Patent US3770815A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3976218A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3976218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety apparatus for a pressure cooker
Assignee: Henny Penny Corp
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Filing: 1975-08-11
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1995-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A pressure cooker has a receptacle and a lid having a gasket around its perimeter for engagement with the upper edge of the receptacle. A bar extends across the lid and is connected to the receptacle. A spindle is threaded in the bar and engages the lid to force the lid gasket against the receptacle to seal the pressure cooker. The lid has a flexible inner liner which functions in part as a diaphragm to operate an interlock to block the rotation of the spindle when the pressure within the receptacle exceeds a predetermined value. The spindle also has a cooperating safety nut which is normally non-functional but in the event of the wearing of the operational threads associated with the spindle will warn the operator of that condition and in the event of the stripping of the operational threads will prevent the lid from opening more than a very small amount.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Stoermer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:52
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J27/00; A47J27/08; A47J27/09; A47J27/092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In pressure cooking apparatus having a receptacle, a lid adapted to be mounted on the receptacle, a bar extending across the lid and connectable to the receptacle to secure the lid to the receptacle and a spindle threaded in said bar and engageable with said lid to force said lid tightly against said receptacle, the improvement comprising, a pressure operated interlock between said lid and said spindle to block rotation of said spindle in a lid-opening direction when the pressure within said receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount, said interlock comprising, a pin slidably mounted in said lid, a diaphragm liner on the inside of said lid supporting said pin, a lock collar on said spindle having at least one hole engageable by said pin when said diaphragm, under pressure within said receptacle, forces said pin toward said collar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In pressure cooking apparatus having a receptacle, a lid adapted to be mounted on the receptacle, a bar extending across the lid and connectable to the receptacle to secure the lid to the receptacle and a spindle threaded in said bar and engageable with said lid to force said lid tightly against said receptacle, the improvement comprising, a pressure operated interlock between said lid and said spindle to block rotation of said spindle in a lid-opening direction when the pressure within said receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount, said interlock comprising, a pin slidably mounted in said lid, a diaphragm liner on the inside of said lid supporting said pin, a lock collar on said spindle having at least one hole engageable by said pin when said diaphragm, under pressure within said receptacle, forces said pin toward said collar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which said pin has a beveled surface facing said lock collar, said beveled surface permitting said spindle to rotate in a first direction to tighten said lid against said receptacle and blocking rotation of said spindle in the opposite direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising means for assembling said pin in said lid to orient the beveled surface on said pin only in the proper direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 in which said assembling means comprises a rectangular notch in the outer surface of said lid, a plate positionable in said notch and having a hole through which said pin passes, said pin and hole having mating surfaces permitting only one orientation of said pin, and means for mounting said plate in said notch in only one orientation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
165 words
In pressure cooking apparatus having a receptacle, a lid adapted to be mounted on the receptacle, a bar extending across the lid and connectable to the receptacle to secure the lid to the receptacle and a spindle threaded in said bar and engageable with said lid to force said lid tightly against said receptacle, the improvement comprising, a pressure operated interlock between said lid and said spindle to block rotation of said spindle in a lid-opening direction when the pressure within said receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount, a first nut secured in said bar into which said spindle is threaded, a safety nut between said first nut and said lid and spaced slightly from said first nut, said safety nut being threaded on said spindle and being connected to said first nut, whereby, if the threads on said first nut become stripped, said lid begins to blow off said receptacle, said safety nut will block substantial movement of said lid by engaging said first nut.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
In pressure cooking apparatus having a receptacle, a lid adapted to be mounted on the receptacle, a bar extending across the lid and connectable to the receptacle to secure the lid to the receptacle and a spindle threaded in said bar and engageable with said lid to force said lid tightly against said receptacle, the improvement comprising, a pressure operated interlock between said lid and said spindle to block rotation of said spindle in a lid-opening direction when the pressure within said receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount, a first nut secured in said bar into which said spindle is threaded, a safety nut between said first nut and said lid and spaced slightly from said first nut, said safety nut being threaded on said spindle and being connected to said first nut, whereby, if the threads on said first nut become stripped, said lid begins to blow off said receptacle, said safety nut will block substantial movement of said lid by engaging said first nut.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said safety nut has a shoulder facing said first nut whereby if said threads on said first nut become worn sufficiently to close the gap between said nuts, said first nut, engaging said shoulder, will cock said safety nut causing it to bind, thus warning the operator of a dangerous condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
In pressure cooking apparatus having a receptacle, a lid adapted to be mounted on the receptacle, a bar extending across the lid and connectable to the receptacle to secure the lid to the receptacle and a spindle threaded in said bar and engageable with said lid to force said lid tightly against said receptacle, the improvement comprising, a pressure operated interlock between said lid and said spindle to block rotation of said spindle in a lid-opening direction when the pressure within said receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount, a ball mounted on the end of said spindle, and a ball seat formed in said lid to receive said ball and to provide an antifriction bearing surface between said spindle and said lid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
In pressure cooking apparatus having a receptacle, a lid adapted to be mounted on the receptacle, a bar extending across the lid and connectable to the receptacle to secure the lid to the receptacle and a spindle threaded in said bar and engageable with said lid to force said lid tightly against said receptacle, the improvement comprising, a pressure operated interlock between said lid and said spindle to block rotation of said spindle in a lid-opening direction when the pressure within said receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount, a ball mounted on the end of said spindle, and a ball seat formed in said lid to receive said ball and to provide an antifriction bearing surface between said spindle and said lid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
160 words
In pressure cooking apparatus having a receptacle, a lid adapted to be mounted on the receptacle, a bar extending across the lid and connectable to the receptacle to secure the lid to the receptacle and a spindle threaded in said bar and engageable with said lid to force said lid tightly against said receptacle, the improvement comprising, a pressure operated interlock between said lid and said spindle to block rotation of said spindle in a lid-opening direction when the pressure within said receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount, a nut mounted on said bar between said lid and bar and having a hub projecting through said bar, a stop collar threaded on said hub to secure said nut to said bar, an adjustment stop threaded on said stop collar, means for fixing said adjustment stop on said stop collar, and an abutment on said spindle engageable with said adjustment collar to limit movement of said spindle with respect to said lid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
160 words
In pressure cooking apparatus having a receptacle, a lid adapted to be mounted on the receptacle, a bar extending across the lid and connectable to the receptacle to secure the lid to the receptacle and a spindle threaded in said bar and engageable with said lid to force said lid tightly against said receptacle, the improvement comprising, a pressure operated interlock between said lid and said spindle to block rotation of said spindle in a lid-opening direction when the pressure within said receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount, a nut mounted on said bar between said lid and bar and having a hub projecting through said bar, a stop collar threaded on said hub to secure said nut to said bar, an adjustment stop threaded on said stop collar, means for fixing said adjustment stop on said stop collar, and an abutment on said spindle engageable with said adjustment collar to limit movement of said spindle with respect to said lid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |