ACCESSORIES FOR HANDLE WITH ROTATING SHELL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of interchangeable accessories designed to be inserted into handles or knives. In particular, the invention provides accessories, such as kitchen utensils, camping tools, etc., configured to be removably attached to handles. The invention also provides an assembly consisting of a handle and one or more accessories that can form an accessory kit.

[0002] We know of several types of handles or hand tools equipped with various accessories or tools, including one type of tool consisting of a handle and several movable or detachable tools. For example, the most well-known is the hand tool commonly referred to as a "Swiss Army knife," which consists of a block forming the handle. Mounted on this block, articulated along a transverse axis, are several tools such as scissors, a file, a blade, an awl, a screwdriver, a corkscrew, a USB drive, etc. This type of knife has the advantage of combining several tools with diverse functions in a single instrument. However, their structure is relatively complex due to the strength and durability requirements associated with the presence of multiple rotating tools, resulting in significant weight and manufacturing costs.

[0003] We also know of document EP3067169 which shows a knife with an articulated blade equipped with a ferrule which allows the blade to be locked.

[0004] The prior art document GB 2 441 866 A discloses an assembly comprising a gripping handle and accessories configured to be fixedly connected to the gripping handle.

[0005] Thus, we observe that known hand instruments or gripping handles present at least one, or even two or more, of the following disadvantages: complex construction; high manufacturing cost; significant weight; difficult handling and placement of accessories (e.g., tools); awkward handle handling (transverse direction to the handle); awkward attachment or location of the accessory (e.g., screwdriver) outside of periods of use, or resulting in complex structures.

[0006] Therefore, one of the aims of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks. To this end, the invention provides an accessory adapted for removable attachment to a handle, the handle comprising: an internal housing formed in an end portion of the gripping handle, the internal housing having an opening, a first portion of which opens into an end face of the gripping handle and a second portion of which opens onto a lateral side of the gripping handle, the end face extending transversely to the longitudinal extension direction of the gripping handle, a rotating ferrule mounted rotatably between a locking position in which the rotating ferrule covers at least part of the second portion of the opening and a release position in which the rotating ferrule releases the second portion of the opening, the accessory comprising an assembly portion configured for removable attachment of the accessory to the gripping handle, the assembly portion being configured to be inserted into the internal housing, and comprising a retaining portion configured to cooperate with the rotating ferrule when the rotating ferrule is in the locking position so as to retain the assembly portion in the internal housing.

[0007] It is then possible to plan to carry a multitude of accessories that attach to a single handle. This reduces the weight of the equipment to be carried while increasing the possibilities and ease of use. The accessory can be a kitchen utensil, such as a spatula, cutlery, for example a fork or a spoon; a tool such as an awl, a screwdriver, a corkscrew; or any other function.

[0008] The cooperation between the accessory retaining part and the rotating ferrule not only ensures the attachment of the accessory to the handle but also provides safety in use: when the rotating ferrule is in the locking position, the accessory can be handled safely.

[0009] According to one possibility, the retaining part includes a prominence configured to be received in a circumferential groove formed on an internal surface of the rotating ferrule, so as to retain the assembly portion when the rotating ferrule is in the locking position.

[0010] According to one provision, the assembly portion includes an insert designed to fit into the internal housing. This insert complements the retaining portion for the removable attachment of the accessory to the grip handle.

[0011] In practical terms, the insertion portion extends longitudinally along the main direction of the accessory's extension, forming a guide tab when the assembly portion is inserted into the internal housing. This configuration provides an anti-angular wobble system for the accessory inserted into the handle during use.

[0012] In one configuration, the assembly portion has a thickness less than the width of the internal housing. This assembly portion includes a transverse section defining a protrusion on its upper face. This protrusion is configured to bear against a first internal face of the internal housing and, on an opposite lower face of the assembly portion, defines a cavity extending between two bearing surfaces. These two bearing surfaces are configured to bear against a second internal face of the internal housing, opposite the first internal face. This configuration prevents excessive angular movement of the accessory fixed in the gripping handle and facilitates its use.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the gripping handle comprises a pivoting blade and a longitudinal groove formed from the end face and including a slot, a portion of which is common with the opening of the internal housing, the pivoting blade comprising a pivoting portion mounted pivotally in the longitudinal groove for pivoting the pivoting blade between A retracted position in which the pivoting blade is housed in the longitudinal groove, in which the rotating ferrule locks the pivoting blade when the rotating ferrule is in the locked position, and in which the internal walls of the longitudinal groove and the pivoting portion define the contours of the internal housing; and a working position in which the pivoting blade extends out of the longitudinal groove, in the longitudinal direction of the gripping handle, and the assembly portion includes a notch delimited by the insertion portion on one side and by the retaining portion on the other, the notch portion being configured to have a shape complementary to the pivoting portion for interlocking with the pivoting portion in the internal housing when the assembly portion is inserted into the internal housing. The rotating ferrule is, of course, in the locked position.The size of the assembly portion inserted into the internal housing is minimal. The accessory protrudes only slightly from the handle while remaining securely attached for optimal use of the functional portion. The functional portion is the part that will be used by the user. For example, when the accessory is cutlery, such as a fork, the functional portion is the tine with the pointed ends. For a spoon, the functional portion is the hollow, concave end forming the bowl.

[0014] By rotating ferrule in this variant of embodiment we mean a safety ring comprising a fixed part attached to the grip handle and a rotating part allowing the blade to be blocked in the open position and to be locked in the closed position, the accessory being inserted and fixed in the handle.

[0015] According to one arrangement, the accessory is configured to be attached to an additional accessory, the accessory including an attachment means configured to cooperate with a complementary attachment means provided on the additional accessory, so as to allow the accessory to be attached to the additional accessory. This facilitates the storage of unused accessories.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the invention proposes an accessory kit comprising an additional accessory including a complementary attachment means and an accessory as previously described.

[0017] According to one arrangement, the attachment means and the supplementary attachment means are configured so that the assembly portions and functional portions of the accessory and supplementary accessory, respectively, overlap when the attachment means is attached to the supplementary attachment means. Thus, when the functional portions have complementary shapes, the overlap results in a minimal overall size of the accessory kit.

[0018] According to one possibility, the attachment means includes, or is constituted by, a lug, in particular provided in a connecting portion of the accessory linking the assembly portion to the functional portion of the accessory.

[0019] Conversely, the complementary attachment means includes a through light, notably provided in a connecting portion configured to link the assembly portion to a functional portion of the additional accessory.

[0020] According to yet another aspect, the invention proposes an assembly comprising a gripping handle, the gripping handle comprising: an internal housing formed in an end portion of the gripping handle, the internal housing having an opening, a first portion of which opens into an end face of the gripping handle and a second portion of which opens onto a lateral side of the gripping handle, the end face extending transversely to the longitudinal extension direction of the gripping handle, a rotating ferrule mounted rotatably between a locking position in which the rotating ferrule covers at least part of the second portion of the opening and a release position in which the rotating ferrule releases the second portion of the opening, and the set also including at least one accessory as previously described or an accessory kit also described above.

[0021] According to one possibility, the gripping handle of said assembly comprises a pivoting blade and a longitudinal groove formed from the end face and comprising a slot having a portion common with the opening of the internal housing, the pivoting blade comprising a pivoting portion mounted pivotally in the longitudinal groove for pivoting the pivoting blade between a retracted position in which the pivoting blade is housed in the longitudinal groove, in which the rotating ferrule locks the pivoting blade when the rotating ferrule is in the locking position and in which the internal walls of the longitudinal groove and the pivoting portion define the contours of the internal housing, and a working position in which the pivoting blade extends out of the longitudinal groove, along the longitudinal direction of the gripping handle.

