Patent ID: 6047476
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: A47J,B25G

Abstract:
A collapsible cooking tool assembly comprising:a cooking tool including a head and a handle-engaging portion extending from the head, the handle-engaging portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and opposing sides, and at least two locating elements, one of said locating elements defining a collapsed position and the other of said locating elements defining an extended position;an elongate handle defining a cavity slidably receiving the handle-engaging portion of the cooking tool, the elongate handle-engaging portion slidable within the cavity to and between the collapsed position and the extended position;a latch mechanism mounted in the elongate handle and releasably engaging one of the locating elements, wherein the one of the locating elements is an opening extending from the top surface fully through the handle-engaging portion to the bottom surface, the opening being spaced a distance from and located between the opposing sides, and wherein said latch mechanism engages the handle-engaging portion by urging a latch element into the opening to releasably secure the elongate handle relative to the handle-engaging portion;wherein one of the locating elements is positioned to locate the handle-engaging portion in the extended position;wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a button coupled to the latch element, wherein the latch element is sized to fit within the opening and is biased toward a surface of the handle-engaging portion, and wherein manual depression of the button opposes the spring bias when the latch element is engaging the opening, and wherein manual depression of the button moves the latch element out of engagement with the opening to permit the handle to move slidably relative to the handle-engaging portion;wherein the button is located within the handle.