Patent ID: 6486451
Filing Date: 2002-11-26
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
An electric toaster comprising:a chassis having at least one toasting compartment; at least one electric heater located at least adjacent the at least one toasting compartment; a carriage bracket supported on the chassis for movement between an upper rest position and a lower actuation position; a food support member positioned in the at least one toasting compartment for supporting a food item, the food support member having a mounting portion that is bent generally upwardly and slidably received in the carriage bracket; a support arm extending from the carriage bracket, the support arm engaging and supporting the food support member against relative sliding movement so that the food support member moves with the carriage bracket between the upper rest position and a lower toasting position, the support arm being disengaged from the food support member during movement of the carriage bracket below the lower toasting position through relative sliding movement between the food support member and the carriage bracket; an electromagnet connected to one of the chassis and the carriage bracket for holding the carriage bracket in the actuation position when energized; at least one switch movable to a closed position upon downward movement of the carriage bracket to the actuation position to thereby energize the electromagnet and the at least one heating element, the carriage bracket being upwardly movable upon deenergization of the electromagnet to open the at least one switch between the actuation position and the lower toasting position to thereby deenergize the at least one heating element; wherein the at least one heating element is deenergized while the food support member is in the lower toasting position to thereby prevent further operation of the at least one heating element.