Abstract: An add-on expansion module is provided that can be used with existing cooking appliances in order to allow the cooking appliance to perform multiple cooking functions. The module is designed to fit on top of a cooking appliance's vessel, with the cooking appliance's lid able to fit on the module. Therefore, the module does not require an additional lid to store. The module includes a support structure that may include one or more housings in which cooking accessories may be retained. The cooking accessories may carry out many cooking functions, including steam, air fry, smoke, sous vide, timed ingredient add, and food processor functions. The module further includes two openings that allow a user to access the contents of the vessel during the cooking process, for example to add or stir ingredients, without having to remove the module.

Abstract: A blender or food processor having electronics associated therewith including at least one controller, at least one current sensor and at least one speed sensor, the controller controls the operation of the blender motor based upon the contents being blended inside the blender jar and compares measured current and speed values and measured changes in the current and speed values to predetermined values stored in memory in order to (1) determine the load size placed in the blender jar, (2) determine if cavitation exists in the blender jar, and (3) determine the final consistency associated with the output of the product placed within the blender jar as selected by the user.

Abstract: A blender or food processor having electronics associated therewith including at least one controller, at least one current sensor and at least one speed sensor, the controller controls the operation of the blender motor based upon the contents being blended inside the blender jar and compares measured current and speed values and measured changes in the current and speed values to predetermined values stored in memory in order to (1) determine the load size placed in the blender jar, (2) determine if cavitation exists in the blender jar, and (3) determine the final consistency associated with the output of the product placed within the blender jar as selected by the user.

Abstract: A blending appliance is provided including a motorized base, a blending container, and a blade assembly fitted into an opening of the blending container and rotatably coupled to the motorized base when the blending container is mounted on the motorized base. The blade assembly includes a lower blade element disposed on a spindle performing blending operations on ingredients at a lower end of the blending container; and an upper working element disposed on a shaft spaced apart from the lower blade element, and including an upper working portion and a lower working portion spaced apart from the upper working portion. The upper working portion acting to reduce cavitation in the lower blades element during the blending process.

Abstract: Appliances comprising a base unit and a plug connector coupled to the base unit. The plug connector is configured to electrically couple the appliance to a first socket connector of an electrical receptacle. A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit. The plug connector is disposed in the channel when in an engaged position. A defines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in the disengaged position.

Abstract: The is provided an appliance including a food preparation container, an agitator assembly for attachment to a blending container, the agitator assembly including: an agitator nut configured to secure the agitator assembly to the blending container, an agitator base including at least one agitator blade mounted thereon and configured to be seated in the agitator nut prior to the agitator assembly being secured to the blending container, a groove formed in an inner wall of the agitator nut, and a seal having an outer periphery that when inserted into the groove secures the agitator base into the agitator nut.

Abstract: A blending appliance is provided including a motorized base, a blending container, and a blade assembly fitted into an opening of the blending container and rotatably coupled to the motorized base when the blending container is mounted on the motorized base. The blade assembly includes a lower blade element disposed on a spindle performing blending operations on ingredients at a lower end of the blending container; and an upper working element disposed on a shaft spaced apart from the lower blade element, and including an upper working portion and a lower working portion spaced apart from the upper working portion. The upper working portion acting to reduce cavitation in the lower blades element during the blending process.

Abstract: Appliances comprising a base unit and a plug connector coupled to the base unit. The plug connector is configured to electrically couple the appliance to a first socket connector of an electrical receptacle. A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit. The plug connector is disposed in the channel when in an engaged position. A defines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A blending appliance is provided including a motorized base, a blending container, and an agitator configuration fitted into an opening of the blending container and rotatably coupled to the motorized base when the blending container is mounted on the motorized base. The agitator configuration includes a blade arrangement disposed on a spindle performing a blending operation on ingredients at a lower end of the blending container and a whisk including a plurality of loops disposed a pre-determined distance from the blade arrangement at a distal end of a rotating shaft interconnected to the spindle.

Abstract: Appliances comprising a base unit and a plug connector coupled to the base unit. The plug connector is configured to electrically couple the appliance to a first socket connector of an electrical receptacle. A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit. The plug connector is disposed in the channel when in an engaged position. A defines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in the disengaged position.

Abstract: Appliances comprising a base unit and a plug connector coupled to the base unit. The plug connector is configured to electrically couple the appliance to a first socket connector of an electrical receptacle. A channel is formed on or in a first sidewall of the base unit. The plug connector is disposed in the channel when in an engaged position. A defines a channel wall of the channel. The lever is configured to facilitate a transition of the plug connector between the engaged position and a disengaged position. The lever engages the plug connector when in the engaged position and does not engage the plug connector when in the disengaged position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for steaming and blending food products such as baby food. The apparatus includes a base including a steam chamber and a drive shaft. A container assembly can be mounted to the base in an inverted position for steaming the food and in an upright position for blending the food. The apparatus may further include a steam cooker, baby bottle sterilizing unit and a bottle warmer.

Abstract: An alarm assembly is provided alerting the operator through one of a visual, audible, or tactile signal, the occurrence of a specified event. The alarm assembly includes a locking mechanism coupled to a substrate which has a natural frequency. The locking mechanism is maintained in a condition which inhibits the natural frequency of the substrate unless commanded to do so by an electronic circuit which includes sensors for monitoring one or more specific criterion. The locking mechanism is preferably a non-Newtonian flow fluid locking mechanism which uses a magneto-rheological fluid to dynamically adjust the locking strength of the locking mechanism as well as the natural frequency of the substrate based upon user inputs and dynamic events. The alarm assembly can be dynamically “tuned” in and out of the natural frequency of the substrate so the substrate vibrates, produces an audible noise, or generates a current upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.

Abstract: A transmission shifter assembly is provided having a lever cooperating with at least one linking lever such that movement of the lever results in a corresponding movement of one of the linking lever to select a desired gear, an assembly for selectively locating the lever at a desired gear selection position, and at least one fluid locking assembly cooperating with the locating assembly for locking the lever in a desired position and preventing accidental disengagement. The fluid locking assembly includes at least one linear actuator whose movement is controlled by a magneto rheological fluid.

Abstract: An alarm assembly is provided alerting the operator through one of a visual, audible, or tactile signal, the occurrence of a specified event. The alarm assembly includes a locking mechanism coupled to a substrate which has a natural frequency. The locking mechanism is maintained in a condition which inhibits the natural frequency of the substrate unless commanded to do so by an electronic circuit which includes sensors for monitoring one or more specific criterion. The locking mechanism is preferably a non-Newtonian flow fluid locking mechanism which uses a magneto-rheological fluid to dynamically adjust the locking strength of the locking mechanism as well as the natural frequency of the substrate based upon user inputs and dynamic events. The alarm assembly can be dynamically “tuned” in and out of the natural frequency of the substrate so the substrate vibrates, produces an audible noise, or generates a current upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle wherein the steering column may be adjustable in a tilt direction, telescoping direction or both. The steering column includes a first housing, a second housing pivotally coupled to one end of the first housing, and a locking assembly interconnecting the first and second housings. The locking assembly includes a clutch having one end attached to the first housing, and an opposite end in sliding engagement with the second housing. A caliper member is provided on the second housing, and extending through the clutch to selectively fix the clutch in place and thus fix the relative position of the first housing in relation to the second.

Abstract: A tilt-adjustable steering column assembly, comprising in combination an upper housing pivotally attached to a lower housing along a generally horizontal axis transverse to the upper and lower housings, the pivotal attachment accomplished by a pair of pins, each having a threaded intermediate shaft received in a threaded opening extending through opposite sides of the lower housing, and further having generally hemispherical pins, each received in a complementary-shaped recess formed on opposite sides of the upper housing to form a hemispherical bearing surface and preloading the upper housing in compression.

Abstract: A governor-controlled pneumatic braking system for use with vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine having a unit associated therewith for discharging engine exhaust gases. The system includes an air dryer to effect removal of moisture and contaminants from the compressed air. The air dryer is provided with a unit for reversely flowing purge air therethrough when the compressor is not operating in the loading or compressing cycle. A conduit are provided for subjecting the purge air exhausting from the dryer to high temperatures so as to cause vaporization of moisture and combustion of combustible contaminants thereby preventing their discharge into the environment.

Abstract: In a heavy-duty truck having a turbocharged internal combustion engine and a lubricating system wherein lubricating oil from the engine oil reservoir is circulated both within the engine and also to and from an associated brake system air compressor, supercharged air is passed to the oil crankcase of the air compressor to cause lubricating oil to drain therefrom and return to the engine oil reservoir. This minimizes windage and resulting engine power losses, reduces oil consumption and avoids problems associated with the undesired entry of lubricating oil into the brake system via the air compressor.

Abstract: A steering system includes load-responsive valving which automatically routes pressure fluid to one of a pair of double-acting hydraulic actuators when steering resistance is low and which automatically routes pressure fluid to both of the actuators when the steering resistance is high.