Abstract:
A personalized branding iron with interchangeable symbols, including: a handle arrangement having a first end and a second end; a mounting arrangement mechanically connected to the first end; and at least one unitary substantial symbol configured for branding. The mounting arrangement and the symbol are configured for convenient mechanical connection of the symbol to the mounting arrangement.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to branding and, in particular, it concerns a branding iron having interchangeable symbols.  
         [0002]     Branding irons are used by a chef to brand cooked meat or fowl with a symbol either identifying the chef by name or initials, the name or initials of a restaurant, the type of meat or fowl, or how well it has been cooked, for example, M for medium and R for rare. Such branding irons are particularly popular for use with home barbecues. The head of the iron includes symbols thereon, which are heated up over an open fire or grill until the head is very hot. Once the head is hot enough, the iron can then be used to brand a piece of meat or fowl without using dye on the meat or fowl.  
         [0003]     Branding irons are ordered specially from the manufacturer who welds the selected letters, numerals or symbols to the branding iron. Typically, the user needs to wait two or three weeks or more to receive a personalized branding iron.  
         [0004]     Additionally, as the symbols are in fixed position relative to the handle of the branding iron, the branding iron is generally difficult to use during heating and/or branding.  
         [0005]     Therefore, there is a need for a branding iron that can be purchased as a kit, including an iron assembly and symbols of choice, for convenient assembly, as well as a branding iron which is more convenient to use during both heating and branding.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention is a branding iron construction and method of operation thereof.  
         [0007]     According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a personalized branding iron, comprising: (a) a handle arrangement having a first end and a second end; (b) a mounting arrangement mechanically connected to the first end; and (c) at least one unitary substantial symbol configured for branding, the mounting arrangement and the symbol being configured for convenient mechanical connection of the symbol to the mounting arrangement.  
         [0008]     According to a further feature of the present invention, the mounting arrangement and the symbol are configured for convenient reversible mechanical connection of the symbol to the mounting arrangement.  
         [0009]     According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided an electric heating element disposed adjacent to the mounting arrangement, the electric heating element being configured for heating the at least one symbol.  
         [0010]     According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a pin for the convenient mechanical attachment of the symbol to the mounting arrangement.  
         [0011]     According to a further feature of the present invention, the symbol is one of a letter or a numeral.  
         [0012]     According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a manual actuator, wherein the mounting arrangement is mechanically connected to the first end of the handle arrangement such that the mounting arrangement swivels with respect to the handle between a branding position and a heating position, the manual actuator being mechanically connected to the handle arrangement and the mounting arrangement, the manual actuator being configured for moving the mounting arrangement between the branding position and the heating position.  
         [0013]     According to a further feature of the present invention, the manual actuator includes a lever arrangement extending from the mounting arrangement to the second end of the handle.  
         [0014]     According to a further feature of the present invention, the handle arrangement has a direction of elongation, the symbol having a branding surface defining a plane, the plane being parallel to the direction of elongation in the heating position, the plane being perpendicular to the direction of elongation in the branding position.  
         [0015]     According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a branding iron, comprising: (a) a handle arrangement having a first end and a second end; (b) a mounting arrangement being configured for mechanical connection to at least one symbol configured for branding, the mounting arrangement being mechanically connected to the first end of the handle arrangement such that the mounting arrangement swivels with respect to the handle between a branding position and a heating position; and (c) a manual actuator mechanically connected to the handle arrangement and the mounting arrangement, the manual actuator being configured for moving the mounting arrangement between the branding position and the heating position.  
         [0016]     According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided an electric heating element disposed adjacent to the mounting arrangement, the electric heating element being configured for heating the at least one symbol.  
         [0017]     According to a further feature of the present invention, the manual actuator includes a lever arrangement extending from the mounting arrangement to the second end of the handle.  
         [0018]     According to a further feature of the present invention, the handle arrangement has a direction of elongation, the symbol having a branding surface defining a plane, the plane being parallel to the direction of elongation in the heating position, the plane being perpendicular to the direction of elongation in the branding position.  
         [0019]     According to the teachings of the present invention there is also provided a branding iron, comprising: (a) a handle arrangement having a first end and a second end; (b) at least one symbol configured for branding; (c) a mounting arrangement mechanically connected to the symbol, the mounting arrangement being mechanically connected to the first end of the handle arrangement such that the mounting arrangement swivels with respect to the handle between a branding position and a heating position; and (d) a manual actuator mechanically connected to the handle arrangement and the mounting arrangement, the manual actuator being configured for moving the mounting arrangement between the branding position and the heating position.  
         [0020]     According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided an electric heating element disposed adjacent to the mounting arrangement, the electric heating element being configured for heating the at least one symbol.  
         [0021]     According to a further feature of the present invention, the manual actuator includes a lever arrangement extending from the mounting arrangement to the second end of the handle.  
         [0022]     According to a further feature of the present invention, the handle arrangement has a direction of elongation, the symbol having a branding surface defining a plane, the plane being parallel to the direction of elongation in the heating position, the plane being perpendicular to the direction of elongation in the branding position.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]     The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a branding iron, in a heating position, that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is an axial cross-sectional view of the handle of the branding iron of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the branding iron of  FIG. 1  in a branding position;  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is an axial cross-sectional view of the handle of the branding iron of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the mounting arrangement of the branding iron of  FIG. 3  having letters attached there to;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6 , is an isometric view of the mounting arrangement of  FIG. 5  having a hinge pin inserted therein;  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the mounting arrangement of  FIG. 6  having the hinge pin secured thereon;  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the mounting arrangement of the branding iron of  FIG. 3  having a symbol attached there to;  
         [0032]      FIG. 9 , is an isometric view of the mounting arrangement of  FIG. 8  having a hinge pin inserted therein;  
         [0033]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the mounting arrangement of  FIG. 8  having the hinge pin secured thereon; and  
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of an electric branding iron that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]     The present invention is a branding iron construction and method of operation thereof.  
         [0036]     The principles and operation of a branding iron according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.  
         [0037]     By way of introduction, the present invention teaches a branding iron which has symbols that are configured for convenient reversible attachment to the branding iron assembly without welding. Typically, the retailer sells the branding iron assembly and symbols separately for assembly, generally by the customer at home. Therefore, the user is able to purchase a branding iron having the desired symbols for substantially immediate use. Additionally, the user is able to interchange symbols on the same branding iron assembly, thereby making the product more economical. Also, maintenance is made easier by being able to remove the symbols for cleaning, for example, but not limited to putting the symbols in a dishwasher. The branding iron optionally includes features whereby the branding surface of the symbols are configured for being rotated with respect to the iron handle for ease of use during heating and branding, as will be described below in more detail.  
         [0038]     The branding iron is typically used for branding cooked meat and fowl. However, it will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the branding iron of the present invention can also be used for branding other items, for example, but not limited to, wood, leather and animals.  
         [0039]     Reference is now made to FIGS.  1  to  4 .  FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a branding iron  10  in a heating position that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  is an axial cross-sectional view of a handle arrangement  12  of branding iron  10  of  FIG. 1  in a heating position.  FIG. 3  is an isometric view of branding iron  10  of  FIG. 1  in a branding position.  FIG. 4  is an axial cross-sectional view of handle arrangement  12  of branding iron  10  of  FIG. 3  in a branding position. Branding iron  10  is a personalized branding iron for branding items such as cooked meat and fowl. Branding iron  10  includes handle arrangement  12 , a mounting arrangement  14 , a plurality of unitary substantial symbols  16 , a hinge pin  18  and a manual actuator  20 .  
         [0040]     Handle arrangement  12  has two ends  22 ,  24 . End  24  is an elongated member. End  22  is a semicircular element having its center mechanically attached to one end of end  24 . End  22  is mechanically connected to mounting arrangement  14 . End  24  is terminated with an insulated handle  26 . The term “mechanical connection” is defined herein as, mechanically connecting by any connection means, including welding. Additionally, the term “mechanically connected” is defined herein to include forming the two “mechanically connected” elements as a single unit.  
         [0041]     Each symbols  16  is defined as “unitary” in that each symbol is a complete symbol prior to being connected to mounting arrangement  14 . Each symbols  16  is defined herein as “substantial” in order to exclude a straight line. The term “symbol” is defined herein to include a character, picture, drawing, a letter of the alphabet, numeral or other symbol such as icons and logos. Each symbol  16  is configured as a metal symbol  28  disposed on a metal substrate  30 . Each symbol  16  has a branding surface  32  raised above metal substrate  30 . Symbols  16  are configured for branding. Mounting arrangement  14  and symbols  16  are configured for convenient reversible mechanical connection of symbols  16  to mounting arrangement  14 . The convenient reversible mechanical connection is achieved by using hinge pin  18 . This is described in more detail with reference to FIGS.  5  to  10 . The term “convenient mechanical connection” is defined herein as connection without using heat (e.g. welding) or a chemical joining method (e.g. metal adhesive).  
         [0042]     Hinge pin  18  is disposed through two holes  36  in mounting arrangement  14  and two holes  38  in handle arrangement  12  thereby connecting handle arrangement  12  and mounting arrangement  14 . Hinge pin  18  has a hooked portion  34  for securing hinge pin  18  to end  24  of handle arrangement  12 . Hinge pin  18  is described in more detail with reference to FIGS.  5  to  10 . Mounting arrangement  14  is mechanically connected to end  22  of handle arrangement  12  using hinge pin  18 , such that mounting arrangement  14  is able to swivel with respect to handle arrangement  12  between a “branding” position and a “heating” position. End  24  of handle arrangement  12  has a direction of elongation. Branding surfaces  32  of symbols  16  define a plane. In the “heating” position”, the plane is parallel to the direction of elongation. In the “branding position”, the plane is perpendicular to the direction of elongation. The mechanism for actuating the position of mounting arrangement  14  relative to handle arrangement  12  is described below.  
