Patent ID: 7591719
Filing Date: 2009-09-22
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
1. A poultry leg retainer for use with a poultry carcass having legs with hocks, the retainer comprising: a) a bridle having a resiliently flexible upper member connected at opposed ends of and to a lower semi rigid spar, a separator interconnecting the upper member and the spar at midpoints thereof, the upper member, spar, and separator defining a pair of loops adapted to receive the hocks; b) extensible straps attached at a first end to the upper member and at a second end to the spar and extending generally across each of the loops, the extensible straps adapted to cooperate with knuckle creases on the hocks; c) tabs projecting from the upper member inwardly into each of the loops, the tabs for cooperating with the hocks so as to assist in retaining the hocks within the loops; and d) an anchor having upturned ends adapted for engagement with an interior cavity of the poultry carcass, the anchor connected by legs in depending relation to the bridle, wherein the bridle and extensible straps form a basket structure for retaining the hocks and wherein the bridle is elastically rotatably connected to the legs such that the bridle can be rotated from a first position for placement of the hocks within the basket structure and the elastic quality urges the bridle back towards the first position whereby the legs are trussed against the poultry carcass.