Patent Description:
Pan support devices on the gas hobs generally provide a flat bearing surface for the cookware such as pots to be placed thereon. Pan support can be manufactured uniformly by casting as well as by welding the support arms extending inwards from all directions to a frame structure obtained by bending the metal profiles.

For fixing the pan support to the top plate of the hob, depression structures surrounding the pan support are formed on the top plate of the hob. These structures are formed by cold forming the metal top plate in the mold. Such a depression is useful for both preventing the movement of the pan support and preventing the food cooked on the hob from flowing out of the top plate by forming a pool in case of spilling of the food.

In gas hobs with a top plate made of hard glass and ceramic, which are widely used for easy cleaning and aesthetic reasons, such a form of fixing cannot be obtained due to the flat panel structure of the top plate. In contrast, feet made of rubber or similar materials preventing slipping on the top plate can be fixed to the pan support base for fixing the pan support. However, these feet have a relatively small fixing area corresponding to the frame of the pan support. Hence, the resistance thereof remains particularly low against the forces exerting momentum.

The object of the invention is to provide a pan support which is fixed easily and is safe against the rotation in the gas hobs with flat top plate.

In order to achieve abovementioned objects, the invention comprises a gas hob, comprising a flat top plate; a burner provided on the top plate; a pan support made of a metal material having an outer frame seated on the top plate and surrounding the burner at a distance so as to define a cooking area. The gas hob further comprises a holding element which is fixed to the top plate from a base portion and forming an elongated channel to receive a grip portion of the pan support aligned with the burner from the top and extending parallel to an upper edge of the top plate. With the holding element extending parallel to the upper edge, it is possible for the user to easily place the frame on the top plate by aligning the upper edge from the distal end. In a possible embodiment, the holding element is fixed to the top plate in one piece parallel to the upper edge. Fixing can be done by means of an adhesive or mechanical connection elements.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding element is in the form of a bent uniform metal sheet. In this way, the holding element, which is easily produced by bending the metal sheet, provides strength against both the heat generated by the burner around thereof and the tensile or rotational tensions applied by the frame.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding element comprises an outer wall extending at an outer edge of the base portion and an inner wall at an inner edge opposite to the outer wall. The outer wall restricts the movement of the holding portion of the frame towards the outside of the hob plate, and the inner wall restricts the movement towards the burner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the height of the outer wall is arranged to be shorter than the height of the inner wall. In this case, it becomes possible to stop the frame placed to the holding element by proceeding towards the upper edge on the top plate by means of the stopper effect of the outer wall during pushing and then to immobilize it with the inner wall.

In another embodiment of the invention, the holding element comprises a J-like section form with its short edge forming the inner wall. The J section form creates a hook-like structure and easily grabs the grip portion of the frame. In applications where the grip portion of the frame moves forward, the J section profile provides a safety element that prevents the rotation in the frame.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the height of the inner wall is arranged to be shorter than the height of the grip portion placed in the channel, and the height of the outer wall is arranged to be more than the height of the holding portion. This makes it easier for the grip portion to be released from the inner wall during removal, while preventing the placement and outward movement of the top plate. Safe assembly and easy disassembly is possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base portion is in a flat form parallel to the top plate. In applications where the top plate is selected to be flat, preferably hard glass or ceramic, the maximum surface area is obtained for the mounting of the holding element to the top plate, for example by means of a chemical adhesive.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a groove extending at least partially at the base portion. The groove allows the adhesive or mounting elements to be hidden in the base and seated into the holding element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the length of the holding element is arranged to be substantially larger than the burner diameter. Such a length is sufficient to create a sufficient grip portion that allows ergonomics of use at a standard grid width. At this distance, even if a pot or wok pan is moved over the grill, for example, the grill does not dislocate.

According to the present invention, the holding element comprises a transversely extending opening into which a support arm extending from the pan support to the burner is inserted. Thus, in applications where the grid extends into the holding element and has an inward support arm, a case where the support arm is also placed in the holding element and thus the top plate supports the fixation in the transverse direction occurs. In a possible embodiment, the holding element in the form of a transversely extending channel prevents movement in the longitudinal direction by grabbing the grid, while the support arm whose movement is limited in the opening prevents the movement in the transverse direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the opening is arranged to be perpendicular to the direction of the channel extension on the walls surrounding the channel. In this way, it blocks a movement of the frame in the direction of the channel in the most effective way.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a second burner aligned at a distance under the burner and surrounded by the pan support together. In this case, the grid is longer in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction and the position of the grid on the top plate is ensured by means of the stopper effect of the holding element on the upper edge against the high torque created by a force on the grid near the lower edge of the hob.

In this detailed description, the development of the invention has been described without any limitation and only with reference to the examples for a better explanation of the subject.

In <FIG>, a top view of a gas hob with a rectangular flat top plate (<NUM>) made of ceramic glass is given. A circular burner (<NUM>) is placed on the top plate (<NUM>), defining a cooking area (<NUM>) around thereof. With a second burner (<NUM>) placed at a distance under the burner (<NUM>), a burner pair is obtained in the top plate (<NUM>). An outer frame (<NUM>) made of a thin metal profile surrounds the burner pair at a distance. A pan support (<NUM>) is provided for two burner pairs with two outer frames (<NUM>) placed side by side adjacent to an upper edge (<NUM>) of the top plate (<NUM>). A control area (<NUM>) that is easily accessible from the front is provided between a lower edge (<NUM>) of the top plate (<NUM>) and the lower portion of the pan support (<NUM>). In the control area (<NUM>), transversely sequential adjustment knobs (<NUM>) are disposed. The adjustment knobs (<NUM>) adjust the flow rate of the combustible gas provided from a gas source (not shown) and deliver it to the burner (<NUM>) at a suitable flow rate to be mixed with air.

The outer frame (<NUM>) of the pan support (<NUM>) has a width less than half of the top plate (<NUM>) in the transverse direction. On the other hand, the outer frame (<NUM>) is longer in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction. Four support arms (<NUM>) extend on each burner (<NUM>, <NUM>) perpendicular to each other. The support arms (<NUM>) are aligned with the corresponding burner (<NUM>, <NUM>) at the upper and lower portion of each outer frame (<NUM>). The support arms (<NUM>) have a second arm (<NUM>) structure that extends to the corresponding burners (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the transverse direction having the same structure as they are fixed to the pan support (<NUM>) in alignment in the vertical direction.

In <FIG>, a perspective representation of the support grill (<NUM>) located on the top plate (<NUM>) of the gas cooker, with the support arm (<NUM>), is given. The support arm (<NUM>) is in the form of a flat sheet metal cut in L structure. The support arm (<NUM>) is fixed to the upper portion of the outer frame (<NUM>) from a flat lower edge (<NUM>) of its upright extension in the form of a blade wing (<NUM>) by welding seam. The upper portion of the blade wing (<NUM>) forms a thin support arm (<NUM>) that extends into the cooking area (<NUM>) by giving an angular form. A distal end (<NUM>) of the support arm (<NUM>) is aligned at the periphery of the burner (<NUM>). On the other hand, the outer frame <NUM> is in the form of a bent metal I-profile narrower than its width. The support arm (<NUM>) is seated on the upper surface of the outer frame (<NUM>).

A holding element (<NUM>) is a metal profile with J cross-sectional structure obtained by bending a flat metal strip from two parallel longitudinal lines. The holding element (<NUM>) receives the upper edge (<NUM>) of the outer frame (<NUM>) which defines a grip portion (<NUM>) into a longitudinal channel (<NUM>). The channel (<NUM>) matches with the external dimensions of the grip portion (<NUM>) and the grip portion (<NUM>) is immovably placed inside the channel (<NUM>). An inner wall (<NUM>) extends along the side of the channel (<NUM>) facing the interior, i.e. the burner (<NUM>). The height of the inner wall (<NUM>) is shorter than the height of the grip portion (<NUM>). A flat, thin and upright outer wall (<NUM>) surrounding the channel (<NUM>) from the outside is located opposite to the inner wall (<NUM>). The height of the outer wall (<NUM>) is greater than the height of the inner wall (<NUM>) and the height of the outer frame (<NUM>).

In the center of the holding element (<NUM>), there is an opening (<NUM>) perpendicular to the channel (<NUM>). The opening (<NUM>) is in a U-like form with a cut structure on both the inner wall (<NUM>) and the outer wall (<NUM>). The blade wing (<NUM>) passes from its lower edge (<NUM>) through the opening (<NUM>) and extends inwards and outwards. The width of the blade wing (<NUM>) is arranged to fit the opening (<NUM>). Thus, when the blade wing (<NUM>) engages with the opening (<NUM>), it contacts with the holding element (<NUM>) from both lateral portions defining a reclining portion (<NUM>).

In <FIG>, the holding element (<NUM>) is shown in perspective from the outside at an opposite angle with the outer frame (<NUM>) being engaged. The pan support (<NUM>) is placed in the holding element (<NUM>) from the grip portion (<NUM>) located on the upper extension of the outer frame (<NUM>) by simply proceeding over the top plate (<NUM>) from the lower edge (<NUM>) of the top plate (<NUM>). During this, first the outer wall (<NUM>) pushes the grip portion (<NUM>) towards the channel (<NUM>) by preventing the proceeding. Then the grip portion (<NUM>) engages with the channel (<NUM>) and the inner wall (<NUM>) supports the grip portion (<NUM>) from its corresponding portion and prevents the movement thereof towards the burner (<NUM>) in the direction of the proceeding. During this, the support arm (<NUM>), which is fixed vertically in the center of the grip portion (<NUM>), fits into the opening (<NUM>) from the blade wing (<NUM>). Thus, the support arm (<NUM>) placed in the opening (<NUM>) from the reclining portion (<NUM>) prevents the movement of the pan support (<NUM>) in the transverse direction. The groove (<NUM>), which is a thin slit opening through a flat base portion (<NUM>) of the holding element (<NUM>), provides the base portion (<NUM>) on which the top plate (<NUM>) is seated to be adhered by being filled with a chemical adhesive (not shown).

The holding element (<NUM>) fixes the pan support (<NUM>) both in the longitudinal direction by means of the opposing inner and outer walls (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the channel (<NUM>) and against rotation by means of its length, and fixes it in the transverse direction by means of the support arm (<NUM>) that is fitted into the opening (<NUM>). Disassembling the pan support (<NUM>) is also very easy. Since the holding element (<NUM>) has an open channel (<NUM>), it can be dislocated by being simply lifted. Moreover, since the inner wall (<NUM>) is shorter than the grip portion (<NUM>), it is slightly lifted and dislocated through pulling by the user who is near the lower edge (<NUM>). On the other hand, since the outer wall (<NUM>) is longer than the grip portion (<NUM>), it becomes difficult for the pan support (<NUM>) to fall out when displaced.

Claim 1:
A gas hob, comprising a flat top plate (<NUM>); a burner (<NUM>) provided on the top plate (<NUM>); a pan support (<NUM>) made of a metal material having an outer frame (<NUM>) seated on the top plate (<NUM>) and surrounding the burner (<NUM>) at a distance so as to define a cooking area (<NUM>); a holding element (<NUM>) which is fixed to the top plate (<NUM>) from a base portion (<NUM>) and forming an elongated channel (<NUM>) to receive a grip portion (<NUM>) of the pan support (<NUM>) aligned with the burner (<NUM>) from the top and extending parallel to an upper edge (<NUM>) of the top plate (<NUM>) characterized in that the holding element (<NUM>) comprises a transversely extending opening (<NUM>) into which a support arm (<NUM>) extending from the pan support (<NUM>) to the burner (<NUM>) is inserted.