GB2503755A

GB2503755A - Scissor pattern barbecue tongs

Info

Publication number: GB2503755A
Application number: GB201219954A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Winter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-11-06
Filing date: 2012-11-06
Publication date: 2014-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-06
Also published as: GB2503755B; GB201219954D0

Abstract

Tongs adapted for use in cooking food, especially for barbecue cooking, have a scissor pattern comprising pivoted arms and spatulas, one or both spatulas being dished in order to retain food items of varying sizes. When closed the spatulas come into contact at regions of one or more edges of the spatulas. In some embodiments the spatulas comprise gripping features on their inner, gripping surfaces. An edge of a spatula may comprise a recessed or projecting portion adapted to act in use as a scraper for cleaning purposes. One or more additional tools may be formed on a handle part such as a bottle or can opener, a corkscrew or a packaging opener. A tongs cleaner is also disclosed.

Description

Scissor pattern barbecue tongs

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to tools for cooking, in particular to tongs and multipurpose tools for barbecue cooking.

Background

In cooking on a barbecue a number of operations have to be performed including handling the food, turning and moving it to enable even cooking, picking it up when cooked and hot, cleaning of the griddle and picking up smaller pieces of cooked food that have fallen from the main portion but are still good to eat. Additionally, opening packaging such as plastic packages and drink bottles is part of the process, Many of the operations require proximity to the hot fire and so need to be carried out at a distance using tools.

Barbecue tools are available in a large range of configurations, sizes and styles.

Most tongs for handling hot food are sprung, comprising a spring means at the : 20 handling end to keep the tongs open when not compressed by hand, and food gripping means at the food end, typically a toothed edge. Such tongs are tiring to use, requiring constant hand pressure, and automatically release food when the hand relaxes, leading to mistakes and burnt food. Separate tools are known for cleaning and scraping the barbecue bars or flat griddle surfaces. Other tools comprise multifunction components, including a combination of food tongs, bottle opener, corkscrew etc., but still using a sprung tongs arrangement.

Scissor pattern tongs are known, typically comprising a simple pattern in metal wire, having plastic coated metal loops for the hands, a central pivot in the form of a rivet, and simple metal loops to grip the food, leading to a light and low cost device, but which does not grip food well, has high conductivity to the hand necessitating gloves, and has only one function -namely to hold food badly. More advanced scissor pattern tongs are known, having plastic coated handles and open pattern food grips in the manner of a slotted fish-slice. However, these are not adapted to grip food firmly, especially when greasy, and are not adapted to include toots for a combination of uses such as those mentioned above.

In contrast the invention provides a scissor pattern tongs overcoming disadvantages in the prior art and providing additional tool functions according to the embodiment. 5.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a scissor pattern tongs comprising: first and a second arms each having a handle end and a gripping end, the first and second arms being connected by means of a pivot; a handle formed at the handle end of each arm: a first spatula provided at the gripping end of the first arm, a second spatula provided at the gripping end of the second arm, each spatula having a proximal end nearest the handles and a distal end furthest from the handles, the first and the second spatulas having a gripping surface facing the other spatula and an oute surface.

Optionally one or both of the gripping surfaces having a dished form such that the * * centres of the gripping surfaces are a greater distance from each other than are an edge region of the gripping surface of the spatulas when the tongs are closed. * :20

Preferably the tongs are adapted such that in a closed position the gripping surfaces are brought into proximity and are openable by movement about the pivot such that the gripping surfaces are moved away from each other.

Preferably the spatulas are dished, being of substantially constant thickness over their area. In preferred embodiments both of the gripping surfaces have a dished form, such that the centres of the gripping surfaces are a greater distance from each other than are an edge region of the gripping surface of the spatulas when the tongs are closed.

In preferred embodiments at least one of the first and the second spatulas comprise gripping features projecting upwards from the gripping surface. Preferably the gripping features comprise shaped projections above the gripping surface.

Preferably the projections taper with distance from the gripping surface. In a preferred embodiment the projections are substantially in the form of a cone or truncated cone. In an alternative embodiment the projections are substantially cylindrical. The projections may have a sharp tip or a rounded or a flat tip.

In a preferred embodiment at least a portion of the edge regions of the spatulas meet together when the tongs are closed.

Preferably the spatulas are of similar shape and dimensions and the tongs are adapted such that when closed at least a portion of the edges at the distal end of the spatulas come into contact. More preferably the tongs are adapted such that when closed the spatulas come into contact over at least portion of the distal edge and at least a portion of both side edges.

In an alternative embodiment the gripping features are adapted such that when the tongs are closed one or more tips of the gripping features come into proximity with the opposing gripping surface. In embodiments in which gripping features are * provided on both gripping surfaces they may be arranged so that when the tongs are closed, gripping features on the first gripping surface lie between the gripping features on the second gripping surface.

