Patent Description:
A gas stove comprises one or a plurality of gas burners and a top sheet through which the one or the plurality of gas burners is guided. The top sheet can be made of metal, glass or glass-ceramic. A pan support for supporting pans or pots can be placed on the top sheet. Preferably, the pan support is removable from the top sheet for cleaning purposes.

<CIT> describes a pan support for a gas cooker. The pan support includes at least three fins. The fins are directly disposed on a gas cooker panel.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved pan support.

Accordingly, a pan support for a gas stove is provided. The pan support comprises a plurality of support fingers for supporting a pan by means of a support surface, wherein at least one support finger comprises a magnet element and a container for receiving the magnet element, wherein the container comprises a bottom for resting on a top sheet of the gas stove, wherein the container is plugged into the at least one support finger along a height direction thereof, and wherein the height direction is oriented from the bottom towards the support surface. The magnet element rests on the bottom.

By means of the containers, the magnet elements are protected from heat. In this way, the magnet elements are also protected from damages or losing their magnetic properties due to heat. Magnetic materials that are heat-resistant are very expensive. By protecting the magnet elements from heat, cheaper materials can be used. Due to the fact that not all support fingers need a magnet, costs can be reduced.

The pan support preferably is a household appliance or part of a household appliance. The pan support can be named household pan support. The number of support fingers is arbitrary. The support fingers can be connected to each other by means of web sections. In particular, the web sections and the support fingers are arranged alternating so that one support finger is arranged between two web sections and vice versa. The web sections and the support fingers preferably form a circular shape of the pan support. However, the pan support can be rectangular. The web sections can have a rectangular cross-section. However, the geometry of the cross-section is arbitrary.

The pan support preferably is made of one piece. "One piece" in this context means that the pan support forms a common structural component and is not made of different separate parts that are assembled to form the pan support. The pan support can be integrally formed. "Integrally" or "monolithic" in this context means that the pan support is formed through the whole part of the same material. Preferably, the pan support is made of metal. The pan support can be a cast metal part. However, the pan support can also be a welded part that is assembled from individual parts, namely the support fingers and the web sections. The pan support is made of metal. For example, the pan support is made of steel, magnesium or aluminum. The pan support can also be made of a heat resistant plastic.

The containers are made of a different material than the pan support, in particular the support fingers and the web sections. The containers are preferably made of a heat resistant polymer material. The containers can be made of heat resistant plastic, silicone or rubber. In general, all materials that are heat-resistant and at the same time can reduce the impact on the magnet elements when positioning the pan support on the top sheet can be used for the containers. The bottoms of the containers face the top sheet.

"Pan" in this context can mean any cookware that can be used in connection with a gas stove. Each support finger has a support surface. The pan rests on these support surfaces. The support surfaces face away from the top sheet. The entirety of all support surfaces of all support fingers forms a seating surface for placing the pan on the pan support. "Plugged into" in this context means that the container can be at least partly received in the assigned support finger. In particular, the container being "plugged into" the support finger can be understood as the result of a linear movement along the height direction or a combination of a linear and a rotational movement along the height direction. The latter can be achieved by screwing or bolting the container into the support finger.

The height direction is oriented away from the top sheet. Preferably, each support finger has a coordinate system with a depth direction, the height direction and a width direction. The directions are arranged perpendicular to each other. "Received" in this context means that the magnet element is arranged at least partly inside the container. However, the magnet element can also be at least partly arranged inside the finger. The magnet element preferably is a permanent magnet. The container preferably is at least partly sandwiched between the magnet element and the top sheet. There can be support fingers without magnet elements. These support fingers can have an empty container. For example, only every second support finger comprises a magnet element. Alternatively, each support finger has a magnet element.

In this way, the container prevents direct contact of the magnet element and the top sheet. So breaking or scattering of the magnet element when placing the pan support on the top sheet is prevented. The container further protects the top sheet from damages like scratches. In particular, the bottom is sandwiched between the magnet element and the top sheet.

According to a further embodiment, the container encloses the magnet element in a depth direction and in a width direction of the at least one support finger.

The container can be box-shaped with side walls enclosing the magnet element in the depth direction and in the width direction. However, the container can also be cylinder-shaped with a circumferential outer wall enclosing the magnet element in the depth direction and in the width direction. The container can have any shape.

According to a further embodiment, the container is attached to the at least one support finger in a form-locking manner.

A "form-locking" connection can be achieved by at least two elements engaging or meshing each other. A form-locking connection is detachable. However, the container can also be glued to the support finger.

According to a further embodiment, the container has an engaging section that engages with a counter-engaging section of the at least one support finger in a form-locking manner.

There can be provided a plurality of engaging sections at the container. Correspondingly, the support finger can have a plurality of counter-engaging sections.

According to a further embodiment, the engaging section is an external thread being provided at the container, wherein the counter-engaging section is an internal thread being provided at the at least one support finger.

This enables an easy assembly of the pan support. Alternatively, the engaging section can be an internal thread being provided at the container and the counter-engaging section can be an external thread being provided at the support finger.

According to a further embodiment, the container and the at least one support finger are cylinder-shaped.

The support finger can be hollow for receiving the container and/or the magnet element.

According to a further embodiment, two engaging sections in the form of snap-in hooks are provided, wherein the two engaging sections are arranged laterally at the container.

The snap-in hooks can be deformed elastically. "Laterally" in this context means that the snap-in hooks are arranged at side walls of the container. In this case, the container can be box-shaped.

According to a further embodiment, the two engaging sections protrude from side walls of the container along the height direction.

The container can be box-shaped and comprise the bottom, two long side walls and two short side walls. The engaging sections preferably protrude from the short side walls.

According to a further embodiment, one engaging section in the form of a snap-in hook is provided, wherein the one engaging section is arranged centrally at the container.

"Centrally" in this context means in the middle of the container. The middle can be an intersection of diagonals of the box-shaped container.

According to a further embodiment, the one engaging section protrudes from the bottom of the container along the height direction.

The engaging section can be guided through the magnet element. For this purpose, the magnet element can have a breakthrough.

According to a further embodiment, the one engaging section comprises a plurality of snap-in elements.

The snap-in elements can be deformed elastically. The engaging section can be mushroom-shaped. This mushroom-shape can be divided into four quarters in the form of the snap-in elements. Accordingly, four snap-in elements can be provided. However, the number of snap-in elements is arbitrary.

According to a further embodiment, the container comprises a cover for covering the magnet element.

The cover can be made of a plastic material, in particular of a heat-resistant plastic material. The cover can be an injection molded part.

Furthermore, a gas stove is provided. The gas stove comprises a top sheet and at least one such pan support which is placed on the top sheet.

The pan support is attached to the top sheet by means of the magnet elements. The pan support is removable from the top sheet. The gas stove can comprise a plurality of pan supports. The gas stove can be a household appliance or part of a household appliance. The gas stove can be named household gas stove. The gas stove preferably comprises a cooking trough which is covered by the top sheet. The top sheet can be named cover sheet. The gas stove further has at least one gas burner. However, the number of gas burners is arbitrary. Each gas burner can have a pan support. The top sheet is preferably a glass plate or a glass-ceramic plate. The top sheet can also be made of metal, in particular stainless steel. The top sheet preferably has a breakthrough. The breakthrough can be a circular bore. The gas burner is guided through the breakthrough.

According to an embodiment, the gas stove further comprises a magnet holder with a plurality of magnetic parts, wherein the magnetic parts magnetically interact with the magnet elements of the pan support, and wherein the top sheet is sandwiched between the magnet holder and the pan support.

"Interaction" in this context means that the magnetic parts and the magnet elements attract each other to fix the pan support to the top sheet. In this way, the pan support is also exactly aligned on the top sheet. The magnet holder is optional. In the case that the top sheet itself has ferromagnetic properties, the magnet holder is expendable. The magnet holder is preferably attached to the top sheet. In particular, the magnet holder is attached to a back side of the top sheet. The pan support is preferably placed on a front side of the top sheet. The magnet holder can be glued, riveted or bolted to the top sheet. The magnet holder can be made of steel, aluminum, plastic or the like. The magnet holder preferably has a circular shape. The magnet holder can comprise a central breakthrough. The gas burner can be guided through the breakthrough. The magnet holder preferably comprises a plurality of receiving sections which are evenly distributed around a circumference of the magnet holder. Each receiving section can receive a magnetic part. The magnetic part can be a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic part.

<FIG> shows a schematic exploded view of an embodiment of a gas hob or gas stove <NUM>. The gas stove <NUM> can be a household appliance or part of a household appliance. The gas stove <NUM> comprises a cooking trough <NUM>. The cooking trough <NUM> is a deep-drawn metal sheet. The gas stove <NUM> further has at least one gas burner <NUM>. The number of gas burners <NUM> is arbitrary. As <FIG> shows, there can be provided one gas burner <NUM>. The gas burner <NUM> is placed in the cooking trough <NUM>. The gas burner <NUM> can be mounted in or at the cooking trough <NUM>.

The cooking trough <NUM> is covered by means of a cover sheet or top sheet <NUM>. The top sheet <NUM> is a glass plate or a glass-ceramic plate. The top sheet <NUM> can also be made of metal, in particular stainless steel. The top sheet <NUM> has a breakthrough <NUM>. The breakthrough <NUM> can be a circular bore. The gas burner <NUM> is guided through the breakthrough <NUM>. An actuation knob <NUM> can be mounted at the top sheet <NUM>. The actuation knob <NUM> can be used to actuate a gas valve. The gas valve is used for regulation a flow of combustion gas from a main gas pipe to the gas burner <NUM>. In this way, the power of the gas burner <NUM> can be regulated. The top sheet <NUM> has a front side <NUM> and a back side <NUM>.

Between the cooking trough <NUM> and the top sheet <NUM> is placed a magnet holder <NUM>. The magnet holder <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The magnet holder <NUM> is optional. The magnet holder <NUM> is attached to the top sheet <NUM>. In particular, the magnet holder <NUM> is attached to the back side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM>. The magnet holder <NUM> can be glued, riveted or bolted to the top sheet <NUM>. The magnet holder <NUM> can be made of steel, aluminum, plastic or the like.

As can be seen from <FIG>, the magnet holder <NUM> has a circular shape. The magnet holder <NUM> comprises a central breakthrough <NUM>. The breakthrough <NUM> can have a circular shape. The gas burner <NUM> is guided through the breakthrough <NUM>. The gas burner <NUM> can be used to place the magnet holder <NUM> correctly at the top sheet <NUM>. Fixing sections <NUM> protrude into the breakthrough <NUM>. The number of fixing sections <NUM> is arbitrary. For example, there are provided three fixing sections <NUM>. Each fixing section <NUM> has a bore <NUM>. The bores <NUM> can be used to bolt the magnet holder <NUM> to the top sheet <NUM>.

The magnet holder <NUM> comprises a plurality of receiving sections <NUM> which are evenly distributed around a circumference of the magnet holder <NUM>. For example, there are provided eight receiving sections <NUM>. However, the number of receiving sections <NUM> is arbitrary. The receiving sections <NUM> are box-shaped. However, the receiving sections <NUM> can have any shape. The receiving sections <NUM> can be cylindrical, for example. Each receiving section <NUM> receives a magnetic part <NUM>. The magnetic part <NUM> can be a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic part. The magnetic part <NUM> is box-shaped. However, the magnetic part <NUM> can have any shape.

Now turning back to <FIG>, the gas stove <NUM> further has a pan support 15A. The pan support is shown in <FIG>. The pan support 15A is used to place a pan or pot on the gas stove <NUM>. The pan support 15A is placed on the front side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM>. In this way, the top sheet <NUM> is placed between the pan support 15A and the magnet holder <NUM>.

As can be seen from <FIG>, the pan support 15A has a plurality of support fingers <NUM> of which only two are provided with reference signs in <FIG>. The support fingers <NUM> can be named support fins. The number of support fingers <NUM> is arbitrary. However, the number of support fingers <NUM> is the same as the number of the receiving sections <NUM> of the magnet holder <NUM>. For example, there are provided eight support fingers <NUM>. Each support finger <NUM> is assigned to one receiving section <NUM>. Each support finger <NUM> has a first support surface <NUM>. The first support surface <NUM> is arranged parallel to the front side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM>. The entirety of the first support surfaces <NUM> of all support fingers <NUM> forms a seating surface for placing a pan or pot on the pan support 15A. Each support finger <NUM> also has a second support surface <NUM>. The second support surface <NUM> is inclined or slanted. The second support surface <NUM> negatively inclines in direction of a central passage <NUM> of the pan support 15A. The gas burner <NUM> is at least partly received in the central passage <NUM>.

Each support finger <NUM> has a front side <NUM> which faces the central passage <NUM> and a back side <NUM> that faces away from the central passage <NUM>. The support fingers <NUM> have containers <NUM> which are placed on the front side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM>. Preferably, each support finger <NUM> has its own container <NUM>. However, there can also be provided support fingers <NUM> that do not have such a container <NUM>. The containers <NUM> are detachable from the pan support 15A. The containers <NUM> will be explained in more detail later. The support fingers <NUM> are connected to each other by means of web sections <NUM>. The web sections <NUM> and the support fingers <NUM> are arranged alternating so that one support finger <NUM> is arranged between two web sections <NUM> and vice versa. The web sections <NUM> and the support fingers <NUM> form a circular shape of the pan support 15A. However, the pan support 15A can be rectangular. The web sections <NUM> can have a rectangular cross-section. However, the geometry of the cross-section is arbitrary.

The pan support 15A preferably is made of one piece. "One piece" in this context means that the pan support 15A forms a common structural component and is not made of different separate parts that are assembled to form the pan support 15A. The pan support 15A can be integrally formed. "Integrally" or "monolithic" in this context means that the pan support 15A is formed through the whole part of the same material. The pan support 15A can be a cast metal part. However, the pan support 15A can also be a welded part that is assembled from individual parts, namely the support fingers <NUM> and the web sections <NUM>. The pan support 15A is made of metal. For example, the pan support 15A is made of steel, magnesium or aluminum. The pan support 15A can also be made of a heat resistant plastic.

As can be seen from <FIG>, the container <NUM> is box-shaped. However, the container <NUM> can have any shape. Each container <NUM> receives a magnet element <NUM>, in particular a permanent magnet. The magnet element <NUM> is also box-shaped. There can be received more than one magnet element <NUM> in the container <NUM>. As the container <NUM>, the magnet element <NUM> can have any shape. For example, the magnet element <NUM> can have a cylindrical shape. The container <NUM> has a box-shaped receiving element <NUM> for receiving the magnet element <NUM> and a cover <NUM> for closing the receiving element <NUM>. The cover <NUM> is optional. The receiving element <NUM> and the cover <NUM> are made of heat resistant plastic, silicone or rubber. In general, all materials that are heat-resistant and at the same time can reduce the impact on the magnet element <NUM> when positioning the pan support 15A on the top sheet <NUM> can be used for the container <NUM>. For example, the receiving element <NUM> and the cover <NUM> can be injection molded parts.

The receiving element <NUM> comprises a bottom <NUM>, two long side walls <NUM> and two short side walls <NUM>. The bottom <NUM> and the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> are integrally formed. The bottom <NUM> is arranged between the magnet element <NUM> and the front side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM>. The receiving element <NUM> further comprises two engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM>. The engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM> are snap-in hooks. The engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM> protrude from the short side walls <NUM>. However, the engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM> can also protrude from the long side walls <NUM>. In this way, the engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged laterally at the receiving element <NUM>. The engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM> can be deformed elastically.

By means of the engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM> a snap-in connection between the container <NUM> and the dedicated support finger <NUM> of the pan support 15A can be provided. For this purpose, the support fingers <NUM> have counter-engaging sections that correspond to the engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM>. By means of the snap-in connection, the container <NUM> is connected to the pan support 15A in a form-locking manner. A "form-locking" connection can be achieved by at least two elements, namely the engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM> and the corresponding counter-engaging sections of the support fingers <NUM>, engaging or meshing each other. However, the container <NUM> can also be glued to the pan support 15A.

Now returning to <FIG> each finger <NUM> has a coordinate system comprising a depth direction d, a height direction h and a width direction w. The depth direction d is oriented from the back side <NUM> towards the front side <NUM>. The height direction h is oriented from the bottom <NUM> of the container <NUM> towards the first support surface <NUM>. The width direction w is oriented perpendicular to the depth direction d and the height direction h. All directions d, h, w are arranged perpendicular towards each other. The back side <NUM> is positioned in a plane that is spanned by the height direction h and the width direction w.

<FIG> shows an alternative embodiment of the container <NUM>. The container <NUM> according to <FIG> differs from the container <NUM> according to <FIG> in that the short side walls <NUM> are not provided with engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM>. Instead of the two laterally arranged engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM>, the container according to <FIG> comprises a centrally arranged engaging section <NUM>. The engaging section <NUM> is a snap-in hook. The engaging section <NUM> comprises four snap-in elements <NUM> to <NUM>. The snap-in elements <NUM> to <NUM> can be deformed elastically. The engaging section <NUM> protrudes from the bottom <NUM> and is guided through a breakthrough <NUM> that is provided in the cover <NUM>. The engaging section <NUM> can also be guided through a breakthrough <NUM> which is provided in the magnet element <NUM>. The function of the engaging section <NUM> is the same as for the engaging sections <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a further embodiment of a pan support 15B for the gas stove <NUM>. The pan support 15B has, as the pan support 15A, a plurality of support fingers <NUM>. The support fingers <NUM> are cylinder-shaped and have a support surface <NUM> for placing a pan or pot thereon. The support surface <NUM> is arranged parallel to the front side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM>. Each support finger <NUM> has an outer wall <NUM> which is cylindrical. Each support finger <NUM> has a container <NUM> that rests on the front side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM>. The container <NUM> is made of silicone, rubber, plastic or the like. The support fingers <NUM> are connected to each other by means of web sections <NUM>. The pan support 15B has a circular shape.

The web sections <NUM> and the support fingers <NUM> are arranged alternating so that one support finger <NUM> is arranged between two web sections <NUM> and vice versa. The web sections <NUM> can have a rectangular cross-section. The pan support 15B preferably is made of one piece. The pan support 15A can be integrally formed. The pan support 15B can be a cast metal part. However, the pan support 15B can also be a welded part that is assembled from individual parts, namely the support fingers <NUM> and the web sections <NUM>. The pan support 15B is made of metal. For example, the pan support 15B is made of steel, magnesium or aluminum. The pan support 15B can also be made of a heat resistant plastic.

<FIG> shows one embodiment of a support finger <NUM> for the pan support 15B. The support finger <NUM> is hollow and has a counter-engaging section <NUM> for engaging with the container <NUM>. The counter-engaging section <NUM> can be an internal thread. The counter-engaging section <NUM> can also be suitable for engaging with engaging sections, in particular snap-in hooks, of the container <NUM>. The container <NUM> comprises an engaging section <NUM> for engaging with the counter-engaging section <NUM>. The engaging section <NUM> is an external thread. The container <NUM> has a cylindrical outer wall <NUM> and a bottom <NUM> that rests on the front side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM>.

As can be seen from <FIG>, the container <NUM> has a receiving section <NUM> for receiving a magnet element <NUM>. The magnet element <NUM> is arranged at least partly in the container <NUM> and at least partly inside the support finger <NUM>. To mount the container <NUM> at the pan support 15B, the container <NUM> is screwed into the support finger <NUM>. In this way, the container <NUM> is attached to the pan support 15B in a form-locking manner.

<FIG> shows a further embodiment of a container <NUM> for the pan support 15B. The container according to <FIG> differs from the container <NUM> according to <FIG> in that the engaging section <NUM> is not an external thread but a snap-in hook. The counter-engaging section <NUM> of the support finger <NUM> in this case is formed correspondingly to the snap-in hook.

The function of the pan support 15A, 15B is explained in the following. The pan support 15A, 15B is placed on the front side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM>. As the magnet holder <NUM> is placed on the back side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM>, the magnet elements <NUM> of the pan support 15A, 15B interact with the magnetic parts <NUM> being received in the magnet holder <NUM>. In this way, the pan support 15A, 15B is always correctly positioned on the top sheet <NUM>. In the case that the top sheet <NUM> itself has ferromagnetic properties, the magnet holder <NUM> is expendable.

By means of the containers <NUM>, the magnet elements <NUM> are protected from heat. In this way, the magnet elements <NUM> are also protected from damages or losing their magnetic properties. Magnetic materials that are heat-resistant are very expensive. By protecting the magnet elements <NUM> from heat, cheaper materials can be used. The containers <NUM> also prevent direct contact of the magnet elements <NUM> and the top sheet <NUM>. So breaking or scattering of the magnet elements <NUM> when placing the pan support 15A, 15B on the top sheet <NUM> is prevented.

The connection of the containers <NUM> to the pan support 15A, 15B is very robust so that the magnet elements <NUM> and/or the containers <NUM> cannot get lost. The containers <NUM> protect the front side <NUM> of the top sheet <NUM> from damages like scratches. The pan support 15A, 15B is easy to assemble without tools. The geometry of the pan support 15A, 15B, the containers <NUM> and the magnet elements <NUM> is flexible so that it can be easily adapted to different applications.

Claim 1:
A pan support (15A, 15B) for a gas stove (<NUM>), comprising a plurality of support fingers (<NUM>) for supporting a pan by means of a support surface (<NUM>), wherein at least one support finger (<NUM>) comprises a magnet element (<NUM>) and a container (<NUM>) for receiving the magnet element (<NUM>), wherein the container (<NUM>) comprises a bottom (<NUM>) for resting on a top sheet (<NUM>) of the gas stove (<NUM>), characterised in that Z the container (<NUM>) is plugged into the at least one support finger (<NUM>) along a height direction (h) thereof, wherein the height direction (h) is oriented from the bottom (<NUM>) towards the support surface (<NUM>), and wherein the magnet element (<NUM>) rests on the bottom (<NUM>).