Built-In System Including a Built-In Cooking Appliance and a Fixing Device for Fixing the Built-In Cooking Appliance to a Furniture Unit

Priority is claimed to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2024 114 530.7, filed on May 23, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present application relates to a built-in system including a built-in cooking appliance and a fixing device.

Built-in systems of this kind are already known from the prior art. The known built-in systems include a built-in cooking appliance to be built into an installation niche of a furniture unit and at least one fixing device for mechanically fixing the built-in cooking appliance to the furniture unit, the built-in cooking appliance having a housing, a cooking chamber disposed in the housing and closable by a cooking chamber door of the built-in cooking appliance, a front frame formed on the housing or connected to the housing, and at least one first fixing element attached to the front frame and forming part of the fixing device for fixing the built-in cooking appliance to the furniture unit, and the first fixing element of the fixing device cooperating with a second fixing element of the fixing device in such a way that when the built-in system is in an installed state, the built-in cooking appliance is disposed in the installation niche and fixed to the furniture unit by means of the fixing device. In many cases, the first fixing element is formed as a tab having a through-hole and the second fixing element as a screw, and the built-in cooking appliance, after having been pushed into the installation niche, is fastened by the screw and the tab to the furniture unit having the installation niche.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a built-in system, comprising: a built-in cooking appliance buildable into an installation niche of a furniture unit, the built-in cooking appliance comprising: a housing, a cooking chamber disposed in the housing and closable by a cooking chamber door of the built-in cooking appliance, a front frame formed on the housing or connected to the housing, and at least one first fixing element attached to the front frame; and at least one fixing device configured to mechanically fix the built-in cooking appliance to the furniture unit, wherein the at least one first fixing element forms part of the at least one fixing device for fixing the built-in cooking appliance to the furniture unit, wherein the at least one first fixing element of the at least one fixing device is configured to cooperate with a second fixing element of the at least one fixing device such that, when the built-in system is in an installed state, the built-in cooking appliance is disposed in the installation niche and fixed to the furniture unit by the at least one fixing device, wherein the at least one fixing device comprises a latching device, wherein the at least one the first fixing element comprises a first latching element, wherein the second fixing element comprises a second latching element, and wherein the at least one the first fixing element and the second fixing element are configured and arranged to match each other such that, when the built-in cooking appliance is moved in an installation direction to transfer the built-in system to the installed state, the at least one first latching element comes into latching engagement with the second latching element such that the built-in cooking appliance is held to the furniture unit along the installation direction when the built-in system is in the installed state.

In an embodiment, the present invention improves a built-in system including a built-in cooking appliance and a fixing device.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a built-in system wherein the fixing device is configured as a latching device; the first fixing element, which is configured as a first latching element, and the second fixing element, which is configured as a second latching element and pre-attached to the furniture unit, being configured and arranged to match each other such that, when the built-in cooking appliance is moved in an installation direction to transfer the built-in system to its installed state, the first latching element comes into latching engagement with the second latching element such that the built-in cooking appliance is held to the furniture unit along the installation direction when the built-in system is in the installed state.

The advantage provided by the invention is, in particular, that a built-in system including a built-in cooking appliance and a fixing device is improved. The inventive design of the built-in system significantly simplifies the installation of the built-in cooking appliance into an installation niche of a furniture unit, such as a kitchen furniture unit. An installer only has to push the built-in cooking appliance into the installation niche, i.e., only move it in the installation direction. In doing so, the two latching elements come into latching engagement, and the built-in cooking appliance is held to the furniture unit both in the installation direction and in a direction opposite to the installation direction. Accordingly, installation can always be carried out without tools.

The built-in system according to the invention can, in principle, be freely selected within wide suitable limits in terms of type, function, material, arrangement of components, and dimensions. For example, the invention can be advantageously used both with household appliances and with commercial appliances, i.e. built-in cooking appliances for professional use. Furthermore, the inventive built-in cooking appliance may be in the form of, for example, an oven, a steam cooker, a microwave oven, or a combination appliance having a plurality of different types of heating.

An especially advantageous refinement of the built-in system according to the invention provides that the first latching element has a peg and the second latching element is configured as a catch corresponding to the peg, or that the first latching element is configured as a catch and the second latching element has a peg corresponding to the catch. In this way, the two latching elements, and thus the latching device, are designed to be particularly simple, robust, and functionally reliable in terms of construction and manufacture.

An advantageous refinement of the aforementioned embodiment of the built-in system provides that the peg and the catch are configured to match each other such that the peg, which is connected to the catch when the built-in system is in the installed state, is disengageable by a removal force acting in a direction opposite to the installation direction. This not only enables a simplified installation of the inventive built-in system, i.e., a simplified transfer of the inventive built-in system to the installed state, but also enables the built-in system to be transferred from the installed state back to the removed state; i.e. a transfer of the inventive built-in system to the removed state.

A particularly advantageous refinement of the latter two embodiments of the built-in system according to the invention provides that the peg and the catch are configured and arranged to match each other so as to compensate for tolerances, preferably, that the peg and the catch are configured to compensate for tolerances perpendicular to the installation direction, particularly preferably, that the catch is oversized compared to the peg along a vertical axis and to such an extent that the peg is securely held in the catch, despite any tolerances along the vertical axis This ensures proper functioning of the built-in system, even when there are component and assembly tolerances. This applies particularly to the preferred embodiment. The particularly preferred embodiment further provides a way to compensate for such tolerances that is very easy to implement in terms of design and production.

A further advantageous refinement of the built-in system according to the invention provides that the first latching element is formed as a plastic part, preferably, that the first latching element is releasably attached to the front frame, particularly preferably, that the first latching element is attached to the front frame by means of latching connections. This firstly makes the first latching element cost-effective and flexible to manufacture. Secondly, in the case of front frames made from metal, e.g., stainless steel, an advantageous combination of materials is obtained in this way. The preferred embodiment has the further advantage that the first latching element is not only detachable from the front frame, but that this can be accomplished very easily. The aforementioned advantages apply especially to the particularly preferred embodiment of this refinement, which allows for both easy installation and easy removal of the first latching element.

An advantageous refinement of the inventive built-in system described herein provides that, in a plan view, the peg is configured as an acute-angled wedge at a free end of the peg, preferably, that in this top view, the acute-angled wedge merges into a constriction of the peg on both sides thereof in a direction toward a root of the peg, this transition being configured as an obtuse-angled wedge, and the catch being configured to correspond to this peg. This allows the built-in system to be transferred to the installed state with relatively little force. The preferred embodiment of this refinement further ensures that, in the installed state, the peg is held by the catch with sufficient retention force, despite the above-described simplification in the transfer to the installed state. Thus, the peg and the catch are here configured to match each other such that, firstly, the built-in system can be easily transferred to the installed state and that, secondly, the built-in cooking appliance is functionally securely held to the furniture unit when in the installed state.

An advantageous refinement of the inventive built-in system as described herein provides that the catch is configured as a spring having two lateral spring arms, the spring arms latchingly cooperating with the peg when in engagement therewith, preferably, that the two lateral spring arms are disposed on a central base plate of the catch for attachment of the catch to the furniture unit or to the front frame, particularly preferably, that the catch is configured as a single-piece sheet-metal member. In this way, the catch is configured to be a particularly simple in terms of construction and manufacture. The preferred embodiment of this refinement also has the advantage that the catch firstly has a central portion for attachment to the furniture unit and, secondly, a portion separate therefrom for force-transmitting engagement of the catch with the peg. Accordingly, the above-mentioned portions can be tailored to the respective function. The particularly preferred embodiment of this refinement further provides a particularly simple and robust implementation of the catch.

An advantageous refinement of the latter refinement of the built-in system according to the invention provides that the base plate is formed with markings to assist in the attachment of the catch to the furniture unit, preferably that one catch for holding a peg when the built-in system is in the installed state is provided on each side of the built-in cooking appliance on a side panel of the furniture unit, the markings being arranged so as to assist in installing the built-in cooking appliance centrally between two side panels of the furniture unit, particularly preferably, that the markings are suitably arranged for side panels having wall thicknesses of 16 mm and 19 mm. In this way, the attachment of the catch to the furniture unit is significantly simplified with little additional effort. When attaching the catch, the installer can bring furniture edges or the like into coincidence with the corresponding markings so as to align the catch with the furniture unit. The markings may be formed, for example, as notches or the like on the catch. The preferred embodiment is particularly advantageous because it also enables the built-in cooking appliance to be spatially aligned relative to the furniture unit, namely to laterally center the built-in cooking appliance in the installation niche. The particularly preferred embodiment has the additional advantage that the catch can be used for furniture units having different side panel wall thicknesses, namely for side panel wall thicknesses of 16 mm, 19 mm, and 20 mm. This is firstly because the catch has markings for the side panel wall thicknesses of 16 mm and 19 mm, and secondly because the lateral outer edges of the catch, for example of its base plate, represent further markings for a side panel wall thickness of 20 mm.

An especially advantageous refinement of the built-in system according to the invention provides that the built-in system is configured such that when the built-in system is in the installed state, the latching device is completely invisible to a user of the built-in cooking appliance, even when the cooking chamber door of the built-in cooking appliance is open, preferably, that the latching element associated with the front frame is attached to the front frame such that this latching element is disposed behind a front panel of the built-in cooking appliance in the viewing direction of the user. This significantly improves the overall appearance of the inventive built-in system, in particular of the built-in cooking appliance. This applies especially to the preferred embodiment of this refinement. This advantage is not to be underestimated, especially in the case of premium built-in cooking appliances, as these are designed to meet the highest demands, including in terms of styling. For example, a front frame embodied as a stainless steel front frame comes into its own much better in this way. The aforementioned front panel may, for example, be designed as a control panel, as usual. The front panel and a remainder of a front of the built-in cooking appliance form a unit terms of design and aesthetic appeal, especially in the case of premium built-in cooking appliances. According to this refinement, this overall appearance is not affected by the latching device.

Further, another advantageous refinement of the built-in system according to the invention provides that the built-in system is suitably configured for tool-lessly transferring the built-in system to the installed state and for tool-lessly transferring the built-in system to a removed state of the built-in system. This allows for easy and time-saving installation and removal of the built-in cooking appliance.

In, an exemplary embodiment of the inventive built-in system is illustrated in purely schematic form.

Built-in systemincludes a built-in cooking appliancein the form of a household oven to be built into an installation nicheof a furniture unitin the form of a kitchen furniture unit, and further includes a total of two fixing devices for mechanically fixing built-in cooking applianceto furniture unit. Built-in cooking applianceincludes a housing, a cooking chamberdisposed in housingand closable by a cooking chamber doorof built-in cooking appliance, a front frameof stainless steel formed on the housing or connected to housing, and a total of two fixing elements attached to front frameand forming part of the fixing device for fixing the built-in cooking applianceto furniture unit, the first fixing element of the fixing device cooperating with a second fixing element of the fixing device in such a way that when built-in systemis in an installed state, built-in cooking applianceis disposed in installation nicheand fixed to furniture unitby means of the fixing device.each show cooking chamber dooropen, i.e., in an open position.

In accordance with the invention, the fixing device is configured as a latching device; the first fixing element, which is configured as a first latching element, and the second fixing element, which is configured as a second latching element and pre-attached to furniture unit, being configured and arranged to match each other such that, when built-in cooking applianceis moved in an installation direction to transfer built-in systemto its installed state, first latching elementcomes into latching engagement with the second latching element such that built-in cooking applianceis held to furniture unitalong the installation direction when built-in systemis in the installed state. The two latching devicesare analogous in configuration, so that the following textual descriptions and graphical representations relating to one of the latching devicesapply analogously to the latching devicethat is not described in the text or shown in the drawing.

First latching elementhas a pegand the second latching element is configured as a catchcorresponding to pegand pre-attached to furniture unit. Pegand catchare configured to match each other such that peg, which is connected to catchwhen built-in systemis in the installed state, is disengageable by a removal force acting in a direction opposite to the installation direction. Accordingly, built-in cooking appliancecan also be transferred from the installed state to the removed state shown in. In the present exemplary embodiment, built-in systemis suitably configured both for tool-lessly transferring built-in systemto the installed state and for tool-lessly transferring built-in systemto a removed state of built-in system. Pegand catchare here configured and arranged to match each other so as to compensate for tolerances, pegand catchbeing configured to compensate for tolerances perpendicular to the installation direction, namely, by catchbeing oversized along a vertical axis, as compared to peg, and to such an extent that pegis securely held in catch, despite any tolerances along the vertical axis. The installation direction points vertically into the image plane inand extends from bottom to top in. The vertical axis runs from bottom to top in the respective image planes inand perpendicular to the image plane in. Of course, one may conceive of embodiments of the invention where the first latching element is configured as a catch and the second latching element has a peg corresponding to the catch.

In the present exemplary embodiment, first latching elementis formed as a plastic part, the first latching elementbeing releasably attached to front frameby means of latching connections. For this purpose, first latching elementhas latching noses, and front framehas correspondingly configured latching openings. However, the aforementioned latching connections are not limited to this configuration. In a plan view shown in, peg, which is raised from a base plate of first latching elementfor attachment of first latching elementto front frame, is configured as an acute-angled wedge at a free end of peg. In this top view, the acute-angled wedge merges into a constrictionof pegon both sides thereof in a direction toward a root of peg, i.e., in a direction toward the base plate, this transition being configured as an obtuse-angled wedge, and catchbeing configured to correspond to this peg. In this regard, seetogether.

Catchis here configured as a spring having two lateral spring arms, the spring arms latchingly cooperating with pegwhen in engagement therewith. In this regard, see. The two lateral spring arms are disposed on a central base plateof catchfor attachment of the catch to furniture unit. In the present exemplary embodiment, catchis configured as a single-piece sheet-metal member. Base plateis formed with markings,to assist in the attachment of catchto furniture unit. One catchfor holding a pegwhen built-in systemis in the installed state is provided on each side of built-in cooking applianceon a side panel of furniture unit, the markings,being arranged so as to assist in installing built-in cooking appliancecentrally between two side panels of furniture unit. Markingscorrespond to a side panel wall thickness of furniture unitof 16 mm, and markingscorrespond to a side panel wall thickness of furniture unitof 19 mm. The lateral outer edges of base plateare spaced so far apart that they correspond to a side panel wall thickness of furniture unitof 20 mm. In this regard, see.

In the present exemplary embodiment, built-in systemis further configured such that latching deviceis completely invisible to a user of built-in cooking appliancewhen built-in systemis in the installed state, even when cooking chamber doorof built-in cooking applianceis open. For this purpose, the first latching elementassociated with front frameis attached to front framesuch that this first latching elementis disposed behind a front panelof built-in cooking appliancein the viewing direction of the user. Front panelis here configured as a control panel of built-in cooking appliance.

In the following, the functioning of the inventive built-in system according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference tothrough.

Initially, built-in systemis in the removed state shown in. The two catchesare attached to a respective one of the two side panels of furniture unitby means of screws and through-holes provided in base plate. For this purpose, the two lateral outer edges of the respective base plateserve as markings for alignment of the respective catchwith the corresponding side panel of furniture unit.

In order to transfer built-in systemfrom its removed state to its installed state shown in, the installer grasps built-in cooking applianceand pushes it in the installation direction into installation nicheof furniture unit. As soon as the two pegsof the first latching elementsmounted on front frameengage with the corresponding catches, pegslatch with catchesso that built-in cooking applianceis held to furniture unitin the installation direction and in a direction opposite to in the installation direction. As this occurs, built-in cooking applianceis also aligned relative to furniture unit, namely in the horizontal axis in the image plane of. The engagement of the respective pegwith the corresponding catchis significantly simplified by the free end of pegformed as an acute-angled wedge and the spring arms of catch, which are open in the manner of legs. Once peghas been moved far enough in the installation direction, the two spring arms of catchengage behind pegin such a way that pegand catchcan only be disengaged by a force greater than that required for transfer to the installed state. Built-in cooking applianceis in its installed state and is detachably fixed along the installation direction by means of pegsand catches. The overall appearance of built-in system, in particular of built-in cooking appliance, is not affected by latching device, namely by first latching elementswith pegs, which are attached to front frame, and catchesattached to the side panels of furniture unit. Instead, the desired aesthetics of the front of built-in cooking appliance, including front frameand front panel, can fully unfold.

If it should become necessary to remove built-in cooking appliancefrom installation niche, i.e., to transfer built-in cooking appliancefrom its installed state to its removed state, this can be done without excessive force and without tools. In this regard, see also the explanations above, but in reverse order.

The inventive design of built-in systemsignificantly simplifies the installation of built-in cooking applianceinto installation nicheof furniture unit. The installer only has to push built-in cooking applianceinto installation niche, i.e., only move it in the installation direction. In doing so, the aforementioned latching elements come into latching engagement, and built-in cooking applianceis held to furniture unitboth in the installation direction and in a direction opposite to the installation direction. The installation can be carried out without tools.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill within the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above and below. Additionally, statements made herein characterizing the invention refer to an embodiment of the invention and not necessarily all embodiments.

The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.