U.S. patent application number 11/672037 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-09 for kitchen hand tool.
Invention is credited to Gareth Brown, Dean Chapman, Mathew Chin, Paul Goetz, Ed Kilduff.
Application Number | 20070181012 11/672037 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38332684 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070181012 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chapman; Dean ; et
al. |
August 9, 2007 |
Kitchen Hand Tool
Abstract
The present invention is a kitchen hand tool for crushing,
slicing, or juicing food products. The tool is operated by closing
two handles that rotate a drive gear that engages the ratcheting
tooth portion of a crush paddle resulting in the movement of the
crush paddle toward a basket, crushing and discharge of the food
item through the basket. A drive pawl forces the drive gear to
rotate counterclockwise, which in turn forces ratcheting tooth
portion and subsequently the crushing paddle down in a clockwise
direction applying crushing force on the garlic or any item placed
in the crushing area. As the drive gear turns until it clicks past
a locking pawl. This cycle of opening and closing the handles is
repeated until the crush paddle is fully advanced and can move no
further and is against the basket.
Inventors: |
Chapman; Dean; (Montclair,
NJ) ; Goetz; Paul; (New York, NY) ; Chin;
Mathew; (New York, NY) ; Kilduff; Ed; (New
York, NY) ; Brown; Gareth; (Jersey City, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHITE-WELKER & WELKER, LLC
P.O. BOX 199
CLEAR SPRING
MD
21722-0199
US
|
Family ID: |
38332684 |
Appl. No.: |
11/672037 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60771067 |
Feb 7, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
100/234 ;
100/125 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 19/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
100/234 ;
100/125 |
International
Class: |
B30B 7/00 20060101
B30B007/00 |
Claims
1. A kitchen hand tool comprising in combination: a pivoting
handle; a drive pawl secured to the pivoting handle by a spring
loaded shaft means for engaging a drive gear; a spring loaded
driving latch pawl secured to the pivoting handle for engaging the
drive gear to provide a means for controlling the movement of the
pivoting handle and crush paddle. a drive spring and shaft as means
for securing the stationary handle to the pivoting handle enabling
a spring loaded pivoting handle, when attached to the stationary
handle; a stationary handle; a basket and crush paddle attached to
said stationary handle by spring loaded shaft means; said crush
paddle further consisting of a ratcheting tooth portion; a locking
pawl secured by a spring-loaded shaft as means for securing the
locking pawl to the stationary handle and engaging a drive gear;
said pivoting handle secured to a stationary handle by a securing
shaft; a drive gear secured to the stationary handle by a shaft
means allowing said pivoting handle together with the drive gear to
move freely; and said drive gear engages the ratcheting tooth
portion of the crush paddle to provide a means for controlling the
movement of the pivoting handle and crush paddle.
2. The kitchen hand tool according to claim 1 wherein the basket
further comprises two mounting flaps which allow it to slide off
the spring-loaded shaft when the crushing face is rotated out of
the crushing area.
3. The kitchen hand tool according to claim 2 wherein, the crushing
face is rotated out of the crushing area 180 degrees from the
crushing position for removal.
4. The kitchen hand tool according to claim 1 wherein disengagement
of the spring loaded driving pawl from the ratcheting tooth portion
of the crush paddle, allowing the pivoting handle to be returned to
an open position, requires extension of the pivoting handle into a
position furthest from the stationary handle thereby ejecting the
crush paddle from the crushing area.
5. The kitchen hand tool according to claim 1 wherein the basket is
secured to the stationary handle by a lip on the stationary handle
which engages stop basket means on three sides located on the
stationary handle and said spring loaded shaft.
6. The kitchen hand tool according to claim 1 wherein as the
pivoting handle is squeezed toward the stationary handle the drive
gear incrementally moves the ratcheting tooth portion and the
crushing paddle toward a closed position against the basket.
7. The kitchen hand tool according to claim 1 wherein the drive
pawl engages the drive gear 5, and the locking pawl prevents the
drive gear 5 from rotating backwards; as the pivoting handle and
stationary handle are moved together, the drive pawl forces the
drive gear to rotate, which in turn forces ratcheting tooth portion
and subsequently the crushing paddle to move, applying a crushing
force on any item placed in the crushing area; and as the drive
gear turns it clicks past the locking pawl.
8. The kitchen hand tool according to claim 1 wherein as the
pivoting handle and stationary handle are released the drive pawl
rotates back and clicks over the teeth of the drive gear; and the
drive pawl always returns to its engaged position relative to the
drive gear.
9. The kitchen hand tool according to claim 1 wherein to release
the crushing paddle the pivoting handle is opened until it hits the
locking pawl; the locking pawl rotates out of the path of the drive
gear and disengages its locking effects; and once the locking pawl
is moved the spring loaded shaft forces the crush paddle to rotate
to an open position.
10. The kitchen hand tool according to claim 1 wherein a shaft is
provided that limits the extension of the pivoting handle away from
the stationary handle.
11. The kitchen hand tool according to claim 1 wherein the securing
shaft also secures the drive gear within the stationary handle
while allowing the pivoting handle together with said drive gear to
move freely.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/771,067, entitled "Kitchen Hand
Tool", filed on Feb. 7, 2006.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates generally to a kitchen hand
tool. More specifically, the present invention relates to a kitchen
hand tool specifically designed for crushing, pressing and
extruding food items such as garlic.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Kitchen hand tools and presses are widely used in homes
across the globe. Users are constantly looking for better, easier,
and more efficient devices to use in food preparation. Fore
example, it is well known that opening soup cans or uncorking wine
can be a challenge for those with diminished hand strength. In
response to this need devices designed to reduce the force needed
to twist a can opener, open a lid, or uncork a bottle of wine have
been developed.
[0006] The present invention relates to the manual slicing,
juicing, or crushing of food items. While many devices are known in
the prior art, they all suffer from similar or related
shortcomings. For example, many have exposed gears or ratchet teeth
than can cause injury to a user. Many are difficult to use and
provide little leverage to a user wishing to crush or juice a food
item. Still others require the use of screws or rivets that result
in devices that continually break, need repair, or constant
adjustment or tightening.
[0007] Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to
teach a kitchen hand tool that eliminates or reduces the risk of a
user being caught in the ratchet teeth while also providing a tool
that eliminates the need for a cover panel and screws.
[0008] It is another objective of the present invention to teach a
kitchen hand tool that has interchangeable plates which enables
various pressing uses such as chopping, slicing, crushing, juicing,
etc.
[0009] It is yet another objective of the present invention to
teach a kitchen hand tool that requires less force by a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is a kitchen hand tool for crushing,
slicing, or juicing food products. The tool is operated by closing
two handles that rotate a drive gear that engages the ratcheting
tooth portion of a crush paddle resulting in the movement of the
crush paddle toward a basket, crushing and discharge of the food
item through the basket. A drive pawl forces the drive gear to
rotate counterclockwise, which in turn forces ratcheting tooth
portion and subsequently the crushing paddle down in a clockwise
direction applying crushing force on the garlic or any item placed
in the crushing area. As the drive gear turns until it clicks past
a locking pawl. This cycle of opening and closing the handles is
repeated until the crush paddle is fully advanced and can move no
further and is against the basket.
[0011] The primary advantage of the present invention is that it
provides a device that is more compact in size and protects users
from the ratcheting teeth. The ratcheting teeth of the rotating
crushing face are protected and enclosed within the space between
the stationary and pivoting handles.
[0012] Another advantageous aspect of the present invention is the
design of the crushing area, which has two walls and a floor
defined by the stationary handle and provides a rotating crushing
face from compressing food materials in the crushing area against
the walls, floor, and plate. This design eliminates the surface
area that must be cleaned after or between uses. The result is a
crushing area that has no sides resulting in easier cleaning.
