WO2012083348A1

WO2012083348A1 - Improved cooktop safety assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2012083348A1
Application number: PCT/AU2011/001634
Authority: WO
Inventors: Derek Thomas Mooney
Original assignee: Derek Thomas Mooney
Priority date: 2010-12-21
Filing date: 2011-12-16
Publication date: 2012-06-28

Abstract

A cooktop safety assembly comprising; (a) a rack adapted to be mounted on a cooktop, the rack including at least one ring shaped support member for cookware and means for holding the or each support member in an elevated position over a respective heating element of the cooktop, the or each support member defining an opening through which a vessel portion of cookware may be located, and the elevated position corresponding to a minimum predetermined height of an uppermost surface of the support member above the heating element; and (b) a cookware adapted for use with the rack, the cookware having a vessel portion with an outer side wall that has an outer diameter corresponding to a minimum predetermined width which is sufficient to effect a snug engagement of the outer side wall of the cookware within the support member,

Description

IMPROVED COOKTOP SAFETY ASSEMBLY

FEILD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved cooktop safety assembly, and, in particular, to an arrangement of cooperating cooktop devices that can be assembled in a manner which prevents cookware from slipping or otherwise being inadvertently displaced from a cooktop of a stove, stove grate or the like. In the present specification, the word "cookware" is intended to mean a single item of cookware and/or a plurality of cookware items, such as pots and pans, and even woks, depending on the context in which that word is used.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The kitchen may be a dangerous place when young children, and particularly toddlers, are roaming the kitchen looking to satisfy their curiosity or hunger. A significant danger is posed by cookware, such as cooking pots and frying pans, that are present on a stove during or just after cooking when the food or liquid contained therein is hot. Young children are likely to reach up, especially where the handle of the cookware is protruding to the front of the stove, and pull the cooking pot or frying pan off the stove, with the most feared outcome being that they spill the contents over themselves.

A further problem with unsecured cookware is that it may require a second hand to hold the pot or pan when it is desired to stir the contents thereof. This second hand may, however, be being used for other cooking purposes, and so not be available to hold the pot or pan during stirring. Stirring a pot or pan without a steadying second hand may cause the pot or pan to shift dangerously or to spill its contents. A still further problem relates to gas stoves in moving vehicles, such as marine vessels, aircraft or recreational land vehicles like motor homes or camper vans, where an item of cookware is prone to slipping from a stove cooktop by the effect of acceleration, deceleration, rocking and bumps encountered by the moving vehicle.

There have been numerous attempts over many years to address these problems, but many of the devices have been complex in structure and difficult to operate, whilst other simpler devices have lacked reliability.

For instance, US Patent No. 3,583,384 discloses an open-topped, relatively shallow receptacle adapted to hold cooking utensils against lateral movement on a stove grate or cooking grid, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced anchoring members projecting . downwardly from the receptacle for removably engaging given ones of a plurality of radial bars of the grate.

US Patent No. 5,638,806 discloses a safety ring that depends downwardly from the bottom of an item of cookware, the safety ring including a plurality of chair members that are annularly spaced apart such that the chair members will fit a three, four, six or eight pronged gas stove top grate. Each chair member is generally U-shaped and receives therewithin a respective prong of the grate at a different angle to any other chair, thereby preventing lateral movement of the cookware on the grate.

US Patent No. 4,745,905 discloses a cooking utensil holder having a first ring with securing means therein that is placed on a cooking surface having holes, and a second ring spaced above the first ring by upright support members. The first ring also has downwardly depending attachment pins that securably engage the holes in the cooking surface. A cooking utensil is spaced inside the holder and a plurality of adjustment means mounted on the support members are adjusted until they contact the cooking utensil and hold it firmly on or over the stove grate.

US Patent No. 3,960,134 discloses a restraining device comprising an expandable circumference metallic cylinder having means formed integrally therewith for removably securing the cylinder to a stove grate, the cooking utensil being encircled, and restrained from sliding off the grate, by the device.

Published International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2007/001703 (WO

2008/055300) by the inventor of the present invention, discloses an arrangement of cooperating cooktop devices comprising channel members mounted to the bottom of cookware, and finger members extending above a heating element and adapted to be slidably, yet removably, engaged with the channel members so as to prevent displacement of the cookware from its supported position over the heating element. The finger members are mounted to an outer support frame of a stove rack removably engaged with a stove top, and project upwardly and inwardly from the outer support frame.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple yet reliable arrangement that can be built-in to cookware and stove cooktops at minimal cost prior to their sale, or retrofitted thereto, and which will prevent the cookware from slipping or otherwise being inadvertently displaced from the cooktops.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cooktop safety assembly which ^' overcomes or substantially ameliorates the shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative. Accordingly, the present invention provides a cooktop safety assembly comprising;

(a) a rack adapted to be mounted on a cooktop, the rack including at least one ring shaped support member for cookware and means for holding the or each support member in an elevated position over a respective heating element of the cooktop, the or each support member defining an opening through which a vessel portion of cookware may be located, and the elevated position corresponding to a minimum predetermined height of an uppermost surface of the support member above the heating element, (b) a cookware adapted for use with the rack, the cookware having a vessel portion with an outer side wall that has an outer diameter corresponding to a minimum predetermined width which is sufficient to effect a snug engagement of the outer side wall of the cookware within the support member,

wherein, in use, the combination of the minimum predetermined height and the minimum predetermined width restricts the cookware to being located vertically through the opening so that, with the outer side wall engaging snugly within the support member, the cookware cannot be tilted from a vertical axis but can be rotated thereabout, and release of the cookware from the rack can only be effected by vertically raising the cookware to above the minimum predetermined height where the vessel portion clears the support member.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the vessel portion of the cookware has an outer side wall that is stepped so as to define a smaller diameter lower wall portion and a larger diameter upper wall portion with a step therebetween, the outer diameter of the lower wall portion below the step corresponding to the minimum predetermined width,

wherein, in use, the cookware is located through the opening so that the step rests upon the support member, and so that, with the outer side wall engaging snugly within the support member, the cookware cannot be tilted from a vertical axis but can be rotated thereabout, and release of the cookware from the rack can only be effected by vertically raising the cookware to above the minimum predetermined height where the vessel portion clears the support member. It is also preferred that the πώ-imum predetermined height is such that the base of the vessel portion rests upon the heating element.

Preferably, the rack includes outer members defining a frame adapted to be mounted to the perimeter of the cooktop, and cross members extending across the frame. Preferably, the means for holding the or each support member in an elevated position over a respective heating element comprise at least one locating arm having a substantially vertical portion attached to an outer member and/or a cross member of the rack, and a substantially horizontal portion attached to a support member.

The rack may be made of metal or a metal alloy having heat conducting properties.

In a preferred form, the support members are at a uniform height above the cooktop. The cookware is preferably a pan, but may be a pot.

The heating element may be an electrical element, a gas burner element, or a flat surfaced induction element. SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a view, as seen from the front and top, of an arrangement of cooperating cooktop devices that can be assembled to form a first cooktop safety assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the cookware shown separated from the rack, Fig. 2 is a similar view to that of Figure 1, but showing two cookware items supported on the rack so as to form the first preferred cooktop safety assembly of the invention,

Fig. 3 is another view, as seen from the corner and top, of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, but with the separated cookware tilted to show the step in the vessel portion, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a rack, in an upwardly pivoted position over a cooktop, that can be used in a second cooktop safety assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rack shown in Fig. 4, now lowered onto the cooktop, and showing two cookware items supported on the rack so as to form the second preferred cooktop safety assembly of the invention, and

Figs. 6 to 9 are isolated views of a corner region of the rack shown in Figs. 4 and 5 showing different mounting assemblies for the rack.

DETAILED DESRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The arrangement and assembly shown in Figures 1 to 3 broadly comprise cookware, in the preferred form of pots 12, 14 which have vessel portions 16 with stepped outer side walls, and a rack 18 which has ring shaped support members 20 held by locating arms 22, 23 in elevated positions over respective heating elements of a cooktop (not shown), such as a gas burner element. The rack 18 is adapted to be removably mounted to the perimeter of the cooktop.

Each ring shaped support member 20 defines an opening 24 through which the vessel portion 16 of cookware may be located, and each support member 20 is located at a height above a heating element so that the base 26 of the vessel portion 16 rests upon the heating element.

Each elevated position corresponds to a minimum predetennined height (H) of an uppermost surface of a support member 20 above a heating element.

An item of cookware 12 adapted for use with the rack 18 has a vessel portion 16 with an outer side wall that has an outer diameter corresponding to a minimum predetermined width (W) which is sufficient to effect a snug engagement of the outer side wall of the cookware item 12 within the support member 20.

In use, the combination of the minimum predetermined height (H) and the minimum predetermined width (W) restricts the cookware 12 to being located vertically through the opening 24 so that, with the outer side wall engaging snugly within the support member 20, the cookware cannot be tilted from a vertical axis but can be rotated thereabout. Furthermore, release of the cookware 12 from the rack 18 can only be effected by vertically raising the cookware to above the minimum predetermined height (H) where the vessel portion 16 clears the support member 20.

