Stirring wand
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorMichael P. Conti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stirring wand is configured for selective engagement with a mixing device. The stirring wand comprises a substantially vertical portion having an upper end and a lower end, a first tapered surface that includes a first pitch angle proximate the upper end of the substantially vertical portion and a second pitch angle proximate the lower end of the substantially vertical portion, a substantially horizontal portion having a base and a distal tip, and a second tapered surface extending from the base to the distal tip. The second tapered surface includes a third pitch angle proximate the base and a fourth pitch angle proximate the tip.
Claims20
A stirring wand configured for selective engagement with a mixing device, the stirring wand comprising:
- a substantially vertical portion having an upper end and a lower end, the substantially vertical portion being positioned entirely outside of a rotational axis of the stirring wand;
- a first tapered surface that defines a portion of a continuous surface that transitions from a first pitch angle proximate the upper end of the substantially vertical portion to a second pitch angle proximate the lower end of the substantially vertical portion, wherein the first pitch angle is different than the second pitch angle;
- a substantially horizontal portion having a base and a distal tip, wherein the lower end of the substantially vertical portion and the base of the substantially horizontal portion define a continuous chamfered surface, and wherein the base is positioned below the lower end of the substantially vertical portion;
- and
- a second tapered surface extending from the base to the distal tip and defining another portion of the continuous surface that transitions from a third pitch angle proximate the base to a fourth pitch angle proximate the distal tip, and wherein the third pitch angle is different than the fourth pitch angle.
A flipping wand configured for removable engagement with a mixing device, the flipping wand comprising:
- a substantially vertical portion having an upper end and a lower end;
- and
- a substantially horizontal portion having an arcuate and continuous planar bottom surface and generally defining a blade having a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion, wherein a height of the intermediate portion is less than a height of the proximal portion and the distal portion, wherein the substantially vertical portion is engaged at the proximal portion, and wherein the distal portion defines a rotational axis extending parallel with and distal from the substantially vertical portion, and wherein the lower end of the substantially vertical portion is co-planar with and defines a portion of the continuous planar bottom surface of the substantially horizontal portion.
A combination stirring and flipping wand configured for removable engagement with a mixing device, the stirring and flipping wand comprising:
- a substantially vertical portion having an upper end and a lower end;
- a substantially horizontal portion that includes a bottom surface and a top surface that includes a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion, wherein a height of the intermediate portion is less than a height of the proximal portion and the distal portion;
- a support member having a first support end and a second support end, wherein the first support end is coupled with the lower end of the substantially vertical portion;
- and
- a hub coupled to the second support end of the support member, the hub defining a rotational axis, wherein the hub is coupled to the substantially horizontal portion proximate the distal portion, and wherein the substantially horizontal portion selectively and independently rotates about the rotational axis between first and second positions with respect to the substantially vertical portion, wherein the lower end of the substantially vertical portion slidably engages the distal portion of the substantially horizontal portion and the substantially vertical portion is positioned distal from the rotational axis, wherein the su ort member and the hub are each at least partially co-planar with the bottom surface of the substantially horizontal portion, and wherein the lower end of the substantially vertical portion is entirely above the bottom surface of the substantially horizontal portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.