Baking stone rack

A rack for an appliance comprises a main section including a support frame having a front wire, rear wire, and opposed side wires. A plurality of intermediate wires are attached to the support frame and at least one cross member is provided across a portion of the intermediate wires. The rack also includes a recessed section defined by a portion of the intermediate wires and for removeably receiving a baking stone. In one example, the recessed section has a depth sufficient to accommodate a baking stone substantially completely therein. In addition or alternatively, an arrangement for supporting items within an appliance includes a rack having a main section and a recessed section, and a baking stone which can be received substantially completely within the recessed section of the rack.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to racks for appliances, and more particularly, to a baking stone rack for an oven.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Appliances, such as ovens, often have one or more racks generally within the appliance. For example, the racks can be useful for the placing of cookware, food, and other items, within the oven. The racks can place the cookware generally towards the middle of the oven, and can keep the cookware away from heating elements and the like. In addition, ovens with multiple racks allow for placement of cookware on a variety of levels within the oven, thereby increasing the total volume of available cooking.

The racks are often supported by ledges formed along the inner walls of the oven. The racks are then movable in and out of the oven on the ledges. This allows the racks to be removed from the oven for cleaning or for other purposes. Often, the racks may be partially removed from the oven so as to allow easier access to items placed on the racks. The ledges also facilitate vertical adjustment of the racks within the oven cavity.

Appliance racks, and specifically oven racks, are often of wire form construction. More specifically, an outer wire frame and a support platform, which is constituted by a plurality of fore-to-aft and laterally spaced wires, define a typical oven rack. The wires are generally evenly spaced across the entire rack for use in supporting food items to be cooked.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a rack for an appliance comprises a main section including a support frame having a front wire, rear wire, and opposed side wires. A plurality of intermediate wires are attached to the support frame and at least one cross member is provided across a portion of the intermediate wires. The rack also includes a recessed section defined by a portion of the intermediate wires and adapted to removably receive a baking stone.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a rack for an appliance comprises a main section including a first platform area and a support frame. A plurality of intermediate wires are attached to the support frame. A recessed section has a depth sufficient to accommodate a baking stone substantially completely therein and includes a second platform area. At least one strengthening member is provided across a portion of the second platform area.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an arrangement for supporting items within an appliance comprises a rack including a main section having a support frame and a plurality of intermediate wires attached to the support frame. A recessed section is defined by a portion of the intermediate wires, and at least one strengthening member is provided across a portion of the intermediate wires. A baking stone adapted to be received substantially completely within the recessed section of the rack.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

An example embodiment of a rack that incorporates aspects of the present invention is shown in the drawings. It is to be appreciated that the shown example is not intended to be a limitation on the present invention. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of racks.

Turning to the shown example ofFIG. 1, an example of a baking stone rack10for an appliance, such as an oven, is illustrated in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The baking stone rack10includes a main section12and a recessed section14. Both the main section12and the recessed section14can be constructed from metal wire, such as iron coated with nickel or steel coated with porcelain. However, it is to be appreciated that the main section12and the recessed section14can be constructed from various other suitable materials (e.g., various other metals and/or sheet metal).

The main section12can include a support frame16. For example, the support frame16can include a front wire18, a rear wire20, and opposed side wires22,24. The front wire18, rear wire20, and side wires22,24can be attached together to form the support frame16in various manners, such as by welding, adhesives, or fasteners, and/or can even be formed from a single piece of wire. As shown, the support frame16can have a generally rectangular geometry, through it is to be appreciated that the support frame16can have various other geometries. Additionally, a portion of the frame16, such as the rear wire20, can include an upwardly extending portion21that is adapted to engage structure (e.g., downward-facing projection90, seeFIG. 8) of an appliance to inhibit the rack from being removed therefrom.

A plurality of intermediate wires26can be attached to the support frame16, and at least one cross member28or strengthening member can be provided across a portion of the intermediate wires26. For example, as shown, the plurality of intermediate wires26can extend between the front and rear wires18,20and along a transverse axis of the main section12, while two cross members28can be provided across the intermediate wires26and can extend along a longitudinal axis of the main section12. The intermediate wires26can be welded, or otherwise secured, to the support frame16. In addition or alternatively, the cross members28can also be welded or otherwise secured to the side wires22,24. Further still, the cross members28can be welded or otherwise secured to the intermediate wires26. It is to be appreciated that the intermediate wires26and/or the cross members28can extend between any of the front, rear, or side wires18,20,22,24and can be oriented at various angles relative to each other and/or the support frame16. The intermediate wires26and cross members28can be manufactured from metal wire or various other suitable materials that provide adequate strength to support various items such as cake pans, baking stones, casseroles, or the like, and can withstand the heat of an oven.

As stated above, the rack10can include a recessed section14defined by a portion of the intermediate wires26. For example, some or all of the intermediate wires26can include downwardly depending portions27that form the recessed section14within a central portion of the rack10. As shown inFIG. 5, for example, the downwardly depending portions27can be configured to provide the recessed portion14with a depth sufficient to accommodate a baking stone30completely therein. In addition, the recessed section14can occupy a relatively large portion of the rack10, though it is to be appreciated that various relative sizes of the main and recessed sections12,14are possible, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

Turning now toFIG. 2, the recessed section14can be adapted to removably receive a baking stone30. For example, as shown, the recessed section14can be configured to receive a baking stone30having a generally rectangular geometry. In addition or alternatively, the recessed portion14can be configured to include various other geometries, such as, for example, square, triangular, polygonal, circular, oval and/or elliptical. It is to be appreciated that the recessed section14can also be configured to receive a plurality of baking stones30(seeFIG. 8), and/or the rack10can even include a plurality of recessed sections14(not shown).

Further still, at least one of the intermediate wires26can include a ramped portion34adapted to facilitate removal of the baking stone30from the recessed section14(e.g., for cleaning, replacement, or other purposes). For example, as shown inFIG. 1, a plurality of the intermediate wires26can include ramped portions34. As such, the intermediate wires26can be oriented at an angle θ (seeFIG. 5) relative to the baking stone30to assist in removing the baking stone30from the recessed section14. In one example, the angle θ might be approximately 15°, though various other angles are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. In addition or alternatively, some or all of the intermediate wires26can include stepped portions (not shown).

Even further still, the recessed section14can be spaced a distance from the support frame16. For example, the recessed section14can be spaced a respective distance from each of the front wire18, rear wire20, and the side wires22,24. The respective spacings can define an air gap between the support frame16and the baking stone30to facilitate the conduction of heat to, and the convection of hot gasses around, the baking stone30and/or any items supported thereon for cooking in an oven. As shown inFIG. 5, for example, a first edge36of the baking stone30can be disposed a first distance D1from the front wire18to form a first air gap38therebetween. A second edge40of the baking stone30can also be disposed a second distance D2from the rear wire20to form a second air gap42therebetween. Similarly, the baking stone30can be spaced various distances from each of the side wires22,24. In one example, each of the respective distances can be equal (e.g., D1can be approximately equal to D2), though it is to be appreciated that each of the respective distances can have various values relative to each other.

Returning briefly toFIG. 1, the recessed section14can include a support area32or platform area defined by the intermediate wires26. The support area32can have a generally planar geometry so as to provide an area configured to support various items. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the support area32can support the baking stone30. In addition or alternatively, the support area32can be adapted to support various other items, independent of whether a baking stone30is received within the recessed section14. For example, the support area32can support cake pans, cookie sheets, and/or casseroles. As such, the cross members28can be provided across a portion of the support area32to mitigate sagging of the support area32when heavy food, cookware, or the like is placed thereon.

Turning now to the examples shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, another example baking stone rack110is illustrated in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. The baking stone rack110can also include a main section112and a recessed section114constructed from metal wire, as previously discussed herein. The main section112can include a support frame116having a front wire118, a rear wire120, and opposed side wires122,124attached thereto and/or formed from a single piece of wire. The frame116can include an upwardly extending portion121. A plurality of intermediate wires126can be attached to the support frame116, and at least one cross member128or strengthening member can be provided across a portion of the intermediate wires126. As before, the intermediate wires126and/or the cross members128can extend between any of the front, rear, or side wires118,120,122,124and can be oriented at various angles relative to each other and/or the support frame116. Further still, a portion of the intermediate wires126can form a first platform area113configured to support cookware, food, and/or other items within the oven. The support frame116can also include one or more upward facing projections188.

Additionally, the rack110can include a recessed section114defined by a portion of the intermediate wires126and downwardly depending portions127configured to provide the recessed portion114with a depth sufficient to accommodate a baking stone130completely therein. The recessed section114can include a second platform area132defined by a portion of the intermediate wires126that is configured to support various items, such as the baking stone130. As shown, the main section112can occupy approximately half of the rack110, while the recessed portion114can occupy the remaining half of the rack110. Further still, as shown, the baking stone130can include a support surface144that can be generally co-planar to the first platform area113when the baking stone130is received within the recessed section114. Thus, a relatively large item, such as a cookie sheet or casserole dish (not shown), can be supported within the oven cavity simultaneously by both the first platform area113and the support surface144of the baking stone130. Alternatively, the first platform area113, second platform area132, and/or the baking stone130can support various items independently.

It is to be appreciated that the baking stone130can include various geometries, such as, for example, rectangular, square, triangular, polygonal, circular, oval and/or elliptical. It is to be appreciated that the recessed section114can also be configured to receive a plurality of baking stones130, and/or the rack110can even include a plurality of recessed sections114(not shown). Further still, at least one of the intermediate wires126can include a ramped portion134adapted to facilitate removal of the baking stone130from the recessed section114(e.g., for cleaning, replacement, or other purposes).

Turning now to the examples shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the baking stone rack10can be adapted to support an example baking stone30. The baking stone30can include various types of baking stones having various sizes, geometries, materials, features, and/or performance characteristics. For example, the baking stone30can include a pizza stone adapted to bake pizzas, or a bread stone adapted to bake breads, pretzels, cakes, or the like. The baking stone30can include various materials, such as ceramics, clays, and/or firebrick. The baking stone30can also include various surface characteristics. For example, the baking stone can include various surface treatments, such as various coatings and/or glazings. In addition or alternatively, the exterior surface of the baking stone30can be relatively rough, relatively smooth, or any combination thereof. Accordingly, the following description of an example baking stone30is not intended to provide a limitation upon the present invention, and as such various other baking stones30can be used with the baking stone rack10.

As shown, the baking stone30can have a generally rectangular geometry. Thus, the baking stone30can have a first support surface44and a second support surface46. As shown, the first support surface44can have a generally planar geometry to enable various items to be supported by the baking stone30. In addition or alternatively, the second support surface46can also have a generally planar geometry, though it is to be appreciated that either, or both, of the first and second support surfaces44,46can include various other features, as will be discussed further herein. In one example, either or both of the support surfaces44,46can include convex or concave geometry. Though the following features may be discussed with reference to either of the first or second support surfaces44,46, it is contemplated that any of the features, or any combination thereof, can be included on either, or both, of the support surfaces44,46.

As stated above, the recessed portion14can be configured to have a depth sufficient to accommodate a baking stone30completely therein. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, the main section12can include a platform area45such that the first support surface44of the baking stone30is generally co-planar to the platform area45(e.g., co-planar along plane line47) when the baking stone30is received within the recessed section14. Accordingly, the rack10can be adapted to support various items that are larger than the first support surface44of the baking stone30. For example, the rack10can support a relatively large cookie sheet or the like (not shown) by supporting a portion of the cookie sheet on the platform area45and a portion of the first support surface44. Additionally, as shown, the rear wire20of the support frame16can be located at a relatively higher position with respect to the front wire18. As such, a portion of the intermediate wires26attached to the rear wire20can act as a stop49to limit the extent to which an item can be inserted into an oven cavity. In addition or alternatively, the main section12can include an additional platform area (not shown) located adjacent the rear wire20to provide support for even larger items.

