The present invention relates to a cooking device with at least one flame ignition control device for burners or the like arranged to operate in presence of strong and important liquid overflows, in combination with at least one cock adjusting the gas supply to at least one corresponding burner, which cock comprises an adjustment member controlled by a rotary shaft and which shaft is in turn controlled by an adjustment knob, said cock being mounted behind or under a wall constituting a panel or cooking top at a hole for the passage or the access of the shaft and which control device comprises

an activation/deactivation member for activating/deactivating a generator of electric discharges for flame ignition, which activation/deactivation member is also controlled by the adjustment knob by a translation motion in direction of the axis of the shaft and it is the member switching an electrical switch;

at least one pair of electric conductors supplying a power electric signal, which conductors are electrically insulated or connected to each other by said switch combined with said cock,

and wherein the activation/deactivation member switches the switch alternately from a closed condition to an open condition of an electric circuit supplying the ignition electric discharge generator, correspondingly to a position of the adjustment knob in one of two extreme positions in direction of the axis of the adjustment shaft.

The afore said implementation finds use specifically, but not exclusively, in combination with the cocks, wherein the axial displacement of the shaft adjusting the gas supply to the burner is required in order to control a circuit triggering the thermocouple controlling the flame presence safety unit. In absence of flame, the thermocouple signal is insufficient to allow the supply of the magnet controlling the opening and closing of the cock by preventing the gas supply and therefore, in the initial step of ignition of a burner, the thermocouple must be bypassed for as long as the just ignited flame warms up the thermocouple enough to generate a flame presence signal allowing the magnet to be supplied and to be kept in the condition of cock opening.

In general such cocks are mounted behind or under a wall constituting the panel or cooking top and the shaft of each switch is accessible through said hole. The knob can also be inserted in the hole with an end segment thereof coupling to the shaft.

In addition, in general a plurality of cocks is provided, each one for a separated burner, which are all mounted on the same plane or cooking top. Each cock has its own dedicated system activating/deactivating the flame ignition electric discharge generator comprising a dedicated switch, the switches being combined with the activation/deactivation members of the different cocks connected like a catenary side by side to the same two conductors . The two conductors run along the panel or cooking top from one cock to another, the cocks being each one fastened at a dedicated hole or a dedicated opening of the panel or cooking top, which are provided in positions relative to each other corresponding to a predetermined design of geometrical distribution of the cocks with respect to one another .

Presently, in all the known implementation variations, the arrangement of the switch supplying the discharge generator is such to be very close to the axis of the adjustment shaft of the cock, and in particular the switch is often coincident with the duct delivering a liquid, such as water or the like, that in case of overflow passes through the hole of the panel or cooking top.

As it will be more apparent in the following specification, both when only one cock is provided and when a given number of cocks are provided in a catenary-like configuration, the switch is directly under the water inlet and, even when the implementation thereof is an upwardly closed realization, that is towards the direction of penetration of water or other overflown liquids, the latter, hitting the structural parts of the cock and gas supply circuitry, can penetrate in the switch and generate significant issues of soiling, or continuous discharge or safety or absence of dielectric strength .

From the document WO2016016773 a gas adjustment cock is known, wherein expedients have been introduced in order to overcome the problem of overflown liquids penetrating inside the switch controlling the ignition electric discharge generator. Although this solution involves some advantages with respect to known solutions, it does not completely overcome the issues of penetration of liquids overflowing in the switch, mostly with respect to possible side inlets of the case containing the switch, as herein already pointed out.

In the state of the art cocks without safety valve are known, to whom however an activation control of flame ignition electric discharge generator is combined.

In this case, the knob can however provide a displacement travel actuating by translation an activation/deactivation member of the flame ignition electric discharge generator. Such a travel can be in the direction of the axis of the control shaft both with respect to said shaft, when the shaft is not provided as axially movable, or can be carried out along with the shaft, when the shaft can be axially displaced in order to unlock possible anti-rotation locks and prevent an activation of the gas flow predetermined for the ignition, and also when said translation is not bound to any adjustment, if not for example to an unlock of the shaft with respect to its rotation.

The modification of the international regulations and the specific requirements of the individual clients, about overflowing liquids and soiling by liquids and/or solid both used during cooking and as cleansers, requires a new catenary ensuring the overcoming thereof and allowing the problem to be effectively prevented and substantially definitely removed. A first object of the present invention is therefore to improve a gas supply adjustment cock for a burner so as to effectively protect the switching contacts of the switch opening and closing the circuit supplying the electric signal to the electric discharge generator, such that it is warranted against the penetration of liquids and/or solids due to overflow or penetration through the holes of the panel or the cooking top combined with the cock.

A further aspect of the present invention is therefore to implement a flame ignition control device for burners or the like, which is arranged to operate in presence of strong and important liquid overflows .

Still a further aspect of the present invention is to provide a set of said cocks with said ignition devices, which are mounted behind or under a plate such as a cooking top or a panel , at a hole or an opening, both as separated units and in a catenary- like configuration, and which cocks or ignition devices are configured to operate in presence of strong and important liquid overflows.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a machine comprising at least one burner, such as an inexpensive oven, a stove, a cooking device or the like, which comprises a flame adjustment cock with an ignition device of said flame arranged to operate in presence of strong and important liquid overflows.

The invention achieves the aforesaid objects by a cooking device with at least one flame ignition control device for burners or the like according to the combination of characteristics of the independent claims .

The specific control device provided in the cooking device according to the present invention is arranged in particular to operate in presence of strong and important liquid overflows from pots or cooking trays during the cooking process.

Therefore, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the electric switch controlled by the activation/deactivation member by means of the knob is arranged spaced from the axis of the control shaft by a larger extent with respect to the edge of the hole or slot for the passage of the shaft and/or knob or for the access to the shaft, which hole is provided in a wall constituting the panel or cooking top behind which the cock is provided.

According to an embodiment, the adjustment cock comprises a screw adjusting the lowest level of the flame, which screw is accessible through the hole or opening for the access to the adjustment shaft, which hole or opening is provided in the wall constituting the panel or cooking top, while the switch, that is the electric contacts thereof, are arranged at a distance from the adjustment shaft larger than that of said bypass screw adjusting the flame lowest level from said shaft adjusting the flame lowest level.

As already pointed out, in an embodiment the adjustment shaft can be made axially translatable as well as rotatable in order to control, in combination or alternatively, the activation/deactivation of a mechanical lock of the rotation of said adjustment shaft and/or to control the opening of a bypass for a gas flow to the burner required for the flame ignition and/or to control the temporary supply also of a supplying current of an electromagnet controlling the opening of a gas supply safety valve, in the time required for the flame to activate a flame presence sensor, such as a thermocouple or the like, whose signal is intended to control the electromagnet in stable open condition of the safety valve of the gas supply as long as the flame is present .

In a further exemplary embodiment on the contrary the shaft can be stationary with respect to an axial translation and the knob can slide with respect thereto in direction of the axis of the adjustment shaft.

When, in the cooking device several ignition devices are provided, each one in combination with a dedicated adjusting cock for at least one corresponding burner and which devices have switches connected to each other like a catenary to a shared power supply line, the cocks being arranged at a given distance one from each other, side by side and each cock being provided with an outlet for a tube supplying gas to a corresponding burner and the switch supplying the flame ignition electric discharge generator combined with each cock is interposed between two adjacent cocks.

An embodiment variation provides in combination with the above characteristics the case of valved cocks, i.e. cocks having a compartment for housing a magnet operating a cut-off of a safety valve for opening/closing the same cock, which magnet is controlled by the flame presence signal detected or generated by a thermocouple. In this case, the switch is arranged between the outlet of the gas supply tube of the associated cock and the compartment housing the magnet operating the cut-off of the safety valve of the immediately adjacent cock.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the activation/deactivation member is composed of an arm switching the switch, which arm is fastened by one end to the adjustment shaft of the cock in a manner movable therewith in the axial direction of the shaft itself and whose other end forms a sealed covering cap for fixed contacts of the switch, said cap facing, with the closed surface, the end of the adjustment shaft, that is the panel and/or cooking top .

In combination with this characteristic, an embodiment provides for the sealed cap on its lower side having a guide aperture for a pin, which pin is supported fixed in place with respect to the control arm and at its inner end bears a movable contact of the switch.

According to an embodiment, the pin supporting the movable contact is brought in a cantilever manner in the position coinciding with the guide in the end cap of the arm switching the switch, by a stationary arm fastened to the cock body by the end opposite to the end supporting the pin.

