US1775902A - Convertible gas range - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 16, 1930. J. sH|GBll-: 1,775,902

CONVERTIBLE GAS RANGE Filed June 6, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 16, 1930. J. s. HIGBIE CONVERTIBLE GAS RANGE Filed June 6, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 16, 1930. J. s. Humanavv 1,775,902

I CONVERTIBLE GAS RANGE Filed June 6, 19m s sheets-sheet 's Patented Sept. 16, 1930 A PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH S. HGBE, OE' ROCKVILLE CENTER, NEW YORK CONVERTBLE GAS RANGE Application led .une G, 1929. Serial No. 368,939.

rllhis invention relates to certain improvety in the stove, in order to secure the results ments in convertible gas ranges, and the nadesired. ture and objects of the invention Will be readi- A further object of the invention is to proly recognised and understood by those skilled vide a design, construction and arrangement in the arts involved in the light of the olloivot gas range or stove, through the medium ot' 55 ing explanation and detailed description of which a relatively small and very compact the accompanying drawings illustrating ange is possible, yet Which permits of the what l at present consider to be the preferred provision of suncient burners and the several embodiments or mechanical expressions of my types of ovens necessary, for etiiciently carry- 1o invention from among various other forms, ing; out and performing the usual range of 60, arrangements, combinations and construcdomestic cooking operations in an efficient tions of which the invention is capable Within manner; and further to provide a constructlie spirit and scope thereof. tion which enables all gas pipes, controlling Gas ranges or stoves, and particularly devices, hinges and the like, as Well as securia those of the domestic types, perform no useing.;l elements such as bolts, screws or rivets, i'ul function or purpose in a kitchen when not being mounted and disposed on the interior or in use for cooking` purposes. rlhis is especialat the back of the range, hidden Jirom normal ly disadvantageous in the smaller kitchens, view with the range in installed position. such as the so-called kitchenettes and apart- Another object of the invention is the prosa ment kitchens, because a range or stove, eX- vision ot' an improved arrangement and 70 cept ior periods when it is being` used for mounting' of the oven burners in a gas range cooking, merely occupies space to the excluor Stove, and in the arrangement of the gas sion et other highly useful and desirable artisupply pipes thereto and the air mining decles of kitchen furniture, such -for example as vice therefor.

kitchen tables and cabinets. Further, as the A further object of the invention is the smaller kitchens necessitate a relatively small provision of a gas range or stove structure range or stove to occupy a minimum of space, having; units or sections which can be readily it frequently happens that such relatively removablymounted supported on and extendniall ranges do not provide sufficient types of ing upwardly from the back olf the stove to w ovens or a sufficient number of burners to provide cabinet and shelf space in accrodance meett demands ot cooking, With the resulwith the desires or needs 0I the user or the tant dnilculties in properly and efficiently requirements of a particular installation, and carrying out the desired range ot cooking op- Which units or sections are further capable of erations with them. forming several different combinations with 3 rl'he present invention holds as one of its the range. 85

main objects the provision ot a gas range or Another object of the invention is to prostove Which will overcome the lioregoing diiiivide a construction ot gas rang/'e or stove for culties, through design, construction and arcarrying` out the foregoing objects and securrangement by which the range or stove is ing'the desired results, which will be mechanif rendered quickly convertible to provide a cally simple, readily manufactured at relatable or cabinet having a top table formingl tively small cost; which can be readily insurface; Which When so converted presents stalled at small cost and occupy a minimum of the appearance ot a table or cabinet and not space; which will require a vminimum of care of a range or stove; which is attractive and and cost of maintenance after installation;

el pleasing to the eye; and which is so constructand Which Will meet the building and safety ed that necessary and essential range or stove requirements for such types of ranges or elements thereoi are utilize-d to convert the stoves. range into the desired table and change its ap- With the foregoing general objects, as Well iearance from that otl a stove, thus eliminatas certain other objects and results in view added elements and structural complexiwhich Will be readily recognized from the following explanation, the invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements of parts and elements, as will be more fully and pare ticularly referred to and specified hereinafter. y Y

Referring to the accompanying drawings `in which'simila'r reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the sev,- eral figures: Y. n K

Fig. l, is a view in front elevation of (a gas range'or stove embodying features A ofthe` l invention, and with the several converting elements thereof in position to permitof use of the range or stove for cooking. l

Fig. 2, yis a view in top planof thefstove f Fig. l, showing the arrangement of cool;- ing rtop burners and gasv supply'pipes.

