Abstract: A clock comprising concentric rings of slots slits for indicating time by fully illuminating an appropriate one of the slots. Full illumination is propagated from one slot to an adjacent slot by causing all of the slots in a ring of slots to briefly light up sequentially, thus causing a flash of light to propagate around the ring of slots, thus more clearly showing passage of a second, a minute etc as the illumination was switched from the one slot to the adjacent slot.

Abstract: A clock comprising concentric rings of slots slits for indicating time by fully illuminating an appropriate one of the slots. Full illumination is propagated from one slot to an adjacent slot by causing all of the slots in a ring of slots to briefly light up sequentially, thus causing a flash of light to propagate around the ring of slots, thus more clearly showing passage of a second, a minute et as the illumination was switched from the one slot to the adjacent slot.

Abstract: An electric coffee maker (2) comprises a first chamber (4), and a second chamber (6) arranged on top of the first chamber. A tube (8) extends down from the second chamber (6) into the first chamber (4) for transferring liquid between the two chambers. The base (20) of the first chamber (4) is provided with electric heater (24) and a thermally responsive control (46) is provided associated with the base (20) so as to be responsive to the temperature of the heater (24) or to a section of the base (20) for interrupting the power supply to or reducing the heating output of the heater (24).

Abstract: A thermally sensitive, overheat protection control for a thick film electric heater comprises a bimetallic actuator (68) arranged for making good thermal contact with the heater, and a moveable electrical contact (78) for engagement with a contact provided on the heater. The moveable contact (78) is operatively coupled to the bimetallic actuator (68) such that in use upon operation of the actuator, it moves out of engagement with the heater contact to interrupt the electrical supply to the heater. The bimetallic actuator (68) and the moveable contact are mounted on a common generally U-shaped leaf spring (66) which acts in use resiliently to bias the actuator (68) into thermal contact with the heater and the moveable contact (78) into electrical contact therewith. The control also comprises a creep action bimetallic actuator (110) mounting a contact at one end, the actuator acting as a thermostatic control for the heater.

Abstract: A male connector and mating female connector for use in a cordless electric water heater jug. The male connector has a cup-shaped body with an open base within which are located a central pin terminal and two concentric annular terminals. The body of the female connector is dimensioned to fit within the male connector and has openings to receive the pin and inner annular terminal so that they may engage two female terminals. A further female terminal projects from the side wall of the female connector for engagement with the outer annular male terminal.

Abstract: An electrical resistance or heater includes an electrical resistive track provided on an insulating substrate. Two predetermined sections of the track have a predetermined current carrying capacity and are bridged by a glass, ceramic, or glass ceramic material. The configuration of the track and the glass material are such that at a predetermined temperature, the leakage current between the track sections rises to the extent that it causes a current to flow through one or both of the sections which is substantially above its current carrying capability, whereby one section fails.

Abstract: A liquid heating vessel (6) has a heated base (8) and a thermally sensitive control mounted to the base (8). The control comprises a boiling control for interrupting the supply of energy to the vessel element (12) when liquid in the vessel boils. It is responsive to the liquid temperature in a sump (18) in the vessel base, and comprises a bimetallic actuator (100) in thermal contact with the sump (18) through a C-shaped copper conductor member (110). The vessel also comprises a simmer control operable to maintain the liquid in the vessel at a predetermined temperature after boiling. This control comprises a snap-acting bimetallic actuator through which the current to the element flows to rapidly heat the actuator after a set of contacts is closed, so as to supply energy to the element in short bursts to prevent an audible heating sound.

Abstract: The base (10) of a plastics liquid heating vessel (2) is formed by a heated stainless steel plate having a peripheral channel (16) engaging over a bead (32) lower end portion (22) of the vessel wall. A silicone rubber sealing ring (19) is clamped between two vessel wall and the channel.

Abstract: A control for engagement with the external base of a liquid heating vessel comprises a carrier mounting two bimetallic actuators at opposite ends thereof. The actuators operate at the same temperature. Attached to the carrier is a moulding which provides a cordless electrical connector for the vessel, as well as mounting switch means operable by the actuators through push rods. The push rod acts on a leaf spring to open the contacts, and upon further movement engages an arm of a trip lever, so tripping the lever and causing a further arm of the lever to engage the leaf spring open the contacts fully.

Abstract: A male connector and mating female connector for use in a cordless electric water beating jug. The male connector has a cup-shaped body with an open base within which are located a central pin terminal and two concentric annular terminals. The body of the female connector is dimensioned to fit within the male connector and has openings to receive the pin terminal and the inner annular terminal so that they may engage two female terminals. A further female terminal projects from the side wall of the female connector for engagement with the outer annular male terminal.

Abstract: An immersion heater has a support plate on which there is provided an electrical heating element in the form of a printed circuit conductive track. The element is provided with a portion which allows it to be clamped in direct relation to a control unit in order to provide direct electrical, thermal, and mechanical connection to that unit. This allows the control unit to operate in the same manner as a control unit connected to a conventional immersion heater. A water heating vessel using the immersion heater mounted to a control unit through an aperture in the base of the vessel is also described.

Abstract: The base of a plastics liquid heating vessel is formed by a heated stainless steel plate having a peripheral channel engaging over a bead lower end portion of the vessel wall. A silicone rubber sealing ring is clamped between the vessel wall and the channel.

Abstract: An immersion heater has a support plate on which there is provided an electrical heating element in the form of a printed circuit conductive track. The element is provided with a portion which allows it to be clamped in direct relation to a control unit in order to provide direct electrical, thermal, and mechanical connection to that unit. This allows the control unit to operate in the same manner as a control unit connected to a conventional immersion heater. A water heating vessel using the immersion heater mounted to a control unit through an aperture in the base of the vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: An energy regulator includes a pivotally mounted, U-shaped bimetallic element, one limb of which acts as an actuator for a microswitch arm, which is pivotally mounted to one end thereof. The other limb acts as a compensating bimetal and has a cam follower that engages a control surface of a control cam. The stressed C spring formed by the microswitch acts to bias the element into a pivotal mount in the housing, to bias the contact arm onto a pivotal seat on the end of the actuator and also generates a moment to bias the cam follower into engagement with its control surface.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a bimetallic snap-action disc for actuating an electrical switch, a stop engaging one edge portion of the disc, a switch contact operating member engaging an opposite disc edge portion, and a fulcrum disposed between the disc edge portions and about which the disc moves whereby to amplify the movement of the disc. The fulcrum is formed by an appropriate shaping of a base wall of a thermostat housing. The switch contacting operating member is arranged to act on a leaf spring mounting a movable switch contact that engages the free end of a tongue formed by a U-shaped slot within the leaf spring whereby to permit overtravel of the disc without causing significant alteration of the disc opening temperature.

Abstract: A cordless electrical appliance includes a male pin connector which engages vertically with a female socket connector mounted in a base for the appliance. The contacts are arranged such that one of the line or neutral connections makes last and breaks first. This connection includes a silver, copper backed contact mounted on a leaf spring with a corresponding male pin being made of copper and having a thin silver plating at least in a region of contact with the copper backed contact.