# US 10,499,771 B2 · Multi-function tongs

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- Number: US 10,499,771 B2
- Document ID: US10499771B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/013,866
- Filed: 2018-06-20
- Published: 2018-12-20
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2017-06-20
- Assignees: Kieran Bergin, Inc.
- Applicants: Kieran John Bergin
- Inventors: Kieran John Bergin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499771B2

## CPC

- A47J 43/283: {Tongs; Devices for picking, holding or rotating food}
- A47J 43/288: {Spatulas; Scrapers; Multi-purpose hand implements}
- A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES

## Abstract

Multi-function tongs are presented including: a pair of arms mechanically hinged along a proximal end; a pair of rotatable paddles each rotatably coupled with each of the pair of arms along a distal end; a pair of rotatable gears each rotatably coupled with each of the pair of rotatable paddles and with each of the pair of arms, where the pair of rotatable gears mesh when the multi-function tongs are in the closed position; and a pair of levers mechanically coupled with each of the pair of rotatable gears, the pair of levers extending outwardly from each of the pair of arms. In some embodiments, multi-function tongs further include: a tongs lock disposed along the proximal end to lock the multi-function tongs in a closed position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-function tongs comprising:
a pair of arms mechanically hinged along a proximal end;
a pair of rotatable paddles each rotatably coupled with each of the pair of arms along a distal end, wherein the pair of rotatable paddles are configured to rotatably affix to any of a position selected from the group consisting of: a tong position, a ladle position, and a spatula position;
a pair of rotatable gears each rotatably coupled with each of the pair of rotatable paddles and with each of the pair of arms, wherein the pair of rotatable gears mesh when the multi-function tongs are in the closed position; and
a pair of levers mechanically coupled with each of the pair of rotatable gears, the pair of levers extending outwardly from each of the pair of arms.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The multi-function tongs of claim 1, further comprising:
a tongs lock disposed along the proximal end to lock the multi-function tongs in a closed position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The multi-function tongs of claim 1, further comprising:
a tongs spring disposed along the proximal end to provide opening force to the pair of arms.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The multi-function tongs of claim 1, further comprising:
on each of the pair of rotatable gears a plurality of indents each corresponding with the position; and
a pair of pin stops that engage the plurality of indents for each of the pair of rotatable gears.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The multi-function tongs of claim 1, wherein the pair of rotatable paddles are slotted.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The multi-function tongs of claim 1, wherein the arms form a cavity in which the pair of levers are housed.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The multi-function tongs of claim 1, wherein the pair of rotatable gears are manufactured from a polymeric material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The multi-function tongs of claim 1, wherein the rotatable gears comprise:
a toothed portion along an outer edge of the rotatable gear; and
a smooth portion along the outer edge of the rotatable gear.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The multi-function tongs of claim 1, wherein the pair of rotatable paddles are lobed along one edge.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The multi-function tongs of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of arms further comprise a bend positioned between the proximal end and the rotatable gear.

### Claim 11

A method of utilizing multi-function tongs comprising:
providing a multi-function tongs, the multi-function tongs comprising:
a pair of arms mechanically hinged along a proximal end,
a pair of rotatable paddles each rotatably coupled with each of the pair of arms along a distal end,
a pair of rotatable gears each rotatably coupled with each of the pair of rotatable paddles and with each of the pair of arms, wherein the pair of rotatable gears mesh when the multi-function tongs are in the closed position, and
a pair of levers mechanically coupled with each of the pair of rotatable gears, the pair of levers extending outwardly from each of the pair of arms,
a tongs lock disposed along the proximal end to lock the multi-function tongs in a closed position, and
a tongs spring disposed along the proximal end to provide opening force to the pair of arms,
closing the multi-function tongs;
locking the multi-function tongs with the tongs lock; and
rotating the multi-function tongs to a ladle position.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising:
rotating the multi-function tongs to a spatula position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein further comprising:
rotating the multi-function tongs to a tongs position; and
unlocking the multi-function tongs.