An appliance comprising an arrangement of rotating actuators

The present invention relates to an appliance, particularly a kitchen appliance, comprising an arrangement of rotating actua- tors for regulating multiple functions, an arrangement of rotat ^¬ ing actuators for regulating multiple functions of an appliance and a rotating actuator for regulating a function of an appliance . In appliances, particularly kitchen appliances, such as gas ovens or the like, rotating actuators are known for regulating functions of such appliances, for example regulating the gas support of a gas burner. However, kitchen appliances are known which provide the user with the possibility to choose among several functions of such appliance. For example, a kitchen appliance may be provided with a gas burner and a grill burner, or an upper and a lower burner, at the same time.

For practical reasons and also for safety reasons, however, it is desired to avoid the possibility of a simultaneous operation of such functions. For example, it is desired to avoid the sim ^¬ ultaneous operation of a gas burner and a grill burner at the same time. In connection therewith, there is a problem, among others, that high temperatures would be reached within such ap ^¬ pliance if both, the gas burner and the grill burner, are operated simultaneously, which may result in damage of other kitchen interior, the appliance itself, and, moreover, may lead to acci- dents and fire. Where the supply of both functions at the same time is to be avoided there is thus a need for a regulation of said functions, e.g. by regulating the supply of said functions. Such supply may be, e.g. supply of gas from a gas rail through a gas valve.

Thereby, only one supply, for example a gas valve supporting a gas burner, is controlled or opened at one time, wherein the supply of another second function, e.g. the supply of a grill burner, is regulated, prohibited or closed. Existing solutions to the above problem are very complex and of ^¬ ten expensive.

The document DE 297 23 760 Ul describes a system for switching off a domestic gas cooking appliance, which provides a plurality of cooking functions comprising an electrical solution to avoid a simultaneously use of two gas burners adjustable by a gas tap including a deviation valve.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy to handle possibility to avoid the simultaneous use of two func ^¬ tions in an appliance, such as a kitchen appliance at the same time, particularly the two functions being an oven burner and a grill burner. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an arrangement of rotating actuators for regulating multiple func ^¬ tions of an appliance, providing an easy to handle possibility to avoid simultaneous operation of said multiple functions of said appliance.

The above objects of the invention are achieved by an appliance, particularly a kitchen appliance, comprising an arrangement of rotating actuators for regulating multiple functions according to claim 1, an arrangement of rotating actuators according to claim 14 and a rotating actuator according to claim 15.

An appliance, particularly a kitchen appliance, according to claim 1 comprises an arrangement of rotating actuators for regu ^¬ lating multiple functions, wherein a first rotating actuator for regulating a first function of the appliance comprises a first pivoted actuating shaft for a rotary motion of the first rotat ^¬ ing actuator and wherein the first rotating actuator further comprises a first annular element, wherein the first annular el ^¬ ement concentrically encompasses the first pivoted actuating shaft and is coupled to the rotary motion of the first pivoted actuating shaft, and wherein at least one further rotating actuator for regulating at least one further function of the appli- ance comprises an at least one further pivoted actuating shaft for a rotary motion of the at least one further rotating actuator and wherein the at least one further rotating actuator further comprises an at least one further annular element, wherein the at least one further annular element concentrically encom- passes the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft and is coupled to the rotary motion of the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft, and wherein the first and the at least one fur ^¬ ther rotating actuators are arranged such that a rotary motion of the first rotating actuator from a first position to a second position interlocks the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft in an interlocked position and/or prevents the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft from any rotary motion from said interlocked position. Such arrangement of rotating actuators allows for regulating independently multiple functions of an appliance, particularly of a kitchen appliance. However, according to such arrangement operating the first rotating actuator by rotary motion of the first pivoted actuating shaft from a first position to a second position interlocks an at least one further pivoted actuating shaft, e.g. a second, pivoted actuating shaft of an at least one further, e.g. second, rotating actuator in an interlocked position.

Thereby, a first position, preferably, is a position where sup ^¬ ply of a first function is off. A second position, preferably, is a position where supply is on. An interlocked position of said at least one further, e.g. second, rotating actuator, pref- erably, is a position where support of a further, e.g. second, function of the appliance is off. It will be immediately under ^¬ stood that a rotary motion of the first rotating actuator causes a block of the rotary motion of the second or further rotating actuator, and vice versa. In other words, the arrangement can be made such that the supply for a first function of the appliance is turned on by operating the first rotating actuator, whereas the supply for a second or a further function is thereby blocked in an interlocked position where said supply, preferably, is off. Accordingly, the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft is prevented from any rotary motion from said interlocked position .

An at least one further rotating actuator, preferably a second or a second and a third rotating actuator comprises a second and/or third pivoted actuating shaft, respectively, and the ro ^¬ tary motion (s) thereof is for regulating a further second and/or third function of the appliance and supply thereof, respective ^¬ ly. By way of example, such first pivoted actuating shaft, for example regulates a gas supply of a gas burner, and such further second function may be a grill burner of a kitchen appliance and the supply thereof. It will be understood that the rotating ac ^¬ tuators are arranged such that a rotary motion of one, e.g. the first, rotating actuator interlocks the pivoted actuating shaft of the other or at least one further rotating actuator. An in- terlocked position is reached as preferably the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft is prevented from any rotary motion from said interlocked position, and particularly, if said interlocked position interlocks the second, at least one further pivoted actuating shaft and thus the second at least one further rotating actuator. Accordingly, either the first or the second function has a support being set on. Thus, such arrangement pro ^¬ vides an easy to handle mechanical interlock device between at least two rotating actuators, and thus two functions of an ap- pliance and supply thereof, such as two gas taps.

However, such arrangement also allows the interlock of other predetermined positions, e.g. half-on. It will be understood that the rotary motion of the first pivot ^¬ ed actuating shaft in opposite direction back into the first po ^¬ sition allows to activate a further, e.g. second function by op ^¬ erating an at least one further, e.g. second, rotating actuator and thus turning the supply of said second function on. By rota- ry motion of the at least one further, e.g. second, pivoted ac ^¬ tuating shaft from a first position to a second position, which interlocks the first pivoted actuating shaft in an interlocked position the first function may be locked in a non-supplied off position .

It will be understood that the inventive arrangement is such that the rotary motion of one rotating actuator from a first, e.g. closed, position to a second, e.g. open, position blocks the rotary motion of the rotating actuator in an interlocked, preferably closed, position, and vice versa.

The actual block or interference is preferably mediated by block and/or interference of a first annular element, which concentri ^¬ cally encompasses the first pivoted actuating shaft, and which is coupled to the rotary motion of the first pivoted actuating shaft, and an at least one further annular element, which is concentrically encompassing the at least one further pivoted ac ^¬ tuating shaft and, which is coupled to the rotary motion of the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft. The term to be coupled with as used herein, preferably, refers to a connection which, upon rotary motion of an actuating shaft also forces the coupled element, e.g. an annular element, to undergo the same rotary motion. In other words, if an actuating shaft is rotated the coupled element is also rotated, preferably around the axis of the shaft.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance the first pivoted actuating shaft and/or the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft is a tap shaft.

It will be understood that such tap shaft preferably is for reg ^¬ ulating the supply of a function of an appliance such as regu ^¬ lating the gas supply of a burner in an oven.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance the first rotating actuator for regulating a first function of the appliance, preferably the first pivoted actuating shaft for a rotary motion of the first rotating actuator, and/or

the at least one further rotating actuator for regulating at least one further function of the appliance, preferably the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft for a rotary motion of the at least one further rotating actuator,

is connected to a supply, such as a supply rail, for supply- ing the appliance with a fluid and/or a gas, preferably for sup ^¬ porting the function of the appliance, said function of the ap ^¬ pliance each being independently selected from the group com ^¬ prising gas burner and grill burner. Accordingly, the operation of the rotating actuator may regulate the supply, preferably dependent on the position of the rotating actuator in relation to a rotary motion thereof. In other words, a supply may be turned off in a first position and may be turned on if the rotating actuator is operated and brought into a sec ^¬ ond position by rotary motion thereof and, accordingly by the pivoted actuating shaft.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance the second position is an open position, more preferably selected from a plurality of continuously adjustable open positions.

It is possible, that the first and the second positions are pre ^¬ determined positions allowing the choice between two distinct open or close positions of the rotating actuator, and thus, preferably the supply of two predetermined values, e.g. gas flow. Thereby, preferably a first position is a closed position, wherein preferably the supply is completely closed, e.g. no gas is flowing. In a second position, however, support is allowed with a distinct opening, e.g. a distinct gas flow rate.

Where a plurality of continuously adjustable open positions is allowed, however, the supply can be adjusted rather freely to the needs and choice of the user, e.g. a gas flow rate may be adjusted to each value between a closed, i.e. no gas flow rate, to a full opened, i.e. maximum gas flow rate, position.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance wherein a rotary motion of the first rotating actuator from a first po- sition to a second position interlocks the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft in an interlocked position and/or pre ^¬ vents the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft from any rotary motion from said interlocked position by interference of the first annular element of the first pivoted actuating shaft with the at least one further annular element of the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft, and/or wherein a rotary motion of the at least one further rotating actuator from a first position to a second position, interlocks the first pivoted ac- tuating shaft in an interlocked position and/or prevents the first pivoted actuating shaft from any rotary motion from said interlocked position by interference of the at least one further annular element of the first pivoted actuating shaft with the first annular element of the first pivoted actuating shaft.

It will be understood that the interference of the first annular element of the first pivoted actuating shaft with the at least one further annular element of the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft also interlocks the position of the at least one, e.g. second, pivoted actuating shaft and thus of the at least one, e.g. second, rotating actuator. With other words, the rotary motion of the first rotating actuator to a second, preferably open position, from a first, preferably closed position, causes also the rotary motion of the first annular element as the first annular element concentrically encompasses the first pivoted actuating shaft and is coupled to the rotary motion of the first pivoted actuating shaft. Said rotary motion of the first annular element preferably causes an interlock of said first annular element with an at least one further annular ele- ment . Said at least one further annular element concentrically encompasses the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft and is coupled to the rotary motion of the at least one further piv ^¬ oted actuating shaft, thus the interlock of the first annular element with said at least one further annular element also in- terlocks the rotary motion of the at least one pivoted actuating shaft and, thus of the at least one further rotating actuator.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance the first annular element of the first pivoted actuating shaft and/or the at least one further annular element of the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft is designed as a disc and/or wheel . In connection with the inventive appliance and/or the inventive arrangement it will be also understood that two functions or three function or more function of the appliance can be regulat ^¬ ed and that accordingly for each function a rotating actuator, i.e. a first, second, third, etc. rotating actuator may be pro- vided. Said rotating actuators each comprise a pivoted actuating shaft for a rotary motion of the respective rotating actuator, and the rotating actuator each further comprises an annular element. Where the annular element is designed as a disc and/or wheel, it will be understood that the rotating actuators are ar- ranged such that a rotary motion of one rotating actuator causes an interlock with the other rotating actuators. Therefore, the rotating actuators, and more particularly, the pivoted actuating shafts are arranged adjacent to each other, preferably in a row. In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance a rim portion of the first annular element and a rim portion of the at least one further annular element comprises an at least one re ^¬ cess, wherein, preferably, the at least one recess has the form of a lens, more preferably a circle lens.

