This invention relates to apparatus for preventing the accidental tip-over of free-standing structures such as domestic home appliances.
In free-standing electric or gas ranges, the oven door is hinged at its bottom edge and pivots downwardly approximately 90.degree. from a vertical closed position to a horizontal open position. In the open position the door may extend parallel to the floor at a height of several inches to a foot above floor level. In this position it is possible for objects to be placed on the door of sufficient weight to cause the appliance to tilt forward, and possibly to tip completely over.
One approach to this problem is described and claimed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,695 to Chou. In this arrangement a pair of rigid brackets are mounted to the wall behind the appliance and project forward to be received in corresponding apertures in the rear of the appliance. Each support member is positioned to engage the lower edge of its respective aperture to limit tipping of the appliance when positioned adjacent the wall. The wall engaging portion of each bracket has a length greater than the distance between wall frame members to insure attachment to a frame member. This arrangement has been demonstrated to work satisfactorily. However, the brackets are relatively large to provide the necessary length and rigidity in the portion which engages the appliance and to provide the desired mounting versatility, rendering the approach relatively costly.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,948 to Casciani discloses an alternative approach in which a pair of U-shaped brackets are disposed proximate to the intersection of wall and floor with the vertically extending bight attached to the wall and one leg attached to the floor. The free leg projects forward to extend into an aperture formed in the rear cabinet wall of the appliance. The U-shaped brackets must be rigid enough and long enough to prevent the tipping movement of the appliance from causing it to slide off of the retaining arm. In addition, a pair of brackets is required. In an alternative arrangement therein disclosed, a pair of rearwardly extending projections are secured to the rear of the appliance to extend into corresponding holes drilled in the wall behind the appliance. This use of projections extending from the appliance presents obvious alignment problems rendering installation difficult.
In view of the limitations of the foregoing prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved anti-tip apparatus for appliances which is easy to install initially and which facilitates removal and reinstallation such as for cleaning around or servicing the appliance, and which is relatively inexpensive.