Abstract: A programmable slow-cooker appliance uses an application-specific integrated circuit digital controller, in which a user sets a time and temperature for cooking a food item. The digital controller prevents the unit from functioning only as a “keep warm” appliance, and a unique design allows cooling of the application-specific integrated circuit digital programmable controller during cooking.

Abstract: A programmable slow-cooker appliance uses an application-specific integrated circuit digital controller, in which a user sets a time and temperature for cooking a food item. The digital controller prevents the unit from functioning only as a “keep warm” appliance, and a unique design allows cooling of the application-specific integrated circuit digital programmable controller during cooking.

Abstract: A programmable slow-cooker appliance, in which a user sets a time and temperature for cooking a food item. A programmable controller prevents the unit from being used solely as a “keep warm” appliance, and a unique design allows cooling of the controller during cooking.

Abstract: A programmable slow-cooker appliance, in which a user sets a time and temperature for cooking a food item. A programmable controller prevents the unit from being used solely as a “keep warm” appliance, and a unique design allows cooling of the controller during cooking.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus including a housing having an interior which contains a heating device. A sensor is provided that is operatively connected to the heating device. The sensor having an actuated position, wherein the sensor affects a heat output generated by the heating device. A first and second cooking insert for containing the food to be cooked each being separately positionable within the housing interior. The first cooking insert actuating the sensor when positioned in the housing interior, and the second cooking insert not actuating the sensor when positioned in the housing interior.

Abstract: A pivotally mounted kitchen appliance including a mounting bracket for mounting flush with a flat surface, the bracket defining a recessed area and at least two mounting members that extend therefrom, a housing including a can opener and having an upper portion pivotally mounted between the mounting members for pivotal movement between a lowered position wherein the housing extends substantially perpendicular to the flat mounting surface and a raised position wherein the housing extends substantially parallel to the flat mounting surface and is partially concealed within the recessed area, and at least one keyed pivot pin on either the housing or the mounting members for releasably retaining the housing in the lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: A casting type fishing reel is disclosed and includes a spool having a transverse spool shaft and a frame about the area of the spool. The frame includes a plurality of spacer posts joining a pair of side frame plates and interengaged to maintain the frame plates in conjoint alignment and to provide easy separation and assembly of the frame plates. A clutch mechanism is provided for selective actuation to move a spool pinion gear out of engagement with the spool shaft, and automatically re-engages the pinion gear in response to rotation of the reel handle. A magnetic drag mechanism is provided and recessed within a side cover of the reel. The reel handle, the main gear train of the reel and an anti-reverse ratchet-pawl mechanism all are mounted as a unitary assembly on a side cover for the reel whereby the cover can be removed from the reel for access to the gear train and other interior reel components without removing the handle.

Abstract: An antireverse mechanism in a fishing reel of the type having a housing with a rear wall. The reel also includes a line carrying spool, a crank shaft that is rotatable about a first axis and a structure for directing line onto the spool as an incident of the crank shaft rotating about the first axis in a first direction. The antireverse mechanism is selectably placeable in a) an "on" position for preventing rotation of the crank shaft about the first axis opposite to the first direction and b) an "off" position for allowing the crank shaft to rotate about the first axis opposite the first direction. An actuator switch for placing the antireverse mechanism selectively in its "on" and "off" positions is provided. A mounting structure mounts the actuator switch to the rear housing wall for movement between first and second positions corresponding to the "on" and "off" positions of the antireverse mechanism.

Abstract: A fishing reel of the type having a deck plate and a center shaft extending forwardly through the deck plate. The center shaft is rotatable about a first axis. A pinion gear is mounted on the center shaft. A crank shaft is rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first axis. Structure is provided for rotating the center shaft about the first axis as an incident of the crank shaft rotating about the second axis. A washer surrounds the center shaft and resides between the pinion gear and the deck plate, the washer having a peripheral outer edge. Structure is provided on the deck plate radially outside of the center shaft and overlapping at least a part of the washer in a lengthwise direction relative to the center shaft for limiting shifting of the washer transverse to the first axis and thereby preventing interference between the washer and at least one of the center shaft and pinion gear during operation of the reel.

Abstract: A casting type fishing reel is disclosed and includes a spool having a transverse spool shaft and a frame about the area of the spool. The frame includes a plurality of spacer posts joining a pair of side frame plates and interengaged to maintain the frame plates in conjoint alignment and to provide easy separation and assembly of the frame plates. A clutch mechanism is provided for selective actuation to move a spool pinion gear out of engagement with the spool shaft, and automatically re-engages the pinion gear in response to rotation of the reel handle. A magnetic drag mechanism is provided and recessed within a side cover of the reel. The reel handle, the main gear train of the reel and an anti-reverse ratchet-pawl mechanism all are mounted as a unitary assembly on a side cover for the reel whereby the cover can be removed from the reel for access to the gear train and other interior reel components without removing the handle.

Abstract: A drag producing structure in a fishing reel of the type having: a housing with a deck plate and a spool support sleeve projecting from the deck plate; and a line carrying spool assembly mounted on the support sleeve and having a central axis and an associated flange with an axially facing surface, the spool assembly being rotatable relative to the housing to allow payout of line. The inventive structure consists of: a clutch ring having an axially facing surface; structure for mounting the clutch ring to the deck plate so that the spool assembly flange resides between the deck plate and at least a first part of the clutch ring; and structure for urging the first part of the clutch ring selectively towards and away from the spool assembly flange to selectively increase and decrease a captive force on the spool assembly flange to thereby vary the reel drag.

Abstract: A casting type fishing reel is disclosed and includes a spool having a transverse spool shaft and a frame about the area of the spool. The frame includes a plurality of spacer posts joining a pair of side frame plates and interengaged to maintain the frame plates in conjoint alignment and to provide easy separation and assembly of the frame plates. A clutch mechanism is provided for selective actuation to move a spool pinion gear out of engagement with the spool shaft, and automatically re-engages the pinion gear in response to rotation of the reel handle. A magnetic drag mechanism is provided and recessed within a side cover of the reel. The reel handle, the main gear train of the reel and an anti-reverse ratchet-pawl mechanism all are mounted as a unitary assembly on a side cover for the reel whereby the cover can be removed from the reel for access to the gear train and other interior reel components without removing the handle.

Abstract: A casting type fishing reel is disclosed and includes a spool having a transverse spool shaft and a frame about the area of the spool. The frame includes a plurality of spacer posts joining a pair of side frame plates and interengaged to maintain the frame plates in conjoint alignment and to provide easy separation and assembly of the frame plates. A clutch mechanism is provided for selective actuation to move a spool pinion gear out of engagement with the spool shaft, and automatically re-engages the pinion gear in response to rotation of the reel handle. A magnetic drag mechanism is provided and recessed within a side cover of the reel. The reel handle, the main gear train of the reel and an anti-reverse ratchet-pawl mechanism all are mounted as a unitary assembly on a side cover for the reel whereby the cover can be removed from the reel for access to the gear train and other interior reel components without removing the handle.

Abstract: The invention comprehends an improvement in a spinning style fishing reel of the type having a line-carrying spool, a rotor housing, a crank handle for rotating the rotor housing about an axis, a bail carried on a bail arm, and structure mounting the bail arm for movement relative to the rotor housing selectively between a cast position, wherein line can be paid out of the spool, and a retrieve position, wherein line can be directed onto the spool as the rotor housing is operated by the crank handle. The improvement resides in structure for driving the bail arm into each of the cast and retrieve positions and for keeping the bail arm so positioned. The structure that accomplishes this end according to the invention consists of cooperating structures on the bail arm and rotor housing that are mutually attractive approaching and in each of the cast and retrieve positions.

Abstract: A dual drag mechanism is provided for use in a spin cast reel having a body portion with a deck plate, a forwardly extending hub associated with the body portion, and a spool supported on the hub fowardly of the deck plate for rotation about an axis lengthwise of the reel. In one embodiment of the invention, a drag plate includes a body portion supported between the deck plate and the spool for applying pressure to the spool. The drag plate is anchored to the deck plate at a first point radially of the hub. A first drag actuating device is provided for engaging the drag plate at a second point radially of the hub and angularly of the first point, and including a first manually manipulatable actuator movable in a plane generally transverse to the reel axis.

Abstract: According to the invention, cooperating structure is provided on the housing and thumb button of a fishing reel so that the thumb button can be assembled and disassembled only with the thumb button in a position outside of the range of pivoting of the thumb button during reel operation. The thumb button has lateral edges and on each edge a pivot post and guide seat. The housing has a pivot post and guide seat adjacent laterally spaced edges bounding an opening for the thumb button. The seats receive and guide pivoting of the posts throughout the operating range for the thumb button.