Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02478381 2012-02-27
HANDLE RACK
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to oven-related products and, more
particularly, products in the form of oven racks having handles for
manipulating the
racks.
Background Art
Various types of oven racks are well known in the industry. For
example, steel wire oven racks are often manufactured from a steel rod which
is drawn,
so as to form steel wire. These oven racks formed of steel wire products can
be coated
with various types of materials. Also, oven racks and other oven-related
articles can be
manufactured from products other than steel. Of course, any type of oven rack
or similar
product which is positioned within an oven cavity during use must be capable
of
withstanding normal cooking temperatures. In addition, for ovens which employ
self-
cleaning cycles, the oven racks and other oven-related articles located within
the oven
itself must be capable of being subjected to and withstanding temperatures
which
substantially exceed normal cooking temperatures. For
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example, steel wire oven racks may be subjected to temperatures above 900 F
associated with
self cleaning cycles, common in today's kitchen ovens.
One difficulty which has existed for a number of years in the industry relates
to
manual manipulation of oven racks. In many conventional ovens, the oven racks
can be
positioned at various vertically disposed positions, and be adjustable among
the same. With the
oven racks positioned as desired at various vertically adjusted locations, the
oven racks often
"slide" on ribs or roller bearing mechanisms positioned on the lateral sides
of the oven cavity.
These ribs, roller bearings or "ledges" may be separately manufactured and
assembled
components from the surfaces of the oven cavity and oven racks or,
alternatively, may be
integrated into the lateral surfaces of the oven cavity.
Although the oven racks are adapted to slide inwardly and outwardly from the
oven cavity, conventional oven racks do not provide any easy means for
facilitating such
movement by manual manipulation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, an oven rack is adapted for use with a
handle,
so as to form, in combination, a handle rack for use in an oven cavity. The
oven cavity can
include an oven door. The handle rack includes means for supporting the handle
rack within the
oven cavity. Means are also provided for supporting items to be cooked or
otherwise heated
within the oven cavity. The handle is secured to the oven rack at a front
portion of the rack,
positioned adjacent the oven door when the rack is in a normal position for
use. The handle is
sized and configured so that an opening is formed between a front portion of
the handle and a
front portion of the oven rack. The opening is of a size sufficient so that a
user can readily grip
the front portion of the handle, with at least a part of the user's hand
extending through the
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opening. The handle is positioned so that the user can exert forces on the
handle, and the oven
rack can be extended or retracted relative to the oven cavity, as desired.
The handle can include a rear handle brace having an elongated configuration.
The brace can be positioned intermediate sides of the oven rack, and extend
partially across the
front portion of the oven rack. A pair of handle sides are also provided, with
each handle side
extending forward of the rear handle brace, in a direction substantially
perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of the elongated rear handle brace. A front handle brace is
provided which has
an elongated configuration, with a length substantially corresponding to a
length of the rear
handle brace. The front handle brace is positioned substantially parallel to
the rear handle brace.
When the user wishes to exert forces on the handle rack so as to extend or
retract the handle rack
from the oven cavity, the user manually grips the front handle brace and
exerts forces in a
direction corresponding to a perpendicular direction between the rear handle
brace and the front
handle brace.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the handle can include a
front
brace of the oven rack, which acts as a rear brace to the handle. The rear
brace of the handle can
include an elongated configuration extending the entirety of the length
between opposing sides
of the oven rack. A pair of opposing side portions, positioned adjacent
opposing ends of the rear
brace of the handle are also provided, and extend forwardly toward the oven
door relative to the
rear brace of the handle. A front brace includes an elongated configuration
extending between
opposing side portions forwardly of the rear brace of the handle. The front
brace has a curved
and elongated configuration. When the user wishes to manually extend or
retract the handle rack
relative to the oven cavity, the user may grip the front handle brace and
exert forces thereon so as
to extend or retract the handle rack relative to the cavity. In a still
further aspect of the invention,
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the handle can include a rear handle brace having an elongated configuration
positioned
intermediate opposing sides of the oven rack at a front portion thereof. The
rear handle brace
can extend at least partially across the width of the oven rack. A pair of
opposing side portions
extend forwardly of the rear handle brace, in a direction substantially
perpendicular to the
elongated length of the rear handle brace. A front handle brace is provided,
which has an
elongated and curved configuration, and extends between side portions of the
handle. When the
user wishes to extend or retract the oven rack relative to the oven cavity,
the user may grip the
front brace portion and exert pulling or pushing forces, so as to extend or
retract the oven rack
relative to the oven cavity.
In a still further arrangement of the invention, the handle can include a rear
handle brace forming a front brace for the oven rack. The rear handle brace
extends across the
entirety of the width of the oven rack. A pair of opposing side portions are
provided, located
adjacent opposing sides of the oven rack. A front handle brace is positioned
forwardly of the
rear handle brace, and includes an elongated and curved configuration
extending between
opposing side portions of the handle. The side portions and front handle brace
are angled
downwardly, relative to the rear handle brace of the handle. When the user
wishes to extend or
retract the oven rack relative to the cavity, the user can grip the front
handle brace and exert
pulling or pushing forces thereon, so as to extend or retract the oven rack
relative to the cavity.
Still further, the oven rack can include an elongated rear brace positioned
adjacent
the rear of the oven cavity when the oven rack is in a retracted position
within the cavity. A right
brace can extend perpendicular to the rear brace, and extend between forward
and rear sections
of the oven rack. This right brace can essentially act as a support brace for
other elements of the
oven rack. When the oven rack is placed within the oven cavity, the right
brace will rest or
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otherwise be releasably secured on a rib or other supporting element of the
cavity. A left brace
can be positioned parallel to the right brace, and interconnected to or
otherwise integral with the
rear brace. The left brace can extend between rear and front portions of the
oven rack.
Still further, the oven rack can include a series of parallel and
longitudinally
extending elongated support members. The support members act as principal
support members
of the rack for supporting items to be heated or otherwise cooked within the
cavity. Rear ends of
the support members are connected to the rear brace by rigid securing means.
Still further, the
right brace, left brace and support members can have a series of intermediate
forms located near
rear portions of the braces and support members. The intermediate forms can be
connected to or
otherwise integral with angled forms. The angled configuration of the angled
forms assists in
preventing items placed on the support members from falling off of the oven
rack over the rear
brace.
Still further, the oven rack can include a central brace, extending
perpendicular to
the right brace and the left brace. The central brace is positioned
substantially intermediate from
the rear brace and the front brace. The oven rack also includes a front brace
having a left portion
and a right portion. The left and right portions provide a forward bracing
means for the oven
rack. Certain of the support members are interconnected to the left portion of
the front brace,
while certain others of the support members are connected to the right portion
of the front brace.
In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the handle can include a
rear
handle brace with an elongated configuration, extending parallel to the rear
brace and to the
central brace. Certain of the support members have one end of each of the same
interconnected
to the rear handle brace. A pair of handle sides are interconnected to or
otherwise integral with
the rear handle brace, and extend substantially perpendicular to the support
members, and to the
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right and left braces. A front handle brace is provided, having an elongated
configuration and
positioned substantially parallel to the rear handle brace. The handle sides
are integral with or
otherwise connected to the front handle brace. The front handle brace can be
integral with the
front brace comprising the left and right portions.
In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the oven rack includes an
elongated rear brace positioned adjacent the rear of the oven cavity when the
oven rack is in a
retracted position. A right brace extends perpendicular to the rear brace, and
extends between
forward and rear sections of the oven rack. The right brace acts as a support
brace for other
elements of the oven rack. A left brace is provided which is parallel to the
right brace, and
interconnected to or otherwise integral with the rear brace. The left brace
extends between rear
and front portions of the oven rack. Parallel and longitudinally extending
elongated support
members are also provided, acting as the principal support members of the oven
rack.
Intermediate pieces are located near the rear portions of the braces and the
support members, and
are connected to or otherwise integral with angled forms. The angled forms
assist in preventing
items placed on the support members from falling off of the rack near the rear
brace.
A central brace is provided, which extends perpendicular to the right and left
braces. The central brace is positioned intermediate the rear and front brace.
The central brace
is connected to the support members, and to the right and left braces. A front
brace provides a
further bracing means for the oven rack, with each of the support members
being interconnected
at ends thereof to the front brace. The handle can include a curved front
portion extending across
the entirety of a front portion of the oven rack. The handle includes a single
element having a
rounded and elongated configuration, providing a means for a user to manually
grip a portion of
the handle rack, for purposes of extending and retracting the rack. The handle
can include a pair
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of opposing side portions connected to a front portion of the rack, with the
side portions being
integral with the right brace and left brace, as well as the front section.
The handle can further include a curved front handle brace, with a pair of
opposing side portions. The front handle brace has a curved configuration
extending across an
entirety of a width of the interconnected oven rack. The side portions are
interconnected to or
otherwise integral with the front handle brace, and/or the left and right side
braces of the
interconnected oven rack. The side portions and the front handle brace can be
angled
downwardly. A front brace can be provided, which is positioned rearwardly of
the front handle
brace, and the front brace provides a bracing and supporting means for
interconnected support
members of the oven rack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. I is a plan view of an oven rack having a handle in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the oven rack and handle of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of an oven rack and handle in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment of the oven rack
and
handle illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a third embodiment of an oven rack and handle in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view of the oven rack and handle
illustrated in
FIG. 5;
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FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of a fourth embodiment of an oven rack and
handle in
accordance with the invention; and
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the oven rack and handle illustrated in
FIG. 7,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The principles of the invention are disclosed, by way of example, in three
embodiments of oven racks with handles as described herein and illustrated in
FIGS. 1- 8. The
primary concept of the invention relates to the use of a handle which is
essentially "integrated" or
otherwise connected with a conventional oven rack for purposes of facilitating
manual
manipulation. Terminology used herein will include references to the "oven
rack" and the
"handle." In referring to the combination of the oven rack and the handle, the
term "handle rack"
will be utilized.
More specifically, and first primarily with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, a handle
rack
100 is illustrated in accordance with the invention. The handle rack 100
includes an oven rack
102. The oven rack 102 is in part a substantially conventional oven rack, with
the exception of
the handle 116 as described in subsequent paragraphs herein. The oven rack 102
includes an
elongated rear brace 104 which is positioned adjacent the rear of the oven
cavity when the oven
rack 102 is in its retracted and normal position within the oven cavity (not
shown). The rear
brace 104 and other components of the oven rack 102 can be manufactured in a
conventional
manner of steel wire products or the like. Alternatively, other types of
materials and structures
may be utilized for the rear brace and other components of the oven rack,
without departing from
the novel concepts of the invention.
Interconnected or otherwise integral with the rear brace 104 is a right brace
106
which extends perpendicular to the rear brace 104. The right brace 106 extends
between the
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forward and the rear sections of the oven rack 102, and essentially acts as a
support brace for
other elements of the oven rack 102. Also, when the oven rack 102 is placed
within the oven
cavity, the right brace 106 will typically rest or otherwise be releasably
secured on a rib or other
conventional element of the oven cavity. Corresponding to the right brace 106,
the oven rack
102 also includes a left brace 108. The left brace 108 is parallel to the
right brace 106 and is
interconnected to or otherwise integral with the rear brace 104. As with the
right brace 106, the
left brace 108 extends between the rear and front portions of the oven rack
102. As with the
right brace 106, the left brace 108 rests upon or is otherwise releasably
secured to a rib or similar
component of the oven cavity (not shown).
