Electric kettle
AssigneeD. H. Haden Limited
InventorDenis H. Haden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electric kettle having a metal sheathed element 20 permanently mounted on a metal head 22 so as to produce a hot spot 29 and the switching means comprising a dry overload responsive actuating mechanism 14 responsive to overheating of the hot spot to open switch contacts 71, 72 mounted on an electrical insulating mounting 61, which supports a movable thrust member 74 which extends from the contacts through a way within the mounting to a steam responsive actuating mechanism 18 for actuation by the latter, and the mechanisms 14 and 18 are preferably assembled on the mounting 61 to form a pretestable assembly in which the contacts are disposed in a chamber 75 within the assembly.
Claims14
In an electric kettle comprising a kettle body for holding liquid with an electrical immersion heater and switching means mounted thereon;
- wherein the immersion heater comprises a metal sheated element permanently mounted on a metal head so as to produce a hot spot on the head, wherein the switching means comprises a set of electrical switch contacts, a dry overload responsive actuating mechanism responsive to overheating of the hot spot to open the set of switch contacts and a steam responsive actuating mechanism;
- and wherein the set of switch contacts, electrical connectors connected to the element and electrical connectors for receiving an electricity supply are all mounted on an electrical insulating mounting, the combination comprising:
- (a) the set of switch contacts comprises a first contact movable in a first direction to open the set of contacts, and a second contact movable in the opposite direction to open the set of contacts;
- (b) the dry overload responsive actuating mechanism is disposed between the mounting and the head so that a bimetal device of the dry overload mechanism abuts the hot spot, and includes a first movable member which extends from the bimetal device to the first contact;
- (c) the insulating mounting supports a second movable member which extends from the second contact through a way within the mounting to the steam responsive actuating mechanism for actuation by the latter;
- (d) the set of switch contacts and the electrical connectors connected to the element are secured to one side of the mounting, which one side confronts the dry overload responsive actuating mechanism including a thermal insulating member;
- and
- (e) the thermal insulating member and the insulating mounting are shaped to define a switch contact chamber therebetween, in which chamber the set of contacts are disposed;
- and
- (f) the movable members extend into said chamber from opposite directions.
A kettle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the steam responsive actuating mechanism comprises a body having a lower portion and an upper portion, a steam bimetal disposed at one side of the upper portion, and an actuating lever pivotally mounted at the opposite side of the body;
- wherein said second movable member extends through said lower portion;
- and wherein an upper portion of the actuating lever is movable from a first stable position in said first direction by actuation of said bimetal to move a lower portion of said actuating lever in said opposite direction to move said second movable member in said opposite direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.