U.S. patent application number 11/340312 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for suspended tool apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Jesus Chavollo.
Application Number | 20070170335 11/340312 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38284604 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070170335 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chavollo; Jesus |
July 26, 2007 |
Suspended tool apparatus and method
Abstract
The Suspended Tool Apparatus and Method is comprised of affixing
a hook affixed to an overhead structure. A cord has a cord first
end and a cord second end. At each of the cord first end and cord
second end, forming a loop which is secured by a ferrule. The loop
at the cord first end is received by the hook affixed to the
overhead structure. The loop at the cord second end is received by
a loop at the handle of a salad tong or tool. The cord and tool are
easily removed for cleaning. The cord is elastic or inelastic.
Inventors: |
Chavollo; Jesus; (Kennewick,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Floyd E. Ivey;Liebler, Ivey, Connor & Berry
P.O. Box 6125
Kennewick
WA
99336
US
|
Family ID: |
38284604 |
Appl. No.: |
11/340312 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/322 ;
248/328 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 47/16 20130101;
A47B 77/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/322 ;
248/328 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/10 20060101
A47H001/10 |
Claims
1. The method of suspending a tool apparatus comprising: a.
affixing to an overhead structure (22) at least one attachment
means (110); b. forming a loop in a cord (120) at a cord first end
(122) and securing the loop with a ferule (112); c. securing the
cord first end (122) at the loop to the attachment means (110)
thereby suspending the cord (120) from the attachment means (110);
d. forming a loop in the cord (120) at a cord second end (124) and
securing the loop with a ferrule (112); e. securing the cord second
end (124) at the loop to a loop at a handle end (142) of a salad
tong (140) or a tool (140).
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: a. limiting the cord
(120) to a cord length (150) which, when combined with the length
of the salad tong (140), will not allow a handle end (142) of the
salad tong (140) to rest in salad makings (40) when the suspended
tool apparatus (100) is not being handled by a customer.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: a. forming the cord
(120) of an elastic material.
4. The method of claim 2 further comprising: a. forming the cord
(120) of an inelastic material.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the suspension of tools above a
work station or above the salad products beneath a sneeze guard.
This invention relates in particular to the method of providing
salad tongs and tools under a sneeze guard such that the tongs and
tools do not rest with the handles in contact with the salad
makings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The need to keep handles of salad tongs and related tools
away from salad contents is known. Devices and apparatuses
pertaining to means of keeping handles away from salad materials
are seen in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,977 to Sacks
et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,921 to Gameau, Sr.
[0003] The patents referred to herein are provided herewith in an
Information Disclosure Statement in accordance with 37 CFR
1.97.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The Suspended Tool Apparatus and Method (1) disclosed and
claimed herein comprises affixing an attachment means (110) to an
overhead structure (22). A cord (120) is affixed by cord attachment
means (112), at a cord first end (122), to the attachment means
(110) at the overhead structure (22). The cord (120) is affixed by
cord attachment means (112), at a cord second end (124), to a tool
(140). The cord (120) has a length (150) less than the distance
from the overhead structure (22) to a salad makings (40). The cord
(120) is elastic or has spring characteristics such that the tool
(140), following use, will not contact the salad makings (40).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a depiction of a salad bar (1) having a sneeze
guard (20). Illustrated is an overhead structure (22),
miscellaneous salad bar (1) sneeze guard supports (26), a table
(32) containing salad makings (40). The table having legs (36).
Suspended tool apparatus (100) are affixed by attachment means
(110) to the overhead structure (22) via cords (120) to which are
attached tools (140).
[0007] FIG. 2 is a depiction of a workshop (1) having an overhead
structure (22). Suspended tool apparatus (100) are affixed by
attachment means (110) to the overhead structure (220) via cords
(120) to which are attached tools (140).
[0008] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 depict details of the apparatus (100)
showing an overhead structure (22) from which is suspended a
suspended tool apparatus (100) which is affixed by attachment means
(110) to the overhead structure (22) via cords (120) to which is
attached a salad tong (140).
[0009] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 depict details of an alternative
attachment means (110) shown as a retractable cord (120) extending
through a retractable cord aperture (115) with a cord loop (110)
formed at the cord first end (122). FIG. 6 is a section 6-6 from
FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the suspended tool apparatus
and method. FIG. 1 and 3 illustrate the device relative to a salad
bar (1). FIG. 2 and 4 illustrate relative to a workshop (1). An
overhead structure (22), shown as the apex of a sneeze guard (20)
or a beam in a workshop, is the uppermost component of a covered
salad bar (1). The sneeze guard (20) has sides (24) which are
supported relative to a table by downwardly directed sneeze guard
supports (26) which rest on and are fixed to a table (32). The
table (32), in the salad bar (1) configuration, contains salad
makings (40). The table (32) has table support means comprising,
generally, downwardly directed legs (36). At least one suspended
tool apparatus (100) is affixed by attachment means (110) to the
overhead structure (22) via cords (120) to which are attached tools
(140), comprised in the salad bar (1) application, of salad tongs
(140), spoons and other kitchen utensils.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows the suspended tool apparatus (100). An
attachment means (110), generally a hook including, for example a
hook (110) with a screw and shaft or bolt and nut with a shaft is
attached to an overhead structure (22). Also seen in FIG. 4 is an
adhesive means (23) securing a hook (110) wherein the adhesive
means (23) is generally rectangular and planar and the hook (110)
and the planar portion formed by molding means or the equivalent.
Seen in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is an alternative attachment means (110)
illustrated as a retractable cord (120) having a spring means to
retract the cord (120) after it had been extended and released.
Illustrated is a loop (110) formed at the cord (120) at the cord
first end (122). The spring means and cord will generally be
retractably secured to a shaft or axle (114) shown. Those of
ordinary skill in hoop arts will appreciate that eyes, hooks, hooks
with clasps and other hook or eye devices will be equivalent. A
cord (120) has a cord first end (122) and a cord second end (124).
The cord first end (122) is formed into a loop which is secured by
a ferrule (112). The loop is received by the hook (110) thereby
suspending the cord (120) from the hook (110). The cord (120) is,
in the preferred embodiment, elastic. The cord second end (124) is
formed into a loop which is secured by a ferule (112) to be
received by a loop at the handle end (142) of a salad tong (140).
In the preferred embodiment the cord (120) and salad tong (140) are
easily removed for washing. The cord (120) has a cord length (150)
which, when combined with the length of a salad tong (140), will
not allow the handle end (142) to rest in the salad makings (40)
when the suspended tool apparatus (100) is not being handled by a
customer.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a depiction of a workshop (1) having a suspended
tool apparatus (100). In the workshop (1) at least one suspended
tool apparatus (100) is affixed by attachment means (110) to the
overhead structure (22) via cords (120) to which are attached tools
(140).
[0013] FIG. 4 shows the workshop suspended tool apparatus (100). An
attachment means (110), generally a hook including, for example a
hook (110) with a screw or bolt and nut shaft is attached to an
overhead structure (22). Those of ordinary skill in hoop arts will
appreciate that eyes, hooks, hooks with clasps and other hook or
eye devices will be equivalent. A cord (120) has a cord first end
(122) and a cord second end (124). The cord first end (122) is
formed into a loop which is secured by a ferrule (112). The loop is
received by the hook (110) thereby suspending the cord (120) from
the hook (110). The cord (120) is, in the preferred embodiment,
elastic. In alternative embodiments the cord (120) may be a chain
or cable. The cord second end (124) is formed into a loop which is
secured by a ferrule (112) to be received by a loop at the handle
end (142) of a tool (140). In the preferred embodiment the cord
(120) and tool (140) are easily removed for cleaning. The cord
(120) has a cord length (150) which, when combined with the length
of a tool (140), will not allow the handle end (142) or the tool
(140) to rest in the working space, for example in an automotive
engine (400) when the tool (140) is not being handled by a mechanic
or shop worker.
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