US4013870A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Terminal block mounting for a plug-in surface heating unit
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1976-06-04
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Granted: 1977-03-22
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Expires: 1996-06-04
Abstract
Abstract A plug-in surface heating unit assembly for use in the cooktop of an electric range. The heating unit is a metal sheathed electrical resistance heating element in spiral form with radial, outwardly directed terminal portions in close formation. The invention relates to a folded spring blade which is fastened between a movable terminal block and the cooktop so that the spring normally biases the terminal block into an upward position while biasing the heating unit into a down position so that the unit will sit level with respect to the cooktop. The terminal block is supported by means of a lost-motion connection from a fixed mounting bracket that is supported under the cooktop.
Inventors
- 👤 Glen H. Summers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:14
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B3/68; H05B3/76; F; F24; F24C; F24C15/00; F24C15/10; F24C15/102; F24C15/104; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/639
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
In a terminal block assembly for a plug-in surface heating element supported in an opening in a cooktop, the heating element is a metal sheathed electrical resistance element of spiral form with radial, outwardly-directed, terminal portions in close formation which plug into a dielectric terminal block, a sheet metal mounting bracket rigidly fastened to the cooktop, and lost-motion fastening means for supporting the terminal block from the mounting bracket for limited freedom of vertical and angular movement therebetween, the improvement comprising a resilient means for biasing the movable terminal block into its uppermost position with respect to the mounting bracket, said spring means being a folded spring blade having a tab at the top for seating on the cooktop, a vertical midsection that is fastened to the cooktop and an elongated cantilever section underlying the cooktop and fastened to the top of the terminal block, so as to normally bias the terminal block to its uppermost position with respect to the mounting bracket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
In a terminal block assembly for a plug-in surface heating element supported in an opening in a cooktop, the heating element is a metal sheathed electrical resistance element of spiral form with radial, outwardly-directed, terminal portions in close formation which plug into a dielectric terminal block, a sheet metal mounting bracket rigidly fastened to the cooktop, and lost-motion fastening means for supporting the terminal block from the mounting bracket for limited freedom of vertical and angular movement therebetween, the improvement comprising a resilient means for biasing the movable terminal block into its uppermost position with respect to the mounting bracket, said spring means being a folded spring blade having a tab at the top for seating on the cooktop, a vertical midsection that is fastened to the cooktop and an elongated cantilever section underlying the cooktop and fastened to the top of the terminal block, so as to normally bias the terminal block to its uppermost position with respect to the mounting bracket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
In the invention of claim 1 wherein the said mounting bracket has a vertical tab with fastening means for holding the bracket to the cooktop, this last-mentioned fastening means also holding the vertical section of the spring blade to the cooktop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
In the invention of claim 2 wherein the opening in the cooktop is provided with a vertical peripheral flange of a height slightly less than the height of the vertical midsection of the folded spring blade so that the spring blade may be slipped into a clamping relationship with the cooktop flange for temporarily supporting the attached terminal block and mounting bracket prior to attachment of the fastening means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
In the invention of claim 3 wherein a decorative trim ring overlies the peripheral edge of the cooktop opening, the trim ring having an internal peripheral edge formed down into the opening, the top tab of the spring blade underlying the trim ring and serving to center the trim ring within the cooktop opening, the trim ring having support means for receiving the heating element thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
In the invention of claim 1 wherein the folded spring blade in its preassembled condition has the top tab and the cantilever spring section formed in toward each other so that when the spring blade is fastened to the terminal block and through it to the mounting bracket and then clamped over the edge of the cooktop opening, the spring blade becomes prestressed into substantially right angular formations so as to bias the heating element to sit down flat with respect to the cooktop.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-21 | 1980-09-20 | 1981-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-21 | 1984-09-20 | 1985-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-21 | 1988-09-20 | 1989-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |