ASSEMBLY FOR SECURING KETTLES AND THE LIKE

Abstract: The assembly comprises a base plate (1) having an upstanding collar (2) shaped to fit snugly around the base portion of an electric kettle (6). Collar (2) has a gap (3) for receiving the end (7) of an electrical lead (8). The assembly retains the kettle in position when the lead is pulled, thus alleviating the problem of inadvertent tipping over of the kettle.

Description: Assembly for Securing Kettles and the Like • The present invention is concerned with assemblies for securing electric kettles, and similar electrically heated domestic vessels, such as electric heating jugs, electric coffee makers and the like. Such vessels ,which are used primarily for making and pouring beverages, generally comprise a container for liquid, a handle, a spout, and a detachable electric lead which has a socket capable of receiving a complementary plug on the vessel. For convenience, the term "electric kettle" will be used hereinafter and it is to be understood that this term is intended to cover any vessel of the type described. Electric kettles are a source of danger, primarily to children, since pulling of the lead can cause the kettle to tip over, with consequent risk of scalding. This is a particular problem with certain types of tall kettle. A further problem with such kettles is that connection of the lead to the kettle is essentially a two-handed operation, which means that it is difficult for some disabled people to make the connection; it can also be difficult for userswhα have one hand full or occupied (for example, in carrying an infant). We have now devised an assembly for securing electric kettles which enables these disadvantages to be substantially alleviated. According to the present invention, there is provided an assembly for securing an electric kettle to a work surface, which comprises: (a) a base plate having an upper face for supporting the base of the kettle and a lower face for engaging said work surface; (b) a barrier member secured to or integral with said base plate, said barrier member being shaped and dimensioned to snugly receive and extend around the periphery of said kettle and to substantially prevent lateral mdvement thereof, said barrier member having at least one gap therein for receiving an electrical connector for said kettle; and (c) means for releasably securing the lower face of said base plate to said work surface. The base plate is typically circular in shape (to match the shape of the kettle) and preferably has the barrier member around the periphery thereof. The barrier member has at least one gap therein, as mentioned above; the gap is for receiving the electrical connector, which is either the free end of the lead or a projection from the kettle having a plug for engagement within a socket at the free end of the lead. Such a projection may be part of the handle of the kettle. The barrier member optionally has a further gap therein, for receiving the spout. The barrier member is typically at least 1cm high (e.g. at least 1.25cm high); a higher barrier member is generally required for taller kettles than for shorter ones. The barrier member forms a collar of essentially the same shape and size as the base of the kettle. It is particularly preferred for the base plate and the barrier member to be integral (for example, all being of wood, plastics or sheet metal). The means for releasably securing the base plate to the work surface may be, for example, screws, bolts, or self-adhesive pads. Self-adhesive pads comprising flexible foam pieces with press ' ure-sensi tive adhesive on both faces thereof are preferred as these enable the assembly to be releasably secured to the work surface without damaging it. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an exemplary base plate and barrier member for use, together with means for releasably securing the base plate to a work surface, as an assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a side elevation of an assembly according to the invention, together with a kettle; and Figure 4 is a side elevation of an alternative assembly according to the invention. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a disc-shaped base plate 1 having an upstanding annular collar 2 around the periphery thereof. Annular collar , which is shaped and dimensioned to fit snugly around the base portion of an electric kettle, has a first gap 3 (for receiving the end of an electrical connector, as described above) and a second gap 4, for receiving the spout of the kettle. Base plate 1 is secured to a work surface by self-adhesive pads 5. 5- Referring to Figure 3, the kettle 6 is shown fitted in a device as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 with the free end 7 of an electrical connector 8 in gap 3 and spout 9 in gap 4. Referring to Figure 4, in this case the 10 kettle 10 is a tall kettle and is shown fitted in a modified device having only one gap 11 in its annular collar; gap 11 is shaped to receive the electrical conn ¬ ector 12 of kettle 10. The present invention has been described 15 in terms of an assembly for securing an electric kettle to a work surface; however, the present invention further comprises a combination of an assembly according to the invention and an electric kettle fitted therein with 20 the base plate supporting the base of the kettle and the barrier member extending around the periphery thereof. T.he assembly according to the invention substantially alleviates the danger of inadvertent tipping over of the kettle by pulling on the lead; pulling on the Z5 lead will instead cause it to become unplugged from the kettle as the base plate and the barrier member (and therefore the kettle) are retained in position. In addition, the assembly according to the invention enables the lead to be connected to the kettle in a one-handed 30 operation, because once again the kettle is retained in position. 5

Claims: CLA IMS 1. An assembly for securing an electric kettle to a work surface, which comprises: (a) a base plate having an upper face for supporting the base of the kettle and a lower face for engaging said work surface; (b) a barrier member secured to or integral with said base plate, said barrier member being shaped and dimensioned to snugly receive and extend around the periphery of said kettle and to substantially prevent lateral movement thereof, s,aid barrier member having at least one gap therein for receiving an electrical connector for said kettle; and (c) means for releasably securing the lower face of said base plate to said work surface. 2. An assembly according to claim 1 , in which the base plate is circular and has the barrier member around the periphery thereof. 3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, in which the barrier member has a further gap for receiving the spout of the kettle . 4. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the base plate and the barrier member are integral. 5. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, in which the means for releasably securing the lower face of the base plate to the work surface comprise an array of self- adhesive pads . 6. An assembly for securing an electric kettle to a work surface, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In combination, an assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6 and an electric kettle received therein.

Inventors: THOMAS NORMAN, WILLIAMS KEVIN, THOMAS, NORMAN, WILLIAMS, KEVIN
Applicants: STAYFAST SAFETY HOLDERS LTD, STAYFAST SAFETY HOLDERS LIMITED
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A47J27
IPC codes: A47J27, A47J45