COOKWARE GRASPING DEVICE

Described herein is a cookware grasping and moving device. The device contains a handle portion and a grasping and resting portion. The handle portion is extendable a length and configured for removable receipt on the grasping and resting portion. The grasping and resting portion having adjustable dimensions configured for attachment and securing the item of cookware.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure of the present application relates generally to a grasping device for cookware to aid in the movement and transport of the cookware to and from a heating source.

BACKGROUND

Often when cooking, a typical user will need to move a heated container from a heat source, such as an oven. Typical solutions for this movement generally utilize heat resistant fabric items, such as oven mitts or gloves, or pot holders and hot pads for covering a user's hands during grasping, removal, and transport. Still other solutions generally utilize additional utensils, such as tongs.

These solutions generally fail to meet the needs of the market as these devices generally only cover a portion of the user's hands and arms or are difficult to use in securing large and heavy containers. Therefore, there is a need within the market for an improved cookware grasping device that generally allows a user to remove a hot item/container from a heat source. Preferably this device is configured for robust attachment to a cookware item, is heat resistant, configured for attachment to multiple shapes and sizes, and configured to allow for both placement and removal from the heat source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present disclosure is generally a mechanical cookware grasping and maneuvering device that is adjustable for the grasping of and placement upon a variety of cookware containers and sizes for moving the cookware into and from a heat source, such as an oven.

The cookware grasping device of the present disclosure is generally configured to provide grasping support and resting support to a cookware item placed within and removed from a heat source, such as an oven. The materials of the device are heat resistant and configured for resiliency in high heat environments.

The device is comprised of a handle portion having a telescopic arm portion in removable communication with an adjustable grasping and resting portion. The grasping portion having a plurality of arms radiating from a center attached end to a free end. The arms having a length that is adjustable between the attached end and the free end, wherein the dimension of the grasping portion is movable to secure a number of sizes shapes, and types of cookware. This free end is substantially finger-like and has an adjustable height, wherein the free end is adapted to secure varying heights of cookware.

The handle end is configured in an adjustable assembly having a first release button positioned on a top of the handle and a second release button positioned on the arm portion, wherein operation of the release buttons is configured to allow a user to separate the handle from the grasping portion.

The handle having an adjustable length through a nested/telescopic assembly, wherein buttons received within apertures allow for an adjustment of the length of the handle arm.

In use, the grasping portion is generally sized to be received around an item of cookware to offer grasping and resting support for the cookware and remains in an engaged position in communication with the cookware when placed into an oven. The handle arm portion is selectively and removably received in the grasping portion, wherein the user will utilize the handle to remove and place the item of cookware that is engaged within the grasping portion into and out of the heat source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present invention is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter process, process or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries.

The following explanations of certain terms are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. These terms have their ordinary meanings given by usage in the art and in addition include the following explanations.

As used herein, the term “and/or” refers to any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.

As used herein the terms “include,” “for example,” “such as,” and the like are used illustratively and are not intended to limit the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances.

Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

As used herein the terms “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGS, with “front,” “back,” and “rear” being relative to the apparatus. These terms are not meant to limit the elements that they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.

The device of the present disclosure is generally configured as a grasping or holding device for generally being affixed to an item of cookware for moving the cookware into and out of a heat source without exposing a user to the high temperature of the heat source heated item of cookware.

Referring to the figures,FIG. 1toFIG. 10show the cookware grasping device of the present invention and generally referred to as device10. The device10of the present invention is generally adapted to provide a combination of grasping support and resting support to an individual cookware item placed within and removed from a heat source, such as oven.

Accordingly, the materials of the device10are comprised of heat resistant materials, such as, but not limited to, metals, silicones, ceramics, and other similar materials configured for resiliency and durability in high-heat environments. The device10is comprised of a handle portion100in removable communication with an adjustable grasping and resting portion200.

The adjustable grasping and resting portion200comprised of a plurality of arm portions202radiating outward from a center hub201. Each arm202of the plurality of arm portions202having an attached end220and extending a length to a free end221opposed the attached end220, wherein the length of the arm202is adjustable by moving the free end221opposite the attached end220outward relative to the center hub201. Accordingly, the overall dimensions of the grasping and resting portion200can be adjusted to secure a multitude of sizes, shapes, and dimensions of an individual item of cookware.

The free end221of the arm portions202having a grasping member203generally forming a finger-like projection for receiving both the bottom and sidewall of the cookware item. The grasping member203extending perpendicular to the arm portions202a height from a fixed end230to a movable end231opposite the fixed end230. The grasping member203generally forming an L-shape with the fixed end230being the base of the L-shape and the movable end231being the leg portion of the L-shape and comprised of a resilient material, such as a temperature resistant silicone, for gripping the cookware item. Accordingly, the resilient material of the grasping member203provides a surface with increased friction in securing the cookware item within the grasping and resting portion200and dissipating retained heat from a heated cookware item.

In the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the grasping and resting portion200is comprised of four arm portions202spaced equidistant around the central hub201and radiating outward opposite the central hub201.

The handle end100is provided in an adjustable assembly, wherein a length of the handle end100can be extended through a handle length adjusting means. Accordingly, the handle end100is comprised of an outer portion101and inner portion102provided in a nested telescopic receipt within the outer portion101. The outer portion101generally hollow to allow the receipt of the inner portion102and having an outer surface110.

In the preferred assembly for the adjustable length means, the outer portion101of the handle100has a first aperture112configured to enable the adjustable length of the handle portion through a selective communication with a pair of raised nodes122,123. The raised nodes122,123generally comprised of spring loaded detents configured for selective receipt within the first aperture112to allow a user to generally move the nested assembly of the outer portion101and inner portion102between a pair of positions in the form of a collapsed position or extended position allowing for an adjustment to the length of the handle100. In this preferred assembly a first raised node122of the pair of nodes is positioned adjacent to an attached end120of the inner portion102and a second raised node123of the pair of nodes is positioned distal the first raised node122opposed the attached end120.

The outer surface110comprised of a resilient material, similar to the grasping member203, such as a temperature resistant silicone, for providing an increased grip for the user of the device10. The resilient material of the outer surface110may further aid in dissipating retained heat from a heated cookware item.

The handle end100inner portion102having the attached end120extending distal the outer portion101and configured for removable attachment to the grasping and resting portion200. The preferred connection utilizes a pair of release buttons111,121enabling for the release and connection of the handle end100and grasping and resting portion200. The first release button111coupled to the second release button121, wherein manipulation of the first release button111moves the second release button121inward as if the button121where manually manipulated by applying a force, such as pressing. The attached end120generally adapted with a shape for receipt with a sleeve member232posited on an outer portion of at least one of the grasping members203opposite the arm portion202. The sleeve member232including an aperture for the receipt of the second release button121, wherein the second release button121is generally a raised boss or spring-loaded detest sized for receipt within the aperture of the sleeve member232.

The attached end120may be provided in angled assembly to generally align the handle portion100at a central position along a height of the grasping and resting portion200to balance the device10and increase the ability of the device10to support large and potentially heavy items.

In use of the device10, the grasping portion102is generally sized by a user to be received around an item of cookware to offer grasping and resting support for the cookware and remain in an engaged position when placed into an oven. Accordingly, the user will generally utilize the various adjustment means including, but not limited to, moving the arm portions202and grasping members203to align with the cookware dimensions. The handle portion100is then selectively and removably received in the grasping and resting portion200, wherein the user will utilize the engaged device10to remove and place the item into and out of the oven. The first release button111and second release button121will aid in these process allowing the user to easily attach and detach the handle100from the grasping and resting portion200.