Digitally controlled mixer head lock

A stand mixer comprising:

• a base configured for resting on a surface and defining an articulating surface having an indentation;
• a mixing head coupled to the base so as to be moveable about the articulating surface between a lowered, operative position and a raised, non-use position;
• and
• a locking mechanism engageable between the base and the mixing head and including:
• a solenoid having an operative end moveable between a rest condition and an actuated condition;
• a free member slidably disposed in an aperture in the mixing head and engageable with the indentation in the base;
• and
• a blocking element mounted within the mixing head and moveable by the solenoid between a locked position, wherein the blocking element is engaged between the mixing head and the free member to retain the free member in engagement with the indentation, and a release position, wherein the blocking element is disengaged from the free member such that the free member is moveable out of the indentation and along the articulating surface.

An electronic locking system for stand mixer, comprising:

• a solenoid mountable within a mixing head of the stand mixer and having an operative end moveable between a rest condition and an actuated condition;
• a locking pin movably positioned in an aperture of the mixing head, the locking pin being engageable with an indentation in an articulating surface of a base of a stand mixer to which the mixing head is rotatably mounted;
• a swing arm pivotably mounted with respect to the solenoid and moveable between a locked position, wherein the swing arm is engaged between the mixing head and the locking pin such that the mixing head is retained in a lowered, operative position, and a release position, wherein the swing arm is disengaged from the locking pin such that the mixing head is moveable into a raised, non-use position, the solenoid acting on a lever end of the swing arm to move the swing arm into the release position when the solenoid is in the actuated condition;
• and
• a power source configured to selectively connect and disconnect with at least one electronic component within the stand mixer, including the solenoid, the solenoid moving into the actuated condition under the application of an electrical potential thereto.