Spindle mixer with interlock assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to an interlock assembly for a spindle mixer where the interlock assembly includes a cup guide, an actuator pin, and an interlock mechanism. Placing a cup within the cup guide actuates the actuator pin that, in turn, engages the interlock mechanism. Engagement of the interlock mechanism selectively activates an electric motor. The pin moves through the body of the guide. The guide can be selectively removed from the mixer, and the pin, in one embodiment, is selectively removed from the guide. An optional bypass switch can be included to allow for the direct engagement of the motor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cup guide and actuator pin An interlock assembly for a mixer comprising: 
 a cup guide, the cup guide comprising: 
 a body, 
 a first lip extending from the body, 
 a second lip extending from the body, the second lip substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first lip, the first and second lips operable to accept a rim of a cup wherein the rim of the cup is beneath the body, 
 at least one shaft extending from the body, the at least one shaft selectively retained by at least one receiver that is internal to the mixer; and 
 an actuator pin extending vertically through into the cup guide body to a space defined between the first lip and the second lip, the actuator pin being selectively moveable within the cup guide body, the placement of the cup rim between the first and second lips operates to move the actuator pin vertically upwards relative to the cup guide body; 
 an interlock mechanism, the actuator pin operable to engage and actuate the interlock mechanism and wherein the actuation of the interlock mechanism activates an electric motor that is internal to the mixer; and 
 a bypass switch operable to activate the electric motor without engaging the interlock mechanism via the actuator pin. 
 
     
     
       2. The cup guide and actuator pin of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one shaft extending from the body, the at least one shaft selectively retained by at least one receiver that is internal to the mixer. 
     
     
       3. The cup guide and actuator pin of  claim 1 , further comprising an interlock mechanism, the actuator pin operable to engage and actuate the interlock mechanism, and, wherein, the actuation of the interlock mechanism activates an electric motor that is internal to the mixer. 
     
     
       4. The cup guide and actuator pin of  claim 3 , further comprising a bypass switch operable to activate the electric motor without engaging the interlock mechanism via the actuator pin. 
     
     
       5. The cup guide and actuator pin interlock assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator pin is substantially elongated, the actuator pin further comprising an aperture though the longitudinal axis of the actuator pin;
 a catch that selectively prevents the removal of the actuator pin from the guide; and 
 wherein a window is located on the cup guide. 
 
     
     
       6. The cup guide and actuator pin interlock assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the catch comprises an arm attached to the actuator pin, the arm partially bridging the aperture formed in the actuator pin, the arm including a tab; and
 the arm is biased away from the window in order to remove the actuator pin from the cup guide. 
 
     
     
       7. The cup guide and actuator pin interlock assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the space between the first and second lips is equal to or less than 9 millimeters. 
     
     
       8. An interlock assembly for a spindle mixer comprising:
 a cup guide selectively attached to the spindle mixer, the cup guide shaped and dimensioned to accept a rim of a cup, an aperture formed through a vertical along an axis of the cup guide; 
 an actuator pin selectively secured within the aperture formed through the cup guide, the actuator pin moveable relative to the cup guide, the rim of the cup operable to displace the actuator pin vertically when the rim is placed in the cup guide; and 
 an interlock mechanism fastened to the inside of the spindle mixer, the interlock mechanism engaged by the actuator pin when the actuator pin is displaced by the rim of the cup, wherein the engagement of the interlock mechanism closes an electric circuit connected to an electric motor. 
 
     
     
       9. The interlock assembly of  claim 8 , the interlock mechanism further comprising a slide, the slide including a cam;
 a micro-switch, the micro-switch providing a micro-arm biased into contact with the slide and the electric circuit connected to the electric motor; 
 a bracket supporting the slide and micro-switch, the bracket fastened to the inside of the spindle mixer, the bracket slidably supporting the slide; and 
 wherein the slide is engaged by the actuator pin when the actuator pin is displaced, the engagement of the slide moving the micro-arm via the cam, and the movement of the micro-arm closing the electric circuit provided by the micro-switch. 
 
     
     
       10. A mixer comprising:
 a cup guide, the cup guide including a body, a front lip extending from the body, a back lip extending from the body, the back lip substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the front lip, the front and back lips operable to accept a rim of a cup therebetween wherein the rim of the cup is beneath the body, the back lip extends further from the body than does the front lip;   at least one shaft extending away from the cup guide, the at least one shaft engaging a corresponding element internal to the mixer,   an actuator pin extending into the cup guide between the front lip and back lip, the actuator pin being selectively moveable in a vertical direction, the placement of the cup rim between the front and back lips operates to move the actuator pin upwards relative to the cup guide;   an opening through the back lip;   an interlock mechanism, the actuator pin operable to engage and actuate the interlock mechanism, the actuation of the interlock mechanism activates an electric motor that is internal to the mixer; and   a bypass switch operable to active the electric motor without engaging the interlock mechanism via the actuator pin.    
     
     
       11. An interlock assembly for a spindle mixer comprising:
 a cup guide selectively attached to the spindle mixer, the cup guide shaped and dimensioned to accept a rim of a cup, the cup guide including an aperture formed therein;   an actuator pin selectively placed within the cup guide aperture, the actuator pin moveable relative to the cup guide, the rim of the cup operable to displace the actuator pin vertically when the rim is placed in the cup guide, the actuator pin selectively retained in the cup guide when the cup guide is selectively detached from the spindle mixer;   an interlock mechanism fastened to the inside of the spindle mixer, the interlock mechanism engaged by the actuator pin when the actuator pin is displaced by the rim of the cup, wherein the engagement of the interlock mechanism closes an electric circuit connected to an electric motor; and   a bypass switch operable to activate the electric motor without engaging the interlock mechanism via the actuator pin.    
     
     
       12. An interlock assembly for a mixer comprising:
 a cup guide, the cup guide including a body, a front lip extending from the body, a back lip extending further from the body than does the front lip, the back lip substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the front lip, the front and back lips operable to accept a rim of a cup therebetween wherein the rim of the cup is beneath the body;   an actuator pin extending into the cup guide between the front lip and back lip, the actuator pin being selectively moveable in a vertical direction, the placement of the cup rim between the front and back lips operable to move the actuator pin upwards relative to the cup guide;   an opening through the back lip;   an interlock mechanism, the actuator pin operable to engage and actuate the interlock mechanism, the actuation of the interlock mechanism activates an electric motor that is internal to the mixer;   a bypass switch operable to activate the electric motor without engaging the interlock mechanism via the actuator pin; and   at least one shaft integral with and extending away from the cup guide, the at least one shaft engaging a corresponding element internal to the mixer in order to selectively secure the shaft to the mixer.    
     
     
       13. The interlock assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one shaft further includes at least one of a detent, indent and notch selectively engaged by a corresponding element of the at least one receiver.  
     
     
       14. The interlock assembly of claim 10 wherein said at least one shaft further includes at least one of a detent, indent and notch selectively engaged by a corresponding element of the at least one receiver.  
     
     
       15. The interlock assembly of claim 12 wherein said at least one shaft further includes at least one of a detent, indent and notch selectively engaged by a corresponding element of the at least one receiver.  
     
     
       16. The interlock assembly of claim 1 wherein the actuator pin is selectively retained in the cup guide when the cup guide is selectively detached from the spindle mixer.  
     
     
       17. The interlock assembly of claim 10 wherein the actuator pin is selectively retained in the cup guide when the cup guide is selectively detached from the spindle mixer.  
     
     
       18. The interlock assembly of claim 12 wherein the actuator pin is selectively retained in the cup guide when the cup guide is selectively detached from the spindle mixer.