Patent Abstract:
An improved outdoor cooking apparatus features a pot with multiple cooking inserts and burner frame that supports a burner element. One insert can be used for cooking an entire poultry carcass. Other inserts are perforated baskets that can be used to fry items.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/479,198, filed Jun. 17, 2003, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to outdoor cooking devices that are fueled with gaseous fuel (e.g. propane, butane) and more particularly to an improved outdoor cooking device that can be used in a number of different cooking situations including boiling, steaming, and with water or oil as a cooking medium. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved cooking apparatus that has a specially shaped pot and multiple food holding inserts that can optionally be placed inside the pot. The inserts include one or more perforated pans for frying food items such as fish, poultry, or vegetables and wherein a specially configured insert can hold one or more entire poultry carcasses. 
   2. General Background of the Invention 
   A number of outdoor cookers have been sold commercially for a number of years and are admitted as “prior art” type burners. These “prior art” burners have traditionally included a metallic frame that supports a burner nozzle, such as a cast iron burner nozzle. Such burner nozzles are commercially available and are used to fire most natural gas fired hot water heaters. 
   Examples of these prior art type outdoor cooking devices can be seen in the Jan. 1, 1996 brochure of Metal Fusion, Inc., of Jefferson, La. Patents have issued naming Norman Bourgeois as inventor that relate to burners and related cooking apparatus. Examples include U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,735 for a “Convertible Burner Apparatus” that features different primary burner frames and legs that can elevate the burner frames. Other Bourgeois patents that relate to cooking devices include the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,813,321; 5,970,852; and 6,058,830, each said Bourgeois patent hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
   The burner nozzle can be a cast iron hot water heater type burner nozzle or a jet burner arrangement that uses a single outlet centered in a cylindrically-shaped, vertically oriented metallic tube. The most common version of the prior art “jet burner” arrangement is seen in Metal Fusion&#39;s catalog as Model No. 90PK. Another version of this type of cooker includes two spaced apart circular rings connected with struts and having a cylindrically-shaped wind guard or shroud. This type of prior art burner can be seen for example as Metal Fusion Model Nos. 82PK, 83PK, 85PK, 86PK, and 86PKJ. 
   For cooking some food items such as poultry items, it is sometimes desirable to fry the object in a basket that can be lifted from the pot. An example of this type of “prior art” arrangement is seen in the 1996 Metal Fusion catalog as Model No. 32TPK. For a combination cooking arrangement that includes a burner, pot and liner, the user typically places the poultry item in the basket and lowers it into boiling oil using a bail. In the prior art, bails have often been detachable from the basket so that the user can lower the basket into the pot and the contained boiling oil and then remove the handle or bail therefrom. This allows the user to eliminate the transfer of heat from the basket to the handle during the elongated cooking process. 
   A number of patents have issued that relate to cooking devices and utensils for use in combination with cooking vessels. The Walker U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,135 provides a utensil assembly and kit including same for cooking vessels used in preparing and supporting combustibles above the bottom of the cooking vessel and away from its inner walls. The utensil kit comprises a base supported above the bottom of the cooking vessel, a plurality of support attachments separately detachable and interchangeably mountable on the base for supporting selected combustible products, and releasable latch mechanism having two parts, one part disposed on the base, and the other part is disposed on each of the support attachments for engaging the base. One of the utensils is a poultry support attachment that fits inside the cavity of a chicken or other poultry enabling it to be positioned upright. 
   The Rappaport U.S. Pat. No. 3,053,169, discloses a poultry supporting device that sits upon a base in the form of a pan. 
   A rotisserie cooking arrangement is disclosed in the French Patent 2685862. 
   A roasting support for fowl is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,642. The apparatus includes a longitudinally extending rod that extends through the center of the turkey having an eyelet at its upper end. 
   A roaster for poultry and meat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,602. The apparatus includes a vertical roasting apparatus wherein a predetermined amount of liquid for generating the moisture required to produce a high quality and flavorful roasting of the meat is included in a reservoir formed within the support structure itself and disposed internally of the poultry or meat being roasted. 
   A vertical spit for displaying roasting or warming is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,999. 
   A combination outdoor cooker and smoker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,154. The apparatus includes a cooker having a gas burner coupled to an external gas source through a control valve by a gas supply conduit. 
   An Austrian patent 217592 discloses a cooking device that has a central member upon which a turkey or chicken is supported during the cooking operation. 
   British patent 2205734A discloses a device for use in preparing and cooking kebabs that includes walls which are interconnected to define a tube member and into which a first end wall is slidably received to further reinforce the shape formed by the sidewalls and whose end position is determined by the engagement of lips projecting inwardly from the sidewalls. The sidewalls are apertured longitudinally for receiving a knife to cut food within the tube member. 
   Issued patents to Barbour (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,758,569 and 5,896,810) disclose a cooking apparatus directed to the frying of poultry items such as turkeys. 
   Several patents have issued that are directed to a cooker or pot having a spigot provided on the pot wall that enables liquid to be withdrawn from the pot via the spigot. An example of such an early patent is the Saroni U.S. Pat. No. 57,577 entitled “Apparatus for Steaming Vegetables.” In the Saroni 577 patent, a spigot B is provided for withdrawing liquid from the receptacle or pot. 
   The Paterson U.S. Pat. No. 74,123 discloses in FIG. 1 a spigot mounted on the wall of a pot. 
   The Durham U.S. Pat. No. 123,876 discloses a boiler (see FIGS. 1 and 3) in the form of a pot having handles and a lid H. The Durham &#39;876 patent states that one or more of the lower components are using for cooking solids, and the others are either for soup or other liquid, the latter C or either of them being provided with a tap D at the bottom for drawing off the contents. 
   The Goodwyn U.S. Pat. No. 159,755 provides a cooking vessel. A faucet B is provided at the lower end of the boiler A. 
   The Harper U.S. Pat. No. 1,054,114 discloses a furnace that includes a vat that can be fastened to the top of the fire box by means of a sleeve D formed integral therewith and adapted to fit over the smoke pipe E. This vat is provided with a cover D′ and also an outlet pipe E having a spigot E′. 
   A cooking vessel is disclosed in the Clayton U.S. Pat. No. 1,272,222 that includes a cooking vessel 10 having an outlet nipple 11 in which is rotatably mounted on a valve plug 12. This valve structure enables the liquid to be easily drawn off. 
   The Jobe U.S. Pat. No. 1,390,908 discloses a cooking vessel that has an outer pipe 20 that has one end communicating with the inner receptacle for drawing liquids therefrom, the pipe extending through the outer receptacle and equipped with a valve 21. 
   The Austin U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,131 provides a pot drain in the form of pipe 12 that is fitted with a cap 13. 
   The Baker U.S. Pat. No. 2,350,335 discloses a brewer or cooker that has a drain valve 7 adjacent its lower end through which brewed coffee may be withdrawn. 
   The Shipman U.S. Pat. No. 3,838,680 discloses a combination heating and serving assembly having a drainage outlet or spigot 32 by which the liquid contents of the container may be drawn off from time to time. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an improved outdoor cooking apparatus that includes a burner frame having upper and lower end portions, wherein the lower end portion is configured to engage an underlying support surface, the upper end portion providing a pot support. 
   A burner element is mounted on the frame for providing a flame to be used during cooking. A pot rests upon the pot support during cooking, the pot having a generally square or rectangular bottom panel, a plurality of side walls, an open top, a pot rim, and an interior for holding a cooking fluid. 
   One or more inserts or racks are provided that are sized and shaped to fit the pot interior. Each insert or rack optionally rests upon the pot bottom panel in a cooking position and can be attached to the pot rim in a draining position. One of the racks is a poultry cooking insert that can hold an entire poultry carcass (for example turkey, chicken, or a plurality of poultry carcasses). 
   Another rack that can be placed in a cooking medium within the pot interior is a perforated basket for frying items such as fish, poultry, vegetables or the like. In the preferred embodiment, two frying baskets can be placed inside the pot in a side-by-side position or configuration. 
   The apparatus of the present invention can be used to steam items when a steamer plate is placed above and supported by the poultry cooking insert. 
   The present invention can be used with more than one cooking medium, such as with oil or with water. Water is preferably used when steaming, or when cooking certain seafood items that are boiled such as shrimp or crabs. An oil cooking medium is used when frying certain items such as poultry, fish, or vegetables. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a turkey carcass supported upon the poultry cooking insert and in the draining position; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner portion; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the burner portion; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the pot and poultry cooking insert in a draining position; 
       FIG. 6  is another perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the pot and poultry cooking insert in draining position; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial bottom perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the burner portion; 
       FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the lifting device; 
       FIG. 9  is a partial plan view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the lifting device, pot, and poultry cooking insert; 
       FIG. 10  is a side partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the poultry cooking insert; and 
       FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the poultry cooking insert; 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1-6  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally the numeral  10 . Outdoor cooking apparatus  10  includes a burner frame  11  that supports a pot  12 . The burner frame provides a generally rectangular base  13  that can be in the form of a square or rectangular member. A plurality of legs  14 ,  15 ,  16  extend upwardly along the generally vertical path from base  13  to pot support  17 . The pot support  17  can be comprised of a plurality of ell-shaped beams  18 ,  19 ,  20 ,  21 . Each beam  18 - 21  includes a vertical barrier portion  22  and a horizontal support surface  23 . The pot  12  provides a bottom panel  35  that rests upon horizontal support surface  23 . Vertical barrier  22  portion of each beam  18 - 21  restrains the pot  12  by engaging sidewall panels  37 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40  and preventing lateral movement of the pot  12  during cooking. 
   Frame  11  provides a shroud  24  that surrounds the burner element to provide a wind guard, and a plurality of, for example, three shroud supports  25 ,  26 ,  27 . A burner element support  29  holds a commercially available burner element at burner position  28 . A slot  30  in shroud  24  enables a part of the burner element (not shown) to exit the shroud  24  and attach to a supply of fuel such as a propane or butane tank, regulator, and supply hose. 
   It should be understood that such a gaseous fuel supply is well known in the art and typically includes a propane or butane tank, regulator and hose with appropriate fittings for interfacing between the hose and the burner element. Such burner elements are well known in the art, commercially available and can be seen in one or more of the above incorporated by reference Bourgeois patents. 
   Each leg  14 ,  15 ,  16  has a bend  31 ,  32 , and  33  respectively. This combination of the placement, spacing, and length of legs  14 ,  15 ,  16 , the size and shape of base  13 , and the bends  31 ,  32 ,  33  enable the pot  12  to be stored inside the area  34  defined by base  13  and legs  14 ,  15 ,  16  and under pot support  17 . The overall height of pot  12  is thus less than the height of each leg. Once stored, shroud  24  is positioned inside pot  12  interior  47 . 
   Pot  12  includes a bottom panel  35 , a plurality of sidewall panels  37 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40  that define a lower section  36 . Pot upper section  41  includes a plurality of preferably four inclined wall panels  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 . 
   Pot rim  46  can provide a continuous upper edge that is defined by the top of each of the inclined wall panels  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 . During cooking, any of a selected plurality of cooking inserts or racks can be attached to the pot rim  46  for draining excess cooking fluid from a food item to be cooked. When the selected insert (such as poultry cooking insert  50 ) is attached to the pot rim  46 , cooking fluids such as water or oil can drain back into pot  12  interior  47 . The selected inserts or racks can include the poultry cooking insert  50 , or a basket (or baskets). Each basket can have a handle that is shaped to track the shape of pot  12  wall. The uppermost end of handle preferably extends above pot rim  46 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, more than one basket can be provided, such as the two baskets positioned side by side. Two baskets can be sized and shaped to fit side-by-side within the confines of sidewall panels  37 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40 . The side-by-side cooking baskets thus occupy about the same area as pot bottom panel  35 . It should be understood that either one of or both of the baskets can be removed and attached to pot rim  46  using a basket hanger after cooking. This enables a user to cook items in one basket while draining items that have already been cooked and that are contained in the other basket. 
   Poultry cooking insert  50  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5 - 6  and  9 - 11 . Poultry cooking insert  50  includes a longitudinal beam  51  and a transverse beam  52 . The beams  51 ,  52  can be welded together. At opposing end portions of longitudinal beam  51  there are provided vertical beams  53 ,  54  respectively, each having a lifting hook or eyelet  55  or  56 . 
   Poultry skewer  57  extends laterally from one of the vertical beams  53 ,  54  and longitudinally, roughly parallel to longitudinal beam  51  (see  FIG. 10 ). One or more curved supports  58 ,  59  can be attached to longitudinal beam  51  for cradling and supporting of a large poultry item such as the turkey carcass  70  shown in  FIG. 2 . Hangers  60 ,  61  can be fork-shaped members that enable the poultry cooking insert  50  to be attached to rim  46  in the draining position shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  6 . 
   When cooking with any fluid, oil or water, spigot  63  can be used to drain pot interior  47 . Spigot  63  can be a commercially available spigot having a valve handle  64  that can be opened and closed so that when opened, the contents of pot  12  drain for disposal or recycling. Spigot  63  can be attached to pot  11  using any suitable outlet fitting or connection  68  such as a welded or bolted fitting or connection. Several prior art patents disclose the concept of draining fluid from a cooking pot using a spigot (e.g. see U.S. Pat Nos. 57,77, 74,123, 123,876, 1,390,908 and 1,827,131). 
   A draining position is indicated by the numeral  67 . In  FIGS. 8-9 , lifting implement  71  is shown. Implement  71  can be grasped at handle  75  ( FIG. 21 ) and attached at bar  72  to hooks  55 ,  56 , enabling a user to engage and lift insert  50 . Diagonal sections  73 ,  74  connect bar  72  to handle  75 . 
   PARTS LIST 
   The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               PARTS LIST 
             
           
        
         
             
               Parts Number 
               Description 
             
             
                 
             
             
               10 
               outdoor cooking apparatus 
             
             
               11 
               burner frame 
             
             
               12 
               pot 
             
             
               13 
               base 
             
             
               14 
               leg 
             
             
               15 
               leg 
             
             
               16 
               leg 
             
             
               17 
               pot support 
             
             
               18 
               ell shaped beam 
             
             
               19 
               ell shaped beam 
             
             
               20 
               ell shaped beam 
             
             
               21 
               ell shaped beam 
             
             
               22 
               vertical barrier 
             
             
               23 
               horizontal support surface 
             
             
               24 
               shroud 
             
             
               25 
               shroud support 
             
             
               26 
               shroud support 
             
             
               27 
               shroud support 
             
             
               28 
               burner element position 
             
             
               29 
               burner element support 
             
             
               30 
               slot 
             
             
               31 
               bend 
             
             
               32 
               bend 
             
             
               33 
               bend 
             
             
               34 
               area 
             
             
               35 
               bottom panel 
             
             
               36 
               lower section 
             
             
               37 
               side wall panel 
             
             
               38 
               side wall panel 
             
             
               39 
               side wall panel 
             
             
               40 
               side wall panel 
             
             
               41 
               upper section 
             
             
               42 
               inclined wall panel 
             
             
               43 
               inclined wall panel 
             
             
               44 
               inclined wall panel 
             
             
               45 
               inclined wall panel 
             
             
               46 
               pot rim 
             
             
               47 
               pot interior 
             
             
               48 
             
             
               49 
             
             
               50 
               poultry cooking insert 
             
             
               51 
               longitudinal beam 
             
             
               52 
               transverse beam 
             
             
               53 
               vertical beam 
             
             
               54 
               vertical beam 
             
             
               55 
               lifting hook 
             
             
               56 
               lifting hook 
             
             
               57 
               poultry skewer 
             
             
               58 
               curved support 
             
             
               59 
               curved support 
             
             
               60 
               hanger 
             
             
               61 
               hanger 
             
             
               62 
             
             
               63 
               spigot 
             
             
               64 
               valve handle 
             
             
               65 
               handle 
             
             
               66 
             
             
               67 
               draining position 
             
             
               68 
               outlet fitting 
             
             
               69 
               hanger 
             
             
               70 
               poultry carcass 
             
             
               71 
               lifting implement 
             
             
               72 
               bar 
             
             
               73 
               diagonal section 
             
             
               74 
               diagonal section 
             
             
               75 
               handle 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0