Stop mechanism for regulating the flow of gas to a gas grilling appliance and method of regulating

摘要

The present invention is embodied in a conversion kit for a gas grilling appliance with rotary valves that avoids the need to use either a sleeve inserted in the inner chamber of the regulating plug or interchangeable knobs on the valve shaft. The conversion kit comprises a regulating device for each valve that can be readily installed by removing the existing control knob, placing the regulating device on the valve shaft, and replacing the control knob. The regulating device cooperates with a stop structure on the control panel to limit rotation of the control knob, when converting the grilling appliance from one type of gas to another.

主权项

1. A bezel/plate assembly for regulating the flow of gas to a gas grilling appliance having a control panel and a rotary valve, wherein the rotary valve has an actuating shaft, an external end of which extends through the control panel for mounting a control knob, the bezel/plate assembly comprising:
a bezel adapted to be mounted on the control panel surrounding the external end of the actuating shaft; and a stop plate separate from the control knob and adapted to be received on the actuating shaft between the bezel and the control knob; wherein the bezel has a stop structure spaced laterally from the actuating shaft; and wherein the stop plate comprises
an opening that is keyed to the actuating shaft so that the stop plate rotates with the actuating shaft,a first portion having a radial extent that clears the stop structure on the bezel when rotating,and a second portion having a radial extent that engages the stop structure on the bezel when rotating to limit the rotation of the control knob; wherein the stop plate prevents the actuating shaft from rotating past a first angular position corresponding to a natural gas minimum flow rate when the stop plate is installed, and wherein removal of the stop plate permits the actuating shaft to be rotated past the first angular position to a second angular position corresponding to a liquid propane gas minimum flow rate.