Device to lift, move and flip foods

Double hooked device with the hooks being transversely positioned on the end of a shaft having a handle at its opposite end. The hooks may snag, lift, move and/or flip food or other articles by the hooks being rotated generally about the shaft's axis until one of the double hooks penetrates into the article to be lifted. A shield at the base of the handle is a guard to cover the tips of the hooks.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device to lift, move and flip over foods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many devices are available today to lift, move and flip over foods. Among the most common are spatulas. Cooking tongs are also commonly found in kitchens and are used for lifting and flipping foods, particularly thicker foods such as steaks and hamburgers.

A device which offers significant improvements over both these earlier categories of food lifting and flipping devices is illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,896,668, 5,813,120, 3,162,475, 4,734,984, 2,604,350, 1,202,120. The device is simply a transverse pointed hook on one end of a shaft. The opposite end of the shaft has a handle. By rotating this hook about the shaft axis, the user can pierce the food, and thereafter lift, move and/or flip the food over in a similar manner to that shown inFIGS. 15 and 16attached hereto.FIGS. 1 to 3attached hereto show an example of this device.

All kinds of foods may be lifted and flipped using this device including: meats, vegetables, fowl, hamburgers, fruits, breads, baked goods and much more. The device, however, has several shortcomings. First, the hook curves in only one direction. This favors right handed users to the disadvantage of left handed users or vise versa. This also means that it is easier to lift foods that are close to one side of a fry pan or other walled cooking vessel, verses foods that are close to the pan's or vessel's opposite side wall. The same is true when lifting foods from jars or other confined locations.

U.S. Design Pat. Des. 268,561 shows an artistic design improvement over earlier art with two hooks at the end of a shaft, each hook the mirror image of the other, and each hook being transverse to the shaft.FIGS. 4 to 6attached hereto illustrate this device.

It would be helpful to have a device incorporating the ease of use and versatility of this hooked device with the versatility of a device which could be used easily by both right and left handed users as well as a device which could maneuver to pick up foods in all corners of pots and pans. Also, it might be helpful to have a device which would resist tearing of foods. Ease of construction to lower production costs would also benefit this category of device. As an example, it might reduce manufacturing costs if the device could be stamped from sheet stainless steel instead or requiring expensive welding and forming. Also, because these devices may be used near splattering hot grease and oil, as well as near burners and flame, means of protecting users from burns and getting dirty would be advantageous.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1–3illustrate a typical prior art device showing transverse pointed hook20on the end of shaft22which has handle24affixed to its other end. Arrows26and28indicate the orthogonal directions of view forFIGS. 2 and 3respectively.

FIG. 7illustrates a first embodiment food grabbing hook device of the present invention with left transverse pointed hook42and right transverse pointed hook44shown. Bend50at end of shaft46is also shown along with section arrow52indicating the view shown inFIG. 9.FIG. 8is a broken-out side view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 7showing right transverse pointed hook44and bend50at the end of shaft46as well as one end of shaft46.

FIG. 9is a section view as indicated by section arrow52inFIG. 7. The elliptical cross section with a wide aspect ratio of over one-and-one-half times the width relative to one times the depth, is different from the circular cross section suggested in prior art, and reduces the tendency of food to tear when hooked. In general, a wide aspect ratio, particularly one greater than one-and-one-half to one, regardless of cross section (e.g. rectangular, curved square, trapezoidal, etc.) reduces the likelihood of tearing hooked foods.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 7,8and9. This view shows handle48as well as elements42,44,46and50described earlier. By bending shaft46at its end, and attaching transverse pointed hooks42and44at the end of the bend, a simple flick of handle48is magnified by the extension of the bend, thus reducing the workload needed to hook foods. Also, when compared to the prior art illustrated inFIGS. 4,5and6, cleaning is simplified by not having tapered crotch35where foods may collect.

FIG. 11shows a perspective view of a second embodiment device of the present invention which may have shaft56and integral transverse pointed hooks58and60stamped from sheet material such as stainless steel before being inserted into handle62. Such manufacturing is easier than the forming suggested by the prior art. Hooks58and60, unlike the first embodiment hooks42and44, have their bases emanate in line with each other and on plane with shaft56, which may also help make them easier to manufacture, and may require less hand turning about the axis of shaft56to hook into foods to be lifted or moved. This simpler geometry may also make cleaning easier as well. Angular edges, such as61, may also aid in the embodiment being used to scrape grills or clean other surfaces.

FIG. 12shows a perspective view of a third embodiment which has a bent-fork-like arrangement63for linking transverse pointed hooks64and66. This bent-fork-like arrangement may make viewing foods being hooked easier, and also may have advantages in simplifying cleansing, both because food doesn't have a tendency to touch the back of the fork, and because all surfaces are generally easy to reach and clean, with few nooks or crannies.

FIG. 12further shows a handle67which may be stamped concurrently with the rest of the embodiment out of a single sheet of material, such as stainless steel, thus further simplifying construction and further reducing manufacturing costs. Because it lacks crevices where pieces meet, this embodiment is easier to clean than embodiments assembled from two or more separate pieces. Likewise, fewer pieces generally mean a stronger, more robust construction which has less chance of breakage during use. And the flat wide handle illustrated inFIG. 12may offer good leverage in gripping, lifting, rotating and flipping foods.

FIG. 13shows a fourth embodiment with transverse pointed hooks68and70and shaft extension pointed hook72. Hook72allows foods to be stabbed and lifted in a similar manner to using a conventional fork, but with improved results due to the curvature and compactness of hook72. As a first example, foods may have less of a tendency to fall off the end of hook72once grabbed due to the curvature in the hook. Like earlier hooks described inFIGS. 7 to 10, shaft extension hook72may be flattened in cross section, as shown inFIG. 9, with an elliptical, rectangular or other cross section, and with a flattened aspect ratio, which is particularly advantageous if its width exceeded its depth by a factor of at least one-and-one-half times. As a second example, hook72may be able to fit into, and grab objects in, a jar which a fork may be too large for. Again a wide aspect ratio in cross section of hook72, particularly one wider than 1.5 to 1 at right angles to the plane of the curve of hook72, may help reduce the tendency of foods being hooked to tear because for any given size of hole a point might make in snagging the food or other object, a larger percentage of the perimeter of the hole will be closer to right angles to the direction of lift or movement than if the hole were circular (i.e.: have an even or 1 to 1 aspect ratio).

FIG. 13shows depressions85and87in handle76which help the user to orient the embodiment through tactile sensation for proper use. Likewise a single or multiple depressions or projections on or proximate to the handle might provide similar advantages for helping the user to orient the embodiment for proper use through tactile sensation.

FIG. 13also shows shield74mounted to the lower end of handle76. Shield74helps prevent user burns, discomfort and/or cleaning problems from using the fourth embodiment near or around: splattering grease, hot water, steam, burners, flames, or other sources of heat or soilage. Shield74may be permanently mounted or may be removable. As an example it may be removable by sliding it over handle76or down shaft78and over hooks68and70. Shield74, if removable, might snap into an annular groove in the handle, in the same manner as a garment snap, such as used on blue jeans. Slots emanating from the center hole of shield74may be needed to help this sliding and removal. As a second example, it may be secured in a friction fit onto a cylindrical section of the handle. This may be done by hand, without use of tools.

Shield74is illustrated with hinges80,82,84and86, and bends88and89in its face. Shown in solid lines, the open position of shield74utilizes molded-in bends88and89to stiffen and open shield74when shielding is desired. When a more compact geometry is desired, such as when the fourth embodiment is being stored, the top and bottom of shield74may be folded back as shown in the dotted lines inFIG. 13, using hinges80,82,84and86. Alternatively, shield74may be turned around 180 degrees and its top and bottom folded forward to achieve its more compact geometry. Folding shield74forward may make it easier to use the fourth embodiment when shield74is not open.

Shield74may be opaque, or as an alternate, may be, as illustrated inFIG. 13, translucent, even to the point of transparency, to help in seeing objects being hooked. As an example, shield74may be molded from translucent polypropylene which may: resist grease damage, resist heat, allow for molded in bends such as bends88and89, and permit “living” hinges such as80,82,84and86. Shield74may likely be adapted to fit most prior art or any of the preferred embodiments illustrated herein.

FIG. 14shows a fifth embodiment with transverse pointed hooks90and92. These hooks instead of being arcuate as in the other preferred embodiments shown earlier are essentially pointed straight rods with respective bends94and96to angle their points. This bending may be easier to manufacture, and may hook and lift as well or better, than arcuate designs.

Shaft extension pointed hook98is also illustrated inFIG. 14, but unlike shaft extension pointed hook72illustrated in the fourth embodiment, hook98curves upward. This may make hook98easier to use without a need to invert the fifth embodiment to use hook98. Hook98, as all hooks described herein, may be elliptical, rectangular, trapezoidal or other shape in cross section, and may benefit from a cross section width of at least one-and-one-half times its cross section depth for reasons explained earlier.

FIG. 14also illustrates shield100which may serve the same functions as shield74. Shield100slides over shaft102and onto the forward end of handle104. Shield100does not need to flex. This means shield100can be made in one piece from rigid materials, as examples from acrylic, polypropylene, SAN, or polycarbonate. Shield100may be slid off for storage or when not needed as shown by the dotted lines inFIG. 14. Again, shield100can snap into an annular groove in handle104or shaft102for mounting, or may be held by a fit coupled by friction. Slot103allows the user to insert shield100onto shaft102without going over hooks90and92. Slot103may also provide the springiness to the hole in the center of shield100to help it snap into an annular groove on, or mount by friction to, handle104or shaft102. Dimples, holes or other irregularities may be substituted to snap onto and hold either shield74or100.

All of the embodiments illustrated herein may also likely be used for other purposes. As examples, they may be used to push foods around in a fry pan, or stir foods in water or boiling water, or move foods in a wok, or flatten bacon in a fry pan, or pierce plastic packaging to ease opening, or scrape soilage off grills, or pierce foods to help spices and/or marinades penetrate the foods, or lift non-food objects such as cloth or paper or other things, or grab objects such as a fisherman grabbing a fish hooked on his line or a rope on a dock, or to help lift debris, or help grab trash from the ground or elsewhere, etc.

Also, features of each embodiment may be adapted to fit other embodiments. As examples, hooks42,44,68,70,72,90and92shown in the figures may be done by stamping the design from sheet material as suggested in the second and third embodiments. This might result in the hooks being generally rectangular in cross-section. Likewise, shield74and shield100might each be interchanged with the other, or might be each individually adapted to fit onto any of the other embodiments. Or bent hooks90and92might replace any of the arcuate hooks; or any of the handles shown on the embodiments might be interchanged, etc.

FIGS. 15 and 16show how a typical embodiment might be used. A user grabs typical handle106and rotates108the handle about the axis of typical shaft110so that typical transverse pointed hook112penetrates into typical item114to be grabbed.FIG. 16shows typical item114after it has been grabbed and is started to be lifted. Mirror imagingFIGS. 15 and 16will show how a left handed person might gain advantage over prior art using the same embodiments. That is, the embodiments illustrated are equally easy to use for both right and left handed individuals. Likewise, the typical embodiment may be rotated in a direction opposite108, hooking typical transverse pointed hook116into item114. This versatility may make the embodiment flexible in use, particularly in restricted or confined areas such as cooking vessel like fry pans, particularly small fry pans, as examples, and jars, like pickle and olive jars as examples.

FIG. 17shows how an embodiment, such as shown inFIG. 14as an example, having a third hook extending from the end of shaft, might pickup food using the third hook. Typical third hook118is simply thrust forward120, causing it to penetrate article to be lifted114where thereafter article114may be lifted.

FIG. 18shows a sixth embodiment with transverse pointed hooks124and126separated at their base by angle128which is at least 30 degrees and may be as much as 180 degrees. The viewpoint ofFIG. 18is indicated by arrow134inFIG. 21. Angle128inFIG. 18, when compared to the prior art illustrated inFIGS. 4 to 6which have transverse pointed hooks34and36which are conjoined at their base, may require less handle rotation in either direction to snag foods and other articles. As an example, if angle128is 30 degrees, and the hooks on both the prior art and the sixth embodiment share the same geometry, then the sixth embodiment should require 30 degrees less rotation than the prior art between picking up food using clockwise shaft130rotation and picking it up using counterclockwise shaft130rotation. This may make the sixth embodiment significantly easier to use than the cited prior art.

The sixth embodiment shows elliptical handle136which may provide, when compared to a cylindrical handle, tactile orientation for the embodiment as well as a comfortable grip with good leverage for lifting and flipping articles.

FIG. 19is a side view of the sixth embodiment as indicated by arrow130inFIG. 21.FIG. 20is a section view of the sixth embodiment as indicated by section arrow132inFIG. 18. Again, the cross section shows a flattened aspect ratio of at least 1.5 to 1.

