Patent Publication Number: US-2023136332-A1

Title: Cooktop appliance with unifying alignment bracket

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to cooktop appliances, such as gas cooktop appliances. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gas cooktop appliances generally include multiple gas burners mounted to a top panel. A user of the cooktop appliances may regulate fuel flow to the gas burners by adjusting control valves associated with the gas burners. Certain gas cooktop appliances includes knobs coupled to the control valves. The user may rotate the knobs to open and close the control valves and thereby regulate fuel flow to the gas burners. 
     A knob bezel may be mounted to a gas cooktop&#39;s panel below a knob in order to hide or cover a gap between the knob and the panel. Thus, the knob bezel may improve a cosmetic appearance of the gas cooktop. The knob bezel is generally a separate piece of material from the knob and control valve. Since the knob bezel is not an integrated part of the knob or control valve, properly aligning the knob bezel with the knob on the gas cooktop&#39;s panel can be difficult. A misaligned knob bezel can be visually displeasing and can also result in binding between the knob and knob bezel during rotation of the knob relative to the knob bezel. Additionally, the knobs may be misaligned with each other, such as adjacent knobs may be misaligned. Knob to knob misalignment can also be visually displeasing. 
     Accordingly, a cooktop appliance with features for aligning a plurality of knobs and respective bezels with each other would be useful. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance includes a panel defining a plurality of openings with a plurality of clearance holes defined in the panel. Each clearance hole of the plurality of clearance holes is positioned adjacent a respective one opening of the plurality of openings. The cooktop appliance also includes a plurality of control valves mounted to the panel. Each control valve of the plurality of control valves includes a spark switch and a stem. The stem of each control valve extends through the panel at one corresponding opening of the plurality of openings of the panel. The cooktop appliance further includes a plurality of knobs. Each knob is mounted to the stem of a respective one control valve of the plurality of control valves and is positioned opposite the spark switch of the respective one control valve about the panel. The cooktop appliance also includes a plurality of bezels positioned at the panel such that each bezel of the plurality of bezels is disposed between a corresponding one knob of the plurality of knobs and the panel. Each bezel of the plurality of bezels includes a control slot defined therein. The cooktop appliance further includes a unifying bracket positioned between the spark switch of each control valve of the plurality of control valves and the panel. The unifying bracket includes a plurality of protrusions. Each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions of the unifying bracket extends through a respective one of the plurality of clearance holes in the panel and through the control slot of a respective one bezel of the plurality of bezels. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance includes a panel defining a plurality of openings with a plurality of alignment slots defined in the panel. Each alignment slot of the plurality of alignment slots is positioned adjacent a respective one opening of the plurality of openings. The cooktop appliance also includes a plurality of control valves mounted to the panel. Each control valve of the plurality of control valves includes a spark switch and a stem. The stem of each control valve extends through the panel at one corresponding opening of the plurality of openings of the panel. The cooktop appliance further includes a plurality of knobs. Each knob is mounted to the stem of a respective one control valve of the plurality of control valves and is positioned opposite the spark switch of the respective one control valve about the panel. The cooktop appliance also includes a unifying bracket positioned between the spark switch of each control valve of the plurality of control valves and the panel. The unifying bracket includes a plurality of protrusions. Each protrusion of the plurality of protrusions of the unifying bracket extends through a respective one of the plurality of alignment slots. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG.  1    provides a front, perspective view of a range appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG.  2    provides a top view of the exemplary range appliance of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    provides a side section view of a control panel assembly taken through the center of a knob of the control panel assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter and as may be used with the exemplary range appliance of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    provides a perspective section view of the exemplary control panel assembly of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    provides side section view of the exemplary control panel assembly of  FIG.  3    taken near an edge of a knob of the control panel assembly. 
         FIG.  6    provides a perspective section view of the exemplary control panel assembly taken along the same section plane as in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    provides a perspective view of an exemplary control valve as may be incorporated into a control panel assembly such as the exemplary control panel assembly of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  8    provides a perspective view of an exemplary manifold tube as may be incorporated into a control panel assembly such as the exemplary control panel assembly of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  9    provides a perspective view of an exemplary unifying bracket as may be incorporated into a control panel assembly such as the exemplary control panel assembly of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  10    provides a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary control panel as may be incorporated into a control panel assembly such as the exemplary control panel assembly of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  11    provides a perspective view of an exemplary bezel as may be incorporated into a control panel assembly such as the exemplary control panel assembly of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  12    provides a perspective view of an exemplary knob and bezel as may be incorporated into a control panel assembly such as the exemplary control panel assembly of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  13    provides a perspective view of a partially assembled control panel assembly including an exemplary manifold tube with a plurality of exemplary control valves coupled thereto and an exemplary unifying bracket mounted to a bracket of the manifold tube. 
         FIG.  14    provides a front view of the partially assembled control panel assembly of  FIG.  13   . 
         FIG.  15    provides a front view of the partially assembled control panel assembly of  FIG.  13    with the addition of a plurality of bezels thereon. 
         FIG.  16    provides a perspective view of a partially assembled control panel assembly including an exemplary knob and bezel associated with a first control valve, an exemplary bezel without the knob associated with a second control valve, and third control valve having neither a bezel nor a knob associated therewith. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise. 
     Referring now to the figures, an exemplary appliance will be described in accordance with exemplary aspects of the present subject matter.  FIG.  1    provides a front, perspective view of a range appliance  100  as may be employed with the present subject matter.  FIG.  2    provides a top, plan view of range appliance  100 . Range appliance  100  includes an insulated cabinet  110 . As illustrated, range appliance  100  generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined. Cabinet  110  defines an upper cooking chamber  120  and a lower cooking chamber  122 . Thus, range appliance  100  is generally referred to as a double oven range appliance. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, range appliance  100  is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable cooktop appliance, e.g., a single oven range appliance or a standalone cooktop appliance. Thus, the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG.  1    is not intended to limit the present subject matter to any particular cooking chamber configuration or arrangement. 
     Upper and lower cooking chambers  120  and  122  are configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Range appliance  100  includes an upper door  124  and a lower door  126  rotatably attached to cabinet  110  in order to permit selective access to upper cooking chamber  120  and lower cooking chamber  122 , respectively. Handles  128  are mounted to upper and lower doors  124  and  126  to assist a user with opening and closing doors  124  and  126  in order to access cooking chambers  120  and  122 . As an example, a user can pull on handle  128  mounted to upper door  124  to open or close upper door  124  and access upper cooking chamber  120 . Glass window panes  130  provide for viewing the contents of upper and lower cooking chambers  120  and  122  when doors  124  and  126  are closed and also assist with insulating upper and lower cooking chambers  120  and  122 . Heating elements (not shown), such as electric resistance heating elements, gas burners, microwave heating elements, halogen heating elements, or suitable combinations thereof, are positioned within upper cooking chamber  120  and lower cooking chamber  122  for heating upper cooking chamber  120  and lower cooking chamber  122 . 
     Range appliance  100  also includes a cooktop  140 . Cooktop  140  is positioned at or adjacent a top portion of cabinet  110 . Thus, cooktop  140  is positioned above upper and lower cooking chambers  120  and  122 . Cooktop  140  includes a top panel  142 . By way of example, top panel  142  may be constructed of glass, ceramics, enameled steel, and combinations thereof. 
     For range appliance  100 , a utensil holding food and/or cooking liquids (e.g., oil, water, etc.) may be placed onto grates  152  at a location of any of burner assemblies  144 ,  146 ,  148 ,  150 . Burner assemblies  144 ,  146 ,  148 ,  150  provide thermal energy to cooking utensils on grates  152 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , burner assemblies  144 ,  146 ,  148 ,  150  can be configured in various sizes so as to provide e.g., for the receipt of cooking utensils (i.e., pots, pans, etc.) of various sizes and configurations and to provide different heat inputs for such cooking utensils. Grates  152  are supported on a top surface  158  of top panel  142 . Range appliance  100  also includes a griddle burner  160  positioned at a middle portion of top panel  142 , as may be seen in  FIG.  2   . A griddle may be positioned on grates  152  and heated with griddle burner  160 . 
     A user interface panel  154  is located within convenient reach of a user of the range appliance  100 . For this exemplary embodiment, user interface panel  154  includes knobs  156  that are each associated with one of burner assemblies  144 ,  146 ,  148 ,  150  and griddle burner  160 . Knobs  156  allow the user to activate each burner assembly and determine the amount of heat input provided by each burner assembly  144 ,  146 ,  148 ,  150  and griddle burner  160  to a cooking utensil located thereon. User interface panel  154  may also be provided with one or more graphical display devices that deliver certain information to the user such as e.g., whether a particular burner assembly is activated and/or the rate at which the burner assembly is set. 
     Although shown with knobs  156 , it should be understood that knobs  156  and the configuration of range appliance  100  shown in  FIG.  1    are provided by way of example only. More specifically, user interface panel  154  may include various input components, such as one or more of a variety of touch-type controls, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads, e.g., in addition to knobs  156 . The user interface panel  154  may include other display components, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. 
       FIG.  3    provides a side, section view of a control panel assembly  200  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, where the section cut is taken through a center of one exemplary knob of a plurality of knobs.  FIG.  4    provides a perspective section view of control panel assembly  200 .  FIG.  5    provides a side section view of the control panel assembly  200  taken near an edge of a knob of the control panel assembly  200 .  FIG.  6    provides a perspective section view of the control panel assembly  200  taken along the same section plane as in  FIG.  5   . Control panel assembly  200  may be used in or within any suitable cooktop appliance. For example, control panel assembly  200  may be used in or within range appliance  100  of  FIGS.  1  and  2   . Thus, control panel assembly  200  is discussed in greater detail below in the context of range appliance  100 . Further, the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T may also or instead be defined by and/or relative to the control panel assembly  200 . For example, when the control panel assembly  200  is incorporated into the range appliance  100 , the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T noted in  FIGS.  3  through  16    correspond to and/or are aligned with the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . 
     As may be seen in  FIGS.  3 - 6   , control panel assembly  200  includes a panel  210 , a plurality of knobs  220  (e.g., knobs  156 ) and a plurality of control valves  230 . As will be discussed further below, the knobs  220  and the control valves  230  are paired in one-to-one correspondence, e.g., each knob  220  is connected to one corresponding control valve  230  and each control valve  230  has a single knob  220  connected thereto. Panel  210  may be part of top panel  142  of range appliance  100  ( FIG.  1   ) or may be separate from top panel  142 . Panel  210  defines an outer surface  212  and an inner surface  214 . Outer and inner surfaces  212 ,  214  of panel  210  are positioned opposite each other on panel  210 . For example, inner surface  214  of panel  210  may face an interior of range appliance  100 , and outer surface  212  of panel  210  may face away from the interior of range appliance  100 . Panel  210  also defines a plurality of openings  216 . Each opening  216  of panel  210  extends through panel  210 , e.g., between outer and inner surfaces  212 ,  214  of panel  210 . 
     Each paired knob  220  and control valve  230  are positioned at or adjacent one of the openings  216  of panel  210 . As an example, the paired knob  220  and control valve  230  may be positioned opposite each other about panel  210 . In particular, each knob  220  may be positioned at or adjacent outer surface  212  of panel  210  proximate opening  216  of panel  210 , and each respective control valve  230  may be positioned at or adjacent inner surface  214  of panel  210  proximate the same opening  216  of panel  210  as the knob  220  with which the control valve  230  is connected. 
     Each control valve  230  includes a valve body  232  and a stem  234 . The plurality of control valves  230  are all coupled to a manifold tube  236  and manifold tube  236  includes a manifold bracket  238  thereon. The valve body  232  of each control valve  230  of the plurality of control valves  230  is configured for housing various components of the control valve  230  that regulate a flow of gaseous fuel, such as propane or natural gas, from manifold tube  236  to one of burner assemblies  144 ,  146 ,  148 ,  150 . In particular, each control valve  230  is selectively adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the control valve  230  blocks gaseous fuel flow from manifold tube  236 . Conversely, each control valve  230  permits gaseous fuel flow from manifold tube  236  in the open configuration. Each stem  234  extends from the valve body  232  through panel  210  at one opening  216  of panel  210 . Each knob  220  is coupled (e.g., mounted to) the corresponding one control valve  230  at the stem  234  thereof. As may be seen, e.g., in  FIG.  3   , each control valve  230  defines an axial direction A along a length of stem  234 . A user may rotate knob  220  in order to adjust the control valve  230  paired therewith between the open and closed configurations. A fuel line (not shown) extends from valve body  232  to one of burner assemblies  144 ,  146 ,  148 ,  150  in order to supply fuel from valve body  232  to the corresponding burner assembly. 
