Modular hob

Abstract

A modular hob of the type having at least two modules, each of which comprises a body to be laid onto a top, with which body a cooking device is associated, such as a gas burner, an electric plate or the like, wherein the body can be pivoted about an axis between an operating condition in which it rests on the top and an idle condition in which it is separated from said top.

1 . A modular hob of the type comprising at least two modules, each comprising a body to be laid onto a top, with which body a cooking device is associated, such as a gas burner, an electric plate or the like, wherein
 the body can be pivoted about an axis between an operating condition in which it rests on the top and an idle condition in which it is separated from said top.   
     
     
         2 . The modular hob according to  claim 1 , wherein the module further comprises a bracket which is fixed with respect to the top, thus supporting the body when pivoting. 
     
     
         3 . The modular hob according to  claim 1  or  2 , comprising a main supply line for powering the cooking devices, wherein the supply line is divided into a number of sections matching the number of modules of the hob, each section being associated with one module. 
     
     
         4 . The modular hob according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one supply line section is connected to a branching line for powering or feeding the cooking device ( 9 A, 9 B), so that the cooking device of each module can be powered or fed regardless of whether the other modules are in the operating condition or in the idle condition. 
     
     
         5 . The modular hob according to  claim 3 , wherein the supply line is an electric power line connected to an electric network and comprises several sections of as many electric conductors connected together in series. 
     
     
         6 . The modular hob according to  claim 5 , wherein to each section a branching line is connected which comprises electric conductors for powering at least one electric load of the cooking device of the module. 
     
     
         7 . The modular hob according to  claim 5 , wherein the electric power line is connected to a control unit which comprises a power supply for reducing the mains voltage and transforming it from alternating current into direct current. 
     
     
         8 . The modular hob according to  claim 5 , wherein the power line section of each module is fixed with respect to the pivoting body, said power line section being associated with the respective bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The modular hob according to  claim 3 , wherein the supply line is a gas feed line connected to a gas distribution network, and comprises a number of interconnected gas pipe sections matching the number of modules. 
     
     
         10 . The modular hob according to  claim 9 , wherein at least one branching pipe is connected to the feed line section associated with a module comprising a gas burner for feeding at least one gas burner. 
     
     
         11 . The modular hob according to  claim 9 , wherein the gas feed line is connected to a control unit which comprises a gas flow stop valve. 
     
     
         12 . The modular hob according to  claim 9 , wherein the gas feed line sections are coaxially rotatable relative to one another, integrally with the body of the respective module. 
     
     
         13 . The modular hob according to  claim 2 , wherein the bracket is U-shaped and is fitted with a support base from which two coupling arms jut out and embrace the gas pipe, so that the latter is free to rotate in rotation seats provided on each arm. 
     
     
         14 . The modular hob according to  claim 9 , wherein the gas pipes are connected through safety couplings comprising a male coupling terminal a female coupling terminal mutually rotatable relative to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The modular hob according to  claim 12 , wherein the branching pipe is a rigid pipe which can rotate with the body of the respective module. 
     
     
         16 . The modular hob according to  claim 12 , wherein the body comprises at the rear a semi-tubular protection portion which extends behind the body and surrounds the gas pipe in order to protect it from accidental shocks. 
     
     
         17 . The modular hob according to  claim 2 , wherein the bracket is made of a metal having a high specific weight, such as cast iron or stainless steel, so that it can be simply laid onto the kitchen top. 
     
     
         18 . The modular hob according to  claim 2 , wherein the bracket is secured to the kitchen top by means of screws, joints or magnetic connections. 
     
     
         19 . The modular hob according to  claim 2 , wherein the bracket arms can be separated from the base to facilitate the installation and any maintenance of the electric and gas lines. 
     
     
         20 . The modular hob according to  claim 19 , wherein the base comprises coupling slots and each arm comprises a widened-head pin that fits and slides into the fitting portion of the coupling slots. 
     
     
         21 . The modular hob according to  claim 20 , wherein the base is secured to a vertical wall behind the modules. 
     
     
         22 . The modular hob according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the body is provided with a handle that facilitates gripping. 
     
     
         23 . The modular hob according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the gas burner comprises a semi-permeable element which is permeable to gaseous substances, but not to liquid ones. 
     
     
         24 . The modular hob according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the body comprises a pot support comprising a cross whose two bars intersect at the centre of the burner, made up of just two parts joined together at the centre. 
     
     
         25 . The modular hob according to  claim 24 , wherein each bar of the cross of the support substantially has a tapered U shape, the peripheral portion thereof being thicker than the central portion. 
     
     
         26 . The modular hob according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the electric line sections corresponding to the different modules are rotatable integrally with the module body and are connected to one another to form the electric power line by means of sliding contacts. 
     
     
         27 . The modular hob according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the module comprises a control unit equipped with a transceiver capable of receiving and transmitting radio signals for the purpose of receiving a control signal emitted by a remote control, and a position sensor for turning off the control unit when the module is in the idle position. 
     
     
         28 . A method for controlling a hob according to  claim 18  through a remote control, wherein the remote control actuates the closest module in the operating position. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the remote control sends a polling signal to which all modules in the operating condition respond by emitting a response signal, the response signal being different for each module, so that the remote control identifies the signals received from the different modules and then measures and compares the strength thereof, thus finding the closest module in the module whose signal is strongest. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the response signal contains a module identifier, such as a unique numerical code set at the factory or obtained automatically at installation time. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the response signal is encoded according to a module-specific encoding. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 28  or  29 , wherein the remote control sends a dedicated actuation signal to the closest module, and wherein the actuation signal contains the module identifier or is encoded according to the module's specific encoding. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the modules which are in the operating condition continuously emit a position signal containing a module identifier, such as a unique numerical code set at the factory or obtained automatically at installation time, and wherein the remote control sends the actuation signal to that module whose position signal is strongest. 
     
     
         34 . A pot support adapted to support a pot or a container over a burner, such as a gas burner, wherein the support comprises two bars intersecting at the centre, thus forming a cross on which the pot is laid, wherein said bars have portions having a different thickness, wherein the thicker portion being located at the end of each bar and the thinner portion being located at the centre of each bar. 
     
     
         35 . The pot support according to  claim 34 , wherein the portions having a different thickness are joined by a variable-thickness section. 
     
     
         36 . A pot support according to  claim 34  or  35  and further including a burner with a flame divider, wherein the thinner portion stays above the flame divider and the thicker portion is located at the sides thereof, so that only the thinner portion of the support is exposed to the flame. 
     
     
         37 . (canceled)