The present invention relates to a removable handle.

More in detail, the present invention relates to a removable handle particularly suitable for being operatively connected to cooking utensils, such as pots, pans, saucepans, casseroles and the like of different materials, thicknesses, dimensions and weights.

The present invention also relates to a method of use of said removable handle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In the state of the art, various types of removable or movable handles are known which can be operatively connected to cooking utensils, such as for example frying pans, pots, saucepans and the like.

A problem of the removable handles known from the state of the art is determined by the fact that the anchoring to the cooking utensil ensured by them does not always guarantee a safe and effective grip and for this reason, they may disengage accidentally, causing the pots and the like to fall, and their contents to spill out dirtying the hobs, worktops and floors, and could also cause damage, such as burns, abrasions and bruises, including to the users themselves.

This phenomenon occurs because the removable handles of the known type are not able to adapt effectively to the different thicknesses, the different dimensions and the different weights of the cooking utensils with which they are associated.

Another problem with removable handles of the known type is their relative constructional complexity and therefore also high production cost.

An example of a removable handle of the known type is shown in the European patent EP0769263B1, which describes a removable handle for a kitchen utensil having a lateral portion with a curved edge comprising two parts which form a gripping vice. The two parts that make up the gripping vice are made of rigid material and therefore, if for example associated with very heavy cooking utensils, they could bend irreparably.

Furthermore, the adhesion of the material with which the two parts that make up the gripping vice are made is not optimal for supporting the utensil.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Considering its coupling with different types of cooking utensils, it can be understood how the functionality of this handle is necessarily linked to the shape of the cooking utensil, as it can be firmly associated only with cooking utensils having side walls with edges curved towards the outside of the utensils.

It is therefore necessary to design and implement a removable handle which helps to overcome the prior art issues listed above.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The technical scope of the present invention is to improve the state of the art in the field of removable handles which can be operatively connected to cooking utensils.

Within this scope, an object of the present invention is to provide a removable handle which allows efficient anchoring with cooking utensils of different thicknesses, of different shapes, where by different shape we mean a different inclination or radius of curvature of the cooking utensil edge, different weight and different dimensions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removable handle which allows safe anchoring to cooking utensils of different thicknesses, of different shapes, where by different shape we mean a different inclination or radius of curvature of the cooking utensil edge, different weight and different dimensions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a removable handle which has low structural complexity and low production costs.

This scope and these objects are achieved by a removable handle according to claim 1.

Moreover, this scope and these objects are achieved by a method of use of a removable handle according to claim 20.

Dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description of an embodiment for a removable handle, the aesthetic shape of which is preferable but not binding for functional purposes, illustrated by way of example only in the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a released or rest operating position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an anchoring operating position;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a release or rest operating position;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an anchoring operating position;

Figure 5 is a lateral enlargement view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a release or rest operating position;

Figure 6 is a lateral enlargement view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an anchoring operating position;

Figure 7 is another lateral enlargement view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with a few darkened components in a release or rest operating position;

Figure 8 is another lateral enlargement view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with a few darkened components in an anchoring operating position; and

Figures 9 and 10 show, in perspective view, some enlarged details of a variant of the embodiment of Figure 1,

Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, Figures 12 and 13 show sectional views of the embodiment of Figure 11 in a rest or release operating position and in an anchoring operating position - respectively. In the accompanying drawings the same parts or components are indicated by the same reference numerals.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to figure 1, the number 1 globally indicates a removable handle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This removable handle 1 is particularly suitable for being anchored to a cooking utensil, such as for example a frying pan, a saucepan, a pan or the like, or more particularly to a portion of these cooking utensils, for example a side wall thereof.

In this regard, the handle 1, as will be seen in more detail hereinafter, is configured so as to be able to adapt to the different thicknesses, the different dimensions and the different weights of the cooking utensils to which it is anchored.

The handle 1 according to the present invention includes a handle body 2 which includes a first end or anchoring end 3 intended, in use, to be connected in a removable manner to wall (not shown) of the cooking utensil.

The handle body 2 can be made of any suitable material and can have a suitable ergonomic shape.

The handle 1 comprises anchoring means 4 of the handle 1 to the cooking utensil. Said anchoring means 4 are movable or displaceable between an operating anchoring position AP (indicated in Figures 2 and 6) of the handle 1, wherein the anchoring means 4 are operatively connected in a removable way to the cooking utensil, and an operating rest or release position RP of the handle 1 (see Figures 1 and 5), wherein the anchoring means 4 are not anchored to the wall of the cooking utensil.

The handle 1 according to the present invention also comprises first moving means 5 intended, in use, to move the anchoring means 4 between the operating anchoring position AP and the operating release or rest position RP and/or vice versa as well as actuation means 6 of the first moving means 5.

In particular, the anchoring means 4 comprise a plurality 7 of anchoring components 7a configured to easily adapt to the thickness of the wall, or of another part, of the cooking utensil to be operatively connected.

An important characteristic of the present invention is that at least one anchoring component 7a, of the plurality 7 of anchoring components 7a, is made or covered in flexible or deformable elastic material.

According to a version of the present invention, each anchoring component 7a, of the plurality 7 of anchoring components 7a, is made or covered in flexible or deformable elastic material.

The aforementioned flexible or deformable elastic material has a thickness between about 10 mm and about 40 mm, preferably between about 10 mm and about 20 mm, for example about 12-15 mm and a degree of hardness between about 20 Shore A and about 100 Shore A, preferably between about 40 Shore A and about 80 Shore A, for example about 65 Shore A.

As is known, the Shore hardness scale is designed to test the hardness of elastomers or plastomers, for example rubber or plastic, characterized by reversible deformations.

For example, a Shore value, according to scale A, equal to 0 means zero penetration force while a Shore value, according to scale A, equal to 100 means maximum penetration of the material, generally corresponding to a depth of about 2.54 mm.

According to the preferable but non-limiting embodiments of the present invention shown in the figures, this flexible or deformable elastic material is silicone rubber.

The use of a flexible or deformable material with the aforementioned thickness and hardness values allows for an easy and effective adaptation of the anchoring means 4, or more generally of the handle 1, to the thickness of the cooking utensil.

It should also be considered that these values of thickness and hardness allow an easy and effective adaptation of the anchoring means 4, or more generally of the handle 1 also with respect to cooking utensils having very thick or even very thin side walls.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the use of silicone rubber guarantees a high adhesion or grip of the anchoring means 4 to the cooking utensil, ensuring that also heavy cooking utensils can be supported.

A further advantage deriving from the use of silicone rubber is the possibility of washing the handle 1 in a dishwasher without damaging the anchoring means 4.

As regards the first moving means 5, they comprise thrust means 8 of at least one of the anchoring components 7a of the plurality 7, and second moving means 9 intended, in use, to move the thrust means 8.

As shown in particular in Figures 3 and 4, the second moving means can comprise a first component or arm 10, which includes a first end 10a hinged to the handle body 2 or in any case to a rear portion thereof, in use, and a second end or elbow point 10b as well as a second component or connecting rod 11 which comprises a first connection end I la connected in a rotatable manner to the second end or elbow point 10b of the first component or arm 10 and a second connection end 11b connected to the thrust means 8.

The second end or elbow point 10b constitutes a joint for the first component or arm 10 and for the second component or connecting rod 11, thus constituting a toggle mechanism which, suitably sized, allows a considerable clamping force to be developed between the anchoring components 7, as a result of a small actuation force of the actuation means 6 by the user.

The thrust means 8 comprise, according to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 10, at least one thrust component 12 intended, in use, to push or move at least one anchoring component 7a of the plurality 7, at least one cylinder 13 and at least one piston or rod 14 comprising a first connection end 14a connected to the thrust component 12 and a second connection end 14b engaged or connected with the cylinder 13.

Furthermore, the thrust means 8 also comprise first elastic means 15 arranged on the rod 14 and interposed and/or positioned between the thrust component 12 and the cylinder 13.

According to the non-limiting embodiments of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 10, the first elastic means 15 comprise a compensation spring which allows for some adaptation to the different thicknesses of the wall, or of another part, of the cooking utensil to which the handle 1 must be anchored.

Alternatively, the thrust means 8 can comprise, according to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 11 to 13, a thrust component 12 and first elastic means 15 housed in a suitable container 15a arranged inside of a containment compartment CC obtained in the thrust component 12. Also in this embodiment, the first elastic means 15 may be or comprise a compensation spring which allows for some adaptation to the different thicknesses of the wall, or of another part, of the cooking utensil to which the handle 1 must be anchored.

The handle body 2 also comprises a second end or fulcrum end 16, distal to the first end or anchoring end 3, while the actuation means 6 comprise a lever component 17, pivoted to the second end or fulcrum end 16, and intended, in use, to actuate the first moving means 5 so that these can move the anchoring means 4 between the operating anchoring position AP and the operating release or rest position RP and/or vice versa.

In particular, in the operating rest or release position RP the actuation means 6, or more particularly the lever component 17, do not push or press against the second end or elbow point 10b of the first component or arm 10, while in the operating anchoring position AP the actuation means 17, or more particularly the lever component 17, pushes or presses against the second end or elbow point 10b of the first component or arm 10, thus modifying the angle defined at this second end or elbow point 10b from the first component or arm 10 and the second component or connecting rod 11.

The thrust of the actuation means 6, or more particularly of the lever component 17, causes the second component or connecting rod 11, or more particularly its second connecting end 1 lb, to move the thrust means 8 so that these, in turn, move the anchoring means 4 to the operating anchoring position AP.

According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 11 to 13, auxiliary elastic means 29 are also provided, for example one or more springs 29a fixed internally to the handle body 2, configured to push the first component or arm 10 so as to facilitate the switching of the handle 1 or, more particularly, of the anchoring means 4 from the operating anchoring position AP to the operating rest or release position RP.

The handle 1 also comprises locking and unlocking means 19 removable or movable between an operating locking configuration LC (see Figure 8), wherein said locking and unlocking means 19 are removably engaged with the actuation means 6 so that the handle 1 or more particularly the anchoring means 4 is maintained in said operating anchoring position AP, and an operating unlocking configuration UC (see figure 7), wherein said locking and unlocking means 19 disengage or are disengaged from the actuation means 6 so that the handle 1, or more particularly the anchoring means 4, can be moved from said operating anchoring position AP to the operating release position RP or can be maintained in the operating rest position RP.

In this regard, the actuation means 6, or more particularly the lever component 17, can be movable between a first operating closing setup CA (see Figure 4), wherein the locking and unlocking means 19 are in the operating locking configuration LC and the actuation means 6, or more particularly the lever component 17, push or press against the second end or elbow point 10b of the first component or arm 10 and an operating opening setup OA (see Figure 3), wherein the locking and unlocking means 19 are in the operating unlocking configuration UC and the actuation means 6, or more particularly the lever component 17, do not push or do not press against the second end or elbow point 10b of the first component or arm 10.

The locking and unlocking means 19 can comprise or delimit at least one component or a button portion 20 and second elastic means 25, e.g. one or more springs, operatively associated with the button portion 20, and intended to allow the movement or switching of the button portion 20 from the operating locking configuration LC to the operating unlocking configuration UC and/or vice versa.

For this purpose, the actuation means 6, or more particularly the lever component 17 can comprise or define at least one component or an engagement or housing portion 21, while the locking and unlocking means 19 can comprise or define at least one groove or a protrusion 20a intended to house the engagement portion 21 or to be engaged in the housing portion 21.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the lever component 17 comprises two components or engagement portions 21, for example hook elements intended to engage in the operating anchoring position AP and consequently in the operating locking configuration LC, in a removable manner with the groove 20a delimited by the button component or portion 20 of the locking and unlocking means 19. The handle body 2, or a component or a portion belonging to it, delimits at least one through opening TO (Figures 5 and 6) through which the locking and unlocking means 19 can be operated or accessed, or more particularly the component or button portion 20.

The locking and unlocking means 19, or more particularly the button component or portion 20, can be operated by the user for example through a slider, in order to make said locking and unlocking means 19 switch from the operating locking configuration LC to the operating unlocking configuration UC wherein the actuation means 6, or more specifically the lever component 17, or even more in detail, at least one component or engagement portion 21 is disengaged from the locking and unlocking means 19, or more particularly from the button component or portion 20, or even more in detail from the groove or protrusion 20a.

According to a variant of the present invention illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the locking and unlocking means 19, and in particular the handle body 2, can comprise a lid or a safety cap 26, designed to prevent accidental operation of the locking and unlocking means 19.

This safety cap 26 can be of the shifting type on sliding guides 27, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, or of another type, for example of the hinged and tilting type (not shown), and can cover the locking and unlocking means 19, more particularly the opening TO wherein the locking and unlocking means 19 are located.

In Figure 9, the safety cap 26 is in a position which allows access to the locking and unlocking means 19, while in Figure 10 the safety cap 26 is in a shifted position covering the locking and unlocking means 19 and thus preventing accidental operation of the same locking and unlocking means 19.

