GB2220558A - Electric kettle guard - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric kettle guard comprises a moulded plastics frame of circular or D-shaped form in plan view comprising a flat base 14' and peripheral retaining wall portion 18', 19' separated by gaps 41'. A back wall portion 19' of the frame has a vertically orientated keyhole slot 50' detachably engageable with a headed stud connector 52 or 52' permanently fixed to a wall surface 70' at the back of a worktop 16' whereby the guard can be held in a fixed position on the worktop. An electric kettle than placed within the guard is restrained from lateral displacement on the worktop by the retaining wall portions 18', 19', thus safeguarding the kettle from being pulled off the worktop by, for example, a young child pulling the usual electric power cord connected to the kettle. The gaps between the wall portions 18', 19', accommodate the spout and power cord connector of the kettle respectively. Other versions of the guard are also described, e.g. the one illustrated in Figure 4. <IMAGE>

Description

Safety Devices for use with Portable Domestic Liquid Heating Appliances This invention relates to safety devices for use especially in connection with portable domestic liquid heating appliances, such as electric kettles and boiling jugs for example, which generally stand when in use on a flat horizontal worktop, for instance the surface of a kitchen worktop.

More particularly the invention is concerned with the problem of reducing the risk of accidents occurring, especially to young children, as a result of such heating appliances being moved in a dangerous manner, perhaps through inadvertence or carelessness, and being caused accidentally to spill whilst still containing boiling or hot liquid, thereby causing injury through scalding or burns. Especially when youngish children are around, this problem is particularly acute with electric liquid heating appliances such as electric kettles that generally have a long trailing electric flex or power cord since this may easily be caught hold of, even by quite a young child, such that the appliance is pulled along over a worktop surface on which it is standing to such an extent that the appliance overbalances or falls over the edge of the worktop, so emptying its contents.

Every year throughout the country statistics show that many young children in particular suffer serious, and sometimes horrific, injuries due to electric liquid heating appliances, especially electric kettles, being pulled off worktops in kitchens. In this -connection it needs also to be appreciated that even after switching off such heating appliances, the temperature of the liquid or water therein can often remain sufficiently high as to be capable of causing serious injury, e.g. to a young child, for a considerable time so that the risk of an accident is more than a transient situation present only when the appliance is actually in operation.

Broadly, the present invention provides a safety device for use with a portable domestic heating appliance standing or supported on a horizontal worktop surface, said safety device comprising a guard adapted to be held in fixed in relationship to such worktop surface and adapted to at least partially surround or enclose the heating appliance when in use in such a manner as to limit or restrict the extent of any lateral displacement of the heating appliance on said worktop surface.

More particularly, the invention provides a guard constituting a safety device for use with a portable domestic liquid heating appliance, e.g. an electric kettle or boiling jug, standing or supported on a horizontal worktop surface, said guard comprising a structure which is provided with holding means for holding it in a fixed position on or above such worktop surface and which has retaining elements or wall portions designed to extend circumferentially around at least part of the body of the heating appliance when in use thereby to limit or restrict the extent of any lateral displacement of the heating appliance on said worktop surface.

In preferred embodiments, the guard may form a cagelike structure which is adapted to receive therein the heating appliance introduced through a top opening of the structure.

In one embodiment the guard may consist of a frame having a generally rectangular U-shape in section with a base portion adapted to extend when in use horizontally across the surface of the worktop and with vertically upstanding side limbs or walls of which laterallyextending parts constitute the retaining elements or wall portions that limit or restrict lateral displacement of the body of the heating appliance. In some cases, one of these upstanding side limbs may be hinged at the top to a spring-loaded cross-member adapted to bridge across in a normally closed position to the top of the opposite side limb, thus bridging above the top of the heating appliance during use, thereby to restrain lifting of the heating appliance by a child for example.For inserting and removing the heating appliance from the guard, however, such spring-loaded cross-member or top guard arm may be designed so that it can forcibly be moved into an open position against its spring loading which can be set strong enough to deter or inhibit operation by a child.

In another embodiment, the guard designed especially for use with an electric kettle or boiling jug may comprise a substantially flat base of generally circular or, preferably, D-shaped form having upstanding peripheral wall portions extending around the base and separated by gaps or apertures at opposite sides, such gaps or apertures being adapted to accommodate the normal spout at the front of the kettle and the usual power socket connection at the back of the kettle respectively.

In each embodiment, the guard may be designed for direct fixing to the worktop surface on which it is intended to rest and/or for attachment to an adjacent structure, for instance a wall surface adjacent the back of the worktop, and either permanent or detachable fixing means may be employed, e.g. screw fixings, detachable interlocking connectors, contact adhesive pads or suction pads. In one particularly preferred arrangement for attachment or mounting to a wall surface at the back of a worktop, a wall portion of the guard structure is provided with a shaped slot, such as a keyhole slot, engageable with a headed stud or screw fastener fixed to said wall surface.With this arrangement, the head of the fastener can be passed through a wider end of the slot whilst the guard is raised above the worktop, and then the guard can be lowered towards the worktop such that the fastener enters a narrow part of the slot and retains the guard against lateral displacement in a horizontal direction.

Also, in many embodiments, the guard is preferably fabricated in plastics material. Thus, in particularly preferred embodiments, the guard comprises a one-piece moulded plastics structure defining a frame adapted to receive therein at least part of the body of the heating appliance such that the latter is at least partially surrounded by peripheral portions of the frame that define a retaining wall, said frame being of substantially circular or D-shape form in plan view and being provided with means for attachment to the vertically-extending surface of a wall adjacent the back of the worktop so that the frame can be held in a fixed relationship with respect to said worktop surface.

The invention also includes an assembly of a portable electric liquid heating appliance in combination with a guard as hereinabove specified held in fixed relationship to a worktop surface.

The invention further includes a method of safeguarding a portable electric liquid heating appliance during use on a horizontal worktop surface, said method comprising positioning at least a portion of the body of said heating appliance within a confining guard as hereinabove specified.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, these embodiments being described in relation to an electric kettle and being presented solely by way of example.

In said drawings, FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view of a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a blank from which the embodiment of FIGURE 1 may be fabricated; FIGURE 5 is an end elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5; FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5; FIGURE 8 is an end elevational view of a third embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 8; FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary portion of a view similar to FIGURE 9 showing a modification of the guard of the third embodiment adapted for releasable fixing to a backwall surface of a worktop by means of a headed stud and slot connection.

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of a headed stud fastener component for use with the guard of FIGURES 8 to 10 modified as shown in FIGURE 11; and FIGURE 13 is a sectional view of the stud fastener component of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view showing an alternative form of headed stud fastener component, fixed to a back wall surface, which may be used instead of the stud fastener of FIGURES 12 and 13; FIGURE 15 is a plan view of a further modified version of the kettle guard of FIGURES 8 to 10; FIGURE 16 is a side elevational view of the guard of FIGURE 15 as seen when resting on a worktop and fitted to a back wall surface, looking in the direction of arrow "A" in FIGURE 15; and FIGURE 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view on line XVII-XVII of FIGURE 15.

Referring first to FIGURES 1 to 4 of the drawings, the embodiment illustrated therein consists of a guard 10 designed for use with an electric kettle on an open worktop, as for example in an island location in a kitchen.

This guard 10 comprises a U-shaped frame 12 defined by a straight base portion 14 that extends horizontally across the surface of the worktop, shown at 16, and b pair of vertically upstanding side limbs 18 and 19. Each of these side limbs is provided as shown with a pair of wing-like arms 20 or 21 which extend laterally in a horizontal plane and curve arcuately inwards towards their outer ends (see FIGURE 3).

The frame 12 is adapted to be fixed to the worktop 16, for example by securing screws passed through holes in the base portion 14 at spaced-apart locations 22,22, and in this particular version the upper end of the one side limb 18 is hingedly connected at 24 to a springloaded cross-bar 26 arranged normally to bridge across to rest against the top 28 of the opposite side limb 19, thereby to provide a top guard arm. For illustrative purposes the spring-loading of the cross-bar 26 is shown as being provided by a helical coil extension spring 30, but it will be appreciated that in practice any suitable spring-loading or biassing means may be provided for normally maintaining the cross-bar in its closed position as shown in FIGURE 1, including for example a torsion spring arrangement which might perhaps be conveniently incorporated in the hinge connection 24.

It will be seen that the frame 12 together with the arms 20 and 21 and the cross-bar 26 provide a cage-like structure adapted to house and confine a conventional form of electric kettle, indicated in broken lines at 32.

In use, the kettle 32 containing water to be boiled is inserted from the top whilst temporarily hinging the cross-bar 26 outwards into an open position against the action of its biassing spring, the kettle 32 is rested on the surface of the worktop 16, and the cross-bar 26 is released so that it moves back to its closed position.

The arrangement is then as indicated in FIGURE 1 wherein the body of the kettle 32 is partially surrounded or enclosed by the guard 10 such that any lateral displacement of the kettle over the surface of the worktop 16, as may tend to occur for example by any pulling on the usual electric flex or power cord of the kettle, is closely limited or restricted to a minimal extent and there is no possibility of the kettle being accidentally upset or pulled over off the edge of the worktop.In particular, it will be apparent that the wing-like arms, 20 and 21, which extend circumferentially around part of the body of the kettle 32 act as retaining walls preventing undue movement in a direction perpendicular to the vertical plane of the frame 10, but the open form of the structure leaves plenty of space for accommodating the kettle spout at one side and, at the other side, the usual plug and socket connector (not shown) for the power cord.

In addition to lateral displacement of the kettle being restricted, the top cross-bar or guard arm 26 which bridges across the frame above the kettle 32 serves to prevent the kettle from being lifted unless the cross-bar 26 is first hinged open against its spring bias, and by making the spring 30 sufficiently strong it can be ensured that at least a very young child would be unlikely to be able to open the guard in this manner and lift the kettle, although an adult would encounter no difficulty.

It will be appreciated that this top guard arm or cross-bar 26 provides a refinement to the basic design of the guard and safeguards against the additional but lesser risk of the kettle being lifted by a child out of the main guarded area. If desired, a more positive "child-proof" fastener or catch could of course be provided for keeping such overhead cross-bar or top guard arm in position, and there are naturally many other ways in which a top guard member may be designed for the same purpose. It would also be possible, if desired, to fit an audible warning device, powered perhaps by an electric battery, which when set would be triggered off by any unauthorised opening or movement of the top guard member, this being useful for giving a warning that a child might be interfering with the device.

More frequently, however, and especially for tall vessels such as boiling jugs, it may be deemed sufficient to omit the top guard arm or cross-bar altogether.

The guard 10 may be made of metal, such as for example strip, sheet or heavy gauge wire of mild steel with a suitable protective surface finish or coating, possibly even a complete or partial protective plastics coating or cladding for imparting a decorative effect, or stainless steel advantageously may be employed.

Alternatively, the guard may be fabricated entirely or in part of plastics or of any other appropriate material.

At least when made of metal, separate parts of the guard may be welded, rivetted or otherwise fastened together, but in one preferred construction the frame 10 together with the wing-like retaining arms 20 and 21 may be fabricated from a flat one-piece blank, formed for example as a metal stamping, of the general shape indicated at 38 in FIGURE 4. This shows the portions which provide the frame base 14, the side limbs 18 and 19, and the retaining arms 20 and 21. To form the frame the blank 38 is bent through approximately 90" about the fold lines indicated at 40,40, and the retaining arm portions can be bent as required. If needed, the hinged top cross-member 26 can be fitted before or after folding up this blank.

In the illustration of this blank 38, it will be seen that holes for fixing screws are indicated at 22,22, but in alternative forms of fixing pads bearing a strong contact adhesive or strong and efficient suction pads could be provided. In the latter case, it would be desirable to provide the blank with a pair of centrally disposed side arms as indicated in broken lines at 42 to enable a pair of pads, indicated at 44, to be arranged laterally of the axis of the base member 14. If required for stability, further pads may be fitted along the length of the base 14, e.g. at the locations 22,22, provided for the alternative fixing screws, or even further out from the centre. For additional strength, flat portions of the blank 38 may be ribbed or formed with other kinds of reinforcing means as desired.

