EP1480793B1 - Universal slicer with a safety switch - Google Patents

Abstract

A food slicer has a housing with a first push-button for actuating an electric switch for operating the cutting blade and a second push-button, i.e., a safety button, locking the first push-button against actuation. The second push-button actuates a mechanical lock which can be engaged and disengaged, blocking the first push-button in an inserted position of the lock, thereby preventing actuation of the electric switch that triggers an electric motor drive used to actuate a circular cutting blade. The first push-button is formed with a stop surface for the lock on which the lock is arranged, when it is in an inserted position, either at or in close vicinity of an axis extending through the center of the push-button surface, pointing in the direction of actuation, and on which the lock engages in an inserted position.

Description

The invention relates to a food slicer according to the preamble of Claim 1.

From DE 26 01 269 A1 a household cutting machine is known, the one having circular-disk-shaped knife that of an electric Drive motor is driven in rotation, in whose circuit a switch is provided and a mechanical lockable and engageable lock for the Has switch in the engaged position, a closing of the switching contacts of the Switch prevents. It can be provided that the lock after each Shutdown automatically assumes its indented position. The automatic Returning the lock in the indented position in the usual manner Spring coil realized from spring steel, which between lock and housing the household cutting machine are used. A disadvantage of the known Construction is that the additional spring coil during assembly under elastic preload must be mounted. Because both switches as well Lock during assembly must be coupled together and simultaneously the preloaded spring coil between lock and housing used must be, the assembly is complicated and very expensive.

The invention is based on the object, a slicer with a to provide electrical switch and a lock and unlockable lock, the ensures safe operation of the lock and the switch. Another The object is to provide a switch / lock arrangement that is simpler Way can be mounted. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a To create food slicer that can be produced inexpensively.

These tasks are performed by a food slicer with the characteristics of Claim 1 solved. In that the lock is very central under the touch surface the electric switch attacks a secure support of the lock guaranteed. A possible tilting of the switch in non-centric Pressing is not transferred to the lock. Thus, the lock can less likely to hook on the switch and the lock can be reliable be operated.

In an advantageous variant, an elastic spring element, which the Push button against its operating direction biased, directly to the button is formed, the installation of the food slicer is simplified. By the Forming the elastic spring element on the button is also the Reduced variety of parts and the food slicer can thus more cost-effective getting produced.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first button, which for Actuating the electrical switch is used, a guide element through which the first button in a guide seat on the housing between a Switching position and a switch-off position is performed and a first end of the first elastic spring element is attached to the guide member and a second end of the first elastic spring element is fixed to the housing. By this configuration, the first button against his Actuating direction can be biased in the housing without additional Components for preloading are required. The so springy trained first Button can thus be easily attached to the housing. One Insertion of a separate elastic spring element is eliminated and a Attachment with additional fasteners is no longer necessary.

Preferably, the first end of the first elastic spring element is on Guide element formed and the second end of the first elastic Spring element has a nipple in a counterpart on the housing is held. Nipple and counterpart form the fastener, which fixes the first elastic spring element on the housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises a first receptacle, in the first button from the outside via a first opening in the housing insertable is, wherein the first button has a locking means which the first opening engages behind and rests against an inner side of the housing. When mounting will the first button, on which the first elastic spring element is formed, initially introduced from the outside into the opening on the housing until the locking means the first button has passed the first opening and is on the inside of the Housing spreads and comes to concern there. So the first button be fixed by simply plugging it into the housing.

It is particularly advantageous if the first receptacle is a seat includes, which has the guide seat and the counterpart. At this Construction is carried out by inserting the guide element of the assembly first button in the guide seat on the housing. The first button is in Inserted guide seat until the locking means of the first button, the opening engages behind and fixed to the inside of the housing rests. At the same time it locks the nipple of the second end of the elastic spring element in the counterpart on the seat of the first shot. By snapping the nipple in Counterpart, the elastic spring element is fixed to the housing. These Construction has the advantage that by the mounting step of attaching the first button on the housing at the same time the elastic spring element on Housing is attached. The bias of the elastic spring element results by inserting the first button in the guide seat on the Seat of the first picture.

The counterpart may be formed as a cutout in the seat, the like is dimensioned that the first elastic spring element from the outside through the Cutout is feasible and that its cross section is smaller than the Cross section of the nipple is. By the appropriate dimensioning of Counterpart, the one-piece component consisting of the first Button and first elastic spring element very lightly over the opening in the Housing introduced from the outside and attached to the first receptacle.

