WO1998041059A2

WO1998041059A2 - Spider mounting in a heating device

Info

Publication number: WO1998041059A2
Application number: PCT/ZW1998/000003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Horst Mosshammer Von Mosshaim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-01-26
Filing date: 1998-01-26
Publication date: 1998-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 1999-07-26
Also published as: CA2319103A1; WO1998041059A3; EP0963535A2; AU8415298A

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting system adapted for mounting a radiant heating element body (5) with spring-loading against the underside of a vitreous ceramic top (4) of a heating or cooking appliance such as a warming plate, hot plate, kitchen stove or cooking range, said spring-loading being provided by a plurality of resilient support brackets (8) extending radially upwards and outwards from a support base (7) from underneath the heating element body (5) into engagement with the marginal region of the latter, the support base (7) being adapted for being mounted in fixed, rigid relationship to the body (1) of the appliance, wherein the resilient support brackets (8) are adapted to press the heating element body (5) against the vitreous ceramic top (4) and to restrain the heating element body against inadvertent lateral displacement.

Description

SPIDER MOUNTING

The present invention relates to a mounting system adapted for mounting a radiant heating element body with spring-loading against the underside of a vitreous ceramic top of a heating or cooking appliance such as a warming plate, hot plate, kitchen stove or cooking range, said spring-loading being provided by a plurality of resilient support brackets extending radially upwards and outwards from a support base from underneath the heating element body into engagement with the marginal region of the latter, the support base being adapted for being mounted in fixed, rigid relationship to the body of the appliance.

DE 2915529 Al discloses a mounting system for mounting a radiant heating element body with spring-loading against the underside of a vitreous ceramic top of a cooking appliance. The spring-ioading is provided by a single concavely upwardly bent spring metal strip, forming an integrated pair of resilient suppoπ bracket arms extending radially upwards, in opposite directions from a central point of a support base, in hinged relationship thereto. The two arms terminate in upwardly directed claws, frictionally engaging the marginal regions of the heating element body, and pressing the element body with spring action against the underside of the vitreous ceramic top. This assembly is inseπed from below into a tray F through a sufficiently large hole in the bottom of the tray which near the top forms a shoulder onto which the vitreous ceramic top is bonded in sealing relationship by means of a heat resistant adhesive. After inseπion of the element body and spring bracket means, the suppoπ base is fixed to the bottom of the tray so as to close the said hole in the tray and position the assembly in relation to the vitreous ceramic top.

Previously when assembling such cooking appliances in a conventional manner, the procedure was that components which are to be accommodated inside the housing body, such as, for example, in particular support means for heating elements and the heating element itself were sequentially installed in the housing body from the top. After their installation and the corresponding connecting of electrical cables, the upper cover plate, respectively the cooking plate, was placed^ntry fie housing bo y^' The replacement of individual parts in electrical cooking appliances manufactured according to that conventional construction was expensive and in part no even possible. Whereas the construction according to the aforesaid DE 2915529 Al permits installing the element body with wing connected thereto from the underside of the already fitted vitreous ceramic top, the method of assembling is nevertheless awkward because of the loose interrelationship of the mounting means until the base plate has finally been fixed in place. However, even then the final assembly is relatively unstable, and may lead to lateral displacement of the element body in relation to the vitreous ceramic top, e.g. during transportation or even during mere shifting of the appliance.

A further disadvantage of the conventional manner of manufacture of electrical cooking appliances of the aforesaid type resides in the different sizes or diameters of heating elements invariably necessitated individual support means adapted to match the size of the heating element. As a result, it is not possible to employ uniform support means or installation parts for each particular cooking appliance type, more particularly in view of the different diameters of the heating element or elements. The aforesaid drawbacks inherent in conventional electrical cooking appliances represent considerable burdens both technically as well as economically.

A need exists to eliminate or mitigate these disadvantages which are inherent in conventional electrical cooking appliances or which have in the past arisen during the installation of electrical cooking appliances of the aforesaid type, in particular of table model cooking appliances having vitreous ceramic cooking plates. In this context, it is a particular object of the invention to provide a mounting assembly for heating elements of an electrical cooking appliance, in particular a table model cooking appliance having a vitreous ceramic cooking plate and including a housing body by means of which it is possible to avoid or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantages.

