Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention relates generally to cutting boards used to cut food articles such as vegetables, fruits and meat. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cutting boards for use in cutting various types of foodstuffs are well known, as are several types of knives to be used in combination with such boards. An example of a cutting board in the prior art includes the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,278, issued on May 11, 1976 to Samuel Jr. Popeil. Another example of a cutting board in the prior art includes the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,222, issued on Nov. 20, 2011 to Joseph B. Weinman, Jr. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a cleaver, a cutting board, and a hinge that connects the cleaver to the cutting board. When these three components are used together, the present invention provides greater cutting ability than conventional kitchen knifes and cutting boards. The present invention is designed to cut through fish and poultry bones, frozen foods, and other food items that are typically difficult to cut. 
     The cleaver of the present invention is designed to work in tandem with the cutting board and hinge. Similar designs use more of a conventional kitchen knife with only a hole in the tip. These knives also use rounded or curved edges which limit their effectiveness by allowing for a much smaller contact area with the food. Because of these limitations, other designs are not as efficient as the present invention. 
     The present invention uses a flat, non-curved cutting edge with a slight rise from neck to handle. When used within the groove on the surface of the cutting board, the non-curved cutting edge provides for a continuous cutting motion through the entire cutting cycle. The angled neck and keys are designed to enhance the effectiveness of the cleaver by being separate from the cutting edge. The keys work with the hinge to hold the cleaver in a vertical position when locked into place. The handle is used to grip the cleaver and as the area to which the downward force is applied. The handle grips can be composed of plastic, wood, or other suitable material. 
     The cutting board is equipped with a clip for the attachment of the hinge, a groove under the cleaver, a measuring tool, and a fluid channel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the present invention with the cleaver in the down position. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the present invention with the cleaver in the up and locked position. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded, isometric view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the cleaver of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the bearing of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the housing component of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the housing component of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention will be described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments (and legal equivalents thereof). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention  10  includes the following primary components: a cleaver  20 , a hinge  30 , and cutting board  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , cleaver  20  has an elongated handle  21 , an elongated blade  22 , a cutting edge  23 , and an angled neck  24  with keys  25  and  26  attached opposite each other on the end of angled neck  24 . This design accomplishes several things, including (1) allowing for the attachment of the hinge mechanism, (2) providing minimal interference with the cutting surface, and (3) providing a comfortable grip of elongated handle  21 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , hinge  30  is made of two bearings  31  and  32  and two housing components  33  and  34 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , bearings  31  and  32  have grooves  35  and  36 , respectively, in which keys  25  and  26  of cleaver  20  slidably fit when the components of hinge  30  are pieced together. As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  7 , housing components  33  and  34  have openings  37  and  38 , respectively, in which bearings  31  and  32  rotatably fit when the components of hinge  30  are pieced together. Openings  37  and  38  are equipped with slots  39  and  40  (shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 , and  7 ), respectively, so that when cleaver  20  is rotated upwardly to a substantially vertical position, as shown in  FIG. 2 , keys  25  and  26  drop down into slots  39  and  40 , thereby locking cleaver  20  in a substantially vertical position. When keys  25  and  26  drop down into slots  39  and  40 , respectively, bearings  31  and  32  are prevented from rotating within housing Components  33  and  34 . Cleaver  20  is unlocked from its substantially vertical position by lifting cleaver  20  until keys  25  and  26  rise out of slots  39  and  40 , respectively, thereby allowing bearings  31  and  32  to rotate in housing components  33  and  34 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a first tab  41  and a second tab  42  attached to housing components  33  and  34 , respectively, allow the components of hinge  30  to be held together. Housing components  33  and  34  have openings  43  and  44 , respectively, which allow hinge  30  and cleaver  20  to be securely fastened to cutting board  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , cutting board  50  has a clip  51  for removably attaching hinge  30  and cleaver  20 . Clip  51  allows removal of hinge  30  and cleaver  20  for storage and cleaning. Clip  51  is preferably equipped with first arm  53  for removably fixing housing component  33  to cutting board  50  and with second arm  54  for removably fixing housing component  34  to cutting board  50 . Cutting board  50  may also be equipped with a groove  52  which runs the length of blade  22 . Groove  52  is designed to maximize the cutting ability by concentrating the force of cutting edge  23  into a very precise cutting area, which allows cutting edge  23  and blade  22  to completely penetrate the item being cut on cutting board  50 . Groove  52  also keeps cutting edge  23  and blade  22  properly aligned when the present invention is in use. 
     In use, hinge  30  acts as the fulcrum, while cleaver  20  acts as a lever. This combination generates increased cutting forces for cutting difficult to cut food items with less effort. 
     The present invention may also include an integrated graduated measuring tool  60  that allows the user to measure precise cuts. Measuring tool  60  preferably runs in both directions on cutting board  50  perpendicular to cleaver  20 . The present invention may also include a fluid channel  70  that runs along the perimeter of cutting board  50 . Fluid channel  70  is preferably used to collect the fluids which may escape the food as it is being processed on the cutting board  50 . 
     It will be also understood that one embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed by way of example and that other modifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention and the accompanying claims.

Technology Category: b