GB568498A - Improvements in and relating to automatic bread toasters - Google Patents

Abstract

568,498. Electric switches. BRITISH THOMSON-HOUSTON CO., Ltd. Oct. 8, 1942, No. 14160. Convention date, Oct. 8, 1941. [Claas 38 (v)] [Also in Group VI] In an electric toaster in which the slices are supported on carriers 18a, Fig. 3, between heating elements 16, Figs. 1 and 2, a carriage 24 connected to the slice carriers being depressed by manipulation of a knob 31 against the action of a spring 28 to lower the slices to a toasting position, latching means are provided for holding the carriage in the lowered position untilreleased by a bimetallic thermal element 63, Fig. 10. This element is guided laterally in the middle, but is not fixed, and is heated by a separate heater 71, and when hot one free end moves to the position shown in Fig. 9 to disengage one latch hook 60 from a pivoted bar 48 and to open the switch 76 of its heater. The pivoted bar 48 is held by another latch hook 61, while the thermal element cools down, the switch 38, Fig. 3, of the toasting elements being held closed during this time. When the thermal element is cold, the hook 61 is moved, the bar 48 rises and the switch 38 is opened. The bar 48 has latching notches 51, 52, Fig. 3, engaged by a catch on a member 41 having a limited sliding and hinging connection with the front of the carriage 24. The bar 48 is lowered by the lowering of the carriage and when unlatched permits the carriage to rise and carry the toasted slices to the upper position. The period of heating is adjusted by setting an abutment 55d, Fig. 1, for the other free end of the thermal element, by means of a lever 90 with a knob 93, Fig. 2, movable over a scale at the front of the casing. This scale may indicate light or dark toasting. Another knob 98 is associated with a lever and catch arrangement, Fig. 7 (not shown), for holding the carriage down after completion of toasting if it is not desired to remove the toast. The upward movement of the carriage is restrained by a dashpot, Fig. I (not shown).