In general the guard 10 may be made in any convenient size, possibly to suit a range of different kettles leaving on average a clearance of about one inch, but in one example the frame 12 may be about 8.5 inches wide with the side limbs 18 and 19 about 6 inches in length; the wing-like retaining arms 20 and 21 should not be too high and may be set so that their top edges are about 2 to 3 inches above the base.

For convenience in transport and packaging, at least in versions without the top guard arm, the side limbs 18, 19, of the frame may be splayed outwards slightly so as to facilitate nesting.

The second embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 5 to 7 is similar to that already described and the same reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts, but in this case the device is adapted to be fixed to an adjacent wall, shown at 70, at the back of the worktop 16. Thus, for this purpose, the one side limb 19 of the frame 12 is provided with a laterally extending plate 72 having holes or slots 74,74, for wall fixing screws, and since the wall itself will serve partially as a retaining surface restricting lateral displacement, the wing-like retaining arms on this one side limb 19 can be omitted.

Otherwise the device is the same as already described in connection with the first embodiment and is used in the same way.

The guard devices of this invention can be readily fixed in any convenient position by the user and it is contemplated that they will often be installed as permanent fixtures, providing a constant reminder of the need for safety precautions and providing a permanent housing for the kettle or other appliance when not in use in filling or pouring. Alternatively, however, they may be designed so as to be collapsible or demountable, or to be detachably secured in place. For example with a wall fixing or mounting the frame structure might carry a hook or stud adapted to releasably engage in a socket permanently secured to the wall surface, or the frame may be formed with a shaped slot such as a keyhole slot adapted to be detachably engaged with a headed fastener fixed to the wall surface.Or, in yet another arrangement,the guard may be secured to an adjacent wall through a pivot mounting, as for example on a swingable arm assembly or hinge bracket, that would enable it to be either swung upwards into an inoperative position out of the way or swung down into an operative position in which it covers or encloses the kettle or other appliance standing on the worktop. In this case, there may be no need for the guard to contact the worktop surface at all.

Thus, in one particular example (not illustrated) of this kind of arrangement, there may be an arm attached to the wall in a vertical plane, the bottom end of the arm being hinged at say the height of the kettle handle and being spring loaded or similarly biassed at or adjacent the fixing point. To this arm would be fixed a cage structure constituting the guard which, when pulled down to the horizontal position, would partially encapsulate the kettle preventing or restricting both lateral and vertical movement thereof. A clip could be fixed the arm to prevent interference and movement of the arm by a child.

Also, if desired, in other modifications (not illustrated) the frame of the guard may be fabricated in two separate sections which are adjustably connected together, for example by a clamping screw and slot or by telescopic interengaging means, whereby the width or diameter of the guard can be set selectively to suit kettles of different sizes.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 8 to 10, which in practice may often be more advantageous at least from the point of view of easy mass production, the guard 10a consists of a structure formed in one piece as a unitary plastics moulding and comprises a flat circular platelike base 14a having a pair of upstanding peripheral wall portions 18a and 19a extending circumferentially of the base and thus form sections of a ring-like peripheral part of the guard structure. These wall portions 18a and l9a, however, are separated by diametrically opposed gaps or apertures 40 and 41.The guard in this embodiment is again adapted to be fixed securely to a worktop surface 16, for example by screw fasteners passed through fixing holes 22a in the base 14a or by contact adhesive pads or rubber suction pads provided at locations corresponding to the fixing holes 22a illustrated, and in use a kettle is simply placed within the guard as indicated at 32 in FIGURE 8. For a typical 1.7 litre (3 pint) electric kettle the base 14a may typically have a diameter of about 8 inches whilst the wall portions 18a and 19a may have a depth or height of about 3 inches and the gaps or openings 40 and 41 may also each have a width (measured circumferentially) of about 3 inches.This guard 10a may be moulded in any suitable plastics material, for example a polypropylene co-polymer or glass filled polyester such as nylon, of any suitable thickness (e.g. 2 mm), and could of course be made in a range of different sizes to suit different kettles or boiling jugs or other like liquid heating appliances.

In the most preferred version of this embodiment of FIGURES 8 to 10, the guard is adapted for detachable fixing or mounting to an adjacent wall surface as illustrated in FIGURES 11 to 13 by providing one of the wall portions 18a or 19a with a keyhole slot 50 designed for detachable interlocking engagement with a headed stud fastener fixed to the adjacent wall surface. One convenient form of stud fastener 52 is shown in FIGURES 12 and 13, and comprises a stem or neck portion 54 upstanding from a base 56 formed with screw fixing holes 58, 58 and it is surmounted by a relatively large diameter domed head portion 60.Preferably, it is fabricated as a one-piece moulding in a tough and strong alloy material such as "MAZAC" (Trade Mark) or glass filled nylon or the like, and is intended to provide an anchorage part that is permanently secured to the wall surface by fixing screws received in the holes 58,58.

The keyhole slot 50 has an enlarged lower end 50a of sufficient size as to permit entry of the head portion 60 of the stud fastener 52, and extending vertically upwards is a narrower slot portion 50b having a width just slightly greater than the diameter of the stem portion 54 of the stud fastener 52. The relative positioning of the keyhole slot 50 in the wall portion 18a or 19a of the guard and of the stud fastener on the wall surface is preferably such that the head portion 60 of the stud fastener 52 can be passed through the large end 50a of the slot 50 with the guard raised above the level of the worktop surface 16 and the stem or neck portion 54 can then enter into the narrower slot portion 50b towards the closed end thereof as the guard is lowered to rest on the worktop surface in supported relationship therewith.

Typical dimensions may be a diameter of about 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) for the larger end 50a of the slot 50, 3/16 inch (5 mm) for the width of the narrower slot portion 50b, 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) for the diameter of the stem or neck portion 54 of the stud fastener 52, 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) for the diameter of the head portion 60, and 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) for the overall depth of the stud fastener and for the width of the base 56.

An alternative and often preferred form of stud fastener, denoted by reference 52', is illustrated in the sectional view of FIGURE 14 which shows it fixed to an adjacent back wall surface 70'. As shown, this alternative form of stud fastener 52' comprises a standard round-headed wood screw 62' and a grommet-like bush 63' which is conveniently formed of moulded plastics material such as nylon for example. The bush 63' is fitted to the wood screw 62' in the manner of a washer, the head of the screw 62' being accommodated in a recess 65' of the bush, and the screw is fixed to the wall 70' in a conventional way with the aid of a wall plug 66'. r.

reduced diameter central neck section 64' of the bush 63', formed by an annular groove 67', then provides the equivalent of the stem or neck portion 54 of the stud fastener 52 of FIGURES 12 and 13 and is adapted to enter and engage within the narrower slot portion 50b of the keyhole slot 50 when the guard is fitted in place.

In a further improvement to the form of guard shown in FIGURES 8 to 10, the overall shape of the guard is modified so that in plan view it is of a substantially Dshaped form instead of a circular form. This modification then provides the guard with a substantially straight and flat upstanding wall portion at the back which is well adapted to lie alongside a wall surface to which the guard is fixed during use, in parallel relationship therewith. The back wall portion of the guard can then co-operate with the wall surface to which it is fixed so as to prevent any undue lateral or rotary relative movement of the guard such as can occur with a circular form, particularly where a stud and keyhole slot fixing provides a certain amount of play.

This further modification is illustrated in FIGURES 15 to 17 which show the modified guard 10', again formed in one piece as a unitary plastics moulding, comprising a flat plate-like base 14' of substantially D-shape with a semi-circular front edge merging into short parallel straight portions and a straight rear edge. A first upstanding peripheral wall portion 18' extends circumferentially of the base around the semi-circular front edge of the latter, and a second upstanding peripheral wall portion 19' of rectangular U-shape extends along the straight rear edge and along opposite short straight side edge portions of the base as shown The wall portions 18' and 19' are separated by gaps or apertures 40' and 41' at opposite sides for accommodating the spout of a kettle and the usual power cord connector as previously mentioned.

For fixing to an adjacent wall surface 70' when in use on a worktop 16', the straight back of the wall portion 19' is again formed centrally with a keyhole slot 50' designed for detachable engagement with a headed stud fastener (indicated in broken lines at 52,52' in FIGURE 16) secured to the wall 70', exactly as described in relation to the guard and fixing arrangements of FIGURES 11 to 14. The base 14', however, may be formed additionally with screw holes 22' if desired in order to allow for the possibility that a user may prefer in a particular case to fix the guard 10' direct to a worktop surface.

For accommodating a standard three pint kettle, the width of the guard (as measured along the length of the back wall portion 19') and the depth of the guard (as measured from the back sll portion to the extremity of the semi-circular front wall portion 18') may each typically be about 8" (20.32 cm), whilst the front wall portion may have a radius of about 4" (10.16 cm) and the height of both wall portions, 18' and 19', may each be about 3" (76 mm). The gaps or openings 40' and 41' may also have a width of about 3" (76 mm). A preferred material for the guard is a moulded polypropylene copolymer and the wall and base thickness may be about 2mm.

In substantially all other respects the guard will be as described in relation to FIGURES 8 to 14.

If it is desired also to restrict or restrain lifting of a kettle used with wall-mounted versions of the guard of the kind described for example in relation to FIGURES 8 to 14, this may be achieved by providing a separate top guard member also adapted to be mounted on the back wall of the worktop, preferably utilising the same mounting or wall fixing means as is provided for the body of the main guard.For example, with the keyhole slot and stud mounting arrangement already referred to, a top guard member could be in the form of an inverted Lshaped plastics bracket of which the vertical arm would also have a slotted part adapted to be engaged with the stud fastener 52 or 52' before fitting the main guard so that this arm then upstands vertically against the wall surface at the back of the main guard whilst the other arm of the bracket extends horizontally above the main guard, over the handle of a kettle placed therein. This horizontal arm is preferably also provided with an elasticated retaining loop or the like which can then be secured around the handle part of the kettle when in position, thus positively holding the kettle in place.

The mounting would, however, allow this top guard member to be moved clear or disconnected when the kettle is first being placed in position or is being deliberately removed from the worktop.

In yet another arrangement, as elasticated retaining loop or loops adapted to be engaged over the top of the kettle, or the handle part thereof, during use could alternatively be fixed or anchored direct to peripheral portions of the frame or body of the main guard.

It will of course be understood, however, that many other modifications and alternative designs may readily be devised within the scope of the invention, all effective for overcoming the primary problem of preventing accidents by appliances such as electric kettles being pulled over on a worktop, especially by young children, and in particular the guard may be made in different sizes if necessary to suit more slender vessels, such as boiling jugs for example.

It will also be appreciated that the guards herein described, and especially the versions described in connection with FIGURES 8 to 17, are such that the electric kettles or other electric liquid boiling appliances with which they are intended to be used can conveniently be assembled within the guard and made up into a compact self-contained package ready for sale as a complete unit.

Claims (24)

1. A guard constituting a safety device for use with a portable domestic liquid heating appliance, e.g. an electric kettle or boiling jug, standing or supported on a horizontal worktop surface, said guard comprising a structure which is provided with holding means for holding it in a fixed position on or above such worktop surface and which has retaining elements or wall portions designed to extend circumferentially around at least part of the body of the heating appliance when in use thereby to limit or restrict the extent of any lateral displacement of the heating appliance on said worktop surface.

2. A guard as claimed in Claim 1 that is in the form of a cage-like structure adapted to receive therein at least part of the body of the heating appliance introduced through a top opening of said structure.

3. A guard as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the structure consists of a frame having a generally rectangular U-shape in section with a base portion adapted to extend horizontally across the surface of the worktop when in use and vertically upstanding side limbs or walls of which laterally-extending parts constitute the retaining elements or wall portions that, in use, extend circumferentially around at least of the body of the heating appliance and limit or restrict lateral displacement of the latter.

4. A guard as claimed in Claim 3, wherein a said upstanding side limb of the frame is hinged to a springloaded cross-member adapted to bridge across in a normally closed position to the top of the opposite side limb, thus bridging above the top of the heating appliance during use, thereby to restrain lifting of the heating appliance by a child for example.

5. A guard as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the retaining elements or wall portions form sections of a ring-like peripheral part of the guard structure.

6. A guard as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the ring-like peripheral part has a generally circular form in plan view.

7. A guard as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the ring-like peripheral part has a generally D-shaped form in plan view.

8. A guard as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 which is designed especially for use with an electric kettle having a spout at the front and a power socket connection at the back, characterised in that the ring-like peripheral part has gaps or apertures adapted to accommodate such spout and power socket connection when the kettle is positioned in the guard during use.

9. A guard as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 8 wherein said ring-like peripheral part is closed at the bottom by a substantially flat base.

10. A guard as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 9 wherein the structure is formed as a unitary plastics moulding.

11. A guard as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said holding means comprises means for direct fixing to the worktop surface, e.g. screw fixing means, contact adhesive pads or suction pads.

12. A guard as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said holding means comprises means for fixing or mounting the guard structure to the vertical surface of a wall at the back of the worktop.

13. A guard as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the holding means is adapted to permit the guard structure to be detachably fixed or mounted to said back wall surface.

14. A guard as claimed in Claim 12 wherein said holding means comprises detachable interengaging connecting means such as hook and eye connecting means or headed stud and keyhole slot connecting means.

15. A guard as claimed in Claim 13 or 14 wherein a peripheral wall portion of the guard structure is provided with a shaped slot, e.g. a keyhole slot, engageable with a headed stud or screw fastener fixable to said wall surface, the arrangement being such that the head of the fastener can be passed through a wider end of the slot whilst the guard is raised above the worktop, and then the guard can be lowered towards the worktop such that a stem or neck portion of the fastener enters a narrow part of the slot and retains the guard against lateral displacement in a horizontal direction.

16. A guard for use in limiting or restricting lateral displacement on a horizontal worktop surface of a freestanding portable electric liquid heating appliance such as an electric kettle or boiling jug, said guard comprising a one-piece moulded plastics structure defining a frame adapted to receive therein at least part of the body of the heating appliance such that the latter is at least partially surrounded by peripheral portions of the frame that define a retaining wall, said frame being of substantially circular or D-shaped form in plan view and being provided with fixing means for attachment to the vertically-extending surface of a wall adjacent the back of the worktop so that the frame can be held in a fixed relationship with respect to said worktop surface.

17. A guard as claimed in Claim 16 wherein the attachment means comprises an anchorage part that is adapted to be permanently fixed to the wall adjacent the back of the worktop and, at the back of said frame of the guard, complementary connecting means adapted to be detachably engaged with said anchorage part.

18. A guard as claimed in Claim 16 wherein said attachment means comprises a two-part interlocking stud and slot connector of which one part is adapted to be permanently fixed to the wall surface adjacent the back of the worktop and the other part is located on a peripheral portion of the frame of the guard structure.

19. A guard as claimed in any one of Claims 16 to 18, wherein the frame part of the guard structure is of substantially D-shape form in plan view with a substantially straight back wall section in which is formed a vertically-oriented slot adapted for detachable interlocking engagement with a complementary stud type fastener permanently fixable to the wall surface adjacent the back of the worktop.

20. An electric kettle or boiling jug guard substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to FIGURES 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

21. An electric kettle or boiling jug guard substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to FIGURES 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings or as modified with reference to FIGURES 11 to 14 and/or FIGURES 15 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.

22. An assembly of a portable electric liquid heating appliance in combination with a guard as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said guard being held in fixed relationship to a worktop surface.

23. A method of safeguarding a portable electric liquid heating appliance during use on a horizontal worktop surface, said method comprising positioning at least a portion of the body of said heating appliance within a confining guard which is constructed in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 21.

24. A packaged portable electric liquid heating appliance wherein the appliance is assembled within a guard constructed in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 21.