Abstract:
A cooking device is provided with a pair of length adjustable grilling tongs. One of the pair of tongs is pivotably mounted for outward and inward movement in relation to an opposing tong. The pivotably mounted tong includes an outwardly biasing spring for separating the opposing tongs. Each tong is slidably connected within a hollow channeled handle which allows a gripping end of the tongs to extend and retract in relation to the handles while remaining rigid. The pivotable movement of the handle and tong may be locked to allow a user to selectively close the tongs for storage.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Oct. 1, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to barbeque tongs, and in particular, to a grilling tong having independently telescoping tongs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Spending time in the great outdoors is among the most popular fair weather leisure time activities. Quite often, cooking and eating a meal is made part of the outdoor activity. Whether it is a family gathering, a picnic, or just having a cookout, a great deal of time is spent around a barbeque grill. One (1) of the most common tools used while grilling is a pair of grilling tongs. Such tongs allow for placement, turning, and removal of almost any food item from the grill with a large amount of control and accuracy. 
     There are many examples of grilling tongs and similar gripping cooking utensils. These tongs generally include a pair of opposing jaws which open and close in relation to each other by way of a spring or a scissor type hinge mechanism for gripping food items and manipulating their placement or position. 
     Unfortunately, most of these tongs are fairly short in length and lack a convenient way to customize their size. This is especially problematic on very large grills where food items may be placed well beyond normal reach. As such, many people find their hands too close to the flame and heat and risk burns or singeing of the hair on their arms and hands. While some tongs are made to be longer, they present additional difficulty and inconvenience when being stored in a cabinet or drawer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a device and method by which grilling tongs can be afforded an overall longer length for safety reasons, but without the disadvantages of longer length tongs. It is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing of a telescoping grilling tong which provides for barbequing while using tongs with almost no risk of becoming burned or singed. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a telescoping grilling tong having a rigid end portion with a generally “U”-shape, an upper handle pivotably attached to an end of the end portion, and a lower handle rigidly affixed to an opposite end of the end portion generally parallel to the upper handle. An upper tong is slidingly attached within a hollow channel provided by the upper handle. The upper tong includes an upper tong arm terminating in an upper tong gripper, an upper stop bar extending from an inwardly facing surface of the upper tong arm and protruding through a slot in the upper handle, and an upper stop feature extending perpendicularly from the upper tong inwardly facing surface opposite the upper tong gripper. A lower tong is slidingly attached within the lower handle. The lower tong includes a lower tong arm terminating in a lower tong gripper, a lower stop bar extending from an inwardly facing surface of the lower tong arm and protruding through a slot in the lower handle, and a lower stop feature extending perpendicularly from the lower tong inwardly facing surface opposite the lower tong gripper. Contact of the upper stop feature and the lower stop feature provide a limit to the inward movement of the upper tong with respect to the lower tong. The upper tong and the lower tong are length adjustable in relation to the upper handle and lower handle, respectively. The upper tong is movable with respect to the lower tong for gripping an object. A hinge is affixed between the end portion and the upper handle for providing pivotable motion to the upper handle and a spring extends between the end portion and the upper handle for outwardly biasing the upper handle with respect to the end portion. A locking mechanism is slidably connected between the end portion and the upper handle. Placing the locking mechanism in a rearward position allows the upper handle to pivot with respect to the end portion and placing the locking mechanism in a forward position restricts outward movement of the upper tong and maintains the upper handle in a substantially closed position. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a telescoping grilling tong  10  depicted in a closed and locked state, according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a side view of the telescoping grilling tong  10  depicted in an open and unlocked state, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a top view of the telescoping grilling tong  10 , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of an upper handle  30   a  of the telescoping grilling tong  10  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2   a , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a section view of a hinge  40  and the upper handle  30   a  of the telescoping grilling tong  10  depicted in the closed and locked state taken along section line B-B of  FIG. 2   b , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a section view of the hinge  40  and the upper handle  30   a  of the telescoping grilling tong  10  depicted in an open and unlocked state taken along section line B-B of  FIG. 2   b , according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the telescoping grilling tong  10  depicting an upper release lever  32   a  taken along section line C-C of  FIG. 2   b , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                   10 
                   telescoping grilling tong 
                 
                 
                     
                   20 
                   end portion 
                 
                 
                     
                   30a 
                   upper handle 
                 
                 
                     
                   30b 
                   lower handle 
                 
                 
                     
                   31a 
                   upper handle slot 
                 
                 
                     
                   31b 
                   lower handle slot 
                 
                 
                     
                   32a 
                   upper release lever 
                 
                 
                     
                   32b 
                   lower release lever 
                 
                 
                     
                   34a 
                   upper lock pin 
                 
                 
                     
                   34b 
                   lower lock pin 
                 
                 
                     
                   35a 
                   upper lock pin aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   35b 
                   lower lock pin aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   36a 
                   upper pivot pin 
                 
                 
                     
                   36b 
                   lower pivot pin 
                 
                 
                     
                   38a 
                   upper compression spring 
                 
                 
                     
                   38b 
                   lower compression spring 
                 
                 
                     
                   39a 
                   upper post 
                 
                 
                     
                   39b 
                   lower post 
                 
                 
                     
                   40 
                   hinge 
                 
                 
                     
                   41 
                   hinge mounting flange 
                 
                 
                     
                   42 
                   spring 
                 
                 
                     
                   44 
                   fastening means 
                 
                 
                     
                   46 
                   locking mechanism 
                 
                 
                     
                   48 
                   slot 
                 
                 
                     
                   50a 
                   upper tong 
                 
                 
                     
                   50b 
                   lower tong 
                 
                 
                     
                   52a 
                   upper tong arm 
                 
                 
                     
                   52b 
                   lower tong arm 
                 
                 
                     
                   54a 
                   upper tong gripper 
                 
                 
                     
                   54b 
                   lower tong gripper 
                 
                 
                     
                   56a 
                   upper stop bar 
                 
                 
                     
                   56b 
                   lower stop bar 
                 
                 
                     
                   58a 
                   upper stop feature 
                 
                 
                     
                   58b 
                   lower stop feature 
                 
                 
                     
                   60a 
                   upper length adjustment aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   60b 
                   lower length adjustment aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the disclosure is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present disclosure describes a telescoping grilling tong (herein described as “device”)  10 , which provides a tong-style cooking tool giving a user the ability to handle food items when barbequing with almost no risk of becoming burned or singed due to coming into close proximity with the heat and flames of the grill. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side view of the device  10 , is disclosed. The device  10  generally includes a pair of telescoping tong arms which slidingly retract inwardly and extend outwardly from a hollow ergonomic handle which allow a respective pair of tong grippers to be positioned at a variable distance from the user&#39;s hand. The pair of tong grippers is secured at a desired length by a pair of respective release levers. A locking mechanism allows the user to secure the device  10  in a closed state for compact storage. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , a side and a top view of the device  10 , are disclosed. The device  10  includes an end portion  20 , an upper handle  30   a , a lower handle  30   b , an upper tong  50   a , and a lower tong  50   b . The end portion  20  includes a generally “U”-shaped ergonomic grip which is attached to and operates in conjunction with the upper handle portion  30   a  by a joining hinge  40  having an affixed torsion spring  42 . The device  10  provides for a convenient holding and operation by the user with only one (1) hand. The lower handle  30   b  extends outwardly from and is a rigidly connected to the end portion  20  parallel to the upper handle  30   a . The upper and lower handles  30   a ,  30   b  each include a hollow, hard-plastic linear body having a rectangular cross section. The upper handle  30   a  and lower handle  30   b  are envisioned to be introduced in a variety of attractive colors and patterns. Additionally, the upper handle  30   a  and lower handle  30   b  each include a particularly shaped and sized internal space to allow for the snug insertion of a respective upper tong  50   a , and lower tong  50   b  having a correspondingly similar shape which allows for a telescopic engagement therebetween. 
     The upper handle  30   a  includes a finger-operated locking mechanism  46  which provides a way to secure the upper handle  30   a  and the lower handle  30   b  in a coplanar position, allowing compact storage of the device  10 . The upper handle  30   a  and the lower handle  30   b  also include an integral upper release lever  32   a  and lower release lever  32   b , respectively. The upper release lever  32   a  and lower release lever  32   b  provide a way of securing the upper tongs  50   a  and lower tongs  50   b  at the desired inserted length. The telescoping function of the upper tongs  50   a  and lower tong  50   b  enable easy adjustment of the overall length of the device  10  between approximately fourteen (14) and twenty (20) inches. 
     The upper tong  50   a  and lower tong  50   b  each include a one-piece stainless steel utensil having respective operational features including: an upper tong arm  52   a , a lower tong arm  52   b , an upper tong gripper  54   a , a lower tong gripper  54   b , an integral upper stop bar  56   a , and lower stop bar  56   b . The upper tong gripper  54   a  and lower tong gripper  54   b  preferably include an arcuate profile with outer edges having a generally spatula shape as shown in  FIG. 2   b . The preferred shape of the upper tong arm  50   a  and lower tong arm  50   b  is envisioned to be suitable for grasping and manipulating various food items typically prepared by grilling and similar cooking procedures; however, it is understood that the upper tong gripper  54   a  lower tong gripper  54   b  may be introduced having various lateral and profile shapes such as, but not limited to: flat, cupped, pronged, or pointed, being particularly suitable for various cooking tasks and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a section view of an upper arm portion  30   a  of the device  10  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2   a , is disclosed. Although the upper handle  30   a  is described here for clarity, it can be appreciated that the description provided for the upper handle  30   a  would be substantially identical to a separated description of the lower handle  30   b . The drawing views depict both the upper and lower components and it is understood that the description of the upper components can be incorporated to include a similar description for the lower components as illustrated by a similar part number with a “b” subscript. The sliding engagement of the upper tong arm  52   a  in relation to the upper handle  30  and upper handle slot  31   a  would also be substantially equivalent for the lower tong arm  52   b  in relation to the lower handle  30   b  and a lower handle slot  31   b , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The upper handle  30  includes a hollow rectangular shape allowing the upper tong arm  52   a  to smoothly slide therewithin. The upper handle  30   a  has an internal shape and size as to allow insertion and extension of the upper tong arm  52   a  in a telescoping manner. The interface between the interior of the upper handle  30   a  and the upper tong arm  52   a  is preferably smooth and snug which provides for stable and uniform motion between parts. The upper handle  30  also includes a linear handle slot  31   a  along an inward-facing surface which allows the upper stop bar  56   a  to protrude downwardly therethrough as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2   a.    
     The upper stop bar  56   a  includes a hollow linear appendage which protrudes through an inwardly-facing surface of a respective upper handle slot  31   a . The upper stop bar  56   a  includes a respective integral upper stop features  58   a  along a rearward edge. The description provided for the upper handle tong arm  50   a  would be substantially identical to a separated description of the lower tong arm  50   b  and include substantially equivalent “lower” feature. The upper stop features  58   a  and lower stop feature  58   b  each protrude inwardly at approximate right angles and make incidental contact with each other during a closing motion of the upper tong arm  50   a  to halt the closing motion and prevent over-closure or damage to the upper tong grippers  54   a  and lower tong gripper  54   b.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , section views of the hinge  40  and upper handle  30   a , depicted in closed and locked and open and unlocked states, respectively, are disclosed. The hinge  40  provides a way of joining the end portion  20  and the upper handle  30   a . The hinge  40  includes a multi-element stainless steel axial mechanism having a pair of mounting flanges  41  and a torsion spring  42 . The hinge mounting flanges  41  include contoured profiles which match and are affixed to interior surfaces of the end portion  20  and upper handle  30   a , respectively. The hinge mounting flanges  41  are affixed using mechanical fasteners such as rivets, screws, or the like. The torsion spring  42  is integrated into the hinge  40  and provides a pivoting force along an axis of the spring  42  biasing the upper handle  30   a  to the open position and opposing the closing motion of the upper handle  30   a  during use. 
     The locking mechanism  46  includes a finger-operated slider component having a captivated generally “Z”-shaped sliding member. A lower portion of the locking mechanism  46  is guided within a slot  48  which is molded into the end portion  20 . An upper portion is exposed and engaged by the finger of the user and slides along a top surface of the end portion  20 . The locking mechanism  46  is envisioned being made of similar materials as the end portion  20  and upper handle  30   a  and having a textured top surface providing a frictional engaging surface. The locking mechanism  46  is adjacent to the hinge  40  and is forwardly slidable by the user to cover an adjacent top surface of the upper handle  30   a . Once the locking mechanism  46  is slid to a forward position, it secures the adjacent top surfaces of both the end portion  20  and upper handle  30   a  in a coplanar position and restricts a clamping motion of the upper handle  30   a  and upper tong  50   a.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a section view of the upper release lever  32   a  taken along section line C-C of  FIG. 2   b , is disclosed. The upper handle  30   a  and lower handle  30   b  each include a respective upper release lever  32   a  and lower release lever  32   b  located upon a forward outer surface of the upper handle  30   a  and lower handle  30   b , respectively. The device also includes a locking mechanism which secures the upper tong  50   a  and lower tong  50   b  at a desired length with respect to the upper handle  30   a  and lower handle  30   b . The upper and lower locking mechanism each include respective components, including: an upper lock pin  34   a , a lower lock pin  34   b , a plurality of upper lock pin apertures  35   a , a plurality of lower lock pin apertures  35   b , an upper pivot pin  36   a , a lower pivot pin  36   b , an upper compression spring  38   a , a lower compression spring  38   b , an upper post  39   a , and a lower post  39   b . Although the upper release lever  32   a  is described here for clarity, it can be appreciated that the description provided for the upper release lever  32   a  would be substantially identical to a separate description of the lower release lever  32   b . The drawing views depict both the upper and lower components and it is understood that the description of the upper components can be incorporated to include a similar description for the lower components as illustrated by a similar part number with a “b” subscript. The upper release lever  32   a  includes an “L”-shaped rotating fixture forming a right angle and having an inwardly pointing upper lock pin  34   a  at a proximal end which passes through an upper lock pin aperture  35   a  through the upper handle  30   a  and subsequently protruding into one (1) of a plurality of equally-spaced upper length adjustment apertures  60   a  linear disposed along a longitudinally upper surface of the upper tong arm  52   a . The upper handle  30   a  provides for permanent attachment of the upper release lever  32   a  by a molded-in upper pivot pin mechanism  36   a . The upper pivot pin mechanism  36   a  is rotatably attached to the upper release lever  32   a  at an intermediate position. The upper lock pin  34   a  of the upper release lever  32   a  is retained within one of the plurality of upper length adjustment apertures  60   a  by the upper compression spring  38   a  in contact with a distal bottom surface of the upper release lever  32   a . The upper compression spring  38   a  is preferably held in position by an upper post  39   a  which is preferably molded into the upper handle  30   a.    
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present disclosure can be easily incorporated into these teachings and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present disclosure can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a , and  2   b.    
     A method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing a series of steps, however it is understood that various other methods of utilization are envisioned. A user procures a model of the device  10  having a desired color and design for the upper and lower handles  30   a ,  30   b  and desired shape of upper and lower tong grippers  54   a ,  54   b . The upper and lower handle portions  30   a ,  30   b  are gripped using one (1) hand in a conventional manner. The locking mechanism  46  is slid rearwardly to allow the upper handle portion  30   a  to pivot upwardly due to the force of the torsion spring  42 , thereby separating the upper tong gripper  54   a  from the lower tong gripper  54   b . The extended length of the upper tong  50   a  and lower tong  50   b  are adjusted by pressing the upper release lever  32   a  and the lower release lever  32   b  and sliding the respective upper tong arm  52   a  and lower tong arm  52   b  outwardly until obtaining the desired overall length. The upper tong arm  52   a  and lower tong arm  52   b  are secured at the desired position by releasing the upper release lever  32   a  and lower release lever  32   b , thereby allowing the integral upper lock pin  34   a  and lower lock pin  34   b  to engage an aligned one (1) of the plurality of upper adjustment apertures  60   a  and lower adjustment apertures  60   b  by a spring force provided from the upper compression spring  38   a  and lower compression spring  38   b . The process is repeating to further lengthen or shorten the position of the upper tong  50   a  and lower tong  50   b  with respect to the upper handle  30   a  and lower handle  30   b . In the in-use state, the upper tong arm  52   a  and the lower tong arm  52   b  positioned such that both the upper tong gripper  54   a  and the lower tong gripper  54   b  are at an equivalent position. The user is then able to grasp and manipulate various food items during grilling or similar cooking tasks. The overall length of the device  10  is selectively adjustable as needed while cooking and provides the user the benefit of a food manipulating utensil having a fast and easy length adjustment. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.