Patent Abstract:
A board shaped mandolin slicer includes a folding leg for stability in an angled orientation, and a “dead mans handle” for to enable exposure of the blade and adjustable thickness slicing only upon actuation of the handle. In addition, a spring resist in the handle is used in conjunction with a mechanical position guide limiting switch and angled cam which allows the user to better control the degree to which a platform move forward to expose the front of a main blade, to thus adjust the thickness of the slices uniformly. An additional child safety feature includes a pair of buttons on either side of the housing which need to be urged inwardly at the same time to unlock the mandolin slicer.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an improvements in the safety and use of a mandolin slicer and more particularly to safety features in a simple mandolin device including a “dead man handle” which works with at least one of a dropping platform or a blade barrier, as well as a child resistant lock to protect, respectively, users and children. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The traditional mandolin slicer which has been commercially available for several decades typically has a sliding board over which is mounted a blade which lies parallel to the sliding board which can produce sliced food by pushing the food to be sliced across the blade. Generally the dimension of the blade above the sliding board determines the thickness of cut. The mandolin board is used to quickly produce a number of slices of even thickness. The user typically controls the food as it is sliced and food stabbing devices are often used to protect the user&#39;s hands. 
         [0003]    Another problem with many mandolin slicers is the problem of prevention of movement during use. Many free standing mandolin slicers can move during use because even though they may be free-standing, they don&#39;t have structures which enable the users to grasp them securely. When a conventional slicer moves it can slide away, tip over and tumble. 
         [0004]    Further, conventional mandolin slicers have their cutting blades constantly exposed, whether or not the slicer is in use. Any inadvertent contact with the blade, during the time when the slicer is deployed or when being stored and retrieved is a significant danger. Young adults and children who are not aware of the danger of an exposed blade are especially at risk. Many mandolin slicers have a locked position in which the platform is raised to a locking position at the same level as the cutting edge of the blade (or slightly higher). This means that if the slicer is handled there is no chance of the user accidentally slicing their finger or hand. However to resume slicing, the user must unlock the platform so that it can return to a position that allows the blade to slice the food. If the user is using the product and suddenly called away, for example to answer the telephone, the blade remains unguarded. Another person, maybe a child, may touch the slicer and suffer a serious cut as a consequence. This is because locking must be done specially as well as unlocking. 
         [0005]    The utility value of a mandolin slicer depends upon its safety, simplicity and ease of use. For safety, any steps which protect injury during use and after use are very important. Simplicity is important, since a complicated device with many features which occupy a significant volume can complicate cleaning and maintenance. Ease of use is another important factor. The mandolin should be quickly deployable, easy and simple to use, and after use, have a structure which is quickly and easily washable, and quickly stowable to a storage position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A board shaped mandolin slicer includes a folding leg to stably enable the slicer to assume a stable angled orientation. The mandolin slicer includes a front platform having a front end and a rear end, with the rear end of the front platform adjacent and slightly above a front cutting end of a blade. The invention consists of a mandolin slicer with a “dead mans handle”. If the user wants to use the product, a spring loaded handle is squeezed which will automatically expose the blade by either allowing the platform to lower away. If a user were to releases their grip on the handle, the platform or barrier return to their position in front of the cutting edge of the blade thereby returning the product to a safe mode. It is further possible to add a child resistant lock that would stop a young child managing to operate the “dead man&#39;s handle” even if the child were strong enough to operate the spring opposed handle. 
         [0007]    So, any time that a user leaves the mandolin slicer and is not clutching a spring loaded handle, the mandolin slicer is in a safety position in which the rear of the front platform covers the front of the blade and insures that any object moving toward the blade is isolated from the blade and is forced to pass over the protected front end of the blade. Also, while in this position the underside of the blade is protected due to a very close and possibly touching relationship of one end of the cam face, and such that it would be nearly impossible to place any object in front of the blade and thus nearly impossible to be cut by the blade even from the underside of the mandolin slicer. 
         [0008]    The use of the mandolin slicer can only be accomplished by placing one hand on the grip actuator. This mechanism insures that the only time the blade is exposed is during use, and that it automatically causes the user to have a very good and stable grip on the overall mandolin slicer to eliminate the possibility that a user could lose control of it. 
         [0009]    In terms of mechanics, a handle includes a spring resist grip actuator which causes a front edge of a front platform to move toward the handle to instantly place the mandolin slicer in a position for use. Aside from providing a slicer where the blade is protected during non-use, the force needed to overcome the spring is strong enough that very small children will be unlikely to be able manipulate the front platform forward to expose the cutting blade. In addition, the spring resist is used in conjunction with a mechanical position guide limiting switch which allows the user to limit the degree to which the front edge of a front platform to move toward the handle to thereby limit the spacing between the rear side of the front platform and the front of the blade, to thus limit the thickness of the slices. 
         [0010]    The user can, by determining the degree to which the spring loaded handle is squeezed, also instantly control the slice thickness. So, without the mechanical position guide limiting switch, the user is free to make slices of varying thickness by controlling the squeeze of the handle. However, most mandolin slicer users want uniform sized slices. The mechanical position guide limiting switch is there so that the user will have a “stop” against which to squeeze, so that the user doesn&#39;t have to precisely control a manual grip of the spring loaded handle. In essence the mechanical switch will be enabled to allow the user to squeeze the spring loaded handle to different depths, with the user&#39;s only needed control aspect being to simply make physically sure that the handle is squeezed to an extent that it remains securely displace against one of the internal stops controlled by the mechanical position guide limiting switch. In order to allow the user to select the thickness of a slice, it is normal to adjust the height of the platform relative to the blade edge. By linking the height adjustment of the platform to the degree to which the “dead man&#39;s handle” is squeezed, it is possible to have the blade edge exposed by varying amounts thereby allowing the thickness of the slice to be adjusted according to the displacement of squeeze. By using adjustable stops, the user can simply move the adjustable stop to the selected position and squeeze the handle fully. The platform will move away from the blade and drop down to the selected position allowing accurate and repeatable slicing. 
         [0011]    Once the mechanical position guide limiting switch is set to a position, actuation of the spring opposed handle will move the front platform forward to a limited position which corresponds to both physical separation of the front platform from the blade and a reduced elevation of the front platform with respect to the blade (due to the action of the cam face at the back end of the front platform acting against the support shaft). The mechanical position guide limiting switch can be configured to perform a locking function by disabling the ability of a user to displace the front platform at all. This position will prevent the blade from becoming uncovered even if the spring urged handle is pulled or squeezed. 
         [0012]    Alternatively, and in addition to the locking function of the mechanical position guide limiting switch, two locking buttons may also be provided through holes in the main housing to lock whenever the front platform is brought to a position to rest over and cover the blade. Thus, it will close two side locks whenever it is left unattended. Two buttons, one on each side of the housing, would provide a child resistant feature as both buttons would need to be urged inwardly at the same time, while the other hand operates the grip, in order to open the mandolin slicer. The two buttons could be depressed to unlock the front platform fairly easily with an adult&#39;s hand, whereas a child&#39;s hand would have considerable difficulty. Therefore, a child would have to find a way to close both side buttons to unlock, insure that the mechanical position guide limiting switch is unlocked, and then while holding both side buttons, begin to actuate the spring loaded handle to begin to open the space in front of the main blade. 
