U.S. patent application number 11/747660 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-13 for rotisserie hanging grill.
Invention is credited to Victor Gabrielle.
Application Number | 20070283945 11/747660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36566205 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070283945 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gabrielle; Victor |
December 13, 2007 |
ROTISSERIE HANGING GRILL
Abstract
A self-contained apparatus having a rotating flavor barrel for
roasting, grilling, searing, rotisserie cooking, and smoking food.
The apparatus is easily assembled, disassembled and transported
making it ideal for "tailgate" cooking. The apparatus may be
mounted on a wheeled frame or on a vehicle mounted frame. The
apparatus can include an adjustable-height firebox and a smoker
cover. Multiple accessories may be attached to the flavor
barrel.
Inventors: |
Gabrielle; Victor;
(Albuquerque, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEACOCK MYERS, P.C.
201 THIRD STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1340
ALBUQUERQUE
NM
87102
US
|
Family ID: |
36566205 |
Appl. No.: |
11/747660 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11146978 |
Jun 6, 2005 |
|
|
|
11747660 |
May 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
60576957 |
Jun 4, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/25AA |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 37/042
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/025.0AA |
International
Class: |
A47J 37/07 20060101
A47J037/07 |
Claims
1. A grilling apparatus comprising: at least one rotatable member;
one or more supports rotatably secured to said member; and a grill
supported by said supports, said grill remaining substantially
horizontal during rotation of said member; and a heat source.
2. The grilling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supports
comprises heat-resistant bearings.
3. The grilling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supports swing
freely during rotation of said member.
4. The grilling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said member comprises
a porous metal barrel.
5. The grilling apparatus of claim 4 wherein said barrel comprises
metal mesh.
6. The grilling apparatus of claim 4 wherein said supports are
secured to an interior of said barrel.
7. The grilling apparatus of claim 4 wherein said grill hangs
within said barrel.
8. The grilling apparatus of claim 7 wherein said grill is
insertable and/or removable from said barrel via an opening in said
barrel.
9. The grilling apparatus of claim 4 wherein said porous metal
diffuses flames from said heat source.
10. The grilling apparatus of claim 1 wherein a distance of said
heat source from said grill is adjustable.
11. The grilling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heat source
comprises a firebox or a burner.
12. The grilling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grill is
positioned below an axis of rotation of said member.
13. The grilling apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a smoker
cover.
14. A method of grilling foods, the method comprising the steps of:
attaching one or more supports to a rotatable member so that the
supports are rotatable with respect to the member; supporting a
grill with said supports; disposing food on the grill; rotating the
member; and heating the food; wherein the grill remains
substantially horizontal during the rotating step.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the member comprises a porous
metal barrel.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of the
porous metal barrel diffusing flames.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the supporting step comprises
hanging the grill within the barrel.
18. The method of claim 17 comprising the step of inserting the
grill into the barrel via an opening in the barrel.
19. The method of claim 17 comprising the step of removing the
grill from the barrel via an opening in the barrel.
20. The method of claim 14 wherein the supporting step comprises
hanging the grill lower than an axis of rotation of the member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/146,978, entitled "Rotisserie Roaster
Smoker", filed on Jun. 6, 2005, which claims the benefit of the
filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
60/576,957, entitled "Rotisserie Roaster Smoker", filed on Jun. 4,
2004, and the specifications and claims thereof are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
[0003] The present invention is a self-contained apparatus for
roasting, grilling, searing, rotisserie cooking, and smoking food.
The present invention is easily assembled, disassembled and
transported making it ideal for "tailgate" cooking.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Note that the following discussion refers to a number of
publications and references. Discussion of such publications herein
is given for more complete background of the scientific principles
and is not to be construed as an admission that such publications
are prior art for patentability determination purposes.
[0006] Many types of roasters, smokers, rotisseries, and grills are
known in the art. Many use a rotating basket to roast chiles or
other vegetables. One such portable roaster is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,178,877, incorporated herein by reference. Others use a
grill or rotisserie for cooking meats. However, there is no present
device which can provide all of these various cooking techniques
with one simple device, which is either portable or easily
assembled and disassembled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION)
[0007] The present invention is a cooking apparatus comprising a
barrel rotatably disposed on a frame, the barrel comprising a
porous metal and at least one door; a motor for rotating the
barrel; mounts for attaching accessories to the interior of the
barrel; an adjustable height firebox; a flammable gas supply; and a
removeable smoker cover.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a cooking
device that can roast chiles or other vegetables in a rotating
basket and in addition be used as a rotisserie, grill, or
smoker.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
easily adjustable heat source.
[0010] An advantage of the present invention is that it is
self-contained and either portable without disassembly, or easily
assembled and disassembled.
[0011] Another advantage of the present invention is that multiple
cooking accessories may be used.
