Abstract: A heat-up/cool-down bimetal timer for an electric toaster wherein a unique screw fastener is provided for holding a calibration adjustment screw without being deformed during automated adjustment of the screw. The fastener is made from a blade of spring sheet metal that has an end turned on itself in the form of a cylinder for holding the calibration screw. Thus, the axis of the screw is parallel to or even in line with a plane that lies midway between the planes of the major surfaces of the sheet metal fastener. Accordingly, any automated screw driving equipment that may push downwardly on the head of the screw for adjusting it normally would not flex or bend the fastener in a plane perpendicular to one of its major flat surfaces.

Abstract: A thermostat assembly to control heat to an iron soleplate, includes a bimetal blade on a soleplate boss responding to the heat thereto to make and break the electric circuit. To this standard construction an improved thermostat assembly uses a slot in the bimetal blade adjacent its free end, the slot extending partially across the blade at right angles to the longitudinal axis with a second compensating blade deforming in the opposite direction and secured to the first blade between the slot and free end with the axes of deformation of the blades oriented at right angles to each other such that the cross slot provides delay in heat conduction so the contacts first open at a lower main blade temperature than subsequent openings to reduce overshooting of the temperature in the iron soleplate.

Abstract: In a direct current electronic digital platform scale with a base and a movable cover thereover, a weight-responsive system in the base has electronic structure connected to convert cover movement to a digital weight readout. A switch is provided that is closed by cover movement to activate the electronic structure and the readout, and a convenient 9 volt battery is supported in the base and wired to supply power to the switch and electronic structure to indicate weight. To this general arrangement, an improvement in the battery support has an opening through the base to the interior and a box-like molded plastic battery receptacle is supported in the opening with the box extending into the base. A second opening through the receptacle inside the base permits the wires to connect to a battery harness inside the receptacle and a matching box or receptacle cover is latchably connected to secure the cover to the base and close off the receptacle such that the cover is flush with or coplanar with the base.

Abstract: In a steam iron with a handle, water tank, a steam generating soleplate with ports and a continuous vertical wall enclosing and spaced from an elongated heating element, with steam directing ribs within the wall and a coverplate secured to upstanding bosses to form a steam generating and distributing chamber, an improvement is provided in the chamber construction wherein a plurality of the bosses are disposed along the heating element, preferably as part of the directing ribs, with the bosses being spaced inwardly of the vertical wall to form a straight passage along the wall. The wall has a continuous lip along its upper outer edge forming a cup-like niche for the coverplate with the lip extending well above the coverplate. Generally, the bosses protrude through the coverplate and are staked thereto. A high temperature adhesive sealant is disposed along and over the coverplate periphery at the lip.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing and displaying temperature at a site includes a sensor which provides a first current related to temperature at the site, and a circuit for generating a predetermined current. The apparatus also includes a capacitance responsive to a second current having a value proportional to the difference between the first current and the predetermined current for generating a voltage; and means responsive to the generated voltage for discharging the capacitance to a predetermined voltage level when the voltage exceeds a selected reference level and for providing a signal indicating each time the voltage exceeds the reference level. The signal is periodic with a frequency related to sensed temperature and digital display means responsive to the frequency of the signal provide a numerical indication of temperature sensed.

Abstract: A temperature-responsive control system is provided for sensing the temperature of a heating circuit and automatically shutting off the input power when the temperature exceeds an acceptable range. Manually operated means are provided for initiating heating only when the temperature is within the acceptable range.

Abstract: A power interlock switch for an appliance having a removable panel, the power interlock switch comprising a base mounted to the housing, first and second switch terminals mounted to the base, a leaf spring conductor mounted to the first switch terminal and deflectable into contact with the second switch terminal, and a pivotally mounted lever which is engaged by the removable panel and rotates to deflect the leaf spring conductor into bridging contact across the two switch terminals. One conductor of the appliance line cord is connected to one of the switch terminals via a clip and tab structure, and the other switch terminal is connected to electrical components of the appliance. A third terminal mounted to the base has tabs for connecting the other conductor of the line cord and an additional conductor completing the circuit. A cover is provided and clamps the line cord to the base for strain relief purposes.

Abstract: To a standard stacked thermostat assembly construction as used in an iron an improvement is provided in the temperature setting control mechanism of a single structural integral bracket extending over the blades and mounted on and above the supported end, the bracket having an enlarged integral portion on its free end. A smooth unobstructed bore in the integral portion forms an elongated bearing guide between the ends of and over the blades. In the bore a control shaft is rotatably supported and extends through an opening in the upper blade to position the intermediate blade and set temperature. An arcuate cam surface with end stops is formed directly on the integral portion facing the upper blade and a cam follower is provided on the control shaft and biased by the intermediate blade against the cam surface which extends over an arc of substantially 180.degree.-210.degree. and has a short arc angular rise at one end adjacent a stop.

Abstract: In a food processor cutter blade on a disc rotated by a central shaft with the disc having a single rectangular locking-edged opening therethrough on one side only of the disc center with the opening terminating short of the disc center, a narrow slot is provided centrally of the opening and extends across the disc center. The disc has a depending central hub crossing the slot to receive the shaft therethrough. A removable locking-edged insert has a tab radially and frictionally slideable into the opening over the hub to totally support the disc. The insert has a first surface coplanar with the disc surface and another or resting surface contiguous with and depressed below the first surface. The insert also has a second surface above and spaced from both the first and resting surfaces by an arc-shaped elongated stepped opening facing in the direction of disc rotation and curved or scooped toward the disc surface.

Abstract: An electric oven toaster construction wherein a terminal assembly is provided for mounting a U-shaped temperature sensing device on an oven toaster wire rack so that the rack may be removably inserted in the oven toaster and the sensing device will be readily electrically connected in a control circuit of the oven toaster when the rack is positioned in the oven toaster.

Abstract: In a steam iron an improvement is provided comprising a separate molded plastic baffle that is inserted from the bottom of the tank into the riser portion, the baffle having a transverse vertical wall extending completely across the tank. To the vertical wall, an integral horizontal wall is cantilevered on one side to provide a stop by abutting the underside of the tank top when inserted from the bottom. A pair of vertical channels is offset from the vertical wall on the other side thereof and the channels extend into the riser portion being spaced to provide an opening for handle-mounted components including the dump rod, the channels being designed to direct water into the tank. A slanted and offset aperture in the vertical wall for guiding ribs around it, the aperture providing a supported guide for the low end of the rod.

Abstract: A heated hair straightener has a handle connecting to an electric source and a pair of scissor-like clamp housings pivoted on the handle and having facing coverplate surfaces for clamping and straightening the hair. This combination has an improvement in the heater sub-assembly fitting in one of the housings and formed as a sandwich arrangement including an aluminum coverplate, a copper elongated heater plate forming a first electrode connected to one side of the line and electrically insulated from the coverplate by a thin dielectric film. Plural PTC heater pellets are aligned on the heater plate and held by an insulating locator panel having cut-outs fixing the pellets on the heater plate. A second electrode, formed as a corrugated stainless steel spring plate covers and abuts the PTC pellets and is connected to the other side of the line. Next is a phenolic or ceramic insulator member with a recess for the corrugated spring plate to fit and abut therein.

Abstract: A pulse echo intrusion detection method and apparatus is described wherein a reference parameter is automatically established which is representative of an interval of time elapsed during initial projection and reflection of pulse energy between a source and a receiver. The reference parameter is periodically compared with successive pulse projection and reflection time measurements in order to sense variations indicative of a changed environment such as might be caused by the presence of an intruding object.