US 11,788,730 B2
Knob mechanism for gas cooktop
Rhony Cristian Daufenbach, Joinville (BR); Rodrigo Schultz, Joinville (BR); and Rodrigo Tamanini, Joinville (BR)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on Feb. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/681,222.
Prior Publication US 2023/0272915 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
Int. Cl. F24C 3/12 (2006.01); F23N 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC F24C 3/126 (2013.01) [F23N 1/007 (2013.01); F23N 2237/00 (2020.01); F23N 2241/08 (2020.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A knob assembly for a gas cooktop, comprising:
a knob configured to control a flow of gas from a burner of a cooktop starting at a resting position, the knob defining a hollow interior and having a support cylinder extending vertically through the hollow interior, wherein the support cylinder includes a projection flap protruding therefrom; and
an inner lock ring arranged at least partially within the hollow interior of the knob and having a chamfered region defining a ring opening adjacent a sloped incline portion, where the opening is configured to selectively receive the projection flap in response to depression of the knob and where the projection flap slides along the incline portion of the inner lock ring in response of subsequent rotation of the knob, the incline portion imparting a torque resistance, due to spring action, on the inner lock to prevent against unintentional rotation of the knob.