Turntable Device

Abstract

A turntable device for supporting a plurality of household appliances and including electrical plug receptacles maintained in a continuous state of energization during rotational movement of the device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a turntable device and, more particularly, relates to a turntable device specifically suited for supporting conventional household appliances.

The number of electrical, counter-top appliances used by the typical household has increased dramatically through the years. Such appliances include, for example, mixers, blenders, shredders, grinders, toasters, coffee makers, knife sharpeners, juicers, ice crushers, etc. Although improving substantially both the efficiency and overall capability of the homemaker, these appliances have also introduced certain annoyances. Because of their number, the various appliances are normally maintained in a storage cabinet from which a selected unit is moved to a readily accessible counter location for use. The frequent shifting of the individual appliances is a cumbersome procedure made even more difficult by the electrical cords associated with each device.

The object of the invention, therefore, is to simplify the handling and use of the many electrical counter-top appliances utilized in the modern home.

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is characterized by the provision of a turntable device including a rotatable platform that defines a plurality of electrical plug receptacles, movable slip contacts mounted for rotation with the platform and electrically connected to the plug receptacles, fixed electrical slip contacts mounted for sliding engagement with the movable slip contacts so as to be in continuous connection with each of said receptacles during rotation of the platform, and electrical connector means for connecting the fixed contacts to a source of electrical energy. Electrical appliances mounted on a rotatable platform and plugged into the receptacles therein are prepared for use and can be conveniently rotated into a readily accessible position.

One feature of the invention is a provision of a turntable device of the above type wherein the spacing between the outer periphery of the platform and the plug receptacles is substantially greater than the spacing between the receptacles and the rotational axis of the platform. With this embodiment, the electrical cords associated with a group of applicances annularly arranged on the platform can be maintained toward the inner portion of the platform and thereby isolated from the work area.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a turntable device of the above featured type wherein the receptacles are disposed in the top surface of the platform directly adjacent the rotational axis thereof. In addition to the advantages noted above, this arrangement minimizes the sizes of the electrical slip connectors required thereby reducing material cost.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a turntable device of the above featured types including a base and a plurality of roller bearings straddled by the base and the platform and radially disposed between the plug receptacles and the outer periphery of the platform. The roller bearings located at the outer periphery of the rotatable platform improves greatly the stability of the device.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a turntable device of the above featured types wherein the platform includes a table top defining the receptacles and a subjacent insulator disc supporting the electrical receptor contacts accommodated by the receptacles. Also mounted on the insulator disc and electrically connected to the receptor contacts are spring contacts adapted for continuous sliding contact with spaced apart circular slip rings mounted on the base. This arrangement provides the desired continuous energization of the plug receptacles in a highly efficient and effective manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 taken along lines 2--2; and

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 taken along lines 3--3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the FIGS., there is shown the turntable 11 including the platform assembly 12 and the base unit 13. Forming the base unit 13 are the concentrically disposed circular mounting plate 14 and supported circular insulating block 15. Extending through central apertures in the plate 14 and the block 15 is the shaft 16 formed, for example, by a rivet.

The top surface of the insulator block 15 contains circular spaced apart slots 17 which are concentric with the shaft 16. Retained within the slots 17 are the fixed slip rings 18 formed of a suitable electrically conductive material such as brass. The recess 19 formed on the outer periphery of the insulator block 15 accommodates the electrical leads 21 connected to the slip rings 18. As shown in FIG. 1, the opposite ends of the electrical leads 21 and insulator covering 22 terminate at the two-pronged plug 23 adapted for insertion into a conventional household wall socket.

Supported from the top surface of the insulator block 15 by the spring leaf contacts 25 and the spacer disc 20 is the circular insulator disc 26. The disc 26 is concentric with the insulator block 15 and similarly receives the rivet 16 through a central aperture. Preferably, the spring leaf contacts 25 are made of copper. Mounted on the top surface of the insulator disc 26 are the circumferentially spaced pairs of receptor contacts 27 made of a suitable electrically conductive material such as brass. Securing the receptor contacts 27 and spring leaf contacts 25 to the insulator disc 26 and providing an electrical connection therebetween are the conductive rivets 28.

