WO2004105184A2

WO2004105184A2 - Powered domestic appliance systems

Info

Publication number: WO2004105184A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2004/000056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Joseph Khoury
Original assignee: Galgut, John
Priority date: 2003-05-20
Filing date: 2004-05-20
Publication date: 2004-12-02
Also published as: WO2004105184A3; EP1628558A2; AU2003902455A0

Abstract

A domestic appliance system comprises a carrier member to be mounted on a wall. The carrier member (12) has mounted thereon a number of connectors. A number of appliance units (100) are provided, each with a receptor member to cooperate with a connector (72). The appliance units are (100) removably and hingedly connected to the carrier member (12) to move between a horizontal operative position in which the receptor engages the connector, and an upwardly inclined position from which it can be removed from the carrier member.

Description

POWERED DOMESTIC APPLIANCE SYSTEMS

This invention relates to powered domestic appliance systems.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a powered domestic appliance system comprising a carrier member adapted to be secured to a structure, at least one power connector fixed relative to, and preferably being carried on, the carrier member, at least one appliance member detachably connected to a carrier member and incorporating a device releasably engaging the power connector, the arrangement being such that the appliance member may be detached from the carrier member when not in use.

Such an arrangement has considerable value for outside living use. Here the carrier member may be secured to the wall of a porch, verandah or the like or on a mobile unit such as a cabinet or frame work or other wheeled unit. The appliance may be attached to the carrier member when it is desired to use the appliance system and can be detached therefrom for storage elsewhere when desired.

Although the system may be powered by, for example, gas, preferably it is electrically powered. In such an arrangement the power connector preferably is a cylindrical male connector of the kind supplied by Strix Limited, Otter Limited and Ketsol Limited and typically is that which is described in UK patent specification

No. GB 2,318,926.

The carrier member is preferably an elongated member which is preferably an extrusion. The carrier member and appliance member are preferably provided with cooperating hinge means permitting the carrier member to pivot between a release position, from which it can easily be removed from the carrier member, and an operative position in which it is firmly supported by the carrier member with the device engaging the power connector.

The carrier member preferably has an upper surface, a groove formed therein, a support surface outside the groove and a front abutment surface, and the appliance member has a rear wall, and a hook part extending from this wall, the hook part comprising a rearwardly extending member having a dependant rim at its remote end, the dependant rim being able to engage in the groove and the parts being arranged so that, when the appliance is in the operative position, the rearwardly extending member rests on the upper surface and the rear wall abuts against the front face. In this position too the dependant rim preferably engages the front wall of the groove which is preferably substantially vertical, to prevent the appliance member pivoting on the carrier member in a way such as to move the rear wall from the abutment face.

Locking means is preferably provided to lock the appliance member to the carrier when engaged therewith.

The carrier member preferably has openings therein and the power connector is preferably accessible to the said device through such openings. The appliance member conveniently has a protrusion located adjacent the said device, which protrusion can enter the opening when the appliance member is attached to the carrier member. A movable closure may be provided to close off the opening when the power connector is not being used.

The system preferably comprises a plurality of power connectors and is used with a plurality of appliance members.

Each appliance member preferably comprises a frame with an upper surface. An appliance is preferably carried by this upper surface. Typical appliances may be a barbecue grill, a barbecue hot plate, a conventional hot plate, a connector output and a bench top with a light thereabove. All these members are conveniently of the same shape although one or more may be of double the size of the other. In particular the shelf may be of such a larger size.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: -

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front and above of a modular system of the invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the carrier member, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear of the appliance members prior to connection to the carrier member,

Figure 4 is a section on figure 4 - 4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 with an appliance attached thereto, Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to Figure 5 showing the appliance in a position at the commencement of attachment to the carrier member, Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modified system of the invention,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternate electrical connector, and Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 of a gas connector.

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a domestic appliance system 10 comprising a support member 12 that is attached to a wall 14 and to which a number of the appliance units 100 are releasably attached. The units 100 comprise the following:- a unit 100.1 being a barbecue grill, 100.2 being a barbecue hot plate and 100.3 being another, conventional, hot plate, unit 100.4 comprising a power member unit and the unit 100.5 being a bench top with a reading light 16 thereon.

