Patent ID: 8662102

Claim:
A gas appliance comprising: a frame including an aperture; and a control knob assembly comprising a gas valve with a valve stem, a control knob attached to the valve stem, and a valve restraint substantially fixed relative to the frame and longitudinally disposed in the aperture of the frame substantially between the gas valve and the control knob, wherein the valve restraint comprises: a flange engaging the frame around the aperture; and a fastening device engaging the frame around the aperture opposite the flange and cooperating with the flange to form a channel, an edge of the aperture engaging the channel to secure the valve restraint within the aperture of the frame; the valve restraint including an aperture through which the valve stem passes, the valve restraint aperture being tapered from a first diameter at each end of the valve restraint to a smaller second diameter between the ends of the valve restraint, the valve restraint being configured to limit lateral movement of the valve stem.