Patent Publication Number: US-11377890-B1

Title: Appliance door hinge assembly

Description:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a hinge assembly, and more specifically, to a hinge assembly for an appliance door. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hinge assemblies are used on appliances to couple doors with cabinets. Often these hinge assemblies have various coupling assemblies for coupling components of the hinge assembly with a body of the appliance and/or the door. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance includes an appliance body having a front panel defining a connector slot. A hinge receiver is coupled with the appliance body and has opposing side walls defining a receiving space therebetween. The hinge receiver includes a first striker positioned above a second striker. The first and second strikers are aligned with the connector slot. A hinge arm assembly includes a hinge arm configured to engage with the second striker and a latch cam hingedly coupled with the hinge arm. The latch cam is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a top surface of the latch cam abuts the first striker in the engaged position. A door is rotatably coupled with the appliance body by the hinge receiver and the hinge arm assembly and is rotatable about a door axis between open and closed positions. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure an appliance includes an appliance body having a front panel defining a connector slot. A hinge receiver is coupled with the front panel and includes first and second strikers aligned with the connector slot. The first striker is positioned above and forward of the second striker. A door is coupled with the appliance body and is movable between open and closed positions. A hinge arm is coupled with the door, and a hinge arm is coupled with the hinge arm and configured to engage with the second striker. A latch cam is operably coupled with the hinge arm and is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A top surface of the latch cam abuts the first striker in the engaged position. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a hinge assembly for an appliance includes a hinge receiver including first and second strikers. The first striker is positioned above and forward of the second striker. A hinge arm defines a receiving space configured to receive the second striker. A hinge arm is rotatably coupled with the hinge arm, and a latch cam is operably coupled with the hinge arm. The latch cam is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A top surface of the latch cam abuts the first striker in the engaged position. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a cooking appliance including a door coupled with the appliance by a hinge assembly and in a closed position, according to various examples; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the cooking appliance of  FIG. 1  with the door in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the cooking appliance of  FIG. 1  with the door removed; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial side profile view of the cooking appliance and door of  FIG. 1  with a hinge receiver of the hinge assembly shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 5  is a side profile view of the hinge assembly of  FIG. 1  removed from the cooking appliance with a hinge arm assembly spaced apart from a hinge receiver; 
         FIG. 6  is a side profile view of the hinge assembly of  FIG. 5  with the hinge arm assembly received by the hinge receiver and a latch cam in a disengaged position; and 
         FIG. 7  is a side profile view of the hinge assembly of  FIG. 5  with the hinge arm assembly received by the hinge receiver and a latch cam in an engaged position. 
     
    
    
     The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a hinge assembly for an appliance door. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements. 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Unless stated otherwise the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , reference numeral  10  generally designates an appliance including an appliance body  12 . The appliance body  12  includes a front panel  14  defining a connector slot  16 . A hinge receiver  18  is coupled with the appliance body  12  and has first and second opposing side walls  20 ,  22 . The first and second side walls  20 ,  22  define a receiving space  24  therebetween. The hinge receiver  18  includes a first striker  28  positioned above a second striker  30 , and the first and second strikers  28 ,  30  are aligned with the connector slot  16 . A hinge arm assembly  34  includes a hinge arm  36  configured to engage with the second striker  30 . A latch cam  38  is hingedly coupled with the hinge arm  36  and is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A top surface  40  of the latch cam  38  contacts the first striker  28  when the latch cam  38  is in the engaged position. A door  44  is rotatably coupled with the appliance body  12  by the hinge receiver  18  and the hinge arm assembly  34 . The door  44  is rotatable about a door axis X and movable between open and closed positions. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the appliance  10  is illustrated including the appliance body  12  with a liner  48  defining a cavity  50 . The liner  48  is coupled with the front panel  14  of the appliance body  12 , and the front panel  14  defines an access opening  54  in communication with the cavity  50 , The front panel  14  further defines a pair of connector slots  16  positioned on opposing sides of the opening  54 . Each connector slot  16  may be elongated and may extend parallel to side walls of the liner  48 . Each connector slot  16  is configured to at least partially receive one of a pair of hinge assemblies  60 , as discussed in more detail elsewhere herein. It will be understood that the appliance body  12  may further include components typically found in a conventional cooking oven, such as an outer casing, electrical components, heating elements, gas lines, valves, control units, burner elements, broiled elements, and the like. Such components will not be described further herein except where necessary for a complete understanding of the aspects of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , an exemplary form of the door  44  is illustrated configured to be coupled with the appliance body  12  by a pair of hinge assemblies  60 . The door  44  is configured to selectively seal the cavity  50  and is movable between open and closed positions. When the door  44  is in the open position, the cavity  50  is accessible through the opening  54  defined by a front panel  14  of the appliance body  12 . The door  44  includes a front door panel  68  and a rear door panel  70  in a spaced apart configuration to define a space therebetween. A handle  66  is coupled with the front door panel  68  and configured to move the door  44  between the open position and the closed position. It will be understood that the door  44  may include any number of panels without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. While the door  44  is illustrated as being configured to be coupled to the appliance body  12  by a pair of hinge assemblies  60 , for the remainder of the disclosure only one of the hinge assemblies  60  is described in detail, and it will be further understood that each of the pair of hinge assemblies  60  is formed in the same or a similar way with the same components. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the hinge assembly  60  includes a hinge receiver  18  and a hinge arm assembly  34 . The hinge receiver  18  is positioned proximate the respective connector slot  16  and is configured to be engaged with the hinge arm assembly  34  to operably couple the door  44  with the appliance body  12 . The hinge arm assembly  34  is coupled with the door  44  and includes the hinge arm  36  configured to be engaged with the respective hinge receiver  18  and the latch cam  38  configured to be positioned within and/or through the connector slot  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the hinge receiver  18  is coupled with the front panel  14  and is positioned to at least partially align with the connector slot  16 . The hinge receiver  18  is generally elongated and includes first and second side walls  20 ,  22  positioned on opposing sides of the respective connector slot  16 . The first and second side walls  20 ,  22  define a receiving space  24  therebetween configured to be in communication with the connector slot  16  and at least partially receive the hinge arm  36  of the hinge arm assembly  34 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the hinge receiver  18  may include a front wall  72  extending between the first and second side walls  20 ,  22 . In various examples, the front wall  72  may be integrally formed with one or both of the first and second side walls  20 ,  22 . As illustrated, the front wall  72  includes an upper portion  74  located at a top of the hinge receiver  18 , a central portion  76 , and a lower portion  78  located at bottom portion of the hinge receiver  18  and spaced apart from the central portion  76 . Each of the upper and lower portions  74 ,  78  may be configured to be coupled with the front panel  14  of the appliance body  12  by one or more fasteners  84 . The front wall  72  may extend along the entirety of the length of the side walls  20 ,  22  or along a portion of the length of the side walls  20 ,  22 . In various examples, the upper portion  74  and/or the lower portion  78  may be integrally formed with the central portion  76 . In other examples, the upper portion  74  and/or the lower portion  78  may be spaced apart from the central portion  76 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first side wall  20  includes a protrusion  90  extending into the receiving space  24 . The protrusion  90  is positioned proximate a front edge of the first side wall  20  and has a vertical portion  94  and an inclined portion  96 . The vertical portion  94  is spaced apart from the side wall  20 , and the inclined portion  96  is inclined inward from the side wall  20  toward the vertical portion  94 . As discussed in more detail elsewhere herein, the protrusion  90  may be configured to at least partially retain the hinge arm  36  within the receiving space  24  of the hinge receiver  18  and/or guide engagement of the hinge arm  36  into engagement with the hinge receiver  18 . It is contemplated that each of the first and second side walls  20 ,  22  may include a respective protrusion  90 . It is further contemplated that the protrusions  90  of the opposing side walls  20 ,  22  may be vertically aligned such that the width of the receiving space  24  defined between the first and second side walls  20 ,  22  is reduced between the protrusions  90  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first and second strikers  28 ,  30  are coupled with and extend between the first and second side walls  20 ,  22  of the hinge receiver  18 . The first striker  28  may be positioned above the protrusion  90  of the first side wall  20 , and the second striker  30  may be positioned rearward of the first striker  28  and the protrusion  90 . The second striker  30  is further positioned below the first striker  28  such that the first striker  28  is vertically and horizontally offset from the second striker  30 . In other words, the first striker  28  is positioned forward and upward from the second striker  30 . 
     As previously introduced, the hinge arm assembly  34  includes the hinge arm  36  and the latch cam  38  configured to engage with the hinge receiver  18 . A hinge body  100  of the hinge arm assembly  34  is fixedly coupled with the door  44 . For example, the hinge body  100  may be coupled with one of the door panels  68 ,  70 . The hinge body  100  may alternatively be coupled with a door support  104  between the door panels  68 ,  70  or along an edge of the door  44 . The hinge body  100  is generally elongated and extends along a portion of the door  44  to rotate the door  44  between the open and closed positions. It is contemplated that the hinge body  100  may be at least partially positioned between the door panels  68 ,  70  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It is further contemplated that the hinge body  100  may be integrally formed with the door support  104  or may be formed as the door support  104  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the hinge body  100  is rotatably coupled with the hinge arm  36 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the hinge arm  36  includes a door engagement portion  106 . The door engagement portion  106  of the hinge arm  36  defines a door pin receiving well  108  configured to receive a door pin  110 , as discussed in more detail elsewhere herein. The door pin  110  may be a fastener (e.g., a pin, a screw, a bolt, etc.) configured to couple the hinge body  100  with the hinge arm  36 . The door axis X extends through a center of the door pin  110 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , such that rotation of the hinge body  100  about the door pin  110  moves the door  44  between the open and closed positions about the door axis X. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the hinge arm  36  is configured to be received by the connector slot  16  and extend into the receiving space  24  of the hinge receiver  18 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the hinge arm  36  includes a body  116  defining an aperture  118 . The aperture  118  is configured to receive a pin  122  configured to couple the latch cam  38  with the hinge arm  36 . The pin  122  is configured such that the latch cam  38  is movable relative to the hinge arm  36  between engaged and disengaged positions. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , as previously introduced, the hinge arm  36  includes a door engagement portion  106  extending from one side of the body  116 . The hinge arm  36  further includes a coupling flange  126  extending from the body  116  in a direction generally opposite that of the door engagement portion  106 . The coupling flange  126  is configured to be inserted through the connector slot  16  and into the receiving space  24  of the hinge receiver  18  (see  FIGS. 4 and 6 ). The coupling flange  126  defines a striker receiving space  134  configured to at least partially receive the second striker  30  of the hinge receiver  18 , as described in more detail below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the coupling flange  126  is at least partially spaced apart from the body  116  of the hinge arm  36  by a slot  140 , In other words, the hinge arm  36  defines a slot  140 . The slot  140  is defined to extend vertically between the coupling flange  126  and the hinge arm  36  and is configured to receive a lower internal edge  144  of the front panel  14  when the hinge arm  36  is positioned through the connector slot  16  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The engagement between the lower internal edge  144  and the slot  140  may be configured to increase the retention of the hinge arm  36  within the hinge receiver  18 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the coupling flange  126  also includes a stop  150  extending outward from a side of the hinge arm  36 . The stop  150  includes an abutment portion  158  and a tapered portion  160 . The abutment portion  158  may be generally oblong or round or may have any other shape without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The abutment portion  158  may be configured to be substantially planar or may be rounded. The tapered portion  160  extends from the abutment portion  158  toward the striker receiving space  134  and is tapered away from the abutment portion  158 . As illustrated, the stop  150  may be shaped such that the tapered portion  160  is tapered inward toward a point and tapered downward from the abutment portion  158  to the surface of the hinge arm  36 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the stop  150  is configured to abut the protrusion  90  of the hinge receiver  18  when the hinge arm  36  is engaged with the hinge receiver  18 . The tapered portion  160  allows the stop  150  to be positioned to contact the vertical portion  94  of the protrusion  90  of the hinge receiver  18 . It is contemplated that the coupling flange  126  may have stops  150  on both sides of the hinge arm  36  such that the stops  150  engage with the protrusions  90  of each side wall  20 ,  22  of the hinge receiver  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , the latch cam  38  is rotatably coupled with the hinge arm  36  and includes a body portion  170  and a coupling portion  174 . The coupling portion  174  extends from the body portion  170  and defines a receiving well  178 . When the latch cam  38  is coupled with the hinge arm  36 , the receiving well  178  is aligned with the aperture  118  of the hinge arm  36 . The aperture  118  and the receiving well  178  are configured to receive the pin  122  such that the latch cam  38  is rotatable about the pin  122  relative to the hinge arm  36 . The coupling portion  174  may extend from the body portion  170  such that the coupling portion  174  and the body portion  170  define a space  182  configured to at least partially receive the protrusion  90  of the hinge receiver  18  and the stop  150  of the hinge arm  36  when the latch cam  38  is in the engaged position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the latch cam  38  further includes an upper edge  188  extending between a front edge  190  and a rear edge  192 . The front edge  190  of the latch cam  38  extends along the body portion  170  and the coupling portion  174 . As previously introduced, the upper edge  188  includes the top surface  40  of the latch cam  38 . The upper edge  188  may be non-linear such that the body portion  170  is more narrow proximate the rear edge  192  than proximate the front edge  190 . In various examples, material may be added to the latch cam  38  proximate the rear edge  192  to shift the center of gravity of the latch cam  38  to retain the latch cam  38  in the engaged position. 
     The front edge  190  of the latch cam  38  further includes a tab  196  extending outward from the latch cam  38 . The tab  196  defines a notch  198  configured to be used as a pull tab to move the latch cam  38  from the engaged position to the disengaged position to remove the hinge arm assembly  34  from engagement with the hinge receiver  18 , as discussed in more detail elsewhere herein. The tab  196  may be generally rounded and may define the notch  198  to receiver a user&#39;s finger, a standard tool, or any other mechanism for applying a pulling force F (see  FIG. 7 ) to the latch cam  38 , The tab  196  of the latch cam  38  may further be configured to allow the latch cam  38  to be moved between the engaged and disengaged positions without a specialized tool. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the hinge arm  36  is inserted into the receiving space  24  of the hinge receiver  18  proximate the first and second strikers  28 ,  30  (see arrow A). The coupling flange  126  is aligned with the second striker  30 , and the striker receiving space  134  is configured to receive the second striker  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when the coupling flange  126  is inserted into the receiving space  24 , the lower internal edge of the hinge receiver  144  is received by the slot  140  and may be configured to retain the hinge arm  36  in engagement with the hinge receiver  18 . The latch cam  38  is then rotated (see arrow B of  FIG. 6 ) from the disengaged position ( FIG. 6 ) to the engaged position ( FIG. 7 ). 
     As best shown in  FIG. 4 , when the latch cam  38  is in the engaged position, the top surface  40  of the upper edge  188  is configured to abut the first striker  28 . When the latch cam  38  is rotated from the disengaged position to the engaged position, the top surface  40  of the upper edge  188  slides under the first striker  28 . The engagement of the first striker  28  with the top surface  40  is configured to at least partially retain the latch cam  38  in the engaged position. The non-linear shape of the upper edge  188  and the top surface  40  of the latch cam  38  may further be configured to provide a self-guided engagement of the latch cam  38 , and the hinge arm assembly  34 , with the hinge receiver  18 . As previously discussed, the latch cam  38  may be configured to position a center of gravity of the latch cam  38  to maintain the engagement between the latch cam  38  and the hinge receiver  18  to prevent inadvertent release of the latch cam  38 . 
     The use of the hinge assembly  60  including the hinge receiver  18  and the hinge arm assembly  34  provides contact between the latch cam  38  and the first striker  28 . The contact between the latch cam  38  and the first striker  28  may be configured to maintain engagement between the hinge receiver  18  and the hinge arm assembly  34 . For example, the contact may be configured to prevent lifting of the hinge arm  36  in the connector slot  16  when the door  44  is moved from the open position to the closed position. 
     According to one aspect, an appliance includes an appliance body having a front panel defining a connector slot. A hinge receiver is coupled with the appliance body and has opposing side walls defining a receiving space therebetween. The hinge receiver includes a first striker positioned above a second striker. The first and second strikers are aligned with the connector slot. A hinge arm assembly includes a hinge arm configured to engage with the second striker and a latch cam hingedly coupled with the hinge arm. The latch cam is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and a top surface of the latch cam abuts the first striker in the engaged position. A door is rotatably coupled with the appliance body by the hinge receiver and the hinge assembly and is rotatable about a door axis between open and closed positions. 
     According to another aspect, a first striker is offset from a second striker. 
     According to another aspect, a latch cam is weighted to prevent inadvertent movement of the latch cam from an engaged position to a disengaged position. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge body is coupled with a door and is rotatably coupled with a hinge arm by a fastener, and a door axis extends through the fastener. 
     According to another aspect, a latch cam includes a tab configured to receive a pulling force to move the latch cam from an engaged position to a disengaged position. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge receiver includes a lower internal edge proximate at least one of first and second strikers. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge arm defines a slot configured to receive a lower internal edge of a hinge receiver. 
     According to another aspect, an appliance includes an appliance body having a front panel defining a connector slot. A hinge receiver is coupled with the front panel and includes first and second strikers aligned with the connector slot. The first striker is positioned above and forward of the second striker. A door is coupled with the appliance body and is movable between open and closed positions. A hinge body is coupled with the door, and a hinge arm is coupled with the hinge body and configured to engage with the second striker, A latch cam is operably coupled with the hinge arm and is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A top surface of the latch cam abuts the first striker in the engaged position. 
     According to another aspect, a latch cam includes a body having a front edge and a rear edge and is gravity biased toward the rear edge in an engaged position. 
     According to another aspect, a latch cam includes a tab configured to receive a pulling force to move the latch cam from an engaged position to a disengaged position. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge arm defines a slot configured to receive a lower internal edge of a hinge receiver. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge arm defines a receiving space configured to at least partially receive a second striker. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge arm includes a stop tapered toward a receiving space of the hinge arm. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge receiver includes a side wall having a protrusion configured to contact a stop when a second striker is received by a receiving space of a hinge arm. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge assembly for an appliance includes a hinge receiver including first and second strikers. The first striker is positioned above and forward of the second striker, A hinge arm defines a receiving space configured to receive the second striker. A hinge body is rotatably coupled with the hinge arm, and a latch cam is operably coupled with the hinge arm. The latch cam is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A top surface of the latch cam abuts the first striker in the engaged position. 
     According to another aspect, a top surface of a latch cam extends along a non-linear upper edge. 
     According to another aspect, a latch cam includes a tab extending forward of the latch cam. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge arm includes a stop having a first portion tapered away from a second portion. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge receiver includes a side wall having a protrusion configured to contact a second portion of a stop when a second striker is received by a hinge arm. 
     According to another aspect, a hinge receiver is coupled with a front panel of an appliance body and is positioned to align first and second strikers with a connector opening of the front panel. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members, or connector, or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.