US2948801A

US2948801A - Domestic appliance

Info

Publication number: US2948801A
Application number: US712991A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert D Bremer
Original assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1958-02-03
Filing date: 1958-02-03
Publication date: 1960-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 1977-08-09

Description

Aug. 9, 1960 R D. BREMER DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed Feb. 3. 1958 INVENTOR.

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DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Robert D. Bremer, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 712,991- 6 Claims. (Cl. 219-37) This invention relates to a domestic appliance and'more particularly to a clamp for pivotally mounting a surface heating unit to a range top.

The ease with which a surface heating unit is attached to a range top during range assembly operations and'the manner in which the heating unit is pivotally positioned are problems which Warrant considerable attention in functional range design. Since the heating unit must be pivoted, a simple, inexpensive bracket is desired which will support the heating unit at a point beneath the range top and also permit pivotal movement of the heating element. Furthermore, food is often dropped between the coils of the heating unit and the housewife must raise or remove the burner to effect a cleaning operation therebelow. During this cleaning, the heating element should remain firmly biased in its raised position. With the heating element in its normal horizontal position a'rigid and solid base should be presented to the'cooking utensils placed thereon. For example, the heating element should bear tightly upon its support spider and should resist lateral movement.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a surface heating element for a range "which is pivotally mounted in a manner to provide positive positioning of the heating element when in a raised or loweredcondition.

It is an additional advantage of this invention toprovide a hinge clamp for a surface-heating element which will pivotally support and spring bias the element in either a raised or lowered position.

A more Specific object is the provision of a hinge clamp with an integral spring portion cooperating with a portion of the heating element to positively position said element.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

:In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of an electric range top showing a coiled heating element pivotally secured to the range top;

Figure 2 is a side sectional view, with parts broken away, taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the spring clamp taken along line 33 of Figure 2 showing the heating element in a horizontal or lowered position;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of Figure 2 showing the surface heating element in a raised position; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the integrally formed hinge clamp and spring finger.

With reference to Fig. 1, a range top is shown formed with an aperture 12 adapted to receive a spiral heating element or burner 14. A trim ring 16 is placed about the periphery of the aperture 12 to provide an ornamental or finished appearance to the heating element assembly. The heating element 14 is supported in a horizontal position on a spider 18, shown in Fig. 1 as nited States Patent 0 2 ,948,801 Patented Aug. '9, 1960 having threespokes 19 but which, of course, may be of any suitable configuration. A terminal portion 20 of the heating element 14 extends below the range surface 10 where it is pivotally mounted in a clamp, shown 'gem erally at 22. The clamp 22, in turn, is afiixed'toa'fiange 11 on the underside ofthe range surface 10, as at 24. Where it is desired to equip the surface heating element assembly with temperature sensing means, a sensing device 26 may project through an opening 28 in the center of support spider 18. A socket 30 is aflixed to the terminal portion 20' of the heating element to'receive a plug 34 supplying current to the heating element. A drip pan 36 may be disposed below the heating element-14 to catch any waste which happens to fall through the coils.

The configuration and function of the spring clamp 22 may best be understood with reference to Fig.'5 wherein a pictorial representation of the clamp is set forth. The clamp 22 is comprised of a base section38 and'an integral finger portion 40 reversely bent over the base section. Formed in a central portion of the base 38 is a channel or support portion 42 having a raised central portion 44 to the outside of said channel. A slot 46, cut transversely in the channel 42, has a'narrow heating element positioning'central section 48 and somewhat wider end sections 50. Spring stock is used in forming clamp 22 so that a permanent bias is imposed by the finger 40 onthe outside or bottom of channel 42. Since spring stock is utilized, a slight crimping of the radius 52 creates an even'stronger bias between the finger 40 and channel raised portion 44. Attachment apertures 54 are extruded and tapped to receive mounting bolts when the clamp is attached =to'th'e range top 10.

Attachment of the spring clamp 22' to the range surface 10 is through an- L-shaped bracket56 having a range top engaging leg 58 and a spring clampsupport leg.60. The range engaging portion 58 is'formed in a manner to place the support leg 60 at right angles .to the terminal portion 20 of the heating element. The bracket 56 is secured to thefiange 11 formed slightly below the range surface 10 and integral therewith. Apertures 62 in dependirig portion 60 of the support bracket receive mounting bolts which fasten the bracket 56 and clamp 22 in juxtaposition.

The function of the improved spring clamp will best be understood with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Before attaching the bracket 56 to flange 11 adjacent the aperture 12 of the range top, the terminal portion 20 is secured to the depending bracket support leg 60 by the clamp 22. To so assemble the channel 42 of clamp 22 is placed around the terminal portion 20 of the heating element. For purposes of longitudinally positioning the terminal portion 20, a lug 64 is welded thereto. The lug 64 is placed to project through the channel slot 46 in assembling the clamp 22 to support bracket 56. In this manner the narrow portion 48 of slot 46 is utilized to closely position the lug 64 and thereby the heating element 14. Widened slot portions 50 allow for any warp in lug 64 and thus minimize binding possibilities between clamp 22 and burner lug 64.

With the surface heating element correctly assembled to the range surface 10, the clamp 22 is then in condition to perform the multiple functions of positive grounding of the electrical system and of rotatable support and spring-biased positioning of the heating element 14. With the element 14 in horizontal position (Fig. 3), one corner 66 of lug 64 is biased by finger portion 40 to effect a tightly seated heating element position. This permits the heating coils to rest firmly on all of the sprockets 19 of the support spider 18. In addition, the pressure exerted between finger 40 and a corner 66 provides a positive ground for the heating element to the range cabinet. Where it is desired to raise the heating element 14, as for a cleaning operation, the heating element is grasped and pivoted to the position shown in Fig. 4. In so doing, the corner 66 of integral lug 64 moves against the spring finger 40 until the flat surface 68 of the lug bears completely and evenly against the spring finger 40. The heating element, in this condition, is then held positively in a raised position, the spring tension between lug 64 and finger 40 resisting any inadvertent toppling of the heating element. The center portion 44 of the clamp 22 has been raised as a means to clear any weld flash which may exist around the base of lug 64. It is also an aid in providing free pivotal movement for the end portion within clamp channel 42. It is thus seen that this invention has provided a means whereby a surface heating element is held positively in either a raised or a lowered position, correctly positioned in the range top aperture and effectively grounded with one easily formed clamp.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In an electric range, means forming a range top having an aperture therein; a surface heating unit in said aperture and having a terminal portion extending below said range top; said heating unit being adapted for pivotal movement to a raised position and a lowered position; a lug on said terminal portion; integral with L-shaped bracket having one leg secured to said top and having its other leg adjacent said aperture; a clamp adapted to rotatably support said terminal portion on said bracket; said clamp having a slot to receive said lug and an integral spring finger overlying said slot to bias said lug, whereby said heating unit is selectively yieldably held in one of said raised position and said lowered position.

2. In a range, means forming a range top having an aperture therein; a surface heating unit in said aperture and having a terminal portion extending below said range top; a lug on said terminal portion; means for pivotally supporting said heating unit between a yieldably locked raised position and a yieldably locked lowered position; said means comprising a bracket depending from said range top, a clamp adapted to rotatably support said 4. terminal portion on said bracket, and a finger engaging said lug to selectively and positively locate said heating unit in one of said raised position and said lowered position.

3. In a range, means forming a range top having an aperture therein; a surface heating unit in said aperture and having a portion extending below said range top; a I

protrusion on said portion; means for pivotally supporting said heating unit between a first pivotal position and a second pivotal position; said means comprising a bracket depending from said range top, a clamp adapted to rotatably support said portion on said bracket, and a spring finger engaging said protrusion to selectively and yieldably lockingly locate said heating unit in one of said positions.

4. A clamp for pivotally supporting and selectively positioning in a yieldably locked position a surface heating element having a protuberance thereon; said clamp comprising a base section; a channel in said base section for pivotally receiving said protuberance and means integral with said clamp engaging said protuberance for positioning said heating element.

5. A clamp for pivotally supporting and selectively positioning in a yieldably locked position a surface heating element having a protuberance thereon; said clamp comprising a base section; a channel in said base section for pivotally receiving said element; a slot in said channel for receiving said protuberance and locating said element; and an integral spring finger section engaging said protuberance for positioning said element.

6. A clamp for pivotally supporting and selectively positioning in a yieldably locked position a surface heating element having a protuberance thereon; said clamp comprising a base section, a support portion in said base section for pivotally receiving said protuberance; and means integral with said clamp engaging said protuberance for positioning said heating element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,508,552 Tuttle May 23, 1950 2,632,837 Andersen Mar. 24, 1953 2,754,402 Pearce July 10, 1956 2,816,206 Eckbland Dec. 10, 1957 2,831,100 Kelly Apr. 15, 1958 2,834,863 Anderson et a1. May 13, 1958