US4896253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flashlight skewer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-01-30
•
Granted: 1990-01-23
•
Expires: 2009-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A mechanically motorized portable skewer/flashlight assembly comprising a housing, flashlight structure carried by the housing which serves as a handle for the skewer, the assembly also comprising a motor driven telescopic rod and a food-receiving tip. The motor may also comprise an audio source of advertising and/or music.
Inventors
- 👤 Grant L. Southworth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:41
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J37/00; A47J37/04; A47J37/041; A47J37/06; A47J37/07; A47J37/0745; A47J37/0786; F; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A hand-held combination skewer/flashlight assembly devoid of a surface-engaging support comprising: cantilevered elongated linear rod means having sufficient structural integrity so as to remain substantially linear when a wiener or the like is supported adjacent the distal end of the rod means; a food impaling tip at the distal end of the rod means; the skewer/flashlight assembly further comprising power means associated with the proximal end of the rod means so that when the power means are activated the rod means are rotated; the skewer/flashlight assembly also comprising housing means comprising (a) means which carry and solely support (1) the cantilevered rod means and (2) the power means and (b) manual handle means by which the entire assembly is hand-held; the housing means comprising flashlight means; the housing means, the rod means and the power means of the skewer/flashlight assembly being free from surface-engaging support structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A hand-held combination skewer/flashlight assembly devoid of a surface-engaging support comprising: cantilevered elongated linear rod means having sufficient structural integrity so as to remain substantially linear when a wiener or the like is supported adjacent the distal end of the rod means; a food impaling tip at the distal end of the rod means; the skewer/flashlight assembly further comprising power means associated with the proximal end of the rod means so that when the power means are activated the rod means are rotated; the skewer/flashlight assembly also comprising housing means comprising (a) means which carry and solely support (1) the cantilevered rod means and (2) the power means and (b) manual handle means by which the entire assembly is hand-held; the housing means comprising flashlight means; the housing means, the rod means and the power means of the skewer/flashlight assembly being free from surface-engaging support structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A hand-held combination skewer/flashlight assembly according to claim 1 wherein the flashlight means comprise electrical energy means, light source means and switch means whereby the rod means are selectively rotated by the power means and the light source means may be selectively illuminated, the rotation and illumination occuring either simultaneously or separately.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A hand-held combination skewer/flashlight assembly according to claim 1 wherein the power means comprise mechanically windable means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hand-held combination skewer/flashlight assembly according to claim 1 wherein the tip is removably coupled to the distal end of the rod means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
A hand-held combination skewer/flashlight assembly comprising: elongated linear rod means having sufficient structural integrity so as to remain substantially linear when a wiener or the like is supported at one end of the rod means; a food impaling tip at the distal end of the rod means; power means associated with the proximal end of the rod means so that when the power means are activated the rod means are rotated; housing means comprising means which carry and support the rod means and the power means and manual handle means; the housing means comprising flashlight means; the rod means comprising telescopic means by which the end-to-end length of the rod means is extended and constricted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
A hand-held combination skewer/flashlight assembly comprising: elongated linear rod means having sufficient structural integrity so as to remain substantially linear when a wiener or the like is supported at one end of the rod means; a food impaling tip at the distal end of the rod means; power means associated with the proximal end of the rod means so that when the power means are activated the rod means are rotated; housing means comprising means which carry and support the rod means and the power means and manual handle means; the housing means comprising flashlight means; the rod means comprising telescopic means by which the end-to-end length of the rod means is extended and constricted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
A hand-held skewer/flashlight assembly devoid of a surface-engaging support comprising: housing means comprising manual grasping handle means by which the entire skewer/flashlight assembly is hand-held; the housing means comprising flashlight means; the skewer/flashlight assembly further comprising a mechanical motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means nonrotatably connecting the motor casing and the housing means; exposed elongated telescopic rod means unsupported beyond the housing means and comprising a proximal end and a cantilevered distal end; means connecting the proximal end of the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the cantilevered distal end of the rod means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
A hand-held skewer/flashlight assembly devoid of a surface-engaging support comprising: housing means comprising manual grasping handle means by which the entire skewer/flashlight assembly is hand-held; the housing means comprising flashlight means; the skewer/flashlight assembly further comprising a mechanical motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means nonrotatably connecting the motor casing and the housing means; exposed elongated telescopic rod means unsupported beyond the housing means and comprising a proximal end and a cantilevered distal end; means connecting the proximal end of the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the cantilevered distal end of the rod means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A hand-held skewer assembly according to claim 6 wherein the motor mechanism comprises windable spring power means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A hand-held skewer assembly according to claim 6 wherein the proximal end of the rod means are journalled for rotation in the housing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
A hand-held skewer assembly comprising: housing means comprising flashlight means; a motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means stationarily connecting the motor casing and the housing means; elongated rod means; means connecting the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the distal end of the rod means; the rod means comprising telescopically extensible and collapsible means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
A hand-held skewer assembly comprising: housing means comprising flashlight means; a motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means stationarily connecting the motor casing and the housing means; elongated rod means; means connecting the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the distal end of the rod means; the rod means comprising telescopically extensible and collapsible means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
A hand-held skewer assembly comprising: housing means comprising flashlight means; a motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means stationarily connecting the motor casing and the housing means; elongated rod means; means connecting the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the distal end of the rod means; the motor mechanism comprising a source of audio output.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
A hand-held skewer assembly comprising: housing means comprising flashlight means; a motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means stationarily connecting the motor casing and the housing means; elongated rod means; means connecting the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the distal end of the rod means; the motor mechanism comprising a source of audio output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
97 words
A hand-held skewer assembly comprising: housing means comprising flashlight means; a motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means stationarily connecting the motor casing and the housing means; elongated rod means; means connecting the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the distal end of the rod means; the tip being removably connected to the distal end of the rod means and the housing means comprising compartment means in which the removed tip may be stored.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
97 words
A hand-held skewer assembly comprising: housing means comprising flashlight means; a motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means stationarily connecting the motor casing and the housing means; elongated rod means; means connecting the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the distal end of the rod means; the tip being removably connected to the distal end of the rod means and the housing means comprising compartment means in which the removed tip may be stored.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A hand-held skewer assembly according to claim 11 wherein the compartment means comprises hinged closure means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A hand-held skewer assembly according to claim 12 wherein the housing means comprise manual handle means disposed generally between the flashlight means and the rod means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A hand-held skewer assembly according to claim 12 wherein the one end of the housing means is angularly disposed in respect to the other end of the housing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
95 words
A hand-held skewer assembly comprising: housing means comprising flashlight means; a motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means stationarily connecting the motor casing and the housing means; elongated rod means; means connecting the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the distal end of the rod means; the rod means being exposed beyond one end of the housing means and the flashlight means being disposed at the other end of the housing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
95 words
A hand-held skewer assembly comprising: housing means comprising flashlight means; a motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means stationarily connecting the motor casing and the housing means; elongated rod means; means connecting the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the distal end of the rod means; the rod means being exposed beyond one end of the housing means and the flashlight means being disposed at the other end of the housing means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
83 words
A hand-held skewer assembly comprising: housing means comprising flashlight means; a motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means stationarily connecting the motor casing and the housing means; elongated rod means; means connecting the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the distal end of the rod means; the rod means being telescopically extensible from a collapsible state within the housing means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
83 words
A hand-held skewer assembly comprising: housing means comprising flashlight means; a motor mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft and an exterior casing; means stationarily connecting the motor casing and the housing means; elongated rod means; means connecting the rod means to the motor drive shaft so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the rod means; a food-engaging tip nonrotatably connected to the distal end of the rod means; the rod means being telescopically extensible from a collapsible state within the housing means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-22 | 1993-07-24 | 1994-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-22 | 1997-07-24 | 1998-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-07-24 | 2002-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |