Ranco Inc. of Delaware

Larry J Motyka

Robert J Alvord

Thomas F Glennon

Jeffrey A Puskas

Phillip Hawken

Jeffery J Makeever

Jeffery M Huffington

A method and apparatus for mounting a controller (,) along with its program selector switch (,) and other electrical components (,) on appliance front panels is disclosed. A twist mount (,) removably mounts a selector switch (,) and printed circuit board (,) to a control panel (,) of an appliance. The switch (,) may be positioned off-center on the printed circuit board (,) in a manner creating a gravity-based rotational torque force on the twist mount (,), such that the printed circuit board (,) acts as a cantilever arm during mounting, and the selector switch (,) is held in the mounted position via the gravity force after mounting.

Panel mounted controller and integrated selector switch

In an appliance such as an oven for cooking food, the invention contemplates a user rotatable, single knob oven control device which provides both discrete and continuous control signals to the appliance controller. The discrete outputs indicate selection of oven features, and the continuous output the desired baking temperature. These inputs are selected by a user in response to rotation of a user interface knob mounted on a control panel. The control panel provides visual indication of oven cooking temperature selections through a first arc around the knob, and user selectable oven features (such as, e.g., OFF/CANCEL, BROIL, and CLEAN) in a second arc around the knob. The control device comprises a hub having a portion adapted to be drivably coupled to the user interface knob. The hub also includes a flange which has at least one cam. The device also includes a variable resistance element having a rotatable shaft in driving engagement with the hub. This element provides a variable resistance output in response to rotation of the shaft through the first arc. Additionally, the device includes a push button switch which is located external to the variable resistance element. The switch is also located in proximity with the flange such that rotation of the hub will bring the cam in contact with the switch to actuate it. This switch provides a discrete output when actuated by the cam to indicate a selection of one of the oven features.

Single knob rotary oven control apparatus providing continuous and

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Batavia, IL, United States of America

Larry J Motyka