Tongs

Abstract

This invention provides tongs that can be easily closed and opened with one hand without using any elastic components. [Solution] A pair of tongs having a tip and a toe that serve as gripping parts, with connecting members provided at opposing positions near the toe of each arm rotatably connected by a pivot pin, wherein the outer surface of the arm is the point of force application, the pivot pin is the fulcrum, and the tip is the point of application, the outer surfaces of the arms are spaced apart in the range of 20 mm to 150 mm, and the length from the toe and the foot of the perpendicular from the toe and the pivot pin to the outer surface of the arm is in the range of 15 mm to 100 mm, and the tip can be opened and closed by changing the position of the point of force application so that it is in front of or behind the fulcrum.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tong that can be easily opened and closed with one hand.

Background Art

[0002] In a general tong, the ends of a pair of arms are connected by an elastic member such as a leaf spring, and the tip portion, which is the clamping portion, is always open. The arms are closed by hand to clamp an object. However, when clamping an object larger than the opening width of the tip of the tong, there is a problem that it is necessary to replace the tong.

[0003] In order to solve such problems, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which an elastic hinge is stretched between clamping members (arms) at substantially the center of the handle portion. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a tong provided with an operating member for opening and closing the arms on the arms.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Basically, the present invention provides a tong that can open and close the clamping portion of the tong only with the gripping force of one hand without using an elastic member such as an elastic hinge or a leaf spring, and can detachably attach an elastic member as needed to bias the clamping portion of the tong in the opening or closing direction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to two arms (1,2) having a tip portion (3,4) that serves as a clamping portion and an end portion (5,6) on the opposite side, (a) at least one pair of connecting members (7a, 7a') provided on the opposing end portions (5,6) of each of the arms (1,2) are rotatably connected by a pivot pin (8a), or (b) at least one connecting member (7b) provided on the end portion of one of the arms is rotatably connected to an opposing portion of the other arm by a pivot pin (8b), The outer surface of the arm (1,2) is the point of force application, the pivot pins (8a,8b) are the fulcrum, and the tip portions (3,4) are the point of application of force. The tongs are characterized in that, when the two arms (1,2) are parallel to each other, the outer surfaces of the two arms (1,2) are spaced apart, with a distance (D) between them in the range of 20mm to 150mm, and the length (L) from the end portions (5,6) and the pivot pins (8a,8b) to the foot of the perpendicular line drawn down from the outer surface of the arms (1,2) is in the range of 15mm to 100mm, and the tip portions (3,4) can be opened and closed by changing the position of the point of force application so that it is in front of or behind the fulcrum.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention relates to tongs in which the ratio of the length (L) to the interval (D) is 1.00 or less.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention relates to tongs in which the aforementioned spacing (D) is in the range of 30 mm to 80 mm.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to tongs having a length (L) in the range of 20 mm to 80 mm.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention provides tongs that can make the internal angle (Θ) between the arms (1,2) when the tip portions (3,4) of the arms (1,2) are opened 44 degrees or more.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pair of tongs in which the pivot pin (8a) is located equidistant from the two arms (1,2) in (a) above.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention relates to tongs in which the connecting member (7) is provided in two or more pairs in (a) or two or more in (b). [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] First, this invention solves the problem of conventional tongs where the gripping part cannot be opened beyond a predetermined opening angle. Furthermore, by adopting a simple structure that does not require leaf springs or elastic hinges, it is easy to assemble and has excellent durability for continuous use. In addition, its simple structure makes cleaning easy. Moreover, if the pivot pin (8) is removable, disassembly makes it even easier to clean even the smallest details.

[0014] Furthermore, compression coil springs, tension coil springs, or torsion coil springs can be detachably attached as needed. The biasing force applied to the gripping portion by such coil springs in the opening and closing direction allows the tongs to be used with only one-handed gripping force, and a locking function can be provided to keep the tongs closed when not in use.

[0015] Furthermore, by changing the width, length, shape, number, and material of the connecting members (7,7) that link the two arms (1,2), the contact distance of the tips (3,4) can be adjusted, or the contact angle can be changed, making it easier to grip relatively large objects or to pick up relatively small objects like tweezers. In addition, by increasing the rigidity of the connecting part, twisting between the two arms can be suppressed, and subtle misalignment of the gripping tips (3,4) can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the tongs of the present invention in a closed state (a) and in a state where the two arms are parallel (b). [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the gripping portion of the tongs of the present invention in an open state. [Figure 3]It is a plan view showing another embodiment of the tongs of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a plan view showing yet another embodiment of the tongs of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing a reference example using the elastic member of the tongs of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a plan view showing a reference example using the elastic member of the tongs of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a plan view showing a reference example using the elastic member of the tongs of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a plan view showing a reference example using the elastic member of the tongs of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a plan view showing a reference example using the elastic member of the tongs of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a sectional view taken along line G-G in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] It is a plan view showing a reference example using a torsion coil spring around the pivot pin of the tongs of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a plan view showing a reference example using a torsion coil spring around the pivot pin of the tongs of the present invention. [Figure 13] In FIG. 5, it is a side view seen from the X direction. [Figure 14] It is a sectional view taken along line F-F in FIG. 11. [Figure 15] It is a front view of the tongs of the present invention. [Figure 16] It is a plan view showing a mode in which the shape of the connecting member of the tongs of the present invention is changed. [Figure 17] It is a plan view showing another mode in which the shape of the connecting member of the tongs of the present invention is changed. [Figure 18] It is a side view seen from the X direction of the connecting portion showing a mode in which two connecting members of the tongs of the present invention are installed according to the width of the arm. [Figure 19] It is a side view seen from the X direction of the connecting portion showing another mode when two connecting members of the tongs of the present invention are installed according to the width of the arm. [Figure 20]This is a side view of the connecting portion as seen from the X direction, showing an embodiment in which the three connecting members of the tongs of the present invention are installed. [Figure 21] This is a side view of the connecting portion as seen from the X direction, showing yet another embodiment when the two connecting members of the tongs of the present invention are installed to match the width of the arm. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but these embodiments are merely examples shown for convenience in explanation, and the present invention is not limited in any sense to these embodiments.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, in the tongs according to the present invention, a pair of opposing arms (1, 2) each have a front end (3, 4) which is a gripping portion and an unconnected end (5, 6) on the rear end, and a pair of connecting members (7a, 7a) are rotatably connected by a pivot pin (8a). Note that when the pair of connecting members are not the same shape, as shown in Figure 3, they may be represented as connecting members (7a', 7a').

[0019] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in another embodiment of the tongs of the present invention, a connecting member (7b) provided on only one arm is rotatably connected to the inside of the other arm by a pivot pin (8b).

[0020] A grip portion (9) is provided as needed on the outer surfaces of the two arms (1,2), including the intersection point (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "foot" of the perpendicular) between the perpendicular line drawn from the pivot pin (8a,8b) to the two arms (1,2) and the front and rear extensions of the intersection point in the longitudinal direction of the two arms (1,2), and on the outer surfaces of the two arms (1,2), with the pivot pin (8a,8b) serving as the fulcrum (A) when the tongs are opened and closed.

[0021] In other words, the attachment point for the connecting members (7a,7b) on the arms (1,2) is near the intersection of the perpendicular line drawn from the pivot pin (8a,8b), which acts as the fulcrum (A), to the arms (1,2), and the inner surface of the arms (1,2).

[0022] The mounting position of the aforementioned connecting members (7a, 7b) is from about halfway along the total length of the tongs' arms (1, 2) to the end portion (5, 6), when the total length of the tongs' arms (1, 2) is approximately 100 mm to 1000 mm. It is desirable to leave at least 15 mm of length from the end portion (5, 6) in order to open and close the gripping portion of the tongs. The end portion (5, 6) and its end portion referred to here are the rear end and rear end portions that lie on the extension of the arms when the arms are considered to be in a nearly straight shape. In other words, the shape of the end portion of the arms can be curved, but in such cases, it does not refer to the actual end portion of the curved arm, but rather to the point where the straight portion ends when the arm is considered to be in a straight shape.

[0023] Regarding the mounting position of the connecting members (7a, 7b), it is preferable that the length (L) from the end portion (5, 6) of the tongs arm and the pivot pin (8a, 8b) to the foot of the perpendicular line drawn down to the outer surface of the arms (1, 2) be in the range of 15 mm to 100 mm, more preferably in the range of 20 mm to 80 mm, and most preferably in the range of 30 mm to 50 mm. If the above length (L) is less than 15 mm, the length from the pivot point to the end portion is insufficient, making it difficult to open the arms with one hand. Also, if the above length (L) exceeds 100 mm, the length from the pivot point to the end portion is too long, which is inconvenient because it is not possible to increase the opening angle of the tip portions of the arms when the ends come into contact with each other.

[0024] In Figures 1 and 2, the position of the pivot pin (8a) at which the perpendiculars drawn from each of the two arms (1,2) intersect is equidistant from the two arms (1,2). However, in Figure 3, the position of the pivot pin (8a) is at different distances from the two arms (1,2), and in Figure 4, the pivot pin (8b) is located inside the body of one of the two arms (1,2).

[0025] Furthermore, the grip portion (9) provided on the outer surface or outer surface of the two arms (1,2) is the point of force application of the tongs of the present invention. When the two arms (1,2) are in a parallel position, they need to be separated by an appropriate distance (D) (see Figure 1b). This distance can be appropriately selected depending on the size, shape, or hardness of the object to be gripped with the tongs. However, since the outer surface or grip portion (9) of the arms is a part that is gripped and operated with one hand, it is preferably in the range of 20mm to 150mm, more preferably in the range of 30 to 80mm, and most preferably in the range of 40 to 60mm. If the distance is less than 20mm, opening and closing the tongs with one hand may feel a little difficult, while if it exceeds 150mm, it is close to the limit of the width that can be gripped with one hand, and there are disadvantages such as the hand getting tired easily when opening and closing the tongs.

[0026] In the tongs of the present invention, the length (L) from the end portion (5,6) of the arm and the pivot pin (8a,8b) to the foot of the perpendicular drawn down from the outer surface of the arm (1,2), and the distance (D) between the two arms when the two arms (1,2) are in a parallel state, must be within the ranges described above. Furthermore, the ratio of the length (L) to the distance (D) (L / D) must be 1.00 or less, which is important in order to make the opening angle (Θ) between the arms larger, for example, larger than the maximum opening angle in conventional tongs (for example, 43 degrees), to 44 degrees or more, or even 50 degrees or more. By making the opening angle (Θ) between the arms larger in this way, the maximum opening width between the tips of the arms can be increased.

[0027] As an embodiment of the tongs of the present invention, the length (L), the distance (D), the L / D ratio, the maximum opening angle (Θ) of the two arms, and the maximum opening width of the tips of the two arms, measured when the length of the arms is kept constant (230 mm), are summarized in Tables 1 to 4.

[0028] [Table 1]

[0029] [Table 2]

[0030] [Table 3]

[0031] [Table 4]

[0032] Furthermore, as Comparative Examples 1 and 2, data were measured for the maximum opening angle (Θ) of the two arms and the maximum opening width of the tips of the two arms in a conventional pair of tongs when the arm length was kept constant (230 mm). Similarly, as Comparative Examples 3 to 6, the distance (L) from the end of the tongs' arms to the foot of the perpendicular line passing through the pivot point was outside the range of 15 mm to 100 mm. Additionally, as Comparative Examples 7 to 10, the same measurement results were shown for cases where the distance (D) between the outer surfaces of both arms of the tongs was outside the range of 20 mm to 150 mm. These results are summarized in Table 5.

[0033] [Table 5]

[0034] In the tongs of the present invention shown in Figure 5, a compression coil spring (10) is inserted between the opposing inner surfaces of the two arms (1,2) on the end portion (5,6) side of the pivot point (A) provided by the pivot pin (8), so that the tip portions (3,4), which are the gripping portions, are always closed when the tongs are not in use. In this case, as shown in Figure 13, the ends of the coil spring are fitted and fixed into the C-shaped grooves formed on the end portions (5,6) of the arms.

[0035] In Figure 6, unlike the configuration in Figure 5, a compression coil spring (11) is inserted between the opposing inner surfaces of the two arms (1,2) at the tip (3,4) side of the pivot point (A), so that the tip (3,4), which is the gripping part, is always open when the tongs are not in use.

[0036] Conventional tongs utilize the principle of leverage. For example, if we consider the point of application (C), the fulcrum (A), and the point of force application (B), the gripping part at the tip of the arm is the point of application (C), the fulcrum (A), such as a leaf spring that acts as a connecting part, is at the end, and the point of force application (B), where the arm is gripped by hand, is between them. This is the so-called third type of lever principle. However, the tongs of the present invention are different in that they also utilize the so-called first type of lever principle, where the fulcrum (A) is between the point of application (C) and the point of force application (B). The tongs are characterized by their ability to be used by appropriately switching the positions of the points of force application (B1, B2) on the gripping parts located on the outer surfaces of the two arms (1, 2) so that they are positioned before or after the fulcrum (A).

[0037] In Figure 5, the tip (3,4) is always closed due to biasing by the compression coil spring (10). However, when opening the tip (3,4), which is the gripping part for holding objects, the thenar eminence of one hand is also used on the point of force application (B2), which is the end of the grip arm, and a gripping force said to be about seven times that of the pinch force is applied to open the tip. Conversely, when gripping an object, the biasing force of the compression coil spring is also added, so it is possible to grip with only a small gripping force applied to the point of force application (B1), which is the end of the grip arm. With this configuration, the arm tips (3,4) are always closed when not in use, so a locking function for when not in use is not necessary.

[0038] Furthermore, in Figure 6, the configuration is the opposite of that in Figure 5, so the compression coil spring (11) biases the tip to open, and although it has a similar form to commonly known tongs, the present invention is characterized in that, by using the end of the gripping arm as the point of force (B2), it is possible to open the tip (3,4) to an even greater maximum than the initial opening angle. When you want to grip something, applying gripping force to the point of force (B1), which is the end of the gripping arm, will close the tip (3,4).

[0039] The elastic members are not limited to compression coil springs (10,11), but tension coil springs (15,16) can also be used, in which case the positions of the elastic members in Figures 5 and 6 are reversed. That is, in Figure 7, the tension coil spring (15) is inserted between the opposing inner surfaces of the two arms (1,2) on the tip (3,4) side from the fulcrum (A), as in Figure 6, so that the tip (3,4) is always closed, and when in use, the point of force (B2) is grasped to open the tip (3,4).

[0040] Furthermore, Figure 8 shows that, similar to Figure 5, a tension coil spring (16) is interposed between the opposing inner surfaces of the two arms (1,2) on the end portion (5,6) side from the fulcrum (A), so that the tip portions (3,4) are always open, and when in use, the force point (B1) is grasped and the tip portions (3,4) are closed.

[0041] The elastic members (10, 11, 15, 16) utilize the C-grooves in the structure of the two arms (1, 2) (see Figure 13), fitting both ends of the springs into these grooves and holding them in place.

[0042] Figure 9 shows an example of biasing using a tension spring with a ring (17). Although it is the same configuration as in Figure 8, in the case of the tension spring with a ring (17), it is attached using hooks (18) attached to the two arms (1,2). Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of this configuration. Depending on the end shape of the elastic member, there is also a configuration in which holes are drilled in the arms for attachment, but the diagram of that configuration is omitted.

[0043] As described above, it is preferable to fix both ends of an elastic member such as a spring in a way that allows for detachable attachment by insertion, fitting, or hooking. Alternatively, both ends of the spring can be completely fixed by adhesive or other means. However, if it is necessary to selectively bias the tip of the arm in either the opening or closing direction depending on the purpose, complete fixing is not preferable.

[0044] Figure 11 shows a configuration in which the connecting members (7,7) of the two arms (1,2) are connected by a torsion coil spring (12) that passes through a connecting pivot pin (8), with the ends of the springs fixed to fixing insertion openings (14) provided in the connecting members (7,7), and the tips (3,4) are biased to close.

[0045] Figure 12 is similar to Figure 11, but the torsion coil spring (13) is configured in a way that its ends are swapped by 180 degrees, causing the tip portions (3,4) to be biased to open.

[0046] Furthermore, the tongs of the present invention can also be used in various ways, such as when trying to pick up two different types of objects with a single pair of tongs. For example, one can use the tip (3,4) to pick up one object, while the tip (3,4) and end (5,6) can be reversed, with the end (5,6) used as the gripping part to pick up the other object.

[0047] Furthermore, it is preferable that each of the elastic members (10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17) of the tongs of the present invention can be easily attached and detached and replaced, and that the strength can be adjusted as needed. In addition, the elastic members are not limited to metal coil springs, spiral springs, or leaf springs, but may also be rubber springs made of elastic materials such as rubber, or air springs or liquid springs that utilize fluid.

[0048] Furthermore, the tongs of this invention can be gripped and used with one hand, making them usable by a wide range of people, from children to adults, regardless of age or gender. They can also be used for various purposes depending on the everyday situation in which objects are gripped, such as picking up small parts or plants, serving food, cooking meat or barbecue, picking up charcoal, or picking up trash. It is desirable to select an appropriate material depending on the intended use of the tongs, and a wide range of materials can be used, including metals such as stainless steel, iron, titanium, copper or aluminum, plastic resin, or wood or bamboo.

[0049] The gripping tips (3,4) can be made of metal, heat-resistant, or flexible materials depending on the intended use of the tongs. Their shape should also be appropriately modified in terms of width, length, area, angle, and curvature depending on the size, shape, hardness, and softness of the object being gripped.

