Spring handle kettle

Abstract

A kettle includes a kettle body defining an interior chamber with a spout positioned on the kettle body. The spout has a pour opening in communication with the interior chamber. The kettle also features a handle having a leading end, a gripping portion and a leaf spring. The leaf spring includes a leading portion attached to the gripping portion and a trailing portion attached to the kettle body. A spout lid is pivotally attached to the kettle body so as to selectively cover the pour opening. The leading end of the handle is pivotally mounted to the spout lid at a position where the leaf spring urges the leading end of the handle in a direction away from the trailing portion of the leaf spring so that the spout lid covers the pour opening when the kettle is in a level position. The leading end of the handle travels towards the trailing portion of the spring when the kettle is moved towards a pouring position so that the spout lid is lifted from the pour opening and ultimately to an angle sufficient to clear the stream of liquid flowing from the spout when the kettle is inverted.

1 . A kettle comprising:
 a. a kettle body defining an interior chamber;   b. a spout positioned on the kettle body and having a pour opening in communication with the interior chamber;   c. a handle having a leading end, a gripping portion and a leaf spring, said leaf spring including a leading portion attached to the gripping portion and a trailing portion attached to the kettle body;   e. a spout lid removably covering the pour opening of the spout and pivotally attached to the kettle body; and   f. said leading end of the handle pivotally mounted to the spout lid at a position where the leaf spring urges the leading end of the handle in a direction away from the trailing portion of the leaf spring so that the spout lid covers the pour opening when the kettle is in a level position, and the leading end of the handle travels towards the trailing portion of the spring so that the spout lid is lifted from the pour opening when the kettle is moved towards a pouring position.   
   
   
       2 . The kettle of  claim 1  further comprising a pivot mount attached to the kettle body, said pivot mount pivotally supporting the spout lid. 
   
   
       3 . The kettle of  claim 2  wherein the pivot mount includes a base portion and a pair of horizontally-spaced pivot arms with said spout lid pivotally mounted between the pivot arms. 
   
   
       4 . The kettle of  claim 3  wherein the spout lid includes an arm featuring a cam with said cam pivotally mounted between the pivot arms and pivotally mounted to the leading end of the handle. 
   
   
       5 . The kettle of  claim 4  further comprising a pivot tang attached to the leading end of the handle and wherein the cam features a pair of horizontally-spaced prongs with the pivot tang pivotally received between the prongs of the cam. 
   
   
       6 . The kettle of  claim 1  further comprising a ribbed sleeve covering the leaf spring. 
   
   
       7 . The kettle of  claim 6  wherein the ribbed sleeve is constructed of silicone. 
   
   
       8 . The kettle of  claim 1  wherein the leaf spring is constructed of steel. 
   
   
       9 . The kettle of  claim 1  wherein the spout lid includes a whistle housing. 
   
   
       10 . The kettle of  claim 9  wherein the spout lid includes an arm attached to the whistle housing on one end and a cam on an opposite end with said cam pivotally mounted to both the kettle body and the leading end of the handle. 
   
   
       11 . The kettle of  claim 1  further comprising a rear mounting bracket and a pair of clamping members and wherein the trailing portion of the leaf spring is secured to the kettle body by the rear mounting bracket and clamped between the pair of clamping members. 
   
   
       12 . The kettle of  claim 11  wherein the pair of clamping members are secured together by a clamp screw. 
   
   
       13 . The kettle of  claim 1  wherein the gripping portion of the handle is molded over the leading portion of the leaf spring. 
   
   
       14 . A kettle comprising:
 a. a kettle body defining an interior chamber;   b. a spout positioned on the kettle body and having a pour opening in communication with the interior chamber;   c. a handle having a leading end, a gripping portion and a leaf spring, said leaf spring including a leading portion attached to the gripping portion and a trailing portion attached to the kettle body;   e. a spout lid pivotally attached to the kettle body so as to selectively cover the pour opening of the spout; and   f. said leading end of the handle pivotally mounted to the spout lid so that said spout lid covers the pour opening of the spout when the kettle is in a level position and said spout lid uncovers the pour opening when the kettle is moved towards a pouring position.   
   
   
       15 . The kettle of  claim 14  further comprising a pivot mount attached to the kettle body, said pivot mount pivotally supporting the spout lid. 
   
   
       16 . The kettle of  claim 15  wherein the pivot mount includes a base portion and a pair of horizontally-spaced pivot arms with said spout lid pivotally mounted between the pivot arms. 
   
   
       17 . The kettle of  claim 16  wherein the spout lid includes an arm featuring a cam with said cam is pivotally mounted between the pivot arms and pivotally mounted to the leading end of the handle. 
   
   
       18 . The kettle of  claim 17  further comprising a pivot tang attached to the leading end of the handle and wherein the cam features a pair of horizontally-spaced prongs with the pivot tang pivotally received between the prongs of the cam. 
   
   
       19 . The kettle of  claim 14  further comprising a ribbed sleeve covering the leaf spring. 
   
   
       20 . The kettle of  claim 19  wherein the ribbed sleeve is constructed of silicone. 
   
   
       21 . The kettle of  claim 14  wherein the leaf spring is constructed of steel. 
   
   
       22 . The kettle of  claim 14  wherein the spout lid includes a whistle housing. 
   
   
       23 . The kettle of  claim 22  wherein the spout lid includes an arm attached to the whistle housing on one end and a cam on an opposite end with said cam pivotally mounted to both the kettle body and the leading end of the handle. 
   
   
       24 . The kettle of  claim 14  further comprising a rear mounting bracket and a pair of clamping members and wherein the trailing portion of the leaf spring is secured to the kettle body by the rear mounting bracket and clamped between the pair of clamping members. 
   
   
       25 . The kettle of  claim 24  wherein the pair of clamping members are secured together by a clamp screw.