The present invention provides a mounting system as set out in the opening paragraph, wherein the resilient support brackets are adapted to press the heating element body against the vitreous ceramic top and to restrain the hearing element body against inadvertent lateral displacement. According to a preferred embodiment, this is achieved in that more than two of said resilient support brackets are provided and their end regions which engage the said marginal regions are adapted to restrain said marginal regions in lateral dimensions. Preferably said resilient support brackets are provided in an equi-angular radial pattern in reaction to the support base.

The restraint may be brought about by the configuration of the ends of the resilient support brackets or by the fixation thereof to the marginal region of the heating element body with fasteners, e.g. screws, or preferably both.

Preferably the positions of the resilient support brackets are radially adjustable. More particularly the resilient support brackets are slidably guided in radial directions by guide formations on the support base. In a preferred embodiment the resilient support brackets are radially adjustably fixed to the support base by a radially extending elongate slot and screw or rivet connection, in order to provide for infinitely variable adjustment. The elongate slot is preferably provided in the end of the resilient support bracket which is to be fixed to the support base and coacts with an aperture in the support base for receiving the fastener, i.e. a screw or rivet. However, it will be understood that the reverse arrangement is also possible, wherein the elongate slot is provided in the support base and, in alignment therewith, the aperture for receiving the fastener passes through the end of the resilient support bracket. Furthermore, wherever the mounting is to be used for heating element bodies having a variety of fixed, standardised diameters only, the elongate slots may be replaced by a succession of linearly spaced apertures to match the standardised diameters.

In preferred embodiments the upper ends of the resilient support brackets comprise an outwardly directed support shoulder terminating in an upwardly retaining member for the heating element body. Preferably, for ease of manipulation during assembly the upwardly directed retaining member in turn terminates in an outwardly directed flange. The preferred embodiment, between the support base and the underside of the radiant heating element body, provides a cavity which is lateral open for ventilation between the resilient support brackets. Also, preferably, the support base is a panel forming a screen against heat radiating from the underside of the radiant heating element body.

Preferably three of said resilient support brackets are provided to be mounted on the suppoπ base at radial angles of 120° in relation to one another.

The scope of the invention extends to a cooking or wanning appliance comprising a mounting system as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims fixed to the body of the appliance or parts in rigid relationship therewith and supporting a heating element body underneath a vitreous ceramic top. more particularly wherein the support base of the mounting system is fixed at a level to press the heating element body against the vitreous ceramic top with a spring action.

A preferred such appliance is in the form of a table top hot plate or warming plate whereof the body comprises a bottom panel extending between side walls of the body and wherein the support base is fitted to said bottom panel, for example wherein the support panel includes a central aperture through which passes a fastener fixed directly to the bottom panel.

Alternatively, the support base is mounted on a bracket fitted to the body of the appliance and extending centrally across the underside of the mounting system.

Preferably the support base is a panel forming a screen against heat radiating from the underside of the radiant heating element body. Also, preferably, a cavity is formed between the support base and the underside of the radiating heating element body which is laterally open for ventilation between the support brackets.

Embodiments of the appliance may be in the form of a cooking range, kitchen stove or hot plate or in the form of a food or beverage warming plate. In what follows the invention will be further described with reference to some specific embodiments of the invention wherein

Fig. 1 represents a vertical section through a table top cooking plate according to the invention, fitted with a mounting system for a radiant heating element body in accordance with the invention:

Fig. 2 represents a plan view of a mounting system as used in Fig. 1 :

Fig. 3 represents a vertical sectional view of a mounting system according to the invention;

Fig. 4 represents a view similar to that of Fig. 3 but used with a larger sized heating element body:

Fig. 5 represents inside elevation a detail of an alternative embodiment of a mounting system in accordance with the invention: and

Fig. 6 represents a view similar to Fig. 5 of yet a further embodiment of the mounting system.

The table model cooking plate diagrammatically illustrated in the Fig. 1 comprises a housing body 1 to the bottom 2 of which feet 3, e.g. of hard rubber are fitted. On the housing body 1 a vitreous ceramic top plate 4 is fitted. Underneath the vitreous ceramic top plate 4, inside the body 1 a radiant heating element body 5 is mounted by the mounting means 6. being pressed against the top 4 with spring-loading. The mounting means 6 comprises a support base 7 resting on the inside of the bottom 2 of the body 1. As illustrated in Fig. 2, three resilient support brackets 8 are provided on the circular support base 7. The support base 7 is disc shaped and includes at its centre point an aperture 9 for fitting the support base 7 to the bottom 2 of the body 1. A screw 10 through the bottom 2. has been screwed into the aperture 9.

On the support base 7 three spring metal resilient support brackets 8 are provided, their longitudinal axes being each spaced angularly from one another by an enclosed angle α of 120°. Each support bracket 8 comprises a base portion 1 1 and at an angle thereto a support arm 8' terminating in an end region comprising a shoulder 12, respectively provided with one or more apertures 13, 14 for the passage therethrough of fastening rivets 15 or screws 16. The support base 7 includes uniformly radially spaced from its centre, apertures 17. The base portion 1 1 of each support bracket 8, facing the support base 7 includes a succession of apertures 20 (Fig. 1) extending longitudinally or alternatively an oblong aperture 13 (Fig. 2). Optionally one screw 16 each passes through the aperture 14 in the shoulder 12 of the resilient support bracket 8 and is screwed into the heating element body 5 in order to fix the latter. The shoulder 12 of the support bracket 8 includes an upwardly directed bent-over rim 18 which grips the side of the heating element body 5. The support base 7 on the side facing the base portion of the support bracket 8. comprises lugs 19 serving as guide formations for the lateral containment of the support brackets 8, the lugs 19 being advantageously formed by appropriate blanking of the support base 7.

For ease of assembly and improved sideways confinement of the heating element body 5, the shoulder 12 of each support bracket terminates in an upwardly directed retaining flange 18. which in turn, for ease of manipulation terminates in an outwardly directed flange 21.

The assembly of the table model cooking appliance proceeds in that firstly the resilient support brackets 8 are fitted onto the support base 7 in accordance with the prevailing diameter of the heating element 5, preferably amounting to a standardised 140 or 180 mm, at the appropriate radial distance from the centre point of the support base 7 by means of rivets 15. Thereafter the heating element body 5 is placed onto the shoulders 12 of the resilient support brackets 8 and is additionally fixed^'Tn place yseERappffig- screws 16. This preassembled structural unit which already includes the heating element, may then be installed very easily in the body 1. For this purpose the support base 7 is either fitted directly to the bottom 2 of the body 1 by means of the screw 10 or, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, on a mounting bracket which on the bottom side connects the sides of the body, likewise by means of a screw. The latter is preferred, e.g. if a plurality of heating element bodies is to be fitted to a multiplate cooking range.

Wiring is now also very simple, initially by means of connecting plugs and a cable manifold which likewise is preassembled. It is now merely necessary to place the top including the vitreous ceramic plate in place, whereafter the appliance including all installed internal, is reversed and screwed together from below by means of self- tapping screws.

The assembly can also be fitted or replaced quite easily inside an appliance allowing access from below, while the vitreous ceramic top is in place.

Referring now to Fig. 3 and 4, the same reference numbers are used as in Figs. 1 and 2 to denote the same components. Figs. 3 and 4 differ in that in the case of Fig. 3 the heating element body is of lesser diameter, e.g. a standardised 140 mm diameter, in which case the fastener, i.e. rivet 15 passes through the slot 13 of the support base 11 of the support bracket at that end of the elongate slot 13 which is closest to the bending line connecting the base member 1 1 to the support arm 8'. In accordance with Fig. 4 on the other hand, a heating element body of larger diameter, e.g. a standard 180 mm element body is accommodated, and in this case the fastener 15 is positioned in the slot 13 at the far end of the slot 13 closest to the centre where the screw 9 is fitted.

In Fig. 3 the support base 7 (instead of being fitted to the bottom of a table top appliance as in Fig. 1) is secured by a screw 10 onto a horizontal bracket 102 spanning a gap between opposite ends (not shown) of a cooking range and extending centrally across the underside of the mounting system. The spring properties of the resilient support brackets are indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 by showing the relaxed position of the shoulder 12 and of the support arm in dashed lines, whereas the depressed and spring-loaded position occupied in the fully completed and assembled state with the element body in place and pressed against the vitreous ceramic top is shown in solid lines.

Referring now to Fig. 5. a modification of the resilient support bracket is shown wherein the upwardly directed suppoπ arm 8" has an S-shaped configuration for improved spring action. The support base 7 includes an elongate aperture 7A for the passage therethrough of a bolt 16" which is fastened by means of a nut 16A". The support base 7 comprises lugs 19 serving as guide formations for the lateral containment of the support bracket 8".

Fig. 6 shows yet a further modification of the resilient support bracket wherein the radially extending base portion 11' is again radially outwardly directed in respect of the centrally positioned screw 9 and the resilient support arm 8'" is connected by a U-bend 23 to that end of the base portion 11' which is closest to the centre region represented by screw 9. The base portion 11' of the support arm 8'" includes an oblong aperture 13. A self-tapping fastening screw 16'" passes through the aperture into the support base 7.

The claims which follow are to be considered an integral part of the present disclosure. Reference numbers (directed to the drawings) shown in the claims serve to facilitate the correlation of the integers of the claims with illustrated features of the preferred embodiments, but are not intended to restrict in nay way the language of the claims to what is shown in the drawings, unless the contrary is clearly apparent from the context.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A mounting system adapted for mounting a radiant heating element body (5) with spring-loading against the underside of a vitreous ceramic top (4) of a heating or cooking appliance such as a warming plate, hot plate, kitchen stove or cooking range, said spring-loading being provided by a plurality of resilient support brackets (8) extending radially upwards and outwards from a support base (7) from underneath the heating element body (5) into engagement with the marginal region of the latter, the support base (7) being adapted for being mounted in fixed, rigid relationship to the body ( 1 ) of the appliance, wherein the resilient support brackets (8) are adapted to press the heating element body (5) against the vitreous ceramic top (4) and to restrain the heating element body against inadvertent lateral displacement.

2. A mounting system as claimed in claim 1, wherein more than two of said resilient support brackets (8) are provided and their end regions (12, 18) which engage the said marginal region are adapted to restrain said marginal region in lateral dimensions.

3. A mounting system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said resilient support brackets (8) are provided in an equi-angular radial pattern in relation to the support base (7).

4. A mounting system as claimed in any one or more of claims 1 to 4. wherein the positions of the resilient support brackets are radially adjustable.

5. A mounting system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the resilient support brackets are slidably guided in radial directions by guide formations (19) on the support base (7).

6. A mounting system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the resilient support brackets (8) are radially adjustably fixed to the support base by a radially extending elongate slot (13) and screw or rivet (15) connection.

7. A mounting system as claimed in any one or more of claims 1 to 6, wherein the upper ends of the resilient support brackets (8) comprise an outwardly directed support shoulder (12) terminating in an upwardly directed retaining member (18) for the heating element body.

8. A mounting system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upwardly directed retaining member in turn terminates in an outwardly directed flange (21).

9. A mounting system as claimed in any one or more of claims 1 to 8. which, between the support base (7) and the underside of the radiant heating element body (5), provides a cavity which is laterally open for ventilation between the resilient support brackets (8).

10. A mounting system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the support base (7) is a panel forming a screen against heat radiating from the underside of the radiant heating element body (5).

1 1. A mounting system as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein three of said resilient support brackets (8) are provided to be mounted on the support base (7) at radial angles of 120° in relation to one another.

12. A cooking or warming appliance comprising a mounting system as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims fixed to the body (1) of the appliance or parts in rigid relationship therewith and supporting a heating element body (5) underneath a vitreous ceramic top (4).

13. An appliance as claimed in claim 13, wherein the support base (7) of the mounting system is fixed at a level to press the heating element body (5) against the vitreous ceramic top (4) with a spring action.

14. An appliance as claimed in claims 13 or 14 in the form of a table top hot plate or wanning plate whereof the body (1) comprises a bottom panel (2) extending between side walls (100) of the body (1) and wherein the support base (7) is fitted to said bottom panel (2).

15. An appliance as claimed in claim 15. wherein the support base includes a central aperture (9) through which passes a fastener (10) fixed directly to the bottom panel (2).

16. An appliance as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the support base is mounted on a bracket (102) fitted to the body of the appliance and extending centrally across the underside of the mounting system.

17. An appliance as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the support base (7) is a panel forming a screen against heat radiating from the underside of the radiant heating element body (5).

18. An appliance as claimed in any one or more of claims 13 to 18_; wherein a cavity is formed between the suppoπ base (7) and the underside of the radiating heating element body (5) which is laterally open for ventilation between the suppoπ brackets (8).

19. An appliance as claimed in any one or more of claims 13 to 19, in the form of a cooking range, kitchen stove or hot plate.

20. An appliance as claimed in any one or more of claims 13 to 19 in the form of a food or beverage warming plate.

21. An appliance substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

2. A mounting system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or s illustrated in the accompanying drawings.