Guide seat and counterpart can be formed directly on the seat. This is particularly beneficial if the housing is made of plastic, or produced by injection molding. Seat, guide seat and Counterpart can in one operation, namely during injection molding of the Housing to be manufactured. This has the advantage that the number of parts of Slicer is reduced. This allows the slicer in be produced in a cost effective manner.

In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the first button on the second button a second elastic spring element formed by the second button is biased in the engaged position. The second button, which actuates the mechanically engageable and disengageable lock can in analog Way as the first button a molded second elastic spring element include, biased by the second button in an engaged position is. The transmission of the solutions according to the invention for the first button, which the electric switch of the drive motor for the slicer pressed, can be applied in an analogous way to the second button, which actuates the mechanically engageable and disengageable lock. This can be a first end portion of the second elastic spring member at the second Button be formed and a second end portion may be on the housing support.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first end portion of the second elastic spring element formed on the second button and a second End section is not supported on the housing, but on the guide element of the first button. The counter bearing for the second end of the second elastic spring element is thus not arranged directly on the housing, but is located at the first button by means of the guide seat on Housing is attached. This has the advantage that the housing no additional Re-bearing must be provided for the second elastic spring element. Characterized in that the re-bearing of the second elastic spring element on first button is provided, the housing in a simpler way be educated.

In a preferred embodiment, the lock is designed as a latch on the second button is formed and through which the guide element of first button in the depressed position of the second button is blocked. The bolt forms the lockable and disengageable lock, which directly on the second button is formed. Thus, the second button and the mechanical engageable and disengageable lock formed as a single part. This has the advantage that the number of parts is further reduced. In particular, the assembly of the Slicer simplified.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing has a second receptacle into which the second button from the inside via a second opening in the housing is insertable and the second opening and the second button has a paragraph on, against the second elastic spring element the second button in the pre-tensioned engaged position.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first button and the second Button manufactured as a one-piece plastic injection molded part. The first button and the second buttons are made of the same plastic material. The one-piece production of the first and second button reduces the Production costs, as for the production of the buttons no longer two different Injection molding tools are required, but only a single tool is required. The first button and the second button can after their Production are separated from each other and individually on the housing of the Slicer can be mounted or the first and the second button can together as a one-piece injection molded part in the housing of the Food slicer to be mounted.

When the first opening in the housing has a larger cross-section than the Actuating surface of the second button, the one-piece as Basic injection molded part made of first button and second Button with the assembly first with the end, the second button has to be inserted ahead through the first opening in the housing until the first button is fixed to the housing. When the first button is mounted on the housing is, the second button can be disconnected from the first button or canceled and from the inside over the second opening in the housing in the second Inserted until the second button is fixed in the housing. This has the advantage that the first and second buttons together in one operation can be mounted on the housing.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the actuating surface of the first button opposite end of the guide element as a bearing sleeve formed and the second end portion of the second spring element is as Bearing pin formed. In the production of the first and second Tasters as a one-piece plastic injection molded part are then between the bearing sleeve and journal breaks are formed, which the first and the second Connect button. Now this compound component with the second button Inserted in advance into the first opening of the housing, the first button on the Housing initially locked. In the subsequent assembly step, the second pushbutton turned around the bearing pin, until the break webs between Bearing sleeve and bearing pin break and the second button from the first Release the button. The second button can be swiveled and from the inside to the second Opening are introduced in the housing and the second button on the housing be attached. Despite breaking the rupture bridges, the second button by means of of the journal, which is further guided in the bearing sleeve, with the first button connected. Due to the inventive design of the first Button and second button, the assembly is much easier and the Manufacturing costs are significantly reduced due to the reduced number of parts.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings.

Figur 1

eine Explosionsdarstellung eines Schalttasters und einer Tastsperre eines erfindungsgemäßen Allesschneiders,

Figur 2

die Schalttaste und die Tastsperre aus Figur 1 in der eingerückten Einbaulage,

Figur 3

das einteilige Kunststoffspritzgussteil bestehend aus einem ersten Taster und einem zweiten Taster vor der Montage;

Figur 4

die getrennten zwei Kunststoffspritzgussteile des ersten Tasters und des zweiten Tasters aus Figur 3 in der montierten Lage.

Show it:

FIG. 1

an exploded view of a switch button and a key lock of a slicer according to the invention,

FIG. 2

the switch key and the key lock of FIG. 1 in the engaged installation position,

FIG. 3

the one-piece plastic injection molded part consisting of a first button and a second button prior to assembly;

FIG. 4

the separate two plastic injection molded parts of the first button and the second button of Figure 3 in the mounted position.

FIG. 1 shows a first push-button 4 with a touch surface 36. At the bottom the touch surface 36 is formed a guide element 9, which is perpendicular to extends down along an axis 37. In the middle area of the Guide member 9 is a stop surface 35 is present, located on a Ceiling surface of a notch on the guide element 9 is located. At the Stop surface 35 is in the engaged position, a lock 7 at. The Guide element 9 is displaceable in a guide seat 10 on the housing 1 stored. The touch surface 36 has two locking means 19, which in the opening 18 in Engage housing 1. An elastic spring element 8 is with its first End 13 formed on the guide element 9. A second end 14 of the elastic Spring element 8 has a nipple 15 in a housing on the first molded counterpart 16 is held.

At a second button 6, the lock 7 is formed. The key 6 also has one second elastic spring element 23. A first end portion 24 of the second elastic spring element 23 is on an underside of the second button. 6 formed.

In the figure 2, the first button 4 and the second button 6 in the in the Housing 1 built-in position shown. A second end portion 25 of the second elastic spring element 23 is supported on a counter paragraph 38, which is integrally formed on the housing 1. The lock 7 is a pivotable lever formed on the stop surface 35 in a groove 33 on the guide element. 9 intervenes.

FIG. 3 shows the first pushbutton 4 together with the second pushbutton 6 as one-piece injection molded plastic part, as it is after its manufacture and before Assembly is formed. The first button 4 has a circular disk-shaped Actuating surface, formed on the underside of the guide element 9 is. At a distance from the actuating surface of the first button 4 is connected to the Guide element 9 at its lower end 13 an elastic spring element eighth formed. The elastic spring element 8 consists of a meandering formed, integrally formed at the end 13 of the guide member 9 section. The first button 4 is together with the guide member 9 and the elastic spring element 8 made in one piece from plastic. The suitable one Plastic for the production of the first button 4 can in particular with regard to the elastic properties of the spring element 8 are selected. The upper free end 14 of the elastic spring element 8 is as a nipple 15th educated. The nipple 15 is characterized by an approximately cylindrical Section at the second end 14 of the elastic spring element 8 is formed. The circular disk-shaped actuating surface of the first button 4 has at its Bottom two opposing locking means 19 on, directly to the first Button 4 are formed. The locking means 19 are as U-shaped elastic tabs formed, which are oriented wedge-shaped on the outer surfaces. At the bottom the first button 4 and this opposite the second button 6 is on the first button 4 formed. The second button 6 has a circular disk-shaped actuating surface, which is smaller in diameter as the actuating surface of the first button 4. At the circular disc-shaped Actuating surface of the second button 6 is the second elastic spring element 23 via a first end portion 24 directly to the actuating surface of second button 6 molded. The upper free end of the second elastic Spring element 23 forms the second end portion 25. At the second End portion 25 is a cylindrical bearing pin 30 is formed directly. Of the Bearing pin 30 is concentric in a bearing sleeve 29 of the first Taster 4. The journal 30 of the second button 6 is connected to the bearing sleeve 29th of the first button 4 via break webs 31 connected. By means of the break bridges 31 is the first button 4 as a one-piece plastic injection molded part with the second Button 6 connected. The rupture webs 31 are dimensioned such that the first Button 4 and the second button 6 in one operation in an injection mold can be produced. On the other hand, the rupture webs 31 are sufficient thin, so that the break webs 31 at a pivoting of the second Taster 6 opposite the first button 4 about a rotation axis through the Bearing 30 of the second button 6 can break and thus the second Button 6 can be solved by the first button 4.

FIG. 4 shows the assembly of the first button 4 and the second button 6 in FIG a position in which the break ribs 31 are broken. The second button 6 is 90 ° about a passing through the journal 30 pivot axis pivoted. After pivoting the second button 6 against the first button 4, the break bridges 31 are broken and the second button 6 from first button 4 separately. The bearing sleeve 29 of the first button 4 holds the Bearing 30 such that the actuating surface of the second button. 6 opposite end is held by the first button 4. simultaneously has the guide element 9 of the first button 4 at the free end, which is the Bearing sleeve 29, a groove 33. Due to the groove 33, the first Button 4 in the vertical direction downwards relative to the second button. 6 to be moved. At the second button 6, the lock 7 is formed, as Latch is formed and has a cutout 34. In the disembarked Position of the lock 7, the free end of the guide member 9 of the first Taster 4 moves vertically down and the electric, not shown Switch are operated. In the engaged position of the lock 7 is the Section 34 on the lock 7 with respect to the free end of the Guide element 9 of the first button 4 such that the free end of the guide member 9 is present at the latch of the lock 7 and a vertical Moving the first button down is prevented. This allows the electrical switch 5 are not actuated by means of the first button 4.

Claims (17)

1. Universal slicer comprising a housing (1) with a first button (4), which has a button surface (36) for actuating an electrical switch (5), and a second button (6) for actuating a mechanically engageable and disengageable lock (7), which blocks the first button (4) in the engaged position of the lock (7), whereby actuation of the electrical switch (5) is prevented, by way of which an electric drive motor (3), which serves for drive of a circular knife (2), can be switched on and off, characterised in that the first button (4) has an abutment surface (35) for the lock (7), at which the lock (7) in the engaged position is arranged near an axis (37), which points in actuating direction and runs through the centre of area of the button surface (36), and at which the lock (7) engages in engaged position.
2. Universal slicer according to claim 1, characterised in that the abutment surface (35) of the first button (4) is arranged at a guide element (9), which extends below the button surface (36) along the axis (37).
3. Universal slicer according to claim 2, characterised in that a side of the guide element (9) forms a cut-out which is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the axis (37).
4. Universal slicer according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the guide element (9) is guided in a guide seat (10 at the housing (1) between a switch-on position (11) and a switch-off position (12).
5. Universal slicer according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that a first end (13) of a first resilient spring element (8) is fastened to the guide element (9) and a second end (14) of the first resilient spring element (8) is supported at the housing (1) and the first button (4) is biased against its actuating direction by the first resilient spring element (8).
6. Universal slicer according to claim 5, characterised in that the first end (13) of the first resilient spring element (8) is integrally formed at the guide element (9) and the second end (14) has a nipple (15) held in a counter-member (16) at the housing (1).
7. Universal slicer according to claim 1, characterised in that the housing (1) has a first receptacle (17) into which the first button (4) is introducible from the outside by way of a first opening (18) in the housing (1) and the first button (4) comprises detent means (19) which engages behind the first opening (18) and bears against an inner side (20) of the housing (1).
8. Universal slicer according to claim 7, characterised in that the first receptacle (17) has a seating surface (21) which comprises the guide seat (10) and the counter-member (16).
9. Universal slicer according to claim 8, characterised in that the counter-member (16) is a cut-out (22) in the seating surface (21), which is so dimensioned that the first resilient spring element (8) can be led from outside through the cut-out (22) and that the cross-section thereof is smaller than the cross-section of the nipple (15).
10. Universal slicer according to claim 7, characterised in that the counter-member (16) and the guide seat (10) are integrally formed at the seating surface (21).
11. Universal slicer according to claim 1, characterised in that a second resilient spring element (23), which is biased by the second button (6) into the disengaged position, is integrally formed at the second button (6).
12. Universal slicer according to claim 11, characterised in that the second resilient spring element (23) has a first end section (24) which is integrally formed at the second abutment (6).
13. Universal slicer according to claim 12, characterised in that the second resilient spring element (23) has a second end section (25), which is supported at the housing (1) or at the guide element (9).
14. Universal slicer according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the second button (6) is pivotably mounted in the housing (1) and the lock (7) is constructed as a lever (32), which is integrally formed at the second button (6) and in the engaged position engages in a groove (33) at the guide element (9).
15. Universal slicer according to claim 2, characterised in that the housing (1) has a second receptacle (26), into which the second button (6) is introducible from the inside by way of a second opening (27) in the housing (1), and the second opening (27) or the second button (6) has an offset (28) against which a second resilient spring element (23) biases the second button (6) into the engaged position.
16. Universal slicer according to claim 14, characterised in that an end, which is opposite the button surface (36) of the first button (4), of the guide element (9) is constructed as a bearing sleeve (29) and a second end section (25) of the second spring element (23) is constructed as a bearing pin (30).
17. Universal slicer according to claim 15, characterised in that the first button (4) and the second button (6) are produced as an integral plastics material injection-moulded part and frangible webs (31) are integrally formed between bearing sleeve (29) and bearing pin (30).

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