Control Knob For Cooking Appliance

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]In appliance manufacturing industries generally, and specifically in the range or cooking appliance manufacturing industries, most appliances such as cooktops or ranges have a variety of control or selector knobs for adjusting and controlling the amount of heat supplied to the various appliance burners or heating elements. Typically, these knobs are easily accessible to the average user, thereby making them simple and quick to operate, but also providing ready access to children and others lacking the requisite judgment to safely operate the appliance.

[0002]In order to provide a measure of safety to oven and cooktop appliances, manufacturers have equipped some control knobs and selectors with simple lockout mechanisms. For example, some control knobs are mounted on spring-loaded shafts that require a user to push or depress the knob slightly before it will turn (e.g. push and turn), thereby providing at least a small measure of child-safety lockout protection. Gas appliances are typically equipped with these push-unlock valves as a mechanism to prevent accidental valve operation but they do not offer a reliable safety lockout mechanism.

[0003]Household cooking gas appliances in the United States are certified to the ANSI Z21.1 standard. This standard states that “Any manual gas valve or energy controlling device intended for use during normal operation and that has an off position to shut off the gas to a main burner or the energy flow to a heating/cooking element shall necessitate not less than two separate manual operations to turn on and shall necessitate only one manual operation to turn off.” Typically, many standard manual gas valves are made to open from the closed position by first pushing in and then turning (e.g. push and turn along the rotational/longitudinal axis), for example. Further, appliances may utilize “digital” gas valves wherein a control knob is connected or secured to an electrical component, for example a resolver or encoder, that then translates the rotational position of the valve into an electrical signal representative of desired valve positioned to an electrically actuated gas valve to control the burner. In the case of these digital valves may be made to open from the closed position by first pushing in and then turning (e.g. push and turn, two manual operations), for example, in order to provide safe operation of the valves and concomitant burners.

[0004]Various child lockout systems have been provided in the industry, with varying degrees of safety and operability. There does not exist, however, a reliable system for providing child safety control to an appliance that simultaneously provides ease of access and use for an adult user and permits a user to configure the operation of the burner and valve.

[0005]From the foregoing it can readily be seen that there is a need in the art for a control/actuator system (e.g. valve, gas valve, digital valve, electric, gas, both gas and electric) that utilizes an initiation process, for example an initiation process and concomitant knob or actuator that can be employed with individual appliances to control the heating/cooking elements (e.g. electric, gas, both) of the appliance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]In some embodiments, a cooking appliance may include one or more heating elements. In various embodiments, the appliance may include a push and turn actuator configured to operate the one or more heating elements. In some embodiments, the appliance may include a knob having at least a portion positionable between a first configuration configured to prevent axial movement of the actuator along a longitudinal axis and a second configuration configured to allow axial movement of the actuator along the longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, the portion of the knob may move in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis between the first configuration and the second configuration.

[0007]In addition, in some embodiments, the portion of knob may include at least a knob body that moves in the transverse direction to the longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, the portion of the knob may be positioned at a first radius in the first configuration and a second radius in the second configuration, wherein the first radius is larger than the second radius. In some embodiments, the knob may include a biasing mechanism urging the portion of the knob away from the longitudinal axis in the transverse direction. In various embodiments, wherein in the first configuration, the knob may be configured not to rotate about the longitudinal axis and wherein in the second configuration the knob is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the knob may include a collar rotationally fixed relative to the push and turn actuator, wherein the collar may include one or more notches and the portion includes one or more protrusions (e.g. ribs) engaged with the one or more notches in the first configuration and disengaged with the one or more notches in the second configuration. In various embodiments, the one or more heating elements may be gas and/or electric. In some embodiments, the one or more heating elements may be gas.

[0008]In some embodiments, a control knob for a cooking appliance may include a knob body. In various embodiments, the control knob may include a collar coupled to the knob body and defining a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the control knob may include a biasing mechanism urging the knob body in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the collar. In various embodiments, the knob body may be positionable between a first configuration and a second configuration relative to the collar, wherein when in the first configuration the knob body may be configured to not axially move towards the collar along the longitudinal axis and not rotate relative to the collar and when in the second configuration the knob body is configured to rotate relative to the collar and axial move towards the collar along the longitudinal axis.

