Abstract:
A toaster composed of a case having lateral walls that constitute the outer cover of the toaster, the case containing a frame forming a toasting chamber having an opening at an upper part of the case and an opening at a lower part of the case, a base removably connectable to the case and facing the opening at the lower part of the case, and a heating unit for the chamber having heating elements situated in proximity to the chamber and connected to a device for supplying electric power and for controlling the heating elements. The base is completely removable from the case, and the base and the case have respective elements that interact with one another when the case is disposed on the base, such that withdrawal of the case from the base suppresses the interaction to prevent the supply of electric power to the heating elements.

Description:
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention provides a toaster that remedies, or at least minimizes, these problems. This toaster includes a case having in particular lateral walls that form the outer cover of the toaster, a base in connection with the case, the case containing a frame forming a vertically open toasting chamber, on the one hand in the upper part of the case and on the other hand on the lower part of the case, in the direction of the base, the chamber being provided with heating means situated in proximity to the toasting chamber and connected to a device for supplying electric power and for controlling the heating elements, the base being removable from the case. According to the invention, the base and the case have a safety arrangement composed of elements that interact with one another when the case is disposed on the base, suppression of this interaction by the withdrawal of the case from the base preventing the supply of electric power to the heating elements.  
           [0002]    Thus, by providing a removable base for the toaster case, it becomes easier to gain access to not only crumbs that fall into the toasting chamber but equally to residues that remain attached to the various walls around the toasting chamber. This is even more useful when the removability of the base permits access, through the bottom of the case, to the lower part of the toasting chamber, which is difficult to reach in this specific toaster architecture, permitting a more complete cleaning of the toaster.  
           [0003]    One valuable contribution of the invention is that it integrates mechanical and electrical safety in that separation of the base from the case makes it impossible to supply power to the heating elements. In effect, by facilitating access to the toasting chamber, it is desirable to provide one or several safety measures to prevent operation of the toaster when the case is not positioned on the base.  
           [0004]    In addition, since the base serves to provide thermal insulation for the toaster, operation of the toaster without the base could cause the surface on which the toaster is placed to be heated to dangerously high temperatures that could lead, for example, to deterioration or damage to that surface.  
           [0005]    Certain embodiments of the base according to the invention can be cleaned in a dishwasher.  
           [0006]    Advantageously, the base has a hollow zone for collecting crumbs, this zone being located directly beneath the toasting chamber when the case is mounted on the base.  
           [0007]    According to one form of construction of this safety arrangement, the element disposed in the case can occupy two positions depending on whether the case is disposed or not on the base. One of these positions is located in the path of travel of the bread rack or of a piece that is movable with the bread rack, while preventing this latter from reaching the lower part of the toaster when the case is not properly connected to the base.  
           [0008]    This form of construction permits the bread rack to be physically prevented from reaching the lowered position where it would trigger a toasting cycle by switching on the heating element supply. When the rack, or its control element, cannot reach this position, it becomes impossible to supply power to the heating elements.  
           [0009]    According to another embodiment of the safety arrangement, the element disposed in the base is a finger and the element disposed in the case is an electric switch in the electric circuit for supplying current to the heating elements. This arrangement permits direct action on the electric supply circuit for the heating elements, which permits a wide adaptation of this device to different toaster models, independently of the internal arrangement of the different elements, and particularly of the bread rack.  
           [0010]    Advantageously, the switch is present in the form of a contact that opens the supply circuit for the heating elements when the base is separated from the case. This offers a supplemental safety measure by immediately halting the electric supply of the heating elements when the case is separated from the base.  
           [0011]    The two forms of construction described above are associated primarily with embodiments where the base does not have any electric element for supplying the heating elements. For these forms of construction, electric supply of the heating elements is furnished by an electric cord connected to the heating elements and associated with the case.  
           [0012]    According to other forms of construction, the base has an electric connector connected to a plug for connection: to electric power means, the connector being of the male or female type and cooperating, when the case is disposed on the base, with a complementary part disposed on the frame or the case of the toaster and electrically connected to the heating elements.  
           [0013]    Advantageously, the circuit for supplying power to the heating elements has an electric trigger locking the case to the base when the heating elements are being supplied with power. This arrangement, which can be used to provide additional security, assures that any disconnection of the base from the case is prevented when the heating elements are being supplied with power.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first possible embodiment of the invention, with the base being separated from the case.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an elevational end view of a first form of construction of the first embodiment with internal parts being shown and the case being attached to the base.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is view similar to that of FIG. 2, but with the base separated from the base.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 4 and 5 are views similar to those of FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively of a second form of construction of the first embodiment.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  are cross-sectional views along the axis A-A′ of FIG. 6 c , showing details of construction of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 c  is a perspective detail view of the construction shown in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b.    
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 of a second possible embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    Referring to FIG. 1, a toaster  1  according to a first embodiment of the invention has a case  2  at the interior of which is arranged a frame defining, in particular, a toasting chamber  8 . Heating elements (not shown) are associated with this chamber in a conventional manner. The chamber has an opening at its bottom that extends over substantially the entire surface area of the chamber.  
         [0022]    Case  2  also has gripping handles  12   a , 12   b  on its lateral walls, handle  12   a  also serving as a control element for lowering the bread rack into the toasting position. The bread rack can be of a conventional type and is not shown in FIG. 1. The toaster also has a control button  4  that is movable to adjust the degree of toasting desired, as well as controls  6  for special functions, such as immediate ejection of bread, defrosting, etc., all as known in the art.  
         [0023]    According to a first configuration, case  2  contains the entire electric circuit for supplying power to the heating elements, including a power cord  10  for connection to the power mains.  
         [0024]    According to the invention, toaster  1  further includes a base  20  that is completely removable from case  2 .  
         [0025]    According to the example shown, base  20  has a slightly protruding part  24  associated with a complementary opening  14  in case  2 . Part  24  and opening  14  cooperate to guide case  2  into the correct position on base  20  when the two components are to be assembled together. Base  20  is also partially recessed at its side that faces the toasting chamber in order to present a zone for collecting crumbs.  
         [0026]    Base  20  also advantageously has four feet  22 , and case  2  could equally be provided with feet  18  and  19  that permit case  2  to rest on the work surface when base  20  has been removed for cleaning.  
         [0027]    Advantageously, a mechanical latching or locking system permits case  2  to be secured to base  20  in a removable manner. For example, case  2  can be provided with a hook  16  that extends from the frame in proximity to one end of case  2 , which, for the sake of description, will be referred to herein as the “rear” part. Hook  16  can cooperate with any suitable retaining element installed in base  20  in order to maintain case  2  securely connected to base  20 , as will be discussed in greater detail below.  
         [0028]    In order to maintain the “front” part of case  2  in position on base  20 , a further attachment element, which could be constituted by foot  18 , has a horizontal flange that can cooperate with a suitable retaining means  28  secured to base  20  and having a notch, or recess, for receiving the flange on foot  18 .  
         [0029]    Thus, when the user wishes to lock case  2  on base  20 , it is only necessary to incline case  2  toward the front in a manner to insert the flange of foot  18  into the notch of means  28 . Then it is only necessary to pivot case  2  in a manner to lower the rear part of the toaster until hook  16  comes to lock on its associated retaining means in base  20 .  
         [0030]    An unlocking button  29 , which can be provided on base  20  or on case  2 , permits hook  16  to be released from the retaining means, thus permitting the user to separate case  2  from base  20  by a movement opposite to the closing movement described above.  
         [0031]    A first specific form of construction of the first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Here, toaster  1  has a mechanical safety device preventing electric power from being supplied to the heating elements when base  20  is separated from case  2 . Here, the bread rack is connected, at least at one of its ends, to a driver  13  that can slide vertically while being guided in grooves  15 .  
         [0032]    A part  160 , connected to the frame of the toaster, is pivotable about an axis  17  against the restoring force of a spring  30 , and has an extension arm  11  above this axis. Base  20  has a contact, or pin  260 , that interacts with part  160 . When part  160  does not interact with pin  260 , the action of spring  30  maintains arm  11  in the position shown in FIG. 3 where arm  11  is situated in the path of travel of driver  13 , thus preventing driver  13  and the associated bread rack from reaching the lowered, toasting position. Now, in this particular form of construction of the toaster, closing of the electric supply circuit for the heating elements is achieved by driver  13 , when it is in its lowered position. At this time, a projecting part  32  of driver  13  closes a switch disposed in the electric supply circuit for the heating elements.  
         [0033]    When case  2  is positioned on base  20 , the cooperation between part  160  and pin  260 , facilitated by a ramp  161  provided on part  160 , permits arm  11  to pivot about axis  16 . As a result, arm  11  moves away from the path of travel of driver  13 , permitting the latter to then slide downwardly to its lowered, toasting position and permitting the supply of current to the heating elements to be initiated.  
         [0034]    In a second form of construction shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the safety device is an electric switch  40  connected to the case or its associated frame and having a contactor  42 . A piece  46  movable in a housing  47 , extending from the case or its frame, is positioned in the immediate vicinity of contactor  42 . Piece  46  is movable vertically and has a conical tip  48  disposed to interact with contactor  42  when piece  46  is displaced upwardly. Advantageously, housing  47  can be one of the feet of the case, corresponding to foot  19  shown in FIG. 1, and provides support for the case when it has been separated from base  20 .  
         [0035]    In addition, base  20  has a housing  57  within which is positioned an upwardly projecting finger, or pin  56 . Housing  57  is positioned to receive housing  47  of piece  46 , whereupon finger  56  will effect a relative vertical upward displacement of piece  46 .  
         [0036]    When the case is installed on the base, finger  56  pushes piece  46  upwardly. This causes tip  48  to interact with contactor  42  of switch  40  in a manner to enable power to be supplied to the heating elements when a toasting cycle is initiated, for example by the lowering of the bread rack to its lower toasting position. Upon removal of the case from the base, piece  46  returns, under the influence of gravity or with the aid of a restoring spring, to its original, lowered position. In that position, tip  48  no longer interacts with contactor  42 , thereby opening switch  40  and deactivating the circuit for supplying power to the heating elements.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 6 show details of a form of construction of the first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0038]    As shown in these figures, base  20  has a control button  29  that is mounted to be vertically movable against the restoring force of a spring  94 . Button  29  preferably has a projecting part  92  that is directed downwardly. One of the edges of projecting part  92  is beveled.  
         [0039]    Base  20  also has at least one part  73  that is mounted to slide horizontally against the restoring force of a return spring  76 . At one of its ends, part  73  has a lug  74 . At its other end, part  73  has a flat horizontal extension piece  78  provided with a vertical opening  80 . Advantageously, there are two parts  73  in base  20 , with a common horizontal extension piece, transversely connecting the two parts  73 , as can be understood from a consideration of FIG. 6 c . The two parts  73  are disposed in a symmetrical manner with respect to control button  29 , as is also apparent from FIG. 6 c.    
         [0040]    Independently of the latching, or locking, system, the base has a button  66 . Button  66  is vertically movable, in a housing  68  that delimits a volume  75 , in opposition to the restoring force of a return spring  70 . Button  66  is disposed between the two lugs  74  such that wall  69  of housing  68  extends at least up to lugs  74 , permitting lugs  74  to be able to slide into volume  75 .  
         [0041]    In addition, button  66  can slide through an opening  72  formed in the upper face of the base.  
         [0042]    The components shown in FIGS. 6 a - 6   c  operate in the following manner. When the case is secured on the base, push button  66  is depressed under the weight of the case, against the restoring force of spring  70 , and the positions of all of the elements are as shown in FIG. 6 b.    
         [0043]    Spring  76  is freely movable in the horizontal direction in a manner such that interaction of hook  16  with lug or lugs  74  causes an initial compression of spring  76 , followed by an expansion of spring  76  as lug or lugs  74  move the latch into the recess, or notch, of hook  16 .  
         [0044]    When the user wishes to unlatch the case from the base, he presses vertically on button  29 , to place it in the position shown in FIG. 6 a . Projecting part  92  interacts then with the edge of opening  80  of extension  76 , compressing spring  76 , until the engagement between lug or lugs  74  and hook  16  is terminated. This provokes a release of spring  70 , which aids the separation of the case from the base.  
         [0045]    A second possible embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7, where base  20  carries the components for supplying electric power to the heating elements. In particular, power cord  10  is installed in base  20  and the wires of cord  10  are connected to pins, or plugs, contained in a connector  100 . Case  2  contains a complementary connector  102  connected to the circuit for supplying electric current to the heating elements. Such complementary connectors are commonly used, for example, in kitchen water heating appliances of the boiler type and include the security measures necessary to prevent all access to the parts to which a voltage may be applied. In other words, the connection between connectors  100  and  102  may be established in ways known in the art to facilitate connection and disconnection of case  2  and base  20 .  
         [0046]    This application relates to subject matter disclosed in French Application number FR 03 02043, filed on Feb. 19, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0047]    While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0048]    The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.