Automatic locking device for the lid-opening lever of a pressure-cooker

Claim 1

An automatic locking device for pressure-cooker lids designed to prevent the opening of the latter when there is internal pressure, the pressure-cooker being of the type comprising a cylindrical container having a circular sealing seat along the edge of a top opening, and a lid designed to seal the container from inside, against the circular seat, the lid being provided with a supporting crossbar the ends of which rest on the edge of the container opening, and with a lid-closing lever having a portion pivoted to the lid and capable of moving between a first, lifted or opening position and a second, lowered or closing position, said lever having a cam-shaped portion acting against the crossbar in one of the first and the second positions and being positionable so that the crossbar causes the peripheral edge of the lid to press against the circular sealing seat, a locking pin provided in said lid, and responsive to pressure in the container for movement from a lowered or disengaged position to a lifted position, said lever being provided with an engaging portion engageable by said locking pin in its lifted position, said engaging portion being provided in the form of a lateral protrusion having an opening for receiving the pin in its lifted position, the pin being separated from the lateral protrusion due to the action of its own weight when the pressure in the container is reduced.