Abstract: A storage and dust port device combines a body having a hollow interior and a vacuum port for vacuuming up dust particles and chips with a device for storing tool bits. The dust collection portion and the storage portion may be part of the same body or may be connected together by various means. A lid may also be provided to protect the stored tools from dust. The storage and dust port device may include a means to secure it to the work table so that the device may be used as a guide or fulcrum so as to minimize the kickback of the work piece as a result of the machining operation.

Abstract: A jig facilitates the construction of joints in a working piece, and, more particularly, secures the working piece to be cut and allows it to be passed over a fixed router without sacrificing any of the ease of use or quality associated with prior art jigs and templates. The jig also can be secured to a work surface and used with a hand-held router.

Abstract: A modular panel can used either as a pattern plate or a template to create a pattern plate in the fabrication of dovetail joints. This panel is a planar member having a generally rectangular shape, including a pair of sides, a left edge, and a right edge. The panel defines a first plurality of elongated openings positioned adjacent one of the sides of the panel, each of said openings extending between oppositely disposed first and second circular ends, said openings being used as a guide to cut the tails of a dovetail joint. The panel further defines a second plurality of openings positioned adjacent the other side of the panel. These openings are used as a guide to cut the pins of a dovetail joint. Additionally, the panel defines "half-openings" along its left and right edges. Thus, when two panels are placed side-by-side, the adjacent half-openings form the above described first and second elongated openings, thereby allowing a series of panels to be used to create dovetail joints of an indefinite length.

Abstract: A template for use in preparing additional templates to be used in the fabrication of dovetail joints comprises a single planar member having a pair of sides in which the member defines a first and second plurality of elongated openings of a particular shape. The first plurality of elongated openings have enlarged circular ends through which started holes are drilled into an underlying blank. A router is then inserted into the started hole and guided by the sides of the first elongated openings defines a pattern in the underlying form. Similarly, the second plurality of elongated openings provide a guide to a router for forming a pattern on the other side of the form. The form then becomes a template for use in the fabrication of both the dovetails and pins of a dovetail joint.

Abstract: An appliance control assembly includes an escutcheon assembly to support controls for the appliance. A push button switch mechanism includes a row of push buttons, each having an extended and a depressed position. The switch mechanism also includes a row of indicator flags integral with the push buttons for movement therewith. The escutcheon assembly includes a row of light ports positioned to be exposed to ambient light and adapted to pass ambient light through the escutcheon assembly. The switch mechanism further includes a row of prisms positioned adjacent the row of push buttons. The switch mechanism is mounted to the escutcheon assembly with the prisms aligned with the light ports to direct toward the indicator flags ambient light received through the light ports and to direct toward the light ports light reflected by the indicator flags.

Abstract: A dishwasher control panel assembly includes an escutcheon which supports various controls. A switch mechanism is mounted on the inside of the escutcheon and the push buttons extend through a slot in the escutcheon. A liner overlies the outside of the escutcheon and the push buttons extend through a corresponding slot in the liner. A thin, flexible cover overlies the liner and has an outwardly projecting touch pad aligned with each push button. In their extended positions the push buttons bias the touch pads outwardly and the cover is sufficiently flexible for the touch pads to move inwardly enough to depress the push buttons.

Abstract: A flatware basket for use in a modular basket assembly in a dishwasher includes a bottom wall bounded by upstanding, spaced apart side walls joined by end walls. A first upstanding cross wall joins the side walls midway between the end walls and includes horizontal openings. A handle includes alternating, depending fingers with inwardly facing ribs. The handle is mounted on the cross wall with the fingers overlapping the cross wall and the ribs received in the cross wall openings. A cover mounted on the handle moves between a vertical position and horizontal positions on either side of the handle. Another cross wall supports the cover in one of its horizontal positions and ribs support the handle in its other horizontal position.

