Patent Publication Number: US-2023144104-A1

Title: Handle element for releasable fastening to a cooking vessel

Description:
The invention relates to a handle element for releasable attachment to a cooking vessel, e.g., to a saucepan. 
     Such handle elements have been sold by the applicant for some time. 
     In this context, the company B/R/K Vertriebs-GmbH, which is linked to the applicant, has in particular for several years sold a handle element, not verifiable by documentation, which is based on a handle element described in EP 1378135 B1. Said document describes a handle element comprising a support body and a two-arm lever. The two-arm lever is pivotably mounted on the support body. A clamping face is arranged on the one lever arm of the two-arm lever. A closing lever is arranged on the other lever arm of the two-arm lever. The closing lever can be transferred from an open position, as shown for example in FIG. 3 of the aforementioned publication, to a closed position (see FIG. 5 of the publication), thereby spacing the free end of the second lever arm of the closing lever apart fro the support body and at the same time clamping the clamping faces together on the other side of the pivot joint. 
     The aforementioned handle element has proved its worth in use. However, some disadvantages have come to light. In particular, for reasons that are not entirely clear, the plastic bearings occasionally pull out and break. 
     On this basis, the problem addressed by the invention is that of improving the already known handle element. 
     The invention achieves this object according to a first aspect with the features of claim  1 . 
     According to claim  1 , the invention relates to a handle element for releasable attachment to a cooking vessel. 
     The handle element according to the invention can be long-handled in design or can be designed as a hand grip or as a short handle. In particular, the invention encompasses that one or two handle elements, optionally also more handle elements, are releasably attached to a cooking vessel. 
     The cooking vessel to which a handle element as described in the invention is to be affixed can be a conventional metal saucepan, for example. In particular, the invention encompasses that the cooking vessel is a tapered saucepan provided with an approximately horizontal edge. Such saucepans that are designed with conical walls can in particular be stacked in a space-saving manner and can be stored in a space-saving manner. 
     The handle element according to the invention can be affixed to, for example, a horizontal wall section, a saucepan edge. The invention also encompasses that the locating surface for the handle element on the saucepan is not horizontal in form but instead assumes a different spatial form, for example a vertical orientation, or a spatially inclined form. 
     In accordance with the invention, the handle element comprises a support body. The support body can in particular be designed from plastic and can be designed ergonomically for engagement by a human hand. A claw arranged on the support body. In accordance with the invention as claimed in claim  1 , said claw is provided by a single-arm lever. 
     The handle element according to the invention comprises a pair of clamping faces: 
     Said pair is constituted of a first clamping face, which is provided on the support body, and a second clamping face, which is provided on the claw. The second clamping face can be moved relative to the first clamping face, towards it or away from it, as a result of a displacement of the claw. The claw can be restricted in the opening direction in respect of its opening movement by a stop face. 
     The claw is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the two clamping faces are spaced apart from each other. In the closed position of the claw, the two clamping faces are closer together. 
     When the claw is in the closed position, the pair of clamping faces can make secure contact with the corresponding engagement faces on the cooking vessel, i.e., in particular on the horizontally formed edge of the pan, and clamp the edge between them in this way. 
     In other words, when the claw is in the closed position, the handle element is securely affixed to the pan. 
     In order to be able to pivot the claw, a closing lever is provided. The closing lever is arranged on the support body, in particular so as to be pivotable with respect thereto. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closing lever is arranged in an overhanging manner on the support body. This is described further on in greater detail. 
     In accordance with the invention, the closing lever is connected to the claw by way of a tie-rod. The tie-rod is capable of exerting tensile forces on the claw. 
     Moreover, a control cam is provided on the closing lever. When the closing lever is displaced from a non-usage position into its usage position, the control cam causes the claw to be displaced from its open position into its closed position. 
     In accordance with the invention, a control cam is provided which has a cam face or control cam face. The cam face enables a tensile force to be exerted on the claw. 
     The closing lever is pivotably mounted with its cam control face in particular on the support body, in such a way that the cam control face is supported on a counter-control face which is fixedly arranged on the support body. The counter-cam face thus forms a kind of abutment or abutment face for the cam control face. 
     A movement of the closing lever causes the cam to turn at the same time. In particular, the cam is eccentrically formed. The tie-rod is in particular mounted for rotation on the control cam. A displacement of the closing lever causes the relative position of the rotary axis of the cam to change with respect to the abutment face. A lift is thus applied to the end of the tie-rod mounted in the cam. This lift is converted by the tie-rod into a tensile force on the claw. 
     Through the structure proposed in accordance with the invention, using a tie-rod, the actuation torques absorbed by the closing lever can be introduced directly into the claw. In this way, the bearing faces can be enlarged, the torques and forces to be transmitted can be optimized, and the handle element can be securely clamped to the edge of the pan. 
     In accordance with a further aspect, the invention relates to a handle element as claimed in claim  2 . 
     For the avoidance of repetition, reference is made to the advantages and significance of the features and embodiments as stated above in respect of claim  1 . 
     The special feature of the invention as claimed in claim  2  lies with the fact that the claw consists of metal. In the prior art according to the document described at the start, both the support body and the clamping arrangement formed by a two-arm lever are formed of plastic. 
     A significantly increased fire resistance can be achieved with the inventive embodiment of the claw. In particular, in applications for saucepans for gas stoves or other cooking vessels operated on open flames, a handle element according to the invention can meet higher safety requirements. 
     At the same time, the other elements of the handle element, in particular the support body, but also, for example, the closing lever and an opening lever that is optionally to be provided, can be formed of plastic. This allows for an ergonomic and haptically optimized design of a handle element along with low production costs and design advantages. 
     Furthermore, the invention achieves the problem described above h the features of claim  3 . 
     As regards the understanding of the features of the subject matter of claim  3 , for the avoidance of repetition, reference is likewise made to the above embodiments in respect of claims  1  and  2 . 
     The principle of the invention as claimed in claim  3  les substantially with the fact that a spring element is provided. This biases the two clamping faces into their spaced-apart position. The clamping element can be arranged directly between the pair of clamping faces, for example. The invention can also encompass that the spring element is arranged in the effect chain at any point between the pair of clamping faces. It can also be provided in accordance with the invention that the spring element is arranged in the effect chain between the closing lever and the second clamping face. Advantageously, the spring element can be designed as a helical spring element which surrounds the tie-rod. 
     The arrangement in accordance with the invention of a spring element allows for a tolerance compensation. 
     The wall thicknesses of the cooking vessels can vary due to production reasons. The spring element can absorb these tolerances and, within predefined ranges, of up to two-tenths of a millimeter, for example, depending on the design and interpretation of the spring element, bring about a tolerance compensation. 
     Furthermore, the spring element provides a balancing out and stabilization of the pressing forces. 
     In accordance with the invention, the pair of clamping faces is constructed and dimensioned in such a way that, in particular, when the closing lever is in the closed position or when the claw is in the closed position, the pair of clamping faces receives the edge of the pan with a certain play. The spring element operates within this receiving play and provides for a secure fit of the two clamping faces on the edge of the pan or on the engagement faces arranged on the edge of the pan and for a balancing out and homogenization of the forces. Through the choice of the spring element and the choice of the spring constant, these forces can be adjusted and predetermined precisely and reliably. 
     Furthermore, in accordance with a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a handle element as claimed in claim  4 . 
     In order to explain the invention as claimed in claim  4 , and for the avoidance of repetition, reference is made to the above embodiments in respect of claims  1  through  3 . This applies both to the variants shown and to the interpretation and understanding of the features. 
     The special feature of the invention as claimed in claim  4  lies with the fact that a closing mechanism is provided, which includes a closing lever. As integral part of the closing mechanism, there is further provided an opening lever, which can cooperate with the closing lever. By actuating the opening lever, an opening movement of the closing lever can be initiated. The opening lever can be pivotably mounted on the closing lever, for example. The opening lever can also have a graspable or grippable actuating element, for example, or an actuating extension that is easily engageable by an operator. Furthermore, it can have control faces which allow for an easier opening movement of the closing lever. 
     The invention also encompasses that the opening lever does not only provide for an initiation of the opening lever and the closing lever but can transfer the closing lever fully into its open position. The aforementioned spring element can likewise play a supportive part in this opening movement of the closing lever. 
     In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spring element is arranged on the tie-rod or is associated with the tie-rod. The spring element can particularly advantageously be provided by a helical spring, which surrounds the tie-rod. In this way, firstly, the spring element can be attached in a particularly simple manner, namely directly to the tie-rod. Secondly, use can be made of commercially available components to provide a spring element. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support body consists of plastic. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closing lever consists of plastic. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the opening lever consists of plastic. 
     It is thus possible for all of the parts or a plurality of the parts of the handle element that are grasped by an operator&#39;s hand to be provided with an ergonomically formed surface and/or with a surface that is particularly appealing to touch. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tie-rod is mounted in a rotary bearing so as to be pivotable relative to the closing lever. The rotary bearing, which in particular is made of metal, can be provided by a bolt or pin, for example. This is accommodated in an internal cutout of the cam. The tie-bolt or tie-rod is thus arranged so as to be pivotable relative the cam and hence also pivotable relative to the closing lever. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rotary bearing can be retained axially in relation to the support body, providing a radial clearance. In this way, a defined axial position of the closing lever relative to the support body and at the same time a defined axial position of the rotary bearing relative to the support body can be provided, regardless of the pivoted position of the closing lever. At the same time, the radial clearance can allow for a lifting movement of the rotary bearing relative to the base of the support body or relative to the abutment. To this end, the control cam has an eccentric cam face, which provides different radial positions of the rotary bearing relative to the abutment of the support body in different pivoted positions of the closing lever. 
     At the same time, this embodiment allows for a particularly simple design of a handle element according to the invention. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control cam consists of plastic. Furthermore, a counter-cam face can be provided, which in particular provides an abutment for the control cam. The counter-cam face or the abutment can advantageously consist of metal. An abrasion that might otherwise arise in long-term use can be avoided in this way. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the claw has an extension. The extension can have a abutment face which comprises a curvature that approximates to a curvature of the wall of the pan. A particularly good and secure, optimized fit of the handle element on the cooking vessel can be achieved in this way. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support body includes an cutout. When the closing lever is hi the closed position, it can fit flush into the cutout. A particularly ergonomic embodiment of the handle element can be achieved in this way. In particular, when the handle element is in the usage position, i.e., when the handle element is attached to the cooking vessel, a secure handling of the handle element and the cooking vessel can be achieved without the need for any projections. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tie-rod abuts on the claw at a distance of more than two-thirds of the distance between the pivot axis of the claw and the second clamping face. A particularly good transmission of force is achieved in this way, enabling a high clamping force to be achieved with low actuating and operating forces. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the opening lever is pivotably mounted on the closing lever. This allows for a particularly simple design of a handle element according to the invention. 
     According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closing lever is mounted in an overhanging manner on the support body. This likewise allows for a particularly simple design and construction of the handle element according to the invention. 
     The overhanging mounting of the closing lever on the support body along with the overhanging mounting of the tie-rod on the support body allows for an axial retention but a radial clearance. A particularly simple design and assembly of the handle element according to the invention can be achieved in this way. 
    
    
     
       Further advantages of the invention can be found in the dependent claims that are not cited and in the exemplary embodiments of the invention presented in the figures, as follows: 
       In the figures: 
         FIG.  1    shows in a partial sectional schematic outline sketch, a first exemplary embodiment of the handle element according to the invention, in longitudinal section, 
         FIG.  2    shows the exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  1    with the claw in the closed position, 
         FIG.  3    shows a further exemplary embodiment of a handle element according to the invention with a claw in the closed position and clamped to an edge region of a saucepan, 
         FIG.  3   a    shows in a partial sectional schematic view, a cross-section through an extension of the claw and the pan edge, approximately in accordance with section line IIIA-IIIA in  FIG.  3   , 
         FIG.  4    shows in a partial sectional schematic view, approximately in accordance with view arrow IV in  FIG.  3   , a part of the handle element and a region of the pan in plan view, 
         FIG.  5    shows in a partial sectional schematic view, approximately along section line V-V in  FIG.  4   , a longitudinal section through the handle element and the edge region of the pan, with the claw in the closed position, 
         FIG.  6    shows the exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  5    with the claw in the open position, 
         FIG.  7    shows a further exemplary embodiment of a handle element according to the invention in a representation comparable to  FIG.  5   , wherein an opening aid in the form of an opening lever is additionally provided, 
         FIG.  8    shows the exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  7    with the closing lever in an intermediate position, 
         FIG.  9    shows the exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  8    with the claw in the open position, 
         FIG.  10    shows in a schematic partial sectional representation, the handle element in the contact region between a control face of the control cam and a counter-control face, i.e., an abutment face of the support body, 
         FIG.  11    shows a further exemplary embodiment of a handle element according to the invention in a representation approximately in accordance with section line XI-XI in  FIG.  7    in a schematic partial sectional outline sketch, 
         FIG.  12    shows a further exemplary embodiment of a handle element according to the invention, approximately in a representation in accordance with view arrow XII in  FIG.  7   , wherein the opening lever is of a different design as compared with the exemplary embodiment in  FIG.  7   , 
         FIG.  13    shows a further exemplary embodiment of a handle element according to the invention in a representation approximately in accordance with section line XI-XIII in  FIG.  7   , and 
         FIG.  14    shows a further exemplary embodiment of the handle element according to the invention in a simplified perspective view. 
     
    
    
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described by way of example in the following description of the figures, making reference also to the drawings. For the sake of clarity, including where different exemplary embodiments are concerned, the same or comparable parts or elements or regions are identified by the same reference characters, in some cases with the addition of lower case letters. 
     Within the scope of the invention, features that are described, presented or disclosed only in relation to one exemplary embodiment can also be provided in any other exemplary embodiment of the invention. Exemplary embodiments that are modified in such a way, even if they are not shown in the drawings, are encompassed by the invention. 
     All disclosed features are essential to the invention in their own right. The disclosed content of the associated priority documents (copy of the previous application) and of the cited publications and of the described prior art devices is hereby included in its entirety in the disclosure of the application, including for the purpose of incorporating individual or multiple features of the subject matter disclosed therein in one or more claims of the present application. Such modified exemplary embodiments, even if they are not shown in the drawings, are also encompassed by the invention. 
     A first exemplary embodiment of the handle element denoted in its entirety in the drawings by reference character  10  will now be described by reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   : 
       FIG.  1    shows the handle element with a clamping face pair  17  in the open position  20  and  FIG.  2    shows the handle element  10  of  FIG.  1    with the clamping face pair in the closed position  21 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the handle element  10  grips an edge  12  of a cooking vessel  11  by its clamping faces  18  and  19 . 
     The cooking vessel  11  is illustrated schematically in its entirely in  FIG.  3   : it can be seen that a wall  43  extends conically, for example, away from a base of the cooking vessel. As shown in  FIGS.  1  through  3   , the edge  12  of the cooking vessel  11  is arranged substantially horizontally. 
     The invention also encompasses handle elements not shown in the figures, in which the wall region of the cooking vessel  11 , to which the handle element  10  can attach, has a different geometric extent and in particular is not horizontally formed. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the free edge  12  of the cooking vessel  11  is provided with a flange  37 . An cutout  38  can be arranged on the claw  14  to receive the flange. However, the invention also encompasses handle elements that allow the handle element  10  to be affixed to a smooth, i.e., with no flange  37 , edge region  12  of the cooking vessel  11 . 
     The construction and operating principle of an exemplary embodiment of the handle element  10  will now be described in accordance with the outline sketches of  FIGS.  1  and  2   : 
     According to  FIGS.  1  through  3   , the handle element  10  is designed as a handle stem or as an elongated handle element  10 . As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , it comprises a support body  13 , which can consist of plastic, for example, and provides the actual stem. A claw  14  is arranged on the support body  13  so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis  16 . While the support body  13  can consist of plastic, the claw  14  advantageously consists of metal. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS.  1  through  3   , the claw  14  is designed as a single-arm lever  15 . The invention also encompasses variants in which the claw  14  is formed by a two-arm or multi-arm lever (not shown). 
     The handle element  10  provides a clamping face pair  17  having a first clamping face  18  and a second clamping face  19 . The first clamping face  18  is arranged on the support body  13  and the second clamping face  19  is arranged on the claw  14 . 
     The claw  14  is displaceable between an open position  20  as shown in  FIG.  1    and a closed position  21  as shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     In the open position  20 , the claw  14  can release the edge  12  of the cooking vessel  11 , and in the closed position  22 , as shown in  FIG.  2   , the clamping face pair  17  can engage with the edge  12  of the cooking vessel  11  and affix the handle element  10  securely to the cooking vessel  11  in this way. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the handle element  10  has a closing lever  22 . 
     This is shown in its non-usage position in  FIG.  1    and in its usage position in  FIG.  2   . The closing lever  22  can likewise consist of plastic. 
     It comprises a control cam  25  with a cam face  26 . 
     A tie-rod  24  is mounted in a rotary bearing  34  in the cam  25 . The center of the rotary bearing  34  provides the geometric pivot axis  23 . This pivot axis  23  is, firstly, the pivot axis  23  about which the tie-rod  24  is pivotable through a small angular range relative to the control cam  25 . At the same time, the pivot axis  23  is the pivot axis about which the closing lever  22  can perform an opening and/or closing movement between its non-usage position  27  as shown in  FIG.  1    and the usage position  28  as shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     The closing lever  22  along with its cam  25  and the tie-rod  24  together provide a closing mechanism  29 . In other exemplary embodiments, the closing mechanism  29  can also include an opening lever  31 , which is described in detail further on. 
     The tie-rod  24  passes through an opening  48  in the claw  14  and is retained on the claw  14  by an expansion portion  49 . Moreover, the tie-rod  48  passes through a hole  50  in the support body  13 . 
     As can be seen from the different angular positions of the tie-rod  24  in  FIGS.  1  and  2    relative to the support body  13 , the hole  50  is sufficiently large to allow a slight pivoting movement of the tie-rod  24  therein. 
     The cam  25  has a cam control face or cam face  26 , which is formed eccentrically. In particular, the cam face  26  is designed in such a way that, when the closing lever  22  is in different relative positions, the rotary axis  23  has different distances A 1 , A 2  from the abutment face  44  on the support body  13 , along which abutment face the control cam  25  rolls. 
     Thus,  FIG.  1    clarifies the non-usage position  27  of the closing fever  22 , in which the rotary axis  23  is a distance A 1  from the abutment  44 , and  FIG.  2    clarifies the usage position  28  of the closing lever  22 , in which the rotary axis  23  is a distance A 2 , which is greater than the distance A 1 , from the abutment face  44 . 
     As a result of a pivoting movement of the closing lever  22  from the position shown in  FIG.  1    into a position shown in  FIG.  2   , the pivot axis  23  is thus lifted in relation to the fixed abutment face  44  and pulls the claw  14  with it via the tie-rod  24 . This pulling movement corresponds to a closing movement of the claw  14  and hence to a moving together of the clamping faces  18 ,  19 . 
     A displacement of the closing lever  22  from the non-usage position  27  as shown in  FIG.  1    into its usage position  28  as shown in  FIG.  2    is thus accompanied by a movement of the claw  14  from its open position  22  as shown in  FIG.  1    into its closed position  21  as shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     According to the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the handle element  10  has a spring element  30 . The spring element  30  can be designed as a helical spring  33  for example. In particular, it can be designed to bias the clamping faces  18  and  19  of the clamping face pair  17  into a spaced-apart position. 
     A tolerance compensation for different wall thicknesses W of the edge  12  of the cooking vessel  11  is thus possible. 
     If, for example, the wall thickness W of the edge  12  of the cooking vessel  11  is somewhat smaller than shown in  FIG.  2   , the spring element  30  can provide an adequate contact pressure and thus ensure that the handle element  10  is securely and durably affixed to the cooking vessel  11 . 
     It is noted that  FIG.  2    should be understood only schematically in this regard: 
     In fact, in order for the spring force of the spring  30  to enable an appropriate contact pressure to be achieved, the geometric arrangement of the clamping face pair  17  would have to be somewhat different from that shown: even with smaller wall thicknesses W of the edge  12  of the cooking vessel  11  than shown in  FIG.  2   , the spring force can cause the clamping faces  18 ,  19  to move together in a clamping manner. 
     The exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  3    shows a handle element  10  that is slightly different from that shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   : 
     Here it can be seen that the closing lever  22  is fully received inside the contour of the support body  13  and is not visible in  FIG.  3   . 
     Moreover,  FIG.  3    makes it clear that the claw  14  can have an extension  45 , which approximates to the geometry of the wall  43  of the cooking vessel  11 . In particular, the extension  45  of the claw  14  can have a abutment face  36  which, as shown in  FIG.  3     a,  approximates to the curvature of the wall  43  of the cooking vessel  11 . An improved positioning and retention of the handle element  10  on the cooking vessel  11  can be achieved in this way. 
     It is clear from the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS.  4  through  6    that an cutout  39  can be arranged on the support body  13 , which serves to receive the closing lever  22  when in the closed position or usage position  28 , in particular such a way that it fits flush in the cutout. 
     This usage position  28  of the closing lever  22  is shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   . 
     By contrast,  FIG.  6    shows the non-usage position  27  of the closing lever  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the cutout  39  is in particular large enough that an operator can use a recessed finger grip to grasp the free end  51  of the lever  22 , i.e., the end that is furthest away from the pivot axis  23  or from the rotary bearing  34 , and to transfer the closing lever  22  from the usage position  28  as shown in  FIG.  5    into the non-usage position  27  as shown in  FIG.  6   . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS.  5  and  6   , a spring element  30  is provided that is different from that shown in  FIG.  2   : 
     It is designed as a helical spring  33  and surrounds the tie-rod  24 . 
     When the claw  14  is displaced from the open position as shown in  FIG.  6    into the closed position as shown in  FIG.  5   , the spring element  30 ,  33  is tensioned. The aim is thus to bias the clamping face pair  7  into a spaced-apart position. 
     It can be seen from  FIGS.  4  and  5    that the control cam  25  also serves to receive a rotary bearing  34 . With the aid of the rotary bearing  34 , the tie-rod  24  is arranged so as to be pivotable relative to the cam  25 . 
     At the same time, the rotary bearing  34  serves to mount the closing lever  22  in such a way that it is pivotable relative to the support body  13 . 
     To this end, as is clear from the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS.  11  and  12   , a pair of retaining pins  41 ,  41   b  can be provided, which are integrally connected to the rotary bearing  34 . These engage in corresponding slots  40   a,    40   b  in a wall region of the support body  13  and are retained there axially. However, the axial retention of the rotary bearing  34  on the support body  13  permits a radial clearance of the pins  41 ,  41   b  with respect to the support body  13 . The invention encompasses that the rotary bearing  34  can experience a certain lift relative to the abutment face  44  following a displacement movement of the closing lever  22 . In other words, the retaining pins  41 ,  41   b  can slide in a vertical direction in relation to  FIG.  5    in the slotted cutouts  40   a,    40   b.  The closing lever  22  is thus mounted in an overhanging manner on the support body  13 . 
     The cam  25  has a cam face  26 , which rolls along the abutment face  44 . To prevent losses due to abrasion here, it is provided that, as shown in  FIG.  10   , the abutment face  44  is provided by a metal insert element  47 . 
       FIG.  10    makes it clear that the cam face  26  and the abutment face  44  provide a pair of rolling faces or a pair of sliding faces.  FIG.  10    also shows an cutout  46  in the cam  25 , which permits the tie-rod  24  to pass through it. 
     An opening aid in the form of an opening lever  31  for the closing lever  22  when in the closed position will now be described in accordance with  FIGS.  7  through  9   : 
     The opening lever  1  is mounted on the closing lever  22  so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis  32 . The opening lever  31  comprises an actuating lug  42 , which can be easily grasped by an operator. 
     Let us assume that the handle element  10  in its closed state is attached to the cooking vessel  11 . The actuating lug  42  can now easily be grasped by an operator and pivoted clockwise in relation to  FIG.  7    about its pivot axis  32 . 
     In this process, the closing lever  22  is lifted slightly and transferred to a position as shown in  FIG.  8   . As the opening movement of the opening lever  31  continues and/or with the additional actuation of the closing lever  22  from the intermediate position as shown in  FIG.  2    into its open position as shown in  FIG.  9   , the claw  14  can be transferred into its open state as shown in  FIG.  9   . 
     The opening lever  31  thus facilitates an opening, i.e., the performance of an opening movement, of the closing lever  22 , from the closed position as shown in  FIG.  7    to the open position as shown in  FIG.  9   . 
     In this case, the recessed grip shown in  FIGS.  7  and  9    within the support body  13  can also be dispensed with in exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
     It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments of  FIGS.  7  through  9    in a first variant, the exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  12    in a second variant, and finally the exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  14    in a third variant, show schematic views of different actuating extensions  42  of the opening lever  31 .