Patent Abstract:
The invention is a high temperature control knob that is installed on the power control knob stem of an existing appliance to prevent a material being heated from reaching a predetermined maximum temperature (e.g., the burning point temperature for oil), and thereby preventing an undesired event (e.g., a fire). The high temperature control knob comprises an alignment means having at least one stop that is adjustable about a set of temperature markings containing the predetermined maximum temperature, and may further comprise a dial with an arm that mounts of the power control knob stem. The at least one stop may be aligned to the predetermined maximum temperature by rotating the alignment means about the power control knob stem and tightening a fixing means to hold the alignment means in place. The arm of the dial contacts the at least one stop preventing the appliance from exceeding the predetermined maximum temperature.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application for an invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/157,340, High Temperature Control Knob, filed May 5, 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to temperature control devices. More particularly the invention relates to temperature control devices for retrofitting appliances in order to prevent the temperature from exceeding a predetermined maximum temperature. 
         [0004]    Even more particularly, the invention pertains to a high temperature control knob which may be utilized on an existing appliance, such as a stove or oven, without the addition of additional electronic wiring to the appliance. 
         [0005]    2. Prior Art 
         [0006]    The prior art includes devices for regulating temperature using sensors which are found on thermostat type devices. The prior art of record shows a number of devices for controlling the temperature of the surface of an oven. 
         [0007]    A problem with existing technology is that it is not easily adaptable to the numerous models of appliances in the market place to control the temperature of a substance, such as oil in a container. The invention discloses a high temperature control knob that may be used on any existing appliance. 
       GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The invention addresses the need to have a high temperature control knob which an user could add to an existing appliance, such as an oven or surface heating element of a stove. The invention would prevent a substance from reaching undesired temperatures resulting in disastrous consequences, such as oil reaching its burning point and causing a fire. 
         [0009]    In a simple embodiment of the device described herein, the invention provides an alignment means with at least one stop. The alignment means may be adjusted using an adjusting means to align the at least one stop with a preselected maximum temperature to prevent an arm on a dial from going past at least the one stop, thereby preventing the appliance from exceeding the preselected maximum temperature. The invention can be applied to an existing appliance, such as a stove, over an existing control knob stem. Where the existing appliance dials do not have the arm, a dial with the arm may be applied to the control knob stem to which the replaced existing appliance dials were attached. The alignment means may be mounted around the power control knob stem and may be secured to the face of the appliance using existing screws in threaded apertures that are located around a control knob stem so that at least the one stop of the alignment means can be rotated along an arc aligned with a set of temperatures or the alignment means may be otherwise mounted to the existing appliance using a fixing means, such as screws. The arm contacts at least the one stop when the arm reaches a predetermined power level associated with a preselected maximum temperature for which at least the one stop is aligned to prevent the appliance from going over desirable heat levels. 
         [0010]    One place where this type of technology would be particularly beneficial would be in the rental house market. In these situations an owner of a rental unit may want to provide for additional care in order to protect tenants and may wish to retrofit the appliances so that the appliances will operate in safer temperature ranges, particularly for frying oil. 
         [0011]    The problem with prior art devices is they require a great deal of expense because they are not easily retrofitted onto existing equipment. 
         [0012]    It is the main purpose of the invention as described above to provide a high temperature control knob which is attached to an existing appliance control knob stem and which serves to prevent the temperature of an item on top of a burner or within an appliance from being heated above a predetermined maximum temperature. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a high temperature control knob for preventing oil on top of a appliance from being heated above the flash point at which it ignites. 
         [0014]    These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become better understood hereinafter from a consideration of the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, and in which numerals correspond to parts throughout the several views of the invention with like parts be identified by the same numeral. 
         [0015]    One other benefit of the high temperature control knob for the appliance is that it lowers the power consumption while cooking. The percent conception loss is believed to be between 30% &amp; 50% based on laboratory tests. 
         [0016]    Also, one related benefit is that the oil used can be consumed over a longer period of time because the oil is not as badly damaged by high temperature. 
         [0017]    Yet another related benefit is that the oil does not smoke as badly if left for extended period of times as it would without the devise. Less smoke and oil residue are present with the devise than in the situation without it. 
         [0018]    In addition, it is believed that there is not a significant difference in the time required for heating the oil to the temperature of 375°, the approximate desired temperature so that there is both an energy savings, safety savings and a environmental (reduction of smoke and type of smoke) benefit to the devise. 
         [0019]    The oil smoke point is the temperature at which the oil begins to decompose and visible smoke is given off. Typically, once the smoke point is reached, the oil begins to degrade. This is the reason why maintaining the frying temperature of approximately 195° centigrade or 375° Fahrenheit is important. This allows a batter coated surface to quickly form a protective shield from penetrating the cold food and making it greasy. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  shows show a prospective view of a dial, an adapter, an alignment means, and a rear plate of one embodiment of the invention aligned with a control knob stem of an appliance that does not have a set of temperature markings that are observable; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  show a prospective view of the dial, the adapter, and the alignment means of  FIG. 1  aligned with the control knob stem on an appliance having the set of temperature markings on the face of the appliance; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a prospective view of the dial, the adapter, the alignment means, and the rear plate of the one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  shows a rear face view of the dial with a depression for the adapter of the one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  shows a frontal view of the one embodiment of the invention with the at least one stop at a third temperature marking; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  shows a frontal view of an original appliance knob having a set of original temperature markings; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  shows a prospective view of another embodiment of the invention comprising the dial, the adapter, and the alignment means of the one embodiment of the invention aligned with the control knob stem on the appliance with the set of temperature marking on the face of the appliance; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  shows a prospective view of yet another embodiment of the invention comprising only the alignment means of the of the one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows a frontal view of an alternate alignment means with a plurality of hold apertures; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  shows a prospective view of an alternate alignment means with a plurality of hold apertures. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    The invention is a high temperature control knob  10  for retrofitting an appliance  11 , such as a stove, having at least one control knob stem  9  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The control knob stem  9  extends from a face  11   a  of the appliance  11  and the control knob stem  9  is movable (i.e., can be turned or rotated) about a longitudinal axis  9   a  of the control knob stem  9 . As can best be seen by reference to  FIG. 1  in one embodiment, the high temperature control knob  10  comprises: an alignment means  13  having a disc portion  13   a  and a raised portion  13   b ; a rear plate  15 ; a dial  18 ; and an adapter  18   a . The disc portion  13   a  disposed generally perpendicular to the raised portion  13   b . The rear plate  15  comprises a set of temperature markings  20  that may include a first temperature  21 , a second temperature  22 , a third temperature  23 , and a fourth temperature  24 , and may be used when the set of temperature markings  20  are not observable on the appliance  11  or will be covered after installing the alignment means  13 . Looking to  FIG. 2 , where the set of temperature markings  20  is observable on the appliance  11 , the rear plate  15  is not required. Looking to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the dial  18  has an arm  12  and a rear face  18   b . The rear face  18   b  has a depression  18   c  sized for the adapter  18   a  shown in  FIG. 3 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the disc portion  13   a  may comprise an adjusting means  17 , such as at least a first slot  17   a , or at least a second slot  17   b . Although the first slot  17   a  as shown is elongated and curved, the first slot  17   a  could be a circular through aperture similar to a first rear slot  17   aa  of the rear plate  15 . The alignment means  13  further may comprise a center slot  13   c , generally centered in the disc portion  13   a . The alignment means  13  fits around the control knob stem  9  of the appliance  11  by placing (i.e., inserting) the control knob stem  9  through center slot  13   c . The disc portion  13   a  may have a diameter D between 1.5 and 3 inches, and a thickness T between 0.1 to 0.3 inches. The raised portion  13   b  may be attached circumferentially to the disc portion  13   a  as shown in  FIG. 1  or may be mounted on (not shown) an outer face  37  of the disc portion  13   a  and may have a raised height RH between 0.25 to 1.00 inches, as measured perpendicular the disc portion  13   a  and may have a raised thickness RT between 0.1 and 0.2 inches. The raised portion  13   b  may have at least one stop  16  on one end and may also have an alternate stop  16   a  on an other end configured to contact the arm  12  on the dial  18  when the dial  18  is rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise, respectively. The raised portion  13   b  extends perpendicular to the outer face  37  of the disc portion  13   a  away the face  11   a  of the appliance  11 . 
         [0032]    The adapter  18   a  may be similar to a type commonly known in the art as an adapter insert, such as the adapter insert with Electric Range Knobs under parts number PM3X84 and with Gas Ranges Knobs under parts number 3M3X88 by General Electric. Looking to  FIG. 3 , a first end  18   d   1  of the adapter  18   a  is inserted in a depression  18   c  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) in the rear face  18   b  of the dial  18 , and a second end  18   d   2  of the adapter  18   a  is attached to the control knob stem  9 . Looking to  FIG. 3 , the depression  18   c  is sized to hold the adapter  18   a . The adapter  18   a  may have an adapter diameter AD between ½ to ¾ inches, but generally ⅝ inches, and may have an adapter height AH between ¼ to ¾ inches high, but generally ⅜ inches, with generally ⅛ inches of the adapter extending out of the rear face  18   b  of the dial  18 . The dial  18  is turned using the hand ridge  18   e . The dial  18  may be generally of a configuration and composition similar to the range knobs is the art, such as the electric range knobs sold with the adapter inserts by General Electric under parts number PM3X84, except the dial  18  of the one embodiment of the invention has the arm  12 . The arm  12  is configured to contact the at least one stop  16  when the dial  18  is mounted on the control knob stem  9 . The arm  12  may have arm length AL sufficient to extend beyond the at least one stop  16  as shown in  FIG. 5 , and an arm width AW that may be between 0.18 to 0.25 inches, but could be greater. There are usually four or five such control knob stems  9  on the appliance  11  but for purposes of understanding the invention, it is only necessary to focus on one such control knob stem  9 . 
         [0033]    Looking to  FIG. 6 , where a set of original temperature markings  20  is located on an original knob  18   h , the rear plate  15  may be used. The set of original temperature markings  20   a  will be compatible with the set of temperature marking  20  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the alignment means  13  is between the adapter  18   a  and the rear plate  15  when the rear plate  15  mounted to the face  11   a  of the appliance  11  along a longitudinal axis  9   a  of the control knob stem  9  in the one embodiment. Looking to  FIG. 5 , at least the one stop  16  may be adjustable about the arc  53 . Increasing temperatures may be achieved by turning (i.e., rotating) the dial  18  and the arm  12  in a clockwise direction  53   c , the alignment means  13  may be turned along an arc  53  in a counter clockwise direction  53   cc  relative to the rear plate  15  and the face  11   a  of the appliance  11  to align the at least one stop  16  to the predetermined maximum temperature, such as third temperature  23 . Alternatively, where the increasing temperatures are achieved by turning (i.e., rotating) the dial  18  and the arm  12  in a counterclockwise direction  53   cc , the alignment means may be turned in a clockwise direction  53   c  to align the alternate stop  16   a . Looking again to  FIG. 1 , the rear plate  15  may be affixed to the face  11   a  of the appliance  11  by doubled sided tape (not shown), a rear plate screw (not shown), or an adhesive  42 , such as glue. 
         [0034]    Continuing to look at  FIG. 1 , by having the adjusting means  17 , such as at least the first slot  17   a  in the alignment means  13 , the position of the alignment means  13  may be held relative to the face  11   a  of the appliance  11  by a fixing means, such as a first screw  3 , passing along a first threaded axis  50   a  through the first slot  17   a  of the alignment means  13  and the first rear slot  17   aa  of the rear plate  15 , and into a threaded aperture, such as a threaded aperture  35   a , which is within the face  11   a  of the appliance  11 . A second fixing means, such as a second screw  3 , may be inserted along a second threaded axis  50   a  through the second slot  17   b  of the alignment means and a second rear slot  17   bb  of the rear plate  15  and into a second threaded aperture  35   a , to more securely hold the alignment means  13  in position. The first slot  17   a  and the second slot  17   b  are equivalent and may positioned to fit over the first and second threaded apertures  35   a  that may be found on the face  11   a  of the appliance  11 . The position of the alignment means  13  to the rear plate  15  and the face  11   a  of the appliance  11  is fixed by tightening at least the first screw  3  into the first threaded aperture  35   a  on the face  11   a  of the appliance  11  so that a head underside  3   a  of the first screw  3  presses against an inner face  36  around the first slot  17   a  of the disc portion  13   a . In a like manner the second screw  3  may be tightened around the second slot  17   b . The inner face  36  may be somewhat recessed with respect to the outer face  37  of the disc portion  13   a  to allow the first screw  3  to not rise above the outer face  37  once the first screw  3  is tightened in the first threaded aperture  35   a . The disk portion  13   a  is generally disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  9   a  of the control knob stem  9 . 
         [0035]    Looking to  FIG. 5 , the set of temperature markings  20  assist in fixing the position of the at least the first stop  16  relative to the rear plate  15  at various locations on the rear plate  15  so that the temperature may be controlled in accordance with the one embodiment described herein. 
         [0036]    Looking again to  FIG. 1 , the dial  18  is functionally connected to the control knob stem  9  so that the turning of the dial  18  turns the control knob stem  9 . The control knob stem  9  is part of the existing appliance and is in contact with and functionally connects to the power of the appliance  11  so that as the dial  18  is turned the control knob stem  9  is turned thereby controlling the maximum temperature of the appliance  11 . 
         [0037]    Looking again to  FIG. 5 , the arm  12  will move around an arc  53  as the dial  18  turns the gas or power on in response to pressure from an user&#39;s hand. As the dial  18  is turned, at least one stop  16  arrest an arm  12  of a dial by at least the arm  12  contacting at least the one stop  16 . At least the one stop  16  may be fixed in one location or it may be adjustable to several locations, such as the first temperature  21 , the second temperature  22 , the third temperature  23  and the fourth temperature  24 . When placed on the rear plate  15 , the set of temperature markings  20  will be compatible with the set of temperature markings  20  shown in  FIG. 2  on the face  11   a  of the appliance or the set of original temperature markings  20   a  an the original knob  18   h  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0038]    Looking again to  FIG. 5 , the dial  18  may be turned until the arm  12  contacts the at least one stop  16 . The at least one stop  16  in this embodiment is at the third temperature  23 . As an example, assuming the first maximum temperature corresponds to the third temperature  23  is between 300 and 410 degrees in order to prevent hot oil or grease from burning and in order to keep the temperature below the temperature at which hot oil or grease would burn, then the first maximum temperature corresponding to the third temperature  23  also corresponds to an approximate predetermined maximum temperature considered appropriate for the control knob stem  9 , meaning the high temperature control knob  10  should prevent the appliance  11  from exceeding the third temperature  23  when at least the one stop  16  is the set at the third temperature  23 . 
         [0039]    In another embodiment of the invention, a plate-less high temperature control knob  110  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The set of temperature markings, such as the first temperature  21 , the second temperature  22 , the third temperature  23 , and the fourth temperature  24 , are observable on the face  11   a  of the appliance  11 . The plate-less high temperature control knob  110  has all the elements of the high temperature control shown in  FIG. 1  but the deletes the rear plate  15 . 