         [0013]    An adjustable julienne multi blade structure may be provided through the front platform in front of the blade. A series of cutting members supported by a rotatable member is easily deployed in front of the horizontal main blade. The rear side of the front platform is lowered so that the julienne blades assume a height in front of the main horizontal blade which is proportional to the depth of cut to be made by the main horizontal blade. In this configuration, the blades will not exceed the thickness of cut to be made by the main blade. Further, any device which is used to push food and which depends upon the upper rails of the board will not tend to touch the julienne blades. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of the upper surface of the mandolin slicer to facilitate a brief introduction of the names and orientation of the main components of the slicer, and shown with the folding leg in stowed position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view roughly corresponding to the overall view seen in  FIG. 1  shown to emphasize the exterior simplicity, and portability, stowability and ease of use; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the mandolin slicer seen in  FIGS. 1-2  and in which the components are further identified and the details and relationship of assembly is more completely seen; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the spring loaded handle with the mechanical position guide limiting block exploded away from to reveal details as a double series of cross shaped projections or stops from a back wall of the handle; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective upward view of the underside of the mandolin slicer illustrating button locks which can be employed, in addition to the “dead man&#39;s handle” to even further child-proof the mandolin slicer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the underside of the mandolin slicer illustrating an overall view of the components and detail of structures; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  a perspective view of the mandolin slicer seen in a deployed position ready for use with the leg assembly deployed and supporting the handle end of the slicer; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view from above of one possible embodiment of a food engaging pusher which may be used with the mandolin slicer of  FIGS. 1-7 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the food engaging pusher of  FIG. 8  which illustrates a separate plug portion having a series of food engaging extensions and a base having a regularly triangularly jagged downwardly directed member; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom plan view of the food engaging pusher of  FIGS. 8-9 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a closeup view of the end of the front platform showing an exaggerated view of blade guard which exceeds the height of the front platform; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  illustrates a closeup view of the end of the front platform showing an exaggerated view of a “Y” shaped blade guard which has portions which will cover the exposed blade both above and below the edge of the blade; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  illustrates a reversal of the location of the cam face seen as a structure supported by the side rails, with a cam follower provided as part of the front platform; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  illustrates an embodiment in which the front end of the front platform is pinned to the side rails and in which the handle operates a blade guard directly to pull the blade guard underneath the front platform to give the advantage of stability and the ability to have the blade guard move relative to the front platform; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  illustrates an arrangement similar to that seen in  FIG. 14 , but where a cam member having a surface which cooperates with a support shaft which is moved farther toward its pivot point and where a platform is seen having a flattened end which has an arc of swing which brings it close to the front edge of the blade. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    The description and operation of the mandolin slicer of the invention is best begun with reference to  FIG. 1  which illustrates a perspective drawing of the upper surface of a mandolin slicer  21  to facilitate a brief introduction of the names and orientation of the main components. Mandolin slicer  21  has a pair of side rails, including a left side rail  23  and a right side rail  25 . The side rails  23  and  25  may be joined by an end handle  27 . Side rails  23  and  25  and end handle  27  may be formed simultaneously. 
         [0031]    The end handle  27  may have a mechanical switch  31  to set the cutting height between a front platform  33  and a cutting blade  35 . In the view of  FIG. 1 , the front platform  33  slightly overlies the front edge (not seen in  FIG. 1 ) of handle upper portion of the slicer, and is shown with the folding leg in stowed position. Considering the end handle  27  to be the front end of the mandolin slicer  21 , to the rear of the cutting blade  35  is a rear platform  37  which is seen to have a curved portion  41 . 
         [0032]    The end handle  27  has a number of symbols  43  printed above the mechanical switch  31  which include a picture of a pad lock, adjacent a number of columns having one rectangular symbol, two rectangular symbols and three rectangular symbols. These symbols correspond to and show that the mechanical setting of the mechanical switch  31  can be set to allow the front platform  33  and a cutting blade  35  to be set to a locked position as shown, or can assume a position where front platform  33  is gradually separated away from cutting blade  35  in graduated degrees in order to produce a graduated cutting slot just in front of the cutting blade  35 , as will be shown in greater detail in subsequent drawings. 
         [0033]    A spring loaded handle  47  includes a grip portion  51  and a guide rail portion  53 , of which only a left guide rail portion  53  is observable in  FIG. 1 . When gripped and when force is applied to cause the grip portion  51  to move toward the end handle  27 , the portion of the spring loaded handle  47  seen will move into the end handle  27 , and the front platform  33  will move toward the end handle  27 . Before or after this compressive movement has occurred, and to limit the distance the grip portion  51  can be drawn into end handle  27  to limit the movement of the front platform  33  away from the blade  35  the mechanical switch  31  can be moved to a limit position. By limiting the movement of the front platform  33  away from the blade  35  the user can have a controlled, consistent limitation on the cutting thickness without having to keep the user&#39;s hand under exactly displacement control. 
         [0034]    Also seen on the right side of the mandolin slicer  21  is a julienne control knob  55 , having a covering end cap  56 . Julienne control knob  55  controls a series of blades (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) which can be raised through a series of julienne blade slots  57  which are formed into front platform  33 . A separation is seen between the julienne blade slots  57  and the blade  35  of about the same distance as the length of the julienne blade slots  57 . Turning the julienne control knob  55  will deploy the blades (not seen), each one in its associated julienne blade slot  57 . 
