US2738411A - Electric heating appliances - Google Patents

Description

March 13, 1956 R. c. SANDIN ELECTRIC HEATING APPLIANCES 5 Sheets-Sheet J.

Filed Aug. 27. 1949 FIG.

Inventor Ray C. Sandin March 13, 1956 Q SANDIN ELECTRIC HEATING APPLIANCES Filed Aug. 27, 1949- 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

Inventor Ray C. Sandin March 13, 1956 R. c. SANDIN ELECTRIC HEATING APPLIANCES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Flled Aug 27 1949 FIG. 4 64 Inventor Ray C. Sundin By MpmwM March 13,- 1956 R. c. SANDIN ELECTRIC HEATING APPLIANCES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 27. 1949 FIG. 5

INVENTOR. Ray C. Sundin March 13, 1956 R. c. SANDIN 2,738,411

ELECTRIC HEATING APPLIANCES Filed Aug. 27, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor y Ray C. Sundln M MMM United States Patent ELECTRIC HEATING APPLIANCES Ray C. Sandin, Oak Park, 111., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application August 27, 1949, Serial No. 112,767

8 Claims. (Cl. 21937) The present invention relates to electric heating appliances provided with heating units or hotplates that are independently movable between concealed normal positions and exposed work positions.

In conventional electric heating appliances, such as electric ranges, the heating units or hotplates are usually mounted in openings provided in the work platform or cooking top forwardly of the backsplash panel disposed at the rear of the work platform. While the heating units are usually mounted upon hinges permitting relative movement thereof with respect to the work platform for cleaning purposes, they are always exposed to view, and the work platform is interrupted by the openings formed therein. Thus the work platform does not present a maximum usable work surface, and liquids are frequently spilled through the openings provided in the work platform and through the heating units even when the heating appliance is not in use for cooking purposes.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide in an electric heating appliance including a work platform, an upstanding backsplash panel disposed at the rear of the work platform, and a plurality of heating units, an improved arrangement for mounting the heating units for independent movements between normal positions disposed adjacent to the backsplash panel and work positions disposed over the work platform, so that the heating units are concealed and out of the way when they occupy their normal positions in order that the work platform may present a continuous usable work surface of maximum area.

Another object of the invention is to provide in an electric heating appliance of the type noted, an improved arrangement of a plurality of hollow structures respectively housing the heating units and movable between the normal and work positions noted, which structures are arranged to blend into the backsplash panel when they occupy their normal positions to lend a finished and uninterrupted appearance to the front of the backsplash panel.

Another object of the invention is to provide in an electric heating appliance, an improved hotplate and housing therefor that are mounted for movements as a unit between normal and work positions disposed approximately ninety degrees apart, wherein the housing is so constructed and arranged that spillage received thereby from the hotplate is retained therein notwithstanding the movements thereof between the positions noted.

A further object of the invention is to provide in an electric heating appliance including a work platform, an upstanding backsplash panel disposed at the rear of the work platform, and a heating unit mounted for movements between a normal position disposed adjacent to the backsplash panel and a work position disposed over the work platform, an improved electrical arrangement for selectively controlling the heating rates of the heating unit and for positively preventing heating of the heating unit when it occupies its normal position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in an electric range including a cooking top and an upstand- 2,738,411 Patented Mar. 13, 1956 ing backsplash panel disposed at the rear of the cooking top, an improved arrangement for mounting a plurality of heating units for independent pull-down movements between normal positions disposed in a recess provided in the backsplash panel and work positions defining a cooking shelf disposed over the cooking top.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the electric heating appliance, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an electric heating appliance embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view, partly broken away, of the electric heating appliance shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the electric heating appliance, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 33 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary rear perspective view of the housing of the righthand heating unit incorporated in the electric heating appliance of Fig. 1, illustrating constructional details thereof; Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of a modified form of the electric heating appliance embodying the present invention; and Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of another modified form of the electric heating appliance embodying the present invention, this form of the electric heating appliance comprising an electric range.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings, the electric heating appliance 10 there illustrated, and embodying the features of the present invention, comprising an upstanding hollow casing 11 that is adapted to be removably secured to the rear of a substantially horizontal work platform 12 that is supported upon a suitable kitchen cabinet, or the like, 13. Preferably the casing 11 is die-pressed from sheet metal and is provided with an exterior finish of enamel, paint, or the like, of a proper color in order to harmonize with any desired color scheme in a kitchen; while the work platform 12 may be formed of any suitable water impervious material, such, for example, as stainless steel, colored linoleum, or the like.

The casing 11 comprises spaced-apart front and rear walls 14 and 15 and a connecting boundary wall including top and bottom sections 16 and 17 and end sections 18 and 19. Two large substantially square laterally spacedapart openings 20 and 21 are respectively formed in the left-hand side and in the right-hand side of the front wall 14, the openings 20 and 21 being substantially identical in contour providing an upstanding mullion 22 therebetween. Each of the openings 20 and 21 is provided with a rearwardly directed marginal flange disposed thereabout and opening into the interior of the casing 11, the rearwardly directed marginal flange disposed about the opening 21 being illustrated at 23 in Fig. 3. Two heating units or hotplates 24 and 25 are independently mounted upon the casing 11 and respectively cooperate with the openings 20 and 21. Each of the hotplates 24 or 25 is independently movable between an upstanding concealed normal position disposed within the associated opening 20 or 21 and a substantially horizontal exposed work position disposed over the work platform 12; and in order to facilitate movements of the hotplates 24 and 25, two laterally extending handles 26 and 27 are respectively secured to the exterior upper portions thereof.

Preferably the hotplates 24 and 25 are identical; and the hotplate 25 comprises a hollow structure or housing formed by complementary inner and outer sections 25A and 258 respectively. The inner housing section 25A comprises an inner wall 31 substantially square in plan that is provided with a forwardly extending marginal wall 32; and the outer housing section 25B comprises an outer wall 33 substantially square in plan, that is. provided with a rearwardly extending marginal wall 34. The inner and outer sections 25A and 25B are cletachably. secured. together with the inner and outer walls 31 and, 33. in spaced relation and with. the marginal walls 32 and 34. in partially 'hotplate 2,5 and adjacent to the right-hand side of the hotpl'ate 2 and extending into. the casingll Within the opening 2 l', anda two-part snapfixture 3-7. More particularly, the hinge mechanisms 35 and 36am preferably substantially identical leftand right. The hinge mechanism 35 comprises two leaves. 41 and 42 hinged. together by a. suitable pintIe 43. The leaf 41 is suitably secured to the inner surface of the front wall 14: below the lower portion of the marginal. flange23 and adjacent to the lefthand sideof the opening21; while the-leaf 42 extends outwardly terminating in a bifurcation providing two oppositely directed arms 44 and 45. Similarly, the hinge mechanism 36 comprises two leaves 51 and 52v hinged together by. a suitable pintle 53. The leaf 51 is suitably secured to the inner surface of the front wall 14 below the lower portion of the marginal flange 23 and adjacent to the right-handside of the opening 21; while the leaf 52 extends outwardly terminating in a bifurcationproviding two oppositely directed-arms 54 and55.

The rear portion of the marginal wall 34 of the outer housing section 2513 has two laterally spaced-apart openings 61 and 62 formed therein through which the two laterally spaced-apart arms Hand 54 project, the arms The arrangement for detachably 44 and 54 projecting through the openings 61 and 62 and thence downwardly toward the outer wall 33. The rear portionof the marginal wall 32 of the inner housing section A has alaterally extending cutout 63 formedtherein which is closed by a bridging sheet 64 arranged within the inner housing section 25A. and rigidly secured in place; andthe laterally spaced-apart arms and are suitably secured to the bridging sheet 64. Accordingly, it

will be understood that the, inner housing section 25A provided with the inner wall31 is rigidly secured-tothe two'upwardly directed laterally spaced- apart arms 45 and 55 of the respective hinge mechanisms 35 and 3,6;v while the rear portion of the outer housing section 25B providcd with the outer wall 33 is detachably secured to the downwardly directed laterally spaced-apart. arms 44 and 54' of the respective, hinge mechanisms 35' and 36; Finally the front of theouter housing section 25B is detachably secured to the front of the; inner housing section. 25A by the snap fixture 37, the snap fixture. 37 including a springlikepart 65 carried by the outer wall 33- and acooperating spring-like part 66 carried by the marginal wall 32..

In view of the foregoing. description, it will beunderpl'ate 25 occupiesan. intermediate position theitwo. hous-, ing sections 25A and, 2 53' may be. forced apart, at the snap figrture 37 in order that. the outer housing section 2513 may be hinged downwardly with respect tothe-inner housing section 25A whereby the outer housing section.

25B may be then detached from the downwardly directed arms 44 and 54 of the respective hinge mechanisms 35 and 36 and ultimately completely removed with respect to the inner housing section 25A. Subsequently, the outerhousing section 25 B-rnay be replaced withrespect toithe don/re.

wardly directed-arms 4.4. and 54oftl1e respective hinge. 'n echanisms SS and 36 andv consequently again attached 1 4 to the inner housing section 25A upon engagement of the parts 65 and 66 of the snap fixture 37.

As previously noted, the rear portion of the marginal wall 32 of the inner housing section 25A is provided with the laterally extending cutout 63 which metal from the cutout 63 is bent upwardly into the plane of the inner wall 31 to provide a rearwardly projecting tail 67 extending into the opening 21 when the hotplate 25 occupies its work position. The tail 67 merely constitutes a continuation of the rear control portion of the inner wall 31; and the left-hand and, the right-hand sides of the inner wall 31 respectively carry two hinge mechanisms 71 and 72, which are preferably substantially identical left and'right. The hinge mechanism 71 comprises two leaves 73 and 74 hinged together by a suitable pintle '75; and the hinge mechanism '72 comprises two leaves 76 and '77 hinged together by a suitable pintle 7S. Specifically, the leaves 73 and 76 of the respective hinge mechanisrns 71: and 72 are secured tothe lower surface of the inner wall, 31; adjacent to the opposite sides. thereof, as previously noted; while the ieaves 74 and 77 of the respective hinge mechanisms '71 and 72, are respectively securedtto the lef-handside and. to the right-hand side at a backsplash plate 34? disposed withinthe cavity in the casing ll rearwardly of the opening 21-. Specifically, the bacltsplash plate ill} comprises a laterally extending rear wall 81 directed upwardly andtrearwardly from the hinge mechanisms 71 and 72 toward the rear wall 15 of the casing it and terminating. in a laterally extending flange 32 that is arranged in guided relation with respect to two guide rodsv 83 andfi4 carried: onthe rear wall 15 within the casing ill. More specifically,v the left-hand. side of the rearwall. 15 is provided. with twoforwardly directed knockouttabs. S5 and 86 disposed in vertically spacedapart relationand supporting. the guide rod 83; and the right-hand side of the rear. wall.15 is provided with two forwardly directedknockout tabs 87 and 33 disposed in vertically spaced-apart relation and supporting the guide rodg34. The, guide rods. 83tand extend through two laterally spacedaapart. guide holes formed in the flange 8;. carried'bythe backsplash plate Finally, the backsplash plate comprises. two forwardly directed substantially triangular shaped side walls-91am 92 disposed ontheopposite sides of the rear. wall 3 left andright Thus thebacksplash plate hills-substantially trough-shaped comprising the rear wall 31 and the side walls 93 and 92, the side walls 91 and 92 beiugrespectively overlapped by the left-hand side and by. the right-hand side-of the marginalfiange23 extendingabout the opening 21. The extreme; lower end. of: the rear wall 81 is provided with a laterally extending bead-like portion 93 that covers the pi'titles and 73 of the respective hinge mechanisms 7 and 72, aswcll as the leaves74--and 77 0f the respective; hinge mechanisms 75; and '72. secured to the rear surface of the, rear wallbl adjacent to the left-hand and to'the right-hand sides thereof.-

Inview of; the. foregoing, it will beunderstood that when the hotplate 25 occupies its work position illustrated in Fig. 3, thehinge mechanisms 71 and 72 occupy their forward upper positions raising'the backsplash plate 3:) to the position iliustratedso. that the rear Wall 81 of the backsplaslr plate fiiioccupies its rearwardl-y-and upwardly sloping position. Onthe other hand, when the hotplate 25' is moved to its. normal position, the hinge mechanisms .71 and IE-are moved to theirrearward lower positions adjacent to the; junction between-the rear wall-15 and the bottom wall 17. of the casing 11', whereby the baelispl'ash plate is loweredinat-he cavity in the casing 11 so that as the hotplate 25 is moved between its normal and work:

positions-rand the: upper portion ofthebacksplash plate iiil slides in guided reiati'on'upon the guide rods 83 and s 84 as the hotplate 25 is moved between its normal and work positions. Also, it will be understood that when the hotplate 25 occupies its nonnal position that the weight thereof is carried by the pintles 43 and 53 of the respective hinge mechanisms 35 and 36. On the other hand, when the hotplate 25 occupies its work position the rear thereof is supported upon the pintles 43 and 53 of the respective hinge mechanisms 35 and 36, while the front thereof is supported directly upon the handle 27 engaging the top surfaceof the work platform 12. Thus the handle 27 not only serves as a handle proper facilitating the movements of the hotplate 25 between its normal and work positions but it also serves as a foot supporting the front of the hotplate 25 in its work position.

In order to insure that the hotplate 25 is restrained in its normal position when it is moved thereto, a latch arrangement is provided that includes a latch device 93 having a forwardly projecting latch slide 94 that cooperates with a keeper hole 95 formed in the upper portion of the marginal flange 23 disposed about the opening 21. It will be appreciated that the latch slide 94 is resiliently biased outwardly by a spring arrangement, not shown, provided in the latch device 93 and that the latch slide 94 slidably engages and disengages the keeper hole 95 as the hotplate 25 is respectively moved into and out of its normal position.

The hotplate 25 carries a heating element assembly 100 that is preferably of the general construction and arrangement disclosed in the copending application to Francis E. Kirk, Serial No. 783,961, filed November 4, 1947. More particularly, and as viewed in Fig. 3, the assembly 100 comprises a pair of sheathed heating elements 101 and'102 arranged in nested relation and lying in a common plane that is disposed substantially parallel to and above the inner wall 31. Each of the heating elements 101 and 102 comprises an exterior metal sheath encasing a substantially centrally located helical resistance conductor embedded in a mass of highly compacted heat conducting and electrical insulating material, such as magnesium oxide; all in accordance with conventional practice. The heating elements 101 and 102 are carried by a supporting grid or spider 103 and are provided with terminal ends 104 projecting rearwardly toward the front wall 14 of the casing 11. The outer ends of the grid 103 are supported by a substantially annular supporting r1ng 105 that is provided with a substantially vertically positioned annular flange 106. The flange 106 is adapted to be supported within an annular opening 107 that is provided in the inner wall 31 of the inner housing section 25A, the extreme outer rim of the annular supporting ring 105 being flanged downwardly as indicated at 108 in order to engage the adjacent annular portion of the inner wall 31 surrounding the opening 137. The inner wall 31 is provided with a substantially annular flange 109 depending therefrom about the opening 107 and terminating in an inwardly directed substantially annular ledge 110 disposed below the assembly 100.

A substantially annular drip pan 111 is removably supported upon the ledge 110 and is provided with a substantially centrally disposed drain opening 112. The drip pan 111 is substantially dish-shaped and serves to collect any spillage that may fall through the assembly and through the opening 107 when the hotplate 25 is employed for cooking purposes. The spillage accumulating in the drip pan 111 is discharged through the drain opening 112 onto the inner surface of the outer wall 33 of the outer housing section 25B disposed therebelow. Thus the outer housing section 25B constitutes a spillage basin; and a laterally extending auxiliary wall 113 is welded or otherwise secured to the inner surface of the outer wall 33 for the purpose of preventing any spillage accumulating in the outer housing section 2513 from running out of the slots 61 and 62 provided in the rear portion of the marginal wall 34 when the hotplate 25 is moved into its normal position. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 the auxiliary wall 113 is substantially trough-shaped and extends upwardly and forwardly in order to establish the spillage basin in the central and front portions of the outer housing section 25B; whereby a definite spillage pocket 114 is defined between the auxiliary wall 113 and the inner surface of the outer wall 33 in the outer housing section 25B when the hotplate 25 is moved into its normal position.

The terminal ends 104 of the assembly 130 project through a laterally extending supporting plate 115 that comprises the lower portion of a hinge arm 116 pivotally mounted upon a pintle 117, the pintle 117 being carried by a cooperating hinge arm 118 that is arranged between the spaced- apart flanges 109 and 106, the extreme upper end of the hinge arm 118 being secured in place directly to the flange 109 by a screw 120. This mounting arrangement permits movement of the assembly 100 about the pintle 117 into and out of the opening 107 formed in the inner wall 31 of the inner housing section 25A in order to facilitate cleaning of the heating elements 151 and 102 and removal of the drip pan 111. The hinge arm 116 is biased in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the hinge arm 118, as viewed in Fig. 3, in order to restrain the assembly 100 in its normal position within the opening 107 by an arrangement including a resilient leaf spring 121 the opposite ends of which are respectively welded or otherwise electrically and mechanically connected to the hinge arms 116 and 118. Accordingly, the leaf spring 121 serves as a grounded strip insuring that the sheaths of the heating elements 101 and 102 are grounded to the housing of the hotplate 25' and consequently to the casing 11.

The terminal extremities of the terminal ends 164 of the heating elements 101 and 102 are clamped in position within an insulating terminal block provided with con plementary detachable sections 122 and 123. The sections 122 and 123 are detachably secured together by any suitable arrangement, not shown; and the terminal block as a whole extends through cooperating notches 12 i and 125 respectively formed in the central part of the rear portion of the marginal wall 34 of the outer housing section 25B and in the central part of the bridging plate 6-? carried by the inner housing section 25A. Also, the terminal block clamps in position flexible electrical wiring 126 that is detachably electrically connected to the extreme terminal ends of the terminal portions 1% of the heating elements 101 and 102.

Two laterally spaced-apart substantially annular depressions 131 and 132 are formed in the front wall 1 1 of the casing 11 substantially centrally with respect to the openings 20 and 21 respectively. The depressions 131 132 respectively receive two rotatable control knobs and 134 provided on two control switches of the mul position type housed within the upper portion of the easing 11, the two control switches mentioned being respectively included in the heating control circuits of the respective hotplates 24 and 25. The righthand control switch that is provided with the rotary control knob A a is indicated at 135, the control switch 135 cooperating with flexible electrical wiring 136 housed within the casing 11 and included in the heating control circuit of the hotplate 25. Finally, two interlock switches are arranged within the casing 11 and respectively included in the heating control circuits of the respective hotplates 24- and 25. The interlock switch that is included in the heating control circuit of the hotplate 25 is indicated at 137 and includes an arm 138 that cooperates with the associated hinge mechanism 35 upon which the hotplate 25 is mounted. More particularly, the interlock switch 137 ccoperates with flexible electrical wiring 139 included in the heating control circuit of the hotplate 25. Specifically, the interlock switch 137 is actuated to its closed position when the leaf 42 of the hinged mechanism 35 disengages the associated arm 138 as the hotplate 25 is moved into its work position; and, on the other hand, the interlock switch 137 is actuated into its open positionwhen the leaf' lZ of the'hinge mechanism 35 engages the associated arm 133 as the hotpl'ate 25' is moved to its normal posi tion. The interlock switch 137 is" arranged in series. circuit relation with theheating control circuit of the heatingelements ltll and lid). of the hotplate 25- in an obvious manner, thereby positively to prevent energizat'ion and the consequent heating of the heating elements 101 and 102.

when the hotplate 25' is-moved into its normal position.

The control switch 135 maybe of the conventional r0- tary type disclosed in U. S; Patent No. 2,203,231 6, granted on June 4, 1940, to CharlesP. Randolph; and the heating nections and arrangements are not illustrated in the interest of brevity since they are fully disclosed in the Randolph patent mentioned.

in view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the interlock switch 137 constitutes a master interlock circuit breaker in the heating control circuit of the hot plate 25 so that the heating. connection selectively established by the control switch 135 is effective only in the event the interlock switch 137 is actuated to its closed position by movement of the hotplate 25 into its work position. This arrangement is very advantageous as it prevents useless heating of the heating elements 101 and N2 in the hotplate 25 when the hotplate occupies its normal position, as well as undesired heating. ofv the casing ll at this time.

In view of the foregoing, it will. be understood that the connection and, arrangement of the control switch and the interlock switch included in the heating control circuit of the hotplate 2-iare the same as those described above in conjunction with the heating control circuit of the hotplate 25.

Also, it will be apparent that when the hotplates 24 and 25 occupy their work positions a laterally extending cooking shelf disposed above the work platform 12' is provided by the inner walls of the inner housing sections 24A and 25A thereof. On the other hand, when the hotplates 24 and 25 occupy their normal positions the front of the casing 11 presents an unbroken appearance, and the work platform l2 presents a continuous usable work surface of maximum area.

in view of the foregoing description, it will be understood that when the hotplate 25 is moved into its work position, the interlock switch 137 is actuated to its closed position so that the heating circuit of the heatingelements 1%.: and 1% maybe selectively governed by the control switch 135 by rotating the control knob 134.

from the front of the casing 11. At this time the. backsplash plate prevents any food being cooked from spattering into the casing ll; and any liquid striking the backsplash plate runs downwardly thereon upon the rail 67 provided on the inner wall 31 of the inner housing section 25A so that it may be readily cleaned therefrom. Also the assembly ltltl may be readily tilted upwardly with respect to the opening .llli provided inthe inner wall Sl of the inner housing section 25A. to facilitate cleaning and to permit the removal of the drip panlll. Further, the outer housing section, 253 may be detached from the inner housing section 25A when the hotplate 25 occupies an intermediate position in order to permit emptying from the spillage pocket 114 provided in the outer housing section 25B of any spillage accumulated thereon.

While the electric heatingappliance 10 illustrated. in l to 4, inclusive, of the drawings has been disclosed in; conjunction with a casing ll mounting twoindividual hotplates i and '25, it willbe understood that any suit-- Thus, the

2 kitchen cabinet, or the like, 2&3. Preferably, the casing:

n nul Cit . appliance 10 may be provided amples,. an apartment size. of the electric: heating ap-- pliance ltl may be provided that comprises a single hot-- plate, and a full kitchen size of the electric heating that comprises four hotplatcs.

Referring now to Fig; 5 of. the drawings, the modified form. of the electric heating appliance 296' there: illustrated, and embodyingthefeatures of the present inventiorn. is fundamentally of the same construction and arrangement as the electric heating appliance 1i previously described, except that the construction has been modified in certain particulars as pointed out: below. Specifically, the heating appliance ziltlrcomprisesan upstanding hollow casing Ztli that is adapted to be removably secured to the rear of a substantially horizontal. work platform 2&2 that is supported upon a; suitable Ztll is die pressed from sheet metal and is provided t with anexterior finish of enamel, paint, or the like,- of

front wall 21H extends upwardly and rearwardly so that the-angle between the front wall 2tlland the work plat- Two form is slightly greater than ninety degrees. laterally spaced-apart openings 207 and 288 are respectively formed in the left-hand. side and in the right-hand side of the front wall 294, a mullion 209 being provided.

therebetween. Two hotplates Eli) and 21-1 are respectiveiy mounted upon the casing 2M incooperative relation with the openings 2%?" and 208. More particularly, the two hotplates 21b and 211 are mounted byappropriate hinge mechanisms for independent movements between upstanding concealed normal positions and substantiall'y horizontal exposed work positions. The two hotplates. 210 and 211 are respectively provided with two handles 212 and 253 adjacent to the upper central portions thereof in order to facilitate movements thereof between their normal and work positions.

When the hotplates 2M? and 211 occupy their normal positions they are disposed within the respective open.- ings 297 and 2'98 in the casing 2531 and slope upwardly andrearwardly so that they are slightly overcentered toward the rear; whereby the hotplates 21% and 211 occupy positions of stable equilibrium in their normal positions and are retained therein without auxiliary latch mechanisms. Specificall in their normal positionsthe front walls of the hotplates Zltl and 211 are disposed substan-- tially flush with each other and with the front Wall 294, the handles 212 and 213 engaging the overlapped adja: cent portions of the front wall 2%. On the other hand, when the hotplates 21% and 211 occupy their work positions, the handles 212 and 213 directly engage the adjacent upper surface of the work platform-202;

Preferably the hotplates Zilll and 211 are identical: and the hotplate 2l1 is basically of the construction of the hotplate 25 incorporated in the electric heating-appliance I'll previously described. More particularly, the hot-- plate 23.1 comprises a hollow structure orhousingof'thc two-part type .includingrinner andouter housing: sections 211A and 2113 suitably detachably secured together, the inner housing. section 211A being suitably hinged to the: casing Zlll within the cavity provided therein. Preferably in thehotplate Zll the hinge mechanism is of simplified construction and arrangement and merely comrises a rearwardly directed tail 214 rovided. on the inner' P t.

wall 215 of the inner housing sccticnZllA that is, inturn, provided with. a downwardlyv directed. flange 216.: that. is suitably hingedly mounted upon the lower portion of. the.

casing 201 adjacent to the junction between the casing 201 and the work platform 202. Preferably in the electric heating appliance 200, no separate backsplash plate is provided in order to simplify the arrangement; whereby the rear Wall 205 of the casing 201 serves as a backsplasher in this construction.

Preferably in the electric heating appliance 200 a substantially annular depression 217 is provided in the front central portion of the marginal wall of the inner housing section 211A and receives a rotary control knob 218 provided on a control switch, not shown, arranged within the housing of the hotplate 211. The control switch mentioned is adapted selectively to establish the heating connections between nested heating elements 219 and 220 mounted within an opening 221 provided in the inner wall 215 of the inner housing section 211A for the purpose of selectively controlling the heating connections with respect to a source of current supply, not shown. Also, the heating control circuit of the hotplate 211 comprises an interlock switch, not shown, that is arranged positively to prevent heating of the heating elements 219 and 220 when the hotplate 211 occupies its normal position; the arrangement of the heating control circuit of the hotplate 211 in the electric heating appliance 200 being otherwise the same as that described in conjunction with the hotplate 25 in the heating appliance 10. Of course, the electric heating control circuit for the hotplate 210 is the same as that of the hotplate 211.

Preferably, the outer wall of the outer housing section 2108 of the hotplate 210 and the outer wall of the outer housing section 2118 of the hotplate 211 are respectively provided with outwardly extending marginal flanges 230 and 231 that overlap and conceal the mullion 209 when the hotplates 210 and 211 occupy their normal positions in the respective openings 207 and 208 provided in the front wall 204. Also, it will be understood that when the hotplates 210 and 211 occupy their work positions, a laterally extending cooking shelf disposed above the work platform 202 is provided by the inner walls of the inner housing sections 210A and 211A thereof. On the other hand, when the hotplates 210 and 211 occupy their normal positions the casing 201 presents an unbroken appearance and the work platform 202 presents a continuous usable work surface of maximum area.

While the electric heating appliance 200 illustrated in Fig. of the drawings has been disclosed in conjunction with a casing 201 mounting two individual hotplates 210 and 211, it will be understood that any suitable number of hotplates may be provided. For examples, an apartment size of the electric heating appliance 200 may be provided that comprises a single hotplate, and a full kitchen size of the electric heating appliance 200 may be provided that comprises four hotplates.

