Slicing device for foodstuffs

Claim 2

Slicing apparatus for relatively firm foodstuffs comprising: a baseboard having a groove extending transversely thereof; a bore extending into one end of said baseboard through and beyond said groove toward the other end of said baseboard and such that such bore communicates with said groove at a juncture formed therebetween; a U-shaped bar having a first leg, a second leg and a central portion; the end portion of the first leg of said U-shaped bar extending into said bore beyond said groove and being provided with a slot disposed in said bore immediately below said groove and in a lateral position in alignment with said groove; said end portion of said first leg being frictionally engaged in said bore to prevent lateral movement of said first leg in said bore and in turn to prevent lateral movement of said slot in said first leg from its lateral position in alignment with said groove, and said end portion of said first leg also being rotatable in said bore; a passage exiting through the baseboard substantially adjacent the junction between the slot and the bore to accommodate the cutting element when replaced; and a handle carried by the second leg of the U-shaped bar.

Claim 3

Apparatus of claim 1 including: the second leg of said U-shaped bar being provided with a transverse hole in a lateral position substantially in alignment with said groove; a handle having a rotary spindle carried within said hole in said second leg of said U-shaped bar; an adjusting nut carried on said spindle and provided with a transverse slot in a corresponding lateral position in alignment with said groove and with said slot in said first leg; and a cutting element having enlarged end portions carried within the slots in the leg of the U-shaped bar and the adjusting nut.

Claim 4

Slicing apparatus for relatively firm foodstuffs comprising: a baseboard having a groove extending transversely thereof; a bore extending into one end of said baseboard through and beyond said groove toward the other end of said baseboard and such that such bore communicates with said groove at a juncture formed therebetween; a U-shaped bar having a first leg, a second leg and a central portion; the end portion of the first leg of said U-shaped bar extending into said bore beyond said groove and being provided with a slot disposed in said bore immediately below said groove and in a lateral position in alignment with said groove; said end portion of said first leg being frictionally engaged in said bore to prevent lateral movement of said first leg in said bore and in turn to prevent lateral movement of said slot in said first leg from its lateral position in alignment with said groove, and said end portion of said first leg also being rotatable in said bore; the second leg of said U-shaped bar being provided with a transverse hole in a lateral position substantially in alignment with said groove; a handle having a rotary spindle carried within said hole in said second leg of said U-shaped bar; an adjusting nut carried on said spindle and provided with a transverse slot in a corresponding lateral position in alignment with said groove and with said slot in said first leg; a cutting element having enlarged end portions carried within the slots in the leg of the U-shaped bar and the adjusting nut; said enlarged portions of the cutting element being disposed at the outer extremities of said slots and said cutting element being in a corresponding lateral position in alignment with said groove, whereby upon rotary movement of the spindle the movement of the adjusting nut thereover causes the cutting element to be tightened or loosened; and said first leg in said bore providing a pivot, whereby upon pivotal downward movement of the U-shaped bar the cutting element carried between the first and second legs slices foodstuffs resting on said baseboard.

Claim 5

Slicing apparatus for relatively firm foodstuffs comprising: a baseboard having a groove extending transversely thereof; a bore extending into one end of said baseboard through and beyond said groove toward the other end of said baseboard and such that such bore communicates with said groove at a juncture formed therebetween; a U-shaped bar having a first leg, a second leg and a central portion; the end portion of the first leg of said U-shaped bar extending into said bore beyond said groove and being provided with a slot disposed in said bore immediately below said groove and in a lateral position in alignment with said groove; said end portion of said first leg being frictionally engaged in said bore to prevent lateral movement of said first leg in said bore and in turn to prevent lateral movement of said slot in said first leg from its lateral position in alignment with said groove, and said end portion of said first leg also being rotatable in said bore; the second leg of said U-shaped bar being provided with a transverse hole in a lateral position substantially in alignment with said groove; a handle having a rotary spindle carried within said hole in said second leg of said U-shaped bar; an adjusting nut carried on said spindle and provided with a transverse slot in a corresponding lateral position in alignment with said groove and with said slot in said first leg; a cutting element having enlarged end portions carried within the slots in the leg of the U-shaped bar and the adjusting nut; said enlarged portions of the cutting element being disposed at the outer extremities of said slots and said cutting element being in a corresponding lateral position in alignment with said groove, whereby upon rotary movement of the spindle the movement of the adjusting nut thereover causes the cutting element to be tightened or loosened; and said first leg in said bore providing a pivot, whereby upon pivotal downward movement of the U-shaped bar the cutting element carried between the first and second legs slices foodstuffs resting on said baseboard.

Claim 6

Apparatus of claim 3 including a passage in said baseboard near and communicating with the juncture in the baseboard of said bore and said groove, said passage receiving said cutting element for engagement with the slot in said first leg at the juncture when assembling said cutting element in position.

Claim 7

Apparatus of claim 4 including a recess at one extremity of said slot in said first leg of the U-shaped bar for engaging and maintaining the enlarged portion of said cutting element thereat.

Claim 8

Apparatus of claim 5 in which the cutting element is a wire strand.

Claim 9

Apparatus of claim 5 in which the second leg of the U-shaped bar is operatively disposed between said handle and said adjusting nut.

Claim 10

Apparatus of claim 5 in which the spindle on said handle is threaded.

Claim 11

Apparatus of claim 5 in which a spacer means is operatively carried by the spindle between the adjusting nut and the second leg of said U-shaped bar.