     Each control valve  230  may be mounted to the panel  210 . For example, each valve body  232  may be coupled to manifold  236 , and manifold bracket  238  may be mounted (e.g., fastened) to a unifying bracket  250  which is in turn mounted to panel  210 . Manifold tube  236  may be mounted to (e.g., fastened) to manifold bracket  238 . In such a manner, control valve  230  may be connected and mounted to panel  210 . 
     Control panel assembly  200  also includes a plurality of spark switches  260 , e.g., each control valve  230  may have a spark switch  260  mounted thereon and/or incorporated therein. Each spark switch  260  is configured for electrically connecting a power supply to an igniter at one of burner assemblies  144 ,  146 ,  148 ,  150 . In particular, spark switch  260  may be configured for closing an electrical circuit to the igniter when a user rotates knob  220  such that control valve  230  is in the open configuration, and spark switch  260  may be configured for opening the electrical circuit to the igniter when the user rotates knob  220  such that control valve  230  is in the closed configuration. In such a manner, spark switch  260  may assist with igniting gaseous fuel at burners of range appliance  100 , as will be understood by those skilled in the art. 
     Control panel assembly  200  also includes a plurality of bezels  240 . Each bezel  240  is disposed between one respective knob  220  and the panel  210  and each bezel  240  is positioned on panel  210 . Each bezel  240  may cover or hide a gap between the respective knob  220  and the panel  210  in order to improve a cosmetic appearance of range appliance  100 , such as each bezel  240  may cover a portion of the respective opening  216  in the panel  210  through which the corresponding valve stem  234  extends. 
     Individual components of the control panel assembly  200  are illustrated separately in  FIGS.  7  through  12    to more clearly show certain details of each component.  FIG.  7    provides a perspective view of an exemplary control valve  230 , e.g., a representative one of the plurality of control valves  230 , it being understood that each control valve  230  is generally similar (e.g., other than position) as the example control valve  230  illustrated in  FIG.  7   .  FIG.  8    provides a perspective view of the manifold tube  236  and the manifold bracket  238  in isolation, e.g., without any control vales  230  or the unifying bracket  250  coupled thereto. 
       FIG.  9    provides a perspective view of the unifying bracket  250 . In some embodiments, e.g., as may be seen in  FIG.  9   , the unifying bracket  250  may include a top flange  256  and a front panel  258 . The front panel  258  may be removably joined to the top flange  256 . As such, when the control panel assembly  200  is assembled, e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS.  3  through  6   , the front panel  258  of the unifying bracket may be separated from the top flange  256  of the unifying bracket  250  to permit access to the spark switches  260  on the control valves  230  without disconnecting any of the plurality of control valves  230  from the fuel manifold  236 . In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the unifying bracket  250  may include a plurality of protrusions thereon, such as a first plurality of protrusions  252  and a second plurality of protrusions  254 . 
       FIG.  10    provides a perspective view of a portion of the panel  210  including three openings  216  defined therethrough, which may each accept one control valve  230  of the plurality of control valves  230 , such as each valve stem  234  of three control valves  230  may extend through a respective one of the openings  216  in the panel  210 . As will be described in more detail below, each opening  216  may have an alignment slot  270 ,  272 , or  274  and a clearance hole  278  associated therewith, e.g., positioned adjacent thereto. For example, each alignment slot may be positioned adjacent a respective one opening  216 , and each opening  216  may also have one clearance hole  278  positioned adjacent thereto. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIG.  10   , each opening  216  has a single alignment slot and a single clearance hole  278  adjacent thereto, e.g., a single alignment slot and a single clearance hole are each much closer to each opening  216  than to every other opening  216 . Moreover, there may be a mutual one-to-one correspondence between the alignment slots and the openings  216  and between the clearance holes  278  and the openings  216 , such as each opening  216  has a single alignment slot adjacent thereto and each alignment slot is adjacent to a single opening  216 , as well as each opening  216  has a single clearance hole  278  adjacent thereto and each clearance hole  278  is adjacent to a single opening  216 . Again, as noted above, the adjacency of the clearance holes and alignment slots to the openings  216  used herein refers to each slot or hole being much closer to one of the openings  216  than to any other opening  216 , which may be seen, for example, in  FIG.  10   . With each opening  216  having a single alignment slot  270 ,  272 , or  274  and a single clearance hole  278  adjacent thereto, the alignment slot and the clearance hole  278  may be positioned on opposite sides of the respective opening  216 , e.g., as illustrated in  FIG.  10   . For example, each alignment slot and each clearance hole in the panel may be positioned opposite each other about the respective one opening  216  along the vertical direction V and along the lateral direction L. 
     Also illustrated in  FIG.  10    are a plurality of alignment slots in the panel  210 . In particular, the exemplary embodiment of a panel  210  illustrated in  FIG.  10    includes three alignment slots, a first alignment slot  270 , a second alignment slot  274  and a third alignment slot  272 . The alignment slots  270 ,  272 , and  274  each generally define an elongated shape, e.g., a shape having a major axis or dimension which is larger than and generally perpendicular to a smaller minor axis or minor dimension. For example, the alignment slots may have an oval cross-sectional shape in some embodiments. As another example, the illustrated embodiment includes stadium-shaped alignment slots, e.g., each of the alignment slots  270 ,  272 , and  274  defines a stadium-shaped cross-section through the panel  210 , e.g., between the outer surface  212  and the inner surface  214  of the panel  210 . Accordingly, the alignment slots  270 ,  272 , and  274  each have an alignment, e.g., a direction that the major dimension of each alignment slot is oriented along and/or parallel to. For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of alignment slots defined in the panel  210  may include at least one lateral alignment slot and at least one vertical alignment slot, e.g., at least one alignment slot having a major dimension oriented generally parallel to the lateral direction L and at least one alignment slot having a major dimension oriented generally parallel to the vertical direction V. As another example, the plurality of alignment slots defined in the panel may include three alignment slots, e.g., first alignment slot  270 , second alignment slot  274  and third alignment slot  272 . The three alignment slots may include a first alignment slot  270  and second alignment slot  274  that are each oriented along a first direction, e.g., the lateral direction L as illustrated in  FIG.  10   , and a third alignment slot  272  oriented along a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction, e.g., the vertical direction V as illustrated in  FIG.  10   . In some embodiments, the alignment slot which is oriented along a different direction than the direction along which the other alignment slots are oriented, e.g., the vertical alignment slot  272  in  FIG.  10   , may be positioned between the other two alignment slots. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the third alignment slot  272  may be positioned between the first alignment slot  270  and the second alignment slot  274 , such as along the lateral direction L. Other orientations and combinations of orientations are also possible within the scope of the present disclosure, such as one lateral alignment slot and two vertical alignment slots, etc. 
       FIG.  11    provides a perspective view of an exemplary one bezel  240  of the plurality of bezels. As mentioned above, an axial direction A may be defined, e.g., by the valve stem  234 . As illustrated in  FIG.  11   , the bezel  240  may include a central aperture  242  through which the valve stem  234  of the corresponding control valve  230  may extend, e.g., along the axial direction A. Further, a radial direction R may be defined perpendicular to the axial direction A. In some embodiments, the bezel  240  may include a control slot  244  defined therein. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  11   , the control slot  244 , such as a major dimension thereof, may be oriented generally parallel to the radial direction R. 
       FIG.  12    provides a perspective view of an exemplary one of the bezels  240  with a corresponding knob  220  received therein. As may be seen in  FIG.  12   , the knob  220  is generally concentrically aligned with and positioned within the bezel  240 . Accordingly, a spacing between the outermost perimeter, e.g., circumference, of the knob  220  is evenly spaced along the entirety thereof from a corresponding dimension of the bezel  240 , such as an internal circumference of the bezel  240 . 
