Electric heating – Heating devices – Combined with container – enclosure – or support for material...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-24
2001-11-06
Paik, Sang (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
Combined with container, enclosure, or support for material...
C219S452120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06313447
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a cook top with a rectangular frame on which there is secured a cook top panel, in particular a cook top panel made of a glass ceramic. A plurality of hot plates is provided which can each be heated by a heating element that is secured beneath the cook top panel. For precisely positioning the heating element relative to the frame one positioning element is secured on the frame. The positioning element has at least two spaced-apart connecting elements that engage in two corresponding positioning openings of a heating-element casing of the heating element.
Such a cook top is known from Published, European Patent Application EP 0 663 566 A1, it being possible for the positioning element to be screwed in the positioning openings of the heating-element casing by screws inserted through two corresponding openings. Furthermore, the positioning element has angled insertion sections by which the positioning element can be inserted into corresponding pockets which are provided on the inside of the side wall of the cook top frame. In this case, the positioning element is disposed in a corner region of the cook top frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a cook top with a positioning element for a heating device which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art devices of this general type, in which the positional accuracy of the heating elements in relation to the cook top frame and/or the cook top panel is improved.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a cook top, including:
a rectangular frame having an installation shoulder;
a cook top panel having a plurality of hot plates and secured on the rectangular frame;
a heating element secured beneath the cook top panel for heating the plurality of hot plates, the heating element having a heating element casing with positioning openings formed therein and a base, the installation shoulder of the rectangular frame extending substantially parallel to the base of the heating element casing; and
a positioning element for positioning the heating element relative to the rectangular frame and secured in a precisely positioned manner on the installation shoulder, the positioning element having at least two spaced-apart connecting elements for engaging in two of the positioning openings of the heating-element casing of the heating element.
This is achieved according to the invention, in the case of a cook top of the generic type, in that the frame has an installation shoulder that extends essentially parallel to the base of the heating-element casing. By use of the installation shoulder, the positioning element is secured in a precisely positioned manner on the installation shoulder. This avoids the prior-art installation pockets that involve high production outlay and are subject to relatively large tolerances. Furthermore, the openings for the positioning of the positioning element in the installation shoulder can be realized particularly precisely relative to installation openings of the installation shoulder for operating and display elements.
In order for it to be possible, in addition to the positioning function, also to fulfil a holding-down function in relation to the heating-element casing, the invention provides for the positioning element to be secured on the frame by at least one screw-connection. The same purpose is served by configuring the positioning element from spring-steel material, the positioning or securing element being clamped onto the base of the heating-element casing during the positioning operation.
According to a preferred embodiment, the positioning element is a narrow elongate plate from which there project two fastening arms with casing hooks which engage in the positioning openings of the heating-element casing. This embodiment makes savings in terms of materials and thus costs, and nevertheless allows a large spacing between the two casing hooks and, associated therewith, high positional accuracy.
In order further to increase the positional accuracy, the positioning element has spaced-apart positioning hooks which engage in the corresponding positioning openings of the installation shoulder of the frame. While the precisely definable positioning openings in the installation shoulder guarantee a precise position of the positioning element relative to the frame, the positioning element is fastened on the frame by a screw-connection that is subject to relatively large tolerances.
In order for it to be possible to provide display and/or operating elements in the corner region of the cook top panel or of the installation frame, the positioning element is secured outside or adjoining the corner region of the frame, in one of the longitudinal sides thereof.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a cook top with a positioning element for a heating device, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3632983 (1972-01-01), Dills
patent: 4363956 (1982-12-01), Schneider et al.
patent: 4788414 (1988-11-01), Schreder
patent: 5571434 (1996-11-01), Cavener et al.
patent: 5847364 (1998-12-01), White et al.
patent: 86 15 030 (1986-09-01), None
patent: 0 610 817 A1 (1994-08-01), None
patent: 0 663 566 A1 (1995-07-01), None
Brandl Georg
Stein Thomas
Steiner Herbert
Theine Markus
BSH Bosch und Siemens Haus-geraete GmbH
Greenberg Laurence A.
Lerner Herbert L.
Paik Sang
Stemer Wewrner H.
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