Retractable range hood

A range hood for a microwave includes a range-hood mount and a pair of hood slides coupled to the range-hood mount. Each hood slide includes portions that are configured to move relative to the range-hood mount between a retracted position and an extended position. The range hood further includes an expandable hood extension coupled to the pair of slides and configured to move from a collapsed configuration, when the pair of slides are arranged in the retracted position, to an expanded configuration, when the pair of slides are in the extended position.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a hood, and particularly to a range hood. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a range hood that is that is attachable to an exhaust fan or a device with an exhaust fan.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure, a range hood includes a range-hood mount configured to couple to at least one of a microwave and a structure adjacent to the microwave. The range hood may further include a pair of hood slides coupled to the range-hood mount, a portion of each hood slide being configured to move relative to the range-hood mount between a retracted position and an extended position. The range hood may further include an expandable hood extension coupled to the pair of hood slides and configured to move from a collapsed configuration, when the pair of hood slides are arranged in the retracted position, to an expanded configuration, when the pair of hood slides are in the extended position.

In some embodiments, the microwave includes at least one vent inlet and the expandable hood extension is offset from the vent inlet in both the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the expandable hood extension includes a plurality of panels that are stacked on top of one another in the collapsed configuration and that are at least partially offset relative to one another so as to be shiplapped in the expanded configuration.

In some embodiments, each of the hood slides includes a stationary rail mounted on the range-hood mount, a movable rail engaged with the stationary rail and configured to move relative to the stationary rail between the retracted and extended positions, and a panel holder coupled to the movable rail for movement therewith and coupled to the plurality of panels to control movement of the plurality of panels between the collapsed and expanded configurations.

In some embodiments, some of the panels move relative to panel holders as the expandable hood extension changes from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. In some embodiments, each panel holder is formed to define one or more slots that retain ends of the panels.

In some embodiments, each panel holder includes a first slot that receives an end of a first panel included in the plurality of panels and a second slot that receives an end of a second panel included in the plurality of panels. In some embodiments, the first slot is sized to limit movement of the first panel relative to the panel holder so that the first panel moves with the panel holder as the hood slides change from the retracted position to the extended position and the second slot is sized to allow the panel holder to move relative to the second panel such that the end of the second panel travels through the second slot as the hood slides change from the retracted position to the extended position.

In some embodiments, the expandable hood extension has a first width in the collapsed configuration and a second width in the expanded configuration, the second width being greater than the first width. In some embodiments, the microwave includes at least one vent inlet and the range-hood mount defines a central aperture configured to avoid blocking the vent inlet.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a range hood includes a range-hood mount, a hood slide, and an expandable hood extension. The hood slide is coupled to the range-hood mount. A portion of the hood slide is configured to move relative to the range-hood mount between a retracted position and an extended position. The expandable hood extension is coupled to the hood slide and is configured to move from a collapsed configuration, when the hood slide is arranged in the retracted position, to an expanded configuration, when the hood slide is in the extended position.

In some embodiments, the range hood includes at least one vent inlet and the expandable hood extension is offset from the vent inlet in both the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the expandable hood extension includes a plurality of panels that are stacked on top of one another in the collapsed configuration and that are at least partially offset relative to one another so as to be shiplapped in the expanded configuration.

In some embodiments, the hood slide includes a stationary rail mounted on the range-hood mount, a movable rail engaged with the stationary rail and configured to move relative to the stationary rail between the retracted and extended positions, and a panel holder coupled to the movable rail for movement therewith and coupled to the plurality of panels to control movement of the plurality of panels between the collapsed and expanded configurations.

In some embodiments, some of the panels move relative to panel holder as the expandable hood extension changes from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the panel holder is formed to define one or more slots that retain the panels.

In some embodiments, the panel holder includes a first slot that receives a first panel included in the plurality of panels and a second slot that receives a second panel included in the plurality of panels. In some embodiments, the first slot is sized to limit movement of the first panel relative to the panel holder so that the first panel moves with the panel holder as the hood slide changes from the retracted position to the extended position and the second slot is sized to allow the panel holder to move relative to the second panel such that the second panel travels through the second slot as the hood slide changes from the retracted position to the extended position.

In some embodiments, the expandable hood extension has a first width in the collapsed configuration and a second width in the expanded configuration, the second width being greater than the first width.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a range hood includes a range-hood mount and an expandable hood extension coupled to the range-hood mount and configured to move from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the expandable hood extension has a first width in the collapsed configuration and a second width in the expanded configuration, the second width being greater than the first width.

In some embodiments, the expandable hood extension includes a plurality of panels that are stacked on top of one another in the collapsed configuration and that are at least partially offset relative to one another so as to be shiplapped in the expanded configuration. In some embodiments, the range hood further includes a pair of hood slides, each hood slide including a stationary rail mounted on the range-hood mount, a movable rail engaged with the stationary rail and configured to move relative to the stationary rail between the retracted and extended positions, and a panel holder coupled to the movable rail for movement therewith and coupled to the plurality of panels to control movement of the plurality of panels between the collapsed and expanded configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A range hood10in accordance with the present disclosure is configured to be attached removably to cabinetry12, a microwave14, or another structure around the microwave14as shown inFIGS.1and2. The range hood10is arranged below the microwave14and is configured to capture and direct effluents toward a vent inlet16included in the microwave14. The range hood10is expandable to increase a capture area of the range hood10so that more effluents produced while cooking food, for example, are vented through the vent inlet16of the microwave as shown inFIG.2. In some embodiments, the range hood10is not placed beneath a microwave14and instead includes its own vent inlet16for venting effluents.

The range hood10is separate from the microwave14such that the range hood10may be retrofitted with microwave14after installation of the microwave14. The range hood10has a rectangular profile to match the microwave14. In the illustrative embodiment, the range hood10has similar length and width dimensions to the microwave14to provide a uniform aesthetic overall appearance with the microwave14when the range hood10is in a retracted configuration as shown inFIG.1. The range hood10may optionally be made from a similar material, color and/or finish as the microwave14(e.g. stainless steel) for uniform aesthetics. In other embodiments, the range hood10may be sized with any length, width, and height dimensions to be attached to any sized microwave14and may include any suitable material matched or unmatched with the microwave14.

The range hood10is configured to be moved from the retracted configuration as shown inFIG.1, to an expanded configuration, as shown inFIG.2, to improve the capture of effluents from food being cooked on front burners of a stove range (not shown) located below the microwave14, for example. Testing has shown that the effluents rising from a range flow upwards and around the front of the microwave. This is especially true for the front burners of a range. The range hood10includes range-hood mount18, a pair of hood slides20,22coupled to the range-hood mount18, and an expandable hood extension24as shown inFIGS.3and4. The range-hood mount18is configured to mount to at least one of cabinetry12, the microwave14, or another structure around the microwave to position the range hood10relative to the vent inlet16. The pair of hood slides20,22are coupled on the range-hood mount18and each include portions that move relative to the range-hood mount18between a retracted position and an extended position. The expandable hood extension24is coupled to the pair of slides20,22and moves with the portions of the slides20,22between the retracted position and the extended position. The expanded hood extension24prevents the effluents from flowing around the front of the microwave14, as previously discussed.

As the portions of the hood slides20,22move from the retracted position to the expanded position, the expandable hood extension24changes from a collapsed configuration, as shown inFIGS.7and9, to an expanded configuration, as shown inFIGS.5,6and8. The expandable hood extension24includes a plurality of panels26,27,28that extend between and interconnect the hood slides20,22. The plurality of panels26,27,28are at least partially offset from one another in the expanded configuration so as to be shiplapped relative to one another. The plurality of panels26,27,28are stacked vertically relative to one another when the expandable hood extension24is in the collapsed configuration. The expandable hood extension24further includes a handle crossbeam29that extends between the pair of hood slides20,22and which a user can grip to pull the hood expandable extension24to change from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.

The expandable hood extension24is offset from the microwave vent inlet16of the microwave14in both the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration so that the microwave's venting functions can be used at all times as shown inFIGS.8and9without any obstruction from the hood extension. Hoods of the prior art obstruct the microwaves venting function when collapsed or need additional vent openings. The expandable hood section eliminates the need for additional vent openings as well as obstructions. Forming the expandable hood extension24with a plurality of panels26,27,28allows a width of the expandable hood extension24to be minimized in the collapsed configuration while also allowing the expandable hood extension to expand to a larger width in the expanded configuration. The expandable hood extension24has a first width30in the collapse configuration and a second width32in the expanded configuration. The second width32is greater than the first width30. The expandable hood extension24is positioned relative to the range-hood mount18so that a rearmost edge34of the hood extension does not overlap with or block the microwave vent inlet16or any lights17that the microwave14may have. Stated differently, the range hood mount18defines a central aperture75configured to avoid overlapping or otherwise covering the microwave vent inlet16or any microwave lights17. As a result, additional lighting is not needed on the hood extension24. The hood extension24may also be positioned relative to the range-hood mount18so that a forwardmost edge36of the hood extension24does not protrude outwardly past a forwardmost edge35of the microwave14when the hood extension24is in the collapsed configuration. Although the hood extension24is illustratively embodied as having only three panels26,27,28, it should be appreciated that any number of panels may be included in the hood extension24.

Each of the plurality of panels26,27,28includes a forward lip26A,27A,28A as shown inFIGS.6and7. Each of the plurality of panels26,27,28further includes a panel body26B,27B,28B extending from each respective forward lip26A,27A,28A. Each of the plurality of panels26,27,28further includes a rearward lip26C,27C,28C extending from the respective panel body26B,27B,28B and spaced apart from each respective forward lip26A,27A,28A. Each forward lip26A,27A,28A extends downwardly away from each respective panel body26B,27B,28B. Each rearward lip26C,27C,28C extends upwardly away from each respective panel body26B,27B,28B.

In the expanded configuration, the forward and rearward lips26A,27A,28A,26C,27C,28C engage portions of one another, the handle crossbeam29, and the range-hood mount18so that the panels26,27,28are moved to the expanded configuration and are shiplapped relative to one another. Panel26is coupled to at least one of the handle crossbeam29and the pair of hood slides20,22for movement therewith as the hood slides20,22change from the retracted position to the extended position. The rearward lip26C engages the forward lip27A so that panel26pulls panel27as the hood slides20,22change from the retracted position to the extended position. The rearward lip27C then engages the forward lip28A so that panel27pulls panel28as the hood slides20,22change from the retracted position to the extended position. The rearward lip28C engages a lip40formed on the range-hood mount18to stop the hood slides20,22and the expandable hood extension24from further extension once the expandable hood extension24reaches the expanded configuration.

Each of the slides20,22includes a stationary rail42mounted on the range-hood mount18and a movable rail44engaged with the stationary rail42and configured to move relative to the stationary rail42between the retracted and extended positions. A bearing unit46may be arranged between the stationary rail42and the movable rail44to reduce friction there between. Each movable rail44is coupled a corresponding panel holder48as shown inFIGS.4and10-13. The plurality of panels26,27,28are coupled to the panel holders48, as further described below, for movement therewith. Some of the panels27,28also move relative to panel holders48as the expandable hood extension24changes from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.

Each panel holder48is formed to define one or more slots that retain ends of the panels26,27,28as shown inFIGS.11-13. In the illustrative embodiment, each panel holder48includes a first slot50that receives an end52of panel26and a second slot54that receives an end58of panel27. The first slot50is sized to correspond to a width of panel26to limit movement of panel26relative to panel holder48so that panel26moves with panel holder48as the hood slides20,22change from the retracted position to the extended position. The second slot54is sized to allow panel holder48to move relative to panel27such that the end58of panel27travels through slot54as the hood slides20,22change from the retracted position to the extended position until panel27contacts an end53,55of slot54. An end60of panel28rests on an upper surface62of panel holder48. Panel28may freely move relative to panel holder48as the hood slides20,22change from the retracted position to the extended position until the end60of panel28contacts a stop64of the panel holder48in the expanded configuration. The stop64of the panel holder48is also configured to contact lip40of range-hood mount18to block further extension of the hood slides20,22and the hood extension24relative to the range-hood mount18.

The range-hood mount18includes a mount base70, a slide reinforcement unit72coupled to the mount base70and a pair of mount brackets74coupled to the mount base70. The mount base70defines the central window75to allow airflow and effluents to flow there through to vent inlet16. The mount brackets74are coupled to flanges82,84included in mount base70and are configured to be attached to the microwave14or the cabinet12to mount the range hood10thereto. The slide reinforcement unit72includes flanges78,80that support rails42,44to limit movement of the slides20,22and the hood extension24relative to range-hood mount18other than sliding movement between the extended and retracted positions. Passageways86,88are defined between flanges78,82and flanges80,84, respectively, to receive and support guides45included in each slide20,22. The flanges78,80also provide locations to which the stationary rails42are mounted.

The range hood may further include its own auxiliary light90as shown inFIG.15. Although the auxiliary light90is shown being coupled to a rear end of the range-hood mount18, the light90may be coupled to another part of the range-hood mount18, the slides20,22, or the extendable hood24(i.e. within the front horizontal handle29). A limit switch could be integrated into the range hood10that may automatically activate the light90when the extendable hood24is extended, and deactivate the light90when the extendable hood24is retracted. The light90may be powered by a wired connection or battery powered (replacement or rechargeable) or low voltage wiring run off of an adaptor that would be plugged into an existing outlet. In one example, the light90is an LED light for low power consumption when batteries are used, however any suitable light may be used.