The present invention generally relates to surface-mounted kitchen cooktops, and more specifically, a concealed bracket for mounting and supporting a surface-mounted kitchen cooktop.
Certain kitchen cooktops for residential and commercial applications are mounted within a surface of the countertop. Such ranges are not attached to a stand-alone appliance but are typically inserted within an opening defined within a countertop surface. In order to support such ranges, various mounting applications are disposed proximate the opening within the countertop in order to support the cooking appliance.
In at least one aspect, an inside-mount countertop-range support for a flush-mount countertop range includes a counter bracket configured to be engaged to an inner edge of an opening defined within a countertop with a top surface. A base flange extends from the counter bracket and into the opening. The inside-mount countertop-range support includes a range having a housing and top member above the housing that extends over the opening and includes a bottom surface, wherein the housing is disposed within the opening. A range bracket is coupled to the housing and includes a top flange that is received by and supported by the base flange. When the top flange rests upon the base flange, the bottom surface of the top member engages and is flush with the top surface of the countertop.
In at least another aspect, an opening-mounted range support for a flush-mount countertop range includes a range having a range housing and a cooktop member. The cooktop member has a bottom face that extends beyond an outer perimeter of the range housing. The opening-mounted range support also includes a base flange extending from an inner edge of an opening defined within a countertop. The bottom face of the cooktop member extends beyond the inner edge of the opening. The countertop includes an upper face. A top flange extends outward from the perimeter of the range housing, wherein the top flange is supported by the base flange such that the bottom face of the cooktop member is flush with the upper face of the countertop and the cooktop member is minimally supported by the upper face of the countertop.
In at least another aspect, a method for installing a flush-mount countertop range into a countertop using an inside-mount countertop-range support includes the steps of disposing a plurality of counter brackets onto an inner edge of an opening defined within the countertop, wherein the countertop includes a top surface, and wherein each of the plurality of counter brackets is installed such that a corresponding base flange extends from the counter bracket and into the opening. An adjustment member is provided within each base flange of the plurality of countertop brackets. Each adjustment member includes a threaded pin that rotates within the base flange and vertically operates the threaded pin relative to the base flange as the threaded pin is rotated within the base flange. A range is provided having a housing and top member above the housing. The top member is sized to extend over the entire opening defined within the countertop. The top member also includes a bottom surface. At least one range bracket is attached to the housing. The at least one range bracket includes a top flange that extends outward from the housing toward an edge of the top member. The range and the at least one range bracket are disposed into the opening defined within the countertop such that the top flange of the at least one range bracket rests upon a top portion of each threaded pin of the plurality of counter brackets. The rotation of each threaded pin vertically operates the top flange and the range relative to the base flange and the countertop. Each threaded pin is adjusted to vertically operate the range such that the bottom surface of the top member of the range engages and is flush with the top surface of the countertop, and wherein the top member is minimally supported by the top surface of the countertop.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in
As shown in
Referring again to the embodiment of
According to the various embodiments, the top member 28 can be made of various materials that can include, but are not limited to, metal, glass, ceramic, combinations thereof, or other similar heat transferring material that can allow heat to be transferred from the elements disposed within the housing 26 through the top member 28 such that the cooking stations within the top member 28 can be properly defined.
As illustrated in the embodiment of
According to various embodiments, the top portion 72 of the threaded pin 68 can include an engagement plate that provides a surface upon which the top flange 34 can rest. Additionally, such an engagement plate can be connected to the top portion 72 of the threaded pin 68 via a substantially spherical bearing member such that the engagement plate can operate between a plurality of angular positions. In turn, regardless of the particular application, the engagement plate will engage the top flange 34 in a substantially flush manner to maximize the supporting area defined between the top flange 34 and the threaded pin 68. Accordingly, the substantially spherical bearing of the engagement plate allows the engagement plate to wobble or tilt in a variety of directions, such that any variation in the top flange 34 that may make the underside 74 of the top flange 34 define a non-perpendicular angle in relation to the threaded pin 68 can be accounted for through the wobble or angular variation of the engagement plate of the threaded pin 68.
According to various alternate embodiments, the top portion 72 of the threaded pin 68 can include a substantially arcuate top surface 22 that can provide for a plurality of support points upon which the top flange 34 can rest and also account for any angular variation in relation to the top plate and the threaded pin 68. It is also contemplated that other supporting mechanisms can define the connection between the top flange 34 and the upper portion of the threaded pin 68, such that the upper portion of the threaded pin 68 can properly support the top flange 34 regardless of the angular orientation between the top flange 34 and the threaded pin 68, including any variations or discrepancies defined between the various components of the counter bracket 18 and the range bracket 32.
In operation, and as illustrated in the embodiment of
According to the example illustrated in
According to various embodiments, portions of each of the range brackets 32 can include one or more leveling mechanisms, such that as each of the threaded pins 68 are adjusted to vertically operate the respective top flanges 34 of each of the range brackets 32, the user can use the various leveling mechanisms to determine when the top member 28 of the range 12 is substantially level. It is also contemplated that the user can operate the various threaded pins 68 to vertically operate the top flanges 34 and, in turn, portions of the top member 28 of the range 12 in order to achieve a substantially flush relationship between the bottom surface 30 of the top member 28 of the range 12 and the top surface 22 of the countertop 16. In this manner, a substantially flush engagement between the top member 28 and the countertop 16 can be achieved while allowing the engagement between the top portion 72 of the threaded pin 68 and the top flange 34 to provide the primary support for the range 12. In this manner, minimal stresses are placed upon the top member 28 of the range 12 while also achieving a substantially flush installation between the top member 28 and the countertop 16.
In various conventional countertops, the top member 28, typically made of glass-type materials, provides a primary supporting surface for the entire range. In such conventional ranges, these primary supporting stresses placed upon the top member 28 of the range 12 can place rotational or torque-type forces upon the material of the top member 28 resulting in damage to the top member 28 that can include fractures in the material, cracking, or complete failure of the material of the top member 28.
Conversely, according to the various embodiments of the inside-mount countertop-range support 10 described herein, a range 12 installed within an opening 14 defined within a countertop 16 is primarily supported by the relationship between the counter brackets 18 and range brackets 32, rather than the engagement between the top member 28 and the countertop 16. In this manner, a flush installation between the top member 28 of the range 12 and the countertop 16 is achievable without placing undue rotational or torque-type stresses upon the top member 28 that may otherwise cause damage to the top member 28.
Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in
Referring now to the embodiment of
Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in
According to various embodiments, it is contemplated that the base flange 24 can be disposed within a portion of the inner edge 20 of the opening 14 defined from the countertop 16. In such an embodiment, the base flange 24 can include a substantially planar member that is at least partially disposed and fixed within a receiving slot defined within the inner edge 20 of the opening 14 of the countertop 16. Accordingly, a portion of the base flange 24 also extends out from the receiving slot defined within the inner edge 20 that is configured to receive the top flange 34 of the range bracket 32. In this embodiment, where the counter bracket 18 is a single planar member making up the base flange 24 that is seated within the retaining slot of the countertop 16, the portion of the base flange 24 disposed within the retaining slot of the countertop 16 is either mechanically or adhesively fixed within the retaining slot, such that the base flange 24 is in a substantially fixed position relative to the countertop 16 in order to receive and support the top flange 34 of the range bracket 32.
According to various alternate embodiments, where a solid surface makes up the countertop 16, a lug opening can be defined through the inner edge 20 of the opening 14 and the attachment bracket can include a lug that can be at least partially inserted into the lug opening defined through the inner edge 20 of the opening 14. In such an embodiment, a structural adhesive or epoxy can be used to retain the lug within the lug opening defined within the inner edge 20 of the opening 14. Once the attachment flange 100 is affixed to the inner edge 20 of the opening 14, the base flange 24 is configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the attachment flange 100 into the opening 14 defined within the countertop 16.
According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that the attachment flange 100 can extend substantially along the length of one of the sides 110 (shown in
According to various embodiments, it is contemplated that the various range brackets 32 connected to the range 12 can include a top flange 34 that is elongated and extends substantially along a portion of the length of each side of the range 12. In such an embodiment, a single top flange 34 that extends along a side of the range 12 can engage a plurality of threaded pins 68 that extend from two or more base flanges 24. It is further contemplated that the top flange 34 can include a single elongated top flange 34 member that extends along the length of the range 12.
Referring again to the embodiment of
Referring now to
It is contemplated that the threaded pin 68 can rotationally operate within the support opening 64 defined within the base flange 24. In such embodiments, the threaded sleeve is not used, and the threaded pin 68 simply rotates within the support opening 64 defined within the base flange 24. According to various alternate embodiments, the adjustment member 36 can include the supporting or adjusting sleeve 60 that defines a threaded interior 70. In such an embodiment, as discussed above, the threaded interior 70 is configured to receive and rotationally cooperate with the threaded pin 68 to operate the threaded pin 68 vertically with respect to the base flange 24. Further, according to various embodiments, the supporting or adjustment sleeve can include an outer surface that includes a contoured portion, where the contoured portion of the outer surface of the adjusting sleeve 60 secures the adjusting sleeve 60 within the support opening 64 such that the adjusting sleeve 60 is free of rotational movement within the support opening 64. As such, as the user engages the tooling portion 80 of the threaded pin 68, the contoured portion of the adjusting sleeve 60 substantially retains the adjusting sleeve 60 within the support opening 64, such that as the user rotates the threaded pin 68, the adjusting sleeve 60 does not also rotate in such a way that would frustrate the user's efforts in attempting to rotate the threaded pin 68.
Referring again to the embodiment of the method 500 illustrated in
Once the range brackets 32 are attached to the housing 26, the range 12 is disposed within the opening 14 such that the range brackets 32 are disposed into the opening 14 along with the housing 26 (step 512). In this manner, the top flanges 34 of each of the range brackets 32 are adapted to rest upon a top portion 72 of each of the threaded pins 68 disposed within the base flanges 24 of each of the plurality of counter brackets 18. The top flanges 34 of each of the range brackets 32 are disposed upon the threaded pins 68 such that the rotation of each of the threaded pins 68 vertically operates the top flange 34 and the range 12 relative to the base flange 24 and the countertop 16.
Once the range 12 is disposed within the opening 14, each of the threaded pins 68 is adjusted to vertically operate the range 12 such that the bottom surface 30 of the top member 28 of the range 12 engages and is flush with the top surface 22 of the countertop 16 (step 514). In adjusting each of the threaded pins 68, the height of the range 12 is adjusted such that the top member 28 is minimally supported by the engagement between the top flange 34 and the base flange 24 to minimize stresses exerted upon the top member 28 of the range 12.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.
The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/565,771 filed Dec. 10, 2014, entitled INTERIOR MOUNTED COOKTOP BRACKET FOR CONCEALED AND SURFACE MOUNTED INSTALLATION, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3561020 | Fritzsche | Feb 1971 | A |
3924602 | Irwin | Dec 1975 | A |
4363956 | Scheidler et al. | Dec 1982 | A |
5183996 | Hazan et al. | Feb 1993 | A |
5185047 | Ray | Feb 1993 | A |
5201306 | Kinny | Apr 1993 | A |
5791336 | Helm | Aug 1998 | A |
6236024 | Gotz et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
8262331 | Toosky | Sep 2012 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20180356102 A1 | Dec 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14565771 | Dec 2014 | US |
Child | 16102965 | US |