Year: 1886

page_text: I, WILLIAM CURTIS NYE of Bradford, McKean County, State of Pennsylvania
U.S.A. do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by, the
following statement:-
The object of my invention is to produce a cover for cooking utensils which can
be made adjustable in size so as to fit utensils of different sizes and which will
automatically adjust itself to the size of the utensil when the handle is released.
Referring to the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a cover embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the piece of metal from which the cover is formed.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the cover complete.
A represents a cover, which is made from a flat sheet of metal which has a
suitable amount of elasticity, and which when bent into shape ready for use, assumes
a convex shape, and has its edges to overlap each other as shown.
When this cover is contracted by means of the pressure applied to the handle, the
width of the cover is reduced to such an extent that it can be freely inserted
within the top of a cooking utensil, and then when the handles are released, the
elasticity of the metal causes the cover to expand so as to just fit the utensil to
which it is applied. In order to hold the overlapping edges together, and keep
them from separating, a catch B is applied to one of the edges, and has its outer
end bent so as to catch under the other edge, and thus hold the two parts together,
but without interfering with their sliding movement one upon the other.
Applied to the under side of the center of the cover is a washer or disc C, which
has a suitable depression made in its center, and applied upon the top of the center
of the cover is a second washer D, which has a suitable depression formed at its
center, so as to fit in the recess formed in the one C. The central edge of the cover
is held firmly between these two washers which are then fastened together by
means of the loop F, which has its prong to pass down through the two washers as
shown.
The handle H is formed from a single piece of elastic wire, and has its inner end
bent so as to form the rings I, and prong or projection J. The rings serve to make
the wire elastic, while the prong passes through the loop so as to fasten the handle
and the cover together at this point. Near the outer ends of the two arms of the

page_text: handle are formed the bends L, for the purpose of making the arms sumciently
elastic at these points to enable them to be made to catch in the loops prepared for
them. The rings formed at the inner end of the handle, serve as springs to cause
the arms of the handle to spring apart when left free to move, and thus assist in
This handle is readily 5
causing the cover to expand when left free to do so.
detached from the cover at any time by pressing outward upon the bends until the
ends are freed from the holding loops, and then the prong will slip backward out
of the loop at the center of the cover. These parts are thus made adjustable so that
the covers will take up less room during_transportation.
In order to hold the cover in a more or less contracted position a sliding loop O, 1
is passed over the two arms of the handle. As soon as this loop is forced back-
ward towards the center of the handle the two arms spring outward and thus
expand the cover to its original size.
In case it should be so desired the handle can be attached to the under side of
the cover by having its bent ends catch in suitable holding loops, and a connecting
link a be attached to its centre, the outer end of the link being made to hook into
a holding loop which is connected to the outer side of the cover near its outer
edge. When this is the case the cover may be sunk to the bottom of the utensil,
and the article which is being cocked will then be placed upon the top of the
cover. When the cover is lifted out it will carry with it all of the article which
is being cooked. If the cover is raised above the top of the water while the cover
is inverted, it will act as a strainer. This cover can be converted into a steamer by
perforating it so that the steam will pass freely through.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A cover for cooking utensils, which is formed from a single piece of elastic
sheet metal, which is slit upon one of its sides, and perforated at its center
substantially as shown.
2. A cover for cooking utensils made from a single piece of sheet metal, which
is slit upon one of its sides, and perforated at its center, in combination with a
suitable handle which is applied thereto, by means of which the cover can be
expanded and contracted at will, substantially as described.
3. The combination of the cover, perforated at its center and slit upon one side,
with the washers which are applied to opposite sides of the center of the cover,
the loop, and the handle which is made from a single piece of wire and provided
with a prong or projection to catch in the loop, substantially as described.
4. The combination of the expansible cover with an adjustable handle which is
made from a single piece of wire and which is fastened to the cover at its center
and near its outer edge substantially as specified.
5. The combination of an expansible cover, a handle which is applied thereto
and the sliding loop which is placed upon the handle substantially as set forth.
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