Patent Publication Number: US-2018035833-A1

Title: Utensil housing unit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Utensil housing blocks, or knife blocks, are used to store knives and other sharp kitchen utensils. Conventional knife blocks include a plurality of slots formed in a body, into which the utensils are inserted for storage. Conventional knife blocks are typically designed so that the handles of the utensils remain easily within reach and can be easily withdrawn from the housing block. 
     While conventional knife blocks provide storage, they lack safety features. Knife blocks are often located in the kitchen, typically on a counter. Children may have access to these areas, and can remove the knives and injure themselves. Also, these types of knife blocks can tip or turn over, and this can expose the sharp portions of the utensils. If a knife block turns over and allows knives to fall onto the counter or floor, this can lead to injuries, possibly serious or even life-threatening ones, especially to children, or others having limited dexterity or strength, such as the elderly. 
     There have been some attempts to secure knives in a knife block, using specially designed knives. Other approaches have used special mechanisms such as clamps or clips at or in the slot openings to hold the knives in place. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One objective of various aspects of the invention is to provide a utensil housing unit in which sharp utensils, such as knives, can be stored more safely. Another object of aspects of the invention is to provide a childproof storage space for sharp utensils in order to prevent injuries. Yet another object of aspects of the invention is to provide a space-saving, effective and aesthetically pleasing safe storage device. 
     According to aspects of the present invention, there is provided a housing block in which sharp utensils, such as knives are stored. The housing block can be made of wood, plastic, metal or other materials, or a combination thereof, as described below. The housing block in some embodiments has a body or base that has four lateral surfaces, namely a front, rear and two side surfaces as well as a top surface. The top surface of the housing block has a plurality of slots formed therein to receive the utensils for storage. These slots may be varied in size and shape in order to accommodate a variety of different utensils. The top surface may be configured as a single plane with a plurality of slots. In other embodiments, there may be multiple planes, of which one, several or all may have one or a plurality of slots to receive utensils. Such multiple planes may but need not be parallel to each other. A cover limits access to the knives, and whether there is a single plane or multiple planes for utensil storage, all of these planes are positioned so that when the cover is closed, there is no access to the utensils inserted into the slots of the housing block. 
     In some embodiments, the cover is dome-like and can be positioned over the housing block so that there is no access to the utensils. Therefore, once the cover is secured in the closed position, there is no way to access any of the utensils stored in the housing block. In a preferred embodiment, this cover encapsulates the entirety of the surface(s) where the utensils are received. Thus, this complete encapsulation makes it impossible for anyone to reach and remove any utensil from the rear, front or sides of the housing block. The cover can be made from a variety of different materials including wood, plastic and metal and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the cover can be attached to an edge of the top surface of the housing block. In one embodiment, the cover can be attached to the back edge of the top surface by one or more hinges. In another embodiment, the cover can be attached to the front edge of the top surface by one or more hinges. 
     In other embodiments, the cover is attached to a connector, with the connector attached to the housing block by one or more hinges. A top portion of the connector is attached to the cover and a bottom portion of the connector is attached to the housing block by the mentioned hinge(s). Therefore, in these embodiments the cover proper is not attached directly to the housing block. The cover can be made from a variety of different materials including wood, plastic and metal and combinations thereof. The connector can also be made from a variety of different material including wood, plastic and metal and combinations thereof. The connector can be integral with the cover proper, and may he made of the same material, or may be constructed as a separate part and secured to the cover by any convenient means, including screws, clips, adhesive or glue, or the like. The cover in this embodiment may also have a dome-like shape. 
     In other embodiments, panels can be attached to and extend up from the side surfaces of the housing unit, partially blocking or hindering access to some or all of the knives in the block from the sides. These panels can he made from a variety of different materials including wood, plastic and metal and combinations thereof. These panels can be attached to the side surfaces of the housing unit by screws or clips, adhesive or glue, or other fastening means. In some embodiments, the cover may also have a dome-like shape. In other embodiments, the cover will be a lid comprised of flat surfaces; in either case, the cover will completely cover the handles of the utensils. 
     In some embodiments, the side surfaces (if use d the cover can be added to an existing knife block. 
     In some embodiments, the cover can be a single-member cover that completely covers and denies access to the surface(s) into which the knives or other utensils are inserted. This single-member cover may have a dome-like shape. Other embodiments have a plurality of encapsulating members which together form a cover, e.g., a dome-like shape. In one embodiment, one of the encapsulating members can be secured in place while the other encapsulating member pivots on one or more hinges. While other embodiment, both encapsulating members pivot by one or more hinges. Therefore, in the closed position, the cover may form a dome over the top surface of the housing block. The cover may be attached to the housing block by a hinge. When a single member is used as the cover, the hinge(s) may preferably be located at an edge of the top surface of the housing block. When a plurality of encapsulating members is used to form the cover, each member is preferably attached to a different edge of the housing block. 
     In some embodiments, it is important for the cover to completely encapsulate the top surface of the housing block, and it hence is shaped such that the handles of the utensils such as the knives will fit under the cover. Knife handles may typically be approximately 3.9 inches to approximately 6.0 inches. Larger knives may have handles that are approximately 5.0 inches to approximately 6.0 inches. Smaller knives may often have handles that measure 3.9 inches to approximately 4.75 inches. 
     Preferably, the cover is provided with a lock. Different kinds of locks can be used, including, for example, padlocks, other varieties of key locks, combination locks, spring locks, depression locks (such as are commonly used on the legs of folding tables), electric locks and magnetic locks. Thus, not only will the utensils be out of reach due to the cover, but one can lock the cover into place to ensure that the cover will not be inadvertently opened and utensils caused to fall out, or be removed. In some embodiments the lock can be located on the housing block, or in other embodiments may be located on the cover. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIBTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of a utensil housing unit with a single cover attached and in the open position. 
         FIG. 2 . is a side view of the utensil housing unit of  FIG. 1  with the single cover in the closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the utensil housing unit of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of another embodiment of the utensil housing unit, with a cover comprising two members, in the open position. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the utensil housing unit of  FIG. 4 , with the encapsulating members in the closed position. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the utensil housing unit of  FIG. 4 , with one of the encapsulating members in the closed position, and the other encapsulating member in the open position. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the utensil housing unit of  FIG. 4 , with the encapsulating members in the closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows the utensil housing unit ( 100 ) with the cover ( 102 ) in an open position. The base of the housing block ( 104 ) is made of wood, plastic, metal or a combination thereof. The base of the housing block ( 104 ) has a top surface ( 112 ) and other, lateral surfaces including a front surface ( 106 ), a rear surface ( 108 ), and two side surfaces ( 110 ). According to the embodiment shown, the top surface ( 112 ) has a first portion ( 114 ) and a second portion plane ( 116 ) lying in respective parallel planes, and each of the first plane ( 114 ) and the second plane ( 116 ) has a plurality of slots. (Alternatively, the top surface can be a single plane, or more than two, and the planes, if more than one are present, may be parallel to each other in some embodiments, but need not be.) The slots located in the top surface ( 112 ) can vary in size in order to accommodate different sizes and shapes of knives as well as other utensils. 
     In this embodiment, there is a lock ( 118 ) positioned at the front surface ( 106 ) of the housing block as well as on the cover ( 102 ). Alternatively, the lock can be positioned on just the cover ( 102 ) or just on the front surface ( 106 ) of the housing block. Alternatively, the lock can be positioned in the base of the housing block ( 104 ). 
     The lock ( 118 ) may be, for example, a padlock, other varieties of key locks, a combination lock, a spring-biased lock (such as are commonly used on the legs of folding tables), an electric lock or a magnetic lock. 
     As mentioned, a cover ( 102 ) is attached to the top surface of the base of the housing block ( 104 ). The cover ( 102 ) is preferably made of wood, plastic, metal or a combination thereof. The back portion of the cover ( 120 ) is attached to the top surface of the base ( 112 ) by one or more hinges ( 122 ). In this embodiment, the cover ( 120 ) is attached to the back edge of the top surface of the base ( 112 ) by a single hinge ( 122 ) that may preferably extend along the entire width of the top surface ( 104 ). While not depicted in this embodiment, it is possible to attach the cover ( 120 ) to the front edge of the top surface of the base ( 112 ) by one or more hinges. Additionally, while not depicted in this Figure, the cover ( 120 ) can instead be attached to the top surface of the base ( 112 ) by one or more hinges. The dome portion of the cover ( 124 ) may have a handle (not shown in this figure). The cover ( 102 ) has a dome-like shape in order that all of the utensil handles will be completely concealed when in the closed position. (It should be noted that “dome-like shape” is used here to refer to a shape having this property, whether the shape of the cover includes any portions that are spherical surfaces or not.) When the cover ( 102 ) is in the open position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the handles to the knives and other sharp objects are easily accessible, while if the cover ( 102 ) is closed, the utensil handles cannot be reached from outside the cover. 
       FIG. 2  shows the same embodiment of the utensil housing block ( 100 ) as in  FIG. 1 , except that in this figure, the cover ( 102 ) is in the closed position. Thus, the back portion of the cover ( 120 ) is attached to one edge of the top surface of the base ( 112 ) by hinge(s) ( 122 ), and the dome portion of the cover ( 124 ) completely encapsulates or closes off the top surface of the base ( 112 ) so that there is no access to the utensils from any direction. The dome portion of the cover ( 124 ) connects with an edge of the top surface ( 112 ) of the housing block ( 100 ). A lock ( 118 ) is secured to the front surface ( 106 ) of the base of the housing block ( 104 ) as well as to the cover ( 102 ). 
       FIG. 3  in a front view of the same embodiment of the utensil housing block ( 100 ) with the cover ( 102 ) in the open position. With the cover open, the top surface ( 112 ) of the housing block ( 100 ) with the slots receiving various utensils is visible. This top surface ( 112 ) of the housing block ( 100 ) has a first plane ( 114 ) and a second plane ( 116 ), and each of the first plane ( 114 ) and the second plane ( 116 ) has a plurality of slots. Alternatively, while not depicted, the top surface can be a single plane. 
     In this embodiment, the lock ( 118 ) is depicted as having one portion on the front surface ( 106 ) of the housing block and another portion on the cover ( 102 ). Alternatively, depending on the kind of closure mechanism used and the type of lock used, the lock can be located on just the cover ( 102 ) or just on the front surface ( 106 ) of the housing block. Alternatively, the lock can be positioned on the base of the housing block ( 104 ). 
     The lock ( 118 ) may be, for example, a padlock, other varieties of key locks, a combination lock, a spring-biased lock (such as are commonly used on the legs of folding tables), an electric lock or a magnetic lock. 
       FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the utensil housing unit ( 400 ). The base of the housing block ( 402 ) is preferably made of wood, plastic, metal or a combination thereof. The base of the housing block ( 402 ) has a top surface ( 406 ) as well as other, lateral surfaces including a front surface ( 404 ), a rear surface, two side surfaces. According to the embodiment shown, the top surface ( 406 ) has a first plane ( 408 ) and a second plane ( 410 ) and where each of the first plane ( 408 ) and the second plane ( 410 ) has a plurality of slots. Alternatively, the top surface can be a single plane. The plurality of slots can vary in size in order to accommodate different sizes and shapes of knives as well as other utensils. 
     Attached to the top surface ( 406 ) are two encapsulating members ( 412 ). These encapsulating members ( 412 ) are attached to the top surface ( 406 ) by respective hinges. Each of the encapsulating members ( 412 ) can be pivotably attached by plural hinges. Each encapsulating member ( 412 ) has a dome-like shape (meaning, here, that the two members ( 412 ) when brought together form a shape that prevents access to the utensil handles from outside the cover). In this figure, the encapsulating members are in an open position, and thus the utensils are readily accessible. In this embodiment, the encapsulating members ( 412 ) are attached to the back edge of the top surface ( 406 ) of the base and the front edge of the top surface of the base ( 406 ). While not depicted in this embodiment, it is possible to attach each of the encapsulating members ( 412 ) to a respective of the side edges of the top surface of the base ( 406 ). 
     In this embodiment, the lock ( 414 ) is depicted as being on both of the encapsulating members ( 412 ). Alternatively, the lock can be positioned on just base of the housing block ( 402 ). Alternatively, the lock can be positioned on both the base of the housing block ( 402 ) and either one or both of the encapsulating members ( 412 ). 
       FIG. 5  shows the embodiment of the utensil housing block ( 400 ) of  FIG. 4 , with the cover comprising the two encapsulating members ( 412 ) in the closed position. As can be seen, the encapsulated members ( 412 ) are brought together to form a dome-like cover. In this embodiment, the encapsulating members ( 412 ) are attached to the back edge of the top surface ( 406 ) of the base and the front edge of the top surface of the base ( 406 ). While not depicted in this embodiment, it is possible instead to attach each encapsulating member ( 412 ) to a side edge region of the top surface of the base ( 406 ). 
     In this embodiment, the lock ( 414 ) is depicted as being on both of the encapsulating members ( 412 ). Alternatively, the lock can be positioned on just base of the housing block ( 402 ). Alternatively, the lock can be positioned on both the base of the housing block ( 402 ) and either one or both of the encapsulating members ( 412 ). 
       FIG. 6 , shows the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , with one of the two encapsulating members ( 412 ) in the open position, and the other encapsulating member ( 412 ) is in the closed position. In this embodiment, the encapsulating members ( 412 ) are not connected together to form a dome-like shape and thus the utensils are readily accessible. 
     In this embodiment, the lock ( 414 ) is depicted as being on both of the encapsulating members ( 412 ). Alternatively, the lock can be positioned on just base of the housing block ( 402 ). Alternatively, the lock can be positioned on both the base of the housing block ( 402 ) and either one or both of the encapsulating members ( 412 ), and the lock may be of any of the varieties mentioned above. 
       FIG. 7 , is a view similar to  FIG. 6 , but in this figure, both parts of the cover comprising the two encapsulating members ( 412 ) are in the closed position. 
     A number of advantages of these embodiments will be appreciated. First, ordinary knives can be safely stored in a housing block of this type, and it is not necessary to purchase special knives having anti-retraction or other unusual features. The slots in the above example embodiments can hold knives and other sharp objects in a variety of different shapes and sizes, and no modification of the utensils is required. 
     Also, these embodiments make it unnecessary to provide individual locking or anti-retraction mechanisms such as clamps or clips for each slot in order to keep stored utensils secure. (It should be noted, however, that the broad scope of the invention does not exclude such features if they are desired for any reason, provided that the structure adopted is within the scope of one or more of the claims below.) The position of the lock in the preferred embodiments not only makes this a safer housing unit for sharp utensils, but also makes this housing unit more cost effective to manufacture as well as less expensive for the consumer. 
     Many variations and modifications of the foregoing preferred embodiments will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, and are also deemed to be within the scope of the invention. For example, modifications that have the cover or encapsulation pieces mounted on one or more connector pieces, rather than directly to the housing block, are contemplated. In some a modification, the connector may be a piece of material secured flat against a lateral surface of the housing block, extending upward beyond the top surface of the block, and having the cover or encapsulation piece mounted on the connector by one or more hinges. As one example, such a connector may be secured to the rear surface of the housing block, with a cover like that shown in  FIG. 1  hinged to the upper edge of the connector. Additionally, or alternatively, in an embodiment in which the encapsulation piece is hinged to (for example) the rear surface or the housing block, or a connector extending from the rear of the housing block, similar upward extensions may be provided on other lateral surfaces, flanking the lateral surface at which the hinge is supported (therefore, on the side surfaces in this example). In such embodiments, an upper edge of such an additional upward extension may meet a lower edge of the cover or encapsulation piece when the latter is in the closed position. 
     Additionally, while the term “lock” is used throughout this disclosure, it should be understood that it is not essential to the broad scope of the invention that the “lock” be a mechanism requiring knowledge of a combination, or a key or similar special device, to open. Rather, the “lock” may broadly be any sort of closure device that can hold the cover in the closed position and resist an attempt to open the cover, including merely as additional examples toggle or over-center mechanisms, pivotable latches biased into place with a spring, etc. 
     Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not to be limited by the details of the foregoing preferred embodiments, but only by the terms of the appended