CA2518694A1 - Skinning fork - Google Patents

Abstract

A fork for holding a fish in place on a cutting surface, while a user cleans the fish with a knife or other instrument of his of her choice, comprises a handle and tines. The fork further comprises a digit guard fixedly attached to the handle to prevent users from cutting themselves while using the fork to clean fish.
The fork preferably also comprises a knife sharpening means, also fixedly attached to the handle, and preferably at the distal end of the side of the handle opposite the digit guard. Preferably, the handle has a curve in its profile view, at a distal end, where the tines are.

Description

FISH SKINNING, SCALING AND FILLETING FORK
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention [0001 ] The present invention relates generally to the fields of fishing, cutlery and food preparation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fork or clamp designed to hold a fish motionless during scaling or filleting.
Description of the Related Art [0002] The present invention relates generally to the fields of fishing, cutlery and food preparation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fork or clamp designed to hold a fish motionless during scaling, skinning and/or filleting.

[0003] Fish are a nutritious source of easily digestible protein and essential fatty acids. Numerous nutritional studies have recommended increased consumption of fish in the human diet. However, the processing of freshly caught fish can be an awkward and tedious task. The streamlined shape and inherent sliminess of the fish make it extremely difficult to hold the fish by hand. In addition, many fish have sharp spines and/or fins that limit the areas where the fish may be held. As scaling, skinning and filleting operations proceed, the fish handling becomes even more difficult as loose scales and released fluid increase the slipperiness of the fish. In addition, fish cleaning requires the use of sharp cutting and scraping instruments. The use of these instruments, when combined with the inherent slipperiness of fish, adds the hazard of potential personal injury to an already difficult task.

[0004] A number of different devices have been designed to ease the task of handling a fresh fish while the fish is cleaned with a second knife or scraper. US Patent Nos. 1,006,367, 4,615,078, 4,797,974 and 4,821,378 describe different devices, which are inserted over one or more fingers during fish processing. US Patent No. 1,006,367 (Dittmar, John, Fish-l0 Grip, October 17, 1911 ) teaches a fish-grip design consisting of thimble worn over the users finger. The thimble contains a number of pins, which can be projected outward to stab a fish to enable a firm hold on it. The device of US
Patent No. 4,797,974 (Smith, Jessie E., Jr., Fish Fillet Retainer Device, January 17, 1989) consists of a band into which a finger can be inserted. A stem extends distally from the band, ending in a pointed protuberance that contacts fish. Any number of these can be worn on the fingers of one hand to hold down the fish while the other hand operates the instrument being used to clean the fish. In US Patent No. 4,615,078 (Teich; Kurt P., Gripping tool, October 7, 1986), a flat, pliable metal strip is provided in an S-shape to wrap around two of 2o the users fingers. A portion of the strip is provided with an abrasive outer surface for grasping the fish. US Patent No. 4,821,378, (Streit et al., Fish Holder Thimble, April 18, 1989) operates in a similar manner. The thimble consists of a "frusto-conical thimble-like element" into which a user's thumb is inserted.

Once inserted, the thumb is wrapped in a cylindrical element that has teeth on one side for grasping the fish during handling. While these devices provide some protection for the fingers inserted into the devices, none of these devices provide any protection for the other fingers of the hand being used to grasp the fish.

[0005] US Patent No. 2,895,139 (Compton, Harold G., Fish Cleaning Glove Set, June 21, 1959) provides an interesting solution to the problems of fish handling and cleaning in a specially designed pair of gloves.
One of the gloves serves as the grasping glove through a series of projecting elements incorporated into the glove itself. These elements are preferably place on the finger pieces of the glove. The opposite glove includes embedded scaling and gutting instruments for cleaning the fish.

[0006] US Patent No. 1,228,366 (Mills, John B., Holder for Use in Scaling Fish, May 29, 1917) describes a hand-held device for holding a fish.
The device consists of a flat sheet of material that is bent downward on two opposing sides. The center of the material serves as the hand piece. Where the device bends downward on the front end of the hand piece, a series of teeth are provided for holding onto the fish during cleaning. The rear end of the device bends downward to form a pair of prongs that straddle the fish to make contact with the surface on which the fish is laid. While effective, the device provides no protection to the use should a knife or other sharp instrument slip during cleaning.

[0007] US Patent No. 2,496,062 (Morfesi, Eugene S., Meat Holder, January 31, 1950) provides a number of hand-held holders for meat and other materials during cutting. A typical holder consist of a handle for the users hand which is connected to holder consisting of a strip of material comprising teeth, points, tines, prongs and/or spikes which hold the material being handled.
A couple of the example devices include handles shaped in such a manner as to redirect a slipped knife away from the hand of the user but do not include any additional digit guards.

[0008] US Patent Application Publication No.
US2003/0124964A1 (Congialosi, Jack, I., Apparatus for Securing a Fish, July 3, 2003) also describes a handheld device to hold a fish. The device consists of a handle attached to a fan-shaped body with one or more tines for grasping the fish. This device provides no protection for the hand of the user. A
combination fish holder scraper is claimed in US Patent No. 3,181,198 (Stelzen, Fred, Fish Holder and Scraper, May 4, 1965) consisting of two hinged, concave sheets of material that can enclose and grasp a fish. Scraping devices on the holder can enable it to be used to scale as well as grasp a fish.

[0009] US Patent No. 3,048,884 (Robichaux, Arthur L., Fish Scaler, August 14, 1962) teaches a hand held scraper which can be run over a fish to remove the scales. This device includes a digit guards. It could conceivably be used to hold a fish if one end of the fish were braced against a solid surface but it is more designed as a scraping tool than as a holding tool for fish.

[0010] Another alternative solution for holding fish during cleaning is trays or boards specifically designed to hold fish motionless during cleaning. Examples of such devices include those of US Patent No. 3,248,751 (Wilborn, Jason D., Fish Cleaning Device, May 3, 1966) and US Patent No.
6,123,615 (Reber, James K., Fish Cleaning Apparatus and Method of Cleaning Fish Therewith, September 26, 2000). Similar devices are readily available from sporting goods retailers and catalogs. While effective, these devices suffer from the disadvantage of their considerable bulk, which may be an issue when the user has limited storage space or carrying capacity.
[0011 ] An additional issue in cleaning fish is the frequent need to sharpen the blades being used during the procedure. While a separate knife sharpener may serve this function, use thereof often requires that the fish be released. Problems may arise in preventing the fish from falling off the surface on which it has been placed and re-grasping the fish to continue the cleaning process.
[0012] The prior art is deficient in the lack of a small, hand-held tool for holding fish during cleaning that incorporates a digit guard and an optional knife sharpener. The present invention fulfills this long-standing need and desire in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] This invention is directed toward a fork for holding fish in place on a cutting surface while a user cleans a fish with a knife or other instrument of his of her choice. The fork comprises a handle and tines to which a digit guard has been fixedly attached to prevent the user from cutting a finger or thumb place on top of the fork to stabilize the fork during use.
Preferably, the handle of the fork has been bent into an arc, with the convex side forming the top and the concave side forming the bottom. Preferably, the fork further comprises a knife sharpening means fixedly attached to the handle. The knife sharpening means may consist of any of a number of natural or manmade grinding materials. The fork may be constructed from any number of materials.
Preferably, the materials are selected from the group comprising aluminum, steel, stainless steel, iron, bronze, hard plastic, and composite materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] So that the matter in which the above-recited features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become clear, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular descriptions of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to certain embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
These drawings form a part of the specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and therefore are not to be considered limiting in their scope.

[0015] Figure 1 shows the topside of the fishing holding device of the instant invention place with the prongs curving downward. The digit guard is visible immediately behind the prongs. At the end of the fork distal to the prongs, a spot weld opposite the end of a rivet is shown. This rivet attaches the knife sharpener to the opposite side of the fork. Alternatively, an adhesive, such as a liquid adhesive, is used to attach the knife sharpener to the fork.
[0016] Figure 2 shows also shows the topside of the fish holding device with the prongs facing forward.
[0017] Figure 3 is another view of the topside of fish holding device.
[0018] Figure 4 shows the device as oriented in Figure 3 from an angular view.
[0019] Figure 5 shows a side view of the fish holding device of the instant invention, with the digit guard visible above and the knife sharpener visible below. The fish would be placed below the device as shown so that the prongs could hold the fish in place.
[0020] Figure 6 shows the bottom side of the fish holding device of the instant invention with the prongs facing upward. The opposite ends of two rivets, which attach the digit guard to opposite side of the fork, are visible proximal to the prongs while the knife sharpener is visible on the end distal to the prongs.
[0021 ] Deleted [0022] Deleted [0023] Deleted [0024] Deleted [0025] Deleted [0026] Deleted [0027] Deleted [0028] Deleted DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In accordance with the present invention there may be employed conventional terms used in the art. These terms are defined as follows:
[0030] A fork is defined herein as any tool or instrument having a handle and one or more tines or prongs.
[0031 ] A digit guard is defined herein is any means designed to shield a finger or thumb from a knife or other sharp instrument. A digit guard comprises a piece of material having a depression for placing a finger or thumb in it. Between the depression and the tines of the fork, the digit guard is bends upward to form a wall to stop a knife from cutting into a finger or thumb if a knife slips over the tines of the fork. Preferably, the digit guard has perforations acting as drainage holes for sweat to seep through. Digit guards include rings, solid walls of material, enclosures and any other means that shields a finger or thumb.

[0032] Knife sharpening means is defined to include grinding materials and any substance against which a knife may be ground to sharpen its blade. Preferably, the grinding material is selected from the group comprising natural sharpening stones, manufactured grinding stones, bonded aluminum oxide, bonded silicon carbide, bonded industrial diamond, and a metal file.
Natural sharpening stones include the Washita and Arkansas stones that contain the abrasive mineral novaculite, which silicon dioxide. Manmade or manufactured stones include ceramic stones made from alumina (aluminum oxide) or silicon carbide in a ceramic bond. Grinding stones may also be made from industrial diamonds that have been bonded to steel. Polycrystalline diamond may be more economical but monocrystalline diamond is preferable because the diamonds are less prone to fracturing.
[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention provides a fork for holding fish in place on a cutting surface during cleaning. This fork comprises a handle having a digit guard and a plurality of tines at a distal end of the handle. The tines may be either fixedly attached to the distal end of the handle, or an extension of the handle.
[0034] The fork may be constructed of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, iron, nickel metal alloys, titanium, bronze, hard plastic, graphite fibre composite, carbon nanotube sheets, composite materials, and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art of making handheld tools.
[0035] The fork may have any suitable number of tines. In a preferred embodiment, the fork has six tines.

