GB2059550A

GB2059550A - Cooker Control Means

Info

Publication number: GB2059550A
Application number: GB8028926A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: THORN GAS APPLIANCES Ltd
Current assignee: THORN GAS APPLIANCES Ltd
Priority date: 1979-09-26
Filing date: 1980-09-08
Publication date: 1981-04-23

Abstract

Control means for controlling the operation of a gas-fired cooking stove cooking stove comprises a timing mechanism (10) which is connected to a gas valve (11) to which, in use, gas will flow from a thermostat control (14) and from which gas will flow to a burner (20) of the cooking stove. The timing mechanism has a manually operable control member (12) which can be set either to a time control position in which the gas valve is opened by the timing mechanism to permit a relatively high rate of gas flow for a determined time, dependent upon the setting of the timer (10), and at the end of which the gas valve (11) assumes a position in which there is a relatively low rate of gas flow through the valve via throttle 17 only, or alternatively the manual control member (12) can be set to an 'on' position in which the gas valve (11) will remain in its open position corresponding to the high rate of gas flow until either said manually operable control member or the thermostat control is turned to an 'off' position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cooker Control Means The object of the present invention is to provide an improved control means for controlling the operation of a gas-fired cooking stove.

In accordance with the invention there is provided control means for a gas-fired cooking stove, said control means comprising a timing mechanism, and a gas valve through which, in use, gas will flow to burner means of said stove, the timing mechanism being connected to the gas valve and having a manually operable control member which is movable from an initial position either to a time control positipn in which said gas valve is open to a degree which permits a relatively high rate of gas flow through the valve for a predetermined time which is dependent on the setting of said control member whereafter said gas valve will assume a pbsition in which there is a relatively low rate of gas flow through the valve, or to an on position in which said gas valve will remain in its open position corresponding to said relatively high rate of gas flow.

Conveniently, said relatively low rate of gas flow through the valve is effected by providing an orifice in a valve member which is movable between an open position (corresponding to the aforementioned relatively high rate of gas flow) and a closed position in which said orifice in said valve member will still permit a restricted flow of gas (corresponding to said relatively low rate of gas flow) through the valve. Preferably, the control means is also provided with means for providing an audible and/or visual signal when, in the time control position of the control member, the gas valve reverts from the high rate of flow position to the low rate of flow position.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a view which is part sectional, part schematic, of one example of a control means for a gas-fired cooking stove in accordance with the invention, said means being shown in a position in which there would be in use a relatively high rate of gas flow to the stove and Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the control means in a position in which there would be in use a relatively low rate of gas flow to the stove.

Referring now to the drawings, the example of gas-fired cooker control means shown therein is intended for use with a gas-fired cooking stove such as a domestic stove.

The control means comprises a timing mechanism 10 which is conveniently a clockwork mechanism of conventional form, together with a gas valve 11 to which said mechanism is connected. The timing mechanism is provided with a manually operable control member 12 which is rotatable from an initial position either to a time control position or to an 'on' position.

Movement of said control member 12 from the initial position either to the time control position or the 'on' position will have the effect, through a connection (by means of an actuating rod 13) between the timing mechanism 10 and the gas valve 11, of opening the gas valve so as to permit in use a full flow of gas through the control means provided that a further control such as a thermostat control 14 has also been opened. Said thermostat control would in use be connected to a supply of gas and it has an outlet 1 5 through which gas can flow to the valve 11.In the case of a time control position of the control member 12, said gas valve will only remain open for a predetermined time which is set by the appropriate rotation of said control member 12 whereas in the case of the 'on' position of the control member the gas valve 11 will remain permanently open until said control member is turned back to its initial position.

The aforesaid gas valve incorporates a valve member 1 6 which is provided with a small orifice 17 and when said gas valve is open (when said control member is either in the 'on' position or a time control position) as shown in Figure 1 said valve member is fully open. When however the pre-set time on the timing mechanism 10 expires, said timing mechanism acts to permit the actuating rod to move upwardly from the position shown in Figure 1 so that the spring 18 in the valve 11 then pushes the valve member 1 6 upwardly to the closed position shown in Figure 2. In this position however the aforesaid orifice 17 will still allow a relatively low rate of gas flow through the valve and thence through the valve outlet 1 9 to the oven burner 20.Thus in using a time control position of said control member 12, a relatively high rate of gas flow through the gas valve 11 will continue for the preset time period whereas after said period has expired a relatively low rate of gas flow will be permitted through the valve via the orifice 1 7. By using the timing mechanism in this way it will therefore be possible to select a time interval through which a relatively high rate of gas flow is permitted to the burner of the stove in order to cook food in the stove. After said predetermined time period has expired the food will then be kept warm by the low flame which results from the relatively low rate of gas flow.There may also be provided means for providing an audible and/or visual signal as a warning to the user when the valve moves from its open position to its closed position i.e. when the gas valve reverts from a high to a low rate of flow.

Alternatively the control means 10 may be used in a manual mode wherein said control member 1 2 is set to its 'on' position so that the gas valve 11 remains fully open to provide for a relatively high rate of gas flow until the gas flow is cut off by manual operation of the aforementioned thermostat control 14 which ordinarily is combined with an on/off valve. As yet a further alternative, control means in accordance with the present invention can also be used for slow cooking in which said control member 12 is turned to a time control position in which there is very little or no predetermined time for the fully open position of the aforesaid valve member of the gas valve. In this case said gas valve 11 will be operating from or close to the beginning of a cooking cycle in the relatively low rate of gas flow position in which gas passes through the aforesaid orifice 17 in the valve member and food can then be left to cook slowly in this mode for as long as the user desires until the thermostat control 14 is turned to its closed position.

In an alternative construction, instead of providing the aforesaid orifice in the valve member 16, the valve seat may be formed with an orifice which would thus still provide for a relatively low rate of gas flow when the valve member (which would then be imperforate) engages its seat, the orifice in the latter obviously being in such a position that it would not be closed by the valve member when the latter is in its seated position.

Claims

1. Control means for a gas-fired cooking stove, said control means comprising a timing mechanism, and a gas valve through which, in use, gas will flow to burner means of said stove, the timing mechanism being connected to the gas valve and having a manually operable control member which is movable from an initial position either to a time control position in which said gas valve is open to a degree which permits a relatively high rate of gas flow through the valve for a predetermined time which is dependent on the setting of said control member whereafter said gas valve will assume a position in which there is a relatively low rate of gas flow through the valve, or to an 'on' position in which said gas valve will remain in its open position corresponding to said relatively high rate of gas flow.

2. Control means for a gas-fired codking stove as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said gas valve has a valve member which is movable between an open position and a closed position and which is provided with an orifice through which gas can flow at said relatively low rate of flow when the valve member is in its closed position.

3. Control means for a gas-fired cooking stove as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said gas valve has a valve member which is movable between an open position and a seated closed position, the seat of said valve member being provided with an orifice through which gas can flow at said relatively low rate of flow when the valve member engages said seat in its seated closed position.

4. Control means for a gas-fired cooking stove as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein said valve member is movable to its open position by means of said manually operable control member of the timing mechanism and is movable to its closed position by resilient means.

5. Control means for a gas-fired cooking stove as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is also provided an audible and/or visual signal for warning a user when the gas valve reverts from the high rate of gas flow position to the low rate of gas flow position.

6. Control means for a gas-fired cooking stove, said control means being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.