July 16, 1968
`
`I. JEPSON ETAL
`COOKING DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONING CONTROL
`
`3,393.295
`
`Filed Dec. 29. 1984
`
`10 Sheets-Sheet 1
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`INVENTDRS
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`Page 1 of 21
`IPR2014-00182
`Page 1 of 21
`Page 1 of 21
`
`Euro-Pro v. Acorne
`
`

`

`July 16, 1963
`
`I. JEPSON ET AL
`COOKING DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONING CONTROL
`
`3,393,295
`
`Filed Dec. 29. 1964
`
`10 Sheets—Sheet 2,
`
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`INVENTORS
`
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`Moises .8. Lona/mm
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`5V 13%;; (- 65mlATWNEV.’
`Page 2 of 21
`Page 2 of 21
`
`

`

`July 16, 1968
`
`I. JEPSON ET AL
`COOKING DEVICE WITH PHOPORTIONING CONTROL
`
`3,393,295
`
`Filed Dec. 29. 1964
`
`10 Sheets—Sheet 3
`
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`Page 3 of 21
`Page 3 of 21
`
`

`

`July 16, 1968
`
`I. JEF’SON ETAL
`COOKING DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONING CONTROL
`Filed Dec. 29. 1964
`
`3,393,295
`
`10 Sheets—Sheet 4
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`Page 4 of 21
`Page4of21
`
`

`

`July 16, 1968
`
`I. JEPSON ETAL
`COOKING DEVICE WITH PROPURTIONING CONTROL
`
`3,393,295
`
`'
`Filed Dec. 29. 1954
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`July 16, 1968
`
`I. JEF'SON ET AL
`COOKING DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONING CONTROL
`
`3,393,295
`
`Filed Dec. 29. 1964
`
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`Page 6 of 21
`Page 6 of 21
`
`

`

`July 16, .1968
`
`I. JEFSON ETAL
`COOKING DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONING CONTROL
`
`3,393,295
`
`Filed Dec. 29. 1954
`
`10 Sheets—Sheet
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`Page 7 of 21
`Page 7 of 21
`
`

`

`July 16, 1968
`
`I. JEPSON ETAL
`COOKING DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONINO CONTROL
`
`3,393,295
`
`Filed Dec. 29, 1964
`
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`Page 8 of 21
`Page 8 of 21
`
`

`

`July 16, 1968
`
`1. JEPSON ETAL
`COOKING DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONING CONTROL
`Filed Dec. 29. 1954
`
`3,393,295
`
`10 Sheeta—Sheet 3
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`Page 9 of 21
`Page 9 of 21
`
`

`

`July 16, 1968
`
`I. JEPSON ET AL
`
`3,393,295
`
`cooxme DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONING CONTROL
`
`Filed Dec. 29. 1964
`
`10 Sheets—Sheet 10
`
`
`
`/A/V’EA/T0£S
`M42 JEPsoAf Aub-
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`M01555 :3 Z OEEMZAA/A.
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`é?’ Jaye/fl. Cieeé.
`Page 10 of 21
`Page 10 of21
`
`Arm-2M5):
`
`

`

`United States Patent Office
`3,393,295
`Patented July 16, 1968
`1
`
`2
`
`3,393,295
`COOKING DEVICE WITH PROPORTIONTNG
`CONTROL
`Ivor Jepson, Sister Bay, With, and Moises ll. Lorenznna,
`Glen Ellyn, Ill., assigoors to Sunbeam Corporation,
`Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois
`Filed Dec. 29, 1964, Ser. No. 421,795
`12 Claims. (Cl. 219—398)
`
`ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`A cooking vessel including a pan with a lower electric
`heating element supported on its underside and a deep
`cover with an upper heating element supported within. A
`removable thermostatic control is supported on the pan
`with a heat probe in heat sensing relation with the pan.
`The control is connected to the lower heating element for
`energization thereof. When the cover is closed, an elec-
`trical connection for energizing the upper element is com-
`pleted. The control serves thermostatically to control the
`energization of either element or both elements in a re-
`peating, alternating sequence.
`In one embodiment
`the
`proportional on time of the elements is controlled by an
`adjustable cam, and in other embodiment by an adjust-
`able bimetal actuator.
`
`
`This invention relates to electric cooking devices and
`more particularly to self-contained electrically heated
`cooking devices capable of performing the functions of
`a frying pan, broiler, and oven.
`Self-contained electrically heated cooking devices have
`become increasingly popular throughout the past several
`years. The first such device to gain popularity was the
`electric frying pan. One customary type oi electric fry-
`ing pan includes a cast metal pan of shallow depth in
`which foods may be flied. An electric heating element is
`commonly associated with the underside of this type of
`pan and control means may be provided to regulate the
`electric power supplied to the heating element. This con-
`trol means may include a thermostatically controlled
`switch which limits the pan temperature by disconnect-
`ing the heating element when the temperature rises to a
`predetermined point. An example of this type of electric
`frying pan may be found in Patent No. 3,068,342, issued
`to Ivar Jepson and Chester H. Wiekeuberg, patented
`Dec. 11. 1962. which is assigned to the same assignee
`as the present application.
`Although the sclfvcouiained electrically heated electric
`frying pan has met with great success, it has become de-
`sirable to produce other self-contained electric cooking
`devices which are capable of. performing other cooking
`functions. In particular, certain electric ranges, such as
`are commonly found in the kitchen, are highly inefficient
`and unsatisfactory in the performance of the functions
`of hroiling and baking. The kitchen range customarily
`has a large oven, requiring a considerable amount of elec-
`tric energy to be heated to baking temperat-ureand as a
`consequence, most electric ranges require special power
`need; for example, it is often necessary to provide a 220
`volt supply circuit for an electric range, rather than 110
`volt supply customarily found in the home. When it is
`desired to bake or broil a small amount of food.
`the
`electric range is particularly unsatisfactory. In addition,
`the operation of the men in an electric range may tend
`to heat the entire kitchen to an uncomfortable degree.
`Furthermore, the electric range being immobile, and often
`having an oven in an inconvenient position. cleaning of
`the oven may be a difficult task.
`Because of the difiiculties encountered with the oven
`in an electric range, attempts have been made to provide
`a self-contained electrically heated cooking unit for per-
`
`forming the functions of baking and broiling. One sug-
`gested solution to this problem has been to provide a
`broiler cover for an electric frying pan.
`One such device comprises a deep broiler cover eo-
`closing an electrically operated heating element, which
`may be spaced above the bottom of the above described
`electric frying pan. Food to be broiled may be placed
`on a rack provided in the frying pan and broiled by the
`electric heating element suspended thereahove. The heat—
`ing element contained in the broiler may be controlled
`by the same control unit which is customarily provided
`with the frying pan. Additionally, the thermostatic con—
`trol means associated with the control unit may serve
`to regulate the air temperature in the enclosed cooking
`area. An example of such a cooking device may be found
`in the copcnding application of Ernest Lee, Melvin
`Krauss, and Chester Wickeuberg, Ser. No. 154,474 filed
`Nov. 24, 1961, and assigned to the same assignee as the
`present invention.
`
`Although this solution has provided an electric appli-
`ance which may perform the functions of frying and broil-
`ing, it is still not entirely satisfactory. Since the appliance
`is adapted to be plugged into a standard 110 volt electric
`outlet, and since each heating element is designed to oper-
`ate at the peak wattage output, it is not possible to operate
`the pan heating element and the cover heating element
`simultaneously. Since in the devices developed thus far
`the single control unit may be connected to the pan eh.»
