AU2013100060A4 - A utensil - Google Patents

Abstract

5 A utensil for handling an item comprises two elongate arms joined together at one end and having free ends which can be brought together to grip an item wherein the arms are adapted to fit ergonomically in the gap between the thumb and index finger. One arm is moulded to fit the length of an index finger and the other arm is moulded to fit the length of a thumb. During use, 10 this allows arms to be brought together by movement of the index finger and thumb towards each other. The present invention provides a utensil which has greater stability and control and which helps to alleviate the repetitive strain of using such utensils. C\Jf I LO ( coL

Description

1 A UTENSIL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to utensils and in particular to utensils for handling items. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 There are many situations in which using a utensil to handle or manipulate items is desirable or even necessary. For example, during food preparation or serving it is common to use tongs to turn, pick up, toss or transfer food. When building, repairing or maintaining electronic equipment it is often necessary to handle small items, screws, wires and the like and it is easier to use tweezers. 15 Tweezers and forceps are commonly used in scientific laboratories to handle biological samples or dangerous substances. Traditionally tongs, tweezers and forceps are used by gripping the arms of the utensil with the tips of the index finger and thumb and pinching the ends of the 20 finger and thumb together. However, the utensil can slip and move when held by the tips of the fingers which can make grasping and handling items difficult. Tongs and tweezers with roughened arm surfaces have been developed to prevent slipping and movement of the utensil in use. In addition, tongs and tweezers with large arms have been developed to improve the ease of use of 25 the utensil. However, the larger arms can often be cumbersome and difficult to use particularly when handling small or delicate items. Furthermore, the repetitive use of tongs, tweezers and forceps can cause repetitive strain injuries. 30 Accordingly, it would be advantageous of the present invention to provide a contrivance which ameliorates the disadvantages set forth above or at least provides an alternative to the prior art.

2 It should be noted that reference to the prior art herein is not to be taken as an acknowledgement that such prior art constitutes common general knowledge in the art. 5 STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention a utensil for handling an item comprises two elongate arms joined together at one end and having free ends which can be brought together to grip an item wherein the two arms are adapted to fit 10 ergonomically in the gap between a thumb and index finger. Preferably, one arm is moulded to fit the length of the index finger and the second arm is moulded to fit the length of the thumb such that during use the two arms can be brought together by movement of the index finger and thumb towards each other. 15 In a preferred embodiment, the two arms are joined together by a leaf spring such that the arms can be brought together by application of pressure against the arms and will spring apart on release of the pressure. In an alternative embodiment, the natural resilience of the utensil biases the arms apart. In yet 20 another embodiment, the arms are joined by a pin and spring which biases the arms apart. Preferably, the utensil has locking means which can secure the arms together. In one embodiment, locking means comprises a hook on one arm and a 25 protrusion with notches on the other arm which can receive and secure the hook therein when the arms are brought together. In a second embodiment, locking means is a clip. In a third embodiment, locking means is a clamp. In a further embodiment locking means is a loop which can be secured around the arms to keep them together. 30 Preferably, the free ends of the arms have a roughened gripping surface. In one embodiment, the free ends of the arms have a long thin gripping surface. In an alternative embodiment, the free ends of the arms have a large flat 3 gripping surface. In yet a further embodiment, the free ends of the arms are pointed. Preferably, the two arms have a roughened outer surface to prevent slipping 5 of the thumb and finger on the arms. In an alternative embodiment, the arms may have transverse ridges on the outer surface which prevent slipping of the thumb and finger on the arms. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 10 For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: 15 Fig 1 is an isometric view of the utensil of the present invention in use; Fig 2 is an isometric view of the utensil of Fig 1; and Fig 3 is a plan view of the underside of the utensil of Fig 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 20 The utensil for handling an item, shown in Figures 1 to 3, comprises two elongate arms 2 joined together at one end and having free ends which can be brought together to grip an item (not shown). Arms 2 are adapted to fit ergonomically in the gap between the thumb and index finger, as shown in 25 Figure 1. One arm 2 is moulded to fit the length of an index finger and the other arm 2 is moulded to fit the length of a thumb. During use, this allows arms 2 to be brought together by movement of the index finger and thumb towards each other. 30 Arms 2 are joined together by a flexible u-shaped hinge region 3 wherein the natural resilience of the utensil biases the arms apart. More specifically, arms 2 are joined by a leaf spring 3 such that arms 2 can be brought together by the application of pressure against arms 2 toward each other and will spring apart on release of the pressure. Therefore, the utensil has a closed position 4 wherein arms 2 are together and open position wherein arms 2 are apart and the utensil is biased toward the open position. Free ends of arms 2 have a roughed gripping surface to facilitate gripping of 5 items. More specifically, the free ends of arms 2 have teeth or serrations 4. The free ends of arms 2 may be have a long thin gripping surface or a large large flat gripping surface for gripping larger items or alternatively may be pointed for use in more delicate or detailed handling situations. Arms 2 may have transverse ridges or a roughened outer surface to prevent slipping of the 10 thumb and finger on arms 2. The utensil also includes locking means 5 which can secure arms 2 together. Locking means 5 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 comprise hook 6 on one arm 2 and a protrusion 7 having notches 8 on the other arm 2 wherein hook 6 and 15 protrusion 7 extend toward each other such that when arms 2 are brought together hook 6 is pressed into one notch 8 to secure arms 2 together in the closed position. The utensil is ideally made of moulded resilient plastic and is moulded in one 20 piece. Moulded plastic provides an inexpensive product which enables the utensil to be thrown away after use. Alternatively, the utensil can be made of a resilient metal if the product is required to be reusable or autoclavable. Two separate arms 2 could also be made and joined together for a more customisable product. Two arms 2 could be joined by adhesive, welding or a 25 pin and spring arrangement or any other suitable method. The present invention provides a utensil which has greater stability and control when handling an item than previous utensils. By using the full length of the index finger and thumb, the utensil employs an easier and more natural 30 movement of the hand when handling an item. This not only ensures greater accuracy of movements but also helps to alleviate the repetitive strain of using such utensils.

5 It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example only and that all other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. It would be obvious to a 5 person skilled in the art that the utensil could be tongs, forceps, tweezers, pliers or a similar utensil. The utensil is for multipurpose use and could be used for handling a variety of items. Handling of an item can include moving, transferring, picking up, manipulating and any other suitable action. 10 Similarly, it would be apparent that other construction materials and/or methods may be used in manufacturing the utensil and alternative methods may be used to bias the utensil to the open position. In addition, employing alternative locking means including but not limited to a clip, clamp or even a simple loop that can be secured around the arms in the closed position would 15 be obvious to a person skilled in the art. The drawings herein do not display definitive specifications as they are for explanatory and demonstration purposes only. The dimensions, appearance or materials used in this utensil may be varied to suit different uses or different 20 sized hands. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the words "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising" are not intended to exclude other additives components integers or steps. 25

Claims (5)

1. A utensil for handling an item comprising two elongate arms joined together at one end and having free ends which can be brought together to grip an 5 item wherein the two arms are adapted to fit ergonomically in the gap between a thumb and index finger

2. The utensil of claim 1 wherein one arm is moulded to fit the length of the index finger and the second arm is moulded to fit the length of the thumb such 10 that during use the two arms can be brought together by movement of the index finger and thumb towards each other.

3. The utensil of claim 1 or 2 wherein the two arms are joined together by a leaf spring such that the arms can be brought together by application of 15 pressure against the arms and will spring apart on release of the pressure.

4. The utensil of any one of the preceding claims including locking means which can secure the arms together. 20

5. The utensil of any one of the preceding claims wherein the free ends of the arms have a roughened gripping surface to facilitate gripping on an item. 25