Patent ID: 12220087

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

Referring toFIGS.1ato1e, a lid handling device100according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The lid handling device100comprises an elongated body102and a handle interacting structure104. The handle interacting structure104is disposed at a first end portion102A of the elongated body102and is adapted for interacting with handle14of lid12, as illustrated inFIGS.1cand1dand described hereinbelow.

Preferably, the handle interacting structure104comprises a first handle interacting element104A and a second handle interacting element104B. The first handle interacting element104A and the second handle interacting element104B protrude a predetermined distance D1from a same side102C of the first end portion102A of the elongated body102and are spaced apart a predetermined distance D2along the body102, i.e. along longitudinal axis103.

Further preferably, each of the first handle interacting element104A and the second handle interacting element104B is shaped forming a hook such that the hooks are facing each other with hook tips106A and106B being spaced apart a predetermined distance D3. For example, the handle interacting structure104is adapted for interacting with the handle14of the lid12of a large variety of commercially available barbeque grills10with: distance D1being approximately 40 mm; distance D2being approximately 75 mm; and distance D3being approximately 40 mm.

For opening the lid12the handle interacting structure104is moved over the handle14with the same passed between the hook tips106A and106B of the first handle interacting element104A and the second handle interacting element104B, respectively. After passing the handle14between the hook tips106A and106B, the lid handling device100is pushed upward and the second handle interacting element104B interacting with the handle14moves the front end of the lid upward towards the open position, as indicated by the block arrow inFIG.1c.

Similarly, for closing the lid12the handle interacting structure104is moved over the handle14with the same passed between the hook tips106A and106B of the first handle interacting element104A and the second handle interacting element104B, respectively. After passing the handle14between the hook tips106A and106B, the lid handling device100is pulled downward and the first handle interacting element104A interacting with the handle14moves the front end of the lid downward towards the closed position, as indicated by the block arrow inFIG.1d.

Use of the lid handling device100substantially increases the reach of the user's hand16when opening and closing the barbeque lid12, thus obviating the user having to lean over the grill10to reach the handle and preventing exposure of the user's arm and upper body to heat and smoke rising from the grill during opening and closing of the barbeque lid12.

The lid handling device100has, for example, an overall length along the longitudinal axis103of approximately 450 mm. The lid handling device100is made of conventional materials such as, for example, hardwood, stainless steel, or plastic composite material, using conventional manufacturing methods used in the production of kitchen accessories. Width and thickness of the elongated body are determined depending on the material used to provide sufficient rigidity, in particular, for pushing the lid into the open position.

Preferably, aperture108is disposed in the second end portion102B of the elongated body102for enabling hanging of the lid handling device100by directly engaging the aperture108with a hook, or for accommodating a portion of, for example, a rope forming a loop, therein.

Optionally, the second end portion102B of the elongated body102is ergonomically shaped to provide, for example, improved grip when holding the lid handling device100.

Alternatively, the handle interacting structure104comprises a single handle interacting element forming two hooks with the hook tips facing in opposite directions. In use, the hook with the hook tip facing towards the second end portion102B of the elongated body102is employed for closing the lid12while the hook with the hook tip facing in the opposite direction is used for opening the lid12.

The lid handling device100may also be employed for opening and closing the lid22of a pot20, as illustrated inFIG.1e. Here the handle interacting structure104is designed for pushing the first handle interacting element104A through an opening between the handle24and the pot lid22. With the handle24being securely placed between the first handle interacting element104A and the second handle interacting element104B, the pot lid22is easily opened and closed without exposing the user's hand and arm to heat and steam rising from the pot20.

Referring toFIGS.2ato2c, a lid handling device200according to another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The lid handling device200comprises the same elongated body102as the lid handling device100with same reference numerals used to refer to same components. Here, handle interacting structure204comprises first handle interacting element204A and second handle interacting element204B with the same being adapted for accommodating a bottom portion of a knob-type handle34of the pot lid32therebetween and for interacting with a top portion of the knob-type handle34. Preferably, the handle engaging portions of the first handle interacting element204A and the second handle interacting element204B comprise chamfers206A and206B, respectively, for facilitating engagement of the lid handling device100with the bottom portion of the knob-type handle34. With the knob-type handle34being securely placed between the first handle interacting element204A and the second handle interacting element204B, the pot lid32is easily opened and closed without exposing the user's hand and arm to heat and steam rising from the pot.

Referring toFIGS.3aand3b, a lid handling device300according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. The lid handling device300comprises the same elongated body102as the lid handling device100with same reference numerals used to refer to same components. The lid handling device300further comprises a tool structure such as, for example, a spatula310, or a brush312extending from the first end portion102A of the elongated body102, thus providing a multi-use device.

The lid handling device300is made, for example, as a single unit comprising both, the handle interacting elements104A,104B, as well as the tool structure310,312. Alternatively, the interacting elements104A,104B and the tool structure310,312are made in separate units which are mounted together in a conventional manner using, for example, an adhesive.

The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.