U.S. patent application number 09/888367 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-25 for toaster with improved safety device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nguyen, Nhiem Viet.
Application Number | 20020047005 09/888367 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26935553 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020047005 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nguyen, Nhiem Viet |
April 25, 2002 |
TOASTER WITH IMPROVED SAFETY DEVICE
Abstract
A safety shut-off device for an electric toaster having a food
support member includes at least one switch that is movable between
a closed position to thereby energize one or more heating elements
associated with the toaster and an open position for deenergizing
the at least one heating element. A rotatable support beam is
pivotally connected to the chassis. An armature is connected to one
end of the beam and a first locking member is connected to an
opposite end of the beam. A second locking member associated with
the food support member engages the first locking member during a
toasting operation. During a toasting operation, the beam is
rotated to close the at least one switch and an electromagnet is
energized to hold the beam, and thus the food support member, in a
toasting position. At the end of the toasting operation, the
electromagnet is deenergized, causing the beam to rotate and open
the switch to deenergize the at least one heating element and
release the food support member. Rotation of the beam to open the
switch and deenergize of the at least one heating element is
independent of movement or non-movement of the food support member.
In this manner, the toaster does not continue to operate in the
event of a food jam.
Inventors: |
Nguyen, Nhiem Viet; (Glen
Allen, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD, L.L.P.
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE
2005 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2200
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
26935553 |
Appl. No.: |
09/888367 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60243066 |
Oct 25, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/392 ;
219/412; 99/327; 99/338 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 37/0814
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/392 ;
219/412; 99/327; 99/338 |
International
Class: |
A47J 037/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electric toaster comprising: a chassis having at least one
toasting compartment; at least one heating element located in the
compartment; a food support member positioned in the compartment
for supporting a food item, the food support member being biased
toward an upper rest position and being movable between a lower
toasting position and the upper rest position; an electromagnet
connected to the chassis for holding the food support member in the
lower toasting position when energized; at least one switch movable
between a closed position to thereby energize the at least one
heating element and an open position for deenergizing the at least
one heating element; a rotatable support beam pivotally connected
to the chassis for pivotal movement between a first pivot position
wherein the rotatable support beam moves the switch to the closed
position and a second pivot position wherein the switch is in the
open position; an armature connected at a first end of the
rotatable support beam for pivotal movement therewith between the
first and second pivot positions, the armature being held by the
electromagnet in the first pivot position when the electromagnet is
energized and being separated from the electromagnet in the second
pivot position when the electromagnet is deenergized; a first
locking member at a second end of the rotatable support beam
opposite the first end; and a second locking member operably
connected to the food support member for movement therewith;
wherein the first and second locking members interengage and the
rotatable support beam is pivoted toward the first pivot position
when the food support member is moved toward the lower toasting
position thereby closing the switch and energizing the at least one
heating element and, upon energization of the electromagnet,
holding the food support member against movement in the lower
toasting position.
2. An electric toaster according to claim 1, wherein deenergization
of the electromagnet causes the rotatable support beam to pivot to
the second pivot position to disengage the first and second locking
members and open the switch to deenergize the at least one heating
element independent of movement or non-movement of the food support
member.
3. An electric toaster according to claim 2, wherein the first
locking member comprises a catch that extends beyond the second end
of the rotatable support beam.
4. An electric toaster according to claim 3, wherein the second
locking member comprises a hook that engages the catch when the
food support member is in the lower toasting position to thereby
prevent movement of the food support member toward the upper rest
position when the electromagnet is energized.
5. An electric toaster according to claim 4, wherein the catch is
constructed of a flexible material.
6. An electrical toaster according to claim 5, wherein the catch is
supported by the rotatable support beam against flexure in one
direction to thereby stop movement of the hook toward the upper
rest position, and is free to flex away from the rotatable support
beam during movement of the hook toward the lower toasting
position.
7. An electric toaster according to claim 6, and further comprising
a leaf spring connected to the rotatable support member, the leaf
spring including a first ring-shaped portion and a second portion
that comprises the catch.
8. An electric toaster according to claim 7, wherein movement of
the hook toward the upper rest position causes the ring-shaped
portion to flex against a surface of the chassis adjacent the
ring-shaped portion so that the hook can move past the catch during
hook movement toward the upper rest position.
