HK1067456B

HK1067456B - Cordless base

Info

Publication number: HK1067456B
Application number: HK04110258.2A
Authority: HK
Inventors: E．库利
Original assignee: Khoury Edward
Priority date: 2001-06-01
Filing date: 2001-07-10
Publication date: 2006-05-04

Description

Wireless base

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a power supply device for home appliances.

Background

The present invention relates to devices of this type, including a wireless connector for connection to female connectors in appliances. Power supply devices of this type are known to comprise a base unit which is seated on a work surface and on which the appliance stands when connected to the connector. The base unit is larger than the appliance and is larger than the connector. Typical structures of this type are disclosed in GB 2,318,926, US 6,340,807 and WO 01/52704. The performance of this construction is satisfactory. However, their size is necessarily large and they occupy a large area on any work surface on which they are placed. When the appliances are not in use, they continue to occupy these areas even when they are stored otherwise. This is not sufficient for modern kitchens where the work surface is often severely restricted.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular appliance system comprising:

a plurality of modular appliances; and

a base unit for simultaneously supporting at least 2 modular appliances, the base unit having at least 2 electrical connectors adapted to connect to complementary connectors on each appliance to connect the appliance to a power source through the base unit.

The system preferably includes a base with electrical connections similar to those used in cordless kettle designs that can be free standing or secured to a work surface. The base may include one or more electrical connectors with one or more hinged extensions, such that the electrical connectors are adapted to connect to complementary connectors on each appliance, thereby connecting the appliance to a power source through the base and extensions.

The hinged extension may be moved in an arc between a point below or within the base and any point around the pivot.

The extensions with electrical connectors may be individually or collectively rotatable, hinged, slidable, or individual connectors may be removed from the base by cable connection.

When hinged to the base, the appliance connector (on the extension) may move in an arc about the pivot axis in either a horizontal or vertical direction.

When hinged to the base, the appliance connector (on the extension) may pivot about the base.

When connected to the base by a sliding track, the appliance connectors (on the extension) can slide into and out of the base, from the left to the right of the base, and they can slide individually or together.

When movable relative to the base, the electrical connectors connected by the cable can be removed from the base and placed anywhere around the base. The movable joint may be clamped, retracted or inserted into the base.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a free standing unit comprising:

a plurality of modular appliances; and

a free standing unit for simultaneously supporting one or more modular appliances, the base unit having one or more electrical connectors adapted to connect to complementary connectors on each appliance to connect the appliance to a power source through the free standing unit.

The system preferably comprises a body which may be free standing or fixed to a work surface or wall, the body may comprise one, two or more hinged extensions having electrical connectors adapted to connect to complementary connectors on respective appliances to connect the appliances to a power source via a free standing or fixed unit.

The hinged extension may be moved in an arc between a point below or within the free standing unit and any point around the pivot.

The extensions with electrical connectors may be individually or collectively rotatable, hinged, slidable, or individual connectors may be removed from the body by cable connection.

When hinged to the body, the appliance connector (on the extension) may move in an arc about the pivot axis in either a horizontal or vertical direction.

When hinged to the body, the appliance connector (on the extension) may pivot about the body.

When connected to the main body by a sliding track, the appliance connector (on the extension) can slide onto and off the main body, sliding from the left to the right of the main body, and they can slide individually or together.

When removed from the body, the electrical connectors connected by the cable may be removed from the body and placed anywhere around the body. The movable joint may be clamped, retracted or inserted into the body.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a free standing unit comprising:

a plurality of modular appliances; and

free standing appliances such as coffee makers and the like, for simultaneously supporting one or more modular appliances through a removable electrical connector within the free standing appliance, the removable electrical connector being adapted to connect to a complementary connector on each appliance, thereby connecting the appliance to a power source through the free standing appliance.

The system preferably comprises a free standing appliance such as a coffee maker or the like comprising one, two or more hinged extensions having electrical connections adapted to connect complementary connections on the respective appliance to connect the appliance to a power source via the free standing appliance.

The hinged extension may be moved in an arc between a point below or within the free standing appliance and any point around the pivot.

