Locking blade base

Abstract

Locking blade base. A blender is provided that uses a latch handle to lock a blade base to a pot member without using threads. When the latch is locked to the pot member, the latch itself engages with a tab member protruding from the pot member to prevent the latch from accidentally opening.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to currently pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 872,748, filed on July 11, 2019, and entitled “LockingBlade Base,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a food blender. More particularly, the present invention relates to a blender jar member and a blade base that can be locked to each other when the blender is in use, but can be easily unlocked from each other for cleaning and maintenance. Background Art

[0004] Blenders are used to blend a variety of foods, from smoothies and milkshakes to dips. Typically, a blender includes a pot member in which the food can be placed before blending, and a blade base including blades that slice and blend the food. In most blender appliances, the blade base is formed as a nut that can be screwed onto threads on the pot member or unscrewed from threads on the pot member.

[0005] The above-mentioned tightening / unscrewing method can separate the pot member and the base from each other, making each part easier to clean after use. In most cases, it is easy to tighten the blade base to the pot member before use. However, after the blender is used to blend hot or cold foods, the blade base may be difficult to unscrew. The blade base may even get stuck on the pot member. In this case, a tool may be needed to unscrew the blade base from the pot member. In addition, if the user does not fully tighten the blade base to the pot member before use, the blender may leak or the pot member may fall off during use. Summary of the invention

[0006] The blender herein uses a latch member that locks the blade base to the pot member without using threads. When the latch member, which can be formed as a handle, is locked to the pot member, the latch member itself is engaged to a tab member protruding from the pot member to prevent the latch member from accidentally opening.

[0007] The latch member is used not only to lock the jar member, but also to attach and detach the jar member. Since there are no threads, the blade base cannot rotate and detach from the jar member during use when the jar is blending. Since the blades and blade base are integrally formed, the blender is easier and more convenient to clean. The design can be suitable for attachment to glass or plastic jars with skirts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In order to better understand various embodiments of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a locking blade base in a locked position constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 is in a partially open position Figure 1 A front view of a locking blade base;

[0011] Figure 3 is in the open position Figure 1 and Figure 2 A front view of a locking blade base;

[0012] Figure 4 is in locked position Figure 1 An enlarged view of the locking blade base;

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figures 1 to 4 An exploded view of the locking blade base;

[0014] Figure 6 is in locked position Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a blade base;

[0015] Figure 7 is in a partially open position Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a blade base;

[0016] Figure 8 is in locked position Figure 1 a first alternative cross-sectional view of a blade base of; and

[0017] Fig. 9 is in locked position Figure 1 A first alternative cross-sectional view of a blade base.

[0018] Although the present disclosure may be variously modified and substituted in a variety of alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather, are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For illustrative purposes, specific configurations and details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without the specific details. In addition, well-known features may be omitted or simplified to avoid making the described embodiments unclear.

[0020] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 A blender assembly 1 for blending various foods is shown. The blender assembly 1 generally includes a jar member 5 in which food can be placed before blending and in which the food can be blended; a blade base 10, which can include blades for slicing and blending food; and a latch member 15, which can be used to selectively engage and lock the jar member 5 and the blade base 10 with each other. The jar member 5 can be a plastic or glass (or other foreseeable material) member, and can take various shapes and sizes known or foreseeable in the art.

[0021] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the latch member 15 has been fully rotated upwards so as to lockably engage the can member 5 and the blade base 10 with each other as described below. Figure 2 In , the latch member 15 has been partially rotated downward, thereby unlocking the blade base 10 from the tank member 5 and making the blade base 10 detachable from the tank member 5. Figure 3 , the latch member 15 has been fully rotated downwards so that the blade base 10 is unlocked from the tank member 5 and can be detached from the tank member 5 .

[0022] Now go to Figure 4 , showing the enlarged view of the previous Figure 1 1 and 2. The latch member 15 is shown in the fully closed position. A first alignment tab member 25 may be provided near the lower portion 20 of the tank member 5, the first alignment tab member 25 protruding outwardly from the bottom 20 of the tank member 5. A second locking tab member 30 may also be provided at the bottom 20 of the tank member 5, below the alignment tab member 25. Figure 4 In the figure, only one side of the tank member 5, the blade base 10 and the latch member 15 is shown. However, as can be understood in the art, each of the above components is substantially symmetrical, and the other side (not shown) of the tank member 5, the blade base 10 and the latch member 15 looks the same as the other side. Figure 4 The side shown in is essentially the same.

[0023] like Figure 4, the blade base 10 includes a channel member 35 extending upward along the length of the blade base 10. The channel member 35 preferably has a first channel portion 40, the width of which can accommodate each of the tab members 25, 30. More specifically, the width of the channel member 40 is just greater than the width of the alignment tab member 25, so that when the can member 5 is pushed down into the blade base 10, the tab member 25 can be tightly and securely held within the first portion 40 of the channel member 35. The second portion 45 of the channel member 35 is preferably wider than the first portion 40. More specifically, the second portion 45 is wide enough to allow the upper hook portion 50 of the latch member 15 to be inserted into the can member 5. Figures 1 to 3 The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is rotated within the second portion 45 .

[0024] When the latch member 15 is rotated to its fully closed and locked position (eg Figure 1 and Figure 4 ), the hook member 50 of the latch member 15 lockingly engages the tab member 30. When the hook member 50 of the latch member 15 has engaged the locking tab member 30 of the tank member 5, the latch member 15 preferably operates to lockingly engage the blade base 10 and the tank member 5 with each other. In this position, in the event that a downward pull is to be made on the blade base 10 in an attempt to pull the blade base 10 from the tank member 5, the blade base 10 and the tank member 5 will remain engaged with each other.

[0025] To unlock and disengage the tank member 5 from the blade base 10, the user may Figure 2 and Figure 3 The latch member 15 is rotated in the manner shown in the figure (rotating the latch member 15 downward) to disengage the hook member 50 from the tab member 30. Then, the tank member 5 can be pulled upward, and the first tab member 25 can be slidingly disengaged from the first portion 40 of the channel member 35 in the blade base 10. It should be noted that when the latch member 15 is rotated downward, both the illustrated hook member 50 and the hook member (not shown) opposite to the hook member 50 can be disengaged from the illustrated tab member 30 and the tab member (not shown) opposite to the tab member 30.

[0026] Go to Figure 5, the various components that make up the blender apparatus 1 are exploded from one another to better illustrate how they fit and interact with one another. Turning first to the latch member 15, the previously described hook member 50 that engages with the second tab member 30 of the jar member 5 is shown in more detail. In addition to the hook member 50, the latch member 15 preferably includes an arcuate graspable handle 55 and two barbed locking members 60, the functions of which are described in more detail below. The latch member 15 is preferably attachable to a latch interface member 65, which is further engageable with the blade base 10. In a preferred embodiment, and as shown, the latch member 15 can be attached to the interface member 65 by a plurality of screws 70 and a pivot handle pin 75 in a known manner.

[0027] A lock and release button 80 is also preferably provided, which can engage with the interface member 65. As described below, when the user desires, the lock and release button 80 can be pressed to release the barbed locking member 60 from the blade base 10. A lock and release button spring 85 can also be provided to bounce the lock and release button 80 when used. In addition, an opening assist spring 90 can be provided, which helps to open and pivot the latch member 15.

[0028] Preferably, a pot sealing member 95 is provided which can be releasably engaged with the pot member 5. When the pot member 5 and the blade base 10 are engaged with each other in the manner described above, the pot sealing member 95 can provide a seal which prevents food and blended food from escaping from the pot member 5 after blending. Figure 5 Also shown is a blade member 100 which may be associated with the blade base 10 and used to slice and blend food products in a manner generally known and understood in the art.

[0029] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The interaction between the locking and release button 80 and the latch member 15, and in particular the barbed locking member 60 thereof, is shown. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the latch member 15 has been rotated so that it is fully closed, and the blade base 10 and the tank member 5 are as shown above. Figure 4 The described manner locks them into engagement with each other. Figure 6 As shown, in the closed, locked, engaged position, the pointed barb 105 of the barbed locking member 60 is retained within the cavity 110 of the button 80 and abuts against a ledge member 115 found in the cavity. The ledge member 115 is preferably formed on the rear portion 120 of the button member 80.

[0030] exist Figure 7In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the button 80 has been depressed, thereby pushing the cross member 115 rearward. When the cross member 115 is pushed rearward, the barbs 105 of the barbed locking member 60 can be released from the cross member 115. This allows the latch member 15 to now move freely and Figure 2 and Figure 3 , to finally release the blade base 10 from the tank member 5 .

[0031] The opening and closing of the latch member 15 can be facilitated by the springs 85 and 70 to lock and unlock the latch member 15 in the appropriate position relative to the locking and releasing button 80. More specifically, the locking and releasing spring 85 disposed within the locking and releasing button 80 can not only operate to provide resistance when the button 80 is compressed, but can also provide some compression when the latch member 15 is closed and the barb 105 slides obliquely along the cross member 115. Due to the compression provided by the spring 85, when the latch member 15 is closed, the barb 105 can be pressed against the cross member 115 until it slides over and locks in place. At that time, the spring 85 can provide an outward force that keeps the cross member 115 and the barb 105 of the hook member 60 engaged with each other.

[0032] On the other hand, the auxiliary spring 70 is preferably disposed between the blade base 10 and the interface member 65. When the button 80 is pressed, the spring 70 preferably provides a downward force acting on the latch member 15. When the latch member 15 is released in the above manner, the spring 70 may apply a downward force that causes the latch member 15 to move in a downward direction. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Open elastically in the manner shown in .

[0033] As can be seen from the foregoing, various embodiments of the present invention are very suitable for achieving all of the above-mentioned purposes and advantages, as well as other advantages that are obvious and inherent to this structure. It should be understood that certain features and sub-combinations of the present embodiment are practical and can be adopted without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Since many possible embodiments of the present invention can be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it should also be understood that all disclosures set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings should be understood to be exemplary only and not restrictive. The various configurations described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the concept, principle and scope of the present invention.

[0034] It is apparent from the foregoing description that certain aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details of the examples shown herein, and it is therefore expected that other modifications and applications or their equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms "having" and "including" and similar terms used in the foregoing description are used in the sense of "optional" or "may include", and are not used as "required".

[0035] However, after considering the specification and drawings, many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present structure will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications are considered to be covered by the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A locking blade base for engaging and locking a tank member and the blade base with each other, the locking blade base comprising: a latch member including a hook member, wherein the hook member is rotated upwardly to a first position in which the hook member engages a locking tab member of the can member to lock the blade base to the can member, and wherein the hook member is rotated downwardly to a second position in which the hook member is not engaged with the locking tab member of the can member and the can member and the blade base are not lockingly engaged with each other, Wherein, the blade base includes a lock and release button which can be pressed to release the hook member from the locking tab member, and the lock and release button includes a cross member at the rear thereof.

2. The blade base according to claim 1, wherein: An alignment tab member is disposed on the can member, the alignment tab member being above the locking tab member and generally aligned with the locking tab member.

3. The blade base according to claim 1, wherein: The blade base includes a channel member extending upwardly along the length of the blade base and through which the locking tab member may fit.

4. The blade base according to claim 1, wherein: The latch member includes a barbed locking member that engages the cross member in the first position.

5. The blade base according to claim 1, wherein: The blade base includes a blade assembly.

6. The blade base according to claim 1, wherein: The blade base includes a sealing member that provides a seal between the blade base and the tank member.

7. The blade base according to claim 1, wherein: The lock and release buttons are spring loaded.

8. The blade base according to claim 1, wherein: The latch member includes a second hook member, and the can member includes a second locking tab member.

9. A locking blade base for engaging and locking a tank member and the blade base with each other, the locking blade base comprising: a latch member including a hook member; a locking tab member positioned on and located on said tank member; and wherein the hook member is rotated upwardly to be selectively engageable with the locking tab member to lock the blade base to the can member, Wherein, the blade base includes a lock and release button which can be pressed to release the hook member from the locking tab member, and the lock and release button includes a cross member at the rear thereof.

10. The blade base according to claim 9, wherein: An alignment tab member is disposed on the can member, the alignment tab member being above the locking tab member and generally aligned with the locking tab member.

11. The blade base according to claim 9, wherein: The blade base includes a channel member extending upwardly along the length of the blade base and through which the locking tab member may fit.

12. The blade base according to claim 9, wherein: The latch member includes a barbed locking member that engages the cross member when the blade base is locked to the can member.

13. The blade base according to claim 9, wherein: The blade base includes a blade assembly.

14. The blade base according to claim 9, wherein: The blade base includes a sealing member that provides a seal between the blade base and the tank member.

15. The blade base according to claim 9, wherein: The lock and release buttons are spring loaded.

16. The blade base according to claim 9, wherein: The latch member includes a second hook member, and the can member includes a second locking tab member.

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