Abstract:
A toaster is disclosed including a main frame with a toasting compartment including an electrical resistance heater, a carriage mounted for reciprocation within the toasting compartment so that the bread product to be toasted can be loaded when the carriage is in an upper position and the bread product can be toasted when the carriage is in the lower position, an electromagnet for holding the carriage in the lower position, and a safety assembly for interrupting the supply of electricity to the electrical resistance heater at the end of a toasting cycle independent of the position of the carriage with the subassembly and including a lock to lock the carriage in the lower position, an armature for carrying the lock mounted adjacent to the electromagnet, and a resilient contact to establish electrical contact with the electrical resistance heater when the assembly is in the active position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the general field of electric toasters for domestic use in toasting bread-based foods. 
     More particularly, the present invention relates to an electric toaster comprising a main frame including: 
     a toasting compartment associated with one or more electrical resistances; 
     a bread-carrier carriage mounted to move in the toasting compartment between a high position for bread insertion, and a low position for toasting bread enabling the power circuit for the electrical resistance(s) to be closed, the carriage being held in this position by interaction with an electromagnet; and 
     electrical safety means for interrupting the electrical power supply to the electrical resistance(s) at the end of the toasting cycle independently of the position of the bread-carrier carriage. 
     It is known to make an electric toaster with a bread-carrier carriage that is mounted to move in the toasting compartment of the appliance so that when the bread-carrier carriage is in its low, toasting position, it is capable of engaging electrical contact blades either directly or indirectly for the purpose of closing the circuit that powers the electrical resistances of the appliance. In this position, the electromagnet which is usually located at the bottom of the toasting compartment is activated and holds the bread-carrier carriage in its toasting position by means of an armature. Such systems are in widespread use and are generally satisfactory. However, they suffer from a drawback associated with the possibility of the bread-carrier carriage becoming jammed in its low, toasting position, for example because a bread-based article has been inserted that is of dimensions that are much too large compared with the insertion slot of the toaster. In such a situation, at the end of the toasting period, the electromagnet is indeed deactivated, but since the bread-carrier carriage remains blocked and cannot rise, the electrical contacts remain closed so that the electrical resistances continue to be powered. This runs the risk of the bread-based article burning up completely which, after a while, can lead to greater damage. 
     That is why electrical safety devices have already been envisaged for interrupting the electrical power supply to the electrical toasting resistances at the end of the toasting cycle independently of the position of the bread-carrier carriage, i.e. even when the bread-carrier carriage is jammed in its low, toasting position. 
     Toasters are thus known which use a piece that is movably mounted on the bread-carrier carriage itself, with such a piece serving as an interface with the electromagnet and enabling the power supply circuit to the electrical resistances to be opened at the end of the toasting cycle by releasing that piece. The interface piece is mounted to move under drive from a spring, and it enables the electrical resistance circuit to be opened even when the bread-carrier carriage remains jammed in the toasting position. Such a system is generally satisfactory, but it does suffer from various drawbacks associated with manufacture and with the displacement accuracy required for the piece in order for it to open the electrical contacts. 
     Consequently, one of the objects of the invention is to seek to remedy the drawbacks of devices known in the prior art, and to propose a novel electric toaster provided with electric safety means that are particularly simple and low cost to manufacture and assemble, while also being particularly reliable. 
     Another object of the present invention is to propose a novel electric toaster in which the safety means are particularly reliable, and to make it possible in particular to avoid any possibility of the safety means locking or malfunctioning. 
     Another object of the present invention is to propose a novel electric toaster in which the safety means are particularly simple to assemble. 
