CROSS REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application 29/766,465, filed January 15, 2021, the contents of which are incorporate herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to knife handles generally, and more particularly to a knife handle having a grip guide.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Most home cooks do not have professional knife skills training. Because of this, it is often difficult to determine where to place one’s hand to support the ideal cutting position.

SUMMARY

[0004] The knife handle of the present disclosure comprises a unique construction that makes professional knife handling skills intuitive for the everyday home cook. The handle of the present disclosure helps users rest their hand to support an ideal cutting position. The unique ergonomic handle design allows for a guided grip for both pinch grip style cutting as well as full hand grip style cutting, creating the perfect form to allow for safety and optimal cutting.

[0005] In one embodiment, a knife handle of the present disclosure comprises a length defined along a longitudinal axis between a butt end and a bolster end, and a thickness defined along a lateral axis. The knife handle further comprises an upper surface and a lower surface each defined along the longitudinal axis, and a first grip surface and a second grip surface each defined along the lateral axis between the upper surface and the lower surface. A grip guide is formed in the first and second grip surfaces and extends from a ledge surface and along a grip guide surface that terminates at the bolster end. In one embodiment, the grip guide surface is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and the grip guide further comprises a grip guide thickness defined along the lateral axis between the grip guide surfaces, and wherein the grip guide thickness is substantially consistent between the ledge surface and the bolster end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. l is a left side perspective view of one embodiment of a knife handle of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a right side perspective view thereof.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a bottom elevation view thereof.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view thereof, the right side elevation view being a mirror image thereof.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a top elevation view thereof.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a tip edge view thereof.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a butt edge view thereof.

[0013] FIG. 8 is a left side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a knife handle of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 9 is a right side perspective view thereof.

[0015] FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation view thereof.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a left side elevation view thereof, the right side elevation view being a mirror image thereof.

[0017] FIG. 12 is a left side perspective view of an alternative one embodiment of a knife handle of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view thereof.

[0019] FIG. 14 is a bottom elevation view thereof.

[0020] FIG. 15 is a left side elevation view thereof, the right side elevation view being a mirror image thereof.

[0021] FIG. 16 is a bottom elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a knife handle of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 17 is a left side elevation view thereof, the right side elevation view being a mirror image thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0024] This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts. [0025] FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view, FIG. 2 is a right side perspective view, FIG. 3 is a bottom elevation view, FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view, FIG. 5 is a top elevation view, FIG. 6 is a tip edge view and FIG. 7 is a butt edge view of a first embodiment of a knife handle 100 for use on a knife 50 having a blade 60, a blade tip 62, a blade edge 64, a bolster 66, a spine 67 and a tang 68. The size, shape, appearance and overall construction of the knife and blades of the various embodiment described herein are meant to be non-limiting as the knife handle of the present disclosure may be used in connection with any knife blade of any size, shape or configuration.

[0026] The knife handle 100 further comprises a longitudinal axis 110 (FIG. 3) defined between a butt end 112 and a bolster end 114 that defines a length 116 (FIG. 4) of the knife handle 100, and a lateral axis 120 (FIG. 3) defining a thickness 122 of the knife handle 100. The knife handle 100 further comprises an upper surface 130 and a lower surface 140 each defined along the longitudinal axis 110, the apex 132 of the upper surface defined by the spine 67 of the blade 60, and the lower surface 140 defined by the tang 68 of the blade 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the spine 67 and tang 68 of the blade 60 are evident from a visual inspection of the knife handle 60. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the spine 67 and tang 68 of the blade 60 may be hidden from view.

[0027] The knife handle 100 further comprises a first grip surface 150 and a second grip surface 160 each defined along the lateral axis 120 between the upper surface 130 and the lower surface 140. A grip guide 170 is formed in the first and second grip surfaces 150, 160 and extends from a ledge surface 172 and along a grip guide surface 174 that terminates at the bolster end 114. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the grip guide surface 174 is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 110 of the knife handle 100 such that a grip guide thickness 176 (FIG. 3) is defined along the lateral axis 120 between the grip guide surface 174 on the first and second grip surfaces 150, 160, the grip guide thickness 176 being generally less than the thickness 122 of the knife handle along other than the grip guide 170. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the grip guide thickness 176 is substantially consistent between the ledge surface 172 and the bolster end 114 other than where the ledge surfaces taper toward the bolster end. While a tapered end is illustrated, it will be appreciated that the grip guide surfaces may terminate in other than a tapered end, such as a rounded end or a sharp edge. Other configurations are contemplated.

[0028] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the grip surface defined by the first and second grip surfaces 150, 160 is substantially circular in cross-section as shown in FIG. 7 to provide a comfortable grip for a user’s fingers wrapping around the grip surface, while the grip guide 170 is substantially rectangular in cross-section as shown in FIG. 6 to provide a flattened support surface that resists rotation in the user’s hands during use of the knife and allows for pinch grip style cutting. The grip guide 170 provides a stabilizing surface for a user’s thumb and forefinger in a pinch grip style that is supported by the ledge surface 172 defined at the transition between the grip surface 150, 160 and the grip guide surface 174.

[0029] The positioning of the ledge surface 172 and the length of the grip guide 170 may vary depending on the type and use of the knife 50. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the grip guide 170 being located primarily near the bolster end 114 is beneficial if the knife is a paring knife having a blade that is typically short, slim, evenly- sized and lightweight for easy handling during delicate work. The location of the ledge surface 172 adjacent the bolster 64 allows for intricate pinch grip style manipulating as a user typically holds a paring knife close to the blade.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a left side perspective view, FIG. 9 is a right side perspective view, FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation view and FIG. 11 is a left side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a knife handle 200 comprising a first grip surface 250, a second grip surface 260, a grip guide 270 formed in the first and second grip surfaces 250, 260 and extending from a ledge surface 272 and along a grip guide surface 274 that terminates at the bolster end 214 of the handle 200. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-11, the grip guide 270 extends along a majority of the length of the knife handle 200 from the butt end 212 to the bolster end 214 such that grip guide 270 provides support for a user’s entire hand. This knife handle embodiment is particularly useful with a bread knife having a long, evenly sized blade with a sharp serrated edge that is manipulated in a sawlike motion. The rectangular cross-section defined along the grip guide resists rotation along the entirety of the user’s hand and allows for full hand style cutting.

[0031] FIG. 12 is a left side perspective view, FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view, FIG. 14 is a bottom elevation view and FIG. 15 is a left side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a knife handle 300 comprising a first grip surface 350, a second grip surface 360, a grip guide 370 formed in the first and second grip surfaces 350, 360 and extending from a ledge surface 372 and along a grip guide surface 374 that terminates at a bolster end 314 of the handle 300. In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-15, the grip guide 370 extends approximately halfway along the length of the knife handle 300 from the butt end 312 to the bolster end 314 such that grip guide 370 provides support for approximately half of a user’s hand. This knife handle embodiment is particularly useful with a chef knife or a carving knife having a long, broad blade.

[0032] In the knife handle embodiments of FIGS. 1-15, the first and second grip surfaces as well as the grip guide surfaces are generally parallel as shown in FIGS 3, 10 and 14 for example. However, while such a configuration might be preferable under certain conditions, other configurations are contemplated. FIG. 16 is a bottom elevation and FIG. 17 is a left side elevation of an alternate embodiment of a knife handle 400 comprising a first grip surface 450, a second grip surface 460, a grip guide 470 formed in the first and second grip surfaces 450, 460 and extending from a ledge surface 472 and along a grip guide surface 474 that terminates at a bolster end 414 of the handle 400. In the embodiment of FIGS. 16 and 17, the grip guide surfaces 474 are parallel while the first and second grip surfaces are not parallel and taper slightly toward the bolster end for a different ergonomic feel.

[0033] While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.