Abstract: An electric cooking device includes a removable lid and/or pot assembly, a lower housing surrounding a vessel configured to be heated, and a middle ring assembly positioned between the lower housing and the removable lid and/or pot assembly. The middle ring assembly comprises (i) an outer component seated with the lower housing that includes a decorative surface coating thereon, and (ii) an inner component having an outer portion seated with the outer component. An inner portion of the inner component is situated radially inward from and is unsupported by the outer component. The vessel engages the inner portion of the inner component and is thereby thermally decoupled from the outer component comprising the decorative surface coating.

Abstract: A steam regulation valve, includes: a first portion, a second portion, and a flow path defined by the first portion and the second portion. The second portion is movable relative to the first portion to decrease a cross-sectional area of the flow path in response to an increase in pressure applied to the second portion.

Abstract: An example joiner system for joining a first section and a second section of a fixture includes a joiner bracket that has formed therein a depressed ramp region. A joiner fastener, such as a screw, may engage against the angled walls of the joiner bracket ramp, to translate the vertical movement of the screw into a horizontal, longitudinal movement of the joiner bracket. The joiner bracket may be rigidly coupled to one section of a light fixture assembly, such that engaging the screw ramp with a fastener that extends through another section of the light fixture causes the two fixture sections to move toward each other. As vertical movement of a fastener produces horizontal movement of the joiner bracket, the joiner fastener or set screw may extend outside of the light fixture assembly, so as to be readily accessible by a technician.

Abstract: An example joiner system for joining a first section and a second section of a fixture includes a joiner bracket that has formed therein a depressed ramp region. A joiner fastener, such as a screw, may engage against the angled walls of the joiner bracket ramp, to translate the vertical movement of the screw into a horizontal, longitudinal movement of the joiner bracket. The joiner bracket may be rigidly coupled to one section of a light fixture assembly, such that engaging the screw ramp with a fastener that extends through another section of the light fixture causes the two fixture sections to move toward each other. As vertical movement of a fastener produces horizontal movement of the joiner bracket, the joiner fastener or set screw may extend outside of the light fixture assembly, so as to be readily accessible by a technician.

Abstract: An example joiner bracket system for joining a first section and a second section of a fixture includes a pair of oppositely-oriented joiner brackets that have interlocking and complementary shapes. The joiner brackets may include features that engage with or attach to corresponding elements within the first and second fixtures. After the joiner brackets are secured to their respective fixture sections, the pair of joiner brackets may be positioned near each other to align a pair of bore holes or coupling bosses each extending at an angle through the pair of joiner brackets. Screws or other suitable fasteners may be driven through the aligned bosses or bores to couple to the bosses, and upon further engagement, to pull together the joiner brackets together and, in turn, bring together the first and second sections of the lighting fixture.

Abstract: A light distribution apparatus for a light fixture includes an input coupler at a first end, at least one curvilinear waveguide extending between the first end and a second end, and a respective set of extraction features formed along the surface of the curvilinear waveguide. The input coupler may be positioned about a light source and direct light emitted therefrom into the pair of curvilinear waveguide. The curvilinear waveguide may transmit light from the input coupler toward the second end through total internal reflection. The extraction features cause light incident thereon to refract and exit the waveguide. The example light distribution apparatus may convey light from one or more light sources to one or more otherwise poorly lit regions of a light fixture, to provide enhanced aesthetics, without adding supplemental light sources or adversely compromising the design and structure of a light fixture.