9. An electric toaster according to claim 8, and further
comprising: a carriage bracket connected to the food support member
for movement therewith; and a compression spring extending between
the chassis and the carriage bracket for biasing the food support
member toward the upper rest position.
10. An electric toaster according to claim 9, wherein a bias force
of the compression spring is greater than a bias force of the
ring-shaped portion of the leaf spring.
11. An electric toaster according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable
support beam pivots from the first pivot position to the second
pivot position under gravity.
12. An electric toaster according to claim 11, wherein the
rotational support beam pivots about a pivot point that is located
between a center of the rotational support beam and the second
end.
13. An electric toaster according to claim 1, wherein the
rotational support beam pivots about a pivot point that is located
between a center of the rotational support beam and the second
end.
14. An electric toaster according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one switch comprises: a pair of spaced contact fingers, one of the
contact fingers being relatively movable with respect to the other
contact finger between the closed position where the fingers are in
contact with each other to thereby energize the at least one
heating element, and the open position where the fingers are spaced
from each other for deenergizing the at least one heating element,
the rotatable support beam being operably engageable with the one
contact finger to move the one contact finger to the closed
position when the rotatable support beam is pivoted toward the
first pivot position and permitting movement of the one contact
finger to the open position when the rotatable support beam is
pivoted toward the second pivot position.
15. An electric toaster according to claim 14, and further
comprising a circuit board supported by the chassis adjacent the
first end of the rotatable support beam, with the spaced fingers
extending from the circuit board in cantilevered fashion.
16. A safety shut-off device for an electric toaster having a food
support rod movable in a toasting chamber between an upper rest
position and a lower toasting position and at least one heating
element located in the toasting chamber, the safety shut-off device
comprising: a switch movable between a closed position to thereby
energize the at least one heating element and an open position for
deenergizing the at least one heating element a rotatable support
beam pivotally connected to the chassis for pivotal movement
between a first pivot position wherein the rotatable support beam
moves the switch into the closed position and a second pivot
position wherein the switch is in the open position; an armature
connected at a first end of the rotatable support beam for pivotal
movement therewith between the first and second pivot positions; a
first locking member connected at a second end of the rotatable
support beam opposite the first end for pivotal movement therewith
between the first and second pivot positions; a second locking
member adapted for movement with the food support rod and
engageable with the first locking member in the lower toasting
position for holding the food support rod in the lower toasting
position; an electromagnet fixedly positioned with respect to the
armature for engaging and holding the armature when energized and
releasing the armature when deenergized to thereby hold and release
the food support in the lower toasting position; wherein the first
and second locking members interengage and the rotatable support
beam is pivoted toward the first pivot position when the food
support member is moved toward the lower toasting position to
thereby close the switch and energize the at least one heating
element and, upon energization of the electromagnet, holding the
food support member against movement in the lower toasting
position.
17. A safety shut-off device according to claim 16, wherein
deenergization of the electromagnet causes the rotatable support
beam to pivot to the second pivot position to disengage the first
and second locking members and open the switch to deenergize the at
least one heating element independent of movement or non-movement
of the food support member.
18. A safety shut-off device according to claim 17, wherein the
first locking member comprises a catch that extends beyond the
second end of the rotatable support beam.
19. A safety shut-off device according to claim 18, wherein the
second locking member comprises a hook that engages the catch when
the food support member is in the lower toasting position to
thereby prevent movement of the food support member toward the
upper rest position when the electromagnet is energized.
20. A safety shut-off device according to claim 19, wherein the
catch is constructed of a flexible material.
21. A safety shut-off device according to claim 20, wherein the
catch is supported by the rotatable support beam against flexure in
one direction to thereby stop movement of the hook toward the upper
rest position, and is free to flex away from the rotatable support
beam during movement of the hook toward the lower toasting
position.
22. A safety shut-off device according to claim 21, and further
comprising a leaf spring connected to the rotatable support member,
the leaf spring including a first ring-shaped portion and a second
portion that comprises the catch.
