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Food grating device and improved hinge mechanismRelated Patent Categories: Miscellaneous Hardware, Hinge, Including Means To Hold Or Retard Hinged Members Against Pivotal Movement (e.g., Catch), Resiliently Biased Catch, Plural Alternately Useable DetentsFood grating device and improved hinge mechanism description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070186383, Food grating device and improved hinge mechanism. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE [0001] This invention is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/424,694 filed on Jun. 16, 2006, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/691,369 filed on Jun. 17, 2005. These prior applications are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to an apparatus for grating food products as well as a hinge mechanism to connect arms of an apparatus in multiple fixed positions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] An apparatus for grating food products, such as cheese, is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a pair of arms that are fixable in different positions to enable the apparatus to be easily used in different manners, and to be easily collapsed into a storage position. An improved hinge mechanism that may be used in connection with other devices is also disclosed. The details of this invention are set forth below in connection with the detailed description of the embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0004] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary cheese grater in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, with the handle in a first, closed position. [0005] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the cheese grater of FIG. 1, with the handle in a second position. [0006] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the cheese grater of FIG. 1, with then handle in a third position. [0007] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cheese grate of FIG. 1, with portions of the housing removed to show the hinge mechanism, and with the handle in the first closed position and the hinge mechanism in the locked position. [0008] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view similar to FIG. 4, with the hinge mechanism moved to the rotating position. [0009] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the cheese grater along the lines 6-6 in FIG. 2. [0010] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention along the lines 7-7 in FIG. 3. [0011] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the second cap along lines 8-8 in FIG. 1. [0012] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the first end cap along lines 9-9 in FIG. 1. [0013] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the engagement wall along lines 10-10 in FIG. 5 with the first cap removed. [0014] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the engagement wall similar to FIG. 10, but with the first cap attached. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIGS. 1-7 depict an exemplary food grater 12 having a main body member 14 and handle member 16 connected by means of hinge assembly 10. In the embodiment depicted, main body member 14 has a food grating surface 18 attached thereto. Handle member 16 comprises gripping portion 20, neck portion 15 and rotating drum 50. Indented area 22 is formed on gripping portion 20 for ease of handling, as the user may place a thumb there when holding the gripping portion 20. [0016] Grater 12 has at least three different positions, which are achieved by the rotation of handle member 16 through the hinge mechanism 10 to be described below. The first, or closed, position is depicted in FIG. 1, where handle member 16 is adjacent the back surface of grating surface 18. This permits grater 12 to be stored without taking up a significant amount of space. The second position is shown in FIG. 2, where handle member 16 is at a sufficient angle to main body member 14 to permit grater 12 to stand on its own on a table, plate or other surface. The user can still hold grater 12 by holding the gripping portion 20 of handle member 16 in this configuration. The third position is shown in FIG. 3, where handle member 16 is extended parallel to main body member 14 and grating surface 18; this configuration is particularly helpful if the user wishes to grate the food product into a larger bowl or other area. [0017] It will be appreciated by those in the art that the figures depict an exemplary embodiment rather than a limiting one. For example, this apparatus is described as a food grater but other applications are possible. Grating surface 18 may also be removably attached to permit different grating or slicing surfaces to be used with the apparatus, and handle member 16 may comprise different shapes than gripping portion 20. Moreover, hinge assembly 10 has many applications and is not limited to applications such as food grater 12, nor is it limited to use with food-related utensils, as there are industrial applications for such assemblies. [0018] Curved portion 25, having a first end 26 and a second end 28, is formed at one end of main body member 14. Cavity 36 is formed within curved portion 25. Caps 31 and 32 are removably secured to curved portion 25 proximate to first end 26 and second end 28, respectively. Cap 31 comprises circular element 91, while cap 32 comprises circular element 92. [0019] Groove 35 is formed between first end 26 and cap 31 on the one side, and second end 28 and cap 32 on the other side. Groove 35 is sized to accommodate neck portion 15 to permit handle member 16 to move between the first, second and third positions as described herein. Continue reading about Food grating device and improved hinge mechanism... Full patent description for Food grating device and improved hinge mechanism Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Food grating device and improved hinge mechanism patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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