LOCKABLE MOUNTING FOR RETAINING A REMOVABLE ITEM TO A BASE

Abstract: A mounting for retaining a movable item (12) to a base (17) comprising a male and female element (11 and 15) to be located on the movable item (12) or base (17) respectively or vice versa said male portion (11) having a disc like configuration and having at least one flange like protrusion (18) at one face thereof and to one side thereof which is spaced from the other face, said female portion (15) having an aperture (16) at one face thereof which is of corresponding configuration and dimensions as the male member (11) at the other face.

Description: "LOCKABLE MOUNTING FOR RETAINING A REMOVABLE ITEM TO A BASE" THIS INVENTION relates to a means for lockably retaining a removable member to a base. In one form the invention resides in a lockable mounting for retaining a movable item to a base comprising a male and female element to. be supported by the removable item and base respectively or vice versa, said male portion having a disc like configuration and the female portion formed with an aperture of corresponding configuration wherein the outer most portion of the aperture is of reduced dimensions, said male portion being formed at one side with at least one lateral protrusion at its outer most face. According to a preferred feature of the invention said base comprises the cooking surface or a stove. The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment. The description is made with reference to the accompany¬ ing drawings of which:- Figure 1 is a schematic sectional elevation showing a removable item associated with the locking means of the embodiment; Figure 2 illustrates an alternative form of locking means; Figure 3 is an underneath view of a first element of the locking means; and Figure 4 illustrates a number of variations of configuration of the elements of the locking means of the embodiment. The em b odiment is directed towards a locking means which has particular application for retaining cooking utensils such as saucepans, pans and the like on the cooking surface of the stove. It is well known that the kitchen is one of the most dangerous localities in a house and in particular the stove area which when in use supports a number of different pots and pans each containing hot contents and each of which may be readily tipped over if mis-handled. This danger is particularly great where young children are present who cannot see what Is in the saucepan and who as a result of their curiosity may pull the handle of the saucepan causing its contents to be tipped on them. Many children are seriously injured or killed as a result of such incidents. It is an object of the embodiment to provide a means of retaining such pots and pans on the cooking surface to prevent accidental dislodgement and yet facilitate ready removable of such pots and pans when desired. The embodiment comprises a locking means consisting of two elements, the first element is to be applied to the underneath of a pan or saucepan or may be formed integrally therewith. The first element comprises a pair of circular discs of equivalent dimension wherein a first disc 13 is bonded or otherwise affixed to the underneath of a pan and the second disc 14 is bonded or otherwise fixed to the first disc but is displaced slightly off centre from the first disc such that a portion of the second disc extends beyond the perimeter of the first disc 13 to define a flange 18 spaced from the base of the utensil 12. If desired the first element 11 may be formed integrally into the base of the pan and if desired the first and second discs 13 and 14 may be formed integrally. The second element 15 of the embodiment is to be mcmted over the cooking zone whether it be an electric hotplate or ring or a gas burner, and comprises an aperture 16 formed in a support 17 having a configuration correspond¬ ing to the configuration of the first and second disc 13 and 14. The thickness of the support 17 is less than or equal to the thickness of the first disc 13 or spacing of the flange formed by the second disc 14 from the underneath of the cooking utensil 12. As shown at figure 1 the support 17 may comprise a planar surface or as shown at figure 2 may comprise a ring. In use the first element is located on the base of a saucepan integrally or otherwise such that the flange is remote from the handle of the saucepan. To locate a saucepan onto the base the saucepan is tipped slightly such that the flange formed by the second disc 14 is lowermost in order that the flange can be inserted underneath the support 17 to allow the remainder of the first element 11 to be located in the aperture 16. Once in position the pan cannot be accidently tipped by downward pressure on the handle which is the most likely event where young children are present. In addition the saucepan cannot be displaced laterally from its position on the stove unless one side of the saucepan remote from the flange is lifted slightly and the pan is moved obliquely upwardly away from the support 17 as shown by the arrow A of figure 1. Where the aperture in the second element is circular the saucepan can be rotated about a vertical axis without the locking elements becoming dislodged. a owe***- It s h ould be appreciated that the degree by which the secon d disc may be mounted off centre from the first d isc can be varied according to the circumstances in w h ich the element is to be used. In addition the first element may be located in association with the working zone and the second element mounted to the cooking utensil. As shown at figure 4 the first and second element need not be restricted to the particular configurat on shown at figures 1, 2 and 3. The principal feature of the first element resides in the flange 18 which is formed to one side due to. the outer face of the first element having a greater area than the inner face. The aperture 16 of the second element 15 has an opening corresponding in size to or slightly larger than the minimum area of the first element and is symmetrical in cross-section wherein the internal wall of the aperture has a cross- sectional configuration corresponding substantially to that of the edge of the second member in the region of the flange 18. Where the cross-sectional configuration of the internal wall of the aperture 16 and the flanged portion of the first element are not the same, the configuration should be such that there is positive engagement between the two with the minimum of free play. It will be appreciated that the second element 15 may take the form of a plate as shown at Figure 4 or a base with the aperture 16 machined into the upper surface of the base of limited depth depending on the thickness of the first element. If desired the flange may be discontinuous to take the form of a series of lugs around the first element. Alternatively the flange may take the form of a single lug. In addition the first and second element need not be of a circular configuration but may be of elliptical poly¬ gonal any other suitable shape. It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiment described above. In particular the inven¬ tion need not be limited to the application described in relation to the embodiment and may be used in any situation where is desired to positively locate an item on a base to prevent accidental dislodgment of that item or tipping of that item. Other applications of the invention may include means for lockably mounting items such as computers, calculators, typewriters, televisions, clothing irons, telephones and the like to a base. If such a mounting was used the item is positively held to the base but is readily removed and the item may be readily rotated on the base without any danger of the item being tipped over or dropped.

Claims: THE CLAIMS defining the invention are as follows: 1. A mounting for retaining a movable item to a base comprising a male and female element to be located on the movable item or base respectively or vice versa said male portion having a disc like configuration and having at least one flange like protrusion at one face thereof and to one side thereof which is spaced from the other face, said female portion having an aperture at one face thereof which is of corresponding configuration and dimensions as the male member at the other face. 2. A mounting as claimed at claim 1 wherein said aperture and the other face of the male member are circular. 3. A mounting as claimed at claim 1 wherein the aperture and other face of the male member are polygonal. 4. A mounting as claimed at claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said protrusion comprises a flange. 5. A mounting as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein said protrusion comprises a lug or series of lugs. 6. A mounting as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein said movable item comprises a cooking utensil such as a saucepan, pan or the like utensil and said base comprises a heat source such as a stove top. 7. A mounting as claimed at claim 6 wherein the male element is mounted to the cooking utensil. 8. A mounting as claimed at claim 7 wherein the protrusion is located remote from the handle of the cooking utensil. 9. A mounting as claimed at claim 7 or 8 wherein the male element is integral with the base of the cooking utensil. 10. A mounting substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: ORDEMAN JOHN, ORDEMAN, JOHN
Applicants: ORDEMAN JOHN, ORDEMAN, JOHN
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A47J36
IPC codes: A47J27, A47J36, F24C15