Abstract:
Apparatus and method for grilling foodstuffs over an open heat source comprising a stake for securing into a ground surface proximate a heat source; a skewer configured for adjustable connection with the stake; and a clamp configured to secure the skewer in connection to the stake and in a selected position with respect to the stake so the skewer extends substantially perpendicularly to the stake and is positioned over a heat source in a substantially horizontal orientation. The clamp is configured to secure the skewer such that the skewer is prevented from lateral movement with respect to the stake and heat source. A handle extends away from skewer and supports the skewer by clamp arms that prevent unwanted or unaided movement and rotation, while allowing a user to selectively rotate the skewer, exposing various sides of the foodstuff directly to the heat source by turning the handle.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Roasting or otherwise cooking hotdogs, sausages or other similar type foods over an open flame or other heat source can be time consuming and difficult to fully and evenly do so. Further, cooking food over an open or less controlled heat source such as a bonfire, can be dangerous. A user should not be too close to the flame, so sticks used for holding a hot dog over the flame should be sufficiently long. However, the sticks of the prior art are prone to unwanted turning or rotating, or fail to allow for easy thorough cooking of multiple hotdogs at once. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    An aspect of this disclosure relates to an assembly configured for supporting grillable foods, for example, hotdogs, sausages or marshmallows above a heat source while cooking, wherein the apparatus stabilizes the holder, skewer or fork, during use and prevents unwanted rotation of the skewer. The clamp is further configured with arms such that rotation of the handle of the skewer would allow selective turning of the food during cooking. 
         [0003]    Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for grilling food over an open heat source, the apparatus comprising a stake for securing into a ground surface proximate a heat source; a skewer configured for adjustable connection with the stake; and a clamp configured to secure the skewer in connection to the stake and in a selected position with respect to the stake such that the skewer extends substantially perpendicularly to the stake and substantially horizontally with respect to the heat source. The clamp is configured to secure the skewer such that the skewer is prevented from lateral movement with respect to the stake and heat source. The skewer is further adapted with a handle extending away from skewer, which allows the skewer to be supported by the arms of the clamp such that unwanted rotation is prevented while the handle allows a user to selectively rotate the skewer, exposing various sides of the food directly to the heat source by turning the handle. 
         [0004]    Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of grilling a food stuff over an open heat source. The method comprises providing a support apparatus having a length and a first end, the first end being a forked end; securing the forked end to a surface near an open heat source such that the support apparatus is secured in a substantially vertical manner and providing a skewer assembly comprising a length and a first end, the first end being configured to support a food stuff. The method also comprises providing a clamp configured to secure the skewer assembly to the support apparatus at a selected position along the length of the support apparatus and wherein the clamp is configured to secure the skewer assembly to the support apparatus in a position substantially perpendicular to the support apparatus. Further, selecting a vertical position along the length of support apparatus and the heat source and securing the clamp at the selected position allows the skewer to be secured to the clamp such that the food support is positioned at a selected height over the heat source. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the support device for open heat source grilling according to the present disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  is a top view of a grill clamp of the support device in a closed position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of the grill clamp of the support device in an open position. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 2C-D  are side view of the end of the grill clamp. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2E  is a back side view of the grill clamp in an open position. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 3A  is a side perspective view of a skewer assembly of the support device. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3B-E  are an exploded view of the skewer assembly of the support device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a bottom section of a stake assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a top section of the stake assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A  is a side perspective view of a handle of the present invention 
           [0015]      FIG. 6B  is a top view of the handle of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6C  is a side view of the handle connected to the skewer assembly according to an embodiment of the support device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6D  is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6C . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a handle to skewer connector of the support device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the handle to skewer connector of the support device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a stake connector of the support device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The support device for open heat source grilling of the present disclosure comprises a stake assembly for securing the support device into a ground surface or other surface in which an open source of heat is supported. The stake assemble allows the support device to be positioned near or around an open heat source, such as a bon fire or other heat source suitable for grilling various foods. The support device further comprises a handle and food support assembly. The handle connects to a food support assembly, such as a skewer or other device capable of securing foods for cooking over an open heat source or flame. A clamp assembly allows the position of the handle and food support assembly to be positionable. A user may selectively position the food support assembly at a selected height over the heat source or flame according to the temperature of the heat source or cooking conditions specific to the food being cooked. The user may also use the clamp to select the horizontal position of the food support assembly over the heat source, which allows the user to select a cooking position that may be, for example, directly over the heat source or off-set to one side for slower cooking. The support device also includes an upper portion to the stake assembly which increases the overall height of the support device, allowing the device to be used with various sizes and types of heat sources and allows a user to adjust cooking times and temperatures based at least in part on the food support assemblies position with respect to the heat source. The clamp allows the user to selectively rotate the skewer by turning the handle to evenly cook multiple sides of the food secured to the skewer. The clamp is also configured such that unaided turning or wobbling of the skewer is also prevented. 
         [0022]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a support device  10  for open heat source grilling includes a stake assembly  12  and a clamp assembly  1  for holding hotdogs, sausages or other similar foods for roasting, grilling or otherwise cooking over a heat source such as a bonfire The stake assembly  12  includes a top stake  3  and bottom stake  4  connected by a connector nut  5 . The bottom stake  4  can then be secured to or inserted into the ground or base surface near the heating source. Once connected, the top stake  3  allows a skewer assembly  14  to be attached to the stake assembly  12  by a clamp  1 . The clamp  1  allows the skewer assembly  14  to be secured at varying heights depending on cooking considerations including the size of the heat source, height of the flames, the food to be cooked or the desired doneness of the food. 
         [0023]    The clamp assembly  1  is illustrated in further detail in  FIGS. 2A-2E . The clamp assembly  1  includes a coil spring  16  having a coil member  17  and arms  18  and  20  extending from opposite ends of the coil member  17 . The arms  18  and  20  are similarly shaped and each arm has a terminal end portion  21 . Each terminal end portion  21  includes a bend  22  in the shape of a “u” preferably with the “open” portion of the “u” of each arm facing in an opposite direction from the “u” of the other arm. The end of each arm is then bent toward the “u” to form a loop  23 . The arms  18  and  20  are configured with respect to the coil member  17  such that when the arms  18  and  20  are squeezed towards each other the diameter of the coil member is enlarged. When the arms are released the coil member is at “rest”, the diameter of the coil member then being slightly less than the diameter of the top stake  3 . 
         [0024]    The clamp assembly  1  is removably secured to the stake assembly  12  by squeezing the arms  18  and  20  to enlarge the coil member diameter and sliding the clamp assembly  1  onto the upper stake  3 . The arms  18  and  20  are then released resulting in the coil member  17  frictionally engaging the stake  3 . 
         [0025]    The amts  18  and  20 , due to the construction of the clamp assembly, extend in a perpendicular fashion from the stake assembly  12 . The skewer assembly  14  is secured to the stake assembly  12  by an under-over connection with the clamp assembly  1 . The bends  22  in the arms  18  and  20  act to hold the inserted skewer length substantially perpendicular to stake assembly  12 . The skewer assembly  14  is first inserted into one of the bends  22  and then into the other bend  22 . There is a slight frictional engagement between the bend and the skewer assembly to help retain the assembly  12 . The clamp  1  and arms  18  and  20  comprise an assembly that holds or secures the skewer in a generally horizontal position at a vertical height determined by the selected position of the clamp  1  along the stake  12 . The skewer assembly  14  can be held at various positions along its length to adjust the position of the skewer over the heat source. For example, the skewer assembly can be secured at a selected height over a heat source and a selected position over the heat source (i.e. directly over the center of the heat source, off-set to a side of the heat source etc.). The arms  18  and  20  are also configured to prevent the skewer assembly  14  from unwanted wobbling, tipping or turning. However, the arms  18  and  20  allow a user to affirmatively and selectively turn the skewer to rotate the skewer and thus a cooking surface for even grilling by rotating a handle section of the skewer opposite the end positioned over the heat source. 
         [0026]    The skewer assembly  14  comprises a food support surface, which may be, for example, a skewer or a plurality of skewers  11  that can be secured at a selected height by squeezing and releasing the arms of the clamp assembly to enlarge the diameter of the coil member  17  and then sliding the clamp assembly to the selected height. The arms are then released so that the coil member  17  frictionally engages the stake  3 , with the fork  11  extending out and over the heat source. The clamp  1 , in addition to holding the skewer assembly including the skewer  2  over the heat source also prevents the skewer from turning, rotating, bending or otherwise moving. 
         [0027]    The skewer is illustrated in further detail in  FIGS. 3A-3E  and comprises a substantially “U” shaped length of metal as skewers  11  have pointed tip ends for inserting into food and securing the food to the skewer for cooking. The “U” shaped length, also referred to as skewer or fork  11 , is then permanently secured or welded to a skewer length which extends under the fork and includes an upturned terminal end for securing to the curved portion of the fork, opposite the tipped ends such that the fork is welded to the skewer above the skewer length and in parallel with the skewer length so the food held by the fork for cooking is held away from, and above the skewer  2 . The food support surface thus may be forked, or comprising two or more tines for insertion into or otherwise securing or supporting one or more food items. 
         [0028]    As illustrated in further detail in  FIG. 4 , the assembly comprises bottom stake  4  which may be a tube of stainless steel or aluminum having a forked lower end so that the bottom stake can be inserted into the ground or base surface and secured such that the full assembly  10  can be secured and held in an upright position with the attached skewer assembly  14  over the heat source when used. The upper terminal end of the bottom stake  4  comprises a threaded length for connection with the upper stake  3 . A connector is used to assemble the stake assembly  12  by attaching the top stake  3  and bottom stake  4  by, for example, a threaded nut  5  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . This allows the assembly to be assembled on site, proximate the heating source or bonfire while allowing the assembly to be disassembled for portability and cleaning. 
         [0029]    As illustrated in further detail in  FIG. 5 , the top stake  3  is a length of metal tubing or extruded metal tube with a looped upper terminal end providing a handle for ease in assembly, use and/or repositioning of the stake assembly. The lower terminal end of the top stake is threaded for secure connection to the bottom stake  4 . 
         [0030]    The skewer assembly  14  also includes a handle  6  removably connected to a skewer  2 . The assembly  14  is selectively attached to the stake assembly  12  by connection with the clamp  1 . The stake assembly  12  is positioned upright proximate the heating source while the skewer assembly is attached substantially perpendicularly thereto such that the skewer  2  extends at a selected height over the heat source to cook the food attached to the skewer  2 . 
         [0031]    As illustrated in further detail in  FIGS. 6A-6D , the handle  6  is constructed of a lightweight metal such as aluminum. The handle is a length of metal rod or tubing having a wider end with an opening providing a handle for gripping the skewer. The opposing end of the handle is adapted for slidable and extensible connection with the skewer  2  via connector  7 . 
         [0032]    All of the components of the grilling device illustrated at  10  in  FIG. 1  can be constructed of stainless steel, aluminum or similar materials which can withstand heat and direct exposure to flames with minimal oxidation while maintaining sturdiness and portability. 
         [0033]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.