Abstract:
A tongs having a pair of arms secured to each other at a first end, and each arm being secured to a head at a second end. The tongs may include a plurality of arcuate tines extending along a height axis of the head from a spine and being secured to the spine.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to kitchen utensils. More specifically, the present invention relates to kitchen tongs used to handle food items, particularly snack foods such as potato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels et al., and various types of “finger” foods. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Traditionally, at social gatherings where food is served, there are a variety of serving utensils used. Large spoons and forks, spatulas, handled cups, and tongs are typically used, depending on the type and texture of the food being served. However, when snack foods such as potato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels et al. are served, due to the brittle and some-what sensitive characteristics of these foods, bare hands are commonly used to obtain the foods from bowls, containers or bags. Large spoons and forks, spatulas, handled cups may be inadequate in this capacity. Kitchen tongs are capable of grasping objects, but may be too rigid and narrow to serve the foods conveniently, intact and in sufficient portions. 
         [0003]    Until the present device, prior art devices have not adequately addressed this problem with serving utensils or may have failed to recognize the problem entirely. Nonetheless, the present invention is unique in that it addresses this, as well as other problems found in the prior art. By providing a kitchen tong which is sturdy, capable of handling a variety of items, and is sensitive to the item being handled, the present invention addresses such problems. There remains a long-felt need for a suitable means of grasping certain foods with a utensil that is easy to use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective left view of an embodiment of a pair of tongs according to the invention; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a side view in elevation showing a tong head of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a top view showing a pair of tongs of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a front view in elevation showing a tong head of  FIG. 3  viewed along the axis A-A of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0008]    There is provided a tongs having a pair of arms secured to each other at a first end, and each arm being secured to a head at a second end. The tongs may include a plurality of arcuate tines extending along a height axis of the head from a spine and being secured to the spine. The spine is provided along a length axis of the head, the length axis of the head and the height axis of the head are generally orthogonal and the head is adapted to grasp small food items. 
         [0009]    There is also provided a tongs having a pair of arms operatively connected to each other at a first end, and each arm being operatively connected to a head at a second end. The tongs may include a plurality of tines extending along a height axis of the head from a spine and being secured to the spine. The spine is provided along a length axis of the head, the length axis of the head and the height axis of the head are generally orthogonal and the head is adapted to grasp small food items. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61,550,439, filed on Oct. 23, 2011. 
         [0011]    Preliminarily, it should be noted that certain terms used herein, such as for example above, below, upper, lower, left and right, are used to facilitate the description of the invention. Unless otherwise specified or made apparent by the context of the discussion, such terms and other directional terms should be interpreted with reference to the figure(s) under discussion. Such terms are not intended as a limitation on the position in which the invention or components may be used. Indeed, it is contemplated that the components of the invention may be easily positioned in any desired orientation for use. Likewise, numerical terms such as for example “first”, and “second” are not intended as a limitation or to imply a sequence, unless otherwise specified or made apparent by the context of the discussion. The term “operatively connected” is understood to include a linking together of the portions under consideration and may include a physical engagement and/or a functional or operational connection. 
         [0012]    Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4  a snack tong, indicated generally at  4 , according to the invention. 
         [0013]    The term “head” may include [but is not limited to] an anterior extremity, leading portion, and/or projecting part of an object. 
         [0014]    The term “body” may include [but is not limited to] a mass of matter generally distinct from other masses. 
         [0015]    The term “arcuate” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, one or more structures or components generally arched or curved or generally shaped like a bow. 
         [0016]    The term “flex” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, any structure or functionality which generally exhibits resilient or spring-like properties and/or readily deflects and rebounds to an initial position. 
         [0017]    The term “axis” as used in this application may be understood to include, but is not limited to, a generally straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate. The “axis” may be a generally straight line with respect to which a body, component, or figure may be generally symmetrical. The “axis” may be a reference line of a coordinate system. 
         [0018]    While the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this disclosure will describe embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , there is illustrated a kitchen utensil, namely kitchen tongs, generally designated by the numeral  4 . The tongs  4  have a first arm  8  typically pivotally connected to a second arm  12  at a pivot point. Generally speaking, each arm  8 , 12  of tongs  4  includes a body portion  16  and an engaging end referred to as the grasping end or head  20 . The pivot end of the tong may be comprised of any suitable means. Finally, the grasping end or head  20  of each arm  8 , 12  culminates in a somewhat cupped, ribbed food-engaging member having generally arcuate flexible tines  48  or finger-like appendages. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 , the grasping end or head  20  of each arm  8 , 12  may be comprised of solid nylon. The connection between the head  20  and arm  8 , 12  may be made by any suitable means, including the use of rivets, epoxy or similar chemical bonding compositions, and other effective means. 
         [0021]    Additionally, other configurations of the head  20  and arm union are certainly possible which achieve the need to provide a tong head  20  which is both sufficiently rigid and sufficiently flexible to handle various snack food items in a delicate manner without crushing or smashing the items. 
         [0022]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; invention. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in light of the drawings and text provided. 
       LIST OF ELEMENTS DISCUSSED 
       [0023]    Tongs  4   
         [0024]    First arm  8   
         [0025]    First arm  12   
         [0026]    Body  16   
         [0027]    Head  20   
         [0028]    Gap between tines  24   
         [0029]    Curvature of head  28   
         [0030]    Spine  32  extends length of head 
         [0031]    Height of cap  36   
         [0032]    Height of head  40   
         [0033]    Thickness of tines  44   
         [0034]    Tines  48   
         [0035]    Height axis “H” 
         [0036]    Length axis “L” 
         [0037]    The tines  48  of the tongs  4  may be provided with any suitable dimensions. As shown and as may be provided in practice, the tines  48  may have a length of about 0.19 inches, a thickness of about 0.07 inches to about 0.0625 inches, and a height of about 2.58 inches. The tines are generally thicker at the proximal aspect, closer to the spine, than at the distal aspect. The tines generally flex, particularly along the height dimension of the head. 
         [0038]    The gap  24  defined between two tines  48  of the tongs  4  may be about 0.13 inches in length. 
         [0039]    The head  20  of the tongs  4  may be about 3.9 inches in length. 
         [0040]    The cap  36  of the tongs  4  may be about 0.25 inches in height. 
         [0041]    The ratio of the height of the tines  48  to the length of the tines may be about 13.58. 
         [0042]    The ratio of the height of the tines  48  to the thickness of the tines  48  may be about 36.86. 
         [0043]    The ratio of the length of the gap  24  defined between two tines  48  of the tongs  4  and the length of the tines  48  of the tongs  4  may be about 0.6842. 
         [0044]    The ratio of the height of the cap  36  of the tongs  4  to the height of the tines  48  of the tongs  4  may be about 0.0969. 
         [0045]    The ratio of the length of the head  20  of the tongs  4  to the height of the tines  48  of the tongs  4  may be about 1.5116. 
         [0046]    The definitions provided herein are solely to facilitate an understanding of the invention—not to limit the invention. The invention may be made from any suitable material and by any suitable method. The invention may be adapted to fit a wide variety of uses. It will be appreciated that the components of the invention may be easily modified as needed to accommodate varying sizes and shapes. 
         [0047]    It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the accompanying description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The disclosure may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including equivalent constructions. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract and disclosure are neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor are they intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.