Abstract: An improved safety interlock is provided for operating a control switch which enables operator activation of a drive motor of a food processor. The safety interlock comprises an axially movable interlock rod for operating the control switch upon movement of the rod in a first direction. A coil spring is provided for resiliently forcing the interlock rod in the direction opposite to the first direction such that the control switch is normally unoperated. A generally U-shaped channel member receives the interlock rod and coil spring to properly align the interlock rod with the control switch. The channel member is removably connected to the food processor such that the channel member, interlock rod and coil spring can be removed for cleaning or replacement. The U-shaped channel member includes flanges outwardly extending from its open side which are received into first and second tracks on the food processor.

Abstract: A gravity feed coffeemaker includes a water reservoir disposed above a filter basket in which coffee is brewed. The water reservoir has a valve disposed in its bottom, the valve being controlled to open only after the water held in the reservoir has reached a predetermined temperature to provide a substantially even flow of water at a desired temperature across coffee grounds contained in the filter basket. In one embodiment, the valve includes a bladder that is deformable to open the valve. In a second embodiment, a solenoid valve is employed, the solenoid valve having coils wound about a valve body having a centrally located aperture with a plunger disposed therein. The plunger moves in response to an electromagentic field generated when the coils are energized to open the valve.

Abstract: An electric food mixer includes a membrane potentiometer control which is responsive to a user's touch to select the speed of the mixer's motor. The top surface of the membrane potentiometer control is flexible and forms a continuous strip which is mounted flush with the mixer motor's housing so as to facilitate cleaning and improve the appearance of the mixer. The top surface of the membrane potentiometer control may include a flexible liquid crystal display to provide to the user visual feedback of the selected motor speed. A digital control is responsive to the output of the membrane potentiometer control for operating the mixer's motor at a mixer motor speed selected in accordance with the membrane potentiometer's output from a large number of selectable mixer motor speeds stored in a look up table in the digital control.

Abstract: An improved operating interlock is included in a food processor having a drive motor and a control switch which must be operated by the interlock to enable the operation of the drive motor. A shaft projects upwardly through a working bowl of the food processor and is coupled to the drive motor for rotation of a food processing tool coupled to the shaft within the bowl. A bowl cover is detachably secured to the bowl and defines a feed tube for introducing food items through the bowl cover into the bowl. A feed tube cover is detachably secured to the bowl cover for movement between a closed position over the feed tube and an opened position. The improved operating interlock further defines a child-lock for securing the feed tube cover to the bowl cover and the bowl cover to the bowl without enabling operation of the food processor such that one or more food processing tools can be enclosed within the bowl to discourage inadvertent contact with sharp tool portions when the processor is not in use.

Abstract: An electric food mixer includes an electronic control for operating the mixer in one of a plurality of three modes as selected by a user. In a normal mixing mode, the user selects the speed of the motor and starts and stops the motor by manually actuating a switch. In a timed mixing mode, the user selects the desired running time of the motor as well as the speed of the motor. The motor is started in this mode in response to the manual actuation of a switch, but automatically stops upon the expiration of the selected running time. In a utility timer mode, the mixer is controlled to operate as a utility count-down timer. Upon starting the mixer in the normal mixing mode or in the timed mixing mode, the motor is controlled to start at a slow start-up speed that is less than any of the selectable mixing speeds.

Abstract: An improved food pusher support is provided for a food processor having a primary feed tube for introducing food products into the processor and a feed tube cover including an opening for slidingly receiving a primary food pusher by means of compression leaf springs formed into the feed tube cover for engaging elongated ramped projections extending axially along the primary food pusher. In one instance, the projections are formed adjacent the food pushing portion of the primary food pusher such that the primary food pusher can be retained in a raised position for movement of the feed tube cover relative to the feed tube. In another instance, the primary food pusher comprises a hollow shaft defining a secondary feed tube therethrough and a secondary food pusher securably and slidably engageable with the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A protector for a feed tube of a food processor comprises a feed tube protector hingedly mounted to a bowl cover by means of elongated hinge members such that the feed tube protector can be pivotally moved between a closed position over the feed tube and an opened position retracted from the feed tube. The elongated hinge members can be squeezed and deformed toward one another to permit hinge pins on their outer surfaces to be inserted into hinge brackets on the bowl cover for removably mounting the protector. A finger is formed on the forward extremity of each of the elongated hinge members and a corresponding aperture is formed into the upper surface of the bowl cover for receiving the fingers when the protector is in the closed position to prevent removal of the feed tube protector from an operating food processor.

Abstract: A concentric drive is provided for a food processing tool to permit a plurality of food processing heads to be removably associated with a single drive extension. Each food processing head comprises a disk member having cutting means for performing a desired food processing operation. The food processing head is formed by securing the disk-like member to a disk-mounting flange which extends axially and radially from the upper end of a disk-mounting hub having a D-shaped drive-receiving opening extending entirely therethrough with the remaining portion of the upper end being closed.

Abstract: A bicycle chainguard having a housing shaped to enclose a bicycle chain and sized to extend about the front sprocket and pass rearwardly to the rear sprocket of a bicycle, at least one lug extending sidewardly from the housing having a shank and a head of larger cross-sectional area than the shank, a clamp having a flexible body sized to wrap around a portion of the bicycle frame adjacent the front sprocket and having opposing ends forming recesses so that the ends may be jointed to form a socket to receive the lug therein, and a clip to mount the housing to the upper rear of the frame. The socket preferably is sized to provide sufficient clearance with said lug to permit relative rotational movement therebetween so that the chainguard may be adjusted to be mounted to a variety of bicycle frames. The ends of the clamp may be secured by a screw and nut.

Abstract: Food thawing apparatus is disclosed specially adapted for used in a refrigeration appliance. An enclosure having good thermal communication with surrounding environment is provided with a pair of planar electrodes defining a food thawing zone. One of the electrodes is movable to allow insertion of a frozen food load. A high frequency, relatively low wattage power supply provides uniform energy distribution throughout the food load for gentle heating (thawing). Frequencies of 27.12 MHz or 43 MHz are suggested along with a power level of 100 watts or below, preferably 35-80 watts.A low cost, semi-automatic embodiment is also disclosed employing a compartment built into a refrigerator with a removable drawer. A drawer latch simultaneously operates to lock the drawer into place and to lower the movable electrode into contact with the food load.

Abstract: Food thawing apparatus is disclosed specifically adapted for use in a refrigeration appliance. An enclosure having good thermal communication with surrounding environment is provided with a pair of planar electrodes defining a food thawing zone. One of the electrodes is movable to allow insertion of a frozen food load. A high frequency, relatively low wattage power supply provides uniform energy distribution throughout the food load for gentle heating (thawing). Frequencies of 27.12 MHz or 43 MHz are suggested along with a power level of 100 watts or below, preferably 35-80 watts.

Abstract: A side-by-side refrigerator of the type having a single evaporator, single fan including a freezer compartment thermostat controlling operation of the evaporator and fan, and a fresh food compartment thermostat controlling the operation of the fan and an air flow control for circulating the colder freezer compartment air through the fresh food compartment. The air flow control includes an air valve mounted in a passageway that is movable between a closed set position and an open set position. When cooling of the fresh food compartment is required, the fan is energized and the valve rotated to its open position. When the cooling requirements are satisfied, the thermostat causes the fan to deenergize and the valve to be rotated to its closed position. However, the fan may continue to operate under control of the freezer compartment thermostat. The valve moves between its open and closed positions of 90.degree. by a solenoid that is momentarily energized.

Abstract: An icemaker with simplified ice ejection. A hollow rotatable mold is provided with parallel rows of ice cups mutually inverted on opposing sides of the mold axis of rotation. A volatile liquid at low pressure within the mold is volatilized by heat energy of incoming fresh water in the upward facing cups. The heated vapor communicates with the inverted cups to cause expansion of the cups and contraction of the ice pieces resulting in a shear action which ejects the ice pieces with the aid of gravity into a storage receptacle. After ejection, the exposed surface of the empty ice cups accelerates formation of new ice pieces in the upward facing cups via the boiling-condensing cycle of the volatile liquid.