Abstract:
A spatula includes a handle that carries a power source and a motor or solenoid that drives a tool end between ready and flipped positions upon the activation of a switch. The spatula may be configured to automatically return to the ready position. The spatula may thus be used to flip pancakes, burgers, and the like by someone with an injured wrist or elbow.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 60/680,343 filed May 12, 2005; the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to kitchen tools and, more particularly, a spatula or flipper having a switch that allows the end of the spatula to be automatically rotated when the switch is activated. Specifically, the invention relates to a powered tool that automatically rotates the end of the tool upon activation of a switch. The invention also relates to such kitchen implements that have interchangeable components.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     Those with carpal tunnel syndrome may have significant difficulties utilizing typical kitchen tools such as those that require elbow and wrist action during use. One such tool is a turner or spatula used to flip burgers pancakes, and the like. Those with such pain desire a tool that automatically actuates. The tool should also be adjustable for a wide variety of users.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The invention provides a spatula that automatically rotates in response to an input signal. Different powered and un-powered configurations are provided. In the powered configurations, a motor or solenoid is used to drive the kitchen tool end between the ready and flipped positions. In the un-powered configurations, power from the user is used to flip the tool end with springs used to return the tool end to the ready position. The power from the user is converted to the rotary movement with levers, gears, racks, or pulleys or a combination of these elements.  
         [0007]     In one configuration, the invention provides a powered spatula having a handle; a drive carried by the handle; the drive being connected to the flexible drive arm; the drive adapted to rotate the flexible drive arm in at least one direction; a flexible drive arm extending from the handle; and a kitchen tool end connected to the flexible drive arm.  
         [0008]     In another configuration, a bi-stable solenoid is used to rotate the tool end. The solenoid automatically returns to its ready position after it has turned the tool end. This configuration allows the user to activate the spatula with a single press of a switch.  
         [0009]     In any of these powered configurations, the spatula may be configured to locate the tool end in a position offset from the handle. In any of these configurations, the spatula may include a flexible neck.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIGS. 1A-1E  depict a first configuration of the automatic spatula of the invention using an electric motor to activate the flipping action.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 2A-2C  depict a second configuration of the automatic spatula of the invention using a pulley-style actuator.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 3A-3D  depict a third configuration of the automatic spatula showing a lever actuator.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 4A-4D  depict a fourth configuration of the automatic spatula showing a rack and pinion actuator.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 5A-5C  depict a fifth configuration of the invention showing a motorized, adjustable tool.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 6A-6B  depict the exterior of the handle of the fifth configuration.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a schematic of the electrical system of the fifth configuration of the invention.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 8A-8C  depict a sixth configuration of the spatula.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  depicts a different tool end that may be connected to any of the configurations described below. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     Each of the configurations of the invention described below and in the series of drawings forming part of the specification includes a handle and an input device that allows a kitchen tool end to be selectively rotated upon the activation of the input. The inputs include switches as shown in the first, fifth, and sixth configurations and pivoting triggers as shown in the second, third, and fourth configurations. The kitchen tool ends may be a variety of spatula devices, flippers, turners, spoons, knives, and other known kitchen tools.  
         [0020]     In each of the configurations, the kitchen tool end may be removed from the handle and replaced with a different end. The different end may be a different type of tool, a different sized tool, or the same tool fabricated from a different material. In each of the configurations, the kitchen tool end may also be integrally attached to the handle with the output shaft of the device.  
         [0000]     1. Electric Motor—Gears  
         [0021]     The first configuration of the spatula is indicated generally by the numeral  100  in  FIGS. 1A-1E . Spatula  100  includes an electric motor  102  having a large output gear  104  that meshingly engages a small drive gear  106 . Drive gear  106  is connected to the output shaft  108  that supports the kitchen tool end  110 . Kitchen tool end  110  in this configuration is a metal or plastic spatula end. Spatula  100  further includes a battery  112  carried inside a handle  114 . Switches  116  and  118  are also carried by handle  114 . Switches  116  and  118  selectively cause an electric current to flow through motor  102  in different directions to rotate shaft  108  in different directions. The first configuration of spatula  100  allows shaft  108  to rotate 360° with respect to handle  114 . A variety of different gear ratios may be used depending on the size of the motor and the size of the kitchen tool end. In the configuration shown in the drawing, the ratio is 2 to 1.  
         [0000]     2. Pulley Version  
         [0022]     The second configuration of the spatula is indicated generally by the numeral  200  in  FIGS. 2A-2C . In this configuration, spatula generally includes a handle  202  that supports a kitchen tool end  204 . Tool end  204  is connected to an output shaft  206  that is biased with a spring  208  toward a rotated position that places tool end  204  in a vertical or flipped-over position. Shaft  206  is held in a ready position by a trigger spring  210  that urges a pivotable trigger  212  to a ready position. The end of trigger  212  is connected to shaft  206  with a cable  214  that is wrapped around a portion of shaft  206  like a pulley. Activation of a pivoting trigger  212  causes spring  210  to compress which allows the cable  214  to loosen thus allowing spring  208  to cause shaft  206  to rotate. When the force on trigger  212  is removed, spring  210  forces the end of the lever upwardly to rotate shaft  206  back to the ready position with cable  214 .  
         [0000]     3. Lever Version  
         [0023]     The third configuration of the spatula is indicated generally by the numeral  300  in  FIGS. 3A-3D . In this configuration, a trigger  302  that pivots with respect to a handle  304  pushes down on a lever  306  (fixed to shaft  308 ) to rotate the output shaft  308  and thus the kitchen tool end  310 . Shaft  308  may be configured rotate  1000  about its longitudinal axis. Return springs  312  and  314  are used to return tool end  310  to its ready position.  
         [0000]     4. Rack and Pinion Version  
         [0024]     The fourth configuration of the spatula is indicated generally by the numeral  400  in  FIGS. 4A-4D . Spatula  400  generally includes a handle  402  having a trigger  404  that activates a kitchen tool end  406  between ready and activated positions. In this configuration, a rack  408  is connected to the outer end  410  of pivoting trigger  404 . A return spring  412  is used to return trigger  404  to its ready position. A pinion gear  414  meshingly engages rack  408  to activate the rotation of an output shaft  416 . A secondary return spring  418  may be used to help return shaft  416  to its ready position. A block  420  supports the sliding rack  408  to maintain the meshed connection between the gear teeth. Spatula  400  may be configured to rotate end  406  190°.  
         [0000]     5. Electric Motor—Flexible Drive Shaft  
         [0025]     The fifth configuration of the spatula is indicated generally by the numeral  500  in  FIGS. 5-7 . Spatula  500  generally includes a handle  502 , an elongated neck  504 , and a kitchen tool end  506 . Handle  502  is adapted to fit comfortably in the user&#39;s hand in a substantially horizontal orientation with the front portion of handle  502  and neck  504  defining an “S” that places end  506  in a horizontal configuration at a position lower than handle  502  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Handle  502  defines a chamber that carries most of the components of spatula  500 . Handle  502  may be configured to be water-tight to allow it to be washed and used in a kitchen environment while protecting the components inside handle  502 . The arrangement of the components within the handle chamber balances spatula  500 . Handle  502  carries the power supply  510  (two batteries), a control module  512 , a motor  514 , a transmission  516 , an input switch  518 , and indicator lights  520 . Handle  502  may be configured to have a separate chamber for the batteries  510 .  
         [0026]     The front end of handle  502  may be tilted downwardly with respect to the middle and rear ends. For example, the front end may be tilted down about 25-50 degrees from horizontal with neck  504  being bent back an opposite amount so that the end of neck  504  is also horizontal. This provides an offset tool handle and a comfortable configuration for the user. Neck  504  may be flexible so that the angle of tool end  506  may be adjusted.  
         [0027]     Tool end  506  is connected to the output of transmission  516  with a flexible drive  522  which may be a section of steel rope.  
         [0028]     A coupler  524  is adapted to receive any of a variety of kitchen tool ends  506  formed with a mating coupler end  526 . Coupler  524  may define a non-circular recess such as the depicted hexagonal coupler that receives a mating end  526 . A biased detent may be used to secure tool end  506  in place. Other couplers may also be used such as those with biased, cantilevered locking fingers, screw threads, or snap fits. The kitchen tool ends may be flippers, spatulas, mixer heads, forks, or spoons.  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , power source  510  is electrically connected to control module  512 . In the exemplary embodiment, control module  512  includes a pair of LM556 circuits from National Semiconductor. Control module  512  receives an input signal from switch  518  to activate the tool. Once an input signal is received, control module  512  sends an output signal to motor  514  causing it to rotate drive  522  through an optional transmission (that may be a gear reducer)  516 . Motor  514  is controlled by timing. Control module  512  may be configured to automatically: (1) rotate the tool end until the user presses the switch again or until the user releases the switch; (2) rotate the drive arm  360  degrees and then stop; or (3) rotate the drive arm through a fixed rotation and then back again to its initial position (such as rotating 170 degrees and then back to its initial position). In the exemplary configuration of control module  512  is disclosed in  FIG. 7 , spatula  500  is configured to automatically flip over and return to its initial position with a push of a single button. This configuration is especially useful for those with sore hands or elbows.  
         [0030]     In alternative configurations, control module  512  may use forward and reverse switches to control the movement of tool end  506 . The movement may also be controlled with a position sensor instead of a timer.  
         [0031]     Indicator lights  520  optionally may be used to show the user the status of motor  514 . Lights  520  are visible to the user from the top of tool  500 . One light is used to show the forward direction of motor  514  and the other light is used to show the reverse direction of motor  514 .  
         [0032]     An external power adapter (or battery charger)  528  optionally may be provided at the rear end of the handle. A cord may be fit into the adapter to plug the tool into a wall outlet.  
         [0033]     A power switch  530  may also be provided. The power switch may be used to turn the tool on and off.  
         [0000]     6. Electric Motor—Solenoid  
         [0034]     The sixth configuration of the spatula is indicated generally by the numeral  600  in  FIGS. 8A-8C . Spatula  600  generally includes a handle  602  having an offset neck  604  and a kitchen tool end  606 . Handle  602  is adapted to fit comfortably in the user&#39;s hand in a substantially horizontal orientation with neck  604  defining an “S” that places end  606  in a horizontal configuration at a position lower than the rear portion of handle  602  as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0035]     Handle  602  defines a chamber that carries most of the components of spatula  600 . Handle  602  may be configured to be water-tight to allow it to be washed and used in a kitchen environment while protecting the components inside handle  602 . The arrangement of the components within the handle chamber balances spatula  600 . Handle  602  carries the power supply  610  (two batteries), a control module  612 , a solenoid  614 , an input switch  618 , and at least one indicator light  620 . Handle  602  may be configured to have a separate chamber for the batteries  610 . Batteries  610  and solenoid  614  are disposed at opposite ends of handle  602  to balance spatula  600 .  
         [0036]     Spatula  600  is adapted to rotate tool end  606  from a ready position to a rotated position and back to the ready position upon the activation of switch  618 . Activation of switch  618  sends a signal to control module  612  which powers solenoid  614  causing end  606  to rotate in a first direction and then back to its ready position. Solenoid  614  may be a bi-stable solenoid configured to automatically move in the desired manner upon receiving an actuation signal. This configuration allows the user to operate spatula  600  by pushing switch  618  once. Light  620  may be used to indicate the operation of solenoid  614 , the direction of rotation, or simply if the power is on.  
         [0037]     A soft rubber or textured grip  630  may be provided on the outside of a portion of handle  602 .  
         [0038]     End  606  may be connected to the output  632  of solenoid  614  be any of the manners described above.  
         [0039]     This configuration may be combined with the fifth configuration wherein the motor  514  may be positioned at the location of solenoid  614 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternative end  606  that may be used with any of the configurations described in this application.  
         [0041]     The elements of the configurations described above may be interchanged to create further configurations. For example, the flexible neck of the fifth configuration may be used with any of the other configurations to provide the benefits of the flexible neck. In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.