Signals and indicators – Alarms – Fluid-pressure variation
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-11
2002-12-17
Fulton, Christopher W. (Department: 2859)
Signals and indicators
Alarms
Fluid-pressure variation
C116S13700R, C220S573100, C099S285000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06494160
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to household vessels for boiling liquids. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use with household vessels for boiling liquids, providing an audible notification to a user of when a is liquid boiling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many examples of household vessels that are used for boiling liquids. Further, it is generally known that steam generated by a boiling liquid, when subjected to pressurization and vented through a narrow aperture, will generate a whistling sound. It is known to use this characteristic in a household setting, such as a kitchen, to provide an audible means for notifying an individual when a liquid is boiling, as with a whistling tea kettle.
It is considered desirable to provide other means for providing an audible notification to an individual, of when a liquid in a household setting is boiling. Preferably the notification will take advantage of the pressure generated by steam from a boiling liquid and will provide an audible notification that is considered pleasant and or unique.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus for providing an audible notification to an individual in a household setting, of when a liquid is boiling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for providing an audible notification to an individual of when a liquid is boiling.
It is another feature and advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus for boiling a liquid, which makes use of the novel method and apparatus for providing an audible notification of when a liquid is boiling.
The above and other features and advantages are achieved through the use of a novel steam driven alarm as herein disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a steam driven alarm for a container for boiling a liquid to notify a user when the liquid boils is provided.
The alarm has a bell preferably having at least one detent thereon and defining a cavity on its' underside. The bell may further have at least one vent in its' surface for allowing steam to escape from the cavity defined by the bell. A steam driven turbine assembly is disposed proximate to the bell. The turbine assembly has at least one striking means for striking the bell. The turbine assembly is preferably comprised of a turbine sleeve, a turbine and the striking means. The turbine sleeve is substantially a cylinder and is supported coaxially on a pin and is freely rotatable around an axis of rotation defined by the pin. The turbine is affixed to the turbine sleeve such that steam admitted to the enclosed space causes the turbine and sleeve to rotate coaxially. The striking means is affixed to the turbine sleeve such that it rotates coaxially with the turbine and turbine sleeve.
The turbine itself is of a type well known in the art. A plurality of blades is provided, where the blades extend radially from an axis of rotation in a common plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The surface of each blade is angled such that a plane defined by the blade surface is at an angle to the axis of rotation that is less than 90°.
The striking means may preferably comprise a washer assembly having a plurality of arms which extend radially from the axis of rotation. The end of each arm, distal from the axis of rotation, has a post thereon which is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, and a washer disposed on the post. The washer on each post is slidable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, such that when the turbine assembly rotates the washer is forced outward by centrifugal force and is restrained by the post. When the turbine assembly rotates, the washers are forced a sufficient distance outward such that as the washer assembly rotates, the washers strike the detent repeatedly, causing the bell to ring.
The steam driven alarm is in communication with an apparatus for boiling a liquid such that when a liquid in the apparatus boils, steam is communicated to the alarm, causing the turbine assembly to rotate and the striking means to strike the bell repeatedly. Thus an audible notification that the liquid is boiling is provided. Preferably, the striking means strikes a detent on the bell.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a vessel is provided which makes use of the novel steam driven alarm. In this embodiment, an enclosed space for housing the steam driven alarm is incorporated into the structure of an apparatus for boiling a liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for boiling a liquid comprises a vessel for holding a liquid to be boiled and a lid. In a more preferred embodiment, the lid comprises an enclosed space for housing the steam driven alarm. In a most preferred embodiment, the apparatus for boiling a liquid is a kettle for boiling water.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract included below, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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Buchanan Ingersoll P.C.
Courson Tania
Kamenstein Corporation
Koons Jr., Esq. Robert A.
Richardson, Esq. Karen C.
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