When hinged to the free standing appliance, the appliance connector (on the extension) may move in an arc about the pivot axis in either the horizontal or vertical direction.

When hinged to the free standing appliance, the appliance connector (on the extension) may pivot about the free standing appliance.

When connected to a free standing appliance by a sliding track, the appliance connector (on the extension) can slide onto and off of the free standing appliance, from the left to the right of the free standing appliance, and they can slide individually or together.

When removed from the free standing appliance, the electrical connector connected by the cable may be removed from the free standing appliance and placed anywhere around the free standing appliance. The movable contact can be clamped, retracted or inserted into a free standing appliance.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of (a first aspect of) the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention (first aspect);

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention (second aspect);

FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention (second aspect);

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention (a second aspect, showing the principle of slippage);

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention (a second aspect, showing the principle of vertical articulation);

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention (a second aspect, showing the pivot principle);

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention (a second aspect, showing the principle of motion);

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention (third aspect);

Detailed Description

The modular appliance system shown in fig. 1 comprises: a generally planar base unit 10, the base unit 10 being cast from a suitable tough, heat resistant plastic material such as polypropylene; and a set of modular appliances 12, 14 and 16 that can be individually or collectively mounted on the base unit, mounted on the base 10 and on the extension 1 and on the electrical connector 2. The base 10 can be formed from other suitable plastics or other materials including metals such as stainless steel or natural materials such as marble or wood.

In fig. 1, the appliance 14 is a cordless kettle, the appliance 12 is an oven, and the appliance 16 is a shredder. It should be understood that the illustrated appliances are by way of example only, and that a set of powers used on the base 10 may include various other appliances, or more than one appliance.

The base 10 may be rectangular and have a positioning structure in the shape of an upstanding housing/positioning step 3. The base 10 has an upstanding cordless connector 4 of known type in the centre which mates with complementary connectors on the underside of appliances 12, 14 and 16. The base 10 includes an extension 1 and an upright cordless connector 2 hinged to the base 10 by a pivot 6, such that the upright cordless connector 2 on the extension 1 can be moved in an arc from the underside 5 of the base 10 out of the upright housing/positioning step 3 to a position clear of the base 10, thereby enabling the appliances 12, 14 and 16 to be positioned on the upright connector 2 by their complementary connectors. On the base 10, a safety cut 7 and a cable 8 are provided on the upright housing/positioning step 3, which cable 8 supplies current to the base 10, the extension 1 and finally to the wireless connections 4 and 2.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the invention (first aspect) showing the extension 1 and the wireless connector, wherein the extension 1 and the wireless connector 2 are rotated out of the base 10 in an arc by the pivot 6. Fig. 2 also shows the extension 1 and wireless connector 2 in a closed position 9 when the appliances 12, 14 and 16 (fig. 1) are not in use.

The modular appliance system shown in fig. 3 comprises: a generally planar free standing unit 11, the standing unit 11 being cast from a suitable tough heat resistant plastic material such as polypropylene; and a set of modular appliances 12, 14 and 16 that can be mounted individually or simultaneously to an upright wireless controller 2, the controller 2 being hinged to a free standing unit 11 by means of an extension 1 and a pivot 6. The free standing unit 11 can be formed of other suitable plastics or other materials including metals such as stainless steel or natural materials such as marble or wood.

In fig. 3, the appliance 14 is a cordless kettle, the appliance 12 is an oven, and the appliance 16 is a shredder. It should be understood that the illustrated appliances are merely examples, and that a set of power-ups used on free-standing unit 11 may include various other appliances, or more than one appliance.

The free standing unit 11 may be rectangular and have: a cavity and opening 15 for receiving the extension 1; a vertical wireless joint 2; and a pivot 6. The free standing unit 11 may contain one, two or more hinged extensions 1 and an upright cordless joint 2. The upright wireless connector 2 is of a known type that can mate with complementary connectors on the underside of the appliances 12, 14 and 16. The free standing unit 11 comprises an extension 1 and an upright cordless connector 2 hinged to the free standing unit 11 by a pivot 6, such that the upright cordless connector 2 on the extension 1 can be moved in an arc from the underside of the free standing unit 11 out of the cavity and opening 15 to a position clear of the free standing unit 11, thereby enabling the appliances 12, 14 and 16 to be positioned on the upright connector 2 by their complementary connectors. On the free standing unit 11, a safety cut 7 and a cable 8 are provided for supplying current to the free standing unit 11, the extension 1 and finally to the wireless connector 2.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the invention (second aspect) showing extension 1 and wireless joint 2, where extension 1 and wireless joint 2 are rotated in an arc out of free standing unit 11 by pivot 6. Fig. 4 also shows the extension 1 and upright wireless connector 2 in a closed position 9 when the appliances 12, 14 and 16 (fig. 3) are not in use.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the invention (second aspect) showing the extension 1 and the upright wireless joint 2, where the extension 1 and the upright wireless joint 2 are slid out of the cavity and openings 15 and 17 to make the upright wireless joint 2 usable.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the invention (second aspect) showing the extension 1 and the upright wireless joint 2, where the extension 1 and the upright wireless joint 2 are transferred by the pivot 19 from the closed position 20 in the vertical direction to the open position 21 in the horizontal direction in order to make the upright wireless joint 2 usable.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the invention (second aspect) showing extension 1 and upright wireless connector 2, where extension 1 and upright wireless connector 2 are rotated out of the cavity and opening 15 to make upright wireless connector 2 usable.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the invention (second aspect) showing the cable 22 and the upright radio connector 2, with the cable 22 and upright radio connector 2 removed from the cavity and opening 15 to make the upright radio connector 2 usable.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the invention (third aspect) showing the extension 1 and wireless connector 2, where the extension 1 and wireless connector 2 rotate in an arc to a position outside the free standing appliance 23.

It is to be understood that the precise shape and configuration of the invention described above, the connectors used and other elements and structures, the location of the connectors on the base, the free standing unit, and the free standing appliance are merely examples and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A modular appliance system, comprising:

a plurality of modular appliances; and

a base unit for simultaneously supporting one or more modular appliances; the base unit is configured to be connected to a power source and has at least two electrical connectors adapted to connect to complementary connectors on respective appliances to connect the appliances to the power source through the base unit; at least one of the electrical connectors is movable between a closed position within the base unit and an open position adjacent to and spaced from the base unit, wherein in the open position at least one of the electrical connectors is connectable to a complementary connector on an appliance.

2. The modular appliance system of claim 1, wherein the base unit has a cavity in which at least one of the electrical connectors is received in the closed position of the base unit; the cavity has an opening allowing at least one of the electrical connectors to be moved out of the cavity to the open position of the base unit.

3. The modular appliance system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the electrical connectors is mounted on an extension arm that is hingedly connected to the base unit.

4. The modular appliance system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the electrical connectors is mounted on an extension arm that is slidably connected to the base unit.

5. The modular appliance system as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the base unit comprises a fixed upright electrical connector mounted to the base unit and locating formations for correctly locating the appliance on the base unit, the fixed upright electrical connector being connected to a complementary connector on the appliance.

6. The modular appliance system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the electrical connectors is connected to the base unit by a cable.

7. A modular appliance system, comprising:

a plurality of modular appliances; and

a free standing appliance configured to be connected to a power source; the housing of the free standing appliance having a cavity in which at least one upright electrical connector can be received; the cavity has an opening that allows the at least one upright electrical connector to move from a closed position within the cavity to an open position adjacent to and spaced from the free standing appliance, wherein in the open position the at least one upright electrical connector is connectable to a complementary connector on the modular appliance to connect the modular appliance to a power source.

8. The modular appliance system of claim 7, wherein said at least one upright electrical connector is mounted on an extension arm that is hingedly connected to said free standing appliance.

9. The modular appliance system of claim 7, wherein said at least one upright electrical connector is mounted on an extension arm that is slidably connected to said free standing appliance.

10. The modular appliance system of claim 7, wherein the at least one vertical electrical connector is connected to the free standing appliance by a cable.