U.S. patent application number 10/834146 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-22 for tool holder with markings.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lifetime Hoan Corporation. Invention is credited to Siegel, Jeffrey.
Application Number | 20050205506 10/834146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34985091 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050205506 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Siegel, Jeffrey |
September 22, 2005 |
Tool holder with markings
Abstract
A knife holder for storing a variety of different types of
knives. The knife holder includes a body portion including a
plurality of slots formed therein for receiving a blade portion of
a knife. The knife holder further includes an external marking
adjacent to the plurality of slots to identify the type of knife or
implement each of the plurality of slots will store.
Inventors: |
Siegel, Jeffrey; (Kings
Point, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JENKENS & GILCHRIST, PC
1445 ROSS AVENUE
SUITE 3200
DALLAS
TX
75202
US
|
Assignee: |
Lifetime Hoan Corporation
Westbury
NY
|
Family ID: |
34985091 |
Appl. No.: |
10/834146 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60554500 |
Mar 19, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/70.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 21/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/070.7 |
International
Class: |
A47F 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A knife holder comprising: a body portion including a plurality
of slots formed therein, each of said plurality of slots for
receiving a blade portion of a knife; and an external marking for
indicating a type of said blade of said knife, wherein the marking
is located on said body portion adjacent to each of said plurality
of slots.
2. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said marking is located on
said body such that when said blade is sheathed, said marking is
visible.
3. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said knife holder is made
from plastic.
4. The knife holder of claim 3, wherein said plastic is
anti-bacterial and sterilizable.
5. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said knife holder is made
from wood.
6. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said knife holder has a
geometric shape.
7. The knife holder of claim 6, wherein said knife holder has a
substantially rectangular shape.
8. The knife holder of claim 6, wherein said knife holder is
substantially curved.
9. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said marking is
substantially engraved adjacent to each of said plurality of slots
on said body.
10. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said marking is stamped
adjacent to each of said plurality of slots on said body.
11. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said marking is etched
adjacent to each of said plurality of slots on said body.
12. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said marking indicates a
length of said blade of said knife.
13. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said marking indicates a
type of food to be cut by said knife.
14. The knife holder of claim 1, wherein said plurality of slots
vary in shape and depth.
15. A knife holder comprising: a body portion including a plurality
of slots formed therein, each of said plurality of slots for
receiving a blade portion of a knife; and an insignia indicating a
type of said blade of said knife, wherein said insignia is located
on said body portion below each of said plurality of slots.
16. A tool holder comprising: a body portion including a plurality
of openings formed therein, each of said plurality of openings for
receiving a working end of said tool; and an external marking for
indicating a type of said tool, wherein said marking is located on
said body portion below each of said plurality of openings.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority from and
incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/554,500, which was filed on Mar. 19,
2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates in general to kitchen tool
holders and more specifically to tool holders used for storing a
plurality of ordinary knives, forks, shears, sharpeners and other
utensils used in preparing food. In particular, the present
invention relates to a knife holder having a plurality of openings
or slots with markings on the holder near the slots to identify a
particular kind of knife which is to be stored in each slot.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Knife blocks or holders are well known in the art and are
primarily designed to provide a plurality of slots or openings
formed in a suitable support block. Each slot is adapted to
removably receive and retain a knife blade. The slots are formed
within a support body so as to receive the knife blade in a
generally downward extending position, with an edge of each knife
handle resting upon a support.
[0006] In another approach, a magnetic knife holder is utilized as
a means for holding knives. The magnetic knife holder generally
comprises a bar magnet to retain a plurality of knife blades in a
vertical plane, with the blade positioned in an upwardly or
downwardly-extending orientation. Generally, a support (bolster) is
provided beneath the handle portion of the knives to prevent the
knives from sliding downwards off the magnetic bar. Since, the
knife blades are not covered, a user's hand is susceptible to come
in contact with the knife blade unless extra caution is exercised
by the user while using magnetic knife holders. Hence, the magnetic
knife holders do not provide a safe and convenient means for
handling knives.
[0007] Additionally, when knives are stored in a slotted knife
holder, the blade of the knife is not exposed. This does not enable
the user to readily determine the type of knife which is stored in
each slot or readily return the knives to their proper storage
location. Often, the user will grasp and remove one knife only to
realize that the wrong knife was selected. In most cases, different
types of knives have identical handles and a constant removal of
the knife from the knife holder for inspection purposes creates
unnecessary wear and tear on the knife blade and increased user
frustration.
[0008] None of the prevalent prior art solutions provide a safe and
effective means for identifying a desired choice of knife without
the actual removal of the knife from the knife holder.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need for a knife holder that provides
an easy and efficient mechanism for identifying the type of knife
being stored in each slot of the knife holder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A knife holder for storing a plurality of knives includes a
body portion having a plurality of slots for receiving a blade
portion of a knife. The knife holder further includes an external
marking defined on a surface of the body adjacent to each of the
plurality of slots. The marking indicates a type of knife which is
held in the associated slot.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention a tool holder
includes a body portion having a plurality of openings for
receiving a working end of the tool. The tool holder further
includes an external marking on a surface of the body adjacent to
each of the plurality of openings for indicating a type of tool
which is held in the associated slot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A more complete understanding of the knife holder of the
present invention may be acquired by reference to the following
Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying Drawings wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the knife holder in
accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the knife holder of FIG.
