Patent Description:
The invention is defined by the features of claim <NUM>.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking appliance includes a support frame and a cooking vessel that is spaced-apart from the support frame to define a spacing therebetween. The cooking vessel is operable between at-rest and expanded conditions. An outer surface of the cooking vessel approaches the support frame when the cooking vessel moves from the at-rest condition to the expanded condition. A bracket interconnects the support frame and the cooking vessel. The bracket includes a first mounting member operably coupled to the cooking vessel and a second mounting member operably coupled to the support frame. At least one flexibly resilient connecting member interconnects the first and second mounting members and spans the spacing between the support frame and the cooking vessel.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a bracket for a cooking appliance includes a first mounting member spaced-apart from a second mounting member to define a gap therebetween. A first connecting member spans the gap between the first and second mounting members. The first connecting member includes a first portion coupled to the first mounting member, second portion coupled to the second mounting member, and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The first and second portions of the first connecting member are coupled to opposite ends of the intermediate portion at first and second deflection creases, respectively. A second connecting member spans the gap between the first and second mounting members and includes a first portion that is coupled to the first mounting member, a second portion coupled to the second mounting member, and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The first and second portions of the second connecting member are coupled to opposite ends of the intermediate portion at first and second deflection creases, respectively.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a bracket for a cooking appliance includes a first mounting member and a second mounting member spaced-apart from the first mounting member to define a gap having a length disposed therebetween. At least one connecting member interconnects the first and second mounting members. The at least one connecting member includes at least one deflection crease and is operable between at-rest and loaded conditions. The length of the gap decreases as the at least one connecting member moves from the at-rest condition to the loaded condition.

Referring now to <FIG>, a bracket <NUM> is shown having a first mounting member <NUM> and a second mounting member <NUM>. The first mounting member <NUM> and the second mounting member <NUM> are spaced-apart from one another to define a gap <NUM> therebetween. Specifically, the first mounting member <NUM> is both vertically and horizontally offset from the second mounting member <NUM> by first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> which span the gap <NUM> to interconnect the first and second mounting members <NUM>, <NUM>, as further described below. The first mounting member <NUM> includes a generally planar body portion <NUM> having upper and lower mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM> disposed therethrough. Similarly, the second mounting member <NUM> includes a generally planar body portion <NUM> having upper and lower mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM> disposed therethrough.

The first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> may be referred to herein as upper and lower connecting members. It is also contemplated that the bracket <NUM> may include more than two connecting members in various embodiments. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first connecting member <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> which are interconnected by an intermediate portion <NUM> at first and second deflection creases <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. Similarly, the second connecting member <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> which are interconnected by an intermediate portion <NUM> at first and second deflection creases <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. In this way, the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> are non-linear members which include a generally Z-shaped configuration in the illustrated embodiment. As used herein, the term "deflection crease" is meant to indicate a bend in a portion of the bracket <NUM>, wherein an angle is provided therebetween. The bend provided by the first and second deflection creases <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> of the present concept directs the location of contraction of the bracket <NUM>. Thus, the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> are contemplated to be flexibly resilient members configured to flex at the first and second deflection creases <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. Specifically, the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> are contemplated to inwardly flex at the respective first and second deflection creases <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>, such that the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> are operable between at-rest and loaded conditions. In this way, the bracket <NUM> is operable between at-rest and contracted positions, wherein the first and second mounting members <NUM>, <NUM> approach one another to decrease a length L of the gap <NUM>, as best shown in <FIG>, as the bracket <NUM> moves from the at-rest position to the contracted position and the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> move from the at-rest condition to the loaded condition. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> are vertically spaced-apart a distance D to define a thermal break <NUM> therebetween.

Referring now to <FIG>, another embodiment of the bracket 10A is shown, wherein the upper and lower mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>) of the first mounting member <NUM> have been replaced by upper and lower mounting bosses 16A, 17A. As shown in <FIG>, the upper and lower mounting bosses 16A, 17A outwardly extend from an upper surface 13A of the planar body portion <NUM> of the first mounting member <NUM>. It is contemplated that the upper and lower mounting bosses 16A, 17A may be received in reciprocal mounting apertures disposed on a cooking vessel, as further described below.

Referring now to <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> is shown in the at-rest position, wherein the gap <NUM> defined between the first and second mounting members <NUM>, <NUM> includes an at-rest length L1. Referring now to <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> is shown in the contracted position, wherein the gap <NUM> defined between the first and second mounting members <NUM>, <NUM> includes a contracted length L2. Thus, when the bracket <NUM> is in the contracted position, the length L of gap <NUM> decreases from the at-rest length L1 to the contracted length L2. Said differently, the length L of the gap <NUM> is greater when the bracket <NUM> is in the at-rest position as comparted to the contracted position. In this way, the bracket <NUM> is a flexible bracket which is contemplated to be biased towards the at-rest position shown in <FIG>. The resiliency of the bracket <NUM> is provided by the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM>, as the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> are flexibly resilient between the at-rest and loaded conditions. In the loaded conditions, the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> store a spring force that biases the bracket <NUM> to the at-rest position. The contraction of the bracket 10A is also shown in a similar manner in <FIG>.

With further reference to <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> is configured to flex or bend at the predetermined positions of the first and second deflection creases <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM> of the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM>. In the side elevation view of <FIG>, only the second connecting member <NUM> is shown, however, it is contemplated that the first connecting member <NUM> flexes in a similar manner as described below. As shown in <FIG>, the second connecting member <NUM> includes the intermediate portion <NUM> having opposed first and second ends 44A, 44B. The first deflection crease <NUM> interconnects the first portion <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM> with the intermediate portion <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM> at the first end 44A thereof. In this way, a first angle A1 is defined at the first deflection crease <NUM> between the first portion <NUM> and intermediate portion <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM>. The second deflection crease <NUM> interconnects the second portion <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM> with the intermediate portion <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM> at the second end 44B thereof. In this way, a second angle A2 is defined at the second deflection crease <NUM> between the second portion <NUM> and intermediate portion <NUM> of the second connecting member <NUM>.

With specific reference to <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> is shown in the at-rest position. In moving the bracket <NUM> from the at-rest position to the contracted position as the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> move from the at-rest condition to the loaded condition, shown in <FIG>, the first mounting member <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> moves in the direction as indicated by arrow <NUM> towards the second mounting member <NUM> to decrease the gap <NUM> therebetween. The first mounting member <NUM> moves towards the second mounting member <NUM> in response to an expansion force of a cooking cavity acting on the first mounting member <NUM>, as further described below. As noted above, the bracket <NUM> is biased towards the at-rest position, such that the first mounting member <NUM> moves away from the second mounting member <NUM>, and the direction as indicated by arrow <NUM>, as the imparting force is lessoned or removed from the first mounting member <NUM>. As the bracket <NUM> moves from the at-rest position, shown in <FIG>, to the contracted position, shown in <FIG>, the first and second angles A1, A2 decrease, thereby accounting for, or otherwise absorbing, the movement of the first mounting member <NUM>. It is contemplated that the second mounting member <NUM> may be a stationary member as mounted to a support frame, as further described below.

Referring now to <FIG>, a cooking appliance <NUM> is shown having upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM>. It is contemplated that the cooking appliance <NUM> may include a dual oven configuration, or a microwave and oven combination. The upper cooking vessel <NUM> includes an outer surface <NUM> surrounding a cooking cavity <NUM>. A rear mounting plate <NUM> is shown on a rear portion of the upper cooking vessel <NUM>, and is contemplated to be part of the outer surface <NUM> of the upper cooking vessel <NUM>. Similarly, the lower cooking vessel <NUM> includes an outer surface <NUM> that surrounds a cooking cavity <NUM>. A rear mounting plate <NUM> is shown on a rear portion of the lower cooking vessel <NUM>, and is contemplated to be part of the outer surface <NUM> of the lower cooking vessel <NUM>. The cooking cavities <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> are contemplated to be heated to desired cooking temperatures for cooking food item therein. As the cooking cavities <NUM>, <NUM> are heated, the outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> are contemplated to expand. Thus, the bracket <NUM> of the present concept is configured to absorb this expansion during a cooking procedure.

As specifically shown in <FIG>, the cooking appliance <NUM> includes a support frame <NUM> having a front portion <NUM> and a rear portion <NUM>. The rear portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> includes first and second frame members <NUM>, <NUM> which are connected by upper and lower cross members <NUM>, <NUM>, in the embodiment of <FIG>. The front portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> includes first and second frame members <NUM>, <NUM> that may be interconnected to one another by any number of cross members. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the front portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> is interconnected with the rear portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> by upper and lower interconnecting supports <NUM>, <NUM>. It is contemplated that the front and rear portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> may be interconnected by any number of interconnecting support members as necessary to support the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> of the cooking appliance <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, it is contemplated that a front plate <NUM> interconnects the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> with the front portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. It is contemplated that this is a rigid coupling between the front plate <NUM> and the support frame <NUM>. Thus, as the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> expand from an at-rest condition to an expanded condition during a cooking procedure, and contract from the expanded condition to the at-rest condition as the heat dissipates from the cooking procedure, the movement of the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> is directed towards the rear portions of the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> given the rigid coupling between the front plate <NUM> and the front portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. Thus, the rear portions of the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> are operably coupled to the rear portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> by a number of brackets <NUM> of the present concept, in order to absorb the expansion and contraction of the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM>. Specifically, the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> are spaced-apart from the rear portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> to define a spacing <NUM> therebetween. The brackets <NUM> span the spacing <NUM> to interconnect the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> with the rear portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. Specifically, the outer surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> approach the rear portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> when the upper and lower cooking vessels <NUM>, <NUM> moves from the at-rest condition to the expanded condition during a cooking procedure to close the spacing <NUM> therebetween.