       FIG.  13    provides a perspective view of a partially assembled control panel assembly  200 . Illustrated in  FIG.  13    are an exemplary manifold tube  236  with a plurality of exemplary control valves  230  coupled thereto. Also as may be seen in  FIG.  13   , an exemplary unifying bracket  250  is coupled to the bracket  238  of the manifold tube  236 . Each control valve  230  extends partially through the unifying bracket  250 . For example, the spark switch  260  of each control valve  230  may be positioned on one side of the unifying bracket  250  while the valve stem  234  of each control valve  230  is positioned on an opposite side of the unifying bracket  250 . 
       FIG.  14    provides a front view of a partially assembled control panel assembly  200 . In particular, the bezels  240  and knobs  220  are not installed in  FIG.  14   , e.g.,  FIG.  14    depicts the panel  210  with a plurality of control valves  230 , e.g., three control valves in this example, mounted therebehind, such that the valves stems  234  of the control valves  230  each extend through a respective opening  216  in the panel  210 . The unifying bracket  250  is positioned behind the panel  210  in  FIG.  14   , whereby protrusions of the unifying bracket  250  may be seen. In particular, the first plurality of protrusions  252  of the unifying bracket  250  each extend through a corresponding one of the alignment slots  270 ,  272 , and  274  in the panel  210 . The first plurality of protrusions  252  and the alignment slots  270 ,  272 , and  274  may thereby cooperatively provide translational control of the control valves  230  and the panel  210 , e.g., the first plurality of protrusions  252  and the alignment slots  270 ,  272 , and  274  may cooperatively restrict or prevent relative translational movement between the control valves  230  and the panel  210 , such as along the lateral direction L, along the vertical direction V, and/or within a lateral-vertical plane defined by the lateral direction L and the vertical direction V. At the stage of assembly depicted in  FIG.  14   , the second plurality of protrusions  254  each extend through, but do not contact, a respective one clearance hole  278  of the plurality of clearance holes  278  in the panel  210 . 
     In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIG.  14   , each protrusion  252  of the first plurality of protrusions  252  may define a center point  253 . In such embodiments, the center points  253  of the first plurality of protrusions  252  may be colinear along a line  1000  that is generally parallel to the lateral direction L. Further, each protrusion  254  of the second plurality of protrusions  254  may define a center point  255 , and the center points  255  of the second plurality of protrusions  254  may be colinear along a line  1002  that is generally parallel to the lateral direction L. 
       FIG.  15    provides another front view of a partially assembled control panel assembly  200 . In particular, the bezels  240  have been installed and only the knobs  220  are omitted in  FIG.  15   . For example, the configuration illustrated in  FIG.  15    may represent a next step in the assembly process after the configuration illustrated in  FIG.  14   . As illustrated in  FIG.  15   , each protrusion  254  of the second plurality of protrusions  254  on the unifying bracket  250  extends through the control slot  244  of a respective one of the plurality of bezels  240 . The controls slots  244  and the second plurality of protrusions  254  may cooperatively provide rotational control of the bezels  240  and the panel  210 , e.g., the second plurality of protrusions  254  and the control slots  244  may cooperatively restrict or prevent relative rotational movement between the bezels  240  and the panel  210 , such as around the axial direction A (see, e.g.,  FIG.  3   , and note that the axial direction A is oriented into and out of the page in the view of  FIG.  15   ). 
       FIG.  16    provides a perspective view of a portion of the control panel assembly  200  in varying stages of completeness of the assembly process. Moving from left to right on the page in  FIG.  16   , one knob  220  and bezel  240  are fully assembled onto a corresponding control valve  230  and the panel  210 , while a second control valve  230  (of which the control stem  234  is visible in  FIG.  16   ) has the bezel  240  assembled around the valve stem  234  thereof (the valve stem  234  extends through the aperture  242  in the bezel  240 , but does not contact the edges thereof) with a corresponding second protrusion  254  of the unifying bracket  250  within the control slot  244  of the bezel  240 . A third control valve  230  is mounted to the unifying bracket  250  and the panel  210  without a bezel  240  or knob  220  yet connected to the control valve  230 . At the third control valve  230 , the first protrusion  252  within the alignment slot  274  and the second protrusion  254  extending through the clearance hole  278  may be seen. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.