Sub-zero Group, Inc.

Bronson Blum

Curtis Leroy Cruver, Iv

Mark R Eckert

Alexander R Krahn

Terrence Hoffmann

Andrew R Huerth

Curt Scadden

Matthew Skemp

Adam Strutz

Control knob

A movable panel assembly for an appliance includes a panel coupled to an appliance chassis via a cam mechanism, which is actuated by a stationary motor. The cam mechanism includes two parallel linkage portions, wherein each of the linkage portions are coupled to opposite ends of the panel. Each linkage portion includes a rack mounted to a sliding rail, which is translated by the motor via a gear engaging with the rack to move a plate. The plate includes a pin coupled to a cam follower, the pin being configured to translate within a channel disposed within a cam plate. The cam follower is configured to cause the panel to horizontally translate, pivot, and vertically translate relative to the chassis, thereby facilitating access to a component housing unit disposed behind the panel when the panel assembly is in a closed configuration.

Appliance with removable panel

A control knob includes a control rod assembly including a base plate, a control rod, and an electronic circuit board, a display connected to receive an electrical signal from the electronic circuit board and including a display front face that displays a device status, a knob including a knob aperture wall, and a cover mounted between the knob and the base plate and including a cover sidewall that mounts to the base plate, a cover front wall mounted to the cover sidewall to cover an interior of the cover sidewall, and a display aperture wall formed in a portion of the cover sidewall and a portion of the cover front wall. The display aperture wall allows insertion of the display housing. The control rod assembly, the display, and the cover rotate with the knob when the knob is rotated. The display front face is visible through the knob aperture wall.

Control knob with display

A griddle includes a griddle plate, a heating element, a frame, and a plurality of nuts. The heating element provides heat to the griddle plate when the griddle is used. The frame includes a plurality of walls, a flange that extends from top edges of the plurality of walls, a plurality of studs mounted to extend upward from the flange, and a bottom wall that extends from bottom edges of the plurality of walls toward an interior of the plurality of walls. The heating element is mounted to the bottom wall. A nut of the plurality of nuts is mounted on each stud of the plurality of studs. A bottom surface of the griddle plate is mounted to abut each nut of the plurality of nuts to define an air gap around a perimeter of the griddle plate between the flange and the bottom surface of the griddle plate.

Griddle

A knob assembly includes a knob, a light assembly, a light socket, and a receptacle. The light assembly includes a light diffuser, a light source, and a light connector prong. Light from the light source is transmitted through the light diffuser. The light connector prong is electrically connected to the light source to provide power to the light source when the knob is rotated. The light socket includes a socket housing, a light connector aperture wall, an electrical connector aperture wall, and an internal conductor. The light connector prong is mounted within the light connector aperture wall. A power connector prong connectable to a power source is mounted within the electrical connector aperture wall. The connector housing of the receptacle is configured to house the light socket. The light connector prong is inserted into the light connector aperture wall through a first wall of the device.

Illuminated control knob

Control knob with a digital display

Growing community of inventors

Cottage Grove, WI, United States of America

Bronson Blum