As specifically shown in the magnified portion of <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> interconnects the outer surface <NUM> of the upper cooking vessel <NUM> with the first frame member <NUM> of the rear portion <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>. Specifically, the first mounting member <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> is operably coupled to the rear mounting plate <NUM> of the upper cooking vessel <NUM> at the upper and lower mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM>. Similarly, the second mounting member <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> is operably coupled to an outer surface 72A of the first frame member <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> at upper and lower mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM>. It is contemplated that the bracket <NUM> may be fastened to the rear mounting plate <NUM> and the first frame member <NUM> using fasteners mounted to the respective upper and lower mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>. It is also contemplated that the bracket <NUM> may be welded to the rear mounting plate <NUM> and the first frame member <NUM> at the respective upper and lower mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>. In the magnified portion of <FIG>, upper and lower mounting apertures 67A and 67B are shown disposed through the rear mounting plate <NUM> of the upper cooking vessel <NUM> and are aligned with the upper and lower mounting apertures <NUM>, <NUM> of the first mounting member <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>. In this way, the associated upper and lower mounting apertures 67A, 67B and <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned to receive a fastener therebetween to rigidly interconnect the bracket <NUM> with the upper cooking vessel <NUM>. With the bracket <NUM> interconnecting the upper cooking vessel <NUM> to the support frame <NUM>, the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to flex in response to the upper cooking vessel <NUM> moving between the at-rest and expanded conditions. Thus, as the upper cooking vessel <NUM> moves from the at-rest condition to the expanded condition, the first mounting member <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> will move towards the second mounting member <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> as the bracket <NUM> moves from the at-rest position to the contracted position. Movement of the bracket <NUM> from the at-rest position to the contracted position is accounted for at the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> moving from the at-rest condition to the loaded condition.

As noted above, with reference to <FIG>, the first and second connecting members <NUM>, <NUM> are vertically spaced-apart a distance D to define the thermal break <NUM>. The thermal break <NUM> is provided between the first and second mounting members <NUM>, <NUM>, to reduce thermal conductivity between the cooking appliance <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> thereof. In this way, the thermal break <NUM> provides a window positioned between the first and second mounting members <NUM>, <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> to decrease the overall thermal bridge that would be present in a bracket without such a thermal break <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A cooking appliance (<NUM>), comprising:
a support frame <NUM>), having a front portion (<NUM>) and a rear portion (<NUM>), interconnected by interconnecting supports (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a cooking vessel (<NUM>) rigidly coupled to the front portion (<NUM>) of the support frame (<NUM>) and spaced-apart from the rear portion (<NUM>) of the support frame (<NUM>) to define a spacing (<NUM>) therebetween, wherein the cooking vessel (<NUM>) is operable between at-rest and expanded conditions; and
a bracket (<NUM>) interconnecting the rear portion (<NUM>) of the support frame (<NUM>) and the cooking vessel (<NUM>), wherein the bracket (<NUM>) includes a first mounting member (<NUM>) operably coupled to the cooking vessel (<NUM>), a second mounting member (<NUM>) operably coupled to the rear portion (<NUM>) of the support frame (<NUM>) and at least one connecting member (<NUM>) interconnecting the first and second mounting members (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the at least one connecting member (<NUM>) spans the spacing (<NUM>) between the rear portion (<NUM>) of the support frame (<NUM>) and the cooking vessel (<NUM>), and further wherein the at least one connecting member (<NUM>) is flexibly resilient and configured to flex in response to the cooking vessel (<NUM>) moving between the at-rest and expanded conditions,
characterized in that the at least one connecting member (<NUM>) includes first and second connecting members (<NUM>, <NUM>), and wherein the first and second connecting members (<NUM>, <NUM>) are vertically spaced-apart from one another to define a thermal break (<NUM>) therebetween, and wherein the first and second connecting members (<NUM>, <NUM>) each include a Z-shaped configuration.