Abstract: A horizontal stabilizing system for a fryer lifting lid is disclosed. The horizontal stabilizing system includes a vertical support and a U-shaped bracing member having central bracing member and a first and a second guide arm. The central bracing member has a first member face and a second member face. A mounting bracket is positioned on the second member face. A first stabilizing support is attached to the first guide arm, and a first guide rail is in slidable contact with the first stabilizing support. A second stabilizing support is attached to the second guide arm, and a second guide rail is in slidable contact with the second stabilizing support. In another embodiment, a cooking device having a horizontal stabilizing system comprises a fryer housing and a cooking vessel in the fryer housing. A vertical support having a central opening and extending in a substantially vertical direction is provided. A receiving bracket is inserted in the central opening of the vertical support.

Abstract: A supporting brace is employed to pivotally mount a fryer lifting lid on a monorail lifting device. The supporting brace includes a central bracing member having a first and a second member face and having a first and a second member end. A monorail mounting bracket is positioned on the second member face. A first pivot arm extends substantially perpendicular to the first member face at the first member end, and a second pivot arm extends substantially perpendicular to the first member face at the second member end. The first member end has a first member end height, and the second member end has a second member end height. The first pivot arm has a first pivot arm height and the second pivot arm has a second pivot arm height, such that the first member end height is greater than the first pivot arm height and the second member end height is greater than the second pivot arm height.

Abstract: A motorized assist device for raising and lowering a lifting lid, includes a supporting brace for mounting the lifting lid. The supporting bracket has a central bracing member, and a monorail mounting bracket positioned on the central bracing member. A monorail has a receiving bracket for receiving the monorail mounting bracket. An I-beam framework is positioned within the monorail and has a pair of U-shaped guides. A carriage has a pair of wheels and is mounted on the framework, such that each of the U-shaped guides receives one of the pair of the wheels. The carriage is secured to the receiving bracket. A counterweight assembly is used for raising and lowering the carriage along the monorail.

Abstract: A supporting brace is employed to pivotally mount a fryer lifting lid on a monorail lifting device. The supporting brace includes a central bracing member having a first and a second member face and having a first and a second member end. A monorail mounting bracket is positioned on the second member face. A first pivot arm extends substantially perpendicular to the first member face at the first member end, and a second pivot arm extends substantially perpendicular to the first member face at the second member end. The first member end has a first member end height, and the second member end has a second member end height. The first pivot arm has a first pivot arm height and the second pivot arm has a second pivot arm height, such that the first member end height is greater than the first pivot arm height and the second member end height is greater than the second pivot arm height.

Abstract: A motor driven assembly to assist in the raising and lowering of the lid of the vat of a large capacity pressure cooker. The assist assembly comprises a vertically oriented support frame secured to the rear of the pressure cooker housing. The support frame comprises a pair of vertical, inwardly opening, U-shaped guide rails joined together by top and bottom horizontal support frame members. The front, rear, sides and top of the support frame are enclosed by panel members completing the overall housing of the pressure cooker. A vertically oriented, frame-like carriage is mounted within the support frame. The carriage has rollers received within the support frame guide rails and is vertically shiftable within the support frame. The carriage mounts a pair of horizontal arms which extend through vertical slots in the pressure cooker housing and which support the vat lid. The top frame member of the support frame carries a drum which is driven by an electric motor.

Abstract: A single handle-actuated lid opening, closing, and locking mechanism for a large capacity pressure cooker having an open-top cooking vat and a counter-balanced lid shiftable vertically between a vat open and a vat closed position. The mechanism comprises a pair of slotted hook arms mounted to either side of the vat. A cam bar extends transversely of the vat lid and is provided with a forwardly extending arm near each of its ends. The forward ends of the arms are joined by a bar constituting a handle in parallel spaced relationship to the cam bar. The ends of the cam bar support rollers receivable within the slots of the hook arms. The cam bar is manually shiftable by the handle between a forward lid locking position and a rearward unlocking and lid engaging position. In its forward lid-locking position, the cam bar assumes an over-center orientation with its rollers bearing upwardly against the upper surfaces of the hook arm slots and the cam bar body bearing downwardly against the lid.

Abstract: A large capacity pressure cooker in which an open-topped vat having an upper cooking zone and a lower cool zone for collecting contaminants is provided with a counterbalanced vertically moveable lid, operator-actuatable locking means having a single operating handle being provided to lock the lid in a closed and sealed position, including latching mechanism for maintaining the lid locking mechanism in the closed position when the vat is pressurized, the latching mechanism additionally serving to depressurize the vat if the latching mechanism is accidentally released.