GB2062328A

GB2062328A - Scales for Controls

Info

Publication number: GB2062328A
Application number: GB7937569A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Valor Newhome Ltd
Current assignee: Valor Newhome Ltd
Priority date: 1979-10-30
Filing date: 1979-10-30
Publication date: 1981-05-20
Also published as: GB2062328B

Abstract

To facilitate recalibration, a scale for a domestic appliance comprises a first planar part (1) which incorporates a first marking, e.g., the off-position, which is keyed onto a control spindle (11) and a second planar part (3) which incorporates a number of spaced apart markings. The second part (3) is supported on the first part (1) by tabs (5) so as to be movable relative thereto about the control spindle (11) between at least two positions defined by the engagement of a dimple (8) in recesses (9, 10), whereby the scale (1, 3) can be recalibrated. A tab (14) is provided which is, in use, concealed within knob (17) but which can be manipulated to displace the second part (3) relative to the first part (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements Relating to Scales for Use In Domestic Appliances The present invention relates to a scale for use in adjusting the desired setting of a domestic appliance.

In particular the present invention relates to a scale for use in domestic appliances wherein recalibration of the setting controls is sometimes required as, for example, is necessary when additional liners which help to clean themselves, are installed in an existing oven. The present invention may be applied to either gas or electric appliances though for clarity reference is only made herein after to the application of the present invention to a gas oven to meet the needs and overcome the specific problems therewith.

The heat control for a gas oven is normally a rotatable knob which controls a thermostat, the thermostat controlling the gas flow. To indicate the rotation position of the knob and therefore the setting of the thermostat a series of numbers is often provided around the perimeter of the knob, it being possible to bring any desired number into line with a fixed mark on the oven body to provide a predetermined heat setting. The arrangement of the numbers on the knob is set during manufacture. However, if for example, self cleaning liners are installed in the oven at a later stage resulting in a higher oven temperature than required for a given number, or a particular environmental situation causes the wrong temperature to be attained for a particular setting, recalibration is required.This can be simply effected by substituting a control knob upon which a recalibrated number series is provided.

However, in certain gas oven/cooker designs the calibrated numbers are not provided on the control knob but are arranged around the perimeter region of a disc keyed onto a control spindle of a thermostat, the disc being located behind a panel in which a window is provided through which individual numbers may be viewed, this arrangement providing for easy cleaning of the adjacent areas. The control spindle passes through an aperture in the panel and a control knob facilitates rotation of the spindle and adjustment of the thermostat. It will be appreciated that with such a construction recalibration is not easy and essentially requires removal of the control knob and detachment of the panel from the oven/cooker to enable to a Pecalibrated disc to be substituted on the control spindle.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a scale for use in the latter type of oven/cooker design wherein the scale may be quickly and simply adjusted to effect recalibration of the control.

According to the present invention there is provided a scale for use in indicating the setting of a control for a domestic appliance, said scale comprising a first planar part which incorporates a first marking or first series of spaced markings which, in use, indicate control settings, and which is, in use, keyed onto a rotatable control spindle, and a second planar part which incorporates a second marking or second series of spaced apart markings which, in use indicate different control settings, said second part being supported on said first part so as to be movable relative thereto about said control spindle, between at least two positions, whereby said markings can thus be recalibrated.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention said second planar part is in the form of a disc with a series of spaced apart numbers marked sequentially around part of the disc perimeter region to indicate different heat settings. The disc has a central aperture which engages with clearance, over a control spindle of a thermostat. Said first planar part incorporates only the "OFF" position marking and is generally rectangular with an aperture which also engages over the control spindle, a spring fixed to said first part keying said first part to the spindle.

Alternatively the shape of said aperture may key said first part to the spindle. Said first part is secured to said second part, with said apertures coaxially aligned, by tabs which are secured to said first part and which are slidably engaged in slots in said second part. Thus, by rotating said disc-like second part about the control spindle relative to said first part, the numbered settings can be recalibrated with respect to the "OFF" position indicated on said first part. Preferably only two alternative positions are provided to thus meet the needs of a with or without self cleaning liners situation. These positions are defined by a dimple on said first part which can mate with one or two recesses in said second part, said parts flexing to allow the dimple to move between the recesses. Clearly further positions may be equally easily provided for.

To facilitate this in situ recalibration a tab projects from said second part close to the aperture therein, through a slot in said first part.

Thus, when installed in an oven/cooker this latter tab preferably projects through the aperture in the panel of the oven/cooker, through which the control spindle projects, so that the tab can be easily moved to recalibrate the scale upon removal of the control knob which normally covers the aperture and obscures the adjustment tab from sight.

The present invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows part of an oven/cooker incorporating one embodiment of a scale according to the present invention; and Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the scale utilised in Figure 1.

The scale of the present invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, comprises a first planar part 1 incorporating the "OFF" position marking, this first part being generally rectangular with an aperture 2 provided therein, and a second planar part 3 which is in the form of a disc having a centrally located aperture 4. Around part of the perimeter of the disc are a series of spaced apart numbers which, in use, provide the necessary indication for the various desired heat settings.

Two connector tabs 5 are secured in slots 6 in said first part 1, which slots 6 are diammetrically opposed with respect to aperture 2. These tabs 5 engage in corresponding slots 7 in the discshaped second part 3 thus securing the first and second parts together with apertures 2 and 4 coaxially aligned with each other. Slots 7 are however longer than the tabs 5 are wide. Thus second part 3 can be rotated about the axis of apertures 2 and 4 relative to first part 1 and so the numbered settings on the scale can be adjusted relative to the "OFF" position. To determine two set relative positions for the first and second parts of the scale a dimple 8 is provided in the first part, which dimple can engage in either recess 9 or recess 10 in said second part to determine the required relative position, the parts flexing to allow the dimple 8 to move between these recesses 9, 10.Clearly further relative positions for alternative calibrations are possible. However the illustrated embodiment purely caters for a "no liner" situation i.e. no self cleaning liners in the oven, and a "with liners" situation (see 'nl' and 'wl' in Figures 1 and 2).

To secure said first and second parts of the scale to a control spindle 11 of thermostat 12, a spring connector 13 is secured to first part 1 so as to extend over aperture 2, connector 13 fixedly gripping control spindle 11 to prevent said first part 1 of the scale from rotating relative to spindle 11. Alternatively aperture 2 could be shaped to key said first part onto the control spindle.

To facilitate the adjustment of said second part relative to said first part a tab 14 projects from the disc-shaped second part near to aperture 4, through a slot 1 5 in first part 1. In situ in a cooker with the scale 1, 3 behind glass panel 16, tab 14 projects through the aperture in panel 1 6 through which control spindle 11 extends, control knob 1 7 obscuring tab 14 from view during normal use.

Thus, to recalibrate the scale, control knob 1 7 is removed from spindle 11 and tab 14 is moved to move said second part relative to said first part.

Alternative adjustment means can of course replace tab 14 necessitating, for example, the simple use of a screw driver or other elongate tool.

The present invention thus provides a scale which can be simply recalibrated to adjust the "OFF" position relative to all the other marked settings, thus overcoming, for example, the heat setting error which occurs when self cleaning liners are installed into an existing cooker.

Claims

1. A scale for use in indicating the setting of a control for a domestic appliance, said scale comprising a first planar part which incorporates a first marking or first series of spaced apart marking which, in use, indicates control settings, and which is, in use, keyed on;to a rotatable control spindle, and a second planar part which incorporates a second marking or second series of spaced apart markings which, in use, indicate different control settings, said second part being supported on said first part so as to be movable relative thereto about said control spindle, between at least two positions, whereby said markings can thus be recalibrated.

2. A scale as claimed in claim 1, in which said second planar part is in the form of a disc with a series of spaced apart markings provided around at least part of the disc perimeter region, the disc having a central aperture which can engage, with clearance, over the control spindle.

3. A scale as claimed in claim 2, in which the series of spaced apart markings are numbers in sequence.

4. A scale as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which said first planar part has an aperture which can engage over the control spindle, a spring fixed to said first part then keying said first part to the spindle.

5. A scale as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which said first planar part has an aperture which can engage over the control spindle, the shape of the aperture then keying the said first planar part to the control spindle.

6. A scale as claimed in claim 4 or 5, when dependent claim 2 or 3, in which the said first planar part is secured to the said second planar part, with said apertures coaxially aligned, by tabs which extend from the said first planar part and are slidably engaged in slots in said second planar part.

7. A scale as claimed in any one of the proceeding claims, in which said first planar part merely incorporates an off-position marking.

8. A scale as claimed in claim 6, in which the disc-shaped second part is rotatable relative to said first part to recalibrate the scale on said second part with respect to the off-position indicated on said first part.

9. A scale as claimed in claim 8, in which a dimple provided on one of said parts can engage in any one of a number of recesses provided on the other said part to determine the alternative relative positions of said parts.

10. A scale as claimed in claim 8, in which a tab on said second part enables said second part to be moved relative to said first part when the scale is in situ.

11. A scale for use in indicating the setting of a control for a domestic appliance, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.