Rotisserie and spit assembly

• US 6,568,315 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2001
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ronco Asset Owners, LLC
• Original Assignee: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
• Inventors: Backus, Alan L., Popeil, Ron
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US09/891,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20010042449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 994/19, 994/21.H, 994/21.P, 994/21.R, 994/27, 126/25.R, 126/9.R, 126/49.R
• US Class Current: 99/421.00H
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/041 with food supports rotating about a horizontal axis A47J37/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/042 with food supports arranged on wheels or spiders rotating about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/043 with food supports rotating about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/047 with rotating drums or baskets
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0623 Small-size cooking ovens, i.e. defining an at least partially closed cooking cavity A47J37/0605 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0635 with reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0641 with forced air circulation, e.g. air fryers
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0664 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0745 with motor-driven food supports

Abstract

Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes. The embodiment'"'"'s design makes efficient use of valuable counter space by recessing back and raising off the countertop its controls. A variety of foods may be cooked using the spit and accessories that attach to the spit. Such accessories include wire baskets and a rotating stir fryer. Foods may be cooked on top of the embodiment as well using an included warming tray and an inserted steaming tray with cover.

Claims

1. A spit assembly, comprising:

a first support member, the first support member having a center and a plurality of gear teeth;

a second support member, the second support member having a center and a plurality of gear teeth;

a first spit rod extending from the first support member at a location away from the center of the first support member to the second support member;

a second spit rod extending from the first support member at a location away from the center of the first support member to the second support member, and

wherein there is no structure that connects the center of the first support member to the center of the second support member.

2. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a first support axle extending from the center of the first support member; and

,

a second support axle extending from the center of the second support member.

3. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a first receptacle on the first support member that receives and overlaps an end of the first spit rod; and

a second receptacle on the first support member that receives and overlaps an end of the second spit rod.

4. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 3, whereby the first and second spit rods are connected to the first support member in a friction fit.

5. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 3, whereby the first and second spit rods are connected to the first support member only by a friction fit.

6. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first support member includes at least one first kabob rod mount, the first kabob rod mount being capable of supporting a first end of a kabob rod, and wherein the second support member includes at least one second kabob rod mount, the second kabob rod mount being capable of supporting a second end of a kabob rod.

7. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first support member has a plurality of gear teeth.

8. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second support member has a plurality of gear teeth.

9. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

an oven enclosure; and

,

a drive mechanism having a set of drive gear teeth adapted to engage the gear teeth on the first support member to rotate the spit rod assembly inside the oven enclosure.

10. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an oven enclosure.

11. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

a first and a second track; and

wherein the first track is located in the first side wall and is adapted to receive a first support axle and wherein the second track is located in the second side wall and is adapted to receive a second support axle.

12. A spit assembly, comprising:

a first support member, the first support member having a center;

a second support member, the second support member having a center;

a first spit rod extending from the first support member at a location away from the center of the first support member to the second support member;

a second spit rod extending from the first support member at a location away from the center of the first support member to the second support member, and

wherein there is no structure that connects the center of the first support member to the center of the second support member;

an oven enclosure;

wherein the oven enclosure includes a first side wall and a second side wall, further comprising;

a first support axle extending from the first support member;

a second support axle extending from the second support member; and

,

an indent in the first side wall, the indent being capable of supporting the first support axle; and

,

an indent in the second side wall, the indent being capable of supporting the second support axle.

13. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first support axle and the second support axle are supported by the indents in the first and second walls, respectively, and can rotate within the indents.

14. A spit assembly for use in a rotisserie oven, comprising:

a first support member having an inner side and a plurality of gear teeth;

a second support member having an inner side, a plurality of gear teeth and a first and second receptacle extending from the inner side;

a first spit rod having a first end coupled to the inner side of the first support member and having a second end that is received and overlapped by the first receptacle; and

,

a second spit rod having a first end coupled to the inner side of the first support member and having a second end that is received and overlapped by the second receptacle, wherein there is no structure that connects the center of the first support member to the center of the second support member.

15. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 14, whereby the first and second spit rods are connected to the second support member in a friction fit.

16. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 14, whereby the first and second spit rods are connected to the second support member only by a friction fit.

17. The spit assembly as claimed by claim 14, wherein the first and the second support members each have a center, and there is no structure that connects the center of the first support member to the center of the second support member.

18. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

a first support axle extending from the center of the first support member; and

,

a second support axle extending from the center of the second support member.

19. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first support member includes at least one first kabob rod mount, the first kabob rod mount being capable of supporting a first end of a kabob rod, and wherein the second support member includes at least one second kabob rod mount, the second kabob rod mount being capable of supporting a second end of a kabob rod.

20. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first support member has a plurality of gear teeth.

21. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second support member has a plurality of gear teeth.

22. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 20, further comprising:

an oven enclosure; and

,

a drive mechanism having a set of drive gear teeth adapted to engage the gear teeth on the first support member to rotate the spit rod assembly inside the oven enclosure.

23. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 14, further comprising an oven enclosure.

