Abstract: A bread slicer that has a knife frame, a damper and a variable rate control. The knife frame is movable between first and second positions. The damper is coupled to the knife frame and is configured to affect the rate of movement of the knife frame. The variable rate control assembly has an actuator coupled with the damper to selectively affect the rate of movement of the knife frame.

Abstract: A bread slicer that has a knife frame, a damper and a variable rate control. The knife frame is movable between first and second positions. The damper is coupled to the knife frame and is configured to affect the rate of movement of the knife frame. The variable rate control assembly has an actuator coupled with the damper to selectively affect the rate of movement of the knife frame.

Abstract: A safe lift device for a slicing machine as provided which enables at least a portion of the slicing machine to be raised from the table or counter upon which it rests. Intermediate the two legs to be raised, a retention leg is pivotally attached to the slicing machine. Also connected to the slicing machine and the retention leg is a lever arm assembly. As the lever arm is raised, the retention leg descends toward the table or counter. Continued raising of the lever arm causes the retention leg to exert a downward force on the table, and thus an upward force on the slicing machine. A ratchet and pawl mechanism connected to the retention leg and the lever arm assembly allows the user to lock the lever arm while the slicing machine is in a raised position thus preventing the slicing machine from falling. A safety switch disenables the motor driving the slicing knife as soon as the machine is lifted approximately one inch or more.

Abstract: A temporary cover for the slicing knife of a slicing machine which is preferably fabricated from a plastic material. The cover includes a substantially circular cover section having a flange extending from the peripheral edge of the cover section. The flange is dimensioned such that it surrounds and shields the cutting edge of the slicing knife from inadvertent contact. The cover further includes a retention pin and a spring-loaded retractable plunger which removably retains the cover to the slicing knife. Preferably, the cover also includes at least one handle which assists in installing and removing the cover from the slicing knife, as well as indicia for providing proper rotational orientation of the cover in relation to the slicing machine.

Abstract: A load cell having a self-contained overload protection system for preventing the load cell from being loaded beyond its rated capacity, wherein the load cell includes fixed and movable end constraints in spaced relation, upper and lower flexures between the constraints, a sensing beam coacting with the constraints and flexures and having means for sensing stresses, a cantilever beam extending from one of the end constraints coacting with the cantilever beam to prevent the load cell from exceeding its safe overload range.

Abstract: A constant strain load cell for measuring forces applied to the cell which includes a parallelogram shaped body having fixed and movable end constraints interconnected by upper and lower flexures with flexing areas at the opposite ends of the flexures functioning as sensing beams and on which strain gages are mounted. The flexing areas are formed so that bending stresses caused by applied loads are maintained constant over the flexing areas or regions. The load cell can be easily machined or extruded and the capacity can easily be varied dependent only on the overall size.