GB2444698A

GB2444698A - Cooking apparatus with lid support

Info

Publication number: GB2444698A
Application number: GB0624971A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guillaume Jean Since; Chung Kan Chau
Original assignee: Salton Hong Kong Ltd
Current assignee: Salton Hong Kong Ltd
Priority date: 2006-12-14
Filing date: 2006-12-14
Publication date: 2008-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-14
Also published as: GB2444698B; WO2008072071A2; GB0624971D0; HK1115519A1; WO2008072071A3

Abstract

A cooking apparatus comprises a main body 21 to which a horizontally hinged lid 22 is attached about a horizontal hinged axis by spaced hinges 23. An external gas strut 10 is attached to the lid and main body to support the weight of the lid on opening and closing thereof.

Description

I

Improvements in Cooking Apparatus This invention relates to cooking apparatus, and particularly to apparatus having a lid closable about a horizontal axis in use.

Some kinds of cooking apparatus have a lid which can be opened about a substantially horizontal axis to reveal the cooking chamber or cooking surface. Typical apparatus in this category includes grills, roasters, toasters and the like. The lid may completely enclose the cooking area, or may provide a degree of air flow. The cooking area may be heated by connection to an external energy source, such as electricity or gas, or may be self-contained as in, for example a barbecue.

Often the lid of such cooking apparatus may be heavy, so that the user must apply a degree of control when closing the lid. The user may not realise that the lid is heavy if already open, and in that case there is a risk of trapping fingers. If a latch is provided to maintain the lid in the open condition, the user may not be expecting to support the weight of the lid when the latch is released. Furthermore if the lid is closed abruptly, the cooking apparatus may itself be destabilized and/or the contents may be disturbed or damaged.

What is required is a means of controlling the lid of such apparatus in a manner which improves safety and does not require any special technique to be adopted by the user.

According to the invention there is provided cooking apparatus having a lid closable about a substantially horizontal axis in use, an external gas-filled strut being provided to substantially counterbalance the weight of said lid on closing thereof.

An external strut is insulated from cooking heat by the cooking vessel itself, and is thus protected from damage or deterioration due to exposure to heat.

hi the preferred embodiment, the closed plane of the lid is substantially horizontal, and said strut is at the opposite side of said axis to the mouth of said apparatus. Thus, the mouth of the cooking apparatus is unencumbered and full access thereto is maintained.

Preferably said strut is midway along said axis, and in the preferred embodiment a single strut is provided. The axis may be defined by a pair of spaced hinges, with said strut equispaced therefrom.

It will be understood that a gas strut according to the invention contains, typically, an inert gas under pressure which acts upon a piston within the strut to cause extension or contraction thereof. In the preferred embodiment said strut is a contracting strut, and thus at maximum extension when the lid is in the closed condition.

In use, when the lid is closed from the open condition (typically through 90-100 ), the gas strut allows progressive closing with slight hand pressure, thus avoiding any sudden movement. Such controlled motion is beneficial both to the stability of the cooking apparatus, and to the positioning of food items therein. Moreover, the feel' of the lid is improved, especially in cases where a heavy lid is provided.

Opening of the lid is also made easier because the weight of the lid is counterbalanced by the strut. The user is not required to exert a large opening force, and the strut may also be arranged to hold the lid in the open condition, preferably in a position just over centre.

A particular advantage of a gas strut is that the surfaces thereof are easily cleaned, as compared with a metal spring. Furthermore, the size of the strut can be comparatively small as compared to such a spring, and the rate can be better adapted to the opening or closing forces.

A further advantage of the invention is that a lid mounted control panel is insulated from shock loadings due to sudden lid closure, and thus premature failure due to such loadings can be avoided. The same applies to lid mounted electronic components (such as a pcb) and displays, and may also apply to sensitive components of the main body of the cooking apparatus.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. I is an axial section through a gas strut according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of a cooking apparatus according to the invention in the open condition.

Fig. 3 is a view of a cooking apparatus according to the invention in the half closed condition.

Fig. 4 is a view of a cooking apparatus according to the invention in the closed condition.

With reference to Fig. I a gas strut 10 comprises a body 11 having a piston rod 12 slidable therein from an extended condition to a retracted condition (as illustrated).

An end cap 13 provides support for an annular elastomeric seal 14 which is in contact with the piston rod 12, and the inner end of the rod 12 carries a piston 15 slidable along the inner wall of the body 11 and sealed thereto by an 0-ring 16.

Between the seal 14 and piston 15 is defined a chamber 17 containing a suitable gas, such as nitrogen, under pressure.

The piston body 11 and piston rod 12 carry yokes 18 for respective articulating attachment to the lid and main body of a cooking apparatus illustrated in Figs. 2-4.

A tube 19 fixed within the body provides an end stop for the piston 16 in the extended condition of the piston rod 12. The length of the tube may be varied to determine the maximum extension of the piston rod.

Figs. 2-4 illustrate a cooking apparatus comprising a main body 21 to which a lid 22 is attached about a horizontal hinge axis by spaced hinges 23. The strut 10 is attached to the lid 22 and main body 21 as illustrated, and in Fig. 2 is shown in the retracted condition corresponding to Fig. 1. In this condition gas in the chamber 17 forces the piston inwardly to support the weight of the lid, and thus hold it in the open condition.

The lid may open through more than 90 so as to tend to remain in the open condition.

Typically the main body and lid are of a heavy construction, for example enamelled cast iron.

Fig. 3 shows the lid in half closed condition with the piston rod partially extended. In this condition, the strut 10 typically exerts enough force to allow the lid to close under slight force from the user.

Fig. 4 illustrates the closed condition whereby the lid is closed, and the strut is exerting a force which is insufficient to cause opening thereof in the absence of a latch. The lid may alternatively be latchable, and may open progressively when unlatched due solely to an opening force exerted by the strut 10.

Variations and modifications to the invention are possible within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

Claims I. Cooking apparatus having a lid closable about a substantially

horizontal axis in use, an external gas-filled strut being provided to substantially counterbalance the weight of said lid on closing thereof.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said strut is on the opposite side of said axis to the mouth of said apparatus.

3. Apparatus according to claim I or claim 2 wherein said axis is defined by spaced hinges.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said strut is equispaced between two hinges.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said lid is substantially symmetrical, and said strut is on a centreline thereof.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said strut is contracted in the closed condition of said lid.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said strut includes an end stop to determine maximum extension thereof, said end stop allowing over-centre opening of said lid.

8. A strut according to any preceding claim and including yokes at the opposed ends thereof, said yokes being adapted to receive respective fingers and to be pivoted thereto about axes parallel to said axis.

9. A strut according to any preceding claim wherein the movable piston rod thereof is attached to said lid.

10. Cooking apparatus substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 4.

Claims 1. Cooking apparatus having a lid closable about a substantially horizontal axis in use, an external gas-filled strut being provided to substantially counterbalance the weight of said lid on closing thereof, wherein said strut is contracted in the open condition of said lid.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said strut is on the opposite side of said axis to the mouth of said apparatus.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said axis is defined by spaced hinges. S...
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said strut is equispaced between two * *. 15 hinges.

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5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said lid is substantially . symmetrical, and said strut is on a centreline thereof. *SS
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said strut includes an end stop to determine maximum contraction thereof, said end stop allowing over-centre opening of said lid.
7. A strut according to any preceding claim and including yokes at the opposed ends thereof, said yokes being adapted to receive respective fingers and to be pivoted thereto about axes parallel to said axis.
8. Cooking apparatus substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. A strut according to any preceding claim wherein the movable piston rod thereof is attached to said lid.

9. Cooking apparatus substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. Cooking apparatus having a mouth and a lid closable over the mouth about a substantially horizontal axis in use, an external gas-filled strut being provided to substantially counterbalance the weight of said lid on closing thereof, wherein said strut is contracted in the open condition of said lid.

2. Apparatus according to claim I wherein said strut is on the opposite side of said axis to the mouth of said apparatus.

3. Apparatus according to claim I or claim 2 wherein said axis is defined by spaced hinges.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said strut is equispaced between two hinges.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said lid is substantially symmetrical, and said strut is on a centreline thereof.

* ***** * 20 6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said strut includes yokes at the opposed ends thereof, said yokes being adapted to receive respective fingers and to * be pivoted thereto about axes parallel to said axis. I. I * II * **

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said strut has a movable piston rod, said movable piston rod being attached to said lid.