Positioned intermediate the right brace 106 and the left brace 108 are a
series of
parallel and longitudinally extending elongated support members 110. The
support members
110 act as the principal support members of the oven rack 102 for supporting
items to be heated
and cooked within the oven cavity. The rear ends of the support members 110
are connected to
the rear brace 104 by suitable means, such as welding or the like. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the
right brace 106, left brace 108 and the support members 110 include a series
of intermediate
forms 113 located near the rear portions of the braces 106, 108 and support
members 110. The
intermediate forms 113 are connected to or are otherwise integral with angled
forms 111 also
shown in FIG. 2. The angled configuration of the forms 111 assist in
preventing items placed on
the support members 110 from falling off of the oven rack 102 over the rear
brace 104.
The oven rack 102 also includes a central brace 112, extending perpendicular
to
the right brace 106 and the left brace 108. The central brace 112 is also
positioned substantially
intermediate from the rear brace 104 and the front brace 114. The central
brace 112 provides for
additional support for items placed on the oven rack 102 for purposes of
heating or cooking. The
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central brace 112 may be connected to the support members 110, right brace 106
and left brace
108 in any conventional manner. For example, welding may be utilized.
In addition to the foregoing, the oven rack 102 also includes a front brace
114.
The front brace 114, with reference to the illustration in FIG. 1, includes a
left portion 124 and a
right portion 126. The front brace 114, comprising left and right portions
124, 126, respectively,
provides a forward bracing means for the oven rack 102. As illustrated in FIG.
1, three of the
support members 110 are interconnected to the left portion 124 of the front
brace 114, while
three of the support members 110 are also interconnected to the right portion
126 of the front
brace 114.
In accordance with the invention, the handle rack 100 comprises not only the
oven
rack 102, but also the handle 116. The handle 116 is primarily illustrated in
FIG. 1. More
specifically, the handle 116 includes a rear handle brace 118 having an
elongated configuration
as shown in FIG. 1. The rear handle brace 118 extends parallel to the rear
brace 104 and the
central brace 112. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the intermediate seven support
members 110 have
one end of each of the same interconnected to the rear handle brace 118.
Interconnected to or
otherwise integral with the rear handle brace 118 are a pair of handle sides
122. The handle
sides 122 extend substantially parallel to the support members 110, right
brace 106 and left brace
108. Correspondingly, the handle 116 also includes a front handle brace 120.
The front handle
brace 120, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is elongated and is positioned
substantially parallel to the rear
handle brace 118. The handle sides 122 are integral with or otherwise
appropriately
interconnected to the front handle brace 120. Also, if desired the front
handle brace 120 can
actually be a brace which is integral with the front brace 114 comprising the
left portion 124 and
the right portion 126.
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With the configuration of the handle rack 100 comprising the oven rack 102 and
the handle 116 as described in the foregoing paragraphs, a handle is provided
for purposes of
manual manipulation in extending and retracting the oven rack 102 from an oven
cavity (not
shown). More specifically, with the oven rack 102 in a normal position within
an oven cavity,
the user may open an oven door (not shown). The handle 116 will be adjacent
the oven door.
For purposes of extending the oven rack 102 out of the oven cavity, the user
may manually grip
the front handle brace 120, and exert forces in a direction corresponding to
the perpendicular
direction from rear brace 104 to front handle brace 120. These forces will
cause the oven rack
102 to be extended outwardly from the oven cavity.
As primarily illustrated in FIG. 2, the oven rack 102 also includes a pair of
bosses
115 which are located within the right brace 106 and the left brace 108. The
bosses 115 are
conventional in many oven racks, and comprise a means for providing some
securing forces
when the oven rack is in its conventional position within the oven cavity.
That is, the bosses 115
will typically "mate" with corresponding indents located in ribs or ledges on
each side surface of
the oven cavity. With this type of mating relationship, the user may need to
exert partially
upwardly directed forces so as to lift the bosses 115 out of the indents when
extending the oven
rack 102 out of the oven cavity.
In accordance with the foregoing, the handle rack 100 provides not only the
oven
rack 102, but also provides a handle 116 for facilitating manual movement of
the oven rack 102
between extended and retracted positions relative to the oven cavity (not
shown). As earlier
mentioned, the handle 116 can be utilized to extend the oven rack 102 out of
the oven cavity.
Correspondingly, a user may manually grip the front handle brace 120 and exert
forces
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rearwardly against the oven rack 102 for purposes of retracting the oven rack
102 into the oven
cavity.
In accordance with the foregoing, the handle rack can be characterized as
having
means for supporting the handle rack within the oven cavity. Means are also
provided for
supporting items to be cooked or otherwise heated within the oven cavity, and
the handle is
secured to the oven rack at a front portion of the rack, positioned adjacent
the oven door. Also in
accordance with the foregoing, the handle is sized and configured so that an
opening is formed
between a front portion of the handle, and a front portion of the oven rack.
In accordance with
the foregoing, the opening is of a size sufficient so that a user can readily
grip the front portion of
the handle, with at least part of the user's hand extending through the
opening. The user can then
exert forces on the handle, so that the oven rack can be extended from or
retracted into the oven
cavity. For this purpose, the opening formed between the front handle brace
120 and the rear
handle brace 118 should be sufficient so that a user is capable of gripping
the front handle brace
120 in a convenient manner, for purposes of extending or retracting the oven
rack 102. That is,
the opening between the front and rear braces 120, 118 should permit a user's
hand to fit
therethrough, so as to conveniently grip the brace 120.
A second embodiment of a handle rack in accordance with the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 as handle rack 200. The handle rack 200 includes
an oven rack 202.
The oven rack 202 is in part a substantially conventional oven rack, with the
exception of the
handle 216 as described in subsequent paragraphs herein. As with the oven rack
102, the oven
rack 202 includes an elongated rear brace 204 positioned adjacent the rear of
the oven cavity
when the oven rack 202 is in its retracted and normal position within the oven
cavity (not
shown).
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Interconnected or otherwise integral with the rear brace 204 is a right brace
206
which extends perpendicular to the rear brace 204. The right brace 206 extends
between the
forward and rear sections of the oven rack 202, and essentially acts as a
support brace for other
elements of the oven rack 202. Also, when the oven rack 202 is placed within
the oven cavity,
the right brace 206 will typically rest or otherwise be releasably secured on
a rib or other
conventional element of the oven cavity. Corresponding to the right brace 206,
the oven rack
202 also includes a left brace 208. The left brace 208 is parallel to the
right brace 206 and is
interconnected or otherwise integral with the rear brace 204. As with the
right brace 206, the left
brace 208 extends between the rear and front portions of the oven rack 202. As
with the right
brace 206, the left brace 208 rests upon or is otherwise releasably secured to
a rib or similar
component of the oven cavity (not shown).
Positioned intermediate the right brace 206 and the left brace 208 are a
series of
parallel and longitudinally extending elongated support members 210. The
support members
210 act as the principal support members of the oven rack 202 for supporting
items to be heated
and cooked within the oven cavity. The rear ends of the support members 210
are connected to
the rear brace 204 by suitable means, such as welding or the like. As
illustrated in FIG. 4, the
right brace 206, left brace 208 and the support members 210 include a series
of intermediate
forms 213 located near the rear portions of the braces 206, 208 and support
members 210. The
intermediate forms 213 are connected to or are otherwise integral with angled
forms 211 also
shown in FIG. 4. The angled configuration of the forms 211 assist in
preventing items placed on
the support members 210 from falling off of the oven rack 202 over the rear
brace 204. The
oven rack 202 also includes a central brace 212, extending perpendicular to
the right brace 206
and the left brace 208. The central brace 212 is also positioned substantially
intermediate from
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the rear brace 204 and the front brace 214. The central brace 212 provides for
additional support
for items placed on the oven rack 202 for purposes of heating or cooking. The
central brace 212
may be connected to the support members 210, right brace 206 and left brace
208 in any
conventional manner. For example, welding may be utilized.
In addition to the foregoing, the oven rack 202 also includes a front brace
214.
The front brace 214 provides a forward bracing means for the oven rack 202. As
illustrated in
FIG. 3, each of the support members 210 is interconnected at ends thereof to
the front brace 214.
In accordance with the invention, the handle rack 200 not only comprises the
oven
rack 202, but also the handle 216. The handle 216 includes a curved front
section 230 as
primarily shown in FIG. 3. The front section 230 extends across the entirety
of the front portion
of the oven rack 202. The front section 230 includes a single element having a
rounded and
elongated configuration, and provides a means for a user to manually grip a
portion of the handle
rack 200, for purposes of extending and retracting the oven rack 202. Integral
with or otherwise
connected to the front section 230 are a pair of opposing side portions 232.
As illustrated in FIG.
3, and if desired, the side portions 232 can be made integral with the right
brace 106 and the left
brace 108, as well as the front section 230.
As with the handle rack 100, manual forces may be exerted on the oven rack 202
through the handle 216 for purposes of extending and retracting the oven rack
202 from an oven
cavity. Also, as with the oven rack 102 previously described herein and having
a pair of bosses
115, the oven rack 202 can also have a pair of bosses 215 having the same
functions as the
bosses 115.
A third embodiment of a handle rack in accordance with the invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 as handle rack 300. For purposes of brevity,
elements of handle rack
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300 which correspond to elements of handle rack 100 are shown by numerical
references which
correspond to identically structured and identically functional elements
numerically referenced in
FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in accordance with the third embodiment of the
invention, the handle
rack 300 comprises not only the oven rack 102 but also the handle 316. More
specifically, the
handle 316 includes a rear handle brace 318 having an elongated configuration
as illustrated in
FIG. 5. The rear handle brace 318 extends parallel to the rear brace 104 and
the central brace
112. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the intermediate seven support members 110 have
one end of each
of the same interconnected to the rear handle brace 318. Also, each opposing
end of the rear
handle brace 318 is preferably interconnected to one of the support members
110, again as
illustrated in FIG. 5.
In addition to the foregoing, the oven rack 102 illustrated in FIG. 5 also
includes a
front brace 314. The front brace 314, with reference to the illustration in
FIG. 5, includes a left
portion 324 and a right portion 326. The front brace 314, comprising left and
right portions 324,
326, respectively, provides a forward bracing means for the oven rack 102. As
illustrated in FIG.
5, three of the support members 110 are interconnected to the left portion 324
of the front handle
brace 314, while three of the support members 110 are also interconnected to
the right portion
326 of the front handle brace 314. The handle rack 300 comprises not only the
oven rack 102,
but also the handle 316. The handle 316 is primarily illustrated in FIG. 5.
More specifically, the
handle 316 includes the rear handle brace 318 previously described herein.
Also, the handle 316
includes a front handle brace 320. The front handle brace 320, as illustrated
in FIG. 5, is
elongated and is positioned in a manner so as to have a curved configuration.
In addition, as
illustrated primarily in FIG. 6, the front handle brace 320 may be angled
downwardly. If desired,
CA 02478381 2004-08-20
the front handle brace 320 can actually be a brace which is integral with the
front brace 314
comprising the left portion 324 and the right portion 326.
With the configuration of the handle rack 300 comprising the oven rack 102 and
the handle 316 as described in the foregoing paragraphs, a handle is provided
for purposes of
manual manipulation and extending and retracting the oven rack 102 from an
oven cavity (not
shown). More specifically, with the oven rack 102 in a normal position within
an oven cavity,
the user may open an oven door (not shown). The handle 316 will be adjacent
the oven door.
For purposes of extending the oven rack 102 out of the oven cavity, the user
may manually grip
the front handle brace 320, and exert forces in a direction corresponding to
the perpendicular
direction from rear brace 104 to front handle brace 320. These forces will
cause the oven rack
102 to be extended outwardly from the oven cavity. Correspondingly, a user may
manually grip
the front handle brace 320 and exert forces rearwardly against the oven rack
102 for purposes of
retracting the oven rack 102 into the oven cavity.
A fourth embodiment of a handle in accordance with the invention is
illustrated
as handle 400 in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this configuration, the handle 400 includes
a curved front
handle brace 402 having side portions 404, 406. The front handle brace 402 has
a curved
configuration that extends across the entirety of the width of an
interconnected oven rack (not
shown). The side portions 404, 406 may be interconnected to or otherwise
integral with the front
handle brace 402 and/or left and right side braces of the interconnected oven
rack. Also, the side
portions 404, 406 and the front handle brace 402 may be angled downwardly as
illustrated in
FIG. 8. Still further, the handle 400 may include a front brace 408 positioned
rearwardly of the
front handle brace 402. The front brace 408 may provide a bracing and
supporting means for
interconnected support members of the oven rack (not shown).
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A fifth embodiment of a handle in accordance with the invention is illustrated
as
handle rack 500 in FIGS. 9 and 10. The handle rack 500 has a configuration
which is similar to
the handle rack 100 illustrated and described herein with respect to FIGS. 1
and 2. More
specifically, the handle rack 500 includes an oven rack 502 with a handle 516.
The oven rack
502 includes an elongated rear brace 104, positioned adjacent the rear of the
oven cavity when
the oven rack 502 is in its retracted and normal position. Interconnected to
or otherwise integral
with the rear brace 504 is a right brace 506 extending perpendicular to the
rear brace 504. The
right brace 506 extends between the forward and rear sections of the oven rack
502, and
essentially acts as a support brace for other elements of the oven rack 502.
Also, when the oven
rack 502 is placed within the oven cavity, the right brace 506 will typically
rest or otherwise be
releasably secured on a rib or other conventional element of the oven cavity.
The oven rack 502
also includes a left brace 508, parallel to the right brace 506 and
interconnected to or otherwise
integral with the rear brace 504. As with the right brace 506, the left brace
508 extends between
the rear and front portions of the oven rack 502. The left brace 508 rests
upon or is otherwise
releasably secured to a rib or similar component of the oven cavity.
Positioned intermediate the right brace 506 and left brace 508 are a series of
parallel and longitudinally extending elongated support members 510. The
support members
510 act as the principal support members of the oven rack 502 for supporting
items to be heated
and cooked within the oven cavity. The rear ends of support members 510 are
connected to the
rear brace 504 by suitable means, such as welding or the like. As illustrated
in FIG. 10, the right
brace 506, left brace 508 and supported members 510 include a series of
intermediate forms 513
located near the rear portions of the braces 506, 508 and support members 510.
The intermediate
forms 513 are connected to or are otherwise integral with angled forms 511
also shown in FIG.
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CA 02478381 2004-08-20
10. The angled configuration of the forms 511 assists in preventing items
placed on the support
members 510 from falling off of the oven rack 502 over the rear brace 504.
The oven rack 502 also includes a central brace 512, extending perpendicular
to
the right brace 506 and left brace 508. The central brace 512 is also
positioned intermediate the
rear brace 504 and front brace 514. The central brace 512 provides for
additional support for
items placed on the oven rack 502 for purposes of heating or cooking. The
central brace 512
may be connected to the support members 510, right brace 506 and left brace
508 in any
conventional manner. For example, welding may be utilized.
The oven rack 502 also includes a front brace 514. The front brace 514, with
reference to FIG. 9, includes a left portion 524 and a right portion 526. The
front brace 514
provides a forward-bracing means for the oven rack 502. As illustrated in FIG.
9, three of the
support members 510 are interconnected to the left portion 524 of the front
brace 514, while
three others of the support members 510 are interconnected to the right
portion 526 of the front
brace 514.
In accordance with the invention, the handle rack 500 comprises not only the
oven
rack 502, but also the handle 516. The handle 516 is primarily illustrated in
FIG. 9. More
specifically, the handle 516 includes a rear handle brace 518, having an
elongated configuration
as shown in FIG. 9. The rear handle brace 518 extends parallel to the rear
brace 504 and the
central brace 512. As illustrated in FIG. 9, seven of the intermediate support
members 510 have
one end of each of the same interconnected to the rear handle brace 518.
In the handle rack 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, as previously described
herein,
the handle 516 included a pair of handle sides 122 which are integral with a
rear handle brace
118. In the particular handle rack 500 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, although
similar to the
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CA 02478381 2004-08-20
handle rack 100, the handle rack 500 does not include any separate elements
which could be
characterized as "handle sides" separate and apart from the support members
510. Instead, the
sides of the opening formed in the handle 516 comprise forwardmost sections of
each of a pair of
the supporting elements 510. That is, as specifically shown in FIG. 9, two of
the supporting
elements 510 extend from the rear brace 504 to the front brace 514, and also
form the sides of the
opening of the handle 516. In this regard, handle 516 also includes a front
handle brace 520.
The front handle brace 520, as illustrated in FIG. 9, is elongated and
positioned substantially
parallel to the rear handle brace 518. If desired, the front handle brace 520
can actually be a
brace which is integral with the front brace 114 comprising the left portion
524 and the right
portion 526.
The operation of the handle rack 500 substantially corresponds to the
operation of
the handle rack 100 previously described herein. That is, the user may
manually grip the front
handle brace 520, and exert forces in a direction corresponding to a
perpendicular direction
between the rear brace 504 and the front handle brace 520. These forces will
cause the oven rack
102 to be extended outwardly or retracted inwardly relative to the oven
cavity.
A still further embodiment of a handle rack in accordance with the invention
is
illustrated as handle rack 600 in FIGS. 11 and 12. The handle rack 600 has a
configuration
which is relatively similar to the handle rack 300 previously described herein
with respect to
FIGS. 5 and 6. More specifically, the handle rack 600 includes an oven rack
602 and a handle
616. The oven rack 602 includes an elongated rear brace 604, right brace 606
and left brace 608.
In addition, positioned intermediate the right brace 606 and left brace 608
are parallel support
members 610. Intermediate forms 613 are connected to or otherwise integral
with angled forms
611. A central brace 612 is also provided, positioned intermediate the rear
brace 604 and a front
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CA 02478381 2004-08-20
brace 614. The front brace 614 includes a left portion 624 and right portion
626. The handle
616 includes a rear handle brace 618 having an elongated configuration as
illustrated in FIG. 11.
The rear handle brace 618 extends parallel to the rear brace 604 and the
central brace 612. Seven
of the intermediate support members 610 have one end of each of the same
interconnected to the
rear handle brace 618. Also, each opposing end of the rear handle brace 618 is
interconnected to
one of the support members 610, again as illustrated in FIG. 11.
In addition to the foregoing, the oven rack 602 includes a front brace 614.
The
front brace 614, with reference to FIG. 11, includes the left portion 624 and
right portion 626.
The front brace 614 provides a forward bracing means for the oven rack 602.
Three of the
support members 610 are interconnected to the left portion 624 of the front
handle brace 614,
while three others of the members 610 are interconnected to the right portion
626 of the front
handle brace 614. The handle 616 includes the rear handle brace 618 as
previously described
herein. Also, the handle 616 includes a front handle brace 620. The front
handle brace 620, as
illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, is elongated and positioned in a manner so as
to have a curved
configuration. If desired, the front handle brace 620 can actually be a brace
which is integral
with the front brace 314 comprising the left portion 624 and the right portion
626.
In contrast to the handle rack 300 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the front
handle
brace 320 of the handle rack 300 is angled downwardly. In contrast, with the
handle rack 600 in
accordance with the invention, the front handle brace 620 of the handle 616 is
not angled
downwardly, and is essentially on the same horizontal plane as the main body
of the oven rack
602.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that other
embodiments
CA 02478381 2004-08-20
of handle racks in accordance with the invention can be designed. That is, the
principles of a
handle rack are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein.
Accordingly, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and other variations
of the above-described
illustrative embodiments of the invention may be effected without departing
from the spirit and
scope of the novel concepts of the invention.
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