Collapsible food holding system

A collapsible food holding system for holding and supporting food during preparation, cleaning or cooking. The collapsible food holding system has an inner frame assembly, and an outer frame assembly pivotably connected to the inner frame assembly via a hinge. The inner frame assembly has an enclosed configuration, and the outer frame assembly has a substantially U-shaped configuration with a tool end located at each free end thereof. The inner and outer frame assemblies each have a hinge pivotably engagable with each other. The tool ends are adapted to retain a food item on the outer frame assembly or between the inner and outer frame assemblies. The outer frame assembly is sized to receive the inner frame assembly in its interior when the inner frame assembly is pivoted about the hinge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

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FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a collapsible food holding system and has particular utility in connection with holding and supporting food during preparation, cleaning or cooking.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Collapsible food holding systems are desirable for aiding in the preparing and cleaning of large, heavy or awkwardly shaped foods. Many people have dropped foods onto the ground, such as chickens, turkeys, hams, and the like while preparing them or cleaning them. This task can be very difficult for older, weaker or physically challenged people. The collapsible food holding system is a simple collapsible tool that would make these tasks easier for people.

While the known food holding devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a collapsible food holding system that allows holding and supporting food during preparation, cleaning or cooking.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved collapsible food holding system that can be used for holding and supporting food during preparation, cleaning or cooking. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. In this respect, the collapsible food holding system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of holding and supporting food during preparation, cleaning or cooking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of food holders and stands now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved collapsible food holding system, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved collapsible food holding system and method which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a collapsible food holding system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises an inner frame assembly, and an outer frame assembly pivotably connected to the inner frame assembly via a hinge. The inner frame assembly has an enclosed configuration, and the outer frame assembly has a substantially U-shaped configuration with a tool end located at each free end thereof. The inner and outer frame assemblies each have a hinge pivotably engagable with each other. The tool ends are adapted to retain a food item on the outer frame assembly or between the inner and outer frame assemblies. The outer frame assembly is sized to receive the inner frame assembly in its interior when the inner frame assembly is pivoted about the hinge.

The inner frame assembly can further comprise a pair of handles located at opposite ends and perpendicular with the inner frame assembly.

The invention may also include grips enclosing each end and handles of the inner frame assembly, and an end of the outer frame assembly. The grips can also include ribs extending thereout. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved collapsible food holding system that has all of the advantages of the prior art food holders and stands and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved collapsible food holding system that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible food holding system that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such collapsible food holding system economically available to the buying public.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new collapsible food holding system that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible food holding system for holding and supporting food during preparation, cleaning or cooking. This allows for a user to easily and comfortably carry or prepare the food item.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and particularly toFIGS. 1-12, a preferred embodiment of the collapsible food holding system of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral10.

A new and improved collapsible food holding system10of the present invention for holding and supporting food12during preparation, cleaning or cooking is illustrated inFIG. 1. The collapsible food holding system10in this configuration is used to support the food12in a fixed position on a surface14, such as but not limited to a counter, table, stove, oven rack, grille, or any substantially horizontal surface. In this configuration and a use, a user can easily and efficiently prepare or clean the food12, without directly holding, contacting or supporting the food. The collapsible food holding system10can also be placed directing in the oven or heat source for supporting the food12during cooking. The collapsible food holding system10can also be grasped by the user's hands16for carrying the food12or for positioning the food under a faucet or water source18for cleaning or rinsing the food12, as best illustrated inFIG. 2.

More particularly, the collapsible food holding system10has an inner frame assembly20and an outer frame assembly60pivotally connected to the inner frame assembly via a hinge50. The food12is retained and secured in position by tool ends80. The hinge50allows the inner frame assembly20to be pivoting into the outer frame assembly60, as best illustrated inFIG. 3. The outer frame assembly60has a greater width than the inner frame assembly20thereby providing an interior area adapted to receive the inner frame assembly when pivoted in its closed or folded configuration. In the closed or folded configuration, the collapsible food holding system10can be easily storied in a drawer or on a shelf, and can be easily transported or carried.

As best illustrated inFIG. 4, the inner frame assembly20has a pair of first side members22, a pair of second side members24, a pair of handles34, a pair of hinges52, and a cross member59. Each first side member22is connected to a corresponding hinge52, and each second side member24connected to the hinge52opposite the first side member22. A pair of end members26is used to connect the pair of first and second side members22,24respectively. One end member26is connected to the free ends of the first side member22, and the other end member26is connected to the free ends of the second side member24, thereby orientating the first and second side members in a substantially parallel configuration with the hinges52centrally located. The cross member59is connected to the hinges52and is substantially parallel with the end members26. The first side members22, second side members24, end members26, handle side members35, handle members36, and cross member59are all substantially elongated rigid members, such as but not limited to rods, bars, struts, and the like. The first and second side members22,24are substantially equal in length.

Each end member26is enclosed, covered or coated with a grip28featuring ribs30spaced thereon, as best illustrated inFIG. 5. The ribs30prevent lateral movement of the end members26when in contact with the surface14. Each rib30extends out from the grip26in a direction inline with their respective first and second side members22,24, and features arcuate ends32that transition each rib30flush with the grip28opposite the rib30. The arcuate ends32allows for a comfortable grip by the user's hands16, in that the ribs30do not extend into the interior of their respective end members26and thereby come in contact with the user's fingers. Each grip28can extend past each end member26and along a portion of each first and second side members22,24. The grips28are made from a cushioning material, such as but not limited to rubber, foam, plastic, sponge, and the like.

The handles34each has a pair of handle side members35, and a handle member36. One handle34is positioned in the generally vicinity of one end member26and extending from the first side member22, and the other handle34is positioned in the generally vicinity of the other end member26and extending from the second side member24, thereby positioning the handles34adjacent each end of the inner frame assembly20. Each handle side member35is connected to their respective first and second side member22,24at a substantially 90 degree angle and are parallel with each other. The length of each handle side member35is equal to the distance from its connection point to their respective first and second side member22,24to end members26connected thereto. One handle member36is connected to the free ends of the handle side members35connected to the first side members22, and the other handle member36is connected to the free ends of the handle side members35connected to the second side members24.

Each handle member36is enclosed, covered or coated with a grip38featuring ribs40spaced thereon, as best illustrated inFIG. 5. The ribs40prevent lateral movement of the handle34when in contact with the surface14. Each rib40extends out from the grip38in a direction inline with their respective handle side members35, and features arcuate ends42that transition each rib40end flush with the grip38opposite the rib40. The arcuate ends42allows for a comfortable grip by the user's hands16, in that the ribs40do not extend into the interior of the handles34and thereby come in contact with the user's fingers. Each grip38can extend past each handle member36and along a portion of each handle side member35. The grips38are made from a cushioning material, such as but not limited to rubber, foam, plastic, sponge, and the like.

The outer frame assembly60has a pair of first side members62, a pair of second side members64, a pair of tool ends80, and a pair of hinges70. Each first side member62is connected to a corresponding hinge70, and each second side member64connected to the hinge70opposite the first side member62. An end member65is used to connect the pair of first side members62. The end member65is connected to the free ends of the first side member62opposite the hinge70, thereby orientating the first side members62in a substantially parallel configuration. The first side members62, second side members64, and end member65are all substantially elongated rigid members, such as but not limited to rods, bars, struts, and the like. The second side members64have a length less than the first side members62, and the first side members62have a length greater than the first side members22of the inner frame assembly20from the end member26to the inner frame hinge52.

As best illustrated inFIG. 5, the end member65is enclosed, covered or coated with a grip66featuring ribs68spaced thereon. The ribs68prevent lateral movement of the end member65when in contact with the surface14. Each rib68extends out from the grip66in a direction inline with the first side members62of the outer frame assembly60, and features arcuate ends69that transition each rib68end flush with the grip66opposite the rib68. The arcuate ends69allows for a comfortable grip by the user's hands16, in that the ribs68do not extend into the interior of the outer frame assembly60and thereby come in contact with the user's fingers. Each grip66can extend past each end member65and along a portion of each first side member62. The grips66are made from a cushioning material, such as but not limited to rubber, foam, plastic, sponge, and the like.

The tool end80is removably attached to the free end of the second side member64, as best illustrated inFIG. 6. The tool end80has a tapered member82, an attachment member84, and threaded end86extending out from a free end of the attachment section84. The threaded end86is adapted to engage with and be received in a defined threaded bore64′ in the free end of each of the second side members64of the outer frame assembly60. The tapered member82can be angularly displaced from the attachment member86, and is adapted to retain the food12between the tool end80and the first or second members22,24of the inner frame assembly20, or the food12can be impaled by the tapered member82.

Each hinge50is composed of the inner frame assembly hinge (inner frame hinge)52engagable with the outer frame assembly hinge (outer frame hinge)70, as best illustrated inFIG. 7. Each of the inner frame hinges52has a stop54, a post56, and a threaded bore58defined in the post56. Each of the inner frame hinges52has a substantially circular configuration, with the stop54extending out from the outer edge or circumference of the inner frame hinge52away from the inner frame assembly20. Each stop54has a first stop edge54′ and second stop edge54″ thereby forming the stop54into a protrusion. Each first stop edge54′ is positioned at a substantially 90 degree angle from the first side member22of the inner frame assembly20, and each second stop edge54″ is positioned at a substantially 45 degree angle from the first side member22opposite the first stop edge54′, as best illustrated inFIG. 8. The post56extends out from the center of the inner frame hinge52away from the inner frame assembly20.

Each of the outer frame hinges70has a stop72, a first defined bore74therethrough, and a second defined bore76in communication with the first bore74. Each of the outer frame hinges70has a substantially circular configuration, with the stop72extending out from the outer edge or circumference of the outer frame hinge70toward the inner frame hinge52. Each stop72has a first stop edge72′ and second stop edge72″ thereby forming the stop72into a protrusion. Each first stop edge72′ is positioned at a substantially inline with the first and second side members62,64of the outer frame assembly60, and each second stop edge72″ is positioned at a substantially 45 degree angle from the first side member62, as best illustrated inFIG. 8. The post56of the inner frame hinge52is received in the first bore74of the outer frame hinge70until the outer frame hinge stop72comes in contact with the inner frame hinge52or the inner frame hinge stop54comes in contact with the outer frame hinge70.

In an open position of the collapsible food holding system10, as best illustrated inFIG. 8, the first stop edge72′ of outer frame hinge70is in contact with the first stop edge54′ of the inner frame hinge52. The first stop edges54′,72′ prevent the collapsible food holding system10opening past a certain angular position determined by the angular position of the each of the first stop edges54′,72′, and they carry the weight of the food12placed on the tool end80. The first stop edges54′,72′ bears all rotational moment or force produced by the weight of the food12which is displaced a distance from the pivot axis of the hinge50. In a closed or folded configuration of the collapsible food holding system10, as best illustrated inFIG. 9, the second stop edge74″ of the outer frame hinge70is in contact with the second stop edge54″ of the inner frame hinge52when the inner frame assembly20or the outer frame assembly60or folded about the pivot axis of the hinge50. The second stop edges54″,72″ prevent the collapsible food holding system10from being folded past a certain angular position determined by the angular position of the each of the second stop edges54″,72″. The angular position of the second stop edges54″,72″ allow the inner and outer frame assemblies20,60to be folding into a compact configuration with the inner and outer frame assemblies20,60aligned with or parallel with each other, and with the inner frame assembly20received in the interior of the outer frame assembly60. It can be appreciated that the stops54,72can be positioned and oriented in different angle or positions to provide a variable of opened and closed positions of the inner and outer frames20,60.

A fastener78featuring a head with a larger diameter than the fastener is used to rotatably retain the outer frame hinge70to the inner frame hinge52. The head of the fastener78is received in the second bore76of the outer frame hinge70and a threaded end of the fastener78is engagable with the threaded bore58of post56of the inner frame hinge52, as best illustrated inFIG. 10. The resistance force of the hinge50can be controlled by tightening or loosening the fastener78, which clamps the outer frame hinge70to the inner frame hinge52. With the outer frame hinge70positioned against the inner frame hinge52, the post56of the inner frame hinge52acts as the pivoting axis of the hinge50.

The first stop edges54′,72′ orient the collapsible food holding system10so that the one of the end member grips28and its corresponding handle grip38of the inner frame assembly20and the end member grip66of the inner frame assembly60are all in contact with the surface14. This produces an extremely stable stand10for supporting food12, while prevent any movement along the surface14.

An alternate embodiment hinge90is best illustrated inFIG. 11. The first and second side members of the inner frame assembly20are formed as one single side member22thereby producing a pair of side members22. An inner frame hinge92is centrally connected to each side member22. Each inner frame hinge92has a post94extending away from each inner frame hinge92and the inner frame assembly20, and a stop96extending out from the side member22in the direction of the post94. The post94has a threaded end adapted to be received by and engage with a nut104. The first and second side members of the outer frame assembly60are formed as one single side member62thereby producing a pair of side members62. The outer frame assembly60has an inner frame hinge100located in the vicinity of the tool end, but positioned so that the length the of the portion of the outer side member62opposite the tool end is greater in length than the side member22of the inner frame assembly20from the end member to the inner frame hinge92. The inner frame hinge100has a bore102defined therethrough sized to receive the post94of the inner frame hinge92. The nut104is threadably engaged with the threaded end of the post94thereby securing the inner and outer frame hinges92,100together with the post94acting as the pivot axis for the hinge90. A spacer106can be used between the inner frame hinge92and the outer frame hinge100to provide some separation between the inner and outer frame assemblies20,60. The stop96has a length equal enough to extend out past the side member62of the outer frame assembly60when the inner and outer frame hinges92,100are assembled. The stop96is positioned along the side member22to prevent the collapsible food holding system10from opening past a predetermined angled, since the stop96will come in contact with the side member62of the outer frame assembly60.

Alternate embodiment tool ends are best illustrated inFIG. 12. A first alternate embodiment tool end110has a plurality of tapered members connected to a central tapered member via connection members112. A threaded end114is attached to either the central tapered member or to a coupling section of the connection members112. The threaded end114is received by and engagable with the threaded bore65of the second side member64of the outer frame assembly. The tapered member can be angularly displaced from their respective connection members112and is adapted to retain the food12between the tool end110and the first or second members of the inner frame assembly, or the food12can be impaled by the tapered member. A second alternate embodiment tool end116has a tapered member, a plurality of a barbs118extending out from the tapered member, and a threaded end120opposite the tapered end. The threaded end120is received by and engagable with the threaded bore65of the second side member64of the outer frame assembly. The tapered member can be angularly displaced from the threaded end120and is adapted to retain the food12between the tool end116and the first or second members of the inner frame assembly, or the food12can be impaled by the tapered member. A third alternate embodiment tool end122has a tapered member, connection member124, and a threaded end126. The tapered member is attached to one end of the connection member124and the threaded end126is attached to and extending away from the other end of the connection member124. The threaded end124is received by and engagable with the threaded bore65of the second side member64of the outer frame assembly. The tapered member can be angularly displaced from the connection member124and is adapted to retain the food12between the tool end122and the first or second members of the inner frame assembly, or the food12can be impaled by the tapered member.

In use, it can now be understood that collapsible food holding system10can be used as a food stand or as a food carrying and positioned device. The collapsible food holding system can be stored in its folded or collapsed orientation in a drawer, which can be easily removed by a user. The user can then grab on end member of the inner frame assembly and the end member of the outer frame assembly and pivot the collapsible food holding system into an open orientation. The first stop edges will come into contact with each other and prevent the collapsible food holding system from opening past predetermined angular position, thus creating an ideal configuration for use. The tapered ends of the pair of tool ends are inserted into the food item, thereby securing the food item to the collapsible food holding system.

To use the collapsible food holding system as a carrying or positioning device, the user would use their hands to grasp the pair of handles positioned near each end of the collapsible food holding system. The handles are easily and comfortably grasped because of the grips and the arcuate ends of the ribs which provide a flush surface on the inner side of the grips. The user can then carry and position the food item under running water to clean or rinse the food item.

After food item has been cleaned, the collapsible food holding system can then be placed on a surface for the user to prepare or further clean the food item. While the collapsible food holding system is in its open configuration, the end member of the outer frame assembly, and one of the handle members and the end members of the inner frame assembly are aligned on the same plane. This produces a stable base for the collapsible food holding system, since the end member of the outer frame assembly, the handle member and the end member of the inner frame assembly are all in contact with the surface. The ribs of the grips of the outer frame end member, the handle member, and the inner frame end member prevent the collapsible food holding system from slipping or sliding on the surface, thereby producing a very stable stand.

After the user has completed preparing or cleaning the food item, the collapsible food holding system and the food item can then be placed directly in the oven or grill. This allows for the food item to be cooked in an elevated position which in turn lets all the grease produced during the cooking process to drip from the food item. The collapsible food holding system can also be placed on a pan filled with water and flavoring chips to create a smoker.

When the user is finished using the collapsible food holding system, the food item is removed from the tool ends and the collapsible food holding system can then cleaned or placed in a standard dishwasher. The collapsible food holding system can be folded or collapsed into its closed configuration by grabbing the end member of the inner frame assembly and one of the end members of the outer frame assembly and pivoting the collapsible food holding system into a closed orientation. The second stop edges will come into contact with each other and prevent the collapsible food holding system from closing past a predetermined angular position.

While a preferred embodiment of the collapsible food holding system has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable sturdy material such as metal, plastic, composite, or a variety of alloys may be used instead any above-described materials. And although holding and supporting food during preparation, cleaning or cooking have been described, it should be appreciated that the collapsible food holding system herein described is also suitable for holding any object stable while in use, such as but not limited to holding material to be sculpted, holding canvas to be painted, or holding an object to be machined.