Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RECESSING CONTROL FOR A HEATING ELEMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control that can be-
recessed into a surface when not in use. More particularly,
the present invention relates to a rotary switch or knob for
operating and controlling the power of a heating element
disposed on a cooking range and for regulating the heat
produced by the heating element.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recessed controls for cooking ranges are known in the
art. Such controls have been widely employed in domestic
cooking ranges that have heating elements integrated into a
cooking range surface made of a thermally conductive
material, for example ceramic glass. Knobs for operating
the heating elements and for regulating the temperature of a
heating element are usually arranged on a control panel in
the front area of the range and can be lowered into the
control panel at the touch of a finger if the corresponding
heating element is not in use. If a given heating element
is to be used, the associated knob can be pulled from the
recess and used in the same manner control knobs are used
with conventional ranges. It is known, for example, to use
a spring to bias the knob out from the recessed position.
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In many conventional cooking ranges, the control panel
and control knobs are arranged together near the front of
the range and away from the heating elements. For example,
the control panel is often arranged vertically on the front
of the stove or cooking range. This protects the interior
of the control panel and the electronics therein from
-- cooking spills, which are a common occurrence.
However, a substantially vertical arrangement of the
knobs on the front of the range has a number of drawbacks.
First, it may not be obvious which control knob is
associated with which heating element. The proper
association is most likely indicated by symbols that are
arranged next to the knob. Consequently, the user must
pause to determine which knob controls which heating
element. Even so, the knob for the desired heating element
may still occasionally be confused.
There are cooking ranges in which heating element
controls are integrated into the cooking range itself.
However, such ranges have the disadvantage that the knobs
both interfere with the visual effect of the range and
present substa-ntial difficulties during cleaning.
Additionally, the ergonomics of vertically arranged
knobs can be a problem if the wrist must assume an
ergonomically poor position while turning the knob.
Vertically arranged knobs on the front of the range may also
p~otrude from the range during cooking when the user is
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frequently in front of the range. As a result, the user's
movements may be impeded due to knocking against the
protruding knobs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a control knob for controlling the temperature of
a heating element disposed on a cooking range wherein the
knob can be recessed into the surface of the cooking range.
It is a further object of the present invention to create a
simple and readily understood association between each
control knob and the corresponding heating element. It is a
further object of the present invention to provide a control
knob with favorable ergonomics that does not protrude or
interfere with the user either during cooking or while the
range is not in use. It is also an object of the present
invention to provide such a control knob for a cooking range
that prevents cooking spills and other liquids from entering
the range interior.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of
the invention will be set forth in part in the d-escription
which follows, and in part will become more apparent to
those skilled in the art upon examination of the following
or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects
and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained
by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The objects of the invention are attained by making it
possible to lower a control knob into a recess in the
cooking range. This permits a direct association of the
knob with the corresponding heating element through
positioning the knob near the corresponding heating element.
The direct spatial correspondence of the knob and the
respective heating element makes it possible for the user to
rapidly associate the knob with the heating element it
controls. It is thus practically impossible to confuse
heating element controls. This arrangement prevents burns
and accidents that may be caused by confusing heating
element controls. Decorative markings on the cooking range
may be used to further clarify the association.
Another object of the invention may be accomplished by
a horizontally disposed knob with the knob protruding from
the top surface of the cooking range. Such an arrangement
provides favorable ergonomics because the user's wrist
assumes an ergonomically favorable position while turning
the knob.
Additionally, while the range is in operation, that is,
while the knobs are pulled out, there are no controls
protruding from the front of the range. This eliminates the
possibility that the user moving in front of the range will
be disturbed or impeded by protruding control knobs.
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Lastly, the almost continuous surface provided by this
arrangement substantially facilitates cleaning by
eliminating the need to clean around control knobs.
Another object of the invention is attained by
arranging a sealing device in the opening of the cooking
range into which the control knob is recessed. The sealing
device is used to retain liquids. This prevents any spills
that may occur during cooking from entering the interior of
the range through the control knob. It also facilitates
cleaning of the entire cooking range by making it possible
to simply wipe up spills from the cooking surface. Even the
rinse water used in the cleaning process will be prevented
from entering the interior of the range beneath the cooking
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present
invention and, together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment
of the control knob according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment
of a control knob according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment
of a control knob according to the present invention.
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Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment
of the control knob according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREEl~R~ED EMBODIMENT
Using the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the
present invention will now be explained.
According to a first embodiment of the present
invention, a device for retaining liquids is disposed in an
opening in a cooking range surface into which a heating
element control may be recessed. The liquid retaining
device has an annular body. The outer perimeter of the
annular body is mounted tightly to the opening in the
cooking surface. The inside of the annular body fits
tightly against the outer surface of a control knob.
The annular body is preferably made from a pliant
material and is provided with lamellas to ensure a permanent
and tight fit against the surface of the control knob.
According to the principles of the present invention, this
construction reliably prevents cooking spills and other
liquids from entering the opening in the cooking surface
into which the heating element control may-be recessed.
Fig. 1 depicts a cross-section of a first embodiment of
a heating element control according to the present
invention. Heating element control 10 is arranged in
opening 22 in cooking surface 20. Opening 22 in cooking
surface 20 is completely encircled by a protective ring 24.
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A sealing ring 26 is mounted to the underside of protective
ring 24. The heating element control 10 has a knob 12 and a
shank 14.
Fig. 1 depicts a heating element control 10 in its
recessed position. When recessed, knob 12 of the heating
element control 10 disappears almost completely into the
surface 20 of the cooking range. The sealing ring 26 is
mounted tightly against the underside of the protective ring
24 by gluing or welding or the like. The inside of sealing
lO ring 26 fits tightly against the surface of knob 12. To
control the corresponding heating element, heating element
control 10 is pulled out of opening 22 in surface 20. Any
known means, including a spring ~not shown) may be used for
this purpose.
The upward movement of the heating element control 10
is limited. When the control 10 is in use and not recessed,
the outer surface of knob 12 remains in contact with sealing
ring 26.
Knob 12 does not protrude above surface 20 enough to
20 lose contact with sealing ring 26. This ensures that
whether knob 12 is recessed or protruding, the opening 22 in
surface 20 is reliably sealed against cooking spills or
other liquids.
According to a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the device for retaining liquids and
cooking spills includes a collecting basin disposed in the
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opening in the cooking surface into which the heating
element control is recessed. The collecting basin is
preferably formed as an annular pan with its the outer
perimeter mounted tightly to the opening in the cooking
surface. The heating element control includes a shank that
is guided through the center of the annular pan.
This makes it possible to safely and reliably catch any
cooking spills or other liquids that may enter the opening
in the cooking surface and thus prevent them from entering
the interior of the range. The heating element control may
also be constructed so that it can be completely removed
from the opening into which it is recessed. This allows the
collecting basin to be accessible through the opening in the
cooking surface for easy cleaning.
Fig. 2 depicts embodiment of the present invention.
The heating element control 10 is recessed in an opening 22
in cooking range surface 20. The edge of the opening 22 is
encircled by a protective ring 24 that covers the upper edge
of opening 22. Protective ring 24 also extends through and
below the opening 22 and is there provided with threads 28.
A collecting basin 30 that is annular in shape and has
an inner edge 34 and an outer edge 32 is arranged below
opening 22 in cooking surface 20. At the upper end and on
the inside of the outer edge 32, threads are arranged, which
correspond to the threads 28 on the protective ring 24.
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Thus, the collecting basin 30 and protective ring 24
can be screwed together as shown in Fig. 2. Heating element
control 10 is again provided with a knob 12 and a shank 14.
Shank 14 is guided through a passage 36 formed in the
annular collecting basin 30. Knob 12 covers the inner edge
34 of collecting basin 30.
When recessed as in Fig. 2, the heating element control
10 almost entirely disappears into opening 22 in cooking
surface 20. The result is a cooking surface that is
substantially flat. To operate the associated heating
element, heating element control 10 is pulled out of the
opening 22. Again, the movement of heating element control
10 is limited.
