Audible signal valve knob with timer
AssigneeRegal Ware, Inc.
InventorsEdward S. Owen, Jeffrey S. Rohrer, Allen C. Eimerman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A signal generating valve and timer assembly includes a valve slide and a controller. The controller is coupled to the valve and is adapted to engage the valve to move the valve from a first position to a second position. The valve generates a first signal in at least one of the first or second positions. Movement of the valve slide from the first position to the second position engages an actuator device to activate a switch on the timer to start the timer running for a pre-programmed time period. The timer generates a second signal at the expiration of the selected time period.
Claims10
An audible signal generating valve assembly and a cooperating, independently operable, timer assembly for a cooking vessel, comprising, in combination:
- means located in said valve assembly for initiating and maintaining an audible signal at a preselected temperature of the contents of said cooking vessel;
- a slide valve having a first position and a second position and generating a first audible signal in at least one of the first or second positions;
- a controller adapted to engage the slide valve to move the slide valve from the first position to the second position and thereby interrupt the first audible signal;
- said timer assembly including means for removably coupling said timer assembly to said valve assembly, and further including a switch and an actuator device for activating the switch and being coupled to the slide valve, the timer selectively programmable to run for a selected time period and generating a second signal at the expiration of the selected time period, the activation of the switch starting the timer running for the selected time period;
- and
- wherein movement of the slide valve from the first position to the second position engages the actuator device to activate the switch.
A method for using an assembly comprising:
- a slide valve having a first position and a second position and generating a first signal in at least one of the first or second positions,
- a controller adapted to engage the valve to move the valve from the first position to the second position, and
- a timer having a switch and an actuator device for activating the switch and being coupled to the slide valve, the timer selectively programmable to run for a selected time period and generating a second signal at the expiration of the selected time period, the activation of the switch starting the timer running for the selected time period,
- wherein movement of the slide valve from the first position to the second position engages the actuator device to activate the switch, the method comprising:
- a. coupling the assembly on a cooking vessel
- b. setting the timer for the selected time period
- c. placing the valve in the first position
- d. heating the cooking vessel to a pre-determined temperature whereby the first signal is generated, and
- e. moving the valve from the first position to the second position, thereby stopping the first signal and simultaneously starting the timer running.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.