In connection therewith it will be understood that such recess allows for an interference of a first annular element with an at least one further annular element. More particularly, a rotary motion of the first rotating actuator causes a rotary motion of the first annular element and the first annular element, prefer ^¬ ably pivots into the recess provided in a rim portion of the at least one further annular element of the at least one further rotating actuator thus causing the interlock. On the other hand, also the first annular element may have such recess and thus al- lows if the first rotating actuator is for example in a first, e.g. closed position, that a rotary motion of the at least one further rotating actuator causes the rotary motion of an at least one further annular element pivoting into the recess of the first annular element and thus mediating the interlock.

However, it will be understood that one annular element may have one, but also more than one, preferably two, more preferably three such recesses. Accordingly the interlock may be realized in different distinct positions of the first rotating actuator and the at least one further rotating actuator. Nearly all combinations and positions are possible and the person skilled in the art will know how to choose predetermined positions and de ^¬ gree of respective rotary motions in accordance with the desired function and degree of function of the appliance, e.g. support of the function such as degree of gas flow, or the like.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance, the first pivoted actuating shaft and the second pivoted actuating shaft are arranged in parallel in relation to the longitudinal extension of the first pivoted actuating shaft and the second pivoted actuating shaft.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance the first annular element and the at least one further annular ele ^¬ ment are arranged at the same level in relation to the longitu ^¬ dinal extension of the first pivoted actuating shaft and the second pivoted actuating shaft. In a preferred embodiment the distance between two, preferably parallel pivoted actuating shafts is less than the doubled radi ^¬ us of an annular element, more preferably a disc and/or wheel- shaped annular element. Accordingly, a recess in the rim portion of such annular element allows that the annular element of an- other pivoted actuating shaft is pivoting into the recess and thus facilitates an interlock.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance the first rotating actuator for regulating a first function of the appliance, preferably the first pivoted actuating shaft for a rotary motion of the first rotating actuator, and/or

the at least one further rotating actuator for regulating at least one further function of the appliance, preferably the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft for a rotary motion of the at least one further rotating actuator,

is connected to a supply, such as a supply rail, for supply ^¬ ing the appliance with a fluid and/or a gas, such as gas, pref ^¬ erably for the function of the appliance, said function of the appliance each being independently selected from the group com ^¬ prising gas burner and grill burner, by a valve, the valve pref ^¬ erably is selected from the group comprising globe valve, ball valve, gas valve, lack valve, one-way valve and thermostat valve .

As used herein a valve, preferably is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid, gas, liquid, fluidized solid, slurry, or the like, by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways.

In an open valve, fluid, preferably, flows in a direction from higher pressure to lower pressure.

Although the inventive arrangement of rotating actuators is based on a mechanical principle by rotary motion of a rotating actuator, such rotary motion may be translated into chance and/or regulation of an opening or closing of such valve, wherein said valve is a hydraulic, pneumatic, manual, solenoid, motor driven valve, or each and any other possible valve. In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance the first rotating actuator, preferably the first pivoted actuating shaft, and/or the at least one further rotating actuator, pref- erably, the at least one further pivoted actuating shaft, fur ^¬ ther comprises a handle element, such as a knob, rotary knob, tap, handle, hand wheel, or the like, for executing a rotary mo ^¬ tion of the rotating actuator for regulating a function of the appliance, preferably for regulating the valve.

It will be immediately understood that such handle element is for comfortable adjustment of the predetermined positions of the rotating actuators and/or the regulation of the function of the appliance, or support thereof. Thus, by operating such handle element, e.g. by rotary motion of a knob, the support and/or the function of the appliance is regulated. For example, rotary mo ^¬ tion of a knob may be for regulating the gas flow for supporting a burner, and thus rotary motion of a first knob being attached to a first rotating actuator also causes an interlock of a sec- ond rotating actuator. However, a second handle element may or may not be attached to said second rotating actuator. Other ele ^¬ ments for regulating a function of an appliance are also consid ^¬ ered herein, for example said second rotating actuator may be regulated by an electrical device and/or driven by an electrical motor. However, the principle of interlocking the rotary motion of said second rotating actuator by the rotary motion of the first rotating actuator is kept.

In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance the ap- pliance is a kitchen appliance selected from the group compris ^¬ ing cooker and oven.

In a preferred embodiment the kitchen appliance is a free stand ^¬ ing kitchen appliance, preferably a free standing cooker. In an advantageous embodiment of the inventive appliance, the appliance is a kitchen appliance being a built in kitchen appli ^¬ ance, preferably a built in oven.

The above described problems are also advantageously solved by an arrangement of rotating actuators for regulating multiple functions of an appliance, particularly a kitchen appliance, as characterized in any of the herein described embodiments of the invention.

The above described problems are also advantageously solved by a rotating actuator for regulating a function of an appliance, particularly a kitchen appliance, as characterized in any of the herein described embodiments of the invention.

All described embodiments of the invention have the advantage, that an easy to handle possibility is provided for prohibiting and/or avoiding the simultaneous use of two functions in an ap- pliance, particularly a kitchen appliance such as an oven, in particular the two functions being an oven burner and a grill burner. Moreover, the present invention provides an arrangement of rotating actuators for regulating multiple functions of an appliance, particularly an oven appliance by providing an easy to handle possibility to avoid simultaneous operation of said multiple functions of said appliance.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG 1A illustrates a schematic front view of an arrangement of two rotating actuators for regulating two functions showing a first inventive embodiment both rotating actuators being in a closed position; FIG IB illustrates a side perspective view of an arrangement of two rotating actuators for regulating two functions showing the first inventive embodiment both rotating actuators being in a closed position;

FIG 2A illustrates a schematic front view of an arrangement of two rotating actuators for regulating two functions showing the first inventive embodiment one rotating ac tuator being in an open position;

FIG 2B illustrates a side perspective view of an arrangement of two rotating actuators for regulating two functions showing the first inventive embodiment one rotating ac tuator being in an open position.

FIG 1A and FIG IB show an arrangement of two rotating actuators for regulating two functions of an appliance in a closed posi ^¬ tion. Here a not shown appliance, particularly a kitchen appliance, here an oven, comprises an arrangement of rotating actua ^¬ tors 1 and 4 for regulating two functions, such as oven burner and a grill burner, of said oven, particularly the arrangement comprises a valve 8 and a thermostat 9, the valve 8 being con ^¬ nected to and regulated by the second rotating actuator 4 and the thermostat 9 being connected to and regulated by the first rotating actuator 1. A second rotating actuator 4 for regulating the valve 8 comprises a second pivoted actuating shaft 5 for a rotary motion of the second rotating actuator 4 and the second rotating actuator 4 further comprises a second annular element 6. Said second annular element 6 concentrically encompasses the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 and is coupled to the rotary motion of the second pivoted actuating shaft 5, Moreover, a first rotating actuator 1 for regulating a first function of the appliance comprises a first pivoted actuating shaft 2 for a ro- tary motion of the first rotating actuator 1. The rotary motion of the first rotating actuator 1 is depicted as bent arrow in Fig 1A. However, it will be understood that in such arrangement the rotary motion can be, in general, in both directions, clock- wise or anti-clockwise around the longitudinal axis of the actu ^¬ ating shaft, depending on the configuration of the function, e.g. the valve behind. The first rotating actuator 1 further comprises a first annular element 3, wherein the first annular element 3 concentrically encompasses the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 and is coupled to the rotary motion of the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 depicted as bent arrow in Fig 1A. The first and the second rotating actuators 1 and 4 are arranged such that a rotary motion of the first rotating actuator 1 from a first position as shown in Fig 1A and Fig IB to a second position in- terlocks the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 in an interlocked position as shown in FIGs 2A and 2B, and thus prevents the sec ^¬ ond pivoted actuating shaft 5 from any rotary motion from said interlocked position. The first pivoted actuating shaft 2 and the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 are arranged in parallel in relation to the longitudinal extension of the first pivoted ac ^¬ tuating shaft 2 and the second pivoted actuating shaft 5.

Moreover, the said configuration is such that a rotary motion of the second rotating actuator 4 from a first position as shown in Fig 1A and Fig IB to a second position would also interlock the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 in an interlocked position, which is than the first position as shown in Fig 1A and IB and would thus prevent the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 from any rotary motion from said interlocked position. Such arrangement of rotating actuators allows for regulating both functions of the appliance independently, however such, that the rotary motion of the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 by operating the first rotating actuator 1, from a first position as shown in FIGs 1A and IB to a second position as shown in Figs 2A and 2B, which preferably is a position where the thermostat 9 is on, interlocks the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 of the second rotating actuator 4 in an interlocked position, wherein said interlocked position as shown in Fig. 2A and 2B is a posi- tion where support is off and the valve 8 is closed and thus supply of the respective function is off. It will be immediately understood that a rotary motion of the first rotating actuator as shown as bent arrow in Fig 1A causes a block of the rotary motion of the second rotating actuator 4. In other words, the thermostat is turned on by operating the first rotating actuator 1, whereas the supply for a second function regulated by the valve 8 is thereby blocked in an interlocked position where said supply is off, i.e. the valve 8 is closed. Accordingly, the sec ^¬ ond pivoted actuating shaft 5 is prevented from any rotary mo- tion from said interlocked position as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B.

It will be understood that the rotating actuators 1 and 4 are arranged such that a rotary motion of one, e.g. the first rotat ^¬ ing actuator 1 as shown here, interlocks the pivoted actuating shaft 5 of the other, here second rotating actuator 4. An interlocked position as shown in Fig 2A and 2B is reached as the sec ^¬ ond pivoted actuating shaft 5 is prevented from any rotary mo ^¬ tion from said interlocked position, and particularly if said interlocked position interlocks the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 and thus the second rotating actuator 4. Accordingly, either the valve 8 or the thermostat 9 is set on, the other one is off, and the respective rotating actuator is in interlocked off position. Thus, such arrangement provides an easy to handle mechanical interlock device between two rotating actuators 1 and 5, and thus two functions of an appliance and supply thereof, such as a thermostat and a gas valve.

Of course, the rotary motion of the first pivoted actuating shaft in opposite direction as depicted as a bent arrow in Fig. 2A back into the first position then allows to activate the valve 8 by operating the second rotating actuator 4 and thus opening the valve 8 by rotary motion of the second pivoted actu ^¬ ating shaft 5 from a first position as shown in Fig 1A and IB to a here not shown second position, which interlocks the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 in an interlocked position and thus interlocking the thermostat in an off position.

The actual block or interference is mediated by block and inter ^¬ ference of the first annular element 3, which concentrically en ^¬ compasses the first pivoted actuating shaft 2, and which is cou ^¬ pled to the rotary motion of the first pivoted actuating shaft 2, and the second annular element 6, which is concentrically en ^¬ compassing the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 and, which is coupled to the rotary motion of the second pivoted actuating shaft 5. Here, the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 and the sec ^¬ ond pivoted actuating shaft 5 are tap shafts for regulating the valve 8 or the thermostat 9. Moreover, it can immediately be seen that the first rotating actuator 1 for regulating a the thermostat of the appliance and the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 for a rotary motion of the first rotating actuator 1 is connected to the thermostat for supporting the function of the appliance, said function for example being the grill burner. The second rotating actuator 4 for regulating the valve 8 of the appliance and the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 for a rotary motion of the second rotating actuator 4 is connected to the valve 8, preferably being connected to and/or part of a supply rail, for supplying the appliance with gas, preferably for sup- porting the function of the appliance, said function of the ap ^¬ pliance being, for example the gas burner. Here, only the first position being the closed or off position is a predetermined po ^¬ sition, being also predetermined by the position of the recess 7 on the rim portion of the annual elements 3 and 6, allowing the choice between a distinct closed position of the rotating actua ^¬ tors 1 and 4 and a plurality of continuously adjustable open po ^¬ sitions is allowed. Thereby, the thermostat 9 and the valve 8 can be regulated rather freely to the needs and choice of the user, e.g. the gas flow rate passing the valve 8 may be adjusted to each value between the closed position where no gas flow rate is allowed to pass the valve 8, to a full opened, i.e. maximum gas flow rate, position. In the embodiment shown here, a rotary motion of the first rotating actuator 1 from a first position as shown in Figs 1A and IB to a second position as shown in Figs 2A and 2B interlocks the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 in an in ^¬ terlocked position and prevents the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 from any rotary motion from said interlocked position by interference of the first annular element 3 of the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 with the second annular element 6 of the sec ^¬ ond pivoted actuating shaft 5, and a rotary motion of the second rotating actuator 4 from a first position as shown in Figs 1A and IB to a second position, would interlock the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 in an interlocked position and would prevent the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 from any rotary motion from said interlocked position by interference of the second annular element 6 of the first pivoted actuating shaft 5 with the first annular element 3 of the first pivoted actuating shaft 2. The interference of the first annular element 3 of the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 with the second annular element 6 of the sec ^¬ ond pivoted actuating shaft 5 also interlocks the position of the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 and thus of the second ro ^¬ tating actuator 4. With other words, the rotary motion of the first rotating actuator 3 to a second, preferably open position as shown in Figs 2A and 2B, from a first position, where the thermostat is off, as shown in FIGs 1A and IB, causes also the rotary motion of the first annular element 2 as the first annu ^¬ lar element 3 concentrically encompasses the first pivoted actu ^¬ ating shaft 2 and is coupled to the rotary motion of the first pivoted actuating shaft 2. Said rotary motion of the first annu ^¬ lar element 3 thereby causes an interlock of said first annular element 3 with the second annular element 6. Said second annular element 6 concentrically encompasses the second pivoted actuat- ing shaft 5 and is coupled to the rotary motion of the second pivoted actuating shaft 5, thus the interlock of the first annu ^¬ lar element 3 with said second annular element 6 also interlocks the rotary motion of the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 and, thus of the second rotating actuator 4.

Here, the annular elements 3 and 6 are designed as a discs and wheels, the rotating actuators, and more particularly, the piv ^¬ oted actuating shafts being arranged adjacent to each other. Moreover, the first annular element 3 and the second annular el- ement 6 are arranged at the same level in relation to the longi ^¬ tudinal extension of the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 and the second pivoted actuating shaft 5. A rim portion of the first an ^¬ nular element 3 and a rim portion of the second annular element 6 both comprise one recess 7 each, wherein the recess 7 has the form of a lens, more particularly a circle lens. Such recess al ^¬ lows for the interference of the first annular element 6 with the second annular element 3, as upon the rotary motion of the first rotating actuator 1 as depicted as bent arrow in Fig 1A causes a rotary motion of the first annular element 3 and the first annular element 3 pivots into the recess 7 provided in a rim portion of the second annular element 6 of the second rotat ^¬ ing actuator 4 thus causing the interlock. This particularly is the case, as the distance between the two parallel pivoted actu ^¬ ating shafts 2 and 5 is less than the doubled radius of the disc and/or wheel-shaped annular elements 3 or 6. Accordingly, the recesses 7 in the rim portions of the annular elements 3 and 6 allow that the annular element of another pivoted actuating shaft is pivoting into the recess 7 and thus facilitates the in ^¬ terlock . In the inventive arrangement shown here, the open end of the first pivoted actuating shaft 2 and the second pivoted actuating shaft 5 allows for attaching a handle element, such as a rotary knob for executing a rotary motion of the rotating actuators 1 and 4 for regulating the functions of the appliance, preferably for regulating the valve 8 and the thermostat 9, respectively.

List of reference numerals

1 first rotating actuator

2 first pivoted actuating shaft

3 first annular element

4 further rotating actuator

5 further pivoted actuating shaft

6 further annular element

7 recess

8 valve

9 thermostat