Vaporizer with electrode housing interlock
US4243870A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 1978 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T70/7768
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A safety device for an electrode-type steam vaporizer having an electrode assembly enclosed in a protective housing allows access to the electrodes for cleaning or adjustment only when a key, preferably the electric plug for the vaporizer, is inserted through an opening in the protective housing to release an interlock mechanism normally precluding removal of the protective housing from the electrode assembly. When the protective housing is removed, the key is automatically locked in the opening in the protective housing by a spring-biased lock pin and cannot be removed until the electrode assembly is again repositioned in the housing with the electrode assembly and housing properly assembled relative to each other. The safety device can be used in other electrical appliances, such as a toaster, that have electrical elements enclosed in a protective housing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.