Fig. 3, is ai vertical transverse sectionalV view takenon the line 3 8, of Fig. l.

' Fim 4, is a top vplan View of the range of Fig. l, converted. to form a table.

Fig. 5, is a view in end or side elevation of the converted range of Fig. il. l

. Fig. 6, is a view of theirange of Figs. i and 5, as converted to provide, and present the appearance of, table and cabinet.

y -f Fig. 7, is a view of the upper-end or coole ing top portion of the range of Fig. l, with the detachable splaslier Vand plate shelf in 'inouiitedposition thereon, and the range open for cooking.

Fig. 8, is a view similar to Fig. 7, but with the range converted tofforin and provide the'table and cabinet.

jFiggQ, is a View in front elevation of the range of Fig. 7 Y

10, is a vertical transverse section throughthe range of Fig. l, taken on the line -10--`10, through the broiler oven ofthe range, and rshowing the mounting and arrangement oit'theburner in the broiler oven;

Fig. 11, 'is' adetail horizontal section through a portion of the rangeto show the wall construction and arrangement thereof bywliich the fastening elements thereofare hidden vfrom view at the front of the range. Fig. 12, isa detail vertical sectional view through 'al portion of the range walls at the vbottoni or lower end thereof.

Fig. 13, is a front elevationof the range showing a cabinet unit inposition mounted thereon, the range being shown in converted form. Y n

Fig. 14, is avview inend elevation of the cabinet unitin. mounted position. v

Fig. l5, is a vertical transverse section through the cabinet unit and upper part of the range on which mounted, the range being shown in open unconverted form.

One type and arrangement of gas range or stove in which the several features of the invention are incorporated is disclosed here with purely by way of example and not of limitation, for the purpose of explaining the principles and several features of the invention so that those skilled in the art may understand the saine by reference hereto. However, the invention is not limited or restricted to the herein presented and illustrated type and arrangement of gas range, or to the number of cooking top burners and the particularVV arrangement'k thereof, orr to Vthe lnumber of ovens or the c iaracterof cooking such ovens are designed ltofcafry out, but the several features of the invention are kof general adaptation to various other types and arrangements of gas ranges, and tlie'invention contemplates and includes such other adaptations and the ovens, a baking oven 1 and a broiling oven;

2 side by side; and further to provide a drawer 3, below these ovens.A The body'of i the range or stove, referring here toFigs. ll, and l2, is constructed of'suitable frames to which are secured sheet metal walls, the arrangement and constructiony being such hat all securing elements, door hinges and the like, are hidden from view whenlooking .i Y

at the front of the range. Y

For example, a range frame 4 (see Figs.

3 and 12) of L-section provides the bottom` frame to the four corners of which the stove supporting legs 5 are bolted or otherwise suitl ably secured.- The opposite side or end walls 6 and the rear or back wall 'Tarefoimed with inturned horizontal flanges 8 (see Figs. 3 and 1Q) which are bolted to the outturned horizontal flanges of the bottom frame Il, and the end walls 6 are formed with the iianges Gaat their rearedges which are iitted over and bolted, riveted or otherwise secured to the back wall 7, as will be clear by reference to Fig. l1 of the drawings. yThe front edges f theV side wal-ls 5 are formed lwith the intuined flanges 6b and an l. member` or angle bar 9 is secured'in vertical position to and along each of these end wall lianges 6b, re-

spectively, as by spot welding the saine thereto.v A top wall or sheet l() is suitably secured` to the upper, ends of side walls 6 and back wall 7, over and closing the upper end or top of the range body.

