Stove Burner Knob

Abstract

A system for heating and/or cooking food whose upper heating limit is adjustable. An energy setting assembly is provided with the system that includes a knob, a restrictor plate, and a limit pin. The limit pin is selectively inserted into openings formed along multiple locations in the restrictor plate, where the openings follow a generally curved path. The knob rotatably mounts over and is generally coaxial with the restrictor plate. Rotating the knob regulates heat output of the system. Web members are formed on the knob and that project in a radial direction from a receptacle in the knob. The web members come into interfering contact with the limit pin when knob is rotated to a designated orientation, so that strategically locating the limit pin, limits angular movement of the knob to the designated orientation, thereby limiting a maximum energy input to the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy setting assembly for use with a food preparation system comprising:
 a knob having a receptacle that selectively couples with an energy controller that regulates thermal output of the food preparation system, so that moving the knob moves the energy controller to selectively adjust thermal output of the food preparation system;   a web member coupled to and extending radially from the receptacle and that follows a path when the knob is actuated;   a restrictor plate affixed to be stationary with respect to the knob;   openings formed at different locations in the restrictor plate; and   a limit pin having a portion protruding through a one of the openings and into the path of the web member, so that when the web member contacts the limit pin and blocks further movement of the knob, the energy controller regulates thermal output of the food preparation system to a designated value which is less than a maximum thermal output of the food preparation system.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the restrictor plate comprises a disk like member that comprises a planar deck, and wherein the openings are formed through the deck. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the openings are formed along a generally curved path along the deck. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein a center portion of the deck is recessed and contains holes that receive fasteners for securing the restrictor plate to the food preparation system. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein a slot is formed adjacent the holes. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the limit pin comprises a base that is generally planar and has a curved lateral surface and an upper surface, and a pin member that mounts to the upper surface, and wherein the pin member protrudes through the selective openings in the restrictor plate. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the curved lateral surface of the base corresponds to an outer circumference of a recessed portion of the restrictor plate. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the knob comprises a base portion with curved sidewalls that define a cavity within in which the receptacle and web members are located, and wherein the limit pin protrudes into the cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the energy controller is selected from the group consisting of a rheostat and a control valve for regulating a flow of fuel to the food preparation system. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the food preparation system is selected from the group consisting of an electric stovetop, a gas stovetop, an oven, a grill, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . An energy setting assembly for use with a food preparation system comprising:
 a restrictor plate having openings formed therethrough;   a knob that is rotatable with respect to the restrictor plate and that is for attachment to an energy controller that regulates a thermal energy output of the food preparation system, so that rotating the knob in turn rotates the energy controller and adjusts the thermal energy output of the food preparation system;   a web member in the knob; and   a limit pin strategically inserted through a one of the openings in the restrictor plate, so that when the knob is rotated a designated amount, the web member is put into interfering contact against the limit pin, and energy controller is at an angular orientation which regulates the thermal energy output of the food preparation system to be at an amount that is less than a designated thermal energy output.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the designated thermal energy output is sufficient to heat an amount of cooking oil to a temperature that exceeds a flashpoint of the cooking oil. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the openings are formed along a curved path. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the knob and restrictor plate are generally coaxial with one another. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein an outer portion of the restrictor plate defines a ring, and which as a radius greater than a radius of the knob. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the thermal energy output is from one of a burner or a heating element.