Microwave Oven Hood

Abstract

A microwave oven hood. The microwave oven hood includes an open upper end, an open lower end, a pair of side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel that define an interior volume. The front panel includes an upper vertical portion and a downward sloping angled portion terminating in a lower section that can be angled or vertically oriented. A flange is disposed on the upper edge of the microwave oven hood and includes apertures thereon. The microwave oven hood is securable to the underside of a microwave oven via one or more fasteners inserted through the apertures. The interior volume of the microwave oven hood is configured to collect heated air from a stovetop positioned below the microwave oven in order to keep various portions of the microwave oven from overheating.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ventilation hoods. More specifically, the present invention provides a microwave oven hood that is securable to the underside of a microwave oven in order to disperse heat from a stovetop positioned below the microwave oven.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many individuals utilize microwave ovens to prepare various types of food. One common location for a microwave oven to be installed is directly above a stovetop in a kitchen. Having the microwave oven in this location saves space and allows users to conveniently access both the stovetop and the microwave oven simultaneously during cooking. However, one drawback to positioning the microwave oven over the stove top is that the stovetop often heats various surfaces of the microwave when the stove top is being used to heat food thereon. For example, the stove top heats the underside of the microwave directly thereabove, which may become warped over time. Additionally, the door and door handle of the microwave oven may become extremely hot to the touch and cause discomfort or injury to users who open the door to the microwave oven when the stove is in use.

Some microwave ovens include a fan for dissipating heat from the stovetop beneath. However, the fan alone is often not enough to prevent the microwave from becoming hot. Continued exposure to excess heat may damage the components of the microwave oven, which may be difficult and expensive to repair or replace. In order to address these concerns, there is need for a ventilation hood that is securable to the underside of a microwave often in order to dissipate heat from a stovetop positioned beneath the microwave oven.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of ventilation hoods now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a microwave oven hood wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when using a microwave oven that is positioned above a stovetop.

The microwave oven hood includes a rear panel having opposing ends, a pair of side panels each having a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end of each of the pair of side panels is connected to the opposing ends of the rear panel, and a front panel connected to the front end of each of the pair of side panels, wherein the front panel includes a sloped portion that extends in a direction opposing the rear panel. An interior volume is defined by the rear panel, the pair of side panels, and the front panel. The interior volume is configured to absorb heat from a stovetop therein, and the microwave oven hood is securable to the underside of a microwave.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a microwave oven hood according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of a microwave oven hood according to the present invention.

FIG. 2B shows a side view of an alternate embodiment of a microwave oven hood according to the present invention. In another alternate embodiment of the invention, the

FIG. 3 shows a top down view of a microwave oven hood according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a microwave oven hood according to the present invention secured to the underside of a microwave oven positioned above a stovetop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the microwave oven hood. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for a microwave oven hood securable to the underside of a microwave oven. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a microwave oven hood according to the present invention. The microwave oven hood 11 generally comprises a rear panel 18 having opposing ends, side panels 12 each connected to an end of the rear panel 18, and a front panel 14 disposed between the side panels 12 at ends thereof. The rear panel 18, side panels 12, and front panel 14 form an interior volume 15 having an open upper end and an open lower end. The front panel 14 comprises a sloped middle portion 20 that generally slopes downward at an angle away from the interior volume 15. The front panel 14 further comprises an upper portion 19 and a lower portion 13, wherein the sloped middle 20 is disposed between the upper portion 19 and the lower portion 13. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the lower portion 13 and the upper portion 19 comprises a vertically oriented outer surface.

The microwave oven hood 11 further comprises a flange 16 disposed along an upper perimeter edge thereof. The flange 16 is disposed perpendicular to each of the rear panel 18, front panel 14, and side panels 12. Further, the flange 16 extends inward toward a central portion of the interior volume 15. The flange 16 comprises a plurality of apertures 17 thereon. The apertures 17 are configured to receive a fastener therethrough in order to secure the microwave oven hood 11 to the underside of a microwave oven. The fasteners utilized to secure the microwave oven hood in place may include, but are not limited to, screws, rivets, bolts, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a side view of a microwave oven hood according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the front panel 14 includes a vertically oriented front portion 13A. The vertically oriented front portion 13A is oriented in the same direction as the side panels 12. The vertically oriented front portion 13A provides a flat surface for individuals to contact. Further, the vertically oriented front portion 13A is configured to trap heated air within the interior volume of the microwave oven hood. In this way, the heated air does not heat a handle or front portion of a microwave oven affixed thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a side view of an alternate embodiment of a microwave oven hood according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the front panel 14 of the microwave oven hood has an angled front portion 13B. The angled front portion 13B forms an acute angle with the lowermost edge of the side panels 12, such that the length of the lowermost edge of the side panels 12 is greater than the length of the uppermost edge of the side panels 12. The angled front portion 13B provides additional area to the interior volume and allows heat to be collected and dissipated therein. The angled front portion 13B additionally extends further outward than the vertically oriented front portion 13A shown in FIG. 2A, which may be useful when securing the microwave oven hood over a larger stovetop.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a top down view of a microwave oven hood according to the present invention is shown. The open interior volume 15 is free from obstruction and allows hot air to be collected and dissipated so that a microwave oven does not overheat. Additional embodiments of the invention may include various baffles disposed within the interior volume for greater control over directing the dissipation of heat. Ideally, the front panel 14 extends outward over the stove top and allows for added heat dissipation properties.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a microwave oven hood according to the present invention secured to the underside of a microwave oven positioned above a stovetop is shown. The side panels 12 are flush with the sides of the microwave oven. Additionally, the upper portion 19 of the front panel 14 of microwave oven hood 11 is flush with the edge of the microwave oven housing. The lower portion 13 of the front panel is vertically oriented and preferably extends overtop the burners of the stovetop. The microwave oven hood 11 is secured to the housing in which the microwave oven is disposed via the aforementioned fasteners and apertures, such that the interior volume of the microwave oven hood 11 is positioned directly beneath the microwave oven. In this way, the interior volume collects and dissipates heat from the stovetop beneath the microwave oven.

The microwave oven hood 11 extends outward over the stovetop and collects heat generated therefrom. If the microwave oven has a built in exhaust fan on its lowermost surface, the microwave oven hood 11 serves to direct heat to the fan, allowing the heat to be dispersed quickly and evenly. In alternate embodiments, the microwave oven hood 11 further comprises one or more vents disposed on either the side panels or front panel. The vents allow cooled air to escape and create an airflow which draws in additional heated air to be cooled within the microwave oven hood 11.

The microwave oven hood 11 is preferably constructed from durable materials such as aluminum or steal. The microwave oven hood 11 may be formed from a single cast, or the individual panels may be secured to one another via welds or fasteners such as rivets. Additionally, the dimensions of the microwave oven hood 11 may vary to accommodate stovetops and microwaves of different sizes. The microwave oven hood 11 is therefore utilized as an improved means for dissipating heat from a stovetop and prevents the microwave oven positioned thereabove from overheating.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A microwave oven hood, comprising: a rear panel having opposing ends;a pair of side panels each having a front end and a rear end, wherein the rear end of each of the side panels is connected to the opposing ends of the rear panel;a front panel connected to the front end of each of the pair of side panels, wherein the front panel comprises a sloped middle portion that extends away from the rear panel;an interior volume defined by the rear panel, the pair of side panels, and the front panel, wherein the interior volume is configured to collect heated air received therein; andwherein the microwave oven hood is configured to affix to the underside of a microwave oven via one or more fasteners.

2) The microwave oven hood of claim 1, further comprising: a flange disposed on an upper end of each of the pair of side panels, rear panel, and front panel, wherein the flange extends toward a central portion of the interior volume.

3) The microwave oven hood of claim 2, wherein the flange comprises a plurality of apertures thereon, each of said apertures configured to receive the one or more fasteners therethrough for securing the microwave oven hood to the horizontal surface.

4) The microwave oven hood of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of side panels and the rear panel maintain a vertical orientation.

5) The microwave oven hood of claim 1, wherein the front panel comprises an upper front portion disposed above the sloped portion, and wherein the sloped portion extends downward at an angle therefrom, and terminating in a lower front portion.

6) The microwave oven hood of claim 5, wherein the lower front portion is in a vertical orientation.

7) The microwave oven hood of claim 5, wherein the lower front portion is in an acute angle configuration.

8) The microwave oven hood of claim 1, further comprising one or more vents disposed on either one of the pair of side panels, front panel, or rear panel.