Stove warning device

Claim 2

Apparatus for operating a warning device for use with a stove having one or more electric burner circuits, comprising: an energizing circuit for said warning device, including a switch means governing the operation of said warning device, a first control circuit for said switch means, said control circuit having means to receive a signal indicating operation of at least one of the burner circuits, and means to set said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for the warning device during receipt of said burner operation signal, and a second control circuit for said switch means, including bistable means alternatable in response to discontinued operation of said burner circuits between first and second states respectively setting and not setting the switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for the warning device, means to alternate said bi-stable means, and means to terminate operation of said bi-stable means after a predetermined number of alternations.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bi-stable means comprises a stage of a binary counter.

Claim 4

Apparatus for operating an electrical warning device for use with a stove having one or more burner circuits, comprising: an energizing circuit for said warning device, including a switch means governing the operation of said warning device, circuit means connectable to said burner circuits and in controlling communication with said switch means, said circuit means adapted when so connected to continuously set said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device when at least one of the burner circuits is energized, bi-stable means in controlling communication with said switch means, alternatable between first and second states respectively setting and not setting said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device, means for alternating said bi-stable means between said first and second states at a predetermined rate of alternation, an actuator adapted to initiate operation of said alternating means in response to de-energization of all the burner circuits, and means to terminate alternating operation of said bi-stable means a predetermined period of time after such operation is initiated.

Claim 5

Apparatus for operating an electrical warning device for use with a stove having one or more burner circuits, comprising: an energizing circuit for said warning device, including a switch means governing the operation of said warning device, circuit means connectable to said burner circuits and in controlling communication with said switch means, said circuit means adapted when so connected to continuously set said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device when at least one of the burner circuits is energized, bi-stable means in controlling communication with said switch means, alternatable between first and second states respectively setting and not setting said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device, means for alternating said bi-stable means between said first and second states at a predetermined rate of alternation, an actuator adapted to initiate operation of said alternating means in response to de-energization of all the burner circuits, and means to terminate alternating operation of said bi-stable means a predetermined period of time after such operation is initiated.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said alternating means comprises a binary counter in combination with and controlled by a substantially constant frequency pulse source, the frequency of said pulse source being a whole number power of two multiple of said predetermined alternation rate, and said bi-stable means comprises a stage of said binary counter.

Claim 7

Apparatus for operatinG an electrical warning device for use with a stove having one or more electric burner circuits, comprising: an energizing circuit for said warning device, said circuit including a switch means governing the operation of said warning device, circuit means connectable to said burner circuits and in controlling communication with said switch means, said circuit means adapted when so connected to continuously set said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device when at least one of the burner circuits is energized, a binary counter having a plurality of stages, said circuit means being connected to reset said counter to an initial count when at least one of the burner circuits is energized, logic circuitry in controlling communication with said switch means and having an input from a first stage of said counter, said logic circuitry adapted to set said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device when said first counter stage is in a non-reset state, and a second, higher order stage of said counter connected to terminate counter operation when said second stage is in a non-reset state.

Claim 8

Apparatus for operatinG an electrical warning device for use with a stove having one or more electric burner circuits, comprising: an energizing circuit for said warning device, said circuit including a switch means governing the operation of said warning device, circuit means connectable to said burner circuits and in controlling communication with said switch means, said circuit means adapted when so connected to continuously set said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device when at least one of the burner circuits is energized, a binary counter having a plurality of stages, said circuit means being connected to reset said counter to an initial count when at least one of the burner circuits is energized, logic circuitry in controlling communication with said switch means and having an input from a first stage of said counter, said logic circuitry adapted to set said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device when said first counter stage is in a non-reset state, and a second, higher order stage of said counter connected to terminate counter operation when said second stage is in a non-reset state.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said binary counter and logic circuitry are in the form of an integrated circuit.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said circuit means is connected to inhibit counting by said binary counter when at least one of the burner circuits is energized.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 5, useful for operating an electrical warning light by continuously energizing the light when one of the burner circuits is energized, and for flashing the light for a predetermined period of time following de-energization of all the burner circuits.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 5, and further including means connected as an input to the counter for converting normal house voltage to a series of pulses suitable for application to said counter.

Claim 13

Apparatus for operating a warning device for use with a stove having one or more electric burner circuits, comprising: an energizing circuit for said warning device, said circuit including a switch means governing the operation of said warning device, first circuit means connectable to said burner circuits and in controlling communication with said switch means, adapted when so connected to continuously set said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device, second circuit means in controlling communication with said switch means, including means alternatable between states respectively setting and not setting said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device, means for applying a control signal from one of said circuit means to said switch means when at least one of said burner circuits is energized, and for applying a control signal from the other of said circuit means to said switch means following de-energization of all of said burner circuits, and means for terminating the application of a control signal from the last mentioned circuit means to said switch means a predetermined period of time after all of said burner circuits are de-energized.

Claim 14

Apparatus for operating a warning device for use with a stove having one or more electric burner circuits, comprising: an energizing circuit for said warning device, said circuit including a switch means governing the operation of said warning device, first circuit means connectable to said burner circuits and in controlling communication with said switch means, adapted when so connected to continuously set said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device, second circuit means in controlling communication with said switch means, including means alternatable between states respectively setting and not setting said switch means in a mode completing an energizing path for said warning device, means for applying a control signal from one of said circuit means to said switch means when at least one of said burner circuits is energized, and for applying a control signal from the other of said circuit means to said switch means following de-energization of all of said burner circuits, and means for terminating the application of a control signal from the last mentioned circuit means to said switch means a predetermined period of time after all of said burner circuits are de-energized.

Claim 15

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said alternatable means comprises a stage of a binary counter.

Claim 16

Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said means for terminating the application of a control signal includes an actuating means comprising a stage of said binary counter of higher order than said alternatable means stage.

Claim 17

Apparatus for operating a warning device for use with a stove having one or more electric burner circuits, comprising: an energizing circuit for said warning device, said circuit including a switch means governing the operation of said warning device, means communicating with said burner circuits for applying a first control signal to said switch means when at least one of said burner circuits is energized, means for applying a secoNd control signal to said switch means following de-energization of all of said burner circuits, and timing means for terminating the application of said second control signal to said switch means a predetermined period of time after all of said burner circuits are de-energized.

Claim 18

Apparatus for operating a warning device for use with a stove having one or more electric burner circuits, comprising: an energizing circuit for said warning device, said circuit including a switch means governing the operation of said warning device, means communicating with said burner circuits for applying a first control signal to said switch means when at least one of said burner circuits is energized, means for applying a secoNd control signal to said switch means following de-energization of all of said burner circuits, and timing means for terminating the application of said second control signal to said switch means a predetermined period of time after all of said burner circuits are de-energized.

Claim 19

Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said predetermined period of time after which application of the second control signal to the switch means is terminated is approximately equal to the time required by the electric burners to cool.