MXPA98007279A - Handle with kitchen implements intercambiab - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handle with an interchangeable kitchen implement, comprising: a long handle adapted to selectively mount one of a plurality of implements, the handle having front and rear ends, upper and lower surfaces, and opposite long side edges , and a hollow chamber defined within the handle and having an open end that opens through the forward end of the handle, a pair of depressions, one at each of the opposite side edges, in closely spaced relationship with the leading end of the handle , and an opening defined in each depression and opening towards the chamber to form a fastening component for an implement received in the chamber, and an implement having a central body, a fixed working portion a and extending forward of the body , a rear mounting portion receivable in the handle chamber and an extension directed towards the rear on the rigid body attached to the mounting portion of the body, the mounting portion includes a long shank which extends posteriorly of the body extension and terminates in a transverse head, the head having integral opposite ends with a pair of laterally spaced holding legs that extends parallel to and spaced from the shank, each leg having a front end with an integral holding protrusion extending laterally outwardly from the corresponding leg to be received within one of the aligned depressions of the mounting portion in the chamber.

Description

HANDLE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE KITCHEN IMPLEMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to kitchen utensils which, conventionally, include a handle and an implement or front working portion, for example a cutting wheel, brush, scraper or the like, rigidly coupled to a handle end. Said utensils, because particularly the individual handles are associated with them, are usually quite bulky objects that require substantial storage space and can be difficult to clean properly. It has been proposed that said utensils use a universal handle, which is a handle able to accommodate multiple implements or different work pieces, take into account for example the following patents: 4 974 286 Sto ell and collaborators 5 479 708 Thomas GB 2 026 309 Digirolamo Although the utensils descriin these patents provide for convenience a single handle with interchangeable implements, rather each has a special purpose and will be noted in the description the lack of a significant degree of rigidity in the assembly of the implements. For example, in each case, the implement can be removed merely by extracting the implement directly from the handle. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION 5 The object of the present invention is, essentially, to provide a kitchen utensil, including a multi-purpose handle, which significantly improves and only the known devices. The improvements are essentially directed to all aspects substantially of the construction of utensils, including the configuration of the multi-purpose handle to achieve maximum ergonomic benefits, a positive but releasable intertrabado between the implement and the handle is provided so that the accidental uncoupling, the provision of a -5 rigid retention of the implement mounted on the handle, and the provision of implements that are, by themselves in combination with the handle, distinctive. The handle itself is elongated and tapering back from an open front end towards a rear end 2Q narrow, and includes externally convex top and bottom surfaces. Configured in this way the handle is only adapted to fit within a tight hand which naturally forms a wider tapered receptacle on the index finger and smaller on the thumb.

The handle, in order to accommodate the cushioning legs on the mounting portion of the implements, has a forwardly open chamber with laterally opposed openings in the outer depressions formed in the opposite lateral edges of the handle for a protective arrangement of the protrusions of clamping or amplifications on the free ends of the legs so that the removal of the implement from the handle is positively avoided until both clamping protuberances are manually tightened and released in combination with a positive forward movement of the implement relative to the handle . The stability of the assembled implement is ensured by the slidable and fitted coupling of a backward extending extension which is received directly into the front chamber of the clamping protuberances. The protrusions engaged in the openings are of a size, and stopped under a constant deflection force eliminating any free play or movement of the protuberances within the openings. In addition, the leading end of the handle includes concave forward facing edges on the upper and lower walls of the formed chamber against which a shoulder or convex rear surface is engaged on the integral body of the individual implements. Finally, the rear end of the implement, on its mounting portion, sits within a defined depression in the inner wall of the chamber. Formed in this way, relative movement between the handle and a mounted implement is not possible. The implements themselves basically include a central body with a mounting portion that extends subsequently formed from an elongate rod with a transverse head on the free rear end thereof. This head in turn mounts a pair of clamping legs that have clamping protrusions directed outwardly thereon. The body, in most cases, includes a convex face directed backwards that seats intimately within the concave front end of the handle with the head or actual working tool integral with and extending from the front end of the body. In a specialized form of the implement, the brush implement, the body is of a constant cross section with the rear portion thereof comprising an extension received within the leading end of the chamber and the front end placed substantially forward thereof and mounting the bristles of the brush. A protective sleeve is mounted on the body and is selectively placed on it, by placing the detents, between a front position that protects the bristles and a rear position that completely exposes the bristles and engages the concave front end of the handle. Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the more detailed description of the invention that follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose handle of the invention that assembles a cutting wheel implement, for example a pizza cutter; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the utensil of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view amplified through the implement and of Figure 1; . Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a modified implement of the nature of a scaler and scraper; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a modified implement of the nature of a deboner; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the handle and a mounted brush attachment protected; Figure 7 is a perspective view similar to Figure 6 with the protection sleeve partially retracted.

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the brush utensil; Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the brush tool with the protective sleeve fully retracted; Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-section detail illustrating positioning pawls for releasably retaining the sleeve in adjusted positions; Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a modified form of wheel for example a pulp cutting wheel. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference now more specifically to the drawings, and in particular to Figures 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the kitchen utensil 10 basically comprises two components, a multi-purpose handle 12 and a removable implement. 14 releasably secured to the handle. The handle 12 has upper and lower externally convex duplicated surfaces 16 and opposite lateral edges 18 which converge subsequently along substantially the entire length of the handle 12 and end at a reduced rear handle end 20. The handle thus formed in its The whole has a tapered backward configuration with the upper and lower surfaces 16 arched for convenient and comfortable reception within the user's hand. The internal chamber 22 is formed within the front portion of the handle 12 and opens forwardly through the front end 24 of the handle 12. This front end 24, and particularly the leading edges 26 of the upper and lower walls of and defined by the chamber 22, define a concave seat directed forward adapted to receive a correspondingly configured portion of the implement 14 for stabilization thereof in a manner that will be described subsequently. The opposite lateral edges 18 of the handle have laterally aligned depressions 28, one defined on each of the edges at a location thereof posterior to the edges of the wall of the chamber 26 and forward of the inner wall 30 of the chamber 22 Each depression 28, in turn, has an opening 32 through the lowermost portion thereof and in communication with the interior of the chamber 22. Note the cross-sectional view of Figure 3, it will be seen that the wall internal or rear of the chamber 22 includes a depressed central portion 34 which is intended to contribute to the stabilization of a mounted implement 14. It will also be noted that although the general configuration of the handle 12 is subsequently tapering, the maximum width of the handle is approximately on the inner wall of the chamber with the opposite side edges 18 tapering very slightly forward thereof towards the front end 24 of the handle. For convenient storage purposes, the handle is also provided with an elongated hanging slot 36 extending therethrough between the opposing upper and lower convex surfaces 16. This groove 34 generally centered on the center of gravity of the handle whereby the opposite end sections of the groove 36 will allow a stable hanging of the handle 12 with the end defining the front chamber positioned either up or down. The implement 14, illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, is a food cutting wheel, for example a pizza cutter, and includes a cutting disc 40 with opposing projecting arrows 42 rotatably engaged within the opposed trunnions 44 defined in FIG. the front ends of a pair of arms 46. The arms 46, although substantially rigid, have a slight degree of flexible resilience for emitting a spring to part of these arms 46 for mounting the disc 40 therebetween. This front portion of the implement includes the arms 46 and the cutting disc 40 that can be considered the working portion of the implement 14 which in turn is formed or unitarily molded with the mounting portion directed backwards 48 by means of a body central or intermediate 50. The body 50 includes an extension that extends subsequently dimensionally reduced 52, which, as noted particularly in Figure 3, is dimensioned so that it is slidable although it is received closely through the mouth of the chamber and towards the front portion of the front chamber of the depressed openings 32. The body 50 it includes a shoulder 54 directed rearwardly peripherally thereto and defined by the reduced dimension of the extension 52. This shoulder 54 is convex rearwardly, complementing the leading or concave front end of the handle and nesting intimately therewith over a full seat of the implement. The front rear end of the body 50 includes a transverse finger guard 56 which extends beyond the opposite sides of the main body portion generally in the plane of the cutting disk 40, and thus covers the disk and provides an accidental coupling against the fingers with the disc and provides a means to apply downward pressure to the utensil as the cutting disc is manipulated. As will be particularly noted in Figure 3, the finger support 56 includes light depressions 58 therein directed back to provide stabilization or nesting points for the fingers engaged therewith. The body 50, and in particular the main portion thereof forward of the shoulder 54, is intended to provide a convenient means for attachment of the implement 14 during assembly and removal thereof, as well as during handling of the assembled implement. Consequently, the outer surface of this main body portion is provided with a plurality of low profile fastening knobs or knobs 60 thereon. It will also be seen that this main portion of the body 50 tapers slightly forward of the shoulder 50 the protection of the finger 56 with this taper conforms and defines a continuation of the light front taper of the forward handle of the depression 28 of the handle, allowing a uniform surface continuous from the handle to the finger protection. The mounting portion 48 of the implement 14 includes a central rod 62 that extends posteriorly integral with the body extension 52 and terminates in a transverse head 64 that is dimensionally configured to close the slidable reception within the depression 34 of the rear wall. as a stabilizing medium. Integral with the opposite ends of the transverse head 64 is a pair of clamping legs 66 that extend forward, each ending in a generally cylindrical boss 68 directed laterally on the outside. Although the legs 66 are of a transverse shape as are allowed for a substantially free sliding towards the chamber 22 between their opposite walls, the protuberances 68 before the insertion of the mounting portion, extend laterally beyond the sides of the chamber. wherein a compression of the legs 66 toward each other is required for the insertion of the protuberance 68 into the chamber 22. Accordingly, the legs 66, by themselves or together with the cross-head 64, are elastic slightly flexible, for an inward flexion of the opposite legs 66 towards the rod 62 sufficient to allow the introduction of the protuberances 68 into the chamber. These protrusions are aligned with and projected outwardly into the side wall openings 32 simultaneously with a head seat within the central depression 34 of the rear wall of the chamber. Looking again at Figure 3, it will be seen that the generally cylindrical configuration of the protrusions 68 provide, together with the complementary three-dimensional openings 32, a wedge of the protuberances within the openings for a positive stable intertracking where decoupling is avoided in the absence of the positive manual pressure simultaneously on the opposing protrusions together with the forward traction of the implement 14. It is also of importance to note that the protuberances, by coupling through the openings 32 are received in the lateral depressions 28 of the handle and terminate in or slightly inward from the external lateral surfaces of the handle as a means of protection against accidental handling of the protuberances and to allow uniform passage of the hand or fingers on it. As will be appreciated, the protuberances 68 are engaged, when held together under light pressure by the deviating force of the legs 66. It will also be noted that, by a complete seating of the mounting portion 48, the shoulder 54 directed rearwardly of the body 50 sits intimately against the arched front end 24 of the handle 12 over the mouth of the chamber. In this way any movement of the mounted implement 14 relative to the handle 12 in any direction is specifically avoided and results in an assembled implement that is the equivalent of a rigid solid piece tool. With respect to the assembly of the implement, it will also be noted that the conductive transverse head 64 with the legs 66 remaining behind it, substantially simplifies the insertion of the mounting portion into the chamber so that, in effect, only one is provided. member member insert, without requiring in this manner of a different manipulation for the direct insertion of the mounting portion. It will also be recognized that the generally circular configuration of the protuberances and the slightly bevelled conductive edges of the front end of the handle, see Figure 3, presently provide surfaces with cams which, by engagement, provide automatic retraction of the protuberances 68 as the implement is forced. inwards towards the handle. For a positive settlement, the shoulder 54 is preferably also slightly beveled. Referring briefly to FIG. 11, it will be noted that the elastically flexible nature of the mounting arms 46 extending forward on the implement 14 allows mounting a variety of different types of wheels or cutting discs 40 including a cutting wheel. of fluted paste 72 as illustrated. Figure 4 illustrates another form of implement 76 wherein the tool or working head comprises an amplified combination of scraper and scraper 78 integral with, and permanently fixed to, the central body 80. The central body, similar to implement 14, includes a convex surface directed backward defining a seat shoulder 82 on a dimensionally reduced backward extending extension 84 which in turn is unitary with the mounting portion 86. The shoulder 82, the extension 84 and the mounting portion 86 duplicate the shoulder 54, the extension 52 and the mounting portion 48 of the implement 14 and cooperate with the handle 12 in the same manner. The front face of the body 80 is convexly transverse to the outside of the implement and is defined over a similar radius. The grouping of the opposite arched surfaces at the corresponding ends thereof define a generally elliptical configuration, whose height and width conform the height and width of the forward end 24 of the handle 12. The implement 92 in Figure 5 substantially duplicates the implement 76 which differs of the same only in the portion or work tool 94 comprising a forward elongated deboner. The remaining portions of the implement 92 have been designated by the same reference numerals described above with respect to the implement 76. Figures 6-10 illustrate another form of implement 100 selectively used with the handle 12. The implement 100 is, or includes a portion or work tool which is a brush 102 and includes, as a separate cooperating component, a protective handle 104 The implement 100, and in particular the brush component thereof, includes an elongate body 106 substantially elliptical in cross section and of a rear constant cross section of a portion of the front end 108 similarly configured although slightly elongated which in turn defines a direct backward shoulder 110 around it. The back portion of the body 106, generally designated by the reference numeral 112 is slidable and tightly received within the front portion of the handle. This extension, as in the previously described embodiments, is integral with the shank 114 of the mounting portion 116 that doubles the mounting portion 48 and is cooperatively held within the handle chamber as previously described. The body to be used in the position of the sleeve 104 includes, along the opposite side edges 118 thereof, a series of positioning shoulders 120 which extends transversely. The handle 104 has a cross-sectional configuration substantially doubling that of the forward end 24 of the handle 12. The rearward end 122 of the sleeve 104 is of a convex configuration directed rearwardly conforming the concave configuration directed forwardly of the end 24 of the handle so that the sleeve, in its fully retracted position, as in Figure 9, has its portion with the forward end of the handle. Note in Figure 9, the back portion of the handle 104 that includes a portion of the peripherally directed collar 124 that defines a shoulder 126 directed forward. This collar 124 is of a height approximately equal to the front portion 108 of the body 106. In the forward position of the sleeve 104, as illustrated in Figure 6, where the brush is housed protectively in the sleeve, the shoulder 126 of the forward-facing collar sits against the shoulder 110 directed rearward. The sleeve 104 is releasably held in this position by the projections 120 further along with the rear end 122 of the sleeve 104 that also forms the back edge of the integral collar 124. As will be appreciated, the sleeve 104, although substantially rigid, includes a a sufficient degree of flexible elasticity so that, by applying positive manual force thereon, it is mounted on the positioning projection 120. Provision of multiple projections along the length of the body 106 allows intermediate positioning of the sleeve 104 , as illustrated in FIG. 7, so that the bristles of the brush 102 partially overlap and thus the flexibility of its projecting portion varies. Manipulation of the sleeve is facilitated by the provision of small protuberances 128 on its convex surfaces outwardly superiorly and inferiorly.

The detailed illustration of Figure 10 is of interest in the illustration of the sleeve 104 at an intermediate position on the implement body 106 and is releasably held therein by engagement against a projection 110 immediately forward thereof. This figure is also of interest in the illustration in phantom lines, the rear portion of the sleeve is completely retracted where the rear face 122 of the sleeve nests intimately against the front end face of the handle. At the same time, the shoulder 126 directed forwardly of the collar of the sleeve 124 is engaged by the projection of further back 120 to, in effect, hold the completely filled sleeve in a secure and stable position between the rear pair of laterally opposite knobs 120 and the front end of the handle. In this way, the fully retracted sleeve provides full brush handling, acts in conjunction with the extension portion 112 intimately engaged within the front portion of the chamber 22, and the free end of the mounting portion 116 seated within the body. the central depression 34 of the rear or inner wall 30 of the chamber providing a substantially integral and rigid combination of the implement 100 with the handle 12, avoiding any movement therebetween other than a positive manipulation of the sleeve or a positive manual retraction of the portion of mounting so as to release these protuberances from the associated handle openings 32. As previously noted, the openings 32 are spaced forwardly from the rear wall of the chamber a distance which ensures a coupling of the protuberances therethrough simultaneously with a full seat of the head of the mounting portion in the opening of the chamber. the rear wall 34. Said multisurface coupling is present between each assembled implement and the handle and ensures a stability completely equal to that of a unitary handle and the implement utensil. The foregoing is illustrative of various aspects of the invention. Since those aspects in the art may be obvious variations, particularly with respect to the types of implements for mounting the handle, it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims that follow hereinafter.

Claims (20)

1. A kitchen utensil comprising an elongate handle, adapted to selectively mount any of a plurality of implements, the handle having opposite front and rear ends, upper and lower surfaces, and opposed elongated side edges, and a hollow chamber defined within the handle and having an open end that opens through the forward end of the handle, a pair of depressions, one at each of the opposite side edges, in closely spaced relationship with the forward end of the handle, and an aperture defined in each depression and which opens to the camera to form a holding component for an implement received in the camera.

2. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the depressions are aligned laterally.

The utensil of claim 2, wherein the leading end is concave and defines a seat for a received implement.

The utensil of claim 3 wherein the handle tapers rearward at least from the chamber to the rear end.

The utensil of claim 4, wherein the upper and lower surface are convex.

6. The utensil of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower surfaces are convex, the handle is subsequently tapered with the upper and lower surfaces converging backward and the side edges converge posteriorly.

The utensil of claim 1, wherein the leading end is arched and defines a seat for a received implement.

The utensil of claim 7, which includes an implement having a central body, a working portion fixed and extending forward of the body, a rear mounting portion receivable in the handle chamber and a rearwardly directed extension. on the body rigidly attached to the mounting portion of the body, the mounting portion includes an elongate rod which extends posteriorly from the body extension and terminates in a transverse head, the head having integral opposite ends with a pair of clamping legs laterally extending forwardly extending generally parallel to the rod at opposite ends thereof, each leg has a front end with an integral holding protrusion extending laterally outwardly from the corresponding leg to be received within one of the depressions aligned by receiving the mounting portion in the chamber.

9. The utensil of claim 8, wherein the chamber is of a predetermined width between the sides, and the clamping protuberances defining a width therebetween greater than the width of the chamber, the legs are elastically compressible towards each other and When they are compressed, slidable completely in the chamber, the protrusions are forcedly extended towards the openings by alignment therewith.

The utensil of claim 9, wherein the protuberances, when received in the openings of the handle, extend towards the depressions of the lateral edge.

The utensil of claim 10, wherein the extension of the body is of a width slightly smaller than the width of the chamber to close the sliding reception therebetween between the open end of the chamber and the openings.

The utensil of claim 11, wherein the body has a shoulder directed rearwardly of the extension and peripherally on the body, the shoulder is coextensive with the forward end of the handle on the chamber and is received in seating engagement against the front end by engaging the clamping protuberances in the openings.

13. The utensil of claim 12, wherein the shoulder is arched and forms the forward arched end of the handle.

The utensil of claim 13, wherein the front working portion comprises forwardly extending integral arms and a cutting disk rotatably mounted to and between the arms.

15. The utensil of claim 14, wherein the body includes a front end with a pair of laterally extending extensions defining the finger supports, the extensions overlap the cutting disc on opposite sides of the arms.

16. The utensil of claim 15 including multiple clamping protuberances on the body between the body extension and the finger supports. The utensil of claim 11, wherein the body is elongated, and a protective sleeve slidably mounted on the body for moving therethrough between an extended forward position that fully houses the working portion and a retracted position that exposes completely the work portion. The utensil of claim 17, which includes cooperating fastening means on the sleeve and body for releasably retaining the sleeve in various positions adjusted between its extended and retracted positions. The utensil of claim 18, wherein the sleeve has a rear arcuate end that conforms to and is received intimately against the arched front end of the handle in the fully retracted position of the sleeve. The utensil of claim 19, wherein the fastening means includes means for holding the sleeve in its fully retracted position engaged with the leading end of the handle.