Rack device well suited for use with a deep frying apparatus and method of using the same

• US 6,742,446 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2002
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masterbuilt Manufacturing, LLC (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Don Mclemore, John D. Mclemore
• Inventors: McLemore, Don, McLemore, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US10/187,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20030005828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 994/16, 994/18, 994/15, 994/19, 994/21.V, 994/31
• US Class Current: 99/421.00V
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/22 Wire inserts for deep fat fryers A47J37/12
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/1295 Frying baskets or other food holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 43/18 Holding or clamping devices for supporting fowl, venison, or other meat, or vegetables, during cooking or during subsequent cutting

Abstract

A cooking rack for deep frying which includes a base, such as one formed of a plurality of spoke extensions, and a plurality of prongs extending up from the base. The rack further includes a lifting extension which is supported by the base such as by way of one or more foot extensions extending from a vertical main bar to the base. The lifting extension extends up from the base at a location that is radially spaced from a center of the base and preferably has a grasping loop. An embodiment of the invention features protrusions provided on the prongs for differentiating tipper and lower prong food positions and an additional embodiment features a grill that can be slid down into a resting position on the protrusions and with or essentially with a no horizontal slide (less than an inch horizontal slide capability). An embodiment also features a second grill which forms or is connected to the base, which base preferably features spoke extensions either radially extending from a central region of the base or represented by overlapping diametrical elongated base bars having the prongs integrally (e.g., an upward bend to form a prong from a horizontal base extension) related to the base extensions. A cooking apparatus with the rack and a cooking container and a grasping hook is also featured as well as a method of providing a cooking apparatus.

Claims

1. A cooking rack for deep frying, comprising:

a base;

a plurality of prongs extending upward from said base, and said prongs including a protrusion; and

a lifting extension which extends upward relative to said base and is supported by said base,

wherein said lifting extension includes a bar extension and a foot extension with the foot extension extending from said base and positioning said bar extension radially outward from a central region of said base.

2. The rack as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said prongs include a protrusion positioned at an intermediate location relative to a vertical height of said prongs.

3. The rack as recited in claim 2 wherein there are at least three prongs circumferentially spaced apart.

4. The rack as recited in claim 2 wherein said base includes a plurality of spoke extensions extending out from a central region of said base and said prongs extending up off said spoke extensions.

5. The rack as recited in claim 4 wherein said prongs are connected with said spoke extensions and extend off respective radial outer ends of said spoke extensions.

6. The rack as recited in claim 5 wherein said prongs are integral with said spoke extensions.

7. The rack as recited in claim 5 wherein said prongs are releasably connected with said spoke extensions.

8. The rack as recited in claim 1 wherein said bar extension extends vertically up from a level of said base and said foot extension extends away from said base so as to position said bar extension radially outward from a periphery extending about a bottom end of each of said prongs.

9. The rack as recited in claim 8 wherein said base is comprised of a plurality of spoke extensions and said foot extension is connected to one of said spoke extensions.

10. The rack as recited in claim 9 wherein said foot extension includes a foot section which extends out transversely to said one of said spoke extensions.

11. The rack as recited in claim 1 wherein said lifting extension includes a main bar joined to said base and a capture member at an upper region of said main bar.

12. The rack as recited in claim 11 wherein said capture member includes a loop or hook segment defining a reception area for a grasping device.

13. The rack as recited in claim 1 wherein said protrusions extend radially outward from said prongs.

14. The rack as recited in claim 1 wherein said lifting extension has an upper end which is space higher off from said base than said prongs.

15. A cooking rack for deep frying, comprising:

a base;

a plurality of prongs extending upward from said base, and said prongs including a protrusion; and

a lifting extension which extends upward relative to said base and is supported by said base,

wherein said protrusions are formed by bends formed in said prongs to provide an above and a below food capture prong region relative to the bends formed in respective prongs.

16. A cooking rack for deep frying, comprising:

a base;

a plurality of prongs extending upward from said base, and said prongs including a protrusion; and

a lifting extension which extends upward relative to said base and is supported by said base,

wherein there are at least four prongs and said base is formed of a plurality of spoke extensions extending radially out from a central region of said base with said spoke extensions being defined by at least a pair of base extensions which are diametrical in dimension and overlap each other in the central region, and said prongs extending vertically up from respective ends of said overlapping base extensions.

17. A cooking rack for deep frying, comprising:

a base;

a plurality of prongs extending upward from said base, and said prongs including a protrusion;

a lifting extension which extends upward relative to said base and is supported by said base; and

a first grill which has a supporting section which is configured for supporting contact with said protrusions and which is releasable relative to said prongs.

18. The rack as recited in claim 17 wherein the supporting section of said first grill comprises one or more grill bars positioned on said first grill for direct contact with said protrusions.

19. The rack as recited in claim 18 wherein said supporting section is a grill bar ring which is of a diameter which places said ring on said protrusions for support of said first grill relative to portions of said prongs extending above said first grill.

20. The rack as recited in claim 19 wherein said grill bar ring is radially spaced inward from an outer rim of said first grill.

21. The rack as recited in claim 17 further comprising a second grill, said second grill being secured to said base.

22. The rack as recited in claim 21 wherein said second grill is non-releasably secured to said base and said first grill has a diameter which is commensurate with a periphery extending about said prongs.

23. The rack as recited in claim 21 wherein said first and second grills are in a parallel relationship with said first grill being at a common intermediate location relative to said prongs which intermediate location is in a 40 to 60% range of height relative to a full height of said prongs.

24. A cooking rack for deep frying, comprising:

a base;

a plurality of prongs extending upward from said base, and said prongs including a protrusion; and

a lifting extension which extends upward relative to said base and is supported by said base,

wherein said prongs are flat bars and said protrusions are bends formed in said flat bars.

25. A cooking rack for deep frying, comprising:

a base;

a plurality of prongs extending upward from said base, and said prongs including a protrusion; and

a lifting extension which extends upward relative to said base and is supported by said base,

wherein said lifting extension includes a main bar and an intermediate wing extension which extends out away from said main bar.

26. The rack as recited in claim 25 wherein said wing extension extends to opposite sides of said main bar and is positioned such that a least a portion thereof is at a common vertical height as said protrusions.

27. A cooking rack for deep frying, comprising:

a base formed of a plurality of spoke extensions;

a plurality of prongs extending up from respective ends of said spoke extensions;

a lifting extension which is supported by said base and extends up from said base at a location that is radially spaced from a center of said base.

28. The rack as recited in claim 27 wherein said lifting extension includes a foot section and a main bar with said foot section joined with one of said spoke extensions and said main bar extending vertically up from an end region of said foot section.

29. The rack as recited in claim 27 wherein said lifting section includes a vertical bar section having a bottom region that is positioned radially outward from a periphery extending about said prongs.

30. The rack as recited in claim 27 wherein said lifting extension includes a grasping loop or hook section at an upper end region for facilitating the lifting of said rack with a grasping device.

31. The rack as recited in claim 27 wherein said prongs have intermediate protrusions extending radially.

32. The rack as recited in claim 31 further comprising a first grill which is slidingly received by said prongs and releasably supported above said base by said protrusions.

33. The rack as recited in claim 32 further comprising a second grill which is spaced below said first grill.

34. A cooking apparatus, comprising:

a rack, having a plurality of upstanding prongs,

a first grill releasably supported by said prongs at an intermediate location of said prongs;

a lifting extension which is connected to said prongs and extends upward together with said prongs;

a second grill positioned below said first grill.

35. The cooking apparatus as recited in claim 34 further comprising a prong base to which said prongs are connected and said lifting extension being connected to said prongs via said base positioned between said prongs and lifting extension.

36. The cooking apparatus as recited in claim 34 wherein said prongs comprise protrusions which extend into supporting relationship relative to said first grill and through which said prongs extend.

37. The cooking apparatus as recited in claim 34 further comprising a cooking container into which said rack is insertable and said prongs defining a periphery which is less than that of said first and second grills and said grills having a periphery which is less than an interior periphery of said cooking container.

38. The cooking apparatus as recited in claim 37 further comprising a grasping hook and said lifting extension having a hooked or looped section for grasping said lifting extension by said grasping hook.

39. The cooking apparatus as recited in claim 34 wherein said lifting extension is radially positioned outward of a periphery defined by a lower end of each of said prongs.

40. A method of assembling a cooking apparatus, comprising:

providing a plurality of prongs having a common base and protrusions formed in an intermediate area of said prongs;

providing a grill which is dimensioned for being slid past said prongs and into a support resting relationship relative to said protrusions.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising a second grill spaced below said first grill.