[0009]In addition, in some embodiments, the collar may include one or more notches and the knob body may include one or more protrusions engaged with the one or more notches in the first configuration and disengaged with the one or more notches in the second configuration. In various embodiments, when in the second configuration the one or more protrusions may engage an inner periphery of the collar. In some embodiments, when in the first configuration the knob body may be off-centered from the longitudinal axis of the collar. In various embodiments, when in the second configuration the knob body may be centered along the longitudinal axis of the collar. In some embodiments, the control knob may include a knob shaft, wherein the biasing mechanism may be positioned between the knob shaft and the knob body whereby urging the knob body towards the first configuration. In various embodiments, the biasing mechanism may urge the knob body radially outward from the longitudinal axis from the second configuration towards the first configuration. In some embodiments, the control knob of may be a gas control knob and/or an electric control knob.

[0010]In some embodiments, a method of activating one or more heating elements of a cooking appliance may include moving a rotatable knob in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, the method may include pushing of the rotatable knob along the longitudinal axis after moving the rotatable knob in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the method may include rotation of the rotatable knob about the longitudinal axis to a predetermined position representative of a desired output level of one or more heating elements after moving the rotatable knob in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0011]In addition, in some embodiments, wherein moving the rotatable knob may include sliding the rotatable knob in the transverse direction. In various embodiments, wherein moving the rotatable knob may include centering the rotatable knob about the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the method may include biasing the rotatable knob in the transverse direction away from the longitudinal axis.

[0012]It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Emphasis is instead generally placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure, wherein;

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gas appliance having a plurality of control knobs in accordance with various embodiments;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a control knob illustrating the locked or first configuration in accordance with various embodiments;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the control knob of FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the control knob of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 5A is a side sectional view of FIG. 3;

[0019]FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line 5B-5B of FIG. 5A;

[0020]FIG. 6A is a side sectional view of FIG. 3 illustrating the unlocked or second configuration in accordance with various embodiments;

[0021]FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A; and

[0022]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A illustrating subsequent push and turn actuation in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023]Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.

[0024]The embodiments discussed hereinafter will focus on the implementation of the hereinafter-described techniques and apparatuses within a residential cooking appliance such as cooking appliance 10, such as the type that may be used in single-family or multi-family dwellings, or in other similar applications. However, it will be appreciated that the herein-described techniques and apparatuses may also be used in connection with other types of cooking appliances in some embodiments. For example, the herein-described techniques may be used in commercial applications in some embodiments. Moreover, the herein-described techniques may be used in connection with various cooking appliance configurations. Implementation of the herein-described techniques within gas/electric top burner(s), oven burner, broil burner, gas/electric range, gas/electric slide-in oven, freestanding oven, gas/electric cooktop, gas/electric countertop range, etc. would be well within the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure, so the embodiments, are not limited to the freestanding oven implementations using a manual/electric gas valve, switch, or actuator (e.g. push and turn). Although the actuator may be a push and turn as shown in the embodiments, the actuator may only require rotation or another type of operation(s) and still be within the scope of the invention. Moreover, the herein-described techniques may be used in manual and/or electronic controls/valves/actuators/switches or other applications with controls such as, but is not limited to, gas/electric furnaces, gas/electric water heaters, gas/electric fireplaces/logs, and gas/electric space heaters. Although the gas valve 17 and/or actuator 16 of the valve is a push and turn (e.g. along the rotational/longitudinal axis A) as shown, it should be understood that a switch (e.g. electrical, mechanical, both, used for an electrical heating element) and/or actuator 16 of the switch or device may be a push and turn and still be within the scope of the invention.

