Patent ID: 6869117
Filing Date: 2005-03-22
Classification: A47G,A47J

Abstract:
1. Lockable tongs with a magnetic locking mechanism, the tongs comprising: a) a first arm having an inner aspect; b) a second arm having an inner aspect; c) each arm comprising a hinge end and a grasping end; d) hinge means for pivotably connecting said first and second arms together at their respective hinge ends, so that the arms can pivot between an open position and a closed position of the grasping ends; e) spring means at the hinge means cooperating with the first arm and the second arm for biasing the arms to the open position with a force easily overcome by a hand; and f) a permanent magnet mounted on the inner aspect of one of the arms intermediate the hinge end and the grasping end so as to magnetically engage the other of the arms when the arms are in the closed position with sufficient force to maintain the locked position against the spring means.