US2536956A - Oven door construction - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 2, 1951 H. M. REEVES OVEN DOOR CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1948 Jan. 2, 1951 Filed April 12, 1948 H. M. R

EEVES 2,536,956

OVEN DOOR CONSTRUCTION Z5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I IIIIIIIIII" 9 WM Jerbev-k )Qeeves Jan. 2, 1951 H. M. REEVES OVEN DOOR CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 12, 1948 Patented Jim; 2, 1951 Herbert M. Reeves.

Florence Stove Company,

Kankakee, Ill., assignor to Gardner, Mass., a

corporation of Massachusetts Application April 12, 1948, Serial No. 20,435

9 Claims. (Cl. 126-200) The invention relates to doors for cookstoves or ranges and more particularly to doors for closing the oven compartments of such stoves.

One object of the invention is to provide a door of the above general character adapted to be constructed from simple. inexpensive sheet metal stampings and while light in weight, is very strong and rigid.

Another object is to provide an oven door having front and rear panels of enameled sheet metal assembled and secured together in a novel manner affording maximum protection to the enamel coating of the panels in the manufacture of the door and when the door f z in use.

Another object is to provide an oven door having a double glazed window opening constructed and arranged in a novel manner which permits the opening to be made of relatively small size so as to minimize heat losses without decreasing the effective range of vision through the window.

Still another object is to provide an insulated type oven door having a double glazed window and embodying novel means for strengthening the door and for supporting the glass panes therein.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of'the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a cookstove equipped with an oven door embodying the features of the invention, the door being shown in closed position.

Fig.2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the door in open position.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the door with parts broken away to show details of the internal structure.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken in a vertical plane substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig.5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in a horizontal plane substantially on the line [-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the door liner and the reinforcing structure associatedtherewith.

Fig. 'l is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the front window pane is supported on and secured to the door structure.

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the reinforcing member forming a part of the door.

.While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and. alternative constructions, I

have-shown in the drawings and will herein detend to limit scribe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby inthe invention to the'specific form disclosed, "but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

For purposes of illustration, the invention has been shown as embodied in a door it) associated with the oven II of a cabinet type cookstove I2. In stoves of this type the doors are made of substantial thickness for the accommodation of a layer of insulating'material and are mounted so as to lie substantially flush with the insulated drawer and door panels l3 provided for the broiler and utility compartments of the stove.

The door ID, in its preferred form, comprises an outer or face panel 15 (Figs. 1 and 4) and an inner or liner panel l6 (Figs. 2 and 4) both in the form of sheet metal stampings assembled and secured together in spaced interfltting relation to provide smooth inner and outer surfaces for the door. These surfaces are usually finished with a coating of vitreous enamel to enhance their appearance and to facilitate cleaning. The particular door illustrated is provided with a window ll through which the contents of the oven may be observed while the door is closed, the window being double glazed and embodying features of construction which reduce heat loss, as will appear presently.

In accordance with the invention, the face and liner panels I5 and [6 are constructed and secured together in a novel manner, which permits the front and rear faces of the door to be flnished with an enamel coating completely free of flaws or defects and which effectually protects the enamel coating from damage due to rough closing or slamming of the door. To this end the face panel l5 isformed with a rearwardly turned flange 20 and the liner panel I6 is formed with a forwardly turned flange 2| around their respective marginal edges. The liner panel is dimensioned so that the flange 2| is adapted to fit into the flange 20 of the face panel in telescoping relation with a slight but definite clearance between the flanges at all points, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The panels 15 and I6 are secured together in assembled relation by means of connecting links 22 (Fig. 5) coacting with the flanges of the respective panels and constructed so as to provide a substantial degree of resiliency in the connection between the panels. The links 22 are alike n. con truction, each having generally parallel end sections 22 and 24 oil'set laterally with respect to each other and connected by an integral intermediate section 25. The intermediate section 28 is preferably disposed substantially perpendicular to the end sections 22 and 24 and is of a length such as to permit a resilient yielding of the link upon application of pressure lengthwise thereof.

In the assembled door the end sections 23 of the links are permanently secured, as by spot welding, to the outermost flange of the assembly, in this instance the flange 20 of the face panel l5. l'bur such links are provided in the present instance, two at each side of the door. The other end sections 24 of the links, which are offset inwardly from the flange 20 so as to extend along the inner face of the flange 2| of the liner panel, are removably secured to the latter flange, as by screws 26. Preferably, the flange 21 is formed with inwardly pressed bosses 21 for seating against the links and providing recesses in the outer face of the flange for the accommodation of the heads of the screws 26. The links 22 may also be formed with inwardly turned flanges 28 adapted to engage the inner face of the liner panel 14 to locate the latter in properly spaced relation to the front panel l and thereby facilitate the assembly of the panels.

As the connecting links 22 are secured to the flanges of the panels I! and ii, the faces of the panels are left free of electrode marks or scars so that they can be finished with a flawles enamel coating. Moreover, the enamel coating of the faces of the panels is protected from shocks resulting from contact of the liner panel with the stove frame in the closing of the door as such shocks are largely absorbed by the resiliency of the links 22 and any unabsorbed force are transmitted to the flanges 20 and 2| instead of to the face portions of the panels. The danger of cracking or chipping the enamel on the faces of the door is thus materially reduced. These advantages are obtained without sacrifice of sturdiness or durability, and at the same time assembly of the door is greatly facilitated.

In order to make the door Ill substantially rigid and capable of supporting relatively heavy loads without deformation when in open position, reinforcing means is provided between the face and the liner panels and It. The reinforcing means comprises a stiffening member 30 preferably in the form of a sheet metal stamping rigidly secured to the inner face of one of the panels, in this instance the liner panel i6. As shown in Fig. 8, the member 30 comprises a generally rectangular steel plate 3| having its central portion 32 offset from or spaced forwardly from the plane of the sheet and connected therewith by integral webs 33. Additional stifiness is obtained by the provision of upstanding flanges 34 and 34 respectively along the side and the top and bottom edges of the sheet. As shown in Figs. 4 and the flange 34' at the lower edge of the member is rigidly connected by a reinforcing plate 35 with the oflset section 32 of the member to provide a rigid, box-like structure within the door.

The stiffening member 30 is preferably attached to the liner panel at a plurality of points adjacent its marginal edges, as, for example, at the four corners. Such attachment may be effected in any preferred manner, a by spot welding or by screws or bolts 36 a shown by way of example. The space between the non-offset portion of the member and the face panel I! may be 111184 wit 4 suitable insulating material 41 to minimise the transmission of heat through the door.

In the better grades of stoves the oven doors are commonly provided with window openings which are usually double glazed to minimize heat 1055 through the window. When used with such doors the stiflening member 24 is constructed in a novel manner to support and properly space the glass panes with which the window openings in the door are glazed. Moreover, the construction is such that the window opening may be made of minimum size without objectionably decreasing the range of vision therethrough.

For accomplishment of the above results, the offset central portion 22 of the plate 3! is cut out to provide a window opening 40 of substantially the same dimensions as the window H in the face panel II. The latter opening is bordered by a generally rounded inturned flange 4i, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, having its inner edge spaced from the plate section 22 sufliciently to receive a glass pane 42. In the particular door illlustrated, the flange 4| i tapered slightly with respect to the plane of the panel 15 and the offset portion 32 of the plate 31 is similarly inclined.

The pane 42 is thus disposed at a small angle to the plane of the door and more nearly normal to the line of vision of a person looking into the oven.

To simplify construction of the door and to facilitate its assembly, provision is made for supporting the front pane 42 directly on the stiflening member 30. For this purpose a series of clips 43, four in this instance, are spot welded or otherwise secured at one end to the front face of the plate section 32 in positions to coaet with the four corners of the front pane. These clips may comprise rectangular strips of sheet metal having a central opening 44 stamped therein for accommodating the corners of the pane. The clips are applied to the door while in a flat condition, as shown in Fig. 6, and after installation of the glass pane, are bent back upon the front surface thereof, as shown in Fig. '1.

The stifl'enim member 30 and liner panel I are constructed and arranged to cooperate in supporting an inner glass pane 45 and in guiding the pane for s-dgewise movement for installing it in and removing it from the door. To this end the liner panel i6 is formed with a window opening somewhat larger than the rear opening in the stiffening member 30 and such opening is bordered by a raised rib 46 having inturned flanges 41 framing the opening. At the sides of the opening the flanges 41 are extended inwardly to abut against the adjacent face of the plate 3i and are spaced spar substantially the width of the pane 5 to engage the side edges thereof and confine the pane against lateral movement. The flanges 41 at the top and bottom of the opening have their free edge portions 42 (Fig. 4) bent into a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the liner panel and spaced from the plate 3| to provide clearance for the pane 45. Support for the pane is provided by lugs 49 struck out from the plate 3! and projecting under the flange 41 at the bottom of the window opening.

With the above construction, the marginal edge portions of the pane 48 engage along its side and bottom edges with the plate II and the pane is normally held in engagement therewith by the flanges 41 at the top and bottom edges of the window opening in the liner panel 18. Downward movement of the pane is limited by the lugs 40, but the clearance Provided at the upper edge of the window opening by the rib It permits the pane to be shifted 'edgewise in a direction upwardly of the door to free its lower edge from the flange 41. when the lower edgefis thus freed, the pane may be tilted clear of the liner panel and withdrawn from the door.

To provide a rangeof vision suflicient to permit proper visual inspection of the oven and at the same time keep the window opening within minimum dimensions, the openings in the face and liner panels l and it are relatively proportioned and arranged in a noveland advantageous manner. More particularly, the window opening in the face panel is made substantially smaller than the corresponding opening in the liner panel l6 and the lower edge of the latter opening is offset downwardly with respect to the flrst-mentioned opening, as shown in Fig. 4. Additionally, the side edges of the inner window opening are offset outwardly from the corresponding edges of the front window opening, as shown in Fig. 5.

In view of the downwardly and laterally ofiset relation of the inner window opening with respect to the outer opening, the webs 33 Joining the plate 3| with its offset section 32 are sharply inclined downwardly and laterally to define an expanding range of vision when looking into the oven. In other words, by relatively proportioning and arranging the window openings in the panels l5 and It in the manner set forth, it is possible to minimize the dimensions of the outer window opening and at the same time increase the effective range of vision through the window notwithstanding the fact that the door is made of substantial thickness to minimize loss of heat.-

The invention also contemplates the attachment of the hinge structure to the door in a novel manner which provides greater strength and rigidity and which relieves the enameled portions of the door of strains. While the door may be provided with hinges of any preferred type, those shown by way of illustration are generally similar in construction to the hinges disclosed and claimed in my copending applicat on Serial No.

650,768, filed February 28, 1946, now abandoned.

This hinge comprises a pair of members 50 and 5| pivotally secured together and adapted for attachm nt respectively to the door and the stove frame. It will be understood, of course, that the door is provided with two hinges, one at each side. I

In the particular hinge shown, the member 50 which is attached to the door comprises an elongated sheet metal strip having one end portion of approximately the same w'dth as the flange 34 on the stiffening plate 3| and adapted to be ing any possibility of cracking or chipping the enamel coating thereon.

- invention provides an oven door of novel and adsecured thereto as by spot welding. The other end of the strip is offset rearwardly so as to project through the inner face of the door and to extend in the form of an arm substantially beyond the lower edge of the door. as shown in Fig.

6. The liner panel I6 is provided wth suitable slots 52 for the accommodation of the projecting ends of the hinge members.

Wheninstalled in the stove, the member 5| is suitably secured to the stove frame as by a stud 53, thus providing a fixed base upon'which the hinge member may pvot. As the side flanges of the stiffening plate 3| and the members 50 of the hinges are disposed in face-to-face relation through a substantial portion of the length of the members, a strong and rigid connection is insured. Moreover, strans incident to the opening and closing of the door are not transferred to the outer face of the door structure, thereby avoidvantageous' construction; The door is adapted to be fabricated from simple, inexpensive sheet metal stamping, thus producing a structure which is light'in weight yet strong and rigid. By reason of the novel manner in which the parts of the door are arranged and interconnected, marring of the front or rear faces of the door is avoided, thus enabling the faces to be finished with flawless enamel coatings. enamel coating is effectually protected from damage when subjected to rough treatment.

The improved door also provides a window construction which affords maximum rangeof vision, while maintaining the dimensions of the window opening ata minimum so that heat lossesare substantially reduced. Moreover, the window opening is completely framed in a manner such that it presents a neat and attractive appearance.

I claim as my invention:

1. An oven door comprising, in combination, a face section including a generally rectangular sheet metal panel having rearwardly turned flanges along its marginal edges, a liner section comprising a sheet metal panel having forwardly turned flanges along its marginal edges adapted to fit within the flanges of said face section, and sheet metal-connecting links coacting with the flanges of said two sections to secura'the sections together, said links bein permanently secured to the flanges of said face section andthe flanges of said liner section being removably secured to said links.

2. An oven door comprising, in combination, a face section including a generally rectangular sheet metal panel having rearwardly turned flanges along its marginal edges, a liner section comprising a sheet metal panel having forwardly turned flanges along its marginal edges adapted to fit within the flanges of said face section, and sheet metal connecting links secured at oPP Site ends to the flanges of said two sections to'connect the sectons in assembled relation, the end portions of said links being offset with respect to each other to' provide a substantial degree of resiliency in the connection between the sections.

3. An oven doorcomprising, in combination, a pair of sheet-metal panels secured together in spaced parallel relation, a stiffening member comprising a metal plate substantially smaller than said panels and havin its marginal edges rigidly secured to the inner face of one-of the panels, upturned flanges on the side edges of said plate, and hinge members for said door rigidly secured to said flanges and projmting through the panel forming the inner face of the door.

4. An oven door comprising, in combination, pair of sheet 'metal panels secured together in spaced parallel relation, said 'panels having alined window" openings," a stiffening member comprising a metal plate substantially smaller than said panelsand having its marginal edges rigidly secured to'one of the panels, said plate having'its' central portion offset from" the plane of the plate so asto lieclos'ely adjacent the other of saidpanels andhaving an' opening substantialdoor structure.

Moreover, the

5. An oven door comprising, in combination, a pair of sheet metal panels secured together in spaced parallel relation, said panels having alined window openings, glass panes for closing said window openings, a stifiening member comprising a metal plate substantially smaller than said panels and having its marginal edges rigidly secured to one of the panels, said plate having its central portion offset from the plane of the plate so as to lie closely adjacent the other of said panels and having an opening substantially alined with the window opening in said other panel, means for securing one of the glass panes to said plate independently of the adjacent one of said panels in a position effective to close the window opening in the panel, and lu s struck out from said plate for supporting the other glass pane in spaced relation to said one pane, the offset portion of said plate being operative to determine the spacing of said glass panes.

6. An oven door comprising, in combination,

I a facesection comprising sheet metal panel having a rectangular window opening in its upper central portion, a liner section secured to said face section and comprising a. second sheet metal panel having a rectangular window opening with its side and bottom edges oifset laterally and downwardly with respect to the corresponding side and bottom edges of the opening in said first panel, a stifiening member comprising a metal plate secured at its marginal edges to the inner face of one of said panels, said plate having its central portion offset from the plane of the plate and joined to the marginal edge portion of the plate by webs inclined at an angle to said plane, said offset portion of the plate having an opening of substantially the same shape and dimensions as the opening in said first panel and alined therewith, said webs meeting the marginal edge portions of the plate substantially in line with the side and bottom edges of the opening in said second panel, and glass panes interposed between said plate and both said panels to close the openings in the panels.

7. In an oven door, in combination, a generally rectangular sheet metal panel having its outer surface enameled and defining the front face of the door, a rearwardly turned flange formed around the marginal edges of said panel, a second sheet metal panel assembled in spaced parallel relation with said first panel, a forwardly turned flange formed around the marginal edges of said second panel, said second panel being dimensioned to permit the flange thereon to fit into the flange of said first panel in telescoping relation, a plurality of connecting links securing said panels together, each of said links having oifset end sections disposed substantially parallel to the flanges of the respective panels and rigidly secured thereto, and an intermediate section connecting said end sections, said intermediate section being disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the door and eifective to minimize the shock transmitted to said first panel from said second panel incident to the closing of the door.

8. In an oven door, in combination, a generally rectangular sheet metal panel having its outer surface enameled and defining the front face of the door, rearwardly turned flange formed around the marginal edges of said panel. a second panel assembled with said first panel to define the rear face of the door, a forwardly turned flange formed around the marginal edges of said second panel, said panels being dimensioned to permit the flange of one of the panels to fit into the flange of the other panel in telescoping relation, a plurality of connecting links cooperating with the flanges of said panels to secure the panels together, each of said links having end sections disposed in spaced parallel planes and connected by an intermediate section substantially perpendicular to the .end sections, one end section of each link being secured to the outer one of the flanges and the other end section being secured to the inner flange, and inwardly pressed bosses in said inner flange providing seats for the end sections of the links secured to that flange.

9. An oven door comprising, in combination, a face section comprising a sheet metal panel having a rectangular window opening in its upper central portion, a liner section secured to said face section and comprising a second sheet metal panel having rectangular window opening with its side and bottom edges offset laterally and downwardly with respect to the corersponding side and bottom edges of the opening in said first panel, a stiffening member comprising a metal plate secured at its marginal edges to the inner face of one of said panels, said plate having its central portion offset from the plane of the plate and joined to the marginal edge portion of the plate by webs inclined at an angle to said plane, said offset portion of the plate having an opening of substantially the same shape and dimensions as the opening in said first panel and alined therewith, said webs meeting the marginal edge portions of the plate substantially in line with the side and bottom edges of the opening in said second panel, glass panes for closing the openings in said panels, means for securing one of said panes to said plate independently of the adjacent panel, and means on said plate and the other panel cooperating to removably retain the other pane in assembled relation with the door.

. HERBERT M. REEVES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,108,810 Stockstrom Aug. 25, 1914 1,315,039 Roy Sept. 2, 1919 1,560,879 Tinnerman Nov. 10, 1925 1,623,408 Harter Apr. 5, 1927 1,677,286 Moll July 17, 1928 1,873,088 Wilde Aug. 23, 1932 2,029,432 Martin Feb. 4, 1936 2,072,820 Kessler Mar. 2, 1937 2,253,398 Reifenberg Aug. 19, 1941 2,293,399 Moecker et al Aug. 18, 1942 2,319,004 Lotter May 11, 1943 2,394,176 Hillebrand Feb. 5, 1946 2,438,270 Cotes Mar. 23, 1948 2,466,847 Hardwick Apr. 12, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 354,263. Great Britain Aug. 6, 1931

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