Abstract:
A detachable power supply apparatus for an appliance has a temperature control device and a power supply cord. The temperature control device is removably and electrically connected to the appliance, and has a first member that extends outwardly from a first side of the temperature control device. The temperature control device has a conductor on the first side and has a probe on a second side opposite the first side. The power supply cord has a female electrical connector at a first end connecting to the conductor. The female electrical connector is connectable to a power supply to supply power to the female electrical connector and to the conductor. The power supply cord has a second member. The first member selectively fastens to the second member so that the first member disengages the second member without disturbing a position of the appliance upon application of a force on the power supply cord.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a detachable power supply apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power supply apparatus that is a breakaway power supply apparatus used with an electrical appliance to increase safety associated with use of the electrical appliance.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Detachable power supply devices are known in the art. One such application of a detachable power supply device is used with a temperature probe for a consumer appliance. These temperature probes are used with consumer appliances such as cooking appliances, popcorn makers, cookers, broilers, grillers and deep fat fryers cooking with oil and shortening.  
         [0005]     The temperature probe requires a first connection to the cooking appliance such as the deep fat fryer and a second connection to a power supply. The temperature probe accurately maintains and controls an acceptable working temperature of the cooking appliance. The temperature probe is often detachable from the cooking appliance so the temperature probe can be removed from the cooking appliance when washing the cooking appliance. This prevents the temperature probe from getting wet and thus damaged during washing of the cooking appliance.  
         [0006]     This first connection to the cooking appliance is usually through a female port on the cooking appliance. The temperature probe has a male member that connects to the female port so that it may be easily removed from the cooking appliance when the cooking appliance is immersed in water and cleaned.  
         [0007]     However, there are problems associated with the temperature probes connected to the power supply that are known in the art. If a user trips over a power cord that connects the temperature probe to a power supply at a second connection, a tensile force may be imparted on the power cord and on the cooking appliance. This tensile force pulling at the cooking appliance may potentially risk the cooking appliance falling and tipping over and thus releasing its hot oil and contents on a floor potentially causing damage.  
         [0008]     One such attempt in the art to remedy this problem is U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,602 to Mendelson. Mendelson discloses a magnetic assembly. The magnetic assembly has a magnet and a ferrous member to secure a power cord assembly to a temperature probe. However, this arrangement is poor during use with cooking appliances because it has been observed that heat emitted from the cooking appliance can lessen the magnetic properties of the magnet. Thus, the magnet will not appropriately secure the power supply assembly to the temperature probe during extended cooking. This will lead to a detrimental connection between the power cord assembly and the temperature probe and may interrupt power from flowing into the temperature probe.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, there is a need for a reliable detachable power supply apparatus for use with a temperature probe. There is a need for such a reliable, and safe, detachable power supply apparatus that will engage the temperature probe to a power cord and also disengage if the power cord is pulled without disturbing the appliance.  
         [0010]     There is also a need for such a detachable power supply apparatus that eliminates one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a detachable power supply apparatus for an electric appliance where the detachable power supply apparatus can be removed or pulled without disturbing the electric appliance.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a detachable power supply apparatus that is safe and that will not tip over the electric appliance if pulled or removed.  
         [0013]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a detachable power supply apparatus that has a temperature control device with a first member and a power supply cord with a second member where the first member selectively connects to the second member.  
         [0014]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a detachable power supply apparatus that has a temperature control device and a power supply cord that selectively fastens to the temperature control device.  
         [0015]     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a detachable power supply apparatus for an electrical appliance that provides power to an electrical appliance and has a temperature probe that can be removed from the electrical appliance for cleaning.  
         [0016]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a detachable power supply cord that is connected to a temperature probe that disengages upon application of a desired tensile force but remains engaged at a second tensile force less than the desired tensile force.  
         [0017]     The above and other objects, advantages and benefits of the present invention will be understood by reference to the detailed description provided below and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a temperature control device according to the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a portion of a power supply cord according to the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the temperature control device of  FIG. 1  being connected to the power supply cord of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional top view of an exterior of the temperature control device being connected to the power supply cord along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a close up view of a clip of the power supply cord and a second member of the temperature control device of  FIG. 4  in a first engaged position.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a close up view of a clip of the power supply cord and the second member of the temperature control device of  FIG. 5  in a second disengaged position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     Referring to the figures and in particular  FIG. 1 , there is shown a temperature control device of the present invention generally represented by reference numeral  10 . The temperature control device  10  is connectable to an appliance (not shown).  
