Apparatus for single-handed transport of pots and pans

Abstract

A single-handed porter for carrying pots, pans and the like. The porter generally comprises a length of fabric forming a flexible panel that creates a central pocket to hold a heat resistant plate for supporting a load such as a pot or pan. A pair of dowels inserted lengthwise into looped sleeves of the flexible panel form the handles for carrying. Cookware is seated atop the plate and the dimensions of the dowels and the fabric create the proper balance for carrying the cookware with minimum risk of spillage. The device provides excellent lateral support, stability and heat insulation when carrying full pots and pans with one hand, and can be cut and sewn from a simple fabric pattern design, thereby allowing easy and economical manufacturing.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A single-handed porter for carrying pots, pans and the like, comprising: 
 a flexible panel formed from a length of rectangular fabric, said fabric having a central pocket and opposing sides extending outward therefrom to looped sleeves at opposing ends;    a rectangular heat resistant plate inserted in the pocket of said panel for supporting a load; and    a pair of handles each comprising a length of dowel inserted lengthwise into the looped sleeves of the flexible panel;    whereby said panel provides lateral support, stability and heat insulation for carrying full pots and pans with one hand and without need of hot pads.    
     
     
         2 . The single-handed porter of  claim 1 , wherein said rectangular fabric is denim.  
     
     
         3 . The single-handed porter of  claim 1 , wherein said rectangular fabric is canvas.  
     
     
         4 . The single-handed porter of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible panel is formed with two recesses centrally and directly beneath the handles to provide a clearance for grasping said handles.  
     
     
         5 . The single-handed porter according to  claim 1 , wherein the looped sleeves are left open so that the handles may be easily removed for laundering of the fabric.  
     
     
         6 . The single-handed porter of  claim 1 , wherein a smaller fabric panel is sewn around three sides to the inner face of said flexible panel to form the open pocket.  
     
     
         7 . The single-handed porter of  claim 1 , wherein said rectangular heat resistant plate is comprised of standard ¼″ plywood.  
     
     
         8 . The single-handed porter according to  claim 1 , wherein said heat resistant plate is comprised of heat resistant plastic.  
     
     
         9 . The single-handed porter according to  claim 1 , wherein said rectangular flexible panel is embroidered or otherwise adorned for advertising or aesthetic purposes.  
     
     
         10 . A single-handed porter for carrying pots, pans and the like, comprising: 
 a flexible panel formed from a length of elliptical fabric, said fabric having a central pocket and opposing sides extending outward therefrom to looped sleeves at opposing ends;    a circular heat resistant plate inserted in the pocket of said panel for supporting a load; and    a pair of handles each comprising a length of dowel inserted lengthwise into the looped sleeves of the flexible panel;    whereby said panel provides lateral support, stability and heat insulation for carrying full pots and pans with one hand and without need of hot pads.    
     
     
         11 . The single-handed porter of  claim 10 , wherein said elliptical fabric is denim.  
     
     
         12 . The single-handed porter of  claim 10 , wherein said elliptical fabric is canvas.  
     
     
         13 . The single-handed porter of  claim 10 , wherein said flexible panel is formed with two recesses centrally and directly beneath the handles to provide a clearance for grasping said handles.  
     
     
         14 . The single-handed porter according to  claim 10 , wherein the looped sleeves are left open so that the handles may be easily removed for laundering of the fabric.  
     
     
         15 . The single-handed porter of  claim 10 , wherein a plurality of closure flaps are attached to said opposing sides of said flexible panel for securing said opposing sides in a closed position.  
     
     
         16 . The closure flaps of  claim 15 , wherein each flap is stitched to a margin of said opposing sides and carries a hook-type fastener means on an opposite side along each of the margins running perpendicularly to said handles, said flaps being stitched to said panel on one end and bearing a hook type fastener on an opposite end, and a pile type fastener affixed to the second of said opposing sides of said flexible panel such that said hook fastener is aligned to mate with said pile fastener thereby closing the gap between the two opposing sides and securing the pots and pans inside the porter.  
     
     
         17 . The single-handed porter of  claim 10 , wherein said circular rectangular heat resistant plate is comprised of standard ¼″ plywood.  
     
     
         18 . The single-handed porter according to  claim 10 , wherein said circular heat resistant plate is comprised of heat resistant plastic.  
     
     
         19 . The single-handed porter according to  claim 10 , wherein said elliptical flexible panel is embroidered or otherwise adorned for advertising or aesthetic purposes.  
     
     
         20 . The single-handed porter according to  claim 10 , wherein a smaller circular fabric panel with a slotted opening running the diameter of the fabric is sewn to the outer face of said flexible panel to form the open pocket.