Abstract: An insulated cooking utensil has upper and lower substantially planar sheet members secured together with an air chamber interposed therebetween for insulating the upper sheet member from direct heat during cooking. Spaced detents are provided in the lower sheet member to support and maintain the upper and lower sheet members in a spaced relationship. The detents have dome-shaped configurations with relatively large dimensions and a flat spot at the peak to prevent deforming the upper sheet member locally where the detents contact the upper sheet member during use. The upper sheet member is made of aluminum and has a clear anodized coating on its upper surface. An angular disposed flange with an elongated thumbgrip extends along one side of the cooking utensil to facilitate gripping and handling. An expansion space between the outer edges of the sheet members accommodates a relatively greater expansion of the lower sheet member during cooking.

Abstract: An insulated cooking utensil has a first pan with a cooking surface, a second pan having a shape corresponding to the first pan, and an alignment structure for aligning the first pan relative to the second pan when the pans are assembled together. The alignment structure allows the first and second pans to be separated from each other. The cooking utensil is convertible between a first configuration in which the first pan is nested with the second pan with an insulating air chamber interposed between the first and second pans, and a second configuration in which the second pan is turned upside down and placed over the first pan as a protective cover. A locking structure can be used to releasably secure the first and second pans together in the first and second configurations. Additional pans can be interchanged with the first pan to provide a different shaped cooking surface.

Abstract: A cam actuated retractable burner for an electric range having a removable burner element. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a burner assembly is provided with a thermal safety switch assembly, a switch installation assembly, a preset thermal switch, a heating element actuator, associated control knobs for the heating actuator, a heating element assembly, a vessel support assembly, and a drip bowl. The present invention represents an improved method of raising and lowering an electrical element for improved cooking characteristics. The present invention allows the user to obtain radiant heat transfer for more even cooking while still allowing traditional conductive heat transfer cooking.

Abstract: A device capable of replacing existing heating elements in electric stoves. The device requires no modification of existing electric stoves. The device enables a user to raise and lower the burner element in an electric range. To facilitate the raising and lowering of the burner element, cookware is supported upon a plurality of vessel support tabs. The burner element is raised and lowered in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom surface of cookware. By lowering the burner element, the user is able to achieve radiant heat transfer for more even cooking. In addition, lowering the burner element allows the cookware to cool much more quickly without removing the cookware from the range than was possible with traditional electric ranges where the cookware rests directly upon the burner element.

Abstract: A hydraulic press of the type having at least one hydraulic pump driven by a rotary shaft and a hydraulically operable ram is provided with an improvement comprising a flywheel connected to the pump shaft. According to another aspect, the ram is reciprocated between retracted and extended positions by rotating the pump shaft and the flywheel at a predetermined rotational speed so as to operate the pump(s) and deliver fluid to the hydraulically operable ram.

Abstract: In a device for raising and lowering a burner element of an electric range, cookware is supported upon a plurality of rigid posts and the burner element is raised and lowered in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom surface of the cookware. This allows the user to obtain radiant heat transfer for more even cooking. In addition, lowering the burner allows the cookware to cool quickly without removing it from the range, unlike traditional electric ranges where the cookware rests directly upon the burner element and must be removed from the range to cool.

Abstract: A device for raising and dropping the burner element in an electric range wherein cookware is supported upon a plurality of rigid posts and the burner element is raised and dropped in a plane parallel to the plane comprised by the bottom surface of the cookware. This allows the user to obtain radiant heat transfer for more even cooking. In addition, it allows the cookware to cool much more quickly without removing it from the range than traditional electric ranges where the cookware rests directly upon the burner element.

Abstract: A serving platter for supporting hot pizza pans to keep the pan from direct contact with the table where it is to be served.

Abstract: A serving platter for supporting hot pizza pans to keep the pan from direct contact with the table where it is to be served.

Abstract: Insulated cooking utensils comprising inner and outer cooking surfaces having an air chamber interposed therebetween for isolating or insulating the inner cooking surface from direct heat application during a cooking operation, a plurality of support members interposed between the inner and outer cooking surfaces for securely retaining the spaced relationship therebetween for assuring an efficient insulation afforded by the air chamber.

Abstract: A pizza pan having a substantially flat bottom surface surrounded by an arcuate or concave peripheral wall which terminates, at its outer edge, in a tubular element surrounding the entire outer periphery of the pan. A plurality of relatively small apertures are provided on the bottom of the pan and are selectively spaced thereon to provide a sufficient flow of heat to the central portion of the underside of the crust for an efficient baking thereof. A sufficiently great solid area is provided around the perforated area for supporting the outer edges of the pizza in a manner whereby the transfer of heat thereto is reduced with respect to the heat transfer at the perforate area to assure an even baking of the entire pizza.

Abstract: Insulated cooking utensils comprising inner and outer cooking surfaces having an air chamber interposed therebetween for isolating or insulating the inner cooking surface from direct heat application during a cooking operation, a plurality of support members interposed between the inner and outer cooking surfaces for securely retaining the spaced relationship therebetween for assuring an efficient insulation afforded by the air chamber.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a grain handling auger casing having at least two separable casing sections hingedly secured together to provide alternate axially aligned positions therebetween for delivery of grain therethrough and mis-aligned positions therebetween for storage of the auger casing during periods of non-use, the latching mechanism including pivotal arms secured to one of the casing sections and movable by the reciprocal piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder secured to the other of the casing sections whereby the two casing sections may be selectively moved into the aligned extended position or mis-aligned position, a spring urged rod member pivotally secured to the arms and extending slidably into a tube member, a latching linkage assembly secured to one casing section and operable by the tube and rod member upon actuation by the pivotal arms, and an adjustable eccentric secured to the other casing section and engageable by the latching linkage assembly in the aligned position between the casing sectio