US3770930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave oven apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-03
•
Granted: 1973-11-06
•
Expires: 1992-01-03
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a safety switch apparatus for microwave ovens that insures that the microwave generator is enabled only when the oven door is closed. The switch is responsive only to an irregularly shaped actuator that is operable only when the oven door is closed so that protection is afforded against exposure to microwaves generated while one is tampering with the oven as well as against accidental irradiation resulting from an open door.
Inventors
- 👤 A Tang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:03
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/6414; H05B6/6417; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/69; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/096; Y10T292/1014; Y10T292/1022; Y10T292/1024; Y10T292/68; Y10T292/696; Y10T292/702; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5093; Y10T70/5155; Y10T70/5199; Y10T70/5204; Y10T70/5212; Y10T70/5246; Y10T70/5296; Y10T70/5319; Y10T70/5341
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A microwave oven comprising: a. a housing defining a cooking chamber with one wall thereof comprising a movable door means; b. energy source means operatively coupled to said chamber for generating microwaVe energy and supplying said energy to said chamber; c. first and second switching means connected to said energy source means so as to selectively enable said energy source means; d. operator means comprising an actuator having an irregularly shaped portion for causing actuation of said first and second switching means and operatively coupled to said door means such that said operator means is functional only with said door means in a closed position but functions independently of door movement; and e. actuator responsive means responsive to said actuator for actuating said first and second switching means and comprising blocking means to prevent actuation of said switching means by objects not having said irregularly shaped portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A microwave oven comprising: a. a housing defining a cooking chamber with one wall thereof comprising a movable door means; b. energy source means operatively coupled to said chamber for generating microwaVe energy and supplying said energy to said chamber; c. first and second switching means connected to said energy source means so as to selectively enable said energy source means; d. operator means comprising an actuator having an irregularly shaped portion for causing actuation of said first and second switching means and operatively coupled to said door means such that said operator means is functional only with said door means in a closed position but functions independently of door movement; and e. actuator responsive means responsive to said actuator for actuating said first and second switching means and comprising blocking means to prevent actuation of said switching means by objects not having said irregularly shaped portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A microwave oven according to claim 1 wherein said operator means comprises latch means for latching said door in a closed position when said switching means is actuated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A microwave oven according to claim 1 wherein said actuator is mounted in said door and said actuator responsive means is mounted in said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A microwave oven according to claim 2 wherein said blocking means comprises a blocking spring disposed transversely in the path followed by said actuator during actuation and said actuator comprises a cam portion adapted to displace said spring during actuation of said switching means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A microwave oven according to claim 4 wherein said actuator is slidably mounted in said door and said latch means comprises a latching block with a hole therethrough for receiving said actuator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A microwave oven according to claim 3 wherein said actuator comprises a key, said actuator responsive means comprises a lock, and said blocking means comprise lock tumblers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A microwave oven according to claim 1 wherein said operator means comprises latch means for latching said door in a closed position when said switching means is actuated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A microwave oven according to claim 7 wherein said actuator is mounted in said door and said actuator responsive means is mounted in said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
161 words
A microwave oven comprising: a. a housing defining a cooking chamber with one wall thereof comprising a movable door means; b. energy source means operatively coupled to said chamber for generating microwave energy and supplying said energy to said chamber; c. switching means connected to said energy source means so as to selectively enable said energy source means; d. operator means comprising an actuator having an irregularly shaped portion for causing actuation of said switching means and operatively coupled to said door means such that said operator means is functional only with said door means in a closed position but functions independently of door movement; and e. actuator responsive means responsive to said actuator for actuating said switching means and comprising movable blocking means to prevent actuation of said switching means by objects not having said irregularly shaped portion, said blocking means being moved out of a blocking position by said irregularly shaped portion to allow actuation of said switching means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
A microwave oven comprising: a. a housing defining a cooking chamber with one wall thereof comprising a movable door means; b. energy source means operatively coupled to said chamber for generating microwave energy and supplying said energy to said chamber; c. switching means connected to said energy source means so as to selectively enable said energy source means; d. operator means comprising an actuator having an irregularly shaped portion for causing actuation of said switching means and operatively coupled to said door means such that said operator means is functional only with said door means in a closed position but functions independently of door movement; and e. actuator responsive means responsive to said actuator for actuating said switching means and comprising movable blocking means to prevent actuation of said switching means by objects not having said irregularly shaped portion, said blocking means being moved out of a blocking position by said irregularly shaped portion to allow actuation of said switching means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A microwave oven according to claim 9 wherein said actuator is rectilinearly reciprocable.
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) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |