Multifunctional Device for Household Purposes

Technical Field

The invention relates to a multifunctional device for household purposes, having a plurality of work plates for reducing vegetables and fruit into smaller pieces.

Background Art

Multifunctional devices for household purposes are known from CN 202960328 U or CN 202960239, among others. The latter comprises a kind of housing and a drawer, into which the material that is cut falls after the fruit or vegetables have been accordingly reduced into smaller pieces on a work plate, i.e. cut, grated or sliced. In addition, there are multifunctional devices having a plurality of work plates, which are designed to be separate, however, and which function completely independently of one another and do not complement one another. After separate use, these devices are then again stored individually. A consequence of this is that, among other things, these known

multifunctional devices have too many components and as a result, are too large to build, and therefore prove to be impractical.

Thus the object of the present invention is to create a multifunctional device for household purposes having a plurality of work plates, which multifunctional device is characterized by a high degree of compactness, ease of handling as well as by the fact that said device can be readily stored together with all components after use.

This object is achieved by a box, on the upper side of which two plates are disposed, which are connected to one another at their front sides by an articulated joint at an acute angle relative to one another when in an extended position, and on the lower side of which box, a receptacle is provided for the two work plates when these are in a retracted position, in which these plates are disposed one behind the other. Disclosure of Invention

The multifunctional device according to the invention comprises a box, which allows two work plates to be set up at an acute angle relative to one another at the upper side of said box, which is to say, at an angle of less than 90°, so that, when these are in this extended state, the user has unhindered access to both work plates. When in a retracted position, on the other hand, the two work plates are disposed one behind the other in a receptacle on the lower side of the box so that, despite its multifunctionality, the box can be easily stored without taking up too much space. The box can be

advantageously stored together with all of the accessories, individual parts cannot get lost, nor is it necessary to search for each part individually before the device can be put to use.

As previously stated, the two work plates are connected to one another at their front sides by an articulated joint. In addition, it is provided that the first work plate is connected to the box by an articulated joint. Thus both work plates can be pivoted back and forth about the articulated joint, which connects the box and the first work plate to one another, between the working and the resting position. Thus the two work plates thereby automatically find their respective position on the upper side of the box when in the extended state, and on the lower side of the box when in the retracted state.

The assembly comprising the two work plates can also be removed from the box, for example for cleaning purposes, in that the first work plate is detachably connected to the box.

In order to meet this requirement of enabling the pivoting about the articulated joint as well as the removal, it is provided that a connecting member is positioned between the box and the first work plate, which connecting member is detachably connected to the box, and connected to the first work plate via an articulated joint. On the one hand, the connecting member thereby comprises the articulated joint, however on the other hand, if it becomes necessary, said connecting member can also be removed so that both work plates can be detached from the box.

Naturally it is necessary to stabilize the two work plates when they are in the extended work position so that an unlimited use of the two work plates can occur. It is therefore recommended that the second work plate be detachably connected to the upper side of the box. This is best accomplished when a slot on the upper side of the box and a clamping plate disposed at the front end of the second work plate serve as a detachable

connection. The result of this is advantageously such, that the two work plates, which are connected to one another at their front sides (7, 8) by an articulated joint, are

automatically optimally positioned when they are in the extended work position when the clamping plate has been seated in the slot, which slot is positioned transverse to the upper side of the box. Thus, the insertion of the clamping plate into the slot or into a comparable receptacle on the upper side simultaneously places the two work plates in position relative to one another.

Especially easy handling of the two work plates and use of the tools installed thereon is made possible when the two work plates are disposed in the extended position at an angle of 60° - 90° relative to one another. As already stated, this is achieved to a certain extent automatically when the clamping plate at the end of the second plate that faces away from the first plate engages in the slot.

The multifunctionality can be further optimized, in that at least one of the work plates has a receptacle for interchangeably designed cutting and grating tools, so that tools can be used in a varied manner as desired. The tools are thereby allocated to plate sections, which are inserted into the receptacles in the respective work plate. Together with the plate section that is used, the work plate itself thereby forms the approach and discharge surfaces for the material that is to be cut. The tools, including the plate section, past which the material that is to be cut passes, may be stored in the box according to the invention in any configuration, number and size.

Attention should also be paid to the lower side of the box, where the two work plates are to be stored one behind the other and flush against one another when they are in the retracted resting position. The fact that the receptacle on the lower side of the box has a limit stop at the end that faces away from the articulated joint thereby limits the insertions of the two plates into the receptacle and aids in fixing these in the resting position.

The advantageous solution with the clamping plate, which can be fixed on the upper side in the box has already been discussed at length. An advantageous double function for this is implemented in that the clamping plate forms the form-locking terminal end of the two successively disposed work plates when these are in the retracted position vis-a-vis the box. In interaction with the limit stop at the end of the receptacle that faces away from the articulated joint for pivoting the work plates, which was just described, the clamping plate serves as a terminal end at the end of the receptacle that faces towards the articulated joint when the work plates are in a retracted resting position. Thus the user can pivot the work plates back and forth between the extended and the retracted position merely by guiding the clamping plate, whereby the clamping plate to some degree determines both positions in the slot on the upper side or, respectively, as a limit stop on the lower side of the box, which naturally significantly simplifies handling.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the box has at least one receptacle on the lower side thereof for a tool, which is advantageously provided beside the receptacle for the two work plates, which are positioned one behind the other. This might include a slider, with which the material that is to be cut can be easily slid over the blade or other cutting element both easily and above all, with no risk to the user.

