CUTTING INSTRUMENT, HANDLE THEREOF, AND FINGER-REST MEMBER USED THEREFOR

Abstract: Objective: a cutting instrument equipped with a finger-rest member is provided, which does not cause a finger tip to ache even after cooking for a long period of time and has a handle that can be disassembled so as not to cause a hygienic problem. A handle of the instrument and a finger-rest member used for the same are also provided. Structure a cutting instrument (1) of the present invention includes a blade provided with at least one hole (19, 20, 21) in a core (18) and a handle in which side plates (16, 17) are integrated with both outer sides of the core (18) through spacing chips (22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29), wherein a finger-rest member (10) extends from a part between the core (18) and the side plates (16, 17) so as to cover a part of a ridge portion (5) of the blade, and the core (18) is integrated with the side plates (16, 17) by a convex portion (28) provided on one side of the side plate (17) inserted into at least one hole (20) provided in the core (18), a concave hole (31) of the side plate (16) engaged with the convex portion (28), and fixing members (33, 34) inserted in the engaged regions.

Description: CUTTING INSTRUMENT, HANDLE THEREOF, AND FINGER-REST MEMBER USED THEREFOR [Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a cutting instrument having a disassemblable handle and a finger-rest member, a handle thereof, and a finger-rest member used therefor. [Prior Art] In general, a conventional cutting instrument such as a kitchen knife has a structure in which a blade is integrally fixed to a handle so that the instrument cannot be easily disassembled at home. However, when water, food to be cooked, and the like enter between the side plate of the handle and the core, the core is likely to rust, which also causes a hygienic problem. Therefore, the inventor of the present invention has already proposed a handle in which a core is fixed to side plates at a predetermined distance in Japanese Utility-Model Registration No. 3034863. According to this proposal, there is an advantage that a handle can be disassembled for washing even at home. However, according to the above-mentioned proposal, since the core is fixed to the side plates at a predetermined distance, some people may bring their forefingers into contact with a blade; as a result, finger tips will ache after cooking for a long period of time. [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In order to solve the problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting instrument equipped with a finger- rest member, which does not cause a finger tip to ache even after cooking for a long period of time and has a disassemblable handle, a handle thereof, and a finger-rest member used therefor. [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the cutting instrument of the present invention includes: a blade provided with at least one hole in a core; and a handle in which the core is integrated with side plates disposed on both sides thereof via spacing chips, wherein a finger-rest member extends from a part between the core and the side plates to cover a part of a ridge portion of the blade, and the core is integrated with the side plates by a convex portion provided on one of the side plates so as to be inserted into at least one hole provided in the core, a concave portion provided on the other side plate so as to be engaged with the convex portion, and a fixing member inserted into an engaged region between the convex portion and the concave portion. Because of this structure, a finger tip will no ache even after cooking for a long period of time, and the handle can be disassembled. In the above-mentioned cutting instrument, the finger-rest member may be fixed to the blade or detachably provided at the blade. When the finger-rest member is detachably provided, it can be used only when required and washed easily. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned cutting instrument, it is preferable that the finger-rest member has a base that enters between the side plates, and the base has a hole engaged with an axis portion for fixing a finger-rest member provided inside of the side plate. Because of this, the base of the finger-rest member is accommodated between the core and the side plates, and can be rotated about axis portions for fixing. Furthermore, it is preferable that a cut-away portion is partially provided at the hole of the base of the finger-rest member, the axis for fixing a finger-rest member has a circular or elliptical cross-section, and the finger- rest member is rotatable and detachable. Because of this, the finger-rest member can be easily rotated and detached. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned cutting instrument, it is preferable that the finger-rest member has a groove in a portion that comes into contact with the ridge portion of the blade. Because of this, the finger- rest member can stably cover the ridge portion of the blade. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned cutting instrument, it is preferable that the finger-rest member has an arm that sandwiches the core and enters between the side plates when the finger-rest member comes into contact with the ridge portion of the blade. Because of this, the finger-rest member is tightly fixed without idling sideways. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned cutting instrument, it is preferable that a fixing member inserted into an engaged region between the convex portion and the concave portion is buried in the side plates, and covered with a cap. Because of this, the outer surfaces of the side plates forming the handle become smooth, which realizes easy handling. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned cutting instrument, it is preferable that the side plates and the finger-rest member are made of resin. The side plates and the finger-rest member made of resin are clean and provide a smooth texture. Furthermore, the use of resin can reduces cost. For example, an injected molding can be used. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned cutting instrument, it is preferable that the side plates are made of transparent resin. The use of transparent resin makes it easy to check for contamination. The handle of the present invention is used for any of the above- mentioned cutting instrument. The handle includes side plates disposed on both sides of a core at a distance; a convex portion provided on one of the side plates for insertion into at least one hole in the core; a concave portion provided on the other side plate engaged with the convex portion; and a space for a fixing member inserted into an engaged region between the convex portion and the concave portion, wherein there is provided means for fixing a finger-rest member that extends from a part between the core and the side plates and covers a part of a ridge portion of a blade. A finger-rest member of the present invention is used for any of the above-mentioned cutting instrument, wherein the finger-rest member extends from a part between a core and side plates and covers a part of a ridge portion of a blade, and has an arm that sandwiches the core and enters between the side plates when the finger-rest member comes into contact with the ridge portion. [Embodiment of the invention] Hereinafter, the cutting instrument of the present invention will be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a front view of a cutting instrument of one example according to the present invention. A cutting instrument 1 consists of a blade 2, a handle 3, and a finger-rest member 10. The blade 2 has an edge 4 and a ridge portion 5, and preferably has ribs 6 on its side. The ribs 6 are not required. However, when they are provided, vegetables with a large content of water, such as a cucumber, an onion, and a potato, can easily come off the blade 2, when being cut for cooking. In the present example, a side plate 16 of the handle 3 is made of acrylic transparent resin, so that a core 18 and fixing portions 7, 8, and 9 can be seen. A method for fixing the fixing portions 7, 8, and 9 will be described later with reference to Figures 3, 5, and 6. The finger-rest member 10 has a base 11 and an arm 15. The base 11 has a hole 12 that is engaged with an axis portion 14 for fixing a finger-rest member provided inside of the side plate. This enables the finger-rest member 10 to rotate. Furthermore, when a cut-away portion 13 is partially provided at the hole 12, the finger-rest member 10 becomes detachable. In the state shown in Figure 1, the arm 15 is accommodated inside the side plate 16. The arm 15 has a gap corresponding to the thickness of the core 18 so as to tightly sandwich the core 18. Therefore, when the finger-rest member 10 is pressed with a finger from above, it is fixed without moving sideways. The finger-rest member 10 covers 5 to 50%, more preferably 10 to 40% of a length of the ridge portion 5, extending from the end of the handle 3 to the ridge portion 5. Furthermore, the finger-rest member 10 preferably covers 5 to 30%, more preferably 7 to 15% of the upper side of the handle 3. Figure 2 shows a state immediately before the finger-rest member 10 rotated upward is detached. In the present example, the axis portion 14 for fixing a finger-rest member, provided inside of the side plate, has an elliptical shape in cross-section. Therefore, the finger-rest member 10 can be easily pulled out by rotating it so that the portion with a shorter diameter of the axis portion 14 comes into contact with the cut-away portion 13 at the end of the hole 12. If a part of the hole 12 is slightly rendered flat, when the axis portion 14 is inserted into the cut-away portion 13 for rotation, the end of the hole 12 first opens slightly outward. When the finger-rest member 10 is further rotated, the hole 12 returns to the original state to be stabilized. In the case of removing the finger-rest member 10, an opposite operation is conducted. In this case, a force is required for opening the end of the hole 2 slightly outwardly immediately before removal. This allows a stopper force to exert on the finger-rest member 10, preventing it from free rotation. As a result, the finger-rest member 10 can be prevented from coming off accidentally. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the cutting instrument. Convex portions 25, 27, and 29 on the first stage of a side plate 17 have a height of about 3 mm. Convex portions 26, 28, and 30 on the second stage of the side plate 17 also have a height of about 3 mm. Three holes 19, 20, and 21 are formed in the core 18 of the cutting instrument 1. First, the convex portions 26, 28, and 30 on the side plate 17 are pressed in the holes 19, 20, and 21, respectively, so as to project by about 1 to 2 mm frontward from the core 18 in the drawing. Then, the projecting portions are fit in the concave portions 22, 23, and 24 on the side plate 16. The concave portions 22, 23, and 24 are formed so as to project by about 3 mm from the side plate 16 to the core 18. Then, a bolt 33 is inserted through a hole 31 at the center of the side plate 16, and passed through a hole 32 at the center of the side plate 17 to be screwed with a nut 34. The nut 34 is accommodated in a hexagonal cylinder space formed in the side plate 17 so as not to idle. Next, the bolt 33 and the nut 34 are covered with caps 35 and 36 from outside, respectively. If the cap 35 is provided with a pinhole 37, the handle can be easily disassembled simply by inserting a pointed member into the pinhole 37, which is convenient. Finally, in an opposite manner to that described with reference to Figure 2, the finger-rest member 10 is engaged with the axis portions 14 and 14'. Accordingly, a cutting instrument can be assembled in which a space of about 3 mm is provided between the core 18 and the side plates 16 and 17. Figure 4 is a plan view of a cutting instrument of one example according to the present invention. The cutting instrument 1 consists of the blade 2, the handle 3, and the finger-rest member 10. The blade 2 has the ribs 6, and the core 18 is integrated with the side plates 16 and 17 in the handle 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in Figure 4. The core 18 and the side plates 16 and 17 keep a predetermined distance by the convex portion 27 and the concave portion 23. Furthermore, these components are entirely integrated by the engagement between the convex portion 28 of the side plate 17 and the concave portion 23 of the side plate 16, the bolt 33 passing through the side plates 16 and 17 and the core 18, and the nut 34. Furthermore, the bolt 33 and the nut 34 are covered with the caps 35 and 36 from outside. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 4. The core 18 and the side plates 16 and 17 keep a predetermined gap by the convex portion 29 of the side plate 17 and the concave portion 24 of the side plate 16. Furthermore, these components are integrated by engagement of the convex portion 30 of the side plate 17 and the concave portion 24 of the side plate 16. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the finger-rest member 10 taken along line III-III shown in Figure 3. The finger-rest member 10 has a finger-rest portion 38 on its upper surface, which has a round shape so as to be comfortable to fingers. The finger-rest member 10 has a groove 39 on its reverse surface, which covers the ridge portion 5 of the blade 2. Figure 8 is a front view of a cutting instrument of another example according to the present invention, which is different from that in Figure 1 in that ribs are not provided on a side of a blade. Ordinary kitchen knives are of this type. It is appreciated that the present invention is applicable to such an ordinary type of kitchen knife. Furthermore, the present invention is applicable to various cutting instruments other than a kitchen knife. As described above, the present invention provides a cutting instrument, such as a kitchen knife, equipped with a finger-rest member, which does not cause a finger tip to ache after cooking for a long period of time and has a handle that can be disassembled so as not to cause any hygienic problem. Furthermore, the present invention provides a handle of the cutting instrument, and a finger-rest member used for the same. [Brief Description of the Drawings] Figure 1 is a front view of a cutting instrument of one example according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a view illustrating a state immediately before a finger- rest member rotated upward of one example according to the present invention is detached. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the cutting instrument of one example according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a plan view of the cutting instrument of one example according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 4. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a finger-rest member shown in Figure 3 taken along line III-III. Figure 8 is a plan view of a cutting instrument of another example according to the present invention. [Description of the Reference Numerals] 1 Cutting instrument 2 Blade Handle Edge Ridge portion Rib , 8, 9 Fixing portion 0 Finger-rest member 1 Base 2 Hole 3 Cut-away portion 4, 14' Axis portion for fixing a finger-rest member 5 Arm 6, 17 Side plate 8 Core 9, 20, 21 Hole 2, 23, 24 Concave portion 5, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 Convex portions on two stages 1, 32 Hole 3 Bolt 4 Nut 5, 36 Cap 7 Pinhole 8 Finger-rest portion 9 Groove

Claims: [Document Name] SPECIFICATION [Title of the Invention] CUTTING INSTRUMENT, HANDLE THEREOF, AND FINGER-REST MEMBER USED THEREFOR [Claims] [Claim 1] A cutting instrument comprising: a blade provided with at least one hole in a core; and a handle in which the core is integrated with side plates disposed on both sides thereof via spacing chips, wherein a finger-rest member extends from a part between the core and the side plates to cover a part of a ridge portion of the blade, and the core is integrated with the side plates by a convex portion provided on one of the side plates so as to be inserted into at least one hole provided in the core, a concave portion provided on the other side plate so as to be engaged with the convex portion, and a fixing member inserted into an engaged region between the convex portion and the concave portion. [Claim 2] A cutting instrument according to claim 1, wherein the finger-rest member is fixed to the blade or detachably provided at the blade. [Claim 3] A cutting instrument according to claim 1, wherein the finger-rest member has a base that enters between the side plates, and the base has a hole engaged with an axis portion for fixing a finger-rest member provided inside of the side plate. [Claim 4] A cutting instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a cut-away portion is partially provided at the hole of the base of the finger-rest member, the axis for fixing a finger-rest member has a circular or elliptical cross-section, and the finger-rest member is rotatable and detachable. [Claim 5] A cutting instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the finger-rest member has a groove in a portion that comes into contact with the ridge portion of the blade. [Claim 6] A cutting instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the finger-rest member has an arm that sandwiches the core and enters between the side plates when the finger-rest member comes into contact with the ridge portion of the blade. [Claim 7] A cutting instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fixing member inserted into the engaged region between the convex portion and the concave portion is buried in the side plates, and covered with a cap. [Claim 8] A cutting instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the side plates and the finger-rest member are made of resin. [Claim 9] A cutting instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the side plates are made of transparent resin. [Claim 10] A handle used for the cutting instrument of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising side plates disposed on both sides of a core of a blade at a distance; a convex portion provided on one of the side plates for insertion into at least one hole in the core; a concave portion provided on the other side plate engaged with the convex portion; and a space for a fixing member inserted into an engaged region between the convex portion and the concave portion, wherein there is provided means for fixing a finger-rest member that extends from a part between the core and the side plates and covers a part of a ridge portion of a blade. [Claim 11] A finger-rest member used for the cutting instrument of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the finger-rest member extends from a part between a core and side plates and covers a part of a ridge portion of a blade, and has an arm that sandwiches the core and enters between the side plates when the finger-rest member comes into contact with the ridge portion.

Inventors: HARUO SATO, HARUO, SATO
Applicants: HARUO SATO, ZWILLING J A HENCKELS AG, HARUO, SATO, ZWILLING J. A. HENCKELS AG
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B26B3
IPC codes: B26B3