Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HANDLE
FIELD
[0001] The disclosure pertains to a muddler and stirrer. Further the
disclosure
relates to a handle for tools such as kitchen tools, cutlery, other workshop
hand tools
and other implements that need to be manipulated and used manually.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A muddler is a bar tool that can be used to extract flavors
from beverage
ingredients such as citrus fruit pieces, by breaking them up or crushing them.
A paddle-
type stirrer is good for this purpose but a beverage. The muddler is effective
for
extracting flavor from fruit and for dispersing fruit pieces into a beverage,
but does not
serve particularly well as a stirrer, and there is a need to render the
muddler more
versatile than simply being an extraction device.
SUMMARY
[0003] The disclosure provides a muddler which operates more
efficiently and
also provides different functions. The device has the attributes of both a
muddler and an
ice crusher.
[0004] The hand tools in a kitchen environment can be potato mashers,
ladles, spatulas, beaters, mixers and blenders. Other such implements can be
bottle openers, cork screws and pulls. Additionally the handle can have use on
pots and pans, and with knives, forks and spoons.
[0005] In a hand tool environment, the handle can have application on
drills,
screw drivers, hammers, pliers, spanners and cutters.
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[0006] Accordingly then, in one aspect, there is provided a method
for using an
elongated member as a handle for a tool, the tool being selected from first
and second
tools being different tools in a set of tools for use interchangeably with the
elongated
member, the elongated member having at a top end an end face and terminating
at an
opposite end in a connector end, the connector end being for connection with
the tool,
the tool having at one end a working head being for interaction selectively
with food,
wood, metal, or other material that needs manipulation or working on, the
elongated
member and tool being separable and being connectable by an interconnection
engagement system arranged respectively between and at the connector end of
the
elongated member and the end of the tool opposite the working head; wherein
the
interconnection engagement system of the elongated member and the tool
comprises an
inter-engaging threaded shaft and mating threaded member each being positioned
at
one of the connector end of the elongated member or the end opposite the
working head
of the tool, respectively, and wherein the threaded shaft and mating threaded
member
are in superimposed engagement when the tool is connected to the elongated
member
at the connector end; wherein at a location towards the top end of the
elongated
member there is an aperture for accommodating the thumb of a user, the
aperture being
integrated and formed permanently within the elongated member and being
centrally
located along a central axis of the elongated member, the central axis
extending from
the top end to the connector end of the elongated member, the aperture being
sufficiently large to permit the passage of the thumb of the user through the
aperture
with the palm of the hand and fingers of the user positioned around the
elongated
member below the aperture; wherein the elongated member further comprises an
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indentation towards the top end of the elongated member at the location around
the
aperture and adjacent to the top end face of the elongated member; wherein the
top end
face of the elongated member further comprises a broadened surface having an
outer
diameter larger than the outer surface or diameter of the rest of the
elongated member;
and wherein the elongated member has an continuously inwardly tapered outer
surface
extending along the outer surface of the elongated member from and adjacent to
the
connector end to a midpoint of the elongated member; the method comprising the
steps
of, in order: a) selectively attaching a first tool of the tool set to the
elongated member; b)
in a first operative sense, with the top end of the elongated member
vertically above the
working head of the tool, accommodating to either side of the aperture the
thumb of the
user when the thumb is passed through the aperture to apply a pressure down
the
central axis of the elongated member, or, in an alternative operative sense,
with the top
end of the elongated member vertically above the working head of the tool,
locating the
palm of the hand of a user on the broadened surface; c) detaching the first
tool from the
elongated member; d) after detaching the first tool, attaching a second tool
by the same
interconnection engagement system.
