BUCCI, Dino (Via Aldo Moro 27, Macine di Castelpiano, I-60032, IT)
| CLAIMS 1. A method for assembling a household cooking top (1), of the type comprising a base (10) which houses at least one burner (1 1), in particular a gas burner, characterised in that said method comprises the following steps: a) associating a plate (20) with said base (10), said plate (20) having at least one first aperture (21) for inserting at least one burner (1 1), and at least one second aperture (22) for inserting at least one adjuster element (12) for turning on and/or turning off and/or adjusting said at least one burner (1 1); b) associating a cover (30) with said base (10) and with said plate (20), said cover (30) having at least one first hole (31 ) for inserting said at least one burner (1 1) and at least one second hole (32) for inserting said at least one adjuster element (12); c) associating a heat shield (40) with said at least one burner (1 1) through fastening means. 2. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said step b) is carried out by using reference means (51, 52) which allow the cover (30) to be positioned correctly with respect to the base (10) and the plate (20). 3. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that reference means comprising at least one pair of cylinders (51) are fitted onto a pair of adjuster elements (12), inserted into a pair of second apertures (22) of the plate (20), and then inserted into a corresponding pair of second holes (32) of the cover (30) when positioning said cover (30) onto the plate (20). 4. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to one or more of claims 2 and 3, characterised in that reference means comprising at least one pair of cylinders (51 ) are fitted onto at least one portion of a pair of burners (1 1), inserted into a pair of first apertures (21) of the plate (20), and then inserted into a corresponding pair of first holes (31) of the cover (30) when positioning said cover (30) onto the plate (20). 5. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that reference means comprising at least one tongue (52) are associated with said base (10) and/or with said plate (20), said at least one tongue (52) being adapted to match a seat in the cover (30). 6. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that said at least one tongue (52) is associated with said base (10) and/or with said plate (20) in a manner such as to match at least one first hole (31 ) and/or at least one second hole (32) in the cover (10). 7. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to one or more of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that said at least one tongue (52) is obtained when moulding said base (10) and/or said plate (20). 8. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to one or more of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that said at least one tongue (52) is secured to said base (10) and/or to said plate (20) after having manufactured said base (10) and/or said plate (20). 9. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to one or more of claims 5, 7 and 8, characterised in that said at least one tongue (52) is associated with an upper portion (13) of the base (10), said upper portion (13) being substantially parallel to a bottom (14) of the base (10), so that it can act as a support surface for the cover (30). 10. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to claim 1 , characterised in that said step a) is carried out by: - positioning the plate onto a bottom (14) of the base (10), in particular onto a plurality of embosses adapted to position the plate 20 at a level substantially corresponding to that of an upper portion 13 of the base 10, and - using at least one pair of fastening elements. 1 1. A method for assembling a cooking top ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , characterised in that said step a) is preceded by a step of positioning at least one damper element into said base (10), in particular into a bottom (14) of the base (10). 12. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said step c) is carried out in a manner such that said cover (30) is sandwiched between the plate (20) and at least one heat shield (40). 13. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to claim 1 , characterised in that said step c) is carried out by inserting a body (1 1 A) of the burner (1 1) into a passage (41) of the heat shield (40) and by securing the heat shield (40) to a foot (1 IB) of the burner (1 1), in particular through fastening means. 14. A method for assembling a cooking top (1) according to claim 1 , characterised in that said step c) comprises the positioning of a gasket (42) between the heat shield (40) and the cover (30). 15. A cooking top (1) assembled by using the assembly method according to one or more of claims 1 to 14. |
The present invention relates to a method for assembling a household cooking top according to the preamble of claim 1.
The present invention typically applies to household cooking tops of the type comprising a plurality of burners, in particular gas burners, for cooking foods placed in suitable containers.
Cooking tops of this type are known and widespread, in different forms, in every household kitchen.
In some cases, said cooking tops are separate units, i.e. simple cookers; in other cases, said cooking tops are add-on components adapted to be flush-mounted in standard-size apertures obtained in the top of a sectional kitchen; or, in other cases, said cooking tops are the upper portion of a household appliance comprising an oven suitable for cooking foods.
Household cooking tops are generally fitted with a cover that houses a plurality of cooking points.
Each cooking point is provided with at least one burner, in particular a gas burner, which is generally associated with one adjuster element adapted to be operated by a user for turning on and/or off the burner and for adjusting the heat generated by said burner, said adjuster element allowing the user to adjust the gas flow, and hence the heat generated by combustion. Generally, said adjuster element is associated with a knob, so that it is more ergonomical and can be operated more easily by a user.
The cooking tops known in the art are assembled by mounting a plurality of burners and a corresponding number of adjuster elements onto a base of the cooking top.
Separately from the installation of the burners and of the adjuster elements onto the base, a set of components are then assembled in a suitable jig, said set of components comprising:
a cover, typically made of glassy material, having a plurality of apertures for inserting the burners;
a plurality of heat shields, each heat shield being suited to being associated with said burners and said apertures;
a plate that allows containers to be stably positioned on the cooking top even should the material of the cover break or crack. In addition, the plate is also used for optimally reinforcing the cooking top.
Said set of components are assembled by securing the cover, generally made of glassy material, between said plurality of heat shields and the plate, in particular after having used fastening means for coupling the heat shields to the plate. The use of a jig ensures the necessary accuracy when associating the cover with the plate.
Once the assembly consisting of the plate, the heat shields and the cover has been put together, the jig is removed and said assembly is fastened to the base of the cooking top. However, assembling a cooking top as described above involves a few drawbacks.
In fact, using fastening means for coupling the heat shields to the plate causes said heat shields and said plate to become deformed, in particular if the fastening means are tightened too much.
Such a deformation of the heat shields may cause the enamel of the plate and/or of the heat shields to come off, which may lead to the formation of rust on said components. Moreover, said deformation of the plate may lead to improper coupling between the elements of the cooking top, thus causing aesthetic and functional problems, e.g. presence of a gap between the base and the cover.
In this frame, it is the main object of the present invention to overcome the above- mentioned drawbacks by providing a method for assembling a cooking top which involves no deformation of the elements of said cooking top, in particular during the steps of assembling said elements.
In particular, it is one object of the present invention to prevent the heat shields from becoming deformed, so as to prevent the enamel of the plate and/or of the heat shields from coming off, which may lead to the formation of rust on said components.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for assembling a cooking top which allows to obtain an optimal coupling between the elements of the cooking top, thus avoiding any aesthetic or functional problems, e.g. presence of a gap between the base and the cover.
Said objects are achieved by the present invention through a method for assembling a household cooking top incorporating the features set out in the appended claims, which are intended as an integral part of the present description.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and from the annexed drawings, which are supplied by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
- Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a cooking top according to the present invention;
- Figs. 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b are perspective views showing the steps to be carried out for assembling the cooking top of Fig. 1 in accordance with the present invention;
- Fig. 4 shows a detail of a variant of the cooking top of Fig. 1.
Said description and said drawings are to be considered as non-limiting examples.
Referring now to Fig. 1 , reference numeral 1 designates as a whole a household cooking top of the type comprising a base 10 that houses at least one burner 1 1, in particular a gas burner.
As shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1, said cooking top 1 comprises a plurality of burners 1 1 , more precisely four or five burners 1 1 , preferably having different size and calorific power, which can be used as necessary with cooking containers (pots, pans, jugs and the like) having different dimensions and being suitable for cooking different types of foods. Said burners 1 1 may be manufactured by using any technology, e.g. the "Flat Thin Gas Hob" technology as described in patent application WO2007/036772 by the present Applicant.
In particular, in the embodiment of Fig. 1 four burners 1 1 are arranged at the four corners of the quadrilateral that delimits the cooking top 1, whereas a fifth burner 1 1 is arranged centrally relative to the other four; it is however clear that the layout of the burners 1 1 on the cooking top 1 may be different from that shown in Fig. 1.
Said burners 1 1 may be without distinction of the type taking primary air above or below the cooking top 1 whereon they are mounted. It is also clear that each burner 1 1 may be fitted with at least one ignition spark plug and/or at least one thermocouple for checking if the burner 1 1 is on; neither said ignition spark plugs nor said thermocouples are shown in the drawings.
Fig. 2a is an exploded perspective view of the elements making up the cooking top 1, whereas Figs. 2b, 3a and 3b are perspective views of the steps to be carried out for assembling the components of the cooking top 1 in accordance with the present invention.
As can be seen in these drawings, the method for assembling the cooking top 1 according to the present invention comprises the following steps:
a) associating a plate 20 with said base 10 (as shown in Fig. 2b), said plate 20 having at least one first aperture 21 for inserting at least one burner 1 1 , and at least one second aperture 22 for inserting at least one adjuster element 12 for turning on and or turning off and/or adjusting said at least one burner 1 1 ;
b) associating a cover 30 with said base 10 and with said plate 20 (as shown in Fig. 3a), said cover 30 having at least one first hole 31 for inserting said at least one burner 1 1 and at least one second hole 32 for inserting said at least one adjuster element 12; c) associating a heat shield 40 with said at least one burner 1 1 (as shown in Fig. 3b) through fastening means (not shown in the drawings).
Preferably, said cover 30 is made of glassy material.
The assembly method according to the present invention allows to obtain a cooking top 1 which can be wholly manufactured along a production line, without having to use a suitable jig for assembling off-line some of the components of the cooking top 1.
As a result, such an assembly method allows to avoid using any fastening means for coupling the heat shields 40 to the plate 20, thus preventing said heat shields 40 and said plate 20 from becoming deformed, in particular when excessive force is exerted to tighten the fastening means. This is particularly important in view of possible repairs of the cooking top 1 ; in fact, thanks to the assembly method according to the present invention, during said repair work it will no longer be necessary to tighten again the fastening means that provide the coupling between the heat shields 40 and the plate 20, risking to further deform said components.
It is clear that, since the heat shields 40 are not deformed, the enamel of the plate 20 and/or of the heat shields 40 will not be affected, and therefore there will be no risk of formation of rust on such components.
Furthermore, the absence of any deformations caused to the plate 20 and/or to the heat shields 40 allows to obtain an ideal coupling between the elements of the cooking top 1 , in particular with no aesthetic and functional defects, such as the presence of a gap between the base 10 and the cover 30.
Preferably, said step b) of associating the cover 30 with the base 10 and with the plate 20 is carried out by using reference means 51 , 52 which allow the cover 30 to be positioned correctly with respect to the base 10 and the plate 20.
In a first embodiment, reference means comprising at least one pair of cylinders 51 are fitted onto a pair of adjuster elements 12, inserted into a pair of second apertures 22 of the plate 20, and then inserted into a corresponding pair of second holes 32 of the cover 30 when positioning the cover 30 onto the plate 20.
As an alternative (not shown in the drawings) or in addition, said cylinders 51 may be fitted onto at least one portion of a pair of burners 1 1 , inserted into a pair of first apertures 21 of the plate 20, and then inserted into a corresponding pair of first holes 31 of the cover 30 when positioning the cover 30 onto the plate 20.
In the present description, "to fit" means to accurately position the cylinders 51 onto the burners 1 1 and/or onto the adjuster elements 12; to this end, the cylinders 51 preferably comprise a seat (not shown in the drawings) adapted to precisely accommodate the burners 1 1 and/or the adjuster elements 12 inside the cylinders 51.
According to a further alternative, reference means comprising at least one tongue 52 (shown in Fig. 4) may be associated with said base 10 and/or with said plate 20, said at least one tongue 52 being adapted to match a seat (not shown in the drawings) in the cover 30. In particular, said at least one tongue 52 may be associated with said base 10 and/or with said plate 20 in a manner such as to match at least one first hole 31 and/or at least one second hole 32 in the cover 30; this ensures a proper positioning of the cover 30 with respect to the base 10 and the plate 20 without ruining the appearance of the cooking top 1, in that the coupling between the tongue 52 and said first hole 31 and/or said second hole 32 in the cover is hidden by the subsequently positioned heat shield 40, if the coupling takes place with said first hole 31 , or by a subsequently positioned decorative annular frame (not shown in the drawing) like those typically installed around knobs, if the coupling takes place with said second hole 32.
Said at least one tongue 52 may be obtained when moulding said base 10 and/or said plate 20; as an alternative, said at least one tongue 52 may be secured to said base 10 and/or to said plate 20 after having manufactured said base 10 and or said plate 20. In addition, said at least one tongue 52 is associated with an upper portion 13 of the base 10, said upper portion 13 being substantially parallel to a bottom 14 of the base 10, so that it can act as a support surface for the cover 30.
The use of the reference means 51, 52 according to the present invention allows the cover 30 to be assembled together with the plate 20 and the heat shields 40 without said components having to be assembled off-line in a jig.
Moreover, the use of said reference means 51 , 52 avoids the need of drilling the cover 30 for using fastening means adapted to centre said cover 30 with respect to the base 10 and the plate 20.
In accordance with the present invention, step a) of associating the plate 20 with the base 10 is preferably carried out by:
- positioning the plate 20 onto said bottom 14 of the base 10, in particular onto a plurality of embosses (not shown in the drawings) adapted to position the plate 20 at a level substantially corresponding to that of the upper portion 13 of the base 10, and
using at least one pair of fastening elements (also not shown in the drawings). Said fastening elements allow the plate 20 to be properly positioned and centered with respect to the base 10; they may comprise, for example, a pair of screws adapted to be coupled to a pair of holes drilled into the bottom 14 of the base 10. In this case, the fastening means used for centering the plate 20 relative to the base 10 cannot deform said plate 20, since the latter rests on the bottom 14 of the base 10.
Furthermore, said step a) may be preceded (as can be seen in Fig. 2a) by a step of securing at least one burner 1 1 and/or at least one adjuster element 12 to said base 10, in particular to the bottom 14 of said base 10.
Said step a) may then be preceded by a step of positioning at least one damper element into said base 10, in particular into the bottom 14 of the base 10; for example, said damper element may consist of at least one rubber ring (not shown in the drawings) which allows to compensate for any movements of the plate 20 with respect to the base 10, in particular when transporting an assembled cooking top 1.
Furthermore, step c) of associating the heat shield 40 with said at least one burner 1 1 is carried out in a manner such that said cover 30 is sandwiched between the plate 20 and said at least one heat shield 40.
Such an arrangement allows to avoid having to drill said cover 30 for inserting the fastening means; as a consequence, this prevents the cover 30 from being weakened by unaesthetic holes.
Preferably, said step c) is carried out by inserting a body 1 1A of the burner 1 1 into a passage 41 of the heat shield 40 and by securing the heat shield 40 to a foot 1 IB (visible in Fig. 2a) of the burner 1 1 , in particular through fastening means; for example, said fastening means may comprise a pair of screws (not shown in the drawings).
In addition, said step c) comprises the positioning of a gasket 42 between the heat shield 40 and the cover 30; this provides adequate contact between the surfaces of said components, while preventing any liquids from leaking into the first holes 31 of the cover 30 and then into the area under the cover 30.
The features and advantages of the method for assembling a cooking top according to the present invention are apparent from the above description.
In particular, the present invention provides a method for assembling a household cooking top which allows to obtain a cooking top 1 wholly manufactured along a production line, without requiring the use of a suitable jig for assembling off-line some components of said cooking top 1.
Another advantage offered by the present invention is that the assembly method does not require any fastening means for coupling the heat shields 40 to the plate 20, thus preventing said heat shields 40 and said plate 20 from becoming deformed, in particular when excessive force is exerted to tighten the fastening means.
As a result, the absence of any deformation of the heat shields 40 and of the plate 20 ensures optimal stability of the cover 30 positioned on the plate 20 and on the base 10 of the cooking top 1.
Furthermore, the assembly method according to the present invention allows to avoid damaging the paint of the plate 20 and of the heat shields 40.
Yet another advantage of the assembly method according to the present invention is that the use of the reference means 51 , 52 allows the cover 30 to be assembled together with the plate 20 and the heat shields 40 without said components having to be assembled off-line, in particular without requiring the use of a jig. Furthermore, sandwiching the cover 30 between the plate 20 and at least one heat shield 40 allows to not having to use any fastening means, which would require drilling the cover 30, thus weakening the structure thereof.
It is however clear that many changes may be made to the method for assembling a household cooking top according to the present invention, and that in its practical implementation the various components may have different shapes and arrangements or be replaced with other technically equivalent elements without departing from the novelty spirit of the inventive idea.
It can therefore be easily understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described method for assembling a household cooking top, but may be subject to many modifications, improvements or replacements of equivalent parts and elements without departing from the inventive idea, as clearly specified in the following claims.