`ment or to the cover element only, it is difficult to conven-
`iently operate both elements in sequence or alternatively
`during the same cooking operation. In the cooking of
`many foods,
`it would be highly desirable to be able to
`operate both elements alternatively during the same cook-
`ing operation. For example, some foods, such as small
`roasts or fowl, are preferably cooked relatively slowly so
`that they are cooked all the way through, but in addition
`should be browned on the outside by brief subjection to
`high heat. With the pan and broiler cover above de-
`scribed, the only way that this can be done is by con-
`meeting the control unit manually to the pan element for
`the slow cooking, and then manually disconnecting the
`control unit from the pan element and connecting it to
`the cover element for a brief period of broiiing.
`Accordingly,
`it is an object of the present invention
`to provide a. self-contained electrically heated cooking de-
`vice capable of performing the functions of baking, fry-
`ing, and broiling during the same cooking operation with-
`out the necessity for manual connection and disconnec-
`tion of the control unit.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide
`a control unit for simultaneously controlling an upper and
`lower electric heating element capable of automatically
`operating the elements.
`Also, it is an object to provide such a control unit which
`can be removed from the cooking device, so that the
`cooking device can be entirely immersed for cleaning.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide
`an electric cooking device having a pan heating element
`and a cover heating element and a single control unit
`which may be detacha‘bly connected to both heating ele-
`ments simultaneously.
`It is another object of the invention to provide an elec-
`tric cooking device having a pair of heating elements and
`a control unit capable of automatically operating first one
`and then the other heating element during the some cook-
`ing operation.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide
`an electric cooking device having two heating elements
`responsive to a single control unit capable of providing
`selective temperature control of the device over a wide
`heating range.
`It is a further obiect of the present invention to pro-
`Page 11 of 21
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`3,393,295
`
`3
`vide a control unit for a coaking device having plural
`electric heating elements capable of automatically oper-
`ating different elements in sequence with the proportion
`of the time. of operation of each element variable accord-
`ing to the wish of the operator.
`Further objects and advantages of the present invention
`will become apparent as the following description pro-
`ceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the
`invention will be pointed out with particularity in the
`claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.
`For a better understanding of the present invention,
`reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in
`which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking device and
`proportioning control constructed in accordance with the
`present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a side view of the cooking device and propor-
`tioning control of FIG. I, partly in section, taken along
`the line 2—2 of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is an end view of the cooking device and pro-
`portioning control of FIG. 1, partly broken away. taken
`from the line 3—-3 of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a partial top view of the cooking device and
`proportioning control of FIG. 1, with part of the cover
`handle shown only in broken lines for clarity.
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part of
`the upper heating element and spring clamp of the cool:-
`ing device of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the propor-
`tioning central of FIG.
`I, removed from the cooking
`device.
`FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the
`control of FIG. 6, taken along the line 7—1 of FIG. 6.
`associated with the cooking device of FIG. I, a part of
`which is shown in section.
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the control of
`FIG. 6 with part of the casing removed and with some of
`the parts broken away.
`FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional end view of the
`control of FIG. 6, taken along the line 9—9 of FIG. 7.
`FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the lower
`casing portion and mounting plates of the control of
`FIG. 6.
`FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional partial view of the control
`of FIG. 6, taken along the line 11—11 of FIG. 8.
`FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the
`structure of the control of FIG. 6. partly in broken lines.
`with the structure shown in its operative position but re-
`moved from the control.
`FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the cam
`follower arm of the control of FIG. 6.
`FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the oper-
`ation of the electrical circuit of the cooking device and
`proportioning control of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodi~
`ment of a proportioning control in accordance with the
`present invention. which is adapted for use with the cook-
`ing device of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the
`control of FIG. 15,
`taken along the line 16—16 of
`FIG. 15-
`FIG. 17 is an enlarged partial crosssectional view of
`the. control of FIG. 15, take:: along the line 17—17 of
`FIG. 15.
`FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the control of FIG.
`15, with the upper casing portion removed.
`FIG. 19 is a perspective view of part of the interior
`structure of the control of FIG. 15, with the casing and
`some parts removed.
`FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional top view of the control of
`FIG. 15. taken along the line 20—20 of FIG. 16.
`FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating the open
`ation of the electrical circuit of the control of FIG. 15
`when associated with the cooking device of FIG. 1.
`In brief,
`the cooking device of the present invention
`includes a shallow pan portion similar to the customary
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`electric frying pan. A deep broiler cover is provided for
`the pan, and is removably hinged thereto. Both the pan
`and the cover have an electric heating element associated
`therewith. A control unit is provided for the operation of
`these heating elements, and provision is made for the
`removable attachment of the control unit to the cooking
`device so that simultaneous connection is made with both
`heating elements. Thermostat actuated switching means
`are associated with the control unit, and include a heat
`sensing probe adapted to be in intimate heat transfer
`relation with the pan when the control unit is attached to
`the pan. Within the control unit. means may he provided
`for automatically timing the duration of a cooking oper-
`ation. In addition, means are provided for controlling the
`operation of the two heating elements so that during a
`single heating operation either One of the two elements
`may be used exclusively, or both heating elements may
`be operated during the cooking operation. each for any
`desired proportion of the time of the total operation. In
`accordance with a unique feature of the invention, means
`are provided whereby when both elements are to be
`operated during the same cooking operation, they are each
`operated alternatively in the desired proportion of time
`over a relatively brief cycle which is continuously re
`peated throughout the longer cooking operation.
`Now having reference to the drawings, and more par-
`ticularly to FIG. I, there is illustrated a cooking device
`designated generally as 31}. The cooking device includes
`a pan 32 of generally rectangular shape having slightly
`rounded corners 32o, being generally of the shape of the
`customary electric frying pan. In the illustrated embodi-
`ment of the invention the pan 32 has the dimensions of
`approximately 11" by 14”, and may be between one and
`three inches deep. The pan 32 comprises a metal casting,
`which in the illustrated embodiment is of aluminum which
`metal has particularly satisfactory heat transfer charac-
`teristics.
`The pen 32 of the illustrated invention is similar to
`the pan portion of the electric frying pan illustrted and
`described in considerable detail in the above mentioned
`Patent No. 3,068,342 of Ivar Jcpson and Chester H.
`Wickenberg.
`To the underside of the pan 32 is welded or braised
`a lower heating element 34 which is encased in a metal
`sheath 36 and includes a central resistance element 38 and
`insulating material 40, as is Well known in the art. When
`electric current is passed through the heating element 34,
`heat is generated throughout the length of resistance ele—
`ment 38. This heat is transferred to the pan 32 by con-
`duction, which process is aided by the triangular shape
`of the motel sheathing 36.
`As will be understood by those skilled in the. art, and as
`pointed out with more parhcltlarity in the above men»
`tioned patent, the taro ends of the heating element are
`formed into terminals which are supported in a heating
`element support 42 and which are adapted to he electrical»
`1y connected. in a manner to be described, to a suitable
`electric socket. As can be seen in FIG. 2, heating cica-
`ment support 42 includes a cylindrical bore 43 for the
`insertion of a bimetal probe as will hereinafter be de-
`scribed.
`In order to space the cooking device from the surface
`upon which it is placed, and to provide suitable support
`therefor, each corner of the device is provided with a leg
`44 mounted to the bottom of the pan by means of a leg
`mounting screw 46. In the embodiment illustrated the
`legs are formed of Bakelite, in order to insulate the heat
`of the pan from the working surface.
`The pan 32 is provtded with a pair of oppositely dis-
`posed handles 48, used to transport the cooking device.
`For this purpose. the handles 48 are preferably formed
`of a material having low heat conductivity, and are se-
`cured to the sides of the pan 32 in any suitable fashion.
`In addition, the side of the pan 32 opposite the ends
`of the lower heating element is provided with one or
`Page 12 of 21
`Page 12 of 21
`
`

`

`5
`more lower hinge elements 50 for the attachment of a
`cover. The hinge elements 50 are secured to the side of
`the pan 32 by means of the hinge mounting screws 51.
`The cooking device 30 additionally comprises a cover
`52 which may also be formed of aluminum. The cover
`52 has rounded corners 51a, and is of a shape designed
`to mate with the pan 32. The cover is relatiVely deep, its
`depth in the illustrated embodiment being about 7 inches.
`At its lower edge the cover 52 has a lipI 53 (FIG. 2)
`which engages the top edge of the pan 32, holding the
`cover in place and preventing the leakage of moisture and
`vapor from the cooking area.
`One side of the cover is provided with one or more
`upper hinge elements 54 which are adapted to cooperate
`with the loWer hinge element 50 in hinging the cover
`52 to the pan 32 and which are secured to the cover
`52 by means of suitable fasteners 56. As is known to
`those skilled in the art, the hinge elements may be adapted
`to selectively hold the cover 52 in a position elevated
`from the pan 32 and to be entirely separable when it
`is desirable to remove the cover 52 for cleaning and the
`like.
`On the side of the cover 52 opposite the upper hinge
`elements 54 there is provided a handle 58 suitably secured
`to the cover and useful in raising or removing the cover
`from the pan. The cover 52 is also provided with a trans-
`parent heat resistant window 60 formed of glass or other
`similar material through which food within the device
`is visible from its exterior.
`The cover 52 is provided with an upper heating ele-
`meat 62 which is similar in construction and cross-sec-
`tion to the lower heating element 34, except
`that
`the
`sheathing of the upper heating element is circular rather
`than triangular in shape. Also the upper heating element
`is formed in a shape which has been found to he more
`effective in distributing heat throughout the cover 52.
`As can best be seen in FIGS. 4 and 14, the heating
`element 62 comprises a single turn loop having four out-
`wardly disposed lobes 62a and a pair of inwardly dis-
`posed labes 62!). Most of the length of the upper heat-
`ing element 62 is positioned parallel to the bottom of the
`pan and is effective in operation in broiling foods in the
`cooking area by subjecting them to direct heat radiating
`from above.
`To hold the upper heating element 62 in its operative
`position there is provided an element holding spring latch
`64 which is held to the top of the cover 52 by means
`of a fastening stud 66. Adjacent the fastening stud 66.
`the cover 52 is provided with air vent openings 68 and the
`fastening stud 66 also holds a rotatable vent panel 72,
`movable to open or close the air vent openings 68. thus
`providing an opening at the top of the pan for release of
`moisture and vapor, when desired.
`The upper heating element 62 includes inclined por-
`tions 62c and vertical portions 62:1. The vertical portions
`62d terminate in a pair of element terminals 62e which
`are adapted to be received by suitable socket means, as
`will be described. One side of the cover 52 is partially cut
`away at 72 to permit the inclined and vertical portions
`62:: and 62d of the upper heating element 62 to extend
`therethrough and the cutaway portion 72 is enclosed by a
`terminal cover 74, attached to the cover 52.
`The vertical portion 62!! of the upper heating element
`62 is held in position under the terminal cover by an
`element clamp 76 which, as best seen in FIG. 5. includes
`an inner portion 76:: and an outer portion 76!) which are
`held togethcr by means of rivets 77. In assembled rela-
`tion,
`the element clamp portions 76:: and 76!) form a
`pair of spaced generally annular openings 79 which are
`adapted to receive the vertical portion 62:! of the ele-
`ment 62. During construction, the element clamp is se-
`curely staked to the element 62 to insure stable mounting
`of the heating element within the cover 52. The clamp
`'76 also includes a pair of legs 76:: which are adapted
`to bear against the edges of the cutaway portion 72 of the
`
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`3,393,295
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`6
`thus holding the upper heating element firmly
`cover 52.
`in position.
`It should therefore be understood that the upper heat-
`ing element 62 may be removed from the cover 52 when
`it is desired to clean the cover. In order to remove the
`heating element,
`the cover must be first raised or re-
`moved from the pan 32. Then the spring latch 64 is
