Tea kettle with automatic opening cap

Abstract

A tea kettle includes a body with a spout positioned on the body. A front bracket is positioned on the spout. A generally C-shaped handle has a trailing end that is pivotally connected to the body and a leading end featuring a pair of pin ends. A cap is pivotally attached to the front bracket and features a pair of elongated slots receiving the pair of pin ends of the leading end of the handle. The pin ends traverse the elongated slots as the handle of the kettle is lifted so that the cap pivots to an open configuration relative to the spout.

1 . A tea kettle comprising: 
 a) a body;    b) a spout positioned on the body;    c) a front bracket positioned on the spout;    d) a generally C-shaped handle having a trailing end pivotally connected to the body and a leading end featuring a pair of pin ends;    e) a cap pivotally attached to the front bracket and featuring a pair of elongated slots receiving the pair of pin ends of the leading end of the handle; and    f) said pin ends traversing the elongated slots as the handle of the kettle is lifted so that the cap pivots to an open configuration relative to the spout.    
   
   
       2 . The tea kettle of  claim 1  wherein the cap features a cylindrical portion having a flat portion and further comprising a leaf spring attached to the front bracket, said leaf spring having an upper end that engages the flat portion when the cap is in the open configuration.  
   
   
       3 . The tea kettle of  claim 2  wherein the front bracket includes a pair of ears with the leaf spring positioned there between and the cylindrical portion of the cap fits between the pair of ears in a pivoting fashion.  
   
   
       4 . The tea kettle of  claim 1  wherein the pair of elongated slots each feature a distal end and the pin ends rest at the distal ends when the cap is in the open configuration and a closed configuration relative to the spout.  
   
   
       5 . The tea kettle of  claim 1  wherein the cap houses a whistle.  
   
   
       6 . The tea kettle of  claim 1  wherein the handle includes a gripping portion constructed of heat-resistant material.  
   
   
       7 . The tea kettle of  claim 1  further comprising a rear bracket mounted on the kettle body and to which the trailing end of the handle is pivotally attached.  
   
   
       8 . The tea kettle of  claim 1  wherein said leading end of said handle includes a cylindrical portion with a bore and a pin positioned in the bore so that the pair of pin ends protrude from opposing sides thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The tea kettle of  claim 1  wherein the spout includes a rim and the cap forms an angle of approximately 90 degrees with the rim of the spout when the cap is in the open configuration.  
   
   
       10 . A tea kettle comprising: 
 a) a body;    b) a spout positioned on the body;    c) a front bracket positioned on the body;    d) a generally C-shaped handle having a trailing end pivotally connected to the body and a leading end featuring a pair of pin ends;    e) a cap pivotally attached to the front bracket and featuring a pair of elongated slots receiving the pair of pin ends of the leading end of the handle; and    f) said pin ends traversing the elongated slots as the handle of the kettle is lifted so that the cap pivots to an open configuration relative to the spout.    
   
   
       11 . The tea kettle of  claim 10  wherein the cap features a cylindrical portion having a flat portion and further comprising a leaf spring attached to the front bracket, said leaf spring having an upper end that engages the flat portion when the cap is in an open configuration.  
   
   
       12 . The tea kettle of  claim 11  wherein the front bracket includes a pair of ears with the leaf spring positioned there between and the cylindrical portion of the cap fits between the pair of ears in a pivoting fashion.  
   
   
       13 . The tea kettle of  claim 10  wherein the pair of elongated slots each feature a distal end and the pin ends rest at the distal ends when the cap is in the open configuration and a closed configuration relative to the spout.  
   
   
       14 . The tea kettle of  claim 10  wherein the cap houses a whistle.  
   
   
       15 . The tea kettle of  claim 10  wherein the handle includes a gripping portion constructed of heat-resistant material.  
   
   
       16 . The tea kettle of  claim 10  further comprising a rear bracket mounted on the kettle body and to which the trailing end of the handle is pivotally attached.  
   
   
       17 . The tea kettle of  claim 10  wherein said leading end of said handle includes a cylindrical portion with a bore and a pin positioned in the bore so that the pair of pin ends protrude from opposing sides thereof.  
   
   
       18 . The tea kettle of  claim 10  wherein the spout includes a rim and the cap forms an angle of approximately 90 degrees with the rim of the spout when the cap is in the open configuration.