that is designed to be visible by people underneath the hood 1. The base 4 further has an inner surface 4b, opposite to the outer surface 4a which, in operation, is hidden to people underneath the hood 1.

[0028] The frame 2 has a suction opening 5 at the base 4, particularly at the outer surface 4a. In cooking fume extractor hoods 1, the opening 5 generally faces a cooktop (not shown), which is designed to draw in the fumes generated during operation of such cooktop to cook food.

[0029] The hood 1 further has a suction duct 6, through which the fumes extracted through the opening are channeled by the hood 1. The frame 2 further at least partially defines the duct 6. By way of example, the duct 6 of the hood 1 may extend in a substantially vertical direction.

[0030] It shall be further noted that the frame 2 has at least one housing 7, 8 for a filter (not shown). In particular, the hood 1 generally comprises at least one first housing 7 for a grease filter and at least one second housing 8 for an odor filter. Since the fumes extracted through the opening 5 are channeled through the housings 7, 8 to be filtered, these housings 7, 8 are deemed to be part of the suction duct 6.

[0031] Optionally, the hood 1 comprises a covering element 16 which is associated with the suction opening 5 to at least partially close it. As shown for example in Figure 1, the covering element 16 may be embodied by a panel 17 that partially lies on the opening 5. This panel is spaced apart from the frame 2, to thereby leave one or more free peripheral slits 18, allowing fume extraction and minimizing the aesthetic impact of the hood 1.

[0032] According to the present invention, the hood 1 comprises at least one locking element 9, which has the purpose to hold the frame 2 in the seat 100 of the ceiling 101, by particularly resting on the aforementioned inner surface 101b. This locking element 9 is placed at one of the aforementioned sides 3a, 3b of the frame 2. Preferably, the hood 1 comprises a plurality of such locking element 9, which are placed on two opposite sides 3a, 3b of the frame 2. In the embodiment as described above, the hood 1 comprises four locking elements 9, evenly arranged on the long sides 3a of the frame 2.

[0033] In particular, each locking element 9 comprises a support 12 attached to the frame 2. This support 12 extends away from the inner surface 4b of the base 4, substantially at the side 3a, 3b of the frame 2 on which the respective locking element 9 is mounted. It shall be noted that the support 12 is located entirely inside the outer perimeter of the frame 2.

[0034] Particularly referring to Figure 3, each locking element 9 comprises a extendable portion 10. Such extendable portion 10 is designed to alternate between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. In the extended configuration, the extendable portion 10 rests on the inner surface 101b of the seat 100, to thereby hold the frame 2 in the seat 100. In the retracted configuration, the extendable portion 10 is pulled back into the outer perimeter of the frame 2. In this configuration, the frame 2 may be moved into and/or out of the seat 100.

[0035] It shall be noted that, according to the embodiment as described and shown in the present invention, the extendable portion 10 is embodied by a lug 13 that is pivotally connected to the support 12, particularly at one end 12a opposite to the inner surface 4b of the base 4. The lug 13 has first 13a and second 13b opposite ends. The first end 13a of the lug 13 is pivotally connected to the support 12, to thereby pivot relative to a hinge axis "A" that is parallel to the side 3a, 3b of the frame on which the respective locking element 9 is mounted. The second end 13b is designed to contact the inner surface 101b of the ceiling 101.

[0036] It shall be noted that, when the extendable portion 10 is in the extended configuration, the lug 13 is pivoted relative to the support 12 to extend partially beyond the outer perimeter of the frame 2. This allows the second end 13b of the lug 13 to rest on the aforementioned inner surface 101b of the ceiling 101.

[0037] Conversely, when the extendable portion 10 is in the retracted configuration, the lug 13 is moved toward the support 12 by pivoting relative to the hinge axis "A". By this arrangement, the lug 13 entirely fits into the perimeter of the frame 2.

[0038] More in detail, the locking element 9 comprises at least one elastic element 11 associated with the extendable portion 10 to bias the latter from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration. In the embodiments as described and illustrated herein, the elastic element 11 is embodied by a torsion spring 14 disposed between the lug 13 and the support 12, particularly at the hinge axis "A".

[0039] According to the invention, the locking element 9 comprises a gripping member 15. This gripping member 15 is connected to the extendable portion 10 and is placed in a position that allows access thereto when the frame 2 fits in the seat 100. The gripping member 15 can be actuated to pull the extendable portion 10 from the extended configuration back to the retracted configuration, and advantageously the gripping member 15 comprises a slot 22 adapted to receive a screwdriver 25.