' Spaced a distance upwardly fromthe bot-V tom frame 4l, horizontal wall li see Figs. 3

and 10) is secured across and between the side v walls 6 and back wall 7 to'form the bottoni c wall of the ovens l and 2, and vertical wall l2 (see Fig. 3) is suitably secured between the top and bottom walls l0 and 11, intermediate end walls 6, to divide' and form the space therebetween into the ovens l and A horizontal front panel lll is secured across and between side walls 6 along and over the forward edge of and extending upwardly a distance from, the bottom wall 11 ot the ovens, and a vertical panel 15 is secured over and along the forward edge of the oven division wall 12, extending upwardly from panel 14: to the top sheet or wall 10. In this manner front openings are formed to the ovens 1 and 2, and in these openings suitable oven doors 16 are swingably mounted at their lower edges by concealed hinges 17 secured 4. on the inner sides oi the doors and to the horizontal panel structure and frame 1l. The oven doors 16 are thus swingable outwardly on hinges 17 to position opening the ovens 1 and 2, and swingable upwardly to the closed positions shown in the drawings. When in closed position due to the mounting and arrangement, these door hinges 17 are concealed from view at the iront of the stove or range.

The drawer 3 is slidably mounted and coni'ined in the space between the bottom frame et and the oven bottom wall 11, supported on bottom frame il. The iront of the drawer with the latter in closed position occupies and iills the space between the side walls G, and the bottom frame et and iront panel 14, so that with the oven doors 16 closed, the range presents a closed front, unbroken and unmarred by hinges, securing elements and the like, and giving the appearance of an article of furniture such as a cabinet without the unsightly appearance of the usual gas stove or range.

The cooking top space within which the burners B are disposed above the range top sheet or wall 10, is provided by the side walls G and back wall 7 extending upwardly ire-ni top sheet 10 in substantial continuation of the side walls 6 and bach wall 7, respectively. The upper ends oit these cooking i, top walls 6 and 7 are provided with inturned horizontal flanges, and the forward edges of the side walls 6 are also formed with the inturned vertical flanges 6C which are cut away at their lower portions above the top plate 10 to form the slots 6d lor a purpose appearing hereinafter. The walls 6 terminate at their forward or iront ends which are formed by the iianges 6C, spaced equal distances inwardly from the front side of the range body, so as to provide an unobstructed horizontal ledge or shoulder across the top plate or wall 10 on the upper side and along and adjacent the forward edge thereof, as will be clear from Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

A rectangular burner grid or grate receiving and supporting frame 20, formed in the present example of L shape in cross section with one iiange thereof disposed horizontally and extending inwardly therearound, is

mounted and secured in position around the inner side edges ot the cooking top side walls 6 and back wall 7, with the vertically dis posed flange of said frame extending upward ly from the inner sides of the top edges ot'- such walls, a distance thereabove. The width of the grate supporting frame 2O is less than the length or" the side walls 6, and the for-- ward bar or side of this frame extends across and between the side walls 6', but spaced a distance inwardly from their forward ends and above the top plate or wall 10. rlhe in` wardly extending and ho izontally disposed flange of the frame 20 provides a shoulder therearound for receiving and supporting any suitable or desired burner grate 21.

il saipplgv manifold lil, not only for the cooking top burners B, but also for the oven burners to be hereinafter described, is mounted in the space above the top plate 10 between the front edce thereof andthe grate trame 20, and this n ld is supported at its opposite ends adjacent side walls 6', by the supporting brachy secured to and extending fon wardij, and dowiawardly from the grate iframe 20. (See Figs. 2 and A gas supply pipe pled to one. end ot manifold lil for su gas thereto, and this suprearwardly across the top Ihe inner side of a side wall g supi lp is to be installer rl`he supply pipe the manifold M are thus both disburners i3, ot the instant example are four in number, and disposed spaced apart below the n'rate supporting frame 20. Each burnt i s .pplied with gas 'from the gi. ipe l), which pipe )por s the burner, and a handled valve or coc i C is mounted in the supply pipe l) to each surner for controlling the suppl;v of gas thereto. n this n anner the manifold hl and the burner valve C are spaced inwardly a distance Jfrom the front oi the burner but readil;v accessible rlie oven l of the provided with a Fig. t 1

