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The present invention relates to a thermal protector which is comprised of a bimetal blade, a moving electrical contact, a fixed electrical contact, and a electrical resistor, wherein the bimetal blade has a fixed end and a moving end, wherein the moving electrical contact is positional toward the m

The present invention relates to a thermal protector which is comprised of a bimetal blade, a moving electrical contact, a fixed electrical contact, and a electrical resistor, wherein the bimetal blade has a fixed end and a moving end, wherein the moving electrical contact is positional toward the moving end of the bimetal blade, wherein the moving electrical contact has a minimum volume of 0.0003 in3, wherein electrical resistor generates sufficient heat to keep the bimetal blade above a reset temperature and to maintain the bimetal blade in a bent position wherein the moving electrical contact remains away from the fixed electrical contact during periods of continued application of the electrical current, wherein the reset temperature is above ambient temperature, and wherein the thermal protector is capable of at least 60 cycles of operation at a peak amperage of at least 90 amps at 120 volts of alternating current.

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What is claimed is: 1. A thermal protector which is comprised of a bimetal blade, a moving electrical contact, a fixed electrical contact, an electrical resistor, a conductive metal can, a conductive metal plate, and a conductive metal clip wherein the bimetal blade has a fixed end and a moving end

What is claimed is: 1. A thermal protector which is comprised of a bimetal blade, a moving electrical contact, a fixed electrical contact, an electrical resistor, a conductive metal can, a conductive metal plate, and a conductive metal clip wherein the bimetal blade has a fixed end and a moving end, wherein the electrical current flows substantially through the length of the bimetal blade, wherein the moving electrical contact is positional toward the moving end of the bimetal blade, wherein the moving electrical contact has a minimum volume of 0.0003 in3, wherein electrical current can flow through the bimetal blade through the moving electrical contact and the fixed electrical contact at temperatures below a preset maximum operating temperature, wherein the bimetal blade bends in a manner whereby the moving electrical contact is pulled away from the fixed electrical contact at temperatures above the preset maximum operating temperature, wherein at temperatures below a reset temperature the bimetal blade bends back into a position where the moving electrical contact is pulled back into electrical association with the fixed electrical contact, wherein the electrical current can only flow through the electrical resistor when the moving electrical contact is separated from the fixed electrical contact, wherein after the moving electrical contact has been pulled away from the fixed electrical contact and at temperatures above the reset temperature the electrical current that can flow through the electrical resistor is electrically in parallel to the electrical current that flows through the bimetal blade, the moving contact and the fixed contact, wherein the electrical resistor generates sufficient heat to keep the bimetal blade above the reset temperature and to maintain the bimetal blade in a bent position wherein the moving electrical contact remains away from the fixed electrical contact during periods of continued application of the electrical current, and wherein the fixed contact is affixed to and in electrical contact with the conductive metal can, wherein the electrical current flows through the conductive metal can, wherein the fixed end of the bimetal blade is affixed to and in electrical contact with the metal plate, wherein the electrical current flows through the conductive metal can, wherein the conductive metal clip is affixed to the conductive metal can and is in electrical contact with the conductive metal can, and wherein the conductive metal clip is in electrical contact with the electrical resistor and wherein the electrical resistor is positioned between the conductive metal clip and the conductive metal plate, wherein the electrical resistor is held in contact with the conductive metal plate by the conductive metal clip, and wherein the electrical resistor is in electrical contact with both the conductive metal can and the conductive metal plate. 2. A thermal protector as specified in claim 1 wherein the thermal protector is capable of at least 60 cycles of operation at a peak amperage of at least 90 amps at 120 volts of alternating current. 3. A thermal protector as specified in claim 1 wherein the fixed electrical contact remains in electrical contact with the moving electrical contact during continuous operation at an amperage of at least 20 amps at 120 volts of alternating current. 4. A thermal protector as specified in claim 1 wherein the thermal protector is capable of at least 60 cycles of operation at a peak amperage of at least 40 amps at 240 volts of alternating current. 5. A thermal protector as specified in claim 1 wherein the fixed electrical contact remains in electrical contact with the moving electrical contact during continuous operation at an amperage of at least 15 amps at 240 volts of alternating current. 6. In an electric motor having a housing, an armature, and a coil, wherein the electric motor is powered by electricity from an electric circuit, the improvement which comprises further including the thermal protector of claim 1 in the electric motor, wherein the thermal protector is wired in series with the electric circuit that powers the electric motor. 7. In an air compressor which includes an air tank, a means for forcing air into the air tank, and an electric motor for powering the means for forcing air into the air tank, the improvement which comprises equipping the electric motor with the thermal protector of claim 1, wherein the thermal protector is wired in series with the electric circuit that powers the electric motor. 8. In a conveyor which is comprised of a conveyor belt and an electric motor for driving the conveyor belt, the improvement which comprises equipping the electric motor with the thermal protector of claim 1, wherein the thermal protector is wired in series with the electric circuit that powers the electric motor. 9. In a washing machine which includes a housing, an agitator tub, a water inlet, a water outlet, and an electric motor, the improvement which comprises equipping the electric motor with the thermal protector of claim 1, wherein the thermal protector is wired in series with the electric circuit that powers the electric motor. 10. In central vacuum system for a building that includes a series of vacuum pipes, a vacuum pump, and an electric motor, the improvement which comprises equipping the electric motor with the thermal protector of claim 1, wherein the thermal protector is wired in series with the electric circuit that powers the electric motor. 11. In a ventilation fan that includes a fan blade and an electric motor, the improvement which comprises equipping the electric motor with the thermal protector of claim 1, wherein the thermal protector is wired in series with the electric circuit that powers the electric motor. 12. In a vacuum cleaner that includes a housing, a vacuum pump, a dust collector, and an electric motor, the improvement which comprises equipping the electric motor with the thermal protector of claim 1, wherein the thermal protector is wired in series with the electric circuit that powers the electric motor. 13. In a garbage disposal that includes a shredder housing, a drain outlet, a sink inlet, a dishwasher inlet, a shredder ring, a flywheel, at least two flyweights that are affixed to the flywheel, and an electric motor that is adapted for turning the flywheel, the improvement which comprises equipping the electric motor with the thermal protector of claim 1, wherein the thermal protector is wired in series with the electric circuit that powers the electric motor. 14. A thermal protector as specified in claim 1 wherein the resistor is comprised of at least 2 resistor components. 15. A thermal protector as specified in claim 1 wherein the bimetal blade, the moving electrical contact, and the fixed electrical contact are situated between the can and the plate wherein the can and the plate are electrically isolated by a non-conductive gasket which is positioned between the can and the plate. 16. A thermal protector as specified in claim 15 wherein the electrical resistor is comprised of at least two positive temperature coefficient resistors. 17. A thermal protector as specified in claim 16 wherein a first terminal is affixed to the conductive metal can, wherein a second terminal is affixed to the conductive metal plate, wherein a first lead wire is affixed to the first terminal, wherein a second lead wire is affixed to the second terminal, and wherein the conductive metal can, the conductive metal plate and the conductive metal clip are confined within a non-conductive sleeve. 18. In a blender or mixer that includes an electric motor, the improvement which comprises equipping the electric motor with the thermal protector of claim 1, wherein the thermal protector is wired in series with the electric circuit that powers the electric motor.