US2476756A

US2476756A - Combined working top and stove or range

Info

Publication number: US2476756A
Application number: US555574A
Authority: US
Inventors: Philip P Mosher; Alfred F Waller
Original assignee: St Charles Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: St Charles Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1944-09-23
Filing date: 1944-09-23
Publication date: 1949-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 1966-07-19

Description

July 19,t 1949. f

COMBINED WORKING T OP AND STOVE OR RANGE ATTORNEYS P. P. MosHER Erm. 2,476,756

P. P. MOSHER ET AL COMBINED WORKING TOP AND sTovE on RANGE Juiy E9, E949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 25, 1944 IIIIIIIIIIHHII'IIA INVENTORS IIIIIIIIIIIIII.

Patented July 19,-194-9 UNITED sTA'r-Es 1miriam# OFFICE l 4 2,470,756 COMBINED WORKING TOP AND STOVE RANGE tion of Illinois facturing Company, St. Charles, Ill., a corpora- Application September 23, 1944, Serial No. 555,574

6 ciaims. (c1. 12s-a7) This invention relates to working top structures such as are used inr kitchens and has more particular reference to what is known as a counter top or a sink top combined with a stove or range. While our invention is adapted for general application in combined structures of this kind it is particularly advantageous when embodied in a combined kitchen cabinet working top and the cooking top of a gas or electric stove or range.

Heretofore, gas or electric ranges have been co'- ordinated with kitchen cabinets usually with one positioned in adjoining relation to another and with the cooking top of the stove or range at the same level as the working top of the cabinet. Such prior constructions have been objectionable because of the relatively high heat conduction from the cooking top to the working top which is usually of non-metallic material. Also, movement of heated cooking vessels from the cooking top to the adjoining working top results in burn-v ing and damaging the surface of the working top. Where linoleum top working surfaces or the like are used, conduction of heat from the stove tends to loosen the linoleum covering and thereby reduce the working eilciency of the top as well as to create an unsightly and unsanitary condition.

An object of our invention is, therefore, to provide an improved working top structure which overcomes the objections to prior structures above recited.

Another object of our invention is to provide a working top structure of the kind described characterized by the provision of a stainless steel or the linoleum or other surface material making up the adjoining workingtop surface.

Another object is to `provide an improved working top structure of the character described which may be produced more economically than full metal working tops and which combines the advantages of linoleum and metal top surfaces.

` joined to the tgp in a particularly advantageous manner and in colors to match various kitchen color combinations.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by those skilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combined range and kitchen cabinet embodying our inven- Fig. 2 is a plan view of the metal core piece removed from the top structure;

Fig. 3 vis an end view of said core piece:`

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the stainless steel or Monel metal insert removed from the top structure;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged vertical sections through the top structure taken substantially on the section lines 5-6 of Figure 1, Fig. 5 showing the front half of the top structure and Fig. 6 the rear half.

Fig. 7 is@ further enlarged section vertically through the working top structure taken substantially on the section line 'I-'I of Figure 1; and

Fig. 8 is a similarly enlarged section vertically through the working top structure taken at one of the bolt locations as indicated at 8-8 of Fig. 2.'

In the drawings we have illustrated our invention as applied to a gas stove or range and adjoining base cabinets in a kitchen cabinet assemblyibut it should be understood that any cooking top may be used whether or not it is used with, a range and regardless of the kind or type of heating means used for cooking. In this instance the stove or range unit designated gen- Another object is to provide the fabrication of a working top composed of a one-piece top or insert installed over a-stove or range and the adjoining cabinet structure, together with a covering for the remainder of the working top composed of linoleum or similar material mounted and erally by II is of la type having'four top burners I2 each surmounted by a gri;A I on which the cooking vessel is adapted to be \\supported, an oven I4 having a front door I5, andan oven vent or outlet I6 which discharges the spent products of combustion through an ornamental1 grill Il. This illustrative'embodiment also includes base cabinets IB and I9 respectively adjoining opposite sides of the cooking range. These base cabinets are adapted to have a counter top or working top substantially coplanar with the cooking top of the stove or range, and this top may be of greater or less length than that shown in Figure l and it may be extended in angular relation at the ends to conform with walls or with various cabinet arrangements. This top may also include a-kitchen sink or other modifications while'retaining the characteristic features of our invention. The

' width of the stove top. This core plate is supported on a suitable frame structure or on a structure coordinated with the base cabinets and the stove or range. Supporting mem-bers are shown at 23 in Figure 6 and 24 in Figure '7. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, front portion 25 of the core plate is turned downwardly and inwardly in a channel shape so as to ilt and restV within the channel of a metal trim molding 26 which in this instance extends entirely around thelfront and sides of the counter top. The

core plate may be rigidly fastened down to the supporting frame by bolts (not shown) passing through openings 21 in the corners of the plate.

lififpening 28 in the back of the core plate allows for `passage of the oven outlet i6. 'I'he combined working surface for'the base cabinets and the stove or range is composed of a sheet metal insert of stainless steel or Monel metal designated generally by 23 and one or more sheets of linoleum or similar material 3l and 32 according to whether the counter top of our invention is provided at one or both sides of the stove or range. As shown in Figure 4, this insert has an opening 33 registering with the opening 22 in the core plate and an opening 34 registering with the opening 28.- The openings 22 and 33 provide space for the cooking top, which in this instance comprises four top burners l2 and a grill structure i3 assembled in association with a burner pan as described below. The

openings

23 and 34 provide space fo'r clearance of an oven vent or outlet I6 above mentioned. It will be observed that the insert is shaped to provide a top working surface surrounding the cooking top and extending substantially beyond each side thereof and that this top *surface is substantially coplanar with the cooking top of 4 A top insert. In the embodiment here shown the extension 4I comprises a Z-shaped member having a lower horizontal member or ledge I2 and an upper horizontal member 43 whichv is welded to the underside of the top insert. This ledge 42 extends entirely around the opening 33 as shown in Figure 4. In each corner location 44 a supporting bolt 45 is mounted on the lower ledge 42 and serves as an adjustable support for the burner pan 39. The outer rim of this burner pan is preferably turned down as shown in Figures 5 and 6 so that the burner pan is located against lateral displacement as well as being supported by the adjustable bolts.- Also, by means of this supporting construction the burner pan and grills may be levelled or adjusted with .respect to the top working surface.

lar material together with the working top of stainless steel or Monel metal or the like provide a combined working top having Aa substantially continuous top surface and that this surface extends to andaround the cooking top of the stove. It will also be observed that cooking vessels may be freely -moved backend forth between the cooking top and the top Working surface which surrounds the cooking top, without burning or damaging this top working surface. Another advantage of this construction is that the top insert structure provides a good heat absorbing area around the cooking top and one not subject to deterioration from heat so that in the normal use of a stove or range heat from the burners is substantially dissipated before reaching the linoleum top surface. This is advantageous in preserving the resilient and softer material of this composition top surface, thereby protecting it against damage by y heat from the burners and also protecting its the stove. As shown in Figurel 'I the end portion of the insert overlaps the linoleum member, the latter being recessed or rabited at 35 to receive the. core plate. 'I'his makes a bonded joint between two top 'surface members, providing a smooth and almost imperceptible joint. The linoleum strip is cemented throughout its bottom surface to the Vcore plate 2|. A layer of asbestos 3B or suitable insulation material is interposed between the core plate and the insert as shown, covering the. entire area between the linoleum sheets and the stove area and extending around this stove area at the front and back as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In order to uniformly and permanently secure the top insert member in the desired position we have provided a plurality of bolts 31 welded at one end to the underside of the top insert member 29 and extending through openings in the asbestos sheet Vand the core sheet and having a nut threaded on the bottom end serving to clamp these members together. This clamping means shown in Figure 8 is applied in each of the openings 38.

We have also provided means whereby the top insert is Iutilized for supporting the top burner grills. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, each top burner grill I3 seats in a burner pan 39 which in turn is supported on an extension 4i of the .bond or attachment to the core plate. This avoids the tendency in prior constructions toward loosening the covering material, which loosening tends to reduce the working eiilciency of the top and to create an unsightly and unsanitary condition with ultimate damage to the linoleum or similar covering material. It will also be observed that according to our invention the use of a protective stainless steel or Monel metal insert which will cover the surface immediately surrounding the cooking top and to a substantial distance at each side thereof, together with the use of a. linoleum or similar covering material, with a basic steel core for the remainder of the working top, serves not only to produce the functional advantages stated but to eiect a considerable saving in the cost-of manufacture.

Another advantage resulting from our invention is that a very serviceable and durable Working top for a combined structure of the character described is obtainable with linoleum or composition top surfaces of different colors adapted to match the' color scheme of the kitchen. Another advantage of our improved fabricated working top structure is that it eliminates warping of the structure under the influence of heat from the cooking top and it also insures a smooth and permanent joint between the top surfaces.

Another advantage is that this structure .may be stove or range. It will also be manifest that our invention may be applied in what is known as a counter top or a sink top in combination with a stove or range and that the stainless steel or Monel metal insert may be applied in any location in the sink or work top or in a top of any suitable dimension or design.

In the claims the term "stainless steel is used to also deine Monel metal'or any material having the same general characteristics, and the term linoleum" to mean any similar or equivalent material.

It is believed that the foregoing conveys a clear understanding of our invention and that changes may be made in details of construction and composition of materials without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention as expressed in the appended claims. in which- We claim:

1. A working top unit for a kitchen cabinet and a stove or range in side by side relation comprising. in combination, a sheet metal core covering the entire top of the cabinet and having an opening for the cooking top of the stove or range, a stainless steel working top overlying a portion of the core and providing working areas at the marginal side portions of the cooking top and extending over a substantial top portion of the cabinet adjacent to the sides of the cooking top, a linoleum working top overlying the remaining top of the core and underlapping the contiguous portion of the stainless steel working top, said stainless steel working top providing an area between the cooking top and the linoleum working top that is not subject to deterioration from heat and being of substantial width forand having an opening for the cooking top of the stove or range, a stainless steel working top overlying the core and providing working top Y areas at the marginal side portions of the cooking top and extending over a substantial top portion of the cabinet adjacent to the sides of the cooking top, a linoleum working top overlying the remaining top of the core and underlapping the contiguous portion of the stainless steel working top. said stainless steel working top providing an area between the cooking top and the linoleum working top that is not subject to deterioration from heat and being of substantial width for supporting cooking utensils slid sidewise from the cooking top, linoleum working top overlying the remaining top of the core and underlapping the contiguous portion of the stainless steel working top. the linoleum being bonded directly to the sheet metal core, heat insulation material interposed between the stainless steel working top and the sheet metal core. and means uniting the stainless steel working top to the sheet metal coreatlocalizedspotsinthearea coveredbythe insulation material.

3. A kitchen cabinet assembly comprising a cabinet unit and a range unit in side by side relation provided with a working top unit common to both units. said range unithaving a cooking top. said working top structure comprising a sheet metal core covering substantially the entire top 6 of both units and having an opening for the cooking top. a sheet metal insert covering said sheet metal core except for a working top area over the cabinet unit at a side thereof remote from the range `unit and extending from front to back of the cabinet unit, said sheet metal insert providing a top surface of substantial width adjoining said side of the cooking top extending from front to back of the. cabinet unit and being coplanar with the cooking top for supporting cooking utensils slid sidewise therefrom, a working top of sheet linoleum covering said working top area over said core and forming with the adjoining top portion of the insert a continuous working top surface, and a layer of insulation material between said core and the superimposed sheet metal insert. A

4. A working top unit for a combined kitchen cabinet and a stove or range in side by side relation comprising, in combination,- a sheet metal core covering substantially the entire top of the cabinet, a stainless steelV working top overlying a portion of the core so as to provide a working top area at one side of the cooking top of the range and extending over a substantial top portion of the cabinet, and a linoleum working top overlying the remaining top portion of the core and under-lapping the contiguous portion of the stainless steel working top, the top of the stainless steel working top and the top of the linoleumv providing a continuous working surface, said stainless steel working top providing a good heat insulation between the cooking top and the linoleum working top and serving to support hot vessels slid sidewise from the cooking top.

5. A working top unit for a combined kitchen cabinet and a stove or rangey as set forth in claim tions of the cooking top and providing substantial working top areas at the opposite sides of the cooking top. and a linoleum working top overlying the remaining top of the core, said stainless steel working top providing an area between the cooking top and the linoleum working top that is not subject to deterioration from heat and being of substantial width for supporting cooking utensils slid sidewise from the cooking top.

PHILIP P. MOSHER.

A ALFRED F. WALLER.

ltEl-`li1tENCESA CITED The following references are of record in the Y le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Namo Dato 727,251 Allen May 5, 1903 856,366- Quack July 11, 1907 1,887,297 Neuber et al, Nov. 1, 1932 2,023,692 McQuinn Dec. 10, 1935 2,054,687 Weiland et al. Sept. 15, 1938 2,180,459 Y Earle Nov. 21, 1939 2,328,129

Earle Aut. 31,1943