Stand mixer toy
AssigneeMelissa & Doug, LLC
InventorsBrett K. Almstead, Matt Burtonwood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A toy that simulates a stand mixer provides users, for example, children with the experience of preparing foods. The mixer includes a base shaped to sit on a horizontal surface. A vertical member extends from the base and holds an extension that extends over a portion of the base. A bowl is sized to fit on the base below the extension. The extension includes a semicircular clip aligned with a semicircular slot on the extension. The mixer includes interchangeable tools, such as a whisk, a dough hook, or a paddle blade. The clip and the extension define a circular space to hold a handle of the tool and allow the tool to spin, simulating the mixing action of a stand mixer. The clip flexes away from the extension to allow one tool to be removed and another tool to be connected.
Claims13
A simulated stand mixer comprising:
- a base;
- a vertical member extending from the base in a vertical direction;
- an extension connected with the vertical member and extending in a horizontal direction including a semicircular slot having a center of curvature aligned with a spin axis, wherein the extension is separated from the base by a bowl space;
- a clip connected with the extension, wherein the clip comprises a semicircular portion and a connecting portion, wherein the semicircular portion has a center of curvature along the spin axis, wherein the spin axis extends through the bowl space in the vertical direction, wherein the semicircular portion and the semicircular slot define a holder diameter, and wherein the connecting portion is connected with a side surface of the extension;
- and
- a tool, wherein the tool comprises:
- a working structure at a distal end of the tool;
- and
- a cylindrical portion extending in a proximal direction from the working structure, wherein the cylindrical portion has a diameter equal to or less than the holder diameter,
- wherein the cylindrical portion is received between the semicircular portion of the clip and the semicircular slot of the extension within the holder diameter, wherein engagement of the cylindrical portion between the clip and the extension holds the tool colinear with the spin axis and allows the tool to spin about the spin axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.