         [0040]    Looking to  FIG. 8 , in yet another embodiment of the invention, an alignment high temperature control knob  210  comprises only the alignment means  13  of the high temperature control knob shown in  FIG. 1 . The dial  18  with the arm  12  are originally a part of the appliance, and the set of temperature markings such as the first temperature  21 , the second temperature  22 , the third temperature  23 , and the fourth temperature  24 , are observable on the appliance  11  deleting the requirement for the rear plate  15 . Thus, the alignment high temperature control knob  210  would comprise only the alignment means  13  of the high temperature control knob shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a modified alignment high temperature control knob  310  may consist of an alternate alignment means  113 . The alignment means  13  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8  may be replaced by an alternate alignment means  113 . The first slot  17   a  and the second slot  17   b  of the alignment means  13  shown in  FIG. 1  may be replaced by a plurality of hold slots, such as a hold aperture  117   c , as show in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , and the center slot  13   c  shown in  FIG. 1  may be replaced by a stem aperture  117   d  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the hold aperture  117   c  has a hold aperture diameter  117   cd  somewhat larger than the threaded aperture diameter  35   ad . The alternate alignment means  113  comprises an alternate disc portion  113   a  and the raised portion  13   b  of  FIG. 1 . The alternate disc portion  113   a  comprises: an alternate inner face  136  with the plurality of hold slots, such as the hold aperture  117   c ; the same outer face  37  as shown in  FIG. 1 ; and the stem aperture  117   d . The plurality of hold slots is disposed circularly centered on the stem aperture  117   d . The stem aperture  117   d  has a stem aperture diameter  117   dd  somewhat larger than the control knob stem  9 , allowing the control knob stem  9  to be disposed through (i.e., inserted) the stem aperture  117   d  of the modified alternate alignment means  113 . The alternate inner face  136  is recessed in the alternate disc portion  113   a  to allow the first screw  3  to remain below the outer face  37  when the first screw  3  is tightened in the first threaded aperture  35   a . The plurality of hold slots, such as hold aperture  117   c  may replace the first slot  17   a  and the second slot  17   b  of the alignment means  13  shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 . The alternate alignment means  113  may be rotated about the control knob stem  9  along the arc  53  until the one stop  16  or the alternate stop  16   a  is at the desired location, the predetermined maximum temperature, such as any one of the first temperature  21 , the second temperature  22 , the third temperature  23  and the fourth temperature  24 . The alternate alignment means  113  is then fixed by inserting the fixing means, such as the first screw  3  of  FIG. 1 , through least one of the plurality of hold slots, such as the hold aperture  117   c , and into the first threaded aperture  35   a.    
         [0042]    Looking to  FIG. 3  and specifically to the second slot  17   b , the adjusting means  17 , such as the second slot  17   b , will have an adjusting means radius of curvature  17   r  equal to a distance from the longitudinal axis  9   a  to the adjusting means centerline  17   c L, depicted by a dashed line. The adjusting means centerline  17   c L is everywhere the adjusting means radius of curvature  17   r  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) from the longitudinal axis  9   a . The adjusting means radius of curvature  17   r  is equal to a threaded aperture radius of curvature  35   r  shown in  FIG. 2 . The threaded aperture radius of curvature  35   r  is the distance from the longitudinal axis  9   a  to the first threaded axis  50   a . Looking to  FIG. 3 , the adjusting means  17 , such second slot  17   b , will have a adjusting means diameter  17   w  somewhat larger than the threaded aperture diameter  35   ad  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) and the adjusting means diameter  17   w  will be centered along the adjusting means centerline  17   c L The fixing means head diameter  3   w  shown in  FIG. 1  will be somewhat larger that the adjusting means diameter  17   w  shown in  FIG. 3 , allowing the head underside  3   a  in  FIG. 1  to be press against the inner face  36 . The adjusting means  17 , such as at least the first slot  17   a , or the equivalent second slot  17   b , may be viewed as the plurality of hold slots  117 , such as the hold apertures  117   c  shown in  FIG. 10 , positioned along the adjusting means centerline  17   c L shown in  FIG. 3 , and merged into each other forming a single slot, such as the second slot  17   b.    
         [0043]    In terms of a process the steps may be described as:
       1) Selecting a predetermined maximum temperature, such as the third temperature  23  and removing the dial  18  from the control knob stem  9 ;   2) Loosening the fixing means, such as the first screw  3 , on the alignment means  13  and rotating the alignment means  13  so that the at least one stop  16  is aligned with the predetermined maximum temperature;   3) Tightening the fixing means to fix the at least one stop  16 ;   4) Placing the dial  18  back on the control knob stem  9 ; and   5) Turning the dial  18  to a desired temperature that does not exceed the predetermined maximum temperature aligned with the one stop  16 .       
 
         [0049]    Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment(s) herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5