US3186398A

US3186398A - Cover assembly for a gas range

Info

Publication number: US3186398A
Application number: US205993A
Authority: US
Inventors: Emery J Poracki
Original assignee: Tappan Co
Current assignee: White Consolidated Industries Inc
Priority date: 1962-06-28
Filing date: 1962-06-28
Publication date: 1965-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-01
Also published as: GB1012214A

Description

June 1, 1965 E. J. PORACKI 3,136,398

COVER ASSEMBLY FOR A GAS RANGE Filed June 28, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet l Fl G I 74 78 79 Z INVENTOR. EMERY J. FOR A CKI ATTORNEYS June 1, 1965 E. J. PORACKI COVER ASSEMBLY FOR A GAS RANGE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 28, 1962 INVENTOR. EMERY J. PORACKI ATTORNEYS June 1, 1965 J. PORACKI COVER ASSEMBLY FOR A GAS RANGE Filed June 28, 1962 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG-7 4 4 2 B m 9 v! I ll :llll Ill r l ll lll ||l|lll|l||| I/TN'VENTOR.

EMERY J. PORACKI (5M, Weiye FIG. 8

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,186,398 COVER ASSEMBLY FGR A GAS RANGE Emery J. Porachi, Downey, Califi, assignor to The Tappan This invention relates as indicated to gas ranges and more particularly to gas ranges of the type wherein the oven is adopted to be elevated above the surface burner for eye level mounting of the oven in the installed range.

In previous 'gas ranges of'this type the cooking top assembly of the gas range has been elevated to approximately waist height and it has been proposed to mount the assembly and the gas burners forming part of the such assembly for horizontal movement from a withdrawn, inner position to an extended, outer position for normal operation of the burners. In such ranges the gas lines leading to the individual burners had to be constructed and arranged to provide for movement of the burners. Structural arrangements for accommodating such movement have included the use of flexible gas lines or gas lines comprising relatively movable sections. Although these arrangements have proved quite satisfactory, cer tain advantages attend the stationary mounting of the gas burners, and it is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide an improved gas range wherein the cooking top assembly is partially movable and par tially stationary, that portion which is stationary including the gas burners and gas lines eading thereto.

Another object of this invention is to provide control apparatus responsive to inward movement of the movable portion of the cooking top assembly to automatically cut off the flow of gas to the burners, such control, however, not effecting the flow of gas to the pilot lines for said burners.

A further object of this invention is to provide a gas range wherein the burners are completely concealed at the inner or retracted position of the movable portion of the cooking top assembly.

Yet another object is to provide a novel temperature sensing device carried by the movable portion of the cooking top assembly, such device, when the assembly is in its fully extended position, being centrally positioned relative to the burner associated therewith.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In the said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a range embodying the invention, the cooking top assembly being shown in its fully extended position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the gas supply lines and controls therefor for supplying gas to the respective burners of the range;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the range of FIG. 1, the cooking t-op assembly, however, being illustrated in its withdrawn, i.e., inner, position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the pants, there illustrated in vertical section taken approximately on line 44 of FIG. 1, cooking top assembly, as in FIG. 3 being illustrated in its withdrawn, i.e. inner, position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 55 of FIG. 1;

ice

FIG, 6 is a section taken on line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the burner having associated therewith the novel temperature sensing device of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and particularly to FIG. 1, the range comprises an oven portion generally indicated at A and a horizontal base portion generally indicated at B. Such base portion includes fixed framing means to fixedly mount the gas burners and means to slidably receive a movable cover assembly, to be further described hereinbel-ow. The oven portion A comprises side walls 14, top wall 16 and a pair of oven liner sections, the main oven liner section 18 being shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3. The other liner section (not shown) comprises the broiler oven of the range. Both of the oven liner sections are enclosed by means of

oven doors

20 and 22, the main oven being shown on the left with the door 20 therefor being hinged at the left side of the main oven section and opening outward in the usual fashion. The broiling oven section shown on the right and the door 22 therefor is hinged adjacent the right side of the oven section and similarly swings outwardly. The doors 2t) and 2.2 are desirably provided with glass panels in normal fashion.

The range is provided with the customary controls,

such controls being placed at the top of the range at burners for the ovens.

approximately eye level, as shown in FIG. 1, and including a clock 24, a timer 26, and appropriate manual control switches 28 for the control of the gas burners and the As well understood in the art, the control knobs for the oven and, in the form shown, a temperature controlled surface burner, are in the form of temperature dials allowing the ovens and the temperature controlled burner to be controlled for a preselected temperature. At the adjacent lower front of the oven section there is also provided an electrical convenience outlet 30 for the usual purpose.

The cooking top comprises a movable cover assembly 34, to be more specifically described hereinbel'ow, which is adapted to be moved inwardly to a retracted position or to be moved outwardly to an extended position, such extended position being shown in FIG. 1. The cooking top assembly further comprises four stationary, horizontally aligned gas burners 36, each burner having associated therewith a cooking opening provided with a grate member 33, each oi which is adapted to overlie its respective burner when the cover assembly is in its extended position. One of the gas burners, the right-most burner as seen in FIG. 1, has associated therewith a temperature sensing device 46 which is mounted on the cover assembly and functions to regulate the gas supply to the burner in response to the temperature of the utensil positioned thereon. The temperature sensing device 40 is mounted in suspended fashion on the cover assembly and is movable therewith, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow when particular reference is made to FIG. 5.

FIG. 3 is a side profile of the range and shows the cover assembly in its retracted or inner position wherein cutting board 42 overlies the gas burners 36 and wherein the grate members 38 are disaligned from said gas. burners. The oven doors 2i) and 22 are rearwardly offset from the gas burners so as to accommodate utensils placed on the latter. The combustion air is vented from the ovens as shown by the dotted line arrows through longitudinally extending vent passage 44, such venting means forming no part of the instant invention. Also shown in dotted lines are the oven liner 18 for the main oven and the gas burner itTassociated therewith. In a well-known manner, the gas burner is mounted in the lower portion of the main oven, Whereas the gas burner for the broiler section (not shown) is mounted in the upper portion of such section.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is illustrated thereinthe gas supply and control apparatus for supplying gas to the cooking top and oven burners. Gas is introduced through the main supply line 48 and flows therefrom to a manifold valve 50 and therefrom to the pilots for the ovens and the respective gas burners and through controlled gas distributor lines to the burners; Specifically,

gas lines

52 and 54 supply gas for the pilots, each pilot accommodating a pair of adjacent burners, as shown. Gas lines 556 and 53 leading from the manifold valve extend to the pilots (not shown) in the main and broiling ovens, respectively. An automatically operated safety control valve 6t is interposed in line 52 extending away from the manifold valve 5t), safety control valve 6t? being respective to the movement of the cover assembly 34 to automatically shut off the supply of gas to the gas burners when the cover assembly is moved inwardly, as will be further explained hereinbelow. A second distribution line 64 extends from manifold valve 5d to the oven burners in a well known manner. Gas is supplied through distribution lines 66 to the three surface burners on the left, as viewed in FlG. 2, from the common distribution line 67 which leads from the safety control valve 60.

interposed in each of the lines as is a manual control' valve 68, each of the manual control valves 68 being regulated by the manual control knobs 28 positioned on the top of the range, and referred to above. A third distribution line '70 leads from the safety control valve as to the fourth burner, which has associated therewith the temperature sensing device 45) referred to above and which Will be further explained hereinbelow. A solenoid valve 72 is interposed in this latter line and functions to open or close such line to gas flow therethrough, the solenoid valve 72 being electrically responsive to the temperature sensing device.

' Referring to FIG. 4, wherein the slidable cover assembly 34 is shown in its retracted or inner position, the cover assembly 34 is closed at the front by means of front panel 74 and at the sides by means of side panels 76. The cover assembly 34 has an open bottom to accommodate movement of the cover assembly relative to the frame and the fixed burner structure. The front panel 74- and side panels 76 are in the form of inverted,-channel shaped members having exposed, horizontal connecting webs '78 and 79 which are in the horizontal plane of the upper surface of the cover assembly. The side panels 76 abuttingly engage the front panel '74 and are attached thereto by any suitable means.

Longitudinallyextending channel members

80 and 81 are preferably integrally secured to the side panels 76 and extend therebetween near the middle and at the inner ends of the side panels. The channel members 8% and 31 are of similar cross section to the front and

side panels

74 and 76, respectively, with the connecting web portions thereof, however, being of slightly wider extent, as can be seen in FIG. 4. It will thus be seen that the front panel 74, side panels 76 and

channel members

86 and 81 form a frame or enclosure defining a pair of outer and inner sections, the former being bounded by front panel 74 and channel member 84 and the latter being bounded by

channel members

80 and 81.

Transverse brace or support members 32 are interposed between the front panel 74 and the channel member 89 and connected thereto, the brace members 82 serving to support the cutting board 42. The cutting board is removably connected to the transverse braces by wing'nuts (not shown) at each longitudinal end of the cutting board, whereby said cutting board can be readily removed for cleaning.

Inasmuch as the pilots remain lit whether the cover assembly is in an extended or withdrawn position, metallic shields 84 are mounted on the bottom of the cutting board in those areas of the cutting board which overlie the pilots Cit - rectangularly shaped and being provided with openings therein corresponding in shape to the grates and drip pans. The grate supporting member 92 is provided with a downwar ly extending peripheral flange 93, the bottom edge of which contacts the inwardly directed flanges as, $3, and hi above referred to.

Each grate 38 is removably positioned on the grate supporting member 92 by means of conventional downwardly depending lugs 94 which extend through correspondingly shaped openings in the supporting member. interposed between the grates 3S and the grate supporting member 92 are drip pans 96 associated with each burner. Each drip pan as is provided with an outwardly extending peripheral flange db which is adapted to overlie the inwardly directed flanges 1% of the grate supporting member, the drip pans 5 6 being thereby supported on the flanges ltltl. The drip pans 96 are provided with openings in the peripheral flange 98, said openings being aligned with openings in the grate supporting member 88 whereby the lugs 94 depending from the grates also extend downwardly therethrough to prevent rotation of said drip pan when the latter is 'in its intended position.

The drip pans 5 6 perform the usual function of catching any drippings which inadvertently emanate from utensils placed on the burners. To accommodate movement of the drip pans to and from their aligned position with the gas burners, the pans are provided with arcuate, upwardly offset portions 1&2 which are elevated sufiiciently above the top level of the gas burners and are of sufficient arcuate extent to allow the drip pan to slide over said burners. In addition, the drip pans are provided, of course, with central openings of a diameter sufliciently in excess of the diameter of the gas burners to allow the drip pans to move to and from the extended position of the cover assembly. I

The horizontally aligned gas burners 36 are fixedly mounted on the range frame as shown in FIG. 4. Specifically a generally Z-shaped bracket 1% is mounted on the stationary base portion of the range, the burners being fixedly secured to the uppermost horizontal portion of the bracket. The burners are supported at their inner or rearward ends by means of orifice hoods 1% which extend into the end walls of the burners and communicate with the gas distribution lines 66 above referred to. The burners 36 are conventionally constructed in the form of hollow castings, the openings therein providing for flow of gas from the orifice hoods to the burner heads. The orifice hoods extend through straight mixer fittings 1438 which in turn are supported by an L-shaped partition member which is aflixed to the base and extends longitudinally thereon. from the spud to eventual connection to the safety control valve 60, as explained. above in reference to FIG. 2.

The safety control valve as is mounted on the base and extends upwardly therefrom by means of an upwardly extending bracket 112 whiehis mounted on the frame. Bracket 112 comprises a pair of spaced ears 1 14 which pivotally mount lever lie. The lever .116 has an upwardly extending L-shaped end portion 118 which is adapted to be contacted by a downwardly depending valve actuating member 119 which is carried by the movable cover assembly. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the valve actuating member 119 is secured to and extends downwardly from the channel member 31. The safety valve as has a valve tem 1% which extends through an openin in the lever 116. A coil spring means 122 is teleseoped around the valve stem 12?: and functions to nor- The gas lines 66 extend rearwardly mally urge the valve stem and the valve to a downward position thereby shutting off the gas flow therethrough. It will be seen that When the valve actuating member 119 carried by the cover assembly is moved to its FIG. 5 position, the valve tem of the safety valve will be forced upwardly against the bias of spring 122 thereby opening the valve 6% and allowing gas to flow to the main burners. The structural arrangement is such that the valve actuating member 119 does not actuate or open the valve 60 until the cover assembly is in its fully extended position whereby gas is allowed to flow to the burners only during such fully extended position. It will likewise be apparent that valve 65 will assume its normal, closed position immediately upon movement of the cover assembly from its outer, extended position.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is illustrated therein the novel temperature sensing device 40 of the invention. The temperature sensing device 40 is suspended by means of a bracket 124 from one of the arms of the grate 38. Specifically, noting also FIG. 6, bracket 124 is provided with an opening 126 which fits around the outer portion of the grate arm. The bottom of the bracket, noting FIG. 6, comprises a pair of diverging coil supporting members 128 which function to support a pair of metallic conduit-carrying coils 130 leading from the temperature sensing device 40. The coils 130 extend through an opening 131 provided therefor in the drip pan and into an electrical terminal assembly generally indicated at 132. The terminal assembly 132 is mounted on the movable cover assembly 34 by bolt securing means 134 which extends through aligned openings in the terminal housing and in the inwardly directed flange 88 of channel member 81.

The terminal assembly 132 comprises a pair of sockets 138 which are adapted to receive the current conductive lead ends 140 of the coils 130. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the pair of sockets 138 include a pair of leaf spring contact elements 142 adapted to frictionally engage and tightly contact the lead ends 140 of the coils Wherefore current is transmitted from the head of the temperature sensing device 40 to the sockets 138. Suitable current carrying wires 144 are provided in contact with the leaf spring contact members and lead from the sockets 138 to the solenoid actuated valve 72 referred to above. The temperature sensing device 40 functions in the normal manner providing an electrical impulse which is proportional to the temperature in the area immediately adjacent the device. This temperature can be preselected by means, for example, of a temperature control knob referred to above mounted on the front of the range. As will be understood, when this predetermined temperature has been reached, the electrical impulse from the temperature sensing device will be suflicient to actuate the solenoid valve 72 thereby closing the supply line and preventing gas from flowing to the gas burner associated with the temperature sensing device. It should be particularly noted that the temperature sensing device 40 is suspended and is not fixedly mounted, the means for suspending, as explained above, comprising the bracket and the connection between the leading end of the current carrying coils and the leaf spring contact members in the terminal sockets. The connection between the lead ends 140 of the' coils 130 leading from the temperature sensing device and the terminal sockets is thus readily connectible and disconnectible. Therefore, if desired, the temperature sensing device 40 can be readily removed from the terminal assembly for purposes of cleaning, etc.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cover assembly is moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the fixed frame by means of a pair of guide rollers 146 which extend outwardly from the side panels 76 of the cover assembly. These rollers extend into slots 148 which are provided in the base 12 for the purpose of guiding the rollers 146 during movement thereof. This sliding arrangement is conventional and forms no part of the instant invention. It will be understood that the opposite side of the cover assembly is provided with a similar roller and slot arrangement. Reference to FIG. 7 will also show the above-described upwardly offset arcuate portion 102 of the drip pan 96 and the opening in the drip pan to accommodate the forward movement thereof into aligned position relative to the burner.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a gas cooking device, a base, a gas burner fixedly mounted on said base, means for controllably supplying gas to said burner, and a cover assembly including a top Wall cooperating with said base in forming a cooking top enclosure for the gas burner, means for supporting said top wall for movement horizontally relative to the burner, said top wall having a cooking opening therein and an imperforate portion forwardly thereof, with the top Wall being adjustable by such relative movement thereof between one position in which said opening is above the gas burner to expose the same for use and another position in which the imperforate portion of the top wall is above and is suflicient in size to conceal the burner.

2. A gas cooking device as set forth in claim 1 in cluding means whereby movement of the top wall to the position concealing the burner automatically prevents supply of gas to the same.

3. A gas cooking device as set forth in claim 1 Wherein the top Wall carries a grate at the opening thereof for supporting of utensils above the burner when exposed at the opening in the top wall.

4. A gas cooking device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the top wall carries a temperature sensing device positioned in the opening thereof, with said device being positioned to engage a utensil supported on the top wall at the opening in the position thereof exposing the gas burner beneath the opening.

5. A gas cooking device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said top wall carries a removable drip pan in the opening thereof, and wherein said supporting means brings said drip pan into registry with the gas burner by movement of said top wall to said one position of the adjustment thereof.

6. A gas cooking device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the top wall also carries a utensil supporting grate removably spanning the opening therein above the drip pan.

7. A gas cooking device as set forth in claim 6 where in a temperature control means is carried by the top wall centrally of the grate, said control means being positioned to engage the bottom of a utensil supported on the grate and to control the gas flow to the burner in accordance with the temperature of the utensil.

8. A gas cooking device as set forth in claim 7 Wherein the temperature control means is partially supported by a connection to the grate and is detachable from the grate and the top wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 180,069 4/57 Clark 126-214 2,175,420 10/39 Williams et a1 126-42 2,411,464 11/26 Reeves 12639 2,513,051 6/50 Ray 126-39 2,514,133 7/50 Barre et al. 126--42' 2,880,614 4/59 Reiter 126214 JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner'

Claims

1. IN A GAS COOKING DEVICE, A BASE, A GAS BURNER FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE, MEANS FOR CONTROLLABLY SUPPLYING GAS TO SAID BURNER, AND A COVER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A TOP WALL COOPERATING WITH SAID BASE IN FORMING A COOKING TOP ENCLOSURE FOR THE GAS BURNER, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID TOP WALL FOR MOVEMENT HORIZONTALLY RELATIVE TO THE BURNER, SAID TOP WALL HAVING A COOKING OPENING THEREIN AND AN IMPERFORATE PORTION FORWARDLY THEREOF, WITH THE TOP WALL BEING ADJUSTABLE BY SUCH RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREOF BETWEEN ONE POSITION IN WHICH SAID OPENING IS ABOVE THE GAS BURNER TO EXPOSE THE SAME FOR USE AND ANOTHER POSITION IN WHICH THE IMPERFORATE PORTION OF THE TOP WALL IS ABOVE AND IS SUFFICIENT IN SIZE TO CONCEAL THE BURNER.