Abstract:
A gas distribution assembly that includes a valve mounted on a distribution duct. According to one implementation the body of the valve is supported on the duct by support having a base and a plurality of arms extending from the base. The arms have surfaces that rests on projections of the valve body. A fixation device is furthered used to secure the support to the valve body. The support is configured to hold the valve body on the duct in the event the fixation device fails to secure the support to the valve body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This applications relates to and claims the benefit and priority to Spanish Patent Application No. P201630541, filed May 2, 2016. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to gas distribution assemblies comprising gas regulating valves mounted on a gas distribution duct, and gas cooking appliances incorporating the gas distribution assemblies. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Gas distribution assemblies for gas cooking appliances are known, and they are equipped with rotary-type manually operated gas valves and a duct distributing the gas. The valves are mounted in the duct in fluid communication with the duct, and they are fixed to the duct being attached to a support. 
         [0004]    Safety issues due to gas leaks occurring because the attachment between the valves and support has sustained some sort of mishap, such as breaking, for example, are known. 
         [0005]    ES1077154U describes a gas distribution assembly suitable for being mounted in a gas cooking appliance, comprising a gas distribution duct suitable for being connected to a gas connection, at least one gas regulating valve mounted on the gas distribution duct, a support which is associated with the gas regulating valve and supported on the gas distribution duct, and attachment means for attaching each gas regulating valve with the support. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    According to some implementations a gas distribution assembly is provided that comprises a gas distribution duct suitable for being connected to a gas connection, at least one gas regulating valve mounted on the gas distribution duct, a support which is associated with the gas regulating valve and supported on the gas distribution duct, and attachment means for attaching at least one attachment area of each gas regulating valve with at least one attachment area of the respective support. Each attachment area comprises a respective hole, the attachment means at least partially going through the holes for attaching both areas. 
         [0007]    The support comprises engagement means for fixing the support with the gas regulating valve from both sides of the gas distribution duct. 
         [0008]    If for any reason the attachment means breaks in any area of the length thereof comprised between the gas regulating valve and the support, the valve and the support will continue to be attached and maintain the tightening torque, since the engagement means for engaging the support continue to secure the support to the gas regulating valve, the support acting like a safety element. Safety issues due to gas leaks occurring because one of the attachment means has broken are thereby prevented. It is a simple, easy-to-implement and low-cost solution. 
         [0009]    These and other advantages and features will become evident in view of the drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a gas distribution assembly according to one implementation. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a second perspective view of the gas distribution assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the gas regulating valve of the gas distribution assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the gas distribution duct of the gas distribution assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the support of the gas distribution assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a second perspective view of the support of the gas distribution assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed front view of the gas distribution assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a section view of the gas distribution assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the gas distribution assembly  100  of the invention, and  FIG. 2  shows a second perspective view of the gas distribution assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the support  30  of the gas distribution assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 6  shows a second perspective view of the support  30  of the gas distribution assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0019]    According to some implementations the gas distribution assembly  100  comprises a gas distribution duct  10 , which is typically an elongated tube having a circular section, suitable for being connected to a gas connection, not shown in the drawings. In other embodiments of the gas distribution assembly, not shown in the drawings, the gas distribution assembly can have other configurations, with square sections or other shapes. 
         [0020]    As many gas regulating valves as required are mounted in a linear manner on the gas distribution duct  10  in the gas cooking appliance, only one gas regulating valve  20  being shown in the drawings. In other implementations of the gas distribution assembly, not shown in the drawings, instead of gas regulating valves they can be gas regulating cocks. Each valve has an associated support  30  which is supported on the gas distribution duct  10 . The gas distribution assembly  100  also comprises attachment means  40  which allow attaching an attachment area A of the gas regulating valve  20  with an attachment area B of the respective support  30 , the gas distribution duct  10  being arranged between the gas regulating valve  20  and the support  30 . In other implementations of the gas distribution assembly, not shown in the drawings, the gas regulating valves  20  can be associated with a single support. 
         [0021]    In the implementation shown in the figures, the attachment means  40  comprises a screw  41 . The screw  41  comprises a head  43  and a shank  44  comprising a threaded section  45  at one end  42  of the screw  41 , opposite the head  43 . In other embodiments of the screw  41 , the threaded section can span other lengths, even reaching the base of the head  43 . In the embodiment of the gas distribution assembly  100  that is shown, the attachment area B of the support  30  comprises a through hole  31  with a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the shank of the screw  41 , and the attachment area A of the gas regulating valve  20  comprises a threaded hole  23 . The shank  44  of the screw  41  goes through the through hole  31  which is arranged in the support  30 , and the threaded section  45  of the end  42  of the screw  41  is screwed into the threaded hole  23  arranged in the gas regulating valve  20 . 
         [0022]    In other implementations of the gas distribution assembly  100  (not shown in the drawings), the attachment means comprises, for example, a rivet or an elastic pin. One of the attachment areas A, B comprises at least a first through hole that the rivet or the pin goes through, and the other attachment area A, B also comprises a second through hole, an end of the rivet or pin being anchored to the second through hole. According to one implementation the attachment area B of the support comprises the first through hole, and the attachment area A of the gas regulating valve comprises the second through hole. 
         [0023]    In the implementation of the gas distribution assembly  100  that is shown in the figures, the support  30  is a U-shaped metal part comprising a base  80 , and engagement means  50  engaging the gas regulating valve  20  from both sides of the gas distribution duct  10 . These engagement means  50  comprise side arms  60   a ,  60   b ,  70  which are attached with the base  80  and engage the gas regulating valve  20 , the side arms  60   a ,  60   b ,  70  forming the arms of the U shape. Therefore, when the gas distribution duct  10  is supported at the base  80  of the support  30 , the side arms  60   a ,  60   b ,  70  vertically project from both sides of the gas distribution duct  10  to engage the gas regulating valve  20 . 
         [0024]    The base  80  may be quadrangular in the form of a rectangle, with two opposite sides  83 ,  84 , and two other sides  85 ,  86  opposite sides  83 ,  84 . The side arms  60   a ,  60   b ,  70  are attached to the opposite sides  83 ,  84  of the base  80 , the side arms  60   a ,  60   b  being two elastic arms attached to the base  80  on the side  84 , and the side arm  70  is a rigid arm attached to the base  80  on the opposite side  83 . The elastic arms  60   a  and  60   b  are arranged facing one another and are each attached at one end  61  to the base  80  on side  84 , from each of the sides  85 ,  86 , respectively, this attachment being a pivoting elastic attachment. This is achieved with the material used for making the support  30 , for example a spring steel, and with the design of the part, the length of the elastic arms being large compared with the thickness of the attachment of the end  61  with the base  80 , and without any added element strengthening the attachment. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the gas regulating valve  20  of the gas distribution assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the gas distribution duct  10  of the gas distribution assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 7  shows a detailed front view of the gas distribution assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 8  shows a section view of the gas distribution assembly  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    The gas regulating valve  20  comprises an arcuate mounting seat for being superimposed on the gas distribution duct  10 , the mounting seat comprising two projections  21 ,  24 , one on both sides of the gas regulating valve  20 . The projections  21 ,  24  laterally project from the body of the gas distribution duct  10 , when the gas regulating valve  20  is mounted on the gas distribution duct  10 . In this implementation of the gas distribution assembly  100 , the projection  21  of the mounting seat comprises the attachment area A of the gas regulating valve  20 , the projection  21  comprising an upper surface  22  and a lower surface  27 , and the threaded hole  23  going through it. 
         [0027]    In this implementation, the gas distribution duct  10  is a cylindrical tube comprising one hole  11  for each gas regulating valve  20 . Furthermore, each gas regulating valve  20  also comprises an inlet hole  28  in fluid communication with the corresponding hole  11  of the gas distribution duct  10 , when the gas regulating valve  20  is mounted on the gas distribution duct  10 . The gas distribution assembly  100  also comprises a washer  90  made of elastomer for each attachment of gas regulating valve  20  and gas distribution duct  10 , and in other implementations not shown in the drawings, also comprises a smooth sleeve, usually of metal. Before mounting the gas regulating valve  20  and the gas distribution duct  10 , the washer  90  is mounted around the inlet hole  28  of the gas regulating valve  20 , in a housing of the gas regulating valve  20  arranged to that end. Therefore, when the gas regulating valve  20  is mounted on the gas distribution duct  10 , the washer  90  allows preventing gas leaks through the attachment area. 
         [0028]    The base  80  of the support  30  further comprises two seats  81 , which are projections that project vertically from the sides  85 ,  86  of the base  80 , respectively. In this implementation and according to the cylindrical shape of the gas distribution duct  10 , the seats  81  have a circular shape at their upper edge that allows supporting the gas distribution duct  10 . The seats  81  comprise along their edge three distributed protuberances  82  used for blocking the movement of the gas distribution duct  10 , and keeping it in its place. Naturally the number of protuberances  82  may vary. 
         [0029]    Another end  62  of the elastic arms  60   a  and  60   b , opposite end  61 , elastically engages the gas regulating valve  20 . In this implementation of the gas distribution assembly  100 , each elastic arm  60   a  and  60   b  comprises at its end  62  a flange  63  that projects towards the projection  21  of the gas regulating valve  20 . This flange  63  has a triangular shape, with one side attached to the end  62  of the elastic arms  60   a  and  60   b , one free inclined side  64  inclining with a decreasing angle towards the projection  21 , forming a downward ramp, and one horizontal side  65  that is free. 
         [0030]    The side arm  70  is a rigid arm attached to the base  80  on the side  83  opposite side  84  where the elastic arms  60   a ,  60   b  are arranged. The side arm  70  is a rigid arm that is attached at one end  71  to the base  80  on the side  83 , this attachment being rigid. This is achieved by means of the design of the part and strengthening the attachment with structural elements. The rigid arm  70  comprises a second end, opposite end  71 , and close to the second end, the rigid arm  70  comprises a hole  72  going through the wall of the rigid arm  70  with a quadrangular shape. The hole  72  of the rigid arm  70  comprises at its edge a protuberance  73  arranged in the central upper part of the edge. Naturally the number of protuberances  73  may vary. 
         [0031]    The attachment area B of the support  30  is arranged at the base  80  on the side  84  in which the two elastic arms  60   a ,  60   b  are arranged, this attachment area B comprising the through hole  31 . In other implementations of the gas distribution assembly  100  not shown in the drawings, the attachment area A of the gas regulating valve  20  is arranged in the projection  24  comprising the threaded hole  23 , and the attachment area B of the support  30  is arranged on the same side  84  of the base  80 , the elastic arms  60   a ,  60   b  of the support  30  being arranged on the same side of the gas regulating valve  20  as the attachment area A. Naturally the threaded hole  23  can be arranged on the side  84  of the base  80  of the support  30 , and the through hole  31  can be arranged in the projection  21  or  24  of the gas regulating valve  20 , but always on the same side of the gas regulating valve  20  as the position of the attachment area B of the support  30 . 
         [0032]    To form the attachment between the gas regulating valve  20  and the support  30  and to generate a tightening torque that assures leak-tightness, first the rigid arm  70  of the support  10  engages the gas regulating valve  20 , introducing the hole  72  of the rigid arm  70  around the projection  24  of the gas regulating valve  20 . This projection  24  comprises a through hole  26 , and the protuberance  73  of the hole  72  is introduced in the hole  26 . In other implementations of the gas distribution assembly  100 , the hole  26  can be other than a through hole. 
         [0033]    The gas distribution duct  10  is supported on the seats  81  of the support  30 , putting the inlet hole  28  of the gas regulating valve  20  in fluid communication with the corresponding hole  11  of the gas distribution duct  10 , tightening the washer  90  against the hole  11 . The two elastic arms  60   a ,  60   b  of the support  30  are arranged on the other side of the gas distribution duct  10 , with respect to the side on which the rigid arm  70  is located, the inclined surface  64  of the flanges  63  that are in contact with the lower surface  27  of the projection  21  of the gas regulating valve  20  being pushed vertically upwards. Due to the pushing force and the pivoting elasticity of the elastic arms  60   a ,  60   b , the elastic arms  60   a ,  60   b  open up, the inclined surface  64  sliding over the lower surface  27 , and finally the horizontal surfaces  65  of the flanges  63  are superimposed on the upper surface  22  of the projection  21 . The elastic arms  60   a ,  60   b  are thereby engaged in the projection  21  of the gas regulating valve  20 . Likewise, in the implementation of the gas distribution assembly  100  in which the attachment area A is arranged in the projection  24 , the elastic arms  60   a ,  60   b  are engaged in the upper surface  25  of the projection  24  of the gas regulating valve  20 . Then the screw  41  is introduced in the attachment area B in the through hole  31  of the support  30 , and the end  42  of the screw  41  is screwed into the attachment area A in the threaded hole  23  of the gas regulating valve  20 , the head  43  of the screw  41  being supported on the outer part of the base  80  of the support  30 . 
         [0034]    If for any reason the screw were to fail, for example breaking due to a poor surface treatment, the tightness between the gas regulating valve  20  and the gas distribution duct  10 , and therefore the leak-tightness between the inlet hole  28  of the gas regulating valve  20  and the corresponding hole  11  of the gas distribution duct  10 , would be maintained since the support  30  continues to engage the gas regulating valve  20  through the fixing means  50 . 
         [0035]    In other implementations of the gas distribution assembly not shown in the drawings, each of the two projections  21 ,  24  of the gas regulating valve  20  comprises an attachment area A comprising the threaded hole  23 . In that case, the support  30  comprises an attachment area B on each side, with a through hole  31 . The attachment means  40  for the attachment of the gas regulating valve  20  and the support  30  comprise two screws  41 , each screw  41  being inserted into the respective through hole  31 , and each screw  41  being screwed into the respective threaded hole  23 .