Heating element mounting features for a cook top appliance

Abstract

A retention system with mounting features for a heating element of a cook top appliance is provided. The mounting features include a spring member that can properly position and support the heating element below the cook top surface. These mounting features, including the spring member, contribute to a low profile that can be used to reduce the overall height or thickness of the cook top so as to allow for increased oven space (where the cook top is included in a range) or increased cabinetry space (where the cook top is installed e.g., as a separate appliance from an oven).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retention system for a heating element of a cooktop appliance, comprising;
 a frame defining an opening for complementary receipt of the heating element, said frame including a lip extending around the opening to partially surround the heating element, the lip defining an aperture along one side of the opening and a groove along an opposite side of the opening; and,   an elongated, spring member extending across the heating element between the aperture and groove of the lip, said spring member having a first end extending into the aperture and a second end extending into the groove, said spring member providing support to the heating element.   
     
     
         2 . A retention system for a heating element as in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element has an indentation along a support side surface, and where said spring member further comprises a boss positioned in the indentation of said heating element. 
     
     
         3 . A retention system for a heating element as in  claim 2 , wherein the spring member has a center at which the boss is positioned. 
     
     
         4 . A retention system for a heating element as in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element has a support side surface, and wherein said spring member is configured to apply a pressing force against said support surface. 
     
     
         5 . A retention system for a heating element as in  claim 1 , wherein said spring member is configured to press against said lip at the aperture and the groove. 
     
     
         6 . A retention system for a heating element as in  claim 1 , wherein said spring member further comprises a middle section extending between two legs, and wherein each of said legs is substantially perpendicular to said middle section. 
     
     
         7 . A retention system for a heating element as in  claim 1 , wherein said heating element has a support side surface containing indicia for positioning said heating element relative to said frame. 
     
     
         8 . A retention system for a heating element as in  claim 1 , wherein said groove has an L shape. 
     
     
         9 . A retention system for a heating element as in  claim 1 , wherein said spring member comprises a steel wire. 
     
     
         10 . A retention system for a heating element as in  claim 1 , wherein said spring member further comprises a middle section having at least three bends when in an un-tensioned condition. 
     
     
         11 . A cook top appliance, comprising:
 a heating source for applying heat to a food or utensil, said heat source defining a bottom surface;   a frame, said frame defining at least one opening for mating receipt of said heating source, said frame having a top side and a bottom side;   a cuff extending from the bottom side of said frame in one or more portions, wherein said cuff defines an aperture at one side of said opening and a groove along another side of said opening;   a cook top surface positioned onto the top side of said frame; and, a spring member extending across the at least one opening of said frame and connected between the aperture and the groove, said spring configured for pressing the heating source against the cook top surface.   
     
     
         12 . A cook top appliance as in  claim 11 , wherein said spring member comprises an elongated metal band having a first end extending into said aperture and a second end extending into said groove. 
     
     
         13 . A cook top appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein said heating source and said spring member are connected together in a complementary manner at one or more locations along the bottom surface of said heating source. 
     
     
         14 . A cook top appliance as in  claim 13 , wherein said spring member further comprises a middle section extending between legs that are substantially perpendicular to said middle section. 
     
     
         15 . A cook top appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the bottom surface of said heating source defines an indentation and said spring member comprises a boss that is received into the indentation. 
     
     
         16 . A cook top appliance as in  claim 15 , wherein the groove of said cuff has an L shape. 
     
     
         17 . A cook top appliance as in  claim 15 , wherein said spring member further comprises a middle section having at least two bends when in an un-tensioned condition. 
     
     
         18 . A cook top appliance as in  claim 11 , wherein said spring member comprises a steel wire.