The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 24, 1987
Filed:
Jun. 01, 1984
Matthew A Thoben, Atlanta, GA (US);
Earl Clowers, Jackson, TN (US);
Guy Cihi, Atlanta, GA (US);
Dean Ball, Gainesville, GA (US);
Jack L McCurdy, Lawrenceville, GA (US);
Al S Rummelsburg, Eastchester, NY (US);
Kidde Consumer Durables Corp., Bronx, NY (US);
Abstract
A toaster is mountable on a heat reflective overhead support which is adapted to be secured to a supporting surface such as the underside of a cabinet. The support is recessed from the front of the toaster so as to accomodate the lip of the cabinet. The toaster is provided with a shelf or grill which is movable between a first, heating position and a second, delivery position below and forward of the heating position. The grill is lockable in the heating position by a locking mechanism which comprises a releasable latch bar. An infrared (IR) sensor senses IR radiation produced by a food article supported on the grill. The IR sensor is part of an electrical circuit which controls the heater elements as well as an electromechanical element which releases the latch bar. When the latch bar is released, a spring assisted parallelogram linkage transfers the grill by gravity from the heating position to the delivery position. At the same time, the linkage pivots a front door between closed and open positions to provide access to the toasted food article.