Abstract: A miniature plug-in fuse assembly is provided in which a pair of conductive legs and a fuse link interconnecting them are integrally formed from fusible metal. An insulating casing wholly encloses the fuse link and a portion of the conductive legs, the casing having a hollow body with a cover which does not extend beyond the body in its longer dimension. The cover is secured to the body by a retaining arrangement employing the ends of the conductive legs, which also provides for the insertion of a test current to test the fuse link. Other ends of the legs extend through the body to provide plug-in members. The legs are fastened to the body by protruding lugs on the plug-in members and projecting stops on the portion of the legs in the casing. A method for making the fuse assembly of this invention involves a series of die stamping steps to form the legs and fuse link from a continuous strip of fusible metal and mounting the legs and fuse link in the casing.

Abstract: A trip indicator circuit for a circuit interrupter of an electric power system, which includes an electromagnetic status indicator, having an indicator which is movable between an indicating position and a non-indicating position, a pulse-actuated set coil for moving the indicator to the indicating position, and a pulse-actuated reset coil for moving the indicator to the non-indicating position. An indicator set circuit for energizing the set coil is connected across the trip coil by an electronic switching device which is rendered conductive by an overcurrent sensing circuit whenever a particular abnormal condition occurs in the electric power system, so that the set coil will be energized only when the circuit interrupter is tripped during the occurrence of the particular abnormal condition. A reset circuit is connected across the closing coil to energize the reset coil each time the circuit interrupter is closed.

Abstract: A control circuit useful in commercial cooking appliances, such as deep fat fryers, having electric heating elements and separate operating and safety controls including full power transmitting contactors for independently energizing and/or deenergizing the heating elements. The simplified control is economical, but reliable, and utilizes the safety control contactor connected in series power circuit with the heating elements and a single relay to establish both an on operating circuit for normal cooking conditions where the operating control cycles on and off to maintain the desired operating temperatures and a safety circuit that deenergizes all heating elements should an overheat condition occur and further that requires manual release or reset to again render the appliance operative.

Abstract: An improved electric cooking appliance such as a hot plate, range or griddle, particularly for use in a commercial countertop application. This class of appliance has a case supporting an electric heating element and the space between the heating element and the bottom of the case is limited because of the height restrictions of the counter type appliance. The improved appliance has a baffle extending across the entire breadth of the case below the heating element and separating the case into the heating element compartment on the upper side of the baffle and the control compartment located on the lower side. The controls including a switch or the like are located in the lower compartment and thereby are separated from the heating element by this baffle. Both the heating element compartment and the control compartment are provided with openings in the case at opposite sides of the compartment to allow convective airflow cooling of the compartment.

Abstract: A toaster chassis assembly for supporting heating element cards in an upstanding position in parallel relation, to define a bread-receiving slot therebetween, includes a horizontal base and end walls extending vertically upwardly from opposite ends of the base. The base defines a plurality of spaced slots for receiving tabs formed along the lower edges of the heating element cards for mounting the cards between the end walls and a plurality of tabular hooks extending from the base. Wire bread guards each comprising a plurality of vertical elements and an upper and lower horizontal element to form a grid, are mounted adjacent to the heating element cards to prevent engagement of bread slices being toasted with the heating element cards. The lower horizontal elements of the wire bread guards are received in the tabular hooks and the upper horizontal elements are received in slots formed along the upper edges of the end walls for supporting the bread guards.

Abstract: A built-in well type food warmer includes a heating element assembly which is separably engaged with the underside of a food well by adjustable hanger members. The heating element assembly includes an upper heat distribution plate which is nestable within a recess formed in the bottom of the food well. The heating element assembly is enclosed by a tray member which is resiliently mounted within an enclosure. Brackets extending outwardly from the enclosure are attached to the lower ends of baffle hangers which extend downwardly from an upper rim of the food well. The hangers are formed of two separable members, adjustably connected together for selectively adjusting the length of the hanger. As the hangers are shortened, the heating element assembly is resiliently biased into contact with the bottom surface of the food well within a recessed portion thereof.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive timing control device for a toaster appliance includes a main bimetal element and a compensating bimetal element, both mounted on a support member mounted for pivotal movement in first and second directions, but biased toward the first direction. The main bimetal element includes a trigger arm normally engaging a latch release member to maintain the member in a set position. The latch release member when released by the trigger arm, in turn releases the bread carrier latch mechanism. The free end of the compensating bimetal element rests on a limiting screw which determines the extent of movement of the support member in the first direction. A locking member, operated by the toaster bread carrier when the latter is moved into a toasting position, engages the support member to secure it against movement in the first direction. When the bread carrier is moved to the toasting position, the bimetal elements are heated.

Abstract: A grass trimmer includes a housing having a lower base wall from which extends a hub member of a predetermined height coupled to a motor encased in the housing, which motor drives the hub member rotatably. A cutting line element is attached to the hub member. A rim extends outwardly from the housing about the perimeter of the base wall. A first rim portion is of a height greater than the hub member and includes first and second spaced mounting ears extending therefrom toward the hub member. A protective shield designed for mounting on the housing in spaced relation from the base wall, is planar and of a similar shape to the base wall. The shield includes first and second tab and shoulder assemblies located for cooperation with the ears on the rim portion of the housing. Joining the last mentioned assemblies and respective ears attaches the shield to the trimmer housing.

Abstract: A method of processing an electrical apparatus, such as a capacitor, containing a polymeric dielectric material. The interior of the capacitor casing, which is at room temperature, is initially connected to a vacuum source to evacuate the interior of the casing and when a vacuum sensing unit indicates that the required vacuum has been obtained, a degassed dielectric liquid is supplied to the interior of the casing. A positive pressure is applied to the liquid in the casing to fully impregnate the polymeric layer. When the desired capacitance is obtained, the impregnation is complete and the unit is sealed.

Abstract: A tap-changing transformer system, utilized for voltage regulation of the line potential applied to a load from a source of energy, has a non-arcing switch to protect tap contacts during a tap change. A fail-safe circuit is utilized to determine that the non-arcing switch and its associated circuitry are operating properly before a movable tap contact is transferred from one stationary tap to another. In the event that the fail-safe circuit detects an improper operation of the non-arcing switch, the source is connected directly to the load to preclude the passage of any load current through the tap-changing transformer. A particular form of transfer switch useful in effecting the connection of the source directly to the load employs a current-limiting impedance arrangement.

Abstract: The dual element fuse of the present invention has at least one fusible element and at least one mass of heat softenable material; and that fusible element will respond to a short circuit to fuse and thereby assure opening of the circuit, whereas that mass of heat softenable material will respond to a long-continued relatively-low potentially-hurtful overcurrent to soften and thereby initiate opening of the circuit. That dual element fuse has a shunt element which shunts the mass of heat softenable material and which will fuse after that mass of heat softenable material has initiated opening of the circuit; and hence that shunt element will minimize arcing as that mass of heat softenable material initiates opening of the circuit.

Abstract: A fuse clip, for a ferrule-like terminal of an electric fuse, has a base from which two arms extend upwardly to grip that ferrule-like terminal. Securing projections extend downwardly from, and extend below the level of, the bottom of that base to enter openings in a circuit board; and hence no part of that base need be overlain by any part of a rivet, bolt or other fastener. The upper ends of those arms are located below the level of the top of the ferrule-like terminal. The upper surface of the base has a line contact with the lowermost portion of the ferrule-like terminal, and each of the two arms also has a line contact with that ferrule-like terminal which is displaced at least one hundred degrees from that lowermost portion of that ferrule-like terminal.

Abstract: A donut making appliance includes upper and lower electrically heated grids movable into and out of mating engagement along first surfaces. Each of the first surfaces of the grids includes a predeterminedly placed annular recess having a central core. Upon bringing the grids into engagement, the recesses are aligned to define a toroidally shaped cavity in which cake or the like batter is placed for baking donut shaped cakes. The central core of the lower grid defines a well preferably having the shape of a truncated cone, open at the first surface of the grid. The central core of the upper grid comprises a plunger having a shape complementary to that of the well and extending outwardly from the first surface of the grid, for receipt in the well upon engagement of the grids. The plunger-well arrangement ensures the alignment of the recesses and the displacement of cooking oil deposited in the well upon bringing the grids into engagement.

Abstract: A hollow rotatable shaft supported by bearing means surrounds a rivet extending through both ends thereof and rotatable therewith. A non-rotatable contact is connected to a terminal adjacent one end of the shaft and in brushing contact with one end of the rivet. A mechanical coupling is located at the opposite end of the shaft whereby the shaft, rivet and coupling are rotatable as a single unit and electrical current may pass through the rivet as the unit is rotating.