Patent ID: 8013279

Claim:
An outer case for a cooking appliance having a cooking chamber and an electrical device chamber formed therein, the outer case comprising: a first external face plate having an opening formed therein at a position corresponding to at least one electrical device installed in the electrical device chamber, the first external face plate defining a portion of an external surface of the cooking appliance; a cover plate removably coupled to the first external face plate so as to selectively cover the opening formed in the first external face plate, the cover plate including at least one extension that engages a corresponding edge portion of the opening and at least one cover fastening hole formed therein corresponding to at least one plate fastening hole formed in the cover plate so as to selectively fasten the cover plate to the first external face plate; and at least one tool-passing hole formed through the first external face plate near the opening, wherein the at least one tool-passing hole is configured to receive a tool therethrough for tightening and loosening a fastener that secures the at least one electrical device in the electrical device chamber, wherein the at least one extension extends across the at least one tool-passing hole when the cover plate is fastened to the first external face plate, wherein the cover plate comprises: a body portion having a shape corresponding to the opening; and a marginal portion that extends around an edge of the body portion and formed as a step so as to be seated on an edge of the opening, wherein the at least one extension extends outward from a side of the body portion, and wherein the at least one extension covers the at least one tool-passing hole.