Tongue

Abstract

To provide an inexpensive tongue capable of reducing metal fatigue in a U-shaped part at an end part.SOLUTION: A tongue A comprises: a tongue body 20 including a U-shaped part 22, and a pair of pinching arms 21 extending from both of distal end parts of the U-shaped part 22; a pair of projections 30 respectively arranged on an inner side of each one of the pinching arms 21 so as to restrict an opening / closing angle of the pinching arms 21; a pair of handle parts 40 respectively attached to an outer surface of each one of the pinching arms 21 so as to cover the outer surface; and fastening components 50, 60, 70 for respectively attaching the handle parts 40 to the outer surfaces of the pinching arms 21. A pair of levers 10 are respectively pivoted to the pinching arms 21 and are respectively foldable in the tongue body 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tong. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, various types of tongs with high functionality have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses tongs with enhanced durability at the tip, and Patent Document 2 discloses tongs with a foldable tip. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-98101 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-78516 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, achieving high functionality often requires major design changes, which can lead to high costs. For example, repeated clamping of the tongs or long-term storage of the tongs in a clamped state can cause metal fatigue in the U-shaped base, making it difficult to open the tongs. To improve the durability of such U-shaped portions, it is common to change the material of the tongs themselves, but this increases costs. Furthermore, achieving a folding function at the tip requires attaching a shaft to the tongs body, which increases the number of parts and therefore increases costs.

[0005] The present invention was created under the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide inexpensive tongs that can reduce metal fatigue in the U-shaped base portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tongs according to the present invention comprise a tongs body that is generally U-shaped in plan view, having a U-shaped portion and a pair of clamping arms extending from both ends of the U-shaped portion, and a protrusion provided on the inside of at least one of the pair of clamping arms for limiting the opening and closing angle of the pair of clamping arms. With the tongs of the above aspect, the opening and closing angle of the tongs body is limited by the protrusion when the tongs are in use or stored, so that large stresses are not concentrated on the U-shaped portion of the tongs body, and metal fatigue in this portion is reduced. Achieving this function is achieved simply by adding a protrusion to the inside of the pair of clamping arms, without requiring major design changes, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

[0007] Preferably, the protrusions are a pair, and are disposed on the inner sides of the pair of clamping arms so that their tip surfaces can come into contact with each other. In the tongs of this aspect, the opening and closing angle of the pair of clamping arms becomes smaller when the tongs are in use or stored, and the durability of this portion is further increased.

[0008] More preferably, the protruding portions are in contact with each other with the base ends of the clamping arms disposed substantially parallel to each other or on the outside of the substantially parallel position, rather than on the inside. In the tongs of the above aspect, stress concentration acting on the U-shaped portion of the tongs body during use is alleviated, further increasing the durability of this portion.

[0009] More preferably, when the protrusion abuts against the other of the pair of clamping arms, the base ends of the pair of clamping arms may be arranged substantially parallel to each other or on the outside rather than the inside of the substantially parallel state. With the tongs of the above aspect, stress concentration acting on the U-shaped portion of the tongs body during use is alleviated, further increasing the durability of this portion.

[0010] In addition to the above-described configuration, tongs according to another embodiment of the present invention further include a pair of levers disposed at the distal ends of the pair of clamping arms. In this case, the pair of levers may be pivotally supported by the pair of clamping arms and may be foldable relative to the tongs body. In addition to the above-described effects, the foldable pair of levers makes the tongs compact overall and convenient to carry.

[0011] In addition to the above-described configuration, tongs according to another embodiment of the present invention further include a pair of levers disposed at the distal ends of the pair of clamping arms. In this case, the pair of clamping arms may extend toward their distal ends, and the distal ends of the pair of clamping arms may form the pair of levers. In addition to the above-described effects, the tongs of the above embodiment have a simple configuration, which offers cost advantages.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention provides tongs further comprising a pair of levers disposed at the distal ends of the pair of clamping arms and a pair of mounting members provided on the inner surfaces of the proximal ends of the pair of clamping arms, wherein the front pair of levers are pivotally supported by the pair of clamping arms and are each foldable onto the tongs body, with notches formed at the rear end edges of the levers, and the pair of mounting members have engaging pieces whose distal ends engage with the notches when the pair of levers are returned from the folded state to their original extended state. In addition to the above-described effects, the tongs of this aspect can maintain the extended state of the pair of levers, preventing the pair of levers from bending unexpectedly when the tongs are in use. This function can be achieved by simply adding the pair of mounting members to the pair of clamping arms, without requiring any major design changes, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

[0013] In addition to the above configuration, tongs according to another aspect of the present invention further include a pair of handles attached to the outer surfaces of the pair of clamping arms and covering the outer surfaces. In the case of tongs of the above aspect, in addition to the above effects, since the outer surfaces of the pair of clamping arms are each covered with a handle, it is convenient when, for example, grasping hot objects.

[0014] Preferably, at least one pair of handles is attached to each of the pair of clamping arms by a plurality of fastening parts. In addition to the above-mentioned effects, tongs of this type can attach at least the handles to the tongs body without requiring a major design change to the tongs body, which can further reduce costs.

[0015] More preferably, a part of the fastening component should also serve as the pivot axis of the pair of levers. In addition to the above-mentioned effects, the use of a tongue of this type reduces the number of components, which makes it possible to further reduce costs.

[0016] More preferably, a part of the fastening component may also serve as a receiving member for receiving the pair of levers in the folded state. In the case of the tongue of the above-mentioned type, the number of parts is reduced, which makes it possible to achieve further cost reduction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the tongue according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tongue as seen from the front side, showing a pair of lever portions in an extended use state. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tongue as seen from the front side, showing a pair of lever portions in a folded state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tongs as seen from the bottom side, showing a state in which only one lever portion is extended for use. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tongue as seen from the bottom side, showing a state in which only one lever portion is bent vertically. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tongue as seen from the bottom side, showing one of the lever portions in a folded state. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a tongue according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Note that a rear view of the tongue is omitted because it is symmetrical to Figure 1.

[0019] 1 and 2, the tongs A according to this embodiment includes a pair of levers 10, a tongs body 20 that is generally U-shaped in plan view and has a U-shaped portion 22 and a pair of clamping arms 21 extending from both ends of the U-shaped portion 22, a pair of protrusions 30 that are provided on the inside of each of the pair of clamping arms 21 and that limit the opening and closing angle of the pair of clamping arms 21 (the inclination angle of the pair of clamping arms 21 with respect to the axial direction of the tongs body 20), and a pair of handles 40 that are attached to the outer surfaces of the pair of clamping arms 21 and cover the outer surfaces. The pair of handles 40 and the pair of levers 10 of the tongs A are each attached to the outer surfaces of the pair of clamping arms 21 by a pair of fastening parts 50, 60, 70. Each part will be described in detail below.

[0020] The U-shaped portion 22 of the tongs body 20 and the pair of clamping arms 21 are formed by cutting and processing a metal plate into a substantially U-shape in a plan view.

[0021] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the pair of lever portions 10 are each pivotally supported by a pair of clamping arms 21, and are each foldable (rotatable) on the tongs body 20 between a folded state (see Figure 10) and an extended use state (see Figure 8). As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the pair of lever portions 10 have openings 111 formed at their rear end portions 11 for passing through the pair of fastening parts 50. A notch 12 is formed at the edge of the rear end portion 11.

[0022] With respect to the tongs body 20, a pair of mounting members 80 are attached to the inside of the pair of clamping arms 21 by a pair of fastening parts 60, 70. The pair of mounting members 80 are generally plate-shaped bodies made of metal like the tongs body 20, and openings 82, 83 through which the pair of fastening parts 60, 70 pass are formed on the surfaces thereof. Although not shown in the drawing, the surface of the tongs body 20 is also formed with openings through which the pair of fastening parts 50 pass, as well as openings for attaching the pair of mounting members 80.

[0023] The ends of the pair of mounting members 80 have linearly extending engagement pieces 81. When the pair of lever portions 10 are returned from the folded state (see FIG. 10) to the extended use state (see FIG. 8), the tip portions of the engagement pieces 81 are adapted to engage with the notches 12.

[0024] The pair of handles 40 are wooden plates, and as shown in Figures 8 and 9, rivet holes 41, 42, and 43 corresponding to the pair of fastening parts 50, 60, and 70 are formed on the surface thereof. The outer surfaces of the pair of clamping arms 21 are covered with the pair of handles 40, which makes it convenient, for example, to grasp hot objects. The ends of the pair of handles 40 are curved downward and protrude in order to raise the tips of the pair of levers 10 when the tongs are placed on them.

[0025] 2 and 3, the pair of protrusions 30 are wooden or resin members having an arc-shaped cross section, and are screwed onto the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping arms 21 near the U-shaped portions 22 (proximal end sides), one for each. The heads of the screws are located outside the pair of clamping arms 21, but are covered by the pair of handles 40 to make them less noticeable. That is, the pair of protrusions 30 are disposed facing each other on the inner surfaces (mounting portions of the pair of protrusions 30) near the U-shaped portions 22 (proximal end sides) of the pair of clamping arms 21 so that their distal end surfaces can abut against each other. The pair of protrusions 30 may have the same or different heights, and when the distal end surfaces of the pair of protrusions 30 abut against each other, the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping arms 21 on the proximal end sides (mounting portions of the pair of protrusions 30) are disposed substantially parallel to each other, or on the outer side rather than the inner side of the substantially parallel state. Even when the tip surfaces of the pair of protrusions 30 are in contact with each other, the pair of clamping arms 21 are clamped, so that the tips of the pair of lever portions 10 in the extended use state come into contact with each other.

[0026] The pair of fastening parts 50, 60, 70 are rivet screws consisting of a concave rivet and a convex rivet that are screwed together, and are used to fasten the pair of handle parts 40 to the outer surfaces of the pair of clamping arms 21, and the pair of lever parts 10 and the pair of mounting members 80 to the inner surfaces of the pair of clamping arms 21. The pair of fastening parts 50 also serve as the rotation axis of the pair of lever parts 10, while the pair of fastening parts 60 also serve as receiving members that receive the central parts of the pair of lever parts 10 when they are in the folded state.

[0027] The pair of protrusions 30 also serve as receiving portions that receive the tip ends of the pair of lever portions 10. In order to increase the sliding resistance that occurs when the pair of lever portions 10 rotates, flat washers are inserted into the pair of fastening parts 50 so as to sandwich the rear end portions 11 of the pair of lever portions 10 from above and below.

[0028] In the tongs A configured as described above, the opening and closing angle of the pair of clamping arms 21 is limited by the abutment of the protrusions 30 against each other. This prevents large stresses from concentrating on the U-shaped portion 22 of the tongs body 20 when the tongs are in use or stored, thereby reducing metal fatigue in this portion. In particular, when the base ends of the pair of clamping arms 21 are arranged outside the generally parallel or generally parallel position, rather than on the inside, with the tip surfaces of the pair of protrusions 30 abutting against each other, large stresses are no longer concentrated on the U-shaped portion 22 of the tongs body 20, further reducing metal fatigue in this portion. Therefore, even when the tongs are repeatedly clamped or stored for long periods of time in a clamped state, metal fatigue does not occur in the U-shaped portion 22, and problems such as difficulty in opening the tongs are resolved.

[0029] Furthermore, the pair of levers 10 can be folded, making the entire product compact and easy to carry. In particular, when the pair of levers 10 are folded, the pair of levers 10 are received by the pair of fastening components 60 and the pair of protrusions 30. Furthermore, the sliding resistance provides the above-mentioned resistance, preventing the pair of levers 10 from moving unexpectedly.

[0030] Furthermore, when the folded pair of levers 10 are pulled out and extended, the engaging pieces 81 of the pair of mounting members 80 engage with the notches 12 of the pair of levers 10. Moreover, since the sliding resistance is obtained, the pair of levers 10 will not move unexpectedly. These points make it easy to use.

[0031] Although Tongs A has the above-mentioned various functions, it does not require any major design changes, and in this respect it is possible to reduce costs. The reasons for this are as follows: (1) The U-shaped portion 22 of the tong body 20 and the pair of clamping arms 21 are formed by cutting and processing a metal plate into a generally U-shaped shape in a plan view. (2) The addition of the pair of protrusions 30 relieves stress concentration in the U-shaped portion 22, and there is no need to change the material of the tong body 20, etc. (3) The pair of levers 10, the pair of handles 40, the pair of mounting members 80, and the pair of protrusions 30 are attached to the pair of clamping arms 21. (4) The pair of lever portions 10, the pair of handle portions 40, and the pair of mounting members 80 are fastened to the pair of clamping arms 21 using the pair of fastening parts 50, 60, and 70. (5) The pair of fastening parts 50 also serve as the pivot axis for the pair of lever portions 10, and the pair of fastening parts 60 also serve as receiving members for receiving the pair of lever portions 10, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0032] Next, tongs according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The tongs body 20' of tongs B is similar to the tongs body 20 of tongs A in that it has a U-shaped portion 22' and a pair of clamping arms 21' extending from both ends of this U-shaped portion 22', making it roughly U-shaped in plan view, but differs from the tongs body 20 only in that the pair of clamping arms 21' extend toward their ends, and the ends of the pair of clamping arms 21' form a pair of levers. The pair of protrusions 30 and the pair of handles 40 are the same as those of tongs A.

[0033] In other words, the tongs B can be said to have a configuration in which the separate pair of levers and the folding mechanism thereof are omitted from the tongs A, and the effect of alleviating stress concentration in the U-shaped portion 22' by the pair of protrusions 30 is obtained in the same way as in the case of the tongs A. However, since the separate pair of levers and the folding mechanism are omitted, the configuration is simpler than in the case of the tongs A, and in this respect, it is possible to achieve further cost reductions.

[0034] The tongs according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment and may be modified as appropriate. For example, the basic shape and material of the tongs body are not critical. Furthermore, the tongs according to the present invention may not include a pair of handles. The pair of protrusions are not critical in shape, material, or attachment method, and may be provided only on the inner side of one of the pair of clamping arms. In this case, the protrusions can abut against the other clamping arm. With the protrusions abutting against the other clamping arm, the base ends of the pair of clamping arms may be positioned generally parallel or on the outer side rather than the inner side of the generally parallel position. The positioning of the pair of protrusions is not particularly critical, and they may be positioned closer to the distal ends of the pair of clamping arms (e.g., near the rear ends 11 of the pair of levers 10) depending on the radius of curvature of the U-shaped portion of the tongs body, etc.

[0035] The pair of levers may be of any shape, material, or pivot mechanism, and may have a mechanism that allows them to be folded outward from the pair of clamping arms. The pair of handles may be of any shape, material, or attachment method to the pair of clamping arms. The type and number of fastening parts may be any, and bolts and nuts may be used. Alternatively, they may be fixed by adhesive or the like without using fastening parts. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] A: Tongs 10: Pair of lever parts 20: A pair of tongs 21: A pair of clamping arms 22: U-shaped part 30: A pair of protrusions 40: A pair of handles 50, 60, 70: Fasteners

Claims

1. A tongs comprising a tongs body that is approximately U-shaped in plan view, having a U-shaped portion and a pair of clamping arms extending from both ends of the U-shaped portion, and a protrusion provided on the inside of at least one of the pair of clamping arms for limiting the opening and closing angle of the pair of clamping arms.

2. The tongs according to claim 1, The protrusions are a pair of tongues arranged inside the pair of clamping arms so that their tip surfaces are opposed to each other and can come into contact with each other.

3. The tongs according to claim 2, The tongs are configured such that when the tip surfaces of the pair of protrusions abut against each other, the base end sides of the pair of clamping arms are positioned approximately parallel or on the outside rather than the inside of the approximately parallel.

4. The tongs according to claim 1, The tongs are configured such that when the protrusion abuts against the other of the pair of clamping arms, the base end sides of the pair of clamping arms are positioned approximately parallel or on the outside rather than the inside of the approximately parallel.

5. The tongs according to claim 1, The tongs further includes a pair of lever portions respectively disposed on the tip sides of the pair of clamping arms.

6. The tongs according to claim 5, The pair of lever portions are pivotally supported by the pair of clamping arms and are each foldable onto the tong body.

7. The tongs according to claim 5, The pair of clamping arms extend toward their distal ends, and the distal ends of the pair of clamping arms form the pair of lever portions.

8. The tongs according to claim 1, The clamping arm further includes a pair of lever portions respectively disposed on the tip side of the pair of clamping arms, and a pair of mounting members provided on the inner surfaces of the base end side of the pair of clamping arms, The pair of lever portions are pivotally supported by the pair of clamping arms and can be folded onto the tongs body, A notch is formed in the rear edge of the lever portion, The pair of mounting members have engagement pieces at their tip portions that engage with the notches when the pair of lever portions are returned from the folded state to their original extended use state.

9. The tongs according to claim 1, The tongs further include a pair of handle portions attached to the outer surfaces of the pair of clamping arms, respectively, and adapted to cover the outer surfaces.

10. The tongs according to claim 9, Tongs in which at least the pair of handle portions are respectively attached to the pair of clamping arms by a plurality of fastening parts.

11. The tongs according to claim 10, A tongue in which a part of the fastening component also serves as a pivot axis for the pair of lever portions.

12. The tongs according to claim 10, A tongue in which a part of the fastening component doubles as a receiving member for receiving the pair of lever portions in a folded state.

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