EP0959747A1

EP0959747A1 - A tool, especially a knife

Info

Publication number: EP0959747A1
Application number: EP97938894A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Philipp Deisler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-08-12
Filing date: 1997-08-12
Publication date: 1999-12-01
Also published as: WO1998006307A1; DE19632505A1

Abstract

A tool, more particularly a knife with a blade and a handle, is disclosed. It often happens with knives that hand skin comes off when preparing food before putting it into one's mouth, especially when trying to remove disturbing elements like bone pieces or fish bones. The new solutions based on state of the art technology considerably change the traditional place setting specific to our cultural background, thus imposing significant adjustment efforts upon the user. Consequently, said disclosure is intended to extend the tool range without departing from the conventional shape and handling. In order to achieve this, a sprangy element (4) is so mounted in the handle area (3) that, when opened, the outer end (6) of the sprangy element (4) and the blade (2) end (5) opposite to the handle (3) form pliers.

Description

Tools, especially knives

description

The present invention relates to a tool, in particular a knife, consisting of a blade and a handle part.

Knives have long been known in human development. Since then, the knife has been repeatedly adapted to special areas of application and its handling and external design have been improved. A large number of knives are also known in the field of cutlery, so that they can also be used as a useful tool depending on the particular food and the eating culture.

The present invention is explained below using the example of a knife that serves as a tool for separating food in a cutlery.

A combination of knife and fork has established itself as a cutlery in the eating culture of Europe. The fork takes on the task of placing the food on a plate, e.g. holding a piece of meat and leading separated parts of it to your mouth or selecting different parts on the plate. The knife is used for cutting and pushing the food on the plate. Experience has shown that problems occur when the bite-sized preparation of the food requires, for example, the removal of pieces of skin, or the removal of sturgeon bodies and in particular small pieces of bone or bones.

From German patent application 31 28 902.9 the idea is known to use tweezers for fish cutlery instead of a fish knife, which tweezers are primarily used to remove skin flaps, fish scales or fish bones. The idea disclosed in German utility model GM 73 35 946 of using a tong-like device with two specially shaped gripping jaws for loosening meat from the bones of, for example, a roasted chicken takes a similar approach. When using a normal cutlery, this device also replaces the knife, since a chicken still has to be held when the meat is removed.

The proposed solutions greatly change the cutlery that traditionally belongs to our culture and thus require a considerable change from the users.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to expand a tool of the type mentioned without the habitual shape of the tool or the known handling being lost.

This object is achieved in that - a spring element is fastened in the region of the handle part and the spread free end of the spring element with the end of the blade facing away from the handle part - forms a gripper.

As a knife, the tool according to the invention also consists of the familiar basic elements, handle part and blade, which, however, are expanded by a spring element. The spring element is fastened in the region of the handle part in such a way that its free end is spread apart by the actual knife. Thus, the tool can be used for gripping small objects, since a gripper-like device is formed by the arrangement according to the invention.

In an advantageous development, the spring element is elongated and in particular runs partially arcuate, so that overall a suitable spring force for closing and opening the gripper independently can be built up. For ease of use of the tool according to the invention, the length of the spring element is preferably adapted to the length of the actual knife, so that when the gripper is closed, the free end of the spring element comes into contact with the tip of the blade and, in particular, has the same length.

A particularly simple technical solution results from the fact that a part in the form of an arm of tweezers of the appropriate size is used as the spring element. With regard to the stress and durability, the materials known for the production of tweezers can be used. Furthermore, when gripping small objects, it is advantageous if the opposite areas of the blade and the spring element each have a congruent contour. Thus, the free end pieces of the knife and the spring element match in length and shape.

The spring element is advantageously fastened in the region of the lower free end of the handle part, so that the gripper can be operated with a finger of the hand with which the tool is guided. The spring travel can be chosen large enough as the free path of the spring element between the attachment point and the force application point, here by the pressure of the finger, in order to achieve a previously adjustable spring stiffness.

According to claim 5, the tool according to the invention can also be constructed in several parts, in that the knife forms a unit or the spring element can be fastened in or on the knife by insertion or any other shape. For this purpose, the claims 6-9 principally mention possible forms of connection up to the one-piece connection of the two above-mentioned units knife and spring element. At this point I would like to demonstrate the technical feasibility of the the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention is made with reference to the figures.

The arrangement is advantageously designed in such a way that the gripper, which is built up between the spring element and the knife consisting of the blade and the grip part, is in a normal section of the arrangement by the hand of the user against the spring force of the spring element with one finger, preferably by thumb or index finger of the right one Hand that is closable. A spring force is built up as a counter reaction, which then serves to automatically open the gripper.

In general, there are two mutually perpendicular planes on a tool or knife according to the invention, in which the spring travel of the spring element can lie, as is set out in claims 11 and 13. Of course, all conceivable mixed forms should also be included, which can result from vectorial components of these levels, since an inclined position of the spring element can also make sense in relation to the level of the blade.

In this context, advantageous forms of arrangement of the spring element relative to the plane of the blade are the subject of claims 12 and 14.

In addition to cutting or slicing and selecting, the knife according to the invention also serves as a pushing aid when picking up food items e.g. on the fork. This sliding function naturally also facilitates selection and is improved according to claim 15 in that the blade is made wider or bulbous, as will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings below.

Special advantages can be achieved by the tool according to the invention, in that it is used as a fish knife, preferably with a partially sharpened cutting edge. Overall, the familiar fish knife is only in its shape and handling changed slightly. However, a new function has been added that offers great advantages when it comes to finding and sorting bones.

The above-mentioned advantages of the invention can also be exploited in that the spring element is designed as an extension part that can be attached to existing fish knives. Considerable demand is expected for this embodiment of the present invention, since retrofitting can always be cheaper than buying a new one.

In principle, other uses than a knife are also conceivable. Analogously, the invention could also be used with other eating machines, for example in the form of a modified fork.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The pictures show:

FIG. 1 a shows a side view of a first embodiment of a fish knife, *

Fig. Lb is a plan view of the embodiment of

Fig.la;

2a shows a side view of a detail from FIG. 1b in a further embodiment;

2b shows a side view of a further embodiment of the detail from FIG. 1b;

3a shows a plan view of the end of a handle piece in a further embodiment;

3b is a plan view of the end of a spring element in a further embodiment to match the handle of Fig. 3a, - 6 -

Figure 3c is a side view of the handle of Figure 3a;

Figure 3d is a side view of the parts of Figures 3a and 3b in the assembled state;

4a shows a side view of a further embodiment of a fish knife;

4b is a top view of a fish knife from FIG. 4a;

5a is a side view of a fish knife, *

5b is a side view of an embodiment of a retrofittable spring element, *

6a shows a side view of a further embodiment of a retrofittable spring element;

Fig. 6b is a plan view of the spring element of Fig. 6a.

Fig. La shows a knife 1 in a side view. In the knife 1 shown, a spring element 4 is arranged on the outside of the unit consisting of blade 2 and handle part 3 such that the free end 5 of the blade 2 and the free end 6 of the spring element 4 form a gripper. Between the ends 5 and 6 there is a gap 7 of width D when the knife 1 is at rest, which gap can be closed against a spring force. The force required for this is exerted, for example, on a contact surface 8 with a normal holding of the knife 1 of one hand by a finger 9, preferably the index finger of the right hand. After relieving the spring element 4, the gripper automatically opens again due to the spring return force and the object selected with the knife 1 is released.

In addition, the blade 2 is also when using this knife Fish knife sharpened in area a of the cutting edge to make it easier to open or separate the skin of a fish.

The dashed line x in FIG. 1 a shows the preferred bulbous shape of a blade 2 for use in a knife 1 according to the invention. The enlarged free area of the blade 2 further improves the properties of the knife as a pushing aid, especially during the selection process and the conveying of food pieces onto a fork. Furthermore, the blade 2, which is wider than average meat knives, can also facilitate cutting with the knife according to the invention.

Fig. Lb shows the structure of the knife 1 in a plan view. This clearly shows that the spring element 4 ends at its end 6 with the end 5 of the blade 2 in order to form a secure gripper even for small or very fine objects. In addition, the spring element is very elongated and only attached to the end 10 of the handle 3. Together with the overall slightly curved shape, the ease of use of the gripper is thus ensured solely by a finger 9 with an appropriate spring stiffness that can be adjusted during manufacture.

FIGS. 2a-3d show different forms of fastening a spring element 4 to the handle part 3 as alternatives to the one-piece variant shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b.

In Fig. 2a, the spring element 4 is glued to the handle part 3, soldered and / or rigidly connected by another connection 11, for example on a bolt or rivet basis. Fig. 2b represents the one possibility of articulation of the spring element 4 on the handle hurry 3. Here, the spring element 4 encloses the handle part 3 with a specially shaped end piece 4a. The fastening and articulation is carried out via a bolt 11a. In FIGS. 3a-3d, the idea of articulation is developed into a flexible design that can be separated into two parts. Here, a pin 12 is inserted on a web 13 of the spring element 4 through slots 14 into a bore 15 of the handle part 3. The pin 12 has a round cross section with opposing flats. Thus, the spring element used cannot separate or detach from the handle 3 in the position of use.

The embodiment of Fig. La and lb represents a knife in which the direction of movement of the spring element 4 is preferably directed perpendicular to the plane of the blade 2. The spring element 4 is attached, on a top view of the back 16 of the blade 2, on the outside to the right of the blade 2. The arrangement to the left of the blade 2 is also possible. 4a shows a further possibility of a knife 1 in side view, the spring element 4 of which has a direction of movement running parallel to the plane of the blade 2, which lies in particular in the plane of the blade 2. The usable part of the gripper is thus formed between the spring element 4 and the back 16 of the blade 2. The above considerations regarding the fastening options of the spring element 4 on the handle part 3 can be transferred here, although in FIGS. 4a and 4b fastening by two connections 11 is carried out as a bolt connection.

The advantages of the knife described in terms of ease of use can also be used in existing knives in that the spring element 4 is constructed with an adapted fastening unit 17 as an extension part or retrofit kit. For this purpose, a conventional knife 1 is outlined in FIG. 5a. 5b shows a fastening unit 17 adapted to the end 10 of the handle part 3. Such a fastening unit 17 consists, for example, of a tapered sleeve 18 closed on one side. On its open side, the sleeve 18 runs out into a spring element 4, as shown in FIG. 5b. An alternative design of a fastening unit 17 is shown in a side view in FIG. 6a. Here, a slotted sleeve 19 which is open on both sides is formed by two arms which, when used, enclose the handle part. Opposite the slot 20, this fastening unit 17 again runs into a spring element 4.

These two designs presented in FIGS. 5b and 6a-6b allow retrofitting by simply plugging in and clamping, which can be made permanent by soldering or gluing. In principle, all known knives made from cutlery can thus be retrofitted analogously to the knives shown in FIGS.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a spring element, in contrast to the spring element 4 which laterally engages the knife, is arranged beyond the back of the knife, so that a gripping movement takes place essentially in the plane of the blade.

In another exemplary embodiment it is provided that a knife blade and a spring element are designed in such a way that a contact surface between the blade and the spring element results when the spring element is actuated. The contact surface starts from the head end of the blade and extends over a distance of approx. 1-2 cm towards the opposite end of the knife.

In a further exemplary embodiment, starting from its free end, the spring element has a web which extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the knife. In this way, the removal of bones from a fish to be consumed is considerably simplified, since bones are usually removed from a fish to be eaten lying approximately perpendicular to the knife axis. It is also possible to remove several bones in one step.

Claims

Expectations

1. Tool, in particular knife consisting of a blade and a handle, characterized in that a spring element (4) is fastened in the region of the handle part (3) and - the spread free end (6) of the spring element (4) with the Handle part (3) facing away from the end (5)

Blade (2) forms a gripper.

2. Knife according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring element (4) is elongated and in particular at least partially runs slightly arcuate and preferably corresponds in length to that of the entire knife (1).

3. Knife according to one or both of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (4) is designed in the form of an arm of tweezers, in particular the blade (2) and the spring element (4) at their respective free end regions have congruent contours.

Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (4) is fastened in the region of the end (10) of the handle part (3).

Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (4) can be inserted into the handle part (3) of the knife (1) or used in another form.

6. Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element ^' (4) on the handle part (3) of the knife (1) is articulated.

7. Knife according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring element (4) with the handle part (3) is resiliently connected.

8. Knife according to one or more of claims l to 4, characterized in that the spring element (4) with the handle (3) is fixedly connected.

9. Knife according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring element (4) and the handle hurry (3) are integrally connected.

10. Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the spring element (4) and the blade (2) and handle part (3) existing knife (1) gripper at the ends (5, 6) in a gap (7) is opened and in particular in the normal sectional position of the arrangement by the user's hand against the spring force of the spring element (4) with a finger, preferably by thumb or index finger of the right hand, can be closed.

11. Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the direction of movement of the spring element (4) is preferably perpendicular to the blade (2).

12. Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (4) in plan view of the back (16) of the blade (2) outside attached to the right or left of the blade (2).

13. Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the direction of movement of the spring element (4) is parallel to the plane of the blade (2) and in particular in the plane of the blade (2).

14. Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free end (6) of the spring element (4) for resilient contact with the free end (6) of the blade (2) by finger pressure in the area of the back ( 16) of the knife is movable.

15. Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the knife (1) has a wide or bulbous blade (2).

16. Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the knife (1)

Fish knife with a partially sharpened cutting edge (a).

17. Knife according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (4) is designed as an extension part, preferably with a fastening unit (17) for existing fish knives.