Snap spring clip for burner unit mounting

{
  "publication_number": "US11619397B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Snap spring clip for burner unit mounting",
  "abstract": "A spring clip for attaching a radiant burner unit to a cooktop includes a retention tab having a portion extending in a first direction and a retention arm defining a lever portion projecting away from the retention tab to an end displaced from the tab in a second direction generally normal to the first direction. The retention arm further defines a resiliently deformable section facilitating movement of the lever toward and away from the retention tab. The spring clip further includes a snap tab positioned opposite the retention arm from the retention tab and resiliently deflectable toward and away from the retention tab.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A spring clip for a cooktop, comprising: a body; a retention tab extending from the body in a first direction, the retention tab being coupled with the body and having a portion extending generally parallel therewith; a retention arm projecting away from the retention tab in a second direction generally normal to the first direction; and a snap tab extending outwardly from the retention arm and including a support arm connected with the retention arm, a release arm, and at least one side arm.",
    "2. The spring clip of claim 1, wherein the retention arm defines a lever projecting away from the retention tab in the second direction.",
    "3. The spring clip of claim 1, wherein: a first portion of the snap tab extends away from the retention arm in the second direction; and a second portion of the snap tab is resiliently deflectable toward and away from the retention tab.",
    "4. The spring clip of claim 2, wherein the retention arm defines a resiliently deformable section that facilitates movement of the lever toward and away from the retention tab.",
    "5. The spring clip of claim 1, wherein the body defines a spring loop from which a support arm extends to support the snap tab.",
    "6. The spring clip of claim 5, wherein the snap tab includes a release arm resiliently deflectable toward and away from the support arm.",
    "7. A cooktop, comprising: a support structure defining a burner unit aperture and a retention aperture adjacent to the burner unit aperture; a burner housing having a side wall and a lower surface defining a hole therein and adjacent to the side wall; and a spring clip, including: a body a retention tab coupled with the body and having a portion extending generally parallel with the body and through the hole and in a first direction within the housing; a retention arm projecting away from the retention tab and having an end operably engaged with the side wall of the housing; and a snap tab extending outwardly from the retention arm and including a support arm connected with the retention arm, at least one side arm engaged with the retention aperture, and a release arm extending away from the at least one support arm.",
    "8. The cooktop of claim 7, wherein the side arms engage with a flange defined within a portion of the retention aperture.",
    "9. The cooktop of claim 8, wherein: the retention aperture of the support structure further defines a cutout; and a retention arm of the snap tab extends through the cutout and engages the support structure.",
    "10. The cooktop of claim 7, wherein the retention arm defines a lever, the retention arm being operably engaged with the side wall of the housing along a portion of the lever.",
    "11. The cooktop of claim 10, wherein the spring clip further includes a body, from which the retention tab extends, and a spring loop between the lever and the body, the spring loop exerting a biasing force between the lever and the retention tab.",
    "12. The cooktop of claim 7, wherein the spring clip further includes a body extension portion extending in a lateral direction relative to the lower surface of the housing and operably coupled to the lower surface.",
    "13. The cooktop of claim 7, wherein the retention arm is operably engaged with the side wall of the housing under a biasing force acting opposite the first direction.",
    "14. The cooktop of claim 7, wherein the retention tab at least partially extends toward the side wall of the housing in the first direction.",
    "15. A spring clip for a cooktop, comprising: a retention tab extending in a first direction; a retention arm defining a lever projecting away from the retention tab; and a snap tab having: a first portion extending away from the retention arm in a second direction; and a second portion resiliently deflectable toward and away from the first portion and the retention tab, the second portion including at least one side arm.",
    "16. The spring clip of claim 15, wherein the retention arm defines a resiliently deformable section that facilitates movement of the second portion toward and away from the retention tab.",
    "17. The spring clip of claim 15, wherein the spring clip further includes a support arm from which the snap tab extends, the snap tab being further resiliently flexible toward and away from the support arm.",
    "18. The spring clip of claim 17, wherein the spring clip further includes a first spring loop and a second spring loop that bias the lever and the support arm, respectively, toward and away from the retention tab.",
    "19. The spring clip of claim 17, wherein the second portion of the snap tab is a release arm that is resiliently deflectable toward and away from the support arm."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present device generally relates to a spring clip for coupling an electric burner unit with a support structure of a glass-ceramic cooktop. In particular, the spring clip facilitates snap-in installation of the electric burner with the support structure in a vertical direction. Various electric cooking hobs, including those used in ranges and as stand-alone cooktops use an arrangement in which a glass-ceramic (sometimes simply referred to as “glass”) substrate is used as a continuous upper cooking surface. A support structure, often of metal, underlies the glass-ceramic substrate, providing structural support for the substrate. A plurality of burner units are mounted to the support structure beneath desired cooking locations distributed along the substrate. For purposes of heat transfer to the cooking surface of the substrate, it may be desired for a housing of the burner unit to be in generally continuous contact with the underside of the substrate, making a reliable fit of the coupling between the burner unit and the support structure desirable. Springs have been used for such coupling, but may lack vertical support in certain structures where the coupling points between the burner unit and support structure are near horizontal alignment. Further, springs may be difficult to assemble, requiring extension and assembly of hooked ends thereof with the appropriate structures. Accordingly, further advances may be desired.",
  "cpc": [
    "F24C 15/108",
    "F16B 2/241",
    "F24C 15/102",
    "H05B 2206/022",
    "H05B 3/748"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 2/24",
    "F24C 15/10",
    "H05B 3/74"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "WHIRLPOOL CO"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "PILLE ALEXANDER S"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-10-14",
  "publication_date": "2023-04-04",
  "grant_date": "2023-04-04",
  "priority_date": "2015-04-23",
  "application_number": "US-201916600631-A",
  "family_id": "57147512",
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}