[0040] It shall be noted that the gripping member 15 shall be deemed to be accessible if its use requires at most removal of parts of the hood 1, such as the covering element 16, which can be easily removed as part of ordinary maintenance and, in particular, with the frame 2 fitting in the seat 101. As a result, the gripping member 15 is placed in front of the frame 2 and particularly of all the components of the hood 1 which can be only disconnected from the frame 2 when the latter does not fit in the its seat 100 in the ceiling 101.

[0041] It shall be noted that, in the illustrated embodiment, the gripping member 15 is located within the suction duct 6. In particular, the gripping element 15 is placed behind the covering element 16. More particularly, the gripping member 15 is placed inside one of the housings 7, 8, preferably behind their respective filters. Preferably, the gripping member 15 is placed in the first housing 7, and particularly behind the grease filter.

[0042] Particularly referring to Figures 3 and 4b, the locking element 9 comprises a rod 18. This rod 18 has a first end 18a connected to the extendable portion 10. The rod 18 further has a second end 18b opposite to the first end 18a. The gripping member 15 is formed on the second end 18b of the rod 18.

[0043] The locking element 9 further comprises an arm 19 that is pivotally connected to the extendable portion 10, to pivot relative to such extendable portion. In particular, the arm 19 is hinged to the second end 13b of the lug 13.

[0044] A guide 20 is formed on the arm 19. The first end 18a of the rod 18 is engaged in the guide 20, to thereby to slide along the guide 20.

[0045] The locking element 9 further comprises a pin 21 for connection between the rod 18 and the guide 20. In particular, this pin 21 fits in the first end 18a of the rod 18 and in the guide 20. Thus, the arm 19 is pivotally connected to the rod 18 by the pin 21.

[0046] Preferably, as shown in Figure 4a, each lock member has at least one set of aligned holes 23, adapted to receive a screw 24. The screw 24 has the purpose to secure the frame 2 of the hood 1 to the ceiling 101.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number of changes and variants as described above may be made to fulfill particular requirements, without departure from the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. Fume extractor hood (1) of the type that can be at least partially inserted into a seat (100) formed in a ceiling (101), said ceiling (101) having an outer surface (101a) and an inner surface (101b) at least partially defining said seat (100) and opposite to the outer surface (101a), said hood (1) comprising:

- a frame (2) having at least one pair of opposite sides (3a, 3b), said frame (2) being configured to be at least partially inserted into said seat (100);

- at least one locking element (9) arranged at one of said sides (3a, 3b) of said frame (2), said locking element (9) comprising an extendable portion (10) commutable between an extended configuration, in which it rests on said inner surface (101b) to retain said frame in said seat (100), and a retracted configuration, in which it is brought back inside a perimeter of said frame (2) to allow the engagement and disengagement of said frame (2) into/from said seat (100), said locking element (9) comprising at least one elastic element (11) associated with said extendable portion (10) to push it from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration; said locking element (9) comprises a gripping member (15) connected to said extendable portion (10) and being accessible when said frame (2) is inserted into said seat (100), said gripping member (15) being operable to bring back said extendable portion (10) from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration;

characterized in that said locking element (9) comprises:

- a rod (18) having a first end (18a) connected to said extendable portion (10) and a second end (18b) opposite to the first end (18a), said gripping member (15) being defined on said second end (18b);

- an arm (19), which is rotatably connected to said extendable portion (10) to rotate with respect to said extendable portion (10), a guide (20) formed on said arm (19), said first end (18a) of said rod (18) being engaged in said guide (20) for sliding along said guide (20);

- a pin (21) connecting said rod (18) and said guide (20), said arm (19) being rotatably connected to said rod (18) through said pin (21).

2. A hood (1) according to claim 1, wherein said frame (2) has at least one suction opening (5), said hood (1) comprising a covering element (16) associated with said opening (5) for at least partially closing it, said gripping member (15) being arranged behind the covering element (16).

3. A hood (1) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it has a suction duct (6) at least partially defined by said frame (2), said gripping member (15) being arranged inside said duct (6).

4. A hood (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said frame (2) has a housing (7, 8) for a filter, said gripping member (15) being inserted inside said housing (7, 8) preferably behind said filter.

5. A hood (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said gripping member (15) comprises a slot (22) designed to receive a screwdriver (25).

6. A hood (1) according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said locking elements (9) arranged on both opposite sides (3a) of said frame (2).

7. A hood (1) according to any one of the previous 5 claims, characterized in that it comprises two of said locking elements (9) arranged on the same side (3a) of said frame (2).

Drawing