ELECTRIC HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE FOR FOOD PREPARATION EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIMIZED LOCKING SYSTEM

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a food preparation appliance, a particular embodiment of such an appliance consisting of a stand mixer.

[0002] Such a food preparation appliance includes a base on which is mounted a container for receiving the food to be prepared, a head equipped with a rotating spindle which receives a working tool, the head being able to be moved between a first position allowing the working tool to be immersed in the container and a second position allowing the working tool to be removed from the container.

[0003] The invention relates particularly to the design of a locking system for the head vis-à-vis the base in the first position and, preferably, also in the second position, a main objective of the invention being to make the food preparation appliance more ergonomic. State of the art

[0004] Various designs of food preparation appliances are familiar to those skilled in the art. According to one such design, the food preparation appliance comprises a base designed to be placed on a kitchen countertop, table, or other support; a container for food preparation, which is removable from the base to allow for easy removal of the prepared food and subsequent washing; and a head equipped with a rotating spindle for attaching a mixing tool, such as a mixer, whisk, or dough hook. The head can be moved between two positions relative to the base.In the first position, the rotating spindle is placed above an opening in the container, allowing the working tool—previously mounted on the spindle—to be immersed in the container placed on the base to prepare the food ingredients for the dish. In the second position, the rotating spindle is removed from the top of the container opening, as is the working tool if it is mounted on the spindle. This allows the container to be removed from the base or repositioned on it, and also allows the food being prepared inside the container to be viewed and ingredients to be added without being obstructed by the spindle.This food preparation appliance also includes a locking system comprising a movable locking member between a head locking position (at least in the first position) and a head unlocking position (allowing the head to move at least from the first position to the second position). This locking system also includes a movable control member between a released position (in which the locking member can return to the locked position) and an activated position (in which the locking member is in the unlocked position).

[0005] Such characteristics are described in the Chinese utility model CN202725109U. According to this implementation, access to the control unit is difficult because it is located on the rear face of the base, opposite the position of the container. This necessitates either placing the control unit at the rear if the user wants easy access to the container and the activation elements (confirmation button, programming button, etc.) of the appliance, or placing the appliance laterally if the user wants easier access to the laterally positioned control unit. In the latter case, the activation elements may be less accessible and visible to the user, and the appliance occupies more counter space. The ergonomics of this appliance could be improved, which is generally the case for appliances of this type currently on the market.

[0006] An apparatus according to the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1 or of claim 3 is known from document DE1025593. Description of the invention

[0007] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by offering an ergonomic food preparation appliance, whose control element is easily accessible while properly positioning the said appliance in front of oneself during its use.

[0008] For this purpose, the invention relates to a food preparation appliance according to the characteristics of claim 1 or claim 3.

[0009] The use of a flexible, sheathed element offers considerable freedom in positioning both the control and locking mechanisms, making it particularly easy to position the control on the front panel of the device. This also provides significant design freedom for the base and head, which are not constrained by the locking system to adhere to specific shapes or positions.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the food preparation appliance of the invention, the flexible sheathed element comprises a cable mounted to slide within a sheath assembled with the base. In other words, one end of the cable is connected to the control mechanism, while the other end is connected to the locking mechanism, and both ends of the sheath are fixed to the base. This embodiment allows the cable and sheath to be bent in any direction to adapt their positioning within the base according to the positions of the locking and control mechanisms, the shape of the base, and the possible routing of the cable within the base, which also depends on the other appliance components present in the base. Other flexible sheathed elements could be considered, for example, a flexible ribbon mounted to slide within a sheath assembled with the base.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the food preparation appliance of the invention, the locking mechanism is movable between a head locking position located in either of the first and second positions, and a head unlocking position to allow movement of the head from the first position to the second position and, conversely, from the second position to the first position. Thus, the head is suitably immobilized in its first position during operation and also in its second position during handling of the container relative to the base or the addition of ingredients to the container during food preparation.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the food preparation appliance of the invention, the locking system includes a return element for the locking mechanism to the locked position when the head reaches at least the first position, preferably when the head reaches either the first or second position, and the control is released. Thus, the locking occurs automatically when the head reaches the first position, preferably also the second position, if the control is released by the user. The return element may, in particular, be a spring.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the food preparation appliance that is the subject of the invention, the head is mounted to pivot relative to the base to move from the first position to the second position and vice versa. In an alternative embodiment, the head could be mounted to translate vertically relative to the base to move from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the food preparation appliance of the invention, the head pivots back and forth relative to the base to move from the first position to the second position and vice versa. Thus, the user manipulates the head positioned in front of them.

[0015] Preferably, according to this embodiment, the food preparation appliance includes a front panel offset on one of the two lateral sides of the head, with the control mechanism arranged on this front panel. Thus, the user can easily operate the appliance, which is positioned in front of them, by operating the control mechanism with one hand and rotating the head with the other. This also allows for the placement on this front panel of easily accessible and visible activation elements for the appliance, such as a button to confirm selected functions and a programming button or keypad.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the food preparation appliance that is the subject of the invention, the control element consists of a lever pivotally mounted on the base and attached to the first movable end of the sheathed flexible element. Other control elements could be envisaged within the scope of the invention, for example, a pull tab linearly mounted on the base and attached to the first movable end of the sheathed flexible element.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the food preparation appliance of the invention, the locking mechanism consists of a locking rod moved by a lever pivotally mounted in the base. The lever is attached to the second movable end of the sheathed flexible element. When the control mechanism is activated, the lever actuates the locking rod from the head's locking position to the head's unlocking position. Other locking mechanisms could be considered within the scope of the invention, for example, a bolt connected to the second movable end of the sheathed flexible element and actuated in translation by pulling on the second movable end of the sheathed flexible element.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the locking mechanism, the locking rod comprises a longitudinal axis and is mounted for rotation about the base along this longitudinal axis. The lever is attached to the locking rod and pivots about this axis when pulled by the second movable end of the sheathed flexible element. This implementation reduces the stress on the control mechanism when the locking system is activated. Other embodiments could be considered within the scope of the invention, for example, a locking rod mounted for translation about its longitudinal axis relative to the base, the lever being attached to the locking rod, and the pivoting of the lever caused by a pull from the second movable end of the sheathed flexible element allowing the locking rod to move in translation.

[0019] Preferably, according to the aforementioned embodiment in which the locking rod is rotatably mounted, said locking rod comprises at least one section having two opposing flats implementing a thickness reduction on said at least one section so as to form a flat lock of thickness E1 and length L1. In addition, the head comprises at least one slot of width L2 greater than the thickness E1 and less than the length L1, at least one of the two ends of the slot terminating in a first or second orifice into which the at least one section of the locking rod is housed when the head is in the first position, the pivoting of the locking rod in the locking position allowing the flat lock to be positioned at right angles to the end of the slot and the pivoting of the locking rod in the unlocking position allowing the flat lock to be positioned in line with the slot.

[0020] Preferably, said at least one light has its two ends terminating respectively in the first orifice and the second orifice, the first orifice receiving said at least one section when the head is in the first position and the second orifice receiving said at least one section when the head is in the second position, so as to lock the head vis-à-vis the base in the first position and in the second position.

[0021] Preferably, according to this embodiment, the locking rod comprises two sections, each forming a flat lock, the head comprising two parallel slots, each having one of their two ends terminating respectively by the first orifice and by the second orifice, the first orifices and the second orifices receiving respectively the two sections in the first position of the head and in the second position of the head.

[0022] When the head is mounted pivoting relative to the base, said light may be circular in shape.

[0023] According to the invention, the food preparation appliance includes at least one pulley on which the sheathed flexible element is mounted, so as to modify the path of the sheathed flexible element while multiplying the forces transmitted from the control member to the locking member. Thus, the control member is operated with less effort when activating the locking system. Variations are conceivable without the addition of this at least one pulley. Brief description of the figures

[0024] The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is supported by figures, including: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 illustrates a front view of a preferred embodiment of the food preparation appliance according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the device figure 1 ; Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 illustrates a lower body of the base on which is mounted a first embodiment of the pulley-less locking system, and therefore not forming part of the scope of the invention; [ Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 illustrates the elements of the figure 3 from a point of view opposite to the said figure 3 ; Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 illustrates the first implementation of the locking system on the figures 3 et 4 ; Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 illustrates a locking rod of the locking system of the figure 5 ; Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 illustrates a lever of the locking system of the figure 5 ; Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 illustrates the control unit mounted on a part of the base and connected to the first moving end of the sheathed flexible element; this implementation is possible with various embodiments of the locking system, including the first embodiment mentioned above and the second embodiment that follows; Fig. 9 ] There figure 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the pulley-less locking system, and therefore not part of the scope of the invention [ Fig. 10 ] There figure 10 illustrates the lower body of the base of the figures 3 et 4 , on which is pivotally mounted an upper body of the head which is shown in the lowered position, according to which the head is in the first position vis-à-vis the base; Fig. 11 ] There figure 11 illustrates the elements of the figure 10 , with the upper part of the head shown in an upright position, according to which the head is in the second position relative to the base; [ Fig. 12 ] There figure 12 illustrates the second implementation of the locking system of the figure 9 , mounted on the upper part of the head; [ Fig. 13 ] There figure 13 illustrates in particular the presence of two circular lights on the upper part of the head; [ Fig. 14 ] There figure 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the control unit mounted on the base and assembled with the first moving end of the sheathed flexible element, according to a first variant without a pulley, and therefore not part of the scope of the invention [ Fig. 15 ] There figure 15 illustrates the control unit mounted on a support piece of the base and connected to the first moving end of the sheathed flexible element, according to the embodiment of the figure 14 ; Fig. 16 ] There figure 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the control unit mounted on the base and assembled with the first movable end of the sheathed flexible element, according to a second variant using a pulley defining the invention; Fig. 17 ] There figure 17 illustrates the control unit mounted on a support piece of the base and connected to the first moving end of the sheathed flexible element, according to the embodiment of the figure 16 ; Fig. 18 ] There figure 18 schematic cross-section view of the locking rod of the figure 6 in a locked position inside a light above the head; [ Fig. 19 ] There figure 19 schematic cross-section view of the locking rod of the figure 6 in unlocked position inside a light on the head; [ Fig. 20 ] there figure 20 illustrates a variant of the first implementation of the locking system of the figure 5 . Detailed description of the invention

[0025] In the following description, the term appliance refers to the food preparation appliance that is the subject of the invention, unless otherwise indicated in the text.

[0026] The terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "lateral," "vertical," and "horizontal," which may be used in this description, shall be used with regard to the normal position of the appliance components placed in a functional configuration, facing the user on a table or kitchen or work surface, as illustrated in figure 1 .

[0027] Furthermore, the same references will be used to designate the same characteristics or their equivalents, unless otherwise indicated in the text.

[0028] In view of the figures 1 And 2 The device 1 comprises a base 2 and a head 3. The head 3 comprises a rotating spindle 4 on which a working tool 5 can be removably mounted. On the figure 2 This working tool 5 is a kneading tool, but other working tools can be mounted on the rotating spindle 4, for example, a whisk or a mixer tool. The base 2 has a removable container 6, a base 7 on the base 2 being provided for this purpose. The container 6 has a handle 8 for handling it when it is removed from the base 7. The container 6 also has an opening 9 at the top, allowing the food ingredients used in the preparation to be inserted. In the normal operating position, illustrated in the figure 1 The head 3 can pivot back and forth relative to the base 2 in the direction of the double arrow F1 illustrated in figure 2 In a first position (not shown), the head 3 is pivoted downwards in a lowered position relative to the base 2, so that the rotating spindle 4 is positioned above the upper opening 9 of the container 6, allowing the working tool 5 to be inserted into the container 6 to knead, whisk, or mix the food ingredients. In a second position, illustrated in figures 1 And 2 , the head 3 is pivoted upwards into a raised position relative to the base 2, so that the rotating spindle 4 and the working tool 5 are clear of the container 6 in order to allow its extraction from the base 7.

[0029] As illustrated by the figures 1 And 2The base 2 includes a front panel 10 which is offset on one of the lateral sides 11 of the head 3. This front panel 10 includes a keypad 12 comprising a dial 13 for selecting operating modes of the device 1 and a button 14 for confirming the selected functions, as well as a display 15 for viewing programs, a timer, and the rotation speed of the working tool 5, for example. The button 14 and the display 15 can also be touch-sensitive in one embodiment. On this front panel 10, below the keypad 12, is arranged a control element 16 for a locking system 17 which is illustrated in detail in the accompanying figures. figures 3 à 17 according to two non-limiting variants, as will be described below. On these two variants of the locking system 17, the control member 16 consists of a lever 160.

[0030] THE figures 10 And 11They show a lower body 18 of the base 2 and an upper body 19 of the head 3, the lower body 18 and the upper body 19 being mounted in a pivot joint with respect to each other along an axis of rotation X1 which is positioned horizontally and in the transverse direction of the apparatus 1. The position illustrated in figure 10 corresponds to the lowered position of head 3 relative to base 2 and the position illustrated in figure 11 corresponds to the raised position of head 3 relative to base 2.

[0031] The locking system 17 includes a locking member 43 configured to lock or release the head 3. figures 3 à 8 illustrate an initial implementation of the locking system 17.

