GB810944A - Improvements relating to latching mechanism for the bread carriage of an electric toaster - Google Patents

Abstract

810,944. Electric toasters. PROCTOR ELECTRIC CO. Jan. 21, 1957, No. 2161/57. Class 28 (1). The bread carriage of an electric toaster is held releasably in its lower position against the action of a spring biasing it upwards, by latching means comprising a latch element pivoted to the carriage which engages a pivoted latch member near its pivot, the armature of an electromagnet engaging this member remote from its pivot so that only a small force need be exerted to hold the member and when the electromagnet is energized at the end of the toasting operation, the armature is disengaged from the latch means and the carriage is allowed to return to its upper position. The toaster comprises an insulating base 20 carrying a chassis 21 supporting a frame 22 and an outer shell 23. Frame 22 supports grille wires 28, 29 and 30, 31 which define two bread wells 24, 25 into which bread slices 26, 27 may be inserted and where they rest on racks 33, 34 forming part of a carriage 32. Carriage 32 is connected by link 35 to lever 36 pivoted to frame 22 and is lowered, against the action of a spring 39, by a member 40 connected to lever 36 and held by latch element 41 on the carriage co-operating with latch element 42 mounted on a stationary pivot 43 near this pivot. When the latch mechanism is released at the end of the toasting operation, the carriage 32 is raised by spring 39, its upward speed being limited by dashpot 44. During toasting, latch element 42 is held remote from its pivot by armature 47 of electromagnet 46 and, when this is energized by closure of switch elements 48, 49 controlled by the thermostat, armature 47 is turned by spring 39. The toaster circuit comprises, as shown in Fig. 11, a supply cord 51, a switch 52 operated by lever 36, heating elements 53, 54, 55, the thermostat 45, electromagnet 46 and the switch 48, 49 controlled by the thermostat. Electromagnet 46, Fig. 8, is mounted in the coolest part of the toaster between one of the end walls of frame 22 and the casing 23 and consists of a winding 64, a core 65 riveted to a bracket 66 secured to chassis 21 and the U-shaped armature 47. Bracket 66 has an extension 70 which extends through a slot in a curved spring element 72 and a slot 69 in armature 47. When the electromagnet is energized, armature 47 is pulled towards the core 65, pivoting it on extension 70 and releasing element 42, and switch 52 is opened de-energizing the heaters. The thermostat is of substantially the same construction as that described in Specification 805,866 except that a shield 89 is provided attached to the bread carriage which, when the carriage is in its upper position, shields the primary leg 86 of the thermostat from heating element 53. During toasting, plate 89 is shielded from the heating element 55 by a plate 90 which co-operates with a side louvre 91 to create a draught of cold air to keep shield 89 cool. Louvre 91 together with a second louvre 93 are arranged to produce draughts through both bread wells and further louvres 96 cool the end plates of the toaster. Specification 810,943 is also referred to.