     Another object of the present invention is to propose a novel electric toaster fitted with safety means that maintain their electrical connection/disconnection properties well over time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, these and other objects have now been realized by the invention of a toaster comprising a main frame including a toasting compartment including at least one electrical resistance member, a carriage mounted for reciprocation within the toasting compartment between an upper position and a lower position, whereby a product to be toasted can be loaded therein when the carriage is in the upper position and the product can be toasted when the carriage is in the lower position, an electromagnet disposed adjacent to the carriage when the carriage is in the lower position for holding the carriage in the lower position, safety means for interrupting the supply of electricity to the at least one electrical resistance member at the end of a predetermined toasting cycle independent of the position of the carriage, the safety means comprising an assembly independent of the carriage, the assembly movable between an active position and an inactive position, and comprising a lock for locking the carriage in the lower position when the assembly is in the active position and for releasing the carriage from the lower position when the assembly is in the active position, an armature for carrying the lock, the armature mounted adjacent to the electromagnet for engagement with the electromagnet when the assembly is in the active position and for disengagement from the electromagnet when the assembly is in the inactive position, and at least one resilient contact member for establishing electrical contact with the at least one electrical resistance member when the assembly is in the active position and for eliminating the electrical contact with the at least one electrical resistance member when the assembly is in the inactive position. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes a protective plate for covering the electromagnet when said assembly is in the active position. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly is mounted at a location with respect to the electromagnet. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly is mounted at a location with respect to the main frame. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the toaster includes an electrical circuit for controlling the at least one electrical resistance member, and a support for the electrical circuit, and the assembly is mounted at a location with respect to the support. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly includes a plate carrying the armature, and the toaster includes an arm projecting from the plate, the arm including the lock, and the plate being pivotable about an axis, the at least one resilient contact member comprising at least one side branch extending from the plate. Preferably, the at least one resilient contact member comprises a pair of resilient contact members comprising a pair of the side branches. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the toaster includes spring blade means mounted on the main frame in juxtaposition with the at least one resilient contact member for providing an electrical connection with the at least one electrical resistance member when engaged by the resilient contact member. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly includes a contact surface facing the electromagnet and the electromagnet includes a contact surface facing the assembly, and the assembly and the electromagnet are mounted at a location with respect to the main frame so that the contact surfaces of the assembly and the electromagnet are substantially horizontal. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly includes a contact surface and the electromagnet includes a contact surface facing the assembly, the assembly and the electromagnet being mounted at a location with respect to the main frame whereby the contact surfaces of the assembly and the electromagnet are substantially vertical. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the toaster of the present invention, the assembly and the electromagnet comprise a single component mounted directly on the main frame. 
     In accordance with the present invention, these and other objects are thus achieved by means of an electric toaster comprising a main frame including: 
     a toasting compartment associated with one or more electrical resistances; 
     a bread-carrier carriage mounted to move in the toasting compartment between a high position for bread insertion, and a low position for toasting bread enabling the power circuit for the electrical resistance(s) to be closed, the carriage being held in this position by interaction with an electromagnet; and 
     electrical safety means for interrupting the electrical power supply to the electrical resistance(s) at the end of the toasting cycle independently of the position of the bread-carrier carriage; 
     the toaster being characterized in that the safety means are formed by a subassembly that is independent of the bread-carrier carriage and that comprises: 
     a locking member suitable for locking the bread-carrier carriage in the low position; 
     an armature suitable for interacting with the electromagnet; and 
     at least one resilient contact member suitable for opening and closing the electrical circuit of the electrical resistances; 
     the subassembly being mounted to move in or on the frame in such a manner as to be engaged by the bread-carrier carriage when it is substantially in its low position, the subassembly being movable between firstly an active position in which the locking member locks the bread-carrier carriage in its low, toasting position while interacting by means of its armature with the electromagnet and closing the electrical circuit of the resistance(s), and secondly an inactive position in which the locking member releases the bread-carrier carriage without interaction of the armature with the electromagnet while opening the electrical circuit of the electrical resistance(s). 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention are explained in greater detail in the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings that show the invention in illustrative and nonlimiting manner, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side, elevational, fragmentary view of a toaster showing safety means in accordance with the present invention in the inactive position; 
     FIG. 2 is a side, elevational, fragmentary view of a toaster analogous to that shown in FIG. 1, with the active position of the safety means of the present invention serving to lock the bread-carrier carriage in the toasting position; 
     FIG. 3 is a front, elevational, fragmentary view seen along arrow F of FIG. 2, showing details of the safety means of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side, elevational, fragmentary view of a toaster showing a variant of the safety means of the present invention in the active position; 
     FIG. 5 is a side, elevational, fragmentary view of a toaster analogous to that of FIG. 4, showing a variant of the safety means of the present invention in the inactive, unlocking position; 
     FIG. 6 is a front, perspective, fragmentary view of a second variant of the safety means of the present invention showing an electromagnet that is positioned horizontally; and 
     FIG. 7 is a front, perspective, fragmentary view identical to that of FIG. 6 showing how the parts making up the safety means of the present invention are assembled together. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to  7  are fragmentary views showing an electric toaster comprising a main frame on which the various component elements of the appliance are mounted (not shown in the figures) which, in a conventional manner, comprise a housing having a base and outside walls defining at least one toasting compartment provided at its top with one or more slots for receiving a bread-based food for toasting. Each toasting compartment is associated, in a conventional manner, with one or more electrical resistances, e.g. of quartz or other type, suitable for supplying the energy required for toasting the bread-based food. In an equally conventional manner, the electrical resistances are associated with electrical or electronic members for monitoring and controlling the toasting cycle, and also with manual control members for setting the toasting time, and appropriate electrical connection elements such as cables or wires, for example, enabling the various elements to be interconnected and also to be connected to the main electricity supply. Such structural elements are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, so that the internal structure of the electric toaster of the present invention is not described in greater detail. 
     The electric toaster of the present invention comprises a main frame including a bread-carrier carriage  1  mounted to move in a toasting compartment under the control of a control lever  2  suitable for being actuated by the user of the toaster. The bread-carrier carriage  1  is mounted to move in translation by means of a carriage  3  that interconnects the bread-carrier carriage  1  and the control lever  2 . The carriage  3  is guided in vertical translation on a guide column  4  that is interposed in the frame of the toaster between a bottom tab  5  and a top tab  6  secured to an upright  7  of the toaster. The toaster also has an electromagnet  10  mounted near the bottom of the frame and comprising an assembly body  11  having fixed thereon the coil  12  surrounding the core  13  of the electromagnet. In this configuration, the toaster carriage  1  is thus mounted to move in the toasting compartment between a low position for toasting bread, in which position the carriage acts by means of the carriage  3  and appropriate electrical contact means to close the power circuit for the electrical resistance(s), and is held in this position by interaction with the electromagnet  10 , the carriage also being capable of occupying a high position for receiving bread. 
     The electric toaster of the present invention also has electrical safety means for interrupting the electrical power supply to the electrical resistance(s) at the end of the toasting cycle regardless of the position of the bread-carrier carriage  1 , so as to ensure that even if the bread-carrier carriage  1  becomes wedged or jammed in its low, toasting position, the electrical power supply to the electrical resistance(s) is not maintained. 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bread-carrier carriage  1  is mounted with the possibility of resilient return to its high position by means of a return spring  15  interposed between the control carriage  3  and the top tab  6 , for example. 
     In the present invention, the electric toaster has safety means which are formed by a subassembly  20  that is independent of the bread-carrier carriage  1  and that comprises: 
     a locking member  21  suitable for locking the bread-carrier carriage  1  in the low position; 
     an armature  22  suitable for interacting with the electromagnet  10 ; and 
     at least one contact member  32  suitable for opening and closing the electrical circuit for the electrical resistance(s); 
     the subassembly being mounted in or on the frame in such a manner as to be engaged by the bread-carrier carriage  1  when it is substantially in its low position, the subassembly being movable between an active position in which the locking member  21  locks the bread-carrier carriage  1  in its low, toasting position, while interacting by means of its armature  22  with the electromagnet  10  and closing the electrical circuit of the electrical resistance(s), and an inactive position in which the locking member  21  releases the breadcarrier carriage  1  without interaction of the armature  22  with the electromagnet  10  while opening the electrical circuit of the electrical resistance(s). 
     In this embodiment, the subassembly  20  is thus a unit which is totally independent of the bread-carrier carriage  1  since it is neither carried by it nor linked to it, except when in the locking position. The subassembly  20  therefore does not follow movement of the bread-carrier carriage  1 . 
     At the end of the timing cycle, because of the existence of the moving subassembly  20  and because of the way it is mounted, the electronic circuit of the toaster can interrupt the power supply to the electromagnet  10 , thereby releasing the armature  22  whose contact member  32  opens the electrical circuit of the electrical resistances, even if the bread-carrier carriage  1  is jammed. 
