Plier Or Tong Type Patents (Class 294/3)
  • Patent number: 5601322
    Abstract: An aquarium tool kit includes handles, extension members and a plurality of implements including a sponge, scraper, net, rock pickers, brush, scoops, and pinchers. The handles includes a pivotally interconnected handle members which form tongs, and a substantially straight handle member. The extension members are used to adjust the length and angularity of the handles. The handles, extension members and implements have coupling members thereon which permit ready attachment of any implement directly to the handles or to an extension member. The tool kit therefore allows the various implements to be used with a handle for performing any specific function thereby allowing structuring, maintenance, and restructuring of aquariums regardless of size or shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Robert Forest
  • Patent number: 5294162
    Abstract: A new and improved grabber apparatus includes first and second clamping arms having clamping fingers, a pivot for the clamping arms permitting them to move back and forth from a clamping to a non-clamping orientation, a spring for biasing the clamping arms in a closed orientation, a trigger for retaining the clamping arms in an open orientation, and idler bars connected to the clamping arms. A flexible cord is connected to the idler arms. A person, such as a hunter, who is in an elevated location, such as on a platform in a tree, can lower the grabber apparatus with the flexible cord using an unwinding and winding device. When the clamping arms are above and near an object to be clamped, they are lowered so that the trigger contacts a solid object near the object to be clamped, within the range of the clamping arms in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventor: Gene Grimes
  • Patent number: 5150936
    Abstract: A quick connect grapple attachment including a first grapple jaw that attaches to one jaw of a work head and a second grapple jaw that attaches to another jaw of a workhead with the first grapple jaw and the second grapple jaw pivotally connect to each other so that an operator can grasp and lift articles using the controls of the jaws of the workhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Neal H. Avery
  • Patent number: 5054835
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved food handling implement which in one mode of use forms a pair of separate elements which can be used individually as salad servers, while in another mode of use forms a set of tongs which can be operated by a person single handed. Each element has an elongate handle having an end portion which is angled with respect to the axis of the handle, and a connector cap for releasably connecting the elements together to enable the elements to be coupled together in approximately parallel relationship in the one mode of use, or with the angled end portions retained in facing relationship with the handles diverging away from the connector cap in the another mode of use, wherein the hand portions of the elements can be urged together or apart by virtue of the resilience of the handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Tango Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Stephen J. Loechel, Kerry W. Henderson
  • Patent number: 5039150
    Abstract: A multipurpose brick-layer's tool is adaptable for use as brick tongs or as a mortar hoe. In one embodiment of the invention, the tool also functions as a band-cutter for cutting metal bands used in the packaging and transport of bricks. The tool is adjusted using a slide and guide arrangement. A pin and hole adjustment mechanism varies the distance between locking jaws of the multipurpose tool. In this manner, a specific number of bricks can be carried or a hoe handle of preselected length can be formed. An elongated embowed handle arches over the guide tube and has at one end thereof a first clamping jaw. The jaw end portion of the handle is rotatably affixed to a pivot pin extending through opposing walls of the guide tube. A slide tube carried within the guide tube extends outside the guide tube and carries a second clamping jaw complementary to and larger in size than the first clamping jaw. The second clamping jaw is a blade of a size and structure suitable both as a mortar hoe blade and a clamping jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventors: William E. Jones, Willard E. Jones
  • Patent number: 4972602
    Abstract: A pair of pivotally connected crossed arms define tongs having handles at one end and recessed jaw parts at the other. The recesses in the jaw parts are of a size to receive therein the pointed end tips of a crab shell whereby a crab may be easily lifted without danger of being clawed. One of the arms carries a scale and the other a pointer such that when the tips of a crab shell are engaged in the recesses the distances between the tips is instantly indicated and a determination made whether or not the crab is above a minimum size to be kept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Inventor: Charles P. Howes
  • Patent number: 4955971
    Abstract: A multi-purpose tool, most useful for barbeque work, comprises a pair of parallel arms with barbeque implements at distal ends thereof and which are hingedly joined by a pair of spaced cross members so as to form a movable parallelogram at the other end thereof. This allows the tool to be adjusted in either of two positions so that the arms are adjacent and parallel with the distal end of either arm projecting forward so that its implement can be used alone, or with the arms parallel and spaced apart so that the arms can be squeezed together so that the implements can used as a pair of tongs. One implement is a fork and the other is a spatula. A pair of handles are provided in the middle of the arms. A grasping and hanging ring is attached to the middle of the end cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: Victor H. Goulter
  • Patent number: 4944061
    Abstract: Two halves of a tool hinge about an axis. The hinging action causes one end of the tool to expand while the other end contracts. The expanding end is placed in a recess of the interlocking block befor expansion. After expansion, the expanding end of the tool grips the block. Similarly, the contracting end is placed around a post on the block. After contraction, the contracting end of the tool grips the post on the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: Daniel A. Woodward
  • Patent number: 4768288
    Abstract: A salad tong having a pair of resilient gripping arms and a hand guard assembly. The hand guard assembly may be in the form of a U-shaped guard having a front wall with the rear ends of the tong extending through a slot therein and having a rear wall with a slot through which the rear end of the salad tong extends, with a locking pin to hold the salad tongs in position. Alternately, the hand guard assembly is in the form of a separate hand grip on each arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: World Tableware International, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Culbertson
  • Patent number: 4647094
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a gripping device provided with gripping claws (16) at one end of a tube (3), and at the other end of the tube (3), an operating handle (1). This handle (1) includes a trigger key (5) which is pivotable in the handle. During this pressing the key actuates a push rod (6), one end of which being pivotably mounted in the trigger key (5) and the other end of which being displaceably arranged in the upper portion of the operating handle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: RFSU:S Forsaljningsorghnisation AB
    Inventors: Hakan Bergkvist, Sven-Eric Juhlin, Maria Benktzon
  • Patent number: 4580909
    Abstract: An ancillary device for food-preparation, which provides a combination implement which both provides a a food-handler device and a probe for determining the interior temperature of the food being handled. The device in a desired form resembles a pair of tongs, and they not only carry a temperature-sensing probe and visual signal or gauge, they carry a structure which positions the probe midway of whatever is the span of opening of the food-gripping jaws of the tongs; and since the tongs' jaws, as they engage upon the food article, automatically sense the overall thickness of the food article, their positioning of the temperature-sensing probe midway of the span of the jaws' opening automatically achieves a sensing of the food article's temperature at the midpoint of its thickness, thus giving better and more reliable information as to the thoroughness of the cooking procedure. Optional spatula jaws are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Inventor: Rickey G. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 4475836
    Abstract: There is disclosed a device which is both a backscrubber and/or a backscratcher in which a sponge is utilized to provide the contacting member. A handle of conventional design is provided and a stem portion of wire or wire-like material extends therefrom. At a selected distance from this handle a pivot means is provided in this stem portion. Beyond this pivot means the end of the wire member is bent or formed into an arc-like configuration to provide one-half of a tong-like jaw. Another and like wire or wire-like member is pivotally retained and one end portion is compatibly formed to provide the other half of a tong-like jaw. The other end of this member is bent into a hook to provide a lock means for the jaws. A sponge is formed with a reduced midportion which is sized to be gripped and retained by the tong-like jaw ends. A sponge having a pocket for the insertion and retention of a soap bar is shown. Meshing means for retaining the tong-like jaw ends are also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Inventor: Aldo Colognori
  • Patent number: 4452480
    Abstract: A record handling device is disclosed which includes a frame which defines a handle and an arcuate record contacting member. This contacting member defines an arcuate groove sized to receive the peripheral edge of a record. A record retaining member is pivotably mounted to the frame so as to move between an open position, in which a record can freely be inserted in or removed from the groove, and a closed position, in which the record is captured in the groove. The record gripping device of this invention allows a record such as a phonographic record to be handled and transported safely and securely, without damage to the delicate recording surface. In addition, an album opening device is disclosed which comprises a groove defined by two sloping sidewalls and a base, and a blade situated within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: International Jensen Incorporated
    Inventors: Bruce R. Maier, Jon M. Risch
  • Patent number: 4387610
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism fabricated with elongated chords which undergo deflection to displace a force applying ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald G. Sergeant