Latching assembly for a control device to prevent operation thereof prior to electromagnet safety release

Claim 1

A latching assembly for a control device of the type including a casing having an inlet, a main outlet and a pilot outlet, a rotatable gas cock disposed in the casing and having a cylindrical wall extending from one end thereof, a stem having a ledge projecting therefrom and an end engaging the gas cock to control communication between the inlet and the main and pilot outlets, safety valve means disposed in the casing to control communication between the inlet and the gas cock, and an electromagnet operating an armature to control the operation of the safety valve means such that the safety valve means is open when a flame is sensed at a pilot burner and the safety valve means is closed when no flame is sensed at the pilot burner, said latching assembly comprising a stop member disposed on the cylindrical wall of the gas cock and having a face with an edge spaced from an end of the cylindrical wall and a cam surface sloping from the end of the cylindrical wall to said edge of said face; and a safety lever pivotally supported in the casing and having an operating end controlling the safety valve means, a control leg extending toward the gas cock and the stem to a position between the ledge on the stem and the end of the cylindrical wall, and an offset portion connecting the operating end with the control leg to define a concave surface receiving the armature, said safety lever having a closed position in response to the armature wherein said operating end closes the safety valve means and said control leg is positioned between said edge of said face of said stop member and the ledge on the stem to permit rotation of the gas cock and an open position in response to the armature wherein said operating end opens the safety valve means and said control leg is positioned between said edge of said face of said stop member and the end of the cylindrical wall whereby rotation of the gas cock is restricted in one direction due to abutment of said control leg with said face of said stop member when said safety lever is in said second position.