Abstract:
An oven rack grilling apparatus combining an oven rack with a grilling basket, wherein the grilling basket is disposed within an aperture of a standard-sized oven rack. The rear portion of the oven rack is suitable for grilling larger portions of food, while the grilling basket may contain smaller food portions within the basket with its lid closed, or accommodate larger food portions with the lid open. The grilling basket is made of metal mesh to permit uniform exposure to radiant heat within the oven. In another configuration, a rotisserie may be placed within the aperture of the oven rack, with or without the grilling basket present. The rotisserie permits rotation of food disposed thereon.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present Non-Provisional U.S. Utility patent application is a Continuation-in-Part of, and hereby claims priority to, and the full benefit of, Non-Provisional U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/305,936, filed 19 Dec. 2005, entitled “Oven Rack Grilling Apparatus and Method of Use Thereof,” hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to racks for grilling, broiling, or baking food, and, more specifically, to a grilling apparatus comprising a rack having interchangeable components to allow preparation of various types of food according to various techniques.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Many consumers prefer to grill their food to accomplish an evenly cooked, browned meat or vegetable. Unfortunately, consumers who live in condominiums or apartments are often not permitted to operate grills on their premises. Other consumers prefer to grill only occasionally and choose to avoid the expense of an outdoor grill and rely instead on the oven already in their home. Additionally, grills can be difficult to clean and require potentially hazardous fuel, such as propane or natural gas in tanks, or charcoal and lighter fluid.  
         [0004]     On the other hand, ovens are readily available in almost every home, are easily cleaned, and are safely fueled, such as via electricity or via piped natural gas. Ovens typically have shelf racks, wherein a frame of rails defines a periphery of the rack with a middle rail disposed approximately midway between the front and rear of the frame, and bars disposed perpendicular to the middle rail. In such fashion, large food pieces and/or portions, or smaller pieces and/or portions in a heat-proof container, can be cooked within the oven by placement on the rack. However, smaller pieces and/or portions would disadvantageously fall through the rack, if not otherwise contained.  
         [0005]     Further, many individuals may prefer, at least in some instances, to have their food browned by direct exposure to cooking radiation, rather than cooked in a container. Unfortunately, loose vegetable pieces and small pieces of meat that require open access to heat for browning will not cook properly in a solid surface container, and cannot be placed on the oven rack without falling through the gaps between the bars and rails of the rack.  
         [0006]     Therefore, there persists the need for a solution to enable grilling of small pieces and/or portions of food in a conventional oven, whereby the food item may be browned by direct radiation from the heating elements of the oven.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Briefly described, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a grilling apparatus having a standard-sized oven rack with an aperture therein suitable for receiving a grilling basket for containing individual food items. As such, the present invention may be utilized for cooking food items of any desired size or type in an oven without the need for a pan to hold the food items. Accordingly, food, whether placed directly on the rack or disposed within the basket, may be exposed to heat from radiating elements within the oven, permitting grilling and browning of the food items as desired by the user. A rotisserie spit is, likewise, engageable with the aperture for allowing rotisserie cooking of food items. A drip pan is provided that is engageable with the rack and/or the rotisserie, whereby juice, fat, or crumbs may be collected for subsequent disposal to prevent soiling.  
         [0008]     According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a grilling apparatus comprising a combination of a rack with an aperture for selectively receiving one or both of a grilling basket and a rotisserie spit. A portion of the oven rack proximate the aperture is suitable for grilling larger portions of food, while the aperture is used with the grilling basket and/or the rotisserie spit. The grilling basket may contain smaller food pieces and/or portions therewithin with a lid in a closed position, or may accommodate larger food pieces and/or portions with the lid open. The grilling basket is comprised of metal mesh to permit uniform exposure to radiant heat within the oven, and wherein additional food items may be disposed on top of the lid in the closed position, thereby increasing a cooking surface area of the rack. The rotisserie spit is adapted for grilling fowl, such as turkey, chicken, duck, quail, and/or Cornish hens, and/or other meat portions, such as roasts, racks, rumps or other cuts of beef, lamb, venison, and/or the like. The rotisserie permits manual rotation of food disposed thereon for even cooking therearound.  
         [0009]     More specifically, the present invention comprises a grilling apparatus in the form of an oven rack or a grill rack having an aperture formed therein for receiving a removable grilling basket and/or a rotisserie spit. The rack comprises a frame and an aperture for holding the grilling basket, and left and right rails for supporting a rotisserie device and for defining the sides of the aperture. The left and right rotisserie rails comprise supports to retain a removable rotisserie within the oven rack. A middle rail separately divides a front portion and a rear portion of the oven rack, wherein the front portion comprises the aperture for the grilling basket and/or the rotisserie spit, such that the grilling basket or the rotisserie spit may be easily accessed for removal or manipulation.  
         [0010]     Additionally, the removable grilling basket comprises a well and a hinged lid covering the well, wherein the well is formed from metal mesh material or the like. Left and right handles are disposed on respective left and right sides or walls of the grilling basket to enable convenient carriage and placement thereof. Hanger hooks are disposed at the junctures of the walls of the basket well, wherein the hanger hooks engage the rotisserie rails and support the removable grilling basket within the aperture of the oven rack. The lid is secured to a wall of the basket via hinges to enable opening and closing thereof. A fastener is disposed on a portion of the lid opposite the hinges to engage a wall of the basket, thereby enclosing an interior of the grilling basket. The grilling basket can be readily cleaned in a typical dishwasher subsequent to use.  
         [0011]     To use the oven rack grilling apparatus, food items, such as meat or vegetable pieces, may be placed in the removable grilling basket and the removable grilling basket may be subsequently installed within the aperture of the oven rack, supported therewithin via the hanger hooks. The combined oven rack grilling apparatus is subsequently inserted into an oven by placement on existing rails. A pan may be placed below the rack to catch drippings or crumb droppings, or a drip pan may be engaged with the grilling basket or the rack to collect such drippings to prevent accumulation thereof within the oven. The food items can then be cooked as desired over a typical oven temperature range, such as from approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit to approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit.  
         [0012]     In place of, or in addition to the grilling basket, a rotisserie may engaged with the oven rack, whereby coincident rotisserie cooking of food items, such as those that require or benefit from rotation, and grilling of loose food items, such as vegetable pieces is facilitated. Accordingly, the lid of the basket may be left open, wherein the open lid is disposed proximate the bars forming the rear portion of the oven rack. The rotisserie, with food secured thereto, may be subsequently disposed within the removable grilling basket, and supported via the left and right rotisserie supports, wherein the rotisserie supports permit rotation of the food to allow even cooking and/or browning therearound.  
         [0013]     Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to support small portions of food within an oven or a grill while permitting generally direct access to radiation from cooking elements within the oven or the grill over a substantial portion of an exterior thereof.  
         [0014]     Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to accommodate a rotisserie within the rack.  
         [0015]     Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to retain small portions of food enclosed so that they do not fall from the rack.  
         [0016]     Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is that it can replace a standard oven rack for home or industrial ovens.  
         [0017]     Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to permit grilling and rotisserie cooking of food in home and/or industrial ovens.  
         [0018]     A further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to accommodate and coincidentally grill large pieces and/or portions of food, as well as smaller pieces and/or portions of food.  
         [0019]     A further feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to collect drippings and/or droppings from food items during cooking for subsequent disposal.  
         [0020]     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Invention with reference to the accompanying drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an oven rack according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a grilling basket according to the present invention in an open configuration;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the grilling basket of  FIG. 2A  in a closed configuration;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a combined oven rack and grilling basket according to the present invention, shown in the closed configuration in an oven;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a combined oven rack and grilling basket according to the present invention, shown in the open configuration in an oven;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an oven rack according to the present invention including a rotisserie spit; and,  
         [0028]      FIG. 5B  is a detail view of a connection portion of the rotisserie spit of  FIG. 5A ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the grilling basket according to an alternate configuration, including a drip pan attached thereto;  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the drip pan of  FIG. 6  and a grill rack;  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is a detail view of the drip pan and the grill rack of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the grill rack and the drip pan of  FIG. 7  shown assembled for use in a grill;  
         [0033]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a rotisserie spit of the present invention according to an alternate configuration; and  
         [0034]     FIGS.  11 A-C are detail perspective views of alternate positioning means of the rotisserie spit of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]     In describing the present invention, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-11C , specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.  
         [0036]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the present invention comprises grilling apparatus  10 , preferably comprising oven rack  20  and removable grilling basket  30 . Turning now more specifically to  FIG. 1 , oven rack  20  is preferably of a size suitable for installation and use within typically-available ovens and preferably comprises frame  25  and aperture  100 . Frame  25  preferably comprises front rail  40 , left side rail  50 , right side rail  52 , back rail  70 , middle rail  80 , left rotisserie rail  120 , right rotisserie rail  122  and bars  90 , wherein middle rail  80 , rear portions of side rails  50 ,  52  and back rail  70  form a box shape, and wherein bars  90  are approximately evenly spaced and extend perpendicularly from middle rail  80  to perpendicularly join back rail  70 . Front rail  40 , front portions of side rails  50 ,  52  and middle rail  80  preferably form a box shape. Rotisserie rails  120 ,  122  are disposed inboard of side rails  50 ,  52  and parallel thereto, extending perpendicularly from front rail  40  to connect perpendicularly to middle rail  80 . Middle rail  80  along with front rail  40  and side rails  50 ,  52 , preferably separately defines front portion  82 . Middle rail  80 , along with back rail  70  and side rails  50 ,  52 , preferably separately defines rear portion  84  of oven rack  20 , wherein well aperture  100  substantially encompasses front portion  82  of oven rack  20 . Left side rail  50  preferably comprises left ridge  60  and right side rail  52  preferably comprises right ridge  62 , wherein left ridge  60  and right ridge  62  preferably engage protrusions P on rails R within oven O in a known manner for positioning of oven racks  20  therein.  
         [0037]     Right rotisserie rail  122  preferably comprises right rotisserie support  112 , wherein right rotisserie support  112  is configured to receive rotisserie  300  therewithin (best shown in  FIG. 5A ). Support block  400  is fixedly secured to, and disposed under, left side rail  50  and left rotisserie rail  120 , wherein support block  400  generally comprises a ‘U’-shape for receiving rotisserie  300 .  
         [0038]     Referring more specifically to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , removable grilling basket  30  preferably comprises well  130  and lid  140 , wherein well  130  and lid  140  are hingedly-secured together via left hinge  180 , and right hinge  182 . Well  130  preferably comprises bottom  210 , left wall  220 , front wall  230 , right wall  222  and rear wall  240 , all preferably formed of metal mesh material or the like. Well  130  preferably comprises bars  480 ,  482 ,  484 ,  486 ,  490 ,  492 ,  494  and  496 , wherein front bars  484 ,  486  and hanger hooks  260 ,  262  preferably define the perimeter of front wall  230 , and wherein rear bars  480 ,  482  and hanger hooks  264 ,  266  preferably define the perimeter of rear wall  240 . Additionally, left side bars  490 ,  492  and hanger hooks  260 ,  264  preferably define the perimeter of left wall  220 , and right side bars  494 ,  496  and hanger hooks  262 ,  266  preferably define the perimeter of right side wall  222 . Bottom  210  is preferably peripherally framed by front bar  486 , side bars  492 ,  496 , and rear bar  482 .  
         [0039]     Front wall  230  is preferably joined to left wall  220  via hanger hook  260  and to right wall  222  via hanger hook  262 . Rear wall  240  is preferably joined to left wall  220  via hanger hook  264  and to right wall  222  via hanger hook  266 . Left wall  220  and right wall  222  preferably respectively comprise left handle  270  and right handle  272 . Handles  270 ,  272  could be either be rigidly-attached or hingedly-attached to side rods  490 ,  494 , and/or could extend from side bars  490 ,  492 .  
         [0040]     Lid  140  preferably comprises front rail  150 , left side rail  160 , right side rail  162 , back rail  170  and bars  190 , wherein back rail  170  is preferably hingedly-secured to back wall  240  of well  130  via hinges  180 ,  182  that are connected to back rail  170 . Fastener  200  is preferably disposed on front rail  150 , wherein fastener  200  preferably cooperatively engages pin  202  disposed on front wall  230  of well  130 , thereby forming removable grilling basket  30  into an enclosure. It should be understood that other closure configurations could be utilized, such as snap or friction engagement means, or any other suitable means.  
         [0041]     To assemble grilling apparatus  10 , grilling basket  30  is inserted into aperture  100  of oven rack  20 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 , wherein hanger hooks  260 ,  262 ,  264  and  266  preferably cooperatively engage rotisserie rails  120 ,  122 , thereby supporting removable grilling basket  30  within aperture  100  of oven rack  20 .  
         [0042]     In use, food F, such as, for exemplary purposes only, meat M and vegetables V is preferably placed in removable grilling basket  30  and lid  140  is preferably closed over well  130  via fastener  200 . Removable grilling basket  30  is preferably subsequently disposed within aperture  100  of oven rack  20 , wherein removable grilling basket  30  is preferably supported within aperture  100  via hooks  260 ,  262 ,  264  and  266 . Combined grilling apparatus  10  is preferably subsequently placed on rails R within oven O (best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and positioned therewithin over drip pan  500 , thereby permitting cooking of food F, wherein drip pan  500  contains grease drippings.  
         [0043]     Referring now more specifically to  FIGS. 5A  and B, illustrated therein is a grilling apparatus  10  according to an alternate configuration, substantially equivalent in form and function to that of the grilling apparatus  10  detailed and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , except as hereinafter specifically referenced. Specifically, the grilling apparatus of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  comprises combination grilling apparatus  10 , wherein combination grilling apparatus  10  further comprises rotisserie  300  disposed within oven rack  20 . Rotisserie  300  is preferably manually rotated; however, rotisserie  300  could alternately be powered via a motor and power source.  
         [0044]     Rotisserie  300  comprises tube  310 , first end  311 , and second end  312 , wherein first end  311  comprises central stake  317 , side stakes  315 , plate  320 , cup  318  and shaft  330 , wherein stakes  315 ,  317  are fixedly secured to plate  320 . Shaft  330  carries ring  380 , wherein ring  380  comprises detents  390 , and wherein ring  380  is fixedly secured to shaft  330 . Second end  312  comprises central stake  317 , side stakes  315 , plate  322 , cup  319  and shaft  332 , wherein stakes  315 ,  317  are fixedly secured to plate  322 . Shaft  332  comprises groove  334 , wherein groove  334  is adapted to slidably rotate within ‘U’-shaped opening  112 .  
         [0045]     First end  311  and second end  312  can be disassembled from tube  310 , wherein first end  311 , second end  312  and tube  310  can be easily placed within a dishwasher for cleaning. First end  311  and second end  312  can selectively be utilized with or without tube  310 , wherein tube  310  is suitable for engaging large openings, such as in fowl. When utilizing first end  311  and second end  312  with tube  310 , crimp  313  serves to provide retention of central stakes  317  within tube  310 .  
         [0046]     Ring  380  comprises detents  390 , wherein ring  380  engages support block  400 . Support block  400  comprises throughhole  420 , wherein throughhole  420  is adapted to receive first end  330 . Support block  400  further comprises aperture  410  and threaded throughhole  430 , wherein aperture  410  is adapted to receive ring  380 .  
         [0047]     Threaded throughhole  430  is adapted to receive locking mechanism  440 , wherein locking mechanism  440  cooperatively engages threaded throughhole  430 , thereby securing locking mechanism  440  within support block  400 . Locking mechanism  440  comprises ball end  450  and threaded body  460 , wherein ball end  450  is spring loaded, and wherein, once locking mechanism  440  and rotisserie  300  are engaged within support block  400 , ball end  450  removably engages detents  390  of ring  380  to permit selective rotation of rotisserie  300  by incremental turns, such as, for exemplary purposes only, quarter turns.  
         [0048]     When placing rotisserie  300  in position for use, food F is placed on side stakes  315  and/or central stakes  317 , or alternately, tube  310  can be inserted through food F with subsequent insertion of central stakes  317  into tube  310 . Tube  310  is hollow and is selectively removably disposed over central stakes  317  of ends  311 ,  312  of rotisserie  300 .  
         [0049]     First end  311  is removably disposed through and within block  400 , and second end  312  is disposed within U-shaped opening  342 , wherein groove  334  is carried by U-shaped opening  342 . Once in position, rotisserie  300  can be rotated as required to cause food F to brown evenly.  
         [0050]     Additionally, to permit coincident grilling of food F that requires rotation for optimum cooking along with loose items such as vegetables V, lid  140  may be left open when removable grilling basket  30  is disposed within well  130 , wherein lid  140  is disposed proximate rear portion  84  of oven rack  20 . Rotisserie  300 , with food F thereon, may be subsequently disposed over grilling basket  30  within support block  400  and right rotisserie U-shaped support  112 .  
         [0051]     Now referring to  FIGS. 6-9 , grilling basket  30  may include drip pan  600  attached thereto for the collection of drippings, such as water, juice, oil, butter, grease, seasoning, crumbs, or the like, such as may fall from food items disposed within well  130 . Drip pan  600  is preferably removably operable with grilling basket  30  and/or grill rack  700 , such as via engagement of posts  30   a ,  700   a , respectively with through holes  601  such that drippings from food items or the like may fall onto sloped surfaces  610  of drip pan  600 , and move downward toward channel  620  and into trap  630  for collection. Thus, grease drips, crumbs, or the like, may be conveniently collected in trap  630  for disposal, whereby oven O, or a gas or charcoal grill, may be maintained in a clean state, and whereby soiling and subsequent cleaning thereof may be avoided. Such disposal may be accomplished via disengagement of trap  630  from drip pan  600 , whereafter trap  630  may be transported to a sink drain, trash can, or the like for deposit of the contents thereof. As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, alternate attachment may be utilized, including a suitable arrangement of heat-resistant clips, hooks, ties, straps, or the like, and combinations thereof, to effectuate secure engagement of grilling basket  30  or grill rack  700  with drip pan  600 . Furthermore, trap  630  may include a selectively sealable drain opening for facilitating evacuation thereof, or may include a disposable liner.  
         [0052]     As will be understood by those skilled in the art, sloped surfaces  610  of drip pan  600  may function as a vaporizing surface, whereby juice or other fluid, such as a fluid dripping from a food item, may be vaporized on sloped surfaces  610 . Such vaporization may beneficially increase a humidity within an oven or a grill, and may further enhance a flavor or seasoning of one or more food item(s) being cooked therewithin. When used with grill rack  700 , drip pan  600  may further function as a smoker by retaining wood chips or the like either on sloped surfaces  610  or within trap  630 , or both.  
         [0053]     Rotisserie spit  800 , shown if  FIGS. 10-11C , may be used with oven rack  20 , grill basket  30 , or grill rack  700 , such as via engagement of shaft  810  with right and left unshaped supports  110 ,  112 , or with support block  400 . As such, rotisserie spit  800  may be rotatably suspended within aperture  100  of oven rack  20 , within opening  141  in lid  140  of grilling basket  30 , or within opening  710  of grill rack  700 . A position of rotisserie spit  800  may be controlled by positioning means  820 , such as engagement of one or more tines  821  with one or more stop member  822 , whereby a rotational position of rotisserie spit  800  may be adjusted as desired, such as to effectuate regular rotation of a food item to ensure even cooking. Stop member  822  may be a resilient member, whereby one or more tine may rotate therepast by overcoming a biasing force of stop member  822 , or stop member  822  may be a rigid member, where tine  821  may bend to pass stop member  822 , or may require disengagement from stop member  822 , such as via axial sliding, in order to allow rotation of rotisserie spit  800 .  
         [0054]     The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.