         [0025]     The temperature control device  10  has a first side  12  and a second side  14 . The temperature control device  10  has a probe  16  on the first side  12 . The probe  16  is located extending outwardly from the temperature control device  10  on the first side  12  and has a length that is suitable to insert the probe into the appliance such as a cooker, a popcorn maker, a griller, a broiler, deep fat fryer or any other electrical appliance known in the art.  
         [0026]     Preferably, the probe  16  is made from a thermally conductive material such as a metal, steel, copper or any other ferrous material known in the art. The probe  16  is preferably connected to a thermostat (not shown) positioned preferably, in the temperature control device  10 . Optionally, the temperature control device  10  may have a knob, dial or other buttons for controlling the appliance. In one non-limiting embodiment, the temperature control device  10  may control an acceptable temperature level of, for example, a cooking device such as the fryer or the broiler.  
         [0027]     The temperature control device  10  has a housing  18 . The housing  18  is preferably an orthogonal shaped member that is formed from a resilient and durable material such as a thermoplastic, metal or any resilient and durable material known in the art. Preferably, the housing  18  forms an interior space to house a number of electrical components such as the thermostat and electrical contacts being disposed therein. The temperature control device  10  preferably has the second side  14  as a substantially flat member that is opposite the first side  12 .  
         [0028]     The temperature control device  10  has a first conductor  20  and a second conductor  22  disposed on the second side  14  of the temperature control device. Preferably, the first and second conductors  20 ,  22  are a copper, metal or any other suitable electrically conductive material. The first and second conductors  20 ,  22  extend outwardly from the second side  14  of the temperature control device  10 . The first and second conductors  20 ,  22  are electrically connected to the probe  16  in the housing  18  and supply power from the power source (not shown) to the temperature control device  10 .  
         [0029]     The temperature control device  10  has a first member  24  and a second member  26 . The first and second members  24 ,  26  also extend outwardly from the temperature control device  10 . Preferably, the first member  24  and the second member  26  are each bulbous shaped members. In one embodiment, the first and second members  24 ,  26  may be pins, catch pins, steel catch pins or any other resilient bulbous members known in the art. Both of the first member  24  and the second member  26  have a stem portion  27  and a spherical portion  30 . The first and second members  24 ,  26  are formed from a suitable resilient material such as a metal, plastic or any other resilient material known in the art.  
         [0030]     One skilled in the art should appreciate that the first and the second members  24 ,  26  alternatively may be rectangular shaped, square shaped, circular, “T” shaped or have any shape known in the art to connect to another member. Preferably, the first and second members  24 ,  26  are disposed between the first and the second conductors  20 ,  22  on the second side  14  of the housing  18 . However, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the first and second members  24 ,  26  may be disposed anywhere on the second side with the first and second conductors  20 ,  22  adjacent to the first and second members or, alternatively, in any other location on the second side  14 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a top view of a power supply cord of the present invention being generally represented by reference numeral  40 . The power supply cord  40  preferably has a first side  42  and a second side  44  opposite the first side. The first side  42  has a recess  46  disposed on the first side. The recess  46  is preferably an indentation having a depth disposed in the power supply cord  40 . One skilled in the art should appreciate that although the second side  44  is shown as being closely adjacent to the first side  42  for illustration purposes, the second side may be disposed a distance away from the first side depending upon a desired length of the power supply cord  40 . One skilled in the art should appreciate that the power supply cord  40  may be two feet, four feet, six feet, ten feet or any other desired length depending upon the consumer&#39;s preferences and the availability of electrical outlets to connect the appliance to a power source (not shown).  
         [0032]     Referring to the first side  42  of the power supply cord  40  at the recess  46 , the power supply cord  40  has a first and second female electrical connectors  48 ,  50 . The first and the second female electrical connectors  48 ,  50  are preferably apertures disposed in the recess  46  of the power supply cord  40  that allow access to the interior space of the power supply cord. The interior of the power supply cord  40  has a conductive material that is connected to the power source as a conventional wall outlet on the second side  44  of the power supply cord. The first and second female electrical connectors  48 ,  50  are preferably arranged complementary in position to the first and second conductors  20 ,  22  of the temperature control device  10  of  FIG. 1 . The first and second female electrical connectors  48 ,  50  receive the first and second conductors  20 ,  22  to energize the same.  
         [0033]     The power supply cord  40  has first and second clips  52 ,  54 . The first and second clips  52 ,  54  are preferably spring clips and are biased to the first side  42  of the power supply cord  40 . The first and second clips  52 ,  54  preferably extend laterally opposite the first side  42  of the power supply cord  40 . The first and second clips  52 ,  54  are preferably connected to the first side  42  of the power supply cord  40  and are disposed to be complementary to the first and second members  24 ,  26  to engage with the first and second members on the temperature control device  10  of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0034]     The first and the second clips  52 ,  54  are preferably “C” shaped members. Each of the first and second clips  52 ,  54  have a stem portion  56  and a clasping portion  58 . Although the first and second clips  52 ,  54  are shown as “C” shaped, the first and the second clips may have any shape known in the art to grasp and retain a suitably sized member therein. The first and second clips  52 ,  54  may be “V” shaped, “Y” shaped, “U” shaped, “O” shaped or any other shape in the art.  
         [0035]     The clasping portion  58  of both the first clip and the second clip  52 ,  54  are each shown as arcuate in shape and each has a first radius  60 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the first and second members  24 ,  26  each have the spherical portion  30  with a second radius  62 . The first radius  60  is preferably slightly larger relative to the second radius  62  so that the spherical portion  30  of the first and the second member  24 ,  15  of  FIG. 1  is held in mating engagement with the clasping portion  58  of the first and second clips  52 ,  54  of  FIG. 2 . Preferably, the first radius  60  and the second radius  62  are complementary in size relative to one another such that each of the first and second member  24 ,  26  selectively fits into and is selectively retained in the respective first and the second clips  52 ,  54 .  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a side view of the temperature control device  10  selectively connected to the power supply cord  40 . In this manner, the first and the second conductors  20 ,  22  of the temperature control device  10  of  FIG. 1  are connected to the first and the second female electrical connectors  48 ,  50  of the power supply cord  40  of  FIG. 2 . In this manner, when the power supply cord  40  is connected to the temperature control device  10 , power traverses through the power supply cord from the power supply, through the first and the second female electrical connectors  48 ,  50  to the first and the second conductors  20 ,  22  and to the temperature control device. In this manner, the temperature control device  10  is energized and receives power and the probe  16  may be inserted into a suitable sized port of the appliance to regulate the operating temperature of the appliance.  
         [0037]     An aspect of the present invention is that the power supply cord  40  can engage the temperature control device  10  so that if the power supply cord  40  is subject to a tensile force, pulled or a user trips over the power supply cord, the power supply cord will disengage from the temperature control device  10  without disturbing the appliance, let alone toppling the appliance that may have scalding liquid or oil therein.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cross sectional view of the temperature control device  10  being engaged to the power supply cord  40  is shown along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . As can be understood from  FIG. 4 , the first and second conductors  20 ,  22  are disposed in and in electrical communication with the first and second female electrical connectors  48 ,  50  of the power supply cord  40 . In this connected position, the first and the second members  24 ,  26  are fastened to the first and the second clips  52 ,  54  as shown.  
         [0039]     Referring to a close up view of the second member  26  in  FIG. 4 , the second member is connected to the second clip  54  shown in the circle represented generally as reference numeral  70 . The second clip  54  has the clasping portion  58 . The clasping portion  50  has the first radius  60  that is larger than the second radius  62  of the spherical portion  30  of the second member  26 . In this manner, the second member  26  fits into the clasping portion  58  and is held in the clasping portion of the second clip  54 . The second member  26  and the clasping portion  58  of the second clip  54  are formed from a preselected durable material and the clasping portion has a desired arc to provide a disengagement tensile force index number  64 .  
         [0040]     Upon application of a first tensile force to the power supply cord  40  by, for example, pulling the power supply cord with the first tensile force less than the disengagement tensile force index number  64 , the clasping portion  58  will remain connected to the spherical portion  30  of the first member  24 . Accordingly, this first tensile force is insufficient to disengage the power supply cord  40  from the temperature control device  70  and accordingly the power supply cord will remain connected to the temperature control device.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an alternative position of the power supply cord  40  and the temperature control device  10  in the circle  70 . In this second instance, upon an application of a second tensile force F that is relatively larger than the first tensile force that exceeds the disengagement tensile force index number  64 , the clasping portion  58  of the second clip  54  will release and disengage the spherical portion  30  of the second member  26 . This allows the power supply cord  40  to disengage from the temperature control device  10  allowing the temperature control device to remain connected to the appliance without substantially disturbing the position of the appliance. This will prevent the appliance from being overturned, increase the safety of the power supply cord  40  and thus reduces any risk of potentially harming the user.  
         [0042]     One skilled in the art should appreciate that in an alternative embodiment of the present invention the first and the second clips  52 ,  54  may be disposed on the temperature control device  10  and contemporaneously the first and the second members  24 ,  26  may be disposed on the power supply cord  40 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the power supply cord  40  may have one, two, three or any number of clips, and the temperature control device  10  may have a complementary number of bulbous members thereon to selectively fasten to the power supply cord  40 .  
         [0043]     It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances.