ACCESSORY SUPPORT PART FOR A HOUSEHOLD COOKING APPLIANCE

Abstract

An accessory support part comprising a support surface for supporting an appliance accessory in a cooking compartment of a household cooking appliance, wherein the accessory support part is a primary forming piece which is formed as a single-piece part.

Description

The present invention relates to an accessory support part comprising a support surface for supporting an appliance accessory in a cooking compartment of a household cooking appliance, and further to a household cooking appliance comprising a cooking compartment, at least one holding element arranged at a wall of the cooking compartment and at least one such accessory support part.

In currently known household cooking appliances, particularly ovens, steam ovens, pyrolysis ovens, microwaves, or the like, it is known to provide accessories, particularly in the form of foodstuff carriers, such as baking trays or wire shelfs, or the like, being insertable, particularly slide-able insertable, into the cooking compartment of the appliance. For this purpose, a household cooking appliance is usually provided comprising holding elements arranged at the side walls of the cooking compartment, which are used to attach an accessory support to the inner side wall of the cooking compartment. The accessory is then usually placed on said support. It is particularly known to provide such supports on different levels of the cooking compartment, and accordingly to allow for a placement of the accessories at varying levels according to the customer's needs and the desired cooking or baking performance.

Traditionally, the holding elements are usually fixedly or detachably mounted to the cooking compartment using a perforation provided in a sidewall of the cooking compartment, e.g. screwed or snapped in using a through hole in the cavity sidewall. As each of such holding elements usually is allocated to one perforation of the cooking compartment and as each of such perforation is detrimental to overall performance and energy consumption, there have been attempts to minimize the number of such perforations, and thus to keep the number of holding elements at a minimum. Known are metal side grid systems of complicatedly bend metal rods, which are usually welded to each other. Such side grid systems form and define supports on different levels of the cooking compartment for insertion and support of the accessory from a frontal side, i.e. the insertion-side end of the grid system, and at the same time keep the number of holding elements at a minimum.

However, the use of such metal side grids is linked to various problems. In a microwave oven, on the one hand, for example, the bend metal rod will easily cause sparking, if the distance between two metal components, particularly between two of the metal side grid, metal compartment wall or appliance accessory, is chosen too small, causing a serious safety drawback. In a steam oven, on the other hand, the bend metal is prone to corrosion, which makes the use of expensive stainless steel materials necessary. Furthermore, due to availability of advanced insulation means and methods, perforations in the compartment walls may be more sufficiently sealed. Furthermore, from a design view the bend metal rod systems don not blend harmoniously with the overall appliance/compartment-appearance and, from a practical point of view, are hard to clean.

Also known as an attempt to overcome the before described drawbacks so called molded cavities have been described, which provide accessory support areas of accordingly formed cavity walls.

Thereby, the cavity wall itself is forming the support for the accessory. However, in such cases, the accessory is in direct or close to contact with the wall of the cooking compartment, which may cause easy damage of the enameled wall, and—in case of a metal tray placed in a micro wave—may provoke sparking.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an accessory support for a household cooking appliance, which allows to overcome the afore-mentioned drawbacks. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an accessory support for a household cooking appliance, which allows more freedom of design and function.

These and other problems are solved by the subject matter of the attached independent claims.

The above objects of the invention are achieved by an accessory support part according to claim 1 and a household cooking appliance according to claim 14. Preferred embodiments may be taken from the dependent claims.

An accessory support part according to claim 1 comprises at least a support surface for supporting an appliance accessory in a cooking compartment of a household cooking appliance, wherein the accessory support part is a primary forming piece.

A household cooking appliance according to claim 14 comprises at least a cooking compartment, at least one holding element arranged at a wall of the cooking compartment, and at least one accessory support part according to the present invention for supporting an appliance accessory, in particular a foodstuff carrier, and wherein the accessory support part is attached to the wall, preferably a side wall, of the cooking compartment by the holding element.

The main idea underlying the present invention is to provide an accessory support part which is a primary forming piece. This particularly allows using materials other than standard metal rods and further allows generating a great variety of forms and designs, while high demands of household cooking appliances, e.g. high temperature and corrosion resistance, high mechanical stability, and particularly no sparking in micro waves, or corrosion in steam ovens or the like are met.

A “primary forming piece” as used herein, preferably refers to a piece, which is manufactured using a primary forming process. A primary forming process preferably refers to any manufacturing process in which a solid body is manufactured from a formless raw material. Primary forming is preferably used to produce the primary form of a geometrically distinct solid body and to generate material cohesion. A person skilled in the art will thus immediately understand and acknowledge that a primary forming piece is preferably not manufactured using a forming process which makes use of suitable stresses, like compression, tension, bending, shear or combined stresses, to cause plastic deformation of the materials to produce required shapes. Particularly the term “primary forming” or “primary forming process” as used herein, preferably does not comprise bending of metal rods and/or welding to generate a metal grid of metal rods. By contrast, a primary forming process may preferably be a manufacturing process selected from the group comprising molding, pressforming, casting, injection molding, high pressure die casting, sintering, semi-solid metal casting, rapid prototyping, particularly 3D-printing.

An accessory support part according to the present invention is thereby preferably formed as a single-piece part. More preferably, a single-piece part as used herein is understood as an accessory support part comprising features and sub-parts, particularly any of guide elements, pull-out stops, enlarged support surfaces, stiffening elements, lowered sections, end stops or fastening devices—if present—, as described herein as an integral part of the accessory support part. This is preferred as it advantageously allows an easy manufacturing process, whereby further assembly steps, like welding or bending are not necessary. However, it is alternatively considered herein, to produce an accessory support part, wherein the main body thereof as such is formed as a single-piece part, whereby further features and subparts, particularly any of guide elements, pull-out stops, enlarged support surfaces, stiffening elements, lowered sections, end stops or fastening devices as described hereinafter, may be formed as separate parts.

Particularly, the inventive accessory support part may preferably be a molding piece or press-forming piece. Thereby, a person skilled in the art knows, which materials can be used in the respective primary forming process. However, according to the present invention the accessory support part preferably is manufactured from a material having a relatively high temperature stability. A high temperature stability is advantageous as usually high temperatures of more than 250° C. are reached in standard household cooking appliances. However, according to particular embodiments an accessory support part according to the present invention may be manufactured from materials having a high temperature stability, which even allows to apply the accessory support part in pyrolysis ovens.

Moreover, additionally or alternatively, the inventive accessory support part is manufactured from a material having relatively low electrical conductivity. A low electrical conductivity is advantageous, particularly in microwaves, as undesired sparking effects are reduced.

Moreover, additionally or alternatively, the inventive accessory support part is manufactured from a material having relatively high corrosion resistance, or preferably not showing corrosion at all. A relatively high corrosion resistance is advantageous, particularly in household cooking appliance, more particularly in household cooking appliance with steam function, as undesired wearing and corrosion effects due to moisture in the cooking compartment are reduced.

Moreover, additionally or alternatively, the inventive accessory support part is manufactured from a material having relatively high mechanical stability. A relatively high mechanical stability is preferred as the accessory support part is used to support accessories to be able to carry food stuff of up to about 5 to 10 kilograms by weight.

In an embodiment the inventive accessory support part is manufactured from a material selected from plastic material, ceramic material, aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In a particularly preferred embodiment the accessory support part according to the present invention is manufactured from aluminum or aluminum alloy, preferably using die casting. The accessory support part according to this embodiment may advantageously used at higher temperatures, preferably also in pyrolysis. Accordingly, an accessory support part manufactured from aluminum or aluminum alloy may also be applied to ovens having pyrolysis function. In an alternative particularly preferred embodiment, the accessory support part according to the present invention is manufactured from plastics, preferably using injection molding. An accessory support part manufactured from plastics may advantageously be manufactured using injection molding. Thereby, the shape and color may be freely selected using respective molds and pigments, respectively. Particularly, high-performance thermoplastic materials are preferred. High-performance thermoplastics differ from standard plastics primarily by their relatively high temperature stability, but also by their relatively high chemical stability and mechanical stability. Preferably, a high-performance thermoplastic as used herein, is selected from the group comprising Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), Polyphthalamide (PPA), Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) thereby is particularly preferred. PPS as used herein, preferably refers to an organic polymer consisting of aromatic rings linked with sulfides. An accessory support part according to the present invention manufactured from PPS advantageously has a relatively high chemical and thermal resistance and mechanical stability. Advantageously an accessory support part according to the present invention manufactured from PPS shows relatively low electrical conductivity. Particularly, PPS is advantageously used according to the present invention as it can be molded, extruded, or machined to high tolerances. Particularly, PPS exhibits a relatively high chemical stability, mechanical stability and high temperature stability, and moreover exhibits low electrical conductivity and is resistant to corrosion. Preferably, PPS used for the inventive accessory support part has a melting point of at least about 285° C. and/or has a heat deflection temperature at 1.8 MPa unannealed of more than 260° C.

In its pure solid form, PPS may be opaque white to light tan in color and exhibits a metallic sound when struck. According to the present invention PPS may be used in pure solid form or, alternatively comprising suitable additives. Such additives may be added, for example, to determine and produce the desired color of the accessory support part. This advantageously may increase consumer's acceptance of the accessory support part according to the present invention, and increases the overall appliance/compartment-appearance as an accessory support part according to the present invention may harmoniously blend with the overall appliance/compartment-appearance. Additionally or alternatively the additives may be chosen to enhance the chemical stability, corrosion resistance, mechanical stability and/or temperature stability, and/or to decrease the electrical conductivity. Particularly, additives enhancing the mechanical stability may be added, for example, selected from the group comprising glass fibers and minerals.

It will be immediately understood by a person skilled in the art that the accessory support part according to the present invention advantageously is applicable to various household cooking appliances. A household cooking appliance as used herein, preferably refers to an oven, particularly an oven selected from the group comprising steam oven, microwave oven and baking oven. Such an oven may additionally have pyrolysis function. Such household cooking appliance usually comprises a cooking compartment, particularly an oven cavity, in which the foodstuff is insertable and in which the cooking process is to be carried out. Such cooking compartment is usually formed by two lateral side walls, a back wall and a front wall, a bottom and an upper wall, which enclose the cooking compartment. Particularly, one wall—usually the frontal wall—of the cooking compartment comprises an opening, closable by a door, for accessing the interior of the cooking compartment, e.g. in order to insert foodstuff to be cooked. The foodstuff may be placed on an appliance accessory. An appliance accessory as used herein, preferably is a foodstuff carrier, particularly a slide-able foodstuff carrier. An appliance accessory as used herein, preferably is a foodstuff carrier selected from the group comprising baking tray, perforated plate, glass tray, standard wire shelf and Australian variant of wire shelf.

In connection therewith a person skilled in the art will immediately recognize and understand that terms that refer to a relative positioning of features or a direction, i.e. terms like “upper”, “lower”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “rear”, “side”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, are used herein preferably in order to be understood and interpret referring to the relative orientation to an object, particularly the appliance and/or the accessory support part, in its position of intended use. Accordingly, the “back end” of an accessory support part preferably refers to the end of the accessory support part which in its position of intended use is adjacent to the back wall of the compartment. The back wall of the compartment accordingly is preferably the wall of the compartment, which is furthest from the user, if the appliance is positioned for its intended use. The “insertion side”, for example, preferably refers to the side of the cooking compartment from which a user inserts an accessory and/or foodstuff into the compartment into its position of intended use. Particularly, the “insertion side” of the compartment may be the side of the frontal opening.

An appliance accessory, for example a baking tray or wire shelf, is insertable at the insertion side of the compartment into the cooking compartment and can be advantageously placed on the accessory support part of the present invention. For this purpose, the accessory support part of the present invention is attached to a wall of the cooking compartment by at least one holding element.

According to the present invention an accessory support part comprises at least one support surface that supports an appliance accessory that may be placed thereon. The support surface for supporting an appliance accessory thereby preferably defines one placement level of the accessory. In other words, the support surface may define the level of height on which the accessory is placeable.

In an embodiment an accessory support part comprises a single support surface defining a certain placement level on which the accessory is placeable. Accordingly, a household cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the invention may comprise one accessory support part defining one placement level for one accessory. Alternatively, a household cooking appliance according to a further embodiment of the invention may comprise at least two accessory support parts each arranged at a different height and each defining a different placement level. Thereby, each placement level may be used for one accessory.

In an alternative embodiment, the accessory support part according to the present invention comprises at least two support surfaces. In such configuration, the accessory support part may be particularly designed and configured such that each support surface for supporting an appliance accessory defines a different placement level, i.e. a first support surface is configured to support a placement of the accessory on a first placement level, whereas a further support surface is configured to support a placement of the accessory on a further placement level, whereby the first placement level is different from the further placement level. In other words, the different support surfaces of one accessory part may define different levels of height on which the accessory is place-able. This particularly allows that one accessory support part may be configured to support and place one appliance accessory on one support surface and placement level, respectively, at the choice of the costumer. Particularly, however, more than one accessory may be supported by the accessory support part on different placement levels at the same time. Accordingly, more than one accessory may be placed in the compartment at different placement levels at the same time. This provides the possibility to the customer to place the accessory on varying levels of height within the compartment defined by the support surface(s) and/or to place more than one accessory on different levels of height within the compartment.

Particularly, an accessory support part according to the present invention can be preferably configured to be attached to an upright wall of the compartment, i.e. the side walls or the back or frontal wall of the compartment. However, a placement of the accessory support part on the back or side wall of the compartment is particularly preferred.

In the light of the above, it will be immediately understood by a person skilled in the art that dependent on the design and arrangement of the accessory support part according to the present invention only one accessory support part may be sufficient to support one or several appliance accessories at one or several defined levels of height. Accordingly, a household appliance according to the present invention may comprise one accessory support part defining one placement level for one accessory, or alternatively, may comprise at least two accessory support parts each arranged at a different height and each defining at least one placement level. Thereby, each placement level may be used for one accessory.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an accessory support part is formed and designed such that a pair of two accessory support parts according to the present invention are arrangable in the cooking compartment and act cooperatively in supporting an appliance accessory. Accordingly, such pair of accessory support parts supports one or several appliance accessories at one or several defined levels of height. Thereby, a first accessory support part and a second accessory support part of said pair of accessory support parts, may preferably be formed substantially symmetrically identical. Particularly, it is preferred that each of such accessory support part of a pair of accessory support parts is attached or attachable to one side wall of the cooking compartment. In other words, such a pair of accessory support parts comprises a first accessory support part attached to a first wall of the compartment and a second accessory support part, preferably symmetrically formed to the first accessory support part, attached to a second wall of the compartment. Preferably, the first wall of the compartment is opposing the second wall of the compartment, whereby more preferably the walls are the side walls of the compartment.

Accordingly, a household appliance according to the present invention may comprise at least one pair of accessory support parts. Such pair of accessory support parts preferably comprises two accessory support parts each comprising at least one support surface. Preferably, at least one support surface of the first accessory support part corresponds to a support surface of the second accessory support part. In other words, such pair of support surfaces of the first and second accessory support part act cooperatively in supporting an appliance accessory. Particularly, such pair of support surfaces defines one placement level for one accessory. In an embodiment according to which each of the accessory support parts of a pair comprises at least two support surfaces each pair of cooperating support surfaces defines a different placement level. In other words, in such embodiment it is preferred that both parts of the pair of accessory support parts comprise one or more support surfaces, whereby each support surface of a first accessory support part corresponds to a support surface of the second accessory support part. A pair of such corresponding support surfaces may particularly define one placement level.

Particularly, the accessory support part of the present invention may be configured such that from an insertion side of the cooking compartment, particularly the side of the frontal opening, an accessory can be slide into the cooking compartment. Thereby the side and/or bottom of the accessory may particularly slide along and be supported by the respective support surface of the accessory support part until the accessory is in place. For this purpose it is preferred that the accessory support part may have elongate shape. Preferably the support surface may have elongate shape. In an embodiment the accessory support part is arranged or arrange-able in the compartment such that the main axis of the accessory support part, and particularly the support surface is arranged parallel to the side walls of the compartment. Thereby, particularly the accessory may slide along the longitudinal axis of a support surface of an elongate shaped accessory support part. This advantageously allows that an accessory, for example a baking tray or wire shelf, may easily be slided in the compartment along the support surface supporting the accessory.

