Abstract:
A waste disposer safety device comprises a first member positionable adjacent access to a waste disposer and a second member with access restriction, the first and second members being rotatable with respect with one another to achieve an &#34;off&#34; position and an &#34;on&#34; position whereby in the &#34;on&#34; position, in which operation of the waste disposer is enabled, there is no hazardous access to the grinding chamber thereof, and an &#34;off&#34; position in which the second member can be removed for access to the grinding chamber whereby in that position the grinder motor is inoperable. Switches for accomplishing the on/off condition of the first member and second member and of the waste disposer may be electromechanical or magnetic, among other types of switches.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.: 60/057,454 Sep. 3, 1997. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention pertains and relates to safety devices for waste disposal systems. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Food waste disposer systems such as garbage disposer systems and the like, are devices for mounting under the discharge opening of a sink for disposing of food waste. Such disposal comprises grinding the waste into particulate matter for flushing into the sewer. In existing devices, grinding is commonly accomplished with a motor driven turntable which causes waste from the sink to be thrust by centrifugal force against cutting edges referred to as grind rings. The latter are conventionally positioned around the perimeter of the turntable. In connection with cutting, impellers secured to the turntable contribute to urging the food waste against the grind ring. A flow of water through the grinding chamber flushes the particles from the grind ring into the sewer. 
     Normally, the connector between the sink and the disposer unit may have an opening ranging from approximately 3 inches in diameter to approximately 8 inches in diameter. Even the smallest connector opening will permit hands of most sizes to reach through it to the grinding chamber with possible contact between the hand and the turntable or the grind ring. Under most circumstances such events can occur though there is no objective basis for doing so when the disposer is in operation. However, such entry into the grinding chamber occurs on some of the more common bases: attempting to clear the grinding chamber of a food particles not eliminated; for the purpose of forestalling decay and/or malodorous conditions; attempting to clear a jam under a swivel impeller to eliminate excessive vibration; attempting to clear a turntable jam caused by food particles lodged between it and a grind ring or the grinding chamber; and in-advertence/carelessness. 
     Usually most attempts to insert hands into a grinding chamber occur when the disposer motor is not operating; however, the possibility always exists for the disposer to be turned on inadvertently while the hand is at risk, resulting in injuries which may be serious. 
     Therefore, safety devices have been developed to limit inappropriate access to the grinding chamber. One such device is a batch feed adapter. This type of device is commonly used with small sink openings. With this device, the disposer motor is actuated by a switch which in turn is operated by a device which also acts as a stopper. In operation, this type of device is initially loaded with food waste and the motor is energized upon insertion of a stopper/actuator, resulting in a grinding process whereby though water is permitted to flow into the disposer during the grinding process, additional waste cannot be added without removing the access-limiting device. 
     Another existing device permits continuous feeding of food waste, as opposed to the device above described, by placing restriction devices between the sink and the disposer. Such devices are permanently installed and have the disadvantage that reasonable and necessary access (as by repairmen, for example) to the grinding chamber can only be achieved by dismantling the installation. 
     A substantial majority of existing disposers have no provision for limiting unsafe entry into the grinding chamber. 
     Therefore, there has been a felt but unfulfilled need for a safety device for a waste disposer which permits a continuous feed of waste and does not require dismantling of the installation for the purpose of accommodating legitimate needs for access into the grinding chamber. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A waste disposer safety device comprises a first member mountable upon a sink and a second member with access restriction, the first and second members being rotatable with respect with one another to achieve an off position and an on position whereby in the on position there is operation of the grinder such that no hazardous access to the grinding chamber can be effected, and an off position in which the second member can be removed for access to the grinding chamber whereby in that position the grinder motor is off. Switches for accomplishing the on/off condition of the first member and second member and of the grinder motor may be electro-mechanical or magnetic, among other types of switches. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waste disposer safety device in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view, broken away, of a waste disposer safety device depicting it in connection with a sink installation; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the line 3--3 of FIG. 1, depicting the device in an installed/off position with a particular type of electrical power supply control switch; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a sectional view along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1 depicting the invention in installed/on configuration; 
     FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the invention depicting a sectional view along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1, with an alternative switching assembly in the off position; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view through line 3--3 of FIG. 1 depicting the switching arrangement of FIG. 6 in the on position; and 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view along the line 4--4 of FIG. 1 depicting detail of the alternative switching arrangement depicted in FIG. 6. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As depicted in FIGS. 1-3; inclusive, a waste disposer safety device 10, in accordance with the invention, comprises a mounting collar 12, including an upper ring 14, a lower ring 16 and a connecting wall 18 forming a housing 20. 
