Field of the invention

[0001] This disclosure relates a stove with a supporting leg assembly. More particularly, it relates to the supporting leg assembly for holding the stove in an inclined position.

Background of the invention

[0002] After cooking the dishes on the stove, there could be spillover of the cooked food and other food ingredients. These could be collected at the bottom of the stove, gets rotten if not cleaned often. Cleaning of these materials collected at the bottom of the stove is a tedious job to be done. Whenever there is a spillage from the stove, the user tilts the cooktop (in upwards direction) and they will clean the slab/work surface on which the stove is placed, with a cleaning element, which is a safety threat. The lifting process of the stove is difficult for the disabled and the old people, to hold the stove with one hand and then to clean the surface under the stove. In some cases, the height between the work surface/slab and the stove is insufficient to clean the bottom area of the gas stove. Cleaning the bottom area of the stove is difficult and cumbersome. It could cause inconvenience and the hands of the user could be injured. The stove has to be lifted and hence there are possibilities that the gas stove could be damaged.

[0003] A US patent US9370276B2 discloses a stove comprising a stove body defining an interior cooking chamber, and a plurality of removable leg assemblies for supporting the stove body. Each leg assembly includes a removable leg, and a coupling member for coupling the removable leg to the stove body. The coupling member is configured to provide an adjustable length. Brief description of the invention:

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a stove with a supporting leg assembly fitted to the stove.

[0005]The objects are solved by the stove with a supporting leg assembly having the features according to claim 1.

[0006]The invention relates to a stove comprising a pan support, a drip tray and a burner. The stove comprises a supporting leg assembly movably fitted to at least one portion of the stove. The supporting leg assembly adapted to hold the stove in an inclined position.

[0007]A feature of this invention is that, the supporting leg assembly comprises at least one bracket, a stopper and a frame extended along a length of the stove.

[0008]Another feature of this invention is that, at least one bracket is welded to an interior side of the stove such that, a clearance is formed between the at least one bracket and an interior side surface of the stove.

[0009]Another feature of this invention is that, a hole is made on the at least one bracket for inserting the frame through the guiding element.

[0010]Another feature of this invention is that, dimensions of the stopper is made corresponding to the hole made on the at least one bracket. The stopper is fitted to the at least one bracket using any one of fitting techniques comprising a press fit, a snap fit.

[0011]Another feature of this invention is that, the at least one bracket comprises a first flange and a second flange adapted to restrict a movement of the frame in a folded position and in an open position respectively. [0012]Another feature of this invention is that, the first flange adapted to restrict a movement of the frame in the folded position and the second flange adapted to restrict the movement of the frame beyond a predefined inclination angle in an open position.

[0013]Another feature of this invention is that, the frame comprises a groove and a locking element fitted in the groove. The groove along with the locking element is made assembled on each end of the for pivotally connecting the frame to the bracket.

[0014] Another feature of this invention is that, the locking element is chosen from a group of locking elements comprising a bush, a shaft, a clip, a bolt, a pin, a screw, a fastener.

[0015] Another feature of this invention is that, the frame moves automatically from the folded position into the open position when the stove is lifted from a stove resting surface.

[0016]With the above-disclosed stove, the removal of dirt present under the stove is made easier when compared to the conventional methods. The above-disclosed stove with the supporting leg assembly design, provides a minimum human intervention during the cleaning process. It provides a cost-effective solution, since the supporting leg assembly acts as a stand when the stove is in the inclined/open position. When the stove is lifted from the resting surface, then the supporting leg assembly moves from the folded position to the open position automatically without any extra effort. The supporting leg assembly acts as a safety feature.

[0017]The supporting leg assembly prevents the stove falling down accidently, thus safeguarding the stove without being damaged. With the above disclosed the supporting leg assembly, the stability of the stove in the inclined position is maintained. With the supporting leg assembly attached to the stove reduces the effort by the user of the stove to hold the appliance while cleaning the countertop/ resting surface. When in comparison to the conventional methods available in the market, the method of engaging and disengaging the supporting leg assembly is much simpler and user friendly.

[0018]The angle of tilt offered by the disclosed leg assembly is much higher than the conventional mechanisms, which improves the usability. The supporting leg assembly allows the user to suit his/her cleaning needs and ease the cleaning process. The above-disclosed supporting leg assembly design is applied to any kitchen appliance or home appliance such as mixer grinders, induction cook tops, juicers, coffee makers etc., wherein the appliance is held above a work surface/slab and to clean the bottom of the appliance.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings

An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings;

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates a stove with a supporting leg assembly in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates the supporting leg assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figures 3 (a), 3(b) illustrates at least one bracket with a frame, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022] Figure 4 illustrates a folded position of the supporting leg assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

[0023] Figure 1 illustrates a stove in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. The stove 10 comprises a pan support 12, a drip tray 14 and a burner 16. The stove comprises a supporting leg assembly 18 movably fitted to at least one portion of the stove 10. The supporting leg assembly 18 adapted to hold the stove 10 in an inclined position. [0024] Further, the construction and the components of the stove 10 are explained as follows. The stove 10 is chosen from any one of the type of stoves comprising a single burner stove and a multi-burner stove. The pan support 12 and the dip tray 14 and the burner 16 forms as one assembly. The drip tray 14 is made removable in some type of stoves and in some other type of stove, the drip tray 14 is fitted permanently on the stove 10. The drip tray 14 comprises a depression to accommodate a protrusion of the pan support 16, such that, the drip tray 14 and the pan support 16 are held against each other.

[0025]The locking of the pan support 16 with the drip tray 14 avoids the falling of the pan support 16 when the stove 10 is lifted from the resting surface or counter top 40. The stove comprises a top surface 46, a bottom surface 48 and multiple side surfaces 50. The top surface 46 comprises the burner assemblies. At least one side surface 50 comprises a hole (not shown) for accommodating a gas pipe.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the stove 10 further comprises plurality of supporting legs 42 formed on each comer of the stove 10, such that, the stove 10 is kept elevated from the stove resting surface/counter top 40. In order to clean under the stove 10, the user has to hold the stove 10 in an inclined positon from the resting surface/counter top 40, which damages the stove 10 if not handled properly. In order to avoid this problem, the present invention provides an automatic supporting leg assembly 18 that holds the stove 10 in the inclined position while cleaning under the stove 10.

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates the supporting leg assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The supporting leg assembly 18 comprises at least one bracket 20, a guiding element 22 and a frame 24 extended along a length of the stove 10. According to one embodiment of the invention, the stove 10 comprises two brackets 20 fitted on each side of the stove 10. In between of the brackets 20 the frame 24 is movably fitted. Each bracket 20 is welded in between the top surface 46 and the bottom surface 48 of the stove 10 as shown in the figure 2. [0028] The brackets 20 are welded at an interior side of the stove 10. The two brackets 20 are welded one on each side of the stove 10 such that, the frame 24 is extended along the length of the stove 10 from one side to the respective opposite side. The guiding element 22, at least one bracket 20 and the frame 24 forms the supporting leg assembly 10.

[0029] At least one bracket 20 is welded at an interior side 26 of the stove 10 such that, a clearance is formed between the at least one bracket 20 and an interior side surface 28 of the stove 10. The clearance or gap that is formed between the interior side surface 28 of the stove 10 and the bracket 20 accommodates a portion of the frame 24. Each of the bracket 20 present in the assembly 18 comprises a top surface 52 and a bottom surface 54 and plurality of clamps (32, 34).

[0030] According to one embodiment, the top surface 52 and the bottom surface 54 of the bracket 20 is made like a flat/plain surface such that, the top surface 52 and the bottom surface 54 of the bracket 20 are welded to the top surface 46 and the bottom surface 48 of the stove 10 respectively. The plurality of flanges (32, 34) that are made on each of the bracket 20 helps in restricting a movement of the frame 24 both in open position as well as in folded position.

[0031] Figures 3 (a), 3(b) illustrates at least one bracket with a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the bracket 20 present in the supporting leg assembly 18 comprises two flanges (32,34) formed on the bracket 20 at a predefined distance. The two flanges (32, 34) are referred as a first flange32 and a second flange 34. The first flange 32 is made at a top portion of the bracket 20 and the second flange 34 is made at a bottom portion of the bracket 20. The first flange 32 and the second flange 34 adapted to restrict a movement of the frame 24 in a folded position and in an open position respectively. [0032]The first flange 32 adapted to restrict a movement of the frame 24 in the folded position as shown in fig 3(b) and the second flange 34 adapted to restrict the movement of the frame 24 beyond a predefined inclination angle in an open position as shown in the fig 3(a). The two flanges (32, 34) are made as an extensions to the each bracket 20 for restricting the movement of the frame 24. The at least one bracket 20 comprises an additional flange 33 made on the top portion of the bracket as shown in the figure 3(a)

[0033]At least one bracket of the supporting leg assembly 18 comprises a hole 30 for inserting a portion of the frame 24 through the guiding element 22. The dimensions of the guiding element 22 is made corresponding to the hole 30 made on the at least one bracket 20. The guiding element 22 is fitted to the at least one bracket 20 using any one of fitting techniques comprising a press fit, a snap fit. The guiding element 22 is made of the materials comprising a rubber, a flexible plastic and the like as known to the person skilled in the art. One end of the frame 24 will be inserted into the hole 30 of the corresponding bracket 20 through the guiding element 22.

[0034]As mentioned above, according to one embodiment of the invention, the stove 10 comprises two brackets 20(a), 20(b) one being the first bracket 20(a) and other being the second bracket 20(b). The first bracket 20(a) is welded in proximity to one side surface 50 of the stove 10, wherein the second bracket 20(b) is welded in proximity to an opposite side surface 50 of the stove 10.

[0036]The frame 24 is fitted in between the two brackets (20(a), 20(b). One end of the frame 24 is inserted in the hole 30 of the first bracket 20(a) via the corresponding guiding element 22 of the first bracket 20(a) and the other end of the frame 24 is inserted in the hole 30 made on the second bracket 20(b) via the guiding element 22 fitted on the second bracket 20(b). The frame 24 comprises a groove 36 and a locking element 38 fitted in the groove 36. The groove 36 along with the locking element 38 is made on each end of the frame 24 for pivotally connecting the frame 24 to the bracket 20.

[0037]The locking element 38 is inserted in the groove 36 of the frame 24 at each end after assembling it to the bracket 20. The locking element 38 is chosen from a group of locking elements comprising a bush, a shaft, a clip, a bolt, a pin, a screw, a fastener. According to an embodiment of the invention, the locking element 38 can be a combination of at least any two above-disclosed elements. The guiding element 22 is an extended portion of the bracket 20, which will hold the frame 24 in its position. The groove along with the locking element is made assembled on each end of the frame 24 to avoid the frame 24 from falling out of the bracket 20.

[0038] A method of working of the supporting leg assembly 18 in the stove 10 is explained as follows. The user of the stove 10 places the stove 10 in the inclined position by lifting/tilting it from the slab/work surface/resting surface/counter top 40, to clean the dirt accumulated under the stove 10. As mentioned above, the supporting legs 42 present on each corner of the stove 10, the legs 42 present on the rear side 44 of the stove 10 does not allow user to tilt the stove 10 beyond the predefined inclination angle. The mechanical profile (protrusion and the depression of the pan support 12 and the dip tray 14 respectively) restricts the fall of the dip tray 14, pan support 12 and the burner 16 from the stove 10, when the stove 10 is tilted/lifted from the slab/work surface 40.

[0039]As soon as the stove 10 is lifted from the surface/ counter top 40 , the supporting leg assembly 18 automatically moves from the folded position to the open position such that, the supporting leg assembly 18 i.e., the frame 24 acts as a stand for the stove 10.

[0040]Figure 4 illustrates a folded position of the supporting leg assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the supporting leg assembly 18 is in folded position, a portion of the frame 24 will be resting on the counter top/ resting surface/ work surface/ slab 40 where the stove 10 is placed. The portion of the frame 24 will be present on the counter top 40 under the stove 10, which is not visible to the user and doesn’t disturb the placement of the stove 10. The second flange 34 present on the each bracket 20 of the supporting leg assembly 18 restricts the further movement of the frame 24 when the supporting leg assembly 18 is in folded position.

