Abstract: A variable steam control for a steam iron employs a metering rod having a plurality of cylindrical portions of successively decreasing diameters. A cam controls the position of the metering rod to position a selectable one of the cylindrical portions within a circular opening, whereby controllable water flow rates, and consequent steam flow rates are attained. The cam includes an assembly region having a cam-installation opening therein, usable following drop-in assembly, for enabling a head of a steam-control actuator rod to pass through the cam. A one-time movement of the cam locks the head in one of a plurality of user regions and blocks return to the assembly region.

Abstract: A peeler attachment for an electric appliance includes a frame having a central slot therein and a blade disposed centrally of the slot. The blade includes first and second cutting edges at opposed sides thereof. The cutting edges are spaced from the central slot to form first and second entry channels into the slot. The blade includes first and second surfaces facing the slot shaped to provide continuously increasing exit channels whereby any tendency for peelings to become wedged in the exit channels is avoided. A shank for locking the peeler attachment into the electric appliance is preferably unitary with the blade. First and second locking notches in the shank permit installation of the peeler attachment in first and second rotational positions angularly separated by 180 degrees, whereby both right-handed and left-handed user are accommodated.

Abstract: An automatic-cutoff electric iron employs two timing cycles for turning off power to the electric iron upon the absence of motion for two different discrete time periods. A motion sensor includes an angle sensor to enable a short timing cycle for cutting off power to the electric iron after the electric iron is motionless with its sole plate in a horizontal orientation. The longer timing cycle is enabled when the electric iron is motionless with its sole plate tilted from the horizontal. The cutoff function is performed by a wedge-shaped actuator driven by a solenoid which releases a spring-urged shaft along with one of the electrical contacts feeding power to the electric iron. The power is turned on by mechanical actuation of the shaft whereby a latch member is engaged behind a cam boss. A manual cutoff is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved copper sheathed heating element for installation in appliances, such as electric kettles, includes a minor amount of a silicone water-proofing agent admixed with magnesium oxide filler agent prior to the element being annealed. Annealing of the element is carried out at a reduced annealing temperature over an extended duration in order to limit thermal degradation of the additive during the annealing process. The resulting element achieves sufficient ductility for purposes of formation as a kettle heating element, while the insulation value of the element over an extended shelf life is maintained without significant degradation. Preferably, the silicone agent comprises polydimethylsiloxane and is present in the range 0.1 to 0.15 percent by weight.

Abstract: An electric toaster oven construction wherein a unique rotatable cam, cam follower and control panel construction accurately sets the threshold temperature of a thermostat switch. The rotatable cam is loosely mounted in the control panel and the cam follower urges the cam against a projection on the control panel to thereby sense the thickness of the cam between the projection on the control panel and the cam follower. With this construction, the height of the cam is accurately sensed although the cam may be warped or out of perpendicular with its shaft.

Abstract: An electric toaster oven wherein a unique protective hood and toaster oven construction are provided for supporting a toaster oven under a kitchen cabinet in such a manner that the kitchen cabinet is effectively protected from heat, steam and flames that could come from the toaster oven. Generally horizontal handles are integrally formed on plastic side walls of the toaster oven for cooperating with horizontal guide flanges that are provided on the protective hood for supporting and spacing the toaster oven from the hood.

Abstract: An electric steam iron includes a plastic housing shell forming a hollow handle structure and a soleplate with steam generating means and ports for distribution of steam. A pump actuated by a handle button delivers water from a tank within the housing shell to the steam generating means. The iron is controlled by a low DC voltage electronic control including a printed circuit board disposed in the housing shell away from the soleplate and having means including a power resistor for reducing high AC line voltage to low DC supply to the circuit. The shell and hollow handle structure are open to the soleplate and the printed circuit board is directly exposed to heat from the power resistor.

Abstract: An electric powered can opener has a housing, a feed gear that is motor connected and rotatably mounted to drive and rotate a can by holding it by its rim. An operating lever is pivoted above the gear on the housing and carries a cutter mechanism to remove the can lid. To this conventional arrangement an improvement is added in the cutter mechanism of a non-round cutter wheel connected to and movable by the lever and having a lobed or flat portion within the periphery and oriented so that the cutter wheel is substantially stationary as it is pulled into the can lid such that the meeting edge of the periphery at the flat and round periphery provides a power pierce whereupon the cutter wheel then rotates for a clean severing of the can lid. The cutter is preferably a dish-shaped cutter with a hollow ground flat or lobe portion. The lever is preferably spring biased for rotation toward the can at all times and has a slidable switch actuator that is linkage-connected to the lever for manual operation.

Abstract: A passive personal alarm device is activated by release of a spring-loaded button switch which, when held down, opens an otherwise closed circuit. A time delay element in the circuit prevents sounding of the alarm for a predetermined period in the event of an accidental release of the actuating button. The button is released, either purposefully or inadvertently, during an attack and the alarm is sounded after expiration of the time delay. Once activated, the alarm device can be deactivated only by repositioning a number of coded switches in a pattern known only to the alarm user.

Abstract: A portable electric appliance steaming hair rollers prior to use includes a closed box-shaped housing removably holding a plurality of foam covered steam absorbent hair rollers. A manually actuated pump is provided in the housing for transferring a measured charge of water from a water reservoir removable from the housing for filling to an electrically heated steam boiler located in the housing and communicating with a cup-shaped roller support designed to support a single roller for steaming. The support is provided with an orifice receiving steam from the boiler through a predetermined path to soak or saturate a supported roller with steam to prepare the roller for use. A flexible membrane type valve is located below the orifice between the support and the boiler for permitting steam only to flow to the roller from the boiler and preventing flooding of the boiler should water be mistakenly dumped into the cup-shaped roller support.

Abstract: A hair roller clip of a one piece self-adjusting member with components including a substantially straight base leg, a pivot connected top leg of semi-circular formation with a plurality of formed teeth, and with the base leg being a continuation of a second semi-circular formation pivot connected to the top leg. An over center spring member is pivot connected at each of its ends to the respective semi-circular leg formations on opposite sides of the connection between the leg formations. Thus, hair wound on a roller is secured so the roller clip snaps in closed hair securing and in open hair releasing positions on the roller. The entire roller clip is formed as a single integral one-piece polypropylene plastic with each pivot connection being a "living hinged" web.

Abstract: A magazine-indexing mechanism for a powder-actuated tool, of the type adopted for use with a disk-shaped cartridge magazine, is actuated by the same trigger displacement as actuates the firing mechanism. A first link, pinned to the receiver, and a second link, pinned to an extension of the trigger, are pinned together, with a magazine engaging hook disposed on the dictal end of the first link. When the trigger is pulled, as to fire the tool, the hook is displaced to engagement with the magazine. When the trigger is released, the engaged hook is displaced, indexing the magazine. Means are also provided to prevent indexing an unfired cartridge through the tool.