Range Apparatus

Abstract

An electric surface unit which is removable from the electric range yet also capable of movement between a horizontal position of operation and an inclined non-operative position. The movement between positions being permitted by implementation of a terminal receptacle carried by the range and providing a bracket socket for intercooperation with an element on the sheath of said surface unit.

Description

The present invention relates to heating appliances of the electric range surface heating type or the like, but particularly to an electric surface unit and a receptacle assembly. More particularly the present invention relates to an electric surface unit which through interaction with the receptacle assembly is capable both of pivotal movement between a generally horizontal operative position relative to the range top and an inclined, stationary and non-operative position. Additionally, the surface unit of the present invention may be physically removed from the range or other electric heating unit after passing through the inclined position of rest.

Electric ranges have been known in which pivotal movement of the surface unit was permitted between a normal operative position at which the unit was supported by, for example, the range top surface or a drip pan construction carried by the former and a position of incline. These prior art units while capable of such movement were permanently wired to an electric receptacle or to some other terminal of electric power within the range. This construction while an advance over the then known prior art suffered from certain problems and created a possible source of hazard. Thus, the permanently wired unit may inadvertently or otherwise become energized in the inclined position causing possible injury to one cleaning the range or drip pan. Further, the continual pivoting action had the effect of causing abrasion of the electric insulation creating a hazard or else the electric conductor suffered from work hardening. More importantly, however, the surface unit could not be physically removed from the installation by the housewife.

To overcome the latter problem, a plug-in surface unit was developed. However, while the surface unit could be removed from the range the surface unit was not adapted for pivotal movement to an inclined position for holding over the range surface thereby conveniently locating the unit for cleaning of the range and drip pan. Thus, to accomplish the latter the range unit would have to be disengaged from a terminal receptacle by generally a lateral pull requiring force with the result of possible injury to fingers in the form of cuts, abrasions, etc. through contact with the stove equipment.

The present invention overcomes the above-described difficulties and in one aspect of the same provides in combination with a receptacle a surface unit which is not only capable of pivotal movement to an inclined position of rest while supported by the receptacle but also a surface unit which is removable from the receptacle and the range itself.

To this end and as will be hereinafter described in detail, the connector receptacle includes a bracket construction providing substantially a socket for receipt of a ground bracket. The latter bracket is immovably carried by the sheath of the surface unit near the respective terminal ends or cold pins and through a slight forward thrust is received by the socket. Interaction between the socket and the ground bracket permits the surface unit to pivot from the inclined position to the operative position thereby to be supported by, for example, a drip pan. Actually, the surface unit through its own weight falls into position once the ground bracket enters the pivotal area of the socket. The surface unit is also capable of pivotal movement from the horizontal to an inclined position of rest. Such positioning may be maintained through an interference fit between the ground bracket and the bracket construction or as an alternative there may be a protuberance or a dimple formed on one element of the bracket construction thereby to require the ground bracket to override the same on return to the horizontal position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the surface unit is grounded through the receptacle bracket during pivotal movement and only connected to electric power through the receptacle when disposed substantially in the operative position. The receptacle carries a pair of spring contact fingers which engage the terminal ends or cold pins of the sheath as the latter enter the receptacle.

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 of the claims appended hereto. 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 for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

A specific and preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a surface unit and electrical connector receptacle together with a pan and a portion of the range surface broken away for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation and partially in cross-section of the structure as seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the heating element in operative position and electrically connected in the receptacle;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the electrical connector receptacle in side elevation with parts broken away to illustrate the electrical contact within the receptacle and a portion of the sheath connector in contact therewith;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the electrical connector receptacle;

FIG. 6 is a view in rear elevation of the electrical connector assembly;

FIG. 7 is a view of the electrical connector receptacle as seen on the line 7--7 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top plan view of the electrical connector; and,

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of the sheath bracket.

Referring now to the several drawing figures wherein like reference numerals represent similar structure throughout and in particular to FIG. 1 there is illustrated an electric surface unit 10 together with an electrical connector receptacle 12. While the invention may be utilized and is applicable to a host of applications over and above its use in connection with electric range top heaters, the following discussion, for the purpose of description, will be developed with this adaptation in mind. However, there is no intent to limit the invention thereto since it is clear that the invention may also be employed with hot plates and the like.

The electric surface unit is illustrated in cooperative relationship with a drip pan 14. The electric surface unit is pivotally movable between an operative position within the plane generally defined by the rim of the drip pan as shown in FIG. 3 and an inclined position of rest as shown in FIG. 2.

The electric surface unit as may be conventional is formed of a coiled or convoluted sheath each race of which is supported by a spider. The spider may be of any particular construction as known to the art. For example, the spider member represented by the numeral 16 in FIG 1 may be generally triangular in shape, formed of a single or multiple pieces of strip material and positioned with its edge toward the sheath. As shown, the spider is carried by the convolutions by a plurality of clamping elements welded or otherwise carried by the spider and swagged over individual races of the convoluted sheath of the surface unit. The clamping elements may be carried by only a single spider leg, for example the leg opposed from the electrical connector receptacle 12. Thus, the spider becomes a permanent part of the sheath. The spider may also be formed as an integral part of the pan or else separated from both the pan and the convoluted sheath. In any arrangement the spider serves to support the electric surface unit over and spaced from the bottom surface of the pan. To this end, the pan 14, provides an annular shoulder 15 spaced from the top surface. A central boss 17 may be formed in the pan bottom to support the central region of the spider.

Conventionally, the drip pan is supported within a cutout in range surface 18. For this purpose the drip pan provides an upper annular rim 20 which rests upon the surface 18.

The surface unit heating element may be of the sheathed type including a metallic sheath and a therein disposed resistance member confined generally in coaxial relation to the sheath. To this end an electrical-insulating material, such as magnesium oxide, is received around the member and compacted. The resistance member is disposed generally within the convoluted length of the heating element (FIG. 1) and both electrically and mechanically connected to a pair of terminal ends or cold pins 22, a portion of their length also being confined within the sheath. The remaining length of each cold pin extends a short distance from the sheath 21 thereby to provide a conductive surface for contact with the connector terminal, as will be discussed.

The electrical receptacle 12 may be seen to best advantage in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. This block may be formed of any suitable material which is capable of being molded or otherwise shaped or formed to the desired final construction. The material which may be chosen from a host of substances must also be both sturdy so as to support and in turn be supported by the range in operative orientation. Also, the receptacle should be of electrical insulative material. While many materials, such as plastics and ceramics are known to the art and may be suitable for use, a receptacle formed from a phenolic base plastic is preferred and has been employed successfully.

The receptacle includes a body 24 having a pair of forward cavities 26 separated one from the other by a vertical partition 28 which is generally centrally disposed within the body. The body also includes a pair of rearward cavities 30. These latter cavities are also separated one from the other by a vertical partition 32 which may be a longitudinal extension of the partition 28 although of reduced width. Therefore, the cavities 30 will be somewhat larger in cross-section than are cavities 26. A lateral wall 34 separates the respective cavities 26 and 30 and will generally be formed integral with the heretofore mentioned partitions. A pair of openings 36 are provided in the body in communication with the cavities 26. Each opening is bounded by a projection 38 and a shorter side projection 40, both of which are suitably formed integral with the body and extend between the front of the body to a point to the rear of the forward cavities 26. As will be hereinafter discussed the cold pins 22 of the electric surface element 10 are received through the openings thereby to be placed in electrical contact with electrical means within the cavities 26.

The projections 38 are rounded toward the side of the receptacle as at 42. The ends of projections 40 are also rounded as at 44. Both of the rounded surfaces assist in the introduction of the sheath into the cavities when the electric heating element is moved to the operative position of FIG. 3. The projection 40 from the forward end of the receptacle toward the rear of cavity 26 tapers inwardly terminating at the lateral wall 34. This tapered surface functions to cam the cold pins toward the terminal means.

A pair of apertures 46 are formed in the body 24. Each aperture is disposed generally longitudinally of the body. As shown in the figures each aperture is of somewhat rectangular cross-section and formed through the lateral wall 34 between cavities 26 and 30. A vertical slot removed from the wall 34 defines the width of each aperture and accommodates the blade section of a terminal clip. Each clip is isolated from the other at the rear of the body by partition 32. The rectangular portion of the aperture provides a path for conducting heat which may generate within the internal section of the receptacle body 24 to the rear cavities 30 and from the receptacle. Obviously the aperture may take any desired cross-section. The considerations of cross-section are that the aperture will pass and accommodate the blade portion of a terminal clip to which electrical connection is made and serve as a conduit for heat flow.

Each terminal clip is formed of a suitable electrical grade spring material, such as beryllium copper, stainless steel or the like. In the embodiment illustrated the terminal clip includes a front blade portion 48 which is doubled back upon itself about a horizontal axis providing a blade surface 50. The resiliency of the metal serves to bias the blade surface 50 away from the partition 28 and into contact with the cold pins 22 as they are pivotally introduced into cavity 26. The resiliency of the metal as well as the taper of projection 40 assures an adequate line contact.

The rear portion 52 of the terminal clip may also have a surface doubled back upon itself to aid in providing a friction fit within the body and positionally secure the terminal clip for contact with the cold pins 22.

The terminal clip may be received by the receptacle body through the cavity 26, rear portion first. The rear portion of the terminal clip provides a barb 53 struck or lanced from the terminal clip itself. Cooperating with the barb to prevent forward movement of the terminal clip once having been received in the body is a notch 54 (FIG. 6) formed in the aperture 46. As may be appreciated rearward movement of the terminal clip is limited by the wall 34.

Referring to FIG. 7 it is seen that the projections 38 provide a shoulder at the entrance to each cavity. Each terminal clip depends to a position closely adjacent this shoulder thereby to reduce the possibility of a cold pin 22 contacting any portion of the clip other than the blade surface 50.

The receptacle 12 is mounted on the upper surface 18 of the range. To this end the receptacle is supported by mounting structure which, in turn, is removably mounted to the surface 18 as at 56 in FIGS. 2 and 3. A metal screw or other mounting structure may be employed. To accomplish this mounting the upper surface 18 is provided with a depending surface. The latter surface defines an opening for receipt of a drip pan 14, the rim of which rests upon the range surface 18.

The mounting structure may best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 8. The mounting structure includes a bracket 60 which provides a forward extension 62, a pair of spaced fingers 64 extending rearwardly and a central tongue 66. As illustrated the pair of fingers are disposed adjacent to and rest upon the upper surface of the receptacle. The tongue depends along the front surface of the receptacle body and both in contact with and supported by the central wall 28 separating the cavities 26. The tongue also contacts the lower surface of body 24 through a short distance, is then bent in a downward direction and terminates within the area bounded by the projections 38. The mounting structure also includes a second bracket 68. The forward portion of bracket 68 generally underlies the forward extension 62 of bracket 60. The rearward portion of the bracket is disposed in contact with the tongue 66 of bracket 60. Both brackets are connected together and to the body 24 within the region of projections 38. Connection may be by means of a self-tapping screw or other suitable fastening means 70.

As illustrated, brackets 60 and 68 provide a pair of opposed outwardly convex surfaces defining a socket therebetween. The bracket 68 is formed of a relatively more flexible stock material and by its cantilever mount on the receptacle is capable of flexing relative to bracket 60 when the surface unit is received within the socket to permit the pivoting action as heretofore mentioned.

The forward end of the extension 62 is mounted on the depending portion of the range top. An adapter 58 which may be welded or otherwise carried by the forward portion 62 of bracket 60 may be utilized for this purpose. In this connection the adapter is directly fastened by suitable means to the depending surface.

A bracket 74 is permanently received on the sheath 21 near the terminal ends. The bracket is in the form of a plate 76 having a pair of spaced apertures 78 for receipt of the sheath 21. A raised rim 80 surrounds each aperture and is crimped around the sheath outer surface to provide a permanent connection. The bracket provides an upper and lower surface 82 and 84 for cooperation with brackets 60 and 68 to facilitate pivotal movement of the surface unit. A pair of projections 86 provide a guide thereby to locate surface 84 on the lower bracket 68.

The electric heating element may be connected easily to the receptacle. In this connection the terminal ends of the surface unit are passed through an opening 92 within the side wall of the drip pan 14 and directed toward the brackets on the receptacle 12 at an appropriate angle to cause the projections 86 to interact with a surface projection 88 on the bracket 68. In this position the cold pins 22 straddle the bracket 68 and through a slight forward thrust the ground bracket 74 will enter into the socket. Movement thereafter to the operative position is through the force of gravity, causing the ground bracket to pivot within the socket. The electrical surface unit will be found in the FIG. 3 position and electrical connection is made through terminal clips 42.

It should be noted that throughout such pivotal movement and prior to completing the electrical connection to the heating element through the terminal clips the sheath is grounded through the ground bracket 74 mounted on the sheath and the mounting bracket 60 and 68. In reversing the operation upon disconnection the sheath will also remain grounded after the cold pins 22 pivot away from the terminal clips and particularly the blade surface 50.

Through interaction of the brackets the surface unit may be connected and disconnected from electrical power and the element may be completely removed from the range itself with relative ease. The operation is accomplished through pivotal movement of the ground bracket 74 with a socket or hinge action provided by the confronting concave regions within the extensions of brackets 60 and 68. The surface unit may be moved from the operative to a stable inclined position with only a slight force being necessary to return the heating element to the original position and in electrical connection with the receptacle 12. The inclined position may be maintained by a weight override or by the provision of a protuberance or dimple defining the amount of incline at the stable position and which is overridden by the grounding bracket. The weight override or dimple does not effect the connecting operation as heretofore described.

Thus, it will be seen from the above that in accordance with the present invention there is provided a receptacle assembly and in combination therewith a surface unit capable of, through interaction with the receptacle, movement between an inclined and an operative position yet also removable from the receptacle and the electric range installation.

Having thus described the invention with particular reference to the preferred form thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

Having described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a terminal receptacle adapted to be stationarily supported by an electric range or the like, said receptacle having means for connection to electric power and including bracket means carried by the receptacle, said bracket means extending toward the hereinafter recited electric surface unit and forming substantially a socket, an electric surface unit including a convoluted element having a substantially flat upper surface and defined by at least one sheath supporting therein a heating element and at its ends terminal means, said terminal means projecting from the sheath beyond the outermost convolution and below the top surface thereof, and a plate element rigidly carried by said sheath near said terminal means, said plate element being received within said socket so that opposite plate surfaces are interactable with said socket whereby said electric surface unit is capable both of movement between a generally horizontal electrically operative position and an inclined electrically non-operative grounded position and of removal from the electric range itself.

2. The combination of claim 1 including mounting means, said mounting means carried by said bracket means for removably connecting the latter to said electric range.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said plate element includes at least a pair of apertures formed therein for receipt therethrough of said sheathed heating element.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said plate provides bearing surfaces for interaction with said bracket socket.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said terminal receptacle is in the form of a body member, said body member including a top wall, outer walls and an inner partition defining a pair of spaced cavities, and an opening into each cavity.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said openings are bounded by said outer walls and said partition.

7. The combination of claim 6 including a wall disposed substantially laterally with respect to said partition, said lateral wall defining the depth of said cavities.

8. The combination of claim 1 including a pan, said pan being supported by said electric range or the like and including an opening for passing said sheath and element toward said electric receptacle, and means for supporting said surface unit on said pan when said surface unit is pivoted to said operative position.

9. In combination, a terminal receptacle adapted to be stationarily supported by an electric range or the like, said receptacle having means for connection to electric power and including bracket means carried by the receptacle, said bracket means including a pair of relatively flat projections extending from said terminal receptacle, said projections being disposed substantially one above the other and providing therein opposed outwardly convex regions defining a socket, an electric surface unit including a substantially flat convoluted sheathed heating element having at least one pair of terminal means projecting from the sheath beyond the outermost convolution and below the top surface thereof, and an element rigidly carried by said sheath near said terminal means, said sheath element being received by and pivotally movable within said socket whereby said electric surface unit is capable both of movement between a generally horizontal operative position and an inclined non-operative position and of removal from the electric range itself.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein one of said projections is relatively more flexible than the other projection.

11. In combination, a terminal receptacle adapted to be stationarily supported by an electric range or the like, said terminal receptacle including a body including a top wall, outer walls and an inner partition defining a pair of spaced cavities having an opening into each, a pair of terminal clips, said receptacle having terminal means formed by clips removably disposed in the respective cavities adapted to be connected to electrical power and provide contact with the hereinafter recited terminal means when pivoted into said cavities, said receptacle means also including bracket means carried by the receptacle, an electric surface unit including a substantially flat convoluted sheathed heating element having at least one pair of terminal means projecting from the sheath beyond the outermost convolution and below the top surface thereof, and an element rigidly carried by said sheath near said terminal means, said sheath element being received by and interactable with said receptacle bracket means whereby said electric surface unit is capable both of movement between a generally horizontal operative position and an inclined non-operative position and of removal from the electric range itself.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said partition lower surface is oppositely rounded toward said outer walls thereby to provide a guide surface for guiding said sheath and terminal means into said cavities whereby the latter contacts said terminal clips.

13. The combination of claim 11 wherein said outer walls taper inwardly toward said partition thereby to provide a guide surface for guiding said terminal means into contact with said terminal clips.