Abstract:
A handle for a kitchen utensil or the like includes a hand gripping section having a rearward push/pull valley with a varying, substantially elliptical cross-section that forms a floor, a push slope tapering up and forward from the floor, and a pull slope tapering up and back from the floor. The radial cross-sectional area of an end of the pull slope and a radial cross-sectional area of an end of the push slope each are substantially larger than a radial cross-sectional area of the floor. The handle section further includes a ring stop section disposed forward of the push/pull valley with one or more concentric rings extending above a surface of the handle member. The kitchen utensil includes a blade mating section disposed forward of the handle section and configured to receive a blade.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The technical field concerns handles used with small tools and utensils especially handles for kitchen tools such as spatulas, measuring devices, gadgets and the like. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     There are a variety of hand-held devices, tools, or utensils that are routinely used in food preparation in home and commercial kitchens. An example of such a utensil is a spatula. A typical spatula is formed with a handle and an adjoined blade. The blade typically has a flat surfaced form. Spatulas are used for a variety of diverse functions, and the specific functions of the spatula dictates the exact shape of the blade. For example, spatulas may be used to spread soft foods, such as mayonnaise. Such spatulas typically have a spatula blade that may have at least one curved edge. Other spatulas may be used in cooking applications, such with foods cooked on a skillet (e.g., flipping pancakes). These spatulas have blades that typically are flat and rectangular or trapezoidal with relatively straight edges. Regardless of the exact shape of its blade, most spatulas are capable of, and may be intended for, use in a variety of orientations. 
     A kitchen utensil typically enables the user to exert a certain force onto the utensil though the gripping portion, or the handle, to facilitate the function of the utensil. These users may range in age from very young children to very elderly adults. At both ends of this age spectrum, users may have certain physical attributes, or problems, that make the shape of the utensil handle important to comfort and safety. For example, the function of the utensil, such as cutting a piece of meat, may require that the user repeat a movement with the utensil. Repetitive use of a utensil may cause physical strain to the user&#39;s hand and wrist, particularly if the utensil slips in the user&#39;s hand. Some users may lack the gripping strength to firmly hold the utensil handle, particularly when the handle has a large or a small cross-section, or a simple cross-sectional shape, such as circular. Finally, with users suffering from degenerative diseases such as arthritis that afflict the hand, the shape of the handle may make gripping painful and use of the utensil extremely difficult. Ideally, a kitchen utensil handle will have a shape that facilitates a firm grip while minimizing discomfort and strain, regardless of the age and possible infirmities or physical limitations of the user. 
     Some current handles enhance the grip of a utensil either by contouring the handle in one of a variety of ways, from a basic cylindrical shape to a curved back with opposing side having ridges that intercalate with the user&#39;s fingers. While these designs have their benefits, each is limited by either failing to provide a secure grip or by failing to relieve stress, and sometimes pain, on the user&#39;s hand, or both. Furthermore, the designs do not take into account enhancement of the user&#39;s grip when the tool is used in more than one orientation, or when the user&#39;s hand grips the handle in other than a single, preferred position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,256 to Peppel et al. discloses an ergonomic handle that has a lower surface with an index finger engaging surface and an opposing upper surface with a thumb engaging surface. Alternative embodiments are described that provide concave thumb engaging surfaces either on one side of the handle or the other. While this handle attempts to provide improvements over existing designs, problems still remain. In particular, the underside of the handle only provides a distal abutment for the index finger and fails to secure the remaining fingers. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTIONS 
     A primary object of the invention is to provide a handle that is comfortable to use and that allows for a secure grip under a variety of use scenarios. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a handle for kitchen use that enhances the ability of a user to push a utensil such as spatula forward or rearward from heavy batter or the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     What is disclosed is a kitchen utensil that includes a hand gripping section having a push/pull valley with a varying, substantially elliptical cross-section that forms a floor, a push slope tapering up and forward from the floor, and a pull slope tapering up and back from the floor. The cross-sectional area of an end of the pull slope and a cross-sectional area of an end of the push slope each are substantially larger than a cross-sectional area of the floor. The handle section further includes a ring stop section disposed forward of the push/pull valley that has concentric rings extending above a surface of (or alternatively grooves extending into) the handle member. Finally, the kitchen utensil includes a blade mating section disposed forward of the handle section and configured to receive a blade. 
     The handle includes a first gripping section and a second gripping section. The first gripping section has a push/pull valley adapted to conform generally to a user&#39;s closed hand. The valley includes a downward sloping pull section having a rear end and a rear valley end. The pull section rear end has a larger cross-sectional area than the pull section rear valley end. The valley further includes an upward sloping push section having a front valley end and a front end. The front end has a larger cross-sectional area than the front valley end. The second gripping section is disposed forward of the push/pull valley and includes concentric rings disposed on the handle to allow contact with the user&#39;s thumb and fingers. 
     The handle has an elongated shaft extending longitudinally along an axis, the shaft having an ergonomic grip and a fixture mating end configured for attachment of a fixture. The ergonomic grip has a continuously curved rearward concave/convex section defining a push/pull valley. The push/pull valley is shaped to conform generally to a user&#39;s closed hand and to allow generation of force by the user with a pushing motion and with a pulling motion. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The Detailed Description will refer to the following figures in which like numerals refer to like objects, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary handle for a utensil; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the exemplary handle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the exemplary handle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4-6  are cross-sectional views of the exemplary handle of  FIG. 1  showing the varying elliptical shape; and 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a utensil incorporating the exemplary handle of  FIG. 1 , as gripped by an individual. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Kitchen utensils typically are hand-held devices that are used in food preparation and cooking. Such utensils may be used by people having vastly different physical characteristics, such as age, hand and wrist strength, and joint mobility. To ensure comfortable and safe use, such utensils should have, as part of their design, a handle that may be easily and firmly gripped by a wide range of individuals, and that will allow repetitive use of the utensil without causing the individual any discomfort. To satisfy these needs for a wide range of individuals, disclosed herein is an improved utensil handle. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a utensil handle  10  which embodies the invention. The handle  10  has a substantially straight shaft centered on axis A-A. As can be seen, handle  10  also has a basic, substantially elliptical radial cross section, whose periphery constitutes handle circumference C, that varies over length L of the handle. Handle  10  includes a gripping section  20  that begins at gripping stop ring section  30  and extends to the rear end  27 . The handle includes a utensil blade mating section  40 . 
     The gripping section  20  is shaped to allow easy and firm gripping by a wide variety of individuals, using a variety of grips. The gripping section  20  includes a convex shaped part  22  which runs from gripping rings  30  toward the rear of the handle and a concave part  24  at the rear end of the handle. The sloping surfaces of the convex part  22  and the concave part  24  cooperate to define a push/pull valley  25  between the end  27  and the push rings  33 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , and further in  FIG. 4-6 , the elliptical radial cross sectional area of the gripping section  20  first increases from the front end  21 , then decreases in push/pull valley  25 , and finally increases in push/pull valley  25  until handle end  27  is reached. As indicated by line  70  at the valley  25 , the rear end of the handle can be formed with a different material or of a different color from the rest of the handle. Alternatively, the entire shaft of the handle can be of a single material or a single color. 
     The varying cross-section area of the valley  25  results in a downward slope  60  of the valley starting at the end  27  and proceeding forward to a “floor”  64  of the valley  25 . The valley  25  then begins an upward slope  62  that ends where the concave valley  25  transitions to a convex form. The downward slope section  60  allows the user to produce a reactive force, and a corresponding “pulling” force, between the individual&#39;s hand and the handle  10  when the handle is moved in a rearward direction along the axis A-A. Conversely, the upward slope section  62  allows a “pushing” force to be produced when the handle  10  is moved in the forward direction along the axis A-A. The push rings  33  forward of the valley  25  enhance the user&#39;s ability to apply a pushing force in the forward direction. 
       FIG. 2  shows the utensil handle  10  in a (left) side view. A corresponding right side view (not shown) would mirror the left side view.  FIG. 2  shows that the gripping section  20  begins at its front end  21  at gripping stop ring section  30  and ends at handle end  27 , and in between the gripping stop ring section  30  and the handle end  27 , defines push/pull valley  25 . Furthermore, when viewed either from the left side or the right side, the handle  10  is seen to be symmetrical, the utility of which will be discussed below. 
     The forward slope of push/pull valley  25  enhances the grip of a user when using the utensil in a forward pushing motion. The rearward slope of the push/pull valley  25  enhances the grip of a user when using the utensil in a rearward pulling motion. 
     Thus, the uprising or expanding elliptical radial cross-sectional area of the handle  10  enhances the user&#39;s ability to exert a pushing force on the handle  10 . The pull valley  25  with slope  60  enhances the user&#39;s ability to exert a pulling force on the handle. Moreover, because the valley  25  runs completely around the periphery of the handle  10 , a user is able to generate a pulling or pushing force on the handle  10  with the individual&#39;s hand positioned in a variety of locations and with the handle  10  in a variety of orientations. In addition, the valley  25  allows individuals with different size hands, and with varying amounts of grip strength to securely and safely use the utensil. 
       FIG. 3  shows the utensil handle  10  in a top view. A spatula head  50  is shown attached to handle  10 . A corresponding bottom view would show the same features of the handle  10  as does the top view. The handle  10 , when viewed from the top (or bottom) has the same basic shape as when viewed from either side, as would be expected in an elliptically shaped device. The elliptically (as opposed to a circular), cross section shape of the shaft enhances the ability of a user to exert a twisting motion on the handle. The changing elliptical shape as a function of length along the handle function tends to prevent the twisting of the handle (e.g. when attached to a spatula head) particularly in the presence of slippery food or cooking materials such as oil. As would be expected, the handle  10 , when viewed from the top, has a width W that differs from the handle&#39;s height D (see  FIG. 2 ), with the width W being smaller than the height D. This elliptical shape thus accommodates itself more readily to a human hand than does a simple round handle shape, and allows the handle  10  to more closely fit into a loosely or tightly closed human first, whereby a secure grip is enhanced. Furthermore, because of its symmetrical elliptical shape, the handle  10  can be securely and comfortably gripped by both left- and right-handed individuals. Still further, the elliptical shape allows a user to vary her grip angularly (see arrow Y in  FIG. 1 ) around the circumference C of the handle  10  without sacrificing comfort or sureness of grip. 
       FIGS. 4-6  are radial cross-sectional views of the handle  10  showing the varying elliptical shape. As can be seen, the handle  10  has a vertical major dimension d and a horizontal minor dimension w which varies over its entire length L. 
     The symmetrical elliptical shape of the handle  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3  allows the handle  10  to be easily manufactured using a variety of materials and techniques. One such material is wood; another is metal; such as stainless steel; still another is plastic. Thus, the handle  10  may be manufactured though well-known wood or metal shaping processes, may be molded from plastic compounds using well-known molding techniques, or may be formed using well-know metal forming techniques. 
     In addition to producing the above-described shape of the handle  10 , such manufacturing techniques can be combined with various well-known surface treatment techniques to produce a surface finish that increases the frictional coupling between the individual&#39;s hand and the handle  10  so as to further enhance the sureness of grip. For example, the handle  10  may be given a non-slip surface treatment, or may be formed to include a number of raised points (bumps) (not shown) that serve to increase friction between the handle surface S and the individual&#39;s hand. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the handle  10  includes stop ring section  30 , which, in one embodiment, includes three “push” rings  33  that each completely circumvent the handle  10 . The push rings  33  provide a visual and tactile reference that allows a user to quickly locate her hand on the handle, thereby providing a reference for quickly regrapsing the handle during an operation that may require the user to release and regrapse the handle. 
     The rings  33  are preferred to be concentric and evenly spaced, but other arrangements are possible. Each ring  33  may be raised slightly above surface S of the handle  10  and may be rounded as shown. Alternatively, each ring may be in the form of a recessed groove. The slightly raised “push” rings  33  may be made of a different material from that of the handle so that the rings may have different characteristics from the handle itself. For example, the rings may be of soft rubber or of silicone on a hard wood shaft. The rings may be of high friction rubber on a smooth wood handle. The rings can be of bright colors verses a natural or contrasting natural color of the shaft so that the rings can be easily identified by the user. The rings may be of “warm” rubber on a “cool” stainless steel metal shaft, etc. 
     The rings  33  provide a safety feature for the utensil and further enhance sureness of the user&#39;s grip. Specifically, the rings  33  allow the individual to stop the motion of his hand along the length L of the handle  10  in the direction toward or away from the blade mating section  40 . More specifically, the individual&#39;s hand, at the thumb-forefinger end, can contact the stop ring section  30  to prevent sliding of the hand along the length L of the handle  10 . In addition, the stop ring section  30  enhances the user&#39;s ability to generate additional pushing (or pulling) force on the handle  10  by using the thumb or a finger, or both, or that part of the hand formed by the valley between the thumb and forefinger, to contact one or more rings  33 . Such feature is advantageous when using the handle with a spatula head or the like when pushing the tool from various cooking materials such as dense batters or dough. 
       FIG. 7  shows an exemplary use of the handle  10  of  FIG. 1  mated to a blade  50  as gripped by a user.  FIG. 7  shows that the fore finger and thumb of the individual&#39;s hand are in contact with the stop section  30  so as to enhance the pushing of the utensil through heavy batter or the like and to increase the sureness of the individual&#39;s grip on the handle  10 . The push/pull valley section  25  of the handle  10  fits comfortably in the individual&#39;s hand allowing the remaining fingers to curl around the circumference C of the handle  10 . The push/pull valley section  25  also enhances a user&#39;s ability to pull the utensil through the heavy batter (for example) and allows the individual to generate either a pushing force or a pulling force, in a direction parallel to the length L, on the handle  10  that is in addition to the force generated by contact with the stop section  30 . The push/pull valley  25  also enhances the ability of the individual to generate forces radial of the handle  10  so as to produce a “spreading” motion of the blade  50 . 
     Besides its use with a variety of kitchen utensils, including spatulas and knives, the handle  10  of  FIG. 1  may be adapted for a variety of non-kitchen uses, such as for gardening, fishing, and other applications where comfort and sureness of grip are considerations.