Oven panel construction

Abstract

A panel for an oven includes an outer wall, an inner wall, and a rail interconnecting the outer wall and the inner wall. The rail including an outer beam coupled with the outer wall, an inner beam coupled with the inner wall, and a plurality of rungs connecting the outer beam and the inner beam. The rail having a first end portion, an intermediate portion, and a second end portion that together define a total length of the rail. The intermediate portion including all of the rungs such that there are no rungs on either of the first or second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion together defining at least about 33 percent of the total length of the rail and the intermediate portion defining no more than about 67 percent of the total length of the rail.

1 . A panel for an oven, the panel comprising:
 an outer wall;   an inner wall; and   a rail interconnecting the outer wall and the inner wall;   wherein the rail includes an outer beam coupled with the outer wall, an inner beam coupled with the inner wall, and a plurality of rungs connecting the outer beam and the inner beam, the rail having a first end portion, an intermediate portion, and a second end portion that together define a total length of the rail;   wherein the intermediate portion includes all of the rungs such that there are no rungs on either of the first or second end portions;   wherein the first end portion and the second end portion together define at least about 33 percent of the total length of the rail; and   wherein the intermediate portion defines no more than about 67 percent of the total length of the rail.   
   
   
       2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein a space between the outer beam and the inner beam along the intermediate portion of the rail defines a intermediate surface area; and
 wherein the rungs define a through-metal surface area that is less than or equal to about 20 percent of the intermediate surface area.   
   
   
       3 . The panel of  claim 2 , wherein the through-metal surface area that is less than or equal to about 15 percent of the intermediate surface area. 
   
   
       4 . The panel of  claim 3 , wherein the through-metal surface area that is less than or equal to about 11 percent of the intermediate surface area. 
   
   
       5 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion together define at least about 50 percent of the total length of the rail; and
 wherein the intermediate portion defines no more than about 50 percent of the total length of the rail.   
   
   
       6 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein a space between the outer beam and the inner beam defines a total surface area; and
 wherein the rungs define a through-metal surface area that is less than or equal to about 10 percent of the total surface area.   
   
   
       7 . The panel of  claim 6 , wherein the through-metal surface area that is less than or equal to about 7 percent of the total surface area. 
   
   
       8 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein the through-metal surface area that is less than or equal to about 5 percent of the total surface area. 
   
   
       9 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion have substantially different lengths. 
   
   
       10 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the rail is formed as a single piece. 
   
   
       11 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the rungs are formed at substantially equal intervals over the intermediate portion. 
   
   
       12 . The panel of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulating material disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall. 
   
   
       13 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein each rung has a thickness and a width, the thickness and the width defining a cross-sectional area of the rung; and
 wherein the rung presents a cross-sectional area of less than or equal to about 0.06 square inches.   
   
   
       14 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rungs have a thickness and a width, the thickness and the width defining a cross-sectional area of the rungs; and
 wherein the rungs present a total cross-sectional area of less than 1.5 square inches.   
   
   
       15 . The panel of  claim 14 , wherein the total cross-sectional area is less than or equal to about 1.0 square inches. 
   
   
       16 . The panel of  claim 15 , wherein the total cross-sectional area is less than or equal to about 0.3 square inches. 
   
   
       17 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a first panel;
 further comprising a second panel coupled to the first panel; and   wherein the first panel further includes a male engagement member and the second panel further includes a female engagement member configured for receiving the male engagement member.   
   
   
       18 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a first panel;
 further comprising a second panel coupled the first panel; and   wherein the first panel includes a first engagement member and the second panel includes a second engagement member, the first engagement member and the second engagement member coupled together when the first panel is coupled to the second panel.   
   
   
       19 . A panel for an oven, the panel comprising:
 an outer wall;   an inner wall; and   a rail interconnecting the outer wall and the inner wall;   wherein the rail is formed as a single piece and includes an outer beam coupled with the outer wall, an inner beam coupled with the inner wall, and a plurality of rungs connecting the outer beam and the inner beam, the rail having a first end portion, an intermediate portion, and a second end portion that together define a total length of the rail;   wherein the intermediate portion includes all of the rungs such that there are no rungs on either of the first or second end portions;   wherein the first end portion and the second end portion together define at least about 33 percent of the total length of the rail;   wherein the intermediate portion defines no more than about 67 percent of the total length of the rail; and   wherein a space between the outer beam and the inner beam along the intermediate portion of the rail defines a intermediate surface area; and   wherein the rungs define a through-metal surface area that is less than or equal to about 20 percent of the intermediate surface area.   
   
   
       20 . The panel of  claim 19 , wherein the through-metal surface area that is less than or equal to about 11 percent of the intermediate surface area.