[0007] In another aspect, there is provided a method for using an
elongated
member as a handle for a tool, the tool being selected from first and second
tools being
different tools in a set of tools for use interchangeably with the elongated
member, the
elongated member having at a top end an end face and terminating at an
opposite end
in a connector end, the connector end being for connection with the tool, the
tool having
at one end a working head being for interaction selectively with food, wood,
metal, or
other material that needs manipulation or working on, the elongated member and
tool
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being separable and being connectable by an interconnection engagement system
arranged respectively between and at the connector end of the elongated member
and
the end of the tool opposite the working head; wherein the interconnection
engagement
system of the elongated member and the tool comprises an inter-engaging
threaded
shaft and mating threaded member each being positioned at one of the connector
end of
the elongated member or the end opposite the working head of the tool,
respectively,
and wherein the threaded shaft and mating threaded member are in superimposed
engagement when the tool is connected to the elongated member at the connector
end;
wherein at a location towards the top end of the elongated member there is an
aperture
for accommodating the thumb of a user, the aperture being integrated and
formed
permanently within the elongated member and being centrally located along a
central
axis of the elongated member, the central axis extending from the top end to
the
connector end of the elongated member, the aperture being sufficiently large
to permit
the passage of the thumb of the user through the aperture with the palm of the
hand and
fingers of the user positioned around the elongated member below the aperture;
wherein
the elongated member further comprises an indentation towards the top end of
the
elongated member at the location around the aperture and adjacent to the top
end face
of the elongated member; and wherein the top end face of the elongated member
further
comprises a broadened surface having an outer diameter larger than the outer
surface
or diameter of the rest of the elongated member; the method comprising the
steps of, in
order: a) selectively attaching a first tool of the tool set to the elongated
member; b) in a
first operative sense, with the top end of the elongated member vertically
above the
working head of the tool, accommodating to either side of the aperture the
thumb of the
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user when the thumb is passed through the aperture to apply a pressure down
the
central axis of the elongated member, or, in an alternative operative sense,
with the top
end of the elongated member vertically above the working head of the tool,
locating the
palm of the hand of a user on the broadened surface; c) detaching the first
tool from the
elongated member; d) after detaching the first tool, attaching a second tool
by the same
interconnection engagement system.
[0008] In yet another aspect, there is provided a method for using an
elongated
member as a handle for a tool, the tool being selected from first and second
tools being
different tools in a set of tools for use interchangeably with the elongated
member, the
elongated member having at a top end an end face and terminating at an
opposite end
in a connector end, the connector end being for connection with the tool, the
tool having
at one end a working head being for interaction selectively with food, wood,
metal, or
other material that needs manipulation or working on, the elongated member and
tool
being separable and being connectable by an interconnection engagement system
arranged respectively between and at the connector end of the elongated member
and
the end of the tool opposite the working head; wherein the interconnection
engagement
system of the elongated member and the tool comprises an inter-engaging
threaded
shaft and mating threaded member each being positioned at one of the connector
end of
the elongated member or the end opposite the working head of the tool,
respectively,
and wherein the threaded shaft and mating threaded member are in superimposed
engagement when the tool is connected to the elongated member at the connector
end;
wherein at a location towards the top end of the elongated member there is an
aperture
for accommodating the thumb of a user, the aperture being integrated and
formed
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permanently within the elongated member and being centrally located along a
central
axis of the elongated member, the central axis extending from the top end to
the
connector end of the elongated member, the aperture being sufficiently large
to permit
the passage of the thumb of the user through the aperture with the palm of the
hand and
fingers of the user positioned around the elongated member below the aperture;
wherein
the elongated member further comprises an indentation towards the top end of
the
elongated member at the location around the aperture and adjacent to the top
end face
of the elongated member; wherein the top end face of the elongated member
further
comprises a broadened surface having an outer diameter larger than the outer
surface
or diameter of the rest of the elongated member; wherein the elongated member
has an
continuously inwardly tapered outer surface extending along the outer surface
of the
elongated member from and adjacent to the connector end to a midpoint of the
elongated member; wherein the aperture is sized so that it has a crosswise
width at a
part adjacent to the top end face and wherein the crosswise width is
substantially
parallel to the top end face, and wherein the broadened surface of the top end
face
extends to a first width and wherein the cross wise width of the aperture
adjacent to the
top end face extends in length to greater than about 50% of the first width of
the
broadened surface of the top end face; wherein the aperture is essentially
triangular in
shape, the triangular shape being defined as an apertured cross section
extending as a
hole through the elongated member from one side of the elongated member to an
opposite side of the elongated member and being bounded on three sides of the
triangle
by the body of the elongated member, and the triangle shape extending with an
apex
pointing towards the connector end; and the method comprising the steps of, in
order: a)
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selectively attaching a first tool of the tool set to the elongated member; b)
in a first
operative sense, with the top end of the elongated member vertically above the
working
head of the tool, accommodating to either side of the aperture the thumb of
the user
when the thumb is passed through the aperture to apply a pressure down the
central
axis of the elongated member, or, in an alternative operative sense, with the
top end of
the elongated member vertically above the working head of the tool, locating
the palm of
the hand of a user on the broadened surface; c) detaching the first tool from
the
elongated member; d) after detaching the first tool, attaching a second tool
by the same
interconnection engagement system; wherein the elongated member is a solid
member
containing the aperture, such that the elongated member and tool form an
assembled
unit with the tool and elongated member being non-rotatably fixed to each
other during
step b).