[0032] In view of the figures 3 à 5 The locking system 17 includes a sheathed flexible element 20 configured to move the locking member 17 under the action of the control member 16. The sheathed flexible element 20 comprises a first movable end 20a and a second movable end 20b. The first movable end 20a and the second movable end 20b are connected by a flexible element. The sheathed flexible element 20 comprises a sheath 21 having a first sheath end 21a and a second sheath end 21b. The first movable end 20a and the second movable end 20b belong to a flexible element arranged within the sheath 21. The first movable end 20a and the second movable end 20b exit the sheath 21, respectively, through the first sheath end 21a and the second sheath end 21b.The first mobile end 20a and the second mobile end 20b are connected to each other by the flexible element, so that a displacement of the first mobile end 20a relative to the sheath 21 causes a displacement of the second mobile end 20b relative to the sheath 21, and a displacement of the second mobile end 20b relative to the sheath 21 causes a displacement of the first mobile end 20a relative to the sheath 21.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the sheathed flexible element 20 comprises a cable 200. The cable 200 thus forms the flexible element. The cable 200 is preferably made of stainless steel. The cable 200 is mounted to slide inside the sheath 21. Both the cable 200 and the sheath 21 are flexible. The sheath 21 includes a first end fitting 22 at the first end of the sheath 21a and a second end fitting 23 at the second end of the sheath 21b. The cable 200 includes at its two ends a first cable head 24 and a second cable head 25.

[0034] As it appears on the figure 8 The first stop end 22 includes a groove 26, which engages in a notch 27 arranged on a wall 28 of a support piece 29 forming part of the base 2. The handle 160 is mounted on a pivot joint with axis X2 opposite this support piece 29, the axis X2 being parallel to the axis X1. The handle 160 includes a fork 30 with a curved end 30a having a slot 31, this curved end 30a allowing the first cable head 24 to be received by inserting the first movable end 20a of the sheathed flexible element 20 into the slot 31, thus securing said first movable end 20a to said curved end 30a. The first movable end 20a is thus connected to the control member 16.Pressing the lever 160 with the hand from the front 10 of the device 1 allows the said lever 160 to be rotated around the axis X2, which raises the fork 30 which exerts a pull on the first movable end 20a of the flexible sheathed element 20, the cable 200 thus sliding vis-à-vis the sheath 21 whose first sheath end 21a is fixed to the wall 28 of the support piece 39.

[0035] In view of the figures 3 à 7 , the second stop end 23 of the sheath 21 includes a groove 40 which engages in a notch 41 arranged on a support tab 42 ( figure 3 ) implementation on the lower body 18 of the base 2.

[0036] According to the first implementation of the locking system shown on the figures 3 à 7 The locking member 43 comprises a locking rod 45 mounted for rotation in the base 2. More particularly, the locking rod 45 is mounted for rotation relative to the lower body 18. The locking rod 45 is moved by a lever 44 mounted for pivot on the base 2. More particularly, the lever 44 is mounted for rotation relative to the lower body 18. The lever 44 is actuated by the sheathed flexible element 20. The lever 44 comprises in a central part 44a a groove 46 including a notch 47 ( figure 7 ) allowing the reception and locking of the second cable head 25, which makes it possible to secure the second movable end 20b to said central part 44a of the lever 44. Thus the second movable end 20b is connected to the locking member 43. A first end part 44b of the lever 44 includes an opening 48 provided with two flats 48a, 48b ( figure 7 ). A first end of rod 45a and a second end of rod 45b of the locking rod 45 are mounted in pivot joint with axis X3 vis-à-vis two respective flanges 49a, 49b arranged on the lower body 18 of the base 2, the axis X3 being parallel to the axes X1 and X2. The first end of the rod 45a is extended by a pin 50 which also includes two flats 50a, 50b and whose dimensions are adapted to those of the orifice 48, which allows said pin 50 to be engaged in said orifice 48 and to block the rotation of the lever 44 relative to the locking rod 45. A groove 51 opening onto the orifice 48 in the first part of the end 44b of the lever 44 and a hole 52 opening onto the pin 50 of the locking rod 45 will allow a pin (not illustrated) to be positioned for locking the pin 50 in the orifice 48 to completely immobilize the lever 44 with the locking rod 45.

[0037] The locking system 17 includes a return element for the locking member 43 in the locked position when the head 3 reaches either of the first and second positions, and the control member 16 is released.

[0038] For this purpose, a second end part 44c of the lever 44 includes a through hole 53 which receives a hooked end 54a of a spring 54 forming said return element (on the figure 3 (The hooked end 54a is not engaged in the through hole 53 for better visualization, but it will be in reality). Another end 54b of the spring 54 is mounted with play on the lower body 18 of the base 2 and held on the lower body 18 by means of a screw 55, the play allowing a slight rotation of the spring 54 when it is subjected to tension by the lever 44 pivoting about the axis X3.

[0039] When the lever 160 is pressed by hand from the front panel 10 of the device 1, the pull exerted on the cable 200 at the second movable end 20b causes the central part 44a of the lever 44 to be pulled downwards. This lever then pivots about the axis X3 with the locking rod 45, said locking rod 45 reaching an unlocked position schematically shown in figure 19 The downward pivoting of lever 44 allows its second end portion 44c to pull on spring 54, which then exerts an upward restoring force on lever 44. When handle 160 is released, the restoring force of spring 54 allows lever 44 to pivot upwards, which also pivots the locking rod 45 back to its initial position, corresponding to a blocked position schematically represented in figure 18 . Thus the first mobile end 20a connected to the control member 16 and the second mobile end 20b connected to the locking member 43 allow the locking member 43 to be moved towards its unlocking position when the control member 16 is activated.

[0040] As illustrated on the figure 13 The upper body 19 of the head 3 comprises two flanges 56a, 56b, each of which includes a circular opening 57, 58, since the head 3 pivots about the base 2 to move from the lowered to the raised position, and vice versa. The two openings 57, 58 are parallel to each other. The shape of these openings 57, 58 could be linear, in a variant involving a translation—instead of a pivot—of the head 3 about the base 2 to move from the lowered to the raised position, and vice versa. As illustrated in the figures 3 à 6 , the locking rod 45 comprises two sections 59, 60 which each comprise two flats 59a, 59b, 60a, 60b which allow the diameter of the locking rod 45 to be reduced to a thickness E1 in a first direction defined by the axis X4 ( figure 6 ) and to a length L1 in a second direction defined by the X5 axis ( figure 6 ) perpendicular to axes X3 and X4, said length L1 corresponding to the diameter of the locking rod 45. These two sections 59, 60 constitute two flat locks 61, 62.

[0041] As illustrated opposite the figures 13 , 18 And 19The slots 57, 58 are shaped like a circular groove 63 with a width L2, and a first end of the groove 63a and a second end of the groove 63b terminate respectively in a first orifice 64 and a second orifice 65, whose diameters are identical and slightly larger than that of the locking rod 45. When the head 3 is pivoted into the lowered position relative to the base 2 and no pressure is exerted on the handle 160, the flat locks 61, 62 of the locking rod 45 are located in the first orifices 64 of the slots 57, 58, which are at right angles to the first end of the groove 63a, as illustrated in the figure. figure 18 Since the length L1 of the flat latches 61, 62 is greater than the width L2 of the slots 57, 58, the locking rod 45 remains stuck in the first slots 64, preventing the head 3 from being raised relative to the base 2. When the lever 160 is pressed, the locking rod 45 pivots downwards, as explained previously, with the flat latches 61, 62 pivoting in the direction of the first end of the groove 63a, as illustrated in the figure 19 Since the thickness E1 of the flat bolts 61, 62 is less than the width L2 of the slots 57, 58, said flat bolts 61, 62 can move in the groove 63, which allows the head 3 to pivot upwards in the raised position relative to the base 2. When the flat bolts 61, 62 reach the second openings 65 of the slots 57, 58, said flat bolts 61, 62 remain in the position shown schematically in dashed lines on the figure 19 (in the direction of the second end of groove 63b), if the handle 160 is held down, either the flat locks 61, 62 pivot into the position shown in dotted lines on the figure 18 If the lever 160 is released, under the action of the restoring force exerted by the spring 54, the head 3 is then locked in the raised position relative to the base 2, since the flat locks 61, 62 are at right angles to the second end of the groove 63b. The movement of the head 3 from the raised position to the lowered position relative to the base 2 is carried out in the reverse manner, again by pressing the lever 160 and then releasing it.

[0042] THE figures 9 à 13 describe a design variant of the locking member 43 of the locking system 17, said locking system 17 comprising, as before, a handle 160 and a cable 200 slidably mounted in a sheath 21. According to this design variant, the locking member 43 is a locking rod 45' mounted for translational movement in the base 2, more particularly mounted for translational movement relative to the lower body 18. The locking rod 45' is moved by a lever 44' pivotally mounted on the base 2, more particularly mounted for rotational movement relative to the lower body 18. The lever 44' is actuated by the sheathed flexible element 20. The assemblies of the first movable end 20a of the sheathed flexible element 20 with the handle 160 and of the first sheath end 21a with the support piece 29 of the base 2 are made as described above in support of the figure 8 , which applies to the two variants of the locking system 17 described herein. The lever 44' comprises a central part 44'a which is mounted via a pivot joint with respect to a support element 66 along an axis X6 which is perpendicular to the pivot axis X1 of the head 3 relative to the base 2. This support element 66 is assembled to the lower body 18 of the base 2, inside which said support element 66 is placed, as well as the locking member 43, as shown in the figures 10 And 11The lever 44' includes a first end portion 44'b designed to receive the second cable head 25. The groove 40 of the second stop ferrule 23 located at the second end of the sheath 21b engages in a notch 67 arranged on a tab 68 of the support element 66. A second end portion 44'c of the lever 44' includes a hook 69 which engages in a first groove 70 arranged on the central portion of the locking rod 45', as illustrated in the figure 9 The locking rod 45' is mounted in translation along an axis X7 parallel to the axis X1 (the axis X7 corresponds to the axis X3 on the first variant of the locking member 43) vis-à-vis the two flanges 49a, 49b of the lower body 18 of the base 2. When pressure is applied to the handle 160, the second movable end 20b pulls on the first end part 44'b of the lever 44', which rotates the lever 44' along the axis X6 and allows the second end part 44'c of said lever 44' to push the locking rod 45' in the direction of arrow F2. When the lever 160 is released, a spring 54', working in compression between a part 71 fixed to the lower body 18 of the base 2 and an end portion 45'b of the locking rod 45', pushes said locking rod 45' back in the direction of arrow F3.The spring 54' also forms a return element of the locking member 43 in the locking position when the head 3 reaches either of the first and second positions, and the control member 16 is released.