A step 28 in the outer side wall of the cookware is defined between a smaller diameter lower wall portion 30 and a larger diameter upper wall portion 32, with the outer diameter of the lower wall portion 30 below the step 28 corresponding to the minimum predetermined width (W).

In use, the cookware 12 is located through the opening 24 so that the step 28 rests upon the support member, and so that, with the outer side wall engaging snugly within the support member 20, the cookware cannot be tilted from a vertical axis but can be rotated thereabout, and release of the cookware 12 from the rack 18 can only be effected by vertically raising the cookware to above the minimum predetermined height (H) where the vessel portion 16 clears the support member 20.

The rack 18 has outer members 34 defining a frame 36 that includes means for mounting the rack to the perimeter of the cooktop. A plurality of cross members 38 extend across the frame 36. The outer members 34 and cross members 38 provide support for the locating arms 22, 23 which may be connected thereto by welding or the like. Each locating arm 22 has a substantially vertical portion 40 attached to an outer member 34 and/or a cross member 38 of the rack 18, and a substantially horizontal portion 42 attached to a support member 20. Each locating arm 23 is substantially horizontal and is attached to a lowered middle portion 44 of a cross member 38 of the rack 18.

The arrangement of the outer members 34, cross members 38 and locating arms 22, 23 is such that the ring shaped support members 20 are at a uniform height above the cooktop.

The rack 18 is made of metal or a metal alloy having heat conducting properties. In use, the combination of the minimum predetermined height (H) and the minimum predetermined width (W) restricts the cookware 12, 14 (:;uch as a cooking pot) to being located vertically through the opening 24 of a selected ring shaped support member 20 of the rack 18 so that the step 28 of the vessel portion 16 rests upon the support member, and the base 26 of the pot rests upon the heating element (such as a gas burner element), with the outer side wall engaging snugly within the support member. In this supported and stable position during cooking, the pot cannot be tilted from a vertical axis but can be rotated thereabout, and release of the pot from the rack 18 can only be effected by vertically raising the pot to above the minimum predetermined height (H) where the vessel portion 16 clears the support member 20.

Without wishing to be bound by precise limitations of measurement, it has been found that a useful minimum predetermined height (H) is about 55mm, denoting a vertical distance from the top of the heating element to an uppermost surface of the support member. A useful minimum predetermined width (W) has been found to correspond to a horizontal spacing totalling about 1mm from the outer side wall of a pot vessel portion to the inner side wall of a ring shaped support member. This is sufficient to effect a snug engagement of the outer side wall of the cookware within the support member in many circumstances, although a range of heights (H) and widths (W) may be possible in some other circumstances. After cooking operations have ceased and the pot needs to be removed from the cooktop, the pot is gripped by its handle and moved vertically upwardly sufficiently so that the vessel portion 16 clears the support member 20. The rack 18 may be connected and disconnected from the cooktop, say, for cleaning, by a simple manual operation involving clips, clamps, screws, brackets or the like.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in details of design, construction and use of the cooktop safety assembly, and of the arrangement of cooperating cooktop devices for forming such an assembly, described above without departing from the scope or ambit of the present invention.

For instance, the cookware adapted for use with the rack described above need not have a step in its outer side wall, but can have a vessel portion with an outer side wall that has a uniform outer diameter (i.e. substantially vertical), so long as, in accordance with this invention, the cookware can be vertically located through the opening so that the outer side wall engages snugly within the support member. In this way, conventional pots and pans that include the minimum predetermined width ( W) can be used with the rack in a manner as described above.

Such an arrangement and assembly is shown in Figures 4 and 5. Cookware, in the preferred form of pots 52, 54 which have vessel portions 56 with substantially vertical outer side walls, cooperate with a rack 58 which has ring shaped support members 60 held by straight and horizontal locating arms 61, 62 in elevated positions over respective heating elements of a cooktop 63. The rack 58 is adapted to be pivotally mounted to the perimeter of the cooktop 63, and may also be removably mounted thereto.

Each ring shaped support member 60 defines an opening 64 through which the vessel portion 56 of cookware may be located, and each support member 60 is located at a height above a heating element 65 so that the base of the vessel portion 56 rests upon the heating element.

Each elevated position corresponds to a minimum predetermined height (H) of an uppermost surface of a support member 60 above a heating element 65. The ring shape of the support member is like a collar, the vertical distance from its upper surface to its lower surface being sufficiently large to surround a relatively large circumferential area of the substantially vertical outer side wall of the vessel portion of the pot 52. The pot 52 has a vessel portion 56 with an outer side wall that has an outer diameter corresponding to a minimum predetermined width (W) which is sufficient to effect a snug engagement of the outer side wall of the pot 52 within the support member 60.

In use, the combination of the minimum predetermined height (H) and the min mum predetermined width (W) restricts the pot 52 to being located vertically through the opening 64 so that, with the outer side wall engaging snugly within the support member 60, the pot cannot be tilted from a vertical axis but can be rotated thereabout.

Furthermore, release of the pot 52 from the rack 58 can only be effected by vertically raising the pot to above the rninimum predetermined height (H) where the vessel portion 56 clears the support member 60. This provides the pot 52 with a supported and stable position during cooking.

The rack 58 has outer members 74 defining a frame that includes vertical feet 76 at each of its four corners, and means for pivotally mounting the rack to the perimeter of the cooktop 63. The plurality of locating arms 61, 62 extend across the frame and all interconnecting members as described above are welded together.

The arrangement of the outer members 74, feet 76 and locating arms 61, 62 is such that the ring shaped support members 60 are at a uniform height above the cooktop.

The rack 58 is made of metal or a metal alloy having heat conducting properties. After cooking operations have ceased and the pot 52 needs to be removed from the cooktop 63, the pot is gripped by its handle 78 and moved vertically upwardly sufficiently so that the vessel portion 56 clears the support member 60. The rack 58 is pivotally mounted to the rear perimeter of the cooktop 63 by a pair of hinges or pivot brackets 80, 82, 84 (as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 respectively) which are screwed to surface regions of the cooktop or adjacent the cooktop. Each pivot bracket has a pivotable tubular portion 86 that tightly receives therein a vertical foot 76 of the rack frame, and a rigid spacer portion 88 pivotally connected at one end to the tubular portion 86 and at the other end to a screw receiving portion 90.

Figure 9 shows a recessed plug 96 secured to a region of the cooktop where it can receive and stably surround the tip of a foot 76, such as at the front of the cooktop, although such plugs may also be present at the rear of the cooktop if no pivoting of the rack is required.

Alternatively, permanently secured slide brackets may be present at the rear of the cooktop to slidably receive and stably support the rack. In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the outer side wall of the vessel portion of the pot or pan is tapered or gradually converges downwardly, and the height and inner diameter of its respective support member above the heating element needs to be such as to ensure that the base of the vessel portion will rest upon the heating element and the tapered outer side wall will engage snugly within the support member in accordance with this invention.

Also, the heating element need not be a gas burner element, but may instead be an electrical element or a flat surfaced induction element. It will also be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that the present invention has many advantages over the prior art. For instance the present invention provides a simple yet reliable arrangement of cooperating cooktop devices that can be built-in to cookware and stove cooktops at minimal cost prior to their sale, or retrofitted thereto, and which, when assembled, will prevent the cookware from slipping or otherwise being inadvertently displaced from the cooktops.

Further advantages of the present invention to those described in, or understood from, this specification will be apparent to persons skilled in the art The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an

acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates before the filing date of this patent application.

Claims

1. A cooktop safety assembly comprising;

2. The cooktop safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the vessel portion of the cookware has an outer side wall that is stepped so as to define a smaller diameter lower wall portion and a larger diameter upper wall portion with a step therebetween, the outer diameter of the lower wall portion below the step corresponding to the minimum predetermined width,

wherein, in use, the cookware is located through the opening so that the step rests upon the support member, and so that, with the outer side wall engaging snugly within the support member, the cookware cannot be tilted from a vertical axis but can be rotated thereabout, and release of the cookware from the rack can only be effected by vertically raising the cookware to above the minimum predetermined height where the vessel portion clears the support member.

3. The cooktop safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the minimum predetermined height is such that the base of the vessel portion rests upon the heating element.

4. The cooktop safety assembly of claim 3 wherein the rack includes outer members defining a frame adapted to be mounted to the perimeter of the cooktop, and cross members extending across the frame.

5. The cooktop safety assembly of claim 4 wherein the means for holding the or each support member in an elevated position over a respective heating element comprise at least one locating arm having a substantially vertical portion attached to an outer member and/or a cross member of the rack, and a substantially horizontal portion attached to a support member.

6. The cooktop safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the rack is made of metal or a metal alloy having heat conducting properties.

7. The cooktop safety assembly of claim 4 wherein the support members are at a uniform height above the cooktop.

8. The cooktop safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the cookware is a pan or a pot.

9. The cooktop safety assembly of claim 1 wherein the heating element is an electrical element, a gas burner element, or a flat surfaced induction element.