US 12,402,738 B2
Tong with one-handed locking mechanism
Maurizio Mollano, Santa Barbara, CA (US)
Filed by Maurizio Mollano, Santa Barbara, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 5, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/627,880.
Application 18/627,880 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2022/076661, filed on Sep. 29, 2022.
Application PCT/US2022/076661 is a continuation of application No. 17/495,567, filed on Oct. 6, 2021, granted, now 11,974,682.
Prior Publication US 2024/0245242 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. A47G 21/10 (2006.01); A47J 43/28 (2006.01)
CPC A47G 21/10 (2013.01) [A47J 43/283 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tong, comprising:
a) a first arm having a first proximal end, a first distal end opposite the first proximal end, a first inner surface in between the first proximal end and the first distal end, and a first outer surface opposite the first inner surface and in between the first proximal end and the first distal end, wherein the first distal end comprises a first flexible tip;
b) a second arm having a second proximal end, a second distal end opposite the second proximal end, a second inner surface in between the second proximal end and the second distal end, and a second outer surface opposite the second inner surface and in between the second proximal end and the second distal end, wherein the second distal end comprises a second flexible tip, wherein the first proximal end and the second proximal end are connected by a hinge;
c) a latch mounted on the first inner surface of the first arm; and
d) a strike mounted on the second inner surface of the second arm, wherein the latch and strike are configured to connect to each other in a locked configuration when the first flexible tip is compressed against the second flexible tip, and wherein the latch and strike are configured to disconnect from each other from the locked configuration when the first arm is squeezed towards the second arm, wherein in the locked configuration, a flanged head of the strike abuts against a post of the latch with a clasp of the latch surrounding the flanged head inside a housing of the latch, wherein in the locked configuration, the first distal end touches the second distal end, wherein in the locked configuration the latch and the strike are entirely interior to the first outer surface and the second outer surface, wherein the latch and the strike are fixed along the first arm and second arm, respectively, wherein the first inner surface defines a first channel, and the second inner surface defines a second channel, wherein the latch resides in the first channel, and the strike resides in the second channel, wherein the clasp of the latch protrudes out from the first channel, and the flanged head of the strike protrudes out from the second channel.