Removable gripping device and kitchen set including such a removable gripping device

Abstract

Removable Gripping Device and Kitchen Set Comprising Such a Removable Gripping Device. The present invention relates to a removable gripping device (6) for a cooking utensil, comprising a gripping body (62) extending between a front (622) and a rear (624) end of the body, a fork (64) mounted on the gripping body, forming a clamp (66) with the gripping body and being movable in translation, and movement means (68, 70, 72) adapted to move the fork and comprising a trigger (68) movable in rotation, and a knee joint (75) adapted to move the fork when the trigger is pivoted. The gripping body is provided with a first surface bearing (626) on a receiving plane (P), positioned on the rear of the body. The trigger is provided with a second bearing (688).The gripping device is configured to rest on the receiving plane via the first and second heels, in a stable configuration. See Figure 2 for abbreviations.

Description

Title of the invention: Removable gripping device and kitchen set comprising such a removable gripping device

[0001] The present invention relates to a removable gripping device and a kitchen set comprising such a removable gripping device.

[0002] EP2007260B1 is known to use removable gripping devices comprising a gripping body and a fork that is movable in translation relative to the gripping body. The fork and the gripping body together form a gripper. The fork is movable between an open position and a closed position in which the gripper is able to grasp the edge of a kitchen utensil. These removable gripping devices are also provided with movement means comprising a trigger and a knee joint. The trigger is mounted on the gripping body and is movable in rotation between a deployed position, in which the fork is open, and a retracted position, in which the fork is closed. The knee joint is able to move the fork when the trigger is pivoted.It is shaped so that the trigger is in a stable equilibrium position, both in the retracted and deployed positions, and so that the trigger passes through an intermediate position of unstable equilibrium when the trigger pivots from one of the two stable equilibrium positions to the other. These devices are generally satisfactory.

[0003] However, the gripping device is not stable in the open position on a receiving surface. Thus, when a user places the removable gripping device in the open position on a receiving surface, the removable gripping device tips onto its edge. Furthermore, the removable gripping device cannot rest in the open position on the receiving surface without the gripper touching the surface, which risks contaminating the gripper. Therefore, when using the gripping device with a kitchen utensil, the food contained in the utensil is likely to be contaminated by the gripper.

[0004] The aim of the invention is therefore to propose a removable gripping device which limits the risks of contamination of food contained in a kitchen item on which the gripping device is mounted.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a removable gripping device for a culinary article, comprising:

[0006] - a gripping body extending along a longitudinal axis between a front of the body and the rear of the body

[0007] - a fork mounted on the gripping body, forming a gripper with the front of the gripping body and being movable in translation relative to the gripping body, in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, between an open position and a closed position in which the gripper is able to pinch an edge of the cooking article, and

[0008] - means of movement adapted to move the fork relative to the body of grasping and comprising: • a trigger mounted on the gripping body and rotatable around a main shaft positioned near a rear end, between a deployed position in which the fork is open and a retracted position in which the fork is closed, and • a knee joint capable of moving the fork when the trigger is pivoted, and being shaped so that the trigger is in a stable equilibrium position, both in the retracted and deployed positions, and so that the trigger passes through an intermediate unstable equilibrium position when the trigger pivots from one to the other of the two stable equilibrium positions.

[0009] The gripping body is provided with a first surface-bearing heel on the receiving plane, the first heel being positioned on the rear of the body. The trigger is provided with a second surface-bearing heel on a receiving plane. The gripping device is configured so that, when the trigger is in the deployed position, it rests on the receiving plane via the first and second heels, in a stable configuration.

[0010] Thanks to the invention, and in particular thanks to the first and second heels, the removable gripping device is stable in the open position on the receiving surface. Furthermore, the position of the first heel at the rear of the body allows the gripper to be raised above the receiving surface when it rests on the open position, thus preventing any contamination of the gripper. The risks of food contamination resulting from the gripper being contaminated by products or organisms present on a work surface are therefore reduced.

[0011] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the removable gripping device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0012] - the second heel is positioned along the longitudinal axis, between the clamp and the first heel;

[0013] - the trigger includes a part, forming a guard, projecting along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and in which the second heel is provided at the end of the protruding part;

[0014] - the first heel defines a flat bearing surface on the receiving plane, of which the area is greater than or equal to 27 mm2, and the second heel defines a flat support surface on the receiving plane, the area of ​​which is greater than or equal to 10.5 mm2;

[0015] - a length of the second heel, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, is between 1.5 and 2.5 mm, and a width of the second heel, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is between 7 and 9 mm;

[0016] - a length of the first heel, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, is between 3 and 5 mm, and the width of the first heel, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is between 9 and 11 mm;

[0017] - the front of the body is provided with a third surface support heel on the plane of reception, the gripping device, being configured so that, when the trigger is in the retracted position, it rests on the receiving surface via the first and third heels, in a stable configuration,

[0018] - the third heel defines a flat support surface on the receiving plane, of which the area is greater than or equal to 19.5 mm2;

[0019] - a length of the third heel, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis, is between 1.5 and 2.5 mm, and a width of the third heel, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is between 13 and 15 mm;

[0020] - the knee joint includes at least a first connecting rod and a central connecting rod;

[0021] The invention also relates to a kitchen set comprising at least one item culinary and a removable gripping device as defined above.

[0022] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a kitchen set comprising a cooking item and a removable gripping device, the gripping device being in a closed configuration;

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a section along plane II of the removable gripping device of the [Fig.1], the gripping device being placed on a receiving plane in an open configuration;

[0025] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the removable gripping device of the Figures 1 and 2; and

[0026] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a cross-section similar to [Fig.2], the gripping device being placed on the receiving surface in the closed configuration.

[0027] A kitchen set 2 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in [Fig.1].

[0028] The kitchen set 2 includes a cooking item 4 and a removable gripping device 6.

[0029] The cooking article 4 comprises a base 42, a rim 44, and a curved portion 48, which forms the upper end of the rim 44, opposite the base 42. The base 42 is circular and flat. The rim 44 extends from the base 42 to define an interior volume V4 for holding food. The curved portion 48 is curved outwards from the cooking article 4 and extends from the rim 44.

[0030] The removable gripping device 6 includes a gripping body 62, a fork 64 and means for moving the fork 64.

[0031] The gripping body 62 extends, along a longitudinal axis X6 of the removable gripping device 6, between a front 622 of the body and a rear 624 of the body. The front of the body, or any part mounted on it, faces the cooking article when the gripping device is mounted on such an article. Under the same conditions, the rear of the body, or any part mounted on it, faces away from the cooking article.

[0032] The rear 624 of the body is provided with a first surface bearing 626 on a receiving plane P, such as a kitchen worktop. The first bearing 626 defines a flat surface S626, clearly visible in [Fig. 3], the area of ​​which is advantageously greater than or equal to 27 mm². A length L626 of the first bearing 626, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X6, is advantageously between 3 and 5 mm, and a width L626 of the first bearing 626, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X6, is advantageously between 9 and 11 mm.

[0033] The fork 64 is mounted on the gripping body 62 so that the front 622 of the body and the front end 642 of the fork 64 together form a clamp 66 capable of pinching the rim 44.

[0034] The means for moving the fork 64 include a trigger 68 and a knee joint 75.

[0035] The trigger 68 includes, at a front end 683, a first hook, not shown and has a groove 689.

[0036] The trigger 68 includes a cam 684 at a rear end 685 opposite the front end 683. The cam 684 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X6 in the direction of the fork 64.

[0037] The trigger 68 includes a ramp, not shown. The ramp extends towards the fork 64 along the direction D64.

[0038] The trigger 68 is provided with a second surface-bearing heel 688. The second heel 688 is advantageously positioned, along the longitudinal axis X6, between the clamp 66 and the first heel 626. In this example, the second heel 688 is positioned at the front end 683 of the trigger 68.

[0039] Advantageously, the trigger 68 includes a part 686, forming a guard, projecting from the front end 683 along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X6. The second heel 688 is provided at the end of this projecting part 686.

[0040] Advantageously, the second heel 688 defines a flat surface S688, clearly visible on the [Fig.3], whose area is greater than or equal to 10.5 mm2.

[0041] Advantageously, a length L688 of the second heel 688, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X6, is between 1.5 and 2.5 mm. Advantageously, a width 1688 of the second heel 688, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X6, is between 7 and 9 mm.

[0042] The front 622 of the body includes a front surface 629 which extends globally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X6.

[0043] Advantageously, the front 622 of the body is provided with a third surface-supporting heel 628. The third heel 628 defines a flat surface S628, clearly visible in [Fig. 3], the area of ​​which is advantageously greater than or equal to 19.5 mm².

[0044] Advantageously, a length L628 of the third heel 628, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X6, is between 1.5 and 2.5 mm. Advantageously, a width 1628 of the third heel 626, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X6, is between 13 and 15 mm.

[0045] The fork 64 extends along the longitudinal axis X6 between a front end 642 and a rear end 644.

[0046] The front end 642 is curved and extends with a component perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X6. The front end 642 has an internal surface 646, turned towards the front surface 629 and globally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X6.

[0047] The fork 64 is movable in translation relative to the gripping body 62 along a direction D64, directed from the front 622 of the body towards the rear of the body 624, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X6. The fork 64 is movable between an open position and a closed position in which the clamp 66 is able to clamp the edge 44 of the cooking article 4.

[0048] More specifically, a distance D66 measured parallel to the longitudinal axis X6 between the internal surface 646 of the front end 642 of the fork 64 and the front surface 629 of the front 622 of the body, decreases when the fork 64 is moved from the open position to the closed position.

[0049] The fork 64 is held in its open position by an opening spring 94 of the removable gripping device 6. In this example, the opening spring 94 is a torsion spring. The opening spring 94 bears, at one end, on the gripping body 62, and, at the other end, on the fork 64.

[0050] The trigger 68 is mounted on the gripping body 62 and is movable in rotation about a main shaft 79 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X6, between a deployed position and a retracted position, the main shaft 79 being positioned in the vicinity of the rear end 685 of the trigger 68. When the trigger 68 is in the deployed position, the fork 64 is in the open position and when the trigger 68 is in the retracted position the fork 64 is in the closed position.

[0051] The trigger 68 is adapted to be operated manually. More specifically, the user must apply pressure to the trigger 68 to move it from its deployed position to its retracted position.

[0052] When the trigger is in the deployed configuration, the first surface support heel 626 and the second surface support heel 688 are able to come to rest together on the receiving plane P. As clearly visible in [Fig.2], the simultaneous surface contacts between the surface S626 of the first heel 626 and the receiving plane P and between the surface S688 of the second heel 688 and the receiving plane P ensure the stability of the removable gripping device 6 placed on the receiving plane P.

[0053] The positioning of the first heel 626 on the rear 624 of the body and the positioning of the second heel 688 on the protruding part 686 of the trigger 68, towards the front of the handle 68, raises the gripper 66 when the gripping device 6 rests on the receiving plane P, with the trigger 68 in the deployed position.

[0054] Advantageously, when the trigger is in the retracted configuration, the first surface support heel 626 and the third surface support heel 628 are able to come to rest together on a receiving plane P. As clearly visible in [Fig.4], the simultaneous surface contacts between the surface S626 of the first heel 626 and the receiving plane P and between the surface S628 of the third heel 628 and the receiving plane P ensure the stability of the removable gripping device 6 placed on the receiving plane P.

[0055] The knee joint 75 advantageously comprises a first connecting rod 70, a central connecting rod 72 and a slider 74.

[0056] The first connecting rod 70 comprises a first end 702 and a second end 704. The first end 702 is movable in rotation around a first shaft 69 fixed relative to the gripping body 62 and parallel to the main shaft 79.

[0057] The first shaft 69 is positioned longitudinally between the front 622 of the body and the main shaft 79.

[0058] The central connecting rod 72 comprises a first end 726 and a second end 728. The central connecting rod 72 has a housing 722 and a guide pin 724. The housing 722 has a circular cross-section and the guide pin 724 projects into the housing 722 and is centered on the housing 722.

[0059] The second end 728 of the central connecting rod 72 is movable in rotation about a second shaft 73 movable in translation along the longitudinal axis X6 relative to the gripping body 62, the second shaft 73 being parallel to the first shaft 69. The second shaft 73 is positioned longitudinally between the first shaft 69 and the main shaft 79.

[0060] The first end 726 of the central connecting rod 72 is mounted to slide in the groove 689 of the trigger 68.

[0061] The second end 704 of the first connecting rod 70 and the first end 726 of the central connecting rod 72 are assembled by a linkage allowing rotation between the first connecting rod 70 and the central connecting rod 72 around a third shaft 71 parallel to the first shaft 69 and movable in translation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X6 relative to the gripping body 62. The third shaft 71 is positioned between the first shaft 69 and the second shaft 73 in the direction D64.

[0062] The slider 74 is rigidly assembled with the fork 64, which moves along the longitudinal axis X6. The slider 74 and the central connecting rod 72 are assembled by a linkage allowing rotation between the slider 74 and the central connecting rod 72, around the second shaft 73.

[0063] Activating the trigger 68 causes the first end 726 of the central connecting rod 72 to slide in the groove 689. The sliding of the first end 726 of the central connecting rod 72 causes the first connecting rod 70 to rotate around the first shaft 69, the central connecting rod 72 to rotate around the second shaft 73, and the slider 74 to translate along the longitudinal axis X6. The translation of the slider 74 causes the fork 64 to move in a linear fashion. The movement means thus allow the movement of the fork 64 to be manually controlled.

[0064] The knee joint 75 is shaped so that the trigger 68 is in a stable equilibrium position, both in the retracted and deployed positions. The knee joint 75 is also shaped so that the trigger 68 passes through an intermediate unstable equilibrium position when the trigger 68 pivots from one of the two stable equilibrium positions to the other.

[0065] The intermediate unstable equilibrium position is defined as the position of the third shaft 71 in which the third shaft 71 is aligned with the first shaft 69 and the second shaft 73.

[0066] Furthermore, the knee joint 75 is shaped so that, when the trigger 68 is in its retracted position and therefore when the fork 64 is in its closed position, the clamp 66 grips the rim 44 when it is present between the surfaces 629 and 646.

[0067] The gripping device 6 comprises a safety shuttle 76 and a spring 78. The spring 78 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X6 and bears on one side on the slider 74 and on the fork 64. The safety shuttle 76 is housed in the spring and limits the relative movement of the slider 74 with respect to the fork 64 so that the fork 64 is locked in the closed position when the trigger 68 is in the retracted position and the knee joint is in a stable equilibrium position.

[0068] The gripping device 6 also includes an elastically deformable element 90. The elastically deformable element 90 is compressed when the trigger 68 is in the retracted position.

[0069] More specifically, when the trigger 68 is in the retracted position, the elastically deformable element 90 is compressed, between on the one hand one of the means of movement and on the other hand either the fork 64 or the gripping body 62. In the example of the figures, the elastically elastic element 90 is compressed between the fork 64 and the central connecting rod 72.

[0070] The elastically deformable element 90 is housed in the housing 722 and centered on the guide pin 724 so as to minimize the bulk of the elastically deformable element 90.

[0071] The elastically deformable element 90, when compressed, applies a restoring force F90 on one of the means of displacement, in the example the central connecting rod 72, so as to push the trigger 68 back towards its deployed position.

[0072] The gripping device includes a push button 92. The push button 92 includes a cap 926 projecting from the gripping body 62 and a base 928 housed in the gripping body 62 and including a protrusion not shown.

[0073] The protuberance extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X6, and has a second hook not shown.

[0074] The push button 92 passes through the gripping body 62 via an opening 062 in the gripping body 62. The opening 062 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X6.

[0075] The push button is mounted to move in translation relative to the gripping body 62 in a direction D92 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X6 between a locking position and an unlocking position.

[0076] The removable gripping device 6 includes a return means 88 housed in the gripping body 62 and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X6, bearing on the base 928 of the push button 92 and on the gripping body 62 so as to move the push button 92 towards its locking position.

[0077] When the push button 92 is in the locked position and when the trigger 68 is in the retracted position, the second hook hooks the first hook so as to prevent any pivoting of the trigger 68 from the retracted position to the unstable equilibrium position.

[0078] When the push button 92 is moved by the user from its locking position to its unlocking position in the direction D92 the second hook disengages from the first hook releasing the trigger 68 and allowing its pivoting from the retracted position to the unstable equilibrium position.

[0079] The restoring force F90 exerted by the elastically deformable element 90 is such that the trigger 68 is automatically pushed back to its deployed position when the push button 92 is in the unlock position.

[0080] However, if the trigger 68 remains in the retracted position despite the return force F90 exerted by the elastically deformable element 90, the movement of the push button 92 can be continued by the user towards its unlocking position in the direction D92, so that the protrusion 924 comes into contact with the ramp of the trigger 68 and pushes the trigger 68 back towards its deployed position.

[0081] Furthermore, in order to secure the locking of the fork 64 in the closed position, the gripping device 6 includes a locking means 80. The locking means 80 is housed in the gripping body 62. The locking means 80 is capable of immobilizing the fork 64 in the closed position by pinching a rear end 644 of the fork 64. The locking means 80 comprises a movable part 805, a pinching ring 806 and a locking spring 808.

[0082] The moving part 805 includes a cage 802 and pinching members 804.

[0083] The cage 802 extends on either side of the rear end 644 of the fork 64 and is movable in translation on the gripping body 62 along the longitudinal axis X6 between a pinching position and a release position. The cage 802 moves from the pinching position to the release position by being displaced along the direction D64.

[0084] The locking spring 808 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X6 and bears on one side against the cage 802 and on the other side against the gripping body 62 so as to push the cage 802 towards the pinching position.

