Toaster chassis assembly with improved food support and safety mechanism

An electric toaster includes a chassis with one or more toasting compartments. At least one electric heater is located in each compartment, and a cage is positioned in each compartment adjacent the heater. The cage includes lateral sides with a gap therebetween for receiving a food item and stationary supports that extend into the gap from the lateral sides for supporting the food item during a toasting operation. The electric toaster also includes a movable food support rod that is positioned in the toasting compartment for movement between an upper rest position and a lower toasting position below the stationary supports. The movable food support rod is adapted to support the food item above the stationary support and to transfer support of the food item to the stationary support when the movable food support rod travels below the stationary supports. A switch is positioned for activation by downward movement of the movable support from the stationary supports toward the lower toasting position to energize the electric heater. The switch is deactivated upon upward movement of the movable support from the lower toasting position toward the stationary supports to deenergize the at least one electric heater before reengagement of the movable support with the food item. In this manner, operation of the toaster can be stopped at the end of a toasting cycle independently of the presence or absence of a food jam.