[0012] Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further
scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth
in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to
those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may
be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages
of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the
instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of
the present invention and, together with the description, serve to
explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for
the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention
and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the
drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows the roaster smoker of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the flavor barrel with both doors opened;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a detail of a hub connector receiving a flavor
barrel shaft;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a detail of an accessory mount;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows the spring loaded retractable handle and
shaft;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a detail of the rotisserie accessory;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a detail of the rib rack accessory;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a detail of the partitioned roaster accessory;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a detail of the hanging grill accessory; and
[0023] FIG. 10 shows a view of the present invention with the
smoker cover in place.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (BEST MODES FOR CARRYING
OUT THE INVENTION)
[0024] The present invention is a combination rotisserie, roaster,
grill and smoker. It is preferably transportable and easy to
assemble. It has a high quality of construction and a low cost.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention preferably comprises frame legs 10 and stabilizer bars 15
that provide support for the roasting, rotisserie, and smoking
compartment (flavor barrel) 20 and firebox 30. Legs 10 and
stabilizer bars 15 are preferably adjustable and preferably
comprise metal or other similar materials. Alternatively, flavor
barrel 20 and firebox 30 may be mounted on an integral frame, a
wheeled frame for easy transport, or on a swing-out assembly
attached to a vehicle such as a recreational vehicle, van, or sport
utility vehicle. Flavor barrel 20 preferably comprises a drum, made
of metal or similar material with two end plates 25 (e.g. metal)
and cylindrical shafts attached to either face of each end plate.
The drum preferably comprises metal mesh but may alternatively
comprise metal with punched or drilled holes or other porous metal.
As shown in FIG. 2, flavor barrel 20 comprises at least one, and
preferably two, hinged mesh doors 35a, 35b, preferably made of
metal for loading and unloading food and cooking accessories. The
use of two doors is preferable to allow basting of both sides of a
rotisserie food, such as ribs, during cooking and to balance the
rotation of flavor barrel 20, thereby reducing wear on the motor
used to rotate flavor barrel 20.
[0026] Flavor barrel 20 is preferably rotated by rotisserie motor
40, preferably comprising a 12V motor with stainless steel gears,
which is preferably mounted on one of the frame legs.
Alternatively, a roller, chain drive, or any other means may be
used to rotate flavor barrel 20. Motor 40 is preferably electrical
and is powered by any means, including but not limited to AC wall
current, batteries, or direct current from a vehicle battery.
[0027] Flavor barrel 20 is preferably rotatably disposed on or in
frame legs 10 (or any other frame) via two shafts 50, each of which
extends from the outside center of end plate 25 and extends
through, and rotates within, hub connector 60 attached to frame leg
10. As shown in FIG. 3, each hub connector 60 preferably comprises
a hollow cylinder for receiving the shaft, but may optionally
comprise an open semicircular tube in which the shaft rests. A
short accessory mount 70, shown in FIG. 4, is preferably rotatably
secured to the center of the interior of each of end plates 25.
Accessory mount 70 preferably comprises cylindrical hub 72 and rod
75 having a square or other non-cylindrical cross section, although
a cylindrical hub with a square headed end cap, or any equivalent
design, may be used. Accessory mount 70 is preferably solid,
although it alternatively may be hollow. One of the accessory
mounts, preferably on the side opposite rotisserie motor 40,
preferably protrudes through the corresponding end plate and
comprises a spring loaded release handle 85 and shaft 80, shown in
FIG. 5, for retracting the retractable accessory mount rod 95,
thereby allowing accessories to easily be mounted in flavor barrel
20.
[0028] Flavor barrel 20 may be used without any accessories to
roast chiles or other foods which tumble during roasting.
Alternatively, a variety of rotating accessories may be mounted in
the flavor barrel. Each rotating accessory preferably comprises at
least one attachment end, preferably hollow, that mates with at
least one of accessory mounts 70. The attachment end is preferably
non-cylindrical in order to prevent the accessory rotating with
respect to the accessory mounts. However, cylindrical accessory
mounts and attachment ends may alternatively be used, preferably
utilizing a set screw or the like to prevent such rotation. The
rotating accessories are preferably installed by placing a first
attachment end of the accessory over the motor side accessory
mount. The spring-loaded release handle is preferably pulled out to
allow enough room to position the accessory. The handle is released
and the spring loaded retractable accessory mount rod 95 is guided
into the second attachment end of the accessory. The spring holds
it securely in place.
[0029] Examples of accessories which rotate along with the flavor
barrel include but are not limited to: rotisserie forks 100a, 100b,
each comprising one or more prongs for securing a roast, large
bird, or the like (shown in FIG. 6); rib rack 105, which comprises
a closeable basket to hold ribs or the like (shown in FIG. 7); and
a partitioned roaster as shown in FIG. 8, comprising shaft 110 with
a plurality of spaced vertical discs 115 having a diameter slightly
smaller than that of the flavor barrel, which allows different
vegetables or other foods to be tumbled and roasted separately.
