Stop mechanism for regulating the flow of gas to a gas grilling appliance and method of regulating

A bezel/plate assembly for regulating the flow of gas to a gas grilling appliance having a control panel and a rotary valve, wherein the rotary valve has an actuating shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having an external end that extends through the control panel for mounting a control knob, the bezel/plate assembly comprising:

• a bezel adapted to be mounted on the control panel surrounding the external end of the actuating shaft;
• and
• a stop plate adapted to be received on the actuating shaft between the bezel and the control knob;
• wherein the bezel has a stop structure spaced laterally from the actuating shaft;
• wherein the stop plate comprises
• an opening that is keyed to the actuating shaft so that the stop plate rotates with the actuating shaft,
• a first arcuate section having a radius less than the distance from the longitudinal axis of the actuating shaft to the stop structure on the bezel, and
• a second arcuate section having a radius greater than the distance from the longitudinal axis of the actuating shaft to the stop structure on the bezel;
• wherein the first arcuate section and second arcuate section meet at a juncture;
• and wherein the juncture of the first arcuate section and second arcuate section of the stop plate defines a shoulder configured to engage the stop structure on the bezel to limit rotation of the control knob.

A bezel/plate assembly for regulating the flow of gas to a gas grilling appliance having a control panel and a rotary valve, wherein the rotary valve has an actuating shaft, an external end of which extends through the control panel, the bezel/plate assembly comprising:

• a substantially planar stop plate comprising
• a hole defining an axis normal to the plane of the stop plate,
• a first planar section having a first outer radius extending outward from the axis, and
• a second planar section having a second radius greater than the first radius extending outward from the axis,
• wherein the hole is shaped to engage the actuating shaft external end and cause the stop plate to rotate with the actuating shaft, and
• wherein the second planar section defines a radially extending shoulder;
• and
• a bezel comprising
• a hole shaped to allow the actuating shaft external end to pass through the bezel without engaging the bezel, and
• stopping means extending outward from the bezel for engaging the shoulder of the stop plate and limiting the rotation of the actuating shaft.

A stop mechanism for regulating the flow of gas to a gas grilling appliance having a control panel and a rotary valve, wherein the rotary valve has an actuating shaft, an external end of which extends through the control panel for mounting a control knob, the stop mechanism comprising:

• a stop structure attached to the control panel and spaced laterally from the actuating shaft;
• and
• a stop plate adapted to be received on the actuating shaft between the control panel and the control knob;
• wherein the stop plate comprises
• an opening that is keyed to the actuating shaft so that the stop plate rotates with the actuating shaft,
• a first portion having a radial extent that clears the stop structure when rotating,
• and a second portion having a radial extent that engages the stop structure when rotating to limit the rotation of the control knob.

A stop mechanism for regulating the flow of gas to a gas grilling appliance having a control panel and a rotary valve, wherein the rotary valve has an actuating shaft defining a longitudinal axis and having an external end that extends through the control panel for mounting a control knob, the stop mechanism comprising:

• a stop structure attached to the control panel and spaced laterally from the actuating shaft;
• and
• a stop plate adapted to be received on the actuating shaft between the bezel and the control knob;
• wherein the stop plate comprises
• an opening that is keyed to the actuating shaft so that the stop plate rotates with the actuating shaft,
• a first arcuate section having a radius less than the distance from the longitudinal axis of the actuating shaft to the stop structure, and
• a second arcuate section having a radius greater than the distance from the longitudinal axis of the actuating shaft to the stop structure;
• wherein the first arcuate section and second arcuate section meet at a juncture;
• and wherein the juncture of the first arcuate section and second arcuate section of the top plate defines a shoulder configured to engage the stop structure to limit rotation of the control knob.

A stop mechanism for regulating the flow of gas to a gas grilling appliance having a control panel and a rotary valve, wherein the rotary valve has an actuating shaft, an external end of which extends through the control panel, the stop mechanism comprising:

• a substantially planar stop plate comprising
• a hole defining an axis normal to the plane of the stop plate,
• a first planar section having a first outer radius extending outward from the axis, and
• a second planar section having a second radius greater than the first radius extending outward from the axis,
• wherein the hole is shaped to engage the actuating shaft external end and cause the stop plate to rotate with the actuating shaft, and
• wherein the second planar section defines a radially extending shoulder;
• and stopping means extending outward from control panel for engaging the shoulder of the stop plate and limiting the rotation of the actuating shaft.