BACKGROUND
Cutlery, such as a kitchen knife, is often times stored in a dedicated holder, for example made entirely of wood, which sits on a counter top. Such a storage unit is often referred to as a “block” which is descriptive of the overall monolithic block shape of a conventional knife storage unit. Openings shaped in the form of slots are typically formed in the top of the block and run vertically down into the block such that knives and/or scissors, etc. are inserted blade first into the block.
One issue associated with conventional knife blocks is that it is often difficult to know which knife is inserted into which slot. A user must individually remove each knife or utensil from the block until the desired knife is selected. This trial and error routine becomes frustrating and cumbersome.
Another issue with conventional knife blocks is that they are generally stationary in nature. Typically, the cutlery is inserted into a single solid unit of wood with a non-moving receiving surface. A user must reach for a particular knife or utensil from the block which can be difficult if there are several other knives in the path of the user's hand motion. Moreover, if the knives are compacted in the block or have the same general length and shape, the user may have difficulty grasping the butt of the knife to withdraw it from the block.
Yet another issue with conventional knife blocks is that they are notoriously bland, uneventful and generally unappealing as a countertop display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
Aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention in reference to the appended drawing in which like numerals denote like elements and in which:
FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a knife holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a knife holder according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 4-5 illustrate yet other exemplary embodiments of a knife holder according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a knife holder of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to embodiments of the present invention, referring to FIG. 1, a knife holder 100 according to a first embodiment includes a knife-securing platform 110 and a base portion 150 attached to platform 110. The knife-securing platform 110 includes a plurality of slots 120 into which cutlery may be inserted in a manner similar to conventional cutlery blocks, i.e., blade or sharp end first. However, unlike conventional blocks, the inventive embodiments of the present invention include platform 110 that is pivotally attached to the base portion 150.
In some embodiments, platform 110 may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise about an axis of rotation which is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of one or more knives (not shown) inserted into, and held by, slots 120. The platform may be set in motion (rotating or the like) by manual or mechanical methods. For example, the user may gently spin the platform by hand or turning on a power button (not pictured) to start the platform moving using a suitable mechanical mechanism.
In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-5, the knife-securing platform 110 may be disk-shaped (e.g. having a round, oval, trapezoidal or any shaped circumference) and of relatively shallow depth to allow a user to observe the length or type of blade associated with a knife handle appearing on a top surface of the platform 110. The disk type of arrangement facilitates rapid identification of individual utensils held in holder 100 without requiring labels or other identifying indicia, and without having to guess through trial and error which utensil is being selected. In other embodiments, the knife-securing platform and corresponding utensil slots may extend the full length of any blade or utensil inserted into the holder as shown best in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6. Further, the knife-securing platform may be constructed of a transparent material. In certain embodiments, platform 110 may include one or more magnets disposed near slots 120 to help secure knifes within the holder 100.
In various embodiments, platform 110 may be secured onto base 150 in a manner such that platform 110 may rotate about an axis. The axis of rotation of platform 110 is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of knifes or other utensils being held in slots 120 of platform 110. Furthermore, the axis of rotation may preferably be at an angled position between 10-80° with respect to a horizontal surface, such as a counter top, on which base 150 may be resting. In a most preferred embodiment, the angle between the axis of rotation and a counter surface would be approximately 45°. The angled nature of the rotating platform allows the holder 100 to be placed on a countertop beneath cabinets and to withdraw and store knifes using the simplest and most natural movement of a user's arm.
In the various embodiments, knife holder 100, or any portion thereof, may be formed from wood, particle board, poly-resins and/or molded plastics, metal or any combination of such suitable or other materials. In certain embodiments, platform 110 is formed of a hardwood such as oak or mahogany and base 150 is a constructed of metal, for example, a metal strip (e.g., FIGS. 1-2) or a metal wire stand (e.g., FIGS. 4-5). In other embodiments (e.g., FIG. 6), both the knife-securing rotating platform and the base are formed of the same material such as wood or the like.
In optional embodiments, referring to FIG. 3, knife holder 100 may additionally include a weighted balance 340 to facilitate desired orientation of the rotating platform. In certain embodiments, balance 340 may be in the form of a human figurine which is included on the top surface of platform 110 and arranged with slots 120 such that knife holder 100, when holding knives 330, has the appearance of a human knife throwing wheel seen at a circus or carnivals and the like. This particular arrangement and construction can provide balance to the rotating platform as well as interest to the appearance of the knife block as a countertop display.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate embodiments of respective holders 400, 500 having alternate base arrangements. For example FIG. 4 shows holder 400 having a metal wire base 450 to support the rotating knife-securing platform. In this embodiment, base 450 may have a triangle-shaped horizontal surface with one or more friction members 451 to prevent base 450 from inadvertent sliding on a horizontal surface, such as a countertop, upon which knife holder 400 may be resting. Friction members 451 may be rubber or plastic grommets or pads to prevent slippage and may also serve to prevent the wire base 450 from scratching a counter surface or the like.
The exemplary embodiment 500 of FIG. 5 includes a wire base 550 similar to that of FIG. 4 but having a rectangular or square-shaped horizontal surface. Base 550 may alternatively have a rounded or oval horizontal surface and may also include one or more friction members, if desired. As shown, the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the respective bases 450, 550 may also include an angled vertical portion which attaches to and facilitates rotating of the corresponding knife-securing platform.
FIG. 6 illustrates a knife holder 600 having an extended rotating knife-securing platform 610. Platform 610 may extend the full length of the blades/utility end of utensils, or longer, that are inserted into slots 620. Holder 600 has more of a traditional appearance but includes the rotating knife-securing platform 620. As with any embodiment herein, holder 600 may include a balancing weight similar to weight 340 shown in FIG. 3 or other balancing weight if desired. Additionally, platform 610, or any portion thereof, may be constructed of a transparent or translucent material so the contents secured by slots 620 are visible.
Referring to FIG. 7, an alternate knife holder 700 according to various may include the disc-shaped platform 710 and sheaths or sleeves 715 attached to corresponding platform slots. In this manner, injury due to rotation of platform 710 when securing knives, can be avoided. To enable a user to view the corresponding knife in a slot, although not required, the sleeves 715 may be formed of at least partially transparent or translucent plastic. Alternatively, a user can tell what blade is present in each slot by a length of the respective sleeve 715.
In various embodiments, the slots rotating in platform 710 and/or corresponding sleeves 715 may include one or more magnets to assist in securing stainless steels utensil blades when inserted therein. In this manner, a stainless steel knife inserted into holder 700 may be magnetically secured to prevent undesired movement when platform 710 rotates about its axis of rotation.
It should be recognized that the specific arrangements and configurations for various container supports with tool could vary greatly and the embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular configuration or arrangement shown in the example embodiments.
Unless contrary to physical possibility, the inventor envisions the components of respective embodiments may be combined in any manner.
Although there have been described preferred embodiments of this novel invention, many variations and modifications are possible and the embodiments described herein are not limited by the specific disclosure above, but rather should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20090106982
