Cooking Hob

Abstract

A cooking hob includes a glass slab, to which an underlying metal box structure is connected. The upper surface of the box structure carries heating elements applied thereto, and a profile bar secured to the lower surface of the slab to separate a part of a chamber formed by the box structure from a compartment below a control and adjustment member. The profile bar is shaped to form at least two air chambers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking hob.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Glass ceramic cooking hobs are known, generally consisting of a glass slab with the heating elements secured to its lower surface.

[0003] Secured to the slab there is also a metal half-box structure comprising a baffle separating the zone below the heating elements from the zone below the element control and adjustment members.

[0004] As the heating elements generate a large heat quantity during operation, to prevent overheating of the control and adjustment members and to maintain the temperature of the cooking hob and of the surrounding cabinet within the limits required in certain countries, the base of the half-box structure must be kept separated (by about at least 90 mm) from the glass slab, resulting in a waste of space in the compartment below the cooking hob.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the invention is to eliminate this drawback by providing a cooking hob of reduced overall height (<90 mm) while at the same time ensuring effective thermal insulation of the control and adjustment members and satisfying regulations regarding maximum attainable temperatures.

[0006] This object is attained according to the invention by a cooking hob having a glass slab connected to an underlying metal box structure, the upper surface of which carries the heating elements applied thereto, a profile bar being secured to the lower surface of the slab to separate a part of the chamber formed by the box structure from the compartment below the control and adjustment members, the profile bar being shaped to form at least two air chambers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention is further clarified hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cooking hob according to the invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view thereof;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section therethrough taken at a control and adjustment knob; and

[0011] FIG. 4 shows a modified embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Detailed descriptions of a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to employ the present invention in virtually any detailed system, structure, or manner.

[0013] As it can be seen from the figures, a cooking hob according to the invention comprises substantially:

[0014] a metal half-box frame 2 consisting of a base 4 and a perimetric rim 6;

[0015] a glass slab 8, to the lower surface of which profile bars 10, 11 and 12 respectively are secured with a silicone adhesive; and

[0016] a metal plate 14 provided with spring clips 16 for securing heating elements 18.

[0017] Profile bars 10 and 11 upperly present an edge 20 bent at 90° to secure the glass slab 8, while the profile bar 12 is bent and shaped to form two air chambers 22 extending in mutually parallel position.

[0018] Plate 14 includes edges 24 bent downwards at 90°, in which screws engage, to further engage profile bars 10, 11 and 12.

[0019] In turn, plate 14 is mechanically fixed to underlying frame 2 to form therewith an air chamber with insulation properties.

[0020] A bracket 26 is secured to the lower surface of glass slab 8, facing the profile bar 12, and is also fixed, by screws, to perimetric rim 6.

[0021] A C-shaped profile 28, on which the control and adjustment knobs for heating elements 18 are mounted, is provided between bracket 26 and profile bar 12.

[0022] From the aforegoing, it is evident that, by virtue of profile bar 12 and of the air chamber below heating elements 18, the vertical dimension of the cooking hob can be reduced while at the same time ensuring an effective insulation of the control and adjustment members, even when the heating elements are of high power in relation to the available air volume. Moreover, centrally disposed touch controls can be used, which penetrate into the cooking hob between the heating elements (see FIG. 4).

[0023] While the invention has been described in connection with the above preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the invention. Further, the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cooking hob comprising: a glass slab; an underlying metal box structure connected thereto, an upper surface of said box structure carrying heating elements applied thereto; and a profile bar secured to a lower surface of said slab to separate a part of a chamber formed by said box structure from a compartment below a control and adjustment member, said profile bar being shaped to form at least two air chambers.

2. The cooking hob as claimed in claim 1, wherein said box structure is formed from two metal plates having bent edges.

3. The cooking hob as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of profile bars are applied to said lower surface of said glass slab and are further secured to one of said two metal plates.

4. A cooking hob as claimed in claim 3, wherein said profile bar comprises one or more of said plurality of profile bars securing said box structure to said slab.

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