fig1 a and 1b illustrate views of a pair tongs 10 in a closed position and fig2 a and 2b illustrate views of tongs 10 in an open position in accordance with the invention . the tongs 10 , as is conventional , are for manually grasping items between forward grasping ends 12 and 13 of a pair elongate tong members 14 and 16 . with additional reference to fig3 , elongate members 14 and 16 are pivotally joined at a hinge point 17 by a hinge pin 18 . in the embodiment shown , the elongate members are formed of sheet metal , preferably stainless steel bent into a u - shaped channel 24 with grasping ends 12 and 13 formed in an open spoon shape . in the area of the hinge pin 18 , flanges 20 are increased in height to overlap and provide a hinge structure for hinge pin 18 . in accordance with an aspect of the invention , the u - shaped tong members 14 and 16 together form a generally rectangular channel within which a rotatable locking mechanism 22 may be disposed for rotation as discussed further below . each elongate member 14 and 16 has a forward portion 25 defined forwardly of hinge point 17 and a rearward portion 26 projecting rearwardly of hinge point 17 . channel 24 extends both forwardly and rearwardly from hinge point 17 providing a means to laterally contain the movement of locking mechanism 22 . it will be apparent that although the embodiment illustrated shows a generally rectangular channel defined by bent sheet metal elongate members 14 and 16 , the invention is applicable to other types of elongate member 14 and 16 in which a channel 24 for containing the locking mechanism 22 may be formed . for example , elongate members 14 and 16 may be formed of cast metal or molded plastic . forward grasping ends 12 and 13 may be covered with a heat resilient material for protecting food preparation surfaces such as a silicone or other plastic material ( not shown ). covered tongs are preferable for use with non - stick or other delicate cookware . tongs 10 include a biasing mechanism to urge the tongs to an open position . in the preferred embodiment shown in fig3 , channel 24 defines a means to contain the movement of a double torsion spring 28 . spring 28 has end portions 30 and 31 and an intermediate portion 32 that are preformed for biasing against sides of channel 24 and a pair of wound portions 34 and 35 defining a coupling for hinge pin 18 . end portions 30 and 31 and intermediate portion 32 extend forward of hinge point 17 to bias tongs 10 toward a normally open position . fig4 a and 4b illustrate the rotatable locking mechanism 22 as it appears when tongs 10 are in the locked and closed position and the unlocked and open position respectively . locking mechanism 22 is disposed for rotation about a longitudinal axis extending between elongate members 12 and 13 . locking mechanism 22 comprises a grip portion 40 coupled to a stop portion 42 . stop portion 42 is dimensioned to define a wider dimension 44 and a narrower dimension 46 . alternate quarter turns of the grip portion 40 causes the stop portion 42 to be oriented with the wider dimension 44 perpendicular ( fig4 b ) or parallel ( fig4 a ) to the hinge pin 18 . locking mechanism 22 is preferably coupled to hinge pin 18 such as through hinge channel 48 formed in locking mechanism 22 . grip portion 40 preferably includes a means for hanging the tongs , for example , on a hook ( not shown ), such as a channel 50 formed through the grip portion near its end . though channel 50 is illustrated , other means for hanging are contemplated and are apparent to those skilled in the art , such means for hanging may comprise a hook for example . when the wider dimension 44 of stop portion 42 is oriented to the locking position , perpendicular to the hinge pin 18 , ( fig4 a , 2a and 2 b ) stop portion 42 forces apart the rearward portion 26 of each elongate member 14 and 16 , stopping relative movement of the elongate members and closing grasping ends 12 and 13 . rotating locking mechanism 22 to the unlocking position where the wider dimension 44 is parallel to hinge pin 18 , frees each rearward portion 26 for relative movement . preferably , stop portion 42 defines a smooth , gradual transition between wider dimension 42 and narrower dimension 44 to provide a cam - like surface for contact with elongate members 14 and 16 . though locking mechanism 22 is shown as a unitary member , persons skilled in the art will understand that it may be constructed of more than one part . the embodiment ( s ) of the invention described above is ( are ) intended to be exemplary only . the scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims .