Exhaust canopy

Abstract

An exhaust canopy comprising: a stationary portion adapted for mounting on a stationary object, above cooking equipment; an exhaust portion for removing or filtering cooking effluent or fluids, the exhaust portion being adjustably connected, directly or indirectly, with the stationary portion or the stationary object; and an adjustment mechanism for moving the exhaust portion with respect to the stationary portion or the stationary object; wherein the exhaust canopy is adjustable between a first configuration in which the exhaust portion is raised, retracted or withdrawn and a second configuration in which the exhaust portion is lowered, protracted, or extended.

Claims

1. An exhaust canopy suitable for mounting above a cooker, stove-top, or cooking equipment, the exhaust canopy comprising: a supply plenum comprising one or more apertures or conduits for passage of supply air, the supply plenum being adapted for fixed mounting on a wall; an exhaust plenum connected by interconnecting arms to the supply plenum, the exhaust plenum comprising one or more apertures or conduits for passage of exhaust, the exhaust plenum comprising one or more removable replaceable exhaust filters; an adjustment mechanism for moving the exhaust plenum with respect to the supply plenum, the adjustment mechanism comprising the interconnecting arms and an electric linear actuator connected with one or more of the interconnecting arms, the actuator being adapted to cause movement of the one or more of the interconnecting arms, thereby causing movement of the exhaust plenum with respect to the supply plenum; a control unit mounted on the supply plenum, the control unit allowing a user to control the movement of the exhaust plenum automatically via the adjustment mechanism; wherein the exhaust canopy is adjustable between a cleaning configuration in which the exhaust plenum is lowered towards the cooker, stove-top or cooking equipment to facilitate user access to the removable replaceable exhaust filters, and a use configuration in which the exhaust plenum is raised towards the supply plenum, in readiness for use when cooking on the cooker, stove-top or cooking equipment.

2. The exhaust canopy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the supply plenum comprises a stationary frame adapted for fixed mounting on a stationary object.

3. The exhaust canopy as claimed in claim 2 wherein the supply plenum further comprises panelling mounted on the stationary frame.

4. The exhaust canopy as claimed in claim 3 wherein the stationary object, on which the supply plenum is adapted for mounting, comprises a wall and/or ceiling.

5. The exhaust canopy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the of the interconnecting arms comprise upper and lower arms.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.

(2) Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(3) FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an installed first example exhaust canopy with right side panel removed mounted above cooking equipment in front of which a user is standing, the exhaust canopy being in a use configuration;

(4) FIG. 2 an isometric view of the installed first example exhaust canopy from below and beneath with left and right side panels removed, and with the canopy in the use configuration;

(5) FIG. 3 is a side isometric view of the installed first example exhaust canopy with left and right side panels removed and with an exhaust portion of the canopy partially lowered;

(6) FIG. 4 is a side isometric view of the installed first example exhaust canopy with left and right side panels removed and with the exhaust portion of the canopy fully lowered, bringing the canopy into a cleaning configuration;

(7) FIG. 5 is a view of a frame of the first example exhaust canopy uninstalled, with the frame in the cleaning configuration;

(8) FIG. 6 is a view of the frame of the first example exhaust canopy uninstalled, with the frame in the use configuration;

(9) FIG. 7 is an underneath front isometric view of the first example exhaust canopy in the use configuration;

(10) FIG. 8 is an above front isometric view of the first example exhaust canopy in the cleaning configuration with a top panel of an exhaust plenum removed;

(11) FIG. 9 is an above isometric view of the exhaust portion of the first example exhaust canopy with a left exhaust side panel and roof panel removed;

(12) FIG. 10 is an isometric view from behind and beneath of the first example exhaust canopy in the cleaning configuration with both side panels removed;

(13) FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the first example exhaust canopy with side and front panels removed; and

(14) FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the first example exhaust canopy from beneath with front, lighting and exhaust plenum panels removed.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(15) Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an installed exhaust canopy, generally designated 10, in accordance with a first form of the invention. The exhaust canopy is adapted to receive and disperse an exhaust, the exhaust comprising exhaust air, wherein the exhaust air includes smoke, odour and/or grease and the exhaust air is heated above room temperature. The exhaust canopy is configured to extract exhaust air originating from a space comprising cooking equipment when such cooking equipment is in use. The exhaust canopy 10 is mounted at its rear to a vertical wall 11, and overhangs a stove top 12 of a stove cooker 13 and a gas top 14 of a gas cooker 15. At the rear of the exhaust canopy 10 is located a control unit 17 having up and down buttons, 21 and 22 respectively, for configurational adjustment of the canopy 10. A person 16 is shown standing in front of the stove and gas cookers, 13 and 15 respectively. The exhaust canopy 10 is shown in a resting or use configuration, as is required for capturing heat, smoke, odour or grease emitted from foods being cooked on the stove and gas tops, 12 and 14 respectively.

(16) FIG. 2 also shows the installed exhaust canopy 10 in the use configuration. From this view can be seen parts of the canopy 10 including a fixed or stationary portion 18, an adjustable or mobile exhaust portion/plenum 19, and an adjustment mechanism 20 for continuously adjusting the exhaust plenum 19 between the use configuration and an open or cleaning configuration. As can be seen, the exhaust plenum 19 of the canopy 10 is stowed within the fixed portion 18 when in the use configuration.

(17) On reaching up to the control unit 17 and pressing the down button 22, the person 16 is able to lower the exhaust plenum 19 of the canopy 10 from within the fixed portion 18, as can be seen in FIG. 3, with the canopy shown in an intermediate or partially lowered or open configuration. The exhaust plenum 19 can be further lowered until the canopy 10 reaches the cleaning configuration as shown in FIG. 4. Once the canopy 10 reaches the cleaning configuration, the exhaust plenum 19 is within arm's reach allowing the person 16 to wipe clean its internal aspects, and remove a grease filter housed within for cleaning or replacement.

(18) Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown a frame, generally designated 23, of the exhaust canopy 10. The frame 23 is shown in the open cleaning configuration in FIG. 5 and the closed use configuration in FIG. 6. The frame 23 comprises a fixed section 24 which internally supports and forms part of the fixed portion 18 of the canopy 10. The frame 23 further comprises an exhaust section 25 which internally supports and forms part of the exhaust plenum 19 of the canopy 10. The fixed and exhaust frame sections, 24 and 25 respectively, are interconnected by the adjustment mechanism 20.

(19) More specifically, the fixed section 24 of the frame has left and right vertical rear rods, 26a and 26b respectively. Connected with and extending between top ends of the vertical rear rods 26a/26b, is a top horizontal rear rod 27a. Similarly, connected with and extending between bottom ends of the vertical rear rods 26a/26b, is a bottom horizontal rear rod 27b.

(20) Connected with and extending forwardly from the top end of left vertical rear rod 26a, and the left outer end of top horizontal rear rod 27a, is a left top horizontal side rod 28a. Similarly, connected with and extending forwardly from the top end of right vertical rear rod 26b, and the right outer end of top horizontal rear rod 27a, is a right top horizontal side rod 28b.

(21) Connected with and extending forwardly from the bottom end of left vertical rear rod 26a, and the left outer end of bottom horizontal rear rod 27b, is a left bottom horizontal side rod 29a. Similarly, connected with and extending forwardly from the bottom end of right vertical rear rod 26b, and the right outer end of bottom horizontal rear rod 27b, is a right bottom horizontal side rod 29b.

(22) Further still, the fixed section 24 of the frame has left and right vertical front rods, 30a and 30b respectively. Connected with and extending forwardly from the top end of left vertical front rod 30a is the left top horizontal side rod 28a. Similarly, connected with and extending forwardly from the top end of right vertical front rod 30b is the right top horizontal side rod 28b.

(23) Connected with and extending forwardly from the bottom end of left vertical front rod 30a is the left bottom horizontal side rod 29a. Similarly, connected with and extending forwardly from the bottom end of right vertical front rod 30b is the right bottom horizontal side rod 29b.

(24) Connected with and extending between vertical front rods 30a/30b towards their top end is a top horizontal front rod 31a. Similarly, connected with and extending between bottom vertical front rods 30a/30b towards their bottom end is a bottom horizontal front rods 31b. Connected between left and right top horizontal side rods, 28a and 28b, about midway along their length, is an intermediate top rod 32.

(25) The exhaust section 25 of the frame 23 has three planar left sided members in the form of a first left rod 36a, a second left rod 37a, and a third left rod 38a. The first and second left rods, 36a and 37a, are of similar length, whereas the third left rod 38a is about two thirds of their lengths. The left sided members are connected end to end to form a left triangular frame section.

(26) Similarly, the exhaust section 25 of the frame 23 has three planar right sided members in the form of a first right rod 36b, a second right rod, 37b and a third right rod 38b. The first and second right rods, 36b and 37b, are of similar length, whereas the third right rod 38b is about two thirds of their lengths. The right sided members are connected end to end to form a right triangular frame section.

(27) Additionally, the exhaust section 25 of the frame 23 has three parallel horizontal members in the form of a first horizontal rod 33, a second horizontal rod 34, and a third horizontal rod 35. The first horizontal rod 33 is connected with and extends between joined ends of the first and second rods, 36a/37a and 36b/37b. The second horizontal rod 34 is connected with and extends between joined ends of the first and third rods, 36a/38a and 36b/38b. The third horizontal rod 35 is connected with and extends between joined ends of the second and third rods, 37a/38a and 37b/38b.

(28) The adjustment mechanism 20 comprises left and right vertical plates, 39a and 39b respectively. The left vertical plate 39a is planar with and attaches above to the left top horizontal side rod 28a and behind to the left front vertical rod 30a. Similarly, the right vertical plate 39b is planar with and attaches above to the right top horizontal side rod 28b and behind to the right front vertical rod 30b.

(29) The adjustment mechanism 20 further comprises upper left and right adjustment arms, 40a and 40b respectively, and lower left and right adjustment arms, 41a and 41b respectively. The upper left adjustment arm 40a is pivotally or rotatably attached at one end to the left first rod 36a and at its other end to the left vertical plate 39a. Similarly, the upper right adjustment arm 40b is pivotally or rotatably attached at one end to the right first rod 36b and at its other end to the right vertical plate 39a. The lower left adjustment arm 41a is pivotally or rotatably attached at one end at the junction of the left first rod 36a and the left second rod 37a, and at its other end to the left vertical plate 39a. Similarly, the lower right adjustment arm 41b is pivotally or rotatably attached at one end at the junction of the right first rod 36b and the right second rod 37b, and at its other end to the right vertical plate 39b.

(30) Also present as part of the adjustment mechanism 20 are left and right electric linear actuators, 42a and 42b respectively. Each actuator 42a/42b comprises a housing unit 46a/46b, telescopic adjustment means having an outer tubular member 43a/43b and an inner tubular member 44a/44b, and an attachment bracket 45a/45b which is pivotally connected with its respective inner tubular member 44a/44b. The left linear actuator 42a is attached at one end by its bracket 45a to the left upper adjustment arm 40a and at its other end by connection of a lug extending from its housing unit 46a with the left vertical plate 39a. Similarly, the right linear actuator 42b is attached at one end by its bracket 45b to the right upper adjustment arm 40b and at its other end by connection of a lug extending from its housing unit 46b with the right vertical plate 39b.

(31) As is evident in FIGS. 5 and 6, lowering of the cantilevered exhaust section 24 of the frame results from telescopic lengthening by virtue of extension of the inner tubular members 44a/44b from within respective outer tubular members 43a/43b. Conversely, raising of the cantilevered exhaust section 24 of the frame results from telescopic shortening by virtue of retraction of the inner tubular members 44a/44b into their respective outer tubular members 43a/43b.

(32) Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown the exhaust canopy 10 from in front and beneath in its use configuration with the exhaust portion 19 retracted within the confines of the fixed portion 18. The fixed portion 18 comprises various panels mounted on the fixed section 24 of the frame 23. More specifically, the fixed portion 18 comprises left and right front panels, 47a and 47b respectively, each having its own grilled region, 48a and 48b. Extending horizontally atop the front panels 48a/48b is a front top bracket 49. At the rear of the exhaust canopy 10, opposite the front panels 48a/48b, is a rear panel 51 (see FIG. 9). Additionally, the fixed portion comprises left and right side panels, 50a and 50b, which extend on opposite sides of the canopy 10 between the front and rear panels. Also visible in FIG. 7, the exhaust portion 19 comprises a front exhaust panel 52 which is mounted on the exhaust section 25 of the frame 23. The front exhaust panel 52 has its own removable grease filters 53.

(33) Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown the exhaust canopy 10 from in front and above in its cleaning configuration with the exhaust portion 19 fully lowered outside of the confines of the fixed portion 18. Visible in this view front and rear top panels, 59 and 56 respectively, of the fixed portion 19 of the canopy. The front top panel spans between top edges of the front top bracket 49 and side panels 50a/50b, while the rear top panel 56 lies adjacent and behind the front top panel 59, spanning between top edges of the side panels 50a/50b and rear panel 51. Projecting up from the front top panel 59 are left and right circular supply air collars, 57a and 57b respectively, of supply plenum 126. Projecting from the rear top panel 56 are left and right exhaust collars, 58a and 58b respectively.

(34) In FIGS. 8 and 9 it can be seen that the exhaust portion 19 is in the shape of an inverted triangular prism, having front and rear exhaust panels, 52 and 53 respectively, as well as a top/inverted base panel (not shown). Mounted on the inner surface of the rear exhaust panel 53 is an ultra violet light cassette 54 for removal of grease and odour.

(35) Although removed in FIG. 8, triangularly shaped left and right exhaust side panels, 55a (FIG. 10) and 55b (FIG. 9) respectively, span the area between respective first, second and third rods, 36a/37a/38a and 36b/37b/38b of the exhaust frame.

(36) Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown the exhaust canopy 10 from behind and beneath, in an open or cleaning configuration, with the side panels 50a/50b removed for internal visibility. In this view, a light panel is seen sloping down and forward from around the junction of the front and rear top panels, 59 and 56 respectively. Centrally placed in the light panel 60 is a light housing 61 for an elongated source of light (not shown).

(37) Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown the exhaust canopy 10 in a closed or use configuration, with side panels 50a/50b and front panels 49a/49b removed for internal visibility. Shown in this view is a rear angled panel 62, sloping down and backward from the top edge of, and forming an apex with, the light panel 60.

(38) Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown the exhaust canopy 10 in a closed or use configuration from in front and beneath. In this view, the rear angled panel has been removed to show left and right rectangular exhaust apertures, 63a and 63b respectively, defined in the rear top panel 56. Each exhaust aperture 63a/63b communicates with the interior opening of its respective rectangular exhaust collar 58a/58b. Additionally, the front panels 47a/47b have been removed to show left and right circular supply apertures 64a/64b respectively, defined in the front top panel 59. Each supply aperture 64a/64b communicates with the interior opening of its respective tubular supply collar 57a/57b.

(39) Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

(40) Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

(41) The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, and “having”, or variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

(42) Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first”, “second”, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

(43) Spatially relative terms, such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

(44) Thus, while there has been described above what are believed to be the preferred arrangements of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. Functionality may be added or deleted from the diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional features. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

(45) Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

(46) It will be appreciated that the methods & apparatus described/illustrated above at least substantially provide an exhaust canopy suitable for mounting above domestic or commercial cooking equipment.

(47) The methods & apparatus described herein, and/or shown in the drawings, are presented by way of example only and are not limiting as to the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise specifically stated, individual aspects and components of the methods & apparatus may be modified, or may have been substituted therefore known equivalents, or as yet unknown substitutes such as may be developed in the future or such as may be found to be acceptable substitutes in the future. The methods & apparatus may also be modified for a variety of applications while remaining within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention, since the range of potential applications is great, and since it is intended that the present methods & apparatus be adaptable to many such variations.

(48) Also, future patent applications maybe filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of, or claiming priority from, the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.