         [0043]     Manual actuator  20  includes a lever arrangement  40  and an operating handle  42 . Lever arrangement  40  extends from mounting arrangement  14  to end  24  of handle arrangement  12 . Lever arrangement  40  is mechanically connected to mounting arrangement  14  and operating handle  42 . Operating handle  42  is disposed in end  24  of handle arrangement  12  adjacent to insulated handle  26 . Lever arrangement  40  includes a rod  44  and an element  48 . One end of rod  44  is mechanically connected to operating handle  42 . The other end of rod  44  is mechanically connected to element  48  by a hinge  46 . Element  48  is mechanically connected to an off-center portion of mounting arrangement  14 . Rod  44  is disposed within a hollow  50  of end  24  of handle arrangement  12 . Therefore, lateral movement of operating handle  42  pushes or pulls rod  44  and element  48 , thereby causing mounting arrangement  14  to turn. Therefore, manual actuator  20  is configured for moving mounting arrangement  14  between the “branding” position and the “heating” position. Therefore, when symbols  16  are being heated up on a fire, branding surfaces  32  of symbols  16  are face down in the fire ( FIG. 1 ). Similarly, when a person wants to brand an item, the person pulls operating handle  42  back so that branding surface  32  of symbols  16  are perpendicular to the direction of elongation of end  24  of handle arrangement  12 .  
         [0044]     All the elements of branding iron  10  (including symbols  16 ) except for insulated handle  26  and operating handle  42  are typically formed from a metal such as stainless steel or iron. Symbols  16  are typically formed by a lost wax casting method. Insulated handle  26  and operating handle  42  are typically formed from an insulating material such as wood or a suitable plastic.  
         [0045]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  FIG. 5  is an isometric view of mounting arrangement  14  of branding iron  10  of  FIG. 3  having a plurality of letters  52  attached thereto.  FIG. 6 , is an isometric view of mounting arrangement  14  of  FIG. 5  having hinge pin  18  inserted therein. Hinge pin  18  secures letters  52  to mounting arrangement  14  as well as securing mounting arrangement  14  to handle arrangement  12 . Each letter  52  has a metal substrate  60  having a metal letter  62  disposed on one side and a mounting stem  54  disposed on the other side. Each mounting stem  54  has a hole  56  therein. Mounting arrangement  14  has a plurality of holes  58  therein. Mounting stem  54  and holes  58  are shaped such that letters  52  cannot be mounted upside down. Mounting stem  54  is inserted through one of holes  58 . Once all letters  52  are inserted into holes  58 , letters  52  are secured to mounting arrangement  14  by feeding hinge pin  18  through holes  56  of mounting stems  54 . At the same time, mounting arrangement  14  is secured to handle arrangement  12  by hinge pin  18 .  
         [0046]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7 , which is an isometric view of mounting arrangement  14  of  FIG. 6  having hinge pin  18  secured thereon. Hooked portion  34  of hinge pin  18  is then secured around end  24  of handle arrangement  12  thereby securing hinge pin  18  in place. It will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that symbols  16  (including letters  52 ) can be conveniently attached to mounting arrangement  14  using other convenient methods for example, but not limited to, bolting or pressure fitting symbols  16  to mounting arrangement  14 .  
         [0047]     Reference is now made to FIGS.  8  to  10 .  FIG. 8  is an isometric view of mounting arrangement  14  of branding iron  10  of  FIG. 3  having a symbol  64  attached thereto.  FIG. 9 , is an isometric view of mounting arrangement  14  of  FIG. 8  having hinge pin  18  inserted therein.  FIG. 10  is an isometric view of mounting arrangement  14  of  FIG. 8  having hinge pin  18  secured thereon. The embodiment of shown in FIGS.  8  to  10  is substantially the same as the embodiments of FIGS.  5  to  7  except that letters  52  are replaced by a single symbol  64 . Symbol  64  typically has two mounting stems  66  having holes  68  therein. Mounting stems  66  are then inserted into holes  58  of mounting arrangement  14 . Symbol  64  is then secured to mounting arrangement  14  using hinge pin  18  which is fed through holes  68 .  
         [0048]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 11 , which is an isometric view of an electric branding iron  70  that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Electric branding iron  70  is substantially the same as branding iron  10  except that electric branding iron  70  includes an electric heating element  72  disposed adjacent to mounting arrangement  14 , such that electric heating element  72  heats symbols  16 .  
         [0049]     All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.  
         [0050]     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.