baking type and is f), referring now to or y. untcdat the lower side of the oren o the bottom will 11, and this burner, i2; is oli' a in which the burner nozzles discharge orifices are on the under side of the burner. Any suitable or desired baille plate or wall Q3 is mounted across the oren above the burner 22 'lor a purpose well understood in the art. low according to a fea-ure ci" the invention, the burner Q2 oit oven 1, is supplied with gas iroin the manifold lil, and this is accomplished by means oi' a gas supply pipe 2lwhich extends from an intermediate point on Sil the manifold, rearwardly across top plate lO between the inner pair of burners B,y and then downwardly on the exterior of the range back wall 1' and inwardly to burner 22, any suitable control valve C being mounted in pipe 24 adjacent and accessible at manifold M. By'so mounting Vand arranging the pipe 24', it is hidden from yView at the back of the range,

' while the oven burner 22 can be operated and controlled from the front of the range at manifold M. j

The oven 2 is a broiling oven and is sup- Yplied with a broiler burner 2 5, referring now to Fig. lO ofthe drawings. The burner v isy mounted in the upper end of oven 2 and is ysupplied with gas from manifold M by a pipe 26 similarto pipe 24 in its arrangement and mounting, that is,pipe 26 extends across top wall l0, then downwardly on the exterior of the back lwall 7 to the burner 25.y A suitable valve C is mounted in the'pipe- 26 adjacent manifold M for controlling the burner 25,as

' will be readily understood.

Cil

Preferably the ovens l and 2 are provided with suitable ilues F iny communication with the upper ends thereof through the range back rwall 7. These flues are terminated at .their upper ends so as not to extend upwardly above the range and may Yhave the usual min-y eral wool placed in their upper ends if decsired,

posite sides ofthe ovendivision or partition wall l2, and an air mixing device D, refer- 'ringnow to Figs. 3 and l0 lof the drawings,

is mounted in each pipe 24 and 26, respectively, adjacent the burners 22 and 25. The mixing devices D are similar and each comprises a mixing chamber in the supply pipe in which same is connected, and a depending air supply tube D having a valve -V at its lower air intake end for adjusting and controlling the air supply to the mixing chamber. lIn the example hereof, the air-tubes D of the mixing devicesy D in pipes 24 and26, depend downwardly to and extend through the bottom wall l1 with the valves V- disposed below this wallv vlinings or walls (not shown) spaced from thek walls of the range, and the air tubes D are disposed at opposite sides of oven division wall l2 between such linings and the wall l2. By adjusting valves V the proper combustible mixture for burners 22 Vand 25 can be maintained, the valves V being accessible from the front of therange through the drawer space, and the mixing devices D are thus -positioned out of sight on the interior of the stove or range.

The invention provides, as a fundamental feature and characteristicthereof, for the conversionof a gas range or stove into a useful articleof kitchen furniture, such as a table and cabinet,which will present when converted a pleasing appearance. ln 'carrying out this feature with. the gas range or stove described hereinbefore,the invention utilizes vcertain, elements of the range or stove. The range of the example isv provided with ai drip pan 30 slidably mounted Vand supported for` readywithdrawali on the top plate or wall. lOjof the range beneath the cooking top` with itsburners B Vand mani` fold M, as clearly shown by Figsfl2 and. 3. This drip pan 30 is formedwith depending flange-,3l therearound upon which y rests andpis vsupportedrin position beneath the cooking top, andis slid toand lfrom position through the. slots or cut away portions 6d in the .flanges 6C' of cooking top side', walls 6.- A i The range or` stove is also provided with a removable back railv 40 which is mounted ron thefupper edge of the-back wall 7 of the cooking top vand which extends there-across and upwardly Vtherefrom 4and bearing againstr the adjacentvfiange of grate frame 20 which maintains this rrail in position against lateral displacement., BackA rail 40 t I is removably secured in position on wall 7 Another feature, of the invention resides in l by a pin 4l secured to the rear side of thA back rail intermediate its ends and depend-l ing a distance downwardly therefrom, which` pin itsdown into and is kreceived in a socket member 42 fixed in vertical positionadjacent the upper edge of rear wall 7.

When the range or stove is not in use for cooking and .itv is desired to convert the same into aftable and cabinet with theappe'arance of av stove masked,fthe drippau 30 is withdrawn from beneath the cooking top,

and the back rail 40 is liftedfrom, position on 'the wall 7. The back rail 40 is then placed in position across and extending between the forward ends of cooking'top side walls 6, and supported on the range top wall l0 along the forward edge thereof,l the pin 4l being received andv fitted inv a bore Y or hole 43 (see Fig. 2).formed through .wall 10. ln this position the back rail 40 fo :ms a cover or closure for the manifold yM, as will be clear by reference tolligs, 5 Aand 6 of the drawings, and is held 'in position against displacement by pin 4]. and the ends 6C of the cooking top side walls.

The drip pan 30 is then :placed in position over and completely coveringthe cooking top and forming. a table top for the range, asshownby. Fig. 4 of the "drawings in particular, and thus completing the masking of the range and its conversion into a table and cabinet, with the appearanceof an article of kitchen furniture. `The drip lili 12o of the rail `bearing ,against front endV flanges y pan 30 with its depending constructed and arranged as to cooperate With and t over the grate frame 20 of the cooking` top with flange 31 tting around the vertical flange of frame 20 and resting upon the upper edges of walls G and 7', and with the flange 3l at the forward side of the drip pan resting upon the upper manifold cover forming ack rail 40, latter forms supporttierefor. The drin pan 30 is preferably formed with a readll washable surface, such as an enameled surface, and provides an efficient table tcp forming surface.

In converted form the range loses its appearance as such and presents the appear ance of and does provide a useful article of kitchen furniture, thus reclaiming the loss of space resulting with a range or stove during periods when not in use for cooking. The entire cooking top of the range is covered by the table top forming drip pan 30, while the entire manifold and valve assembly is also covered and closed from view by the manifold cover forming back rail 41-0, these elements (back rail and drip pan) meeting and joining at the front of the range. The range can be quickly prepared for cooking operations by merely lifting the drip pan. 30 and back rail 40 from their range converting and closing or masking positions and returning them to their respective positions as elements of the range.

Where it is desired to use a higher or taller back splasher than the back rail l() and to secure a plate shelf, the invention provides a. back splasher and plate rail unitor section 50 for detachable mounting` on the top of the range along the rear thereof, as shown by Figs. 7 8 and 9 of the drawings to which particular reference is now had. This unit 50 comprises the side walls 51 decreasing in width downwardly toward the rear thereof and having the top plate shelf 52. The forward edges of side walls 51 are formed with the inturned flanges 51a which terminate spaced from the bottom edges of these walls, and the unit is detachably mounted on the upper end of the range by the bolts 53 or the like extended through the lower ends of Walls 51 and the cooking top side walls 6 overlapped thereby, the lower ends of the inturned flanges 51a supported and resting upon the upper edges of side walls 6. OnY the exterior of the rear side or back of unit 50 adjacent the upper end thereof, a socket member 42 is secured for receiving the back rail pin 41 to enable mounting back rail 40 at the upper end of the unit 50 along the shelf 52 thereof, as shown by Figs. 7 and 9. The operation of the range converting drip pan 30 and back rail 40 to convert the range into a table and cabinet is the same as previously described, and is illustrated by Fig. 8.

flange 31, is so The invention also further provides another unit or section for detachable mounting on and addition to the upper end of the splasher and plate shelf unit 50, and such a unit or section 60, is illustrated in Figs. 13, 14 and 15 of the accompanying drawings. rl`his unit comprises and forms a cabinet having front doors 61, and is constructed and arranged so that its side walls 62 fit down over the opposite side walls 51 of unit 50, to which they are detachably secured by bolts, screws or the like 63. The cabinet unit 60 can thus be detachably mounted on the upper end of unit 50 and thereby increase the usefulness of the range where desired. With the cabinet section 60 the operation of the range converting elements l0 and 30 remains the same, with the exception that back rail 40 when removed from position as a manifold cover, is merely placed or laid on top of the cabinet section 60.

The design, arrangement and construction of gas range or stove embodying the several features of the invention, thus enables the production of a range having the necessary ovens and cooking top burners for a wide range of cooking operations, while retaining simplicity of structure, compactness and relatively small size, with efficiency in operation, ease of installation, and low maintenance costs. The convertible features enable not only the utilization of the range for practical purposes during non-cooking periods, but the formation of a useful article of furniture of pleasing appearance. and all without the employment of other than elements of the cooking range or stove.

It is also evident that various changes. modifications, variations, additions and substitutions might be resorted to wit-hout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not desire to limit myself in all particulars to the exact and specific disclosures hereof. y

Desiring to protect my invention in the broadest manner legally possible, what I claim, is:

1. In a gas range, a cooking top including gas burners and a gas supply manifold therefor at the forward side thereof, a drip pan removably mounted beneath said burners, a back rail removably mounted at the rear of the cooking top, said drip pan removable and adapted to be mounted over and across the cooking top and burners to form a table top for the range, and means to attach said back rail in position mounted across thel forward side of the cooking top to form a. cover for the manifold.

2. In 'a gas range, a cooking top including gas burners and a gas supply manifold therefor along` the forward side thereof, the cooking top formed with a space beneath said burners and manifold, a drip pan removably mounted in the space beneath. said said back rail adapted to be mounted in m upper side of and fit over and cover thev cooking top to convertthe same into a table top, said cookingy top constructed to removably receive and support said drip pan in positionthereover against displacement,

vertically disposed position across the forward side of the cooking top to form a cover for the manifold and to receive and support the forward side of the drip `pan in position onV the cooking top, and the range and forward side of the cooking top constructed to removably `.receive and engage the back rail to maintain the same in position against displacement. Y Y n s 3. In a gas range, a'cooking top including gas burners andy a burner ygrate frame, said grate frame havinga vertical `flange therearound, the cooking top formed with a space beneath said burners, and a drip pan removably mounted in the space beneath said cooking top burners and formed with a depending flange therearound supporting the pan in position, the said drip pan `adapted to be placedfover said cooking top and burners to form a table top for the range, with thedrip pan flange received over vandfitting around said grate frame vertical flange to maintain the pan against displacement. I

' 4v. ln a gas range, a' cooking top including opposite side walls 'and a back wall, .gas burners disposed within said cooking top walls, av burner grate frame mounted and supported on said walls, said frame having a vertical flange extending vupwardly above the upper edges of said walls along lthe inner side edges thereof, and a drip pan removably mounted within said walls beneath said burners and formed with a depending flange therearound, the said drip panfadapted to be placed over said cooking top andburners to form a table top vfor the gas range, with the drip pan flange restingupon the upper edges of the cooking top walls, andl received over and fitted around said gratejframe vertical fla'nge. v p d 5. In a gas range including'a cooking top and gas burners with a gas supply manifold mounted across and accessible at the forward side of said cooking top, aback rail removably mounted across and extending upward'- ly from the rear of saidcooking tcp, said back rail adapted to be mounted across the forward side of and closing the cooking top to form a cover .for masking. the manifold, the range at the forward side of the cooking topv constructed to removably receive and support said back rail ink manifold cover forming position, and means for removably attaching said back rail in manifold cover position lagainst displacement. n

. 6. In a gas range, side by side` ovens, a

Lvvaeoe cooking top above said ovens, including gas burners and a supply manifold across the forward side of said cooking toppa gas a cooking topabove said ovens and including a gas supply manifold disposed Aacross the forwardy side thereof front .of the range, agas burner in each-oven, and gas supply pipes from said manifold at points intermediate its ends toV said oven burners, respectively, said supply pipes ex'- tending rearwardly 'through the cooking top, downwardly on thel exterior ofthe rear of the range, and theninwardly at opposite sides of the oven division wall but adjacent there? to, to theV respective oven burners. A

y8. ln a gas range, an oven formed therein, a burner in said oven, a gas supply pipe lto said burner, and an air mixing devicein saidv gas supply pipe at a point within the oven, said device includingan air supply tube vdepending therefrom through the oven to a point beneath the oven on the exterior thereof, and an adjustable valve in the lower endv of said tube for controlling flow of air to said mixing device; Y Y

9. The combination in ra gas range having a cooking top and arem'ovableback rail mounted along and entending upwardly from the rear side thereof, of a detachable 'back splasher and shelf unit for detachable mounting at the rear of the cooking top inplace of Ysaidback rail, the said unit constructed at its upper side tol removably reL ceive the back rail in'posi-tion thereon ex-y tending'upwardly therefrom along the rear thereof.k

f 10. The combination in agas range having a cooking top and a Vremovable back rail accessibie from: the.

pose the manifold, a 'drip pan removablyy p* mounted within the cooking top beneath said burners, sai-d drip pan adapted to be removed rand mounted in position on the upper side of and covering the cooking top, said cooking top formed to removably yreceive and support said drippan in position thereover against displacement, and a wall forming member removably mounted across the forward open side of the cooking top to close the same and said manifold, said member receiving and providing a support for the forward edge ofthe drip pan with said pan in position over the cooking top.

12. In a gas range a cooking top, a manifold at the forward side of the cooking top, a drip pan removably mounted under the cooking top and adapted to be removed and mounted in position on and over the cooking top to form a cover therefor, said cooking top formed to receive and support the drip pan in position there-over against displacement, and a wall forming member removably mounted across and closing the forward side of the cooking top to conceal and cover said manifold, the forward side of the drip pan meeting with the upper side of said wall forming member to complete the masking of the cooking top and manifold.

13. In a gas range, a cooking top including gas burners and a manifold across the forward side thereof, a drip pan removably mounted over and covering said cooking top, a wall forming member removably mounted across and closing the forward side of the cooking top to conceal said manifold and complete with the drip pan the masking of the cooking top, said wall forming member removable to open the forward of the cooking top and expose the manifold, and

the cooking top formed to receive the drip pan through the open forward side and removably position the same below said burners, with the upper side of the cooking top opened to expose the burners.

14. In combination, a gas range having a cooking top including gas burners, and adrip pan receiving and supporting space in the cooking top beneath said burners, the upper side of said cookinO top constructed to removably seat and maintain a top forming cover in position across and covering the same, and a combined drip pan and cooking top cover formed to removably fit into said cooking top space beneath said burners as a drip pan therefor, and to fit over and seat on the upper side of said cooking top to provide a top forming cover therefor.

15. In a gas range, a cooking top including gas burners, and a gas manifold visible and accessible across the forward side of the cooking top; a drip pan removably mounted beneath the gas burners, a back rail removably mounted at the rear of the cooking top, the drip pan formed to fit over and cover the cooking top when removed from drip pan position beneath the burners, the cooking top formed to removably receive and seat the drip pan in cover forming position thereon, the back rail formed to fiton the cooking top in position across the forward side thereof to cover and mask the gas manifold, the forward side of the cooking top formed to removably receive and support the back rail in manifold covering position thereon, and the drip pan and back rail in manif-old and cooking top covering positions converting said gas range into a cabinet having a table top forming upper surface with the cooking top burners and manifold concealed to mask the appearance of the gas range.

16. A gas range convertible to a table forming article of furniture, said range including a cooking top with burners therein, and a burner manifold at one side of the cooking top; a drip pan removably mounted in the cooking top beneath the burners, a back rail removably mounted on the cooking top, said back rail formed to fit across the manifold side of the cooking top to conceal and mask the manifold, and the cooking top formed to removably receive and support the back rail in manifold concealing position; means for removably securing the back rail in manifold concealing position; and the drip pan formed to t over and rest on the cooking top in position thereover covering the same and providing a table top, when removed from drip pan. position, the back rail and drip pan in manifold concealing and table top forming positions. respectively, joining together to completely conceal and cover the cooking top and manifold.

Signed at Rockville Center, Nassau County, New York, this 3d day of June, 1929.

JOSEPH S. HIGBIE.

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