U.S. patent application number 11/283354 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for gas-fired cooking griddle.
Invention is credited to Charles Czajka, Harold JR. Johnson.
Application Number | 20070113838 11/283354 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38052267 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070113838 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Czajka; Charles ; et
al. |
May 24, 2007 |
Gas-fired cooking griddle
Abstract
A cooking griddle has a burner with a valve controlling gas flow
to the burner. The valve is rotatable through an increased arc for
controlling flow of gas to the burner. A knob for rotating the
valve includes indicia for indicating a relative position of the
valve.
Inventors: |
Czajka; Charles; (Forest
Hill, MD) ; Johnson; Harold JR.; (Shrewsbury,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark W. Croll;Illinois Tool Works Inc.
3600 West Lake Avenue
Glenview
IL
60026
US
|
Family ID: |
38052267 |
Appl. No.: |
11/283354 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/273R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 3/124 20130101;
F24C 3/126 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/273.00R |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/32 20060101
F24C015/32 |
Claims
1. A cooking appliance comprising: an appliance body; a griddle top
having a cooking surface, said griddle top being disposed on and
supported by said appliance body; a substantially enclosed space
beneath said griddle top, said space having limited viewing access
thereto; a burner disposed in said substantially enclosed space; a
gas manifold in fuel flow communication with said burner; a valve
for controlling fuel flow from said manifold to said burner, said
valve including a valve body and a rotatable stem, said stem being
rotatable through a range of greater than about 180.degree. for
adjusting fuel flow from said manifold through said valve and to
said burner; and a knob on said stem exposed on a viewable surface
of said appliance body, with at least one of said knob and said
appliance body including indicia for indicating a relative position
of said knob.
2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, said valve body being disposed
in an opening in said manifold.
3. The cooking appliance of claim 1, including at least one open
burner defining a cooking location different from said griddle,
said open burner being in fuel flow communication with said gas
manifold.
4. The cooking appliance of claim 1, said indicia being at least on
said knob.
5. The cooking appliance of claim 1, said indicia including
visually apparent markings on each said knob and said appliance
body.
6. The cooking appliance of claim 5, said valve body being disposed
in an opening in said manifold.
7. The cooking appliance of claim 5, including at least one open
burner defining a cooking location different from said griddle,
said open burner being in fuel flow communication with said gas
manifold.
8. The cooking appliance of claim 7, said valve body being disposed
in an opening in said manifold.
9. The cooking appliance of claim 1, said stem being rotatable
through a total range of at least about 250.degree..
10. A gas cook top, comprising: at least one open burner providing
an open flame cooking location; a griddle area having a griddle top
and a substantially enclosed griddle burner with limited viewing
access to said griddle burner beneath said griddle top; a gas
manifold in fuel flow communication with said open burner and with
said griddle burner; and a griddle valve having a valve body and a
valve stem rotatable in said valve body for controlling flow of gas
from said manifold through said valve and to said griddle burner,
said stem being rotatable through a range of rotation greater than
180.degree. for adjusting fuel flow through said valve.
11. The gas cook top of claim 10, including a knob on said stem and
indicia on said knob for indicating a relative position of said
knob throughout said range of rotation.
12. The gas cook top of claim 10, said valve body being disposed in
an opening in said manifold.
13. The gas cook top of claim 12, said stem being rotatable through
a total range of at least about 250.degree..
14. The gas cook top of claim 13, including a knob on said stem and
indicia on said knob for indicating a relative position of said
knob throughout said range of rotation.
15. The gas cook top of claim 10, said stem being rotatable through
a total range of at least about 250.degree..
16. The gas cook top of claim 15, including a knob on said stem and
indicia on said knob for indicating a relative position of said
knob throughout said range of rotation.
17. A gas cook top, comprising: at least one open burner providing
an open flame cooking location; a griddle area having a griddle top
and a substantially enclosed griddle burner with limited viewing
access to said griddle burner beneath said griddle top; a gas
manifold in fuel flow communication with said open burner and with
said griddle burner; and a griddle valve having a valve body and a
valve stem rotatable in said valve body for controlling flow of gas
from said manifold through said valve and to said griddle burner;
and a knob on said stem exposed and viewable on a surface of said
appliance body, with indicia on said knob indicating a relative
position of said knob including a fully opened position, a fully
closed position and at least one intermediate position between said
fully opened position and said fully closed position.
18. The gas cook top of claim 17, said stem being rotatable through
a range of greater than at least about 180.degree. for adjusting
fuel flow from said valve.
19. The gas cook top of claim 17, said stem being rotatable through
a total range of at least about 250.degree..
20. The gas cook top of claim 17, said valve body being disposed in
an opening in said manifold.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to gas fired cooking
appliances, and, more particularly, the invention pertains to the
control of a gas fired cooking griddle that may be independent or
part of a cooking range.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gas fired cooking ranges are used in both residential and
commercial kitchens. A basic design for a gas fired range includes
a gas supply source, a manifold and one or more burner assemblies
for receiving gas from the gas supply source via a connection to
the manifold. It is also known to provide a cooking griddle as part
of the cook top. It is further known to provide cooking griddles
independent of gas fired, open flame cooking tops.
[0003] A cooking griddle is known to provide a substantially
continuous flat cooking surface on which food items can be placed
directly for cooking.
[0004] Whereas open flame cooking tops are generally used with
cooking utensils such as pots or pans, a griddle can be used by
placing the food directly on the griddle surface. While a utensil
can be placed on a griddle, it is more common that the food is
cooked directly on the griddle surface, without an intervening
utensil.
[0005] Many different types of foods can be prepared on a griddle,
including by way of example and without limitation, hamburgers and
other meats, eggs, pancakes and the like.
[0006] In known designs, the griddle top is supported on a support
structure in the range or independent griddle frame, with outer
sheeting panels of the appliance substantially meeting the outer
edge of the griddle top. One or more burners, often of an elongate
form, are provided in a space beneath the griddle top. The burner
or burners are connected to a gas manifold in the appliance, to
which cooking gas is provided. A valve controls the flow of gas
from the manifold to the burner.
[0007] Several problems and inconveniences have been experienced
with known cooking griddles. The griddle burner is confined in a
substantially enclosed space, with limited viewing access thereto.
Accordingly, someone operating and adjusting the burner for the
desired heating of the griddle cannot easily see the flame
emanating from the burner. Unlike open burners of cook tops, it is
difficult for a cook to knowingly adjust the griddle burner to a
desired heat setting. Experienced cooks viewing an open flame of a
cook top can easily judge the performance of the burner for the
utensil being used and the food being prepared. The same is not
true for griddle adjustment in which the burner cannot be seen
easily. Accordingly, cooks have resorted to peering through cracks,
spaces and small openings in the housing in an attempt to see the
griddle burner flame. This is especially problematic in commercial
kitchens in which one setting may be desired early in the morning
when preparing breakfast foods such as pancakes, eggs, bacon or the
like and then another setting for the preparation of lunch or
dinner foods including meats such as hamburgers, chicken breasts or
the like.
[0008] In addition to limited viewability of the burner flame,
adjustment of griddle burners has been difficult in that only
limited rotation is available for turning the valve and adjusting
the gas flow. Griddle valves have typically rotated a maximum of
90.degree., with perhaps only 40 to 45.degree. actually varying the
gas flow, with the remainder of the rotation not affecting gas
flow. Rotation through only a narrow arc can cause a significant
change in the gas flow, and a correspondingly significant change in
burner output. Accordingly, it has been difficult to control the
temperature of griddles, with the control not being very precise.
Thermostatically controlled valves are known, with a bulb and
capillary sensor adjusting gas flow to a desired heat setting.
However, such thermostatically controlled valves are expensive and
subject to failure.
[0009] What is needed is a griddle burner control providing easier
and more accurate control of griddle heating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides a griddle with a control
valve having a larger range through which the valve can be rotated
and over which it will control the flow of gas. The control knob is
provided with indicia for indicating the valve position.
[0011] An advantage of the present invention is providing a griddle
that is more easily adjusted and more precisely controlled than
known griddle burner arrangements.
[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is providing a
griddle burner assembly that is more conveniently used than known
burner assemblies.
[0013] Still another advantage of the present invention is
providing a griddle assembly with improved heating accuracy that
can be provided more cost effectively than known thermostatically
controlled griddle assemblies.
[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following
detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals
are used to designate like features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gas-fired cooking range
having a griddle in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged perspective view of the
area of griddle valves, with control knobs, on the range showed in
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gas circuit in the range
shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a knob for the valves of
the griddle; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cook top on the range,
with the grates and griddle top removed.
[0020] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and 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 or being carried out in various
ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting. The use herein of "including", "comprising"
and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and
equivalents thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to FIG.
1 in particular, numeral 10 designates a gas-fired cooking range
having a griddle area 12 and a gas circuit 14 (FIG. 3) in
accordance with the present invention. The present invention can be
used for various cooking appliances including commercial ranges,
residential ranges and independent cooking griddles that are not
part of a cooking range. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is merely
an exemplar of an application of the present invention.
[0022] Griddle area 12 is part of a cook top 16 that further
includes two open-flame cooking locations 18 and 20. Range 10
further includes an oven 22 accessed through a door 24 having a
handle 26. Legs 28 support range 10, and can be pedestal-like
supports as shown, or can be wheels or casters to facilitate moving
range 10 for cleaning
[0023] Gas circuit 14 includes a main gas line 30 connected to a
gas fuel source such as, for example, a natural gas line from a
natural gas utility, a propane tank or the like. Those skilled in
the art will readily understand that additional equipment not
shown, such as a pressure regulator, main shut off valve and other
suitable and required equipment, fittings and the like are provided
as necessary for coupling main gas line 30 to the source of gaseous
fuel and to control and regulate the flow of gaseous fuel. For
example, main gas line 30 can be connected to the fuel source via a
flexible hose (not shown) to allow cooking range 10 to be moved a
short distance for cleaning the kitchen in which it is used.
[0024] Main gas line 30 supplies gas to a gas manifold 32 extending
along the front, top area of range 10. A cook top gas shutoff valve
34 is provided at the inlet end of manifold 32, upstream of cook
top gas flow control valves to be described subsequently herein
that are in flow communication with manifold 32.
[0025] Shutoff valve 34 can be used to initiate or terminate the
flow of gas from gas line 30 to manifold 32. Thus, by closing
shutoff valve 34, the flow of gas from gas line 30 to manifold 32
can be stopped, without interrupting the flow of gas from gas line
30 to an oven branch gas line (not shown) connected at a coupling
36 upstream of cook top shutoff valve 34.
[0026] An open flame burner assembly 40 (FIG. 5) provides open
flames for open-flame cooking locations 18 and 20. Open flame
burner assembly 40 has burner heads 42, 44 at cooking locations 18,
20, respectively. Burner heads 42, 44 are connected in gas flow
communication to manifold 32 via an orifice defined at open flame
burner control valves 46 and 48, respectively. Each control valve
46, 48 is provided for initiating, terminating and controlling the
flow rate of combustible gas from manifold 32 to a different burner
head 42, 44, respectively.
[0027] The manner in which control valves 46, 48 are installed and
used is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be
described in further detail herein.
[0028] A pilot light connection 50 is provided for supplying gas
from manifold 32 to pilot gas lines 52, 54, respectively, for
burner heads 42, 44.
[0029] Burner assembly 40, as described previously includes two
burner heads 42, 44. However, it should be understood that separate
individual burner assemblies can be provided for each open flame
cooking location 18 and 20.
[0030] Burner heads 42, 44 are substantially annular bodies
defining open top annular channels with burner head covers 56, 58
provided thereon respectively.
[0031] Each cover 56, 58 has a plurality of holes 60 therein
through which a mixture of combustion gas and primary combustion
air is emitted.
[0032] Burner assembly 40 includes a single piece, monolithic
casting forming a first venturi 62 and a second venturi 64 together
with burner heads 42, 44 in back and front locations respectively
on range 10. As known to those skilled in the art, each venturi 62,
64 is aligned with a different burner control valve 46, 48 to
receive gas therefrom when the control valve 46, 48 is opened to
allow gas to flow therethrough from manifold 32. As known to those
skilled in the art, venturis 62, 64 also admit a flow of ambient
air to mix with the combustion gas in venturis 62, 64 via one or
more openings 66, 68 defined in baffle plates 70, 72
respectively.
[0033] In the assembled cooking range 10, grates 74, 76
respectively are provided at open flame cooking locations 18, 20
above burner heads 42, 44 for supporting cooking utensils such as
pots and pans.
[0034] As illustrated most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 5, griddle area
12 includes a griddle top 80 defining a cooking surface 82. A back
84 and sides 86, 88 tapering from the back to the front of griddle
top 80 are provided at the periphery of cooking surface 82 to
confine foods on surface 82. Griddle top 80 is supported in range
10 along an outer side rail 90 and along an intermediate support 92
defined in the main body of range 10. A back panel 94 and front
ledge 96 together with the aforementioned side rail 90 and support
92 define a substantially enclosed space 98 beneath griddle top
80.
[0035] First and second griddle burners 100, 102 are provided in
space 98, beneath griddle top 80. Griddle burners 100, 102 are in
gas flow communication with manifold 32 via griddle control valves
104 and 106, respectively. Each griddle control valve 104, 106
includes a valve body 108, 110 engaged in an opening 112, 114 in
manifold 32. Valve stems 116, 118 control and adjust flow of gas
through valve bodies 112, 114.
[0036] Valves 104, 106 are opened by rotating stems 116, 118 from a
closed position to a fully open position. In contrast to known
griddle control valves that have minimal rotation between fully
closed and fully opened positions, stems 116, 118 rotate at least
about 180.degree. through which the flow of gas varies. In a
preferred embodiment for griddle control valves 104, 106 stems 116,
118 have a total rotation of about 250.degree. with a control range
therein of at least approximately 180.degree. for the control of
gas flow.
[0037] Thus, valves 104, 106 have significantly greater total
rotation and significantly greater rotation through which gas flow
is adjusted than known griddle control valves having a total
rotation of about 90.degree. and a rotation less than 90.degree.
over which effective variation in gas flow can be achieved. With a
greater arc through which valves 116 and 118 can be rotated while
controlling gas flow, finer control of gas flow is possible, and
thus a finer control of the intensity of flames from burners 100,
102.
[0038] When griddle area 12 is completely assembled, with griddle
top 80 disposed and supported in its cooking position, space 98 is
substantially enclosed.
[0039] Observing burners 100, 102 for evaluating the height and
intensity of flames coming therefrom is difficult. Thus,
controlling heating of surface 82 is difficult.
[0040] In accordance with the present invention, valves 104, 106
are provided with control knobs 120, 122 respectively, on stems
116, 118 and by which stems 116, 118 can be rotated for increasing
or decreasing gas flow to burners 100, 102 and thereby the
intensity of flames from burners 100, 102. Knobs 120, 122 are
similar, with knob 120 being shown in FIG. 4.
[0041] Each knob 120, 122 includes markings or indicia 124 by which
the relative position of knob 120, 122 can be evaluated, and
thereby the rotational positions of valve stem 116 or 118,
respectively. Thus, by evaluating the rotational position of knob
120 or 122 the intensity of flame and thereby the heat supplied to
cooking surface 82 can be evaluated. Indicia 124 include an "off"
position mark 126 and a fully "on" position mark 128, with one or
more intermediate markings 130, 132 indicating intermediate
positions for stems 116, 118 and thereby intermediate flame
intensities and intermediate heating levels for surface 82. Indicia
such as reference marks 134, 136 adjacent knobs 120, 122 on a
viewable surface of range 10 provide references by which to
evaluate the relative rotational positions of indicia 124.
[0042] To ignite griddle burners 100, 102, griddle pilot light
assemblies 138, 140 are provided connected to manifold 32 via pilot
system valves 142, 144. Other types of igniters also can be
used.
[0043] The present invention provides more precise flame control by
providing a more readily adjustable valve having greater rotation
and thereby more precisely controlled variation in the flow of gas
as the valve is rotated between fully closed and fully open
positions. The knob provides indicia or indicators as reference
points by which an operator can select a setting for the rotational
position of the valve stems. As a result, even without a
thermostatic control, relative heating for surface 82 can be
duplicated from one cooking session to the next by rotating knobs
120, 122 to similar reference positions during each successive
cooking session. Rather than waiting for warm-up and testing, a
cook can position one or more of valves 104, 106 to an acceptable
setting determined from a previous cooking session, and can rely on
substantially similar heating for surface 82. The indicia provide
ready reference points for duplicating the rotational position from
one cooking session to the next.
[0044] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the
scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention
disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes
known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed
to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
[0045] Various features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *