Switch assembly for a food mixing machine

• US 20080008026A1
• Filed: 07/10/2006
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation (Vita-Mix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
• Inventors: Katz, Jonathan M., Brasdovich, Glenn F., Kozlowski, Eugene J., Mehlman, Fred H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,775,705 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/206
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/042 Mechanically-driven liquid shakers
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/082 for machines with tools driven from the upper side A47J43/087, A47J43/09 take precedence

Abstract

A machine (10) for mixing food in a cup (C) includes a housing having an agitator assembly (15) extending downwardly therefrom and adapted to be rotated by a motor to mix food in the cup (C). A switch assembly (20) is provided to operate the agitator assembly (15). The switch assembly (20) includes a bracket (21) which pivotally carries a plate (41) which extends downwardly adjacent to the agitator assembly (15). A switch (31) is carried by the bracket (21) and has an arm (36) biased toward the plate (41). The plate (41) is biased toward the arm (36) by springs (50) to maintain the switch (31) in the open position. Pivoting the plate (41) relative to the bracket (21) against the bias of the springs (50) allows the arm (36) of the switch (31) to pivot to close the switch (31) allowing the agitator assembly (15) to rotate. Releasing the plate (41) allows the springs (50) to bias the plate (41) against the arm (36) but a pad (55) silences any noise created thereby, and a wall (28) of the bracket (21) stops the plate (41) from exerting undue pressure on the arm (36).

Claims

1. A machine for mixing food in a cup comprising a housing;

an agitator assembly depending downwardly from said housing and adapted to be rotated to mix food when said agitator assembly is positioned in the cup; and

a switch assembly;

said switch assembly including a bracket in said housing, a plate pivotally carried by said bracket and extending downwardly adjacent to said agitator, and a switch carried by said bracket and movable between open and closed positions, such that when in the closed position said agitator assembly can be rotated, said plate engaging said switch such that when said plate is pivoted, said switch moves from the open to the closed position.

2. The machine of claim 1 further comprising means to bias said plate toward said switch.

3. The machine of claim 2 further comprising a pad carried by said bracket, said plate engaging said pad when biased toward said switch.

4. The machine of claim 2 wherein said means to bias includes at least one spring extending between one end of said plate and said bracket, the other end of said plate being positioned adjacent to said agitator.

5. The machine of claim 4 wherein said bracket includes at least one hook to engage one end of said at least one spring, and said one end of said plate includes at least one hook to engage the other end of said at least one spring.

6. The machine of claim 1 wherein said bracket includes a wall carrying said switch, said wall being engaged by said plate to prevent said plate from over-engaging said switch.

7. The machine of claim 6 wherein said bracket includes a second wall opposed to said wall, said second wall having holes therein adapted to allow wires from said switch to pass therethrough.

8. The machine of claim 1 further comprising a pin connecting said plate to said bracket, said pin defining the pivot axis of said plate relative to said bracket.

9. The machine of claim 1, said switch including a pivotable arm biased outwardly toward said plate, said plate being biased to engage said arm.

10. The machine of claim 9 wherein said bracket includes a wall which engages said plate against the bias thereof to protect said arm of said switch.

11. The machine of claim 1 further comprising a flexible boot carried by said bracket, said boot protecting said switch from contamination from food being mixed in the cup.

12. The machine of claim 11 further comprising pegs carried by said bracket and apertures formed in said boot, said pegs being received through said apertures so that said bracket carries said boot.

13. The machine of claim 11 wherein said boot includes opposed walls having ends meeting at a point, said plate being positioned between said walls such that when said plate is pivoted, said walls separate at said point.

14. A switch assembly for activating an agitator in a food mixing machine comprising a bracket, a switch carried by said bracket having an arm biased so that said switch is in the closed position, and a plate pivotally carried by said bracket and biased to normally engage said arm to maintain said switch in the open position against the bias of said switch, the pivoting of said plate relative to said bracket permitting the bias on the switch arm is allowed to move said arm to close the switch.

15. The switch assembly of claim 14 further comprising means to bias said plate toward said arm.

16. The switch assembly of claim 15 further comprising a pad carried by said bracket, said plate engaging said pad when biased toward said arm.

17. The switch assembly of claim 15 wherein said means to bias includes at least one spring extending between one end of said plate and said bracket.

18. The switch assembly of claim 17 wherein said bracket includes at least one hook to engage one end of said at least one spring, and said one end of said plate includes at least one hook to engage the other end of said at least one spring.

19. The switch assembly of claim 14 wherein said bracket includes a wall carrying said switch, said wall being engaged by said plate to prevent said plate from over-engaging said arm.

20. The switch assembly of claim 19 wherein said bracket includes a second wall opposed to said wall, said second wall having holes therein adapted to allow wires from said switch to pass therethrough.

21. The switch assembly of claim 14 further comprising a pin connecting said plate to said bracket, said pin defining the pivot axis of said plate relative to said bracket.

22. The switch assembly of claim 14 wherein said bracket includes a wall which engages said plate against the bias thereof to protect said arm of said switch.

23. The switch assembly of claim 14 further comprising a flexible boot carried by said bracket, said boot protecting said switch from contamination from food being mixed.

24. The switch assembly of claim 23 further comprising pegs carried by said bracket and apertures formed in said boot, said pegs being received through said apertures so that said bracket carries said boot.

25. The switch assembly of claim 23 wherein said boot includes opposed walls having ends meeting at a point, said plate being positioned between said walls such that when said plate is pivoted, said walls separate at said point.