     FIG. 2 depicts disposer safety device 10 in place in a typical sink installation. Disposer safety device 10 is bolted by bolts 72a, 72b to a sink through the bottom of the sink flange. 
     Disposer safety device 10 is bolted to a disposer 74 by bolts 78a, 78b. Disposer 74 includes a connector 76 which gives access to a grinder and grinder chamber (both not shown); in turn, the grinding chamber connects to the sewer system (not shown). 
     Disposed within housing 20 is a guard ring 22 adjacent an interior surface 24 of housing 20. In the depicted embodiment, mounting collar 12 and guard ring 22 comprise annular configurations and are depicted in this manner for specificity, other configurations being usable in accordance with the invention. Positioned at substantially side-to-side mid-point in collar 12 and guard ring 22 is a restrictor member 26. Member 26 comprises a hub 27 on which are mounted a plurality (depicted herein as three) of restrictor arms 28a, 28b, 28c. Greater or lesser numbers of restrictor arms may be employed in particular applications in accordance with the invention. 
     Restrictor arms 28a, 28b, 28c are disposed at angular displacements substantially equal to 120° and are secured at their outer ends to an interior surface 23 of guard ring 22. The distance between respective pairs of arms 28a, 28b, 28c may be selected to accord with the particular safety considerations which are applicable. If, for example, the risk of unauthorized insertion of a hand into the disposer 10 is from small children, the distance between pairs of arms 28a, 28b, 28c can be made as small as necessary, even as small as three (3) inches or less. For other classes of persons at risk, the distances can be made larger. The existence of spaced apart pairs of restrictor arms affords the opportunity for continuous feed of waste material while at the same time preventing unauthorized access to the interior of disposer 10. 
     Disposed within housing 20 and axially below restrictor member 26 is a lower restrictor member 29. Lower restrictor 29 comprises a lower hub 33 to which are secured in the same manner as with upper hub 27 a plurality (as depicted, three) of restrictor arms 31a, 31b, 31c. The latter restrictor arms are positioned in the same manner as restrictor arms 28a, 28b, 28c in that they are secured to inner wall 23 of guard ring 22 and are positioned at angular intervals substantially equal to 120°. The combination of upper restrictor 26 and lower restrictor 29 provides safety preventing inappropriate access into the interior or disposer 74. Greater or lesser numbers of restrictors may be provided in particular applications in accordance with the invention. 
     Mounted in bushings 38a, 38b, 38c, and 38d in wall 18 of housing 20 are plunger assemblies 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, respectively. Plunger assemblies 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d are identical in shape and structure to one another; therefore, the description given herein of particular parts of one particular plunger assembly will be equally applicable to all other plunger assemblies herein. 
     Plunger assembly 30a comprises a posterior plunger element 32a which is connected to an anterior plunger element 35a. A snap ring 40a, a washer 43a, a nut 51a and a spring 49a encapsulate and retain plunger assembly 30a, which is mounted in bushings 38a. Plunger assembly 30a includes O-rings 50 disposed between elements 32a, 35a. A plurality of detents 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d are mounted on guard ring 22 to be engageable with members 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, respectively. 
     A switch housing 34 is mounted upon mounting collar 12. Disposed within housing 34 is a limit switch 36 of conventional type electrically coupled to leads 37 which are connected to the electrical system for disposer 74 supplying electrical power for grinding waste matter. Switch 36 comprises a limit switch including a switch actuator 41 extending outwardly. Switch 36 is arranged such that when switch actuator 41 is thrust inwardly switch 36 assumes the off condition and when switch actuator 41 is not so thrust, switch 36 is in the on condition. In the on condition, power is provided through leads 37 for grinding waste in disposer 74 under control of an on/off switch (not shown) of disposer 74. 
     Depicted in FIG. 3 is disposer safety device 10 with switch 36 in the off condition and in FIG. 4 detail is shown of the relative positions of mounting collar 12 and guard ring 22 to accomplish the off condition of switch 36. In FIG. 5 is depicted the relative positioning of mounting collar 12 and guard ring 22 to accomplish the on condition of switch 36. 
     As depicted in FIG. 5, guard ring 22 is positioned with respect to mounting collar 12 such that plunger assemblies 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, are in contact with detents 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d, respectively through members 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, respectively, such that guard ring 22 and mounting collar 12 are locked together by contact between plungers and detents; in the depicted orientation, plunger assembly 30b, is in an unextended position due to its positioning on detent 39b. In this position, plunger assembly 30b which is adjacent switch actuator 41, is not in contact with the latter, thus causing switch 36 to assume the on position whereby power may be provided for grinding by the disposer 74, under control of an on/off switch (not shown) on disposer 74. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, switch 36 is in the off condition. Guard ring 22 has been rotated relative to mounting collar 12, away from the on position depicted in FIG. 5, to the off position. Through such rotation, plunger assembly 32b is brought to an extended position through contact with the appropriate part of detent 39b, as a result of which plunger member 32b acts to press inwardly actuator 41 of switch 36. This causes switch 36 to assume the off position whereby no power is provided for grinding through leads 37 to disposer 74. 
     In the on position, power is provided for grinding by disposer 74 of waste matter into particulates. At the same time, the presence of guard ring 22 with its restrictors 26, 29 prevents access to the interior of the disposer 74 during operation thereof. In the same manner, guard ring 22 in the off position, prevents access; however, guard ring 22 may be readily removed by simply rotating it further counterclockwise from its position in FIG. 5, thereby disengaging plunger assemblies 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d from their respective detents 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d such that guard ring 22 may be lifted off the disposer safety device 10 enabling safe access to machinery which is not operating. 
     Depicted in FIGS. 6-8, inclusive, is a disposer safety device 70 which is distinguished from disposer safety device 10 depicted in FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, in that the switch assemblies for controlling the on/off condition of the operation of the respective disposers are different. In description of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8, inclusive, therefore, corresponding parts will be given the same reference numerals and only different parts as between the two embodiments, will be given different reference numerals. 
     Disposer safety device 70 includes plunger assemblies 30a, 30c, 30d in the same manner and with the same function as the corresponding plunger assemblies depicted and described in connection with FIGS. 1-5. Also included in safety device 70 are detents 39a, 39c, 39d identical to those depicted and described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive. 
     Safety device 70 includes mounting collar 12 and guard ring 22. Mounted on guard ring 22 is a bracket 65 which secures a magnet 66. 
     Mounted on mounting collar 12 is a housing 60 containing a magnetically actuated reed switch 64. Reed switch 64 is held in place by a bracket 68. Reed switch 64 and its components are of standard type. 
     As in the embodiment depicted and described in connection with FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, guard ring 22 is equipped with restrictors 26, 29 including a total of six restrictor arms 28a, 28b, 28c, 31a, 31b, 31c, respectively. In the off position depicted in FIG. 6, a magnet 66 is disposed sufficiently distantly from reed switch 64 that switch 64 is in the off condition. This is the installing position whereby prior to further manipulation, the disposer safety device 70 cannot receive power to grind waste matter into particulates. 
     As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, the disposer safety device 70 operates in the on condition whereby guard ring 22 has been rotated with respect to mounting collar 12 such that magnet 66 has sufficient proximity to reed switch 64 that the latter is in the on condition whereby power is supplied to disposer 74 for grinding waste matter via a solenoid-operated relay (not shown). 
     In the on condition of the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8, inclusive, as in the first discussed embodiment the presence of guard ring 22 with its access-blocking restrictors prevents unauthorized access to the interior of the disposer safety device 70 during grinding of waste matter. 
     In order to obtain access to the interior of the device, it is necessary to rotate the guard ring 22 counterclockwise in order to deactivate reed switch 64 and to disengage guard ring 22 from detents 39a, 39c, 39d thereby enabling guard ring 22 to be separated from the remainder of the device. 
     In the foregoing embodiments, electromechanical switching (FIGS. 1-5) and magnetic switching (FIGS. 6-8) have been depicted and described. This is by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation, other switching mechanisms being employable in accordance with the invention. 
     Therefore, in accordance with the invention, a waste disposer safety device is provided which affords the capability of performing the grinding function of a waste disposer while restricting unauthorized access into the interior of the disposer during grinding and affords ready access to the interior of the disposer upon cessation of grinding. 
     Particular embodiments of the invention have been described and depicted herein. The invention is defined by claims to be filed according to law and to be interpreted in light of the specification and drawings.