Referring toFIGS. 22 to 27, and moving from left to right inFIGS. 22,23and27, a seventh embodiment is illustrated which comprises: handle cap216which mounts on the rear end of handle200. Handle cap216includes hole218used for hanging or for other purposes.

On the opposite end of handle200from cap216is shield mount220which removeably mounts polygonal shield204. Extending from the forward226end of shield mount220is shaft support224which securely holds shaft222and rigidly attaches it to handle200. On the opposite end of shaft222from shaft support224is tapered portion225of shaft222. Generally, shaft222is consistently cylindrical except for tapered portion225.

Referring toFIG. 23, when viewed from above, the seventh embodiment is generally symmetrical side228to side230. Shield204may be removed from shield mount220and may be securely remounted in any of several rotary positions at the user's discretion.

When resting on a countertop or other surface, flats232(seen onFIGS. 25A to 27) on the periphery of shield204help prevent the embodiment from rolling or moving uncontrollably when placed on a surface. Further, shield204may be constructed of material which allows shield204to be looked through. This would mean shield204could provide protection without significantly hindering the user's vision. Also shield204can be removed from the rest of the embodiment for storage so it will stow more compactly, or so the embodiment may be used without the shield where protection is not necessary or perhaps not desired, or removed for other purposes.

In use, the embodiment may be stored in a drawer or cabinet or other suitable location, or it may be hung perhaps using hole218in handle cap216either directly such as on a post or nail or the like; or using a string or other filament secured through hole213. Shield204may be removed for compactness or other purposes during storage, or it may be left on.

Referring toFIGS. 22,23,25,26and27, when mounted, shield204is secured between forward flange232and rear flange234of shield mount220. Core236extends between and connects rear flange234with forward flange232. Core236is gear shaped in cross section with an essentially circular sinusoidal periphery. Specifically, core236has eight curved gear teeth238regularly protruding from its periphery.

As shown inFIGS. 25B and 25C, gear teeth238engage detents240near the center of shield204when shield204is mounted to shield mount220. This results in shield204being secured in one of eight radial positions each 45 degrees separated from the next.

Each of these eight positions corresponds to one of the eight flats232on the periphery of shield204resulting in flats232of shield204always having a specific predictable radial relationship between flats232and hooks206and208no matter how the user mounts shield204. This predictability may make it easier to use the refined embodiment. As shown inFIG. 26each of these eight positions allows the embodiment to rest with the tips of hooks206and208approximately equidistance from a countertop such as252inFIG. 25C.

Mounting shield204is accomplished by the user sliding shield204between rear flange234and forward flange232as shown inFIGS. 25A and 25B. Shield204is a regular octagon with slot242interrupting one of its eight flat sides232. Slot242allows shield204to slide onto shield mount220by straddling core236. As shown inFIGS. 25A and 25B, resilient snap slots244and246help allow protrusions248and250to snap over and engage core236.

Shield204may protect user from heat, hot oil, hot water, hazardous chemicals, or other materials and/or conditions. The embodiment may be used with or without shield204mounted. Shield204may be constructed in any of many different materials and using any of many different manufacturing processes. As examples; shield204may be constructed of clear, natural or pigmented: polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, acrylic, nylon, SAN, PBT other plastic; or stainless steel, steel, aluminum, or other metal, or ceramic, or other material. It may be manufactured by: injection molding, stamping, laser cutting or other manufacturing process.

For example, injection molding shield204from clear polypropylene may have several advantages which may include one or more of the following: low cost (due to inexpensive production methods, low material costs and fast molding cycle times), high production rates, relatively inexpensive tooling, resistance to grease, oil, other chemicals and detergents, high and low temperature resistance, long material life, dishwasher safe, translucence, simple and low cost to mold in other features such as graphics, text, clips brackets etc.

Hooks206and208are essentially circular arcs as demonstrated by dotted line circle264inFIG. 26. Each hook,206and208, is formed along a plane which when viewed from the side, as inFIG. 22, tilts forward from the end of shaft222in angle266. Likewise these planes along which hooks206and208are formed, when viewed from the top, as inFIG. 23, tilt in generally symmetrical angle214forward from the end of shaft222.

Angle266is measured in side viewFIG. 22from the axis of shaft222to the joint line between the planes containing hooks206and208. Angle214is measured in top viewFIG. 23from a horizontal plane extending from the axis of shaft222, to the lines where this horizontal plane meets the planes containing hooks206and208. Efficiency in coupling, uncoupling and moving food and other articles using the embodiment has been found when angle266is between 54 and 76 degrees, and, angle214is between 123 and 147 degrees.

When angle266is less than 54 degrees food or other artless tend to unscrew off the hook particularly when used in jars and deep pans. When angle266is greater than 76 degrees the point where hooks206and208meet shaft222tends to protrude and interfere with foods and other articles being hooked. Similarly, when angle214is less than 123 degrees, it tends to let food and other articles slip off of hooks206and208particularly when shaft222is in a more vertical position. And when angle214is greater than 147 degrees it becomes more difficult to hook foods and other articles because the joint between hooks206and208and shaft222, bumps against the foods or articles before they are fully engaged with hooks206or208.

FIG. 26shows a front view of the embodiment with general symmetry between left256and right258. Food or other articles are picked up or moved by the embodiment as described above with hook206or hook208piercing the article, and handle200being rotated clockwise260or counterclockwise262to engage the article. The article is then lifted or moved as desired after which the embodiment is disengaged from the article by rotating handle200counter clockwise262or clockwise260to separate hook206or hook208from the article.

Angle254in top viewFIG. 26, extends from the axis of shaft222to the tips of hooks206and208. To engage foods and other articles most efficiently, angle254should be between 149 degrees and 166 degrees. Greater than 166 degrees causes an undesired tendency for the hook not engaging the article to engage the article when the refined embodiment is rotated to disengage the article. If angle254is less than 149 degrees, it may be difficult or uncomfortable without repositioning the user's hand grip on handle200, to engage articles by rotating the refined embodiment counterclockwise260and alternately counterclockwise262.

The dimension from tip of hook206to the tip of hook208has been found to be particularly important in achieving generally comfortable and easy use of the embodiment. On embodiments that will be used in a home kitchen, a distance between 1⅜ and 1¾ inches between the tip of hook206and the tip of hook208has been found to be particularly convenient for use with fry pans of 7 to 14 inches in diameter, and in common jars, and with Tupperware® type containers, and with 6 to 10 inch diameter pots, as well as with other common kitchen items. Smaller hooks tend to provide insufficient grip on common articles, and larger hooks tend to be too clumsy within or around the above items.

In commercial kitchens and for outdoor barbeques, a distance between 2¼ inches and 2¾ inches from the tip of hook206to the tip of hook208has been found best for general use. This is because pots and pans and storage containers and other items used in these environments tend to be larger than those used in home kitchens, and also because food items handled may also be larger. Space in general in these environments tends to be less cramped than in home kitchens.

Engaging food and other articles by rotating the refined embodiment clockwise260or counterclockwise262using the same hand without repositioning the hand, may be one of the advantages of using the embodiment. Likewise, using the embodiment in either a user's left or right hand can be yet another advantage. Also, being able to use the embodiment in confined situations such as near or against the left or right side of a pan or near or against the left or right side of a jar is yet another advantage.

As shown inFIGS. 22 to 24, handle200is essentially an elliptical rod on its exterior. This shape allows easy and effective grip with adequate leverage for lifting and flipping while still allowing easy repositioning of the user's hand to accommodate various use conditions including near vertical use of the embodiment in jars and cups, and near horizontal use on grills and shallow pans and a full range of use conditions between the vertical and horizontal.

Although the handle may be constructed at any size, a length of 3½ inches to 4¾ inches has been found to be particularly advantageous for both users with relatively small and large hands. Likewise, a handle elliptical cross section having a minor axis dimension between ½ inch and ¾ inch and having a major axis dimension between ⅝ inch and one inch has also been found to be particularly useful in providing users with both relatively small and large hands with an effective and comfortable grip.

Three particular lengths have been found particularly useful in fabricating the embodiment. For an embodiment used in home kitchens with pots, pans, jars, stove top grills, fry pans, countertop grills, plastic storage ware, sinks, storage bins, etc., a length of between 9 and 11 inches measured from where shaft222exits shaft support224to the tip of hook206has been found exceptionally convenient. For an embodiment used in commercial kitchens with larger pots, pans, jars, grills, fry pans, plastic storage containers, sinks, storage bins, etc., a length of between 15 and 17 inches measured from where shaft222exits shaft support224to the tip of hook206has likewise been found exceptionally convenient. And finally, for an embodiment used with outdoor barbeques, a length of between 20 and 22 inches measured from where shaft222exits shaft support224to the tip of hook206has similarly been found exceptionally convenient.

The ends of hooks206and208are sharp to facilitate penetrating meats, vegetables and other materials. To prevent possible accidental injuries, a protective cover to shield the ends of hooks206and208may be used. Many designs may provide effective protection including pockets or envelopes to cover the hook ends or tubes which might cover the entire hook end of the refined embodiment.

One design which may provide both relatively easy use and good protection is shown inFIGS. 27 and 28. Guard268snaps on to and off of shaft222. Guard268, when snapped onto shaft222, may also slide longitudinally278along shaft222. When in retracted position270, guard268does not interfere with the operation of the embodiment. When guard268is pushed forward to protective position272indicated in dotted lines inFIG. 27, protrusions276snap onto the conjoined base of hooks206and208, holding guard268in protective position272where barriers274cover the tips of hooks206and208to prevent accidents.

Guard268may be left at all times on shaft222including during use and storage, or it may be removed for any reason. Using guard268when it is attached to shaft222simply entails sliding guard268between retracted position270when not in use, to protective position272to cover the tips of hooks206and208.

Finger grip277helps provide a grip for retracting guard268from protective position272to retracted position270.FIG. 28illustrates how guard268may snap onto shaft222. Guard268may be constructed of any of many different materials. These include plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, styrene, acrylic, SAN, PBT, nylon, ABS, etc.; metals including stainless steel, steel, aluminum, copper, etc., ceramics, and other materials. Many different manufacturing processes may be used to produce guard268. These include injection molding, die stamping, die casting, etc. As an example, guard268may be injection molded from translucent or pigmented polypropylene. This provides: grease and chemical resistance, heat and cold resistance, low cost, high potential manufacturing rates, relatively inexpensive tooling as well as other advantages.

One skilled in the art would readily recognize that many variations from, and alternatives to, the above could be made and still utilize the present inventions. As just a few illustrative examples: shield204may have fewer or more than 8 flats on its periphery and they may be regular as in a pentagon, hexagon or square etc. or they may be irregular or even have curves or voids or concave or convex sections between flats on the shield periphery; the engagement between shield204may rely on something other than a snap fit with fixed radial resting points such as a friction fit between shield204and front flange232and rear flange234(a fit relying primarily on friction) or a friction fit between shield204and core236, or a snap fit between shield204and front flange232and rear flange234, or shield204might slide over core236with core236being hexagonal, octagonal or other shape rather than gear shaped; There may be more than hooks206and208at the end of shaft222such as was suggested in the antecedent to this application; dimensions other than those suggested herein may be advantageously used, particularly where a more focused and less general use is intended such as shaft222having a length of less than 9 inches and a distance of less than 1⅜ inches between the tips of hooks206and208in a device intended exclusively or primarily for removing items from jars; there may be a hook or hole218combined with a hook or detent or other device on the end of handle200to hang or store the embodiment; handle200might be round or square or triangular or other shape in cross section, or might be tear shaped, spherical, or other shape in general; shaft222might be elliptical, square, triangular, polygonal or irregular in cross section; the embodiment might be used for other purposes such as picking up trash or harvesting fruits from tree limbs or material handling in factories etc.; materials and fabrication methods other than those suggested might be used such as laying up shaft222out of carbon fiber composites or compression molding handle200from a thermo set resin; etc.

Embodiments incorporating the present inventions may be constructed at any scale and from a variety of materials. As examples, embodiments from six to twenty-four inches in length may be constructed with shorted lengths useful in home kitchens with typical home range tops. Longer lengths might be used for outdoor barbequing where there is more heat and more possibility of getting burnt or injured and where food items may be larger. Even larger versions still, such as twenty-four to thirty-six inches in length, might be used for picking up debris or use while fishing.

Materials used in construction may likewise vary widely. As examples, stainless steel or ceramics or composites or plastic or wood might be used to form some or all of the embodiments.

What is described and illustrated herein are preferred embodiments of the present inventions. Many variations of, alternatives to, and/or modifications of these embodiments, which incorporate some or all of the present inventions, will be obvious to those knowledgeable of the art. Thus the scope of patent protection afforded the present inventions shall thus solely be determined by the issued claims this specification is allowed as well as their legal equivalents, and not restricted by the limited descriptions of preferred embodiments contained herein.