[0030] A non-rotating hanging grill accessory, shown in FIG. 9, can
be used to grill or sear foods which require high heat. Hanging
grill 120 preferably is mounted inside flavor barrel 20 to supports
130a, 130b which hang and swing freely from accessory mounts 70.
Supports preferably comprise heat-resistant bearings. Thus, hanging
grill 120 remains horizontal and close to firebox 30 while flavor
barrel 20 rotates. Preferably the mesh of flavor barrel 20 diffuses
any flames from the firebox, minimizing flare-ups.
[0031] The present invention preferably comprises firebox 30 which
is preferably located under flavor barrel 20 and is mounted to
frame legs 10. The height of the firebox, and thus its distance
from the food in flavor barrel 20, is preferably adjustable, using
means known in the art, in order to control the cooking
temperature. For example, firebox 30 may comprise support rods
which are disposed in one of a plurality of vertically spaced
diagonal slots in a fixture attached to frame legs 10. Preferably a
fine height adjustment means is also provided, which can further
raise or lower firebox 30, for example up to one inch, after a
coarser height adjustment is made. Firebox 30 preferably comprises
a standard liquid propane (LP) or natural gas burner and a grate.
Fuel may be delivered through line 150 from a portable LP tank or a
large permanent gas tank. Firebox 30 preferably comprises an
ignitor bracket 160 for holding ignitor 170 and gas flow control
180. The flames from the burner may be used to directly cook foods
in flavor barrel 20, although preferably indirect heat is produced
by the use of ceramic grill media known in the art. Soaked
hardwoods may be added on top of (or below) the grate for smoking,
or adding smoke flavor to, the food. Other grilling materials may
also be used, such as wood chips, flavor bars, charcoal,
briquettes, and the like. If charcoal or briquettes are used, the
gas fuel is optionally turned lower, or turned off, once the fuel
is burning as desired.
[0032] The present invention may also be used as a smoker when
smoker cover 200 is installed. Smoker cover 200, which is
preferably a one-piece metal cover that covers flavor barrel 20 and
preferably reaches down approximately to the top of firebox 30,
thereby at least partially trapping smoke produced by firebox 30.
Vent holes are located at the top of the cover, preferably on both
the motor side and other side. Rotatable plates of metal or other
suitable materials are preferably attached to smoker cover 200,
e.g. with bolts and wing nuts. The amount of smoke vented can be
adjusted by loosening the wing nuts and rotating the plates to
cover more or less of the vent holes. Each end of smoker cover 200
preferably comprises a cutout which accommodates hub connectors 60,
thereby allowing smoker cover 200 to rest on frame legs 10. Smoker
cover 200 is preferably guided into place by raised strips (e.g.
metal strips) on the hub connectors. Smoker cover 200 preferably
comprises handle 210 and means for locking the cover to hub
connectors 60, frame legs 10, or flavor barrel shafts 50, thereby
permitting the cover to also be used as a carrying case.
EXAMPLE
[0033] A roaster was constructed in accordance with assembly
instructions for the present invention which included the
following:
[0034] The drive side and left side hub connector were identical
pieces, except that the left side hub connector had an additional
hole which allowed a short piece of solid rod to be pushed through
it into a matching hole on the flavor barrel to keep the flavor
barrel stationary while loading and unloading food and/or accessory
attachments. The hub connectors were generally triangular in shape
and consisted of three pieces of square tubing covered with sheet
metal on both sides. There was a piece of square tubing centered
and welded at a right angle in place approximately 1/3 of the way
up from the bottom. The same size hole as the interior of the
square tubing continued through the inside sheet metal. This was
the mounting bracket for the sliding firebox height adjuster. There
were pre-drilled holes through the square tubing and parallel to
the sheet metal cover through which carriage bolts were placed and
secured with flat washers, lock washers, and nuts. There are four
pre-drilled holes centered laterally with respect to the interior
square tubing.
[0035] Carriage bolts were installed in the top two holes on each
hub connector to act as stops when the legs were inserted. Holes in
the legs matched up with the bottom two holes as did the slots on
the top front and top rear stabilizer bars. All were secured using
carriage bolts, lock washers, flat washers, and nuts. A bushing sat
at the top of each hub connector to accept the shafts of the flavor
barrel.
[0036] Carriage bolts were inserted through the two upper holes on
the left side and the drive side hub connectors from the side of
the connector towards the flavor barrel. The threaded shank of the
carriage bolt protruded on the side that had the firebox adjuster
mounting bracket. A flat washer, lock washer, and nut were
installed on each carriage bolt and hand tightened. The legs were
slid into the square tubing channel and matched to lower holes on
the hub connectors with the top holes in the legs. A carriage bolt
was inserted through each of the four holes, so the head of the
bolt was on the side facing the flavor barrel. Washers or nuts were
installed later to attach the front and rear top stabilizer
bars.
[0037] There were six stabilizer bars: one on each side, a top and
lower front, and a top and lower rear. First, the two side
stabilizer bars were installed. One side was already attached to
the leg. A carriage bolt was installed in the corresponding hole on
the other leg with the head of the carriage bolt toward the
outside. A flat washer was placed on the carriage bolt, as was a
lock washer, and nut and these were hand tightened. The side
stabilizer bar was rotated until the slot slipped down over the
square shoulder of the carriage bolt. This step was repeated for
the other side.
[0038] The flavor barrel was installed by sliding the
outside-threaded shaft into the bushing on top of the drive side
hub connector and the inside-threaded shaft into the bushing on top
of the left side hub connector.
[0039] The top front stabilizer bar was installed by matching up
holes on the end of the bar with holes in the hub connectors and
securing with a flat washer, lock washer, and nut. These were hand
tightened. This step was repeated for the top rear stabilizer bar.
The lower front stabilizer bar was installed by first installing
two carriage bolts in the remaining holes in the front legs with
the heads of the bolts facing front. On each was placed a flat
washer, lock washer, and nut and these were hand tightened. The
lower front stabilizer bar had two slotted ends. The bar was slid
down behind the head of the carriage bolts so the slots rested on
the square shoulders of the carriage bolts. This step was repeated
for the lower rear stabilizer bar. A wrench was used to tighten all
previous connections. The flavor barrel was hand rotated during
this process to ensure free movement. Once the flavor barrel was
found to spin freely, the unit is square.
[0040] The left side spring-loaded accessory was installed by
releasing the shaft and by placing the end with the spring on it
into the inside-threaded shaft of the flavor barrel. This was
tightened with a wrench and handle screwed on.
[0041] The drive side accessory shaft was installed by placing the
longer end into the outside-threaded shaft of the flavor barrel.
The nut, which was welded in place, was threaded on and tightened
down. It was secured in place by tightening the set screw.
[0042] The drive motor was mounted onto the firebox adjuster
bracket by matching up the holes on the motor with those on the
bracket, inserting screws, and tightening. A little play was left
to allow for adjustments. The square tubing of the mounting bracket
320 was slid inside the square tubing stub on the drive side hub
connector. At the same time, the end of the accessory shaft was
guided into the connector on the drive motor. The mounting bracket
320 was secured with a carriage bolt, flat washer, lock washer, and
nut through the square tubing at the hub connector. The slotted
square tubing adjustment slider 300 was inserted into the mounting
bracket 320 from the bottom. The threaded end of the wooden handle
assembly 310 was inserted through the hole at the top of the slider
and secured from the back with a flat washer, lock washer, and nut.
The installation of the left side firebox adjuster was similar,
except that there was no motor on that side.
[0043] The ignitor bracket was placed in the bottom of the firebox,
matched up with the mounting holes, and secured with screws. The
ignitor was secured with the wire coming out the bottom of the
firebox. The round tubing connected to the bottom of the burner bar
was inserted through the hole in the bottom of the firebox. The
burner bar was set into place, resting on the four brackets. The
holes in brackets were matched with holes in the bottom of the
firebox and secured with nuts and bolts. The firebox grill was set
into the firebox. The firebox was placed under the flavor barrel
and rested on the outside stabilizer bars while the fine tune
adjustment assembly was installed.
[0044] The left side firebox fine tune adjustment handle was
installed by inserting the threaded ends through the slotted
adjustment plate and into the holes on the end of the firebox. A
flat washer, lock washer, and nut were placed on each and they were
tightened securely with a wrench. This step was repeated for the
drive side installation. The top of the slotted fine tune
adjustment plate ended with a plate that had two holes that matched
a plate with two holes at the lower end of the firebox adjuster
slider. The wooden handle of the firebox adjuster assembly was
loosened to allow the slider to lower and the plates to match up.
These were secured with carriage bolts, flat washers, lock washers,
and nuts and tightened with a wrench. The flared firebox flange was
placed on top of the firebox. The tabs at the bottom of the flange
slid into the top of the firebox and held it in place.
[0045] The ignitor/gas control plate on the lower front stabilizer
bar was installed by matching the holes and securing with small
bolts, lock washers, flat washers, and nuts. The ignitor wire
coming from the bottom of the firebox was attached to the wire
coming from the bottom of the push-button ignition switch on the
ignitor/gas control plate. The ends of the wires have connectors
that slid together.
[0046] Although the invention has been described in detail with
particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other
embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and
modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those
skilled in the art and it is intended to cover all such
modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all
patents and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by
reference.
* * * * *