         [0035]    Other details seen include a curving portion  61  of the front platform  33 , and an upper handle guide rail  65  in which slidably supports guide rail portion  53  of spring loaded handle  47  from the upper side. Curving portion  61  of the front platform  33  is adjacent an opening  63  between curving portion  61  and the grip portion  51 . Mechanical switch  31  is seen operating as a side to side slide switch within a depression  67  to provide stable, protected, controlled movement for the mechanical switch  31 . A leg and notch fixture  75  is also partially seen at the underside of the right side rail  25  at the end opposite end handle  27 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a side view roughly corresponding to the overall view seen in  FIG. 1  shown to emphasize the exterior simplicity, and portability, stowability and ease of use of the mandolin slicer  21 . Leg and notch fixture  75  is seen to have a notch  77  for resting the mandolin slicer  21  on the edge of a bowl or pan. Leg and notch fixture  75  may be made of a soft, non-skid material to stabilize the mandolin slicer  21  whether supported by a flat surface or pan or bowl. The underside of right side rail  25  (and left side rail  23  although not seen in  FIG. 2 ) is seen as having a less recessed, downwardly projecting outer wall  81  and a more recessed, downwardly projecting inner wall  83 . The space between the outer wall  81  and inner wall  83  form a channel  85 . The channel  85  is utilized to partially accommodate a fold down leg angled member  87 . As can be partially seen, is a fold down leg angled member  87  which is attached to a bar portion  91  which may be covered in a soft elastomeric member  93  for non-skid support when the mandolin slicer  21  is supported by its own folding leg assembly (not yet completely seen). 
         [0037]    Near the bottom of  FIG. 2 , on the end of the mandolin slicer  21  nearest the mechanical button  31 , a leg bushing  95  is seen inboard of outer wall  81  and outboard of inner wall  83 . The leg bushing  95  engages the leg and assists its pivot action. A leg bushing securing member  97  has walls to match outer wall  81  and inner wall  83 , including an inner wall  103  and an outer wall  105 . A slanted joining line  107  is seen between the inner walls  103  and  83 , while a very abbreviated slanted joining line  109  is seen between the outer walls  81  and  105 . To the right of julienne control knob  55  is a julienne blade guard  113  which guards against inadvertent manual contact with the julienne blades (not yet seen), especially in their stowed position. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of the mandolin slicer  21  is see to better illustrate all of the components of the mandolin slicer  21  and their relationship with each other. At the upper left, the rear platform  37  is shown as having a recessed space  121  for accommodating the blade  35  so that in general the planar top of blade  35  will be generally even with the top surface of rear platform  37 . A series of mounting apertures  123  or other structures. Partially seen at the underside of the rear platform  37  is a series of protrusions or locating pegs  125  are preferably ultrasonically welded to left and right side rails  23  and  25  to help further stabilize the rear platform  37 . The underside of the recessed space  121  has an angled surface  127  to provide a more gentle exit for food sliced by blade  35  and to facilitate an unmolested orderly exit for the sliced portion of such food. 
         [0039]    Shown to the right of the angled surface  127 , the blade  35  is seen. Blade  35  has a sharpened front edge  131 . Blade  35  may have structures on its underside or opposite side to that shown in  FIG. 3  with will interfit with the mounting bores or apertures  123 . In  FIG. 3 , just below the blade  35 , a support shaft  135  is seen. Support shaft  135  connects between the left side rail  23  and right side rail  25  and forms a support for the camming action of the rear of the front platform  33 . The support shaft  135  has a pair of reduced diameter portions  137  at each end, only one of which is clearly seen in  FIG. 3 , so that it can engage an aperture and be limited in its insertion into that aperture. 
         [0040]    Below the support shaft  135 , a julienne assembly  141  is seen. In addition to the control knob  55  and covering end cap  56 , a friction spring  145  is seen. To the left of friction spring  145  a julienne blade support barrel  147  supports a series of evenly spaced julienne blades  149 . The julienne blade slots  57  should be able to accommodate the julienne blades  149  over the range of translation and elevation changes which the front platform  33  is capable. The spacing of the julienne blades  149  are spaced to correspond to the spacing of the julienne blade slots  57  of the front platform  33 . The orientation of the julienne blades  149  are the same as they would appear through the julienne blades slots  57 , with the rear of the blades having a flat edge  151  which would be supported by the end of the julienne blades slots  57  nearest the main blade  35  as seen in  FIG. 1 . Julienne blade support barrel  147  has a pair of projections  153 , only one of which is seen an partially obscured by spring  145 . The friction spring  145  will surround the projection  153  on one side and is used so that some frictional stability is added to the supported julienne blade support barrel  147  so that when the julienne blades  149  are raised they will not inadvertently tip down and so that when the julienne blades  149  are in the down position, they will not be inadvertently raised. Further, projection  153  is surrounded by a series of detent projections  154  which may be on one side only of the julienne blade support barrel  147  and interact with matching structure on the inside of right side rail  25  (not shown) so that the julienne blade support barrel  147  may be selectably set at a number of stable positions. This is but one of many ways that the julienne blade support barrel  147  may be pivotally fixed in a stable position. 
         [0041]    Seen below the julienne assembly  141  is the julienne blade guard  113 . Julienne blade guard  113  has a three sided structure including a base  155 , longer front wall  157  and shorter rear wall  159 . A pair of side walls  116  cover the sides of the portion of the julienne blade guard  113  which extend slightly below the more recessed, downwardly projecting inner wall  83  on each of the left and right side rails  23  and  25 . 
         [0042]    Near the upper corners of the longer front wall  157  and the shorter rear wall  159 , a lateral projection  161  is seen, but only on the lateral side facing the viewer. The projections  161  on the opposite sides are not clearly seen and are indicated by arrows. 
         [0043]    To the left of the julienne blade guard  113 , the front platform  33  is again seen. Some details of the underside are seen including a front cam face  165  which is positioned to engage the support shaft  135 . As front cam face  165  engages the support shaft  135 , the support shaft  135  supports the rearward side of the front platform  33 . When the front platform  33  is moved slightly forward, toward the end handle  27 , the rear end of the front platform  33  most closely adjacent the blade  35  is allowed to both move forward and downward by the action of the front cam face  165 . Movement of the front platform  33  toward the blade  35  causes the rear end of the front platform  33  to move upward as it approaches the blade  35 , and preferably to a point that it meets but is slightly above the sharpened front edge  131  of the blade  35 . This action of meeting at a point slightly above the front edge  131  of the blade  35  helps insure protection of the sharpened front edge  131  of the blade  35  as well as to protect users from inadvertent contact with sharpened front edge  131  of the blade  35 . 
         [0044]    Front cam face  165  may be planar to give a completely proportional action against the support shaft  135 , but it can also be curved to produce a non-linear approach/displacement profile, such as an exponential drop away at the start of the displacement of the front platform  33 . This causes the ability to make thicker slices to occur immediately upon opening of the mandolin slicer  21 , but gives a finer adjustment range concentrating on the thicker slices. Conversely, it may cause the rear end of the front platform to drop slowly during the first portion of its travel and drop more steeply at the latter portion of its travel, to give a finer adjustment range concentrating on the thinner slices. 
         [0045]    Further, the action of moving the platform  33  away from the blade  35  adjusts the height at which the sharpened front edge  131  of the blade  35  will engage a moving food mass. When the front platform  33  is in a forward position, the rear end of the front platform  33  will have moved down to enable the front edge  131  of the blade  35  to cut a moving food mass at a greater height above the front platform  33  to produce a thicker slice to be ejected during cutting below the angled surface  127 . Conversely, when the front platform  33  is in a rearward position, the rear end of the front platform  33  will have moved upward to enable the front edge  131  of the blade  35  to cut a moving food mass at a lesser height above the front platform  33  to produce a thinner slice to be ejected during cutting below the angled surface  127  and underneath the mandolin slicer  21 . 
         [0046]    Front platform  33 , underneath and adjacent curving portion  61 , has a curved fitting  171  having a downwardly directed engagement opening  173 . Curved fitting  171  and downwardly directed engagement opening are used to enable the grip portion  51  of the spring loaded handle  47  to exert forward motion, toward the end handle  27 , upon the front platform  33 . 
         [0047]    As can be seen, the end handle  27  and the side rails  23  and  25  may be formed as a one piece unit. With the exception of an upward extension of the more recessed, downwardly projecting inner wall  83  to form an accommodation space  181 , both of the insides of the side rails  23  and  25  are nearly identical. In the view of  FIG. 3 , many of the inside details of side rail  25  are identical to those of side rail  23  and those features of side rail  23  may be may be visible. 
         [0048]    Side rails  23  and  25  each have a rear platform support rail  185  which may have a series of small blind bores  187  to interfit with the series of protrusions  125  of the rear platform  37 . The rear platform support rails  185  support the rear platform  37  and insure that it will remain locked into place between side rails  23  and  25  and is preferably affixed by ultrasonic welding. 
         [0049]    Forward of the a rear platform support rail  185  each of the side rails  23  and  25  have a shallow support shaft blind bore  191  into which will fit the reduced diameter portions  137  at each end of the support shaft  135 . 
         [0050]    Also seen is an inwardly disposed rim  193  which may be used as a limited overhang and against which the front platform  33  may be limited in its upward pivoting movement, and which may also serve to support and stabilize blade  35  and rear platform  37 . Adjacent the shallow support shaft blind bore  191 , each of the side rails  23  and  25  has a julienne blade support barrel bore  195  which will rotationally support projections  153  of the julienne blade support barrel  147  to pivot between a deployed and stowed position. Accommodation space  181  is adjacent julienne blade support barrel bore  195 . Accommodation space  181  enables a closer connection of julienne control knob  55  to one of the pair of projections  153 . 
         [0051]    A pair of small blind bores  197  and  199  on each of the side rails  23  and  25  correspond to the lateral projections  161  on the julienne blade guard  113 . The longer front wall  157  is supported between the small blind bores  197  and the shorter rear wall  159  is supported between the small blind bores  199 . 
         [0052]    A small slot  207  interrupts the more recessed, downwardly projecting inner wall  83  at a place where the bar portion  91  of the leg assembly (to be discussed) folds under the side rails  23  and  25 . Closer to the end handle  27  and under the level of the upper handle guide rail  65 , a lower handle guide rail  211  is present on both the side rails  23  and  25 . Between the upper handle guide rail  65  and lower handle guide rail  211 , the guide rail portion  53  of the spring loaded handle  47  is supported, guided and allowed to translate between the forward and rear positions smoothly. 
         [0053]    A number of components are seen adjacent the end handle  27 . A lower housing  221 , during assembly, makes way for entry of the spring loaded handle  47 , with its guide rail portions  53  slidably entered into the space between the upper handle guide rail  65  and lower handle guide rail  211 . Lower housing  221  includes spring securing posts  225  which will engage springs  227 . The other end of springs  227  engage spring engaging posts  231  at the front of the spring loaded handle  47 . Thus, when the lower housing  221  is assembled in place, the spring loaded handle  47  is urged toward the blade  35  and away from the end handle  27 . 
         [0054]    On the end handle  27 , the depression  67  is adjacent an access opening  235 . The mechanical switch  31  is seen as having a lever  237  which will extend into the access opening  235 . A clip  239  is slidably attached to the lever  237  after it is extended through the access opening  235  to hold it in place. A mechanical position guide limiting block  243  is engaged by the lever  237  and used to control the permitted position of the spring loaded handle  47  in the direction towards the end handle  27 . 
         [0055]    To the right of the right side rail  25 , a full view of a leg assembly  251  is shown. In addition to the fold down leg angled member  87 , bar portion  91 , and soft elastomeric member  93 , the angled member  87  is seen to be connected to a fold down leg curved member  253 . The curved member  253  and straight member  71  join to form a single member and curve inward to a pair of terminations  255 . These facing terminations  255  are inserted into the leg bushings  96 . The placement of the Lower housing  221  causes the covering outer wall  105  to trap end terminations  255  within the leg bushings  96 . 
         [0056]    The leg and notch fixture  75  are each seen as having a plug insert portion  261  each of which are affixed into the far ends of the left and right side rails  23  and  25 . On the inside of the guide rail portion  53 , inward projections  265  are seen. The projections  265  will be engaged by the engagement opening  173  of the curved fitting  171 . The engagement opening  173  may have a snap fit onto the projections  265 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a front perspective view of the spring loaded handle  47  with mechanical position guide limiting block  243  exploded away from it sufficient to see its details, reveals a number of structures. Aside from the two spring engaging posts  231  already seen, a series of cross shaped projections from a back wall  271  are horizontally joined by a common central horizontal projection  275 . The central horizontal projection  275  is shared by the two spring engaging posts  231 , and a number of projection areas from the back wall  271 . The projections seen occur in pairs and include a first locking projection  281  and a second locking projection  283 . The first and second locking projections  281  and  283  project farthest from the back wall  271  (disregarding the two spring engaging posts  231 ) and when mechanical position guide limiting block  243  is positioned in front of first and second locking projections  281  and  283 , the spring loaded handle  47  cannot be compressed into the lower handle guide rail  211 , and the front platform  33  cannot be urged away from the blade  35 . 
         [0058]    A first thinnest slice support projection  287  and a second thinnest slice support projection  289  are located adjacent the first and second locking projections  281  and  283  and have a displacement away from the back wall  271  of a lesser distance than the first and second locking projections  281  and  283 . First and second thinnest slice support projections  287  and  289  enable spring loaded handle  47  to be slightly compressed into the lower handle guide rail  211 , so that the front platform  33  is urged down and away from the blade  35  sufficient to produce the thinnest slices. 
         [0059]    Adjacent first and second thinnest slice support projections  287  and  289 , First and second medium slice support projections  291  and  293  enable spring loaded handle  47  to be compressed into the lower handle guide rail  211  about half of the maximum distance, so that the front platform  33  is urged down and away from the blade  35  sufficient to produce the medium thickness slices. Adjacent first and second medium slice support projections  291  and  293 , first and second thickest slice support projections  297  and  299  enable spring loaded handle  47  to be compressed into the lower handle guide rail  211  to the maximum distance, so that the front platform  33  is urged down and away from the blade  35  sufficient to produce the maximum thickness slices. 
         [0060]    The mechanical position guide limiting block  243  has a main plate  307  with a rectangular aperture  309  through which the lever  237  extends, in order to connect the mechanical position guide limiting block  243  to the mechanical switch  31  and enable the mechanical position guide limiting block  243  to move laterally with any lateral movement of the mechanical switch  31 . Attached to the main plate  307  are a pair of spaced apart parallel engagement plates  311  and  313 . The spacing of the spaced apart parallel engagement plates  311  and  313  is the same spacing between projections  281  and  283 , projections  287  and  289 , projections  291  and  293 , and projections  297  and  299 . These force bearing pairs help spread and stabilize the force resistance of the grip portion  51  against the mechanical position guide limiting switch  243 , which is in turn supported, through its main plate  307  as main plate  307  bears against the inside of the lower housing  221 . Other possibilities include greater multiples of the spaced apart parallel engagement plates  311  and  313 , and corresponding multiples of the projections  281 ,  287 ,  291 , and  297 . A sloping, and therefore continuous surface would allow selection of an infinite number of thicknesses to be selected. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective upward view of the underside of the mandolin slicer  21  nearest the end handle  27  illustrates one possible embodiment of the previously mentioned button locks. A button aperture  325  permits partial passage of a spring loaded button  327 . As can be seen from the opposite side, the button  327  can be made of a cantilevered part of the material making up the guide rail portion  53  of the spring loaded handle  47 . A keyhole cut about the cantilevered portion and its location in the guide rail portion  53  of the spring loaded handle  47  permits this feature to be added simply with a button aperture  325  and a substituted spring loaded handle  47 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the underside of the mandolin slicer  21  which illustrates a good overall view of the components and detail of structures best seen from a bottom view. A series of three rivets  351  are seen adjacent the angled surfaces  127  for holding the blade  35  in place. The notches  77  of each of the leg and notch fixtures  75  are seen as having a parallel orientation and are wide enough to accommodate either a linear or curved member placed between them. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of the mandolin slicer  21  is seen in a deployed position ready for use. There is plenty of clearance for a user to set the mechanical switch  31 , and bring the user&#39;s hand around the end handle  27  through the leg assembly  251 . The user will likely bring their fingers around the grip portion  51  in order to urge it toward the end handle  27  to cause the front platform  33  to move away and down from the blade  35 . While still grasping the end handle  27  and grip portion  51  together simultaneously the user can slice foods by sliding them along the front platform  33  and toward the main blade  35 . The julienne blades  149  are also illustrated in the deployed position. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , one possible embodiment of a food engaging pusher  375  is shown. The use of a food engaging pusher  375  is important for protecting the user&#39;s hand from any contact with either the main blade  35  or the julienne blades  149 , especially when the mass of food being cut has a small remaining mass. The food engaging pusher  375  has a knob portion  377 , upper cap  379  and an upwardly curved lower portion  381 . The upwardly curve lower portion  381  may have a regular shape and thus may have some indicators such as arrows  385  to indicate the orientation for the user to use with the mandolin slicer  21 . 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , an exploded view of the food engaging pusher  375  shows that the cap  379  is part of a plug  391  having a series of food engaging extensions  393 . The upwardly curved lower portion  381  has a bore  395 , with the lower opening of the bore  395  having a regularly triangularly jagged downwardly directed member  397 . A curved space  399  lies under the arrows  385  seen in  FIG. 8 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , a bottom view of the food engaging pusher  375  illustrates the overall shape and illustrates the structures which will engage a mass of food working together. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a closeup schematic side view of the end of the front platform shows an exaggerated view of a blade guard  425  which exceeds the height of the front platform  33 . Here the end of blade guard  425  extends slightly above the surface of the front platform  33 . The ramp effect will not significantly impact the slicing function, and the top of the blade guard  425  may simply include a slight upturn of the end of the front platform  33  to form the over coverage of the edge  131  of the blade  35 . The blade guard  425  is shown as somewhat continuous with the angled surface  127  but it can be discontinuous with the angled surface  127 . 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 12  a closeup view of the end of the front platform showing an exaggerated view of a “Y” shaped blade guard  431  is seen. The “Y” shaped blade guard  431  is shown somewhat exaggeratedly, but provides an upper edge  433  which will rest over the edge  131  of blade  35  and a lower edge  435  which will rest under edge  131  of blade  35 . 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , a reversal of the location of the cam face  127  is seen where a cam follower member  341  is provided to work in conjunction with a cam member  345  which may depend from the left side rail  23 . The cam member  345  may be formed integral with the left side rail  23  (not shown in  FIG. 13 ) and it may only need to extend a centimeter or so beyond the inside surface of the left side rail  23  and thus can be inexpensively formed and made. The front platform  33  may still guard the front edge  131  of the blade  35  depending upon the manner in which the cam member  345  is set. 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , an embodiment in which a front end of a front platform  352  may have a pivot pin  353  or other pivot connection to the left and right side rails  23  and  25 . A guard link  357  is connected to a combination blade guard and cam member  361 , and to the curved fitting  171 . The guard link  357  moves underneath the front platform  33  and in essence moves behind the edge of the front platform  352  which may then be positioned quite close to the front edge of the front edge of the blade  131 . 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIG. 15  an arrangement similar to that seen in  FIG. 14  is illustrated, but where a cam member  127  is seen as having a surface which cooperates with a support shaft  135  which is moved farther toward its pivot point  353 . A front platform  381  has a vertically broader end  385  which has the capability to provide a guarding extent both above and below the blade  35 .  FIG. 15  also illustrates that a range of placement for the cooperating cam members can occur along a broad length, from adjacent and under the blade  35  to a point much farther away from the blade  35 . This also opens the possibility for a shorter displacement stroke for grip portion  51  which may translate into a mechanically advantaged lowering of the front platform  381 . The flattened end  385  of the platform  381  has an arc of swing which comes close enough to the front edge  351  of the blade  35  to effectively isolate it from manual contact, but so close enough that any part of the flattened end  385  will touch front edge  351  of the blade  35 . 
         [0071]    While the present invention has been described in terms of a structure, device and process for a new mandolin slicer and which has high safety and ease of use characteristics; one skilled in the art will realize that the structure and techniques of the present invention can be applied to many structures and devices which are used in the kitchen, and particularly where ease of use, safety, and adjustability can be achieved in a single device. 
         [0072]    Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1