Abstract:
A pair of self-folding legs intended to support a door of an oven when in an open position pivot downwardly from a front surface of the door to a floor surface, thus forming a stable support system. In such a manner, heavy objects can be placed on the door surface as they enter and exit the oven cavity. The pair of legs is fastened to the front surface of the door using a high-temperature adhesive fastening method. The legs automatically pivot down as the door is opened and fold back up when the door is closed. Each leg comprises a height adjustable foot with a rubberized bottom surface to accommodate all styles and sizes of ovens to avoid damage to the floor surface.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/307,020 filed Feb. 23, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to oven doors, and in particular, to legs supporting an oven door. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Residential ovens are one (1) of the most oft-utilized appliances in the preparation of meals on a day-to-day basis. These ovens, typically located within a kitchen in a home, are generally located along a ground surface and provide a large interior space capable of holding more food and reaching higher temperatures than most other residentially available cooking appliances such as toasters or microwaves. 
     Due to their size, most ovens have large doors which hinge down and out from the oven structure. These doors typically stop at a position parallel to the ground surface and several inches or feet above the ground. In many cases, the door is even with a lower cooking surface of the oven when in this open position. As such, it is a naturally tendency to slide large foodstuffs and cooking containers into and out of the oven by utilizing the door as an intermediate surface. However, this can be dangerous if the foodstuff or cooking container is particularly heavy. Objects such as heavy roasts or large baking dishes can inadvertently upset the balance of the oven and cause the entire oven to tip forward. If any items are on top of the stove at this time, injuries and serious burns can result. 
     A user can simply avoid placing heavy objects on the door at all. However, not using the door is unfavorable because the use of the door allows physically disadvantaged persons such as the elderly, disabled, or weak in stature to place and lift a heavy object in an easier and safer manner. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide oven door support devices. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents including U.S. Pat. No. 2,326,461; U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,706; U.S. Pat. No. 3,626,925; U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,139; U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,250; U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,927; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,121. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices do not provide a simple deployment mechanism. Also, many such devices do not provide sufficient and simple adjustment features. Furthermore, many such devices do not provide simple installation to an existing oven door. In addition, many such devices may damage an oven door or floor surface during installation and use. Moreover, many such devices severely impact the aesthetic qualities of an oven and a kitchen as a whole. Accordingly, there exists a need for oven door support legs without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a simple oven door support leg device providing necessary adjustment features while providing simple and efficient installation, operation, protection, and appearance. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pair of leg assemblies which support an oven door when the door is in an open, horizontal position. 
     Another object of the present invention is to automatically deploy the leg assemblies upon opening of the oven door. Each leg assembly is connected to a mounting bracket assembly with a freely pivoting hinge pin such that the leg assemblies automatically face downwardly as the door is opened due to gravity. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to offset the hinge pin with respect to the leg assembly such that the top of the leg assembly automatically limits motion to a ninety degree (90°) angle during deployment, increasing the precision of the automatic deployment and support provided by the device. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a favorable aesthetic appearance to the device and the oven by discreetly concealing the leg assemblies within the mounting bracket assembly when the oven door is in a closed, upright position. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to readily attach to an existing oven with an adhesive or other fastener. The mounting bracket assemblies include a flat rear surface which provides a large area of contact between the device and the oven door. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to adjust the device to accommodate oven doors of varying height by including an adjustable foot portion on each leg assembly. The leg assembly includes a threaded shaft portion which allows a user to selectively extend the food portion and a locking nut to secure the foot portion at the desired length. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to protect the floor surface in front of the oven from scratching or indentation by providing each foot portion with a rubber protective end portion. The protective end portion further provides traction to prevent the leg assemblies from accidentally shifting during use. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to include a bumper pad between the leg assembly and the mounting bracket assembly which provides protection of the leg assembly and mounting bracket assembly as well as a noise-dampening function to prevent annoyance due to repeated impact of the leg assembly against the bracket. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of obtaining one (1) or more instances of the device, installing each mounting bracket assembly on an oven door, opening the oven door and adjusting the foot portion of each leg assembly to an appropriate height to securely contact the adjacent ground surface after full deployment, and benefiting from automatic increased support of the oven door whenever it is fully open. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of oven door support legs  10  mounted upon an oven door  110  depicting a deployed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental view of oven door support legs  10  mounted upon an oven door  110  depicting a stowed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a side view of the oven door support legs  10  in a stowed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a side view of the oven door support legs  10  in a utilized state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the oven door support legs  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  oven door support legs 
               20  mounting bracket assembly 
               22  side plate 
               24  bumper pad 
               26  adhesive layer 
               28  top plate 
               30  rear plate 
               32  first hinge bracket 
               35  foot 
               36  locking nut 
               38  shaft 
               40  leg assembly 
               42  front plate 
               44  bottom plate 
               46  hinge pin 
               48  second hinge bracket 
               100  oven 
               110  oven door 
               120  floor surface 
               130  load 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a pair of oven door support legs (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , intended to support a door portion  110  of an existing oven  100  when said door  110  is in a horizontal and open state. When the oven door  110  is opened in a normal manner, a pair of leg assemblies  40  each automatically pivot downward via a gravitational force and subsequently contact a subjacent floor surface  120 . Said leg assemblies  40  are stowed in a parallel position along a front surface of said oven door  110  when closed. The apparatus  10  forms a stable support means for said open door  110 , thereby allowing a load  130  to be placed upon the oven door  110  as said load  130  enters and exits a cavity portion of the oven  100  in a safe and supported manner. The leg assemblies  40  are discretely concealed within a box-shaped mounting bracket assembly  20  which is fastened to the front surface of the oven door  110 , thereby providing an aesthetic appearance. The leg assemblies  40  comprise freely pivoting hinge pin portions  46  which allow said leg assemblies  40  to automatically pivot downward as the oven door  110  is opened, and fold back up against the door surface  110  when the door  110  is closed. Each leg assembly  40  also comprises a height adjustable foot portion  35  to accommodate dimensions of different ovens  100  and floor distance variation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , environmental views of the apparatus  10  depicting deployed and stowed states, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a pair of mounting bracket assemblies  20  and a pair of pivotally attached leg assemblies  40 , thereby supporting the oven door  110  and providing a load bearing means. The mounting bracket assembly  20  comprises a four (4) sided metal rectangular structure adhesively affixed to the oven door  110  which provides a decorative containment of the leg assembly  40  when the oven door  110  is in the closed vertical position (see  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  4 ). 
     Each leg assembly  40  is approximately twelve (12) inches in height and is attached at a top end portion to a stationary mounting bracket assembly  20  via a single-axis hinge  46  (see  FIG. 4 ). Each leg assembly  40  further comprises a front plate  42 , a bottom plate  44 , and a height adjustable foot portion  35  which is located at a bottom end portion of said leg assembly  40 . The foot portions  35  comprise commercially-available threaded stud units having a flange or conical-shaped rubber protective end portion providing protection against scratching or indentation to a floor surface  120  during use. Each foot  35  comprises a shaft portion  38  threadingly affixed to a respective bottom plate  44  and secured at a user selected length by a locking nut  36  once adjusted properly. The front plate  42  and bottom plate form a unitary “L”-shaped structure. Said bottom plate  44  provides threaded attachment to the shaft portion  38  of the foot  35 , thereby allowing a user to adjust an overall length of said leg assembly  40 , resulting in the oven door  110  being horizontally orientated and solidly supported when said foot  35  contacts the floor surface  130 . 
     Upon lowering the oven door  110  to a horizontal position, the apparatus  10  establishes vertical mechanical communication between extended outer corner portions of the oven door  110  and the floor surface  120 , thereby being capable of supporting an applied load  130  such as pots and pans containing various heavy food stuffs in a stable manner. When the oven door  110  is closed to a vertical orientation, the leg assembly  40  is aesthetically concealed within the mounting bracket assembly  20 , thereby working in conjunction to form an aesthetic enclosed appearance. 
     The mounting bracket  20  and leg  40  assemblies are envisioned to be made preferably using stainless, plated, or painted steel; however, other materials such as high-temperature plastic resins may also be used with equal benefit being capable of withstanding elevated temperatures associated with an oven door  110 , and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10  is that of a retrofit kit providing adhesive attachment to an existing oven  100 ; however, it is understood that the apparatus  10  may also be introduced as an original equipment feature on new oven models  100  providing equal benefit to a user and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  4 , side and section views of the apparatus  10  in stowed and utilized states, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Each mounting bracket assembly  20  provides a means to fasten the apparatus  10  to an existing oven door  110  as well as providing an aesthetic stowing containment of the leg assembly  40  during times when said oven door  110  is in a vertical closed position. The mounting bracket assembly  20  further comprises a four-sided metal rectangular enclosure comprising a pair of side plates  22 , a top plate  28 , and a rear plate  30 . The mounting bracket assembly  20  is envisioned to be fabricated using common processes such as welding, forming, or machining. Each mounting bracket assembly  20  comprises open front and bottom portions, thereby aesthetically receiving and containing the leg assembly  40  within. The mounting bracket assembly  20  further provides rotating attachment of said leg assembly  40  via a connecting hinge pin  46  being intermediately positioned between respective rear plate  30  and front plate  42  portions and connected to said rear  30  and front  42  plates via respective perpendicularly protruding first hinge bracket  32  and second hinge bracket  48  portions. Said hinge brackets  32 ,  48  converge at an upward portion of said rear  30  and front  42  plates to form an axial three-element hinge mechanism. The offset design of the hinge pin  46  with respect to said rear  30  and front  42  plates enables the front plate portion  42  to rotate approximately ninety degrees (90°) before contacting the rear plate portion  30 , thereby providing a mechanical limitation to said rotation which results in the leg assembly  40  contacting the floor surface  120  in a perpendicular manner as the oven door  110  is opened as illustrated in  FIG. 3   b . Said hinge pin  46  is orientated so as to pivot the leg assembly  40  away from a front surface of the oven door  110  automatically due to a gravitational force when said oven door  110  is opened. Upon opening the oven door  110  to a horizontal position, the apparatus  10  supports said oven door  110  and an applied load  130 , in a stable manner. When the oven door  110  is closed to a vertical orientation, the mounting bracket assembly  20  and leg assembly  40  work in conjunction to form an aesthetic enclosure of the apparatus  10  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
     The mounting bracket assembly  20  provides an attachment means to the oven door  110  via an adhesive layer  26  further comprising a rectangular-shaped section of high-temperature silicone adhesive applied to a surface of the oven door  110  being aligned with side and top edges of the rear plate  30 . Said adhesive layer  26  is envisioned to be provided in a double-faced tape format or other user-friendly means of application. Said adhesive layer  26  extends downwardly below a bottom edge of said rear plate  30  approximately two (2) inches to provide an additional adhesive attachment means to a thin rubber bumper pad  24  having a matching area as the exposed adhesive layer portion  26 . The bumper pad  24  provides a noise-dampening means while also providing protection of the oven door  110  from damage as the foot portion  35  makes contact with said bumper pad  24  as the oven door  110  is motioned to a vertical and closed position and the leg assembly  40  coincidentally engages the mounting bracket assembly  20 . 
     The mounting bracket assemblies  20  and leg assemblies  40  are envisioned to be made preferably using stainless, plated, or painted steel; however, other materials such as temperature resistant plastic resins capable of withstanding elevated temperatures associated with an oven door  110  may also be used with equal benefit, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of installing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: motioning the oven door  110  to a closed position; marking an anticipated location for the apparatus  10  at the two (2) opposing upper corner portions of the oven door  110  using provided templates and/or dimensions to assure alignment and proper distance from the floor surface  120 ; installing the first of two (2) portions of the apparatus  10  by applying a rectangular portion of the double-faced high-temperature adhesive layer  26  to the surface of the oven door  110  at the previously marked location by removing a wax paper backing material from said adhesive layer  26 ; aligning the rear plate  30  with top and side edge portions of the pre-applied adhesive layer  26 ; pressing said rear plate portion  30  against said adhesive layer  26  until the unit of the apparatus  10  is securely attached to the oven door  110 ; pressing the bumper  24  against the remaining portion of the adhesive layer  26  until securely affixed; and, repeating the above process for the remaining second unit of the apparatus  10 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: adjusting the foot portions  35  by opening the oven door  110  to a horizontal open position; allowing the leg assemblies  40  to pivot outwardly and downwardly from the oven door  110 ; loosening the locking nuts  28  using a common hand tool; threadingly engaging shaft portions  38  of each foot portion  35  with respective bottom plate portions  44  inwardly or outwardly until said foot  35  makes contact with the floor surface  120 ; tightening the locknuts  28 ; and, benefiting from improved safety and load bearing capability upon an oven door  110  while utilizing the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.