Electric frying pan

Claim 1

An improved electric frying pan comprising: a pan constructed of an aluminum core and a layer of stainless steel on each of the surfaces thereof and including a bottom and a continuous peripheral side wall upstanding from the bottom, and at least two threaded studs connected to the underside of said bottom in spaced relationship with each other; means, resistant to heat conduction, to support said pan in an elevated position; a plurality of washers and companion threaded lock nuts adapted to be received as a set on each of said studs; an electrically insulated heating element of a generally circular cross-section including a flat upper surface portion for contacting the bottom of said pan, said element adapted to be connected to an electrical source; a support plate defining a depression of depth less than the thickness of said heating element and into which said heating element will lie, a series of first holes for engagement over said studs and a plurality of second holes adjacent the centre of said plate for drainage of water that may become trapped above said support plate; in which by advancing said nuts onto said studs until said nuts are tight to the support plate, all parts of said heating element are subject to a compressive load.