U.S. patent application number 10/253527 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-25 for casing for an electric appliance and an electric appliance with such a casing.
Invention is credited to Berry, Adrian.
Application Number | 20040055913 10/253527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32714144 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040055913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berry, Adrian |
March 25, 2004 |
Casing for an electric appliance and an electric appliance with
such a casing
Abstract
There is disclosed a casing (10) for containing an electric
appliance (86), in which the casing (10) includes two doors (14)
and a platform (22) with an upper surface (24), and the doors (14)
are movable between a closed position in which access to the
electric appliance (86) is denied and an open position in which
access to the electric appliance (86) is allowed, and the platform
(22) is movable between a retracted position in which the upper
surface (24) of the platform (22) is substantially wholly enclosed
by the doors (14), and an extended position in which the upper
surface (24) of the platform (22) is exposed to the outside
environment. There is also disclosed an electric appliance (86)
with such a casing (10).
Inventors: |
Berry, Adrian; (London,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James A. LaBarre
BURNS, DOANE, SWECKER & MATHIS, L.L.P.
P.O. Box 1404
Alexandria
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
32714144 |
Appl. No.: |
10/253527 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 31/4407
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/320 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Claims
1. A casing adapted to contain an electric appliance, wherein said
casing includes at least a door member and a platform member with
an upper surface, wherein said door member is movable between a
closed position in which access to said appliance is denied and an
open position in which access to said appliance is allowed, and
wherein said platform member is movable between a retracted
position in which said upper surface of said platform member is
substantially wholly enclosed by said door member, and an extended
position in which at least part of said upper surface of said
platform member is exposed to the outside environment.
2. A casing according to claim 1 wherein said door member and said
platform member are movable simultaneously.
3. A casing according to claim 1 further including a button member
operable to control the movement of both said door member and said
platform member.
4. A casing according to claim 3 wherein said button member is
operable to cause said platform member to move between said
retracted position and said extended position.
5. A casing according to claim 1 wherein when platform member moves
from said retracted position to said extended position, said door
member moves from said closed position to said open position.
6. A casing according to claim 1 wherein when said platform member
moves from said extended position to said retracted position, said
door member moves from said open position to said closed
position.
7. A casing according to claim 1 wherein said door member is
swivellable about an axis substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of said casing to move between said closed
position and said open position.
8. A casing according to claim 1 including a pair of door members
which are movable simultaneously.
9. A casing according to claim 8 wherein said pair of door members
move in opposite directions.
10. A casing according to claim 8 wherein when in said closed
position, said door members are biased towards each other.
11. A casing according to claim 1 further including means for
biasing said platform member towards said extended position.
12. A casing according to claim 1 wherein when said platform member
is in said retracted position, at least part of said door member
rests on said upper surface of said platform member.
13. A casing according to claim 3 wherein said button member is
operatively associated with locking means adapted to releasably
retain said platform member in said retracted position.
14. A casing according to claim 13 wherein said locking means
includes a pole member at least part of which is received within an
aperture of said platform member when said platform member is in
said retracted position.
15. A casing according to claim 14 wherein said pole member is
disengaged from said aperture of said platform member when said
button member is operated.
16. A casing according to claim 13 wherein said button member is
movable from a first position in which said platform member is
retained in said retracted position and a second position in which
said platform member is allowed to move to said extended position,
and wherein said button member is biased towards said first
position.
17. A casing according to claim 1 including an electric motor
adapted to move said platform member.
18. An electric appliance contained within a casing according to
claim 1.
19. An electric appliance according to claim 18 wherein said
appliance is an electric coffee maker.
20. An electric appliance according to claim 19 wherein said
electric coffee maker is adapted to make espresso and/or
cappuccino.
Description
[0001] A This invention relates to a casing for an electric
appliance and an electric appliance with such a casing and, in
particular, a casing for an electric coffee maker, e.g. an espresso
and/or cappuccino maker, and an electric coffee maker with such a
casing.
[0002] There are in existence a large variety of electric
appliances for making beverages and drinks, e.g. electric coffee
makers. However, most such electric appliances are, whether in use
or not, exposed to the outside environment. In addition, such
conventional electric appliances do not provide space allowing cups
and saucers to be placed nearby. If a fixed space is provided, the
electric appliance may then be considered not compact enough.
[0003] It is thus an object to provide a casing for an electric
appliance, and an electric appliance with such a casing, in which
the aforesaid shortcomings are mitigated, or at least to provide a
useful alternative to the trade and public.
[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a casing adapted to contain an electric appliance,
wherein said casing includes at least a door member and a platform
member with an upper surface, wherein said door member is movable
between a closed position in which access to said appliance is
denied and an open position in which access to said appliance is
allowed, and wherein said platform member is movable between a
retracted position in which said upper surface of said platform
member is substantially wholly enclosed by said door member, and an
extended position in which at least part of said upper surface of
said platform member is exposed to the outside environment.
[0005] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an electric appliance housed within a casing, wherein
said casing includes at least a door member and a platform member
with an upper surface, wherein said door member is movable between
a closed position in which access to said appliance is denied and
an open position in which access to said appliance is allowed, and
wherein said platform member is movable between a retracted
position in which said upper surface of said platform member is
substantially wholly enclosed by said door member, and an extended
position in which at least part of said upper surface of said
platform member is exposed to the outside environment.
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
and with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of
a casing according to the present invention in a door-closed
configuration;
[0008] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the casing shown in FIG. 1A
in a door-open configuration;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the casing shown
in FIG. 1A;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the casing shown in FIG.
1A;
[0011] FIG. 4A is an exploded view of the movement mechanism of the
casing shown in FIG. 1A;
[0012] FIG. 4B is an assembled view of the movement mechanism shown
in FIG. 5A;
[0013] FIG. 5A is a partially exposed view of the casing shown in
FIG. 1A;
[0014] FIG. 5B is another partially exposed view of the casing
shown in FIG. 1A;
[0015] FIG. 6A is a plan view of the movement mechanism shown in
FIG. 4B in the door-open configuration;
[0016] FIG. 6B is a plan view of the movement mechanism shown in
FIG. 4B in the door-closed configuration;
[0017] FIG. 6C is a partial sectional view of a first arrangement
whereby the door and the respective rack shown in FIG. 5A is
engaged with each other;
[0018] FIG. 6D is a partial sectional view of a second arrangement
whereby the door and the respective rack shown in FIG. 5A is
engaged with each other in which the doors are open;
[0019] FIG. 6E is a partial sectional view of the arrangement shown
in FIG. 5D in which the doors are closed;
[0020] FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the encircled part marked as
"A" in FIG. 2 in which the locking part is in a locked
position;
[0021] FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of the encircled part marked as
"A" in FIG. 2 in which the locking part is in an unlocked
position;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a movement mechanism of a second
embodiment of a casing according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of an electric coffee maker
housed in a casing according to the present invention in which the
doors are closed; and
[0024] FIG. 9B is a perspective of the electric coffee maker shown
in FIG. 9A in which the doors are fully open.
[0025] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a casing according to the present
invention generally designated as 10. The casing 10 is generally
cylindrical in shape, and includes a main body 12 coupled with a
pair of movable doors 14. The main body 12 is joined on its upper
end with a top 16. Positioned at the centre of the top 16 is a
button 18 which may be operated by a finger of a user. The main
body 12 is joined on its lower end with a base 20, relative to
which a platform 22 having an upper surface 24 is movable.
[0026] While the main body 12, the top 16 and the base 20 are
fixedly secured with one another, the doors 14 and the platform 22
are both movable relative to the main body 12, the top 16 and the
base 20 in a manner to be discussed below. As can be seen in FIG.
1B, the top 16, the main body 12, the doors 14 and the base 20
combine to define an interval cavity 26 which may be accessed when
the doors 14 are open. It can also be seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B that,
when the doors 14 are closed, the upper surface 24 of the platform
22 is wholly enclosed by the doors 14 and within the cavity 26, and
that when the doors 14 are open, the upper surface 24 is exposed to
the outside environment and accessible by a user. It should also be
noted that, when the doors 24 are closed, part of the doors 24 sit
on the upper surface 24 of the platform 22.
[0027] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the button 18 is connected to an
end of a bar 28 via a rivet 30, so that the pivot bar 28 and the
button 18 are movable relative to each other about the rivet 30.
The bar 28 is connected around its mid-point to the top 16 via a
rivet 32, so that the bar 28 is swivellable relative to the top 16
about the rivet 32. Another end of the bar 28 is connected to a
vertical disposed rod 34 via a rivet 36, so that the bar 28 and the
rod 34 are movable relative to each other about the rivet 36. The
button 18 is provided with a spring 38 which urges the button 18 to
occupy its position as shown in FIG. 2. At a lower end of the rod
34 is provided with a spring 40 which urges the rod 34 to occupy
its position as shown in FIG. 2.
[0028] In the configuration as shown in FIG. 2, the platform 22
will be retained in the position as shown therein by the rod 34,
which forms part of a locking mechanism. By way of the arrangement
discussed above, when the button 18 is pressed downwardly, and
against the biasing force of the spring 38, in the direction
indicated by the arrow B, the bar 28 will pivot relative to the
rivet 32 in the direction indicated by the arrow C. In this way,
the rod 34 will move upwardly, and against the biasing force of the
spring 40, in the direction indicated by the arrow E. When the
downward pressing force on the button 18 is released, the spring 38
will act to return the button 18 upwardly to the position as shown
in FIG. 2, in which case the rod 34 will also move downwardly upon
the action of the biasing force of the spring 40.
[0029] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the doors 14 are coupled to the
body 12 via a boss 42, so that the doors 14 can swivel around the
body 12 about a longitudinal axis L-L of the body 12. It can also
be seen that the base 20 includes a gear system (details of which
will be discussed below) which is operable to move the platform 22
between a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 1A, and an extended
position, as shown in FIG. 1B. The platform 22 includes a lower
part 22a engaged with the gear system for movement, a middle part
22b, and an upper part 22c which provides the upper surface 24. The
upper part 22c includes a number of parallel slots 44 which allows
liquid falling onto the surface to drip into a cavity 46 of the
middle part 22b. The upper part 22c, the middle part 22b and the
lower part 22a are engaged with one another, e.g. in a snap-fit
manner, to allow such parts to move as a unit.
[0030] As can be seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the lower part 22a of the
platform 22 includes a curved front part 22d and a rear portion
22e. The rear part 22e is generally planar in shape and has a pair
of parallel geared portions 48 arranged on each of its two lateral
sides. The lower part 22a also has a channel 50 for receiving a
spring 52, which urges the lower part 22a outwardly away from the
base 20. Along each of two lateral sides of the front part 22d of
the lower part 22a is provided a stepped portion 54 (of which only
one is shown in FIG. 4A) which is received within a respective
recess 56, for guiding the reciprocating movement of the lower part
22a relative to the base 20 in the directions indicated by the
arrow G.
[0031] Provided on the base 20 are two gear members 58 with an
upper smaller gear 58a and a lower larger gear 58b. Each of the
gear members 58 is secured to the base 20 by a respective screw 60
which allows free rotation of the respective gear member 58. Each
of the geared portions 48 of the rear part 22e of the lower part
22a of the platform 22 meshes with a respective upper smaller gear
58a for relative movement. The rear part 22e is also provided with
an aperture 62, the function of which will be discussed below. In
this way, movement of the lower part 22a in the directions of the
arrow G will cause simultaneous rotational movement of the gear
members 58, and vice versa. In the space between the screw 60 and
the respective gear member 58, there is provided a damping grease
which dampens the rotational movement of the gear members 58.
[0032] The lower larger gear 58b of each gear member 58 meshes with
an inner gear portion 64a of a respective curved rack 64. By way of
such an arrangement, movement of the gear members 58 will bring
about simultaneous sliding movement of the racks 64 relative to the
base 20. An upper track 66 and a lower track 68 are provided on the
base 20, each for guiding the sliding movement of a respective
track 64 relative to the base 20. It can be seen that, in this way,
movement of the lower part 22a in the directions indicated by the
arrow G will cause the racks 64 to slide relative to the base
20.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4A to 5B, the outer end of each rack 64 is
provided with an engagement part 66 for engagement with a
downwardly extending portion 67 (see FIG. 3) of a respective door
14, so that the rack 64 and the door 14 with which it is secured
move as a unit. Thus, movement of the lower part 22a in the
directions indicated by the arrow G (see FIG. 4A) will cause the
doors 14 to swivel relative to the base 20 in the directions
indicated by the arrows H (see FIG. 5B), and about the longitudinal
axis L-L of the body 12, as discussed above.
[0034] Turning now to FIG. 6A, in which the lower part 22a of the
platform 22 is in the extended position, it can be seen that, in
this position, the spring 52 is also in an expanded position. In
this same position, the two racks 64 are at a rear part 70 of the
base 20. If the lower part 22a of the platform 22 is pushed towards
the base 20, against the outward biasing force of the spring 52,
and in the direction indicated by the arrow J, the two gear members
58 will be caused to rotate respectively in the direction indicated
by a respective arrow K.sub.1, K.sub.2. Because of the rotational
movement of the gear members 58, the racks 64 will also be caused
to move respectively in the direction indicated by a respective
arrow M.sub.1, M.sub.2. The lower part 22a and the racks 64 will
then assume the positions as shown in FIG. 6B.
[0035] Turning now to FIG. 6B, in which the lower part 22a of the
platform 22 is in the retracted position, it can be seen that the
spring 52 is in a contracted position. If the lower part 22a is
allowed to move, it will move in the direction indicated by the
arrow P, which is opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow
J in FIG. 6A, under the biasing force of the spring 52. The two
gear members 58 will be caused to rotate respectively in the
direction indicated by a respective arrow R.sub.1, R.sub.2, which
is opposite to the direction indicated by the arrows K.sub.1,
K.sub.2 respectively. Because of the rotational movement of the
gear members 58, the racks 64 will also be caused to move
respectively in the direction indicated by a respective arrow
S.sub.1, S.sub.2, which is opposite to the direction indicated by
the arrows M.sub.1, M.sub.2 respectively. The lower part 22a and
the racks 64 will then assume the positions as shown in FIG.
6A.
[0036] It can be seen that, by way of such an arrangement, as the
racks 64 are fixedly engaged with the doors 14, when the platform
22 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 6A, the doors 14 will be
open, whereas when the platform 22 is moved to the position shown
in FIG. 6B, the doors 14 will be closed, and that the doors 14 and
the platform 22 will move simultaneously. It can also be seen that
the two doors 14 always move in opposite directions.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 6C, in a first arrangement, the downwardly
extending portion 67 of the door 14 is received within the
engagement part 66 of the rack 64 for simultaneous movement. In a
second arrangement, and as shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, while the
downwardly extending portion 67 is also received within the
engagement part 66, a spring 71 is disposed between the downwardly
extending portion 67 and the engagement part 66. Except in the
door-closed position, the spring 71 will urge the downwardly
extending portion 67 to occupy a position relative to the
engagement part 66 as that shown in FIG. 6D. The rack 64 and the
respective door 14 may move in the direction indicated by the arrow
W in FIG. 6E to close the two doors 14. In the door-closed position
as shown in FIG. 6E, the spring 71 will be in a contracted
configuration and will exert a biasing force on the downwardly
extending portion 67 of the door 14 in the direction indicated by
the arrow W. By way of this arrangement, in the door-closed
position, the two doors 14 will be urged towards each other, so as
to ensure that the doors are properly closed.
[0038] FIG. 7A shows how the rear part 22a of the platform 22, and
thus the platform 22, is retained in the retracted position. As
shown here, a tip 72 of the rod 34 is received within the aperture
62 of the rear part 22e of the lower part 22a of the platform 22.
In this position, the platform 22 is locked against movement
relative to the rod 34. When the rod 34 is moved upward against the
biasing force of the spring 40, in the direction indicated by the
arrow T in FIG. 7B, the tip 72 of the rod 34 will be disengaged
from the aperture 62, so that the platform 22 will move in the
direction indicated by the arrow V in FIG. 7B, upon the biasing
force of the spring 52. When the platform 22 is moved in the
direction opposite to the arrow V until the aperture 62 is directly
below the tip 72 of the rod 34, the rod 34 will move upon the
urging force of the spring 40 downwardly to enter the aperture 62,
so as to lock the platform 22 against movement relative to the rod
34.
[0039] In an alternative arrangement, the button 18 may be arranged
to control both the opening and closing of the doors 14. In this
arrangement, and as shown in FIG. 8, an electronic switch 76 is
provided below the button 18. When the button 18 is pressed, the
switch 76 will be activated to transmit signals to an electronic
control device 78, which will cause an electric motor 80 to move in
a clockwise or an anti-clockwise direction. While a gear 82 of the
electric motor 80 meshes with an inner geared portion 84 the rear
part 22e of the lower part 22a of the platform 22, the rear part
22e also meshes with the two gear members 58 in the manner
discussed above. In this way, the platform 22 may be moved backward
or forward, which will also cause the racks 64 to slide relative to
the base 20.
[0040] The casing 10 according to the present invention may be used
as a container for an electric appliance, e.g. an electric coffee
maker 86 for preparing cappuccino and/or espresso, and as shown in
FIGS. 9A and 9B. It can be seen that the coffee maker 86 can be
fully enclosed within the casing 10, as shown in FIG. 9A, when such
is not in use. On the other hand, when desired, the button 18 may
be pressed down to cause the platform 22 to move outwardly from the
casing 10, and to open the doors 14, as shown in FIG. 9B so as to
enable the coffee maker 86 to be accessed. A cup (not shown) may
then be placed on the upper surface 24 directly under an exit of
the coffee maker from which coffee may be provided.
[0041] It can thus be seen that a compact, neat and tidy
arrangement is provided for housing an electric appliance, in
particular an electric appliance for preparing drinks and
beverages.
[0042] It should be understood that the above only illustrates
examples whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that
various modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0043] It should also be understood that certain features of the
invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of
separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which
are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment,
may also be provided separately or in any appropriate
sub-combinations.
* * * * *