United States Patent (19)
`Vanderputt
`
`54) BEVELED EDGE FORK
`
`76 Inventor: Maurice Vanderputt, 1, 136 - 15 Ave.
`
`SE., Calgary AB, Canada, T2G 1G2
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`21 Appl. No.: 09/130,903
`1-1.
`22 Filed:
`Aug. 6, 1998
`Related U.S. Application Data
`63 Continuation-in-part of application No. 08/935,288, Sep. 22,
`1997, abandoned.
`7
`51) Int. Cl.' ...................................................... A47J 43/28
`52)
`30/322:30/147; 30/148
`58 Field of Search .............................. 30/322, 324, 142,
`30/147–50; D7/122
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Re. 9,687 5/1881 Cox.
`D. 27.820 11/1897 Birtcherd.
`D. 31,575 10/1899 Phillips et al..
`
`
`
`USOO6119351A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,119,351
`Sep.19, 2000
`
`D. 93,956 11/1934 Wilson .................................. 30/322 X
`D. 94,390 1/1935 Phillips ...
`... 30/148 X
`
`D. 199,630 11/1964 Dedic - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30/150 X
`
`1294,031 2/1919 Bigelow.
`1,353,090 9/1920 de Teixeira.
`1,699,248
`1/1929 Pasal ......................................... 30/148
`2,473.288 6/1949 McNeill ..
`... 30/147
`4,535,538 8/1985 Nelson ........
`... 30/147
`4,771,541 9/1988 Bouchakian .............................. 30/148
`Primary Examiner M. Rachuba
`Assistant Examiner T. Anthony Vaughn
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm Sean W. Goodwin
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A beveled edge fork provides a handle and a head portion.
`Apreferred version of the head provides four tines extending
`from a base of the head portion, which are strengthened by
`center, left and right reinforcements. A concave upper
`Surface, enclosed by a U-shaped upper convex perimeter
`Surface mates with a lower beveled edge on a lower convex
`Surface, forming left and right cutting edges, allowing a user
`to cut food with the side of the fork.
`
`2 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Ex. 1007, Page 1
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Sep.19, 2000
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`6,119,351
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`
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`Ex. 1007, Page 2
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.19, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
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`6,119,351
`
`
`
`Ex. 1007, Page 3
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.19, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
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`6,119,351
`
`- 22
`
`Ex. 1007, Page 4
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.19, 2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
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`6,119,351
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`
`
`Ex. 1007, Page 5
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
`
`

`

`1
`BEVELED EDGE FORK
`
`6,119,351
`
`CROSS-REFERENCES
`The present application is a continuation in part of an
`application having Ser. No. 08/935,288, filed Sep. 22, 1997,
`now abandoned.
`
`5
`
`BACKGROUND
`Several examples of a combined knife and fork have been
`known in the prior art U.S. Pat. No. 9,687 reissued May 3,
`1881 to A. W. Cox discloses a Combined Knife and Fork
`providing a head portion having a flat upper Surface and a
`convex lower lower Surface. The Surfaces interSect to define
`a sharp edge on the two outer tines. To increase the rigidity
`of the Outer tines, which are stressed due to their use as a
`cutting blade, the bifurcations or slots between the outer
`tines and inner tines is less than the depth of the central
`bifurcation between the inner tines.
`U.S. Pat. No. 1,294,031, issued Feb. 11, 1919 to Henry J.
`Bigelow, discloses a fork having a single Outer tine having
`a sharpened or Serrated edge
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,541, issued Sep. 20, 1988, discloses
`a combination fork and knife having a Serrated edge, a tab
`Structure which allows a user to conveniently apply more
`pressure to the blade. The slot between the outer tine and the
`tine adjacent to it is not as deep, providing additional
`Strength to the cutting edge.
`In view of the above disclosures, there is still a need for
`an improved combined knife and fork having a more rigid
`cutting edge, reinforced tines and Superior food handling
`abilities resulting from a fork head having an upper concave
`Surface which also tends to result in a convenient cutting
`edge.
`
`SUMMARY
`The present invention is directed to an apparatus that
`Satisfies the above needs. A novel beveled edge fork is
`disclosed that provides a structure having more rigid outer
`tines and therefore more rigid cutting edge and generally
`Superior food-handling abilities.
`The beveled edge fork of the present invention provides
`Some or all of the following structural elements.
`(A) A handle, sized and shaped in a conventional manner,
`for manual operation. A curved transition portion of the
`handle Supports a head portion of the fork.
`(B) A fork head portion, having an upper Surface and a
`lower Surface, the fork head portion additionally pro
`Viding:
`(a) A base, carried by the curved transition portion of
`handle.
`(b) Left and right outer tines, carried by the base.
`(c) Left and right inner tines, carried by the base.
`(d) A center reinforcement, carried between the left and
`right inner tines, wherein the center reinforcement,
`the left and right inner tines and the base define a
`center slot.
`(e) Left and right side reinforcements, carried between
`the left outer tine and left inner tine and between the
`right outer tine and right inner tine, respectively,
`wherein the left and right inner and Outer tines and
`base define left and right Side slots.
`(f) An upper concave Surface, covering a middle por
`tion of the upper Surface of the fork head portion.
`(g) An upper convex perimeter Surface, adjacent to and
`Surrounding the upper concave Surface. Left and
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`2
`right Side portions of the upper convex perimeter
`Surface define left and right upper beveled edges.
`(h) A lower convex Surface, opposed to the upper
`concave Surface, defining left and right lower bev
`eled edges about its perimeter.
`(i) Left and right curved cutting edges, defined at the
`interSection of the left and right upper and lower
`beveled edges, respectively.
`It is therefore a primary advantage of the present inven
`tion to provide a novel beveled edge fork having reinforce
`ments between adjacent inner and Outer tines, and between
`adjacent inner tines, thereby providing a more rigid Support
`for the cutting edges defined at the interSection of the upper
`and lower beveled edges on the Outer tines.
`Another advantage of the present invention is to provide
`a beveled edge fork having an upper concave Surface which
`allows better food-handling ability.
`A Still further advantage of the present invention is to
`provide an upper perimeter conveX Surface, adjacent to and
`Surrounding the upper concave Surface, which forms a
`cutting edge with the beveled edge of the lower Surface.
`DRAWINGS
`These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
`present invention will become better understood with regard
`to the following description, appended claims, and accom
`panying drawings where:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a version of the beveled
`edge fork of the invention.
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the head of the
`beveled edge fork of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a top orthographic view of the fork of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fork of FIG. 3,
`taken along the 4-4 lines.
`FIG. 5 is a side orthographic view of the fork of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 6 is a bottom orthographic view of the fork of FIG.
`1.
`
`DESCRIPTION
`OVERVIEW. Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6,
`a beveled edge fork 10 constructed in accordance with the
`principles of the invention is seen. The beveled edge fork
`provides a handle 20 and a head portion 40. A preferred
`version of the head provides four tines extending from a base
`of the head portion which are Strengthened by center, left
`and right reinforcements. A concave upper Surface 54,
`enclosed by a U-shaped upper convex perimeter Surface 55
`mates with a lower beveled edge on a lower conveX Surface,
`forming left and right cutting edges, allowing a user to cut
`food with the side of the fork.
`SLOTS. The center reinforcement 47, base 41 and left and
`right inner tines 42, 43 define a center slot 50 within the
`upper concave Surface 54. Similarly, the left and right inner
`tines 42, 43, left and right outer tines 44, 45, base 41 and left
`and right side reinforcements 48, 49 define left and right side
`slots 51, 52. In a preferred version of the invention, the left
`and right slots are shorter than the center Slot.
`UPPER SURFACE. Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the
`upper surface 53 of the head 40 of the fork 10 includes an
`upper concave Surface 54 partially enclosed within a gen
`erally U-shaped upper convex perimeter Surface 55.
`The upper concave Surface 54 defines a Somewhat Spoon
`like region within a middle portion of the head 40 of the
`fork. This Spoon-like region is usable to Support food which
`is difficult to Spear with the tines, Such as peas or similar
`Small objects.
`
`Ex. 1007, Page 6
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
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`

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`3
`The upper convex perimeter surface 55 includes left and
`right upper beveled edges 56 which are adjacent to the lower
`beveled edge 60. The line separating the upper beveled
`edges 56 and lower beveled edges 60, defines left and right
`curved cutting edges 57. The curved cutting edge 57 allows
`the user to easily cut through many Softer foods.
`LOWER SURFACE. As seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a lower
`surface 58 includes a lower convex surface 59 having a
`perimeter defining a lower beveled edge 60.
`USE. In use, the beveled edge fork 10 may be used as an
`ordinary fork to Spear food. However, it can also be used in
`a manner Similar to a knife in Some instances, in which Some
`foods can be cut by the curved cutting edge 57 which is
`defined by the intersection of the upper beveled edge 56 and
`the lower beveled edge 60. Additionally, the upper concave
`Surface 54 can be used to carry and Support food in a
`Spoon-like manner.
`ADVANTAGES. The previously described versions of
`the present invention have many advantages, including a
`primary advantage of providing a novel beveled edge fork
`having reinforcements between adjacent inner and outer
`tines, and between adjacent inner tines, thereby providing a
`more rigid Support for the cutting edges defined at the
`interSection of the upper and lower beveled edges on the
`outer tines.
`Another advantage of the present invention is to provide
`a beveled edge fork having an upper concave Surface which
`allows better food-handling ability.
`A Still further advantage of the present invention is to
`provide an upper perimeter conveX Surface, adjacent to and
`Surrounding the upper concave Surface, which forms a
`cutting edge with the beveled edge of the lower Surface.
`The invention resides not in any one of these features per
`Se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them
`herein disclosed and claimed, including particularly the
`upper Surface 53 comprising an upper concave Surface 54
`and a U-shaped upper convex perimeter Surface 55 com
`bined with center, left and right reinforcements. The inven
`tion is therefore distinguished from the prior art in this
`particular combination of all of its Structures for the func
`tions Specified.
`Although the present invention has been described in
`considerable detail and with reference to certain preferred
`versions, other versions are possible. For example, while a
`preferred version of the invention provides four tines, an
`alternate version could provide three tines, made more rigid
`by left and right reinforcements. Therefore, the spirit and
`Scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the
`description of the preferred versions disclosed.
`In compliance with the U.S. Patent Laws, the invention
`has been described in language more or leSS Specific as to
`methodical features. The invention is not, however, limited
`to the Specific features described, Since the means herein
`disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention
`into effect.
`The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or
`modifications within the proper Scope of the appended
`claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the
`doctrine of equivalents.
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`1.
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
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`1O
`2O
`40
`2O
`22
`24
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`beveled edge fork
`handle
`head
`handle
`body
`curved transition
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`60
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`65
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`6,119,351
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`15
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`4
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`-continued
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`7
`8
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`1O
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`3O
`31
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`26
`28
`3O
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`40
`41
`42
`43
`44
`45
`48
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`49
`50
`51
`52
`53
`54
`55
`surface
`58
`57
`58
`59
`60
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`rounded end
`upper surface
`beveled upper edge
`contoured lower surface
`edge surface
`head
`base
`left inner time
`right inner tine
`left outer time
`right outer tine
`tip of tine
`center reinforcement
`left side reinforcement
`right side reinforcement
`center slot
`left side slot
`right side slot
`upper surface
`upper concave surface
`upper convex perimeter
`
`upper beveled edge
`curved cutting edge
`lower surface
`lower convex surface
`lower beveled edge
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A beveled edge fork, comprising:
`(A) a handle, having a curved transition portion;
`(B) a fork head portion, having an upper Surface and a
`lower Surface, the fork head portion additionally pro
`Viding:
`(a) a base, carried by the curved transition portion of
`handle;
`(b) left and right outer tines, carried by the base;
`(c) left and right inner tines, carried by the base;
`(d) a center reinforcement, carried between the left and
`right inner tines, wherein the center reinforcement,
`the left and right inner tines and the base define a
`center slot;
`(e) left and right side reinforcements, carried between
`the left outer tine and left inner tine and between the
`right outer tine and right inner tine, respectively,
`wherein the left and right inner and Outer tines and
`base define left and right Side slots,
`(f) an upper concave Surface, covering a middle portion
`of the upper Surface of the fork head portion;
`(g) an upper convex perimeter Surface, adjacent to and
`Surrounding the upper concave Surface, wherein left
`and right Side portions of the upper convex perimeter
`Surface define left and right upper beveled edges,
`(h) a lower convex Surface, opposed to the upper
`concave Surface, defining left and right lower bev
`eled edges about its perimeter; and
`(i) left and right curved cutting edges, defined at the
`interSection of the left and right upper and lower
`beveled edges, respectively.
`2. The improved fork as described in claim 1 wherein the
`position of the left and right reinforcement member creates
`an effective length of the left and right outer tines which is
`longer than the effective length of the narrower inner left and
`right tines with respect to the position of the central rein
`forcement member and the left and right reinforcement
`members.
`
`Ex. 1007, Page 7
`Industrial Revolution Inc.
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