SYSTEMS FOR STAND MIXER BOWL LIFTING

A stand mixer includes a base and a support column attached to the base, extending upwardly from the base. A bowl lift framework extends outwardly from the support column. The bowl lift framework includes at least one lift arm. The lift arm is pivotable relative to the support column. The lift arm rotates a first tension bar coupled to a linkage, and the linkage is rotatable about a lift pin. The linkage is also coupled to a second tension bar. A head is attached to an upper end of the support column and extends from the support column above the base. Also included in the stand mixer is a bowl. The bowl lift framework is configured for vertically moving the bowl relative to the head when the lift arm pivots relative to the support column.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to generally to stand mixers and bowl lifting mechanisms for stand mixers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stand mixers are generally used for performing automated mixing, churning, or kneading involved in food preparation. Typically, stand mixers include a motor configured to provide torque to one or more driveshafts. Users may connect various utensils to the one or more driveshafts, including whisks, spatulas, or the like. When using the stand mixer, the contents of the bowl can become heavy and difficult to move or manage. When this occurs, it is beneficial to use a specialized mixer. One type of specialized mixer, for example, is a tilt-head mixer. The tilt-head mixer allows the user to tilt the head of the mixer to provide access to the opening of the bowl. Tilt-head mixers may be troublesome as the head of the mixer is typically heavy.

Another type of mixer is the bowl-lift mixer. Bowl-lift mixers include a bowl that can be lifted vertically by a lift system. Arms extending from the mixer support the bowl, and a lever or crank may be rotated to translate the mixing bowl up or down vertically. Using a bowl-lift mixer reduces the difficulty of moving the mixing bowl vertically relative to tilt-head mixers. However, bowl-lift mixers can take up more counterspace in the kitchen than tilt-head mixers, as bowl lift mixers typically have a larger footprint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one example embodiment, a stand mixer includes a base and a support column attached to the base, extending upwardly from the base. A bowl lift framework extends outwardly from the support column. The bowl lift framework includes at least one lift arm. The lift arm is pivotable relative to the support column. The lift arm rotates a first tension bar coupled to a linkage, and the linkage is rotatable about a lift pin. The linkage is also coupled to a second tension bar. A head is attached to an upper end of the support column and extends from the support column above the base. Also included in the stand mixer is a bowl. The bowl lift framework is configured for vertically moving the bowl relative to the head when the lift arm pivots relative to the support column. The bowl is held between the lift arm of the bowl lift framework.

In another example embodiment, a stand mixer includes a base and a support column attached to the base, extending upwardly from the base. A column rail is mounted to the support column. A head is attached to an upper end of the support column and extends from the support column above the base. A bowl includes at least two flanges positioned on opposite sides of the bowl. A bowl lift framework extends outwardly from the column rail of the support column. The bowl lift framework further includes a bowl carrier slidably coupled to the column rail, and at least one lift arm rotatably mounted to the bowl carrier. The lift arm is pivotable relative to the support column. The lift arm rotates a first tension bar coupled to a linkage and the linkage is rotatable about a lift pin. The linkage is also coupled to a second tension bar. The bowl is removably mountable on the bowl carrier between the lift arm. The flanges of the bowl and the bowl carrier are configured to removably couple.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent (10%) margin.

FIG.1provides an isometric view of a stand mixer100according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. It will be understood that stand mixer100is provided by way of example only and that the present subject matter may be used in or with any suitable stand mixer in alternative example embodiments. Moreover, with reference to each ofFIGS.1and2, stand mixer100may define a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, which are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. It should be understood that these directions are presented for example purposes only, and that relative positions and locations of certain aspects of stand mixer100may vary according to specific embodiments, spatial placement, or the like.

Stand mixer100may include a base102and a support column104. Column104may support a mixer head106, which is positioned atop column104. Head106may house a motor, a gearbox, and/or a drivetrain apparatus (not shown) of stand mixer100. For example, as shown inFIG.1, head106may be mounted to column104, which is mounted to base102. Thus, column104may extend between and connect base102and head106, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Head106may extend outwardly above the base102, e.g., in the transverse direction T. Column104may also include a bowl lift framework108. Bowl lift framework108may slidably mount to a slider rail110, which is mounted to column104. Additionally, components of bowl lift framework108may extend outwardly above the base102, e.g., in the transverse direction T, and may hold bowl112above base102, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Bowl112may be removably mounted on bowl lift framework108via flanges114. Flanges114may be on opposite sides of the bowl112with respect to the circumference of the bowl. Bowl lift framework108will be described in further detail herein.

Example operation of stand mixer100is described below. In the operation of stand mixer100, a user may load food items into bowl112. The food items may be ingredients, such as flour, water, milk, etc. These items are provided for example purposes only and one skilled in the art would appreciate that there are many more types of food items that may be placed in bowl112of stand mixer100. After loading the food items into bowl112, a user may turn on a motor to begin the process of mixing, kneading, beating, etc. The motor rotates an attachment attached to stand mixer100to complete each of these processes. The processes may be conducted with a respective attachment, such as a mixer blade for mixing, a dough hook for kneading, and a balloon whisk for beating.

As shown in a side view inFIG.2, bowl lift framework108may include a bowl carrier202, e.g., with a mounting spike204. Bowl112may be removably mounted on bowl lift framework108via flanges114. Flanges114may be on opposite sides of the bowl112with respect to the circumference of the bowl. Bowl carrier202of bowl lift framework108may hold bowl112via mounting spike204engaging with flanges114. For instance, each mounting spike204on bowl carrier202may be received within a respective flange114on bowl112. Lift arm206may rotatably couple to bowl carrier202via a hinge pin208. Hinge pin208may be a fixed rotational point with respect to bowl carrier202, e.g., hinge pin208may not translate or move apart from bowl carrier202.

There may be at least two lift arms206, and bowl112may be disposed between lift arms206, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Each lift arm206may be positioned on a respective side of bowl112, such that both a left-handed user and a right-handed user may comfortably operate lift arms206. When rotating lift arm206, bowl carrier202may be translated in the vertical direction V by a linkage210. Specifically, when rotating lift arm206about hinge pin208, a first tension bar212pushes and rotates linkage210about the lateral L axis. In response to the rotation of linkage210, a second tension bar214may be rotated through a slider rail tab216. The operation of lift arm206to translate bowl112in the vertical direction V will be described in further detail herein.

Lift arm206may have one end207cantilevered from support column104. Such distal end207may correspond to a handle for a user to grasp, push, or pull. The other end209, e.g., an angled portion, of lift arm206may be disposed within support column104and may be coupled to first tension bar212. At the hinge point, hinge pin208of lift arm206, both ends207,209of lift arm206may linearly extend outward. The hinge point may be disposed within support column104. The linear portions of lift arms206may be angled between the cantilevered end207and the opposite end209within support column104. The angle A formed by the linear portions of lift arm206between the cantilevered end207and the other end209, e.g., in a plane perpendicular to the lateral direction L, may be no less than one-hundred degrees (100°) and no more than one-hundred and seventy degrees (170°) in certain example embodiments.

Referring now toFIGS.3and4, stand mixer100may adjust between two positions using bowl lift framework108. The first position, shown inFIG.3, includes lift arm206parallel to the transverse direction T such that bowl carrier202may be vertically elevated above base102on slider rail110. In particular, the first or upper position may be elevated proximate head106for the mixing of ingredients of bowl112. The second position, shown inFIG.4, includes lift arm206angled away relative to the transverse direction T such that bowl carrier202may be proximate base102. Lift arm206may be disengaged by angling lift arm206downward toward base102. In particular, the second or lower position may be closer to base102than the first position. Bowl112may be in the second position so that there is more space between bowl112and head106relative to the first position such that ingredients may be added to bowl112. For example, in the first position, gap300ofFIG.3may be up to five centimeters (5 cm) between base102and bowl112, whereas in the second position shown inFIG.4, gap300may be less than one centimeter (1 cm).

Referring now toFIGS.5-7, in the operation of lift arm206to translate bowl112in the vertical direction, linkage210may rotate about pin306. Pin306may be a fixed rotational point with respect to bowl carrier202, e.g., pin306may not translate or move apart from bowl carrier202. Specifically, lift arm206may couple to first tension bar212at a pivot point308of lift arm206. Pivot point308may be positioned at end209of lift arm206, e.g., the end209of lift arm206opposite distal end207. First tension bar212may extend to linkage210, coupling to linkage210at a pivot point302. Pivot point302may be about two and a half centimeters (2.5 cm) from pin306in certain example embodiments. Pivot point302may be a variable position rotational point with respect to bowl carrier202, e.g., pivot point302may be rotated around pin306moving pivot point302first away from bowl carrier202then toward bowl carrier202as linkage210continues to rotate. Second tension bar214may couple to linkage210at a pivot point304. Pivot point304may be about five centimeters (5 cm) from pin306in certain example embodiments. Thus, e.g., pivot point304may be disposed further from pin306than pivot point302. Pivot point304may be a variable position rotational point with respect to bowl carrier202, e.g., pivot point304may be rotated around pin306moving pivot point304first away from bowl carrier202then toward bowl carrier202as linkage210continues to rotate. As may be best seen inFIG.2, pivot point302and pivot point304may be spaced about one centimeter (1 cm) apart with respect to the transverse direction T, and about three centimeters (3 cm) apart with respect to the vertical direction V in the up position.

For example, as lift arm206is actuated, the movement of lift arm206may be transferred through first tension bar212at pivot point308, rotating linkage210about pin306, rotating both pivot point302and pivot point304, and thus transferring the movement to second tension bar214at pivot point304. First tension bar212may extend through both pivot point302and pivot point308, and second tension bar214may extend through pivot point304. Additionally, or alternatively, a retaining ring (not shown) may be used to retain first tension bar212and/or second tension bar214in respective pivot points302,304, and308. When bowl carrier202transitions between the first and second position, second tension bar214translates within a protrusion, e.g., a slider rail tab216, on slider rail110. On the distal end of second tension bar214from pivot point304, e.g., a top portion of second tension bar214, a spring310and a nut312may provide tension to second tension bar214, by keeping spring310in compression.

As seen inFIGS.5and6, in view ofFIGS.3and4, respectively, stand mixer100may be adjustable between two positions via bowl lift framework108. As may be seen above, the first position, shown inFIG.3, includes lift arm206parallel to the transverse direction T such that bowl carrier202may be vertically elevated above base102on slider rail110. In the first position, bowl lift framework108may be positioned as seen inFIG.5. For example,FIG.5illustrates lift arm206parallel to the transverse direction T, and linkage210is in an upper position with pivot point304beneath pin306in the vertical direction V. The second position, shown inFIG.4, includes lift arm206angled away from the transverse direction T such that bowl carrier202may be proximate base102. In the second position, bowl lift framework108may be positioned as seen inFIG.6. For example,FIG.6illustrates lift arm206angled away from the transverse direction T, and linkage210is in a lower position with pivot point304above pin306with respect to the vertical direction V. Additionally or alternatively, pivot point304and pin306may be in a horizontal/transversal plane while in the second position, e.g., pivot point304and pin306may be proximate the same height with respect to the vertical direction V while in the second position.

As seen inFIG.7, slider rail tab216may define slot700, through which second tension bar214may extend. When bowl112is moving between the first and second position, second tension bar214may translate within slot700of slider rail tab216. The distal end of second tension bar214from pivot point304, may include spring310and nut312. By keeping spring310in compression, a tension force may be transferred through second tension bar214. In the first position, the tension provided by spring310, in association with the position of pivot point304, may lock bowl112in the first position, e.g., bowl lift framework108may be configured to lock in the first position. As may be best seen inFIG.2, in the up position, pivot point304may be more proximate slider rail110than pin306with respect to the transverse direction T. While pivot point304is more proximate slider rail110than pin306, the force created by spring310may lock bowl lift framework108in place until an operator actuates lift arm206. Conversely, while in the second position, the tension provided by spring310may aid an operator in actuating lift arm206.

As may be seen from the above, stand mixer100includes a bowl lift framework108that may lock into an upper position and may ease the operation of lift arm206. Lift arm206may couple to first tension bar212at pivot point308. First tension bar212may extend to linkage210, coupling to linkage210at pivot point302. Second tension bar214may couple to linkage210at pivot point304. Through first tension bar212, linkage210, and second tension bar214, in combination with spring310, leverage may be provided to ease the raising or lowering of bowl112.