TRIVET

Abstract

A collapsible trivet comprises a first support section, a second support section, and a connecting member, the first support section being mounted to one end of the connecting member by a first axle and the second support section being mounted to the other end of the connecting member by a second axle, the first and second support sections being pivotable relative to the connecting member and the first support section including two support arms.

Claims

1. A collapsible trivet comprising: a first support section; a second support section; and a connecting member, the first support section including two support arms and being pivotally mounted to one end of the connecting member, and the second support section being pivotally mounted to the other end of the connecting member, the collapsible trivet being positionable to an open position where the first support member, the second support member, and the connecting member lie substantially flat in the same plane allowing a dish to be placed across the collapsible trivet.

2. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 1, wherein the second support section includes two support arms.

3. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 1, wherein the collapsible trivet is positionable to a second open position where the first support member and the second support member are disposed at least one of substantially perpendicular to the connecting member or at acute angles to the connecting member, and the first support member and the second support member face each other.

4. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 1, wherein the collapsible trivet is positionable to a collapsed position where the first support member is substantially adjacent to and parallel with the second support member, and the connecting member is at an acute angle with respect to each of the first support member and the second support member.

5. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 1, wherein a first axle pivotally mounts the first support section to the connecting member, and a second axle pivotally mounts the second support section to the connecting member.

6. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 5, wherein a retractable bolt extends from the connecting member for engaging with a slot in at least one of the first axle or the second axle, locking at least one of the first support section or the second support section in a locked position and preventing pivoting of the at least one of the first support section or the second support section.

7. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 6, wherein the retractable bolt is operable by a moveable operating member configured to move in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connecting member.

8. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 6, wherein multiple slots are provided in at least one of the first axle or the second axle, for locking at least one of the first support section or the second support section in at least two different positions.

9. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 6, wherein retractable bolts are provided at each end of the connecting member for locking both the first support section and the second support section in locked positions and preventing pivoting of the first support section and the second support section.

10. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 9, wherein the retractable bolts are simultaneously operable by a moveable operating member.

11. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 10, wherein the moveable operating member extends from a side of the connecting member, and is movable in a direction perpendicular to an elongate extent of the connecting member.

12. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 11, wherein the moveable operating member is movable to a locked position where the moveable operating member is further from a central axis of the connecting member and the bolts are extended, and an unlocked position where the moveable operating member is closer to the central axis of the connecting member and the bolts are retracted.

13. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 12, wherein a biasing member is provided for biasing the moveable operating member into the locked position.

14. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 13, wherein the biasing member comprises at least one spring acting to provide an outward force on the moveable operating member and urge the moveable operating member away from the connecting member.

15. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 1, wherein the support arms are at least one of made from a heat-resistant material or covered with a heat-resistant material.

16. The collapsible trivet as recited in claim 1, wherein the connecting member is at least one of made from a heat-resistance material or covered with a heat-resistant material.

17. A collapsible trivet comprising: a first support section; a second support section; and a connecting member, the first support section including two support arms and being pivotally mounted to one end of the connecting member, and the second support section being pivotally mounted to the other end of the connecting member, the collapsible trivet being positionable to an open position where the first support member is generally parallel to and spaced apart from the second support member.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0021] The Detailed Description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trivet in a second open position in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trivet of FIG. 1 in a first open position.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the trivet of FIG. 1 in a collapsed position.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the trivet of FIG. 1 in a transitional position.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective close-up cut-away view of part of the trivet of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 6a is a rear cut-away view of the trivet of FIG. 1, in which bolts are extended.

[0028] FIG. 6b is a rear cut-away view of the trivet of FIG. 1, in which the bolts are retracted.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a trivet in a second open position in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a side cut-away view of the trivet of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a collapsible trivet is indicated generally at 10. The trivet comprises a first support section 12, a second support section 14, and a connecting member 16. The first support section 12 comprises a pair of support arms 13, and the second support section 14 likewise comprises a pair of support arms 15.

[0032] The support arms 13, 15 are curved, with the concave sides facing each other in each pair 13, 15. The support arms of each pair are connected to each other at one end via an axle 18, 20. Between the other ends of the support arms of each pair, opposite the axle 18, 20, there is a space between the support arms. The axle is fixed to the end of each support arm so that neither support arm in the pair may move with respect to the other support arm of the same pair, or with respect to the axle itself. The support arms and the axle combine to form a support section in the shape of a broken hoop.

[0033] The axles 18, 20 are pivotally mounted on either end of the connecting member 16, so that the support sections 12, 14 may pivot on the connecting member 16. Thus the trivet is movable between a first open position, a second open position, and a collapsed position.

[0034] In FIG. 1, the trivet is shown in a second open position, in which it is suitable for supporting an upside-down pan lid. In the second open position, the first support member is positioned directly above the second support member, the first and second support members each being perpendicular to the connecting member. The pan lid can be slid onto the first support section 12, the handle of the lid passing through the gap between the support arms 13. Due to the space between the first and second support sections 12, 14, a user can easily reach under the first support section 12 to grasp the handle and retrieve the pan lid.

[0035] In FIG. 2, the trivet is shown in a first open position. In the first open position, the first support section 12, second support section 14, and the connecting member 16 all lie in the same plane, with the connecting member 16 between the first and second support sections 12, 14. The entire trivet in the first open position is rested on a surface, and the first and second support sections can each support a hot object, for example a pan which has just been taken off a stove. Alternatively, a single larger pan or dish may be placed across the first and second support sections 12, 14 and the connecting member 16. For this purpose, all of the first and second support sections 12, 14 and the connecting member 16 may be made from or coated in a heat resistant material. In other embodiments, one side or both sides of the first support section 12, the second support section 14, and/or the connecting member 16 may be coated with a heat resistant material (e.g., silicone). For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one side of each of the first support section 12, the second support section 14, and the connecting member 16 may be coated with silicone.

[0036] In FIG. 3, the trivet is shown in a collapsed position. The collapsed position is primarily for compact storage, but may also be used to support one pan or other hot object.

[0037] In FIG. 4, the trivet is being moved from the second open position to the collapsed position. First support section 12 is rotated anticlockwise as viewed by approximately 270 degrees, and second support section 14 is rotated anticlockwise as viewed by approximately 90 degrees. The first and second support sections 12, 14 are therefore folded towards opposing sides of the connecting member 16. In other words, the trivet 10 is folded in a concertina fashion. The advantageous result of this folding arrangement can be seen in FIG. 3. The trivet in the collapsed position is compact as the first support section 12 is able to fully abut the second support section 14. The connecting member passes between the first and second support sections 12, 14, at a small acute angle to each. The axle 18 of the first support section 12 is in line with the gap between the support arms 15 of the second support section 14, and the axle 20 of the second support section is in line with the gap between the support arms 13 of the first support section 12. The support sections 12, 14 and connecting member 16 do not therefore obstruct each other. The trivet 10 is able to be folded flat without requiring disassembly. The connecting member 16 has an elongate extent similar to the diameter of the hooped support sections 12, 14. As a result, the parts fit together when folded and take up minimal space.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 5, retractable sliding bolts 22 are provided in each end of the connecting member 16. Slots 24 are provided in the axles 18, 20, and the bolts 22 are sized and positioned to engage in the slots 24 when they are extended. The bolts 22 therefore act to lock the axles 18, 20. When the axles are locked, the first and second support sections 12, 14 are prevented from pivoting with respect to the connecting member 16.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 6a and 6b, two pins 26 extend from a surface of each bolt 22. Cam tracks 28 are provided in the operating members 30 and are formed as diagonal slots. The pins 26 on the bolts 22 act as cam followers, engaging with and sliding within the cam tracks 28. As the operating members 30 are moved inwards, the pins 26 move within the cam tracks 28, forcing the bolts 22 outwards. The operating members 30 form a sleeve around the bolts 22, the bolts 22 being guided in the sleeve so that they move in a straight line, parallel to the length of the connecting member 16. The operating members extend from opposing sides of the connecting member 16, and two springs 32 are provided between operating members 30, urging the operating members 30 away from each other. The bolts 22 are therefore biased into the extended, or locked, position.

[0040] When it is desired to retract the bolts 22 in order to adjust the position of the first and second support sections 12, 14 with respect to the connecting member 16, the user may grip the operating members 30 and squeeze them towards each other. The bolts 22 retract when the operating members 30 are squeezed together. When the user's grip is released, the bolts 22 extend into the slots 24 in the axles, locking the first and second support sections 12 and 14 into position. It is therefore possible to adjust the trivet 10 between the first and second open positions and the collapsed position. Further, in some embodiments, when the operating members 30 are not engaged and the bolts 22 do not extend into the slots 24 in the axles (e.g., at an intermediate (unlocked) position), the first and second support sections 12 and 14 will rotate until they reach an index (locked) location. The bolts 22 then extend into the slots 24 in the axles, locking the first and second support sections 12 and 14 into position.

[0041] Ball catches 34 are provided on the end of bolts 22. The ball catches 34 each comprise of a ball bearing, which is biased outward of the bolt 22 by a spring. Alternatively, static formations may protrude from the end of bolts 22, providing a simpler construction. When the trivet 10 is in the collapsed position, the ball catches 34 locate in formations 36 on the axles. The trivet 10 in the collapsed position therefore requires positive force to unfold.

[0042] In FIGS. 7 and 8, another trivet is shown in a second open position, in which it is suitable for supporting an upside-down pan lid. In the second open position, the first support member is positioned above (e.g., directly above) the second support member, and the connecting member is at an acute angle (e.g., about forty-five degrees)(45) with respect to each of the first and second support members. The pan lid can be slid onto the first support section 12, the handle of the lid passing through the gap between the support arms 13. Due to the space between the first and second support sections 12, 14, a user can easily reach under the first support section 12 to grasp the handle and retrieve the pan lid.

[0043] The trivet can be used in any of the three positions. In the second open position, it can support a pan lid, preventing contamination. In the first open position and the collapsed position, the trivet can be used conventionally to protect a surface from a hot pan. In the collapsed position, the trivet is compact for easy storage.

[0044] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or process operations, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.