Patent Publication Number: US-9429329-B2

Title: Household appliance having a mounting system for a middle door glass

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to Applicants&#39; U.S. applications, which are filed concurrently herewith, entitled “HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE HAVING A SELF CLEAN RANGE DOOR WITH A FULL GLASS INNER SURFACE”, now U.S. application Ser. No. 13/484,785 filed on May 31, 2012; “HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE HAVING A LATCH RETAINER FOR AN ALL GLASS INNER DOOR”, now U.S. application Ser. No. 13/484,743 filed on May 31, 2012; “HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE HAVING A MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR A TRANSPARENT CERAMIC INNER DOOR PANEL”, now U.S. application Ser. No. 13/484,737 filed on May 31, 2012; and “HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE HAVING A MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR DOOR SKIN OUTER GLASS”, now U.S. application Ser. No. 13/484,746 filed on May 31, 2012, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a self-cleaning household appliance having a door, and more particularly, to a household appliance having a mounting system for a door skin outer glass panel. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional self-cleaning ovens and ranges commonly may include an oven door with a traditional metal “plunger” on the inside surface of the door. The plunger may include a plurality of glass panels to permit viewing an interior of the over chamber. Ovens having self-cleaning features have become popular among consumers and commonly are offered by manufacturers on many oven models. In a self-cleaning process, the oven door commonly is closed and locked by a mechanical latch to prevent opening during the self-cleaning process and then the oven chamber is heated to a high temperature, such as 900-1000° F., to reduce food pieces or other contaminants in the oven chamber to ash. In this way, the oven “self-cleans” the oven chamber, for example, without a user needing to apply a cleaning solution or solvent to the surface and/or to scrub the surface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a household cooking appliance including a housing having an oven chamber accessible through an opening, the opening having a seal surrounding a perimeter of the opening, and a door covering the opening and moveable about a hinge between an open position and a closed position. The door includes an outer door skin forming an outer surface of the door, the outer door skin including an outer glass panel, a full glass inner panel forming an inner surface of the door, the full glass inner panel abutting the seal when the door is in a closed position, a middle glass panel disposed between the outer glass panel and the inner glass panel, and a middle glass support system that supports the middle glass panel at a predetermined position between the outer glass panel and the full glass inner panel. 
     In this way, the present invention can provide a middle glass mounting system that is configured to secure the middle door glass panel with a predetermined spacing from the inner glass panel to provide an air gap that ensures sufficient thermal insulation between the inner glass panel and the middle glass panel. The middle glass mounting system can be configured to prevent the middle glass panel, the insulation, and the hinge assemblies from shifting or moving relative to each other and relative to the door skin. The middle glass mounting system can be configured to minimize a thermal mass in the retention system in order to assist with reducing external door surface temperatures. The middle glass mounting system can reflect heat at the top of the door away from the top of the door and back towards the oven cavity. The middle glass mounting system also can secure the insulation-hiding flexible frame for supporting the inner glass panel and provide additional means for blocking the insulation from view from above or below the door. 
     To provide a better understanding of the invention, a summary of the problems with the conventional designs recognized by the present invention along with the reasons for improving the arrangement of the conventional self-cleaning oven door and the corresponding advantages provided by the present invention will be explained in greater detail. 
     Some conventional appliances, without self-cleaning features, may include a door in which the inside surface comprises a solid sheet of glass instead of a traditional metal “plunger”. The implementation of such glass inner surfaces primarily has been driven by marketing objectives and commonly for cosmetic purposes. Such glass inner surfaces also can provide practical advantages such as making wiping and cleaning of the inside surface of an oven door easier and simpler for a user. However, the known appliances have not provided an oven door with a solid sheet of glass for appliances with self-cleaning features for at least the following reasons. 
     Conventional doors with a traditional metal “plunger” may include an inner glass panel that is supported by the plunger and inset from the edges of the plunger such that the entire glass panel is disposed inside the opening of the oven chamber. During a self-cleaning process, the entire inner glass panel is subjected to heating to the self-cleaning temperature (e.g., such as 900-1000° F.). Thus, the entire inner glass is heated to the same temperature and little or no temperature differential exists between different areas of the glass. 
     An oven door having a solid sheet of glass extending from edge to edge (i.e., side-to-side and top-to-bottom) of the inner side of the door has a first, inner portion of glass covering the opening to the oven chamber and disposed within a perimeter of a gasket surrounding the opening of the oven chamber. However, in stark contrast to a conventional door with a metal plunger, the solid sheet of glass also has a second, outer or perimeter portion of glass that extends past the gasket surrounding the opening of the oven chamber and to the edge of the door. In a self-cleaning process, the inner portion of the full glass inner surface within the gasket of the oven chamber opening is subjected to heating along with the rest of the interior of the oven chamber up to the self-cleaning temperature (e.g., such as 900-1000° F.). At the same time, the outer portion of the full glass inner surface that extends past the gasket may remain at or near room temperature. As a result, an extreme temperature differential may exist between the heated inner portion and the room temperature outer portion of the full glass inner surface during a self-cleaning process. These extreme temperature differentials can be problematic for conventional inner glass panels, which commonly have a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion and may fracture, break, or even explode into pieces when exposed to extreme temperature differentials. 
     For example, conventional inner glass panels commonly may be formed from glass, such as soda-lime glass, that is capable of withstanding a predetermined amount of force (e.g., impact force, for example, resulting from a user dropping a pot or pan on the door when the door is in an open position in order) that may be exerted on the inner glass in order to comply with industry and government standards. However, the commonly used glass materials ordinarily have a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion. Therefore, if a full glass inner surface of a self-cleaning oven door is formed using the conventional inner glass panels, the inner glass panel may break, fracture, or even explode into pieces when subjected to the extreme temperature differentials associated with a self-cleaning process. Therefore, the conventional glass panels are not suitable for a full glass inner surface of an oven with a self-cleaning feature. 
     These problems have been addressed by the present invention by forming the inner glass panel from a transparent ceramic material with a low coefficient of thermal expansion. For example, a ceramic material, which can withstand large temperature differentials across an entire surface without breaking, can be used for the inner glass. More particularly, the door can include a full glass inner panel formed by a transparent ceramic material commonly used, for example, for fireplace glass (e.g., Robax® or Resistan™, manufactured by SCHOTT North America, Inc.), which can withstand large temperature differentials across its surface without breaking. In this way, the present invention can provide a full glass inner panel that can withstand the inner portion of the full glass inner surface within the gasket of the oven chamber opening being subjected to heating to the self-cleaning temperature while the outer or perimeter portion of the full glass inner surface that extends past the gasket remains at or near room temperature. 
     For example, a self-clean household cooking appliance can be provided that includes a housing having an oven chamber accessible through an opening, the opening having a seal surrounding a perimeter of the opening, and a door covering the opening and moveable about a hinge between an open position and a closed position. The door includes a full glass inner panel that abuts the seal when the door is in a closed position. The full glass inner panel includes an inner surface having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is adjacent to a first area within the perimeter of the seal surrounding the opening and directly exposed to heating of the oven chamber, and the second portion is adjacent to a second area outside of the perimeter of the seal and not being exposed to heating of the oven chamber. The full glass inner panel extends substantially from edge-to-edge of the door. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments can provide a self-cleaning oven door for a self-cleaning oven having a full glass inner panel that is capable of withstanding the high temperatures and extreme temperature differentials associated with a self-cleaning oven across its surface without breaking, while also being capable of fixing and supporting the full glass inner panel and absorbing shocks or impacts on the glass to comply with ratings agencies and industry/government standards. The exemplary embodiments can provide a self-cleaning oven door with a full inner glass surface that is glass and that is easy to wipe clean, thereby providing a clean aesthetic appearance. The exemplary self-cleaning oven door can include a suspension system that absorbs impact to the full glass inner panel to resist breakage of the ceramic panel. The exemplary self-cleaning oven door can increase an amount of space in the cooking chamber by eliminating the door “plunger,” and thus, eliminating an intrusion of the door into the space within the oven chamber. The exemplary self-cleaning oven door also can reduce a number of glass panels needed to a suitable surface temperature of the door skin. The full glass inner panel of the exemplary self-cleaning oven door also can provide a clean cosmetic appearance that is desirable to many users. 
