Rack for Holding Cookware on a Cooktop

Abstract

A rack ( 10 ) for holding cookware ( 66 ) on a cooktop ( 13 ) has a support rod ( 12 ) which is mounted on the cooktop by rod support stands ( 14, 16 ), and a ring shaped support member ( 18, 60, 62, 64 ) for cookware removably connected to the support rod by clips ( 24,26 ). The ring shaped support member has a support leg ( 36 ) which is mounted on the cooktop and is connected to the ring shaped support member such that the ring shaped support member is held in an elevated position over a heating element ( 17 ) of the cooktop. The ring shaped support member defines an opening ( 34 ) through which a vessel portion of cookware may be located.

1 . A rack for holding cookware on a cooktop, the rack comprising a support rod adapted to be mounted on the cooktop by rod support stands, a ring shaped support member for cookware removably connected to the support rod by clip means, the ring shaped support member having a support leg adapted to be mounted on the cooktop and connected to the ring shaped support member whereby the ring shaped support member is held in an elevated position over a heating element of the cooktop, the ring shaped support member defining an opening through which a vessel portion of cookware may be located. 
     
     
         2 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the clip means comprises a substantially U-shaped body having a flexible portion defining a constricted opening to a receiving portion within which the support rod is adapted to be located. 
     
     
         3 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the rack further includes at least one support arm having a first end connected to the ring shaped support member and a second end connected to the clip means. 
     
     
         4 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the support leg includes a base portion for engaging the cooktop and an elbow piece having integrally connected vertical and horizontal portions extending upwardly from the base portion and connecting to an outer side surface of the ring shaped support member. 
     
     
         5 . The rack of  claim 4  wherein a lower part of the vertical portion of the elbow piece is adapted to be tightly engaged and disengaged from a stem part extending upwardly from the base portion. 
     
     
         6 . The rack of  claim 4  wherein the base portion is adapted to be disengaged from the cooktop, and the elbow piece is adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the horizontal portion of the elbow piece when the base portion is disengaged, whereupon the ring shaped support member and its support leg are able to swing about the support rod through an arc of 180 degrees from their operating position where they are over a first heating element of the cooktop to a new operating position where they are over a second heating element of the cooktop. 
     
     
         7 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein the support member is made of metal or a metal alloy having heat conducting properties. 
     
     
         8 . A cooktop safety assembly comprising;
 (a) the rack of  claim 1 , with the proviso that the elevated position corresponds to a minimum predetermined height of an uppermost surface of the support member above the heating element,   (b) a cookware adapted for use with the rack, the cookware having a vessel portion with an outer side wall that has an outer diameter corresponding to a minimum predetermined width which is sufficient to effect a snug engagement of the outer side wall of the cookware within the support member,   wherein, in use, the combination of the minimum predetermined height and the minimum predetermined width restricts the cookware to being located vertically through the opening so that, with the outer side wall engaging snugly within the support member, the cookware cannot be tilted from a vertical axis but can be rotated thereabout, and release of the cookware from the rack can only be effected by vertically raising the cookware to above the minimum predetermined height where the vessel portion clears the support member.   
     
     
         9 . The cooktop safety assembly of  claim 8  wherein the cookware is a pot or a pan. 
     
     
         10 . The cooktop safety assembly of  claim 8  wherein the heating element is an electrical element, a gas burner element, or a flat surfaced induction element.