23. A safety shut-off device according to claim 22, wherein
movement of the hook toward the upper rest position causes the
ring-shaped portion to flex so that the hook can move past the
catch during hook movement toward the upper rest position.
24. A safety shut-off device according to claim 17, wherein the
rotatable support beam pivots from the first pivot position to the
second pivot position under gravity.
25. A safety shut-off device according to claim 24, wherein the
rotational support beam pivots about a pivot point that is located
between a center of the rotational support beam and the second
end.
26. A safety shut-off device according to claim 16, wherein the
rotational support beam pivots about a pivot point that is located
between a center of the rotational support beam and the second
end.
27. A safety shut-off device according to claim 16, wherein the at
least one switch comprises: a pair of spaced contact fingers, one
of the contact fingers being relatively movable with respect to the
other contact finger between the closed position where the fingers
are in contact with each other to thereby energize the at least one
heating element, and the open position where the fingers are spaced
from each other for deenergizing the at least one heating element,
the rotatable support beam being operably engageable with the one
contact finger to move the one contact finger to the closed
position when the rotatable support beam is pivoted toward the
first pivot position and permitting movement of the one contact
finger to the open position when the rotatable support beam is
pivoted toward the second pivot position.
28. A safety shut-off device according to claim 27, and further
comprising a circuit board supported by the chassis adjacent the
first end of the rotatable support beam, with the spaced fingers
extending from the circuit board in cantilevered fashion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a non-provisional application of
co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/243,066,
filed Oct. 25, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to electric toasters, and more
particularly to an improved safety device for an electric toaster
for arresting operation of the toaster in the event of a jammed
food item.
[0003] Household toasters commonly have a control chamber separated
from a toasting chamber by a vertical end wall. A bread carriage
plate is slidably received on a support post in the control chamber
and carries a pair of bread lifters that extend into the toasting
chamber between heating elements. The carriage plate and bread
lifters are vertically movable between a raised position for
loading bread or other food items onto the bread lifters and a
lowered position for toasting the bread or other food items.
[0004] Some toasters have only one bread lifter while other
toasters have two or more bread lifters. For the purpose of
discussion, this invention is disclosed for use in a toaster
configuration comprising two bread lifters, which is currently the
most common. However, as will become apparent, aspects of this
invention described below can be used in other toaster
configurations.
[0005] In many toasters, the bread lifters are connected to a
vertically movable support carriage. A coil spring biases the
support carriage upwardly so that the bread lifters are normally in
an upper, non-toasting position. The support carriage can be
lowered to the toasting position by manipulation of a control lever
accessible from outside the toaster housing. During a toasting
cycle, a latch mechanism holds the support carriage and thus the
bread lifters in a lowered, toasting position. User-adjustable
electric means controls the toasting cycle times during which the
bread lifters are latched in the toasting position in order to
toast the food items to a desired color.
[0006] Some toasters include a lost-motion safety device wherein
the bread is lowered by the support carriage onto holding tabs that
extend from a sheet metal base of the toaster. The tabs are formed
by stamping U-shaped slots in the sheet metal base then bending the
tabs to form cantilevered supports. Once the bread is supported on
the holding tabs, the support carriage can continue to descend
until locked or latched in a toasting position, whereupon heating
elements are energized to toast the bread. Should the bread become
lodged at the end of a heating cycle, the support carriage will
move upward to de-energize the heating elements before it contacts
the bread to thereby stop the toasting cycle before the bread
reaches an unpleasant state.
[0007] There is a continuous need to improve toaster mechanisms and
their method of manufacture to realize further cost savings while
maintaining safety standards. Accordingly, it would be advantageous
to provide a toaster with an improved safety device that does not
rely on lost motion mechanisms for stopping the toasting cycle in
the event of a food jam.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the invention, an electric toaster comprises a
chassis with at least one toasting compartment. At least one
heating element is located in the compartment and a food support
member is positioned in the compartment for supporting a food item.
The food support member is biased toward an upper rest position and
is movable between a lower toasting position and the upper rest
position. An electromagnet is connected to the chassis for holding
the food support member in the lower toasting position when
energized. At least one switch is movable between a closed position
to thereby energize the at least one heating element and an open
position for deenergizing the at least one heating element. A
rotatable support beam is pivotally connected to the chassis for
pivotal movement between a first pivot position wherein the
rotatable support beam moves the switch to the closed position and
a second pivot position wherein the switch is in the open position.
An armature is connected at a first end of the rotatable support
beam for pivotal movement with the rotatable support beam between
the first and second pivot positions. The armature is held by the
electromagnet in the first pivot position when the electromagnet is
energized and is separated from the electromagnet in the second
pivot position when the electromagnet is deenergized. A first
locking member is located at a second end of the rotatable support
beam opposite the first end. A second locking member is operably
connected to the food support member for movement therewith. In
this manner, the first and second locking members interengage and
the rotatable support beam is pivoted toward the first pivot
position when the food support member is moved toward the lower
toasting position to thereby close the switch and energize the at
least one heating element. Upon energization of the electromagnet,
the food support member is held against movement in the lower
toasting position. Upon deenergization of the electromagnet, the
rotatable support beam pivots to the second pivot position to
disengage the first and second locking members and open the switch
to deenergize the at least one heating element independent of
movement or non-movement of the food support member.
[0009] Further according to the invention, safety shut-off device
is provided for an electric toaster having a food support rod
movable in a toasting chamber between an upper rest position and a
lower toasting position and at least one heating element located in
the toasting chamber. The safety shut-off device comprises a switch
movable between a closed position to thereby energize the at least
one heating element and an open position for deenergizing the at
least one heating element. A rotatable support beam is pivotally
connected to the chassis for pivotal movement between a first pivot
position wherein the rotatable support beam moves the switch to the
closed position and a second pivot position wherein the switch is
in the open position. An armature is connected at a first end of
the rotatable support beam for pivotal movement therewith between
the first and second pivot positions. A first locking member is
connected at a second end of the rotatable support beam opposite
the first end for pivotal movement therewith between the first and
second pivot positions. A second locking member is adapted for
movement with the food support rod and is engageable with the first
locking member in the lower toasting position for holding the food
support rod in the lower toasting position. An electromagnet is
fixedly positioned with respect to the armature for engaging and
holding the armature when energized and releasing the armature when
deenergized to thereby hold and release the food support in the
lower toasting position. With this arrangement, the first and
second locking members interengage and the rotatable support beam
is pivoted toward the first pivot position when the food support
member is moved toward the lower toasting position to thereby close
the switch and energize the at least one heating element. Upon
energization of the electromagnet, the food support member is held
against movement in the lower toasting position. Upon
deenergization of the electromagnet, the rotatable support beam
pivots to the second pivot position to disengage the first and
second locking members and open the switch to deenergize the at
least one heating element independent of movement or non-movement
of the food support member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will
hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a toaster safety device
according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the safety device of
FIG. 1 mounted to a toaster chassis according to the present
invention, with a bread support assembly of the toaster chassis in
a rest or non-operational position;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2 of the
safety device and bread support assembly approaching an operational
position;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the safety device and
bread support assembly in the operational position;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the safety device and
bread support assembly in a shut-off position; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the safety device and
bread support assembly in a safety shut-off position.
[0017] The invention will now be described in greater detail with
reference to the drawings, wherein like parts throughout the
drawing figures are represented by like numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in
particular, a toaster 10 according to the present invention
includes a toaster chassis 12 and a safety device 14 connected to
the toaster chassis. The toaster chassis 12 has a base 16 with a
toasting section 18 and a control section 20 for operating the
toasting section. Well-known portions of the toasting section and
control section have been left out for clarity.
[0019] The toasting section 18 has opposite end walls 22 (only one
of which is shown) that are connected to the base 16 and extend
upwardly therefrom. One of the end walls 22 divides the toasting
section 18 from the control section 20. Side heating element cards
24 (only one of which is shown) preferably extend from the base 16
and between the end walls to form a toasting compartment 26. The
heating element cards 24 are of well-known construction and include
heating elements (not shown) for toasting food items in a
well-known manner.