The table top 31 is supported above the insulator disc 26 by the ball bearing assembly 32 shown in FIG. 3. The bearing assembly 32 comprises the annular ball bearing retainers 33 positioned between the bottom surface of the table top 31 and the top surface of the mounting plate 14. A plurality of ball bearings 34 are disposed between the bearing retainers 33 and extend into circular slots 35 provided in the bottom surface of the table top 31 and the top surface of the mounting plate 14. The table top 31 and the insulator disc 26 together comprise the platform assembly 12.

Extending through the table top 31 are a plurality of receptacle cavities 37. The lower openings of the cavities 37 receive the receptor contacts 27 supported by the insulator disc 26 while the upper openings thereof are adapted to receive the prongs of conventional electrical household plugs. As shown in FIG. 1, there are six plug receptacles equally spaced about the axis of the table top 31. Rotary motion of the table top 31 is imparted to the insulator disc 26 by the studs 40 that engage fitted openings 41 therein.

During typical use, the turntable 11 is installed in a desired location as, for example, on a kitchen counter and the plug 23 inserted into a conventional electrical outlet. Selected counter top appliances (not shown) such as mixers, blenders, toasters, juicers, etc. are then arrayed in a circle around the table top 31. The plugs on the electrical cords connected to the selected appliances are inserted in the receptacles 37. The voltage on input lines 21 is also present between the fixed slip rings 18 which are connected thereto. This same voltage is continuously available between each pair of receptor contacts 37 for any position of the table top 31 because of the unbroken electrical contact maintained between the spring leaf contacts 25 and the slip rings 18 during rotation of the platform 12. Thus, electrical energy is available for each appliance plugged into the receptacles 37 regardless of the platform's position. Because of the continuous electrical contact maintained, a user is able to rotate the platform 12 into a position wherein a selected appliance on the table top 31 is readily accessible. The selected appliance is then activated and operated in a conventional manner.

It will be appreciated that because of the location of the receptacles 37 near the center of the table top 31, the electrical cords associated with the appliances on the table can be maintained within the circle of appliances and therefore out of the way of the appliance operator. A further advantage provided by the internally located receptacles is that the required diameters of the insulator block 15, the insulator disc 26 and the fixed slip rings 18 is maintained at a minimum thereby reducing material costs.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example only, the turntable device 11 can be used in applications other than those specifically described. One such application is an electrically powered tool holder for shop and industry. It is to be understood, therefore, that within the scope of the appended claims the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

What is claimed is

1. A turntable device comprising:

a. a rotatable platform defining a plurality of receptacles, the spacing between the outer periphery of said platform and said receptacles being substantially greater than the spacing between said receptacles and the rotational axis of said platform, and the overall dimensions of said platform being suitable for mounting thereof on a counter of a type conventionally used in household kitchens;

b. a pair of electrical receptor contacts disposed in each of said receptacles, said receptor contacts being shaped and adapted to receive multi-pronged electrical plugs of the type used with conventional household appliances;

c. a movable electrical slip contact means mounted for rotation with said platform and connected to said electrical receptor contacts;

d. a fixed electrical slip contact means mounted for sliding engagement with said movable contact means during rotation of said platform, said fixed electrical slip contact means being in continuous electrical connection with each of said electrical receptor contacts during rotation of said platform; and

e. electrical connector means for connecting said fixed electrical slip contact means to a source of electrical energy.

2. A turntable device according to claim 1 wherein said receptacles are disposed in the top surface of said platform directly adjacent the rotational axis thereof.

3. A turntable device according to claim 2 including a base, and roller bearing means straddled by said base and said platform and radially disposed between said receptacles and the outer periphery of said platform.

4. A turntable device according to claim 3 wherein said platform comprises a table top that defines said receptacles and an insulator disc mounted below said table top and supporting said receptor contacts.

5. A turntable device according to claim 4 wherein said fixed slip contact means comprise a pair of spaced apart concentric slip rings mounted on said base, and said movable slip contact means comprise spring contacts supported by said insulator disc and adapted for sliding contact with said slip rings.

6. A turntable device according to claim 1 including a base, and rotatable bearing means straddled by said base and said platform and radially disposed between said receptacles and the outer periphery of said platform.

7. A turntable device according to claim 6 wherein said platform comprises a table top that defines said receptacles and an insulator disc mounted below said table top and supporting said receptor contacts.

8. A turntable device according to claim 7 wherein said fixed slip contact means comprise a pair of spaced apart concentric slip rings mounted on said base, and said movable slip contact means comprise spring contacts supported by said insulator disc and adapted for sliding contact with said slip rings.