RANGE APPLIANCE ACCESSORY ATTACHMENT ASSEMBLY

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to range back accessory interfaces and attachments for range cooking appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Backplash walls (backplashes) provide a cover over an existing kitchen wall generally abutting a range appliance. Backplashes protect the wall from grease, water, food, etc. that may splash, splatter, or eject toward the kitchen wall from use of the range appliance. Backsplahses may further facilitate providing a desired aesthetic appearance at the kitchen wall behind the range appliance. Generally, a backsplash is fastened to the kitchen wall using threaded fasteners, such as screws, bolts, threaded shanks, and the like, and a bracket installed onto the kitchen wall, which may inhibit removing, replacing, or cleaning the backplash.

Accordingly, a range appliance accessory attachment assembly addressing one or more of the aforementioned issues would be beneficial and advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a range appliance backsplash assembly for attachment to a mount wall extending substantially along a reference longitudinal direction and a reference vertical direction. A reference depth direction extends orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction. The backsplash assembly includes a first wall extending substantially along the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction. The first wall is configured to extend substantially adjacent to the mount wall. The first wall includes a first side wall. The second wall includes a second side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall together includes an attachment interface selectively coupling together the first wall and the second wall. The attachment interface includes a mating tab selectively extendable into a slot formed at a receiving tab. The mating tab is formed at one of the first side wall or the second side wall. The receiving tab is formed at the other of the first side wall or the second side wall.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a range appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a backside view of an embodiment of a range appliance backsplash assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 provides a side perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment interface for the backsplash assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 provides a side perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment interface for the backsplash assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment interface for the backsplash assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment interface for the backsplash assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 provides a plan view of an embodiment of an attachment interface for the backsplash assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 provides a plan view of an embodiment of an attachment interface for the backsplash assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 provides a perspective view an embodiment of an attachment interface for the backsplash assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of the backsplash assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of the backsplash assembly of FIG. 9 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment interface for the backsplash assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 provides a perspective view of the embodiment of the backsplash assembly of FIG. 12 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 provides a perspective view of the embodiment of the backsplash assembly of FIG. 12 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 provides an exemplary embodiment of a range appliance 10 and mount wall 50 at which a backsplash assembly 100 addressing one or more of the aforementioned issues is provided. The mount wall 50 may form a wall adjacent or behind which the range appliance 10 is positioned at a kitchen or commercial facility.

As generally understood, the range appliance 10 may include any desired cooking appliance. For instance, the range appliance 10 may form a stove having one or more gas or electric heating elements configured to dispense heat to a cookware item. As heat is provided to cookware items and a user cooks, liquids, solids, or food matter may generally eject toward the mount wall 50. Embodiments of the backsplash assembly 100 provide a removable surface at which the user may remove one or more portions of the backsplash assembly for cleaning, decoration, or replacement.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-14, views and embodiments of a range appliance backsplash assembly 100 for attachment to the mount wall 50 are provided. A reference longitudinal direction L, reference vertical direction V, and reference depth direction D extending orthogonal to one another is provided.

The backsplash assembly 100 includes a first wall 110 selectively attachable to a second wall 120 by way of an attachment interface 115. The first and second walls 110, 120 together include portions of the attachment interface 115. The attachment interface 115 includes a mating tab 140 selectively extendable into a slot 138 formed at a receiving tab 130. In various embodiments, the slot 138 forms a straight or linearly extending slot, a L-shaped or hooked, geometry, or serpentine geometry (e.g., depicted in the assembly embodiments at FIGS. 12-14).

The first wall 110 may generally form a mating component to the mount wall 500. For instance, the first wall 110 may include a fastener opening 126 configured to receive a fastener through the first wall 110 to the mount wall 50. The second wall 120 may generally form an aesthetic or outward appearance wall, such as may include a decorative exterior interchangeable by a user. First wall 110 may include a wall 112, such as a side wall or base wall, extending substantially co-directional to the mount wall 50 at which the backsplash assembly 100 attaches. Second wall 120 may include one or more walls 122, 124 such as a cover wall or a side wall. Second wall 120 may extend substantially parallel to the first wall 110, such as may form a volume 125 therebetween and into which the attachment interface 115 may extend.

Referring to the attachment interface 115 of the first and second walls 110, 120, the mating tab 140 includes an extension portion 142 and a mating portion 146 extending from the extension portion 142. The extension portion 142 offsets the mating portion 146 from a side wall from which the mating tab 140 is positioned and extends. The mating portion 146 is configured to extend into the slot 138 formed at the receiving tab 130.

In various embodiments, the extension portion 142 of the mating tab 140 positions the mating portion 146 at an oblique or acute angle relative to the side wall from which the mating portion 146 extends. For instance, referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the first wall 110 includes a side wall 112 from which the mating tab 130 extends. A first reference axis 101 depicts a substantial extension of the side wall 112. A second reference axis 102 depicts a substantial extension of the mating portion 146. Mating portion 146 extends at an angle 103 from the side wall 112 into the slot 138 at a receiving portion 136 of the receiving tab 130.

In still various embodiments, the extension portion 142 of the mating tab 140 forms a curved portion extending the mating portion 146 at an oblique or acute angle from the side wall. As such, the mating portion 146 extends at an angle relative to the receiving tab 130 to touch opposing walls at the slot 138. For instance, referring to FIG. 5, slot 138 includes walls 131, 133 opposing one another. The mating portion 146 extending at the angle contacts walls 131, 133.

The mating tab 140 may form a spring configured to rotate the mating portion 146 onto the receiving tab 130. The mating tab 140 forming a spring may push the mating portion 146 in slot 138, such as may contact walls 131, 133. Contacting one or both walls 131, 133 at the slot 138 may form a friction fit such as may promote retaining the first wall 110 to the second wall 120. In still some embodiments, the slot 138 may form a closed end 137, such as may provide a detent at the slot 138 to inhibit movement along a desired direction and retain the mating tab 140 within the slot 138.

The receiving tab 130 may form a spring configured to bias away the receiving tab 130 from the side wall from which the receiving tab 130 extends. Tabs 130, 140 may both be configured as springs. For instance, the tabs 130, 140 forming springs may be biased oppositely of one another, such as to promote retaining the mating tab 140 within the slot 138 at the receiving tab 130.

Referring to FIG. 5, and further depicted in FIGS. 7-8, in some embodiments, the mating portion 146 extends at an angle (e.g., angle 103) relative to the side wall (e.g., side wall 112) from which the mating tab 140 extends. A first reference axis 104 depicts a substantial extension of a side wall (e.g., sidewall 122) from which the receiving tab 130 extends. A second reference axis 105 depicts a substantial extension of the mating portion 146. Receiving portion 136 extends at an angle 106 from the side wall 122. In some embodiments, the receiving portion 130 and the mating portion 140 both extend at oblique or acute angles 103, 106, and furthermore extend at an angle crossing one another (e.g., FIGS. 7-8), such as may promote fit and retention of the mating portion 146 within the slot 138.

In various embodiments, the receiving tab 130, the mating tab 140, or both, may include curved portions forming hooks 134, 144 extending or curling the respective receiving tab 130 and mating tab 140 toward the respective side wall from which the tab 130, 140 extends. The curved portion forming a hook may position the mating portion 146 at the acute angle relative to the side wall. In some embodiments, such as depicted in FIGS. 9-11, the receiving tab 130 and mating tab 140 form hooks interconnectable with one another.

In various embodiments, the mating tab 140 is formed at one of the first side wall 110 or the second side wall 120, and the receiving tab 130 is formed at the other of the first side wall 110 or the second side wall 120. For instance, referring to FIGS. 3-6, the receiving tab 130 extends from the side wall 122 of the second wall 120, and the mating tab 140 extends from the side wall 112 of the first wall 110. The first wall 110 including the side wall 112 may be configured to extend substantially adjacent to the mount wall 50. The backsplash assembly 100 provides at least a portion of the first wall 110 as a first side wall 112 and the second wall 120 having a second side wall (e.g., side wall 122). The side walls 112, 122 together include the attachment interface 115 to selectively couple together the first wall 110 and the second wall 120, such as described above.

In some embodiments, such as depicted in FIG. 2, the mating tab 140 and the receiving tab 130 are positioned at a perimeter 145 of side walls 112, 122, such as to promote user access from outside or around the backsplash assembly 100. The mating tab 140 and the receiving tab 130 may be formed from respective portions of the perimeter 145 of the side wall 112, 122 curled toward itself.

The first wall 110 and the second wall 120 may be offset from one another to form a volume 125 therebetween. Sidewalls 112, 122, or portions thereof, may extend substantially co-directional to one another along the reference depth direction D within the volume. For instance, the mating tab 140 and the receiving tab 130 extend into the volume 125 between the first wall 110 and the second wall 120, such as may obscure the attachment interface 115 from view outside of the walls 110, 120.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8, in various embodiments, the mating tab 140 is formed at the first side wall 110 and the receiving tab 130 is formed at the second wall 120, such as depicted at FIG. 7. In another embodiment, such as depicted at FIG. 8, the mating tab 140 is formed at the second wall 120, and the receiving tab 130 is formed at the first wall 110.

Embodiments of the backsplash assembly 100 depicted and described herein may facilitate removal and replacement of one or more portions (e.g., the second wall 120), such as to change aesthetic appearances or promote cleaning. Embodiments of the tabs 130, 140 may improve fastening and facilitate selective removal and reattachment, such as in improving over barbs or locks. Angled tabs such as provided herein may facilitate placement and removal without requiring a user to view the attachment interface. Embodiments of the attachment interface may promote selective attachment without requiring line-of-sight by the user, such as may promote improved aesthetics and protect the attachment interface from debris from cooking.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.