US3692979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric cooker control
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1970-11-24
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1990-11-24
Abstract
Abstract The invention defines a control mechanism for a cooking device that is capable of turning the cooking device off after a selectively variable time has elapsed. The control mechanism utilizes a ratchet wheel operated by a bimetal element which heats up and cools down as the cooking device cycles as determined by a main heater thermostat. The variable cooking time is arrived at by manual manipulation of a dial which presets the ratchet wheel for a desirable number of cycles of operation by the bimetallic element.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A Wise
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H43/00; H01H43/30; H01H43/301; H01H43/302; H01H43/304; H01H43/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A control mechanism for an electric cooking appliance, said appliance including a circuit comprising: a main heater, a temperature responsive switch in close heat exchange proximity to said main heater and serially connected to said main heater to cyclically operate said main heater during a cooking operation and, a main on-off switch means for controlling the energization of said circuit, said main switch means manually movable to an on position and automatically movable to an off position by said control mechanism wherein said control mechanism comprises: a ratchet member drivingly engaging said main switch means; pawl means for intermittently driving said ratchet member, said pawl means comprising a bi-metal element; and, a resistance heater means for heating said bi-metal element, said resistance heater means serially connected in said circuit with said temperature responsive switch so that said resistance heater means is energized concurrently with said main heater whereby, said bi-metal element is placed in driving engagement with said ratchet member in response to energization of said resistance heater means so that said ratchet member is driven by said pawl means once during each cycle of the main heater for intermittently advancing said main on-off switch means to said off position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A control mechanism for an electric cooking appliance, said appliance including a circuit comprising: a main heater, a temperature responsive switch in close heat exchange proximity to said main heater and serially connected to said main heater to cyclically operate said main heater during a cooking operation and, a main on-off switch means for controlling the energization of said circuit, said main switch means manually movable to an on position and automatically movable to an off position by said control mechanism wherein said control mechanism comprises: a ratchet member drivingly engaging said main switch means; pawl means for intermittently driving said ratchet member, said pawl means comprising a bi-metal element; and, a resistance heater means for heating said bi-metal element, said resistance heater means serially connected in said circuit with said temperature responsive switch so that said resistance heater means is energized concurrently with said main heater whereby, said bi-metal element is placed in driving engagement with said ratchet member in response to energization of said resistance heater means so that said ratchet member is driven by said pawl means once during each cycle of the main heater for intermittently advancing said main on-off switch means to said off position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The control mechanism of claim 1 wherein said bi-metal element comprises a bi-metal strip having one end secured to said appliance and the other end disposed adjacent said ratchet member and said resistance heater means extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said strip to expose a length of the strip to said resistance heater means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |