Rotisserie cooker

• US 7,424,849 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2005
• Issued: 09/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronco Holdings Inc. (Ronco Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ronco Acquisition Corporation (Ronco Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Backus, Alan L., Popeil, Ronald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US11/043,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20050178275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 994/21.H, 994/21.HH, 994/21.HV, 994/21.M, 994/21.P, 994/21.TP, 994/21.V, 994/21.R, 994/21.A, 994/19
• 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 37/0629 with electric heating elements
• 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

A horizontal axis rotisserie oven with versatile electronic controls. The rotisserie further includes an improved spit for quick mounting of food, a door which hides blemishes due to normal use, easily referenced food cooking indexes, and added features that aid in keeping countertops clean.

Claims

1. A spit assembly, comprising:

a first support member;

a second support member; and

a first spit rod extending from the first support member to the second support member;

wherein the first spit rod is affixed to the first support member by a first set screw; and

a second spit rod extending from the first support member to the second support member, wherein the second spit rod is affixed to the first support member by a second set screw;

wherein the first and second support members each have a center, the first and second spit rods extend from the first support member to the second support member at a location away from the center of the first support member, and there is no structure extending between and connecting the center of the first support member to the center of the second support member.

2. The spit assembly of claim 1 wherein the first support member has a plurality of gear teeth.

3. The spit assembly of claim 2 wherein the second support member has a plurality of gear teeth.

4. The spit assembly of claim 1, further comprising;

a first receptacle on the first support member that receives the first spit rod; and

a second receptacle on the first support member that receives the second spit rod wherein the first and second spit rods are secured within the first and second receptacles by first and second set screws.

5. The spit assembly of claim 4 where the first and second set screws extend through the respective sides of the first and second receptacles.

6. The spit assembly of 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.

7. The spit assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

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

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

8. The spit assembly of claim 7, wherein the second support member further comprises, a first conical lead-in affixed to the second support first receptacle, and a second conical lead-in affixed to the second support second receptacle.

9. The spit assembly of claim 8 wherein the first and second conical lead-ins include annular walls that are secured to the outer perimeter of the first and second receptacles.

10. The spit assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

an oven enclosure having first and second side walls; 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.

11. The spit assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a first and a second track, wherein the first track is located in the first side wall and the second track is located in the second side wall; and

a front door positioned alone a front portion of the oven enclosure and comprising first and second support axles that are disposed within respective first and second tracks.

12. A spit assembly, comprising:

a first support member;

a second support member; and

a first spit rod extending from the first support member to the second support member;

wherein the first spit rod is affixed to the first support member by a first set screw, and wherein the first and second support members each comprise a plurality of gear teeth.