WO2020024013A1

WO2020024013A1 - Detachable handle

Info

Publication number: WO2020024013A1
Application number: PCT/AU2019/050805
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zane Mills
Original assignee: Business Sourcing Solutions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-01
Filing date: 2019-07-31
Publication date: 2020-02-06
Also published as: CN112437624A; AU2019226258B2; AU2019226258A1

Abstract

A detachable handle for cookware includes a mouth for accepting a hook attached to the cookware. The hook is secured to the handle with a locking block engaged using a lever integrated into the handle. The locking block works against a spring for smooth operation and dis-engaging the locking block. A torsion spring is used to avoid accidental dislodgement by the hook as it is being inserted.

Description

Detachable Handle

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a detachable handle for use with cookware such as a frying pan.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Removable handles for cookware are desirable as they allow the cookware to be placed in an oven without the handle taking up space which may prevent the oven from closing. Advantageously such handles are not exposed to sustained durations of high oven temperatures and so can be made from a wider variety of materials. The user is also spared from having to manipulate a handle at oven temperatures.

[0003] Many mechanisms are known for making a handle removable and typically involve a small lever including an over centre cam mechanism. Preferably the mechanisms include a spring to help reduce the number of moving parts and provide a resilient element that is not going to wear over time. Known embodiments include a locking block for engaging a hook attached to the cookware, with a compression spring situated under the locking block. To accommodate the spring a slot is included in the hook. Whilst such an arrangement is effective, the spring is susceptible to being knocked out of place as the hook is inserted into the handle, often rendering the handle inoperative.

[0004] The object of this invention is to provide a detachable handle to alleviate the above problems, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In a first aspect the invention provides a detachable handle for cookware, comprising an elongate handle with a mouth for accepting a hook attached to the cookware, a locking block for engaging the hook, a lever handle for pushing the locking block into the mouth to engage the hook, and a torsion spring located in the mouth and acting against the locking block to disengage it from the hook.

[0006] Preferably the torsion spring is a double torsion spring.

[0007] The connecting bar of the torsion spring may act against the locking block, or the legs of the torsion spring may act against the locking block. [0008] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRI PTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0010] Figure 1A shows a perspective view of the handle of the present invention ready to be attached to a piece of cookware; and, Figure IB shows the handle attached to the cookware.

[0011] Figures 2A and 2B show a perspective view of the handle in open and closed positions.

[0012] Figure 3 shows a hook as fitted to cookware for engaging the handle.

[0013] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the handle.

[0014] Figures 5A and 5B show the moving components of the handle in isolation in front and rear perspective views respectively; Figure 5C shows details of the locking block.

[0015] Figure 6 shows a cutaway view of the handle in an open position ready to engage with a hook.

[0016] Figure 7 shows a cutaway view of the handle in a n open position with a hook inserted.

[0017] Figure 8 shows a cutaway view of the handle in a closed position engaged with a hook.

[0018] Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the hook, locking block and torsion spring.

DRAWING COMPON ENTS [0019] The drawings include the following integers.

10 cookware

20 hook

22 groove

24 lip

26 notch

28 screw hole

40 handle

42 body

43 recess

44 mouth

46 pivot apertures

50 lever

52 lobes

54 pivot apertures

60 pivot pin

70 locking block

72 spring retainer

74 spring stop

80 (double) torsion spring

82 connecting bar

84 legs

120 alternative hook

124 alternative lip

170 alternative locking block

180 alternative spring

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration. [0021] The present invention provides a detachable handle for cookware that is both robust and easy to use. The handle includes an aperture for accepting a hook attached to a piece of cookware. The hook is secured with a locking block engaged using a lever integrated into the handle. The locking block works against a spring for smooth operation and dis engaging the locking block. A torsion spring is used to provide clearance to the hook.

[0022] Figures 1A and IB show the handle 40 of the invention in context, with an item of cookware 10. I n Figure 1A the handle 40 is ready to be attached to the cookware 10 via hook 20, and in Figure IB the handle has been attached. Figures 2A and 2B show corresponding views of the handle in isolation from a different perspective allowing the mouth 44 of the handle to be seen. For the handle 40 to attach to the cookware 10 it is placed in the disengaged, or open, position as in Figures 1A and 2A by raising lever 50 which pivots on pin 60. The hook 20 of the cookware 10 is then placed in the mouth 44 of the handle and the lever 50 then moved to the closed or engaged state as seen in Figures IB and 2B to secure the handle to the cookware.

[0023] A hook 20 is shown in isolation in Figure 3 and includes a groove 22 which works in conjunction with lip 24 to engage a locking block 70 to hold the handle to the hook. The lip 24 includes a notch 26 to provide clearance for a spring element (discussed below). The hook is attached to the cookware using screw holes 28.

[0024] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the handle 40 in which can be seen body 42, lever 50, pivot pin 60, locking block 70 and (double) torsion spring 80. The lever 50 is retained in recess 43 of the body 42 by pivot pin 60 which passes through pivot apertures 46 in the body 42 and corresponding pivot aperture 54 in the lever 50. The lever 50 includes lobes 52 which push down on the locking block 70 when the lever is in the close or engaged position as in Figure 4. The locking block 70 acts against the connecting bar 82 of double torsion spring 80, which in turn acts against the bottom of recess 43 via legs 84.

[0025] Figures 5A and 5B show the moving components of the handle in isolation in front and rear perspective views respectively as they would be in an open or dis-engaged position, with Figure 5C showing the underside of locking block 70. The torsion spring 80 is retained by spring retainer 72 and spring stop 74 in locking block 70.

[0026] Operation of the handle 40 can be further appreciated with Figures 6 to 8 in which the handle body 42 has been cutaway to show the moving parts. I n Figure 6 the lever 50 is in the open position, leaving the mouth 44 of the handle clear to accept the hook 20 as the locking block 70 is pushed upwards and out of the way by spring 80. In Figure 7 the hook 20 has been pushed into the mouth of the handle 42 with the lever 50 still in the open position. The body of the hook meets the handle to define maximum insertion where the groove 22 of the hook sits under locking block 70. In Figure 8 the lever 50 has been moved to the closed position and in doing so the lobes 52 of the lever push down the locking block 70 to engage with the groove 22 of the hook and thus retai n the hook in the handle. Retention is further aided by the lip 24 sitting behind the locking block 70. It can be appreciated in Figures 6 to 8 how the torsion spring 80 can act on locking block 70 whilst still leaving a void to accept the hook, thus preventing any accidental dislodgement of the spring by the hook.

[0027] To detach the handle 40 from the hook 20, lever 50 is lifted allowing the spring 80 to push up the locking block 70 clear of the hook (as per Figure 7 again), allowing the hook 20 to be extracted from the handle (as per Figure 6 again) .

[0028] Figure 9 shows an alternative hook 120 which has a shortened lip 122 to provide clearance at either end for spring 180 instead of having a central notch. The spring 180 is the same as the spring 80, but inverted. Locking block 170 is adapted to at either end to receive the legs of the spring.

[0029] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a detachable handle for cookware with a robust and easy to use mechanism.

[0030] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0031] I n the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Claims

1. A detachable handle for cookware, comprising: an elongate handle with a mouth for accepting a hook attached to the cookware; a locking block for engaging the hook; a lever handle for pushing the locking block into the mouth to engage the hook; and a spring located in the mouth and acting against the locking block to disengage it from the hook, wherein the spring is a torsion spring.

2. A handle as in claim 1, wherein the torsion spring is a double torsion spring.

3. A handle as in claim 2, wherein the connecting bar of the torsion spring acts against the locking block.

4. A handle as in claim 2, wherein the legs of the torsion spring acts against the locking block.