`flexed, thus releasing the upper heating element 62. Then
`the heating element 62 may be entirely removed by with-
`drawing the element from the cover. When the element
`62 is entirely removed from the cover 52, the cover may
`be efficiently cleaned by total
`immersion in soap and
`water or other fluid.
`As can be seen best in FIG. 2, the pan 32 and the
`cover 52 enclose a cooking area designated as 78. This
`cooking area may be heated from the top by the upper
`heating element 62 or from the bottom by the lower heat-
`ing element 34. A trivet assembly 80 is provided for
`the purpose of holding food above the bottom of the
`pan 32. The trivet 80 includes a grill platform 82 which
`is parallel to the bottom of the pan 32 and which sup-
`ports a plurality of cross pieces 8-1 upon which food may
`rest during the cooking operation.
`The grill platform 82 is supported by adjustable legs
`86. Each leg includes a generally U-shaped supporting
`portion 86:: having one end suitably hinged in a hinge
`support 8'? positioned at the center of the grill platform
`82. In addition, each adjustable leg 86 includes a cross
`piece 86b having one end pivotably mounted to the center
`of the supporting leg portion 86a. The other end of the
`cross piece 86!) seats in any one of a plurality of slots
`88:: which are provided in a pair of support brackets
`88. Thus it can be seen that the height of the grill plat~
`form 82 may be adjusted by inserting the cross piece 86!)
`in the various slots 88:: provided in the brackets 83, and
`that the distance between the food resting upon the grill
`platform 82 and the upper heating element 62 may be
`varied in this manner.
`
`the two heating elements asso-
`In order to control
`ciated with the cooking device 30, and in aceordance with
`a unique aspect of the present invention, there is pro—
`vided a control unit 100 adapted for connection to the
`cooking device. The control unit 100 includes a casing
`102 formed of an upper portion 104 and a lower portion
`106, which are held together by means of screWs or other
`fastening devices 108 inserted into recessed openings 110
`in the lower casing portion 106 and threaded into holes
`112 which are provided in mounting shoulders 10er in
`the corners of the upper casing portion 104. The lower
`casing portion 106 includes similar mounting shoulders
`1065. two of which include enlarged extensions 106b, for
`a purpose later to be described. When assembled, the up-
`per and lower casing portions 104 and 106 are held in
`alignment by means of recessed grooves 114 which form
`shoulders 106s on the upper edge of the lower casing 106,
`and a ridge 10% on the upper casing portion 104 which
`abuts the shoulder 106a.
`An opening 116, comprising recesses 116a and 116i:
`in the upper and lower casing portions 104 and 106. ac-
`commodates the passage of a power cord 118 into the
`control unit 100. The opening 116 includes an enlarged
`internal recess 119 which receives a strain relief mem-
`ber 120 fixed to the power cord. For reasons of clarity,
`in the drawings the electrical wiring 'within the control
`unit 100 is omitted, except in the schematic diagrams. so
`that the power cord, although illustrated as terminating
`in the strain relief member 120, actually extends into the
`control unit for suitable connection therein.
`For purposes of decoration and protection, the upper
`casing portion 104 includes a foil inset 121 on its top
`and front surfaces. surrounded by raised shoulders 104:;
`The lower casing mounting shoulders 106;: are slight-
`ly recessed item the top of the lower casing portion 106
`in order to receive a lower mounting plate 122. The plate
`122 has four extending feet 122a which are adapted to lie
`Page 13 of 21
`Page 13 of 21
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`3,393,295
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`7
`in the corners of the lower casing portion 166 on the
`maunting shoulders 186a. Each extending foot 122a in-
`cludes a gap 126 provided for the passage therethrough
`of one of the screws 108.
`An. encased electrical clock movement 123, the func-
`tion of which will be described in detail hereinafter,
`is carried on the lower support plate 121. An alignment
`protuberance 122i:
`(FIG- 10) on the lower plate 122
`fits into a corresponding recess (not visible] in the elect:
`movement 128, and aids in correctly positioning the clock
`movement.
`Above the clock movement 128 an upper mounting
`plate 138 is held in place by means of three fastening
`devices 132. Each fastener 132 includes a cup-shaped ele«
`ment 134 (FIG. 'i'} which is recessed in the clock move-
`ment 128, and which surrounds a mounting extension 136
`held therein by a screw 138. The upwardly extending
`mounting extensions 136 include reduced end portions
`136:: for attachment to holes 148 provided for that pur-
`pose in the upper mounting plate 130'.
`Thus the lower plate 122 is held in position between
`the mounting shoulders 186i: and 186.12 and the clock
`movement
`is held in alignment on trip of the lower
`mounting plate and in turn carries the upper plate 130
`securely thereon.
`In order to connect the control unit 100 with the upper
`heating element 62 when the control unit is affixed to the
`cooking device 30, there is provided a pair of upper ter—
`minal connecting means 142 (FIG. 11) associated with a
`raised portion 104d of the upper housing 184. The con-
`necting means 142 includes a terminal block tongue 138::
`(FIG. 10) associated with the upper mounting plate 138.
`Tongue 138;: includes a pair of upstanding supporting
`legs 138!) each having a reduced and tab 138C. The tabs
`1311c fit
`into cooperating recesses in a terminal block
`holder 144, which is supported upon the legs 138i) and
`a terminal block 146 is carried on the holder 144 between
`a pair of opposed upluruing flanges 144a.
`Supported in a pair of recesses 148 in the terminal
`block 146 are two terminal elements 150 which are
`formed of resilient electrically conductive material. Each
`element 150 includes a pair of spring legs 150:: which
`bear against the sides of recess 148 to hold the elements
`158 in place. The central portion of the terminal ele-
`ments 150 comprise three prong connectors 15% for
`receiving the upper element terminals 622, while the out-
`wardly directed ends 150:: are adapted for easy connec-
`tion to wire connectors.
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`Directly above the three prong connectors 1506 the
`raised casing portion IBM is provided with openings 151,
`each of which carries a resilient grommet 152 formed of
`rubber, plastic, or the like. As can be seen in FIGS.
`6 and 11 the grommets 152 include a plurality of in~
`wardly extending flexible tongues 152:: for closing the
`openings 151 when the upper heating element 62 is not
`connected to the control unit.
`It should be understood that when the control unit 180
`is connected to the cooking device till, the and terminals
`62.9 of the upper heating element 62 will extend down-
`wardly into the three prong connectors 150i; when the
`cover 52 is closed. When the cover 52 is opened, element
`62 will be disconnected from the control unit 180, and
`the flexible tongues 152a will close, thus preventing food
`or grease from entering the control unit 100. Accordingly,
`the upper heating element 62 will be in a safe, disco]:-
`nected condition whenever the operator of the cooking
`device raises the cover 52.
`In order to provide for connection of the lower heating
`element 34 to the control unit 100, there are provided
`lower heating unit connecting means 154. As can best be
`seen in FIGS. 7, 9 and it} the lower casing portion 106
`includes a lowered floor sect-ion 186d which defines a well.
`156. Associated with this well 156 are a spaced pair of
`mounting sockets 158, defined by upstanding wall portions
`106e, each of which includes a raised end portion 106;c
`
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`
`8
`(FIG. 10} having a mounting slot 162 therein. The
`mounting sockets 158 are adapted to receive resilient three
`prong conductive connectors 164, (FIG. 11) each of which
`includes an opposed pair of mounting flanges 164a which
`fit into the slots 162 thereby holding the connectors 1.64
`in position.
`To further hold the connectors 164 in position there
`are provided a pair of terminal blocks 166 which overlie
`sockets 158 and which include downwardly extending
`flanges 166:: which surround the walls 1862. The terminal
`blocks 166 abut the against the enlarged portions 106b of
`the lower casing 106. It should be noted that the terminal
`blocks 166 also include mounting shoulders 1661: which
`abut the raised portions lllfif of the walls 106e, thereby
`preventing movement of the blocks 166 with respect to
`the casing 102.
`Connection of the three prong connectors 164 may be
`made to the elements of the control assembly through the
`provision of rearward portions 164!) which are adapted to
`be connected to suitable wire conductors.
`As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 7, when the control
`unit 100 is co