Range hood with overlay panels

Abstract

Apparatus and method for a range hood that provides light to a range top. The apparatus can include a flue, a capture sump coupled to the flue, and one or more overlay panels coupled to the capture sump. The range hood can also include one or more lights that shine light through the overlay panels, through the capture sump, and onto the range top. The range hood can further include a circulation/lighting unit for providing light and removing cooking effluent from the range top.

1 . A range hood for providing light to a range top, the range hood comprising: 
 a flue;    a capture sump coupled to the flue;    at least one overlay panel coupled to the capture sump;    at least one light that shines light through the at least one overlay panel, through the capture sump, and onto the range top.    
   
   
       2 . The range hood of  claim 1  wherein the at least one overlay panel is coupled to the capture sump with at least one stand-off.  
   
   
       3 . The range hood of  claim 1  wherein the capture sump is constructed of a first glass that is a substantially-transparent, tempered, heat-resistant glass.  
   
   
       4 . The range hood of  claim 3  wherein the at least one overlay panel is constructed of a second glass that is a non-tempered, decorative, fused glass and that is less heat-resistant than the first glass of the capture sump.  
   
   
       5 . The range hood of  claim 1  wherein the at least one overlay panel is constructed of a removable and interchangeable decorative glass.  
   
   
       6 . The range hood of  claim 1  wherein the at least one light includes a cantilever bar coupled to the flue, a cable coupled to the cantilever bar, and a shade coupled to the cable.  
   
   
       7 . The range hood of  claim 1  and further comprising a circulation/lighting unit that is in communication with a fan that removes cooking effluent from an area above the range top, the circulation/lighting unit including at least one recessed light fixture.  
   
   
       8 . The range hood of  claim 7  wherein the circulation/lighting unit has a semi-circular cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       9 . The range hood of  claim 1  wherein the capture sump has an arched rectangular shape.  
   
   
       10 . The range hood of  claim 9  wherein the at least one overlay panel includes a first overlay panel with a rectangular shape positioned on a first side of the flue and a second overlay panel with a rectangular shape positioned on a second side of the flue.  
   
   
       11 . The range hood of  claim 10  wherein the at least one light includes a first light positioned above the first overlay panel and a second light positioned above the second overlay panel.  
   
   
       12 . The range hood of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the capture sump and the at least one overlay panel has a semi-circular shape, a circular shape, a polygonal shape, or an oval shape.  
   
   
       13 . The range hood of  claim 1  wherein the flue has a cylindrical shape and includes a first, smaller concentric portion and a second, larger concentric portion.  
   
   
       14 . The range hood of  claim 1  wherein the flue includes at least one flat surface to which the at least one light is coupled.  
   
   
       15 . The range hood of  claim 1  wherein the at least one light includes a shade having a cone shape and at least one concave edge.  
   
   
       16 . A method of installing at least one overlay panel of a range hood, the method comprising: 
 positioning at least one stand-off on a capture sump;    positioning at least one overlay panel over the at least one stand-off and between the capture sump and at least one light; and    fastening the at least one overlay panel to the capture sump.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  and further comprising removing the at least one overlay from the capture sump and fastening at least one new overlay panel onto the capture sump.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  and further comprising positioning a first overlay panel on a first side of a flue and a second overlay panel on a second side of the flue.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising positioning a first light over the first overlay panel and a second light over the second overlay panel.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  and further comprising trapping cooking effluent with the capture sump and removing the cooking effluent with a fan.