Rack for Holding Cookware on a Cooktop

Abstract

A rack (10) for holding cookware (66) on a cooktop (13) has a support rod (12) which is mounted on the cooktop by rod support stands (14, 16), and a ring shaped support member (18, 60, 62, 64) for cookware removably connected to the support rod by clips (24,26). The ring shaped support member has a support leg (36) which is mounted on the cooktop and is connected to the ring shaped support member such that the ring shaped support member is held in an elevated position over a heating element (17) of the cooktop. The ring shaped support member defines an opening (34) through which a vessel portion of cookware may be located.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an improved cooktop safety assembly, and, in particular, to a rack for holding cookware on a cooktop of a stove so as to prevent the cookware from slipping or otherwise being inadvertently displaced from the cooktop.[0002]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[0003]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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a rack that can be easily attached and detached from a cooktop to hold cookware. It allows for flexibility in where and how the rack can be used. The rack is simple and reliable, and it prevents the cookware from slipping or getting moved around accidentally. This rack can be made as a part of stove cooktops or added as a retrofit at a minimal cost.

Problems solved by technology

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.

Also, with this arrangement, 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.

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