GB2220476A

GB2220476A - Cooking hob with hinged cover

Info

Publication number: GB2220476A
Application number: GB8911414A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lazaro Vela Santiago
Original assignee: Balay SA
Current assignee: BSH Balay SA
Priority date: 1988-06-17
Filing date: 1989-05-18
Publication date: 1990-01-10
Also published as: GB8911414D0; FR2633034A1; DE3915473A1

Description

2220476 1 M&C FOLIO: 230P58616 Cooking Hob with Hinged Cover WANGDOC:

1437P The present invention relates to integrated covers for cooking hobs.

Conventional hobs do not have a cover with which the cooking rings (gas burners or electric hotplates) are permanently visible. With a fold-down cover. when the hob is not in use the rings can remain hidden by it. maintaining the same appearance and without breaking the lines of the hob. since the cover can follow the same lines as the hob.

The present invention provides an integrated cover for cooker plates. in such a way that the surface of the burners remains hidden in its "closed" position, the joining of the cover to the cooker plate is effected by means of compensated hinges which prevent the free fall thereof. being constituted by some helicoidal springs with one of the ends thereof housed in the body of the hinge fixed to the cover and the other to the body of the hinge fixed to the cooker plate. it being foreseen that the cover with the same appearance as the cooker plate is provided in the inner surface of the front surface a cavity in which the plastic inserts are fixed to rest on the cooker plate.

2 The cover is thus prevented from free falling under gravity. which could cause damage and accidents. The hinges preferably comprise a spring located in a cylindrical vessel. in such a way that one of its ends is joined to a body fixed to the cover and the other to a body fixed to the hob.

Preferably the cover has a stable open position. It cannot close accidentally. To effect the closing of the cover the user must move it from the stable position to a specific angle from which it can freely drop without knocking hard against the hob and without any harm being produced. The edge of the cover may be provided with one or more plastic inserts in order to dampen the impact on closing. and on which it rests.

The invention will be described further. by way of example. with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hob with a cover which is in the closed position; and Figure 2 is a section (not to scale) on lint II-II in Figure 1. the cover also being shown in its stable open position.

A cover 1 is joined to a hob 2 by means of hinges 3. Each hinge 3 has its leaves 4 and 5 respectively joined to the cover 1 and to the hob 2. and defines a cylindrical housing 6 containing a helicoidal spring. one end of which is lodged in the leaf 4 and the other end in the leaf 5.

3 0 The inside part of the front face of the cover 1 has a recess 7 in which a series of plastic inserts 8 are placed in order to dampen the impact of the cover on the hob 2.

In the open position the cover-1 remains perfectly stabilized (since the hinges 3 cannot open any further) and it cannot close accidentally (since it is kept open by the springs). In order to effect its closing the user must turn it a certain angle: from this new position it can be freely closed without falling by gravity. owing to the effect of the compensated or counterbalanced hinges.

If the cover 1 could fall under gravity. i.e. if the hinges were not compensated. damage could be caused to it or to the hob and. likewise. accidents could be caused; for-instance. if the cover were to fall when cooking was taking place pots and pans on the hob could be knocked over and the contents thereof could pour out. burning the user.

Likewise. if the cover could fall accidentally due to-its own weight it could hurt the user if it caught the user's fingers. This is especially dangerous in the case of children.

These problems are totally solved by the compensated hinges. since the cover 1 cannot accidentally fall from its open position and controlled descent is effected without any risk for the user and only when the user so desires.

1 4 In order to permit opening from its closed position its bottom edge remains separated from the hob (by the plastic inserts 8) a distance which permits the slight inserting of one's fingers in order to push it up.

The cover 1 has the same outline as the hob to which it is connected: therefore. it will maintain the same appearance.

A hob 2 with controls on its upper surface has been represented in Figure -1. the cover being similar for a hob without such controls, in which case the entire upper surface of the hob would be covered. 'The controls remain visible in the closed position of the cover.

Claims

Claims:-

1. A cooking hob with a.hinged cover. in which a spring acting between the cover and the hob resists closing of the cover.

2. A hob as claimed in claim 1. in which the spring is a helicoidal spring, one end of which acts on a part fixed to the cover and the other end of which acts on a part fixed to the hob.

3. A hob as claimed in claim 2. in which the said parts are the leaves of a hinge.

4. A hob as claimed in any preceding claim. in which the edge of the cover is provided with at least one insert for damping impact on closing.

5. A hob as claimed in any preceding claim. in which. when the cover is closed. a gap is left between its edge and the hob and is sufficient to facilitate opening by the user.

6. A cooking hob with a hinged cover. substantially as described with reference to. and as shown in. the accompanying drawings.

Published 1989 at The Patent Office, State House, 66/71 HighHolborn. LondonWC1R4TP. Further copies may be obtainedfromThePatent Office. Sales Branob, Bt Mary Cray, Orpingtcm, Rent BRS-=. Printed by Multiplex tecbniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1187