[0025]As shown in the Figures, one or more controls (e.g. control knobs 20) may be used within a home cooking appliance 10, such as but not limited to a freestanding cooking range, has a housing 12 and a cooking compartment 13, such as a baking oven, convection oven, steam oven, warming drawer and the like, in the housing 12 and accessible through a door or drawer. In the embodiment shown, the appliance 10 is a gas range, with the manual control knob(s) 20 (e.g. gas control knob, rotatable, push and turn) operating one or more gas valve(s) 17, if used, in fluid communication with at least one downstream gas burner 14 (e.g. cooktop surface 18 and/or cooking compartment 13) via channels/tubes. Although a gas control knob is shown in the embodiment, an electrical gas control knob or electrical and gas control knob may be used. It should be understood that the actuators 16/valves 17 may be electronically/mechanically/electromechanically controlled remotely from the controls/knobs in some embodiments. The gas valve 17 may engage at least one gas manifold in fluid communication with the gas, liquid, or fuel supplied to the appliance 10. The appliance 10 includes a cooktop surface 18 on a top of the housing 12. In some implementations, the manual gas valves 17 may be positioned within a control panel 11 (e.g. front control panel, rear control panel, etc.) within the cooking appliance 10 and have a plurality of control knobs or controls 20 for controlling/operating the heating elements 15 (e.g. gas, electric, or both), actuator 16, the gas burners 14, manual gas valves 17, gas/electric burner characteristics, and/or cooking compartment, etc. The valve 17 or actuator 16 (e.g. operating a device/valve by a push and turn) may be operable between a closed configuration (see FIGS. 2, 3, 5A-6B) wherein the fuel/power is not in communication with the one or more burners 14 or heating elements 15 and an open configuration (e.g. push and turn, see FIG. 7) wherein the fuel/power is in communication with the one or more burners 14 or heating element 15. Although a front control panel 11 below the cooktop surface 18 on the front 19 of the housing 12 is shown in the one embodiment, it should be understood that the control panel and/or knob(s) 20 may be of a variety of positions relative to the housing, shapes, sizes, quantities, and constructions and still be within the scope of the invention.

[0026]Referring to the Figures, and in accordance with some embodiments, a system 1 (e.g. safety mechanism, locking mechanism) for implementing an actuator 16 (e.g. gas valve 17, electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, push/press and turn, two-step, switch) for an appliance 10 includes one or more control or selector knobs 20, that are utilized to operate the actuator 16 of appliance 10 and/or heating element(s) 15. In the one embodiment shown, the actuator 16 operates a push/press and turn valve (e.g. gas valve 17). It should be understood that any appliance 10, actuator 16, or other device (e.g. push and turn) that utilizes control or selector knobs 20 wherein it would be desirable to implement an initiation process (e.g. one or more steps) may be implemented as part of system 1 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0027]In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment for purposes of illustration in this specification, appliance 10 may be a conventional gas stove 10, (or equivalently a cooktop and oven combination). Stove 10 may include multiple control knobs 20, for example control knobs to adjust the flow of gas to a plurality of actuators 16 (e.g. gas valves 17), and thus the heat output of a plurality of heating elements 15 (e.g. cooktop burners 14), as well as a plurality of oven heating elements or burners (not shown). In some aspects appliance 10 may include only one control knob that is assigned to individual actuators 16/valves 17 and concomitant burners 14. Other control knobs 20 for adjusting or operating various appliance 10 controls may also be present, but for purposes of explication have been omitted from this example. In one exemplary but non-limiting embodiment that will be used throughout this specification for purposes of explication, the control knobs 20 may be assumed to operate a plurality of actuators 16/gas valves 17, for example valves 17 supplying gas cooktop burners 14 and/or gas oven burners. In some aspects and embodiments control knobs 20 are turned or rotated clockwise to supply additional gas (and therefore heat) to a selected burner 14, and conversely turned counter-clockwise to reduce the amount of gas (and therefore heat) to a selected burner 14. In some aspects and embodiments control knobs may be rotated in a first rotational direction to increase the open position of valve 17 and rotated in the opposite rotational direction to reduce the open position of valve 17.

[0028]In accordance with some aspects of the system 1 provides a methods and apparatus for implementing an initiation process before turning on the actuator 16, gas valve 17, or device (e.g. push and turn) and/or heating elements 15. In one exemplary embodiment appliance 10 includes at least one control knob 20 for setting a desired switch/valve 17 position, or alternatively burner 14 power level. Throughout the specification gas valve 17 position and burner 14 power level and/or heat level will be referred to interchangeably. It should be understood that the position of a specified gas valve 17 or switch will dictate the power level and/or heat level of that burner 14.

[0029]In some implementations, the initiation process, appliance 10, and/or system 1, or portions thereof, may include at least one control knob 20 that is positioned between a first configuration and a second configuration. A knob body 21 or knob 20 (e.g. first portion 20a) may be positionable between the first and second configuration relative to a collar 22, actuator 16, second portion 20b, panel 11, and/or longitudinal/rotational axis A. In the first configuration as shown in FIGS. 1-5B, the control knob 20 may not activate (e.g. push and turn) the actuator 16 or control/gas valve 17 to operate the heating element(s) 15. For example, the knob 20, valve 17, actuator 16, and/or heating element 15 is locked or the safety feature/system 1 is engaged. In the second configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6A-7, the control knob 20 may activate (e.g. push and turn) the actuator 16 or control/gas valve 17 to operate the heating element(s) 15. When in the second configuration as shown in the one embodiment, the knob 20 may allow for the push and turn of the actuator 16 or gas valve 17. For example, the knob 20, valve 17, actuator 16, and/or heating element 15 is unlocked or the safety feature/system 1 is disengaged. In the first configuration, the control knob 20 (e.g. body, portion(s), knob shaft) may not be rotated and/or axially moved relative to the control panel 11, actuator 16, valve 17, collar 22, if used, longitudinal/rotational axis A, and/or appliance 10, or portions thereof. In the first or locked configuration, the control knob 20 may not be pressed or pushed (e.g. along a longitudinal axis, along longitudinal axis of the gas valve/shaft, axially) to allow axial movement of the actuator 16 (e.g. shaft 17a, valve), or portions thereof, or in a direction against the biased shaft 17a of the valve 17. Further in the first configuration, the knob 20 (e.g. body 21, portion 20a) may not axially move towards the second portion 20b or collar 22, if used, or control panel 11 (e.g. along the longitudinal axis A). Further in the first or locked configuration, the control knob 20 may not be rotated (e.g. about a longitudinal axis, about longitudinal/rotational axis A of the gas valve/shaft, clockwise, counter-clockwise, at least one rotational direction) to allow rotational movement of the actuator 16 (e.g. valve 17, shaft 17a), or portions thereof, or in a rotational direction about the shaft 17a of the valve. Further in the first configuration, the knob 20 (e.g. body 21, portion 20a) may not rotate relative to the second portion 20b or collar 22, if used, or control panel 11 (e.g. about the rotational/longitudinal axis A). In the second configuration, the control knob 20 (e.g. body, portion(s), knob shaft), or portions thereof, may be rotated and/or axially moved relative to the control panel 11, valve 17, second portion 20b, collar 22, if used, rotational/longitudinal axis A, and/or appliance 10, or portions thereof. In the second or unlocked configuration, the control knob 20, or portions thereof, may be pressed or pushed (e.g. along a longitudinal axis, along rotational/longitudinal axis A of the gas valve/shaft, axially) to allow axial movement of the actuator 16 (e.g. shaft, valve), or portions thereof, or in a direction against the biased shaft 17a of the valve 17 (e.g. the push step of activation). Further in the second configuration, the knob 20 (e.g. body 21, first portion) may axially move towards the second portion 20b or collar 22, if used, or control panel 11 (e.g. along the rotational/longitudinal axis A). Further in the second or unlocked configuration, the control knob 20 may be rotated (e.g. about a longitudinal axis, about rotational/longitudinal axis A of the gas valve/shaft, clockwise, counter-clockwise, at least one rotational direction) to allow rotational movement of the actuator 16 (e.g. valve, shaft 17a) or in a rotational direction about the shaft 17a of the valve (e.g. the turn step of activation). Further in the second configuration, the knob 20 (e.g. body 21, first portion) may rotate relative to the second portion 20b or collar 22, if used, or control panel 11 (e.g. about the rotational/longitudinal axis A).

[0030]In some implementations, the system 1, control knob 20, valve 17, actuator 16, and/or appliance 10, or portions thereof, may be moved or displaced from the first configuration to the second configuration. The displacement, movement, or initiation may occur before the push and turn of the actuator 16. In the one embodiment shown, the control knob 20 (e.g. body, first portion), or portions thereof, may be moved/positioned (e.g. slide, laterally move, perpendicularly move relative to the rotational/longitudinal axis, upwardly, downwardly, horizontally, transverse to the rotational/longitudinal axis A) from the first configuration to second configuration to initiate, unlock, or overcome the safety system/feature 1. The control knob 20 (e.g. body 21, first portion 20a), or portions thereof, may be moved relative to another portion of the knob (e.g. collar 22, second portion 20b), valve 17, actuator 16, control panel 11, and/or appliance 10, or portions thereof. The one or more portions 20a (e.g. entire knob, body, distal free end, first portion 20a) of the knob 20 may be moved or positioned in at least one direction D. In the embodiment shown, the direction D is in a transverse direction to the rotational/longitudinal axis A (e.g. shaft 17a, actuator 16, valve 17). The transverse direction D may be perpendicular to the rotational/longitudinal axis A as shown, but may be at one or more angles to the axis A. Although the movement along the direction D is upwardly from the first configuration to the second configuration and the opposing direction from the second configuration to the first configuration, other directions are contemplated. For example, the knob 20 may move between two or more configurations downwardly or horizontally from the first configuration to the second configuration, and the opposing direction, respectively. Further for example, the direction between the first and second configurations does not have to be in opposing directions in some embodiments. The portion 20a of the control knob 20 may be the control knob body 21 (e.g. entire outer diameter/periphery, distal free end). The portion(s) 20a or knob body 21 may be off-centered from the rotational/longitudinal axis A (e.g. of the collar, valve, actuator, panel) when in the first configuration and centered along/about the rotational/longitudinal axis A (e.g. of the collar, valve, actuator, panel) when in the second configuration. Although the second configuration aligns or centers the knob body 21 substantially on the rotational/longitudinal axis A, collar 22, valve (e.g. shaft 17a), in some embodiments the second configuration may be more centered than when in the first configuration and not centered directly on the axis A. Stated alternatively, the portion or entire portion 20a of the control knob 20 (e.g. body 21) may be positioned at a first radius R1 from the longitudinal axis A when in the first configuration and may be positioned at a second radius R2 from the rotational/longitudinal axis A when in the second configuration, wherein the first radius R1 is larger than the second radius R2. The control knob 20 (e.g. body 21), or portions thereof, may slide between configurations (e.g. laterally, perpendicular to the rotational/longitudinal axis, transverse). The control knob 20 may translate (e.g. slide) in a linear movement/direction (e.g. direction D) and/or in a fixed orientation as shown in FIGS. 5A-6B. For example, the knob 20 or portions 20a thereof may not rotate and/or pivot between configurations. It should be understood that the valve 17 or actuator 16 may be in the off position in both the first configuration and at least one second configuration of the control knob. When in the second configuration, the valve or actuator may be actuated (e.g. push and turn, one or more steps) from the off position to the one or more on positions.

[0031]In some implementations, the system 1, control knob 20, valve 17, control panel 11, and/or appliance 10, or portions thereof, may include a biasing mechanism 23. The biasing mechanism 23, if used, may urge the portion(s) (e.g. first portion 20a, knob body 21) of the control knob 20 towards the first configuration. The biasing mechanism 23 may urge the control knob 20 (e.g. body, first portion), or portions thereof, towards the first radius R1, off-centered, and/or away from the rotational/longitudinal axis A/collar 22/valve 17 (e.g. in the transverse direction D, in one or more directions). The biasing mechanism 23 may be one or more springs as shown in the one embodiment, however the biasing mechanism may be a variety of shapes, sizes, positions, quantities, and constructions and still be within the scope of the invention. The rotation of the control knob 20 (e.g. counterclockwise) back to the off position of the valve 17 allows the biasing mechanism 23 to move the control knob 20, or portions thereof, to the first/home configuration or away from the second configuration. The biasing mechanism 23 may be positioned between the knob shaft 24, if used, and the knob body 21. The biasing mechanism 23 may urge the knob body 21 radially outward from the rotational/longitudinal axis A, collar 22, valve 17, panel 11, shaft 17a, and/or knob shaft 24 from the second configuration towards the first configuration.

[0032]In some implementations, the system 1, control knob 20, control panel 11, and/or appliance 10 may include one or more locking rings or collars 22 or second portion(s) 20b. The collar 22 may be at least a portion of the second portion 20b. The collar(s) 22 (e.g. through opening), if used, may define the rotational/longitudinal axis A. The collar 22 may be fixed (e.g. rotationally, axially, both) relative to the actuator 16 (e.g. push and turn, valve 17), control panel 11, or appliance 10. The collar 22 may be coupled to the knob body 21. The collar 22 may be fixed in position relative to the knob body 21 (e.g. when assembled to the appliance). The knob body 21 or first portion 20a may move between the first configuration and the second configuration relative to the collar 22 or second portion 20b.