[0020] A food support rod 30 extends through a generally vertically
oriented slot (not shown) in the end wall 22. A forward end 32 of
the support rod 30 is connected to a carriage bracket 34 that is in
turn connected to a user-manipulated operating knob (not shown) for
sliding the support rod 30 between an upper-most position (FIG. 2)
and a lower-most position (FIG. 3). The carriage rod 30 may be
accordion-shaped to support bread or other food items thereon.
Although only a single compartment 26 and support rod 30 are shown
for clarity, it is to be understood that multiple compartments and
support rods can be provided for simultaneously toasting multiple
food items.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the control section 20 includes a guide
rod 40 that is mounted to the base 16 and extends upwardly
therefrom. The carriage bracket 34 has an opening (not shown) that
receives and holds the guide rod 40. A compression spring 42 is
installed on the guide rod 40 and extends between the base 16 and
the carriage bracket 34. The spring 42 normally biases the carriage
bracket 34, and thus the support rod 30, to its upper-most
position. A hook 44 is connected to the carriage bracket 34 and
extends downwardly therefrom. The hook 44 includes a curved lower
edge 46 and a generally flat upper edge 48, the use of which will
be described in greater detail below.
[0022] The safety device 14 is located in the control section 20
and includes cooperative components mounted on a printed circuit
board 50 and on the base 16. The circuit board 50 is preferably
connected to the chassis 12 in a generally vertical orientation in
a well-known manner. Spaced contact switches 52 are mounted to the
circuit board 50 in cantilevered fashion. Each switch 52 has an
upper contact finger 54 that extends generally horizontally and a
lower contact finger 56 that extends generally downwardly and at an
acute angle with respect to the upper contact finger. Preferably,
the upper contact finger 54 is stationary while the lower contact
finger 56 can flex or otherwise move into contact with the upper
contact finger to complete an electrical circuit, and move away
from the upper contact finger to break the electrical circuit. An
electromagnet 60 is mounted to the circuit board 50 through a
mounting bracket 61 and is energized when the switches 52 are
closed during a toasting operation.
[0023] An armature 62 is mounted in an armature carrier 64 and is
adapted to contact and be held by the electromagnet 60 when
energized to thereby hold the support rod 30 in its lower-most
position during the toasting operation. Although not shown,
well-known means for deenergizing the electromagnet and completing
the toasting operation may be provided in conjunction with a
manually settable knob for adjusting the toasted color of the bread
or other food item.
[0024] The armature carrier 64 is preferably T-shaped in
configuration and includes a first beam 70 and a second beam 72
that is connected to a forward end of the first beam and extends
transverse thereto. The second beam 72 includes a pair of end walls
74, 76 and a forward projection 78, with the armature 62 located
therebetween. A contact pin 80 is mounted to a bottom of the second
beam 72 and extends laterally beyond the end walls 74, 76 for
contacting the lower contact fingers 56 of the switches 52. A
rearward end of the first beam 70 is pivotally connected to a pair
of spaced legs 82, 84 through a pivot pin 86 that extends through
the legs. The pivot pin can be securely connected to the first beam
70 and rotate in the legs 82 and 84. Alternatively, the pivot pin
can be stationary with respect to the legs with the first beam 70
pivotally connected to the pivot pin. The legs 82, 84 extend
upwardly from a platform 88 which is in turn securely connected to
the base 16. A leaf spring 90 has a relatively flat section 92 that
is connected to the underside of the first beam 70 and a curved
section 94 that normally rests against the legs 82, 84 when the
support rod 30 is in its upper-most position, as shown in FIG. 2. A
rearward end of the leaf spring 90 extends rearwardly of a rearward
end 98 of the first beam 70 and forms a cantilevered catch 96, as
will be described in greater detail below. The off-centered
position of the pivot pin with respect to the first beam 70,
together with the combined weight of the first beam 70 forward of
the pivot pin, the second beam 72, the contact pin 80, the armature
62, and the leaf spring 90 ensure that the armature carrier 64 is
normally tilted out of contact with the switches 52 and
electromagnet 60 in a non-use or safety position, as will be
described in greater detail below.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 2-6, operation of the toaster 10
will now be described. A food item (not shown), such as a slice of
bread, is inserted into one or more of the compartments 26 so as to
rest on one or more of the support rods 30. The operating knob (not
shown) is then pressed downwardly to lower the carriage bracket 34
and the support rod 30. Continuous downward movement of the
carriage bracket 34 causes the lower curved edge 46 of the hook 44
to contact and flex the catch 96 of the leaf spring 90, and rotate
the armature carrier 64 about the pivot pin 86 in a clockwise
direction so that the contact pin 80 touches the lower contact
fingers 56, as shown in FIG. 3. Further downward movement of the
carriage bracket 34 causes the catch 96 to clear the hook 44 and
snap back to its original position with respect to the first beam
70 and to rotate the contact pin 80 in the clockwise direction and
move the lower contact fingers 56 toward their respective upper
contact fingers 54 until the armature 62 is in contact with the
electromagnet 60 and the lower contact fingers engage the upper
contact fingers. At that moment, electrical current passes through
the contact fingers 54, 56 and into an electrical circuit (not
shown) to preferably energize the electromagnet 60 and hold the
armature 62 and the armature carrier 64 against movement, as well
as energize the heating elements (not shown). Preferably, the catch
96 snaps back to its original position with respect to the beam 70
either simultaneously with or prior to engagement of the lower
contact fingers with the upper contact fingers so that the heating
elements are energized only when the carriage bracket 34 is locked
in the lower toasting position.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, when the carriage bracket 34 is released
by a user, it will move upwardly under bias from the compression
spring 42 until the flat upper edge 48 of the hook 44 rests against
a bottom surface of the catch 96, to thereby lock the carriage
bracket 34 in the lower toasting position. The catch 96 prevents
the carriage bracket 34 from returning to its upper rest position
under bias of the compression spring 42. The catch 96 of the leaf
spring 90 is preferably unsupported by the first beam 70 when
flexed in the downward direction (FIG. 3) for permitting the hook
44, and thus the support rod 30, to descend bellow the catch, and
is preferably supported by the first beam 70 against flexure to
hold the hook 44, and thus the support rod 30, in the lower
toasting position (FIG. 4).
[0027] After a preset time period, which can be set by the
electrical circuit (not shown) and/or user input, current to the
electromagnet 60 is turned off. As a result, the armature 62 and
armature carrier 64 rotate counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 5,
about the pivot pin 86 due to gravitational force, as well as the
upward force exerted on the catch 96 by the hook 44 under bias from
the compression spring 42. In order for the carriage bracket 34 to
completely pass the leaf spring 90 during upward movement, the
curved section 94 of the leaf spring 90 flexes against the legs 82,
84 and the platform 88 to move the hook 44 out of engagement with
the catch 96. The bias force of the compression spring 42 is
preferably strong enough to cause the curved section 94 to flex a
sufficient amount so that the hook 44 can clear the catch 96.
[0028] With reference now to FIG. 6, in the event that a food item
in the compartment 26 becomes lodged and prevents upward movement
of the food support 30, the safety device 14 prevents continued
operation of the toaster 10. As shown, the carriage bracket 34 is
stuck in a toasting position. When the electromagnet 60 is turned
off after a toasting operation, the armature 62, armature carrier
64, and leaf spring 90 rotate in the counterclockwise direction as
viewed in FIG. 6 under gravitational forces, and independent of
movement or non-movement of the carriage bracket 34. Rotation of
the armature carrier 64 in this manner opens the switches 52 and
turns off power to the heating elements (not shown) associated with
the heating element cards 24. In this manner, the toasting
operation will stop even when the food support rod 30 is prevented
from moving upward due to a food jam.
[0029] The above-described arrangement not only prevents continued
operation of the toaster in the even of a food jam, but also
prevents re-initialization of the toasting cycle until the jam is
cleared since the beam cannot be rotated to close the switch and
the armature 62 cannot contact the electromagnet 60 without the
hook 44 moving above the catch 96.
[0030] It will be understood that the terms forward, rearward,
upper, lower, lateral, and their respective derivatives and
equivalent terms as may be used throughout the specification refer
to relative, rather than absolute positions and/or
orientations.
[0031] While the invention has been taught with specific reference
to the above-described embodiments, those skilled in the art will
recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Thus, the
described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,
therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their
scope.
* * * * *