GB2406975A - Glass base stand for a cordless electric kettle - Google Patents

Abstract

A stand for a cordless electric kettle wherein the base plate 21 is made of a transparent or translucent material, and where there is also provided an electrical connector 5 for connecting with a counterpart connector of a kettle jug so as to provide power to the jug. The transparent or translucent material may be tempered glass so as to provide a hard wearing surface which is resistant to deformation.

Description

CORDLESS ELECTRIC BASE STAND FOR A KETTLE

The present invention relates to a cordless electric base stand for a kettle.

Currently, almost all electric base stands for cordless electric kettles on sale are made of plastic. This is because the manufacturing cost for plastic bases is generally lower and the base can be designed in many different styles and colours. There are, however, notable drawbacks in using plastic. Firstly, the kettle is often rotated on the base stand whereby the kettle rubs against the surface of the base stand. Such prolonged rubbing often damages the surface of the base stand which, in turn, affects the appearance of the product. Secondly, plastics materials tend to bend and deform and this can result in reducing the electrical contact between the kettle and base stand, thus affecting the kettle's operation.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a base stand that is .e : able to withstand wear, warping and distortion while maintaining a good electrical contact and retaining aesthetic appeal.

. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a base stand for a cordless electric kettle, the stand comprising a transparent or semi-transparent base plate for holding the electric kettle in use; a power connector mounted on the base plate to supply power to the electric kettle e.

placed thereon in use; and a plug connected to the power connector for connection to an external power supply.

Preferably, the base plate is made of glass. Preferably still, the base plate is a circular glass plate.

Preferably, the stand includes a plurality of base-studs mounted on the underside of said base plate for supporting the base plate.

The stand preferably includes an indicator lamp mounted on the base stand.

Preferably still, the base stand has a central aperture which has assembly holes located around its circumference for receiving a top shell.

Preferably, the top shell comprises a cover member and a hollow cylindrical member formed integral therewith.

The cover member preferably has at least two pillar members formed integral therewith on its underside, the pillar members preferably being designed to be received within the assembly holes of the base plate.

The pillar members preferably have internal threads formed in a top part.

In a preferred embodiment, the stand includes a bottom shell comprising a baseboard with an upstanding hollow cylinder formed integral therewith. Preferably still, the baseboard has assembly holes corresponding to the assembly holes of the base plate thereby to allow :. fixing of the top shell and the bottom shell together via screws engaging with the internal threads of each pillar member.

Preferably a holding member is mounted within the cylinder of the baseboard. Preferably still, the power connector is fixed to the holding member, such that the power connector is surrounded by the cylinder of the top shell when the top and bottom shells are fixed together.

Preferably, the baseboard cylinder has an opening through which the plug of the power connector can be passed.

Preferably, the base plate is made from tempered glass and the top - shell and bottom shell are preferably made from plastic.

The use of tempered glass board in the present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of using plastics material. The surface of glass is smooth, hard and wearable. The kettle can freely and frequently rotate on the tempered glass board while not causing wear to the tempered glass, which remains smooth and does not warp or deform.

Moreover, light from an indicator lamp on the kettle can penetrate through the glass board, thus enhancing the product grade of the base stand as the glass base appears elegant, while retaining a contemporary look. The glass can be printed or embossed with different designs or colours, such that the base stand not only functions as a household electrical appliance but may also look like a work of art. The kettle base stand of the present invention, being mainly manufactured from glass, may have the effect of increasing and enriching the styles and types of kettles on the market resulting in an increase in the marketing competitiveness of the product. :-

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: :.

Figure 1 is a side view of a base stand for a cordless electric kettle construed in accordance with the present invention; ..

Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the base stand of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view from below of the base stand shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of the base stand of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of a second embodiment of the base stand constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 1 to 4 describe in detail a structure of an electric base stand 1 for a cordless electric kettle. The stand 1 comprises a transparent or semi-transparent base plate 2, a top shell 3, a bottom shell 4, a power connector 5 fixed in between the top shell 3 and the bottom shell, a power cord plug 6, and a plurality of base studs 7.

The base plate 2 comprises a circular glass board preferably made of tempered glass, with a large aperture 22 at its centre. Along the circumference of the aperture 22 there are provided at least two assembly holes 23 for the top shell 3, and along the outer circumference of base plate 2 there are a plurality of base stud assembly holes 24, four being shown in Figure 4. The aperture 22 in Figure 4 is shown as a circular aperture but it is appreciated, however, that the aperture could take any other shape. em.

The top shell 3 of the stand comprises a cover 31, whose top part . is integrally formed as a cylinder 32. At least two pillar members 33 : extend from the underside of the cover 31, the pillars being formed integral with the cover. The pillars are received in respective holes 23 formed in the top shell 3 of the stand 1 to hold the top shell 3 onto the base plate 2. Internal thread holes (not shown) are formed in the distal ends of each pillar 33.

The bottom shell 4 of the stand 1 comprises a baseboard 41 with an integrally formed cylinder 42. A power connector holder 43 is mounted on the baseboard inside the cylinder 42, to enable a power connector 5 to be fixed to the holder 43. One side of the cylinder 42 is formed with an opening 44 to enable a plug 6 to pass through. The baseboard 41 has at least two bottom shell assembly holes 45, whose position corresponds to the two assembly holes 23 on base plate 2 to enable screws 9 to pass through both sets of holes 45, 23 and be screwed into the internal thread holes (not shown) of each pillar 33 of top shell 3. The top shell 3 and bottom shell 4 are thereby fixed together to both sides of the top and bottom parts of base plate 2.

The power connector 5 is fixed on the holder 43 of bottom shell 4 and is surrounded by the cylinder 32 of the top shell 3. The connector 5 is connected to an electrical wire 61 of plug 6.

The plug 62 passes through the opening 44 in the bottom shell 4 and can be connected to a power source from the outer part of the base stand 1. When in use, the kettle (not shown) is placed on the glass base plate 2 and power is supplied to the kettle by the power connector 5 so as to operate the kettle.

As can be seen in Figure 4, several base studs 7 (four being shown in the Figure) are fixed by respective screws 10 and rubber nuts 11 to the bottom of base plate 2 in order to support the stand 1, and the kettle supported on it.

An indicator lamp (not shown) can be incorporated into the bottom shell 4 or the top shell 3 of the stand 1. When the stand 1 is connected to . power, the indicator lamp lights up, informing and alerting the user that . -e the stand 1 is in a state of being connected to power. Furthermore, when the indicator lamp is lit, the soft light can be seen to appear in the glass base plate 2 due to reflection from base plate 2, adding to the artistic effect and charm of the stand 1.

Tempered glass is used for base plate 2 of the stand 1. Such glass has adequate strength to support the entire kettle (including any water contained in it), and does not warp or deform easily. The tempered glass is smooth and is highly durable. Furthermore, the stand 1 provides good insulation and no electrical leakage or conduction will occur event if the stand is in contact with, or nearby, the power connector 5. The top shell 3 and bottom shell 4 of the base stand are made of such plastics material as PP, PC or ABS etc. The base stand 1 takes the form of a concealed box to prevent a user from touching the conductor and also to prevent possible water seepage thus ensuring the safety of the user.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the base stands 7 are adhered to the underside of base plate 2 using a suitable adhesive.

The embodiment described above has been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will actually appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. . :e . .e .e

Claims (15)

1. A base stand for a cordless electric kettle, the stand comprising a transparent or semi-transparent base plate for holding the kettle in use, a power connector mounted on the base plate to supply power to the electric kettle placed thereon in use, and a plug connected to the power connector for connection to an external power supply.

2. A base stand according to claim 1 wherein the base plate is spherical and made of glass.

3. A base stand according to claim 1 or claim 2 including a plurality of base studs mounted on the underside of the base plate.

4. A base stand according to any one of claims 1 to 3 including an indicator lamp mounted on the base stand.

5. A base stand according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the base plate has a central aperture, the aperture having assembly holes located around its circumference for receiving a top shell. a.. ë

6. A base stand according to claim 5 wherein the top shell comprises a cover member and an upstanding hollow cylinder formed integrally therewith. ë. :..

7. A base stand according to claim 6 wherein the cover member has at .

least two pillar members formed integral on its underside, the pillar members being designed to be received within the assembly holes of the base plate.

8. A base stand according to claim 7, wherein each pillar member has an internal thread formed in a top part thereof.

9 A base stand according to claim 8 comprising a bottom shell comprising a baseboard with an upstanding hollow cylinder formed integral therewith, the baseboard having assembly holes corresponding to the assembly holes of the base plate thereby to allow fixing of the top shell and bottom shell together via screws engaging with the internal threads of each pillar member.

10. A base stand according to claim 9 including a holding member mounted within the cylinder of the baseboard.

A base stand according to claim 10 wherein the power connector is fixed to the holding member, the power connector being surrounded by the cylinder of the top shell when the top shell and bottom shell are fixed together.

12. A base stand according to claim 11 wherein the cylinder formed on the baseboard has an opening to allow the plug of the power connector to be passed therethrough.

13. A base stand according to any one of claims 2 to 12 wherein the i. baseboard is made from tempered glass. 1

14. A base stand according to any preceding claim wherein the top shell : and bottom shell are made of plastics material. .

15. A base stand substantially as hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying drawings.