In another example feature, as shown, the second support surface46can include a projection48extending therefrom. In one example, the projection48can comprise a lip portion50configured to inhibit items (e.g., items being cooked or residue therefrom, such as water, oils, sauces, or the like) from inadvertently leaving the second support surface46. The lip portion50can have a geometry generally similar to an exterior perimeter52of the baking stone30. Thus, as shown inFIG. 7, the lip portion50can have a generally rectangular geometry that is similar to the exterior perimeter52of the generally rectangular baking stone30. It is to be appreciated that the lip portion50can have various other geometries, as well. For example, the lip portion50can include curved portions51or the like configured to provide additional spacing around various features of the baking stone30, as will be discussed more fully herein. In addition or alternatively, the baking stone30can also include trough or the like (not shown) having a geometry similar to an exterior perimeter52of the baking stone30to thereby create a catch basin (not shown) for retaining residue, such as water, oils, or the like from items being cooked.

In another example, the projection48can extend from a more centralized area of the second support surface46to define specific cooking zones thereon (not shown). In yet another example, the projection48can comprise a plurality of projections54arranged in a pattern56. For example, the plurality of projections54can extend from the second support surface46and can be arranged in a pattern56to provide various visual and/or performance characteristics with regard to items being cooked, such as for providing “grill marks” or the like. Further still, the plurality of projections54can extend from the second support surface46and can be configured to provide various performance characteristics with regard to the baking stone30, such as providing various heat transfer zones and/or strengthening support ribs (not shown). Even further still, the plurality of projections54can provide structural characteristics for the baking stone30. In one example, the projections54can act as support ribs to inhibit flexure or the like of the baking stone30. It is to be appreciated that various numbers of projections54can have various sizes and geometries, and can be arranged in various other manners, patterns, arrays, and/or even randomly. It is also to be appreciated that the plurality of projections54can be separated a distance from each other, may be connected to each other, and/or may even be connected to the lip portion50.

The baking stone30can further include other features. For example, the baking stone30can include at least one grip portion58adapted to be grasped by a hand of a user (not shown). For example, as shown, the baking stone30can include a pair of opposed grip portions58disposed on opposite sides thereof. The grip portions58can provide recessed areas adapted to assist the removal of the baking stone30from the recessed section14. The grip portions58can include various features, such as finger grips60adapted to receive the fingers of a user's hand. In addition or alternatively, as shown inFIG. 7, the grip portions58can cooperate with a projection48, such as the lip portion50, to provide a grip surface62. It is to be appreciated that various numbers of grip portions58can include various features and can be disposed at various locations on the baking stone30.

Turning now toFIG. 8, an arrangement64for supporting items within an appliance is illustrated. As shown, the baking stone rack10of the present invention is illustrated employed within an oven environment80. Thus, as shown, the support frame16of the main section12can be supported by guide rails82within an oven cavity84. As shown inFIG. 1, the main section12can include an upward-facing projection88integrally formed in the wire frame of each of the sides22,24of the support frame16to facilitate alignment of the rack10within the oven80. As shown, the guide rails82of the oven80can have corresponding downward-facing projections90. Specifically, the upward-facing projections88of the main section12can be adapted to contact the downward-facing projections90of the top guide rails82such that a stop is created to properly align the main section12within the standard rack location of the oven80.

Accordingly, with the baking stone rack10supported within the oven cavity84, the platform area45of the main section12and the first support surface44of the baking stone30can be utilized to support various items for cooking within the oven. Further, as shown, the rack10can receive a plurality of baking stones30,30′ each having a support surface44,44′. In addition or alternatively, various items can also be supported on other oven racks (not shown) simultaneously without the need to add or remove any other racks.

It is to be appreciated that the racks of the subject invention can be used in settings other than in an oven. For example, the racks of the subject invention could be used in a refrigerator and/or freezer unit. Further, it is to be appreciated that the racks can be constructed of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, and the like. Further still, the frame, the bars, and the cross-member(s) need not be constructed from the same materials.

The size of the frame of the rack of the subject invention also depends upon the intended use of the rack. In the example embodiments, the rack is sized to slide into or replace a rack of a conventional oven. Likewise, the bars are spaced to accommodate cookware. The frame can be made larger to fit commercial ovens or sized to fit any apparatus in which the racks are to be used. The bars of the rack can be spaced appropriately within the frame to hold any designated item.