The fact that the box is equipped with a cover plate that corresponds to the upper side of said box contributes to the fact that the box, on which variously equipped work plates can be used in different positions and stored, provides an especially compact solution.

The invention is distinguished by the fact that a multifunctional device for household purposes having a plurality of work plates is implemented, which is designed as a compact box that is both easy and safe to use. What is decisive thereby is an extended work position, in which the two work plates are affixed to the upper side of the box, disposed at an acute angle relative to one another, while a retracted resting position provides that the two work plates, which are connected to one another by an articulated joint, are held one behind the other on the lower side, flush in a receptacle positioned there. An interaction of the articulated joints and limit stops thereby results in easy and safe handling. In addition, thanks to its compactness and advantageous spatial design, the multifunctional box can accommodate numerous tools, which may be exchanged and used as desired. Advantageously, the box can be stored together with all of the accessories, individual parts cannot get lost, nor is it necessary to search for each individually before the device can be put to use. Brief Description of Drawings

Additional details and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the associated drawings, in in which a preferred embodiment is depicted with the necessary details and individual parts. Shown are:

Figure 1 a front view of a box with the work plates in an extended

position,

Figure 2 a rear view of a box with the work plates in an extended

position,

Figure 3 an exploded view of the relevant components,

Figure 4 a detail from Figure 3 and

Figure 5 a cover.

Figure 1 shows the box 1 having the first work plate 2 and the second work plate 3, which are positioned at an acute angle relative to one another on the upper side 4 of this box 1. Both work plates 2, 3 can be easily and securely used when they are in the extended position. While the tool of the first, smaller work plate 2 is covered here, the tool 19 of the second, larger work plate 3 is clearly visible. This is a blade 34, which, together with a partial plate 35, is positioned in a receptacle 18 in the work plate 3. A recess 36 in the work plate 3 makes it easier to remove the partial plate 35. Both work plates 2, 3 are held at the lower end 16 of the second work plate 3 via the clamping plate 14 in the slot 15 provided on the upper side 4 of the box 1 , so that a stable positioning of the two work plates 2, 3 in the acute angle is ensured, and the articulated joint 9, which connects the front sides 7, 8 of the two work plates 2, 3 with one another, is blocked in a corresponding manner. The articulated joint 13, via which the first work plate 2 and the box 1 are connected to one another, serves to pivot the assembly of both work plates 2, 3.

This interaction is again illustrated in Figure 2, which shows a rear view of a box 1 , work plate 2 and work plate 3. Designated as 27 is a tool that is designed as a slider, with which material that is to be cut can be conveyed through or, respectively, past the blade 34 provided in the work plate 3 in the direction of the upper side 4 of the box. In so doing, the upper side 4 of the box 1 simultaneously forms a surface, on which the material that has been cut can best be collected. Also illustrated is the fact that it is exceptionally easy to remove a partial plate 37 of the work plate 2 from the receptacle 17 by inserting a finger in the recess 38 and pulling, insofar as the tool 20 is to be exchanged. Figure 3 illustrates the view of the lower side 5 of the box 1 with a view of receptacle

6, which extends over the entire length of the box 1. Here, the receptacle 6 on the lower side 5 of the box 1 and the two work plates 2 and 3 that are connected via the articulated joint 9 at the front sides 7 and 8 of said work plates, which are disposed one behind the other and flush in the receptacle 6 when they are in the retracted position, correspond in design in terms of shape, length and width. A limit stop 25 is located at the end 23 of the receptacle 6 that faces away from the articulated joint 13. With this receptacle 6, the two work plates 2 and 3 correspond with the articulated joint 13 and the limit stop 22 as well as with the clamping plate 14 at the end 16 of the work plate 3. Designated as 21 is an additional tool, which can be inserted, together with the partial plate 40, into the first work plate 2. In addition, the slider has the reference figure 27, which slider can be inserted into the receptacle 26 on the lower side 5 of the box 1. Designated as 28 is a cover plate as a supplementary additional component of the box 1 , which also has a recess 26' for the slider 27. The cover plate 28 can be placed on the lower side 4 of the box 1 when the two work plates 2 and 3 are in the resting position. In addition to this, another covering plate 39 is provided.

Figure 4 again illustrates the essentially corresponding components between the first work plate 2 and the box 1. Limit stops 22, 24, 32 secure the position between the receptacle 6 on the box 1 side, and the connecting member 12 on the work plate 2 side. On the one hand, this connecting member 12 comprises the articulated joint 13 to the work plate 2, and on the other hand, also comprises the limit stop 22 for a possible removal. In addition, the connection 33 for the cover (not shown here) is also visible.

Finally, Figure 5 shows a covering plate 39 having the large surface 31 , the edge 30 and the grip 29.