[0022] According to other characteristics, the accessory, the accessory kit and the entire invention comprise one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or in combination: The lateral side of the gripping handle extends in the longitudinal direction of the gripping handle. The assembly portion is mostly flat. The retaining portion extends primarily longitudinally along the main direction of the accessory's extension. The protrusion of the retaining portion extends in a direction transverse to the main direction of the accessory's extension. The insertion portion is longer than the retaining portion. The insertion portion, the notch, and the retaining portion are configured so that the retaining portion is inserted on the side of the second portion of the internal housing opening, and the insertion portion is inserted on the opposite side of the second portion of the opening. The retaining portion is inserted into the internal housing on the side of the second portion of the internal housing opening. The notch portion has a shape complementary to that of the internal housing.The protrusion of the transverse portion is obtained by embossing the assembly portion. The protrusion is radial. The transverse portion is a part of the assembly portion deformed by impact. One of the bearing surfaces located in the end region of the assembly portion forms the retaining part. The assembly portion is made of metal. The accessory is predominantly made of metal, for example, stainless steel.

[0023] Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become clearer upon reading the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures are not necessarily to scale for all the elements shown in order to improve their legibility. In the remainder of this description, for the sake of simplicity, identical, similar, or equivalent elements of the different embodiments are referred to by the same numerals. There Figure 1 represents a schematic front view of an accessory according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 represents a schematic profile view of the accessory of the figure 1 . There Figure 3 represents a schematic front view of an additional accessory according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 4represents a schematic view of a kit including an accessory, an additional accessory, and attachment means according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 represents a schematic view of the kit of the figure 4 . There Figure 6 represents a cross-sectional view of an accessory inserted into a gripping handle. Figure 7 represents another cross-sectional view opposite to that of the figure 6 of the accessory inserted into a gripping handle.

[0024] As illustrated in figures 1 to 3 , an accessory 1 according to the present invention comprises an assembly portion 2 intended for removable attachment in a gripping handle 3 ( figures 6 and 7 ), a functional portion 4, here the spoon or fork, and a connecting portion 5 linking the other two portions 3, 4. The assembly portion 2 includes a retaining part 6 (also visible in figures 4 and 4), configured to cooperate with a rotating ferrule 7 provided on the gripping handle 3 as will be seen below ( figures 6 and 7 ), so as to retain the assembly portion 2 in the handle 3. The gripping handle 3 includes in an end portion 8, an internal housing 9 ( figures 6 and 7) comprising an opening 10 which serves in particular for the insertion of the assembly portion 2 of the accessory 1. More specifically, the opening 10 comprises a first portion opening into an end face 11 of the gripping handle 3 and from which the connecting portion 5 and the functional portion 4 protrude when the assembly portion 2 is inserted. The end face 11 extends transversely to the longitudinal extension direction X of the gripping handle 3. The opening 10 also comprises a second portion opening onto a lateral side of the handle 3 and which allows a protrusion 12 provided in the retaining portion 6 to protrude for cooperation with the rotating ferrule 7.

[0025] The rotating ferrule 7 of the handle is rotatably mounted between a locking position in which the rotating ferrule 7 covers at least part of the second portion of the opening 10 and a release position in which the rotating ferrule 7 releases the second portion of the opening 10. The prominence 12 of the retaining portion 6 of the accessory 1 is configured to be received in a circumferential groove 13 formed on an internal surface of the rotating ferrule 7, so as to retain the assembly portion 2 in the internal housing 9 when the rotating ferrule 7 is in the locking position ( figures 6,7 ).

[0026] Also illustrated in the figures, the assembly portion 2 includes an insertion part 14 configured to be received in the internal housing 9. It extends longitudinally along the main extension direction of the accessory 1, so as to form a guide tab when the assembly portion 2 is inserted into the internal housing 9. This facilitates insertion into the housing 9 and also provides an anti-angular wobble effect for the accessory 1 inserted into the handle 3. The insertion part 14 thus provides good rigidity to the assembly 100 of the accessory 1 housed in the gripping handle 3.

[0027] In parallel, the assembly portion 2 has a thickness less than the width of the internal housing 9, which facilitates insertion, but to compensate for this dimensional play which could hinder the use of the accessory 1, the assembly portion 2 includes a transverse portion defining a protrusion 15 on an upper face 16 which allows it to bear against a first internal face of the internal housing 9. Conversely, the protrusion 15 delimits on an opposite lower face 17, a cavity 18 extending between two bearing portions 17' which allow it to bear against a second opposite internal face. Thus, during insertion into the housing, the assembly portion, thinner than the opening 10 of the internal housing 9, is guided by the guide tab, then the protrusion 15 bears against a first internal face and the two bearing portions, formed by two regions 17' of the lower face 17 ( figure 2), are supported on a second opposite internal face which limits the angular displacements of the assembly portion 2 inserted into the internal housing 9.

[0028] In the embodiment of the invention where the gripping sleeve 3 comprises a pivoting blade 19 (illustrated in figures 6 and 7 ), a longitudinal groove 20 is formed from the end face 11 of the gripping sleeve 3, comprising a slot, a portion of which is common with the opening 10 of the internal housing 9. Specifically, the pivoting blade 19 includes a pivoting portion 21 mounted pivotally in the longitudinal groove 20. This ensures the pivoting of the pivoting blade 19 between a retracted position in which the pivoting blade 19 is housed in the longitudinal groove 20 (illustrated figures 6 and 7), and a working position in which the pivoting blade 19 extends out of the longitudinal groove 20, in the longitudinal direction X of the grip handle 3 (not shown).

[0029] In the retracted position of the pivoting blade 19, the internal walls of the longitudinal groove 20 and the pivoting portion 21 define the contours of the internal housing 9 suitable for receiving the accessory 1. In parallel, the assembly portion 2 includes a notch portion 22, delimited on either side of the insertion portion 14 and the retaining portion 6, which has a shape complementary to that of the pivoting portion 21 so as to allow interlocking with the pivoting portion 21 when the assembly portion 2 is inserted into the internal housing 9.

[0030] In the embodiment where the gripping handle 3 is devoid of pivoting blade 19, the accessory 1 also includes a notched part 22 of complementary shape to the shape of the internal housing 9.

[0031] As illustrated on the figures 1 to 5 accessory 1, such as a spoon ( figures 1 and 2 ), is configured to attach by overlapping with an additional accessory 1' (here a fork - figure 3 ) by a fastening means 23 formed in the connecting part 5 of the accessory 1, here illustrated by a lug 23 ( figures 2 And 4 ). The attachment means 23 is configured to cooperate with a complementary attachment means 24, illustrated here by a through light ( figure 3) provided on the additional accessory 1'. When the shape of the assembly portions 2 and the functional portions 4 and connecting portions 5 of the accessory 1 and the additional accessory 1' are complementary, the latter two hook together by joining ( Figures 4 and 5 ) and form a kit of 30.

[0032] In use, when the rotating ferrule 7 is in the release position, the pivoting blade 19 can pivot into the retracted position in the longitudinal groove 20, and the assembly portion 2 of the accessory 1 can be inserted into the internal housing 9, for example, until the notched portion 22 abuts against the pivoting portion 21. The retaining portion 6 is positioned on the side of the second portion of the opening 10 of the housing 9 so as to cooperate with the rotating ferrule 7. The rotating ferrule 7 can then rotate from its release position to its locking position in which the circumferential groove 13 cooperates with the protrusion 12 of the retaining portion 6 so as to fix the accessory 1 in the gripping handle 3. At the same time, the rotating ferrule 7 locks the pivoting blade 19 in its retracted position.Once the user wishes to use the pivoting blade 19 or change accessories 1, for example, they move the rotating ferrule 7 from its locking position to its release position. The retaining portion 6 is then positioned in front of a slot in the rotating ferrule 7 adjacent to the longitudinal groove 20, so that it is possible to remove the accessory 1 from the internal housing 9. With the pivoting portion 21 of the pivoting blade 19 freed from the notch 22 and facing the slot in the rotating ferrule 7, the blade 19 can pivot into its operating position, in which it extends out of the longitudinal groove 20, in the longitudinal direction X of the handle 3.

[0033] Thus, the present invention provides an accessory 1 for removable attachment within a cleverly designed gripping sleeve 3, which is easily inserted into the handle 3. The accessory 1 is also designed to provide stability within the handle 3, preventing axial or angular movement during use. The use of a rotating ferrule 7 further secures the accessory 1 once it is inserted into the handle 3. Moreover, the attachment means 23, 24 provided on the accessory 1 and the additional accessory 1' allow for optimal storage, minimizing the overall size of the kit 30.

[0034] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. An assembly (100) comprising a grip handle (3) and an accessory (1) adapted for removable fastening in the grip handle (3), the grip handle (3) comprising: - an inner housing (9) formed in an end portion (8) of the grip handle (3), the inner housing (9) including an opening (10), a first portion of which opens into an end face (11) of the grip handle (3) and a second portion of which opens onto a lateral side of the grip handle (3), the end face (11) extending transversely to the longitudinal extension direction of the grip handle (3), - a rotating ferrule (7) rotatably mounted between a locking position in which the rotating ferrule (7) covers at least partially the second portion of the opening (10) and a release position in which the rotating ferrule (7) releases the second portion of the opening (10), the accessory (1) comprising an assembly portion (2) configured for removable fastening of the accessory (1) to the grip handle (3), the assembly portion (2) being configured to be inserted into the inner housing (9), and comprising a retaining part (6) configured to cooperate with the rotating ferrule (7) when the rotating ferrule (7) is in the locking position so as to retain the assembly portion (2) in the inner housing (9).

2. The assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining part (6) comprises a protrusion (12) configured to be received in a circumferential groove (13) formed on an inner surface of the rotating ferrule (7), so as to retain the assembly portion (2) when the rotating ferrule (7) is in the locking position.

3. The assembly (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly portion (2) comprises an insertion part (14) configured to be received in the inner housing (9).

4. The assembly (100) according to claim 3, wherein the insertion part (14) extends longitudinally along the main extension direction of the accessory (1) so as to form a guide tab during the insertion of the assembly portion (2) into the inner housing (9).

5. The assembly (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the assembly portion (2) has a thickness less than the width of the inner housing (9), the assembly portion (2) comprising a transverse portion defining a protuberance (15) on an upper face (16), the protuberance (15) being configured to bear against a first inner face of the inner housing (9) and delimits on an opposite lower face (17) of the assembly portion (2) a cavity (18) extending between two bearing parts (17'), the two bearing parts (17') being configured to bear against a second inner face of the inner housing (9) opposite the first inner face.

6. The assembly (100) according to any of the preceding claims, the grip handle (3) including a pivoting blade (19) and a longitudinal groove (20) formed from the end face (11) and comprising a slot, a portion of which is common with the opening (10) of the inner housing (9), the pivoting blade (19) comprising a pivot portion (21) pivotally mounted in the longitudinal groove (20) for pivoting the pivoting blade (19) between a retracted position in which the pivoting blade (19) is housed in the longitudinal groove (20), in which the rotating ferrule (7) locks the pivoting blade (19) when the rotating ferrule (7) is in the locked position, and in which the inner walls of the longitudinal groove (20) and the pivot portion (21) define the contours of the inner housing (9), and a use position in which the pivoting blade (19) extends out of the longitudinal groove (20), in the longitudinal direction of the grip handle (3), and wherein the assembly portion (2) comprises a notch part (22) delimited by the insertion part (14) on one side and by the retaining part (6) on the other side, the notch part (22) being configured to have a shape complementary to the pivot portion (21) for interlocking with the pivot portion (21) in the inner housing (9) when the assembly portion (2) is inserted into the inner housing (9).

7. The assembly (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, which is configured to be attached to an additional accessory (1'), the accessory (1) comprising an attachment means (23) configured to cooperate with a complementary attachment means (24) provided on the additional accessory (1'), so as to allow the attachment of the accessory (1) to the additional accessory (1').

8. An accessory kit (30) comprising an additional accessory (1') comprising a complementary attachment means (24) and an accessory (1) for an assembly (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7.

9. The accessory kit (30) according to the preceding claim, wherein the attachment means (23) and the complementary attachment means (24) are configured so that the assembly portions (2) and the functional portions (4) respectively of the accessory (1) and the additional accessory (1') are superimposed when the attachment means (23) is attached to the complementary attachment means (24).