This is a device which constitutes an evolution, but which differs from a mechanical point of view from a similar gripping element for pots, pans and the like, previously designed by the same applicant, regarding a new concept that makes it possible to attach removable type handles to pots, pans and the like to satisfy practical requirements in the use of these containers, in other words first of all the interchangeability of the pieces.

The present invention aims to achieve at least two advantageous goals: the possibility of using the same handles for various pans and the possibility of storing the containers without their handles, in order to save space which is well-known to be at a premium in kitchens, for example if it is necessary to store the container in a refrigerator, or for cooking in the oven or during dishwashing.

The background art in the household articles sector,

and particularly as far as containers for cooking are concerned, includes certain contrivances that makes pots, pans and cooking containers in general more functional as well as of more handy use, at least from the point of view of safety during cooking.

In particular the need has arisen in this sector to produce removable or detachable handles, and a number of products have been presented on the market that foresee the possibility of using interchangeable handles, although these have proved in some cases to be impractical and in others so complicated and costly as to make them unacceptable or in any case inadequate for market requirements.

The. solution conceived by the same applicant (see italian patent application No. VR2000A000103) concerns a coupling system for removable handles of containers in general, capable of overcoming the limitations of the known solutions by means of the implementation of a mechanical principle new to the sector, in other words an eccentric system, which can be used to attach handles to the edges of pots or pans, or to their gudgeon, by means of an eccentric system.

According to the present invention, an evolution of this coupling system for handles is proposed which, in this case, is even more simplified with respect to the

solution mentioned above, since a mechanical system is used which, unlike the former solution, must make use of a gudgeon already present on the pan and fixed to the same, but which is safer and easier to use.

The immediate advantage achieved by this innovation is the even greater construction simplicity, with the consequent reduction in production costs, and moreover a certain simplification also from the point of view of its use.

Another advantage of this solution is the fact that the handles with universal couplings already on the market can be attached to the gudgeon, and that it also adapts to the different types of pots and pans of various shapes on the market, without the need to further alter the shapes commonly used in the sector.

The aims and advantages indicated above are all achieved by means of a coupling device for detachable handles of the type that are fitted to pots, pans or the like characterised in that it comprises a support presenting two coupling elements, one opposite the other: a first part comprising means for coupling with a gudgeon or other similar coupling element integral with the pan, and a second part, opposite the first, comprising means designed to hold the end of a handle or the like and in that said means designed to couple with the gudgeon

comprise engaging elements and/or pressure clamping elements that act on the said gudgeon.

Additional features and details of the invention will be better understood from the description which follows, given as a non-binding example, referring to the attached drawings in which: fig. 1 represents an exploded cross section side view of the gudgeon coupling element which also acts as a support for a handle or the like; - fig. 2 is the side view of the coupling device on which the handle is fixed; fig. 3 is the side view of the coupling device on which the handle is fixed and its subsequent fixing to the gudgeon of the pan; fig. 4 shows a plan view of the coupling device detached from the gudgeon; - fig. 5 shows a plan view of the coupling device attached to the gudgeon; - fig. 6 is a front view of the coupling device; - fig. 7 is a front view of the coupling device, in this case comprising supplementary means for fixing the gudgeon; - fig. 8 is a front view of the coupling device, in this case comprising supplementary means for fixing the gudgeon in which the clamping elements

are integral with the support element; fig. 9 represents an exploded perspective view, slightly from above, of the gudgeon coupling element which also acts as a support for a handle or the like.

With reference to the attached figures, number 1 indicates a pot or pan of the type that comprises a traditional shape gudgeon 2, i. e. generally parallelepiped or other similar shape appropriate to hold a handle or in general a gripping element 3.

According to the invention, the handle 3 is not fixed directly onto the gudgeon 2 but that an intermediate coupling element is used, indicated globally by 4, comprising means for the rapid coupling and uncoupling of the handle with respect to the gudgeon.

This makes it possible to remove or fit the handle 3 very easily as needed, to satisfy for example the various requirements related to the encumbrance having to store the pans in the kitchen cupboards and then use them with the handle when cooking.

The particularity of the invention is in fact the presence of the coupling element 4, which consists of a substantially hollow support 5 presenting two coupling parts opposite each other: a first part comprising a housing 6 for the gudgeon 2 integral with the pan, and a

second part 7, opposite the first, comprising a piece with a threaded housing 8, visible in figure 1.

The shape of part 7, which can be equipped with a centering punch 7'designed to be inserted in a corresponding housing 7"already present in the gudgeon 2, is designed to hold the coupling end of a handle or the like, which is fixed by means of a screw 9, inserted in turn in the threaded housing 8, after passing through the hole 10 generally found in the handle.

According to a feature of the invention particular means are provided which clamp the support 5 on the gudgeon. These means comprise clamping elements which, according to a particular embodiment, can be the screw type, indicated with number 11, which are inserted at right angles with respect to the axis of the gudgeon.

In the example shown, there are two screws 11 with opposite threads, i. e. one with a right thread and the other with a left thread, which are inserted in the corresponding threaded housings 12 (figs. 4 and 5) integral with the aforesaid support 5.

A lever arm 13 is fixed to the two protruding heads of the screws 11, joining them together and making it possible, by moving the lever arm, to tighten or loosen the screws 11 simultaneously, to clamp or release the support 5 on the gudgeon 2.

It is obvious that the screws 11, having opposite threads, will move away from or closer to the gudgeon to the same extent on both sides, so as to allow the handle 3 to be clamped or released.

The use of the coupling device according to this invention thus provides that the handle 3 is fixed to the support 5 by means of the screw 9 and that the support 5 is then fixed to the gudgeon 2 while the lever arm 13 is in the raised position.

Once the support 5 has been fixed to the gudgeon, it is enough to lower the lever 13 until the parts are fully clamped around the gudgeon from two diametrically opposite directions.

Rather than directly clamping the gudgeon, the two screws 11 with opposite threads can advantageously exert their action by means of an intermediate flexible element 14, made for example of metal, such as steel or aluminium, which surrounds the gudgeon, acting as a protective and clamping element.

According to a particular form of embodiment, this protective element 14 can be integral with the support 5 as shown in the cross section in figure 8.

A person skilled in the art will able to provide further construction variations both as regards the support 5, and the screws with opposite threads or the

lever arm that operates them, obtaining solutions which can be considered as part of the present invention, the particular features of which are defined in the following claims.

For example a variation is foreseen according to which, instead of the opposite thread screws 11, a closing system can be used which comprises a grub screw inserted in a rotating pin, which slides in an angled slot cut in the channel, or in the support 12, guiding the pin forwards and backwards, as with screws.

Similarly, instead of the screws and/or the grub screw sliding in an angled slot, a clamping system can be used which consists of a pair of consecutive cylinders whose contact surfaces are angled according to a cross section on a plane not at right angles with respect to the axis of the cylinders.

In this case too the reciprocal rotation of the two cylinders, one of which acts as a pivot opposing the other one, allows them to move towards or away from the gudgeon on which they are clamped.

A further possibility is that the clamping system by means of screws/grub screw-angled slot/cylinders with misaligned planes can comprise. either elements arranged in opposite pairs with respect to the gudgeon or single elements.

An other particularly advantageous form of embodiment of the present invention refers to a coupling device as represented in fig. 9 in which the clamping means comprise a pair of eccentric pins housed in the intermediate coupling element 4 at the level of the hollow support 5 made for example of an extruded and worked section in aluminium which can be housed inside a metal ring 23 suitable on one side to follow the profile of the pot or pan and the like and on the other side to receive its handle.

The pins 11 are connected by means of an eccentric tooth 21 to an element 22 that blocks in use the gudgeon to the coupling element 4 rotating said pins 11.