Jar carrier having U-shaped jar retainers

Claim 1

A portable jar carrier which comprises: a generally rectangular, horizontal frame having a top, a bottom and two opposed sides, said frame defining a first plurality of generally U-shaped openings along each of the opposed sides, said frame further defining a second plurality of generally U-shaped openings along each of the opposed sides, each of said second plurality of openings being smaller and aligned with one of the first plurality of openings, the first and second plurality of openings thereby defining a plurality of lipped openings for reception and support of jars therein; legs mounted to said frame and extending downwardly therefrom; handle means secured to said frame; and retaining means mounted to said frame for retaining a jar within each of the plurality of U-shaped openings, said retaining means including each of the openings having a separate, generally U-shaped member pivotally mounted to said frame, each of the U-shaped members having end portions received in apertures in said frame located on opposite sides of the respective U-shaped opening, each of the retaining members being pivotable about the end portions from an open position to a closed position in which the U-shaped member engages the jar, whereby each U-shaped opening may be individually opened or closed.