     In a particularly advantageous version of the present invention, the subassembly  20  has a protective plate  25  suitable for covering the electromagnet  10  when the subassembly  20  is in its active position (FIG.  2 ). By means of this feature, it is possible to protect the contact area between the subassembly  20  and the electromagnet  10  from any external attack, and in particular from the interposition of crumbs or debris that could interact harmfully with the electrical connection and disconnection of the power supply to the electrical resistances. The overall safety of the appliance is thus improved. 
     In the present invention, the subassembly  20  can be mounted to move on the electromagnet  10 , e.g. on the body  11  thereof. In one variant, it is possible to mount the subassembly  20  on other elements of the frame, e.g. directly on the support  30  of the integrated electronic circuit (FIGS. 4 and 5) that governs the entire toasting cycle. 
     Advantageously, the subassembly  20  is formed by the central plate  25  which supports the armature  22 , and from which there projects at least one arm  26  whose end carries the active locking member, e.g. a hook  27 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to  3 , the plate  25  is substantially plane and rectangular, with the arm  26  extending in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the plate  25  extends. The hook  27  is of appropriate shape complementary to a catch surface  29  formed on the control carriage  3  so as to provide effective locking of the bread-carrier carriage  1  without impeding subsequent unlocking thereof. The plate  25  is mounted to pivot relative to the electromagnet about a pin  31 , e.g. by means of an assembly tab, and it has at least one side branch  32  which advantageously extends in the same plane as the plate  25  so as to form the electrical contact member of the subassembly  20 . 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to  3 , the subassembly  20  is mounted directly on the body  11  of the electromagnet  10  and relative thereto in and on the frame so that their respective contact surfaces are substantially horizontal when the toaster is in its normal position of use on a horizontal reference surface. 
     Advantageously, and as can be seen in FIG. 3, the subassembly  20  has two opposite side branches  32  situated on either side of the central plate  20  so as to form two contact members of the subassembly  20  when the toaster requires two pole electrical connections to keep live and neutral separate. The toaster of the present invention also has metal spring blades  35  mounted in or on the frame in register with the contact members  32 , i.e. in register with the branches  32 . The spring blades  35  are advantageously mounted on the support  30  of the printed circuit and carry contacts  36  at their ends for making electrical connection with matching contacts  36 ′ so as to provide appropriate electrical connection to the electrical resistance(s) when the spring blades  35  are engaged by the contact member  32  as a result of the moving subassembly  20  being displaced. Advantageously, the spring blades  35  are curved so as to provide an additional release force assisting the subassembly  20  in returning to its inactive position (FIG. 1) when the power supply to the electromagnet  10  is cut. 
     Advantageously, the subassembly  20  and the electromagnet  10  are made of insulating plastic material having good mechanical properties, e.g. of the polyamide  66  type filled to 30% with glass fibers or the equivalent. The spring blades are advantageously made of phosphor bronze (CuSn8½), and the armature is advantageously made of zinc bichromate steel. The contacts,  36  and  36 ′, could advantageously be made of copper covered with a layer of silver (AgNi) having a thickness of about 10 microns. In a variant, the electrical contacts,  36  and  36 ′, could alternatively be formed by a drop of silver deposited directly on the spring blades  35 . 
     The subassembly  20  operates as follows: 
     When the user actuates the control lever  2  to move the bread-carrier carriage  1  down to its low, toasting position (FIG.  2 ), the control carriage  3  moves vertically down along the guide column  4 . In the vicinity of the bottom abutment position of the bread-carrier carriage  1 , a bearing rib  40  of the control carriage  3  engages a corresponding bearing surface on the subassembly  20  which then tilts about its pivot axis  31  so as to go from its inactive position as shown in FIG. 1 to its active position as shown in FIG.  2 . As it tilts, the branches  32  engage and press against the spring blades  35 , thereby closing the power supply circuit for the electrical resistances of the toaster. Simultaneously, during said tilting, the hook  27  engages the catch surface  29  of the control carriage  3  so as to lock the carriage  3 , and consequently lock the bread-carrier carriage  1  in its low, toasting position as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     In this locking position, the electromagnet  10  is then powered and holds the armature  22  in place, which has the effect of holding the subassembly  20  in its position for mechanically locking the bread carrier and for powering the electrical resistances. The toasting cycle can then begin in application of the cycle previously selected by the user. 
