TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bracket configured to support a heating element provided on a hob.

STATE OF THE ART

A supporting element is utilized to secure a heating element located within a hob. The supporting element ensures support from beneath the lower surface of the heating element. The securing of this supporting element is achieved through the use of connecting elements such as mounting springs and screws. However, the assembly time and labor duration become prolonged due to the excessive number of connecting elements employed.

KR100678669B1 discusses a bracket employed within an electric hob. An electric cooktop is provided to prevent the vibration of a heater bracket by screw-coupling each spring plate to a support frame and arranging a vibration-preventing member and an escape prevention protrusion to a vibration-prevention protrusion and a joint hole, respectively. An electric cooktop comprises a heater serving as a heat source; a heater case for accommodating the heater; a heater bracket that has an open top surface and covers the heater case; a top plate tightly contacting the open top surface of the heater bracket; a chassis coupled to an end of the top plate so as to support the top plate; a support frame which has both ends supported by the chassis and is arranged across a lower portion of the heater bracket; and a spring plate which is interposed between the support frame and the heater bracket and has both ends coupled to the respective support frame and the heater bracket. The spring plate is screw-coupled to the support frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a hob that facilitates the securing of a heating plate and a base plate, thereby facilitating the assembly.

In order to achieve the above objective, the invention pertains to a hob comprising a flat base plate; a heating plate distantly arranged on the base plate, and a bracket having a first arm that engages with the base plate from a mounting plate and extends to support the heating plate from underneath at a distal end. The hob includes at least one auxiliary arm bent from a proximal end at the mounting plate to bear on the heating plate from underneath, along with the first arm at their distal ends. This facilitates the placement of the heating plate on the base plate and prevents issues that may arise due to the movement of the heating plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bracket includes a third arm that extends at an angle from the central point of the bracket to bear on the heating plate. This enables the heating plate to be supported by the bracket.

In another preferred embodiment, the distances and angles between the first, auxiliary, and third arms are equal, thus ensuring equal support of the heating plate.

In a further preferred embodiment, the lengths of the first, auxiliary, and third arms are equal, providing uniform stresses on the underside of the heating plate.

In another preferred embodiment, the angles made by the first, auxiliary, and third arms with the bracket range between 90 and 180 degrees, thereby providing flexibility to the arms of the bracket.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the first, auxiliary, and third arms comprise a central opening, enabling the adjustment of weight balance on the base plate.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first, auxiliary, and third arms comprise a support plate extending from their distal ends, increasing the surface area supporting the heating plate.

In another preferred embodiment, the bracket includes a tab that enables engagement from the mounting plate to the base plate, thus ensuring the bracket is securely fixed to the base plate.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the base plate includes a connection slot that allows for the passage of the tab provided on the bracket’s mounting plate, resulting in a compact structure.

In a further preferred embodiment, the central axis of a heating element provided on the heating plate is concentric with the bracket, thereby providing uniform support for cooking. In another preferred embodiment, the base plate comprises at least one first securing element that restricts the movement of the heating element's outer periphery, thus limiting the movement of the heating element.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the base plate includes a second and a third securing element equidistantly arranged with the first securing element, preventing movement of the heating element on the base plate.

In a further preferred embodiment, the bracket is made from sheet metal material, facilitating production and reducing manufacturing time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 depicts the bracket within the hob in a perspective view.

Figure 2 illustrates, in perspective view, the pre-installation position of the bracket on the base plate.

Figure 3 shows the side perspective of the heating plate mounted onto the base plate.

Figure 4 demonstrates, in perspective view, the pre-installation position of the cooker on the bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this comprehensive exposition, the subject invention is expounded without any restrictive scope, only referring to examples for enhanced elucidation.

In Figure 1 , a bracket on the hob is shown from the perspective view. A bracket (10) is arranged to be incorporated within a hob, preferably an electric hob. Said bracket (10) is made of a sheet metal and includes a mounting plate (14) corresponding to its central point. This mounting plate (14) houses a fastening tab (16), extending from the central point and designed as a two-component structure. The tab (16) comprises a flat, linear body (164) and a movable head (162), engineered in a T-like configuration to ensure engagement in any mounting scenario. The bracket (10) also incorporates a first arm (11), obtained by bending from the mounting plate (14). The first arm (11) is bent at a wide angle from its proximal end (112). Further, the bracket (10) contains an auxiliary arm (12), bent at a wide angle from its proximal end (122) to form a 120-degree angle with the first arm (11 ). Additionally, the bracket (10) includes a third arm (13), extending and bent from the mounting plate (14) to form a 120-degree angle with both the first and auxiliary arms (11 , 12). All arms (11 , 12, 13) are of equal length and include a central opening (118, 128, 138) extending from their central axes towards the mounting plate (14). The central opening (118) of the first arm (11) is designed to accommodate the tab (16) and is longer than the central openings (128, 138) of the auxiliary and third arms (12, 13), respectively. These central openings (118, 128, 138) are pentagon-like in configuration. Each arm (11 , 12, 13) has a distal end (114, 124, 134) opposite to its proximal end (112, 122, 132) and incorporates a bent support plate (116, 126, 136), all of which are co-planar and aligned. The first, auxiliary, and third arms (11 , 12, 13) include a central aperture (118, 128, 138) extending from their central axes towards a mounting plate (14). The central aperture (118) of the first arm (11 ) is designed to accommodate a peg (16) and is longer than the central apertures (128, 138) of the auxiliary (12) and third arms (13). These central apertures (118, 128, 138) have a pentagon-like shape. The first arm (11) includes a distal end (114) opposite its proximal end (112). From this distal end (114), the first arm (11 ) extends to include a support plate (116). Adjacently angled to the first arm (11 ) is the auxiliary arm (12), which also has a distal end (124) opposite its proximal end (122). This auxiliary arm (12) extends from its distal end (124) to include a support plate (126). The third arm (13) includes a distal end (134) opposite its proximal end (132). From this distal end (134), the third arm (13) extends to include a support plate (136). The support plates (116, 126, 136) of the first, auxiliary, and third arms (11 , 12, 13) are provided in alignment with each other on the same planar axis.

In Figure 2 pre-assembly position of the bracket (10) on the base plate (20) is shown from the perspective. The bracket (10) engages with a flat and level base plate (20) via the mounting plate (14) shown in Figure 1 . A connecting slot (22) provided on the base plate (20) interlocks with a peg (16) located on the mounting plate (14), securing the bracket (10) onto the base plate (20). On the outer circumference of the bracket (10), at least one first securing element (24) is located on the base plate (20). In the preferred configuration, the first securing element (24) is spaced apart from a second securing element (26) and a third securing element (28). The first securing element (24) is obtained by bending from a first securing slot (242). Similarly, the second and third securing elements (26, 28) are obtained by bending from a second securing slot (262) and a third securing slot (282), respectively. The first, second, and third securing elements (24, 26, 28) have a conical-like form. The base plate (20) comprises a socket securing element (29) that is spaced apart from the first, second, and third securing elements (24, 26, 28). The socket securing element (29) has a C- like form.

In Figure 3, a heating plate (30) is placed onto the base plate (20). The heating plate (30) is flat and incorporates at least one heating element (32). The surface of the base plate (20) upon which the heating element (32) rests is supported from below by the bracket (10) via the support plates (116, 126, 136) on the first, auxiliary, and third arms (11 , 12, 13) shown in Figure 1. These arms (11 , 12, 13) are flexible and utilize a spring-like mechanism to support the heating element (32) from below. A glass plate (40) completely covering the heating plate (30) is placed atop it.

In Figure 4, the pre-installation position of the heating element (32) on the bracket (10) is depicted in perspective. The heating element (32) incorporates a heating tube (36) concentric with the central axis of the bracket (10). To limit the movement of the heating element (32), first, second, and third securing elements (24, 26, 28) are provided on the base plate (20) on the outer periphery (322) of the heating element (32). The heating element (32) includes a socket element (34), which is secured by the socket securing element (29) provided on the base plate (20).

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Bracket 162 Body

11 First Arm 164 Head

112 Proximal End 20 Base Plate

114 Distal End 22 Connecting Socket

116 Support Plate 24 First Securing Element

118 Central Opening 242 First Securing Socket

12 Auxiliary Arm 26 Second Securing Element

122 Proximal End 262 Second Securing Socket

124 Distal End 28 Third Securing Element

126 Support Plate 282 Third Securing Socket

128 Central Opening 29 Socket Securing Element

13 Third Arm 30 Heating Plate

132 Proximal End 32 Heating Element

134 Distal End 322 Outer Periphery

136 Support Plate 34 Socket Element

138 Central Opening 36 Heating Tube

14 Mounting Plate 40 Glass

16 Tab