Referring now to Fig. 6 of the drawings, the other modified form of the electric heating appliance 300 there illustrated, and embodying the features of the present invention, is generally of the same construction and arrangement of the electric heating appliance previously described, except that it takes the form of an electric range and the construction has been modified in certain particulars as pointed out below. Specifically, the electric range 300 comprises an upstanding frame or body 301' provided with a substantially horizontally disposed cooking top 302 terminating adjacent to the rear thereof in an upwardly directed pedestal 303 carrying an upwardly extending hollow backsplash panel 304. The backsplash panel 304 comprises spaced apart front and rear Walls 305 and 306 and a connecting boundary wall 307 provided with top, bottom and side portions. Asubstantially horizontally disposed laterally extending recess 308 is formed in the front wall 305 of the backsplash panel 304 and extends completely from side to side of the boundary wall 307 so that the backsplash panel 304 is substantially inverted L-shaped in vertical cross-section. More 7 specifically, the laterally extending recess 308 formed in the front wall 305 of the basksplash panel 304 is disposed immediately above the top of the pedestal 303. Also, a substantially horizontally disposed laterally extending depression 309 is formed in the front wall 305 of the backsplash panel 304 below the top of the boundary wall 307 and above the laterally extending recess 308. The depression 309 terminates in a substantially horizontally disposed laterally extending window, not shown, behind which and within the upper portion of the backsplash panel 304 there is mounted a substantially horizontally disposed and laterally extending electric lamp, not shown, that may be of the fluorescent type. The arrangement of the electric lamp, not shown, in the upper portion of the backsplash panel 304 provides for the illumination of the depression 309 and the consequent illumination of the cooking top 302.

Within the recess 308 four hotplates 311, 312, 313 and 314 are mounted in side-by-side relation, the hotplates 311., etc. being mounted for independent movements between upstanding concealed normal positions disposed in the recess 30S and substantially horizontal exposed work positions disposed over the cooking top 302. When the hotplates 311, etc. occupy their normal positions the outer walls thereof are substantially flush with each other and with the front wall 305; and when the hotplates 311, etc. occupy their work positions a substantially horizontally disposed and laterally extending cooking shelf is provided by the inner walls thereof above the cooking top 302.

Preferably the hotplates 311, etc. are or" the fundamental construction of the hotplates 25, etc. incorporated in the electrical heating appliance 10; and the hotplate 313 illustrated comprises the hollow structure or housing including the detachable inner and outer housing sections 313A and 313B, respectively, the inner wall 315 of the hotplate 313 carrying the nested heating elements 316 and 317.

The four hotplates 311, 312, 313 and 314 are provided with four individual hinge mechanisms, not shown, mounting the upper housing sections thereof for pivotal movements adjacent to the junction between the cooking top 302 and the backsplash panel 304 in a manner substantially identical to that previously described in connection with the electric heating appliance 200. Also, the four hotplates 311, 312, 313 and 314 carry the four individual handles 321, 322, 323 and 324 disposed adjacent to the upper outside edges thereof; whereby the handles 321, 322, 323 and 324 are disposed in substantial horizontal lateral alignment when the hotplates 311, 312, 313 and 314 occupy their normal positions.

Further, a substantially horizontally disposed laterally extending trim element 330 is suitably secured to the front wall 305 intermediate the recess 308 and the depression 309; and four individual control switches of the pushbutton type, not shown, are suitably mounted in the backsplash panel 304 and provided with respective sets of individual pushbuttons 331, 332, 333 and 334 projecting through the trim element 330. The four control switches mentioned are respectively disposed above the four hotplates 311, etc. and are respectively included in the heating control circuits thereof. Preferably each of the control switches mentioned is of the basic construction of that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,431,904, granted on December 2, 1947, to John L. Andrews and incorporates the color cooking control arrangement disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,437,555, granted on March 9, 1948, to Gregory L. Rees. Each of these-'pushbutton control switches comprises an ofi pushbutton and five in dividual control pushbuttons selectively operative correspondingly to govern the heating rate of the heating elements incorporated in the associated hotplate; all as disclosed in the Andrews patent mentioned. Also four interlock switches, not shown, are respectively incorporated in the heating control circuits of the four hotplates 311, etc. in order positively to insure that the heating elements thereof are not energized when thecorresponding hotplates 311, etc. occupy their normal positions. As

disclosed in the Rees patent the individual control push a 11 buttons 333 incorporated in the control switch that is included intheheating' control circuit of' the hotplate 3I-3are selectively illuminated with the colors red, yellow; purple, green and blue, respectively corresponding tothe high, medium-high, medium-, low and warm positions of this pushbutton switch.

i When the hotplate 313* occupies its work positionillustrated, the rear portion thereof is'supported by the associated hinge mechanism; not shown, extending into thereccss fillS"and thence into the pedestal 3%, the front portion thereof issupported bythe associated handle 3-2.3 serving asa'fo'ot; On theother hand, when all of the hotplates3lil, etc; occupytheir normalpositions the front of the backsplash panel 304. presents an unbroken appearance and the cooking top 302presents a continuous usable work surface ofmaximum area.

In the electric range 309' the body 301, the cooking top 302' and the'pedestal 303', and the backsplash panel 304 may cachbe formed of'die pressed'sheetmetal and appropriately enameled to provide a finished appearance. tlier the body 301 comprises an oven, not shown, disposed in the right-hand'upper, portion thereof below the cooking top 382. and having an open front closed by a door 341 suitably hinged. adjacent to the lower edge thereof. Also, the. body 301 comprises a storage space, not shown, disposed in the left-hand. upper portion thereof, below the cooking top 3&2 and receiving a sliding drawer having a front cover 342. The exterior surface of the door 341 and the exterior surface of thecover 342. are disposed substantially flush with each other in their normal closed positions. Finally, the oven, not shown, is provided with aiheating' circuit control switch, not shown, and a temperature:regulating device, not shown, in the usual manner, which elements may be suitably mounted adjacent to thetop of the front wall 305 of the backsplash panel 364 in any suitable manner.

While the electric range 300 illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings has been disclosed in conjunction with the backsplash panel 3ll4'mounting four individual hotplates 311, 312, 313 and 314, it will be understood that any suitable number of hotplates may be. provided.

Fur-

In view of the. foregoing, it is apparent that there 7 has been'provided. an improved electric heating appliance comprisinga plurality of hotplates independently movable between concealed normal positions and exposed work positions,,whereby the appliance has a smooth finished appearance when the hotplates are not in use for cooking purposes- While there has been: described what are at present considered to be. the preferred embodiments of the invention; itwill be understoodth'at various modifications may be made therein, and; it is intended to cover in the appended claims. allsuch modifications as-fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

What ,is'claimed' is:

l An-electric'heatingappliance comprising an upstand ing hollow casing: including spaced-apart front and rear walls and a connecting. boundary wall, said. casing having an upstanding cavity provided therein and opening through said front wall, a hollow structure. including spacedaapart outer and inner walls and a connecting. marginal wall, f

said structure-occupies its work position, a backsplashpanel arranged withinsaid cavity adjacent tov said rear wallua-ndmounted for movements between a substan daily-upstanding lower normal position disposed. between said innerv wall. andsaid rear wall. and. an upwardly=in= cliuedv upper.- worlcipositioni disposed. between; the; rear I2 portion of said inner wall and the upper portion of: said rear wall, means connected" between said structure and said backspl-ash panel and responsive to movements of said structure into its normal and work positions for moving said backsplash panel into its normal and work positions respectively, said backsplash panel in its work position effectively closing the lower portion of said cavity against the'entry of'foreign-rnaterial thereinto when said structure occupies its work position, an electric heating unit carried bysaid'inner wall and movable with said structure, and flexible electrical wiring arranged in said casing and electrically connected to said heating unit and accommodating the movements of said structure.

2. An electric heating appliance comprising an upstanding hollow casing. including spaced-apart front and rear walls ands-connecting: boundary' wall, said casing having an upstanding cavity provided therein and opening through said'front wall, a-hollow structure including spaced-apart outer and inner walls and a connecting marginal wall, hinge mechanism-mounting-said structure upon said casing for movements between an upstanding normal position disposed'within said cavity and a substantially horizontal work position removed from said cavity, said outer wall being disposed substantially flush 1 with said'front wall when said'structure occupies its normal position and the rear portion of'said inner wall being disposed forwardly with respect to the lower portion of said rear'wall when'said structure occupies its work position, a movable backsplash panel arranged within said cavity adjacent to said rearwall, a hinge connection between the lower portion of'said backspla'sh panel and. the rear'portion of. said inner wall, a sliding connection between the upper portion of'said' backspla'shv panel and the upperportion of said rear wall, said hinge connection effecting pivoting and sliding movements of said backsplash panel into asubstantially upstanding lower normal position disposed between said inner wall and said rear wall in response to movement of said structure into its normal position and effecting pivoting and sliding move ments of said'backsplash panel into an upwardly inclined upper work position disposed between the rear portion of said inner wall and the upper portion of said rear wall in response to movement of said structure into its work position, said backsplash panel in itswork position effectively closing the lowerportionof said cavity against the entry of foreign material thereinto when said structure occupies its work position, an. electric heating unit carried by said inner wall and-movable with said structure, and flexible electricalwiring arranged in'said casing and electrically connectedto said heating unit and accommodating the movements of said structure.

3. An electricheatingiappliance comprising a substantially horizontal work platform, an upstanding hollow casing positioned at therear of said work platform and including spaced-apart front andv rear walls and a connecting boundary wall, said casing having an upstandingcavity provided therein and opening through said front wall, a hollow structure including spaced-apart outer and inner walls and a connecting marginal wall, hinge mechanism mounting said structure upon said casing for movements between an upstanding normal position disposed within said cavity andv a substantially horizontal work position removed from. said cavity and arranged over said work platform, said outer. wall. being disposed substantially flush withsaid front Wall.:whenisaid structure :occupies its normal position in. order. to lend an unbroken. appearance to the front oflsaid.casing, .a:handlecarried by said outer wall to facilitate themovements of said structure, said hinge mechanism supporting the ward said structure when it occupies its Workposition, said handle engaging. said work platform and supporting the front of said structure; when it occupies its work position, said" 7 work platform presenting a continuous usable-work surelectric heating unit arranged in said opening and movable with said structure, flexible electrical wiring arranged in said casing and elrctrically connected to said heating unit and accommodating the movements of said structure, a source of current supply, a heating control circuit including said source and said flexible wiring, a control switch of the multi-position type selectively operative to its different positions to establish corresponding different heating connections between said heating unit and said heating control circuit, a master switch included in said heating control circuit and having open and closed positions, and means responsive to movement of said structure into its normal position for operating said master switch into its open position and responsive to movement of said structure into its work position for operating said master switch into its closed position.

4. An electric heating appliance comprising a substantially horizontal Work platform, an upstanding hollow casing positioned at the rear of said work platform and including spaced-apart front and rear walls and a connecting boundary wall, said casing having an upstanding cavity provided therein and opening through said front wall, a hollow structure including spaced-apart outer and inner walls and a connecting marginal wall, hinge mechanism mounting said structure upon said casing for movements between an upstanding normal position disposed within said cavity and a substantially horizontal work position removed from said cavity and arranged over said work platform, said outer wall being disposed substantially flush with said front wall when said structure occupies its normal position in order to lend an unbroken appearance to the front of said casing,

handle carried by said outer wall to facilitate the movements of said structure, said hinge mechanism supporting the rear of said structure when it occupies its work position, said handle engaging said Work platform and supporting the front of said structure when it occupies its work position, said work platform presenting a continuous usable work surface when said structure occupies its normal position, said inner wall having an opening formed therein, an electric heating unit arranged in said opening and movable with said structure, flexible electrical wiring arranged in said casing and electrically connected to said heating unit and accommodating the movements of said structure, a drip pan arranged in said opening below said heating unit and within said structure and adapted to catch any spillage through said heating unit, said drip pan having a hole formed in the lower portion thereof disposed over said outer wall, and means including an auxiliary Wall carried by said outer wall within said structure and cooperating therewith for defining a drip basin within said structure disposed below said hole, said drip basin receiving any spillage from said hole and being so constructed and arranged that it retains the spillage when said structure is moved into normal position.

5. An electric heating appliance comprising a substantially horizontal work platform, an upstanding hollow casing positioned at the rear of said Work platform and including spaced-apart front and rear walls and a connecting boundary wall, said casing having an upstanding cavity provided therein and opening through said front wall, a hollow structure including spaced-apart outer and inner walls and a connecting marginal Wall, hinge mechanism mounting said structure upon said casing for movements between an upstanding normal position disposed within said cavity and a substantially horizontal work position removed from said cavity and arranged over said work platform, said outer wall being disposed substantially flush with said front wall when said structure occupies its normal position in order to lend an unbroken appearance to the front of said casing, a handle carried by said outer wall to facilitate the movements of said structure, said hinge mechanism supporting the rear of said structure when it occupies its work position, said handle engaging said work platform and supporting the front of said structure when it occupies its work position,- said Work platform presenting a continuous usable work surface when said structure occupies its normal position, said inner wall having an opening formed therein, an electric heating unit arranged in said opening and movable with said structure, flexible electrical wiring arranged in said casing and electrically connected to said heating unit and accommodating the movements of said structure, said hollow structure including inner and outer complementary sections detachably secured together, said inner wall forming a part of said inner section and said outer wall forming a part of said outer section, means defining a drip basin disposed within said structure adjacent to said outer wall and receiving any spillage through said heating unit and said opening when said structure occupies its work position.

6. An electric heating appliance comprising a substantially horizontal work platform, an upstanding backsplash panel positioned at the rear of said work platform, a hollow structure including spaced-apart outer and inner walls and a connecting marginal wall, hinge mechanism mounting said structure adjacent to the junction between said work platform and said backsplash panel for movements between an upstanding normal position disposed adjacent to said backsplash panel and a substantially horizontal work position disposed over said work platform, said inner wall having an opening formed therein, an electric heating unit arranged in said opening and movable with said structure, the front of said marginal wall having a depression formed therein and the rear of said marginal wall having a hole formed therein, a source of current supply, a heating control circuit including said source and a terminal block arranged in said hole and electrically connected to said heating unit and flexible wiring electrically connected to said terminal block and accommodating the movements of said structure, and a control switch of the multi-position type arranged in said depression and included in said heating control circuit and selectively operative to its different positions to establish corresponding different heating connections between said heating unit and said heating control circuit.

7. The electric heating appliance set forth in claim 6, wherein the angle between said work platform and said backsplash panel is somewhat greater than so that said structure is moved through an angle somewhat greater than 90 between its normal and work positions, said structure being retained in stable equilibrium in its normal position by engagement with said backsplash panel and being retained in stable equilibrium in its work position by engagement with said work platform.

8. An electric range comprising a substantially horizontal cooking top, an upstanding hollow backsplash panel positioned adjacent to the rear of said cooking top and provided with a front wall having a substantially horizontally disposed laterally extending recess formed therein above said cooking top, a plurality of hollow structures each including spaced-apart outer and inner walls and a connecting marginal wall, a plurality of hinge mechanisms respectively mounting said structures adjacent to the junction between said cooking top and said backsplash panel in side-by-side relation for independent movements between upstanding normal positions disposed in said recess and forwardly projecting work positions disposed over said cooking top, said outer walls being disposed substantially flush with each other and with said front wall when said structures occupy their normal positions in order to lend an unbroken appearance to the front of said backsplash panel and to present said cooking top as a continuous usable work surface, said inner walls being disposed substantially in lateral horizontal alignment with each other when said structures occupy their work positions in order to provide a substantially continuous cooking shelf positioned above said cooking top, said front wall having a substantially 15 horizontally disposed; laterally extending depression formed therein. above said recess, a substantially horizontally disposed laterally extending electric lamp arranged'in said depression and adapted to illuminate said cooking top and said cooking shelf, a plurality of electric heating-units 'respectively'carried-by said'inner walls and respectively movablewithsaid structures, and flexible electrical wiring arranged: in said backsplash panel and electrically connected to said'heating'units and accommodatin'g the movements of said structures.

Grifiith' Jan. 1, 1901' 1.6 Serrell Dec. 29, 'Lew'is June 29, Lynam Dec. 23, Fletcher June 18, Davis -1 Feb. 22, Kahn- Mar. 28, Lightfoot Nov. 11, Besocke Aug. 11, Price Apr. 4,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain of Great Britain July 25,

Images