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 Title: |
US5649728:
Tong-like eating utensil
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Warthen, Benjamin R.; Orlando, FL 32801
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
1997-07-22
/ 1996-08-02
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| Application Number: |
US1996000691555
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A47G 21/10;
Core:
A47G 21/00;
IPC-7:
A47G 21/10;
A47J 43/28;
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| ECLA Code: |
A47G21/10;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
294/016;
294/005;
294/099.2;
Original:
294/016;
294/005;
294/099.2;
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| Field of Search: |
294/003,5,7,8,8.5,11,16,25,33,99.2,100,106,902
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| Priority Number: |
| 1996-08-02 |
US1996000691555 |
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| Abstract: |
A tong-like eating utensil having opposing prongs on the inside distal ends thereof for use by a person in gripping pieces of food so that the person's hands do not come into direct contact with the food. Handles connected to rotating prong support brackets allow food secured by the prongs to be rotated into a variety of convenient positions for easy consumption. Heat insulating end members may be connected between the handles and the rotating prong support brackets to protect the user's hands from hot food. Applications may include, but are not limited to, use in gripping finger foods such as barbecued chicken wings, shrimp dipped in seafood sauce, and hot buttery foods such as bread sticks.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Morse, Esq., Dorothy S.American Innovations, Inc. ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Cherry, Johnny D.;
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| Maintenance Status: |
E1 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 8 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A tong-like eating utensil for use by a person to grip small pieces of food so that said pieces of food do not come into direct contact with said person's hands during consumption, said tong-like eating utensil comprising two main tong frame members each having a first end and a second end, each of said first ends being connected to the other of said first ends; connection means to connect said first ends to one another so that said second ends of both of said main tong frame members are movable toward one another into closed positions and movable away from one another into opened positions; spring means attached between said first ends to bias said main tong frame members into said opened positions; at least one connecting strap connected between said main tong frame members for use in moving said second ends of said main tong frame members into said closed positions; a plurality of elongated, rigid prongs, each of said prongs having sufficient length for insertion into, and secure gripping of, said small pieces of food, each of said prongs also having a central axis; two planar prong support brackets, each of said prongs being attached to one of said prong support brackets so that each of said central axes is approximately perpendicular to one of said planar prong support brackets, one of said prong support brackets being rotatingly attached to each of said second ends of said main tong frame members so that said prongs on each of said main tong frame members face said prongs which are attached to the other of said main tong frame members for secure gripping of said small pieces of food between said prongs when said main tong frame members are in said closed positions, and said tong-like eating utensil further comprising two handles, one of said handles rotatably connected to each of said prong support brackets so that manual movement of each of said handles by said person's hands causes one of said prong support brackets to rotate which also causes said pieces of food supported between said prongs to rotate into varied positions for easier consumption.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
Show description
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| Forward References: |
Show 4 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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