[0036] The digit guard may be a separate piece of material fixedly attached to the handle with rivets, bolts, screws, spot-welding, epoxy, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, integrated molding means fixedly attaches the digit guard to the handle, wherein the digit guard is molded into the fork's metal or plastic handle. In a preferred embodiment, the digit guard is a piece of material forming a depression for a finger or thumb and a bend that serves as a wall between the tines of said fork and the finger or thumb of the user.
[0037] The fork may optionally further comprises a knife sharpening means attached to the handle. The knife sharpening means is integrated into the handle or attached thereto by means of rivets, bolts, screws, spot-welding, adhesives such as epoxy, or a combination thereof.
[0038] In another embodiment of the instant invention, the fork as above, wherein the handle and tines are formed from a single strip of material, the material is bent into an arc, or curved along its distal end, to form a top convex side and a bottom concave side. The digit guard is fixedly attached to the top convex side of said strip in proximity to said tines. Preferably, there is no curve or a minimal curve in the portion of the handle where the knife sharpening means is fixedly attached. Preferably, the knife sharpening means is fixedly attached to the bottom concave side of the handle.
[0039] In the preferred embodiment of the instant invention where the handle and tines of the fork are formed from a single strip of material, the plurality of tines are cut into a distal end of the strip, which is preferably curved into an arc. Both the digit guard and knife sharpener may be attached by any combinations of rivets, screws, bolts, spot welding, epoxy, or other suitable means.
[0040] In the most preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the fork is manufactured from a strip of metal and six tines are cut from a distal end of the strip. The metal selected was a strip of aluminum. A
digit guard is fixedly attached to the top of the handle with epoxy and two rivets.
The digit guard consists of a depression to hold a finger or thumb and a bend forming a wall between the tines of said fork and said finger or thumb to prevent a knife from sliding over the tines and handle to cut the user. A knife sharpening means is fixedly attached to the bottom by epoxy and one or more rivets.
[0041 ] Preferably, the handle is knurled with a series of small ridges or beads on its metal surface to aid in gripping it. Alternatively, or in addition, the handle may have perforations adapted for improved grip and sweat drainage. Alternatively, the handle may be coated with an abrasive rubber or plastic mixed with silica to aid in gripping the handle.
[0042] The following example is given for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion.

[0043] To devise a fork for holding fish down on a cutting board for cleaning fish, six tines were cut from a distal end a strip of aluminum and bent into an arc. The resulting fork was effective but the inventor cut his finger while using it. To prevent a reoccurrence or this incident, a second piece of aluminum was molded into a digit guard, including a depression for placement of a finger or thumbs and was outer wall curving upward to catch the knife.
The digit guard was attached to the top of the fork with epoxy and two rivets. To allow for more convenient knife sharpening during use, a knife grinding stone was attached with a rivet and epoxy to the bottom of the fork handle. The resulting fork is shown in Figures 1 to 6.
[0038] The following references were cited herein:
[0039] Dittmar, John, Fish-Grip, US Patent No. 1,006,367, October 17, 1911.
[0040] Mills, John B., Holder for Use in Scaling Fish, US Patent No.
y,228,366, May 29, 1917.
[0041 ] Morfesi, Eugene S., Meat Holder, US Patent No. 2,496,062, January 31, 1950.
[0042] Compton, Harold G., Fish Cleaning Glove Set, US Patent No.
2,895,139, June 21, 1959.

[0043] Robichaux, Arthur L., Fish Scaler, US Patent No. 3,048,884, Aug 14, 1962.
[0044] Stelzen, Fred, Fish Holder and Scraper, US Patent No. 3,181,198, May 4, 1965.
[0045] Wilborn, Jason D., Fish Cleaning Device, US Patent No. 3,248,751, May 3, 1966.
[0046] Hansen, Trygve., Device for Holding Fish and the Like, US Patent No.
3,318,626, May 9, 1967.
[0047] Teich; Kurt P., Gripping tool, US Patent No. 4,615,078, October 7, 1986.
[0048] Smith, Jessie E., Jr., Fish Fillet Retainer Device, US Patent No.
4,797,974, January 17, 1989.
[0049] Streit et al., Fish Holder Thimble, US Patent No. 4,821,378, April 18, 1989.
[0050] Reber, James K., Fish Cleaning Apparatus and Method of Cleaning Fish Therewith, US Patent No. 6,123,615, September 26, 2000.

[0051 ] Congialosi, Jack, I., Apparatus for Securing a Fish, US Patent Application Publication No. US2003/0124964A1, July 3, 2003.
[0052] Any patents or publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. These patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
[0053] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The present examples along with the methods, procedures, treatments, molecules, and specific compounds described herein are presently representative of preferred embodiments, are exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims.

Claims (20)

1. A fork for holding fish in place on a cutting surface during cleaning of said fish, said fork comprising:
a handle;
a plurality of tines at a distal end of the handle; and, a digit guard fixedly attached to said handle.

2. ~The fork of claim 1, wherein said fork is constructed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, iron, nickel metal alloys, titanium, bronze, hard plastic, graphite fibre composite, carbon nanotube sheets, composite materials, and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art of making handheld tools.

3. ~The fork of claim 1, wherein said digit guard comprises a piece of material molded to form a depression for a finger or thumb and a bend, wherein said bend forms a wall between the tines of said fork and said finger of thumb.

4. The fork of claim 1, wherein said digit guard is attached to said handle by~
one or more means selected from the group consisting of rivets, bolts, screws, spot-welding, epoxy, and integrated moulding means.

5. The fork of claim 1, wherein said plurality of tines comprises a number of tines ranging from one to 100.

6. The fork of claim 5, wherein the number of tines is six.

7. The fork of claim 1 further comprising a knife sharpening means.

8. The fork of claim 7, wherein the knife sharpening means is selected from the group consisting of comprising natural sharpening stones, manufactured grinding stones, bonded aluminum oxide, bonded silicon carbide, bonded industrial diamonds, and metal files.

9. The fork of claim 8, wherein the knife sharpening means is fixedly attached to said handle by one or more means selected from the group consisting of rivets, bolts, screws, spot-welding, epoxy and integrated moulding means.

10. The fork of claim 1, wherein said handle and tines comprise a single strip of material.

11. The fork of claim 10, wherein said strip of material is bent into an arc along the length thereof, thereby forming a strip with a top convex side and a bottom concave side.

12. The fork of claim 11, wherein said digit guard is fixedly attached to the top convex side of said strip in proximity to said tines.

13. The fork of claim 11 further comprising means for sharpening a knife.

14. The fork of claim 13, wherein said sharpening means is fixedly attached to the bottom concave side of said strip.

15. A fork designed to hold fish in place on a cutting surface during cleaning of said fish, said fork comprising:
a single strip of material forming a handle and tines, wherein said handle and tines are formed by cutting a plurality of tines into one end of said strip and bending said strip along the length thereof to form a top convex side and a bottom concave side;
a digit guard fixedly attached to the top convex side of said fork, wherein said digit guard comprises a piece of material molded to form a depression for a finger or thumb and a bend, wherein said bend forms a wall between the tines of said fork and said finger or thumb; and, a knife sharpening means fixedly attached to the bottom, convex side of said strip.

16. The fork of claim 15, wherein said fork is constructed of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, iron, nickel metal alloys, titanium, bronze, hard plastic, graphite fibre composite, carbon nanotube sheets, composite materials, and other suitable materials known to those skilled in the art of making handheld tools.

17. The fork of claim 15, wherein plurality of tines consists of six tines.

18. The fork of claim 15, wherein the knife sharpening means is selected from the group consisting of comprising natural sharpening stones, manufactured grinding stones, bonded aluminum oxide, bonded silicon carbide, bonded industrial diamonds, and metal files.

19. A fork designed to hold fish in place on a cutting surface during cleaning of said fish, said fork comprising:
a single strip of aluminum forming a handle and tines, wherein said handle and tines are formed by cutting six tines into one end of said strip and bending said strip along the length thereof to form a top concave side and a bottom convex side;
a digit guard fixedly attached to the top convex side of said fork, wherein said digit guard is molded to form a depression for a finger or thumb and a bend, wherein said bend forms a wall between the tines of said fork and said finger or thumb; and, a knife sharpening means fixedly attached to the bottom convex side.

20. The fork of claim 19, wherein the knife sharpening means is selected from the group consisting of natural sharpening stones, manufactured grinding stones, bonded aluminum oxide, bonded silicon carbide, bonded industrial diamonds, and a metal files.