The current application is a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application and claims a priority to a U.S. provisional application serial number 62/477,735 filed on March 28, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus that is used to open a clam shell. More specifically, the present invention is a striking device used to separate the two calcareous valves of a clam shell for culinary purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, clams are eaten raw, steamed, boiled, baked or fried. However, the preparation method can vary according to the area in which the dish is prepared. For instance, in Italy clams are often eaten together with pasta. Meanwhile in India, clams are used to make curries or fried with coconut. Regardless of the preparation method, the clam shell needs to be separated during preparation or prior to consumption.

Traditionally, the two valves of the clam shell are separated with the use of a clam knife or an oyster knife. When using a clam knife, the clam shell is held gently, and the clam knife is directed towards the hinge ligament connecting the two valves of the clam shell. To avoid shattered fragments of the shell from falling into the meat, the user needs to ensure that excess pressure is not applied on the clam shell. Furthermore, the user needs to avoid contact with the knife while holding the clam. The process can be significantly time consuming and stressful especially when a large number of clam shells need to be opened. As mentioned, with existing methods, a knife and a considerable force needs to be applied to open the clam shell. Thus, the number of users who can execute the process is limited. As an example, a child with no prior experience opening a clam shell, or an elderly individual might have difficulties using the knife to open the clam-shell.

Therefore, the need for a convenient method that can be used for opening a clam shell is clear.

The objective of the present invention is to address the aforementioned issues. In particular, the present invention introduces an apparatus that can be used for separating the two valves of a clam shell. In doing so, the present invention is designed as a holding and striking device that can be controlled with one hand. Thus, existing precise procedures for separating a clam shell are not required. Furthermore, the convenience of the present invention allows a wide variety of users to utilize the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention, wherein a clam shell is held by the tong portion.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention introduces an apparatus that can be used to open a clam shell. In contrast to traditional clam shell opening devices and methods, the present invention introduces an apparatus that can initially hold the clam shell and then subsequently open the clam shell via a striking motion.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention comprises a tong portion 1, a striking arm 10, and a hinging base 15. As discussed, the present invention is designed to hold the clam shell and separate the two valves of the clam shell via a striking motion. The tong portion 1, which can vary in size in different embodiments of the present invention, is used to hold the clam shell stationary as shown in FIG. 5. When held in place, the striking arm 10 is used to execute the striking motion so that the clam shell is separated into two pieces. The hinging base 15 is used to orient the striking arm 10 in an optimal position so that the striking arm 10 contacts the clam shell at a hinge ligament of the clam shell.

As seen in FIGS. 1-4, to maintain a steady hold on the clam shell, the tong portion 1 comprises a first arm 2 and a second arm 3. The first arm 2 and the second arm 3 each comprise a fixed end 4, an arm body 5, and a free end 6. The arm body 5 of both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3 extend from the fixed end 4 to the free end 6 and determines the overall length of the first arm 2 and the second arm 3. The length of the first arm 2 and the second arm 3 can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. To hold the clam shell adjacent the free end 6 of the first arm 2 and adjacent the free end 6 of the second arm 3, the fixed end 4 of the first arm 2 is pivotally connected to the fixed end 4 of the second arm 3. The pivotal connection allows the user to control the distance between the free end 6 of both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3. The pivotal connection also allows clam shells of different sizes to be held by the tong portion 1.

The overall structure of the striking arm 10 is similar to the first arm 2 and the second arm 3. The striking arm 10 comprises a hinging end 14, an arm body 11, a striking end 13, and a striking head 12. The arm body 11 of the striking arm 10 extends from the hinging end 14 to the striking end 13 and determines the overall length of the striking arm 10. The length of the striking arm 10 varies linearly with the length of the first arm 2 and the second arm 3. As a result, as seen in FIG. 5, when the striking motion is executed, the striking end 13 is positioned adjacent the free end 6 of both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3. The striking head 12 is used to strike the hinge ligament of the clam shell held by the tong portion 1. To do so, the striking head 12 is terminally connected at the striking end 13 opposite the arm body 11 of the striking arm 10.

As mentioned earlier, the hinging base 15 positions the striking arm 10 at an optimal position to strike the clam shell. As seen in FIG. 2, to do so, the hinging base 15 is terminally connected to the fixed end 4 of the both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3 and opposite the arm body 5 of both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3. The striking end 13 is hingedly connected at the hinging base 15 at an acute angle 100 to the arm body 5 of both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3. The hinged connection between the striking arm 10 and the hinging base 15 is such that the striking arm 10 is positioned along a projection path of a center axis 200 that is positioned in between the arm body 5 of the first arm 2 and the arm body 5 of the second arm 3. Therefore, when the striking arm 10 is used for striking purposes, the striking arm 10 swivels along a path that contacts the clam shell that is positioned adjacent the free end 6 of both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3.

As seen in FIGS. 2-4, to hold the clam shell in position, the first arm 2 and the second arm 3 each further comprise a grasping head 7 that can vary in size and shape in different embodiments of the present invention. Generally shaped to encase the clam shell, the grasping head 7 is terminally connected to the free end 6 opposite the arm body 5 of both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3. As a result, when the clam shell is held by the tong portion 1, the hinge ligament is exposed to the striking arm 10 and the striking motion can be executed effectively. When the striking motion is completed, the striking head 12 is positioned adjacent the grasping head 7 of both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3.

When the clam shell is held in between the grasping head 7 of both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3, the clam shell is in contact with an upper lip 9 of the grasping head 7. If the upper lip 9 is overly smooth, maintaining a steady grip on the clam shell can be problematic. As illustrated in FIG. 4, to avoid such issues, the present invention further comprises a scalloped edge 18 that is distributed along the upper lip 9. The rough texture provided by the scalloped edge 18 ensures that the clam shell remains still until the striking motion is executed. As shown in FIG. 3, to further provide user convenience, the first arm 2 and the second arm 3 each further comprise a primary gripping portion 16. The primary gripping portion 16, which is preferably made of rubber or other comparable material, is externally distributed along the arm body 5 of the first arm 2 and the second arm 3 in between the fixed end 4 and the free end 6. Similar to the primary gripping portion 16, the striking arm 10 further comprises a secondary gripping portion 17 that is externally distributed along the arm body 11 of the striking arm 10 between the hinging end 14 and the striking end 13. The primary gripping portion 16 and the secondary gripping portion 17 allow the user to maintain a secure grip on the present invention.

As discussed, when the striking motion is executed, the striking head 12 makes contact with the clam shell positioned in between the grasping head 7 of both the first arm 2 and the second arm 3. More specifically, the striking head 12 strikes the hinge ligament so that the force of the motion separates the clam shell into two pieces. To effectively execute the process, the striking head 12 comprises a planar portion 120 and a blade portion 130, wherein the blade portion 130 is centrally and perpendicularly connected to the planar portion 120. The planar portion 120 helps generate the required force to open the clam shell. As seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the blade portion 130, which is oriented towards the first arm 2 and the second arm 3, is designed to traverse through the clam shell without disturbing the meat within the clam shell.

The pivotal connection between the first arm 2 and the second arm 3 can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a rivet 19, a first rivet-receiving hole 20, and a second rivet-receiving hole 21 that are used to establish the pivotal connection. The first rivet-receiving hole 20 traverses through the arm body 5 of the first arm 2 adjacent to the fixed end 4. The second rivet-receiving hole 21 traverses through the arm body 5 of the second arm 3 adjacent the fixed end 4. To pivotally connect the first arm 2 and the second arm 3, the first rivet-receiving hole 20 is concentrically aligned with the second rivet-receiving hole 21. To do so, the arm body 5 of the first arm 2 and the arm body 5 of the second arm 3 are designed to be U-shaped. When concentrically aligned, the rivet 19 is positioned into the channel created by the first rivet-receiving hole 20 and the second rivet-receiving hole 21. When the present invention is being used, the following process flow is generally followed. The clam shell that needs to be opened is positioned in between the grasping head 7 of the first arm 2 and the grasping head 7 of the second arm 3. The scalloped edge 18 distributed along the upper lip 9 of the grasping head 7 helps maintain a firm grip on the clam shell. When positioned as required, the user proceeds to hold the present invention by the arm body 5 of the first arm 2, the arm body 5 of the second arm 3, and the arm body 11 of the striking arm 10. The primary gripping portion 16 and the secondary gripping portion 17 helps the user maintain a firm hold on the present invention. When held appropriately, the user proceeds to control the striking arm 10 so that the striking head 12 makes contact with the clam shell. More specifically, the blade portion 130 of the striking head 12 strikes the hinge ligament of the clam shell and traverses through the clam shell. Thus, the clam shell is separated into two pieces.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred

embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.