Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention pertains to the art of domestic appliances and, more particularly, to a bracket preferably designed to prevent a selected one of various free-standing appliances from tipping over during use.  
           [0003]    2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Certain domestic appliances, particularly ranges and dishwashers, can be subjected to loads which tend to undesirably tip the appliance during use. For instance, during use of a conventional range, it is often necessary to open an oven door of the appliance. In this condition, subjecting the door to a downward force beyond a certain threshold can result in tipping of the appliance. For obvious reasons, it is desirable to avoid the potential for such a tipping action.  
           [0005]    This potential tipping problem has been heretofore recognized and addressed in various fashions. To this end, there exists a fair number of U.S. patents directed to anti-tip arrangements for appliances. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,669,695, 4,754,948, 5,076,525 and 5,174,543 disclose anti-tip brackets for use with ranges, wherein a portion of each bracket is adapted to be attached to a wall against which the appliance is positioned. In accordance with the &#39;695, &#39;948 and &#39;525 patents, one leg of a generally L-shaped bracket is attached to the wall and a second leg of the bracket projects into an opening formed in a rear cabinet portion of the range. In accordance with the &#39;543 patent, hook members are adapted to engage a tether cable secured to the back of the cabinet.  
           [0006]    Another known type of anti-tip arrangement provides for fixing an anchor to a supporting surface for an appliance, with the anchor including structure which is interengaged with a rear portion of the appliance. In this manner, the rear of the appliance cannot be unintentionally lifted. For example, each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,890,813, 5,176,437 and 5,624,098 is directed to an anti-tipping arrangement for an appliance or cabinet including a bracket or plate which is adapted to be mounted at a lower portion of the appliance/cabinet and affixed to a supporting floor through the use of screws. For instance, the &#39;098 patent is directed to a bracket including a raised central portion and a pair of side flanges. The central portion is provided with an elongated slot which is adapted to extend about a shaft portion of a leveling leg of a range. In this manner, the bracket prevents the leveling leg from lifting off of the floor beyond a minimal amount. In accordance with the &#39;813 patented arrangement, an elongated, floor mounted bracket is provided across a rear surface of a range and includes a ledge section adapted to project over bases of rear appliance leveling legs.  
           [0007]    Although these known arrangements address prior concerns relating to the tipping of certain appliances, the devices are really only designed to be mounted in a specific manner and used with particular appliance units. In other words, each device is limited in the manner in which the device is secured to surrounding supporting structure and generally dedicated for use with a predetermined appliance. Therefore, there still exists a need in the art for an anti-tipping device which includes structure enabling the device to be used in connection with various different types of appliances and a wide range of mounting scenarios.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention is directed to a bracket designed to be used in combination with a free-standing appliance for use in establishing and maintaining a desired positioning of the appliance and, most preferably, preventing the appliance from tipping over. In accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the bracket is generally L-shaped, including one long leg and one shorter leg. Each of the legs is defined by a central raised portion, as well as a pair of outwardly extending lower flange portions. Each leg is formed with an elongated slot, in the central portion thereof, which opens at a respective terminal end of the leg. At the juncture of the two legs, the bracket is formed with a plurality of holes.  
           [0009]    With this construction, the bracket is can be readily mounted in a fixed position to either an adjacent wall or a supporting floor, with a selected one of the slots being arranged to receive a portion of a rear leveling support leg of the appliance. In addition, given the incorporation of varying length legs and the holes at the leg juncture area, the bracket can be easily mounted in numerous ways. Therefore, the bracket can take various configurations based on its selected orientation and can be secured in a desired position in several ways. In this manner, the bracket arrangement of the present invention advantageously represents an extremely versatile anti-tipping system.  
           [0010]    Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a right perspective view of a range shown with a partially broken away lower rear portion illustrating an anti-tip bracket constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a side view of the range of FIG. 1 positioned on a supporting surface directly adjacent an upstanding wall;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the anti-tip bracket of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the ant-tip bracket of FIG. 3;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the anti-tip bracket of FIG. 3;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the anti-tip bracket of FIG. 3;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 illustrates the anti-tip bracket of the invention in a first mounting position; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 illustrates the anti-tip bracket of the invention in an alternative mounting position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]    With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an appliance anti-tip device constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in connection with an electric range  2 . Range  2  includes a cabinet  4  having a front panel  5 , side panels  6 , with the foremost side panel  6  being shown having a lower rear portion broken away to depict an anti-tip bracket  7  in accordance with the present invention, and a range top  8 . Range top  8  can take various forms in a manner known in the art. In the embodiment shown, range top  8  incorporates various surface heating elements  11 - 14 . Cabinet  5  further includes a rear, upstanding control panel  18 . Control panel  18  supports a plurality of knobs  21 - 24  for controlling the activation/de-activation of surface heating elements  11 - 14  respectively. Furthermore, control panel  18  is shown to include a central control and display unit, generally indicated at  26 , for use in controlling upper and lower ovens  29  and  30  respectively.  
         [0020]    At this point, it should be noted that, although range  2  is shown to include both upper oven  29  and lower oven  30 , it should be understood that the anti-tip bracket  7  of the invention is also applicable to more conventional ranges having a single, large upper oven and a storage drawer or the like there below. In addition, anti-tip bracket  7  can also be utilized with various other appliances, such as dishwashers. In any event, in the embodiment shown, upper oven  29  has associated therewith a door  33  which can be pivoted by means of a handle  35 . Door  33  preferably includes a window  37  for viewing the interior of oven  29 . In a similar manner, lower oven  30  has associated therewith a door  40 , a handle  42  and a window  44 . In a manner known in the art, ovens  29  and  30  define respective oven cavities (not separately shown).  
         [0021]    Range  2  is adapted to be mounted upon a supporting surface  50 , such as a kitchen floor or the like, and against an upstanding wall  54 . More specifically, a plurality of leg members, two of which are indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 at  76  and  77 , respectively extend from front and rear portions of cabinet  4  along side panel  6 . Of course, corresponding leg members are also provided on the opposing side of range  2 . In any event, the various leg members  76  and  77  are preferably vertically adjustable to also act as levelers for range  2 . Such type of leg leveler arrangements are widely known in the art of appliances, including ranges and refrigerators, such that the general function of leg members  76  and  77  does not form part of the present invention. In general, each leg member  76 ,  77  includes a threaded shaft  80  and a foot  82 . However, in accordance with the present invention, it is important to note that leg members  76  and  77  maintain cabinet  4  of range  2  at a position spaced, to at least some extent, above supporting surface  50 .  
         [0022]    Reference will now be made to FIGS.  3 - 6  in describing the preferred construction for anti-tip bracket  7 . As shown, bracket  7  is generally L-shaped and includes a first leg  92 , a second leg  93  and a generally central, interconnecting portion  94 . In the most preferred embodiment, first and second legs  92  and  93  are arranged perpendicular to each other, while central portion  94  is angled therebetween such that central portion  94  forms an obtuse angle with each of the first and second legs  92  and  93 . Each of legs  92 ,  93  is defined by a pair of outwardly extending side flanges  101  and  102 , upstanding walls  104  and  105  and a connecting portion  107 . The side flanges  101  and  102  of legs  92  and  93  are provided with respective apertures  109 - 112 . In the most preferred embodiment, apertures  109 - 112  are preferably, slightly elongated to permit a limited degree of adjustability in mounting of bracket  7  as will be detailed more fully below.  
         [0023]    As clearly shown in these figures, first leg  92  is specifically designed to be longer than second leg  93 . For example, in one preferred form of the invention, first leg  92  is in the order of 5½ inches (14 cm) in length, while second leg  93  is 4⅜ inches (11 cm). In addition, first leg  92  includes an additional aperture  115  provided in connecting portion  107 . First leg  92  also includes a slot  120  formed within connecting portion  107 , with slot  120  opening at a terminal end  122  of first leg  92 . As clearly shown, terminal end  122  preferably tapers at  124  and  125  leading into slot  120 .  
         [0024]    In a similar manner, second leg  93  is formed with an elongated slot  128  which opens at an associated terminal end  130 . Terminal end  130  also tapers at  133  and  134  leading into slot  128 . In the preferred embodiment shown, each of slots  120  and  128  is approximately ½ inch (1.25 cm) in length, while having a width of approximately {fraction (3/16)} inch (0.50 cm). Central portion  94  preferably includes a recessed section  137 . As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, recessed section  137  is generally V-shaped in cross-section. As also clearly shown in these Figures, recessed section  137  is preferably formed with a plurality of holes  140 - 143 .  
         [0025]    With this construction, bracket  7  can be mounted to supporting surface  50  and/or wall  54  with a selected one of first and second legs  92  and  93  being supported upon surface  50 . In either position, side flanges  101  and  102  will directly abut supporting surface  50 , while connecting portion  107  will be spaced above and substantially parallel to surface  50  due to the presence of upstanding walls  104  and  105 . As will be further discussed below, bracket  7  can be mounted in its desired position, preferably through the use of various mechanical fasteners extending through one or more of apertures  109 - 112 , aperture  115  and holes  140 - 143 . Once bracket  7  is mounted in its desired location, range  2  can be slid back into a position wherein rear leveling leg  77  can be captured by bracket  7 . More particularly, foot  82  of leveling leg member  77  is adapted to slide beneath a respective connecting portion  107 , while threaded shaft  80  protrudes through a respective slot  120 ,  128 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 7 and 8 will now be referenced to more fully describe the versatile nature of bracket  7  based on the different ways in which bracket  7  can be easily, selectively repositioned to assume various configurations for use in establishing and maintaining a desired positioning for range  2 . With initial reference to FIG. 7, shown protruding from upstanding wall  54 , directly above supporting surface  50 , is an electrical socket  152 . When positioning range  2  for use, it is desired to assure that range  2  is maintained a requisite distance from electrical socket  152 . That is, range  2  in this embodiment constitutes an electrical range which needs to be plugged into socket  152 . Obviously, given the manner in which electrical socket  152  protrudes from wall  54 , range  2  will have to be spaced from wall  54 . Unfortunately, many consumers installing a range  2  will have a tendency to plug the range  2  in and then force range  2  as far back to upstanding wall  54  as possible. More preferably, it is desired to establish and maintain a reasonable spacing for range  2 . In connection with the present invention, bracket  7  is arranged with first leg  92  extending along supporting surface  50  and second leg  93  extending up wall  54 . Given the difference in lengths of first and second legs  92  and  93 , it will be appreciated that slot  120  is spaced further from upstanding wall  54  in this configuration than slot  128  would be if second leg  93  was positioned along supporting surface  50 . In any event, in this position, bracket  7  can be secured, such as through the use of various screws  155  which extend through bracket  7  at selected ones of apertures  109 - 112 , aperture  115  and holes  140 - 143 . In this figure, a single screw  155  is only shown aligned with hole  141  for the sake of simplicity.  
         [0027]    With this mounting, it should be realized that bracket  7  is adapted to be aligned with a left rear leveling leg member  77  of range  2 . For the sake of clarity, range  2  has not been shown in FIG. 7 but rather only leveling leg member  77  is depicted. In any event, when range  2  is shifted back towards wall  54 , leveling leg member  77  will be shifted until foot  82  is received beneath connecting portion  107  and threaded shaft  80  is received within slot  120 . Any slight misalignment of range  2  relative to bracket  7  will cause the tapered portions  124  and  125  of terminal end  122  to guide threaded shaft  80  into slot  120 . Of course, if desired, a second bracket  7  could be provided on the other side of protruding electrical socket  152  at a distance equal to the lateral spacing between the respective rear leveling leg member  77  of range  2 . However, it should be realized that a single bracket  7  could also be employed. In any event, given that protruding electrical socket  152  is of a type commonly found in the art and the positioning of rear leg members  77  at a rear portion of range  2  is pre-established, bracket  7  is specifically designed to provide a desired spacing for range  2  from upstanding wall  54 .  
         [0028]    On the other hand, it is also known in the art to employ a recessed electrical socket such as that indicated at  160  in FIG. 8. Obviously, since socket  160  does not protrude from wall  54  to the extent of socket  152 , range  2  can be positioned further against wall  54 . With such a mounting arrangement, bracket  7  is reversed such that first leg  92  is arranged to extend up wall  54  and second leg  93  extends along supporting surface  50 . Again, bracket  7  is fixed in a desired position by means of one or more screws  155 . In the embodiment shown, screw  155  is aligned with hole  143  and is adapted to extend through wall  54  and into a wooden footer  165  as clearly shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0029]    With this arrangement, range  2  will be able to be positioned closer to wall  54  then in the configuration of FIG. 7 given that second leg  93  is shorter than first leg  92  such that slot  128  is actually located closer to wall  54  in FIG. 8 than slot  120  in FIG. 7. In any event, in a manner directly analogous to that described above with reference to FIG. 7, leveling leg member  77  will be received beneath connecting portion  107  of bracket  7  when range  2  is slid back into an operating position. Concurrently, threaded shaft  80  will be received within slot  128 . Once in this position, range  2  cannot undesirably tip over as foot  82  would abut an underside of connecting portion  107 .  
         [0030]    Based on the above, it should be readily apparent that bracket  7  represents a versatile arrangement for establishing and maintaining a desired positioning for range  2  whereby range  2  cannot tip over during use. Due to its construction, bracket  7  can be mounted in different configurations depending upon the particular environment in which range  2  is to be located. In addition, by providing the various apertures  109 - 112 , aperture  115  and holes  140 - 143 , bracket  7  can be advantageously secured in the most convenient and efficient manner to one or more of supporting surface  50 , wall  54  and/or footer  165 . The inclusion of recessed section  137  not only enables the heads of screws  155  to be recessed, but advantageously enables the angling of holes  140 - 143  based on the overall mounting configuration.

Technology Category: f