This invention relates generally to kitchenware items and, more particularly, to cutting boards.
During the preparation of food it is often desirable to combine the tasks of cutting and rinsing, for example, with vegetables that need to be cut into small pieces after being rinsed. It is thus known to provide a cutting board with an integral strainer section, also known as a strainer board.
It is also known to provide strainer boards with an extendable side handle, so that it may be positioned over sinks of varying dimensions. One such extendable handle strainer board, called the “BasketBoard™,” has been produced by Dexas International, Ltd. of Carrollton, Tex., USA. A drawback of this prior device is the awkward interface between the sink and the extendable handle.
Another extendable handle strainer board is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,675. The sink interface is offset from the plane of the cutting board section. Both sides are extendable, which would seem advantageous but in practice is awkward to use.
A kitchen implement, in the form of a cutting board or strainer board, has an improved extendable handle structure.
A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the Detailed Description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, in which:
Referring to
Implement having an integrally-formed, fixed side edge 18 at one side of the main body 12 and an extendable handle 20 at another side of the main body 12. As shown in
The side edge 18 and handle 20 are slightly arcuate in the plane of the cutting board section. The fixed side edge 18 is on an opposite side of the main body 12 than the strainer section 16, and the extendable handle 20 is adjacent the strainer section 16. The side edge 18 and extendable handle 20 are substantial mirror-image shapes when the handle 20 is in a fully-retracted state.
The extendable handle 20 has two ends 30, 32. A cylindrical rod 34 extends from each end 30, 32 in the direction of the main body 12, with the rods 34 each terminating at a right-angle bent tip 36 (
Bent tips 36 are retained in pockets 38 of the main body 12, with open walls 40 retaining the rods 34 for linear motion with respect to the main body 12, and with planar walls 42 in the pockets 38 establishing with the bent tips 36 a limit of extension of the handle 20.
The side edge 18 and handle 20 are formed with upper and lower steps 44,46 to form grip surfaces 48 more widely-separated than interior surfaces 50 of the main body 12.
In operation, the extendable handle of the present invention is remarkably superior to the prior products previously sold with an extendable handle function. The mirror-image, arcuate grips of the side edge and handle are pleasing in appearance and allow the handle to be extended to a precise position for use, then retracted for cleaning and storage. The bent tip cylindrical rods and cooperating pockets allow easy assembly and superior operative characteristics.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a particular spatter screen mounting system, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.