* : 20 In a further embodiment the gripping features are provided on both gripping surfaces * and adapted so that when the tongs are closed the tips of opposing gripping features lie adjacent to or come into contact with eachother. * *d

In this way the spatulas have a firm gripping action on food placed between them, in particular at the edges of the spatulas. In embodiments in which àne or both of the spatulas are dished, when closed, large items of food may be gripped by one or more gripping features, while smaller items may be gripped by regions of the edges.

In preferred embodiments (he outer edge of one or both spatulas are adapted for scraping, and preferably have a thickness and shape adapted for this purpose. In some embodiments an outer edge has a sloping profile so having a thinner outer edge than the thickness of the main region of the spatula. In some embodiments a portion of or substantially the whole outer edge may be sharpened, in order to assist the scraping action, In further embodiments the Outer edge may have a recessed portion, for example at a corner of the spatula, or a notched, recessed, undulating or corrugated profile in order to act as a scraper adapted to reach between bars, for example of a griddle.

In further embodiments, one or both spatulas may be provided with tools in the form of specifically shaped regions of the spatula adapted for additional purposes. In one embodiment a spatula has a shaped outer corner adapted for piercing, for example piercing of skin on food or piercing of packaging. In a preferred embodiment such adaptation takes the form of one or more sharp projections formed at or adjacent to an outer corn!r of a spatula.

Preferably such projection(s) are substantially in the plane of th! spatula, and may comprise a sharp point extending radially from the corner. The corner may be recessed or cut away in order to form the point within the overall footprint of the spatula, for example by creating a point by providing a pair of recessed regions, one each side of the point. The point itself may be sharpened. Such features may be ". : provided on one or both spatulas, and in a preferred embodiment with such a feature * on only one spatula, the other spatula is sized such that when the tongs are closed the projection lies adjacent to a solid portion of the other spatula. In this way when closed the point is held safely against a solid material and so is prevented from * .** ** * : 20 piercing. * *

In preferred embodiments the tongs additionally comprise one or more additional tools mounted on or formed as part of the handle end of the arms: a bottle opener, a can opener, a corkscrew, and a packaging opener or slitter, which may be sharpened or simply a narrow, blunt, tooth-like projection.

In preferred embodiments the handle on the first arm is adapted to accommodate the fingers of a hand and the handle on the second arm is adapted to accommodate the thumb. Preferably the handles comprise a loop such that fingers or thumb may pass through the handles. Preferably the tongs comprise a hanging hook formed as part of one of the handles.

In preferred embodiments the tongs are sized such that the distance from the mid-point of the handles to the pivot is similar to the distance from the mid-point of the spatulas to the pivot. In this way it will be appreciated that movement of the handles together with a given force from the hand will exert a similar force on the food gripped between the spatulas. In comparison, tongs of the prior art all have a distance from the mid-point of the handles to the pivot less than the distance from the mid-point of the food-gripping region. In many if not most cases, the distance from the mid-point of the handles to the pivot is around half the distance from the mid-point of the food-gripping region. This means that from the principle of levers a given force from the hand will exert a lower force on the food gripped between the spatulas, and maybe around half the force. The tongs are therefore adapted to exert a higher gripping force and so to be more effective in use.

In some embodiments a spatulas maybe formed as part of a common part with the corresponding arm. In alternative embodiment the spatulas may be formed as a separate component bonded to, mounted on or cast or moulded onto the arm. The components.may be formed from similar or different materials, as will be described in more detail with reference to the specific embodiments.

In some embodiments one or both spatulas may have one or more apertures in it, a. * preferably having a raised profile around the edge of the aperture on the gripping surface that in use may act to hold food to prevent it slipping. Such apertures may act in use to allow drainage of fat. Such apertures may be between 1 and 5mm wide, * .S S. * 20 for example around 3mm wide, and length chosen according to the overall size and * design of the spatula. *1 * * .15

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a barbecue tongs kit comprising a set of tongs as described herein and a tongs cleaner, the tongs cleaner comprising: a substantially cylindrical handle having a proximal portion adapted to be held in the hand and a distal portion; an elongated rubber tongs cleaning element mounted on the distal portion of the handle, comprising a solid body having one or more narrow edges running parallel to a long axis of the element and projecting from the body, the or each edge being deformable in use to conform to a surface of the tongs.

Preferably the tongs cleaner comprises more than one such edge. In a preferred embodiment the body has the form in cross section of a polygon, the sides being hollowed out between the edges so as to enhance the projection of the edges from the sides. In a preferred embodiment the body comprises a central axial hole within which the distal portion of the handle is located.

Preferably the body is formed from a heat resistant compliant material such as an elastomer, such as silicone, or a rubber.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the invention; * Figure 2 shows a right hand side view of the embodiment shown in figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in figure 1; *: . Figure 4 shows a rear isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1; * : Figure 5 shows a front isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1;

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* 20 Figure 6 shows a left hand side view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 when * closed; and * * *0.