[0041]When the user lifts the stove 10 for cleaning the slab/ counter top/resting surface/work surface 40, the frame 24 of the supporting leg assembly 18 moves from the folded position to the open position automatically. In this position, the stove 10 is held above the working surface 40 in a predefined inclination position. The supporting legs 42 present on the rear side 44 of the stove 10 acts as stoppers for the movement of the stove 10 beyond this inclination angle and the frame 24 that is moved from the folded position to the open position acts as a stand to the stove 10 for holding the stove 10 in at the inclination position.

[0042]The first flange 32 present on the each of the bracket 20 of the supporting leg assembly 18 restricts the movement of the frame 24 beyond the above-mentioned predefined inclination angle. The locking element 38 of the frame 24 helps in smooth movement of the frame on the bracket 20 while moving from the folded position to the open position and vice versa. The locking element 38 further avoids the movement of the frame falling /slipping out of the bracket 20. According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking element 38 is position perpendicular to the positon of the frame in the supporting leg assembly 18.

[0043]The supporting leg assembly 18 holds the stove 10 in the inclined position allowing the user to clean the surface under the stove 10. After the completion of the cleaning process, the stove 18 is lifted from the slab/work surface/resting surface/counter top and the supporting leg assembly is retracted into the folded position. The supporting leg assembly 18 moves in one direction when it moves from the folded position into the open position and moves in an opposite direction when retracted inside the stove 10.The supporting leg 18 retracts automatically to the folded position upon lifting the stove 10 from the slab/work surface/counter top /resting surface after the completion of the cleaning process.

[0044]With the above-disclosed stove 10 with the supporting leg assembly 18, the removal of dirt present under the stove 10 is made easier when compared to the conventional methods. The above-disclosed stove with the supporting leg assembly 18 design, provides a minimum human intervention during the cleaning process. It provides a cost-effective solution, since the supporting leg assembly 18 acts as a stand when the stove 10 is in both, in the inclined/open position and in a normal/folded/close position respectively. When the stove 10 is lifted from the resting surface 40, then the supporting leg assembly 18 moves from the folded position to the open position automatically without any extra effort. The supporting leg assembly 18 acts as a safety feature.

[0045]The supporting leg assembly 18 prevents the stove 10 falling down accidently, thus safeguarding the stove 10 without being damaged. With the above disclosed the supporting leg assembly 18, the stability of the stove 10 in the inclined position is maintained. With the supporting leg assembly 18 attached to the stove 10 reduces the effort by the user of the stove 10 to hold the appliance 10 while cleaning the countertop/ resting surface 40. When in comparison to the conventional methods available in the market, the method of engaging and disengaging the supporting leg assembly 18 is much simpler and user friendly.

[0046]The angle of tilt offered by the disclosed leg assembly 18 is much higher than the conventional mechanisms, which improves the usability. The supporting leg assembly 18 allows the user to suit his/her cleaning needs and ease the cleaning process. The above-disclosed supporting leg assembly 18 design is applied to any kitchen appliance or home appliance such as mixer grinders, induction cook tops, juicers, coffee makers etc., wherein the appliance is held above a work surface/slab and to clean the bottom of the appliance. [0047] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

List of Reference Signs

10 stove

12 pan support

14 drip tray

16 burner

18 supporting leg assembly

20 at least one bracket

20(a) first bracket

20(b) second bracket

22 guiding element

24 frame

26 interior side of the stove

28 interior side surface of the stove

30 hole on at least one bracket

32 first flange of at least one bracket

33 additional flange of at least one bracket

34 second flange of at least one bracket

36 groove on frame

38 locking element of the frame

40 work surface/slab/resting surface/counter top

42 supporting legs of the stove

44 rear side of the stove

46 top surface of the stove

48 bottom surface of the stove

50 plurality of side surfaces of the stove

52 top surface of the bracket

54 bottom surface of the bracket