Control knob assembly for a cooking appliance

A control knob assembly for a cooking appliance comprising:

• a cylindrical control knob having a depressible, closed end and a second, open end;
• said control knob defining an axis and being movable axially and locatable in a first, retracted non-operating position, and a second, extended operating position;
• said control knob further being rotatable about said axis when in said extended operating position to permit selection between energized and non-energized positions;
• a cylindrical drum slidable within said control knob;
• said drum having defined within its outer surface at least one guide track, and;
• at least one inwardly projecting guide follower mounted to said control knob said guide track further including a lock point for locking said at least one guide follower and locating said control knob in said retracted position, a release point for releasing said at least one guide follower from said lock point when said control knob is axially depressed, a shunt position located at the forwardmost extreme of said axially extending track, and a ratchet turn point located adjacent said shunt position, said ratchet turn point being engageable by said at least one guide follower for enabling said control knob to energize said cooking appliance, said control knob being rotatable from said shunt position to permit retraction of said control knob from said extended position.

A control knob assembly for a cooking appliance comprising:

• a cylindrical control knob having a depressible, closed end and a second, open end;
• said control knob defining an axis and being movable axially and locatable in a first, retracted non-operating position, and a second, extended operating position;
• said control knob further being rotatable about said axis when in said extended operating position to permit selection between energized and non-energized positions;
• a cylindrical drum slidable within said control knob;
• said drum having defined within its outer surface at least one guide track;
• a ring-shaped ratchet mounted at said second, open end of said control knob, said ratchet including at least one inwardly projecting guide follower;
• said at least one guide follower being slidable within said guide track between a first detent positioned on said cylindrical drum for securing said control knob in said retracted position, and a shunt position when said control knob is in said extended position;
• a second detent positioned on said cylindrical drum for receiving said at least one guide follower when said control knob is depressed for enabling said control knob to energize said cooking appliance;
• said control knob being rotatable from said shunt position to permit retraction of said control knob from said extended position.