Supports – With anti-theft or anti-tamper means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-14
2002-08-13
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
With anti-theft or anti-tamper means
C248S311200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06431516
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a hot cup apparatus particularly adapted for use in aircraft, such as large commercial and military aircraft. Most such aircraft have galleys where food and beverages are prepared and stored, and which are designed and constructed with the unique problems attendant to serving food and beverage in flight. For these reasons, aircraft galleys and equipment used in the galleys are designed and manufactured to withstand impact, breakage and to be secured when not in use. Coffee pots and similar appliances are generally manufactured of metal and provided with locking mechanisms for holding the pots in the coffee-making and warming position when not in use. This application discloses and claims a “hot cup” apparatus intended for use in aircraft. A hot cup is made of metal or other durable material and resembles a beer mug, in that it has a cylindrical body, a handle, a lid, and a heating element built into the bottom. The hot cup itself is a conventional Helmco-Lacy hot cup, and is used to heat water or other beverages. The novel features of the invention include a locking device which permits the hot cup to be positioned into and removed from a mounting bracket quickly, easily and safely. The lock prevents dislodgment of the hot cup from the mounting bracket and maintains an electrical interface between the hot cup and the mounting bracket.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a hot cup apparatus which includes a locking device for locking the hot cup into a desired position in a mounting bracket.
It is another object of the invention to provide a hot cup apparatus which is easily manipulated.
It is another object of the invention to provide a hot cup apparatus which includes a locking device which is positively maintained in both a retention position and removal position.
It is another object of the invention to provide a hot cup apparatus which maintains the hot cup in an electrical interface with a supply of electricity.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a hot cup apparatus including a locking device for locking a hot cup into the hot cup apparatus, and comprising a mounting bracket for being mounted to a support surface. The mounting bracket includes a mechanical interface for receiving and holding the hot cup in a stationary position adjacent the mounting bracket. A glide block is mounted on said mounting bracket and extends outwardly therefrom in partially-surrounding relation to the hot cup. The glide block includes a space for receiving an arcuate retaining lever mounted for movement between a removal position wherein the retaining lever is retracted into the space in the glide block sufficiently to allow the hot cup to be positioned into and removed from the position adjacent the mounting bracket, and a retention position wherein the retaining lever is extended around the hot cup sufficiently to retain the hot cup in the position adjacent the mounting bracket. A mechanical locking device cooperates with the glide block and the retaining lever for locking the lever into the removal position and the retention position when the retaining lever is positioned in the removal and retention positions, respectively.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the glide block comprises upper and lower vertically spaced-apart glide block elements defining the space therebetween.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the glide block comprises upper and lower vertically spaced-apart glide block elements defining the space therebetween, and said locking device comprises a first lock element carried by one of the upper or lower glide block elements which is biased onto the retaining lever, and complementary lock elements cooperating with the biasing element for locking the retaining lever into a predetermined one of the removal and retention positions.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first lock element comprises a spring-loaded ball, and said second complementary lock element comprises first and second spaced-apart detents for receiving the spring-loaded ball and thereby locking the lever into the removal position and the retention position when the retaining lever is positioned in the removal and retention positions, respectively.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring-loaded ball is positioned in a cavity formed in a lower surface of the upper glide block element, and said detents are formed in an upper surface of the lower glide block element for receiving said ball when said ball and one or the other of the detents are in registration with each other.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, said retaining lever includes an outwardly-projecting handle for use in moving the retaining lever.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the glide block elements each include an arcuate surface for engaging and stabilizing the hot cup in its retention position.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanical interface includes an electrical interconnection for supplying electric current from an electrical supply source to a heating element in the hot cup.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical interconnection includes a plurality of female electrical receptacles positioned in said mounting bracket for receiving a plurality of complementary male electrical plugs carried by said hot cup.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, said hot cup apparatus is adapted for use in an aircraft galley.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, a hot cup apparatus is provided which includes a locking device for locking a hot cup into the hot cup apparatus, and comprising a mounting bracket for being mounted to a support surface. The mounting bracket includes a mechanical interface for receiving and holding the hot cup in a stationary position adjacent the mounting bracket. Upper and lower vertically spaced-apart glide block elements define a space therebetween and extending outwardly therefrom in partially-surrounding relation to the hot cup. The glide block includes an arcuate space therein, with an arcuate retaining lever mounted for movement in the arcuate space in the glide block between a removal position wherein the retaining lever is retracted into the space in the glide block sufficiently to allow the hot cup to be positioned into and removed from the position adjacent the mounting bracket; and a retention position wherein the retaining lever is extended from the arcuate space and around the hot cup sufficiently to retain the hot cup in the position adjacent the mounting bracket. A mechanical locking device is provided for cooperating with the glide block and the retaining lever for locking the lever into the removal position and the retention position when the retaining lever is positioned in the removal and retention positions, respectively.
According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanical interface includes an electrical interconnection for supplying electric current from an electrical supply source to a heating element in the hot cup.
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Cooner, Jr. James C.
Limcangco Augusto M.
Adams, Schwartz & Evans P.A.
B E Aerospace, Inc.
Ramirez Ramon O.
Schulterbrandt Kofi
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