Cooking device having a rotary control knob bezel

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooking device comprising a flat, planar control panel (10); a hole (14) formed in a front wall (12) of the control panel (10); a control element (40) having a shaft (43) capable of both axial and rotary movement and aligned to extend into the hole (14) from an inner portion of the control panel (10); and a rotary control knob (20) that is removably fitted onto the shaft (43), covering the hole (14) through a rim (22) that is spaced from the front part of the front wall (12). The cooking device, particularly gas cooking device, has a bezel (30) comprising a rigid outer ring (36) inserted into the hole (14) from its outer periphery and extending outwardly from the front side of the front wall (12) so as to completely cover the gap, and a flange (32) that expands from the inner edge of the outer ring (36) and directly abuts the back of the front wall (12) while supporting the outer ring (36).

Description

[0001] COOKING DEVICE HAVING A ROTARY CONTROL KNOB BEZEL

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a cooking device having a rotary control knob provided on a control panel, particularly a gas cooking device.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] In a cooking device such as a household cooker or oven, a control panel is arranged on its front portion, on which a rotary control knob is placed. The rotary control knob is aligned with a hole in the control panel and is passed onto the shaft portion of a functional control element — such as a gas valve — disposed behind the control panel. In this way, when the user grasps and turns the rotary control knob, the cooking device operating parameter (e.g., gas flow rate) can be adjusted precisely according to the turning angle. The rotary control knob can take various geometric shapes. A commonly used design is a hollow cylindrical knob. In this structure, the outer body is a truncated cylinder, and an integrated slot extends from its inner center toward the shaft. The knob body’s diameter is arranged to cover the control panel hole with its rim. The slot extension of the knob is fitted onto the shaft in such a way that it can be pulled off the shaft if removal is required.

[0006] If the shaft has a function executed by axial movement in addition to rotation — i.e., in the case of a rotary control knob with an axially movable shaft — then at least a stroke distance of clearance is provided between the knob and the control panel. For example, in gas cooking appliances, the axial movement of the shaft deactivates a safety lock associated with the gas adjustment valve, thereby allowing the rotational movement. Additionally, by pressing the shaft inward, it is possible to activate an ignition switch attached to the gas valve. In such a configuration, the gap between the gas valve and the rotary control knob disrupts the visual integrity of the control panel and may allow foreign substances to enter through the control panel hole.

[0007] In gas cooking appliances, an attempt is made to address this issue by applying a flexible sealing gasket around the rotary control knob and the control panel hole. TR200502100 describes a sealing gasket placed within the knob mounting opening on the cooker body, providing sealing by means of two contact surfaces (one facing the knob, the other facing the cooker body), a sealing fin contacting the wall of the opening, a retaining element contacting the outer surface of the cooker body, and at least one bulge extending in the gasket extension direction to prevent water from reaching the control element or the cooker body.

[0008] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The object of the invention is to ensure visual integrity in cooking devices that have a rotary control element.

[0010] In order to achieve above objective, the invention relates to a cooking device comprising, a flat, planar control panel, a hole formed in a front wall of the control panel, a control element having a shaft that can move axially and rotate, aligned with and extending into the hole from an inner portion of the control panel, a rotary control knob that fits removably onto the shaft and covers the hole by means of a rim spaced away from the front part of the front wall so as to leave a gap. The cooking device includes a bezel having a rigid outer ring that is inserted from its outer periphery into the hole and extends outward from the front wall so as to completely cover the gap, and a flange that expands from the inner edge of the outer ring and abuts directly against the back of the front wall while carrying the outer ring. The bezel can easily be mounted by pushing it from behind the front wall into the hole. In this position, the flange settles against the rear wall, thereby preventing the outer ring from moving axially outward. Since the portion of the outer ring that extends outward from the hole surrounds and covers the gap, the rotary control knob and the control panel appear visually integrated. In one possible embodiment, the bezel and the rotary control knob may be chosen to have the same color to enhance visual continuity. Moreover, the rigid bezel’s flange, lying against the rear of the control panel, blocks entry of foreign matter through the hole.

[0011] Preferably, the cooking device includes a retaining plate — mounted from the rear — that presses the flange of the bezel against the back of the front wall and also supports the control element. For example, while supporting a control element like a gas valve, this retaining plate also clamps the bezel to the rear side of the front wall of the control panel. Thus, the flange is pressed against the panel without the need for a separate mounting feature like a snap-fit tab.

[0012] Preferably, the control panel includes a mounting extension that projects from the back of the front wall, where the retaining plate is mounted, extending toward the retaining plate. In this manner, after the bezel is mounted into the hole in the front panel, the retaining plate can simply be placed by resting it against the mounting extension. Preferably, a fastening element is provided between the mounting extension and the retaining plate, configured in such a way that it supports both the retaining plate and the flange, compressing the retaining plate. A screw is an example of such a fastening element, simultaneously supporting the control element and pressing the flange so that it remains immovable in both the axial and radial directions.

[0013] Preferably, a regulation element accessible through the hole is provided on the control element, and the diameter of the outer ring is arranged so that it surrounds the regulation element at least in part. Thus, once the user removes the rotary control knob, the regulation element — such as a gas flow adjustment screw — can be accessed through the bezel’s outer ring without the need to remove the control panel, making servicing easier.

[0014] Preferably, the outer ring is designed in a form similar to a tube or chimney that largely blocks the hole visually when the rotary control knob is removed. In this way, if the rotary control knob is taken off for cleaning or service, direct visual and physical access to the hole is obstructed.

[0015] Preferably, the bezel is manufactured as a single integral plastic injection part. Thus, both the outer ring and the flange can be produced simply and economically while still providing the structural durability needed for a cooking device control panel.

[0016] Preferably, the bezel includes an inner ring arranged coaxially and at a distance from the outer ring, having an inner diameter through which the shaft passes, and a bridge element that connects the inner ring to the outer ring. By means of this bridge element, an inner ring is attached to the outer ring, reducing the visible area of the hole.

[0017] Preferably, the bridge element includes a plate portion extending radially outward from the rear side of the flange, abutting it, and pressed from the front side by the retaining plate. In this way, the retaining plate pushes the bezel toward the front panel, preventing it from moving. Even if a radial or axial force is applied to the bezel, for instance due to deformations over time in the rotary control element or similar reasons, the bezel remains securely in position inside the hole.

[0018] Preferably, the flange is in the form of a flat ring lying along the back of the front wall to provide sealing. Because the flat ring lies snug against the front wall, it prevents any liquid or foreign matter from entering from the outside along the seam between the outer ring and the hole. Despite having a rigid form, the bezel provides sufficient sealing through the flat ring structure of the flange.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a representative embodiment of the cooking device according to the invention, showing a bezel mounted to cover the gas valve on the control panel.

[0021] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cooking device shown in Figure 1 , with the bezel in a disassembled state.

[0022] Figure 3 is a front view of the control panel with the rotary adjustment knob removed.

[0023] Figure 4 is a rear perspective view (from inside the control panel) of a gas cooker with a gas valve mounted behind the control panel.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In this detailed explanation, the subject of the invention is described by references to examples solely to better illustrate the subject matter, without any limitation.

[0026] In Figure 1 , a gas oven’s control panel (10) is shown in a top perspective view. The control panel (10) is a flat sheet structure and has a front wall (12) with a circular hole (14). A control element (40), namely a gas valve, is mounted behind the circular hole (14). The adjustment shaft (43) of the control element (40) is aligned at the center of the hole (14) and positioned perpendicularly to the hole (14). By pushing the adjustment shaft (43) axially, a radial lock is released, and by rotating it, the gas flow rate is set to the desired level. In this respect, the control element (40) is a well-known gas valve with safety features. A rotary control knob (20), having a cup form (essentially a hollow, half-cylindrical shape), is mounted in a way that its open end is pushed toward the hole (14), and a retaining extension inside it (not shown) fits onto the adjustment shaft (43). The knob (20) can be removed from the control panel (10).

[0027] In Figures 1 and 2, the rotary control knob (20) is shown disassembled from the control panel (10). A ring-like bezel (30) is inserted into the hole (14) from the inner side of the front wall (12). In this position, the sleeve-shaped outer ring (36) of the bezel (30) visually masks most of the hole (14) by extending outward from the front wall (12). As illustrated in Figure 2, the bezel (30) has an outer ring (36) whose outer diameter matches the inner diameter of the hole (14), and a flat flange (32) that extends radially outward from the rear edge of the outer ring (36). Behind this flange (32), a narrower inner ring (33) is attached coaxially to the bezel (30) via a bridge element (35) consisting of four arms. The bezel (30) is molded as one piece by plastic injection, with no additional parts.

[0028] In Figure 3, the control panel (10) is viewed from the front, without the control element (40). The adjustment shaft (43) of the control element (40) extends through the inner ring (33) at the center of the circular hole (14). The control element (40) is largely visible through the hole (14) from the front. The outer ring (36), which extends outward from the front wall (12), blocks much of the hole (14) from an angled perspective. The outer ring (36) occupies the entire inner diameter of the hole (14). On the body (42) of the control element (40), at some radial distance from the adjustment shaft (43), there is a regulation element (44). This regulation element (44) — a natural gas-LPG conversion adjustment screw — can be accessed through the hole (14), for example with a screwdriver. The body (42) is mounted on the front wall (12) by way of a retaining plate (46). Thus, while the adjustment shaft (43) is turned by the rotary control knob (20), it remains supported inside the inner ring (33). The bridge elements (43), arranged in a plus-like formation, extend to carry the inner ring (33) at the center of the bezel’s (30) outer ring (36).

[0029] In Figure 4, the control panel (10) is shown from its rear side, with the back of the front wall (12) visible. Here, the body (42) of the control element (40) — aligned with the adjustment shaft (43) at the center of the hole (14) — is mounted behind the front wall (12) into a slot of the retaining plate (46), which is L-shaped. The flange (32) of the bezel (30), which passes through hole (14), is a flat circular ring that applies pressure against the back of the front wall (12). This pressure is provided by the bridge element (35), whose free edges extend over the flange (32). The retaining plate (46) pushes on the wings of the bridge element (35) from the rear side. In this manner, the retaining plate (46) forces the flange (32) against the back of the front wall (12).

[0030] A mounting extension (15) projects inward from the rear side of the front wall (12); it has a hole for a screw. A corresponding hole in the area of the retaining plate (46) resting against the mounting extension (15) allows a fastening element (47) to pass through and attach to the mounting extension (15), thus letting the retaining plate (46) be supported by the rear of the front wall (12). Meanwhile, because the spacing is properly adjusted, the retaining plate (46) also exerts pressure on the rear face of the bridge element (35), locking the flange (32) onto the rear of the front wall (12). Consequently, the outer ring (36) is secured inside the hole (14) and partially extends outside the front wall (12).

[0031] The rim (22) of the rotary control knob (20) is spaced from the front wall (12). The gap formed between them is covered by the outer ring (36), which extends from its outer perimeter into the rim (22). When the user wants to turn the control element (40), the safety mechanism requires first pressing the rotary control knob (20) toward the front wall (12), causing the adjustment shaft (43) to move axially and unlock the safety device. During this action, the rim (22) moves closer to the front wall (12), but since the outer ring (36) has a smaller diameter than the rim (22), it covers the gap while permitting the rotary control knob (20) to rotate freely. When the rotary control knob (20) is removed, a service technician can easily access the regulation element (44) through the hole (14) via the interior of the outer ring (36). The technician can then perform the needed adjustments and reattach the rotary control knob (20) to the adjustment shaft (43), returning the control panel (10) to operational condition.

[0032] REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0033] 10 Control panel

[0034] 12 Front wall

[0035] 14 Hole

[0036] 15 Mounting extension

[0037] 20 Rotary control knob

[0038] 22 Rim

[0039] 30 Bezel

[0040] 32 Flange

[0041] 33 Inner ring

[0042] 34 Access opening

[0043] 35 Bridge element

[0044] 36 Outer ring

[0045] 40 Control element

[0046] 42 Body

[0047] 43 Adjustment shaft

[0048] 44 Regulation element

[0049] 46 Retaining plate

[0050] 47 Fastening element

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cooking device comprising a flat, planar control panel (10); a hole (14) formed in a front wall (12) of the control panel (10); a control element (40) having a shaft (43) capable of both axial and rotary movement and aligned to extend into said hole (14) from an inner portion of the control panel (10); and a rotary control knob (20) that is removably fitted onto the shaft (43) and covers the hole (14) via a rim (22) spaced so as to leave a gap on the front side of the front wall (12), characterized by a bezel (30) comprising a rigid outer ring (36) inserted into the hole (14) from its outer periphery and extending outwardly from the front portion of the front wall (12) so as to fully cover said gap, and a flange (32) that expands from the inner edge of the outer ring (36) and directly abuts the rear side of the front wall (12) while supporting the outer ring (36).

2. A cooking device according to Claim 1 , wherein a retaining plate (46) that carries the control element (40) and presses the flange (32) against the rear side of the front wall (12) from behind.

3. A cooking device according to Claim 2, wherein a mounting extension (15) projecting from the rear side of the front wall (12) of the control panel (10) toward the retaining plate (46), on which the retaining plate (46) is mounted.

4. A cooking device according to Claim 3, wherein a fastening element (47) is provided between the mounting extension (15) and the retaining plate (46) so as to support both the retaining plate (46) and the flange (32), pressing the retaining plate (46).

5. A cooking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a regulation element (44) is present on the control element (40) in a way that it can be accessed through the hole (14), and that the diameter of the outer ring (36) is configured so as to at least partially surround the regulation element (44).

6. A cooking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer ring (36) has a chimney-like extension that substantially blocks the hole (14) visually when the rotary control knob (20) is removed.

7. A cooking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bezel (30) is produced as a single-piece plastic injection molding.

8. A cooking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bezel (30) includes an inner ring (33) arranged coaxially and spaced relative to the outer ring (36), with an inner diameter that allows the shaft (43) to pass, and a bridge element (35) connecting said inner ring (33) to said outer ring (36).

9. A cooking device according to any of Claims 2 to 8, wherein the bridge element (35) includes a plate portion extending radially outward from the rear side of the flange (32), abutting it, and pushed from the front side by the retaining plate (46).

10. A cooking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flange (32) is a flat ring positioned behind the front wall (12) to provide sealing.

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