Heating element for flush top ranges

Claim 2

An electric heating unit for a range comrpising a disc of rigid dielectric material, an integral peripheral flange extending perpendicularly from one side of the disc and forming therewith a cuplike support, said flange being the outErmost portion of the unit, an electrical heater element within the support adjacent the disc, an electrically and thermally nonconductive member within the support and having one side disposed adjacent the side of the heater element opposite the disc, spring retainer means engaging the opposite side of the nonconductive member for urging it toward said disc and connected with the inner side of said flange for retaining the cuplike support, heater and nonconductive member as an assembled unit, and electrical means connected with the heater element and extending externally of the unit for connecting the element to a source of electric current.

Claim 3

An electric heating unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring retainer means is a disclike member having edge portions resiliently engaging the inner side of said flange.

Claim 4

An electric heating unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nonconductive member is a pad of low thermal conductivity ceramic capable of infrared radiation when heated.

Claim 5

An electric range comprising a substantially planar cooktop having at least one opening of predetermined size therein, an electrical circuit in the range having termination means adjacent said opening, and a replaceable heater unit in said opening, said unit comprising an electrical heating element and a support for said element, said support including a disc disposed within and in closing relation to said opening and having a planar surface disposed substantially flush with the cooktop, said support further including an integral peripheral flange extending from said disc perpendicularly thereto and of a size substantially equal to the size of said opening, said flange being the outermost portion of said unit, and electrical conducting means connected with said heater element for connection with said termination means in the range.

Claim 6

An electric range comprising a substantially planar cooktop having at least one opening of predetermined size therein, an electrical circuit in the range having termination means adjacent said opening, and a replaceable heater unit in said opening, said unit comprising an electrical heating element and a support for said element, said support including a disc disposed within and in closing relation to said opening and having a planar surface disposed substantially flush with the cooktop, said support further including an integral peripheral flange extending from said disc perpendicularly thereto and of a size substantially equal to the size of said opening, said flange being the outermost portion of said unit, and electrical conducting means connected with said heater element for connection with said termination means in the range.

Claim 7

An electric range as set forth in claim 4 wherein means is provided between said support and cooktop for establishing a thermal gradient therebetween whereby the cooktop will remain cool relative to the disc when the unit is operated.

Claim 8

An electric range as set forth in claim 5 wherein said thermal gradient establishing means includes said flange extending from said disc peripherally thereof inwardly of the opening, and additionally a ceramic ring between the flange and adjacent portions of the cooktop.

Claim 9

An electric range comprising a cooktop having at least one opening therein, an electrical circuit in the range having termination means adjacent said opening, and a replaceable heating unit in said opening comprising a disc of rigid dielectric material, an integral peripheral flange extending from one side of the disc perpendicularly thereto and forming therewith a cuplike support, said flange being the outermost portion of said unit, an electrical heater element within the support adjacent one side of the disc, an electrically and thermally nonconductive member within the support and having one side disposed adjacent the side of the heater element opposite the disc, spring retaining means engaging the opposite side of the nonconductive member and yieldably connected with the inner side of said flange for retaining the cuplike support, heater element and nonconductive member as an assembled unit, and electrical means connected with the heater element and extending externally of the unit for connecting the element to a source of electric current.

Claim 10

An electric range comprising a cooktop having at least one opening therein, an electrical circuit in the range having termination means adjacent said opening, and a replaceable heating unit in said opening comprising a disc of rigid dielectric material, an integral peripheral flange extending from one side of the disc perpendicularly thereto and forming therewith a cuplike support, said flange being the outermost portion of said unit, an electrical heater element within the support adjacent one side of the disc, an electrically and thermally nonconductive member within the support and having one side disposed adjacent the side of the heater element opposite the disc, spring retaining means engaging the opposite side of the nonconductive member and yieldably connected with the inner side of said flange for retaining the cuplike support, heater element and nonconductive member as an assembled unit, and electrical means connected with the heater element and extending externally of the unit for connecting the element to a source of electric current.

Claim 11

An electric range as set forth in claim 7 wherein said flange is integral with said disc.

Claim 12

An electric range as set forth in claim 7 wherein said spring retaining means is a disclike member having edge portions resiliently engaging the inner side of said flange.

Claim 13

An electric range as set forth in claim 7 wherein said nonconductive member is a pad of low thermal conductivity ceramic capable of infrared radiation when heated.