Patent Publication Number: US-2013227816-A1

Title: Shield for cooking utensil

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/586,379, filed Aug. 15, 2012, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/523,754, filed Aug. 15, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This patent application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/634,065, filed Feb. 23, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
     The present invention relates to implements for cooking utensils, and in particular, to a shield member for use with a cooking utensil to protect a user from a splatter, heat and the like during the stirring or manipulating of foods during cooking. 
     BACKGROUND  
     Cooking exposes an individual to a number of potentially dangerous situations due to the presence of sharp implements and due to the presence of heat and foods that are at elevated temperatures, etc. For example, in the use of cooking implements during the cooking process, a person&#39;s hands and arm are exposed to a number of potentially dangerous conditions, including hot splatters (e.g., grease splatter or hot liquid splatter, etc.) and heat from the cooking surface, from the heated food, etc. 
     While various protective screens and other devices have been proposed, there are deficiencies with each of these. 
     SUMMARY  
     In one embodiment, a shield is provided for a utensil that includes a handle. The shield includes a shield body having a first opening formed therein. The first opening is open along a perimeter edge of the shield body. The shield includes a locking mechanism attached to a first face of the body and disposed about the first opening and being configured to grasp and hold the handle, thereby attaching the shield to the utensil. 
     The locking mechanism includes a clamp body that has a first section that is attached to the first face of the body and a pair of flexible fingers extending outwardly from the first section. Each finger terminates in a coupling member that has first and second protrusions extending radially outward therefrom. The locking mechanism further includes a pair of rotatable clamp arms that are rotatably coupled to the coupling members of the flexible fingers such that the clamps arms are in adjacent, parallel planes and are movable between an open position and a closed position. Each clamp arm has an opening that receives a portion of the respective coupling member and a V-shaped body section. The clamp arm includes a catch member that is configured to fasteningly mate with the first protrusion, thereby locking the clamp arm to the coupling member resulting in the clamp arms being locked in the closed position. 
     The clamp arms are at least partially overlapped and in the open position, the clamp arms define a V-shaped slot for receiving the handle and in response to movement of the handle in a direction toward the first opening. The clamp arms rotate about the coupling members until the clamp arms assume the closed position in which the handle is captured between the V-shaped bodies of the clamp arms and the first protrusion is fasteningly mated with the catch member, thereby securely attaching the shield to the handle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1-10  show various view of shields according to different embodiments for use with a cooking utensil, such as a spatula; 
         FIG. 11  is front and top perspective view of a shield mechanism according to another embodiment and showing the mechanism in a first open position; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of a locking members of the shield mechanism of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of the shield mechanism of  FIG. 11  in a second locked position; 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the shield mechanism in the second locked position; 
         FIG. 15  is an enlarged perspective view of a lock member of the locking members of the shield mechanism of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of the shield mechanism in the second locked position; 
         FIG. 17A  is a side and top exploded perspective view of a utensil and a connector for detachably attaching the shield to the utensil handle; 
         FIG. 17B  is a side and top perspective view of the connector attached to the handle; 
         FIG. 17C  is a rear perspective view of a shield having a clamp configured to attach to the connector; 
         FIGS. 18A-C  show the steps of attaching the shield to the handle; 
         FIGS. 19 and 20  are cross-sectional view showing a shield attached to a utensil handle; and 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view showing a shield attached to a handle by means of a magnet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a shield  100  for use with a cooking utensil  200  is shown. 
     The cooking utensil  200  has an elongated handle  210 . In the illustrated embodiment, the utensil  200  is an angled spatula that includes handle  210  and a “blade portion”  220 . 
     It will be appreciated that the cooking utensil  200  can be any number of different types of utensils, such as a cooking fork, spoon, spatula, etc. In other words, the cooking utensil  200  can be any number of different cooking utensils that have an elongated handle. 
     The shield  100  is designed to be disposed along the handle  210  and in particular, be fixedly attached to the handle  210  at an intermediate location. The shield  100  can be formed of any number of different materials including different types of plastics and even metals. Since the shield  100  will be proximate cooking areas that have elevated temperatures and may come into contact with liquids or solids that have elevated temperatures, the shield  100  should be formed of a material that can withstand such temperatures. For example, certain plastics and rubbers are suitable for such uses and in fact, plastics and rubbers that are used to make the utensils  200  themselves can be used to form the shield  100 . 
     The shield  100  is shaped and sized so as to provide a shield that protects the hand of the person who is grasping the handle  210  to which the shield  100  is attached. Thus, the width of the shield should be such that an adult hand is effectively shielded from potential splatter and from the elevated temperatures of a cooking pan, stove, food, etc. The illustrated shield  100  is made up of a body  110  that has an arcuate front edge  112  and a planar rear edge  114 . In other words, the front edge  112  of the body  112  is curved, while the rear edge  114  is flat. The flat rear edge  114  serves a purpose in that it allows the assembled shield  100  and utensil  200  to sit on a planar ground surface, such as a kitchen counter. When assembled, the shield  110  is generally perpendicular to the handle  210  and therefore, when the blade member  220  is placed on the ground and the shield  110  can be positioned with the flat rear edge  114  in contact with the ground and thus provides a vertical support member that allows the blade member  220  of the utensil  200  to be free of contact with the ground surface. Thus, the shield  100  is designed to permit the hot and/or dirty blade member  220  from being in contact with a kitchen countertop. 
     An opening or slot  120  is formed within the body  110  to allow reception of the handle  210 . The opening  120  is thus sized and shaped to receive the handle  210 . 
     A means is provided for limiting the degree of travel of the shield  100  along the handle  210  and in particular, the shield  100 , in the final assembled position, is spaced from the blade member  220 . Any number of different means can be used to lock the shield in place along the handle  210  at a desired location. For example, the handle  210  can be formed to include at least one stop member formed along the handle  210  such that when the shield  100  slides down the handle  210  from the free end toward the blade member  220 , travel of the shield  100  is limited by the stop member, such as a protrusion or lip formed as part of the handle  210 . The shield  100  seats against the stop member and is prevented from traveling further toward the blade member  220  and is held in place at an intermediate location along the handle  210 . 
     Alternatively, the handle  210  can be formed to have a non uniform width and the opening  120  is formed so that travel of the shield  100  down the handle  210  is limited by the wider section of the handle  210 . Thus, when the shield  100  encounters the wider section of the handle  210 , its travel toward the blade member  220  ends and it is fixed in an intermediate location along the handle  210 . 
     Alternatively, the means can be associated with the shield  100 . For example, the shield  100  can include a mechanism that causes the shield  100  to be locked in place at an intermediate location. 
     A mechanical fit, such as a releasable snap fit, can be formed between the shield  100  and the handle  210  in that within the opening  120  of the shield  110  one or more biased member, such as a nub or protrusion, can be provided and once the biased member is in registration with a recessed portion formed along the handle  210 , the member is biased into the recessed portion, thereby securing the shield  110  to the handle  210 . To release the shield  100 , the user simply overcomes the biasing force by pulling the shield  100  in a direction away from the blade member  220 , thereby disengaging the member from the recess. 
     In addition, the shield can have a fastening element associated therewith that allows the shield  100  to be attached to the handle  210  of the utensil  200 . For example, proximate the opening formed in the shield, the shield  100  can include a flexible tab that has a first fastener that mates with a second fastener that is part of the handle  120 . Fasteners can be in the form of a button or rotatable screw, etc. 
     In addition, the shield  100  can have a clamping mechanism that upon actuation has a portion that travels into the opening formed in the shield  100  and into contact with the handle  120 . For example, a pivotable lever or handle can be part of the clamping mechanism such that when pivoted a claw or protrusion applies a force against the handle  120  so as to securely hold the handle  120  in place within the opening of the shield  100 .  FIG. 3A  shows one type of clamping mechanism that is formed of an eccentric member that pivots about a pivot point but is defined by multiple radii. Thus, as the eccentric member is rotated and the larger radii (r 2 ) portion comes into contact with the handle  210 , it will effectively pinch and hold the handle  210  within the shield opening. To move or release the shield  100  from the handle  210 , the lever is rotated. 
