FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This disclosure relates generally to tools or utensils used for gripping objects instead of holding the objects directly with hands, such as tongs. The disclosure also relates to rake implements used for gathering or sweeping objects. More particularly, this disclosure relates to combination tools or utensils providing both rake and tong capabilities.
BACKGROUND
Cooking food on grills is a common activity, both indoor and outdoor. Grills fueled by charcoal, wood pellets, or other combustible members typically require the combustible members to be moved or rearranged during the grilling process, as well during cleanup. Conventional tongs provide a way to grab and hold the individual charcoal pieces, but they are not suitable for raking the charcoal. Similarly, conventional rakes provide a way to sweep, push, or pull the charcoals, but they are not suitable for grabbing individual charcoal pieces.
Thus, there remains a need for improved tools or utensils providing both the features of conventional tongs and conventional rakes in one unit.
SUMMARY
According to an aspect of the invention, a utensil includes an elongated shaft having a first end with a handle. The elongated shaft has a second end configured with a first surface in a plane forming a wall. A second surface is disposed proximate the second end of the elongated shaft, wherein the second surface is selectively moveable between a retracted position and an extended position.
According to another aspect of the invention, a utensil includes an elongated shaft having a first end with a handle. The elongated shaft has a second end terminating in a pair of gripper heads, wherein each gripper head is configured with a surface in a plane forming a wall. The pair of gripper heads are selectively moveable between an open position and a closed position.
Other aspects of the embodiments described herein will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, illustrating the principles of the embodiments by way of example only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be used to limit or define the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the description of embodiments presented herein. Consequently, a more complete understanding of the present embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals may identify like elements, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a side view of a utensil according to an example of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 shows another side view of a utensil according to an example of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a utensil according to an example of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another utensil according to an example of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing description of the figures is provided for the convenience of the reader. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and configurations shown in the figures. Also, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale or in generalized or schematic form, in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
FIG. 1 shows a side view of a utensil 10 embodiment of this disclosure. An elongated shaft 12 having a longitudinal axis has a handle 14 at a first end 16. The opposing second end 18 of the shaft is configured with a first surface 20 in a plane forming a wall. It will be appreciated buy those skilled in the art that the utensil 10 embodiments of this disclosure may be formed of any suitable materials depending on the intended use. For example, for handling heated charcoals, the utensil 10 may be formed of metal or heat resistant composites. The utensils 10 may be constructed in any manner as known in the art. For example, some embodiments may be formed with a tubular elongated shaft 12, with the individual components affixed via conventional coupling, fastener, and adhesive (e.g., spot welding) means as known in the art.
A pivoting mechanism 22 is affixed to the elongated shaft 12 proximate the second end 18. A lower portion of the pivoting mechanism 22 forms a second surface 24 (see FIG. 3). The upper end of the pivoting mechanism 22 is coupled to a conventional spring 26 affixed to the elongated shaft 12 at the other end. A hinged trigger 28 is mounted proximate the handle 14. A conventional cord 30 is linked between the trigger 28 and the pivoting mechanism 22 to actuate movement of the second surface 24. Some utensil 10 embodiments may also be implemented with a hook 19 near the second end 18. The hook 19 may be used to manipulate or engage other objects as desired (e.g., to pick up or adjust a grill rack or grid).
As shown in FIG. 1, when the utensil 10 is in its natural or rest state, the spring 26 provides a biasing force to retain the pivoting mechanism 22 such that the second surface 24 is urged to a retracted position. In the retracted position, the second surface 24 abuts the elongated shaft 12, leaving clearance for use of the first surface 20 as a rake. A user simply grips the utensil 10 by the handle 14 and pulls or pushes the utensil over the charcoal or other material as desired.
As shown in FIG. 2, when a user wishes to use the utensil 10 as tongs, the user simply pulls back on the trigger 28, which in turn pulls on the cord 30 linked to the pivoting mechanism 22 (shown by the arrow), which in turn moves the second surface 24 downward (shown by the arrow) into an extended position. When the second surface 24 is actuated to the extended position, a gap 32 is formed between the first surface 20 and the second surface 24. In this manner, first surface 20 forms a first gripper head and the second surface 24 forms a second gripper head to grip an object in the gap 32 between the heads. A user simply positions the utensil 10 over the object to be grabbed and manipulated such that the object is captured in the gap 32. By releasing the trigger 28, the spring 26 provides the biasing force upon the pivoting mechanism 22 to retract the second surface 24 toward the retracted position, thereby capturing and retaining the object caught between the first and second gripper heads. Thus, embodiments of the utensil 10 provide for selective actuation of a gripper head (i.e., the second surface 24) for use of the utensil as a rake or tongs as desired. Embodiments may be implemented with the first surface 20 forming the wall or first gripper head in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft 12. Other embodiments may be implemented with the first surface 20 forming the wall or first gripper head in a plane at angle θ (acute or obtuse) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft 12.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a tong-rake utensil 10 embodiment of this disclosure. In this embodiments, the second surface 24 is configured to form a scoop. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner surfaces of the first surface 20 and the second surface 24 are each configured with a raised or knurled surface to provide for better gripping via the gripper heads. The raised or knurled surfaces may be formed as known in the art. The utensil 10 embodiment of FIG. 3 is configured with a telescoping elongated shaft 12, consisting of telescoping tube sections 12A and 12B with a locking ring 34 that permits a user to selectively adjust the length of the elongated shaft. A reel 36 of spooled cord 30 is mounted on the trigger 28 to allow for adjustment of the cord length when the telescoping elongated shaft 12 is adjusted. A detent 38 is also configured on the trigger 28 to provide a cord 30 release/lock for extension and retraction of the cord as desired. Utensil 10 embodiments may also be implemented with a bottle opener 40 affixed near the first end 16.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another tong-rake utensil 10 embodiment of this disclosure. In this embodiment, the second end 18 of the elongated shaft 12 terminates in a pair of gripper heads G1, G2. As shown in FIG. 4, the gripper heads G1, G2 are formed similar to conventional tong grippers. However, in this embodiment, each gripper head G1, G2 is configured with a respective surface S1, S2 in a plane forming a wall. The gripper heads G1, G2 are coupled to the elongated shaft 12 with a sheathed cable 40 linking the ends of the gripper heads. A cord 30 is coupled to the sheathed cable 40 at one end and to the trigger 28 at the other end. A spring 26 is positioned in abutment with the sheathed cable 40 at one end and in abutment with a retaining plate 42 at the other end. The cord 30 runs through the retaining plate 42 and through the spring 26.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the utensil 10 is in its natural or rest state, the spring 26 provides a biasing force to push the gripper heads G1, G2 such that a gap 44 is formed between the surfaces S1, S2 forming a wall. In this open position, the gripper heads G1, G2 are free for gripping and manipulating an object. A user simply positions the utensil 10 over the object to be grabbed and manipulated such that the object is captured in the gap 44 between the gripper heads G1, G2. By pulling on the trigger 28, the cord 30 pulls back the sheathed cable 40 (overcoming the spring 26 force) to bring the gripper heads G1, G2 together into a closed position, thereby capturing and retaining the object caught between the gripper heads. Upon release of the trigger 28, the spring 26 pushes against the sheathed cable 40 to bring the gripper heads G1, G2 to the open position, releasing the captured object.
When a user desires to use the utensil 10 as a rake, the user can simply rake the utensil over the target material with the utensil in the rest mode (i.e., with the open gap 44), or with the surfaces S1, S2 brought together to provide a closed wall by pulling on the trigger 28. Although not shown in FIG. 4, embodiments may also be implemented with a telescoping elongated shaft 12 as disclosed herein. The surfaces S1, S2 may also be disposed at an angle θ (acute or obtuse) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft 12.
The tong-rake utensil 10 embodiments of this disclosure provide advantages over conventional utensils. Whereas users have had to manipulate separate tong utensils and separate rake utensils in the past, embodiments of this disclosure provide practical and efficient means for a user to use one utensil to do both tasks.
In light of the example embodiments described and illustrated herein, it will be recognized that numerous modifications could be applied to derive alternative embodiments of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments may be implemented using conventional materials (e.g., metals, composite materials, heat resistant plastics, etc.) and components. It will also be appreciated that the disclosed utensil embodiments may be used in any field of endeavor and for multiple purposes besides those expressly described herein. What is claimed as the invention, therefore, are all implementations that come within the scope of the following claims.
Patent Application
20250224118