In an embodiment, inside the end cap of the switching arm a support is engaged for a pair of contacts which are electrically connected respectively to a power supply conductor and which contacts have contact surfaces facing the end of the stationary pin, which end bears the movable contact in the form of elastic element with contact surfaces intended to contemporaneously cooperate with contact surfaces of the fixed contact elements combined with the end cap and electrically connecting the two contact elements with each other and therefore the two power supply conductors .

According to still a further characteristic, the cap comprises at least one inlet for each conductor and, in the version wherein several devices are connected like a catenary, to a line formed by at least two conductors passing from one to the following device without interruption, the cap comprises two outlets, said inlets and the optional outlets being provided in the side shell wall of the end cap of the switching arm being tightly closed.

Still according to an advantageous characteristic, the fixed contacts are housed in the top closed part of the end cap of the switching arm, while the stationary pin supporting the movable contact enters the cap from the bottom side thereof.

From the above it is apparent that in case of overflow, the liquid hitting the end cap of the switching arm finds a surface completely closed and substantially free from openings, except for the openings for the conductor passage which are conveniently masked on the inside by proper labyrinths and on the outside by a downward fold of the cables .

The position of the fixed electric and spaced one from another contacts combined with each conductor in the top region of the end cap of the switching arm allows however that, in case of overflow, a possible infiltration also from not perfectly closed openings for the passage of the conductors propagates towards the lower region of the cap and thus the liquid or other material penetrated inside the cap does not reach and remains in the region of the fixed contacts.

Furthermore, by providing a stationary pin supporting the movable contact protruding also in the circuit open condition, i.e. in a condition spaced from the fixed contacts in a given extent beyond the lower side of the end cap of the switching arm, the possible overflown liquid can collect in the lower region of the cap without even reaching the movable contact nor flowing out through the same guide opening of said stationary pin.

The relative switching travel between the cap or fixed contact elements and the elastic contact on stationary pin is clearly such that, in the opening position, the elastic contact element on the stationary pin is spaced from the two fixed contact elements and the elastic contact element is in standby position, whereas in the closed circuit condition, i.e. of connection between the two supply conductors, the elastic contact element is in contact with the two fixed contact elements and is at least partially compressed.

An advantageous embodiment provides for the elastic contact element combined with the stationary pin being in the form of a helical spring coaxial to the pin itself or with an axis parallel to that of the pin, while the two fixed contact elements are fastened inside the end cap of the switching arm and are provided with their contact surfaces spaced from each other and each one aligned with at least one sector of the end coil of the helical spring. Among these, a preferred characteristic provides for the element supporting the fixed contacts being made as a part interlockingly connectable in the end cap of the switching arm and with an annular shape, the axial hole of said support of the contacts being the sliding guide on the stationary pin supporting the movable contact, while said cap and said support are movable together at least in direction of the approach travel to the elastic contact on the stationary pin.

Furthermore, still according to a preferred embodiment, the two fixed contact elements are composed of metal elements identical to each other.

Still according to an embodiment, said fixed contact elements are each one provided with an end connecting to the corresponding electric conductor, which end has a seat crimping said conductor, which seat has a first region for temporary coupling the directly adjacent conductor to an opening for the insertion of the conductor and a second definitive fastening region, the first region having a heartlike shape, that is two opposite walls scarfing the conductor with a concave curved shape and with an opening with a width slightly lower than the diameter of the conductor, while the two opposite walls get narrower converging towards a definitive fastening region with a width smaller than the diameter of the conductor .

Thanks to this characteristic, each cock provided with an ignition device made according to the present invention can be connected to the conductors of a continuous signal line for the flame ignition electric discharge generator, by carrying out a temporary preventive lock on each conductor, with which the fixed contact elements are coupled so as to allow a decoupling and/or only a repositioning by translation of the same along the conductors , whereas once defined the correct relative position between conductor and switch i.e. cock, the conductors can be locked to the corresponding contact element by being pushed in the ultimate locking region of the seat provided in the ends connecting to the fixed contacts.

From what above it is apparent that the ignition device according to the present invention is composed only of five different elements that are: a switching arm with an end cap forming a part of the case housing the movable and fixed contacts and with a coupling end integral by translation with the adjustment shaft of a flame adjustment cock, an element supporting the fixed contacts intended to be coupled in a removable but integral manner in movement with said cap, a stationary arm supporting a movable contact element inside said cap of the switching arm, which stationary arm is fastened to the body of the cock in a not movable manner with respect to it, a fixed contact element for each conductor said fixed contact elements being made identical with each other and a movable contact element combined with said stationary supporting arm.

Still according to an advantageous characteristic, different coupling modes of the switching arm to the cock adjustment shaft and also different fastening modes to the cock body of the stationary arm supporting the fixed contacts, can be provided. These different variations are object of the following description of exemplary embodiments.

Object of the invention is furthermore to provide an implementation of the afore said activation/deactivation member of a flame ignition electric discharge generator and the switch switched by said member, which allows the protection aspects against the liquid and solid material infiltrations inside the switch itself to be improved.

According to this aspect, the invention provides a flame ignition control device for burners or the like, which is arranged to operate in presence of strong and important liquid overflows, in combination with at least one cock adjusting the gas supply to at least one corresponding burner, which cock comprises an adjustment member controlled by a rotary shaft and which shaft is in turn controlled by an adjustment knob, and which device comprises

an activation/deactivation member for activating/deactivating a generator of electric discharges for flame ignition, which activation/deactivation member is also controlled by the adjustment knob by a translation motion in direction of the axis of the shaft and it is the member switching an electrical switch;

at least one pair of electric conductors supplying a power electric signal, which conductors are electrically insulated or connected to each other by said switch combined with said cock,

and wherein the activation/deactivation member switches the switch alternately from a closed condition to an open condition of an electric circuit supplying the ignition electric discharge generator, correspondingly to a position of the adjustment knob in one of two extreme positions in direction of the axis of the adjustment shaft, and wherein furthermore ,

the activation/deactivation member of a generator of electric discharges for flame ignition is composed of an arm switching the switch, which arm is fastened by one end to the adjustment shaft of the cock in a manner movable therewith in the axial direction of the shaft and whose other end forms a sealed covering cap of fixed contacts of the switch each one for a corresponding conductor and which cap has at least inlets and optionally outlets for the conductors in a side shell wall and it faces, by the closed surface, the end of the adjustment shaft, while the shell wall of the cap protrudes in the direction of the end opposite to the closed end and the fixed contacts are provided in the top region of the closed end of said end cap of the switching arm, there a stationary arm being provided and supporting a movable contact intended to cooperate with the fixed contacts, which stationary arm is fastened at one end to the body of the cock in a manner not movable with respect thereto and at the opposite end it has an appendage supporting a movable contact, which appendage penetrates in the cap through a slot of the side thereof opposite to the closed side while bringing the movable contact in the position cooperating with the fixed contacts, said appendage being a stationary guide for sliding the cap of the switching arm with the movable contacts along a direction parallel to the axial translation direction of the shaft of the adjustment cock. As it is apparent, this combination of characteristics can be provided with one or more of the characteristics of the embodiments and variations previously described in any combination or sub- combination thereof, as it will appear more clearly by the following description of not limiting preferred exemplary embodiments.

According to a further aspect of the invention, object of the same is a cooking device provided with a combination of a plurality of ignition devices each one in combination with a dedicated adjustment cock and which devices have switches connected to each other like a catenary to a shared power supply line, the cocks being arranged at a given distance one from the other, one besides the other and each cock being provided with an outlet for a tube supplying gas to a corresponding burner and, in case of valved cocks, with a compartment housing a magnet operating a cutoff of a safety valve opening/closing the cock, which magnet is controlled by the flame presence signal detected or generated by a thermocouple . According to the invention, the switch powering the generator of electric discharges for flame ignition combined with each cock is arranged, in case of valved cocks, between the outlet of the gas supply tube of the associated cock and the compartment housing the magnet operating the cut-off of the safety valve of the immediately adjacent cock.

Also in relation to this aspect of the invention, the combination with one or more of the characteristics of the embodiments and embodiment variations afore described according to any combination and sub-combination can be provided. Object of the invention is further a cooking device comprising at least one burner supplied by a gas mixture, such as an oven, an inexpensive stove, and in which the flow rate of gas to the burner or burners is adjusted by an adjustment cock and which cooking device comprises for at least one, at least part or all the burners, a flame ignition device. According to the invention, the flame ignition device is made according to one or more of the embodiments and the embodiment variations afore described in any combination and sub-combination.

The afore described characteristics and other characteristics, as well as the advantages of the present invention, will appear more clearly from the following description of some exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a top plan view on a panel or cooking top of a device comprising a plurality of burners, each one controlled by a flame adjustment cock and combined with a switch supplying a flame ignition electric discharges generator, said panel or cooking top and said cocks and associated switches being made according to the known art.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of a set of adjustment cocks each one with a flame ignition device connected like a catenary to a shared power electric line.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the set of cocks according to figure 2, which are combined with a pierced plate constituting a control panel or cooking top behind which the adjustment cocks are arranged. Figure 4 is a view similar to figure 1, wherein the cocks with the respective ignition devices are made according to the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the embodiments according to figures 3 and 4, in the direction of an axis perpendicular to the adjustment shaft and the cock supplying gas to the burner.

Figure 6 shows the elements constituting the activation/deactivation member of the flame ignition device according to the preceding figures 2 to 5.

Figure 7 shows a detail relating to the coupling to the cock body of the end of the stationary arm supporting the fixed contact.

Figures 8A, 8B, 8C show respectively a perspective view of a fixed contact element without conductor, a fixed contact element with the conductor in the temporary coupling position and a fixed contact element with the conductor in the ultimate coupling condition with said fixed contact element.

Figures 9A, 9B, 9C show an enlarged sectional view according to a diametrical plan of the adjustment shaft which is perpendicular to the axis of the cock supplying gas to the burner, respectively according three different embodiment variations of coupling of the switching arm of the switch to the adjustment shaft constraining said arm to the axial translation motion of said shaft.

Figure 10 shows the five different elements required for the implementation of the flame ignition device according to the present invention in an exploded view.

In reference to figure 1, it shows an embodiment known to the state of the art. In the known embodiment of figure 1, a plate 1 or the like is provided and forms a wall of control panel or cooking top of a device provided with a plurality of burners (not shown in detail) , each of which is connected by a gas supply tube 2 to a cock 3 adjusting the flow rate of gas to adjust the flame. The flame adjustment cock has an adjustment shaft 301 which is rotatable about its axis and whose rotation controls the larger or smaller opening of a valve controlling the gas flow supplied to the burner.

The shaft 301 is accessible through holes 101 of the plate 1 behind which the adjustment cocks 3 are arranged.

The holes 101 have such a size that the adjustment shaft 301 and generally also an adjustment screw 302 of the gas supply by-pass, in the condition of lowest level of the flame, can be accessed through them.

To each cock 3 a flame ignition device is combined which comprises a switch 4 controlled by an activation/deactivation member, i.e. a member switching the switch between two activation and deactivation conditions of a flame ignition electric discharge generator, which generator is not shown in detail .

As it will appear more clearly in the following, each switch can be separately connected to two electric signal conductors which are electrically connected to each other, i.e. short circuited to one another, or which are electrically insulated from one another respectively in one of two switching positions of the switch. The switches have a switching member controlling the displacement of a movable contact towards at least one stationary contact and which switching member operates a control element which is provided in a position radially flanked to the shaft 301 and however coincident with the port of the hole 101, to the cock 1, as shown by numeral 401 in figure 1.

The control element 401 can be displaced according to a direction parallel to the axis of the control shaft between said two switching positions. The operation of the control element to switch from one to another of said two switching conditions occurs by the grasping knob of the adjustment shaft.

When the adjustment shaft carries out a translation in axial direction in order to generate a by-pass control of the thermocouple signal in the valved cocks or to allow the cock opening in those without safety valve, for the temporary time the thermocouple is heated adequately to ensure the signal for keeping an electromagnetically controlled safety valve in open condition, then the knob is displaced together with the shaft and directly or through driving means of the axial travel operates the control element 401. It is also possible that the shaft does not axially translate but only the knob slides for a given axial travel on the adjustment shaft, similarly exerting the operating control of the control element.

As it is apparent in the embodiment according to the known art, the switch 4 under the corresponding hole 101 on the cooking top 1 for the access or the exit of the shaft 301 of the cock 3 and the insertion of the knob (not shown) . The control element 401 of the switch 4 is directly under the inlet of water or other fluid that can overflow behind the wall 1 through the hole 101 and even if closed on top, water or other liquids, hitting on the structural parts of the cock 3 and the gas circuitry, can enter from the side and under the switch itself, thus generating big issues for continuous discharge and/or lack of safety, lack of dielectric strength.

Figures 2 to 5 show the solution provided by the present invention. For like parts or parts having the same functions, in figures 2 to 5 and also in the remaining figures the same reference numeral will be used as in figure 1.

As it is apparent from figures 2 to 5, the embodiment of the present invention provides that, in combination with a plurality of adjustment cocks 3 arranged side by side and each one combined with a hole 101 for the access of the adjustment shaft 301 through the wall 1, as well as each one combined with a flame ignition device comprising an activation/deactivation member of said device controlling a switch 4, the switch 4 of each adjustment cock 3 is arranged at a distance from the axis of the adjustment shaft 301 such that the switch is not coincident with the port of the hole 101 combined with the corresponding adjustment cock 3, nor of other holes 101.

In figures 3 and 5 the projection cones of the hole 101 behind the wall 1 are shown and, as it is apparent, the switch 4 is provided outside these projection cones.

Still according to a characteristic, as it appears from figure 1, when at least two or more cocks 3 are arranged side by side one to another, the switch 4 is arranged in an intermediate position between two adjacent cocks.

In reference to the embodiment shown, each cock comprises an outlet 304 to which the tube 2 supplying gas to the burner is fitted. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown the cocks have a safety valve which prevents the gas supply to the burner when the flame is missing. The flame presence is detected by a thermocouple providing a flame presence/absence signal that is used to control, by an electromagnet, the open and closed condition of the safety valve.

Usually the electromagnetic actuator is housed in a compartment of the cock body that is provided laterally offset with respect to the axis of the tube 2 supplying gas to the burner. Said compartment is denoted by 305 in figures 2 to 5 and is provided at one of the two sides of the cock body. In this case, the switch 4 of the adjustment cocks is provided between the tube 2 supplying gas to the burner of the corresponding adjustment cock 3 and said compartment 305 for the electromagnetic control of the directly adjacent cock.

According to still a characteristic that can be provided both in combination and separately from the others, similarly to the state of the art each cock 3 can have a screw 302 for adjusting the lowest flame level, which is accessible through the corresponding hole 101 having thus a distance from the shaft axis such to be coincident with the port of the hole 101 of the wall 1, while the switch 4 is arranged at a distance from the axis of the adjustment shaft 301 that is larger than that of the screw 302 from said axis of the adjustment shaft 301.

According to a further characteristic, the switches of the adjustment cocks 3 are connected in parallel like a catenary to at least two conductors

CI, C2 of an electric power line supplying the generator of electric discharges for the flame ignition, which conductors pass without interruption along the line of adjacent adjustment cocks 3 and cross the associated switches.

Of course as an alternative to the catenary configuration it is also possible that each switch 4 of each adjustment cock 3 is connected independently of an electric line.

Figures 6 to 10 show views of different details of the embodiment of the ignition device combined with each adjustment cock 3.

In reference to figure 6 the same shows the ignition device combined with a cock, the cock being omitted.

The device comprises an activation/deactivation member of an ignition electric discharge generator comprising a first switching arm 8 with a coupling end 801 to the adjustment shaft 301 of the cock 3 and a second end forming a cap 802. The two ends are separated by an intermediate segment 803 of the arm 8 having such a length that the end cap 802 is positioned as afore described in relation to figures 2 to 5 with respect to the axis of the adjustment shaft 301 and thus of the edge of the hole 101 for the access to the same shaft.

The end cap 802 is overturned, i.e. with the closed side facing the free end of the adjustment shaft 310, i.e. upwards while the open side faces the opposite direction. The end cap 802 forms the case of the switch 4.

In the top region of the end cap 802, on a supporting element 804 intended to be snap-fit engaged with said end cap 802 and to translate along with the same in the direction of the rotation axis of the adjustment shaft 301 when said axial displacement is operated manually, two contact elements 9 are mounted which are permanently fastened to the support 804.

The two contacts 9 have contact surfaces 901 with a short-circuit central movable contact 10 among each other and each one respectively has a coupling seat 902 for the crimping to a corresponding conductor CI , C2.

The fixed contact 10 consists of a helical spring 10 or other elastic element. The helical spring 10 extends with its axis parallel to the translation direction of the adjustment shaft and/or the switching arm 8 and is brought to the end of a stationary pin 111 oriented parallel to the axis of the shaft as well, which stationary pin 111 is slidingly guided inside a chamber 806 provided in the support element 804 of the fixed contacts 9. These fixed contacts are spaced one from another such that the two contact surfaces are arranged substantially in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the stationary pin 111 and/or the helical spring 10, and in such a position that they are aligned in the direction of said axis respectively with one of two sectors spaced from one another, preferably substantially diametrically opposed, of the end coil of the helical spring 10.

The stationary pin 111 carrying the movable contact 10 composed of an elastic element which is in the form of a helical spring, in the example shown, is provided at one end of a stationary arm 11, whose other end connects fixedly in place to the body of the adjustment cock 3.

Therefore in the condition of deactivation of the electric discharge generator, i.e. in the condition wherein the movable switching arm 8 is at the maximum distance from the stationary arm 11, the elastic contact element, i.e. the helical spring 10, is spaced from the contact surfaces 901 of the two fixed contact elements 9. In condition of activation of the electrical discharge generator conversely the switching movable arm 8 is moved towards the stationary arm 11 to the extent required to bring the movable contact element 10, i.e. the helical spring, to the position of electrically conductive contact with the contact surfaces 901 of the two fixed contact elements 9, thus closing the circuit between the conductors CI and C2 and, at the same time such to charge the elastic contact element, i.e. the helical spring 10, to a given predetermined extent by compression .

By the use of an elastic contact element, the elasticity and the adaptation of the contacts to the condition of closed circuit and also an extra travel for a correct operation, are ensured.

In the condition of closed circuit, the elastic contact element being compressed to a given extent, it generates an adhesion force of the contact surfaces one to another which always ensures a good condition of electric conduction, allowing to compensate for clearances of relative positioning of the two movable contacts 9 between each other and with respect to the fixed elastic contact 10.

Figure 10 shows an exploded view of the afore described implementation.

As regard to the fastening of the stationary arm 11 to the body of the adjustment cock, this is provided as sandwiched between two parts of the case of the cock 3.

Specifically, in reference to figure 7, the end of the stationary arm 11 with which the arm is fastened to the body of the cock 3 comprises a first annular ring nut 211 open and with an angular development larger than 180° , which overlaps to an annular shoulder 307 radial and external to the body of the cock 3, one of the ends of the ring nut 211 extends with an intermediate segment 311 of the stationary arm 11 ending with the stationary pin 111, while the other end of the ring nut 211 extends with a wing 411 hooking on an external radial step 308 of the cock body, thus overlapping to the side of said step 308 opposite to the surface of the annular shoulder 307 to which the ring nut 211 overlaps, thereby interlockingly generating a stable coupling of the stationary arm 11 to the body of the cock 3.

As it is apparent specifically from figure 5, the realization of the ignition device according to the present invention allows having size amounts on the back side, i.e. under the level of the wall 1 of the panel or cooking top, in the outer region with respect to the edge of the hole 101, that are smaller or at most equal to about 17 mm with respect to the axis of the ramp-like fitting. This is very important mostly when several ignition devices of as many cocks are connected to the same electric line in the form of a catenary.

From what above it is also apparent, especially in reference to figure 10, how the ignition device is composed of only five different parts that can be easily assembled to one another.

In addition, another advantageous characteristic is that the fixed contact elements connecting to the conductors CI and C2 are made identical to one another and thus interchangeable.

An advantageous embodiment provides a particular implementation of the fixed contact elements 9.

In this case, the fastening seat 902 to the conductor by crimping provides that the latter is formed by two opposed fins which are shaped on the opposed faces such to form an opening for inserting the conductor CI, C2 , a first temporary and loose coupling region 903 and a following definitive coupling region 904.

Figure 8A shows the fixed contact enlarged, and figures 8B and 8C the two crimping steps of the cable CI, C2. In the first step the conductor is engaged by elastic forcing through an opening having a width slightly smaller than the diameter of the conductor itself CI, C2 , in a region for putting the cable in place with a particular "heart-like" shape enclosing the cable CI, C2 itself. In this region, the concave shape of the sides of the two fins forming the coupling seat 902 of the conductor provides for the two fins forming the seat to hold said conductor in place by only applying a mild retaining force and that allows both the possible decoupling and also a possible relative displacement along the conductor. Once all the cables are preliminarily engaged in the temporary coupling part 903, manually or by using proper tools (press, piston, etc.), the conductor CI, C2 is pushed in the definitive coupling region 904 by the surfaces of the two fins forming the seat and having a tilted development converging from the region with larger width 903 to that of smaller width 904.