[0050] Furthermore, by providing the upright portion (19) shown in Figure 15 at the end of the tongs of the present invention, the tongs can be held and stored in an upright position with the gripping arm tip facing upwards before and after use, resulting in a form that is superior in terms of hygiene and storage.

[0051] In the tongs of the present invention, the shape of the connecting member (7) can be changed in various ways. Figure 16 shows an example of a shape that is asymmetrical with respect to the perpendicular line to the arm passing through the pivot pin (8).

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 17, multiple holes for passing a pivot pin (8a) can be provided in a single connecting member (7a, 7a'). The multiple holes can be arranged in a regular pattern in one or more rows along the longitudinal direction of the arm or perpendicular to the arm, or they can be arranged in a curved or random pattern. In this case, by changing the combination of holes for passing the pivot pin (8a) in each connecting member (7a, 7a'), it becomes possible to appropriately change the length (L) from the end portion (5,6) of the arm and the pivot pin (8a) to the foot of the perpendicular line drawn down to the outer surface of the arms (1,2), and the distance (D) between the two arms when the two arms (1,2) are in a parallel state.

[0053] Furthermore, in the tongs of the present invention, the number or quantity of connecting members (7) can be multiple. Figures 18 to 21 show examples of such embodiments. By using two or more connecting members instead of a single pair or single piece, the rigidity of the arms is increased when force is applied to the arms when using the tongs, eliminating twisting between the two arms, and enabling a secure and stable grip when gripping an object with the tip of the arms.

[0054] The connecting member (7) can be made of wood, bamboo, plastic, or metal. Among these, metal is preferred because it has excellent durability and heat resistance, as well as high rigidity. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1, 2 arms 3, 4 Tip 5, 6 End portion 7, 7a, 7a' Connecting members 8, 8a, 8b pivot pins 9. Grip 10, 11 Compression coil spring 12, 13 Torsion coil springs 14. Insertion slot for fixing 15, 16 Tension coil spring 17. Tension coil spring with ring 18. Hook part 19 Standing section A fulcrum B1 Point of force for the tip to close B2 Point of force for the tip to open C Point of action D. Distance (spacing) between the outer surfaces of both arms of the tongs. L: Distance from the end of the tong arm to the foot of the perpendicular line passing through the pivot point. S Tongs Maximum opening width at the tips of both arms Θ Maximum opening angle of both arms of the tongs GG Figure 9 Cross-sectional position FF Figure 11 Cross-sectional position X Observation direction of the side of the tongs

Claims

1. Two arms (1, 2) having a clamping tip (3, 4) and an opposite end (5, 6), (a) at least one pair of connecting members (7a, 7a') provided on the opposing end (5, 6) of each of the arms (1, 2) are rotatably connected by a pivot pin (8a), or (b) at least one connecting member (7b) provided on the end of one of the arms is rotatably connected to the opposing part of the other arm by a pivot pin (8b), The outer surface of the arm (1, 2) is the point of force application, the pivot pin (8a, 8b) is the fulcrum, and the tip (3, 4) is the point of application of force. A pair of tongs characterized in that, when the two arms (1, 2) are parallel to each other, the outer surfaces of the two arms (1, 2) are spaced apart, with a distance (D) between them in the range of 20 mm to 150 mm, and the length (L) from the end portions (5, 6) and the pivot pins (8a, 8b) to the foot of the perpendicular line drawn down from the outer surfaces of the arms (1, 2) is in the range of 15 mm to 100 mm, and the tip portions (3, 4) can be opened and closed by changing the position of the point of force application so that it is in front of or behind the fulcrum.

2. The tongs according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length (L) to the interval (D) is 1.00 or less.

3. The tongs according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the interval (D) is in the range of 30 mm to 80 mm.

4. The tongs according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the length (L) is in the range of 20 mm to 80 mm.

5. The tongs according to claim 1, wherein the internal angle (Θ) formed between the arms (1, 2) when the tip portions (3, 4) of the arms (1, 2) are opened can be set to 44 degrees or more.

6. The tongs according to claim 1, wherein the pivot pin (8a) is located equidistant from the two arms (1, 2) in (a) above.

7. The tongs according to claim 1, wherein the connecting members (7) are provided in two or more pairs in (a) or in two or more pairs in (b).

8. The tongs according to claim 1 or claim 7, wherein the connecting members (7a, 7a') have a plurality of holes through which the pivot pin (8a) passes, and the length (L) and the spacing (D) are made variable by changing the combination of the holes through which the pivot pin (8a) passes.

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