     In addition and as shown in  FIG. 3B , the shield  100  can include an inner sleeve  101  that can be manipulated to cause a secure fit between the shield  100  and the handle  210  by passing the handle  210  through a through slot  103  formed in the sleeve  101 . For example, the sleeve can be tightened over the handle  210  to cause the shield  100  to remain fixed in place at a desired intermediate location along the length of the handle  210 . 
     The shield  100  should be positioned at an intermediate location just below the normal gripping location of the hand. 
     In yet another embodiment, the shield  100  is integral to the handle  210  and is of a type that moves between a retracted position and an extended or deployed position. In this design, there is a bottom pivot point that permits the shield  100  to pivot into a generally perpendicular position relative to the handle  210 . The shield  100  can therefore be designed to first unfold and then pivot about the bottom pivot into the deployed position in which the shield  100  is generally perpendicular to the handle  210 . 
     Any number of different means (mechanisms) can be used to cause the deployment and allow the retraction of the shield  100 . For example, the shield  100  can be of a foldable type (like a fan) that is coupled to a biasing member (such as a spring) that causes the automatic deployment of the shield  100 . In  FIG. 4 , an actuator  300  in the form of a button is shown for actuating the deployment mechanism. For example, upon pressing the button, an internal locking member is caused to move and permit the biasing element (spring) to release its energy and thereby cause the deployment of the shield  100 . 
     Alternatively, the shield  100  can be manually deployed as with an oriental paper fan. A clip or other type of locking mechanism is provided to allow the shield  100  to be contained in the locked position (deployed position). Once the clip or lock is disengaged, the side edges of the shield  100  are pulled radially outward so as to increase the exposed surface area of the shield  100  (increase its size). The shield  100  in this embodiment has a bottom pivot that permits the shield  100  to pivot into a position that is generally perpendicular to the handle  210 . Thus, the outer edge of the shield  100  can include a locking member to lock to the handle  210  and in particular, a clip or the like can be used to attach the shield  100  to the handle  210 . The bottom pivot can be in the form of a pin of the like that passes through a structure (such as a boss) that is part of the shield  100 . 
     In addition, the shield can be formed of a material that has memory properties, such as Nitinol, or of the similar materials. In this design, once a catch or lock is disengaged from the shield, the shield will move to its normal rest position which represents the deployed position. 
       FIGS. 7-10  show a similar pivoting design in which the shield  100  is attached to the handle  210  by means of a pivot  310  such as a pivot pin. The shield  100  is constructed such that in a retracted position, a first section of the shield  100  is located on one side of the handle  210 , while a second larger section of the shield  100  is located on the other side of the handle  210 . In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the first section represents about 10% of the width (bottom) and the second section represents about 90% of the width (upper) at a location of the shield that is disposed over the handle  210 . 
     As will be appreciated from  FIG. 9 , if the lower part were of the same radius as the upper part, the spatula shield would get stuck relative to the cooking pot walls when the user wants to place the spatula under the scrambled egg. This is the reason why the lower part can be formed to have a much shorter length. At the same time, no sacrifice has been made in terms of the protection. As is presented, the shield with the cooking pot boundaries provides the user have full body protection. Also, in  FIG. 10 , the shield (matter) distribution is more effective to integrate with the natural food-flipping motion. 
       FIG. 8  shows a top view and it will be appreciated that the shield  100  includes a central opening  105  formed near the flat edge of the shield  100 . The opening  105  is sized and shaped to receive the handle  210  and permit the shield  100  to pivot relative to the handle  210 . Within the opening  105 , a pair of pins  310  are positioned with one end being fixedly attached to the shield  100  and the other end being rotatably coupled to the handle  210  (e.g., through use of bearings, etc.). 
     A biasing member  400 , such as a spring, can be biasedly attached to the shield  100  and the handle  210  such that when the biasing member  400  applies its biasing force, the shield  100  moves into the deployed position and can be moved to a position in which the shield  100  is generally perpendicular to the handle  210 . 
     In this embodiment, the shield still includes a flat rear edge, etc. 
     It will therefore be appreciated that the shield of the present invention is both in the form of a shield  100  that is separate from the utensil and is attached thereto or it can be part of the handle and it pivots into a deployed position. 
     The shield  100  can be formed of any number of different materials, such as a plastic or rubber that can endure heat. The shield  100  can be formed of a transparent material to allow the food, etc., to be visible therethrough and therefore, the shield  100  does not interfere with use of the utensil. 
     The following objects are achieved with the shield of the present invention: attachable/removable shield; integral shield that has a fold position; attachable/removable shield that also have fold position; and the shield protects not only the hand of the user but also protect the rest of the body ( FIG. 9 ). 
       FIGS. 11-16  illustrate a shield  500  for use with the cooking utensil  200  which can take a form previously described herein. The utensil  200  has an elongated handle  210 . 
     The shield  500  includes a base or shield body  510  that is similar to the shield bodies described herein and is intended to shield the user from hazards while using the utensil  200  to which the shield  500  is attached. The shield  500  can take any number of different shapes and materials so long as the shield  500  performs the intended function of acting as a shield and withstanding heat, etc. The shield body  510  has a surface  512  that can be a rear surface that faces downward towards the working part (not shown) of the utensil  200  and the source of heat, etc. 
     The shield body  510  includes a cutout/opening  515  formed therein and open along a perimeter edge  511  of the body  510 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cutout  515  has a square or rectangular shape. 
     The shield  500  includes a locking mechanism  520  for securely grasping the handle  410  to thereby attach the shield  500  to the utensil  200  (i.e., handle  210  thereof). The locking mechanism  520  includes a clamp base portion  530  that attaches to the surface  512  and a pair of pivotable clamp arms  550 ,  570 . As illustrated, the clamp base portion  530  is constructed so as to extend around the shield opening  515  and not interfere therewith. The illustrated clamp base portion  530  includes a central section  533  which can be the main attachment point between the locking mechanism  520  and the body  510  and a pair of arcuate shaped rails or fingers  535  that extend outwardly from the central section  533  and terminate at distal ends  537 . The fingers  535  are formed of a resilient material (such as plastic) and therefore can flex and open or close relative to one another depending upon the applied force. 
     At the distal ends  537 , there are coupling members  540  in the form of bosses that extend outwardly therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling members  540  can be in the form of circular shaped bosses that has a first section  542  defined by a first diameter and a second section  544  defined by a second diameter less than the first diameter so as to form an annular shaped landing  545 . The coupling members  540  seat against extensions  519  of the shield body  510  that define, in part, the opening  515 , as best shown in  FIG. 15 . However, the coupling members  540  are preferably not directly attached to these extensions  519 . The coupling member  540  and in particular, the second section  544  thereof includes a locking protrusion (nub)  547  that extends outwardly therefrom. The locking protrusion  547  can have a rounded shape. 
     The pivotable clamp arms  550 ,  570  of the locking mechanism  550  are pivotally attached to the coupling members  540  and in particular are disposed such that they seat against the landing  545 . Each clamp arm  550 ,  570  includes has a first section (e.g., circular in shape)  580  that includes an opening  582  that is complementary in shape to the shape of the second section  544  of the coupling member  540 . The arm  550 ,  570  has a second section  584  that is continuous with first section  582  and is generally V-shaped in that there is a V-shaped notch  586  defined therein. The V-shaped notch  586  is defined by a long pointed portion  590  and a short pointed portion  592  that are formed at an angle relative to one another. 
     Each of the clamp arms  550 ,  570  includes a catch member  595  that is complementary to the locking protrusion  547  such that when the catch member  595  receives the locking protrusion  547 , the clamp arm  550 ,  570  is releasably locked in place. The catch member  595  is in the form of a raised structure that includes an opening or slot  592  that intimately receives and mates with the locking protrusion  547 . The illustrated catch member  595  is generally C-shaped and is formed proximate to the opening  582 . The catch member  595  also includes a beveled side edge  599  that limits the rotation of the clamp arm  550 ,  570  as described herein. 
     As shown, the clamp arms  550 ,  570  at least partially overlap with one another in that the height of one coupling member  540  is less than the other coupling member  540  so as to position the clamp arms  550 ,  570  in different parallel planes (adjacent parallel planes). 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show the locking mechanism  520  in a first (open/unlocked) position to allow receipt of the handle  210 . At this point, the shield  500  is not attached to the utensil  200 . The short pointed portion  592  of the arm  570  is disposed over a section of the long pointed portion  590  of the arm  550  and the short pointed portion  592  of the arm  550  is disposed under a section of the long pointed portion  590  of the arm  570 . This arrangement of the arms  550 ,  570  defines a V-shaped receiving space  600  into which the handle  210  is introduced. 
     As the handle  210  is advanced into the space  600 , the handle  210  contacts the arms  550 ,  570  (i.e., the overlapped short and long pointed sections  590 ,  592 ) and continued movement of the handle  210  into the space  600  and toward the opening  515  of the body  510  causes the clamp arms  550 ,  570  pivot in the directions indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 11  and in particular, the clamp arm  570  pivots in one direction (clockwise), while the clamp arm  550  pivots in the other direction (counterclockwise). In addition, the fingers  535  flex outwardly as shown by arrows in  FIG. 11  due to their resiliency and the construction of the clamp (in effect the clamp body is opening as the fingers  535  flex outwardly and based on the fact that the fingers  535  are not attached to the shield body  510 ). 
     As the handle  210  is continually advanced, the clamp arms  550 ,  570  pivot and the fingers  535  open outwardly. The clamp arms  550 ,  570  then assume the locked position shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , whereby the handle  210  is captured within a completely or substantially bounded area  700  defined by the clamp arms  550 ,  570  and in particular, the area  700  can be generally diamond shaped and defined by the short pointed portions  592  and the long pointed portions  590  of arms  550 ,  570 . In this position, the handle  210  is located deeper within the opening  515 . 
     The locked position of the clamp arms  550 ,  570  is also achieved when the locking protrusions  547  are captured within the catch members  595  (see  FIG. 15 ). Once this occurs, the clamp arms  550 ,  570  have reached their end of travel and can no longer pivot. The receipt of the protrusions  547  into the catch members  590  can be of a frictional nature and can thus be of releasable snap-fit nature in that as the clamp arm  550 ,  570  pivots the latch member  595  is brought into engagement with the protrusion  547  and can flex to accommodate receipt of the protrusion  547  to thereby form a snap-fit. The clamp arms  550 ,  570  are formed of solids (e.g., plastics) that have a low friction coefficient. 
     As shown in the figures, the rotation of the arms  550 ,  570  is also limited by a second protrusion  609  that extends outwardly from the second section  544  and is spaced from the protrusion  547 . The protrusion  609  has a beveled edge  611  that engages the beveled side edge  599  of the catch member  595 , thereby preventing further rotation of the clamp arm  550 ,  570  in said direction. The edges  599 ,  611  abut in the open position of  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     The handle  210  can be released by disengaging the clamp arms  550 ,  570 . 
     The clamp body is preferably formed of a ductile material. 
       FIGS. 17A-C  and  18 A-C illustrate a shield assembly  800  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The shield assembly  800  is configured to mate and be assembled to handle  210  of utensil  200 . The shield assembly  800  includes a connector  810  which is coupled to the handle  210 . The connector  810  can take any number of different forms but generally includes a first section  812  that is securely attached to a front surface of the handle  210  and a second section  820  that includes a coupling member for attaching a shield  805  to the handle  210 . Similar to the other shields described herein, the shield  805  can have any number of different shapes and sizes and includes a slot or opening  807  that is open at a peripheral edge of the shield  805 . In the illustrated embodiment, the slot  807  has a rectangular shape that is open at one end (however, other shapes are equally possible). The slot  807  is designed to receive the handle  210  and thus should be sized accordingly. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the first section  812  is a strip of flexible material that includes an adhesive layer to allow the strip  812  to be wrapped around the handle  210  and attached thereto. The second section  820  is attached to the first section  812  and protrudes outwardly therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the second section  820  is in the form of a first clamp part (first mount)  820 . The first clamp part  820  includes a base part  822  that is in contact with the first section  812  and an disk portion  824  that is spaced from the base part  822  by a post  825  that is perpendicular to both. The first clamp part  820  can be formed as a single part (i.e., metal or plastic). The post  825  can have any number of different shapes including cylindrical as shown. The disk  824  has dimensions less than the dimensions of the base part  822 . 
     It will be appreciated that the first section  812  can be eliminated and the second section  814  be directly attached to the handle  210 . 
     The first section  812  can be attached to the handle  210  using other means (non-adhesive means) including but not limited to a magnet or other mechanical fastening means, such as a fastener or clamp or string, etc. 
     The shield  805  includes a second clamp part  830  which is complementary to the first clamp part  820  and is designed to securely mate thereto. The second clamp part  830  can be in the form of a bracket having a first leg  831 , and a second leg  833  (which can be perpendicular to leg  831 ). The bracket  830  includes a pair of spaced fingers  832  with a slot  834  formed therebetween. With the slot  834 , locking tabs  835  are formed along the inner edges of the fingers  832 . The tabs  835  are opposite one another and define an area of reduced slot width and divide the slot into second sections, namely, a first inner section  840  (closed section) and a second outer section  850  (open section). The slot  834  is designed to receive the first clamp part  820  by receiving the post  825  therein. 
     The second leg  833  is attached to the rear face of the shield  805 , thereby causing the first leg  831  to extend outwardly from (perpendicular to) the shield  805 . 
     The spacing (distance) between the parts  822 ,  824  is about equal to the thickness of the leg  831  of the bracket  830  to form a friction fit therebetween. 
     To attach the shield  805  to the handle  210 , as shown in  FIGS. 18A-C , the post  825  is received in the second section  850  of the slot and then is pushed further toward the first section  840  until the handle  210  encounters the tabs  835 . The fingers  832  flex outwardly to allow the handle  210  to pass into the first section  840  and once the handle  210  clears the tabs  835 , the interference is removed, and the fingers  832  flex inwardly to the rest position, thereby capturing the handle  210  in the first section  840 . This results in the shield  805  being securely attached to the handle  210 . When the user clears the tabs  835 , auditory and/or tactile feedback is heard since a snap-fit results. To remove, the fingers  832  are flexed outwardly to release the handle  210 . 
       FIGS. 19-20  are cross-sectional views showing a sticker assembly  900  for attaching shield  805  to handle  210 . The assembly  900  includes a coupling member  910  attached to a strip of material  920  that includes adhesive and thus acts as a sticker. The strip  920  includes ends  922 ,  924 . The strip  920  is disposed between a rigid coupling member  920  and a flexible material layer  930  (flexible sheet). The rigid member  920  includes a base portion  922  and a disk  924  spaced therefrom and connected thereto by a post  925 . 
       FIG. 20  is attached to the handle  210  by wrapping the strip  920  around the handle  210  and attaching the ends of the strip  920  to one another (e.g., hook and loop material). The flexible sheet  930  assumes the, shape of the handle  210 . The shield  805  is attached to the rigid member  920  as for example by method of  FIGS. 18A-C . 
       FIG. 21  shows another method of attaching shield  805 . The shield  805  includes a magnet  1000  that is located within slot  807  and can be an elongated, flat magnet fixedly attached to the shield  805  which can be formed of heat resistive plastic, etc. The magnet  1000  is attached to either a second complementary magnet associated with and coupled to handle  210  or in the event that the utensil is formed of metal, the shield  805  can be directly attached to the handle  210 . The handle  210  is received in slot  807 . The magnet that is associated with the handle  210  can be integrally attached to the handle  210  or attached via adhesive or a fastener or other mechanical means. For example, the magnet can be part of a sleeve that is disposed around the handle  210 . 
     While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments thereof, the invention is capable of being practiced in other forms and using other materials and structures. Accordingly, the invention is defined by the recitations in the claims appended hereto and equivalents thereof.