Figures 7 show a tongs cleaner adapted for use as part of the kit of the invention.

Detailed Description of Finures

Figures 1 to 6 show an embodiment of the invention. First and second arms are joined and articulated together at a pivot, and have moulded plastic handles at their handle ends and spatulas at their gripping ends.

Figure 2 shows the tongs in profile, showing a top handle adapted for a user's thumb to pass through, attached to a top arm that is articulated at the pivot and supports the bottom spatula, and a bottom handle adapted for a user's fingers to pass through, attached to a bottom arm that is articulated at the pivot and supports the top spatula.

In this embodiment the spatulas themselves are dished and gripping features are visible on the lower spatula gripping surface. The tongs are provided with a bottle 6.

opener at the front region of the lower handle, visible in figure 2. Preferably this opener is adapted to remove crown closure bottle tops, and is sized to accommodate at least a portion of the crown closure. Preferably the bottle opener comprises a curved inner profile to match the radius of a standard bottle neck, and a width through the material of the opener of 5mm or more in order to ensure that at least one crimp on the crown closure is pulled. A food packaging opener is provided at the rear lower portion of the bottom handle, comprising a projecting tooth adapted to slit packaging. A handle for hanging the tongs is formed from the moulding of the lower handle, projecting from the rear of the handle. The upper handle comprises a projecting region and the lower handle a recess adapted to receive the projection when the tongs are closed, to provide a positive location for the handles one against the other.

Figure 1 shows a bottom view, showing the handles and pivot edge-on, and the outer surface of the bottom spatula and a portion of the gripping surface of the top spatula.

Both spatulas are provided with a piercing tool at the lower corner, adapted for : piercing skin of food or packaging as described earlier. Gripping projections are * shown on the gripping surface of the top spatula. * *

Figure 3 shows a front view of the tongs when open, showing the dished form of the * spatulas, and gripping features in the form of low projections provided on each * gripping surface. The moulded form of the handles is visible.

* Figures 4 and 5 show rear and front isometric views of the embodiment. In preferred embodiments the spatulas are formed as part of the same component as the arms, and handles are moulded or mounted onto the arms. In some embodiments spatulas may be formed as separate components from the arms and bonded or mounted onto them. Preferably the spatulas are coated with a non-stick coating as known in the art. The spatulas are shown as dished by having a faceted interior, with the gripping surface formed as a series of planes. In alternative embodiments the dishing may be continuous1 for example as a curve. The spatulas are shown also as being substantially rectangular in edge profile. Other shapes, such as oval, circular, or leaf shaped for example are possible.

Figure 6 shows a side view of the tongs in the closed position. In this embodiment the edges of the spatulas are shown as coming into contact substantially over the whole of the side edges. In alternative embodiments the edges may come into contact over only part of the edges.

The tongs may be formed from suitable materials such as metal for the arms, for example steel or aluminium, and plastic, for example moulded silicone for the handles. The handles are preferably adapted so that both left -and right handed people can use them. The lower handle is preferably adapted to conform to the profile of the hand for firm grip and comfort. The bottle opener is preferably a metal component moulded into the handles, and may be formed as a portion of the lower arm projecting from the moulded handle. The pivot is preferably formed from a non-rusting rivet. The arms may have a variety of finishes, for example chromed steel or brushed or anodised aluminium. The spatulas may be formed from cast steel or aluminium, preferably having a non-stick finish, and may be in some embodiments be separate components riveted or welded to the arms. 15.

In a preferred embodiment a spatula has a straight edge with a small profile on each corner. In use these corner profiles will engage into a griddle groove and the tongs * can be pushed along to remove carbonised deposits or any bits of left from cooking.

* * The non-dished edge between the corners will act as a scraper for flat griddles.

Debris can be scooped to one corner and then pinched between the spatulas to collect it. The sides of the spatulas can be slightly tapered so that corners can be reached. * . -* *..

Figures 7 show a tongs cleaner usable with the tongs of the invention and said cleaner in use. A substantially cylindrical handle has a proximal portion adapted to be held in the hand and a distal portion holding an elongated rubber tongs cleaning head element, comprising a solid deformable or rubber body having one or more narrow edges running parallel to a long axis of the element and projecting from the body, the or each edge being deformable in use to conform to a surface of the tongs.

The embodiment in figure 7 has a substantially square cross-section body with the sides concave to enhance the edges and make them sharper and more deform'able in order to conform to the surfaces and edges of the tongs, Preferably the handle is formed from a rigid polymer, though it might be from metal or wood, and the body is formed from a heat resistant compliant material such as an elastomer, such as silicone, or a rubber.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the pads of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the ad, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and Aquivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. * . * * **

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Claims

Claims 1. A scissor pattern tongs comprising A first arm and a second arm each having a handle end and a gripping end, the first and second arms being connected by means of a pivot A plastic handle formed at the handle end of each arm A first spatula provided at the gripping end of the first arm, a second spatula provided at the gripping end of the second arm, each spatula having a proximal end nearest the handles and a distal end furthest from them, The first and the second spatulas having a gripping surface facing the other spatula and an outer surface, One or both of the gripping surfaces having a dished form, such that the centres of the gripping surfaces are a greater distance from each other than are an edge region of the gripping surface of the spatulas when the tongs are closed.

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2. A tongs as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spatulas are dished, being of * substantially constant thickness over their area. * *

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3. A tongs as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least one of the first and the second spatulas comprise gripping features projecting upwards from the gripping surface. * . *
4. A tongs as claimed in any claim above wherein when the tongs are closed the spatulas come into contact over at least portion of the distal edge and at least a portion of both side edges.
5. A tongs as claimed in any claim above wherein the distal edge of one or both spatulas are adapted for scraping and have a narrowed or sharpened region.
6. A tongs as claimed in any claim above wherein the edge of a spatula has a recessed or projecting portion adapted to act in use as a scraper adapted to reach between bars of a griddle.
7. A tongs as claimed in any claim above further comprising one or more additional tools mounted on or formed as part of the handle end of the arms selected from the group of: a bottle opener, a can opener, a corkscrew, and a packaging opener.
8. A tongs as claimed in any claim above sized such that the distance from the mid-point of the handles to the pivot is similar to the distance from the mid-point of the spatulas to the pivot.
9. A tongs kit comprising a set of tongs as claimed in any claim above and further comprising a tongs cleaner comprising: A substantially cylindrical handle having a proximal portion adapted to be held in the hand and a distal portion An elongated rubber tongs cleaning element mounted on the distal portion of the handle, comprising a solid body having one or more narrow edges running parallel to a long axis of the element and projecting from the body, the or each edge being deformable in use to conform to a surface of the tongs. * S * * .. * *SS * 0 S. * SAmendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. Scissor pattern barbeque tongs comprising: a first arm and a second arm each having a handle end and a gripping end, the first and second arms being connected by means of a pivot; a plastic handle formed at the handle end of each arm; and a first spatula provided at the gripping end of the first arm, a second spatula provided at the gripping end of the second arm, each spatula having a proximal end nearest the handles and a distal end furthest from them; the first and the second spatulas having a gripping surface facing the other spatula and an outer surface; wherein one or both of the gripping surfaces have a dished form, such that the centres of the gripping surfaces area greater distance from each other than are an edge region of the gripping surface of the spatulas when the tongs are closed; wherein the distal edge of one or both spatulas comprises a notched, recessed, undulating or corrugated profiled for scraping between bars of a griddle, and wherein one or both spatulas comprises one or more sharp projections adapted for piercing food and/or packaging in which the sharp projection(s) are formed at or adjacent an outer corner of the spatula.2. Tongs as claimed in claim 1, in which the one or more sharp projections are substantially in the plane of the spatula(s).3. Tongs as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the one or more sharp : projections extend radially from a corner of the spatula(s).4. Tongs as claimed in any one of cLaims 1 to 3, in which the corner of the spatula(s) is recessed or cut away to form the projection(s) within the overall footprint ne..of the spatula(s).* 0 5. Tongs as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a projection is provided between a pair of recessed regions.6. Tongs as claimed in claim I wherein the spatulas are dished, being of substantially constant thickness over their area.7. Tongs as claimed in either of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and the second spatulas comprise gripping features projecting upwards from the gripping surface.8. Tongs as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein when the tongs are closed the spatulas came into contact aver at least a portion of the distal edge and at least a portion of bath side edges.9. Tongs as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the distal edge of one or both spatulas have a narrowed or sharpened region.
10. Tongs as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more additional tools mounted on or formed as part of the handle end of the arms selected from the group of: a bottle opener, a can opener, a corkscrew, and a packaging opener.
11. Tongs as claimed in any preceding claim, sized such that the distance from the mid-point of the handles to the pivot is similar to the distance from the mid-point of the spatulas to the pivot.*
12. A barbeque tongs kit comprising a set of barbeque tongs as claimed in any preceding claim and further comprising a barbeque tongs cleaner comprising: * a substantially cylindrical handle having a proximal portion adapted to be held in the hand and a distal portion;S* S * an elongated rubber tongs cleaning element mounted on the distal portion of : *". the handle, comprising a solid body having one or more narrow edges running parallel to a long axis of the element and projecting from the body, the or each edge being deformable in use to conform to a surface of the barbeque tongs. on.S *5*SS..t.tS S