Pot cover holder

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting pot covers includes a frame movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position; a support for resting the frame on a surface and at least one pot cover support pivotally connected to the frame. The pot cover support further has a leg pivotally engaging the frame, a pot cover knob support and a pot cover handle support.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent No. 60/777,314, filed on Feb. 28, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a pot cover caddy and more particularly, to a useful kitchen small appliance that will receive and hold hot and messy pot covers in a convenient fashion. The caddy will easily store in a drawer or on a wall.

When cooking over a hot stove with pots and pans, the cook almost always utilizes pot covers with handles thereon to assist in the cooking process. Such covers aid in retaining moisture during the cooking process and permit food to be slowly simmered.

Problematically, when the cook wishes to inspect the food within the pot or pan, she or he is required to remove the pot cover for the inspection. A significant problem exists as to what to do with the extremely hot cover typically loaded with hot moisture droplets or remnants of hot food on the covers underside. To date cooks have simply laid the covers onto counters, on paper towels or placed the covers in sinks. Such efforts result in leaving moisture and food debris at the cover set down location. Sometimes this effort often result in the cook burning himself or herself during this operation.

There is a need for a pot cover caddy that can be located portably adjacent to the hot stove for temporary holding or permanent storage of the cooking covers and temporary utensil storage during cooking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for supporting pot covers includes a frame movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position; a support for resting the frame on a surface and at least one pot cover support pivotally connected to the frame. The pot cover support further has a leg pivotally connected to the frame. The pot cover support further has a let pivotally engaging the frame, a pot cover knob support and/or a pot cover handle support.

A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it safely support hot dripping pot covers during cooking operations without messy drippings on the stove, countertop or sinks and without fear of burning the cook.

Another object and advantage of the present invention is that it folds compactly when not in use or if one chooses, remains upright for extended cover storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the present invention in the fully expanded position.

FIG. 2 is a similar FIG. 1 but shows the drip tray inserted into base of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an end perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the present invention in a partially collapsed position.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the present invention in a fully collapsed position.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the present invention in a fully collapsed position.

FIG. 8 is a detail of the channel and detent of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a detail of the construction of the pot holder leg, detent and support leg of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is an apparatus 10 for supporting pot covers C. Turning to FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 is seen as comprising a frame 12. The frame 12 is movable between a collapsed position (to be described below) and an expanded position. FIG. 1 shows the frame 12 in the expanded position. The apparatus 10 also comprises a support 14 adapted for resting the frame 12 on a surface (not shown). The apparatus 10 further comprises at least one pot cover support 16 pivotally connected to the base 12 as will be further described. The pot cover support 16 further comprises a leg 18 pivotally engaging the frame 12, a pot cover handle support 20, an a pot cover knob support 22. The pot cover handle support 20 further comprises two uprights 20a, 20b over which the handle H of a cover C may be passed, as shown in FIG. 1. The pot cover knob support 22 receives the knob K of a cover C, again as shown in FIG. 1.

The frame 12 further comprises a pair of side rails 23, 26 and a pair of linkages 28, 30, pivotally engaged the side rails 24, 26. The apparatus 10 further comprises a channel 32 in each side rail 24, 26 for receiving a drip tray 34, to hold utensils, 35 and inserted into channel 32.

In the expanded position, the side rails 24, 26 are substantially separated from each other, the pot cover supports 16 are approximately parallel and spaced apart along the side rails, with the linkages 28, 30 approximately perpendicular to the side rails

Momentarily turning to FIG. 8, additional detail of the construction is shown. Each leg 18 is pivotally connected to the frame 12 on one of the side rails 24, 26 by passing through an aperture 27 in the side rail. Suitably, a press-on fastener 29 holds the leg 18 in friction-fit with the side rail but still permits the leg 18 to freely pivot through the aperture 27. To prevent complete rotation of the leg 18 within the aperture 27, a detent 36, preferably a raised portion of the side rail 24 or 26, engages the leg 18, as more particularly shown in FIG. 9. As seen in FIG. 9, the leg 18 has a detent-engaging portion 38 which engages the detent 36.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a top plan view, we see the apparatus in a partially collapsed position. The two side rails 24, 26 have been pivoted on the first 28 and second 30 linkages to form a more collapsed parallelogram shape. The pot cover supports 16 have also pivoted on their respective legs 18 so that they now lie at more of an acute angle to the side rails 24, 26 than in the fully expanded position.

FIG. 6, a plan view, shows the apparatus 10 in the fully collapsed position. The side rails 24, 26 have been pivoted further on the first 28 and second 30 linkages so that the side rails 24, 26 now closely approximate each other and the pot cover supports 16 closely approximate each other.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. I claim this apparatus to be a portable or stationary kitchen invention designed to hold pot covers along with a removable drip tray which can also be used for the placing of messy utensils during the cooking process. The apparatus comprises:

a) a frame movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position;

b) a support adapted for resting the frame on a surface; and

c) at least one pot cover support pivotally connected to the frame wherein the at least one pot cover support further comprises two legs pivotally engaging the frame, with said pot cover support holding a pot cover with knob or a pot cover with a handle.

2. The apparatus claim 1, whereby the frame further comprises a pair of side rails and a pair of linkages pivotally engaging the side rails.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a channel in each side rail for receiving a drip tray to be inserted into the channel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprises a detent holding the apparatus in the expanded position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the detent is a raised portion in a side rail that engages a leg.

6. Apparatus for supporting pot and pan covers, comprising:

a) a pair of side rails, each side rail having a first end and a second end:

b) a first linkage pivotally connected to each first end;

c) a second linkage pivotally connected to each second end;

d) the side rails and linkages forming there between a collapsible parallelogram-like frame: and

e) a plurality of substantially parallel pot cover supports pivotally engaging the side rails at intervals there along, wherein the frame can be moved between a collapsed position with the side rails closely approximating one another and the pot cover supports closely approximating one another; and an expanded position wherein the side rails are substantially separated from each other, the pot cover supports are approximately parallel and spaced apart along the side rails, with the linkages approximately perpendicular to side rails.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each linkage further comprises a pair of supports adapted for resting the apparatus on a surface, one support at each side rail.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus further comprises a channel in each side rail for receiving a drip tray and a drip tray which can be inserted into the channel.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a detent holding the apparatus in the expanded position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the detent is a raised portion in a side rail that engages a pot cover support.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each pot cover support further comprises a pair of legs pivotally engaging the side rails, a pot cover knob support and a pot cover handle support.