According to the present invention a household cooking appliance comprises at least one holding element arranged, preferably directly arranged at a wall of the cooking compartment and each accessory support part of the household cooking appliance is attached to a wall of the cooking compartment by such holding element. Preferably, the holding elements are permanently or removably fixed or fixable at a wall of the cooking compartment. Particularly, it is preferred that each accessory support part of the household cooking appliance is attached to a wall of the cooking compartment by two holding elements. The holding element may be a protrusion protruding from the wall of the cooking compartment. Preferably, the holding element may be a stud or bolt adapted to couple the accessory support part at the wall. A holding element according to one embodiment of the present invention may particularly be configured and arranged, preferably directly arranged in a respective receiving of the wall of the compartment, particularly a hole, more particularly a through hole, provided in the wall of the compartment, wherein preferably the wall is a side wall of the compartment. Particularly, the holding element may be configured and arranged such that it protrudes into the cavity. At its protruding end the holding element may comprise an engagement structure, for example, a thickened head or rib. The engagement structure may be configured such that it may engage with the accessory support part, particularly a respective fastening device of the accessory support part, for example, formed as a respective receiving. The receiving of the accessory support part may engage with a corresponding engagement structure of the holding element till it snaps, for example, caused by a rib to guarantee that the accessory support part is well fixed. The holding element preferably is manufactured from ceramics, which advantageously has relatively high resistance to sheer forces and at the same time has relatively low electrical conductivity.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive accessory support part, the accessory support part is an elongate part, particularly an elongate profile part, having an L-shaped or U-shaped or open-trapezoidal cross-section. As used herein, preferably an accessory support part having L-shaped, U-shaped or trapezoid cross-section refers to an accessory support part having a base side and in case of an L-shaped cross-section one lateral side, or in case of U-shaped or trapezoidal cross-section two lateral sides. The base side is preferably formed as the elongate flange side to be attached to the wall of the cooking compartment. Said base side may be flat, or may comprise a hollow or cut-out. Such hollow or cut-out may be particularly formed to save material. In case the base side is attached to the compartment wall, the lateral side(s) protrude(s) substantially horizontally or trapedoidally angled into the cavity. Thereby each of the legs may have a cross-section of an acute triangle, and particularly a thickened base. At least one of the upper surfaces of said legs may be configured to provide a substantially horizontal surface, which serves as the support surface for supporting an appliance accessory. Such L-shaped, U-shaped or trapezoidal cross-section allows for a relatively compact design of the support part and is advantageous for the stability of the accessory support part and secures support of the accessory. Particularly, the base side of the accessory support part is supported by the compartment wall, and the contact area of said base side to the compartment walls is advantageously increased by said geometry. Moreover, the thickened base of the legs is advantageous for the secure support of the accessory and avoids undesired tilting or breaking. Each of the afore-described features, i.e. the L-shaped, U-shaped or trapezoidal cross-section, and the thickened base of the legs, separately and jointly advantageously counteract leverage effects of the supported accessory.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive accessory support part, the accessory support part comprises a guide element. Such guide element advantageously prevents the accessory, which is placed onto the support surface of the accessory support part, from being able to inadvertently tilt. Such guide element may be an elongate element, protruding from the accessory support part. Particularly, the guide element may be one leg, preferably an upper leg, of the accessory support part having U-shaped or trapezoid cross-section. Such guide element preferably is arranged opposing the support surface. Thus the support surface and the guide element may form an insertion compartment there between, and may particularly form a guiding channel, for inserting a rim or bottom part of the accessory, at least partially along the longitudinal axis of the support surface. Particularly a guide element may be an elongate element arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support surface. Particularly, a guide element may in longitudinal direction be of the entire length of the support surface. However, a shorter guide element is advantageous in saving material. An unintentional critical tilting of the appliance accessory for items to be cooked is furthermore prevented in a particularly reliable manner in that the guide element is at least more than a third of the support surface length. The guide element, particularly may have at least one concavely or convexly rounded end. This particularly facilitates insertion of the accessory. Preferably, the guide element is formed as an integral part of the accessory support part. It will be immediately understood that a guide element according to the present invention may preferably also be a tilt-prevention rail for the appliance accessory.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive accessory support part, the accessory support part comprises a pull-out stop. Such pull-out stop prevents a too far moving out of the appliance accessory. Preferably, the pull-out stop is formed as an integral part of the accessory support part. Particularly, a pull-out stop may be arranged on top of the support surface, preferably at the insertion-side end of the support surface. Particularly, a pull-out stop may be provided as a thickening of the material. For example, a pull-out stop may be provided in the form of a web- or bar-formed thickening of the material arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support surface. Particularly, a pull-out top may be configured to cooperate with a respective pull-out top receiving of the accessory. Particularly, an accessory, e.g. a baking tray or wire shelf, may comprise such receiving, for example, in the form of buckling. Preferably, a pull-out top is arranged such that in a respective rest position of the accessory the pull-out stop cooperates with a guide element, limiting a tilt angle of the accessory, preferably to less than six degrees. Particularly, a pull-out stop may be arranged in a front portion of the support surface. Thereby, the pull-out stop preferably prevents a completely extraction of the accessory.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive accessory support part, the accessory support part comprises a guide element, wherein an insertion-side end of the guide element lies axially behind an insertion-side end of the support surface. Such arrangement provides an easy access for the insertion of an accessory, particularly in the form of a baking tray or wire shelf. Particularly, due to the fact that the guide surface end at the insertion side lies axially behind an insertion-side end of the support surface, which is located there, an accessory can be inserted into the cooking compartment such that the support surface is supporting the accessory, in a particularly rapid and reliable manner, because a tricky threading of the accessory into an insertion compartment between the support surface and the corresponding guide element is no longer necessary. Presently, this can be carried out in a particularly simple manner, because the front end of the guide element behind the front end of the support surface advantageously jumps back and the guide element preferably does not overlap the region of the front support surface end hereby. The accessory at the insertion side can thus be brought towards an overlap-free support surface region of the support surface without any problems and can be placed and deposited thereon, respectively. In this context, the term “axially behind” describes an arrangement of the support surface and of the guide surface, in which one end of the guide element is arranged axially behind an end of the support surface, with respect to the longitudinal extension of the accessory support part. In the instant case, the guide element end is thus displaced in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the accessory support part.