Gravity lockable tongs
First Claim
1. Gravity lockable tongs for grasping items comprising:
- a first arm and a second arm each comprising a hinge end and a grasping end;
hinge means for pivotably connecting said first and second arms together at the respective hinge ends, so that the arms can pivot between an open position and closed position;
spring means cooperating with the first arm and the second arm for biasing the arms in an open position;
gravity locking means comprising a captured pin means attached to the first arm and an aperture means attached to the second arm whereby the captured pin means comprises;
a pin means slideable under the force of gravity, the pin means aligned substantially parallel with the first arm;
and a containment means for allowing limited sliding motion of the pin means;
and the aperture means comprises an engagement area where the slideable pin means may cause the gravity locking means to be engagedwhereby the gravity locking means is disengageable when oriented such that gravity causes the gravity locking means to remain disengaged, and engageable when oriented such that gravity causes the gravity locking means to become engaged.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A set of locking tongs comprising a first arm and a second arm each comprising a hinge end and a grasping end. Hinge members are provided for pivotably connecting the first and second arms together at the hinge ends, so that the arms can pivot between an open position and closed position. Spring members are included for biasing the arms in an open position. The locking member comprises a captured pin attached to the first arm and an aperture member attached to the second arm. The captured pin has a pin that moves under the effects of gravity within a contained range of motion, limited by a bracket. The second arm has an aperture located on a surface. When the tongs are held in an attitude such that gravity can act upon the pin, the pin will engage the aperture and prevent the tongs from opening. The outward force applied by the spring acts to retain the pin in its locked position through frictional forces thus resisting opening. When the arms are depressed thereby relieving the force felt by the sides of the pin against the aperture, and oriented such that the pin can move under the affect gravity, the lock may be disengaged.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. Gravity lockable tongs for grasping items comprising:
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a first arm and a second arm each comprising a hinge end and a grasping end; hinge means for pivotably connecting said first and second arms together at the respective hinge ends, so that the arms can pivot between an open position and closed position; spring means cooperating with the first arm and the second arm for biasing the arms in an open position; gravity locking means comprising a captured pin means attached to the first arm and an aperture means attached to the second arm whereby the captured pin means comprises; a pin means slideable under the force of gravity, the pin means aligned substantially parallel with the first arm; and a containment means for allowing limited sliding motion of the pin means; and the aperture means comprises an engagement area where the slideable pin means may cause the gravity locking means to be engaged whereby the gravity locking means is disengageable when oriented such that gravity causes the gravity locking means to remain disengaged, and engageable when oriented such that gravity causes the gravity locking means to become engaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification