Abstract: A barbecue mechanism according to the present invention includes a lower casing member enclosing the heating medium for the cooking process. A gear driven spit arm is located above the cooking area, and is movable from a rearward position over the cooking area outwardly by way of linkage arms, to a position proximate outer side of the lower casing member. In this manner, food to be cooked can be loaded on the spit arm for the cooking process. A multi-part cover is also included, which includes a fixed portion mounted to the lower casing member, and a pivotable portion which pivots relative to the fixed portion and defines an opening into which the spit arm rotates when it is in its fully forward position.

Abstract: An automatic barbeque assembly is provided having a cooking oven, a conveyor mechanism mounted in the oven, a sauce tank mounted in the oven for holding sauce, a food carrying mechanism connected to the conveyor mechanism for carrying food products in the oven and into the sauce, and a bypass mechanism for preventing the food carrying mechanism from dipping into the sauce wherein the bypass mechanism can be activated from the exterior of the cooking oven using only one hand. The bypass mechanism includes a by-pass lever and a bypass lever rod wherein the bypass lever is permanently affixed at points along the length of the bypass lever rod. The bypass lever rod is rotatably mounted within the oven. The bypass lever and bypass lever rod together form a trapezoidal shape. The bypass lever rod extends through an aperture in the oven and rotates within the aperture. An activation rod is mounted to an end of the bypass lever rod on the exterior of the oven.