24. A spit assembly for use in a rotisserie oven, comprising:

a first support member having an inner side;

a second support member having an inner side and a first and second receptacle extending from the inner side;

a first spit rod having a first end coupled to the inner side of the first support member and having a second end that is received and overlapped by the first receptacle; and

,

a second spit rod having a first end coupled to the inner side of the first support member and having a second end that is received and overlapped by the second receptacle;

an oven enclosure;

wherein the oven enclosure includes a first side wall and a second side wall, further comprising;

a first support axle extending from the first support member;

a second support axle extending from the second support member;

an indent in the first side wall, the indent being capable of supporting the first support axle; and

,

an indent in the second side wall, the indent being capable of supporting the second support axle.

25. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first support axle and the second support axle are supported by the indents in the first and second walls, respectively, and can rotate within the indents.

26. The spit assembly as claimed in claim 24, further comprising:

a first and a second track; and

wherein the first track is located in the first side wall and is adapted to receive the first support axle and wherein the second track is located in the second side wall and is adapted to receive the second support axle.

27. A rotisserie, comprising:

a first oven wall having a first spit support;

a second oven wall having a second spit support;

a spit assembly having a first support member engaged with the first spit support and a second support member engaged with the second spit support, the first spit support and the second spit support being linked by a plurality of spit rods, each of the plurality of spit rods being coupled to the first spit support solely by an overlapping friction fit connector;

wherein there is no structure that connects the center of the first support member to the center of the second support member; and

a basket adapted to be coupled by the plurality of spit rods.

28. The rotisserie of claim 27, wherein there are two spit rods.

29. The rotisserie of claim 27, further comprising an enclosure of which the first oven wall and the second oven wall are a part.

30. The rotisserie of claim 29, further comprising a drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to engage and rotate the spit assembly.

31. The rotisserie of claim 27, wherein the first and second support members each include a plate which couples to the spit rods at approximately right angles.

32. The rotisserie of claim 29, wherein the first support member includes at least one first kabob rod mount, the first kabob rod mount being capable of supporting a first end of a kabob rod, and wherein the second support member includes at least one second kabob rod mount, the second kabob rod mount being capable of supporting a second end of a kabob rod.

33. The rotisserie of claim 27, wherein the first support member includes a plurality of gear teeth.

34. A rotisserie, comprising:

a first oven wall having a first spit support;

a second oven wall having a second spit support;

a spit assembly having a first support member engaged with the first spit support and a second support member engaged with the second spit support, the first spit support and the second spit support being linked by a plurality of spit rods, each of the plurality of spit rods being coupled to the first spit support solely by an overlapping friction fit connector, wherein there is no structure that connects the center of the first support member to the center of the second support member;

a drive gear that projects from the first oven wall; and

gear teeth on the first support member that engage the drive gear.

35. The rotisserie of claim 34, wherein the gear teeth are located on a periphery of the first support member.

36. A rotisserie, comprising:

a first oven wall having a first spit support;

a second oven wall having a second spit support;

a spit assembly having a first support member engaged with the first spit support and a second support member engaged with the second spit support, the first spit support and the second spit support being linked by a plurality of spit rods, each of the plurality of spit rods being coupled to the first spit support solely by an overlapping friction fit connector, wherein there is no structure that connects the center of the first support member to the enter of the second support member;

wherein the first and second support members each include a plate which couples to the spit rods at approximately right angles;

wherein the first and the second support members each have a supporting axle.

37. The rotisserie of claim 36, wherein each of the first and second support members has an inner and an outer face and the spit rods couple to the inner faces of the first and the second support members and wherein the support axles couple to the outer faces of the two plates and to the first and second spit supports, respectively.

38. The rotisserie of claim 37, wherein the first and the second spit support axles may be disengaged from the first and second spit supports, respectively, so that the entire spit assembly may be pulled free from the first and second oven walls.

39. A spit rod assembly for use in a rotisserie oven, comprising:

a first support member having an inner side and a plurality of gear teeth;

a second support member having an inner side;

a first spit rod having a first end affixed to the inner side of the first support member;

a second spit rod having a first end affixed to the inner side of the first support member wherein the first and second spit rods each have a second end engaged with the inner side of the second support member;

an enclosure; and

a rotatable drive mechanism having a plurality of gear teeth;

wherein the drive gear teeth of the drive mechanism engage the gear teeth of the first support member to cause the rotation of the spit rod assembly inside the enclosure when the device mechanism is rotated and wherein there is no structure that connects the center of the first support member to the center of the second support member.

40. A spit rod assembly for use in a rotisserie oven, comprising:

a rotatable first member having a plurality of gear teeth around a periphery;

a rotatable second member;

a first spit rod;

a second spit rod;

wherein the first spit rod and the second spit rod are in communication with the first member and the second member such that, when the first member is rotated, the first and second spit rods and the second member rotate together with the first member and wherein there is no structure that connects the center of the first support member to the center of the second support member; and

a rotatable drive mechanism having a periphery and having a plurality of gear teeth around its periphery, wherein, when the drive mechanism gear teeth engage the gear teeth of the first member, the first member is caused to rotate.

41. The spit rod assembly as claimed in claim 40, further including an enclosure and wherein the spit rod assembly is located within the enclosure.