As regards the plurality 7 of anchoring components, they comprise at least one fixed anchoring component 7al and one or more movable anchoring components 7a2, operatively associated with the first moving means 5, or more particularly with the thrust means 8, and intended, in use, to be moved by these from said release or rest position RP to the anchoring position AP so as to clamp or connect the cooking utensil, or a part thereof, with the handle 1. In particular, the handle 1 or the handle body 2 can comprise or define at least one tongue or support portion 22 comprising a connecting end 22a connected to the handle body 2, for example by means of suitable connecting means 24 such as pins, screws, rivets, or the like, and a second support end 22b to which the at least one fixed anchoring component 7a 1 can be connected.

According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 8, the fixed anchoring component 7al is substantially a barrel element.

According to the non-limiting embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 11 to 13, the fixed anchoring component 7al is or comprises a clamping portion 28 which departs from the second support end 22b in an orthogonal manner and, in use, downwards.

The movable anchoring components 7a2 can comprise, according to the embodiments of the present invention shown in Figures 1 to 10, at least one connecting portion 7b, equipped with at least one pin 71 (Figure 7), which connects to the first moving means 5, or more particularly to the thrust means 8, or even more in detail to the thrust component 12 and at least one first abutment portion 7c with the cooking utensil while the at least one fixed anchoring component 7al can comprise at least one second abutment portion 7d with the cooking utensil facing the first abutment portion 7c of the one or more movable anchoring components 7a2.

In practice, the cooking utensil, or a part thereof, can be clamped between the first abutment portion 7c of the one or more movable anchoring components 7a2 and the second abutment portion 7d of the at least one fixed anchoring component 7al.

From a functional point of view, according to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 10, the movable anchoring components 7a2 can be, in use, moved by the first moving means 5, or more particularly by the thrust means 8, or even more in detail by the thrust component 12 along a longitudinal axis X of the handle 1 in the direction of approach to the fixed anchoring component 7al, so as to clamp and operatively connect the cooking utensil, or a part thereof, between the fixed anchoring component 7al, or more particularly the second abutment portion 7d and the movable anchoring components 7a2, or more particularly the first abutment portion 7c.

Alternatively, again from a functional point of view, according to the embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 13, the movable anchoring components 7a2 can be integral in motion with the thrust component 12 along a longitudinal axis X of the handle 1 in the direction of approach to the fixed anchoring component 7al, so as to clamp and operatively connect the cooking utensil, or a part thereof, between the fixed anchoring component 7al, or more particularly the second abutment portion 7d and the movable anchoring components 7a2, or more particularly the first abutment portion 7c.

According to the non-limiting embodiments of the present invention shown in the figures, the anchoring components 7a2 are two substantially cylindrical elements, placed at the connecting end 3 of the handle body 2 so that the respective first abutment portions 7c enter in contact simultaneously with the cooking utensil, or a part thereof, during shifting of the handle 1 from the operating release or rest position RP to the operating anchoring position AP.

An important feature of the present invention is the possibility of adapting the anchoring means 4 to the shape of the cooking utensil, in particular to the shape of the wall of the cooking utensil to which the handle 1 is to be anchored.

Since at least one anchoring component 7a of the plurality of anchoring components 7, in particular the anchoring components 7a2, can comprise at least one connecting portion 7b, equipped with at least one pin 71, which connects to the first moving means 5, in particular to the thrust component 12, the aforementioned anchoring components 7a2 can rotate by adapting to the different inclinations of the side walls of the cooking utensils.

The handle 1 can also comprise, at the first end or anchoring end 3 of the handle body 2, one or more support components 23 (Figure 3), or cheeks, fixed to the handle body 2 and intended, in use, to facilitate the operating connection of the cooking utensil or a part thereof with the handle 1.

These support components 23 can be made of flexible or deformable elastic material, e.g. silicone rubber, and are particularly useful when it is necessary to operatively connect the handle 1 to small diameter cooking utensils, since they allow for additional support to the side wall of the latter.

In particular, if the support components 23 are provided, the handle body 2 delimits, at the first end or anchoring end 3, a respective housing seat HS for each of the one or more support components 23.

An example of operation of the removable handle 1 according to the nonlimiting embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8 is described below.

Let's assume that a user wishes to operatively connect the handle 1 to a cooking utensil.

Initially, i.e. before being anchored, the handle 1 is in the operating rest position RP (Figure 3), in which the anchoring means 4 are not operatively connected with the cooking utensil, or with a part thereof, the actuation means 6, or more particularly the lever component 17, do not press or push on the second end or elbow point 10b of the first component or arm 10 of said second moving means 9.

The lever component 17 is therefore in the operating opening position OA and the locking and unlocking means 19 are in the operating unlocking configuration UC, i.e. more specifically, the button component 19 is disengaged from the lever component 17.

The user can then insert the side wall of the cooking utensil between the plurality 7 of anchoring components 7a, or more particularly between the at least one fixed anchoring component 7al and the movable anchoring components 7a2 present at the first end or anchoring end 3 of the handle body 2.

Then, the user operates the lever component 17 by pushing on the elbow point 10b of the toggle mechanism, the second connecting end 11b of the second component 11 moves the thrust means 8, or more particularly the cylinder 13, by moving the first elastic compensation means 15 which, in turn, move the rod 14 whose first connecting end 14a is connected to the thrust component 12.

The thrust component 14, connected to the one or more movable anchoring components 7a2, pushes these which can then shift along the longitudinal axis X of the handle 1 in the direction of approach to the at least one fixed anchoring component 7al, so as to operatively clamp and connect the side wall of the cooking utensil between the at least one fixed anchoring component 7al and the same one or more movable anchoring components 7a2.

In the meantime, at least one component or engagement portion 21 of the lever component 17, or more generally of the actuation means 6, has engaged with the groove 20a of the button component 20 ensuring that the handle 1 is maintained in the operating anchoring position AP (Figure 4).

The anchoring components 7a made or covered in flexible or deformable elastic material allow both a considerable adhesion or grip with the side wall of the cooking utensil, and an effective adaptation to the thickness of the side wall itself.

If the user wishes to disconnect the handle 1 from the cooking utensil and therefore bring it to the operating release position RP, they can actuate the locking and unlocking means 19, or more particularly the button component 20 for example through a slider.

The actuation of the button 19 allows the engagement portion 21 that is part of the lever component 17 to be disengaged from the groove 20a of the button component 20.

Since the lever component 17 is no longer pushing on the elbow point 10b of the toggle mechanism, the mechanism tends to return to the release or rest position RP illustrated in Figure 3.

The cylinder 13 and the rod 14 move back and the movable anchoring components 7a2 move back with them, which allows them to be moved along the longitudinal axis X of the handle 1 away from the fixed anchoring component 7al, so as to free the side wall of the cooking utensil from the anchoring means 4.

The second moving means 9, or more particularly the first component 10 and the second component 11, thanks to the cylinder 13 moving back, can return to their initial position; the handle 1 then returns to the operating release or rest position RP.

This non-limiting example of operation has been described with reference to an initial operating rest position RP of the handle 1, to a subsequent operating anchoring position AP to the side wall of a cooking utensil and to a last operating release position RP of the handle 1 from this side wall of the cooking utensil. Clearly, the operating cycle could then be repeated, restarting from the operating rest position RP.

An object of the present invention is also a method of use of a handle 1.

The method according to the present invention initially comprises the step of supplying a handle 1 according to the present invention or according to non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.

Subsequently there is the step of providing a cooking utensil to be operatively connected to the handle 1.

Finally, the step is provided of tightening or connecting, via the anchoring means 4, the cooking utensil, or a part thereof, with the handle 1.

In particular, the step of tightening or connecting comprises the step of operating, via the actuation means 6, the first moving means 5, and the step of moving, via the first moving means 5, the anchoring means 4 from the operating release or rest position RP to the operating anchoring position AP.

The handle 1 according to the present invention, as well as the method of use of the handle 1, allows to improve the typical problems of removable handles taught by the state of the art by providing a removable handle which allows an efficient operating connection as well as a safe operating connection with cooking utensils of different thicknesses, different weights and different sizes.

The handle 1 according to the present invention has a low structural complexity and cheap production costs with respect to the removable handles taught by the state of the art.

In fact, it should be considered that these advantages are obtained by means of a simple and intuitive anchoring mechanism equipped with special anchoring components 7a which are also compatible with washing in the dishwasher.

It has thus been seen how the invention fully achieves the intended purposes.

Changes to and variants of the invention are possible within the scope of protection defined by the claims.