[0085] When the trigger 68 pivots from its retracted position to its deployed position, the cam 684 comes into contact with an inclined rear surface S802 of the cage 802 pushing the cage 802 back towards its release position.

[0086] The clamping elements 804 are mounted, on either side of the fork 64, in the cage 802 in a manner fixed to the movement of the cage 802 along the longitudinal axis X6. In other words, the movement of the cage 802 causes the translation along the longitudinal axis X6 of the clamping elements 804 so that the clamping elements 804 are in a clamping position when the cage 802 is in the clamping position and the clamping elements 804 are in a release position when the cage 802 is in the release position.

[0087] The pinch ring 806 is mounted around the fork 64. It is fixed relative to the gripping body 62. The pinch ring 806 includes an inclined internal surface S806 such that an internal diameter of the pinch ring 806 increases along the direction D64.

[0088] The internal surface S806 receives the pinching members 804. When the cage 802 is moved to the pinching position, the pinching members 804 are moved to the pinching position and pressed by the inclined surface S806 against the fork 64 so that the pinching members 804 pinch the fork 64 and block the translation of the fork 64 along the axis X6.

[0089] Any feature described above for one embodiment or variant is applicable to the other embodiments and variants described above, insofar as this is technically possible.

Claims

1. Demands Removable gripping device (6) for cooking article (4), comprising: - a gripping body (62) extending along a longitudinal axis (X6) between a front (622) of the body and a rear (624) of the body, - a fork (64) mounted on the gripping body, forming a clamp (66) with the front (622) of the gripping body (62) and being movable in translation relative to the gripping body, along a direction (D64) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, between an open position and a closed position in which the clamp is able to grip an edge (44) of the cooking article (4), and - means of movement (68, 70, 72) adapted to move the fork relative to the gripping body and comprising: • a trigger (68) mounted on the gripping body (62) and rotatable around a main shaft (79) positioned near a rear end (685), between a deployed position in which the fork (64) is in the open position and a retracted position in which the fork is in the closed position, and • a knee joint (75) capable of moving the fork (64) when the trigger is pivoted, and being shaped so that the trigger (68) is in a stable equilibrium position, both in the retracted and deployed positions, and so that the trigger passes through an intermediate unstable equilibrium position when the trigger pivots from one to the other of the two stable equilibrium positions, characterized in that - the gripping body (62) is provided with a first heel (626) for surface support on a receiving plane (P), the first heel (626) being positioned on the rear (624) of the body; - the trigger is provided with a second heel (688) of surface support on the receiving plane (P); - the gripping device is configured so that, when the trigger (68) is in the deployed configuration, it rests on the reception plane (P) via the first and second heels (688, 626), in a stable configuration.

2. Removable gripping device according to the preceding claim, wherein the second heel (688) is positioned along the longitudinal axis (X6), between the clamp (66) and the first heel (626).

3. Removable gripping device according to the preceding claim, in which the trigger (68) includes a part (686), forming a guard, projecting along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and in which the second heel (688) is provided at the end of the projecting part (686).

4. Removable gripping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the first heel (626) defines a flat bearing surface (S626) on the receiving plane (P), the area of ​​which is greater than or equal to 27 mm2, and - the second heel (688) defines a flat bearing surface (S688) on the receiving plane (P), the area of ​​which is greater than or equal to 10.5 mm2.

5. Removable gripping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a length (L688) of the second heel (688), measured parallel to the longitudinal axis (X6), is between 1.5 and 2.5 mm, and a width (1688) of the second heel (688), measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X6), is between 7 and 9 mm.

6. Removable gripping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a length (L626) of the first heel (626), measured parallel to the longitudinal axis (X6), is between 3 and 5 mm, and a width (1626) of the first heel (626), measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X6), is between 9 and 11 mm.

7. Removable gripping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front (622) of the body is provided with a third heel (628) for surface support on the receiving plane (P), the gripping device being configured so that, when the trigger (68) is in the retracted position, it rests on the receiving plane (P) by means of the first and third heels (626, 628), in a stable configuration.

8. Removable gripping device according to the preceding claim, wherein the third heel (628) defines a flat bearing surface (S628) on the receiving plane (P), of which Faire is greater than or equal to 19.5 mm2.

9. Removable gripping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a length (L628) of the third heel (628), measured parallel to the longitudinal axis (X6), is between 1.5 and 2.5 mm, and a width (1628) of the third heel (628), measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X6), is between 13 and 15 mm.

10. Removable gripping device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the knee brace (75) comprises at least a first connecting rod (70) and a central connecting rod (72).

11. Kitchen set (2) comprising at least one cooking article (4) and a removable gripping device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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