     The present invention further recognizes that forming the inner glass panel of a door for a self-cleaning oven from a full inner glass panel, such as a transparent ceramic material with a low coefficient of thermal expansion, presents a unique set of difficulties and problems, which may not be present in ovens without self-cleaning features. For example, the full inner glass panel means that a “plunger” is not present for mounting the components of the door. Moreover, the self-cleaning process means that the components of the door will be subjected to high temperatures and the door will need to be configured to minimize the temperature at the outer glass panel of the door skin. 
     The exemplary embodiments of the present invention address these problems and others, for example, by providing a middle glass mounting system having one or more of a top reflector, a lower retainer, and a pair of retainer brackets. Each of the top reflector, lower retainer, and pair of retainer brackets can be configured to secure the middle glass panel in at least two dimensions. The top reflector, lower retainer, and pair of retainer brackets also can be configured to cooperate with each other or other components of the door to provide fixation features, to improve rigidity, etc. For example, the components of the middle glass mounting system can be configured to cooperate with one or more components of another mounting system, such as an inner glass mounting system (e.g., shock absorbing system) or an outer glass panel mounting system. 
     More particularly, the middle glass support/retention system may include several components. For example, a first exemplary component may include a set of retainer brackets which run up either side of the middle glass panel and support the middle glass panel on the outward side (i.e., towards the outer door skin; e.g., stainless steel door skin). These brackets can include clips at the top which keep the glass from moving towards the inner ceramic panel and one or more “fingers” down the sides that can control left and right motion (i.e., side-to-side motion) of the middle glass panel. 
     A second exemplary component can include a top reflector having hooks to retain and help to suspend the flexible frame (e.g., absorbing means of the full inner glass panel) and the inner transparent ceramic panel, while also obscuring an insulation layer disposed between the full inner glass panel and the middle glass panel from view. The exemplary reflector also can include one or more fixation points that can couple or tie a top of either hinge assembly together to maintain consistent spacing between the top of each the hinge assembly. The reflector also can serve as an upper stop for the door insulation and can reflect heat at the top of the door (the portion exposed to the most oven heat) back into the oven cavity. 
     A third exemplary component can include a lower glass retainer, which can maintain consistent spacing between a left-hand retainer bracket and a right-hand retainer bracket, while also serving to prevent the middle glass panel and an insulation layer between the middle glass panel and the full glass inner panel from sliding downward. The lower glass retainer also can help to keep the middle glass panel from moving towards the inner ceramic panel (i.e., in a direction from the outer side of the door to the inner side of the door). The left-hand retainer bracket and right-hand retainer bracket can include one or more cutouts or the like, such as perforations, slots, notches, etc., that reduce or minimize a thermal mass of each bracket, thereby reducing or minimizing an effect of the bracket acting as a heat sink and helping to reduce external door surface temperatures. The brackets can be formed from light-weight materials to minimize or reduce the sprung weight of door. The light-weight materials, which also may have a reflective or semi-reflective surface, also may reduce heat absorption, thereby further minimizing or reducing external door skin surface temperatures. 
     In this way, the present invention can provide a middle glass mounting system that is configured to secure the middle door glass panel with a predetermined spacing from the inner glass panel to provide an air gap that ensures sufficient thermal insulation between the inner glass panel and the middle glass panel. The middle glass mounting system can be configured to prevent the middle glass panel, the insulation, and the hinge assemblies from shifting or moving relative to each other and relative to the door skin. The middle glass mounting system can be configured to minimize a thermal mass in the retention system in order to assist with reducing external door surface temperatures. The middle glass mounting system can reflect heat at the top of the door away from the top of the door and back towards the oven cavity. The middle glass mounting system also can secure the insulation-hiding flexible frame for supporting the inner glass panel and provide additional means for blocking the insulation from view from above or below the door. 
     The middle glass can be pressed against a set of retainer brackets, for example, with Z-brackets which may function similarly to the “rabbet” on the back of a traditional picture frame. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “inner glass” is defined as the glass panel of the door that is disposed on an inner side of the door that is closest to an opening of the oven chamber. The term “outer glass” is defined as the cosmetic glass panel of the door skin that is furthest from the opening of the oven chamber. The term “middle glass” is defined as a glass panel that is disposed between the inner glass and the outer glass. 
     Another exemplary embodiment is directed to means for fixing and supporting the full glass inner panel and for absorbing shocks or impacts on the glass such that an impact to the glass can be distributed over the glass without breaking the glass, and such that the glass can be configured to “float” or move with respect to other components of the door to minimize or avoid the glass contacting firm surfaces of the door assembly. The exemplary means for fixing and supporting the full glass inner panel and for absorbing shocks or impacts on the glass can include one or more insulation components and flexible metal parts that permit the glass to “float” or move with respect to the components of the door. The middle glass also can serve as a part of the flexible mounting/suspension system for the inner glass panel. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “float” means that the full transparent ceramic inner glass is configured to move by one or more predetermined distances in one or more directions with respect to the door, such as a side-to-side direction with respect to the door, a top-to-bottom direction with respect to the door, and a front-to-back direction with respect to the door (i.e., approximately normal to a planar surface of the glass) or a combination thereof. 
     Moreover, according to the present invention, an embodiment may control a temperature on the exterior of the self-cleaning oven door to be within acceptable limits such that a predetermined safe temperature can be maintained on the exterior surfaces of the door (e.g., door skin, outer glass, etc.), even at high self-cleaning temperatures associated with a self-cleaning process. 
