Switch assembly for a food mixing machine

• US 7,775,705 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2006
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vita-Mix Management Corporation (Vita-Mix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
• Inventors: Mehlman, Fred H., Katz, Jonathan M., Brasdovich, Glenn F., Kozlowski, Eugene J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sorkin; David L
• Application Number:
  US11/483,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20080008026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 366/197, 366/206
• 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 for a length 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, an elongate member pivotally carried by said bracket, a pivot axis defined on said bracket about which said elongate member pivots, said elongate member extending downwardly from said pivot axis adjacent to a substantial portion of said length of said agitator assembly, a switch carried by said bracket and movable between open and closed positions, and means to bias said elongate member toward said switch, such that when in the closed position said agitator assembly can be rotated, said elongate member engaging said switch such that when said elongate member is pivoted, said switch moves from the open to the closed position.

2. The machine of claim 1 further comprising a pad carried by said bracket, said elongate member engaging said pad when biased toward said switch.

3. The machine of claim 1 wherein said means to bias includes at least one spring extending between one end of said elongate member and said bracket, the other end of said elongate member being positioned adjacent to said agitator assembly.

4. The machine of claim 3 wherein said bracket includes at least one hook to engage one end of said at least one spring, and said one end of said elongate member includes at least one hook to engage the other end of said at least one spring.

5. The machine of claim 1 further comprising a pin connecting said elongate member to said bracket, said pin defining said pivot axis of said elongate member relative to said bracket.

6. 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.

7. The machine of claim 1 wherein said elongate member is a plate.

8. The machine of claim 1 wherein said bracket has an opening and said elongate member extends through said opening.

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

an agitator assembly depending downwardly for a length 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, an elongate member pivotally carried by said bracket, a pivot axis defined on said bracket about which said elongate member pivots, said elongate member extending downwardly from said pivot axis adjacent to a substantial portion of said length of said agitator assembly, and a switch carried by a wall of said bracket and movable between open and closed positions, such that when in the closed position said agitator assembly can be rotated, said elongate member engaging said switch such that when said elongate member is pivoted, said switch moves from the open to the closed position, said wall of said bracket being engaged by said elongate member to prevent said elongate member from over-engaging said switch.

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

an agitator assembly depending downwardly for a length 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, an elongate member pivotally carried by said bracket and extending downwardly adjacent to said agitator assembly, 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, wherein said bracket includes a first wall carrying said switch and a second wall opposed to said first wall, said first wall being engaged by said plate to prevent said plate from over-engaging said switch, and said second wall having holes therein adapted to allow wires from said switch to pass therethrough.

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

an agitator assembly depending downwardly for a length 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, an elongate member pivotally carried by said bracket, a pivot axis defined on said bracket about which said elongate member pivots, said elongate member extending downwardly from said pivot axis adjacent to a substantial portion of said length of said agitator assembly, and a switch carried by said bracket and movable between open and closed positions, said switch including a pivotable arm biased outwardly toward said elongate member, said elongate member being biased to engage said arm, such that when in the closed position said agitator assembly can be rotated, said elongate member engaging said switch such that when said elongate member is pivoted, said switch moves from the open to the closed position.

12. The machine of claim 11 wherein said bracket includes a wall which engages said elongate member against the bias thereof to protect said arm of said switch.

13. 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 assembly, 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;

a flexible boot carried by said bracket;

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, said boot protecting said switch from contamination from food being mixed in the cup.

14. 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 assembly, 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, said machine further comprising a flexible boot carried by said bracket, 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, said boot protecting said switch from contamination from food being mixed in the cup.