WO2008034201A1

WO2008034201A1 - Magnetic tongs

Info

Publication number: WO2008034201A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001737
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Mayhew
Original assignee: Mayview Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-09-21
Filing date: 2007-11-13
Publication date: 2008-03-27

Abstract

Tongs or tweezers which consist of two arms incorporating magnets adjacent one end so that the arms are attached to each other at that end and the arms are shaped so that the free ends of the arms can be brought together by pressure on the arms acting against the magnetic attraction of the attached ends. The arms pivot about a line internally of the magnets. A fulcrum bar is inserted into grooves at the pivot line in each arm to maintain lateral stability of the arms.

Description

MAGNETIC TONGS

This invention relates to improved tongs, tweezers or chopsticks that are easier to use and to clean.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Tongs and tweezers usually incorporate a spring to keep the jaws apart so that they can be closed by finger pressure on each of the two arms but spring apart when the pressure is released. The mechanical springs are difficult to clean and the arms are difficult to separate. Magnetic springs are known but have not been proposed in relation to cooking utensils.

There are numerous patents relating to barbecue implements and tongs but these use mechanical springs and locking mechanisms.

USA patent 6869117 discloses tongs with a mechanical spring and a magnetic locking mechanism in which one magnet can be slid away longitudinally to unlock the tongs.

It is an object of this invention to provide an easier to clean design that can be used for tongs and tweezers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION of the INVENTION

To this end the present invention provides a hand implement which consists of two arms incorporating magnets adjacent one end so that the arms are attached to each other at that end and the arms are shaped so that the free ends of the arms can be brought together by pressure on the arms acting against the magnetic attraction of the attached ends.

This construction allows the arms to be separated and washed without the crevices and difficult to sterilise corners that conventional tongs and tweezers have. The magnets may be encapsulated or sealed into cavities in the ends of the arms. It is only essential that one of the inserts is a permanent magnet and the other insert need only be a magnetisable material such as steel. Within the context of this invention reference to magnets will also include a magnet and a complementary magnetisable insert. The pivot line or fulcrum about which the arms pivot, lies adjacent the internal edge of the magnets. It is preferred that a fulcrum bar be inserted into grooves at this line in each arm to maintain lateral stability of the arms and to prevent them from skewing. Instead of a bar the fulcrum may be any convenient shape with a corresponding shaped recess in each arm. One possible shape would be a sphere such as a ball bearing with a hemispherical recess in each arm It is also within the scope of this invention to shape the magnets to provide the pivot line.

The tongs and tweezers may be made in any shape and size that is functional and may be made from any material for functional and decorative effect. Suitable materials are wood, synthetic thermosetting resins and thermoplastics and metals such as pewter aluminium and stainless steel may be used. For medical and dental applications the preferred material is autoclavable stainless steel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION of the INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings in which

Figure 1 illustrates the application of the invention to convert chopsticks to tongs; Figure 2 is a detail of the magnetic ends of the chopsticks illustrated in figure 1 ; Figure 3 illustrates a second application of the invention to convert chopsticks to tongs;

Figure 4 is a detail of the magnetic ends of the chopsticks illustrated in figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates the application of the invention to kitchen tongs; Figure 6 is a detail of the magnetic ends of the tongs illustrated in figure 5. As shown in figures 1 and 2 the chopsticks consist of arms 11 and 12 having shaped ends 15 and 16 incorporating rectangular magnets 17 and 18. The ends 15 and 16 are shaped so that when the ends are magnetically attached the free ends 13 and 14 of arms 11 and 12 are spaced apart because they diverge from each other. When the arms 11 and 12 are pressed together they pivot toward each other from the fulcrum line 20 which marks the beginning of the divergence of arms 11 and 12.

In figures three and 4 grooves 23 and 24 are provided at the inner end of sections 15 and 16 and a fulcrum bar 25 is inserted into the two slots. When the arms 11 and 12 are pressed toward each other they pivot about the bar 25. The magnets 17 and 18 act as springs to return the arms 11 and 12 to their starting position. The presence of the bar 25 prevents lateral movement or skewing of the arms.

As shown in figures 5 and 6 the tongs consist of arms 31 and 32 having shaped ends 35 and 36 incorporating circular magnets 37 and 38. The ends 35 and 36 are shaped so that when the ends are magnetically attached the free ends 33 and 34 of arms 31 and 32 are spaced apart because they diverge from each other. Grooves 43 and 44 are provided at the inner end of sections 35 and 36 and a fulcrum bar 45 is inserted into the two slots to provide lateral stability. When the arms 31 and 32 are pressed toward each other they pivot about the bar 45. The magnets 37 and 38 act as springs to return the arms 31 and 32 to their starting position.

The embodiments shown may be made from any suitable material depending on the use to which they are put.

The tongs or chopsticks illustrated can be separated and cleaned separately. They can be stored conventionally or by attaching them to an iron or steel surface. The arms need not be symmetrical but may be shaped to be complementary to each other.

Those skilled in the art will realise that this invention provides a unique design for tweezers and tongs with a number of advantages.

Those skilled in the art will also realise that this invention can be implemented in embodiments other than those disclosed without departing from the core teachings of this invention.

Claims

1. A hand implement which consists of two arms incorporating magnets adjacent one end so that the arms are attached to each other at that end and the arms are shaped so that the free ends of the arms can be brought together pivoting about a common pivot line by pressure on the arms acting against the magnetic attraction of the attached ends.

2. A hand implement as claimed in claim 1 in which a fulcrum device is inserted into grooves at the pivot line in each arm to maintain lateral stability.

3. A hand implement as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the arms are made from wood, synthetic thermosetting resins, thermoplastics or metals including pewter, aluminium and stainless steel

4. A hand implement substantially as described with reference to the drawings.