Adjustable brew head linkage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11246447-B2
Application number	US-201916356488-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 18, 2019
Priority date	Mar 18, 2019
Publication date	Feb 15, 2022
Grant date	Feb 15, 2022

Abstract

An adjustable brew head linkage includes a brew head linkage element, a handle linkage element, and an adjusting element between the brew head linkage element and the handle linkage element to smoothly increase and decrease the distance between the brew head linkage element and the handle linkage element to alter the size of a corresponding brew chamber to accommodate various brew pods. The brew head linkage element and/or handle linkage element may include a threaded portion to engage the adjusting element. Turning the adjusting element causes deflection. Threaded portions may have opposite handedness or different pitches. A secondary brew head linkage locking element provides friction to lock the adjusting element in place. The adjusting element increases and decreases the distance between the head linkage and the handle linkage in increments smaller than 0.178 millimeters ( 7/1000 inches).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable linkage comprising:
a brew head engaging linkage element;
a handle engaging linkage element;
an adjusting element disposed between the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element and
a secondary brew head linkage locking element disposed on the brew head engaging linkage element configured to engage the threaded portion and apply a force to prevent the adjusting element from rotating,
wherein:
the adjusting element is configured to engage the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element;
the adjusting element is configured to smoothly increase and decrease a distance between the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element;
the brew head engaging linkage element comprises a threaded portion configured to engage a first threaded portion of the adjusting element; and
the handle engaging linkage element comprises a threaded portion configured to engage a second threaded portion of the adjusting element.

2. The adjustable linkage of claim 1 , wherein the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion comprise opposite handedness.

3. The adjustable linkage of claim 1 , wherein the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion comprise different pitches.

4. The adjustable linkage of claim 1 , wherein:
the adjusting element is rotatably affixed to the handle engaging linkage element;
the adjusting element comprises a threaded portion; and
the adjusting element threaded portion is configured to engage a threaded portion of the brew head engaging linkage element.

5. The adjustable linkage of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting element is configured to increase and decrease the distance between the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element in increments smaller than 0.178 millimeters ( 7/1000 inches).

6. The adjustable linkage of claim 1 , wherein:
the adjusting element is rotatably affixed to the handle engaging linkage element;
the adjusting element comprises a threaded portion; and
the adjusting element threaded portion is configured to engage a threaded portion of the brew head engaging linkage element.

7. A brewing apparatus comprising:
an adjustable linkage comprising:
a brew head engaging linkage element;
a handle engaging linkage element;
an adjusting element disposed between the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element; and
a secondary head linkage locking element disposed on the brew head engaging linkage element configured to engage the threaded portion and apply a force to prevent the adjusting element from rotating,

wherein:
the adjusting element is configured to engage the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element;
the adjusting element is configured to smoothly increase and decrease a distance between the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element;
the brew head engaging linkage element comprises a threaded portion configured to engage a first threaded portion of the adjusting element; and
the handle engaging linkage element comprises a threaded portion configured to engage a second threaded portion of the adjusting element.

8. The brewing apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion comprise opposite handedness.

9. The brewing apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion comprise different pitches.

10. The brewing apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the adjusting element is configured to increase and decrease the distance between the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element in increments smaller than 0.178 millimeters ( 7/1000 inches).

11. A brewing apparatus configured for installation in an aircraft having an adjustable linkage comprising:
a brew head engaging linkage element;
a handle engaging linkage element;
an adjusting element disposed between the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element; and
a secondary head linkage locking element disposed on the brew head engaging linkage element configured to engage the threaded portion and apply a force to prevent the adjusting element from rotating,
wherein:
the adjusting element is configured to engage the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element;
the adjusting element is configured to smoothly increase and decrease a distance between the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element;
the brew head engaging linkage element comprises a threaded portion configured to engage a first threaded portion of the adjusting element; and
the handle engaging linkage element comprises a threaded portion configured to engage a second threaded portion of the adjusting element.

12. The brewing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion comprise opposite handedness.

13. The brewing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
the adjusting element is rotatably affixed to the handle engaging linkage element;
the adjusting element comprises a threaded portion; and
the adjusting element threaded portion is configured to engage a threaded portion of the brew head engaging linkage element.

14. The brewing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the adjusting element is configured to increase and decrease the distance between the brew head engaging linkage element and the handle engaging linkage element in increments smaller than 0.178 millimeters ( 7/1000 inches).

Assignees

• Rockwell Collins Inc

Inventors

• Devlin Byron A
• Stutheit Keevin P
• Abu-Saymeh Mudar S
• Debald Keith R

Classifications

• A47J31/4467

  by means of linear guides, e.g. drawer-type engagement · CPC title

• A47J31/0684

  Sealing means for sealing the filter holder to the brewing head · CPC title

• A47J31/005 Primary

  Portable or compact beverage making apparatus, e.g. for travelling, for use in automotive vehicles · CPC title

• B64D11/00 Primary

  Passenger or crew accommodation; Flight-deck installations not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B64D11/04

  Galleys · CPC title