US 6,591,739 B2 · Temperature sensing utensil with detachable heads

Abstract

A temperature sensing utensil including a handle and a plurality of modular, detachable utensil heads. The handle includes an engagement region, having an engagement member moveable between locking and release orientations, a temperature indicating display assembly and a voice synthesizer to convert a temperature signal into audible output. The detachable heads may be selected from a fork head, a spatula head and a probe with a flexible extension member. Each of the detachable heads includes a receiving region having a receiving member and temperature sensing circuitry, as well as a food piercing member for sensing the temperature of food at an internal location thereof. The receiving region releasably receives the engagement region such that positioning of the engagement member in a locking orientation relative to the receiving member locks the detachable head onto the handle, while creating an electrical connection between the temperature sensing circuitry and the temperature indicating display circuitry and voice synthesizer.

Claims33

Dependent claims

A utensil for sensing the temperature of food comprising:

a handle including an engagement region and a temperature indicating display assembly,
said engagement region having at least one engagement member operably moveable between locking and release orientations;
and
a plurality of modular, interchangeable heads which are both attachable to and detachable from the handle, each of said heads including a receiving region and a temperature sensing assembly, said temperature sensing assembly being operably and electrically attachable to said temperature indicating display assembly associated with said handle,
said receiving region having at least one receiving member for releasably receiving said engagement member, whereby positioning of said engagement member in a locking orientation relative to said receiving member secures a head selected from said plurality of modular, interchangeable heads to said handle, while maintaining an electrical connection circuit therebetween, and whereby moving said engagement member to a release orientation permits detachment of a selected head from said handle and simultaneous disconnection of said electrical circuit.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Temperature sensing utensil with detachable heads

Life of this patent

Temperature sensing utensil with detachable heads

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33