Rotating And Elevating Patents (Class 126/25AA)
  • Patent number: 6138553
    Abstract: The rotary cooking apparatus of this invention includes a housing with a bottom opening to allow heat and smoke from a heat source into the housing. The bottom opening defines a plane on which the housing can rest upon. The opening is generally sized to fit over a grill or some other heat source. A base such as a boot or plate can also be used between the grill or heat source and the housing. The housing has opposing sidewalls. Bearings or bushings are centrally located and attached to the sidewalls. A pivotal door on the housing allows access into the housing. A rotating center attaching device is rotatably positioned within the housing and within the bearings. A rotatory device, such as a rotisserie motor, rotates the rotating center attaching device. Various types of attachments attach to the rotating center attaching device to cook food in a variety of various rotating cooking methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Harvey O. Toebben
  • Patent number: 6000388
    Abstract: A barbecue grill includes a body defining a heating chamber and having an open top. A main food supporting grill is mounted on the body in a generally horizontal manner so as to span at least a portion of the open top. Walls extend generally upwardly from portions of the body. The walls include opposing side walls and a rear wall extending between the side walls. A grate is mounted between the side walls and is in spaced relation to the rear wall so as to define a generally vertically arranged fire chamber for holding a source of heat generating fuel. A secondary food supporting grill is mounted between the side walls, forwardly of the grate and above and generally parallel to the main grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Alphonso G. Andress
    Inventor: Alphonso G. Andress
  • Patent number: 5996572
    Abstract: A turbo-charcoal barbecue is designed with five main features; a detachable turbo unit, an adjustable rotisserie ensemble, a moveable charcoal tray, removable ash trays, and fire screen. The detachable turbo unit is positioned to recirculate hot air from underneath the charcoal tray and redistribute the hot air to the upper and lower areas of the grill. The turbo-charcoal barbecue includes an adjustable rotisserie ensemble. Both the turbo unit and rotisserie are driven by a 12 volt motor or from an electrical outlet using a transformer. The charcoal tray sits on a plate which is attached to a crank shaft mechanism used for raising and lowering the charcoal tray. A rectangular shaped fire screen contains small holes spaced evenly apart from each other designed to both block flash flames and allow the heat produced from the ignited briquets to flow through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Artemio M. Ilagan
  • Patent number: 5983882
    Abstract: A barbecue grill apparatus is provided for cooking food items, including a housing having a housing bottom wall and a housing side wall, an upright grill support member extending centrally within the housing, and at least two food supporting grid sections mounted one above the other on the grill support member, at least one of the food supporting grid sections being mounted rotatably relative to the other food supporting grid section, so that one of the grid sections is rotatable to a position underneath another of the food supporting grid sections. The apparatus preferably additionally includes a fuel supporting grid mounted to the grill support member below the at least two food supporting grid sections and spaced above the housing bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Frank J. Ceravolo
  • Patent number: 5944008
    Abstract: An outdoor cooking apparatus (10) for use over an open fire pit. The cooking apparatus has three legs (12, 14 and 16 or 216) mounted together by a connector plate (18) in a tripod shape. The third leg of the apparatus includes a top portion (16A), a middle portion (16B) and a bottom portion (16C or 216C). The top and bottom portions extend downward at an angle and are connected by the horizontal middle portion. The middle portion extends horizontally away from the first and second legs such that the bottom portion of the third leg is spaced farther apart from the first and second leg than the top portion of the leg. A screw mechanism (36 or 236) is mounted on the bottom portion of the third leg to move the cooking surface (56) vertically. The cooking surface is mounted by a telescoping arm (58 or 258) to the sleeve (38 or 238) of the screw mechanism. The telescoping arm can be extended or retracted to horizontally move the cooking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: David M. Winkel
  • Patent number: 5931148
    Abstract: A food shelf attached to the lower end of a vertical threaded rod engages a nut that is attached to the summit of an arch that rises from a horizontal frame. The frame may be removably set onto a receptacle containing a source of heat, or the same frame can be supported above a source of heat on a set of removable legs. In each case, the height of the food shelf above the source of heat may be adjusted by turning the vertical threaded rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Universal Grills
    Inventor: Maynard A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5908026
    Abstract: A portable vertical rotary grill includes a support structure, a power source, a motor, and a grill. The support structure is preferably a tripod, but other support structures may also be used. The power source is preferably two D size dry cell batteries. A battery holder is preferably fastened to a top of the motor. The motor assembly is fastened to a top of the support structure with a chain. A thrust bearing is attached to an output shaft of the motor. The thrust bearing is supported by a thrust plate which is fastened to an outer housing of the motor. A chain collar is attached to the output shaft of the motor at an end thereof. A chain with a hook on an end thereof extends downward from the chain collar. The grill is preferably supported by three chains which are equally spaced around the circumference of the grill. The three chains are joined at their ends and placed on the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Gary L. Forst
  • Patent number: 5801357
    Abstract: An electric barbecue with rotisserie comprises a frame, a kettle placed on the frame, a resistive electric heater element and a rotary spit. A motor driving the spit is housed in a unit fixed to the frame. A drive arrangement connects the motor to the spit. The unit includes electrical connections to supply power to the element. A single cable is connected to an external power supply to supply power to the connection system and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventor: Marc Danen
  • Patent number: 5787873
    Abstract: A retro-fit barbecue grill grid gear drive assembly (36) is provided for attaching to a prior art barbecue stand (20) comprises an electric 110V gear drive motor (48) or 12V reversible gear drive motor (118) attached to a heat-sink perforated plate (58 or 124) and protected in a housing (62). Housing extension pipe (65) is fitted into hole (44) made in fire bowl (22). Motor turns a drive shaft (54) and a clamp type drive head (56), or other drive head (90) or (108) and a grill grid (30) at about 1 RPM. Grid (30) can be fully loaded with food, lid (26) replaced until food is cooked to perfection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Jack Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 5660101
    Abstract: A rotatable cooking apparatus of five main parts: a fire box, a charcoal grill, a rotary transmission system, a cam mechanism, and a food basket. The food basket comprises two grills foldable on top of one another so that food can be secured between them. The charcoal grill is comprised of a wire framework and is attached above the cam mechanism by a support bracket so that the charcoal grill can be raised and lowered. The cam mechanism is attached to the fire box by a cam shaft coupled to the rotary transmission system of four gears connected by two linked chains attached to the food basket by a basket shaft that is connected to a crank shaft. The rotary transmission system is geared so that the charcoal grill can be raised when cooking food on one side of the food basket, lowered so the food basket can be rotated 180.degree., then raised again in order to cook both sides of the food in the basket at a distance closely adjacent to the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Inventor: Larry Cirigliano
  • Patent number: 5456163
    Abstract: System for draining and collecting of the gravy and juices produced by a barbecue grill. The system can incorporate an inclined surface to drain gravy and juices to a container located exterior to the grill. Alternatively the system can utilize a separate chamber within the grill for collecting the gravy and juices. The system can incorporate a free-spinning half grid for enhancing even cooking. The system can be used with various types of heating sources including charcoal, gas and electric. By using an electric heat source, the gravy and juice can be further drained through the electric heat source to a collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Inventor: Frank J. Ceravolo
  • Patent number: 5410950
    Abstract: There is provided an adjustable rotisserie having a fire bowl containing a heat source. An elongated rotatable shaft including a pair of prongs attached thereto for holding the food to be cooked is located above the fire bowl. A frame assembly which may be continuously raised and lowered contacts the shaft. The frame assembly, and thus the food, is raised and lowered by a jack which contacts the frame assembly. A motor is attached to the frame assembly for rotating the shaft so that the shaft may be continuously raised and lowered with respect to the fire bowl while the shaft is continuously rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Wilbur Rone
  • Patent number: 5317128
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating the contents of a container having a base with a planar heat conducting surface of predetermined shape. The apparatus includes a planar heat radiating surface of the same predetermined shape and a planar support surface for supporting the container in a stable position such that the heat conducting surface overlies the heat radiating surface. The support surface has a vertical projection in the plane of the heat radiating surface which is not coextensive with the heat radiating surface at any point. A mechanism is provided for adjusting the position of the support surface relative to the heat radiating surface in a direction perpendicular to the latter. The adjustment mechanism includes at least three rows of recesses, the recesses of each row being arranged in an ascending pattern and the rows being circumferentially distributed at equal angular intervals, and at least three projections circumferentially distributed at the same equal angular intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Rototech Electrical Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelvin K. W. Yao
  • Patent number: 5099821
    Abstract: A multi-chambered barbecue grill having a main chamber, a cooking grill located in the main chamber, a fire source located in the main chamber below the cooking grill, an ash chamber attached to the main chamber below the fire source for catching ashes, and a reversible top chamber located above the main chamber, adapted for receiving the cooking grill in its reversed position. Various mechanisms are provided for raising and lowering the cooking grill to desired elevations above the fire source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: Frank J. Ceravolo
  • Patent number: 5007403
    Abstract: A fan-shaped barbecue kettle comprises a kettle shell in fan-shape, an air hole on each of the fan-shaped end walls in the vicinity of a charcoal grill which is inside the kettle shell, a cover, and a roasting grill which can fold up, stand upright or change into a roasting cage. The upper rim of each of the fan-shaped walls is provided with some opposite openings to support barbecue skewers or spits and make their distances from the fire adjustable as well. In addition to controlling the fire condition in the kettle shell, the air holes allows the fire-initiating materials to be inserted into the kettle shell while fire building proceeds. If more charcoal briquets are needed to send to the inside of kettle, they can be fed thereto via this air opening without removing any of the roasting grill and roasted objects. Convenience and time saving are achieved in this way. If necessary, kettle cover can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventor: Ming-Tang Chen
  • Patent number: 4944282
    Abstract: A grill apparatus to be used in conjunction with ovens that include a heat source and an upper opening. The grill apparatus is rotably mounted within a support frame that is pivotally mounted to the oven so that it can be brought within the opening and expose it to the heat source or separated from the heat source, as desired. A wire mesh for each one of the two identical grill assemblies is provided to sandwich the foodstuff and hold it securely in place while it is rotated to expose both sides to the heat source. A stopper is provided to keep the support frame assembly in the vertical position and flanges are provided to keep it resting in the horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventors: Ocasio F. Aguiar, Facundo T. Rodriguez, Raul Fuentes
  • Patent number: 4932391
    Abstract: A grill device or grill kit, having a base, support post, and a cantilevered support arm, adjustably interconnected for wide accommodation of cooking or grilling situations, outdoors or even indoors in a front-loading stove or fireplace. The support arm, and its revolvable connection to the support post, provide for use of the support arm as a rotisserie, and both a motor and a hand crank are provided for the grill-turning function; and diversity is further accommodated by the grill body itself being adjustable for flat-support use, or for meat-clamping use when the grill and support arm are used as a rotisserie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Carl F. Bierdeman
  • Patent number: 4932390
    Abstract: The present grill has a food-support grid that is adjustable both vertically and rotatively. The vertical adjustment determines the spacing of the food being cooked above the charcoal or other heat source. The rotative adjustment enables the food to be positioned to one side of the charcoal or other heat source, for example, to provide a keep-warm mode for already-cooked food or a thawing mode for frozen food yet to be cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Frank J. Ceravolo
  • Patent number: 4759338
    Abstract: A device for supporting the hinged cover of a barbecue brazier partially open in any one of a plurality of selected positions comprises an elongated planar support member having a plurality of upwardly orientated cover hooks along its length for selectively engaging the rim of the partially opened cover, and a downwardly facing mounting member or hook adjacent one of its ends for mounting the support member vertically on the rim of the brazier. A handle member is permanently or removably attached to the support member for handling the support member when it has become hot through use. The handle member in one embodiment is secured to the support member by means of a screw threaded projection on the handle member which engages a screw threaded bore in the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Inventor: Donald W. Croft
  • Patent number: 4732138
    Abstract: A campfire cooker assembly including a tripod and grill structure, a fire bowl and a smoker. Each component may be used alone. The fire bowl may be used with the tripod and grill or the smoker. An additional grill for the tripod and grill structure may be used. Several forms of adjustable stable grill supports are disclosed. The fire bowl includes a surrounding concentric ring structure for support of articles and for safety. The grill may be rotated by a suitable motor. The smoker includes a protected water pan structure and may have several grills rotated by a motor. Accessory items include a wind screen, cutting board and solid or mesh cooking segments placed on the grill. The legs of the tripod and grill structure may be received in a ground supported ring. A cover may be provided for the fire bowl to smother a fire in the bowl and provide a protective rain shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: Robert B. Vos
  • Patent number: 4469019
    Abstract: A barbecue grill comprising a fire bowl, legs for supporting the fire bowl, a cooking grill above the fire bowl rotatable about a generally vertical axis, and a rod which is selectively mountable in a generally horizontal position above the cooking grill for use as a spit and in a generally vertical position for use in rotating the cooking grill. A single motor is used to turn the rod, the motor being selectively mountable in two different locations on the barbecue grill depending on whether the rod is being used as a spit or to rotate the cooking grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Inventor: Helen W. Baer
  • Patent number: 4457219
    Abstract: This invention relates to an annular rotating roaster. The user may apply a cone-shaped flame separator which has numerous outstanding scales on its inner wall, when making a fire in the roaster. Each of the scales has a perforation beneath. The heat from the burning charcoal goes through the perforations and the scales to the meat. Thus, the meat won't be scorched. In addition, the degree of heat exposure is adjusted by the turning handle. Therefore, tender meat is produced. Moreover, the fat from the hot meat does not drop directly on the burning charcoal. As a result, no smoke or ashes rise, keeping the meat from being contaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Inventor: Ming-Tang Chen
  • Patent number: 4363313
    Abstract: A portable campfire fireplace for containing a campfire and for providing a cooking surface which is adjustable with respect to the fire, in which side walls form a firebox and are hinged to fold flat, side by side. A post extends upwardly from eyes at one corner of the firebox and a bracket for holding a grill is slidable and rotatable on the post. A collar and set screw hold the bracket in place on the post. All pieces of the fireplace can be attached to one wall of the firebox for storing and transporting the fireplace. A false bottom may be disposed in the firebox for charcoal cooking, to hold the charcoal near the top of the firebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Inventor: Robert J. Smith
  • Patent number: 4269164
    Abstract: A ground supported adjustable grill device comprising a single support leg element formed of a plurality of tubular members, the upper member being an inverted L-shape. Suspended from the upper L-shaped member is a grill or cooking utensil removably attached at one end of a flexible element, which in turn attaches to the single support leg member for stability, selective adjustment, and further being horizontally pivotal by means of a support leg member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Inventors: Donald R. Van Grinsven, Michael H. Winius
  • Patent number: 4215667
    Abstract: A portable cooking unit without a fuel supporting and ventilating plate comprising a circular oven body wherein several piles are extended upwards from the over bottom to support the charcoal or fuel thereon so as to replace the conventional fuel supporting and ventilating plate and having a spindle threaded on its lower portion is screwed into a bracket having an inverted U shape which is fixed onto the central bottom of said oven. The spindle is made a D shaped notch on its upper portion so as to engage with a D shaped hole on the grill. So that the grill may be rotated with the spindle to adjust its height. Three legs are inserted into said oven bottom to keep the oven a distance above the ground. An U-shaped handle is provided on the oven body waist and a clamping clip is made to bind the grill with the oven so that the cooking unit and accessories may be carried like a hand bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Inventor: Cheng H. Hsu
  • Patent number: 4192283
    Abstract: A heat-insulated rotatable handle extends through an opening in the cover side wall of a barbecue grill to interconnect with a generally L-shaped lever arm located inside the cover. By the handle alone, the cover may be raised or lowered, and, at the same time, rotation of the L-shaped lever arm permits selectively locating an end portion of the arm within any one of a plurality of slots in the grill fire bed wall to achieve a corresponding opening relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Beatrice Foods Co.
    Inventors: Edward L. Kridler, Marvin W. Eisenhauer, Loyal A. Huson
  • Patent number: 4165731
    Abstract: A barbecue having a rotatable grid is provided with a motor and drive shaft to rotate the grid. The drive shaft is self-adjusting for use with different heights of grid and sizes of barbecue. The drive shaft may be used to adapt existing barbecues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1979
    Inventor: Ritva M. Lehtovaara
  • Patent number: 4129111
    Abstract: A barbecue comprises a stand supporting a body member arranged to contain a bed of burning fuel and a horizontal grid mounted above the fuel bed, the bed or the grid being mounted on a vertical rotatable shaft, and a motor below the bed connected to the shaft to rotate the shaft continuously, the motor and the shaft being supported by a bearing assembly which is suspended below the body member of the barbecue by support means allowing the bearing assembly to tilt about two perpendicular horizontal axes. The barbeque may be fully portable and dismantled for easy transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Inventor: Ritva M. Lehtovaara