Spindle mixer with interlock assembly

1. A cup guide and actuator pin 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; and

an actuator pin extending vertically through the cup guide body, the 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 upwards relative to the cup guide body.

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 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 pin from the guide; and

wherein a window is located on the cup guide.

6. The cup guide and actuator pin of claim 5 , wherein the catch comprises an arm attached to the pin, the arm partially bridging the aperture formed in the pin, the arm including a tab; and

the arm is biased away from the window in order to remove the pin from the guide.

7. The cup guide and actuator pin 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 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 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 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.