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive accessory support part, the accessory support part comprises at least one section having an enlarged support surface. Such section having an enlarged support surface advantageously facilitates the support of the accessory by the support surface. Particularly, an enlarged support surface section is arranged at or near at least one end, preferably at least the insertion side end, of the accessory support part. This particularly facilitates the insertion of the accessory. Moreover, the accessory may advantageously be selectively better supported at an edge region of the accessory and the compartment, respectively.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive accessory support part, the accessory support part comprises a stiffening element. Such stiffening element advantageously increases the stability of the accessory support part, or sub-parts thereof. For such purpose, one or more stiffening elements may advantageously be provided at different portions of the accessory support part. Particularly, such stiffening element may comprise an enlargement and/or material thickening. Particularly, providing such stiffening element at or near at least at one end, preferably both ends of the accessory support part, more preferably at or near at least one end of the support surface, may advantageously increase the stability of the accessory support part, and particularly the support surface. Additionally or alternatively, a stiffening element, particularly in the form of an enlargement and/or material thickening, may also be advantageously arranged at the base and/or in the longitudinal direction of a guide element. Additionally or alternatively, a stiffening element, particularly in the form of an enlargement and/or material thickening, may also be advantageously arranged at the base and/or in the longitudinal direction of the base of the accessory support part being an elongate profile part.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive accessory support part, the accessory support part comprises a lowered section. Particularly, such lowered section may be a lowered section of the support surface. In other words, a section of the support surface may be lowered compared to the rest of or main part of the support surface. Particularly, a lowered section of the support surface at the insertion side end may be advantageously facilitating the insertion of the accessory onto the accessory support part, particularly the insertion into an insertion compartment. In a preferred embodiment such lowered section comprises a stiffening element. Particularly, such lowered section may have a material thickening. In a particularly preferred embodiment the insertion side end of the support surface is staggered downwards compared to the main part of the support surface. In a particularly preferred embodiment the lowered section comprises a pull-out stop. Particularly, such may be arranged on top of the support surface, preferably at the insertion-side end of the support surface, and more particularly provided as a thickening of the material. For example, in the form of a web- or bar-formed thickening of the material arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support surface. In such embodiment the pull-out stop arranged in the lowered section may advantageously allow for an even position of the accessory. This is, as the pull-out stop, particularly the top of the pull-out stop, may be provided with or at the same height than the main part of the support surface.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive accessory support part, the accessory support part comprises an end stop, particularly at its back end. Such end stop may advantageously stop the insertion movement of the accessory and thus stop the rearward movement of the accessory inside the cooking compartment. This end stop may particularly prevent the contact of the accessory to the compartment wall, and thus advantageously protect the compartment wall from undesired damage. Particularly, an enameled compartment wall may thus be advantageously protected from damage. Moreover, such end-stop facilitates to keep the accessory in a defined position. Preferably, such end stop is arranged at the back end of the support surface. Particularly, an accessory support part may comprise such an end stop provided as a protrusion and/or plate element at the back end of the support surface. Preferably, the end stop is formed as an integral part of the accessory support part, more preferably arranged at the back end of the accessory support part.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive accessory support part, the accessory support part comprises at least two, preferably exactly two, fastening devices. The fastening devices may be fastening portions Such fastening devices may serve for various different adjustment methods for adjusting the accessory support part at the wall of the cooking compartment, like e.g. screwing, clipping, or the like. Particularly, such fastening device may be configured to each cooperate with one holding element arranged at the wall of a cooking compartment. Particularly, the fastening devices are provided to attach the accessory support part at the wall of the cooking compartment, particularly to the holding elements. Preferably, a fastening device forms a receiving for an engagement with the holding element. Particularly, such receiving may be a cut out, opening or recess, preferably a semi-circular cut-out, opening or recess. Particularly, the fastening device, particularly a cut-out, opening or recess, may comprise a material thickness. For example, the material thickness may be a snapping rip for fixing the accessory support part to a holding element. Additionally or alternatively, the material thickness may be a stiffening element. Particularly, the material thickness may form a stiffening lip and/or snapping rip formed at least partially circumferential to the cut-out. Preferably, a fastening device is arranged or included at the base side of an accessory support part. Particularly, a first fastening device may be arranged at an insertion side end of the accessory support part, and a further fastening device may be arranged at a rear end of the accessory support part. Particularly, such fastening device may form a recess, wherein an open side of said recess is directed either to a horizontal, preferably horizontal backward, side, or a vertical, preferably vertical downward side. In an embodiment the accessory support part comprises at least two fastening devices, wherein a first fastening device is arranged at a rear end of the accessory support part and comprises a recess having a horizontal backward opening, and a second fastening device arranged at a frontal, insertion side end of the accessory support part and comprising a recess having a vertical downward opening. In order to arrange the accessory support part in the compartment, a user may engage the first fastening device at the rear end with a corresponding rear holding element by a horizontal rearward movement of the accessory. Subsequently, the accessory support part may engage with a corresponding frontal holding element with its second fastening device by a vertical downward movement. Particularly, at least one fastening device may be configured such that it can be snap-connected to the respective holding element. For example, such snap-connection may be caused by a rib to guarantee that the accessory support part is well fixed.

According to embodiments, the accessory support part may form a support runner, specifically a slide support runner for receiving a side portion of an appliance accessory, specifically a foodstuff carrier. The accessory support part may provide a support for said appliance accessory at a certain height, i.e. the accessory support part does not comprise multiple support surfaces in different height levels in order to receive an appliance accessory in different heights but comprises a single support surface. The height at which an appliance accessory is received within the cavity can be chosen by arranging the accessory support part at different height levels within the cooking appliance.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a household cooking appliance. The household cooking appliance comprises a cooking compartment, at least one holding element arranged at a wall of the cooking compartment, and at least one accessory support part adapted to be attached to a wall of the cooking compartment. For example, the holding element may be a stud or bolt. The accessory support part is adapted to be attacked to the wall of the cooking compartment by the holding element. The accessory support part is configured according to the embodiments described above. Preferably, the accessory support part is attached to a side wall of the cooking compartment.

According to embodiments of the household cooking appliance, multiple pairs of holding elements are provided at different levels of a first sidewall and multiple pairs of holding elements are provided at different levels of a second sidewall, wherein the accessory support part is adapted to be mounted at one pair of holding elements arranged in a certain level of the first or second sidewall.

All described embodiments of the invention have the advantage, that an accessory support part and/or a household cooking appliance comprising an accessory support part are provided allowing for an increased freedom of design. Moreover, the present invention suggests materials for an accessory support part, alternative to the common bend metal rods, which allow for an increased freedom of design. Moreover, the accessory support part according to the present invention allows for a flexible adjustment of placement levels for accessories. Thereby, the present invention provides for a consumer friendly assemble and disassemble process without tools. The accessory support part according to the present invention thereby is readily applicable to various household cooking appliances, however, the accessory support part according to the present invention may particularly be provided within a baking oven due to high thermos stability, and with a lower risk for corrosion in a steam oven or sparking in a microwave. Thereby, the present invention provides an accessory support part, which allows for an easy handling of the accessories to be supported, like e.g. an easy access function for accessories and/or an end stop which helps to keep the accessory in a defined position.

Also legal Points are fulfilled by this component like e.g. pull-out stop and a rest Position with preferably a tilt angle of less than six degrees. Particularly, the present invention provides an accessory support part manufacture-able from a dishwasher friendly material. Moreover, a pleasant movement noise while sliding the accessories may advantageously be achieved. Particularly, if manufactured from plastics, the color can be variate and adjusted to compartment and appliance design.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings from which further features, embodiments and advantages may be taken, and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show perspective views of a cooking compartment of a household cooking appliance according to an inventive embodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show perspective detailed views of an accessory support part according to an inventive embodiment;

FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the accessory support part shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a side view and top view, respectively, of the accessory support part shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

In FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B a household cooking appliance 5 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the depicted embodiment for the ease of understanding, merely the cooking compartment 4 of the household cooking appliance 5 is shown. In the shown embodiment said cooking compartment 4 be a cavity 4 of a baking oven 5, microwave 5 or steam oven 5. The depicted cavity 4 is formed by two lateral side walls 41 and 42, a back wall 43 and a front wall 44, a bottom 45 and an upper wall 46, which enclose the cooking compartment 4. Particularly, the frontal wall 44 of the cavity 4 comprises an opening, which can be closed by a not shown door for accessing the interior of the cavity 4, e.g. in order to insert foodstuff to be cooked, which may be placed on an appliance accessory 3, for example the shown baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3. Thereby, it is immediately obvious from FIGS. 1A and 1B that the cavity 4 comprises several holding elements 15 arranged at the side walls 41, 42 of the cavity 4, and by which the accessory support parts 1 according to the present invention can be attached to the sidewalls 41, 42 of the cavity 4. For a better understanding FIG. 1B shows three pairs of such holding elements 15 arranged at three levels a, b and c at each side wall 41, 42 of the cavity 4, whereby each pair of such holding elements 15 on one side wall 41 has a pair of such holding elements 15 on the opposing side wall 42, which together define three distinct levels a, b, c of placement for an accessory support part 1 according to the present invention for supporting an appliance accessory 3.

In the shown embodiment only at the most upper placement level a, accessory support parts 1a and 1b are attached to the cavity side walls 41, 42 for better understanding, however, it will be immediately understood that at each of the three levels a, b and c, accessory support parts 1 according to the present invention may be attached and thus define three placement levels a, b and c each for one appliance accessory 3, for example the shown baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3. Accordingly, such household appliance 5 as shown in the figures may comprise three pairs of accessory support parts 1, each comprising two accessory support parts 1a and 1b. Thereby, the accessory support part 1 is configured such that from an insertion side i) of the cavity 4, i.e. the side of the frontal opening, an accessory 3 can be slided into the cavity 4. Thereby the lateral sides, i.e. the lateral rods, of the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3 slide along and are supported by the respective support surface 2 of the accessory support part 1, 1a, 1b until the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3 is in place. Particularly, such baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3 is insertable into the cavity 4 and can be advantageously placed on the accessory support part 1, 1a, 1b of the present invention, which is particularly obvious from the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3 arranged in the most upper placement level a) in FIG. 1A. As may be seen from FIGS. 2a and 2B each accessory support part 1, 1a, 1b comprises two fastening devices 13 and 14, which are configured to each cooperate with one pair of holding elements 15 arranged at a side wall 41, 42 of a cavity 4. As best seen from FIG. 2A each fastening device 13, 14 forms a semi-circular cut-out receiving for an engagement with the respective holding element 15, and further comprising a stiffening element 8 in the form of a material thickness forming a stiffening lip and snapping rip 16 formed at least partially circumferential to the cut-out. Thereby, both fastening devices 13, 14 of each accessory support part 1, 1a, 1b are arranged at the base side 25 of the accessory support part 1. Particularly, a fastening device 13 is arranged at an insertion side end 21 of the accessory support part 1, and a further fastening device 14 is arranged at a rear end 24 of the accessory support part 1. Thereby, the fastening device 14 arranged at a rear end 24 of the accessory support part 1 comprises a recess having a horizontal backward opening, and a the fastening device 13 arranged at a frontal, insertion side end 21 of the accessory support part 1 comprises a recess having a vertical downward opening. In order to arrange the accessory support part 1 in the cavity, a user may engage the fastening device 14 at the rear end 24 with a corresponding rear holding element 15, 15a by a horizontal rearward movement of the accessory 3. Subsequently, the accessory support part 1 may engage with a corresponding frontal holding element 15b with its fastening device 13 by a vertical downward movement.

In FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3A, 3B and 3C an accessory support part 1 according to the present invention is shown, which comprises at least a support surface 2 for supporting an appliance accessory 3, e.g. a baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3, in a cooking compartment 4 of a household cooking appliance 5, for example, the cooking compartment 4 and household appliance 5 according to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1A or 1B. Thereby, the support surface 2 for supporting an appliance accessory 3 defines one placement level a) of the accessory as the level of height on which the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3 is placed in the cavity 4. As immediately apparent from FIG. 1A and 1B according to the shown embodiment the accessory support part 1 is formed and designed such that a pair of two accessory support parts 1a and 1b are arrange-able in the cavity 4 and act cooperatively in supporting the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3. Each pair 1a and 1b of accessory support parts 1 which may be placed at the three placement levels a, b and c, predefined by the holding elements 15, may support one appliance accessory 3 at one of the three defined levels of height a, b and c. Thereby, as may be best seen in FIG. 1B a first accessory support part 1a and a second accessory support part 1b of said pair of accessory support parts 1 is formed substantially symmetrically identical, and each of the accessory support parts 1a and 1b of said pair is attached to one side wall of the cavity 41 and 42, respectively. As may be best seen from FIGS. 3A and 3B showing a side view and a top view, respectively, of the accessory support part 1 has an overall elongate shape, and also the support surface 2 has an elongate shape. As immediately apparent from FIGS. 1A and 1B the accessory support part 1 is arranged or arrange-able in the cavity 4 such that the main axis x of the accessory support part 1, and particularly the support surface 2 is arranged parallel to the side walls 41, 42 of the compartment 4. Thus, the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3 may slide along the longitudinal axis x of the support surfaces 2. As immediately visible from FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B one support surface 2a of the first accessory support part 1a at the left cavity side wall 41 corresponds to a support surface 2b of the second accessory support part 1b at the right cavity side wall 42, and thus the pair of support surfaces 2a and 2b acts cooperatively in supporting the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3, thereby also defining the most upper placement level a) for the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3. Turning again to FIG. 2B showing a perspective view of the accessory support part 1 and particularly to FIG. 2C showing a cross-sectional view thereof, it can be seen that the elongate accessory support part 1 is an elongate profile having an open-trapezoidal cross-section with a base side 25 and two lateral sides 26, 27. The base side is thereby formed as the elongate flange side 25, which is to be attached to the side wall 41 of the cavity. Said base side 25 in the present case comprises a hollow, formed to save material. As visible from FIG. 1B in connection with FIGS. 2A or 2B, the base side 25 is attached to the compartment wall 41 and accordingly is supported by the compartment wall 41, whereby the contact area of said base side 25 to the compartment walls 41, 42 is advantageously increased by said geometry. The lateral sides 26 and 27 protrude from the base side 25 trapedoidally angled towards the cooking compartment interior 3. Thereby each of the legs 26 and 27 has a cross-section of an acute triangle and a thickened base. The upper surface 2 of the lower leg 26 provides a substantially horizontal surface, which serves as the support surface 2 for supporting the appliance accessory 3.

As may be best seen from FIG. 2B the accessory support part 1 comprises a guide element 6 in the form of an elongate element protruding from the accessory support part 1, and in the present case being represented by the upper leg 27 of the accessory support part 1, and being arranged opposing the support surface 2 such that the support surface 2 and the guide element 6 form an insertion compartment there between for insertion of the edge of the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3 along the longitudinal axis x of the support surface 2. The guide element 6 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis x of the support surface 2 and in its longitudinal direction x be of about a third of the support surface's length. Also apparent from FIG. 2B is the concavely rounded end 63, 64 of the guide element 6, which facilitates insertion of the accessory. Particularly, an insertion-side end 61 of the guide element 6 lies axially behind an insertion-side end 21 of the support surface 2, thus providing an easy access for the insertion of the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3 due to an overlap-free support surface region y of the support surface 2. In addition, the inventive accessory support part 1 comprises two sections 22 having an enlarged support surface 2. A first enlarged support surface 22a is arranged at or near the insertion side end 21 of the support surface 2, and a second enlarged support surface section 22b is arranged at or near the rear end 24 of the support surface 2. Both of said enlarged support surface sections 22 improve the support of the accessory 3 at an edge region of the accessory 3 and the compartment 4, respectively. Still further, the inventive accessory support part 1 comprises various stiffening elements 8 for increasing the stability of the accessory support part 1. Particularly such stiffening elements 8 in the form of material thickenings 8 are provided at both ends 11 and 12 of the accessory support part 1 at or near the ends 21, 24 of the support surface 2. Moreover, the inventive accessory support part 1 comprises a lowered section 23 of the support surface 2 at the insertion side end 21 advantageously facilitating the insertion of the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3 onto the insertion compartment. As may be best seen from FIG. 2B the insertion side end 21 of the support surface 2 is staggered downwards compared to the main part of the support surface 2.

The accessory support part 1 further comprises a pull-out stop 7, which is arranged on top of the support surface 2 at the insertion-side end 21 thereof, and which is provided as a small thickened web perpendicular to the longitudinal axis x of the support surface 2. Thereby the pull-out stop 7 is configured to cooperate with a respective pull-out receiving 71 in the form of a buckling of the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3, which may be seen in FIG. 2A. Still further, the inventive accessory support part 1 comprises an end stop 9 at its back end 12, which prevents the contact of the baking tray 3 or wire shelf 3 to the enameled cavity wall 43. The end stop 9 is arranged at the back end 24 of the support surface 2 and provided as a protruding plate element at the back end 24 of the support surface 2.

As may be particularly seen best from FIG. 2B the accessory support part 1 is a primary forming piece, here according to a first embodiment a PPS molding piece, and according to an alternative second embodiment an aluminum or aluminum alloy pressforming piece. This allows to generate a great variety of forms and designs, while high demands of household cooking appliances 5, e.g. high temperature and corrosion resistance, no sparking in micro waves, or the like are met. Particularly, the accessory support parts 1, 1a and 1b shown in the hereto-attached Figures each can be provided in a single molding or press-forming step, respectively, as single-piece parts, whereby each feature and sub-part as described before forms an integral part of the accessory support part 1. However, due to the selected material, and/or form of the accessory support part 1, a relatively high mechanical stability is achieved.

The features of the present invention disclosed in the specification, the claims and/or the figures may both separately and in any combination thereof be material for realizing the invention in various forms thereof.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1, 1a, 1b. accessory support part

11. insertion-side end of the accessory support part

12. back end of the accessory support part

13. frontal fastening device

14. rear fastening device

2, 2a, 2b. support surface

21. insertion-side end

22, 22a, 22b. enlarged support surface section

23. lowered support surface section

24. back end of the support surface

25. base side

26, 27 lateral sides

3. appliance accessory

4. cooking compartment

41, 42 side walls

43 back wall

44 front wall

45 bottom wall

46 upper wall

5. household cooking appliance

6. guide element

61. insertion-side end of the guide element

62. axial direction

63, 64. concavely rounded ends

7. pull-out stop

71. pull-out receiving

8. material thickening

9. end stop

15. holding element

15 a rear holding element

15 b frontal holding element

16. snapping rip for fixing

a, b, c placement level

i) insertion side

x main axis

y overlap-free support surface region

Claims

1. An accessory support part adapted to be attached to a wall of a cooking compartment, the accessory support part comprising a support surface adapted to support a foodstuff carrier in a cooking compartment of a household cooking appliance, wherein the accessory support part is a primary forming piece comprising a solid body manufactured from a formless raw material, which is formed as a single-piece part.

2. The accessory support part according to claim 1, wherein the accessory support part is a molded piece or press formed piece.

3. The accessory support part according to claim 1, wherein the accessory support part is manufactured from plastic material, ceramic material, aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

4. The accessory support part according to claim 3, wherein the accessory support part is manufactured from thermoplastic.

5. The accessory support part according to claim 1, wherein the accessory support part is an elongate part having an L-shaped, a U-shaped or a trapezoidal cross-section.

6. The accessory support part according to claim 1, wherein the accessory support part comprises a guide element arranged opposing the support surface.

7. The accessory support part according to claim 1, wherein the accessory support part comprises a pull-out stop.

8. The accessory support part according to claim 6, wherein an insertion-side end of the guide element lies axially behind an insertion-side end of the support surface.

9. The accessory support part according to claim 1, wherein the accessory support part comprises at least one section having an enlarged support surface.

10. The accessory support part according to claim 1, wherein the accessory support part comprises a stiffening element provided by an enlargement and/or material thickening.

11. The accessory support part according to claim 1, wherein the support surface comprises a lowered section.

12. The accessory support part according to claim 1, wherein the accessory support part comprises an end stop.

13. The accessory support part according to claim 1, comprising at least two fastening devices wherein each said fastening device forms a receiving for engagement with a holding element and/or wherein a first said fastening device is arranged at an insertion side end of the accessory support part, and a second said fastening device is arranged at a rear end of the accessory support part.

14. A household cooking appliance, comprising: a cooking compartment,a holding element arranged at a side wall of the cooking compartment, andthe accessory support part according to claim 1 attached to the wall of the cooking compartment by the holding element.

15. The household cooking appliance according to claim 14, further comprising multiple pairs of first holding elements located at different levels of a first sidewall and multiple pairs of corresponding second holding elements located respectively at said different levels of a second sidewall, wherein the accessory support part is adapted to be mounted at one pair of said first or said second holding elements arranged in a certain of said different levels of the first or second sidewall.

16. The accessory support part according to claim 1, having a single support surface defining a single placement level on which said appliance accessory is placeable.

17. The accessory support part according to claim 1, wherein said accessory support part defines a single placement level for a single appliance accessory.

18. The household cooking appliance according to claim 14, said accessory support part having a single support surface defining a single placement level on which said appliance accessory is placeable.

19. The household cooking appliance according to claim 14, wherein said accessory support part defines a single placement level for a single appliance accessory.

20. An accessory support part adapted to be attached to a sidewall of a cooking compartment, the accessory support part being a solid body manufactured as a single-piece part from a formless raw material as a primary forming piece, said accessory support part having an elongate profile and having an insertion-side end and a rear end, the accessory support part comprising a base wall and first and second legs extending from said base wall, said base wall and said first and second legs together defining a U-shaped or trapezoid-shaped cross section of said accessory support part, a single support surface of said accessory support part provided as an upper surface of said first leg extending from said insertion-side end toward said rear end and defining a single placement level adapted to support a single foodstuff carrier thereon, a guide element provided as said second leg arranged opposite the single support surface and together therewith defining an elongated guiding channel for guiding insertion of an edge or rim of said foodstuff carrier from said insertion-side end of said accessory support part, an insertion-side end of the guide element lying axially behind an insertion-side end of the support surface, said guide element extending at least one third the length of said support surface, first and second fastening receivers disposed in said base wall and adapted to engage with complementary holding elements of said sidewall in order to reversibly hold said accessory support part on said sidewall such that said accessory support part may be installed and removed therefrom without tools, a pull-out stop arranged on said support surface at said insertion-side end and configured to inhibit removal of said edge or rim of said foodstuff carrier from said guiding channel, and an end stop located at said rear end of said accessory support part configured to inhibit advancement of said edge or rim of said foodstuff carrier beyond said rear end.

21. The accessory support part according to claim 20, said first fastening receiver being disposed adjacent said insertion-side end and comprising a first opening in said base wall that extends downward perpendicular to a longitudinal axis extending between said respective ends, and said second fastening receiver being disposed adjacent said rear end and comprising a second opening in said base wall that extends parallel to said longitudinal axis.

22. The accessory support part according to claim 20, said single support surface comprising a first enlarged support region located adjacent to the insertion-side end and a second enlarged support region located adjacent to the rear end, said first enlarged support region of said single support surface being a lower section of said support surface that is disposed at a lower elevation compared to a main part of said support surface.