Patent Publication Number: US-11029032-B2

Title: Stove

Description:
CLAIM TO PRIORITY 
     This non-provisional patent application claims priority to and benefit of, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/589,769, filed Nov. 22, 2017 and titled “Stove”, all of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Present embodiments relate to a stove for use in mobile vehicle applications. More specifically, but without limitation, present embodiments relate to a stove which may be utilized either as a slide-in/flush fit relative to a countertop or as a drop-in arrangement supported by the countertop wherein a countertop has an overhang relative to an adjacent cabinet arrangement. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Various recreational vehicles (RVs) utilize stoves which may be provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the RV. Alternatively, the stoves may be sold as an aftermarket replacement item to the end user. The stoves generally may have two types of installation. Some stoves are sold for installation wherein the cooktop rests above the countertop surface, while others are sold for installation below the countertop surface. Accordingly, this requires two different stoves to be manufactured to accommodate both types of installation, which is out of the control of the stove manufacturer. In addition, the stoves may be provided with or without an oven portion of the appliance. 
     It would be desirable to provide a device which can accommodate differing types of installations of countertop and cabinet arrangements for improving the installation process of the stove or stove and oven combination appliance. 
     Additionally, it would be desirable to allow for a single oven type rather than two types necessary to accommodate the differing installations. 
     Still further, it would be desirable to provide an assembly which allows for a user to choose whether to use a cover or not use a cover with the installation of the oven. 
     The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention is to be bound. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application discloses one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter. 
     The present embodiments provide for a stove which may be installed in a countertop mount or recessed configuration. The stove provides an end cap which is connected to or mounted adjacent to a front control panel. The end cap has two configurations which allows for different type of countertop/cabinet installations. In one configuration, the end cap may be utilized in a notched configuration to receive a portion of the adjacent edges of the countertop. This may be suitable where the countertop overhangs the edge of the cabinets. Alternatively, in a flush fit configuration, which is common in recessed mounting, the end caps may be closed so that no opening is necessary and the end caps are positioned adjacent to the countertop but do not receive such. 
     According to some embodiments, a stove comprises an appliance housing configured to be positioned within an opening in a cabinet arrangement, a pan having a plurality of burners, a front facing control panel, having a plurality of valve controls adjacent to the front facing control panel, an end cap disposed near at least one end of the control panel, the end cap having an opening, wherein in one configuration, the opening can receive an edge of a countertop and in a second configuration, the opening may be closed with a plate for a flush fit of an edge of the countertop or cabinet arrangement. 
     Some optional embodiments may be utilized with the previous embodiment either alone or in combination with other embodiments. According to some embodiments, the stove opening may be formed in an enclosure. The edge of the countertop may pass through an outer vertical plane defined by the end cap and the opening. The plate may have at least one connector. The plate may have a first leg and a second leg extending from a rear surface of the plate and extending through the opening of said end cap. The stove may further comprise a second end cap. The stove may further comprise a bracket which is positioned near ends of the control panel, the bracket connected to the end cap and the second end cap. The bracket may retain valves in position relative to the control panel and valve controls. The end caps may have one of a male or female connector and the first and second legs may have the other of the male and female connector. The end cap may have a design feature which matches a design feature of one of the burner pan and the control panel. The design feature may be a chamfer. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. All of the above outlined features are to be understood as exemplary only and many more features and objectives of the various embodiments may be gleaned from the disclosure herein. Therefore, no limiting interpretation of this summary is to be understood without further reading of the entire specification, claims and drawings, included herewith. A more extensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of present embodiments is provided in the following written description, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and defined in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the embodiments may be better understood, embodiments of a stove will now be described by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit the scope of the claims as other embodiments of a stove will become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the instant description. Non-limiting examples of the present embodiments are shown in figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stove for use in an RV or marine vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the stove mounted in a first configuration in a cabinet arrangement; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of the configuration of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an upper perspective view of the stove in a second configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of the configuration of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the end cap and a cover plate exploded therefrom; 
         FIG. 7  is a lower rear perspective view of the control panel and end cap with the plate positioned therein; 
         FIG. 8  is a lower perspective view of the end cap with the cover plate positioned therein; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the end cap; and, 
         FIG. 10  is a side section view of the end cap installed in the stove. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood that a stove is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The described embodiments are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-10 , the present embodiments provide for end caps for a stove which may be installed in either of a countertop mount or recessed configuration and which may accommodate two configurations of a countertop edge. Some countertops may extend into the envelope of the stove while others may be flush fit against an outer edge of the stove. Either installation type has in the past, required a separate stove design. However, present embodiments provide a single design which may be accommodated for either type of installation. Further, the installation may also be performed with or without an adjacent oven. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , an upper perspective view of a stove  10  is depicted. The stove  10  may be utilized in mobile applications, for example, recreational vehicles and/or marine applications. In some embodiments, it may also be desirable to use this end cap and stove arrangement for fixed building oven installations. The stove  10  is depicted with an upper burner pan  12  having one or more burners  14  extending above an upper surface of the pan  12 . Additionally, a stove grate  16  may be positioned to support one or more pots, pans, skillets, or the like over the one or more burners  14 . The pan  12  may be flat or may be recessed as shown. The pan  12  is shown as generally square shaped, but alternatively may be other shapes as well. In the instant embodiment, a triangular pattern of three burners  14  is provided by way of non-limiting example. The grate  16  may have opening areas such that the flames may pass through the grate  16  while limiting heating of the grate  16  and thus directing the majority of the heat to the pan, skillet or other cooking utensil positioned on the grate  16  and above the burners  14 . However, this is non-limiting as other numbers of burners and or grate openings may be utilized. 
     At the front of the pan  12 , is a control panel  20 . The control panel  20  has one or more gas control dials  22 , corresponding to the number of burners  14  and/or burners and oven controls. The control panel  20  may be a vertically faced structure having openings wherein multiple gas control dials  22  are positioned corresponding to the burners  14 . The control panel  20  may be a single structure extending across the front of the stove  10  and pan  12  or may be formed of a plurality of segments. Further, optionally, the control panel  20  may define a vertical boundary or portion of the stove  10  envelope. The gas control dials  22  may open and close gas valves which supply fuel to the burners  14 . Additionally, one or more dials  32  may be also provided to adjust the heat level in an optional oven  30 . The optional dials  32  may provide various settings for broiling, baking and the like in the oven  30 . The oven  30  includes a housing  34  which is positioned within an arrangement of cabinets  60  ( FIG. 2 ). The stove  10  may be connected to, or may be positioned above but disconnected from, the optional oven  30 . In some embodiments, the stove  10  may be, for example, pivotally connected to the oven appliance housing  34  to allow for access or cleaning of the lower portion of the stove  10  if necessary. Further, however, the stove  10  need not be used with the oven  30 . 
     Also shown in this view is an end cap  50  adjacent to an end of the control panel  20 . The end cap  50  and the control panel  20 , along with other structure may define an outer boundary or envelop for the stove  10 . The end cap  50  provides for a structural arrangement to allow for positioning relative to the various types of countertop installations. For example, some countertops are installed with a lip or overhang relative to the cabinet arrangement where a recess is formed for the stove  10 . In other configurations, the countertop edge may be flush with the vertical edge of the cabinet. 
     The pan  12  and the control panel  20  define a generally L-shaped structure when viewed from the side. The end cap  50  is positioned behind the control panel  20  and partially above it in order to match the geometry of the side profile of the burner pan  12  and the control panel  20  when assembled. Additionally, the end cap is disposed behind the control panel  20  defining the outer boundary of the front area of the stove. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the stove  10  and the oven  30  is depicted. The appliances are positioned within a cabinet arrangement  60  having a countertop  62  thereon. In this embodiment, the upper edge of the countertop  62  extends into the opening wherein the stove  10  is positioned. The cabinet arrangement  60  is shown as having a planar, vertical surface but this is generally representative of any type of cabinets which may also include doors, openings and/or drawers as one skilled in the art will understand. Thus, the cabinet arrangement  60 , which is depicted, is merely illustrative and non-limiting. 
     The depicted installation is known as a countertop mount wherein the stove  10  is positioned in an opening of the countertop  62  and slides rearwardly and may be supported by the countertop surface. In such installation, due to the edge of the countertop  62  extending into the appliance opening supporting the stove  10  or at least extend into an envelope of the stove  10 , the design of the stove  10  must allow clearance for the countertop  62  to extend underneath or beyond an outer most edge of the stove  10  in order to provide the desired support. Alternatively, an alternate design for the outer edge of the countertop  62  had to be provided for the depicted type of installation versus that shown in  FIG. 4  and described further herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a detailed perspective view of the installation of  FIG. 2  is depicted for purpose of explanation. As depicted, the stove  10  is shown supported by the countertop  62  and/or engaging the countertop  62 . The end cap  50  is positioned along the outer edge of the stove  10  and also vertically along the control panel  20 . The end cap  50  defines a recess wherein the countertop  62  may continue to extend into the outer envelope or boundary of the stove  10  as the countertop  62  does around the outer perimeter of the rest of the stove  10 , according to the installation method. 
     The end cap  50  is generally C-shaped and has an upper leg  52 , a lower leg  54  and a vertical leg  56 . As shown in the view of  FIG. 3 , the end cap  50  may have a substantially C-shaped side view appearance which allows for the outermost countertop edge to extend into the envelope of the stove  10  rather than requiring a notch or a cut to the countertop  62  to allow for a change in profile of the stove  10 . Thus the opening of the c-shaped end cap  50  allows for clearance of the countertop  62  to be positioned therein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternate installation is depicted in perspective view. In this embodiment, the stove  10  is generally recess mounted. A stove cover  24  may also be provided in this configuration so that the cover  24 , when folded down, covers the grate  16  and the cover is flush with, or close to flush, with the upper surface of the countertop  62 . This creates additional countertop space when the cover is down and the stove is not being used. A recess mount is one that the cabinet arrangement  60  and the countertop  62  are cut and the stove  10  and oven  30  are positioned within the recess. More specifically, the countertop  62  does not have a lip or overhang within the recess area of the stove opening as in the previous embodiment. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the stove  10  is not supported by the countertop  62  although a flange or bracket, for example of the stove cover, may be used to cover any opening between the stove  10  and the edge of the recess formed in the countertop  62 . Further, as shown at the front edge of the countertop  62  and the opening in the cabinet arrangement  60 , the edges of the cabinet  60  and the countertop  62  are generally aligned vertically and flush mounted against the edges of the oven  30  and the stove  10 . In this view, it is also shown that the front edge of the countertop  62  does not extend into the envelope or boundary of the stove  10 . 
     More to this point and with additional reference to  FIG. 5 , a detailed perspective view of the installation of  FIG. 4  is shown. In this view, the end cap  50  is again shown, but instead of receiving an edge of the countertop  62  which may overhang the cabinet arrangement  60  in the appliance opening, as in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the countertop  62  is cut with a vertical edge that is flush with the cabinet arrangement  60 . Thus, the opening in the stove end cap  50  is not needed in this type of recess or flush mount installation. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 5 , cover plate  58  is positioned in the opening of the end cap  50  where the countertop  62  entered the end cap  50  in the previous embodiment. The embodiment provides that the cover plate  58  is fitted flush in the opening of the end cap  50  and therefore, no gaps or other openings, which are aesthetically unpleasant and unnecessary according to this embodiment are seen. The cover plate  58  also keeps food, debris or other contaminants from entering this area and collecting. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of the stove  10  is depicted from a rear position looking forward along the side of the stove  10 . The burner pan  12  is shown extending forward toward the control panel  20 . The metal of the burner pan  12  and control panel  20  may have an open area or notch therebetween wherein an upper leg  52  of the end cap  50  is positioned. The stove  10  may comprise a chamfer, radius or other design feature  53  between the uppermost edge of the burner pan  12 , which is horizontal, and the vertical face of the control panel  20 . Accordingly, some embodiments of the end cap  50  may incorporate such design feature in order to match the profile of the stove  10  when viewed from the side. The instant embodiment provides that the end cap  50  and the control panel  20  includes such design feature  53 , for instance a chamfer, extending from the uppermost edge of the upper leg  52 . 
     Also shown more clearly in this view, is the general shape of the end cap  50  which has a vertical leg  56  on one side of the end cap  50 , toward the control panel  20 , but is open on the opposite side of the end cap  50 . The open end of the end cap  50  allows for sliding rearwardly of the stove  10  and clearance to accept an overhanging edge of the countertop  62  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Also shown in the interior of the end cap  50  is a fastener  72  which allows for positioning of the end cap  50  against the stove  10  and specifically relative to a bracket  70  which supports the gas valve  25  ( FIG. 7 ) for operation of the stove  10  and the oven  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a lower rear perspective view of the interior of the stove  10  is depicted beneath the burner pan  12 . The control panel  20  is shown depending beneath the burner pan  12  and comprising openings  23  for the gas control dials  22  ( FIG. 1 ). Each gas control dial  22  is provided with a valve  25  behind the control panel  20  and behind the opening  23 . The valve  25  controls flow of fuel to a burner  14  ( FIG. 1 ) or to the oven  30 . The bracket  70  is provided to support each of the gas valves  25  and may also be utilized to provide a connection location for the end cap  50 . As shown in the depicted view, the end cap  50  is connected to the bracket  70  by the fastener  72  extending through the open area of the end cap  50  and into the bracket  70 . Such fastener  72  may be a screw, bolt, rivet or other connecting structure. Also, depicted in this embodiment is the cover plate  58  which is positioned in the end cap  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a further lower perspective view of the end cap  50  positioned relative to the burner pan  12  and the control panel  20  is depicted. In this view, the three legs  52 ,  54 ,  56  of the end cap  50  are depicted. The opening of the end cap  50  is filled by the cover plate  58  and as shown in this view, and in combination with  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the cover plate  58  includes first and second arms  59 ,  61 . Each of the arms  59 ,  61  may include a male or female connector wherein the adjacent portion of the end cap  50  may also include the other of the male and female connector to aid in retaining the cover plate  58  in the end cap  50 , according to the installation shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , a rear perspective view of the end cap  50  is depicted. The legs  52 ,  54  and  56  are shown. In this view, a guide  57  is shown extending between the upper leg  52  and the lower leg  54 . This guide  57  provides for positioning of an end wall of the control panel  20 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , to fit flush with the outer surfaces of upper and lower legs  52 ,  54 . The guide  57  may also provide stiffening for this outer surface of the control panel  20  along the ends and adjacent to the end cap  50 . The guide  57  is offset to provide the clearance and allow the flush fit of the control panel end surface relative to the outer surfaces of legs  52  and  54 . Further, the guide  57  may also provide an aperture  59  allowing a lock tab to extend through the aperture  59  and aid in retention of the end cap  50  in position, in addition to the fastener in bracket  70  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     Extending from the rear of the legs  52 ,  54  and defining a portion of leg  56 , is an enclosure  65 . The side of the enclosure  65  which is not shown is open as shown in  FIGS. 6-8  to provide clearance and allow the positioning of the countertop therein. The rear of the enclosure  65  also shows a fastener aperture  66 , which may be connected to the bracket  70 , also aiding to retain the end cap  50  in position. The enclosure  65  may be sized depending upon an amount offset by which the countertop  62  extends beyond the vertical edge of the cabinet arrangement  60 . Thus if 1 inch thick countertops with ¾ inch overhang are anticipated, this may be determinative of the size of the enclosures, for example. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a section view of the end cap  50  and stove  10  is depicted. The view shows the cover plate  58  positioned in the end cap  50  and further comprising connectors  74 ,  76  which engage opposed connectors  75 ,  77  of the end cap  50 . In the instant embodiment, the connectors  75 ,  77  are male structures such as ribs or protuberances. The female connectors  74 ,  76  of the opposed structures may be reversed or additionally other connecting structures may be utilized such as latches, catches, or other engaging structures or other retaining features. Thus, these are not limited descriptions and various features may be utilized. 
     All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. 
     Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. 
     It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited. 
     In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures. 
     The foregoing description of methods and embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.