DRAWINGS
[0009] The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become
more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction
with the
accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and
in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a first side view of the muddler of the present
disclosure,
illustrating the processing of fruit slices in a glass.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a second side view of the muddler of the present
disclosure, the
view being a 90 degree turn relative to FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is top view of the muddler.
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[0013] FIG. 4 is a second use of the muddler as an ice crusher, the
perspective
view being from the top of the muddler as inserted in a glass.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the bottom of the muddler.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the top of the muddler with
parts
separated.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a view from the bottom of the muddler.
[0017] FIGS. 8A to 8G are different views of a potato masher. The
different
aspects of the masher are shown in the drawings.
[0018] FIGS. 9A to 9E are different views of a spoon. The different
aspects of
the spoon are shown in the drawings.
[0019] FIGS. 10A to 1OF are different views of an ice pick. The
different aspects
of the ice pick are shown in the drawings.
[0020] FIGS. 11A to 11F are different views of a chisel. The
different aspects of
the chisel are shown in the drawings.
[0021] FIGS. 12A to 12D are different views of a spanner. The different
aspects
of the spanner are shown in the drawings.
[0022] FIGS. 13A to 13C are different views of separable components
of the
handle. The different aspects of the spanner are shown in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] A combination muddler and ice crusher comprises an elongated
member
terminating in a head; and at a location towards a top of the muddler. The
muddler
action is with the head operational downwardly, and the ice crusher action
being in
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reverse when the top is located downwardly. Towards the top there is an
aperture or
formation to facilitate accommodating a finger or thumb of a user. This permit
enhanced
action of the muddler. The top area is an ice crusher when the top is located
in
engagement with ice.
[0024] There is provided an elongated element elongated member 10 that
terminates in a screw connected and removable head 12. The head 12 has a lower
surface 14 from which extends a plurality of projections 16, which extend from
the
surface 14 of the head 12, namely at the bottom of the elongated member 10.
The
projections 16 are spikes, and they are arranged in a particular pattern on
the bottom
surface 14.
[0025] The elongated member 10 has an exterior concave type surface
that is, in
part, relatively flatter at 20 and in other part relatively more curved at 22,
and ends at a
handle at the top which is relatively outwardly flared compared to the
narrower portion of
the shaft 10.
[0026] A device comprises an elongated member 10 that is adapted to act as
a
muddler and an ice crusher. The head 12 has three lobes 24, 26 and 28 arranged
equilaterally around the longitudinal axis of the elongated member 10. The
outside
perimeter 30 of the lobes 24, 26, and 28 is such that there are outwardly
curved portions
24, 26 and 28 and between those portions inwardly ducted portions 32, 34, and
36.
There can be any number of shapes for the head perimeter 30.
[0027] The central axis 38 of the elongated member 10 passes through
the head
12 substantially at right angles to the surface 14. The surface 14 of the head
12 has
projections 16 that extend from it. These projections 16 are small spikes that
can assist
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with breaking apart a fruit such as a slice of citrus fruit commonly found in
beverages
such as cocktails. The number of projections or spikes 16 from the surface 14
can vary
according to the desired use of the muddler. In some circumstances there can
be many
more than shown in the drawings. The drawings are only illustrative, and the
size and
shape of the projections can vary. The surface 14 is provided in some
circumstances as
part of a removable plate element 114, which has peripheral grooves, lips or
the like to
so the plate 114 can removable fit on the base of the head 12.
[0028] The device 10 can be long enough to extend past the rim of a
drinking
glass when the head 12 is resting on the bottom of the glass. The surface area
of the
head 12 is designed such that reciprocating the device vertically and/or
transversely or a
combination of movements creates a stirring or mixing effect in the glass.
[0029] This stirring effect can be enhanced by providing the device
10 with
stirring ribs 40. The stirring ribs 40 may be one or more in number and can be
evenly
spaced around the circumference of the elongated member 10. The ribs 40 extend
between the head 12 and at least a lower portion 18 of the elongated member
10. As
such, the rotary stirring action of the device is enhanced, and can be turned
between the
fingers and not just reciprocated vertically.
[0030] There is an aperture 42 in the top of the elongated member 10
for
locating a finger or thumb. The action the muddler by hand action can be
enhanced and
more positively transmitted to the muddler through this ability to grip the
muddler more
positively. The shape of the muddler shaft 10 also facilitates the positive
action. At the
top face 44 of the shaft there is an indentation 46 for locating the ball of
the thumb.
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[0031] The top end 48 of the head 12 is screw connected with the
elongated
member 10. The end 48 of the head 12 has a central shaft 50 with screw threads
52 to
connect with an internal bore 54 at the end 56 of the elongated shaft 10 and
along the
axis 38. Different forms of connection are possible as an alternative to the
screw
connection.
[0032] The underside surface 14 of the head 12 shows an arrangement
of spikes
or projections 16. It is understood that this particular pattern represents
only an example
and not a limiting feature of the disclosure. The external spike surface 16 of
the
elongated member 10 may be polyhedral, in this example, relatively on a square
base.
[0033] The elongated member 10 varies in cross section from the upper
surface
of the head 12 to a location adjacent to the upper end 44 of the device. The
upper end
44 of the elongated member 10 is round in cross section and has a central
indentation
46. Below the circular top surface 44, the elongated member 10 has an undercut
waist
58 when considered from one side view where the aperture 42 is formed for the
finger.
When considered, viewed around its axis 38, the side wall surface 60 of the
elongated
member 10 gradually curves inwardly between the areas 20 and 22 so that the
narrowest part of the overall shaft is about midway along the overall length
of the
elongated member 10. The waist 58 where the finger grip is at the top of the
muddler
may be narrower, when viewed or considered from one side view.
[0034] The trilobal hole in the handle allows the handle of any applicable
device
requiring certain hand motions to be effectively used as a comfortable
effective too using
the fingers or part of the hand. Each of the sides of the trilobal structure
provides a
curved interface and thus is no a straight line. As such enhances comfort, and
each
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intersection of the sides has a rounded corner. Similarly from the outer face
of the shaft
towards the central axis of the shaft there is a slope towards the central
axis, such that
the smallest part of the hole is at the central axis and the larger parts of
the hole are at
the outer extremities. The upper end 44 is relatively larger in overall
diameter than the
shaft diameter, and is sized in diameter to provide an effective and
comfortable location
with the palm of a hand.
[0035] There are a series of outwardly extending extraction ribs or
lobes 62
which are relatively elliptically formed and circumferentially spaced ribs
that extend on
the outer surface 64 of the head 12 almost to the top edge 66 of the head 12
and also to
the lower surface interface at 68. The ribs 62 also present an undulated
perimeter to
allow for fruit to move to either side of the head 12. These ribs 62 allow
juice and oils of
the fruit to be extracted on the side of the muddler head 12. This is in
addition to the
muddling occurring with the surface 14.
[0036] Along the side wall surface 64 of the head 12 there are
circumferentially
spaced indented formations, lobes or ribs 70 positioned on the surface 64.
These
formations or ribs 70 are indentations alternating circumferentially with the
protrusion
ribs 62 on the outer surface 64 of the head 12. The concave elliptical cuts
outs 70 assist
in eliminating suctions and drag when the fruit is being crushed and muddled.
Different
amounts of the side formations or ribs 70 and ribs 62 can be provided.
[0037] When the head 12 is removed, and the muddler 10 is turned upside
down, the portion 44 that is normally the area for locating the thumb is used
for breaking
or crushing ice. The outside surface on the shaft being the elongated member
10, with
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the spaced transverse ribs 40 facilitates non-slip handling by the hand or
fingers when
the device is used for ice crushing.
[0038] In some cases there can be a cover member or shawl 72 for the
head 12.
[0039] While the present disclosure has been disclosed with reference
to
particular details of construction, these should be understood as having been
provided
by way of example and not as limitations to the scope or spirit of the
disclosure. In
particular, the precise cross sectional shape of the elongated member 10 can
be varied.
The external configuration may be determined by any number of factors both
aesthetic
and functional. The centrally narrower or thinner part of the shaft 10
facilitates the
operation of the muddler. The shape of the aperture 42 towards the top of the
shaft 10
for accommodating a finger can be varied. As shown the shape is essentially
triangular,
with the flat 74 of the essentially triangular opening being adjacent the top
44 of the
device 10 and to the other sides tapering to an apex 76 at a location removed
from the
top 44.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8G relate to a potato masher. The different
aspects of the masher is that there are arms 101 extending from the elongated
member
100 which has a relatively curved portion 122 above a relatively flat portion
120. There
are masher arms 101 connected to the flatter portion 120 of the elongated
member 100,
and the arms 101 have a masher head 102 which mashes potatoes or other food
products in a bowl 103. The masher arms 10 may be made of nylon with a
polished
aluminum masher head 102. The elongated member 100 may be made of anti-slip
material.
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[0041] As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9E the spoon. The different aspects
of the
spoon are that there is an elongated member 200 which has a relatively curved
portion
222 above a relatively flat portion 220. The extension spoon arm 201 is
connected to the
flatter portion 220 of the elongated member 200, and the extension spoon arm
201 has a
spoon or ladle head 202 for mixing and lifting food products in a bowl 203.
The upper
part of the elongated member 200, being parts 222 and 220 and the extension
arm 201
may be made of different materials to each other.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 10A to 1OF the ice pick. The different
aspects of the
ice pick are that there is an elongated member 300 which has a relatively
curved portion
322 above a relatively flat portion 320. The ice pick 301 is connected to the
flatter portion
320 of the elongated member 300, and the pick 201 has a sharp point for
breaking ice
303. The upper part of the elongated member 300, being parts 322 and 320 and
the pick
301 may be made of different materials to each other. The pick 301 may be
threadingly
engaged with the upper portion 320 through threads 350 engaging a receiving
threaded
aperture 352. As such replaceable picks or other devices can be attached to
the
member 300.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11F are different views of a chisel.
The
different aspects of the chisel are that there is an elongated member 400
which has a
relatively curved portion 422 above a relatively flat portion 420. The chisel
401 is
connected to the flatter portion 420 of the elongated member 400, and the
chisel 401
has a sharp blade for working a surface when hammered with a mallet 402. The
upper
part of the elongated member 400, being parts 422 and 420 and the chisel 401
may be
made of different materials to each other. The chisel blade portion 401 may be
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threadingly engaged with the upper portion 420 through threads 450 engaging a
receiving threaded aperture 452. As such replaceable chisels or other devices
can be
attached to the member 400.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 12A to 12D are different views of a spanner.
The
different aspects of the spanner are that there is an elongated member 500
which has a
relatively curved portion 522 above a relatively flat portion 520. The spanner
501 is
connected to the flatter portion 520 of the elongated member 500, and the
spanner 501
has engaging faces for gripping a bolt 502. The upper part of the elongated
member
500, being parts 522 and 520 and the pick 501 may be made of different
materials to
each other.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C are different views of the
separable
components of the handle. The different aspects of the separable components
are that
that there is an elongated member 10 which has a relatively curved portion 22
above a
relatively flat portion 20. The elongated member may be of multiple different
components
and the upper portion 301 may be threadingly engaged with the lower portion
through
threads 150 engaging a receiving threaded aperture 152. As such replaceable
picks or
other devices can be attached to the member 300. Different kinds of connectors
can be
used and some cases there can be a bayonet connector configuration or
alternatively a
force and variable friction fit engagement.
[0046] It will be understood that the shape of the exterior of the
elongated
member 10 may be regular, smooth or irregular in cross section, square, or
otherwise
curved or straight. Elongated shapes of this kind are easier to twirl than
flat or paddle
shapes.
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[0047]
The handle may be removable from the remainder of the tool, and in this
sense there can be a threaded shank for engagement in a mating internally
threaded
aperture. Other forms of joinder of the handle shank with the leading and/or
working
edge/face of the tool are possible. The shank may be of different lengths to
suit the tool
being used. The hole may be of different sizes and shapes to facilitate the
accommodation of the finger or part of the finger or thumb. The waist where
the hole is
can be of different degrees or shapes of inward pinching, to facilitate
different sizes of
hands, fingers and anatomical characteristics of a user and the tool itself.
The hole is
used for assisting in manipulation of the tool, and in that sense should be
sufficiently
large and/or sized to accommodate one or more parts of the hand anatomy of the
user.
In some cases the circumferential top may be formed in a shape that is not
circumferential, but rather having one or more straight sides. Straight edges
can facilitate
manipulation and handling of the handle in a positive manner. In a further
aspect the
disclosure the handle may be a components fashioned with a suitable connector
to
engage any of multiple tools or implements. The length of the handle can vary
as
appropriate to be functionally effective with the tool. In some case the
length of the
handle can have an adjustable feature, such a screw threaded engagement or a
pin and
hole formation whereby its length can be adjusted as needed. Overall the
functional
features of the hole in the shank and the broad top provides for effective
manipulation of
the tool.
[0048] It will also be understood that the size, shape, number and
even presence
of extending projections on the underside of the head represent design choices
over
which there is a wide range of latitude. There can be various modifications
and similar
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arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of
which
should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and
all
embodiments of the following claims.
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