1 in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top front view of the knife holder of FIG. 1 in
accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the knife holder
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the knife holder
according to another alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the knife holder
according to yet another alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the knife holder
according to another alternate embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of the knife holder
according to yet another alternate embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the knife holder
according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
FIGS. 1-3 thereof, a novel knife holder embodying the principles
and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by
the reference numeral 10 will be described. While the embodiments
described herein are intended as an exemplary holder for storing
knives (and related tools such as sharpeners and shears), it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present
invention is not limited for storing knives, and may be employed
for storing other utensils used in preparing food.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a first embodiment of the knife
holder 10 of the present invention will be described in detail.
[0024] The knife holder 10 of the present invention can provide a
storage means for a variety of different types of knives (and
perhaps other utensils or tools). While the present invention is
particularly suitable for storing knives, the scope of this
invention extends to any knife which includes a blade and any other
utensils used in the preparation of food where the working end of
the tool is hidden from view when stored.
[0025] The knife holder 10 includes a body member 12 which is
substantially rectangular in shape and which progressively inclines
from a surface from which it rests. The rectangular configuration
of the knife holder 10 is abruptly terminated along its lower
surface, the proximity of which is designated at 14, permitting it
to rest on a flat surface, such as a countertop.
[0026] The block body 12 is provided with a plurality of slots 16
or other openings, which extend longitudinally therein from an
inlet surface 18 and perhaps extend completely therethrough.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, seven slots 16
are shown, however, the number and shape of the slots 16 or
appropriately sized openings utilized may vary as desired to store
a plurality of knives or utensils or tools.
[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
knife holder 10 can be formed from a variety of different materials
which are approved for use in food industry and are anti-bacterial
and sterilizable (such as plastics, acrylic, ceramics, metal, an
alloy or combination thereof). In an embodiment of the present
invention, the knife holder 10 is made of wood.
[0028] The plurality of slots 16 may be saw-cut into opposed sides
of an initial block and opposed veneer sides may be laminated to
the initial block to close the edges of the slots 16 and form
composite block body 12. In an embodiment of the present invention,
seven saw-cut slots 16 are illustrated. However, the number, shape
and depth of the slots 16 may vary depending upon the type of knife
being stored in the slots 16.
[0029] The block body 12 further includes an inlet surface 18 and a
lower support surface 26, utilized for supporting the knife holder
10 in an inclined position. The block body 12 has a rear surface 22
and a wedge support 24 having a slant surface 27.
[0030] The inlet surface 18 further includes a marking 28 (or
insignia) adjacent to each of the plurality of slots 16 to identify
the type of knife or implement each of the plurality of slots 16 is
designed to store. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the marking 28 is
preferably positioned below each of the plurality of slots 16.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the markings
28 are positioned below each of the plurality of slots 16 and
engraved on the surface 18 of the knife holder 10.
[0031] The markings 28 are provided to identify and distinguish the
knives when the blade is sheathed or stored and not in view. The
markings 28 allow the user to determine which knife or implement is
located in each of the slots or openings 16 without pulling the
knife out of the knife holder 10. As a result of the markings 28,
the knife only needs to be pulled out when needed and does not need
to be pulled out to determine whether it is the correct knife for
the required task.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevation view of the knife
holder 10 of FIG. 1. In an embodiment of the present invention, the
markings 28 may include the length or type of blade associated with
the knife. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the
markings 28 may indicates the type of food to be cut with the
knife. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
markings 28 may be made on the surface 28 by engraving, however,
other suitable processes may be employed (such as etching or
stamping or labeling).
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a top front view of the knife holder 10
storing a plurality of knives 30. When a knife 30 is positioned in
an opening or slot 16, a marking 28 on the surface 18 below each
slot identifies and distinguishes between the various types of
knives 30. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
markings 28 are preferably positioned below each of the slots 16.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the marking 28
can be positioned in any location on the surface 18 so as to
identify the type of knife 30 each slot is designed to hold.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 1-3, the manner of using the knife
holder 10 will be described. The knife holder 10 is in an inclined
angular position, a plurality of knives 30 may be positioned with
their blades inserted within the slots 16, such that a top portion
of each knife handle abuts against the upper inlet surface 18 to
limit a downward position of the knife 30 with respect to each
slot. Additionally, the markings 28 on the surface 18 adjacent to
each slot provides a means for readily identifying the type of
knife 30 being stored in each of the slots 16. According to an
embodiment of the present invention, the markings 28 allow the user
to determine which knife 30 is located in the slot without pulling
the knife out of the block.
[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
knife holder 10 is inclined and substantially rectangular in shape.
However, the knife holder 10 embodying the novel concept as
discussed above can be of any geometric shape so long as it is
sized and shaped to store a plurality of knives (such as curved,
square, triangular etc.) Additionally, the novel concept of
including a marking (or insignia) adjacent to the plurality of
slots 16 for identification purposes can be utilized in various
different forms and types of knife holders 10 that are available.
As an exemplary embodiment, a few variations of knife holders 10
are illustrated in FIGS. 4-9 embodying the novel concept of having
markings on the plurality of slots as discussed above.
[0036] Although preferred embodiments of the different kinds and
shapes of a plurality of knife holders of the present invention
have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in
the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is
capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions
without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *