Anti-tip device for an appliance with an interlock switch
First Claim
1. An appliance, including:
- a leg for supporting the appliance upon a support surface;
an actuator coupled to and movable relative to the leg;
an interlock switch positioned upon and secured to the leg and electrically coupled to control circuitry of the appliance; and
an anti-tip bracket having an aperture configured to receive a portion of the leg, wherein the actuator is moved relative to the leg when the leg is positioned within the aperture, and wherein the actuator is adapted to interact with the interlock switch when the leg is properly positioned within the aperture.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An appliance includes a leg for support upon a support surface, an interlock switch mechanically coupled to the leg and electrically coupled to control circuitry of the appliance, an anti-tip bracket having an aperture configured to receive a portion of the leg, and means for operating the interlock switch when the leg is properly positioned within the aperture. In one example, an actuator is coupled to the leg and is movable relative to the leg when the leg is positioned within the aperture. In another example, the interlock switch includes a first and second electrode, and selective electrical contact occurs between the first and second electrodes when the actuator is moved. In another example, a member projects from the appliance and the anti-tip is configured to receive a portion of the member. A method is also provided for preventing use of an appliance due to improper installation of the appliance.
32 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An appliance, including:
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a leg for supporting the appliance upon a support surface; an actuator coupled to and movable relative to the leg; an interlock switch positioned upon and secured to the leg and electrically coupled to control circuitry of the appliance; and an anti-tip bracket having an aperture configured to receive a portion of the leg, wherein the actuator is moved relative to the leg when the leg is positioned within the aperture, and wherein the actuator is adapted to interact with the interlock switch when the leg is properly positioned within the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15)
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5. An appliance, including:
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a leg for supporting the appliance upon a support surface; an actuator coupled to and movable relative to the leg; an interlock switch secured to the leg and electrically coupled to control circuitry of the appliance; and an anti-tip bracket having an aperture configured to receive a portion of the leg, wherein the actuator is moved relative to the leg when the leg is positioned within the aperture, and wherein the actuator is adapted to interact with the interlock switch when the leg is properly positioned within the aperture, wherein the interlock switch includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode being coupled to a portion of the actuator, movement of the actuator relative to the leg causing selective electrical contact between the first and second electrodes, and wherein the first electrode is coupled to a portion of the leg.
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10. An appliance, including:
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a leg for supporting the appliance upon a support surface; an actuator coupled to and movable relative to the leg; an interlock switch secured to the leg and electrically coupled to control circuitry of the appliance; and an anti-tip bracket having an aperture configured to receive a portion of the leg, wherein the actuator is moved relative to the leg when the leg is positioned within the aperture, and wherein the actuator is adapted to interact with the interlock switch when the leg is properly positioned within the aperture, wherein the interlock switch includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode being coupled to a portion of the actuator, movement of the actuator relative to the leg causing selective electrical contact between the first and second electrodes, and further including a switch carrier coupled to a portion of the leg and including an electrical coupler to permit the interlock switch to be electrically coupled to control circuitry of the appliance, the first electrode being coupled to a portion of the switch carrier. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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16. An appliance, including:
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a member projecting from the appliance; an actuator coupled to and movable relative to the member; an interlock switch secured to the member and electrically coupled to control circuitry of the appliance; and an anti-tip bracket having an aperture configured to receive a portion of the member, wherein the actuator is moved relative to the member when the member is positioned within the aperture, and wherein the actuator is adapted to interact with the interlock switch when the member is properly positioned within the aperture, wherein the member includes a bore and the actuated includes a plunger adapted for telescopic movement within the bore. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An appliance, including:
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a leg for supporting the appliance upon a support surface; an interlock switch secured to the leg and electrically coupled to control circuitry of the appliance; an anti-tip bracket having an aperture configured to receive a portion of the leg; and means for operating the interlock switch when the leg is properly positioned within the aperture, wherein the means for operating the interlock switch further includes a cap and wherein the aperture of the anti-tip bracket is at least partially bounded by a wall, the wall being adapted to engage the cap to cause operation of the interlock switch when the member is properly positioned within the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification