Patent Publication Number: US-2007099558-A1

Title: Hood assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to an appliance exhaust system, and, more particularly, to a transition element used in assembling the appliance exhaust system.  
      Ovens and ranges tend to produce undesirable gases and/or fumes during a cooking process which may be released into the surrounding environment. As a result, a separate venting system, e.g. a range hood, is typically installed proximate the oven and/or range to facilitate reducing the release of such gases and/or fumes into the environment by capturing the gases and/or fumes released. Known range hoods include a hood body defining a hood cavity therein. An electric fan/blower is typically installed within the hood cavity to draw the gases and/or fumes into the hood cavity and then channel the gases and/or fumes to an exhaust duct, wherein the gases and/or fumes are vented outside of the home or building. At least some known range hoods include an inner transition element coupled to the hood body within the hood cavity. An exhaust end of the inner transition is typically received within and coupled to the exhaust duct. As such, the air drawn into the hood cavity may be channeled directly into the exhaust duct.  
      However, assembly of these known range hoods may be difficult and time consuming. For example, problems may be encountered coupling the inner transition to the exhaust duct. Typically the installer of the ducting in the home is not the installer of the range hood. The length of the exhaust duct may be inadequate for mounting the inner transition thereto. For example, the exhaust duct may be too short or improperly placed, requiring the range hood installer to provide flexible ducting to the end of the exhaust duct. The flexible ducting reduces the efficiency of the range hood and tends to accumulate grease and other impurities along the inner surface of the flexible ducting. In contrast, the exhaust duct may be too long, requiring the range hood installer to remove a portion of the exhaust duct to properly position the range hood.  
      Other assembly problems exist in installing known range hoods. For example, at least some known range hoods are “built-in range hoods” and are mounted within a decorative cabinet. During assembly, portions of the cabinet are typically removed to access the range hood and to install and mount the range hood within the cabinet. For example, mounting plates or fasteners may be accessed from within the cabinet and the connections made from the top and front of the range hood, such as, for example, screws for securing the inner transition to the exhaust duct, or screws for securing the range hood to the cabinet. Additionally, electrical wiring may be connected within the cabinet. During these processes, the cabinet may be damaged.  
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      In one aspect, a hood assembly is provided including a hood body having an inner surface and an outer surface. The hood body extends between an inlet end and an exhaust end, and the hood body defining a hood cavity between the inlet end and said exhaust end. Airflow is channeled into the hood cavity through the inlet end and is configured to be exhausted into an exhaust duct through the exhaust end. A transition element extends from the exhaust end. The transition element has an inner surface and an outer surface, and the transition element includes a mounting portion configured to be coupled to the exhaust duct. The outer surface of the transition element is configured to engage an outer surface of the exhaust duct when the mounting portion is coupled to the exhaust duct.  
      In another aspect, a hood assembly transition element is provided including a base portion having an inner surface and an outer surface. The base portion defines a transition element cavity, and the base portion is configured to extend from a hood body. The hood assembly transition element also includes a mounting portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the mounting portion is configured to be coupled to an exhaust duct. The outer surface of the mounting portion is configured to engage an outer surface of the exhaust duct when the mounting portion is coupled to the exhaust duct.  
      In a further aspect, a method of assembling a hood assembly to an exhaust duct is provided, wherein the hood assembly includes a hood body and a transition element. The method includes locating a mounting portion of the transition element proximate an end of the exhaust duct, and securing an outer surface of the transition element to an outer surface of the exhaust duct using a fastening member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a hood assembly.  
       FIG. 2  is an assembled perspective view of the hood assembly shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the hood assembly shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the hood assembly shown in  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a portion of the hood assembly taken along area  5 - 5  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a hood assembly  100 , and  FIG. 2  is an assembled perspective view of hood assembly  100 . Hood assembly  100  is configured to be mounted above a cooking appliance (not shown), such as an oven or range for removal of gases and/or fumes released from the cooking appliance. Hood assembly  100  is also configured to be mounted to or in communication with an exhaust duct  102 . Exhaust duct  102  channels the gases and/or fumes from hood assembly  100 .  
      Hood assembly  100  includes a hood body  104  having a transition element  106  extending therefrom, and a plate member  108  mounted therein. Plate member  108  includes an inner transition element  110 . A blower assembly  112  is coupled to the plate member  108  in communication with inner transition element  110 .  
      In an exemplary embodiment, hood body  104  is fabricated from a rigid material, such as a metal material. Hood body  104  includes a plurality of side walls  120  extending between an inlet end  122  and an exhaust end  124 . A hood cavity  126  is defined by side walls  120 . In one embodiment, side walls  120  are planar, however, side walls  120  may have curved or irregular shapes. One side wall  120  defines a front wall and a generally opposing side wall  120  defines a rear wall. Airflow is drawn into hood cavity  126  and is exhausted from hood cavity  126  through exhaust end  124 . In one embodiment, exhaust end  124  is generally opposed to inlet end  122 .  
      In an exemplary embodiment, transition element  106  is integrally formed with hood body  104  and is positioned at exhaust end  124  of hood body  104 . Transition element  106  includes a base or transition portion  130  and a mounting portion  132 . Additionally, transition element  106  defines a transition element cavity  134 . Base portion  130  extends from hood body  104  and includes an inner surface  136  facing transition element cavity  134  and an outer surface  138  exposed to an exterior of transition element  106 . Additionally, mounting portion  132  includes an inner surface  140  facing transition element cavity  134  and an outer surface  142  exposed to an exterior of transition element  106 . Mounting portion  132  also includes a collar  144  surrounding an exhaust opening  146 . Collar  144  is inwardly turned and extends toward transition element cavity  134 . As such, outer surface  142  of mounting portion  132  along collar  144  generally faces opening  146 , and inner surface  140  of mounting portion  132  along collar  144  generally faces transition element cavity  134 . Collar  144  is configured to receive exhaust duct  102  during assembly of hood assembly  100 . Opening  146  is sized slightly larger than exhaust duct  102  such that exhaust duct  102  may be received within collar  144 . For example, opening  146  may be between approximately one and ten percent larger than exhaust duct  102 . When exhaust duct  102  is received within opening, the outer surface of exhaust duct  102  faces outer surface  142  of mounting portion  132  along collar  144 , and may engage portions of outer surface  142 . In one embodiment, base portion  130  includes inclined surfaces  148  extending from side walls  120  of hood body  104  generally toward mounting portion  132 . Inclined surfaces  148  facilitate directing airflow generally toward opening  146  such that the airflow may be exhausted from hood assembly  100 . Additionally, inclined surfaces  148  reduce the overall size and weight of hood assembly  100 .  
      In an alternative embodiment, rather than being integrally formed, transition element  106  is coupled to exhaust end  124  of hood body  104 . For example, transition element  106  may be coupled to a top wall (not shown) of hood body  104  via screws (not shown). In one embodiment, the screws may be attached from within hood cavity  126  for ease of installation.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , plate member  108  includes an upper surface  150  and a lower surface  152 . Plate member  108  is received within hood cavity  126  such that upper surface  150  is facing transition element cavity  134  and lower surface  152  is exposed to and facing hood cavity  126 . Plate member  108  may be mounted to hood body  104  proximate exhaust end  124 . When mounted, plate member  108  defines an upper surface of hood cavity  126  and restricts airflow into transition member cavity  134 .  
      Inner transition element  110  extends from a portion of plate member  108 . In one embodiment, inner transition element  110  is integrally formed with plate member  108 . Alternatively, inner transition element  110  may be coupled to plate member  108 . Inner transition element  110  includes a collar  160  extending from upper surface  150  of plate member  108 . Collar  160  surrounds an opening  162  that extends through plate member  108  and inner transition element  110 . Generally, the air within hood cavity  126  is directed through opening  162 . In the exemplary embodiment, when plate member  108  is mounted to hood body  104 , opening  162  is substantially aligned with opening  146  in transition element  106 .  
      During assembly, blower assembly  112  is mounted to lower surface  152  of plate member  108  and is contained within hood cavity  126 . Blower assembly  112  may be mounted proximate opening  162  such that the air within hood cavity  126  is channeled through opening  162  by blower assembly  112 .  
       FIGS. 3 and 4  are front and side elevational views, respectively, of hood assembly  100  in an assembled state. Additionally, hood assembly  100  is illustrated as being positioned with respect to exhaust duct  102 , and a supporting structure  170 , such as, for example, a cabinet or a wall  172 . In an exemplary embodiment, a liner or supporting member  174  is mounted at inlet end  122  of hood body  104 . Liner  174  facilitates mounting or coupling hood assembly  100  to supporting structure  170 . Liner  174  may be attached to supporting structure  170  via a fastening mechanism  176 , such as, for example, a screw. The fastening mechanism  176  may be installed from inside or below hood cavity  126 . As such, an installer does not need to access the inside of supporting structure to attach hood assembly  100  thereto.  
      As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , when hood assembly  100  is assembled, plate member  108  is coupled to hood body  104  at exhaust end  124 . Blower assembly  112  is mounted to plate member  108  proximate opening  162  of inner transition element  110 . In one embodiment, hood assembly  100  includes a damper assembly  180  coupled to one of inner transition element  110 , plate member  108 , or blower assembly  112 . Damper assembly  180  facilitates controlling an amount of air exhausted from hood assembly  100 .  
      An exemplary method of assembly and coupling of hood assembly  100  and exhaust duct  102  is described herein, with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Prior to assembly and coupling, exhaust duct  102  is positioned with respect to supporting structure  170  at a predetermined height. In an exemplary embodiment, transition element  106  and hood body  104  are integrally formed. Exhaust duct  102  is loaded through opening  146 . Collar  144  surrounds exhaust duct  102  such that outer surface  142  of mounting portion  132  substantially engages or interfaces with the outer surface of exhaust duct  102 . Additionally, a portion of exhaust duct  102  extends beyond an end  182  of collar  144  for a predetermined length. Once transition element  106  is positioned with respect to exhaust duct  102 , a fastening member  184  is used to secure transition element  106  to exhaust duct  102 . Fastening member  184  is applied from below hood assembly  100 , such as through hood cavity  126 . As a result, the installer does not need to access the inside of supporting structure  170  to attach transition element  106  to exhaust duct  102 . In an exemplary embodiment, fastening member  184  is duct tape, however other types of fastening members may be used, such as, for example, a screw. The duct tape is secured to inner surface  140  of collar  144  and is simultaneously secured to the outer surface of exhaust duct  102 .  
      Once transition element  106  and hood body  104  are secured to exhaust duct  102 , plate member  108  is coupled to hood body  104  within hood cavity  126 . As plate member  108  is loaded into hood cavity  126 , inner transition element  110  is positioned within exhaust duct  102 . Specifically, collar  160  is placed within exhaust duct  102  such that an outer surface  186  of collar  160  is positioned proximate to, and in one embodiment, engages or interfaces with, an inner surface  188  of exhaust duct  102 . As a result, air channeled through inner transition element  110  is directed into exhaust duct  102 . Alternatively, collar  160  may extend around the outer surface of exhaust duct  102 .  
      Once plate member  108  is coupled to hood body  104 , blower assembly  112  is coupled to lower surface  152  of plate member  108 . Blower assembly  112  may include a single blower or a double blower. In one embodiment, electrical connections for blower assembly  112  are made prior to coupling blower assembly  112  to plate member  108 , and may be made prior to coupling plate member  108  to hood body  104 . The electrical connections may be made and housed within transition element cavity  134  and are hidden from view by plate member  108 . As such, the installer does not need to access the inside of supporting structure  170  to make any electrical connections, but rather, the connections are made from below hood assembly  100  or within hood cavity  126 .  
      Once transition element  106  and hood body  104  are secured to exhaust duct  102 , liner  174  may be coupled to inlet end  122  of hood body  104 . Additionally, liner  174  is coupled to supporting structure  170 . The connections are made from below hood assembly  100  or within hood cavity  126 .  
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a portion of hood assembly  100  taken along area  5 - 5 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary coupling of hood assembly  100  and exhaust duct  102 . Transition element  106  is secured to exhaust duct  102  by fastening member  184 , such as, for example, duct tape. Collar  144  surrounds exhaust duct  102  such that outer surface  142  of mounting portion  132  substantially engages or interfaces with the outer surface of exhaust duct  102 . Additionally, a portion of exhaust duct  102  extends beyond an end  182  of collar  144  for a predetermined length. Inner transition element  110  is positioned within exhaust duct  102  such that collar  160  extends into exhaust duct  102 . Outer surface  186  of collar  160  engages inner surface  188  of exhaust duct  102 .  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , collar  144  of transition element  106  extends in a first or downward direction, and collar  160  of inner transition element  110  extends in a generally opposing second or upward direction. In an exemplary embodiment, transition element  106  is spaced apart from inner transition element  110  such that a gap extends between elements  106  and  110 . Alternatively, portions of elements  106  and  110  may overlap one another. In an exemplary embodiment, collars  144  and  160  of transition element  106  and inner transition element  110 , respectively, have different diameters. For example, collar  144  may have a larger diameter than collar  160  such that collar  144  extends along an outer surface of exhaust duct  102  and collar  144  extends along inner surface  188  of exhaust duct  102 .  
      A hood assembly is provided that may be installed in a cost effective and reliable manner. The hood assembly includes a reverse transition element having a collar extending inwardly or downward that is configured to extend around an outer portion of the exhaust duct. As such, the collar may be secured to the exhaust duct from below the hood assembly. The installer may make electrical connections and fixture connections from below the hood assembly. As a result, damage to the cabinet that the hood assembly is installed into is reduced. Additionally, assembly time may be reduced.  
      While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.