In reference to the exemplary embodiments of the preceding figures, it is apparent how the only openings of the switch 4 of the device according to the present invention are downwards, where the inlet of the fixed pin 111 holding the elastic contact 10 is positioned. The switch is completely closed upwardly and on the sides such to prevent water from entering. The movable contacts 9 of the switch are positioned on top inside the case formed by the end cap 802 of the movable arm 8, such as to ensure their contact in case of water and/or other liquids. The inlets and outlets of the cables or conductors CI and C2 are provided in the side shell walls of the end cap and are tightly closed by the combination of the surfaces of said side wall of the cap 802 and the support 804 of the movable contacts 9 interlocked in the same. For this purpose as it clearly appears, rather than simple side openings, in the shell wall of the cap 802 axial throats are provided that are partially at the edge of said shell wall opposite to the closed side of the cap 802. Thanks to this, the contact elements 9 can be mounted on the support 804, the conductors CI, C2 can be permanently coupled to the corresponding contact elements 9 and the support 804 can be interlockingly engaged with the contact elements 9 and the conductors CI , C2 permanently coupled to the same inside the cap 802, thus closing the switch case.

Clearly before engaging the support 804 in the cap 82, the stationary pin 111 with the elastic contact 10 can be inserted inside the same support.

The two ends of the arms 8 and 11 can thus be coupled to the cock 3.

In reference to figures 9A to 9C, these show three different coupling alternatives of the switching movable arm 8 to the cock in an axially displaceable way, along with the adjustment shaft 301 and/or the control knob of said shaft.

In the variation of figure 9A, the end 801 of the switching arm 8 for coupling to the cock is of the so called closed control type. In this case, the translation of the switching arm 8 is directly controlled by the control knob of the adjustment shaft 3 and said end is composed of a ferrule that is directly positioned on a flange of the adjustment shaft 301.

In the variation of figure 8B the so called open control is provided, i.e. the operation of the translation travel of the switching arm 8 directly occurs by the adjustment shaft 301 of the cock 3 to which the end 801 is coupled so as to translate together in direction of the axis of the shaft by means of a ferrule fitted on said shaft and provided with a crown of two or more radial fins 811 which are elastically loaded in direction of the central axis of the shaft and provided with an engaging tooth 812 like a circular sector intended to be engaged in an annular throat (not shown) of the same shaft 301.

The third variation of figure 9C shows the end

801 of the switching arm 8, which is made to operate according to a configuration called under-washer control. In this case the shaft has a radial external widening, for example in the form of a washer keyed on the same in a predetermined axial position of the shaft .

The end 801 in the form of a ferrule has axial radial fins 813 intended to cooperate with the washer, i.e. with the external radial annular shoulder of the shaft.

From what stated above, it is apparent how the described characteristics apply to both flame ignition devices provided in combination with individual adjustment cocks each one mounted as single units separated from each other, and to flame ignition devices of several adjustment cocks, which devices are connected like a catenary to a shared power electric line with at least two conductors to be reciprocally short-circuited for the activation of the generator of electric discharges for the flame ignition. In this configuration, the characteristics of the present invention offer the highest realization and functional advantages.

Specifically, the invention relates to a catenary system wherein each single switch combined with the corresponding gas cock is positioned, independently of the cock type, between the outlet of the gas tube to the burner and the graft of the thermocouple control, when present, of the immediately adjacent switch.

In a catenary system, the switching member of the switch is positioned beyond the by-pass screw for adjusting the lowest level of the gas cock, which screw is provided substantially coincident with the margin of the water inlet hole.

The switch contacts are furthermore positioned in the top area of the switching member such to ensure the maximum distance from water infiltrations.

The specific realization described allows having a height smaller or equal to 17.5 mm between the axis of the connection fitting with the gas ramp and the maximum size of the switch upwards.

A contact is supported by a fixed pin sandwiched between two parts of the cock, while the other contacts are combined with an overturned cap or dome that moves with respect to the fixed pin following the top-down movement of the cock .

Each cock is composed of only 5 components different from each other, the electrical cables excepted .

The fixed contacts permanently coupled to the body of the switch are two and are equal and interchangeable.

The movable contact constituting the electrical closing element between the two fixed contacts is an elastic component, such as a helical spring or the like .

The fixed contacts in the cable holding part are formed in two distinct ways with a pre-assembled part and a definitive assembling part. The fixed pin carrying the elastic contact enters the switch body from the bottom with the fixed contacts thereof placed on top, whereas the upper part of the switch is perfectly closed.

The anchoring and control system of the switching member to the shaft of the cock can be made according to at least three different alternatives consisting of the following options: closed mode for under-knob control, open mode for ring nut control, or under-washer control directly obtained by the shaft of the cock.