Articulating handle for space-saving cookware and method for using same
AssigneesSeb S.A., Groupe SEB USA
InventorsDuane B. Kutsch, Daniel Altheimer, Kenneth R. Morris, Christopher Keidl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An articulating handle for an item of cookware is provided. The articulating handle is configured for connection with the cookware through a hinge assembly. The handle may be locked into substantially horizontal position such as for use of the cookware, or a substantially vertical position for storage. As such, cookware including such a handle can be stacked in a space-saving manner. A method for stacking cookware and a stack of cookware incorporating such a handle are also provided.
Claims12
An item of cookware comprising a receptacle and a handle assembly hingedly connected to the receptacle via a hinge assembly,
- wherein the handle assembly comprises a locking lever and a handle grip portion,
- wherein the locking lever is adapted to rotate independently of the handle grip portion from a substantially horizontal position, wherein the handle grip portion is locked in the substantially horizontal position, to a substantially vertical position, wherein the handle grip portion can rotate independently of the locking lever to the substantially vertical position, and
- wherein the handle assembly further comprises an upper clamp member and a lower clamp member, and the upper clamp member and lower clamp member rotatably engage the hinge assembly.
An item of cookware comprising a receptacle and a handle assembly hingedly connected to the receptacle via a hinge assembly,
- wherein the handle assembly comprises a locking lever and a handle grip portion,
- wherein the locking lever is adapted to rotate independently of the handle grip portion from a substantially horizontal position, wherein the handle grip portion is locked in the substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position wherein the handle portion can rotate independently of the locking lever to the substantially vertical position,
- wherein the handle assembly further comprises a lower clamp member, and the lower clamp member comprises a protrusion configured to engage at least one detent of the hinge assembly, and
- wherein the protrusion is configured to engage a first detent of the hinge assembly when the locking lever is in the substantially horizontal position and engage a second detent of the hinge assembly when the locking lever is in the substantially vertical position.
An item of cookware comprising a receptacle and a handle assembly hingedly connected to the receptacle via a hinge assembly,
- wherein the handle assembly comprises a locking lever and a handle grip portion,
- wherein the locking lever is adapted to rotate independently of the handle grip portion from a substantially horizontal position, wherein the handle grip portion is locked in the substantially horizontal position, to a substantially vertical position, wherein the handle grip portion can rotate independently of the locking lever to the substantially vertical position,
- wherein the handle assembly further comprises an upper clamp member and a lower clamp member,
- wherein the locking lever is rotatably connected to an actuator member,
- wherein the actuator member has an end which engages the lower clamp member,
- wherein movement of the locking lever from the horizontal position to the vertical position disengages the end of the actuator member from the lower clamp member, and
- wherein the lower clamp member further comprises a protrusion configured to engage at least one detent of the hinge assembly.
A nested arrangement of stacked cookware, comprising a plurality of cookware pieces comprising a receptacle and a handle assembly hingedly connected to the receptacle via a hinge assembly,
- wherein the handle assembly comprises a locking lever and a handle grip portion,
- wherein the locking lever is adapted to rotate independently of the handle grip portion from a substantially horizontal position, wherein the handle grip portion is locked in the substantially horizontal position, to a substantially vertical position, wherein the handle grip portion can rotate independently of the locking lever to the substantially vertical position, and
- wherein the handle assembly further comprises an upper clamp member and a lower clamp member, and the upper clamp member and lower clamp member rotatably engage the hinge assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.