     The device is implemented overall so that when the user ceases to press down the control lever  2 , the bread-carrier carriage  1  rises under drive from the spring  15  through a stroke of a few millimeters until the surface  29  comes into contact with the hook  27  so as to put the subassembly  20  into a position that makes it possible for it to subsequently tilt freely from its locking position to its unlocking position. 
     At the end of the toasting cycle, the electronic timing system automatically interrupts the power supply to the electromagnet  10 , thereby releasing the armature  22  from its position in contact with the coil  13 . The subassembly  20  is then free to tilt into its inactive position about the pivot axis  31  under drive from the ejection force supplied by the spring blades  35 . Thus, the spring blades  35  return to their natural, rest position (as shown in FIG.  1 ), thereby creating sufficient space between the contacts,  36  and  36 ′, to ensure that the power circuit is interrupted. In this situation, even if the bread-carrier carriage  1  is blocked for any reason, the power supply is interrupted. In a normal toasting cycle, the bread-carrier carriage  1  is released and rises to its rest position as shown in FIG. 1 under traction from the spring  15 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment which differs from the embodiment described above only by being arranged somewhat differently. Thus, the protective plate  25  is provided with a surrounding side skirt  25 A to surround the horizontal engagement surface of the electromagnet  10  substantially completely, covering all sides thereof, at least near the top portion of the coil  12  and the core  13 . Because of this feature, the magnetic contact zone is better protected and the deposit of any foreign body, and in particular bread crumbs, is prevented. 
     In this embodiment, the moving subassembly  20  is pivoted directly on the support  30  of the electronic circuit, the pivot pin  31  being stationary in this case and held in a hole in the support  30 . As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spring blades  35  connected to the electronic circuit extend substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the support  30  so as to be engaged frontally by the side branches  32 . In addition, the side branches  32  are disposed in such a way as to be substantially centered relative to the core  13  of the electromagnet  10  so as to provide good centering for the mechanical forces on the electromagnet  10 , thus enhancing the quality of the electrical connection and the general mechanical behavior of the assembly. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment which differs from the preceding embodiments solely in having a different physical configuration. 
     In this embodiment, the contact surface between the armature  22  and the core  13  of the electromagnet  10  is substantially vertical when the toaster is in its normal utilization position in which the housing extends substantially vertically. Because of this configuration, a deposit of foreign bodies, and in particular bread crumbs, on the electrical contact surface is substantially avoided, thereby contributing to increasing the operating safety of the toaster. In this embodiment, the main axis of the coil  13  thus extends substantially horizontally in the frame of the toaster. 
     In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the subassembly  20  and the electromagnet  10  form a single component which is advantageously made of plastics material, suitable for being mounted directly on the frame of the toaster  1 , e.g. by means of plastic clips  50 . In this embodiment, the subassembly  20  is pivoted about its axis  31  to the body of the electromagnet  10 , e.g. in corresponding setbacks  31 ′. Naturally, instead of being mounted directly on the frame of the toaster, such a single component forming a one-piece unit can be mounted directly on the support  30  of the electronic circuit of the toaster so as to reduce the number of connectors. 
     In this embodiment, the side branches  32  have sloping ramps  32 A for coming into contact with corresponding ramps  35 A formed on the spring blades  35  to ensure that they move when the subassembly  20  pivots. In the embodiments shown, the spring blades  35  are in the form of blades that are raised, e.g. being inserted in recesses in the plastics body of the electromagnet  10  or by being overmolded therein, and they have respective current feed tabs  35 B at their bottom ends. The slopes of the ramps  32 A and of the corresponding ramps  35 A are designed in such a manner as to exert sufficient force on the electrical contacts during closure while retaining the ability to push back the subassembly  20  elastically towards its inactive position when the power supply to the coil  13  is cut. 
     In this embodiment, the position of the hook  27  relative to the axis of rotation  31  and the horizontal axis of the coil  12  are coordinated in such a manner as to reduce the force required from the electromagnet  10  in order to hold the bread-carrier carriage  1  in the toasting position by a lever effect. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.