The support member 12 (best shown in Figures 2 and 4) comprises a back plate 18, a front plate 20 and a closure plate 22. The member 12 has end closure plates 13 (not shown in Figure 2) at each end. The back plate 18

The back plate 18 is an extruded member having a vertical top portion 24, a main back portion 26 in which are formed inverted key hole shaped apertures 28 that receive screws 30 secured to the wall 14 to support the support member 12 thereon. The back plate 18 has a forwardly projecting rib 32 at its lower edge. Below the top portion 24 there is a short forward horizontal wall 34 leading to an inclined wall 36, a vertical front wall 38 and a horizontal return wall 40 which leads to the main back portion 26. The walls 34, 36, 38 and 40 define a rear channel 42 in which electrical and/ or gas reticulation lines L may be housed (as shown in Figure 4) entering the chan- nel 42 through an opening 13a in one of the closure plates 13. The electric line is connected to a standard plug unit or to its own power box (not shown) located behind the back plate 18. This power box will thus be concealed.

The front plate 20

The front plate 20 is also an extruded member. It has upper and lower front walls 44 and 46 between which is a channel 48. The channel 48 comprises a vertical back wall 50, that is spaced from the main back portion 26, and a pair of diverging side walls 52 and 54 that lead to the edges of the walls 44 and 46 respectively. Above the upper front wall 44, there is a bent back horizontal wall 56 that is connected to the top horizontal member 58 through a channel 60 that is in the form of the frustum of a right angle triangle with a vertical wall 62 at its front. Below the lower front wall 46 is a return wall 64 connected to an inwardly spaced vertical wall 66 leading to a backwardly inclined wall 68 having a horizontal lower rim 70.

The top horizontal member 58 and lower rim 70 respectively butt against the outer surfaces of the wall 34 and rib 32 to which they are attached.

The back wall 50 of the channel 48 carries at equi-spaced locations power outlets 72. The power outlets are cylindrical male connectors of the kind supplied by Strix Limited, Otter Limited and Ketsol Limited and specifically are in the form of the male connectors described in UK patent specification No. GB 2,318,926. The connectors are wired in parallel to the electrical line L.

The closure plate 22

The closure plate 22 is generally of channel shape having a front vertical web 74 and side arms 76 resting within and alongside the arms 52 and 54 of the channel 48.

At various locations within the web 74, corresponding to the locations of the power outlets 72 there are formed openings 78. These openings 78 are approximately square and extend over the full height of the web 74. To one side of each of the openings 78 there is a shutter 80 slidably located within the channel shaped plate 22. Each shutter 80 comprises a web 82 with two arms 84 resting within the side arms 76. A short rod 85 extends from the lower arm 84 of each shutter 80 through registering slots in the walls 76, 54 and 64. A handle 86 is provided at the end of each rod 85 whereby the shutter 78 may be moved from a closed position in which it obturates the opening 76 to an open position in which it leaves the opening substantially wholly open. In the closed position, the shutter 80 will protect the power outlet 72.

The locking device 90

A locking device 90 is provided below and to one side of each window 78 opposite to the position of the shutter. The device 90 comprises a vertical pin 92 having a rounded top part and passing through aligned openings in walls 76, 54 and 64 and be- ing biassed upwardly by a spring 94 acting between a circlip 96 on the pin 92 and the wall 64. A handle 98 is provided on the lower end of the pin to facilitate manipulation thereof. The operation of the device will be described below.

The appliance units 100

Each appliance unit 100 comprises a substantially similar frame 104 (best shown in Figures 5 and 6) having a rear or inner wall 106, side walls 108 and a narrower front wall 110. The frame 104 has an upper horizontal surface 112 and an inclined lower surface 114 having near its lowest end a short slightly upwardly inclined surface 116 leading to the lower end of the rear wall 106. The upper surfaces 112 of the various units carry the barbecue grill 118, the barbecue hot plate 120, the conventional hot plate 122 and an upstanding power connector 124 which is identical to the power outlets 72. The upper surface 112 of the unit 100.5 forms a shelf. Where applicable a control knob 126 is provided on the outer wall to control the appliance carried by that appliance unit.

The units 100.1, 100.2, 100.3 and 100.4 are of the same width with the frames substantially identical. The width of the unit 100.5 is a multiple of the width of the other units i.e. twice their width.

The top surface 112 of each unit 100 has a short rearward extension 128 beyond the inner rear wall 106. The extension 128 terminates in a dependant vertical rim 130 forming with the extension a hook part. The rear wall 106 has a shallow recess 132 near its upper end.

Provided approximately centrally of the rear wall 106 is a generally square protrusion 134 (best shown in Figure 3), the lower wall 136 of which is a continuation of a part of the wall 116. The protrusion 134 is of a size such that it can enter a window 78. The protrusion 134 has a central square recess 138 within which is carried a female connector member (not shown) adapted to engage a power outlet 72. A pin hole 140 is provided in the underside of the protrusion 134 for the purpose that will be described.

Assembly of the system

The first step in the assembly of the system is shown in Figure 6. The appliance unit 100 is moved into an upwardly inclined position with the protrusion 134 aligned with a window 78 (the shutter of which has been moved to an open position). The hook part 128, 130 is inserted into the groove 60 in the upper part of the support member 12.

The appliance is now pivoted downwardly about the end of the rim 130. When the top surface 112 is horizontal the appliance will now be in an operative position in which it can be used. The protrusion 134 will have entered the window 78 and the female connector member 138 will have engaged the power outlet 72. Furthermore the part of the rear wall 106 below the recess 132 will lie flat against the upper front wall 46, and the forward face of the rim 130 will butt against the vertical wall 62 of the groove 60. This will prevent the appliance pivoting further. Thus the appliance will be firmly held on the support member 12.

In addition, the pin 92 of the locking device 90 will enter the pin hole 140 to hold the appliance firmly on the support member 12.

To remove the appliance unit 100, the pin 92 is withdrawn and the appliance pivoted upwardly to a release position clear of the support member 12. It can then be removed for storage elsewhere.

It will be noted that the male connectors 72 are fairly loose connectors so that the female connector members can easily receive the connectors 72 during the last part of the pivotal movemnet of the appliance units.

It will be seen that the hook part 128, 130 and groove 60 provide cooperating hinge means connecting the appliance 100 to the support member 12.

Illustrated Modifications

In one modification of the invention a supporting member 300 may be provided on one or both sides of a wheeled cabinet as shown in Figure 7. In this arrangement, the supporting member 300 may have only a single power outlet 72 and be arranged to cooperate with a single appliance.

As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 the power outlet may be a conventional electrical power plug 304 being a three recess plug as shown or may be an automatically closing gas outlet 306. The cooperating part on the appliance will be of corresponding shape. General

It will be appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely various features of the invention which are for brevity described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination.

The invention is not limited to the precise constructional details hereinbefore described and illustrated in the drawings.

Claims

1 A powered domestic appliance system comprising: - a carrier member adapted to be secured to a structure, at least one power connector fixed relative to the carrier member, at least one appliance member detachably connected to a carrier member and incorporating a device releasably engaging the power connector, the arrangement being such that the appliance member may be detached from the carrier member when not in use.

2 A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the power connector is carried on the carrier member.

3 A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the system is powered by gas.

4 A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the system is electrically powered.

5 A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the power connector is a cylindrical male connector.

6 A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the power connector is that which is described in patent specification No. GB 2,318,926.

7 A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the carrier member is an elongated member.

8 A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the carrier member is an extruded member. 9 A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the carrier member and appliance member are provided with cooperating hinge means permitting the carrier member to pivot from a release position, from which it can easily be removed from the carrier member, and an operative position, in which it is firmly supported by the carrier member with the device engaging the power connector.

10 A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the carrier member has an upper surface, a groove formed therein, a support surface outside the groove and a front abutment surface, and the appliance member has a rear wall, and a hook part extending from this wall, the hook part comprising a rearwardly extending member having a dependant rim at its end, the dependant rim being able to engage in the groove and the parts being arranged so that, when the appliance is in the operative position, the rearwardly extending member rests on the upper surface and the rear wall abuts against the front face.

11 A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein when the appliance is in the operative position, the dependant rim engages the front wall of the groove to prevent the appliance member pivoting on the carrier member in a way such as to move the rear wall from the abutment face.

12 A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the front wall of the groove is substantially vertical.

13 A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising locking means to lock the appliance member to the carrier when engaged therewith.

14 A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the carrier member has openings therein and the power connector is accessible to the said device through such opening. 15 A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the appliance member has a protrusion located adjacent the said device which can enter the opening when the appliance member is attached to the carrier member.

16 A system as claimed in claim 14 or 15 further comprising a movable closure to close off the opening when the power connector is not being used.

17 A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the system comprises a plurality of power connectors and is used with a plurality of appliance members.

18 A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein all or most of the appliance members are of the same size.

19 A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each appliance member comprises a frame with an upper surface carrying an appliance.

20 A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the appliance is selected from the group comprising a barbecue grill, a barbecue hot plate, a conventional hot plate, a connector output and a bench top with a light thereabove.