Patent ID: 6536819
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: A47G,A47J

Abstract:
Tongs for use in barbecuing and the like comprising in combination:a pair of elongated arms, one arm extending in adjacent, aligned relationship relative to the other, each arm having a front end portion and an opposed rear end portion; said respective front end portions coacting to comprise a pair of jaws that open and close to grasp a selected object; said respective rear end portions being pivotably associated together whereby said jaws can advance pivotably towards and away from one another relative to said rear end portions; a spring extending between said arms and yieldingly biasing said arms into an outward configuration relative to each other; a reversibly actuatable clamp means for holding when actuated said respective jaws in a nearly closed configuration, the clamp means comprising: a flange with opposed side faces, said flange rearwardly projecting from said rear end portion of one said arm, and said flange extending along and adjacent to said respective rear end portions, a U-shaped sleeve having opposed respective leg members, said sleeve slidably extending over said flange with each said leg member slidably engaging a different one of said side faces, and a terminal portion of one said leg member extending into a channel defined between one side face of said flange and said rear end portion of said other arm, said terminal portion being slidably moveable in said channel when said sleeve slidably moves over said flange; first pivot limiting means associated with said clamp means for limiting maximum outward movement of said jaws relative to one another; and second pivot limiting means associated with said arms limiting further inward movement of said arms when said jaws are in a substantially fully closed configuration.