Appliance switching mechanism and method
US6350970B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47J37/0842
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A switching mechanism is utilized in a heating appliance, such as a toaster, that includes a bread support that supports a food item to insert and remove the food item from a cooking cavity of the appliance. The appliance includes an electronic circuit that controls operation during a heating cycle. The switching mechanism includes a switch having a first terminal adapted to receive a power signal and a second terminal coupled to the electronic circuit. The switch operates responsive to an applied switching force to couple the first terminal to the second terminal and thereby apply power to the electronic circuit. A switch actuator has a first end, a second end, and a retaining member near the second end. The second end is attached to the appliance to rotate about an axis. The switch actuator operates responsive to a force being applied to the bread support to rotate about the axis to a first position and apply the switching force to the switch so power is applied to the electronic circuit. A retaining force is applied to the first end of the actuator to secure the actuator in the first position responsive to power being applied to the electronic circuit and the retaining member en…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.