Stoves and furnaces – Stoves – Cooking
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-07
2001-07-03
Yeung, James C. (Department: 3743)
Stoves and furnaces
Stoves
Cooking
C126S0390BA, C219S518000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253761
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sensing device for stoves and more particularly pertains to detecting the absence of a pot or the like on a stove to automatically shut down a power source of the stove.
Gas stoves are commonly used in commercial and domestic kitchens. One problem with the use of gas stoves in restaurants is that the chefs often leave the burners burning when they are not in use, and this wastes fuel. Also, gas stoves used domestically present a hazard when the main gas valve is left open and the pilot light is out. In an effort to solve this problem, various mechanical devices and linkages have been proposed for shutting off the supply of gas to the burner when a utensil is not on the burner. Unfortunately, many of the mechanical devices are relatively complex and are subject to sticking or fouling when contaminated by greases and other cooking material. Additionally, similar problems exist with electric burners. The present invention attempts top provide a means for sensing the existence of a cooking utensil whereupon the non-existence of the cooking utensil will turn the power off.
The use of automatic shutoff mechanisms is known in the prior art. More specifically, automatic shutoff mechanisms heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of shutting off a gas supply based on a preselected pattern of activity are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,242 to Higley discloses a gas grill with automatic shut off controlled by dynamic sensor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,259 to Hsu discloses an automatic shut-off safety device for gas stove fitted between the gas intake pipe and the catch base. U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,084 to Grech discloses a burner control system comprised of a solenoid valve.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a sensing device for stoves for detecting the absence of a pot or the like on a stove to automatically shut down a power source of the stove.
In this respect, the sensing device for stoves according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of detecting the absence of a pot or the like on a stove to automatically shut down a power source of the stove.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved sensing device for stoves which can be used for detecting the absence of a pot or the like on a stove to automatically shut down a power source of the stove. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of automatic shutoff mechanisms now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved sensing device for stoves. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved sensing device for stoves and method which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a gas stove having at least one burner and a gas supply conduit for supply gas to the burner. The burner has a control dial for controlling the flow of gas to the burner. A weight sensor is disposed below the burner of the gas stove. The weight sensor is in communication with the control dial. The weight sensor sends a first signal when a cooking utensil is disposed on the burner to allow for gas to be supplied to the burner and a second signal when a cooking utensil is not disposed on the burner to stop the gas from being supplied to the burner.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sensing device for stoves which has all the advantages of the prior art automatic shutoff mechanisms and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sensing device for stoves which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sensing device for stoves which is of durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sensing device for stoves which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a sensing device for stoves economically available to the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sensing device for stoves for detecting the absence of a pot or the like on a stove to automatically shut down a power source of the stove.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sensing device for stoves including a gas stove having at least one burner and a gas supply conduit for supply gas to the burner. The burner has a control dial for controlling the flow of gas to the burner. A weight sensor is disposed below the burner of the gas stove. The weight sensor is in communication with the control dial. The weight sensor sends a first signal when a cooking utensil is disposed on the burner to allow for gas to be supplied to the burner and a second signal when a cooking utensil is not disposed on the burner to stop the gas from being supplied to the burner.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2410014 (1946-10-01), Clark
patent: 5243172 (1993-09-01), Hazen et al.
patent: 5491423 (1996-02-01), Turetta
patent: 5658478 (1997-08-01), Roeschel et al.
patent: 2465163 (1981-04-01), None
patent: 2645660 (1990-10-01), None
patent: 673083 (1990-10-01), None
Shuler Timothy Edward
Wisniewska Magdalena
Goldstein Law Offices P.C.
Yeung James C.
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