Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a gas cooktop capable of being folded when not in use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gas cooktop, the chassis of which is mounted on two friction hinges at rear end of said cooktop, thereby allowing folding or rotating of said cooktop about said mechanism or pivot.
Background of the invention
Gas cooktops, also referred to as gas stoves, are available in a number of different configurations. The gas supply source of said cooktops may be LPG, CNG or PNG source. The input gas pressure is controlled by a gas cork or a gas valve and the distribution of gas is performed through aluminum pipes to the burners. The gas is mixed with air, mainly oxygen, at a burner mixing tube resulting in formation of a flammable mixture. Said flammable mixture is lit using a piezo electric gas lighter, DC/ AC spark generator or a match stick at burner lid or outlet. When in use, said cooktop is stationed at one location usually on the kitchen counter and even when the cooktop is not in use the cooktop still occupies the same space.
Such a gas cooktop is disclosed in CN201983313U. Said invention relates to a utility model discloses a gas stove with foldable support legs, which consists of a stove panel (1), a gas burner (2), angle seats (3) and the support legs (4). A positioning device (7) and elastic clamps (5) are arranged on the angle seats (3), so that the user mode of the gas stove can be changed; when the stove surface of the gas stove is required to be higher, a spanner (9) is spanned to be in a vertical state, the four support legs (4) are spanned to be straight and are locked in an erecting state; the four support legs (4) are contacted with the ground to support the stove surface; the stove can be used for cooking rice, boiling water and
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barbecuing; and when the stove surface of the gas stove is required to be lower, the spanner (9) is spanned to be in the vertical state, the connection between the positioning device (7) and the support legs (4) is cut off, the four support legs (4) are spanned to be horizontal and are clamped by the elastic clamps (5); the four angle seats (3) are contacted with the ground, the stove surface is lower from the ground, and the stove can be used for warming at the fire at the moment. The gas stove has the advantages of simple structure, reliability and safety.
Such a gas cooktop is disclosed in US1092681A. Said invention relates to gas cooking stoves, and its object is to provide a new and improved gas stove adapted to be folded into a casing set in a recess in a wall, to take up comparatively little room or not detract from the appearance of the apartment, to allow of conveniently and quickly unfolding the stove for use, and to automatically shut off the gas supply when folding it into the casing or to turn on the gas supply when moving the gas stove into extended position. For the purpose mentioned, use is made of a casing set is a recess in the wall, a support pivoted in the lower portion of the casing and adapted to fold there in or to rest on the said support when the latter is extended.
Such a gas cooktop is disclosed in KR200231894Y1. Said invention relates to a while to move with the wheel directed to a gas heater, and radiant heat is ever injected downward, dongsing ever even scan in the forward direction. Conventional gas heaters are so configured to heat only the diverging to the front that is emitted through the heat radiation freight predetermined space for heating two hours on the rear side of the particular gas heater and takes longer a problem the user can expect the effect of the direct heating there is no problem.
A straight upper portion of the heater body (A) is ever scanning the front ignition knob 4 and the valve control unit (8) (not shown) is built is mounted,
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the nozzle 12 and the gas in the control unit 8, conduit 14 is the built-in support (6) is an upright fixed reflecting the heat generated from the heat generating element 2 and the heating element (2) of the porous body built-in burner 10 at the top thereof downwardly spherical for heating reflection plate 16 on it, characterized in that it is installed.
Such a gas cooktop is disclosed in CN2221727Y. Said invention relates to a utility model relates to a multi-purpose folding pocket gas stove which belongs to the technical field of kitchen appliances and is mainly composed of a gas stove body and edge-shaped connecting parts of gas pipes, wherein, triangle locating plates are inserted into a center pipe on both ends; legs of a supporting seat are inserted into holes of the locating plates respectively; a small nozzle is arranged in a nozzle socket and is screwed into the center pipe; a positioning basin is arranged on the center pipe; a connecting pipe of the gas stove body is connected with a rubber pipe of the edge-typed connecting parts of gas pipes. The utility model with the advantages of simple structure, small size, convenient carrying, convenient operation and low cost is foldable when not using, and can provide timely on-site services to convenient the eating and drinking of foods and drinks when traveling.
Such a gas cooktop is disclosed in CN202303485U. Said invention relates to a utility model provides a gas stove with a foldable turnover cover. A plurality of pieces of transparent baffle plates are connected to the periphery of the gas stove so as to form a cooking window rectangular body, and the cooking window is connected with a double-opened door. The gas stove provided by the utility model has the technical effects that the cooking oil fume can be easily, effectively and intensively discharged, after the gas stove is used, the closed double-opened door can ensure that the gas cooking bench can be well kept clean and the oil fume can be well and intensively cleared away.
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The gas cooktops as described in the prior art are cumbersome to use; heavy in weight; requires a lot of space in the kitchen and are unstable when folded. The gas cooktops are quite expensive and also the functionality of the components of said cooktops are greatly affected in the process of folding of cooktops.
Objective of the Invention
The objective of the present invention is to design a gas cooktop that is capable of being folded thereby requiring very less amount of space in the kitchen while not in use.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to ensure the stability and functionality of the components that are otherwise detachable.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to design a foldable gas cooktop that is easy to use and is light in weight.
The instant invention achieves the objective by designing a foldable gas cooktop the chassis of said cooktop is mounted on two friction hinges at rear end, thereby allowing folding or rotation of said cooktop about said mechanism or pivot, and also allows restriction of said cooktop at any angle between 0 and 90 degrees while folding the cooktop.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas cooktop capable of being folded when not in use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a gas cooktop, the chassis of which is mounted on two friction hinges (4) at rear end of said cooktop, thereby allowing folding or rotating of said cooktop about said
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mechanism or pivot and also allows restriction of said cooktop at any angle between 0 and 90 degrees while folding the cooktop.
According to the present invention, the size of said gas cooktop ranges from 60 cm to 90 cm in width. The components of a gas cooktop comprises of a burner lid and a pan support (1). The burner lid is fixed on to the mixing tube through mechanical assembly (thread or screw). The Pan support (1) is fixed on to the chassis of the product by welding or screw.
According to the present invention, the components of the foldable gas cooktop comprises of:
1. Pan Support (1)
2. Cooktop burner (2)
3. Structure or chassis (3)
4. Friction hinge (4)
5. Cooktop knob (5)
6. Main gas pipe (6)
7. Aluminium pipe (7)
8. Metal Base (8)
9. Aesthetic panel (9)
Said gas cooktop may be folded about two pivot points located at the rear end of the cooktop. The friction hinge (4) is employed for safety reasons, as said cooktop may fall on the kitchen cabinet due to improper folding and may cause an accident. The friction hinge (4) is capable of holding the gas cooktop at any angle. The torque of the friction hinge (4) is decided based on the weight and dimension of the gas cooktop. The greater is the weight or width of the foldable gas cooktop the higher is the torque requirement; therefore a friction hinge (4) of higher torque value is required to be employed.
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Example 1
Typically for a foldable gas cooktop of 5 kg static load, a friction hinge (4) of 3 N-m will work functionally (considering FOS of 2). Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 illustrates the construction of foldable gas cooktop. Figure 2 illustrates the working position of the foldable gas cooktop. Figure 3 illustrates the partially folded position of the foldable gas cooktop. Figure 4 illustrates the complete folded position of the foldable gas cooktop. Figure 5 illustrates the installation of foldable gas cooktop on the kitchen slab. Figure 6 illustrates the installation of foldable gas cooktop on the kitchen wall. Figure 7 illustrates the magnet locking of pan support of foldable gas cooktop. Figure 8 illustrates the stud lock in burner of foldable gas cooktop. Figure 9 illustrates the friction hinge of foldable gas cooktop. Detailed Description of Drawings
The figures illustrate different views of the instant invention and varied installation methods of said foldable cooktop. According to Figures 5 and 6, the proposed design allows mounting of the cooktop either on the kitchen slab or on the kitchen wall thereby ensuring flexibility of the cooktop as said flexibility is essential due to the reservations of the user and provides for varied options to the consumer. Figure 7 of the instant invention describes the mounting of the pan support. The pan support is mounted by employing magnets for easy removal of said pan
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supports for the purpose cleaning and in order to ensure that said cooktop is not dislodged while folding. As depicted in Figure 8, the burner assembly is unique as the burner lid is fixed to the burner base mechanically by employing studs or may use thread locked option. The purpose of said mechanism is to ensure the disassembly of said burner, easy cleaning of the burner and preventing dislodging said cooktop while folding. The friction hinge, as described in Figure 9, is also known as constant torque hinge that provides safety while operating said cooktop. Said friction hinge prevents the free fall of the cooktop and creates friction at multiple folding angles for preventing the fall of the cooktop.

We claim:
1. A cooking unit, said unit comprising of: i. a pan support (1); ii. a cooktop burner (2); iii. a structure or chassis (3); iv. a friction hinge (4); v. a cooktop knob (5); vi. a main gas pipe (6); vii. an aluminium pipe (7); viii. a metal base (8); and ix. an aesthetic panel (9) characterized in that said gas cooktop may be folded about two pivot points located at the rear end of the cooktop. 2. The cooking unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the fringe hinge is capable of holding said cooking unit. 3. The cooking unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the chassis of said cooktop is mounted on two friction hinges at rear end, thereby allowing restriction of said cooktop at any angle between 0o and 90o while folding the cooktop. 4. The cooking unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the torque of the friction hinge (4) is decided based on the weight and dimension of the gas cooktop.
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5. The cooking unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said friction hinge prevents the free fall of the cooktop and creates friction at multiple folding angles for preventing the fall of the cooktop.