     In another embodiment, a coating (e.g., an energy+coating) that commonly may be used on fireplaces may be provided on the inner glass to minimize or reduce external door surface temperatures to an acceptable level. Additionally, the middle glass, which is supported between the full glass inner panel and the door skin (outer) glass panel, can include a tin oxide coating on both sides to minimize or reduce external door surface temperatures to an acceptable level. In this embodiment, the door skin (outer) glass may not have a heat reflective coating. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects and features of embodiments of the present invention will be better understood after a reading of the following detailed description, together with the attached drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  are a front view, a side view, and a perspective view, respectively, of a household appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the exemplary household appliance of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a household appliance according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a household appliance according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a self-cleaning oven door according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  are a rear perspective view of a self-cleaning oven door, a partial perspective view of an edge retainer of the self-cleaning oven door taken at VI-B of  FIG. 6A , a partial perspective side view of a hinge cover of the self-cleaning oven door taken at VI-C of  FIG. 6A , and a partial perspective bottom view of a hinge cover of the self-cleaning oven door taken at VI-C of  FIG. 6A , respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a transparent ceramic inner panel of a self-cleaning oven door according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of a partially assembled self-cleaning oven door having an inner glass shock absorbing support system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  are a front plan view, a side view, and a partial perspective view of elements of an inner glass shock absorbing support system, respectively, and  FIG. 9D  is a partial cross-sectional view taken at section IX-D-IX-D of  FIG. 9C  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  are a partial perspective view of a door hinge assembly and a hinge retainer, a perspective view of a hinge retainer, and a front view of a hinge retainer of an inner glass shock absorbing support system, respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is another rear perspective view of a partially assembled self-cleaning oven door having elements of an inner glass inner glass shock absorbing support system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of a partially assembled self-cleaning oven door having elements of an inner glass shock absorbing support system and elements of a middle glass mounting system according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a lower retainer of a middle glass mounting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a rear plan view of a partially assembled self-cleaning oven door having elements of a middle glass mounting system and elements of an outer glass mounting system according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         FIGS. 15A-15D  are a side perspective view of a left-hand side bracket, a side view of a left-hand side bracket, a side perspective view of a right-hand side bracket, and an end view of a left-hand side bracket, respectively, of a middle glass mounting system and an outer glass mounting system according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a rear perspective view of a partially assembled self-cleaning oven door having upper and lower air ramps/guides according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  are rear perspective views of an upper and a lower air ramp/guide, respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a rear perspective view of a partially assembled self-cleaning oven door having an outer glass mounting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  are a perspective view and an end view, respectively, of an outer glass bracket according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 19C  is a perspective partial assembly view of an outer glass mounting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a rear perspective view of a partially assembled self-cleaning oven door having elements of an outer glass mounting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is another rear perspective view of a partially assembled self-cleaning oven door having elements of an outer glass mounting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 22A and 22B  are a perspective view and an end view, respectively, of an element of an outer glass mounting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 23A  is a perspective view of a door latch, and  FIGS. 23B and 23C  are partial perspective views of a latch system of a self-cleaning oven door, respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 24A and 24B  are partial perspective views of a latch system of a self-cleaning oven door according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 25A  is partial perspective view of a door having a hinge retainer assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,  FIG. 25B  is a partial perspective view of a door having a hinge retainer assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 25C  is a cut-away, partial side view of a door having the hinge retainer assembly of  FIG. 25A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1A-25C  illustrate exemplary embodiments of a self-cleaning household appliance having an oven door with a middle glass mounting system. Prior to describing the exemplary embodiments of a middle glass mounting system in greater detail, and to provide a better understanding of the invention, this disclosure will first describe examples a self-cleaning household appliance and an exemplary oven door of a self-cleaning household appliance. Other features and components of the oven door, including examples of an inner glass suspension system and outer glass mounting system, also will be described following the description of the middle glass mounting system to provide a better understanding of the overall arrangement and features of the exemplary oven door. To provide a better understanding of the invention, the description will start with the components of an innermost side of the door and progress toward the front door skin of the door. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A-1C , a household cooking appliance can include, for example, a gas cooking range  100  having a housing  102  including one or more cooking or warming devices, such as a cooktop, gas oven, electric oven, steam oven, convection oven, and/or warming drawer. In other embodiments, the appliance  100  can include one or more oven cooking chambers without a cooktop. In other embodiments, the appliance  100  can include a standalone appliance, wall mounted appliance, such as a stand-alone oven or wall mounted oven. For example, the appliance housing  102  can include a cooktop  104  and control panel  106 . The cooktop  104  can include, for example, a gas cooktop having a plurality of gas burners, or other types of cooktops, such as an electric cooktop, an induction cooktop, or the like. The exemplary household appliance  100  can include one or more doors, such as a baking oven door  200 , a steam oven door  300 , and/or a warming drawer door  400  for providing access to one or more chambers of the housing  102 . The housing  102  can include pedestal feet  108  for example for supporting the stand alone appliance and a kick panel  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of the appliance  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1C  includes housing parts  102 A,  102 B,  102 C,  102 D, the cooktop  104 , and control panel  106 , a baking oven door  200 , a steam oven door  300 , and a warming drawer door  400 , and kick panel  110 . For example, the housing of the exemplary household appliance  100  shown in  FIG. 2  can include left-hand and right-hand sidewalls  102 A,  102 B and one or more rear panels  102 D on a frame  103 . The exemplary appliance  100  can include other devices and features, such as, for example, a backsplash or venting device  102 C, hideaway label plate  105 , etc. The frame  103  can include one or more chambers for cooking or warming devices, such as a baking oven chamber  112 , steam oven chamber  113 , and/or warming drawer chamber  114 , each covered by the baking oven door  200 , steam oven door  300 , and warming drawer door  400 , respectively. 
     The exemplary embodiments are not limited to the oven  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1C  having the baking oven door  200 , steam oven door  300 , and warming drawer door  400 , and can be applied to other appliances, such as the appliance  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Like reference numerals are used to identify the features of the embodiments of the appliance  100  in  FIGS. 1A-4 . The features shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are similar to, or the same as, the features of  FIGS. 1A-1C , and therefore, are not repeated. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary embodiment of a self-cleaning oven door  200  (as illustrated in the examples of  FIGS. 1A-4 ) will now be described. 
     The self-cleaning oven door  200  can include a door skin  202  having a front surface  202   a  that faces away from the oven chamber, side surfaces  202   b , a lower surface (not shown), and a top surface  202   c . The top surface  202   c  can include a plurality of vents  203  for permitting air flow through the door. The door skin (outer) glass may be provided with or without a heat reflective coating. The door  200  can include a handle  204  supported from the door skin  202  by handle mounts  206 . The door  200  can include an outer glass panel  298  and a plurality of interior glasses panels (e.g., middle glass, inner glass; not shown in  FIG. 5 ) for viewing an interior of the oven chamber through the door  200  while keeping a temperature of the outer glass panel  298  at an acceptable temperature. The door  200  can include hinge claws  212  to facilitate pivoting of the door  200  with respect to the appliance housing for opening and closing the oven chamber. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6A , an exemplary embodiment of the door  200  of  FIG. 5  can include a full glass panel formed by a transparent ceramic inner panel  220  (e.g., a full glass ceramic inner panel, which is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 7 ). The door  200  can include a lip  205  extending for example along an inner edge of the top surface  202   c . The lip  205  can be integrally formed with the top surface  202   c  or formed as a separate component coupled to the top surface  202   c . The top surface  202   c  can include a latch cover  216  having a guide opening  219  for receiving and guiding a door lock to a latch plate (not shown), which may be disposed under the latch cover  216 . The latch cover  216  can be integrally formed with the top surface  202   c  or formed as a separate part. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the door  200  can include hinge covers  214  that are adjacent to or surround the hinge claws  212 , which facilitate pivoting of the door  200  with respect to the appliance housing for opening and closing the oven chamber. The hinge cover  214  can include an opening for accommodating the hinge claw  212  and also covering portions of a hinge assembly within the door  200  from view. The hinge cover  214  can be formed, for example, from metal such as stainless steel. The hinge cover  214  also can be part of a system that retains the ceramic transparent panel  220  in the door  200  by restraining the panel  200  at the bottom of the door  200  while at the same time covering the hinge assembly, as described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 6B-6D . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 6A , an example of a transparent ceramic inner panel  220  includes a first inner portion  222  that is disposed adjacent to an area within a gasket (not shown) surrounding the opening of the oven chamber opening (e.g.,  112  in  FIG. 2 ) and sealing the door  200  to the opening. The area of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  that contacts and seals against the gasket (not shown) when the door  200  is closed is exemplarily illustrated by the dashed line  223 . The transparent ceramic inner panel  220  includes a second, outer or perimeter portion  224  that is disposed adjacent to an area of the oven outside of the gasket (not shown) that surrounds the opening to the oven chamber, or in other words, outside the area illustrated by the dashed line  223 . As a result of this arrangement, during a self-cleaning operation, the first inner portion  222  is subjected to heating to the self-cleaning temperature along with the oven chamber, while the second, outer or perimeter portion  224  remains at or near room temperature, thereby subjecting the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  to a large temperature differential between portions  222  and  224 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can extend substantially from edge to edge of the door  200  in both the width direction and the height direction of the door  200  (i.e., from side  202   b  to side  202   b  in the width direction and from the top surface  202   c  to the bottom surface ( 202   d  in  FIG. 6D ) in the height direction). In other embodiments, the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  may be configured to extend to an area adjacent to one or more of the sides, top, and bottom of the door that is outside of the area illustrated by the dashed line  223 . 
     With reference to the enlargements VI-B and VI-C of  FIG. 6A , which are illustrated in  FIGS. 6B-6D , the exemplary door  200  can be assembled by inserting a top edge of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  under the lip  205  of the top surface  202   c  and then resting the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  into position, as shown in  FIG. 6B . Each of the hinge covers  214  then can be installed over at least a portion of each lower corner of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  and coupled to the lower surface  202   d  of the door  200  using fasteners, such as one or more screws, as shown in  FIGS. 6C and 6D . The hinge cover  214  can include, for example, a side portion that is disposed adjacent to the side  202   b  and secures the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  in a dimension extending in a direction of a width of the door (i.e., from side  202   b  to side  202   b ). The hinge cover  214  also can include, for example, a bottom portion that is disposed adjacent to the bottom  202   d  and secures the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  in a first vertical direction of a height of the door extending from the top  202   c  toward the bottom  202   d . The lip  205  can secure the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  in a second vertical direction of the height of the door extending from the bottom  202   d  toward the top  202   c . In this way, the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can be secured in all three dimensions by the combination of the lip  205  and the hinge cover  214 , for example, without openings or fasteners extending through the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . In an embodiment, a suitable amount of clearance can be provided between the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  and the lip  205  and/or the hinge cover  214  such that the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can “float” in the mounted position to allow for some movement for impact absorption and/or growth/expansion of the panel  220  during heating. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7  an exemplary embodiment of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  will now be described. 
     The transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can include a first inner portion  222  that is disposed adjacent to an area within a gasket (not shown) surrounding the opening of the oven chamber opening (e.g.,  112  in  FIG. 2 ) and sealing the door  200  to the opening. The area of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  that contacts and seals against the gasket (not shown) when the door  200  is closed is exemplarily illustrated by the dashed line  223 . The transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can include a second, outer or perimeter portion  224  that is disposed adjacent to an area of the oven outside the area illustrated by the dashed line  223 . In this example, the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can include a hinge cutout  226  at each lower corner for accommodating or providing clearance for the door hinges, for example, without having openings or components, such as a hinge or screw, penetrating the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . The hinge cutout  226  at each corner also can provide a surface for engaging the hinge covers (shown in  FIGS. 6A-6D ) to secure the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  in two dimensions. The transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can include a latch cutout  228  formed in a top edge of the panel  220  for accommodating or providing clearance for a door latch (not shown in  FIG. 7 ), for example, without having openings or components, such as a latch or screw, penetrating the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . 
     The transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can have a low coefficient of thermal expansion capable of withstanding large temperature differentials across an entire surface without breaking. More particularly, the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can be formed by a transparent ceramic material commonly used, for example, for fireplace glass (e.g., Robax® or Resistan™, manufactured by SCHOTT North America, Inc.), which can withstand large temperature differentials across its surface without breaking, and thus, may withstand the first inner portion  222  of the full glass inner surface being subjected to heating to the self-cleaning temperature while the second, outer or perimeter portion  224  of the full glass inner surface remains at or near room temperature. In another embodiments, the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  may include a coating such as a heat reflective coating (e.g., Energy Plus coating), which commonly may be used on fireplace glass, to assist with minimizing or reducing an external surface temperature of the door to an acceptable level. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8-11 , an exemplary embodiment of an inner glass shock absorbing support system will now be described. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the door  200  with the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  removed. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the door  200  can include an inner glass shock absorbing support system having an energy absorbing support means (e.g., shock absorbing support means, such as  230  or  230  in combination with  234  and/or  242 ,  244 ) for evenly, flexibly, and resiliently supporting the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  in a manner that permits the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  to “float” in the mounted position to allow for some movement for shock/impact absorption. In this way, the shock absorbing support means can absorb and distribute forces (e.g., shock or impact forces from a dropped pot or pan, etc.) exerted on the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  to prevent the panel  220  from breaking or fracturing and to enable the panel  220  to comply with ratings agencies and industry/government standards. 
     More particularly, the shock absorbing support means can include, for example, one or more flexible, compressible, or resilient parts or mounts configured to absorb and distribute forces exerted on the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 , such as forces exerted by a user dropping a pot or pan on the open door while loading or unloading the cooking appliance. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the shock absorbing support means can include a flexible, deflectable, or resilient metal support  230  or the like for suspending the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  within the door  200  in a manner that flexibly supports a surface of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  and that permits the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  to “float” in the mounted position to allow for some movement for impact absorption. An example of a deflectable metal support  230  will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 9A-9D . 
     The shock absorbing support means further can include a first insulation layer  234  surrounding the deflectable metal support  230 . The first insulation layer  234  can be secured using one or more hangers (not shown) that suspend the first insulation layer  234  in position from one or more components of the door  200 . A portion of the first insulation layer  234  can flexibly and resiliently support an interior surface of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . A portion of the first insulation layer  234  optionally can extend under at least a portion of the deflectable support  230 . The first insulation layer  234  also can assist with reducing heat transfer from the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  to the other components of the door, such as the middle glass panel or outer glass panel, thereby assisting with reducing the temperature of the outer glass panel. The first insulation layer  234  can function alone or in cooperation with the deflectable metal support  230 . An example of a shock absorbing support means including a deflectable metal support  230  and insulation layer  234  will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9D . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 8 , the door  200  can include a hinge assembly  240  on each side, such as an off-the-shelf hinge assembly. The shock absorbing support means further can include a second insulation layer  242  disposed on a surface of each hinge assembly  240  that flexibly supports an interior surface of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . The second insulation layer  242  can be secured to the hinge assembly  240  using, for example, one or more movable or resilient insulation retainers  244 , which will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 10A-10C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can be supported at a plurality of locations by one or more of a deflectable metal support  230 , a first insulation layer  234 , a second insulation layer  242 , and/or an insulation retainer  244 . One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that all of the support means are not necessary and various combinations of these elements can support the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  in a “floating” manner (i.e., movable manner) to provide impact absorption. The door  200  also can include additional or alternative flexible support means in combination with the illustrated examples. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples and other flexible support means are contemplated by the present invention. According to the exemplary embodiment, the shock absorbing support means can provide controlled movement (e.g., limited controlled movement) to absorb energy exerted on the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  and prevent breakage of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . 
     An exemplary embodiment of a deflectable metal support  230 , which may form a part of the inner glass shock absorbing support system, will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 9A-9D . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9A-9D , the inner glass shock absorbing support system can include a support  230  formed for example by a thin, flexible metal support frame disposed around a perimeter of a viewing area through the glass panels of the door  220 . In the example, the support  230  includes a rectangular frame having a plurality of sides  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c , and  230   d . The sides of the support  230  can be integrally formed or coupled together to form a frame. The exemplary embodiment is illustrated with a rectangular-shaped frame. However, the frame can have other shapes, such as a circular-shaped frame. In other embodiments, the support  230  can be formed from separate elements that are not linked together. For example, the sides  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c , and  230   d  can be individually mounted or suspended within the door to flexibly support areas or regions of the panel  220 . 
     With reference again to the example support  230  illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9D , the sides  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c , and  230   d  can be shaped such that a portion of the sides  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c , and  230   d  is capable of flexing, deflecting, or otherwise moving when a force or impact force is exerted on the support  230  to absorb or distribute the forces and prevent breakage of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9A-9D , a first insulation layer  234  optionally can extend around a perimeter of the support  230 . The first insulation layer  234  can include an opening that corresponds to a perimeter size and shape of the support  230  such that the first insulation layer  234  fits snugly around the support  230 . The first insulation layer  234  can have a uniform thickness to evenly support the underside of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . In other embodiments, the insulation layer  234  can have an uneven thickness, for example, to provide additional support or impact absorption in particular areas, such as areas that are more highly prone to impact forces or areas that are directly supported by other shock absorbing support means such as the support  230 . As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the sides  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c , and  230   d  can have a size and shape such that at least a portion of the first insulation layer  234  is disposed under a portion of one or more of the sides  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c , and  230   d . The portion of the first insulation layer  234  can provide additional support and/or resiliency for the portion of the sides  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c , and  230   d.    
     As shown in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9D , each of the sides  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c , and  230   d  can include a wall (e.g., a vertical or angled wall) on a side facing an interior of the support  230 , with the first insulation layer  234  being disposed on an outside of the vertical wall. In this way, the sides  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c , and  230   d  of the support  230  can be configured to block the interior edges of the first insulation layer  234  from view through the viewing area of the glass panels (see e.g., V 1  in  FIG. 8 ), thereby improving the cosmetic appearance of the door. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9C , the support  230  can be formed from a thin metal part or thin, perforated metal part such that the support  230  can flex at one or more locations to absorb impact energy. For example, the support  230  can formed or bent in a way that permits the support to flex at one or more locations. In other examples, the support  230  can include a plurality of perforations or slots  231  disposed between connecting portions  232 . In this example, the perforations are oriented in a lengthwise direction of the support, thereby enabling the support  230  to be flexible along the entire length of the support to evenly support the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . The perforations or slots  231  and connecting portions  232  can be disposed, for example, along a bend in the support  230  such that the support  230  can easily flex or fold along the bend. By providing a thin support or a support with perforations or slots  231 , the embodiments can provide an additional advantage of reducing an amount of material of the support  230 , which may minimize or reduce an amount of heat absorbed by the support  230 , for example, when the oven is at high temperatures such as self-cleaning temperatures. In this way, the exemplary support  230  can minimize an effect of the support  230  acting like a heat sink, and thereby assist with keeping the exterior surface of the door cool. 
     As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 9D , the support  230  can include a plurality of portions configured to be flexible or movable to absorb a force exerted on the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . The support  230  can be disposed between the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  and a middle glass panel  250  of the door. The insulation layer  234  can be disposed such that at least a part of the layer  234  is disposed under a portion of the support  230 . In operation, when a force F is exerted on the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 , for example in a direction shown by the arrows in  FIG. 9D , the support  230  can flex or move in the direction of the force F, thereby permitting the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  to move downward in the direction of the force F and absorbing the impact on the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  to prevent breaking of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . The support  230  and/or the surface of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  can push against the first insulation layer  234  to compress the first insulation layer  234 , thereby further absorbing the impact energy on the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . The support  230  and/or the first insulation layer  234  can function as a spring system or a spring/damper system for absorbing the impact forces on the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the support  230  can be configured in a variety of ways and can have a variety of sizes and shapes configured to provide impact absorption and/or to cooperate with the insulation layer  234 . The support  230  can include linear portions or curved portions that permit the support  230  to flex. The support can include a plurality of portions configured to flex or deflect under the influence of one or more predetermined amounts of force. For example, an outer portion of the support  230  may be configured to flex under less force than an inner or middle portion of the support. In other embodiments, an outer portion of the support  230  may be configured to flex under greater force than an inner or middle portion of the support. The support  230  can include a plurality of different portions or flexible areas and is not limited to the example arrangement illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9D . The support  230  can have a uniform thickness or a plurality of portions having a different thickness, for example, to facilitate flexing or deflecting upon the application of different amounts of force. The support  230  can include a plurality of perforations, slots, or cutouts to reduce an amount of material, and thereby, minimize or reduce an effect of the support  230  acting as a heat sink. In other embodiments, the support  230  can be formed of a thin metal to minimize a heat sink effect such that perforations, slots, or cutouts are not necessary. The support  230  can be coated with a reflective material or have a reflective color that minimizes or prevents the support  230  from absorbing heat, thereby assisting with keeping the external surface of the door cool. The support  230  can be formed from a metal, such as 300 annealed stainless steel. The support  230  can include one or more corresponding slots or other features for engaging one or more hangers or other components of the door to suspend the support  230  in position. The support  230  can be configured to have a portion that blocks the interior edges of the first insulation layer  234  from view through the viewing area of the glass panels (see e.g., V 1  in  FIG. 8 ), thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the door. The support  230  can be selected from a material that discolors evenly when heated, thereby improving the cosmetic appearance of the door, for example, during a self-cleaning process when the elements of the door are subjected to heating. In other embodiments, the insulation can be disposed on an opposite side of the support  230 . In this case, a separate part may be provided to block the insulation  234  from view through the viewing area of the glass panels. 
     An exemplary embodiment of a second insulation layer and an insulation retainer  244 , which may form a part of the inner glass shock absorbing support system, will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 10A-10C . 
     In the exemplary embodiments, the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  extends from edge to edge of the door. Therefore, a part of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  on each side will be disposed over each hinge assembly  240  (compare  FIGS. 6A and 8 ). As shown in  FIG. 10A , the inner glass shock absorbing support system can include a second insulation layer  242  disposed between a surface of the hinge assembly  240  and the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  to provide impact absorption and also to prevent or minimize a likelihood of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  contacting the firm or rigid surface of the hinge assembly  240  when the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  is subjected to impact forces. The second insulation layer  242  can have a uniform thickness along the length of the hinge assembly  240  such that it evenly supports the panel  220  and can be configured to compress under the force of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . 
     The second insulation layer  242  can be secured to the surface of the hinge assembly  240  to prevent the layer  242  from moving, sliding, or being displaced by the motion of the door during opening or closing or by the force of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  pressing against the layer  242 . In one embodiment, the second insulation layer  242  can be glued to the surface of the hinge assembly  240 . One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that adhesives or glue may emit undesirable or unpleasant odors during heating to high temperature, such as a temperature associated with a self-cleaning process. As shown in  FIG. 10A , another embodiment eliminates the need to use adhesives or glue by providing one or more insulation retainers  244  disposed on the hinge assembly  240  to secure the second insulation layer  242  in place. The second insulation layer  242  can be secured between the insulation retainer  244  and a surface of the hinge assembly  240 . The insulation retainers  244  can be configured to flex or deflect, or to be movable or slidable, in the direction shown by the arrows in  FIG. 10A  such that the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  does not contact a firm surface that may cause the panel  220  to break. The second insulation layer  242  correspondingly can compress upon the exertion of forces by the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  on the insulation layer  242  and/or the insulation retainer  244 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10B and 10C , the insulation retainer  244  can include a body having a top portion  502  that is flush with an underside of the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  and an upper surface of the insulation layer  242  and the hinge assembly  240 . The insulation retainer  244  can include a pair of opposing leg portions  504  that extend along the sides of the hinge assembly  240 . A length of each of the leg portions  504  can be greater than a height of the side of the hinge assembly  240  such that an end of each leg portion  504  extends past a bottom of the hinge assembly  240 . The end of each leg portion  504  can include a free end  506  that wraps around at least a portion of the wall of the hinge assembly  240  to prevent the retainer  244  from dislodging from the hinge assembly  240 . For example, the free end  506  illustrated in  FIGS. 10B and 10C  can have a substantially U-shaped portion that extends up along an interior of the side of the hinge assembly  240 . In other embodiments, the free end  506  can be an L-shaped portion, V-shaped portion, etc. Alternatively, the free end  506  can be pressure fit on an outside surface of the hinge assembly  240  or engage a slot or groove in the hinge assembly  240 , for example, if the retainer  244  is configured to move up or down upon impact by the transparent ceramic inner panel  220 . The retainer  244  can include one or more perforations, cutouts, or slots (e.g.,  503 ,  505 ) for providing areas of the retainer  244  that easily flex or move when a force is applied to the retainer  244 . The perforations, cutouts, or slots (e.g.,  503 ,  505 ) also can reduce an amount of material of the retainer  244 , thereby reducing an effect of the retainer  244  acting as a heat sink during heating of the oven chamber, such as during a self-cleaning process. In yet another embodiment, the retainer  244  can be configured to be fixed with respect to the hinge assembly  240  and include a flexible or deflectable top portion  502  to absorb an impact or force exerted by the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  and to prevent the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  from contacting a firm surface. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10C , the second insulation layer  242  can be disposed between the top portion  502  of the hinge retainer  244  and the upper surface of the hinge assembly  240 . In operation, when a force F is applied, the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  moves downward against the retainer  244  and the second insulation layer  242 . The retainer  244  can be configured to move downward along with the transparent ceramic inner panel  220  and compress the second insulation layer  242  toward the surface of the hinge assembly  240 , thereby absorbing the force F exerted on the panel  220  and preventing the panel  220  from contacting the rigid surface of the hinge assembly  240 . As shown in  FIG. 10C , the free ends  506  of the retainer  244  can be configured to extend past the ends of the hinge assembly  240  such that a space S 1  is present. The space S 1  can provide sufficient clearance for the retainer  244  to move in the direction of the force F toward the hinge assembly  240  and back to an original position due to the resiliency of the second insulation layer  242 . The space S 1  also can permit the retainer  244  to be easily and simply installed over the second insulation layer  242  during assembly, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and time. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , an exemplary embodiment of a top reflector  270  and a lower retainer  252 , each of which may form a part of the inner glass shock absorbing support system and/or a part of the middle glass mounting system, will now be described. 
       FIG. 11  shows the partial door assembly without the first insulation layer, the second insulation layer, and the insulation retainers such that the middle glass panel  250  is visible.  FIG. 12  further shows the partial door assembly without the flexible support  230 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the door  200  can include a top reflector  270  that extends across a top portion of the door and may reflect heat, couple the hinge assemblies  240  to each other, and hide the first insulation layer ( 234  in  FIG. 8 ). The top reflector  270  can include one or more hooks, tabs, or hangers  272  (e.g., “wreath hangers”) for engaging one or more corresponding slots (e.g.,  231  in  FIG. 9C ) formed in the deflectable metal support  230 . The hooks  272  can be integrally formed with the top reflector  270  or separate from the top reflector  270 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the hooks  272  of the top reflector  270  can be used to suspend the deflectable metal support  230  in the door assembly. The top reflector  270  can reflect heat (e.g., infrared (IR) heat) at the top of the door (which generally is the part of the door that is exposed to the most oven heat) back towards the oven cavity. As show in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the top reflector  270  can include fixation points that can be coupled to a top end of each hinge assembly  240  to stabilize and fix a position and spacing of the hinge assemblies  240 . The top reflector  270  can include a flange  274  or other part that blocks a view of the first insulation layer ( 234  in  FIG. 8 ) from being visible when viewed through the vents ( 203  in  FIG. 6A ) the top surface  202   c  of the door  200 . The top reflector  270  also can serve as an upper stop for the first insulation layer ( 234  in  FIG. 8 ) to prevent the insulation layer from drifting upward out of place. The top reflector  270  can include one or more openings or slots  275  for engaging a wing, tab, clip or other fastening means on the left-hand and right-hand brackets ( 280  shown in  FIGS. 14-15D ) for coupling the left-hand and right-hand brackets to the top reflector  270 . 
     With reference again to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the door  200  can include a lower retainer  252 . The lower retainer  252  can be coupled to left-hand and right-hand brackets ( 280  shown in  FIGS. 14-15D ) to stabilize and fix the left-hand and right-hand brackets with respect to each other. The lower retainer  252  can include one or more integral or separately formed hangers  236  (e.g., “wreath hangers”) having hooks  236   a  for engaging one or more corresponding slots (e.g.,  231  in  FIG. 9C ) formed in a lower side of the deflectable metal support  230 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the hooks  236   a  can be used to suspend the deflectable metal support  230  in position in the door assembly. In this way, the lower retainer  252  may form a part of the inner glass shock absorbing support system. 
     The lower retainer  252  can secure the middle glass in two dimensions, such as up-down and forward-back. The lower retainer  252  can serve as a lower stop for the first insulation layer ( 234  in  FIG. 8 ) to prevent the middle glass panel  250  and the insulation layer from drifting downward out of place. The lower retainer  252  also can include a flange, wall, or other part that blocks a view of the first insulation layer ( 234  in  FIG. 8 ) from being visible when viewed through the bottom surface of the door  200 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , an exemplary embodiment of a lower retainer  252  can include a generally Z-shaped retainer having a base portion  520  having a plurality of first fastening means for coupling the lower retainer  252  to the door assembly. In the example, the first fastening means can include openings  529  for receiving threaded studs or the like for coupling the lower retainer  252  to the door assembly. The base portion  520  also can include a plurality of second fastening means, such as openings  527 , for receiving one or more screws or the like for coupling the lower retainer  252  to the left-hand and right-hand brackets ( 280  shown in  FIGS. 14-15D ), thereby stabilizing and fixing the left-hand and right-hand brackets with respect to each other. The lower retainer  252  can include a Z-shaped portion formed by walls  522 ,  524 , and  526 . The Z-shaped portion can serve to fix a lower end of the middle glass panel  250  in place and prevent the middle glass panel  250  and the insulation layer from drifting downward out of place. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 13 , the lower retainer  252  can include one or more slots  525  or other means for coupling one or more hangers  236  (e.g., “wreath hangers”) having hooks  236   a  for engaging one or more corresponding slots (e.g.,  231  in  FIG. 9C ) formed in a lower side of the deflectable metal support  230 . The hooks  236   a  can be used to suspend the deflectable metal support  230  in position in the door assembly. In this way, the lower retainer  252  may form a part of the inner glass shock absorbing support system. 
     With reference again to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , and with further reference to  FIGS. 14-15D , an exemplary embodiment of a middle glass mounting system will now be described. The middle glass mounting system can be configured to secure the middle door glass panel with a predetermined spacing from the inner glass panel to provide an air gap that ensures sufficient thermal insulation between the inner glass panel and the middle glass panel. The middle glass mounting system can be configured to prevent the middle glass panel, the insulation, and the hinge assemblies from shifting or moving relative to each other and relative to the door skin. The middle glass mounting system can be configured to minimize a thermal mass in the retention system in order to assist with reducing external door surface temperatures. The middle glass mounting system can reflect heat at the top of the door away from the top of the door and back towards the oven cavity. The middle glass mounting system also can secure the insulation-hiding flexible frame for supporting the inner glass panel and provide additional means for blocking the insulation from view from above or below the door. 
       FIG. 12  shows the middle glass panel  250  supported by a middle glass mounting system. The middle glass panel  250  can include, for example, soda lime glass with a tin oxide coating or the like. The middle glass mounting system can include the lower retainer  252  (shown in detail in  FIG. 13 ), which can secure the middle glass in two dimensions. As explained, the lower retainer  252  can prevent a lower end of the middle glass panel  250  from drifting downward out of place and from moving in a rearward direction away from the door skin. The top reflector  270  extends across a top portion of the door and can prevent an upper end of the middle glass panel  250  from drifting out of place and moving in a rearward direction away from the door skin. 
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , the door assembly is illustrated without the middle glass panel  250  such that the components of the middle glass mounting system are visible. The middle glass mounting system further can include left-hand and right-hand brackets  280  that support the middle glass panel  250  from a front side of the door. The left-hand and right-hand brackets  280  can secure the middle glass panel  250  in two dimensions, such as in a side-to-side direction and in the upward direction. As explained, the left-hand and right-hand brackets  280  can cooperate with the lower retainer  252  and the upper reflector  270 . The left-hand and right-hand brackets  280  can be secured in position and spacing with respect to each other at a lower end by the lower retainer  252 , which may be coupled (for example, at  527 ) to a lower end of each of the brackets  280 , and at a top end by a top reflector  270 , which may be coupled (for example at  275 ) to each of the brackets  280 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 15A-15D , an exemplary embodiment of left-hand and right-hand brackets  280  will now be described. The left-hand and right-hand brackets  280  can be mirror images of each other and extend along each side of the middle glass panel. The bracket  280  can include a base portion formed, for example, by a Z-shaped portion  550   a ,  550   b ,  550   c , and  550   d . A base portion  550   a  of the Z-shaped portion can include a plurality of openings  553  for engaging, for example, a plurality of threaded studs or the like for coupling the base portion to the door assembly, such as to the door skin ( 202   a  in  FIG. 14 ). The Z-shaped portion  550   a ,  550   b ,  550   c , and  550   d  can be configured to cooperate with corresponding Z-shaped mounting brackets of the outer glass panel, which will be described with reference to  FIG. 18 . 
     With reference again to  FIGS. 15A-15D , the bracket  280  can include support surfaces  552  and  554  that support the middle glass panel  250  (shown by dashed lines in  FIG. 15B ) from a front side of the door. The bracket  280  can include a clip, tab, or projection  556  or the like at an upper end and that engages an end of the middle glass panel  250  which keep the glass from moving rearward towards the inner glass panel and upwards toward a top of the door. The bracket  280  can include one or more “fingers” or tabs/projections  558 ,  560  disposed on a side of the bracket  280  for controlling side-to-side movement of the middle glass panel  250 . As shown in  FIG. 15A , the left-hand bracket  280  has the tabs  558 ,  560  on the left-hand side to engage a left-hand edge of the middle glass panel  250 . As shown in  FIG. 15C , the right-hand bracket  280  has the tabs  558 ,  560  on the right-hand side to engage a right-hand edge of the middle glass panel  250 . In this manner, the left-hand and right-hand brackets  280  can cooperate to secure the middle glass panel  250  from moving in a side-to-side direction. The bracket  280  can include a cutout  551  or the like, such as perforations, slots, notches, etc., that reduce or minimize a thermal mass of the bracket  280 , thereby reducing or minimizing an effect of the bracket  280  acting as a heat sink and helping to reduce external door surface temperatures. The brackets  280  can be formed from light-weight materials to minimize or reduce the sprung weight of door. The light-weight materials, which also may have a reflective or semi-reflective surface, also may reduce heat absorption, thereby further minimizing or reducing external door skin surface temperatures. 
     As explained above, the left-hand and right-hand brackets  280  can cooperate with the lower retainer  252  and the upper reflector  270  to increase the stiffness of the door assembly. More particularly, the left-hand and right-hand brackets  280  can be secured in position and spacing with respect to each other at a lower end by the lower retainer  252 , which may be coupled (for example, at  527 ) to an opening  555  of each of the brackets  280 , and at a top end by a top reflector  270 , which may be coupled (for example at  275 ) to each of the brackets  280  by the wing/tab  556 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 16-22B , an exemplary embodiment of an outer glass mounting system will now be described. The mounting system for the outer glass panel can secure the cosmetic outer glass panel tightly against the stainless steel door skin such that no gaps are visible between the outer glass panel and the door skin at a top, bottom, left, or right of the glass panel  298 . The mounting system for the outer glass panel can ensure laminar air flow through the door from bottom to top to ensure proper cooling of the door components during high temperature baking or self-cleaning cycles. The mounting system for the outer glass panel can be configured to minimize or eliminate any visible marks or fasteners on the exterior of the door skin. The outer glass panel can be formed, for example, from soda lime glass with low iron content. 
     With reference to  FIG. 16 , an exemplary embodiment of the oven door can include one or more air guides or ramps, such as an upper air guide or ramp  260  and a lower air guide or ramp  262 , which may promote laminar air flow between the middle glass panel ( 250 , not shown in  FIG. 16 ) and the outer glass panel  298 . The upper air guide  260  and lower air guide  262  can be disposed between the brackets  280 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , and may cooperate with the fastening means of the outer glass panel  298 . 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  illustrate exemplary embodiments of an upper air guide or ramp  260  and a lower air guide or ramp  262 , respectively. With reference to  FIG. 17A , the upper air guide or ramp  260  can include a planar airflow surface  570  that is positioned at an angle with respect to the outer glass panel and the middle glass panel when the ramp  260  is installed by a riser portion  572 . The ramp  260  can include another angled portion or lip  574  for guiding or deflecting heated air flowing upward from the surface of the outer glass panel to the planar airflow surface  570 . The ramp  260  can include a plurality of openings  575  for engaging, for example, the fastening means of the outer glass panel  298 , such as one or more threaded studs (described with reference to  FIG. 19C ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 17B , the lower air guide or ramp  262  can include a planar airflow surface  580  that is positioned at an angle with respect to the outer glass panel and the middle glass panel when the ramp  262  is installed by a riser portion  582 . The ramp  262  can include a plurality of openings  583  for engaging, for example, the fastening means of the outer glass panel  298 , such as one or more threaded studs (described with reference to  FIG. 19C ). The upper air guide  260  and the lower air guide  262  can ensure laminar air flow through the door from bottom to top to ensure proper cooling of the door components during high temperature baking or self-cleaning cycles. In this way, the outer glass panel mounting system can minimize or eliminate turbulent air flow through door. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 18 , the outer glass panel  298  can be secured to the door skin by brackets.  FIG. 18  shows upper and lower brackets  282 . The outer glass mounting system also can include left-hand and right-hand side brackets (Z-brackets), which are not visible in  FIG. 18 . With reference to  FIGS. 19A-19C , the brackets  282  may be Z-brackets including with designed-in interference to press the outer glass panel  298  firmly against the door skin by holding the panel  298  at the edges, for example, in a manner similar to a “rabbet” on a back of a picture frame. The bracket  282  can include a Z-shaped cross-section formed by portions  590 ,  592 ,  594 , and  596 . The portion  590  can be a base portion having a plurality of openings  591  for engaging one or more fasteners, such as threaded studs  604  in  FIG. 19C  (and described with reference to  FIGS. 22A and 22B ) to secure the bracket  282  to the door skin. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19C , the openings  575  in the air ramp  260  can be configured to align with the openings  591  of the bracket  282  such that the bracket  282  and the air ramp  260  engage the same threaded studs  604 . A nut (not shown in  FIG. 19C ) can be threaded onto the stud  604  to secure the ramp  260  and the bracket  282  in place and providing a tight, gap-free fit of outer glass panel  298  to door skin. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 20-22B , a plurality of strips  284  (e.g., metal pin strips) can be coupled to the door skin  202   a  for coupling the brackets ( 282  in  FIGS. 18-19C ) to the door skin  202   a  without marking an exterior side of the door skin  202   a .  FIG. 20  shows the outer glass panel  298  in place, and  FIG. 21  shows the door skin  202   a  without the outer glass panel  298 . With reference to  FIGS. 22A and 22B , an exemplary strip  284  can include a plate portion  602  having a plurality of studs  604 , such as threaded studs for receiving a nut in threaded engagement. In other embodiments, the studs  604  can include other fastening means, such as an internal bore for receiving a screw or bolt, a notch or groove for receiving a retainer clip or o-ring, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 22B , an exemplary embodiment of the strip  284  can be formed by inserting a plurality of threaded studs  604  having heads  606  through openings formed in the plate portion  602 . The studs  604  can be coupled to the plate portion  602  by means, such as welding, or formed by stamping a shape into the plate portion  602 . 
     With reference again to  FIGS. 19C and 20 , in operation, the cosmetic glass outer panel  298  (“skin” or “outer” glass) can be placed centered inside the door skin  202   a  at a correct position. The strips  284  having the threaded studs  604  can be secured to the inside of the door skin  202   a , around a perimeter of the outer glass panel  298  using, for example, adhesive tape. In other embodiments, the strips  284  can be secured to the door skin  202   a  using other coupling means, such as adhesive paste, welding, soldering, etc. If an adhesive is used, then the door can be configured such that a temperature at the door skin where the tape is attached to the door skin  202   a  does not exceed an allowable temperature for the adhesive. In this way, the strips  284  can be coupled to the interior surface of the door skin  202   a  without penetrating or marking an exterior of the door skin  202   a , thereby maintaining a desired cosmetic appearance of the door skin  202   a.    
     According to the exemplary embodiments, the outer glass panel mounting system can minimize or eliminate turbulent air flow through door and cosmetic blemishes on the exterior of the door skin, while providing a tight, gap-free fit of outer glass panel to door skin that remains securely attached to the door skin through a full operating temperature range of the appliance, including a self-cleaning process. The outer glass panel mounting system also can provide the ability to remove the outer glass panel for service without breaking/reapplying adhesive. 
     As explained, the full transparent ceramic inner panel  220  extends across the width and height of the inner surface of the door, and therefore, the door does not include a porcelain liner or plunger having cutouts for the oven latch to engage in order to lock the range door during a self-cleaning process. With reference to  FIGS. 23A-24B , an exemplary embodiment of a latch system, which can be coupled to a door having a full glass inner panel, will now be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 23A , a latch retainer  620  can include a body/plate portion  622  having an opening  623  for receiving and engaging a corresponding a oven lock (not shown in  FIG. 23A ). The latch retainer  620  can include a mounting portion for coupling the latch retainer  620  to an inner surface of the door skin. In this example, the latch retainer  620  can include a plurality of flanges for stabilizing the latch retainer  620  against the door skin surface ( 202   c  in  FIG. 23B ) and coupling the latch retainer  620  to the door skin surface ( 202   c  in  FIG. 23B ). For example, the latch retainer  620  can include one or more flanges  624  projecting substantially perpendicularly from one or both sides of the plate portion  622 , each flange  624  having an opening  625  for fastening the latch retainer  620  to a part of the door skin surface ( 202   c  in  FIG. 23B ) such that the latch retainer  620  projects substantially perpendicularly from the door skin surface ( 202   c  in  FIG. 23B ). In other embodiments, the latch retainer  620  can be configured to project at an angle from the door skin surface ( 202   c  in  FIG. 23B ). The latch retainer  620  can include a flange  626  projecting substantially perpendicularly from one or both sides of the plate portion  622  for stabilizing the latch retainer  620  against the door skin surface ( 202   c  in  FIG. 23B ). In other embodiments, the flange  626  can be configured to position the latch retainer  620  at an angle from the door skin surface ( 202   c  in  FIG. 23B ). The flanges  624  and flange  626  can be disposed in a same plane and on opposite sides of the plate portion  622 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 23B-24B , the latch retainer  620  can be coupled to an inner surface of the door skin surface (e.g., top surface  202   c ) using fasteners, such as threaded screws  628 . The top surface  202   c  can include one or more mounting surfaces  630  (shown in  FIGS. 23B and 23C ) formed between the slots  203  to provide a stable location for mounting the latch retainer  620 . As shown in  FIG. 24B , the door skin can include a latch cover  216  projecting downward from the upper surface  202   c  of the door and disposed in a plane of the inner glass panel  220  (e.g. corresponding to the latch opening  228  of the inner glass panel  220  in  FIG. 7 ). The latch cover  216  can include a lock guide opening  219  for receiving and guiding a door lock to the opening  623  of the latch retainer  620 , which may be disposed in an interior of the door and adjacent to the latch cover  216 . The latch cover  216  can be integrally formed with the door skin or a separate element attached to the door skin. The latch retainer  620  can be coupled to an inner surface of the door skin (e.g., top surface  202   c ) using fasteners, such as threaded screws  628  or the like. As shown in  FIGS. 24A and 24B , the guide opening  219  of the latch cover  216  can receive and guide a latch/lock  702  of a lock assembly  700  to the opening  623  of the latch retainer  620 . The latch  702  then can engage the latch retainer  620  through the opening  623  to secure the door in a locked position, for example, for performing a self-cleaning process. 
     The exemplary latch retainer  620  can provide means for locking a door having a full glass inner panel and for maintaining a spacing between the door latch  702  and the door skin while also providing a sufficient amount of strength needed to securely latch/lock the door in a closed position for a self-cleaning cycle. In this way, the exemplary embodiments can provide a latch system for a door without a conventional plunger or frame and instead having an inner surface formed by a non-structural full glass inner panel. The exemplary latch system can be formed easily and with minimal expense and can also be easily repaired or replaced. 
     As explained, the full transparent ceramic inner panel  220  extends across the width and height of the inner surface of the door, and therefore, the door does not include a porcelain liner or plunger, which conventionally may be used to mount the door hinge assemblies. With reference to  FIGS. 25A-25C , an exemplary embodiment of a hinge retainer system, which can be used to couple a hinge assembly to a door skin of a door having a full glass inner panel, will now be described. 
     A lower end of a hinge assembly ( 240  in  FIG. 8 ) can be coupled to the bottom end of the door skin (as shown in  FIG. 6D ). With reference to  FIGS. 25A-25C , an upper end of a hinge assembly ( 240  in  FIG. 25C ) can be coupled to the door skin  202   a  with a hinge retainer  800 . As shown in  FIGS. 25A and 25B , exemplary embodiments of a hinge retainer  800  can include a body/plate portion  802  having one or more openings  803  for receiving and engaging one or more fasteners (e.g.,  804 ,  808 ). The hinge retainer  800  can include a side wall  806  extending from the plate portion  802 . The side wall  806  can extend perpendicular to the plate portion  802 , as shown in  FIG. 25A , or at an angle to the plate portion  802 , as shown in  FIG. 25B . The hinge retainer  800  can include a mounting flange  810  having, for example, an opening  811  for receiving a fastener (not shown in  FIGS. 25A and 25B ;  812  in  FIG. 25C ) to couple an upper end of a hinge assembly ( 240  in  FIG. 25C ) to the hinge retainer  800 . The side wall  806  can include one or more cutouts, slots, or perforations  807  for minimizing a thermal mass of the hinge retainer  800  in order to assist with reducing external door surface temperatures. As shown in  FIGS. 25A and 25B , the hinge retainer  800  can be coupled to the door skin  202   a  in a corner region of the door, for example, adjacent to the side surface  202   b  and the top surface  202   c , which includes the lip  205 . 
       FIG. 25C  shows a partial cutaway view of an upper region of the door showing an exemplary arrangement of the door handle  206 , door skin  202   a , and top surface  202   c . The lip  205  and the latch cover  216  of the top surface  202   c  are visible in  FIG. 25C , along with the latch retainer  620  and the fastener (threaded screw  628 ) coupling the latch retainer  620  to the top surface  202   c .  FIG. 25C  also shows the arrangement of an upper end of each of the metal strip  284 , the bracket  280 , and the hinge assembly  240 . The upper air guide  260  also is visible in  FIG. 25C . 
     As shown in  FIG. 25C , the hinge retainer  800  can couple an upper end of the hinge assembly  240  to the door skin  202   a  in a corner region of the door, for example, adjacent to the top surface  202   c . The fastener  804  can be configured to engage an opening ( 803  in  FIGS. 25A and 25B ) in the body/plate portion  802  of the hinge retainer  800  and extend through a corresponding opening in the door skin  202   a  that is disposed adjacent to the door endcaps  206  such that the fastener  804  couples the body/plate portion  802  of the hinge retainer  800  and the door endcap  206  to the door skin  202   a , also piercing the door handle  204  and thus locking the door handle  204  into place between the two door endcaps  206 . The fastener  804  can be concealed from view by the door endcap  206  when installed. The fastener  808  also can be configured to engage another opening ( 803  in  FIGS. 25A and 25B ) in the body/plate portion  802  of the hinge retainer  800  and extend through a corresponding opening in the door skin  202   a  that is concealed from view by the door endcap  206  when installed. The side wall  806  extends from the body/plate portion  802 , on one end, to the mounting flange  810 , on the other end. The mounting flange  810  can be coupled to the upper portion of the hinge assembly  240  by one or more fasteners  812 . According to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 25A-25C , the hinge retainer  800  can be used to couple the upper end of the hinge assembly  240  to the door skin  202   a  of a door having a full glass inner panel (i.e., without a “plunger”) without any markings, fasteners, etc. being visible from an outside of the door. 
     The present invention has been described herein in terms of several preferred embodiments. However, modifications and additions to these embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It is intended that all such modifications and additions comprise a part of the present invention to the extent that they fall within the scope of the several claims appended hereto.