[0043] As illustrated on the figure 9 The locking rod 45' includes two secondary grooves 72, 73, the spacing of which corresponds to the spacing of the two slots 57, 58 on the two flanges 56a, 56b of the upper body 19 of the head 3, these two slots 57, 58 having been described previously for the first variant. The two secondary grooves 72, 73 allow a reduction in the diameter of the locking rod 45', this reduction in diameter being dimensioned to allow the insertion of said secondary grooves 72, 73 respectively into the grooves 63 of the slots 57, 58 when these coincide. In the position illustrated on the figures 10 , 12 And 13, the head 3 is in the lowered position relative to the base 2 and the handle 160 is released; the locking rod 45', which has a diameter greater than the width L2 (shown on the figures 18 And 19The groove 63 of the lights 57, 58 is positioned in the first openings 64 of said lights 57, 58, which prevents the upper body 19 of the head 3 from pivoting relative to the lower body 18 of the base 2 and, consequently, keeps the head 3 in a lowered position relative to the base 2. Pressing the lever 160 pushes the locking rod 45' in the direction of arrow F2 to align the grooves 72, 73 with the lights 57, 58 inside the first openings 64, allowing the upper body 19 of the head 3 to pivot relative to the lower body 18 of the base 2, thus raising said head 3 to a raised position relative to the base 2. The second grooves 72, 73 of the locking rod 45' can then slide in the respective grooves 63 of the lights 57, 58 to come to position themselves in the second orifices 65 of said lights 57, 58 when the raised position of the head 3 is reached.If the lever 160 is released (or has already been released), the spring 54' ensures a translation of the locking rod 45' in the direction of arrow F3, which shifts the second grooves 72, 73 relative to the slots 57, 58 and locks said locking rod 45' in said second slots 65, the head 3 thus remaining locked in the raised position relative to the base 2, as illustrated in . figure 11 .

[0044] THE figures 14 à 17 They present two variants of cable 200 mounting in base 2, at the level of the 160 lever. The variant of figures 14 And 15 corresponds to what was described previously with regard to the figure 8 . The first stop end 22 engages in the notch 27 arranged on the wall 28 of the support piece 29 present on the base 2, the handle 160 being mounted on a pivot joint with axis X2 opposite this support piece 29. The fork 30 of the handle 160 has its curved end 30a which receives the first cable head 24. Thus, the first movable end 20a of the sheathed flexible element 20 is secured to the curved end 30a of the handle 160 and the first sheath end 21a is assembled to the support piece 29 inside the base 2. The cable 200 and the sheath 21 extend inside the base 2 to the locking member 43, the second sheath end 21b being assembled with the lower body 18 of base 2, as explained previously.The sheath 21 can also be assembled with the base 2 at several points (not shown) to properly hold the sheath 21 when tension is exerted on the cable 200 by activating the lever 160, so as to avoid any risk of displacement and interference of the cable 200 and the sheath 21 with other components of the device 1 positioned in said base 2. The variant of the . figures 16 And 17 defines the invention and retains the same characteristics as before, adding a pulley 74 (schematized in dotted lines on the figure 16 ) which receives the portion 20c of the cable 200 located between the first stop end 22 and the first cable head 24. This allows the trajectory of the cable 200 and the sheath 21 to be changed near the handle 160, for example to facilitate their positioning and also to reduce their radius of curvature, but also to reduce the tensile force when pressure is exerted on the handle 160. This pulley 74 is pivotally mounted about an axis X8 relative to two flanges 75, 76 arranged on the support piece 29 (pulley 74 not shown in the figure 17 This pulley 74 can consist of a roller against which the end portion 20c of the cable 200 makes contact, or even of a roller having a U- or V-shaped groove on its circumference into which the portion 20c of the cable 200 fits. A pulley similar to pulley 74 could be considered at the other end portion of the cable 200 located between the second stop end 23 of the sheath 21 and the second cable head 25. The sheath 21 could also be composed of several sheath sections (not shown) in order to preserve exposed portions of the cable 200 (not shown) and to also position pulleys at these exposed portions of the cable 200, particularly at changes in the trajectory of the cable 200 inside the base 2.