[0033]In some implementations, the system 1, knob 20, control panel 11, and/or appliance 10, or portions thereof, may include one or more locking structures or mechanisms 30 engaging therebetween in the first configuration and disengaging therebetween in the second configuration. The locking structure 30 may be an interface or releasable engagement between portions (e.g. 20a, 20b, etc.) of the knob 20 and/or between portions of the knob 20 and the control panel 11/actuator 16/appliance 10, or portions thereof. In one embodiment, the locking structure 30 may include one or more protrusions 21a (e.g. rib(s)) operably engaging openings/notches/slots 22a. In the one embodiment shown, the control knob 20, or portions thereof, may include one or more ribs 21a engaging one or more notches 22a. The collar 22 or second portion 20b may include one or more notches 22a and the knob body 21 or first portion 20a may include one or more ribs 21a. When in the first configuration as shown in FIGS. 3, 5A, and 5B, the one or more ribs 21a engage the one or more notches 22a. In the first configuration, the rib(s) 21a and corresponding knob 20 structure (e.g. body 21, first portion 20a) may not rotate and/or not axial move relative to the engaged notches 22a and correspondence knob 20 structure (e.g. collar 22, second portion 20b). When in the second configuration as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7, the one or more ribs 21a are disengaged from the one or more notches 22a. In the second configuration, the rib(s) 21a and corresponding knob 20 structure (e.g. body 21, first portion 20a) may rotate and/or may axially move relative to the engaged notches 22a and correspondence knob 20 structure (e.g. collar 22, second portion 20b). The collar 22 may have a skirt 22b containing at least one notch 22a. The notch 22a may be in the distal free end away from the control panel 11 or towards the knob body 21. The notch 22a may pass through a free end of the skirt 22b and extend between the outer periphery 22bb and inner periphery 22ba of the skirt and have a bottom wall 22c. The bottom wall 22c may prevent axial travel of the engaged rib 21a when in the first configuration. The one or both opposing side walls 22d interconnected by the bottom wall 22c may prevent rotational travel of the rib 21a (e.g. about the rotational axis R) when in the first configuration. The notch 22a may be adjacent a bottom end of the collar 22 or skirt 22b in some embodiments, although other positions are contemplated. The knob body 21 (e.g. shaft bracket 21b) may include the one or more ribs 21a. The one or more ribs 21a may face or project towards the control panel 11, skirt 22b, valve 17, and/or collar 22. The rib(s) 21a may be substantially vertical and/or positioned adjacent the bottom end of the knob or collar when in the first configuration. The knob body 21 may have a shaft bracket 21b of the knob body 21 opposite from the distal free end. The distal fee end or body 21 and the shaft bracket 21b straddle the knob shaft 24, if used, of the knob 20. The distal free end of the knob body 21 may be adjacent the front side of the knob shaft 24 (e.g. proximal the user) and the shaft bracket 21b may be adjacent the back side of the knob shaft 24 or control panel 11. The shaft bracket 21b (e.g. rear facing, proximal end opposite to the distal free end) may include the plurality of ribs 21a. The ribs may project from the outside or rear face of the knob shaft 24. The knob shaft 24 engages the shaft 17a of the valve 17 or actuator 16. The shaft bracket 21b or knob body 21 may include a through opening or slot 21c (e.g. oval shape, vertical). The oval shape or slot 21c allows the knob shaft 24 or shaft 17a to slide (e.g. vertically) therein between the first and second configurations of the knob 20 (e.g. knob body 21, shaft bracket 21b). The rib(s) 21a (e.g. single) may radially disengage/engage the notches 22a between the first and second configurations. The rib 21a may be at a first radius R1, within or engaged to the notch 22a, in the first configuration and may be at a second radius R2, out of or disengaged to the notch 22a, in the second configuration. The first radius R1 may be larger than the second radius R2. The one or more ribs 21a may also center the knob body 21 (e.g. shaft bracket 21b) about the rotational/longitudinal axis A, collar 22, and/or valve 17 when in the second configuration, allowing push and turn movement. The plurality of ribs 21a (e.g. one, two or more, three) may be spaced about the body 21 axis and/or through opening 21c. The ribs 21a may extend radially outward and/or be circumferentially spaced from each other from or about the through opening 21c or axis of the knob body. When in the second or unlocked configuration as shown in FIG. 7, the ribs 21a, disengaged from the notch, may engage or center within the inner periphery 22ba of the skirt 22b to center the knob (e.g. when rotating the knob via push and turn, when knob is stationary). Although not shown, in some embodiments where a collar is not used, the control panel or remaining portion of the appliance may include or define the one or more notches.

[0034]In some implementations, upon initiation of the control knob 20 to the second configuration the knob shaft, actuator 16, and/or valve 17 may be push and turned along the rotational/longitudinal axis A to activate the heating element 15. In some embodiments, the control knob 20 may include a knob shaft 24. As shown in one embodiment, the knob shaft 24 is rotationally and/axially coupled to the shaft 17a of the actuator 16 or valve 17. When in the first configuration, the knob 20 (e.g. body 21, shaft bracket 21b) may not rotate and/or axial move the knob shaft 24 and corresponding shaft 17a and/or actuator 16. The knob shaft 24, if used, may not be pushed and turned in the first configuration. When in the second configuration, the knob 20 (e.g. body, shaft bracket) may rotate and/or axial move (e.g. push and turn) the knob shaft 24 and corresponding shaft 17a and/or actuator 16 to open or activate the heating element(s) 15. As shown in the one embodiment, the knob body 21 and shaft bracket 21b may move together relative to the knob shaft 24 between the first configuration and second configuration. In the second configuration, the knob body 21 and shaft bracket 21b rotate and axially (e.g. push) operate the knob shaft 24 and/or shaft 17a of the push and turn actuator or device 16, relative to the fixed panel 11, collar 22, if used, appliance 10, or portions thereof.

[0035]In use, in some implementations, the safety feature/system 1 or initiation steps for activating (e.g. via push and turn) the one or more heating elements 15, appliance 10, or actuator 16 (e.g. valve, switch, etc.) may include operating a control knob(s) 20. The control knob 20 may have initiation steps (e.g. pull, push, rotate, one, two, one or more, centering) before the valve 17 or actuator 16 may be opened (e.g. via push and turn, other activation steps, one step, two step, three step, etc.) from the closed position. The knob 20 may be in the locked or first configuration. In the first configuration the locking mechanism 30 may have the rib(s) 21a engaged to the one or more notches 22a. The user may move the knob 20 (e.g. rotatable, body) in a direction D (e.g. transverse) to the longitudinal/rotational axis A of the collar 22, shaft 17a, knob shaft 24, valve 17, and/or actuator 16, or portions thereof. In some embodiments, the moving of the knob 20 to the second configuration may include sliding the knob in the transverse direction D (e.g. upwardly, perpendicular to the rotational axis A). In some embodiments, the user may center the knob body 21 in the second configuration from the off-centered first configuration. Moving the knob 20 may include centering the knob about the rotational/longitudinal axis A. In the embodiment shown, the user may pull or press the knob body upwardly relative to the rotational axis A, control panel 11, and/or appliance 10 to the second configuration. When in the second configuration, the rib(s) 21a may be disengaged from the one or more notches 22a. After the user has moved the rotatable knob in the direction D transverse to the rotational/longitudinal axis A, the user may push the knob (e.g. knob body) axially or parallel to the longitudinal axis A and/or rotate the knob (e.g. knob body) about the axis A. The rotation of the knob 20 may be to one or more predetermined positions representative of a desired output level of one or more heating elements 15 or actuators 16 (e.g. valve). The method may include biasing (e.g. biasing mechanism) the knob in the direction D transverse to the rotational/longitudinal axis A or towards the locked or first configuration.

[0036]While a variety of inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other methods, systems, and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results, and/or one or more of the advantages described herein are possible, and further understand that each of such variations and/or modifications is within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[0037]All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0038]The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0039]The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0040]As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0041]As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0042]It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0043]In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03. It should be understood that certain expressions and reference signs used in the claims pursuant to Rule 6.2(b) of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) do not limit the scope.