Patent ID: 6380520
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
An electric toaster comprising:a chassis having at least one toasting compartment; at least one heating element located in the compartment; a food support member positioned in the compartment for supporting a food item, the food support member being biased toward an upper rest position and being movable between a lower toasting position and the upper rest position; an electromagnet connected to the chassis for holding the food support member in the lower toasting position when energized; at least one switch movable between a closed position to thereby energize the at least one heating element and an open position for deenergizing the at least one heating element; a rotatable support beam pivotally connected to the chassis for pivotal movement between a first pivot position wherein the rotatable support beam moves the switch to the closed position and a second pivot position wherein the switch is in the open position; an armature connected at a first end of the rotatable support beam for pivotal movement therewith between the first and second pivot positions, the armature being held by the electromagnet in the first pivot position when the electromagnet is energized and being separated from the electromagnet in the second pivot position when the electromagnet is deenergized; a first locking member at a second end of the rotatable support beam opposite the first end; and a second locking member operably connected to the food support member for movement therewith; wherein the first and second locking members interengage and the rotatable support beam is pivoted toward the first pivot position when the food support member is moved toward the lower toasting position thereby closing the switch and energizing the at least one heating element and, upon energization of the electromagnet, holding the food support member against movement in the lower toasting position.