[0045] The variant of the first embodiment of the locking system 17 illustrated in figure 20 includes features similar to the first implementation of the locking system 17 shown on the figures 3 à 7 The same references are therefore used. Thus, as before, the locking member 43 comprises a locking rod 45, the first end of which 45a and the second end of which 45b are mounted in a pivot joint with axis X3 opposite two respective flanges 49a and 49b arranged on the lower body 18 of the base 2 (the lower body 18 is illustrated in the figures 3 et 4 ), said locking rod 45 being subjected to a central portion 44a of a lever 44 mounted to rotate about this axis X3. The lever 44 is actuated by the flexible sheathed element 20 and, for this purpose, includes in its second end portion 44c a groove 46 comprising a notch 47 for receiving and retaining the second cable head 25, which allows the second movable end 20b to be attached to said second end portion 44c of the lever 44. The first end portion 44b of the lever 44 includes a through hole 53 which receives a hooked end 54a of a spring 54, the other end 54b of said spring 54 being attached to the lower body 18 (attachment not shown). As illustrated by the figure 20The through hole 53 and the second cable head 25 define an axis X9 which intersects the axis X3, the through hole 53 being closer to the axis X3 than the second cable head 25. For example, the distance between the axis X3 and the through hole 53 will be about one-third of the distance between the axis X3 and the second cable head 25. Pulling on the cable 200 allows the second cable head 25 to rotate the lever 44 about the axis X3 and, consequently, the locking rod 45, the rotation of the lever 44 exerting a pull on the spring 54; when the cable 200 is released, the spring 54 rotates the lever 44 in the opposite direction about the axis X3.This variant of the first embodiment of the locking system makes it possible to reduce the lever arm between the axis X3 and the anchor point of the spring 54 and, on the contrary, to increase the lever arm between the axis X3 and the anchor point of the cable 200, the latter being greater than the lever arm between the axis X3 and the anchor point of the spring 54. Thus, the forces to be exerted on the handle 160 are reduced on this variant of the first embodiment of the locking system.

[0046] The description is not limited to the previously described implementations; other variations are possible. The 200 cable, which slides within the 21 sheath, could be replaced by another flexible element, such as a flexible ribbon. The 200 cable could also be made of a material other than stainless steel.

[0047] The locking mechanism 43 could also vary. For example, a bolt (not shown) mounted in translation on the lower body 18 of the base 2 and a strike plate (not shown) on the upper body 19 of the head 3 could be considered to ensure that the head 3 is locked to the base 2 only in the lowered position. The pivoting of the head 3 could be considered—a rearward tilt of more than 90 degrees—so that this head 3 naturally remains in the raised position relative to the base 2 under the effect of gravity. The bolt will be attached to the second movable end 20b. Pressing the handle 160 allows the bolt to be extracted from the strike plate to unlock the head 3 from the base 2. The bolt returns to the extended position by means of a return spring (not shown) located at the bolt, once the handle 160 is released.The locking of the head 3 with the base 2 will be done by clicking the bolt into the strike plate by exerting slight downward pressure on the head 3 in the lowered position.

[0048] The handle 160 could be replaced by another control element 16, for example a pull handle mounted in translation on the support piece 29 of the base 2 or a rotary knob comprising a roller on which the first cable head 24 is mounted and around which the portion 20c of said cable 200 would be wound to exert a pull on the lever 44, 44' and rotate it in order to move the locking rod 45, 45' into the unlocking position of the head 3.

Claims

1. A household culinary preparation appliance (1) comprising a base (2), a container (6) removably mounted on the base (2) and adapted to receive foodstuffs to be prepared, a head (3) equipped with a rotary spindle (4) adapted to receive a working tool (5), the head (3) being movable between a first position in which the rotary spindle (4) is placed above an opening (9) of the container (6) positioned on the base (2) and a second position in which the rotary spindle (4) is released from above the opening (9) of the container (6), and a locking system (17) comprising a locking member (43) movable between a locking position of the head (3) at least in the first position and an unlocking position of the head (3), allowing its movement at least from the first position to the second position, and a control member (16) movable between a relaxed position in which the locking member (43) can return to the locking position and an activated position in which the locking member is in the unlocking position, the locking system (17) comprising a sheathed flexible element (20) having a first movable end (20a) connected to the control member (16) and a second movable end (20b) connected to the locking member (43) to move the locking member (43) to its unlocking position when the control member (16) is activated, characterized in that it comprises at least one pulley (74) on which the sheathed flexible element (20) is mounted so as to modify the path of said sheathed flexible element (20) while multiplying the efforts transmitted from the control member (16) to the locking member (43).

2. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to claim 1, in which the sheathed flexible element (20) comprises a cable (200) slidably mounted in a sheath (21) assembled with the base (2).

3. A household culinary preparation appliance (1) comprising a base (2), a container (6) removably mounted on the base (2) and adapted to receive foodstuffs to be prepared, a head (3) equipped with a rotary spindle (4) adapted to receive a working tool (5), the head (3) being movable between a first position in which the rotary spindle (4) is placed above an opening (9) of the container (6) positioned on the base (2) and a second position in which the rotary spindle (4) is released from above the opening (9) of the container (6), and a locking system (17) comprising a locking member (43) movable between a locking position of the head (3) at least in the first position and an unlocking position of the head (3), allowing its movement at least from the first position to the second position, and a control member (16) movable between a relaxed position in which the locking member (43) can return to the locking position and an activated position in which the locking member is in the unlocking position, the locking system (17) comprising a sheathed flexible element (20) having a first movable end (20a) connected to the control member (16) and a second movable end (20b) connected to the locking member (43) to move the locking member (43) to its unlocking position when the control member (16) is activated, the sheathed flexible element (20) comprising a cable (200) slidably mounted in a sheath (21) assembled with the base (2), characterized in that it comprises a pulley (74) that receives a portion (20c) of the cable (200) located between a first stop end (22) of the sheath (21) and a first cable head (24) of the cable (200).

4. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the locking member (43) is movable between a locking position of the head (3) disposed in either the first position or the second position, and an unlocking position of the head (3) to allow the movement of the head (3) from the first position to the second position and, conversely, from the second position to the first position.

5. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the locking system (17) includes a return element (54) of the locking member (43) to the locking position when the head (3) reaches at least the first position, preferably when the head (3) reaches either the first position or the second position, and the control member (16) is released.

6. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the head (3) is mounted pivoting relative to the base (2) to move from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

7. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to claim 6, in which the head (3) pivots back and forth relative to the base (2) to move from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

8. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to claim 7, comprising an offset front (10) on one of the two lateral sides (11) of the head (3), the control member (16) being arranged on the front (10).

9. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the control member (16) is constituted by a lever (160) pivotally mounted on the base (2) and attached to the first movable end (20a) of the sheathed flexible element (20).

10. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the locking member (43) is formed by a locking rod (45, 45') moved by a lever (44, 44') pivotally mounted in the base (2), the lever (44, 44') being attached to the second movable end (20b) of the sheathed flexible element (20), the lever (44, 44') operating the locking rod (45, 45') from the locking position of the head (3) to the unlocking position of the head (3) upon activation of the control member (16).

11. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to claim 10, in which the locking rod (45) comprises a longitudinal axis (X3) and is rotatably mounted with respect to the base (2) along this axis (X3), the lever (44) being attached to the locking rod (45) and pivoting along said axis (X3) when a traction is exerted by the second movable end (20b) of the sheathed flexible element (20).

12. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to claim 11, in which the locking rod (45) comprises at least one section (59, 60) provided with two opposing flat surfaces (59a, 59b, 60a, 60b) implementing a thickness reduction on said at least one section (59, 60) so as to form a flat lock (61, 62) of thickness E1 and length L1, the head (3) comprising at least one aperture (57, 58) of width L2 greater than thickness E1 and less than length L1, at least one of the two ends of the aperture (57, 58) ending in a first opening (64) or a second opening (65) in which said at least one section (59, 60) of the locking rod (45) is lodged when the head (3) is in the first position, the pivoting of the locking rod (45) in the locking position allowing the flat lock (61, 62) to be positioned at right angles to the end of the aperture (57, 58), and the pivoting of the locking rod (45) in the unlocking position allowing the flat lock (61, 62) to be positioned in the continuation of the aperture (57, 58).

13. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to claim 12, in which said at least one aperture (57, 58) has its two ends respectively ending in the first opening (64) and the second opening (65), the first opening (64) receiving said at least one section (59, 60) when the head (3) is in the first position and the second opening (65) receiving said at least one section (59, 60) when the head (3) is in the second position, so as to lock the head (3) with respect to the base (2) in the first position and in the second position.

14. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to one of claims 12 or 13, in which the locking rod (45) comprises two sections (59, 60) each forming a flat lock (61, 62), the head (3) comprising two parallel apertures (57, 58) each having one of their two ends respectively ending in the first opening (64) and the second opening (65), the first openings (64) and the second openings (65) respectively receiving the two sections (59, 60) in the first position of the head (3) and in the second position of the head (3).

15. The household culinary preparation appliance (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14 and one of claims 6 to 8, in which said at least one aperture (57, 58) is circular in shape.