[0013] Yet another advantage of the present invention is the
removable plate, is simply lifted out of place for cleaning or
replacement. The plate is in comprised of mounting flaps and slots
that allow it to sit in a fixed position over a shaft and rest
against a securing return in the crushing area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention
and, together with the description, further serve to explain the
principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the
pertinent art to make and use the invention.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an expanded view from the front top perspective of
the kitchen hand tool illustrating all physical components;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an expanded view from the rear bottom perspective
of the kitchen hand tool illustrating all physical components;
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates the maximum opening angle between the
pivoting handle and the stationary handle;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the kitchen hand tool;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view that illustrates the
internal ratcheting and locking mechanisms with the crushing face
removed from the crushing area;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view which illustrates the
internal ratcheting and locking mechanisms with the crushing face
against the plate;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view which illustrates the
internal ratcheting and locking mechanisms with the crushing face
in the crushing area but not against the plate;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view that illustrates the internal
ratcheting and locking mechanisms with the crushing face against
the plate; and
[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view that illustrates the internal
ratcheting and locking mechanisms with the crushing face removed
from the crushing area.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] In the following detailed description of the invention of
exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements),
which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention
may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical,
mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by
the appended claims.
[0025] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.
However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art
have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the
invention.
[0026] Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various
major elements constituting the apparatus of the present invention.
The present invention is a kitchen hand tool specifically designed
for crushing, pressing and extruding food items such as garlic.
[0027] The kitchen hand tool is operated by closing the pivoting
handle 2 and stationary handle 1. This action rotates a drive gear
5 which engages the ratcheting tooth portion 18 of the crush paddle
3 resulting in the movement of the crush paddle 3 toward a basket 4
and the reduction in volume in the crushing area, which results in
the crushing and discharge of the food item through the basket
4.
[0028] Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, expanded views of the
components of the present invention are illustrated. The kitchen
hand tool comprises in combination: a stationary handle 1 a
pivoting handle 2, a replaceable basket 4, and crush paddle 3
further comprised of a ratcheting tooth portion 18 on the crush
paddle 3 which engage the drive gear 5. The basket 4 and crush
paddle 3 are attached to the stationary handle 1, via a crush
paddle spring 16 and crush paddle pin 17.
[0029] The stationary handle 1 further comprises a locking pawl
spring 13 and locking pawl pin 9 as means for securing the locking
pawl 6 to the stationary handle 1. Also a handle stop pin 10 is
provided that limits the extension of the pivoting handle 2 from
the stationary handle 1. A slot 22 in the pivoting handle 2 catches
on the stop pin 10 to prevent over rotation of the pivoting handle
2 from the stationary handle 1.
[0030] The pivoting handle 2 further comprises a drive pawl spring
12 and drive pawl pin 14 as means for securing the drive pawl 7 and
drive pawl spring 12 to the pivoting handle 2; and a drive spring 8
and drive spring pin 15 as means for securing the drive spring 8 to
the pivoting handle 2 resulting in a spring loaded pivoting handle
2, when attached to the stationary handle 1.
[0031] The pivoting handle 2 is secured to the stationary handle 1
by a pivoting handle pivot pin 11. The pivoting handle pivot pin 11
secures the stationary handle 1 and pivoting handle 2 together with
the drive gear 5 while allowing the pivoting handle 2 to move
freely with respect to its drive spring 8.
[0032] A spring loaded driving latch pawl 7 is secured to the
pivoting handle 2 and engages the ratcheting tooth portion 18 of
the crush paddle 3 to provide a means for controlling the movement
of the pivoting handle 2 and crush paddle 3. To disengage the
spring loaded driving pawl 7 from the ratcheting tooth portion 18
of the crush paddle 3, allowing the pivoting handle 2 to be
returned to an open position, the pivoting handle is moved or
extended into a position furthest from the stationary handle 1.
When the pivoting handle 2 is extended away from the stationary
handle 1 it releases the spring loaded locking pawl 6 and the
spring loaded crush paddle 3 is ejected from the crushing area.
[0033] The basket 4 is secured to the stationary handle 1 by a lip
21 on the main body portion of the stationary handle 1 which
engages stop basket means 19 when at a certain position 21 on three
sides located on the stationary handle 1 and a crush paddle spring
16 and crush paddle pin 17. The lip 21 on the main body portion of
the stationary handle 1 engages a stop basket means 19 when at a
certain position 21 thereby preventing the basket 4 from being
pushed out the front of the press during use.
[0034] The basket 4 has slots on the mounting flaps 20 which allow
it to slide off the crush paddle pin 17 when the crushing face 4 is
rotated out of the crushing area, about 180 degrees from the
crushing position for easy assembly and removal for cleaning. The
present invention also allows for the easy replacement of a worn or
basket 4 while also enabling the tool to use different,
interchangeable plates to enable crushing, slicing, or other
desired pressing features. The basket 4 is no longer a permanent
fixture in the pressing tool and has no bottom or side utility
enabling it to be made from a stamped metal or plastic part of less
complexity over those known in the prior art.
[0035] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 illustrate a cross sectional view of the
internal ratcheting and locking mechanisms of the kitchen hand tool
of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the ratchet latch is rotated
to its maximum position where the crushing face crush paddle 3 has
been rotated against the basket 4. As the pivoting handle 2 is
squeezed toward the stationary handle 1 the drive gear 5
incrementally moves the ratcheting tooth portion 18 and
subsequently the crushing paddle 3 toward it's closed (crushed)
position.
[0036] Again referring to FIG. 6, the pivoting handle 2 and
stationary handle 1 are shown in a resting position. The drive
spring 8 holds the pivoting handle 2 and stationary handle 1 at
this position. The drive pawl 7 is engaging the drive gear 5, and
the locking pawl 6 is preventing the drive gear 5 from rotating
backwards. As a user moves the pivoting handle 2 and stationary
handle 1 together the crushing paddle 3 moves as shown in its
change from FIG. 6 to FIG. 7. The drive pawl 7 forces the drive
gear 5 to rotate counterclockwise, which in turn forces ratcheting
tooth portion 18 and subsequently the crushing paddle 3 down in a
clockwise direction applying crushing force on the garlic or any
item placed in the crushing area. As the drive gear 5 turns it
clicks past the locking pawl 6, which is spring loaded so that it
always returns to its locked position.
[0037] As the pivoting handle 2 and stationary handle 1 are
released and the mechanism moves to return to its rest position as
illustrated in FIG. 6, the drive pawl 7 rotates back and clicks
over the teeth of the drive gear 5 to return to its position as
shown FIG. 6. The drive pawl 7 is also spring loaded so that it
always returns to its engaged position relative to the drive gear
5.
[0038] This cycle of opening and closing pivoting handle 2 and
stationary handle 1 is repeated until the crush paddle 3 is fully
advanced and can move no further and is against the basket 4.
[0039] At this point to release the mechanism, the user moves the
pivoting handle 2 and stationary handle 1 toward their respective
rest positions as shown in FIG. 5. In this position the pivoting
handle 2 is opened past the rest position to hit the lower portion
of the locking pawl 6. This forces the locking pawl 6 to rotate out
of the path of the drive gear 5 and disengages its locking effects.
Once the locking pawl 6 is moved the crush paddle spring 16 inside
the axle of the crush paddle 3 forces the crush paddle 3 to rotate
counter clockwise to its open position. Without the locking pawl 6
to stop it, the drive gear 5 rotates with the crush paddle 3
without impeding its motion.
[0040] Once the crush paddle 3 is rotated out fully the crushing
area can be reloaded, and the crush paddle 3 rotated back counter
clockwise until it engages the drive gear 5, at which point the
cycle of opening and closing the pivoting handle 2 and stationary
handle 1 can resume.
[0041] When the mechanism is in the open position, for example,
when the crush paddle 3 is rotated fully counterclockwise, the
basket 4 may be rotated out of position counterclockwise until it
is approximately 180 degrees from its in use position. Once rotated
the basket 4 may be pulled upward to remove it from the assembly,
for cleaning, replacement, changing, etc.
[0042] Thus, it is appreciated that the optimum dimensional
relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation
in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation,
assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to
those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above
description are intended to be encompassed by the present
invention.
[0043] Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method
and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of
the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their
legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
* * * * *