Abstract:
The present invention relates to a skewered food cooking device, and is more particularly concerned with such devices adapted to be mounted on an outdoor or indoor cooking means. The device provide a multiple kabob skewer holder that is particularly well suited for ease and economy of manufacture.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    A popular food item that is preferably prepared over an open fire or barbecue is commonly called a kabob. Such a food item generally comprises small pieces of marinated meat and or vegetables stuck on a skewer and often alternated with pieces of onion, tomato, mushrooms, and the like. Heretofore, the skewers used for kabobs were relatively long and required some form of fixture to support or hold them as the kabob was roasted or broiled over the grille. A barbecue apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,753. 
         [0002]    Cooking food by means of skewers on cooking means such as grills has been effected manually such as by placing the skewers across the heat source with both of the opposite end portions of the skewers on the grill surface. Conventional skewer holders have a general square or rectangular shape and when placed on a round grille they are an inefficient mode of cooking and require reloading several times to achieve satisfactory results. 
         [0003]    Many available skewer supports are difficult to keep clean and sanitary. Further, the existing kabobs are cumbersome and have other disadvantages, such as the kabobs sticking to the grilling surface, which can char or burn the kabob&#39;s content. There is a need in the art for easier to use kabobs and a device that will ensure the kabob and the contents thereon will grille evenly. The current invention satisfies these and other needs. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a skewered food cooking device, and is more particularly concerned with such devices adapted to be mounted on an outdoor or indoor cooking means. The device provide a multiple kabob skewer holder that is particularly well suited for ease and economy of manufacture. 
         [0005]    As such, the present invention provides a device for holding a plurality of relatively long kabob skewers, which maintains them at an optimum distance from the heat producing barbecue or grille. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a hub for holding a plurality of skewers on a grilling surface, comprising:
       a top end having a plurality of receiving structures, wherein the plurality of receiving structures are formed about the circumference of the hub; and   a bottom end optionally having a means for mounting the hub, to for example, the grille surface. Advantageously, the hub is a holding device for a plurality of kabob skewers that can be easily turned so as to provide uniform cooking or roasting of the kabob food pieces.       
 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a hub for holding a plurality of skewers on a grilling surface, comprising:
       a top end having a plurality of notch receiving structures, wherein the plurality of notch receiving structures are formed about the circumference of the hub;   a bottom end optionally having a means for mounting the hub on the grilling surface; and   a plurality of skewers wherein each of the plurality of skewers has a tip at one end and a handle at its opposite end, wherein the tip portion is adapted to fit within the notch receiving structure.       
 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the present invention provides a skewered food cooking kit, comprising:
       a hub having a top end having a plurality of receiving structures, wherein the plurality of receiving structures are formed about the circumference of the hub;   a plurality of skewers wherein each of the plurality of skewers has a tip at one end and a handle at its opposite end, wherein the tip portion is adapted to fit within the receiving structures; and   a spacer means to support a grille cover.       
 
         [0016]    These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and figures which follow. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a top side view of one embodiment of a hub comprising receiving structures. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a bottom view of one embodiment of a hub comprising a means to attach the bottom end to a grilling surface. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of one embodiment of a hub with kabob skewers in place. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of one embodiment of a grilling surface with a hub and long handle kabobs. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of one embodiment of a closed position of a cover section supported by a spacer means. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the present invention provides a multiple kabob skewer holder  100  comprising a hub  120  having receiving structures  131  and having a generally cylindrical shape  136 . In certain aspects, the hub receiving structures  131  are a series of spaced apart notches along the top edge of the hub. The notches on the hub are aligned so that a series of long skewers seated in them are spaced apart (e.g., equally spaced apart). Advantageously, the hub is efficient in supporting a plurality of skewers in for example, a radially outward fashion. The receiving structure can be other geometries including a hole, an oval, a triangle, and the like. Moreover, the hub and its receiving structures provide a secure means for selective rotation of each of the skewers about its axis. 
         [0023]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , the hub  202  optionally comprises a means to attach the bottom end to a grilling surface. Suitable means include, but are not limited to, a notch  240 , a clamp, a screw, a thread, a magnet, and the like. Those of skill in the art will know of other means to attach the hub to a grille. In an alternative embodiment, the weight of the hub is sufficient to keep it in place on the grille surface. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  show a plurality of receiving structures of a hub, which are adapted to fit a plurality of skewers  303 . The hub receiving structure or plurality of structures are in one aspect, a series of spaced apart notches along the top edge of the hub. The notches on a hub are aligned so that a series of long skewers  303  seated in them are spaced apart and extend radially outward. When each skewer is loaded with pieces of meat and other food items to form a kabob, its tip portion is placed within a hub notch  340 . 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a skewered food cooking device of the present invention is shown in operation. The hub comprises a means to attach to a grille of a barbecue to support the skewers over the cooking zone. The hub device provides a skewer holding device that dramatically increases efficiency of round grills. The hub comprises means for supporting a plurality of loaded skewers in cooking relation to a heat source. Advantageously, the device provide a multiple kabob skewer holder that is easy to load and unload and yet holds each kabob skewer firmly in place during the cooking process. 
         [0026]    In certain aspects, each skewer has a handle portion  440  at one end to enable it to be easily grasped, and each skewer has a tip portion  453  retained within a receiving structure to prevent lateral movement of the skewer. In accordance with the certain aspects, the present invention provides a multiple kabob skewer holder such as a hub having receiving structures and having a generally cylindrical shape. The proximal portion of a skewer is supported by the circular barbeque bowl having an upper edge. 
         [0027]    As is shown in  FIG. 5 , when the desired number of receiving structures (e.g. notches) are loaded with kabobs, the cover section  510  of the BBQ is moved into its closed position. In a closed position, the cover section is supported by a spacer means  520  to avoid bearing weight against the opposite ends of the skewers  531 . Suitable spacer means include, but are not limited to, a clamp, a screw, a metal fastener and the like. When loaded with kabobs, the barbecue grille can be unattended while maintaining the kabobs at a proper distance from the heat source. 
         [0028]    In certain other embodiments, the present invention provides a skewered food cooking kit, or package for easy retail use. In certain aspects, the kit comprises: a hub having a top end having a plurality of receiving structures, wherein the plurality of receiving structures are formed about the circumference of the hub; a plurality of skewers wherein each of the plurality of skewers has a tip at one end and a handle at its opposite end, wherein the tip portion is adapted to fit within the receiving structures; and a spacer means to support a grille cover.