US 11,879,644 B2
Electric stovetop heater unit with integrated temperature control
Maurizio Francesco Pasqual, San Luis Potosi (MX); Jose Jesus Reyes Soto, San Luis Potosi (MX); Alfredo Cuevas Morales, San Luis Potosi (MX); and Pierpaolo Campeol, San Luis Potosi (MX)
Assigned to Zoppas Industries de Mexico S.A., de C.V., San Luis Potosí (MX)
Filed by Zoppas Industries de Mexico S.A., de C.V., San Luis Potosi (MX)
Filed on Aug. 20, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/546,021.
Application 16/546,021 is a continuation of application No. 15/639,334, filed on Jun. 30, 2017, granted, now 10,429,080.
Application 15/639,334 is a continuation of application No. 15/438,537, filed on Feb. 21, 2017, granted, now 10,429,079.
Prior Publication US 2020/0217517 A1, Jul. 9, 2020
Int. Cl. F24C 15/10 (2006.01); F24C 7/08 (2006.01); H05B 1/02 (2006.01); H05B 3/76 (2006.01)
CPC F24C 15/105 (2013.01) [F24C 7/088 (2013.01); H05B 1/0266 (2013.01); H05B 3/76 (2013.01); H05B 2213/07 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a heating element;
a contact surface;
a switch coupled to the contact surface, the switch configured to prevent a current from conducting through the heating element when the contact surface experiences a temperature equal to or greater than a temperature limit;
an urging element providing an upward force to cause the contact surface to contact an object placed on the apparatus, the urging element comprising:
an urging portion coupled to the switch and providing the upward force; and
a deformable portion operatively connected to the urging portion and that mechanically deforms to cause the upward force in response to a downward force applied from the object to the contact surface, the deformable portion comprising at least one planar section, the upward force applied through the deformable portion being a restorative force; and
a housing configured to enclose an interior volume in which at least a portion of the switch and the urging element are positioned, the housing comprising: an open end; and at least one sidewall surrounding the interior volume and extending from the open end, wherein the at least one sidewall includes in inwardly facing surface facing the interior volume, wherein the inwardly facing surface extends in a direction perpendicular to the open end from the open end to a second end opposite the open end, and wherein the inwardly facing surface is perpendicular to the second end;
wherein the at least one planar section comprises a first planar section including an outwardly facing surface in contact with and coupled to the inwardly facing surface of the at least one sidewall; and wherein the first planar section extends in the direction perpendicular to the open end.