Knob 12 is not entirely pulled out of opening 22, but
always re~;ns so as to cover the inner edge 34 of the
collecting basin 30 and the passage 36. This ensures that
cooking spills or other liquids that may enter through the
narrow passage between protective ring 24 and knob 12, are
caught in basin 30. To clean collecting basin 30, the
heating element control 10 can be removed completely from
the recess 22 to make collecting basin 30 accessible from
above.
According to a third preferred embodiment of the
present invention, an annular seal is arranged between the
outer wall of the annular pan and the outer surface of the
knob of the second embodiment. According to the principles
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of the invention, this embodiment provides a particularly
effective two-step device for retaining liquids. If cooking
spills should enter the opening in the cooking surface, they
are retained by the annular seal. If, however, cooking
spills or other liquids should pass the seal for whatever
reason, they will collect in the collecting basin and thus
be prevented from entering the interior of the cooking
range.
Fig. 3 depicts a cross-section of the third embodiment
of the present invention. Because the third embodiment
completely incorporates the second embodiment, identical
elements are indicated by the same reference numbers in both
Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The third embodiment differs from the
second in that seallng ring 38 is arranged between the outer
edge 2 of the annular collecting basin 30 and outer surface
of knob 12.
Sealing ring 38 further enhances retention of cooking
spills or liquids. A seal is created by tightly mounting
sealing ring 38 against the inside of outer edge 32 and
against the outer surface of knob 12. This seal is mounted
whether the heating element control 10 is in a recessed or a
pulled-out position. Thus, any cooking spills or other
liquids entering the narrow annular passage between knob 12
and protective ring 24 are contained by sealing ring 38. If
cooking spills for some reason should pass sealing ring 38,
they will be contained by collecting basin 30 and thus wiLl
be prevented from getting into the range interior. To
further enhance the sealing effect, an additional sealing
ring 38 may be arranged between shank 14 of knob 12 and
inner edge 34 of collecting basin 30 as depicted in Fig. 3.
According to a fourth preferred em~odiment of the
present invention, the collecting basin is made of a
flexible material. The collecting basin is tightly mounted
by its outer edge to the opening in the cooking surface and
is provided with an opening for the shank of the heating
element control. The edge of the opening is mounted tightly
to the shank.
This achieves a particularly reliable seal for the
opening in the cooking surface and the range interlor
because the flexible collecting basin follows the movements
of the knob as the latter is pushed down or pulled out. The
seal between the opening in the collecting basin and the
shank r~m~ins fixed with respect to the shank.
Fig. 4 depicts a cross-section of the fourth embodiment
of the present invention. A heating element control 10 is
arranged in an opening 22 cooking surface 20. The edge of
opening 22 is encircled by a protective ring 24. A
collecting basin 40 made of flexible material is arranged
below opening 22 in cooking surface 20. The collecting
basin 40 is fixed tightly to protective ring 24 by its outer
edge 44. The collecting basin 40 also has an opening 48
that has an inner edge 46, which is provided with a
reinforcement ring 42. Heating element control 10 comprises
a knob 12 and a shank 14. The shank 14 is guided through
the opening 48 of collecting basin 40. An upper stop ring
16 and a lower stop ring 18 are arranged on shank 14 and
tightly hold between them the reinforcement ring 42 that is
arranged on the inner edge 46 of opening 48 in collecting
basin 40.
This embodiment provides a particularly secure and
reliable device for containing liquids. In both the
recessed and protruding positions of knob 12, the flexible
collecting basin 40 reliably seals opening 22 in the cooking
surface 20 against any cooking spills and liquids. The
tight mounting of reinforcement ring 42 that surrounds the
opening 48 in collecting basin 40, between stop rings 16 and
18 on shank 14, locally fixes this seal area with respect to
shank 14 and thereby provides a particularly reliable seal.
This local fixation of the sealing area between passage 48
of collecting basin 40 and shank 14 is made possible by the
flexible collecting basin 40 that readily follows the
movements of the control knob is pushed in and pulled out.
The above description has been presented only to
illustrate and describe the invention. It is not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise
form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teaching.
The preferred embodiments were chosen and described to
best explain the principles of the invention and its
practical application to enable others skilled in the art to
best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the
invention be defined by the following claims.
